Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Giveaway: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

by

tidying-up-2

This book has been on the bestseller list of Amazon for a while now, and we had even organized a giveaway last month.

You can see why it is so popular:

This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing.

Do you think this is something that you would benefit you or someone you know?

We have one copy of this book to giveaway to one lucky CraftGossip reader.

Leave a comment, telling us why you want this book! Ends 3rd of May.

Open everywhere Amazon.com ships this book!

Comments

  1. I am changing the way I live by embracing minimalism in all things. I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time.

  3. Who doesn’t want to have a tidy home? Would like to read this book and pass it on to others! Thanks!

  6. I definitely need this book. While I’m pretty good at avoiding new clutter, I still have difficulty getting rid of some of the old. Thanks for the giveaway!

  8. I’m number 54 on the waiting list for this book at the library! The sooner I get it, the sooner we can tidy up this joint!

  10. Oh good golly, if you could see my house! 8 kids! Seems every room and surface has a dumping ground. I need HELP!

  11. I will very soon be an empty nester so now is a perfect time for me to focus on my home and on the deculttering process. Thanks!

  12. I am so desperate for organizing solutions in my studio AND entire house. Would truly love a book like this to inspire and get tidy! Thanks for the chance!

  13. As I look around my household this morning and prepare to tidy up (again) I feel overwhelmed by the task at hand and think that there must be a painless way… I think this book would be helpful! Otherwise, I procrastinate and do as I am right now… Getting list in my iPad!!!! Lol

  14. My sister and I are working together to declutter our homes. This book could help two for the price of one; even better if the price is free!

  15. I need this book in my life. We are doing a house shake out this summer. A plan of action would be great!

  17. I need to tidy and declutter! This would be great to get me started!! Empty nest needs to be tidy!!

  18. With three kids under 5 years old (two of which are twins) I feel as if I am in a constant state of decluttering. I NEED a guide to help me figure out the chaos and bring serenity to this home!

  20. I woul like to have this book as a resource because managing a home with 3 adults, 2 special needs children and working full time is a challenge for me. I need help!

  22. I need this book because I am changing careers. I’ve been a teacher for 19 years. You may not know this but teachers collect stuff! Lots of stuff! The anxiety created by just thinking about how to cull this stuff is like being frozen in time and space. I want to be free of this stuff and do it without the guilt I am experiencing.

  28. My sewing room is usually tidy, most of the time. Oh but the rest of the house is seriously lacking. I need to tidy up!

  29. Wanting to figure out a system for our home so we can spend more time on our relationships and less on maintaining our stuff. I requested this book from our library and am 200 or so requests down on the list of holds!

  32. I could really use a book outlining the exact steps to take to declutter. When company is coming, there are a lot of drawers and cabinets that I stuff full to hide clutter. Unfortunately, the clutter stays there to this day!

  37. Our house has so much clutter that I just don’t know where to begin! I think this book would be a great help with that…now if I could just get everyone else in the family to read it too. 😉

  38. We are in the process of cluttering our house, I would love to have some advice on how to get it done without the overwhelming feeling I currently have.

  39. I love to learn how other cultures do things and I could really need some help decluttering

  42. I have always believed in “a place for everything & everthing in its place”- but sometimes there are no more places-I think the ideas in this book will help me find some!

  43. I have SO much ‘stuff’ that I’ve collected over the years and I’d love to eliminate some/most/all of it .. I just don’t know where to begin. I think this book could help and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to win it. Thanks for the chance Craft Gossip!

  45. I not only need this book to declutter my house but since my mother-in-law passed away in December I’ve been trying to declutter my father-in-law’s house too. Anything that would help would be greatly appreciated. After seeing the job that my in-laws’ house was going to be I am determined to reduce the clutter in my house too. Thanks so much for the chance to win this helpful gem!

  46. I have just bought a new home and would like to start from the beginning to be well organized.

  54. My life has become so chaotic, at least my definition of chaotic. I am late making payments, I miss meetings and my bank account is so low I am afraid to look at it. There are major repairs needed to the house but I can’t seem to find a way to get enough money because of late fees. I barely fit on my queen size bed that is full of unopened mail, unread journals and attempts to create organized piles (if such a thing exist). Even after opening mail I forget about what needs to be done. I have been looking at this book for over three weeks wondering if the information would help me out from underneath the chaos.

