[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":11},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post-my-20-top-tips-for-great-holiday-prezzies":3},{"_type":4,"body":5,"bodyHtml":6,"excerpt":5,"featuredImage":5,"publishedAt":7,"slug":8,"tags":9,"title":10},"blogPost",null,"I thought I'd compile a list of some of the yummiest things out there this Christmas - stuff I've geeked out over this year - in case it inspires you in your Christmas shopping. (And no, it's not just my books.) These are things you might get for children or teenagers but end up keeping for yourself.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/tumblr_muoiwwZdeu1qhfu4ho4_400_zps3cc01c09-cc58249324.gif\">\\r\n\\r\n1. The first thing I'd make a mad dash for is \u003Cb>Philippa Rice\u003C/b>'s new book, \u003Ci>\u003Cb>We're Out\u003C/b>\u003C/i>, which I'm planning to review soon on this blog. Lovely, warm-hearted, stocking-size comic book that will inspire kids and adults to get making stories with the bits and bobs lying around them. Available from \u003Ca href=\"http://mycardboardlife.bigcartel.com/\">Philippa's shop\u003C/a>. \u003Ci>Edit: And you can read \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/610561.html\">my interview with Philippa here\u003C/a>!\u003C/i> \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://mycardboardlife.bigcartel.com/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/tbf13_philippa_rice_were_out_zps4293dd06-a71fe64c1e.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n2. \u003Cb>Pens!\u003C/b> You can't go wrong with good pens. People are always getting frustrated that their work doesn't look good enough, and sometimes that's because they're using rubbish materials. Get them something nice to work with. I love \u003Ca href=\"http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Pentel_Brush_Pen.html\">Pentel's brush pen\u003C/a>. It comes with a couple cartridges, but if you think the person will use it often, you can get another envelope of \u003Ca href=\"http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Pentel_Brush_Pen.html#a838\">four replacement cartridges\u003C/a>. I love \u003Ca href=\"http://www.cassart.co.uk/drawing/product_type_paper/seawhite_starter_sketchbook_140gsm.htm\">Seawhite sketchbooks\u003C/a> because they're cheap and cheerful and the paper's good for drawing. Sometimes if you give a person a gorgeous sketchbook, they won't actually use it because they'll think all the drawings will have to be amazing. Give them a stack of these sketchbooks and let them draw lots of quick, easy, fun drawings and not worry about them being perfect. They come in several size, but A4 fits in a rucksack and A5 fits in a handbag. And \u003Ca href=\"http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Faber-Castell-Pitt-Artists-Drawing-Pen.html#a5668\">Faber Castell Pitt pens\u003C/a> come in a handy pack of four different tip sizes, which are also lovely for drawing.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_pens_zps41e0f37b-b6aafb2db7.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n\u003C!--more Click here for more under the cut!-->\\r\n3. This red cover on \u003Cb>Leigh Hodgkinson\u003C/b>'s \u003Ca href=\"http://nosycrow.com/troll-swap\">\u003Ci>Troll Swap\u003C/i>\u003C/a> is so festive and cheery, it makes me smile every time I look at it. Lovely arts-and-craft-inspired illustrations and a sweet story about a messy little girl and a fastidious troll who briefly swap homes. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://nosycrow.com/troll-swap\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_trollswap_zps274fbdc0-14272daa3c.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n4. And Leigh has a shop called \u003Ca href=\"http://www.wonkybutton.com/shop/\">Wonkybutton\u003C/a> with lovely things! I have already picked up a couple items for prezzies, including dolls you can cut out and stitch together, and a lovely tea towel.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.wonkybutton.com/shop/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies_leighhodgkinson_zps9153414f-a79c6bc0dd.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n5. Speaking of arts and crafts, I love these screenprinted cushions, sold just down the road from me in Greenwich. \u003Cb>Marie Rodgers\u003C/b> and \u003Cb>Maria Livings\u003C/b> have a lovely shop called \u003Cb>Lush Designs\u003C/b>, very near the market entrance (next to Rhodes Bakery, yum yum, coffee stop). Or you can \u003Ca href=\"http://www.lushlampshades.co.uk/index.php?category=1&sec=50\">buy them online\u003C/a>. (I'm leaning against the fox one as I type this.) \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.lushlampshades.co.uk/index.php?category=1&sec=50\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_lushcushions_zps011624c9-093b08fcee.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n6. I'm a big fan of \u003Cb>Paul Bommer\u003C/b>'s printmaking work, and just about everything in the \u003Ca href=\"http://www.stjudesgallery.co.uk/\">St Jude's Gallery\u003C/a> in Norfolk. You could lose hours browsing their site, but here's the link to \u003Ca href=\"http://www.stjudesprints.co.uk/collections/by-medium/products/tattooed-sailor\">Paul's Tattooed Sailor print\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.stjudesprints.co.uk/collections/by-medium/products/tattooed-sailor\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_bommer_zps654cb92f-87a40d8065.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n7. \u003Cb>Philip Reeve\u003C/b>'s \u003Ca href=\"http://www.philip-reeve.com/goblins.html\">Goblins books\u003C/a> are such cracking good reads that you'll want to start the second book as soon as you've finished the first. And they come together in lovely Christmas colours. When I read them, it made me want to try my hand at sculpting my own goblin baby. