Kirsty is back

[Rentochops]

on Wednesday at 19 October 8pm, Channel 4 called "Kirstie's Homemade Britain" this time :happy:

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/how-to/crafts

[sam]

I really enjoyed those Christmas programmes that Kirsty and Phil did last year, hope they do some more for this year.:nod:

[Sandra]

Yay! I can't wait :)

[angela]

tivo set to record

[Rentochops]

I really enjoyed those Christmas programmes that Kirsty and Phil did last year, hope they do some more for this year.:nod:

oo I did too Sam, they embodied the spirit of Christmas for me and made me feel properly Christmassy!

[LynneH]

That should be good. I really enjoyed the last series.

[Julie]

I love Kirstie tooo, although I think I might love Phil a tiny bit more :blush:

[Mistyblue]

Looking forward to this as well. Loved the last series. Kirsty was on BBC Breakfast yesterday and she is apparently going to make cards in this series. She also did say that if crafters were paid the going hourly rate plus materials plus a bit of profit, no one would be able to afford their stuff - hopefully some of the folk that say a hand made card is only worth 50p or a £1 were listening lol!! You gotta love her :rock:

[sam]

In the Marks and Spencer christmas catalogue Kirsty has got a range of stuff out and one of them is a correspondance stamping kit.

[pyjama princess]

Kirsty was on Radio2 this afternoon with Simon Mayo (Drive Time). They had loads of texts and emails for her.

[LadyKatkin]

I did quite enjoy the show yesterday, but I felt that, what with the Aga and all, and the fact that she's hardly short of a few quid, it might have been more sensible to make 3 of those fruit cakes, and get spare marzipan. I know she won, but...
Incidentally, a red velvet cake isn't that exotic these days. How come the judges had never heard of it? One of them was a 'food writer'. American cake is different - I often find if I offer it to a guest, I tend to tell them it's American, because people expect it to be like sponge and it's often a denser texture, and if you don't mention it, they think your sponge went wrong. If you're going to judge cake, you should keep up with the trends (they fussed about the amount of food colouring Gary used. I was yelling at the screen, Pour the whole bottle in!).
Kate x

[Mistyblue]

LOL Kate, think they would have had a heart attack if he had used a whole bottle!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and I love the way that Kirsty doesn't edit the bits when she gets really stressed and thinks everything is going wrong. I think that the reason she didn't make more than one cake may have been that she wanted to show that she was a novice and was really entering as such, also to maybe encourage other folk to have a go. I am looking forward to the rest of the series :)

[essdeecee]

In the Marks and Spencer christmas catalogue Kirsty has got a range of stuff out and one of them is a correspondance stamping kit.Here's the link to the M&S Kirstie Allsopp gift range (http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/search?node=42966030&field-keywords=kirstie+allsopp&viewID=results&intid=gnav_search).

I do (and only me probably!) feel that having a commercial range out goes against the whole recycling/handmade ethos BUT lurve that sewing basket!:heart:

[Rentochops]

it's paper crafting tonight peeps!

She has a bedding and cushion range on QVC as well!

My Mum has been pointed to the collection at M&S for my Christmas present!

[SooG]

I'm torn about this series.

I loved seeing how the newspaper sculptures were created (and can't wait to try one!) but I'm finding the focus on winning by paying experts to sit with you and guide you through the process a bit ooky*. I do think she's enjoying the crafting -- but because of the emphasis on the competition it comes off (to me) as being more about the winning than learning and loving the craft.

*ooky - possible made up word meaning difficult to describe uncomfortable feeling

[LynneH]

I know what you mean, Soo. Kirsty is very competitive. I like seeing all the different things made though. I liked the decoupaged animals tonight. I saw some similar Decoupatch ones recently and quite fancy having a go. Hubby wasn't that encouraging though. His exact words were "I don't want the house full of paper mâché crap". :giggle:

[SooG]

In an odd way I'm pleased she didn't win any prizes. Not because I don't like her (or what she made) but because it showed that quality crafting takes time and a bit of experience. She made some lovely things (I loved the embroidered card) but as she acknowledged they didn't require the same skills/dedication as the winning entries.

And it also shows that winning and 'expert crafting' isn't all it's about in the real world -- although the other cards clearly had more skill and time put into them (and I do agree deserved to win) -- her bird card is the one I'd most love to receive!

[SooG]

I know what you mean, Soo. Kirsty is very competitive. I like seeing all the different things made though. I liked the decoupaged animals tonight. I saw some similar Decoupatch ones recently and quite fancy having a go. Hubby wasn't that encouraging though. His exact words were "I don't want the house full of paper mâché crap". :giggle:

That made me laugh!! Our friends and families do have to put up with a lot sometimes. Unfortunately for them -- making one newspaper sculptured animal is never enough! :)

[Julie]

I enjoyed the 30 mins I saw, I find it all a breath of fresh air. God, nobody can surely enter for the prize, did you see the cut glass monstrosities that were the norm !!!

