August 2009

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures by Amanda Blake Soule. Published by Trumpeter (August 11, 2009).

I feel like Amanda Soule should be my best friend or wonderful neighbor or my long lost sister, because her words make me feel like I know her. I love her style, her lifestyle and her parenting style and I appreciate her creativity and her imagery – what she chooses to share of her life with the world on her daily blog and through her books is a very generous and special thing.

I have watched and followed and communicated with Amanda over the years, our blogs both starting up at around the same time – on opposite sides of the world – both with children but very different lifestyles, I all the time wondering if I would ever have the courage to follow her path of homeschooling and as she has added a couple more children to the family I grow ever more proud and in awe of her ability to continue on her amazing creative path while at the same time inspiring families around the world to be a little more creative in their lives. Thank you Amanda.

Amanda’s latest book, the handmade home, is just as special as her first book, the creative family. Such a fantastic journey of creative endeavor, learning to recycle, to use what you have, to let the children’s energy and talents shine through, to appreciate the little things, to observe and and to listen and to get making.

Along with Amanda’s philosophy on family and togetherness, comes some cute and thoughtful projects for the whole family to get into. From the family art table runner, rag rug, papier mache bowls to nappies, sanitary napkins, and baby slings to books, to wall panel organisers and treasure bags. Most of these projects are suitable for beginners and for children to make. So grab this book and get creating with your whole family.

Trumpeter are generously giving Whipup readers the opportunity to win a signed copy of Handmade home. We have two copies to give away – so please leave a comment here to be in the running to win [open for 48 hours]. Answer this question: What have your made for the home from recycled materials that has proved invaluable in your life?

Comments are now closed and winners will be contacted in the next couple of days – thank you all so much for entering – stay tuned for another fantastic giveaway in the next few days.

Congratulations to Katie and Amelia – winners have been contacted. thank you all for entering.

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