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.philip-reeve.com/goblins.html\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_goblins_zpsabb6a1f1-8977835ab8.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n8. So why not give them together with a pack of \u003Ca href=\"http://www.craftmerrily.co.uk/product/3832/sculpey---white-1-75lb\">Sculpey clay\u003C/a>? I love this stuff; it stays wet and malleable until you bake it, and if you get \u003Ca href=\"http://www.craftmerrily.co.uk/product/5951/sculpey-clay-tool-starter-set\">the modelling tools\u003C/a>, you can get quite a nice smooth finish on it. After baking, its ceramic-like surface is perfect for painting with acrylic or modelling paint. Be sure to have some \u003Cb>aluminium foil\u003C/b> at hand, to stuff the insides if you're making something fat like this goblin. And if you want to get more stuff, \u003Cb>wire\u003C/b> and \u003Cb>wire cutters\u003C/b> to make sticky-out limbs would be very handy.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.craftmerrily.co.uk/product/3832/sculpey---white-1-75lb\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_sculpey_zpsecaaa279-694fe31a09.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n9. Now let's have some top-quality comics! \u003Cb>\u003Ci>The Phoenix Comic\u003C/i>\u003C/b> provides a great weekly dose of lovely stories through the postbox, all fresh comics material with no adverts. You can \u003Ca href=\"http://www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/xmas-shopping/\">subscribe here on their website\u003C/a>, and also order a folder to collect the comics in, and other merch. The comic has some great reader feedback features, so you may find the person you gave it to will be drawing comics like mad, to be featured in the magazine and blog. (You can also get the comic \u003Ca href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/phoenix-weekly-story-comic/id583824799\">digitally for iPad\u003C/a>.)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/xmas-shopping/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_phoenix_zpsbbdb16ef-d6dd76b406.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n10. \u003Cb>Gary Northfield\u003C/b> writes and draws a regular strip for \u003Ci>The Phoenix Comic\u003C/i> called \u003Ci>Gary's Garden\u003C/i>, but he also has an amazing full-length comic called \u003Ca href=\"http://www.garynorthfield.com/2012/07/24/teenytinysaurs/\">\u003Ci>The Terrible Tales of the Teenytinysaurs\u003C/i>\u003C/a>, published by Walker Books. A gang of dinosaur friends muck about and go on adventures and it's loads of fun. You can also buy a signed and sketched version, as well as original artwork and this and other posters from \u003Ca href=\"http://garynorthfield.bigcartel.com/\">Gary's online shop\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://garynorthfield.bigcartel.com/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_teenytinysaurs_zps375c526e-b871d09bff.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n11. & 12. Two other amazing Phoenix artists, \u003Cb>James Turner\u003C/b> and \u003Cb>Jamie Smart\u003C/b> also have cracking good books out in the DFC Library. I'm such a fan of both their work; hilarious good fun and terrific storytelling. You can buy them through the \u003Ca href=\"http://www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/product-category/comic-books/\">Phoenix online shop\u003C/a>. (And check out the other books while you're there, they're all ace.)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_saas_fish_zps02951685-ab9b2c451b.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n13. Here's a great gift to give someone if you want to get involved in a craft project with them. \u003Cb>Viviane Schwarz\u003C/b> takes you on a great walk through how to make your own cyber costume in \u003Ca href=\"http://www.flyingeyebooks.com/feb/?feb_books=welcome-to-your-awesome-robot\">\u003Ci>Welcome to Your Awesome Robot\u003C/i>\u003C/a>.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.flyingeyebooks.com/feb/?feb_books=welcome-to-your-awesome-robot\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_robot1_zpse48fc8fc-bd1aa19224.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\nIf you get this book, it might be a good idea to have some cardboard boxes and craft supplies at hand! (Here's my \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/553270.html\">earlier review\u003C/a>, in which monkey and duck make their own robot.)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/553270.html\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_robot2_zps92bd6e52-6149fe1a4a.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n14. You can't go wrong with \u003Cb>Luke Pearson\u003C/b>'s \u003Ca href=\"http://www.nobrow.net/category/products/childrens-books\">\u003Ci>Hilda\u003C/i> comic books\u003C/a>. If the person you're shopping for loves Moomins and Miyazaki animations, this will be right up their street. The \u003Ca href=\"http://www.nobrow.net/10142\">Hilda vinyl doll\u003C/a> is a bit pricey, but I want one. And Nobrow even do beautiful \u003Ca href=\"http://www.nobrow.net/category/products/toys-homeware\">gift wrap\u003C/a> that you'll be tempted to hang on the wall instead of cut up.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.nobrow.net/category/products/childrens-books\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_hilda_zps134a889d-67be75eb16.