I love innovative packaging - beautiful covers, any sort of kits, and novel accessories included with a book get me every time. Pair this up with the fact it's coming from my favorite author and designer, Amy Butler, and you've got yourself a winner in my book. What am I talking about? Sew-It Kit: 15 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects for the Home which was just released 2 weeks ago.

What makes this kit so great? It's what's inside! Not only does it have 15 'recipe' project cards (including some from her book In Stitches as well as several new designs), but templates, pattern sheets, a booklet that discusses fabric selection and sewing techniques, and the best part of all - fabric and thread to complete one project in the book (the tissue box cover)! Not only does this make a perfect gift (I'm thinking of sending out a few as Christmas gifts this year), but makes great supplement to In Stitches.

Also from Amy Butler comes a fragrance in the Soak product line. This biodegradable, phosphate-free, rise free product smells delicious and keeps you fabric soft and clean. After testing it out, I found it's a great way to pre-wash your fabrics prior to sewing, plus I love the way it smells as it runs through my machine. It's also supposed to whiten whites and take out those stubborn pencil marks on quilts not to mention great to use on hand washing items. I think I'm throwing my bottle of Woolite away and switching to Soak!