As Featured in the Saturday Telegraph 19 Feb 2011

THE REAL SKINNY

Perhaps it is a sign of the times that the new hit product from Rosie Flo is the Colouring Fashion Show, as girls still young enough for cutting and sticking are now also aware of the supposed glamour of the catwalk. With 18 paper models to dress, and eight spectators to scrutinise from the front row, it will afford hours of role-play over half- term, while you explain the similarities between the paper-thin models and the superficiality of the industry. By Daisy Bridgewater

View our full range of Rosie Flo products

As Reviewed by The Great Toy Guide November 2010

Sparrowkids Cat Cushion

We had great fun making this Cat Custion from Sparrowkids. it was easy to make and is a great introduction to sewing for children.  She has a real sense of pride in what she's made and can't wait to start her next sewing project.

Initial Thoughts: My 8 year old daughter is at the age now where she loves craft activities so when she opened the packaging to the Sparrowkids Cat Cushion sewing project, she was over the moon.  The packaging says that Sparrowkids' aim is to introduce children and adults to creativity with well designed products and we couldn't wait to get started.

We liked: The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and althought I helped her to cut out the felt shapes, my daughter was able to manage all of the sewing herself.  In essance, all you need ot do is cut out the felt shapes and sew them together and it's so simple that there are even marks on the fabric to indicate exactly where you need to put the needle.  I love that the motif that's pre-printed on the front of the cushion is quite complex and when you look carefully at it - there's actually ten different animals hidden in it.  I also think it's very good that Sparrowkids have a fair trade policy and that the motif's on their products are all inspired by nature, which encourages an interest in the environment.

We weren't keen: Although the cushion looks lovely and is a source of great pride for my daughter as it's the first thing she's ever sewn herself, it's not a snuggly cushion as the material is a little bit rough.  Also I've used an old fleece cut up for the stuffing, as recommended in the instructions, but it's a little bit on the lumpy side so I'd recommend cutting whatever you use to stuff your cushion into very small pieces to make yours less lumpy than ours.

Overall: As a craft project for a child, this is excellent and lots of fun  The instructions are so easy to follow and the fact that children can do the majority (if not all) of the owrk on this means that it's a brilliant introduction to sewing and crafting.  We can't wait to try out the next kit.  I was suprised by how easy it was to follow the instructions and I'm pleased that my daughter was able to manage to do the majority of the work herself - she has a real sense of pride in what she's made and can't wait to start her next sewing project.  Also it's worth highlighting that every purchase of one of these kits means that a donation is made to the RSPB.

Inspirational Sewing Kits for Kids - September 2011

One of the UK's leading online retailers of educational toys and crafts for children have launched their autumn/winter range of sewing kits and crafts for kids.  Nottinghamshire based Crafts4Kids.co.uk have extended thier range of sewing prodcuts by introducing two new brands to their range; Button bag and Sparrowkids.

Buttonbag:

Buttonbag sewing kits and crafts kits offer a delightful and inspirational way to introduce children to sewing; combining easy to follow instuctions with UK sourced quality fabrics, wools and trimmings to provide a fun, exciting and educational was to learn sewing, jewellery making and peg dolls.

The brand new Buttonbag Knitting Kit launched at the Autum Fair:
Packaged in a gorgeous vintage-style suitcase this knitting set from award winning craft company Buttonbag contains everything needed to get started along with full colour instructions, clear diagrams and simple patterns that teach children how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off.

Sparrowkids:

Sparrowkids felt sewing kits and jewellery making kits are ideal for children learning to sew.  Hand made in the UK and using recycled wool, felt and other materials, Sparrowkids sewing kits are environmentally friendly and provide everything that a child needs to learn how to sew with stunning results.

The Sparrowkids Cat Cushion from the eco-friendly learn to sew range for children:
With beautiful thick wool felt pieces in cream, black and charcoal to cut out and sew and 10 secretly hidden woodland animals to find amongst the printed body this sewing project is sure to engage.

About Crafts4Kids
Crafts4Kids.co.uk is one of the UK's leading online retailers of educational toys, learning toys and crafts for children.  Inspired by two working mothers who had become frustrated with the high street offering for their own children, Crafts4Kids.co.uk specialises in products that help to develop a child's creative potential by stimulating minds through play. 

Based in Nottingham, Crafts4Kids.co.uk stock a wide range of popular brands including Melissa & Doug, Klutz, Djeco, Fashion Angels, The Little Experience and The Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics; with many of products award winning and eco friendly.

Five Cracking Educational Toys For Kids - August 2010

Crafts4Kids.co.uk, the Nottinghamshire based online retailer of educational toys and crafts for children have launched a range of curriculum based products that are designed to stimulate a child's creative potential.