[SooG]

I enjoyed the 30 mins I saw, I find it all a breath of fresh air. God, nobody can surely enter for the prize, did you see the cut glass monstrosities that were the norm !!!

By the end of the episode my ooky feelings were gone -- at the beginning I was afraid it was going to be a series of Kirstie learning a craft on one day and winning a prize the next. They were really playing up the winning and I was afraid the 'joy' of the crafting was getting lost. But I think it was restored in the second half.

Her enthusiasm for crafting is genuine and contagious and for that I really love the series.

[Victoria]

I haven't seen the programmes yet, but a woman who worked with her during the Royal Welsh Show back in July was speaking on Radio Cymru (Radio Wales in Welsh) on Monday, about crafting in general. This woman is very well respected in these parts and is a great all-round crafter - not just papercrafter. She said that Kirsty was a lovely lady, but not a perfectionist at all, and was after quick results without the labour!

[LynneH]

I loved the embroidered bird card that Kirsty made. I don't think the judges really got it though.

[fabyon]

I can't stand the woman there I said it ! :) lol

[lilac froggy Jan]

HA HA Fab!
I don't mind her, be her everso 'posh' lol. I only saw the last 15 minutes or so when she was at the show. It did make me laugh how she thought her efforts were good enough to win a prize bless her. I had to agree when she commented that it wasn't quite right that one person was allowed to enter more than one thing in a category. Others might only be able to do one bit of work to enter. So it isn't fair.

[Rentochops]

I can't stand the woman there I said it ! :) lol

The world would be boring if we all liked the same thing :talking: he he - don't you hate that phrase used more time on this forum than a shopping telly presenter saying how much stock has gone!

She's a treasure Fab, although hubby hates her too - I have to record this programme as he spends the whole time being rude about her! If she was mending motobikes I think he would feel differently though.

[Granny Penny]

I don't find her posh as I tend to think of the Hyacinth Buckets of this world in relation to that adjective. She is well spoken and I find that a rest from listening to some of the people on TV these days. I do think she only gives an insight into the crafts she looks at and they are often finished by the people she consults (not in this programme but in her previous ones). I think TV land only thinks in threes so each prgramme has to have three crafts, three people wanting to buy or sell a house (Phil Spencer's latest programme), three people wanting to improve their business, etc., and they then cram hours of filming into little more than half an hour of actually programme. Someone should have told her the meaning of decoupage has changed and we haven't really found a way to differentiate between the two types yet.

[Rachel]

I'm enjoying the series so far, especially last night's papercraft episode. I would also prefer the series to focus more on crafting techniques than winning competitions. But it's a refreshing change to have a craft series on the TV in the first place.

[Victoria]

I watched the first two programmes this morning and enjoyed both of them. I quite like Kirstie, but knew that she didn't stand a chance in the Royal Welsh because the standard is amazing there. I can spend a good half day going around the crafts. It's also nice that a wider audience can get an insight into rural shows and rural crafts.

[Rentochops]

I'm enjoying the series so far, especially last night's papercraft episode. I would also prefer the series to focus more on crafting techniques than winning competitions. But it's a refreshing change to have a craft series on the TV in the first place.

Too true Rachel, it would be nice wouldn't it if we didn't have to watch craft on shopping channels all the time.

[LadyKatkin]

I thought that most of the crafts at the show were very old fashioned. I found myself watching and thinking I can't believe I used to cross-stitch (like many people, I got into crafts 20-odd years ago via that path). It's so....dull. I'm not saying the woman that won wasn't good at it, it's just that most people have moved on a bit. I know Kirstie (she's an Hon, you know!) is a bit of a crafty flibbertigibbet, but I like the idea that crafts can evolve a bit and become less....fuddy duddy. My complaint this week is effectively the same as last week's - that the judges need to move with the times. I felt Kirstie had a bit of a raw deal with her decopatch. At least she made it! The pictures that won were all printed and probs die-cut, which I felt was a bit...not cheating, but just not actually crafting in the competition sense. I mean, we all do it, don't we!
And those dolls were creepy.
I didn't like the origami computer either, and I did have some issues with her rings (the glue mainly!).
I did like her card, but the reason she didn't do better being that she didn't use more than one stitch? Machine embroidery? See what I mean? It shows a basic misunderstanding of the artform (yes, I have my C&G in machine embroidery, so I like to think I know something! lol)
But the show is a nice antidote to all those ghastly no-sew projects and kits which seem to be everywhere, so I'll keep on watching!
Kate x
(Opinions may be clouded by my current personal issues, so please ignore anything which comes across as crabbiness:cheeky:)

[Alice3_2009]

Yes, I agree with some of your points but I love crosstitch (the traditional kind/ samplers etc) and the crocheting - more heirloom stuff- but thought it was a shame that the woman who kept winning, said she found winning a bit wearing (or words to that effect). So why enter so many pieces?
Let someone else have a chance, I say.

