I was so happy to receive a review copy of Anna Maria Horner's new book, Handmade Beginnings: 24 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby. It couldn't have arrived in a more timely manner! As my regular readers know, I am expecting baby #2 in just seven short weeks, and while I certainly don't need any help adding to my ever-growing project list, this book is nothing short of inspiring.
First of all, Anna Maria Horner must be some sort of motherhood goddess, because she wrote this book while she was pregnant with her sixth child (my hero). In the introduction, Anna talks about how all the sewing (her form of nurturing), was so beneficial to her pregnancy. I especially liked when she said:
" ... sewing while expecting has kept me healthy and centered on what matters - more joyful than not."
I find that true for myself as well. All of the projects I've been working on for Ruby keep my mind on the excitement of a new baby, and away from worrying about all the potential "what ifs." Plus, I like the late night sewing sessions, just the two of us, when I can feel all of her little wiggles (and sometimes backflips).
Anyway, back to the book! It really is a wonderful collection of projects that includes the whole family in getting ready for baby - there are sewing projects for mama, baby, dad, siblings, the home ... she just about covers it all. Can you tell I like this book? The projects are clever, the instructions are clear, and the photography is to-die for.
The first project to catch my eye was the Baby-in-the-Hood Jacket:
Isn't that baby just delicious?!! The jacket is gorgeous, too ... I had to make one. Here is my first attempt:
I have fabric cut for about 4 other projects from the book, but another one I wanted to specifically mention is the Nesting Cubes:
In addition, Wiley Publishing is running a drawing for 1 SINGER® Confidence™ 7470 sewing machine, 5 yards of Anna Maria Horner fabric, and a copy of the book Handmade Beginnings: 24 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby. Just click here to enter.
Finally, you can read more about the book (and find more book giveaways) on Anna Maria's blog tour. Here's the schedule:
May 3 Craft
May 4 Indie Fixx
May 5 Sew Mama Sew
May 6 Pink Chalk Studio
May 10 Wise Craft
May 14 House on Hill Road
May 16 The Purl Bee
May 18 All Buttoned Up
May 19 Alabama Chanin Journal
May 20 Homemade by Jill
May 21 True Up
May 22 Oh, Fransson!
May 23 Prudent Baby
May 24 Sew Liberated
May 25 Handmade by Alissa
May 26 Hazelnuts
634 comments:
1 – 200 of 634 Newer› Newest»Oh I would love a copy of this book!! I'm pregnant of my first, 17 weeks to go!!!
What a great book! I would love to win a copy!
What an adorable jacket! I'd love to win! I shouldn't comment very first since #1 rarely wins, ha ha! But I'm still up and probably won't be able to remember tomorrow:). You are so talented Jill!
I would love to win! I love the jacket.
What a sweet book! I'd like to win a copy too :)
Best wishes,
Tatyana
Super cute! I just had a sweet little girl and I love have so many projects I want to sew for her, but they are mostly online tutorials, I'd love to have a book!
Love the jacket! Super cute!
this looks like a great book
i would love to win!
thanks!
I would really love to win a copy of this fabulous looking book. I so love the wee baby jacket you made :)
Book looks really nice, will be happy, to look it all!
WOW!!
That's EXACTLY what I need to fill up my babies´ closets...
We are expecting our 3rd Wonder every day now, and I would JUST love to win a copy of this book.
So... "pick me - pick me"!! ;0)
Hugs
from Switzerland
wow, what an awesome giveaway! If I win or not, this book is a must have!
Cute jacket, baby ruby is gonna be a little fashonista! I can tell already ;)
I would love to win. Have a cute 3 mo old I would love to make some stuff for!
I have so many friends who will be having babies this Fall - would love to have this book for gift ideas!
Thank you!
Nice job with the jacket. Would love to win the book, can't tell you how much I love sewing books!
Great book. I would love to win a copy. Thank you.
That books looks awesome. I'd love to win a copy! grbuie@gmail.com
I have been semi following thr blog tour of this book and am liking it more and more with each new review and detail.
I'd love to win a copy and get crafting!
I love the look of this book, so many great projects.