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n15. I'm not sure how much modern kids love wooden toys, but I bought this fox for someone and then couldn't give it away. It's produced by \u003Ca href=\"http://www.littlebabycompany.com/products/1770/Djeco-Fox-Pull-Along-Toy\">Djeco\u003C/a> and designed by fabulous Frenchman \u003Cb>Marc Boutevant\u003C/b>, who illustrates the heartwarming \u003Ca href=\"http://www.papercutz.com/comics/ariol/\">Ariol comic books\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.papercutz.com/comics/ariol/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_djeco_fox_zps14b4fe28-fe85000551.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n16. I've already had to order more copies of \u003Ca href=\"http://store.greatbeastcomics.com/product/tall-tales-outrageous-adventures-the-snow-queen\">\u003Ci>The Snow Queen and other stories\u003C/i>\u003C/a> by \u003Cb>Isabel Greenberg\u003C/b> because I keep giving it away to everyone. Isabel's told the traditional Snow Queen and Emperor's New Clothes stories but given them her own slightly modern twist and illustrated them with lovely folk-art-inspired drawings. It's 32 pages, a thin comic rather than a thick book like her \u003Ci>Encyclopedia of Earth Earth\u003C/i>, so perfect for stuffing Christmas stockings and giving someone a comics taster. Get a closer look \u003Ca href=\"http://store.greatbeastcomics.com/product/tall-tales-outrageous-adventures-the-snow-queen\">over on the Great Beast website\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://store.greatbeastcomics.com/product/tall-tales-outrageous-adventures-the-snow-queen\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_greenberg_zps44c40b0e-1b1a4b69c1.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n17. \u003Ca href=\"http://www.panmacmillan.com/gobstoppers/chrisriddell?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_term=na&utm_content=-na_readanexcerpt_excerpt-online&utm_campaign=9780230759800\">\u003Ci>Goth Girl\u003C/i>\u003C/a> by \u003Cb>Chris Riddell\u003C/b>: Funny, quirky storytelling with amazing illustrations. Read my \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/605867.html\">earlier review here!\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/goth_girl_endpapers_zps845eb54b-880c852f58.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n18. I'm really hoping one of the authors on this list will give me a signed copy of this \u003Cb>Doctor Who\u003C/b> book, \u003Ci>\u003Ca href=\"http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141348940,00.html?strSrchSql=Doctor+Who/Doctor_Who:_11_Doctors,_11_stories_Various\">11 Doctors, 11 Stories\u003C/i>\u003C/a>. (You can see my fan art and read a little bit about it here on an \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/552530.html\">earlier blog post\u003C/a>.)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141348940,00.html?strSrchSql=Doctor+Who/Doctor_Who:_11_Doctors,_11_stories_Various\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/prezzies13_doctor_who_zps24ec8e88-16331c380f.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n19. \u003Ca href=\"http://www.blankslatebooks.co.uk/our-books/creature-couture/\">\u003Ci>Creature Couture\u003C/i>\u003C/a> by \u003Cb>Woodrow Phoenix\u003C/b>, featuring the 3D work of \u003Cb>Felt Mistress\u003C/b>, based on her partner \u003Cb>Jontofski\u003C/b>'s drawings. Such lovely creations, and very inspiring. Read my \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/527670.html\">earlier blog post about it here\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/FM_sarah_book-c6ca800b25.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n20. Wonderful gifts can't make up for spending time with someone. \u003Cb>Make a certificate\u003C/b>, promising to take that person to a specific location and draw with them. Perhaps include it with a sketchbook and drawing supplies. You might just sit down at a table and draw something inspired by a favourite artist. (Here's a picture my friend Sam and I drew, based on artwork by \u003Ca href=\"http://mildlyartistic.co.uk/\">Scott Walker\u003C/a>, after Scott did a mural workshop at Sam's school, and \u003Ca href=\"http://jonburgerman.com/work\">Jon Burgerman\u003C/a>.) Or take them to a museum with artifacts, or a park with cool trees and draw those.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/reeve_monsters2_zps7ece863c-fe22bfa7d5.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAnd, of course, what you were expecting, but yes: I think my \u003Cb>\u003Ci>Oliver and the Seawigs\u003C/i>\u003C/b> makes a great gift this Christmas. Philip Reeve and I (with the help of my stitch-tastic studio mate \u003Ca href=\"http://www.whodunnknit.com/\">Deadly Knitshade\u003C/a>, who also has some lovely books out!) have come up with free ways to make it an even better prezzie, \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/606134.html\">\u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/606134.html\">details here\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/606134.html\">\u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/606134.html\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/seawigs_xmas_prezzie_pack_zps570ef999-203f06b0ef.gif\">\u003C/a>\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\nHope that helps! I know I've missed loads of things, but it's a good start. :)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ci>Edit: Here's another good book list from \u003Ca href=\"http://www.meanboyfriend.com/overdue_books/2013/12/gift-ideas-for-xmas/\">Damyanti Patel on the Overdue Books blog\u003C/a>.\u003C/i>","2013-12-01T20:33:00.000Z","my-20-top-tips-for-great-holiday-prezzies",[],"my 20 top tips for great holiday prezzies!",1776628725930]