[sam]

I too wondered why she kept entering if she found winning a bit boring - surely she wasn't entering for those hideous glass bowls! She should break with tradition and enter something different from her usual style, a change is as good as a rest (as "they" say).

[Winspiration]

I know what you mean, Soo. Kirsty is very competitive. I like seeing all the different things made though. I liked the decoupaged animals tonight. I saw some similar Decoupatch ones recently and quite fancy having a go. Hubby wasn't that encouraging though. His exact words were "I don't want the house full of paper mâché crap". :giggle:

Tsk, tsk, Lynne's Hubby :giggle:

Mind you having said that, and despite being quite a big hoarder myself, I did wince at the sight of all those origami creations - imagine having all those paper things that had been hoarded for years cluttering up the place and gathering dust - I wouldn't be keen on that at all, however painstakingly created :blush:

[Rentochops]

I managed to watch all this today and now I want a herd of ducks :hi:

It also made me want to cross stitch again, I was amazed that a decoupage picture won...I also adored the animals that the lady did using old fashioned decoupage (like the frog) and Kirstie's card was much cooler than all those old fashioned cross stitched cards!

[sam]

My daughter has just caught the Decopatch bug after buying some stuff at the Sincerely yours craft fair. Last weekend she picked out some more stuff that I approve of, a set of three gift boxes and some christmas decorations and some more papers. It's lovely to see her take such an interest in crafting and if she sticks to things that she can make use of eg the boxes and stuff rather than fill her bedroom with loads of animals then I'm all for it. I hope that Father Christmas leave her lots of interesting things for her to Decopatch (I'm sure that he will).

[essdeecee]

and now we can have the book - Kirstie Allsopp Craft (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kirstie-Allsopp-Craft/dp/1444737589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319907687&sr=8-1)

[Rentochops]

added to Christmas list!

[LadyKatkin]

I thought Harry Hill was a bit harsh. (Just adding in my defense that, despite his desperate unfunniness, there was nothing else on. Not in the mood for dancing.) It's people like him, going on about the pathetic-ness of craft in general, that keeps us generally felt sorry for by most of the population.
Have a look at that Kirstie book before you set your heart on it. In the flesh. It looks good in the Amazon Look Inside thing, but I was strangely disappointed when I looked at it in Asda the other day.

[Rentochops]

Not sure what Harry H feels Lady K, but the girls at work are well into different crafts these days, including the younger ones - they love Cath Kidson and Kirsty, lots of them knit and sew stuff, scrapbooking is quite popular too, not so much card making. I do think craft is much cooler than we think, as people are looking at doing home decor themselves as everything is so expensive! Etsy is also a site loved by young girls I work with!

So I think Harry H is well out of touch, craft is cool!

[Mothership]

We all loved Kirsty's cushion in last nights programme and after her effort were so pleased that she got 1st place and then best in show.
I'm not wiping the recording cos I think the idea would translate to a card really well.

[LynneH]

Kirsty's cushion was beautiful. She looked so embarrassed that she'd won. I really liked the mother and daughter's felt items too. That looks like a real skill.

[jr77]

Kirsty's cushion was beautiful. She looked so embarrassed that she'd won. I really liked the mother and daughter's felt items too. That looks like a real skill.:mysmilie_497:

[babafang]

I watched the end of the episode with the paper crafting - loved her decopatch bird - yes, this is what I always thought of as decoupage so I try to call the card making on 3-D decoupage!

I did like her card - and agree wholeheartedly that one should only be allowed one entry into each category. If the event was meant to be 'cross-stitch' then it should have been called it, or tapestry, or whatever..... to me, the naive card was very good, applique I suppose?

I did like the paper rings, they were ok and fun, but perhaps not the best thing compared to the other things - that computer was a very clever concept, (old from new double meaning) but really not great - he'd have been better doing origami as his other stuff was lovely (that naked lady just looked like screwed up paper to me at first though.....oops! how rude of me!!)

I missed the last one - I wonder if I can catch a re-run as I love the sound of the cushion.... If I recall the end of the last episode, was she doing some quilt/patchwork/applique?

[LadyKatkin]

You can watch it on 4od babafang.
Here is a link for the 'instructions' (http://www.channel4.com/4homes/how-to/crafts/how-to-make-an-embroidered-appliqued-and-quilted-cushion) to make the cushion. (Not for novices by any means!!)
Don't think I'll be paying much attention next week - I'm not a gardener
Kate x

[sam]

Does anybody know if there is a repeat of last nights episode coming on? My recorder decided not to record Grrr! :huh: I'm sure that I've seen other episodes repeated over the weekend, but I can't see any sign of it on the epg.

[Rentochops]

I think it is Sam but you can watch again on 4OD

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/kirsties-homemade-home/4od#3148715