I'd love to win the book! I have a little girl I love to make stuff for!
Nice work with the jacket!
I agree, anyone who has that many kids and still has a booming business with their sanity intact is truly a super-woman! Love the cute jacket, I like the colors you use. Can't wait to see what is next!
Such a fun book! I'd love to have one, even though I don't have kids... yet. carolynhwilcox@gmail.com
Put me in the draw! It loos like the best book!! I'm going to have to buy a copy if I don't win. I'd rather win it, lol!!
pzy001@gmail.com
I'm due with baby #2 any day now & would love a copy of this book! I saw it on 'pre-order' on Amazon a month or so ago but didn't reserve a copy because I wasn't sure if it would be worth the wait...now I see it would be!
What a charming book - thanks for sharing Jill!
I'm pregnant with baby #2 as well and this book would be awesome. I need inspirations for some new projects. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to win this book. You did a wonderful work with the jacket; it's really cute.
Thanks for the giveaway!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com
Love the book and the ideas. I'd love to have one of my own.
bryannkeri@yahoo.com
Wow, the book looks good! I just started to learn to sew, and while I do not have kids of my own yet, I am excited to make something for the friends who do...Lenka
zavinacik@gmail.com
I need this book! Even if I don't win, it's going on my wish list. :)
bethstephenbruce at gmail dot com
This books sounds awesome. I would love to win and make the jacket! I just had a little boy a few weeks ago and love crafting. Which remind me I am waiting on some inspiration for the car play mat!! I'm a very dedicated reader, thanks for the great ideas.
Oh, Oh, Oh, I want to win!!!
lynetteloveridge@gmail.com
I have a 9 month old son, and a new nephew on the way. I would love to create handmade gifts for them!
I so need this book...I am expecting my first grand baby in 5 weeks, and am so excited to make lovely things for him or her.
I am on week 26 of pregnancy, leaving me with 14 more weeks of creative opportunity! If only I could get this book!
sgrbear724 @ yahoo.com
I'm 5 months into my first pregnancy, even at my rate I reckon I could finish a couple of projects before then. Thanks so much!
I love Anna Marie! Her book looks fabulous! I love that jacket!!
oh gosh. i know i won't win, but i can't help but enter. i so want that book!
Love her and love the look of that book ... I'm crossing my fingers to win!
I was just getting ready to look at the reviews for this book! Thanks for making that job easier! :)
The book looks amazing. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Would love to win a copy of that book! Thanks for the review. So many times patterns in books are hard to follow and have so many errors. Glad to hear your first project went well!
What a neat book! Your baby jacket looks great.
Would love that! Baby # 2 will be here in 2 weeks for me so 'getting ready for baby sewing' wouldn't work but 'baby is here' sewing is a yes!
spottedwhale(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for such a sweet giveaway!! I actually went out and ordered the book already, but I have the perfect friend to give it to! :)
Would love to make some of these things for my second grandchild!
Oh My Gosh! this book looks amazing!!! Everyone I know is pregnant right now and this would certainly help with those baby gifts!!!!!
mackenziescraftymom@gmail.com
Oh wow, that looks like a great book!! If I don't win, I think I might just have to buy it anyways!! I'm not expecting baby 2 yet...but I hope to be soon!!
Thanks for an awesome giveaway & keep up the ADORABLE crafting!
I'd love to win this book! I am expecting my first in October. :)
I've been wanting to check this book out! Love the jacket and would love the book :)
Im interested! :) Im on week 22!
I hope this giveaway is open to international posters, i'd love to make some things out of this book for my newborn daughter & lots of pregnant friends babies!
Is it also for international crafters? if so - please count me in! Thank you!
I want to win! I love her stuff!
That book looks fantastic!
If the rest of the book is as inspiring as the nesting blocks, I'm going to have to dig out my sewing machine!
I'd love to win this! A fellow Nashvillian! Awesome stuff.
would love to win this wonderful book!
What gorgeous stuff!
I would love this book, the stuff looks great!
I love the idea of this book! I'm not expecting, but I would love to have this for when I have my next baby. It would also be great to have it so I can make gifts for all of my friends that are having babies. I hope I win!
