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book review // hoop-la!




Today's Halloween, so let me share something scary with you. Hoop-La! is a book showing 100 things to do with embroidery hoops. What makes it scary? I'm glad you asked. Because it's scary just how many good ideas this book contains.

I'm not joking around here.

Kirsty Neale has crafted a book that is so full of creative hoop art that you'll never need to look further. When I received my review copy of the recently released eBook version, my jaw dropped...mainly because it seemed that the book went on and on. Just when I thought there couldn't be any more ideas, there were even more ideas!

Take a look at a sampling of the hoops:

HOOPLA_270213_022


Did you watch the video? It's super cute, and you still haven't seen all of the hoop projects!

Hoop-La! focuses on two main things, or perhaps three: decorating hoops for framing, and creating things to go in the hoops. I say three, because while some of the things in the hoops are artwork (most of which have templates and motifs included), some become entirely new things (such as a mobile, a mirror, a game, and more).

By the way, you'd think that a book that is written entirely around embroidery hoops would be best suited for embroiderers. And maybe it is. But well over a third of the hoops don't use any embroidery. That means that those who already embroider can use some new techniques (screen prints! crochet! patchwork!) and those who are new to working with hoops can ease in without even taking a stitch.

Using embroidery hoops a lot, I've seen many ideas for making them into an art piece or other useful object. Hoop-La! does contain some projects that you might find elsewhere, but Kirsty brings her own style into the mix and that alone is worth the price of the book.

quilty wip

I have a soft spot in my hear for "cheater" fabrics: those that are printed to look like a patchwork quilt, without actually being...well...a patchwork quilt. I've started on my own "Quilty Pleasures" hoop, and with any luck, I'll have it all finished by the end of the day. This hexie fabric is from the Robert Kaufman line So Happy Together, and it's perfect for this. Add a spot of crochet trim and I've got my own bit of Hoop-La!

Since I have no intention of sharing this with anyone other than myself (I know! I'm so mean!), I've got something better for you. The Quilty Pleasures hoop that Kirsty made for the book!

hoopla_quilty

One lucky winner will receive this 7-inch hoop filled with quilted goodness. The giveaway is open to all, even if you're international. Enter below through Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Oh, and before you go, I should mention that today's post is part of a blog hop, so you can visit other sites to learn more about Hoop-La!, as well as enter to win other pieces from the book! You'll find the complete list of blog hop sites here.

You can order the book (with a free embroidery hoop!) or the PDF eBook directly from the publisher, or through many other sellers.

Find more from Kirsty at her blog Ginger & George, her shop Hello Clementine, on Twitter, and on Pinterest.

70 comments:

  1. The most unique hoop embroidery projects I've seen are Wild Olive's :)
    You're the one who tought me embroidery! :D

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  2. I really love projects in embroidery loops. The most original/unique that I saw was the one that as the girl embroided in one loop and the ballons in anothers. That ideia of dividing an image in several loops is incredible.
    The book looks amazing and the loop that you're ofering too!

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  3. I can't help it... my favorite hoop projects are those walls filled with lots of "fabriced" hoops. I'm pretty new to embroidery so I haven't really seen a lot of embroidery projects yet.

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  4. I like the ones that continue from hoop to hoop...... a raincloud in one, girl with umbrella below.... child below balloons above, etc. thanks for the chance

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  5. I love all projects that involve embroidery hoops! My favorite so far is to cover the hoop in fabric and use it as a frame for a crocheted doily. So pretty!

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  6. I just got this book last week for my birthday! I love it......am buying some hoops this weekend and have 6 Christmas presents in mind so far. It is awesome. Thanks for being part of this hop. I especially like the hoop treatments - they add so much to each project. Thanks again....have a nice day!

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  7. Great blog post today. I never knew there were so many different ideas and uses for just a using an embroidery hoop. :)

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  8. Been enjoying embroidery for 40(yipes) years!! Have always loved wooden hoops and would love to have this book.

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  9. I've been eyeing up this book....I like the hoops that have pockets to hold things,,as I also knit and crochet, everything neat and tidy but easily accessible AND pretty!! xx's Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  10. I love the embroidery hoops that Love and a Sandwich does. I love when a hoop is the canvas.

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  11. I have recently become so interested in crewel embroidery! The stitches are so unique and beautiful!

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  12. I ordered this book last week and am waiting patiently for it... My husband came home last night and said a book had been delivered to me (I have to get stuff delivered to his work) but he'd forgotten it! I was so annoyed with him!

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  13. I love the large ones that have little pockets on the front so you can use them as organisers.

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  14. I currently sew and knit and have been considering learning embroidery.A book like this would definitely have me out buying stuff to make some of those hoops! They are soo cute!!

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  15. i love the idea of a wall organizer in a hoop

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  16. I think the most unique embroidery hoop project has been the photo printed on fabric. I just printed a tutorial to try it out. Thank you for the giveaway and the inspiration!!

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  17. I don't know about unique, but I did use vintage pillow cases with children on them in embroidery hoops to decorate our nursery when we didn't have the money to do anything else. It was like a $5 project and covered an entire wall!

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  18. Really a great book! My eyes can't catch all the things in the video, I have to watch it again ;)

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  19. The book has inspired me to embroider a hoop right this minute!

