I have watched the first three 'episodes' of Kirsty's Handmade home and I am most underwhelmed... OK. Fair enough, her kitchen did look quite nice when it was finished, and I did like her cream/ yellow bath and sink, but all in all I have not been impressed. I was looking forward to the series because (as I like to think) it's kind of what I'm about and what I'd like to be doing all the time. I wanted to see the handmade items being made and maybe get a little inspiration. However, I have found Kirsty Allsopp patronising and annoying. Even if I wasn't into crafting of that kind, I wouldn't want to be told every five minutes that I could enrol on any number of courses up and down the country to learn to make a cushion or whatever. Surely, most people could figure that out anyway?
Also, she keeps going on about how her handmade items are going to save her loads of money, and we can all do this to make our houses beautiful in these tough times. Somehow I don't think that making your own glass (SINGULAR) is going to even dint the vast amounts of money she is spending on that holiday home. Particularly if you're going to get the glass blower to finish off your set (presumably at a very high cost for bespoke glasses).
This sort of approach continued into this weeks' programme, where Kirsty was learning to knit. OK - it's great that she learned a wonderful skill but come on! She knitted a tiny rectangle and then handed her project over to Suzie Johnson to finish. I'm sorry, but if I'm making something for my home or my family I want it to be special and something I've put love and care into. Not something I've started and someone else has finished. This is regardless of how long it took me to learn that initial skill. I want to see Kirsty encourage people to learn a task and then stick it out until they have a lovely finished item which means something. What is this approach saying to prospective crafters?
Despite my niggles with the programme, I do think some sections have been worthwhile viewing, and undoubtedly if it encourages people to try new crafts then I'll somewhat forgive its presenter.
Above is my little bit of handmade home. My mum found this little chair in the street, which is a very common thing in London apparently (I guess an alternative to freecycle). I believe it was the chair to one of those highchairs which breaks down into a little table and chair. It was nice enough as it was, if somewhat rickety. The cover was a green gingham vinyl and was a little grubby. Also, there were holes in the tops of the arms where the tray was attached. I dismantled the chair and Martin sanded it, filled the holes, glued the joints and then painted it in several coats of white paint. I sewed the covers, which are removable with a velcro strip where the two meet. In the back of chair I added a layer of cream fleece to soften it (I didn't remove the vinyl, just put the covers straight on top). I wish I had done this with the seat too - as it covered any trace of the green gingham below. I think when the covers get washed for the first time I'll add this (if I can squeeze it in). I actually glued the fleece with Gutermann's fabric glue, as it kept moving around whilst I was trying to put the cover on. I am really pleased with the results, and it should fit nicely in the new nursery (oh the excitement!!)