  55. Oh wow, would this ever help my poor daughter! She works 40 hours a week, raising 3 kids on her own PLUS has a home based baking business! Never enough time in a day, never enough space in the dressers, no time to fold the washed and dried clothes………she needs help ORGANIZING HER HOUSE..HER LIFE!

    Please consider this a plea for HELP!!

  56. Definitely need this book!! especially as clutter/hoarding has got worse over the last year and need to get on top of it. It would be very interesting to see how Marie Kondo helps with thiis.

  57. Nothing has worked for me so far. Two of my brothers visited and I suggested that they help. One of them said we would need a dumpster.

  58. As my youngest daughter is moving out this weekend learning how ad where to start would be fantastic!

  59. I’d love to win since I live in a small apartment… I have my craft stuff and my husband has tools, guitars, and a home office.

  60. The library has a long waiting list for this book. Sadly I don’t have the money to buy it. I woukd love to get this book. Get our 3 generations home tidy, wonderful and beautiful. I would then donate it so I could share the wisdom I hope to find within it.

  62. WitH three kids all in different activities, anything to help me save time in my home would be wonderful!

  63. I have been trying to declutter and am gradually making headway, but feel that I could learn so much more!

  64. I have several cluttered areas in my house, and I just can’t seem to organize them. I need help!

  65. I guess I am like everybody else – craft a lot and craft supply is everywhere. Nobody ever teaches us how to organize and keep our places clutter free. I need the book, asap! 🙂

  69. I’ve been a collector most of my life! Oh, who am I kidding, I’m a pack rat!! Help me change my wicked ways and pick me to win this book. I really need it!

  70. I would love to win this book cos I am an ardent crafter n a hoarder… My house is fully messed up n I need help organising my stuff…

  72. De cluttered home is my goal
    To revise and refresh my soul
    Now the kids have flown the coup
    No more hanging on to poop

  75. i moved to a smaller place and really need help making everything fit! I really need this book! Please and thank you 🙂

  76. Still trying to declutter & tidy up after 30+ years and five children! Downsized our home after moving, still very much in need of a source to get the tidy-declutter-simplify job done right. There’s so much living to do, simplifying would free up lots of time to enjoy, to volunteer & to relax.

  77. I need this book !! My house is a mess, for the last year i have not been able to keep up with my house due to my shoulder, i only had 2 ligaments attached to my shoulder and a massive (my drs. words ) tear in my muscle , I had rotator cuff surg. @ the beginning of march , and I am now on the long road to recovery physical therapy 2x@ week but I still cannot lift anything heavy (thats where the boys come in handy !) I NEED THAT BOOK, TRUST ME MY ENTIRE FAMILY WILL THANK YOU !

  78. Both of my parents whom I cared for have passed away, both of my children are off at college and starting new lives and my husband and I need to down size our lives. All the ‘stuff’ in my life needs to be organized and simplified. I NEED HELP PLEASE!!

  80. I really need this book because I am a craft packrat I collect craft stuff. I just see things that I think I can use and now I have a room full so yes this book would come in handy. Thanks for the giveaway. Have a great day.

  82. My family & I have made 5 moves since ’05, & though we have tried to purge w/ ea. move, I think we need some fresh input/psychology to the organizing task, so that we can REALLY achieve that calm & order in our home & belongings. The next move we make is to be our last, to the very best of our knowledge. What a blessing this resource would be, I feel. Thanks much for the giveaway! 🙂

  83. We just moved to a home half the size of our previous one. Need help continuing to downsize and keep our little house clutter-free.

  84. Need a little more peace in my life, surrounded by too much stuff sucking out my joy.

  85. Would like a copy of this book to not only help my household but those of my daughter’s and grandson’s as well

  87. I would like this book because I want to think differently about organizing and cleaning and ‘tidying up’ and I think think this book could help me! ????

  88. I want this book because i need to tidy up my place. I live in a really big house and seemed to never finish declutter and organize my stuff, i keep losing things. Hope this book can help. Thank’s for the chance to win..

  89. I just moved together with 4 friends and have to say we really need some help to organize our home! With 5 tv, 5 sofa, 5 dining table etc this place is quite a mess!

