Smashed Peas and Carrots

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Handmade Hostess: Book Tour Review and Giveaway

** This giveaway is now closed!!**
Today y'all are in for a treat! My blog is part of a book tour for a new book that just came out recently, Handmade Hostess.  I was lucky enough to be able to review it early and can I tell you that I spent hours (yes hours!) enjoying this lovely book written by Kelly Lee-Creel of Storybook Lane fabric fame and her sister Rebecca Soder.  The book is a labor of love for them, a place where they could share with all of us their love for entertaining, sewing/crafts, and dessert-making.  Just looking at the cover I knew this book was right up my alley :-) And the book is truly gorgeous inside and out with every picture inside just absolute eye candy.  

At the beginning of the book, Kelly gives party planning tips and checklists to keep any hostess sane during party prep which we all know can be a bit crazy at times. The book has 12 different party themes that include 36 handmade hosting touches like how to make whimsical tent cards, ruffly tablecloths, and coordinating table accessories just to name a few.  There is also a dessert recipe that coordinates with each party straight from Rebecca's kitchen. I especially thought the Valentine's Party was adorable, right down to the handmade cloth napkins that, once folded, are meant to be love notes with embroidered addresses on them...seriously so cute!

The party themes included so many areas...bridal showers, tea parties, St. Patrick's day (seen above), and even a boy's Mad Scientist themed birthday party! And there are tips and tricks within each party to help make your planning and hand making easy on you.  I also loved at the end of the book how there was a Special Techniques section to help even the most beginner crafter/sewer understand how to pull off all the handmade crafts the book offers.

This really is such a great book, one that I will definitely be coming back to again and again as you all know I love to throw a good party! Gah, Oliver's first birthday is only 3 months away...I better get cracking on a theme!

Kelly Lee-Creel and Rebecca Soder are so kind as to not only let me review their new book for you but to also offer ONE of my lovely readers the chance to win your own copy!!

If you want to enter just click the link here or enter below!

**The winner has been chosen!! Thanks for playing!


Thanks for stopping by today!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 XOXO,

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29 Comments:

Blogger Anna said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

March 20, 2013 at 8:18 AM  
Blogger Jen said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I've been anxious to read this book and get party ideas. My favorite Party theme would have to be Christmas, but I've been doing quite a few baby showers lately.

March 20, 2013 at 8:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anything Christmas. :-)

March 20, 2013 at 9:42 AM  
Blogger Gizala said...

My favorite party theme is a tea party - princess, mad hatter, moms & daughters, you name it.

March 20, 2013 at 9:54 AM  
Blogger Kay said...

This looks like a great book to peruse. Great ideas in it.

March 20, 2013 at 10:39 AM  
Blogger Little Ella Lu said...

I had a lot of fun with a lemonade birthday party as well as a pancake birthday brunch.

March 20, 2013 at 11:05 AM  
Blogger Graciela said...

How beautiful! I enjoy throwing little parties and this would be a fun help!

March 20, 2013 at 11:28 AM  
Blogger Tammy said...

I enjoy helping to throw bridal a & baby shower parties.

March 20, 2013 at 11:51 AM  
Blogger Bella's mama said...

Love throwing parties for little kids with lots of finger foods, colors and decorations

March 20, 2013 at 12:00 PM  
Blogger Lee said...

My favorite theme is anything sports related! thank you!

March 20, 2013 at 12:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My favorite party theme is summer!
bjn1957{at}gmail{dot}com

March 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

My favorite party theme is a really fancy tea party, with lots of fine china and flowers.

March 20, 2013 at 1:50 PM  
Blogger annemarie said...

I love children's birthday parties centered around owls or sock monkeys.

March 20, 2013 at 3:48 PM  
Blogger The Good Doctor's wife said...

My most recent favorite theme was the Alice in ONE-derland party we just had for my niece's (Who happens to be named Alice) first birthday.

March 20, 2013 at 4:38 PM  
Blogger Debi said...

My favorite theme for a party is a tea party. So much fun.

March 20, 2013 at 8:23 PM  
Blogger Kelly Dee said...

Paris or tea party

March 20, 2013 at 11:04 PM  
Blogger MaryB said...

Thanks for offering the giveaway and chance to win. My favorite party theme is the Oldie Goldies/50's style.

March 20, 2013 at 11:39 PM  
Blogger Beth said...

My favorite party theme is Thanksgiving dinner--the joy of being together, the celebration of family and friends, the abundance of blessings.

March 20, 2013 at 11:51 PM  
Blogger karamino said...

Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite is birthday party!

March 21, 2013 at 3:21 AM  
Blogger jennh said...

I love themed parties for my four boys! We've done reptiles, oceans, firefighters, insects, circus, Star Wars.......the insect one was so much fun, but so was Star Wars as each one received a Jedi cloak or Princess Leia hair buns! My boys love the surprise on their birthday morning of a themed cake.....makin' memories!! Thanks for the give-away and your blog.....I love checkin' in to see all the crafty things you do and yummy meals you make. I've made a handful and have loved them all!! (The crafts....I'm dreaming about someday!) :)

March 21, 2013 at 6:46 AM  
Blogger Ang Paris said...

What a beautiful looking book! I'm not sure I could pick a favorite theme... we've had many over the years from tractors to minnie mouse (this weekend!) and they are all fun and special in their own way :) I love makiing handmade decorations, both for the cost savings and the fun of it!

March 21, 2013 at 8:12 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i love to throw a good Pirate Party!!! I hope I win!

March 21, 2013 at 10:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm thinking of doing a Super Why party theme this year for my soon to be 2 year old boy/girl twins

March 21, 2013 at 2:56 PM  
Blogger cooperkelly4 said...

favorite theme is either for a birthday or a teatime. =0)

March 21, 2013 at 10:54 PM  
Blogger Heidi Reads... said...

I love doing a children's book theme since I have some great vintage ones for decor and extras for crafting with.

March 22, 2013 at 9:20 AM  
Blogger Crystal said...

What a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!

March 24, 2013 at 4:39 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wow, I love the valentine cookie idea.

March 24, 2013 at 7:06 PM  
Blogger Amelia said...

I love to entertain but haven't done many 'themed' parties (besides bits & pieces for the kids family birthday parties). Would love to start doing some themed parties! Thank you for the chance to win!

March 24, 2013 at 11:20 PM  
Blogger Kaizen Fashion Project said...

The mad scientist looks fun!

heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

March 25, 2013 at 12:00 AM  

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