Prima Health – Mindful Makes, 2026

Summary

The cover says "MINDFUL MAKES Issue 1" — not "Prima Health" — making this filename a mismatch. At a special launch price of £2.99, this 120-page craft special delivers 40 spring projects across 9 categories: quick makes, knits and crochet, paper craft, sew simple, kids makes, beautiful you, homes and gardens, cakes and bakes, and mindful colouring. A free craft paper insert and a sewing pattern worth £8.99 are included.

Projects range from a crochet tote bag (p.24) and a sweet swoncho (p.26) to upcycled jam jar lanterns (p.82) and a peanut caramel cheesecake (p.100). The benefits-of-creativity article (p.6) opens the issue with evidence that crafting supports wellbeing and longevity. Knitted toy: Little Lamb (p.28). Sewing: a cotton jewellery roll made from three sprigged fabrics (p.46). Kids makes include pompom bears (p.60) and dolly-peg clowns (p.62). Templates and notes sections close the book (p.121).

Content Guide

▸ Quick and Easy Makes

p.12 · Light It Up
Elevate plain candles with delicate floral designs using decoupage napkins and a heat gun. Total time per candle: 20 minutes. Materials cost: approximately £3 per candle.

p.14 · Pretty Pots
Jazz up plain plastic pots with patterned fabric squares and decoupage glue. A set of 3 pots costs less than £2 to make and works as a gift set.

p.20 · Blooming Lovely
Hand-paint floral designs onto a plain linen tablecloth using fabric paints and a stencil. The article provides 3 flower templates: rose, daisy and lavender sprig.

▸ Knits and Crochet

p.24 · Check Mate: Crochet Tote Bag
An on-trend checkerboard-pattern tote using two colours of worsted-weight cotton yarn. Finished size: 35cm x 38cm. Skill level: intermediate. Estimated yarn cost: £8.

p.26 · Sweet Swoncho
A cosy knit that is a cross between a sweater and a poncho. Uses chunky-weight wool and 8mm needles. The pattern includes 3 size options: S, M and L.

p.28 · Little Lamb Knitted Toy
A small lamb with a textured "wool" stitch body. Finished height: 18cm. Uses less than one 50g ball of white chunky yarn. A new-baby gift project.

p.30 · Vest Is Best: Crochet Waistcoat
A spring-weight waistcoat crocheted in a cotton- bamboo blend. Open-front design with optional tie closure. Skill level: advanced. Sizes 8-18 included.

▸ Paper Craft

p.34 · Sent With Love
Greetings cards inspired by garden flowers or holiday photos. Uses blank card blanks, watercolour paper and pressed flowers. Each card costs approximately £0.80 to make.

p.38 · Flower Power
Honeycomb paper flowers for table settings. A template sheet is included. Each flower takes 15 minutes and uses one sheet of 180gsm paper.

p.42 · Paste Papers
Decorative papers for book covers or cupboard liners, made by painting cornflour paste mixed with acrylic paint onto cartridge paper before combing patterns with a fork.

▸ Sew Simple

p.46 · You Gotta Roll With It
A cotton jewellery roll made from three coordinating sprigged fabrics. Lined, with individual pockets for rings, earrings and necklaces. Finished size when rolled: 20cm x 8cm diameter.

p.52 · Pack a Picnic
A wipe-clean tablecloth transformed into a reusable lunch bag with a button closure. Uses less than 0.5m of PVC-coated cotton. A beginner sewing project.

▸ Kids Makes

p.60 · Pompom Pals
Pompom bears made from two sizes of pompom, felt ears and safety eyes. Each bear takes approximately 30 minutes. Requires a plastic pompom-making tool.

p.62 · Bring On the Clowns
Wooden dolly pegs painted and dressed with wool and fabric scraps to create miniature clown figures. A party activity for children aged 5 and up.

▸ Cakes and Bakes

p.92 · Prune and Sour Cherry Flapjack
A sticky, crunchy traybake using oats, butter, golden syrup, dried prunes and sour cherries. Cuts into 12 squares. Cost per square: £0.30.

p.96 · Sticky Toffee Pudding
A warm sponge pudding with chopped dates and a toffee sauce made from butter, dark brown sugar and double cream. Baking time: 35 minutes. Serves 6.

p.100 · Peanut Caramel Cheesecake
A no-bake cheesecake with a peanut biscuit base, caramel filling and chocolate drizzle. Requires 4 hours chilling. Serves 10. Cost per slice: approximately £0.85.

Editor's Take

Mindful Makes Issue 1 is a strong craft launch undermined by its filename — the cover clearly reads "MINDFUL MAKES," not "Prima Health." The project range is genuinely broad, the instructions appear detailed, and the free craft paper adds real value at £2.99. The benefits-of-creativity opener is a smart framing device. Weakness: the knitting and crochet projects assume intermediate skills without offering beginner alternatives. The cakes-and-bakes section feels tacked on rather than integrated. Best for experienced crafters looking for spring projects; beginners may find the skill bar high.

Strengths
• 40 projects across 9 categories at a £2.99 launch price
• Free craft paper and a £8.99 sewing pattern included
• Benefits-of-creativity article adds research credibility

Weaknesses
• Filename "Prima_Health" does not match the "MINDFUL MAKES" cover
• Knit and crochet sections lack beginner-friendly alternatives

Verdict: Recommended — A well-priced craft special with genuine range, but the title mismatch must be corrected in archival records.