  90. Hi! There are a lot of reasons why I would like to have this book:
    -Last december I gave birth a wonderful baby girl and her room used to be our office and working space. I want her to have HER space.
    -My mother in law lives with us, so I can’t use the third bedroom as an office.
    -We moved (or at least all my house menage did) to another state in Mexico, but my husband’s work didn’t function as we thought, so we came back to our older house and we have a lot of things, and by “a lot” I mean A LOT!.
    -My husband and I would like to have a functional-minimalistic house.
    -I just want a beautiful HOME, where our family can really LIVE and flow, without feeling trapped.

  91. I would so love to have this. the hubby & I started out this year decluttering everything… including our 2 out buildings. 1 of which is done the other not. It seems as every time we clean a room or closet in 2 months time it looks bad again. need some help

  92. I am a bit of a “pack rat” and I married a “pack rat” so between the two of us, we have a lot of stuff! We need to cull, but where to start? This would be a great help!

  94. My sister just told me about this book; then I watched one of her clips. Marie is amazing and I would love to win this!! Thanks for the chance!!

  95. After looking thru all the comments so far, I doubt I would win this book, but I’m certainly not alone in my (our) need to declutter our home of 40 years. I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea, the reason I don’t get much done after surgery removing my broken leg. My DR. sais it wasn’t due to medications for the pain, but my inability to reach the deep restful sleep needed nightly. I’m hoping with treatment, I can get back to some organization projects in our home, as both of us are pack rats! Thanks for offering this book.

  96. I have been trying to declutter for years, but have a hard time fighting my packrat tendencies & can use all the help I can get.

  99. would love to win: I’ve been on the library’s waiting list for ages, still many folks in line ahead of me.

  103. Two primary school aged boys is why I want – no, need this book! (And a scattergun approach to trying new crafts might have something to do with it too!)

  104. Imagine wearing a blind fold, walk into a room and your foot slips from some randomness laying around or worse you stub your toe ….this is my life….every room in my home is so very lived in, I truly believe it is intervention time. Our family life is fast paced that my home is not the most organized and is filled with the excessive. Every year we participate in 2 community garage sales in attempt to declutter our home. We are tidy and clean but own one to many things…especially child items…there are accessories galore for little girls. Bottom line…I would love an opportunity to win a copy of this Life Changing Magic….does it come with a magic wand too?

  105. Help! All my “stuff” is weighing me down! Would definitely benefit from reading this book!

  106. I have a number of stashes in many different craft areas, so I would like to see if this book can help my organize and minimize their clutter-piles.

Have you read?

12 Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns for Cat Lovers

A Christmas tree covered in dangling decorations must look like a very generous present to a cat. Shiny things to tap, branches to investigate, a cosy hiding spot underneath—and then the humans have the cheek to say it’s only for looking at.

That little combination of festive sweetness and inevitable mischief makes Christmas cat cross stitch patterns such fun to stitch. Some capture the moment before a bauble hits the floor. Others feature sleepy cats, Santa hats and little faces that would look lovely on a handmade card.

I’ve gathered twelve patterns and pattern sets, including free downloads, smaller gift projects and larger Christmas scenes. There are choices for beginners who prefer whole cross stitches, as well as designs with backstitch, metallic threads or enough detail to keep you happily occupied over several evenings.

If you’re making a gift, start with the cat rather than the Christmas colours. A ginger tabby, a black-and-white kitten or a rather unimpressed grey cat can make a stitched present feel wonderfully personal.

Christmas Cat by Satsuma Street

This is the one I’d choose for someone who loves colourful Christmas decorations with a slightly retro feeling. Satsuma Street’s Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a Siamese cat in a Santa hat beside a mid-century-style tree, with presents gathered underneath. The model’s bright red background gives the design real presence, although the listing also shows alternative fabric ideas. With twenty-six shades, including metallic threads, I’d treat this as a project to enjoy gradually rather than a last-minute gift.

Pattern details: Designer Satsuma Street; paid PDF; 111 stitches wide × 141 high; approximately 7.93 × 10.07 inches on 14-count Aida, or 28-count linen worked over two threads. Uses twenty-six DMC shades, including two metallic threads; a complete stitch-type breakdown is not stated on the listing.

