I can’t believe it’s been one year already since I started this blog. This past year has been lots of work, but mostly lots of fun. The blog gives me the push I need to actually turn all the ideas in my head into reality! Some of them turn out great, and others not so great…but the best part is giving them a go!
I’m amazed at how quickly the blog has grown from just my hubby proof reading it. I’ve now got over 500 Facebook fans and lots of other followers! I am so grateful to all of you who keep stopping by. Thanks for your visits and your comments. I read every single comment and it’s still exciting when I see there’s a new comment on the blog.
Because I’m in such a happy blogiversary mood, I thought I’d have a giveaway. It’s my way of saying thank you for visiting!
Up for grabs is your choice of my ‘go to’ books. You can choose any one of these books and should you win, it will be shipped to you by bookdepository.co.uk.
The Baby-led Weaning Cookbook
I am always pulling out this book and flicking through the recipes. It has a 40 page introduction to Baby-led weaning concepts and then over 130 recipes. I have made the Sugar-free Carrot Cake, Warm Apple Wedges, Eggy Bread, Burgers, Thai Curry and Cheesy Tuna Pasta salad to name a few. While it doesn’t really have any mind blowing recipes in it, I love referring to it when I’m in a bit of a baby food rut and can’t think of anything to cook. Even if I don’t follow a recipe I get inspired by all the ideas in it.
River Cottage Baby & Toddler Cookbook
If you need pictures of the recipes in your cookbooks, then this book is for you. I love the index at the beginning that mentions different fruit and veg, when they’re in season, how to store them and what to do if you have a glut. It also lists what pages you can find recipes using those ingredients. It also has a guide to introducing solids. It includes recipes for purees if you’re taking that route and also baby-led weaning friendly recipes. I’ve made the Pea Risotto, Apple Muesli, Polenta Chips and Rice Pudding and I’m dying to try the Apple and Cheese on toast.
Sewing Basics
This is a great book for the beginner sewer. There are no projects in this book, it’s more of an encyclopaedia. It covers tools and equipment you’ll need for machine and hand sewing as well as different fabric types, understanding patterns, and different types of seams. It then covers techniques such as darts, gathering, elastic, fitting using a toilé, lining, hemming, pockets, zips, buttons, collars, sleeves, waistbands, cuffs, trims, appliqué and embroidery and more…see what I mean by encyclopaedia?! It’s not an overwhelming book though.
Crafty Minx
This book is full of simple projects for handmade treasures and features a lot of fabric recycling, which I love! There are simple projects for baby things, a few tote bags, a kids play tent (tepee), several home décor and clothing projects. This book isn’t just about sewing either. It has lino printing , collages, papier-mâché and colour bubbles for the kids too. My Rice Heat Pack was from this book.
Good luck everyone!
My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
Cassandra says
Happy Bloggy Birthday!!!! I’ve got my eyes on the sewing book of course 🙂
May many years of fruitful lie ahead of you x
thingsforboys says
Thanks Cass!
Roslyn@Sew Delicious says
Happy bloggy birthday Abby! Thanks for the cool giveaway – so funny that you have the Crafty Minx as a choice – that book started it all for me! I was so inspired from it and I had just started reading a couple of blogs, then it snowballed!
thingsforboys says
Thanks Ros! That’s so great that Crafty Minx started it all for you! It’s such a lovely book.
Janelle @ Emmaline says
Happy Bloggy Birthday! It’s something to really be proud of! Janelle
thingsforboys says
Thanks Janelle!
becksambitions says
Happy blog birthday! I came here via Ros at Sew Delicious… Glad I found you! I look forward to having a good sticky beak 🙂
thingsforboys says
Thanks Beck!
Blonde One (Deb) says
Happy Blog Birthday, I too saw this wonderful blog at Sew Delicious. I love the crafty minx.
thingsforboys says
Thanks Deb!
Toni-Maree says
Happy Blogiversary! x
thingsforboys says
Thanks ladies!
Laura says
Yay, congratulations on a fantastic year of posts. I’ve loved getting to know you through your blog. Looking forward to many more years of posts ahead x
thingsforboys says
Thanks Laura!
Anonymous says
Hi, Abby! Great blog, I am reading you from Hungary. 🙂 I am just wondering how can you find free time for cooking and sewing beside of nurturing a little boy… I haven’t heard about baby-led weaning before reading things for boys, and I like this approach very much, thanks for that! Happy birthday, and keep going! 🙂
Eva
thingsforboys says
Hi from Australia, Eva! I have to be very organised to make good use of Roman’s nap time for sewing and cooking and try to pick things that are quick. If you have little ones, I’d recommend baby led weaning! It makes meal times so much fun, even if they’re a little messy!
Anonymous says
Yep, a six month old baby boy, so it’s weaning time.
It is funny, I start sewing something, he wakes up… It takes weeks for me to finish one piece … Now I want the hat, but have only 3 weeks till summer vacation… 🙂