Ohhh I would love to win this book! Not that I don't already have baby projects piled up on the sewing table... :) But it looks awesome! Thanks for the chance to win, Jill!
Great giveaway! Such adorable projects and I love Anna Marie Horners fun bold fabrics!
i'd love a copy of that book!
I'd love it! How fun is that!
That book looks so cute!
Adorable jacket, would love to win the book!
Yay!! I want this book so bad!!! I'm pregnant with my 3rd right now and my first baby girl!! How fun would this be!! :)
I would love to win this book! I have a 21 month old and a 7 month old, and we're already talking about baby number 3. :o)
What are the chances of winning? It's worth a shot... what a darling book to celebrate baby!
(debnjason@msn.com)
I have just fallen in love with sewing and would LOVE to have this book! WOW! What a treasure trove!
Cute! I'd love to win a copy!
Love that jacket! It turned out great! Would love a copy of the book too :)
My son needs that jacket! The book looks awesome!
I would love to win this book! rheannong@yahoo.com
I need a boost in inspiration and great ideas. I would love to win this amazing book. And from your comments...the photographs are just worth it!
I would love love love this book! I am always looking for new projects for little ones (mine and others)! Thanks for reviewing it. Your jacket is just simply adorable! I cannot wait to make one myself!
That looks like a great book!
I love sewing baby things and want this book so badly! I'm holding out for all the giveaways, but if I'm unlucky, I'm just going to have to buy it!
I would love this book! The jacket is so cute!
Oh i would love this! I have a very good friend who is expecting and it would be so much fun to make her things from this book!
Cute jacket. Please enter me.
iluvchrisnlevi@aol.com
what a great giveaway! I would love have this book.
Your jacket came out super cute.
Andrea
aaleland@yahoo.com
That book looks so wonderfully inspiring!
I love your neutral colored jacket, but of course it never hurts to have 2! The book looks like tons of fun!
I'd love to win and make things for my friends who are having little ones!
I am 20 weeks with baby #2 and am so excited for this book. I too find myself through sewing esp. for my baby!
I've got 2 weeks to go with my second boy and I'd love to shower him with some of these cute ideas! Thanks!!
crissy_hartl@yahoo.com
This book looks so lovely. I love the cute jacket you made. I would love to have the opportunity to win.
ramona_murrayatcomcastdotnet
This looks like a great book! I would love to win!
jenlea2000@hotmail.com
Looks like a great book!
I hope I win!
that jacket is precious. i would LOVE to have that book!
I would love to win this book!
Such thoughtful and useful projects, I would love to own this book.
Ohhh...I think I need this book!
I'm expecting my first in December...plenty of time to pop out a few of those jackets!
What a great giveaway! I'm expecting in July and would love to add more handmade touches as I prepare!
This book is at the top of my wishlist :) Would love to win it! Thanks for the chance.
I'd love to win, so cute!
Would love to win this book!
wow! I was just asking for great craft book recommendations on my blog today - - thanks for the great giveaway! Mandy, www.craftedition.blogspot.com
This is a great giveaway - the book looks amazing. And, Friday is my birthday and we're trying for baby number 2. What great timing!
WANT this book!!!
I LOVE Anna Maria Horner, would love to win her new book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Looks like a great book! I love the Baby-in-the-Hood jacket too! :)
What a cute book! I love the jacket you made!
veronica12487@gmail.com
love your jacket and would love to win a copy of the book!!
This if my first time leaving a comment on your blog. I do enjoy looking at all your projects, they inspire me to get crafty! It would be wonderful to win this book; thanks for the giveaway!
Love, Love, Love, Love, Love.
Love.
Thanks for the review. If I get chosen, I will be one happy kiddo!
Brooke
I love making baby gifts! What a wonderful book!
I'm not currently pregnant but have many friends who are. Pick me!
After two miscarriages, I'm expecting my first baby boy in October. I'd love to make him things from this book!
Deanna
my fingers are crossed!