A ten minute memory recall game for children that is fast paced, educational and fun.

Wild Science Wild Physics Cool Chemistry Lab

Discover things that confused Isaac Newton with this action packed kids science kit from the award winning Wild Science toy range.

Klutz Battery Science

Master the real science behind electricity and have a blast doing it with the Klutz Battery Science activity book.

Creativity for Kids Ancient Egypt Mummies

Discover the secrets of ancient Egypt such as wrapping a mummy, painting a sarcophagus and constructing a pyramid with Creativity for Kids Ancient Egypt Mummies & More art and craft kit.

Djeco Abstract Art Workshop

The Djeco Abstract Art Workshop is a beautiful drawing kit for older children that teaches this famous block art style.

About Crafts4Kids

Crafts4Kids.co.uk is one of the UK's leading online retailers of educational toys, learning toys and crafts for children.  Inspired by two working mothers who had become frustrated with the high street offering for their own children, Crafts4Kids.co.uk specialises in products that help to develop a child's creative potential by stimulating minds through play.

Based in Nottingham, Crafts4Kids.co.uk stock a wide range of popular brands including Melissa & Doug, Klutz, Djeco, Fashion Angels, The Little Experience and The Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics; with many of products award winning and eco friendly.

As featured in Sew Magazine August 2010

Sparrowkids Pink Flower Necklace This sweet little pink flowers necklace from Sparrowkids contains recycled wool felt flowers, beads and suede thong to make a 120cm necklace.  It comes in biodegradable packaging and is handmade in the UK. 

As Featured in Sew Magazine August 2010

PARISIAN STYLING

These Djeco Jewellery Kits have been designed by Paris based fashion designers using best quality materials like fabric, ribbon and wood and the packaging also doubles as a neat jewellery box!  This beautiful 'Create Gabrielle' is quite different really stylish and a unique kit for girls who love to creative.  Make four individual contemporary pieces of jewellery.  Also available from Djeco is the colourful, funky and fun kit 'Create Round Jewellery' including everything needed to make four pieces of really cool 3D jewellery.  Suitable for children aged 8+.

The Djeco range is available from crafts4kids

As Featured in Sew Magazine August 2010

Trend Spotter - Alex Toys Felt Sweets.  Afternoon Tea!  Celebrate this tasty tradition with a scrummy selection of fabrics, beads and trims - Fabric Fancies; from doughnits and pies to cookies and lollipops, this fantastic craft kit from Alex Toys contains everything your little ones will need to start making their very own stitched fabric treats!  The set is available to buy at Crafts4Kids.

View our full range of Alex Toys products

As Featured in Sew Magazine August 2010

Fabulous Felt

Buttonbag Felt Jewellery Kit  This Felt Jewellery Kit by Buttonbag is also made in the UK and is a best seller for Craftss4Kids.  Make two colourful felt brooches and hair slides; assemble with glue or with a needle and thread.  All Buttonbag sewing kits have clear paper patterns, instuctions and contain 7 different colours of felt, embroidery skeins, buttons, beads, fixings and a needle kit.  Recommended for age 6 years and up.

The Buttonbag range is available to buy at crafts4kids.co.uk

As Featured in the Papercraft Magazine August 2009

Kids Jungle Stencils - Crafting with Kids Special - Little Ones don't need to be mini Picassos to enjoy drawing jungle animals thanks to these Kids Drawing and Painting Stencils from Crafts4Kids

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As Featured in the Quick and Crafty Magazine April 2009

Buttonbag Owl Family. Sew your own owl house family in funky fabric with this cool kit.  It includes a box to decorate and turn into a home for your new soft toy pets.  The stitching is simple and suitable for kids over six years, the beautiful, heavy weight printed cotton is easy to cut and sew.

View our full range of Buttonbag Products

As Featured in the Quick and Crafty Magazine April 2009

Klutz Lettering in a Crazy, Cool, Quirky Style. Bring out the Artist in you with this fun lettering and colouring set.  You get loads of stencils to help create different character styles, plus a pencil case with coloured pencisl, felt tips, a pencil, rubber and sharpener - so start scribbling.  Buy from Crafts4Kids

View our full range of Klutz products

As Featured in The Independant, "50 best toys" December 2006

Buttonbag Fairytale Peg Doll Kit

"These kits include the where-with-all to make six peg dolls, including fairy, princess, knight and pirate.  There's plenty of sparkling sequins, chainmail, wool, lace and ribbons as well as old fashioned pegs.  The younger ones can stick and wrap their costumes while the older ones can use the needle and thread provided."