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  20. Could be a great addition to help me with my embroidery self learning :)

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  21. Ooh! such a lovely giveaway! I would love the chance to win. Sue x

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  22. I would so love to win this and am off now to look at the book. Thanks for the heads-up.

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  23. what a neat book! and a lovely hoop. thanks for the chance to win. :) (happy halloween!)

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  24. This hoop is one of my favourite in the book (although it is difficult to pick a favourite) and I love the video Kirsty made!

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  25. How adorable is that! would love to win it :)

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  26. I saw a hoop project that was a baby birth sampler - so cute and so perfect for baby's nursery.

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  27. I just bought a ton of unused hoops at the thrift store, I would love to use them with projects from this book! I would love to win the hoop too, I never win anything!

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  28. This looks like a great book!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Anonymous3:11 PM

    I bought a granny square that was crocheted in a hoop last year at Urban Craft Uprising. I couldn't not buy it. The colors were so pretty and I thought it was such a cool idea.

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  30. I like the Misako Mimoko work´s...
    Sonia

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  31. I love this book! So fun to see new projects with hoops . . . we used them alot "in the day" :-)!

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  32. This is so adorable! I love it!

    I think the most unique embroidery project I've seen is her wiener dog hoop. That one was so very fun!

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  33. I saw three graduated-sized hoops used to make a snowman for a winter door decoration. Thanks for the chance at the "hoop art"!
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  34. Anonymous5:38 PM

    omg I have to have that fabric. Now to look online for it. so frickin adorable!

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  35. Ones with pockets so you can organize your sewing goods.

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  36. I did a collage set of winter scenes! thank you!

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  37. Love all the hoops! The Dachshund spanning two hoops is adorable. Bet this is a great book :)

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  38. this book looks fabulous!!!

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  39. I used an embroidery hoop (and your Alice in Wonderland pattern set) to make a mobile for my daughter's nursery.

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  40. I love the giraffe and the dachshund from this book - so original to use several hoops to convey an image :)

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  41. Great review - can't wait to get this book. Working on embroidery hoop projects is my favourite thing to do - like you say you can do so many different types of things so this book sounds perfect! Love the Quilty Pleasures hoop so much - great name too! ]

    The project I can't wait to try is a hoop I saw on pinterest encompassing a map and a special place. Going to make this for me and my fiance with our special place!

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/29625310021830627/

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  42. This looks such a great book!
    I've got a hoop with pockets for my stitching bits and pieces!

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  43. I gotta get my hands on this book!!!!!

    Thanks for the chance to win the cute hoop!

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  44. I'm a sucker for the utili-hoop with all the pockets for my stuff!

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  45. I love all kinds of hoop projects!

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  46. So I just googled embroidery hoop project diy's and saw some really nice ones, including one made with scraps of fabric in the shape of a turkey, which would be a perfect Turkey day decor piece.

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  47. Your works are pretty funny!

    http://www.myfelt-carla.blogspot.com

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  48. This book is really cool :)

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  49. I love when hoops are connected in a way with each other. Like the weiner dog type of idea. I lik the thinking out of the hoop too and when they interact with each other. This book is so inspiring and so full of awesome ideas!! Thanks for the chance!

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  50. I just buy this super book. I love embroidery and all project are cool :) I am glad I found your blog.

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  51. awesome!! thank you!

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  52. I love the "multi hoop" projects--the giraffe or the doxie (from the book) or those around blog-land with the gorgeous liberty fabrics. Love your 'cheater' fabric :-)

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  53. Anonymous8:12 AM

    I love seeing hoops used for snowmen. Two of my favorite things! Dawn F.

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  54. I have been making my own hoops with different embroidery in them. I guess the most unique hoop is one of my own which was a embroidered welcome sign for my sewing room. thanks for the giveaway.

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  55. I don't know if it is the most unique, but I love the ones with little pockets to put your sewing things, they are sew cute.

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  56. I love dress up girl

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  57. I like the ones that are scrappy and have some small bit of embroidery. But really, they are all fantastic!

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  58. Julie9:35 PM

    What a nice creative book. I love the dachshund hoops.

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  59. this book looks so awesome! it's going on my christmas list!

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  60. the most unique embroidery hoop project I've seen is framing pieces of vintage lace. It's so gorgeous!

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  61. Anonymous8:11 AM

    The most unique project I have seen would def be in a local history museum-truly impressive hoop!
    margaretannegibb (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  62. I thought the big heads looked really fun! I also love the wall organizer. It would look so cute in a craft room!

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  63. I don't know that I've seen anything all that unique, but I saw a collection of hoops with different fabrics hung on a wall and it looked so nice!

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  64. What amazing/creative ideas! The faces/heads are so cute and original. Thanks for a wonderful book and giveaway!

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  65. Love chalkboard embroidery hoop and that amazing 3D hoop.lovely giveaway,thank you for the chance to win it.

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  66. Making a laundry bag with the hoop as the opening. (personally I'd prefer to hang hoop pictures on my wall)

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  67. I've seen them used as frames for artwork other than embroidery, you can do so much with them!

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  68. I'm Amy C - does that mean I won???? amycav at hotmail dot com

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    1. There must have been another Amy C too...the winning entry had an email attached with it, and we've already connected. Good luck on the next giveaway!

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