There are some super cute ideas in here :) Good luck with baby, I am due in 13 short days!!! I can't wait :) Anywho, I'd love to win!!
stoutfamily@rocketmail.com
Looks like a great book!
friedturtle@hotmail.com
With 12 pregnant friends all due in July/August, I'd better get crackin' on gifts!! This would be so perfect. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love to win this book since I hopepully will have a positive pregnancey test by next weekend. It's our second ivf-teatment (our first resulted in eary miscarriage) and I have a positive feeling this time... :-)
That jacket looks sooo great!
Wow! I would love this book so I can make some cute things for my daughter and my adorable nephew and baby showers of course!
Oooh Oooh pick me! Pick me!
I absolutely love your blog. Keep up the awesome work!
oh i LOVE that jacket! i would love this book - my sweet sister is expecting her first and i am looking forward to spoiling my niece like crazy!!
I just had a baby boy and like your blog for that reason - boy projects! So please keep it up. I'd love to win a copy of this book and try a few more things.
Oh, please pick me!
I love how your jacket turned out! Very classic, but so cute at the same time! I've been eyeing that book as well, but I'm not expecting, nor are we having any more children. But it kinda makes me want just ONE more baby!
This book looks excellent! And spiral bound is the best. Hope I win!
count me in! I'd love to win!
I would love to try it out!
I would love to win! I have many pregnant friends currently.
accoupons at gmail dot com
This book looks wonderful! I'd love a copy so I can try out some projects for my new baby girl! We JUST received our referral for her yesterday (she's from Ethiopia) so we're all in baby euphoria in our house!
jennifereladd at yahoo dot com
Looks like a great book. I'm a grandma that loves to sew for the babies!
I am in love with this book! I have been coveting it for a while now. I so enjoy your blog and your super cute personality. I love everything you make. You give me so much inspiration!
awesome book!
and cutest jacket!
aimeembryan@gmail.com
mmm...yes please! my baby twins will love it.
OOOO!!! PICK ME!! I'd love to win. I'm 11 wks preg with my first and can't wait to find out the sex so I can get to work sewing fun little things out of this book!
That book looks amazing. I love your jacket you made!
I have an 18 month old and my husband and I are trying for baby #2. I love to craft and have done some sewing projects before but nothing too complicated. I would love to have a book like this!
I would love a copy of the book
I would love to have a copy of this book! My friends and I are about to embark on expanding our families and this would be perfect to give as gifts!
What a great giveaway! I would love this book, I could use a few new projects for my new baby.
i am super excited about this book... thanks for the chance to win it!
Oh, how I want this book. I have been holding off because I want to see what sort of projects it offers. That jacket sealed the deal.
Thank you for sharing.
Also, love the name "Ruby". My favorite stroller company has a gorgeous colour in their line also called Ruby.
Oh I love her. Her projects, her fabric, everything!
Thanks for a chance to win a great book!
Oh I would love to win this book! My favorite things to sew are baby shower gifts! They are just so much fun.
I would love to have this book. I will have a new niece soon that needs lots of things sewn by her auntie!
Oh boy! I want this so bad!
katherine@liggitt.net
I would love to win this book -- I have several grandchildren (present and future) that I could make lots of cute projects for!
Connie
I would love to have this book!
Just adore that little jacket. I would love to make one for my little boy at home. Love Anna and would love to own a copy of her wonderful new book!
oooh! I would LOVE to win this book! thanks for the chance!
I have never owned a swewing book and this one looks like the perfect one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
That jacket is adorable! I'd love to see what other projects are in the book!
It would be fabulous to have a copy of that book. I enjoy sewing and need some new inspiration!
with three girls, Im done having babies...BUT I have 5 friends that are pregnant now! so this book would be lovely, to ive me some wonderful ideas for handmade gifts for them :o)
I hope I win! What a cute book!
hi! i'd love to win, i'm very new to sewing and have been inspired by your blog, i've been making your bibs and burp cloths for baby number 2 who is due in october and this time around i want to make everything myself and this book would be perfect! Thanks!!
I would love this, there is always someone having a baby!
I've had my eye on this book for a bit now. Can't wait to see who wins!
