Crafts with Kids

My latest book is due out in May 2010, published by New Holland. Having worked on Art Attack magazine for 11 years, until 2007, lately I have concentrating more on adult crafts such as jewellery and knitting, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to create some projects with children in mind. I had great fun coming up with the ideas, as well as working with the children in the studio – and Roddy Paine's photography and the overall design of the book is colourful and eye-catching.
When I was growing up, my parents always providing me with plenty of paper, crayons and paints, as well as magazines to cut up and all the women in my family were good at knitting and sewing, so they were excellent role models. I have always encouraged my three kids to be creative, too. Josh is really good at drawing, painting and model-making, Lillie has great taste and is brilliant at customising and reinventing secondhand clothes, while Edith, who is currently doing AS level art, is particularly good at drawing, photography and collage.
The book covers a range of techniques, including painting, collage, sewing and knitting, and I hope it is an inspiration to parents and children.