Cat and Christmas Tree by Lola Crow

There’s a very familiar look of concentration in this little orange cat’s interest in the Christmas baubles. Lola Crow’s Cat and Christmas Tree Cross Stitch Pattern captures that moment beautifully in a compact square design. The designer describes it as suitable for beginners, making it an appealing choice for someone comfortable following a counted chart. I particularly like the simple framed finish, which lets the cat’s outstretched paw tell the whole story.

Pattern details: Designer Lola Crow Cross Stitch; paid PDF; 54 × 53 stitches; approximately 3.9 × 3.8 inches on 14-count Aida; seventeen DMC colours. Additional stitch types are not specified on the product page.

Free Christmas Calico Cat

A limited thread palette is always welcome when the Christmas craft budget already has several demands on it. Ruth Cartwright’s Christmas Calico Cat Cross Stitch Pattern uses four colours and whole cross stitches, with no backstitch required. The sitting cat and Santa hat make a cheerful little framed decoration, especially for someone with a calico cat of their own. This is a good starting point for beginners who would prefer to concentrate on counting and keeping their crosses consistent.

Pattern details: Designer Ruth Cartwright, Craft with Cartwright; free PDF; 51 stitches wide × 64 high; approximately 3.64 × 4.57 inches on 14-count Aida, calculated from the chart dimensions; four DMC colours; whole cross stitches only.

Christmas Cat Cards by Lucie Heaton

Handmade cards are a lovely way to give someone a small piece of stitching without needing to find room for another framed picture. Lucie Heaton’s Christmas Cat Cards Cross Stitch Patterns includes four festive black-and-white cats. Whole cross stitches and backstitch give these little characters their detail, so I’d recommend them to stitchers happy to spend time on the finishing touches. The included aperture-card tutorial is particularly useful if mounting the stitching is the part you’re less confident about.

Pattern details: Designer Lucie Heaton; paid PDF set; each design approximately 60 × 60 stitches, or 4.3 × 4.3 inches on 14-count fabric. The listing specifies sixteen colours, whole cross stitch and backstitch.

Christmas Cats Decorating Together

Apparently, putting six cats in charge of the Christmas decorations produces a rather entertaining result. Climbing Goat Designs’ Christmas Cats Cross Stitch Pattern brings together festive cats around a “Have a Purrfect Christmas” greeting. The designer rates it suitable for beginners, with only a tiny amount of backstitch for the whiskers, although the overall size makes this a longer commitment. I’d choose it for someone who enjoys stitching a larger design in manageable sections.

Pattern details: Designer Climbing Goat Designs; paid PDF; 140 × 140 stitches within the intended hoop area, approximately 10 × 10 inches on 14-count Aida. The optional stitched outer circle increases the chart to 142 × 142 stitches; twenty-four DMC colours; full cross stitches and a small amount of backstitch.

Small Christmas Kitties

If you prefer choosing from several little characters, FloReenStudio’s Small Christmas Cats Cross Stitch Patterns offers a collection of festive kitty designs. Their smaller format makes them appealing for individual gifts or a coordinated display. I’d suggest them for stitchers comfortable changing colours, since a small chart can still contain plenty of detail. Check the dimensions of your chosen cat before buying a frame, as the listing gives approximate measurements for the collection.

Pattern details: Designer FloReenStudio; paid PDF; approximately 40 stitches wide × 50 high per cat. Those dimensions work out to about 2.86 × 3.57 inches on 14-count Aida, although individual designs vary; eighteen DMC colours listed for the collection. Additional stitch types are not specified.

A Cat Dressed as the Christmas Tree

This grey cat has the expression of someone who did not approve the decorating plan. AuthorEmbroideDesign’s Funny Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a cat covered in lights and ornaments, with a star on top. The seller describes it as suitable for beginners, and the nine-colour palette keeps the supplies fairly manageable. It would make a funny gift for the cat owner who insists their pet has a very strong opinion about everything.

Pattern details: Designer AuthorEmbroideDesign; paid PDF; 59 × 61 stitches; approximately 4.21 × 4.36 inches on 14-count white Aida; nine DMC colours. The files include chart views with and without the backstitch layer; the listing does not provide a complete inventory of other stitch types.

Upside-Down Christmas Cat

Some Christmas cat patterns are sweet. This one is the moment just before somebody shouts from the other room. Stitch Jam Studio’s Upside-Down Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a white cat hanging from a branch and clutching a red bauble, using only three colours and full crosses. It’s approachable in technique, but the chart is considerably larger than an ornament, so allow enough time for those filled areas.