FUn!! I would love to win!!! I am done having babies - I have 5!!! But I am still making baby things for everyone else!!
suzannebake@gmail.com
Oh, My Gosh, Oh, My Gosh, Oh, My Gosh!!!!!! I would love to win this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got so excited win (he,he) I saw this post! Congrats on #2 AND #1!!
cute jacket :), Love the title of the book, I'd like to win a copy :)
Oh how I would love this book! 3 of my sisters are all pregnant right now and I would love new ideas for making baby things!
I love Anna's books! I would love a copy of her newest!
I've had my eye on this book. Baby #4 on the way and it's been a while since the last one . . . need to get some sewing done! Thanks for the chance.
These kind of books are so nice to have. Best wishes for your new baby girl. They're so fun!
Oh I love this book and would love to get my hands on it so I can get my hands busy! :) Anna Maria Horner is so inspiring! :) I'd love to win!
Am always looking for more baby projects--expecting #1 in 15 weeks!
Hello my name is Wendy and I am a lurker. There, I've said it. I've never won anything before and I have no reason to covet the book other than it is beautiful. My two girls are no longer babies - one on the brink of discovering the school world and the other a fully-fldged toddler. If I do win,some of my other friends with babies on the way will receive lovely surprises inspired by the book.
Oh, I love the jacket! And I'm selfishly really hoping that I win. : ) Not only do I make practically all the baby gifts for my friends, but also I'm beginning to have a sneaking suspicion that #3 just might be on the way. But shhh...no one knows yet. ; )
I would love to win! I love your blog! you are so talented!
I would love this book! I've just recently rediscovered the joy of sewing and have a brand new little one that would love some new things!
peliroja_15@hotmail.com
Oh how cool! I would love to win! I know 10 women that are pregnant right now(And that is NOT counting the ones that have had babies in the last few weeks) so I would love this book! I am running out of baby patterns and need some new ideas desperately!
You jacket turned out sooo cute. I would love to win a copy of this book. I have several friends with new borns or who are still expecting. I would love to make them some cute baby gifts! Thanks for the chance to win!
I've got my fingers crossed! This book looks amazing! And since I'm LDS, I'm always either having a baby or going to a friend's baby shower. HA!
That book looks terrific! I would love it as I am 3 months pregnant! I have a lot of time still so I could do a lot of crafting! :)
Brianna G.
I love that little jacket. Simply adorable! I'm selfishly hoping that I win the book because not only do I make almost all handmade baby gifts for friends, but also because I'm beginning to suspect that #3 is on the way.
Great job on the jacket- it's so cute! I'd love to win a copy of the book- every mother in our playgroup is expecting her second within the next 6 months so I'll be pretty busy churning out baby gifts!
I love this book and all AM's works. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great jacket - that's satisfying sewing.
Looks like fun
Love that jacket! Thanks for this great giveaway!
Looks like a great book, I would love to win it!
I would love a copy of this book, I have been seeing it mentioned everywhere lately and would love to make those nesting cubes!
I LOVE Anna Maria Horner! I just made some of my nursery bedding (expecting in about 5 weeks) out of some of her fabric!
What a cute book! Perfect timing as we just found out we are pregnant with #2 (babies will be 15 mo apart :0)
awesome! I would love to have this book! Fingers crossed.....
Wow, this is awesome! I've been drooling over this book since Anna Maria first mentioned it on her blog!
I'd love to win this! I am due next week with my 2nd little one... can't wait!
I totally want this!!
This book looks So perfect. I'm 22 weeks along with my third child(and first girl. wouldn't that book be perfect?
I love the jacket you made! So Darling.
What a great book, I would love a copy!!!
Oh, adorable jacket! I would love this book! Hopefully I can sew some things for another little one soon!
Ooooo! I'm 6 months pregnant and I'm having so much fun making baby clothes - I would LOVE this book!
That book looks AMAZING! I'd love to own a copy.
I already have a copy of this book so I don't need to be in the running for the giveaway....
But I had to comment anyway; I love this book! It's such an inspiration in sewing and family life! :) And such beautiful projects!
So cute. I love that jacket.
Looks like a great book, full of lots of fun projects. I would love one.
I would love to have a copy of this book!
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