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:




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.



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!



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.