Pattern details: Designer Stitch Jam Studio; paid PDF; 90 × 121 stitches; approximately 6.43 × 8.64 inches on 14-count Aida; three DMC colours. Full cross stitches only, with no backstitch, fractional stitches or French knots.

Cozy Christmas Cat for Book Lovers

A cat, a book, a blanket and a hot drink sounds like a fairly sensible way to spend a December evening. Stitch Jam Studio’s Cozy Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern turns that combination into a colourful festive scene. The pattern uses full crosses without backstitch, but every square is stitched, which makes it a more substantial project than its size might suggest. I’d choose it for a patient beginner or an experienced stitcher making a gift for a book-loving friend.

Pattern details: Designer Stitch Jam Studio; paid PDF; 91 × 91 stitches; approximately 6.5 × 6.5 inches on 14-count Aida; eleven DMC colours. Full coverage with 8,281 full cross stitches; no backstitch or fractional stitches.

Christmas with Cats

For a larger decorative project, Infinity Bear Designs’ Christmas with Cats Cross Stitch Pattern celebrates the combination of cats and Christmas-tree activity. Its square format would suit a framed picture or a carefully planned cushion finish. The download includes several chart styles, which is helpful if you have a strong preference for colour symbols or a simpler black-and-white layout. I’d approach this as a leisurely seasonal make, with the fabric and finishing chosen before the stitching begins.

Pattern details: Designer Infinity Bear Designs; paid PDF; 100 × 100 stitches; approximately 7.1 × 7.1 inches on 14-count Aida; thirteen DMC colours. The public listing does not specify additional stitch types.

Free Cat with Christmas Baubles

DMC’s Cat with Christmas Baubles Cross Stitch Pattern is another lovely choice for anyone whose cat finds dangling ornaments irresistible. The free design is labelled easy, and DMC suggests using Light Effects thread to give the baubles some sparkle. I’d choose this for a stitcher interested in trying a festive thread effect, checking the downloadable chart before deciding on the fabric and finish. Keep your finishing plans flexible until you’ve confirmed the design dimensions.

Pattern details: Designer/publisher DMC; free pattern, reference PAT2156. Stitch count, finished size, colour total and a complete stitch-type list are not displayed in the accessible product description; consult the download before cutting fabric.

A Tiny Free Christmas Cat for Cards

When you want a genuinely small stitching area, Rhona Norrie’s Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern is a useful little find. Originally published in The World of Cross Stitching, this festive kitten measures just twenty-two stitches square. It includes backstitch and French knots, so it would suit someone who already knows the basics or wants to practise those details on a small project. I’d mount it on a card with a scrap of Christmas paper, leaving plenty of space around the kitten.

Pattern details: Designer Rhona Norrie; free PDF; 22 × 22 stitches; approximately 1.57 × 1.57 inches on 14-count Aida, or 28-count evenweave worked over two threads. Nine thread colours; cross stitch, backstitch and French knots.

Which Christmas Cat Pattern Should You Start With?

For a project with a short supply list, the free calico cat uses four colours and avoids backstitch. The upside-down cat also has a limited palette, but its larger filled areas mean it needs more stitching time.

If you’re making cards, compare the design dimensions with the actual opening in your card blank. Lucie Heaton’s cats are substantially larger than Rhona Norrie’s tiny kitten, so they need quite different mounts.

The Satsuma Street scene and Climbing Goat collection are lovely choices when you want something to bring out every Christmas. Give yourself time to enjoy them instead of turning the whole thing into a December deadline.

For more small feline projects throughout the year, our Mini Cat Cross Stitch Patterns feature is worth keeping handy.

Make Your Stitched Gift Feel Personal

A frame that suits the recipient’s home, backing fabric in their favourite colour or a handwritten note can make a stitched gift feel particularly thoughtful. You don’t need elaborate packaging when you’ve already put time into making something by hand.

If you want to adjust a cat’s colouring to resemble someone’s pet, plan the changes before starting. Keep enough contrast between neighbouring shades for the face, paws and markings to remain clear.

And leave the final mounting until you’ve checked for stray pet hair. Christmas cross stitch for cat lovers has a funny way of collecting a little contribution from the real thing.