• Crafts for adults - Crafts for teens

    How to Make Simple Beaded Charm Bracelets at Home: A Beginner’s Guide for Family Craft Afternoons

    May 17, 2026 - By 

    It was the second day of half-term and the rainy-day list had already collapsed. We had done the puzzle, watched the film, lost two pieces of the puzzle, and the youngest was eyeing the biscuit tin with a worrying look in her eye. I needed a craft, but not another colouring book. Something where she could see the thing she had made and want to wear it the next day. We landed on beaded charm bracelets. It turned out to be one of those activities where the kids actually wanted to keep going after the first attempt, and we ended…

  • Crafts for adults

    What Are the Most Common Mistakes in DIY Book Nook Projects?

    March 21, 2026 - By 

    DIY book nooks have become a favorite project for hobbyists who enjoy miniature design, creativity, and hands-on craftsmanship. These small diorama-style scenes, designed to fit between books on a shelf, combine elements of model building, painting, and lighting. While building a book nook can be highly rewarding, it is also easy to make mistakes along the way that affect the final result. Understanding common pitfalls can help both beginners and experienced builders avoid frustration, save time, and achieve a more polished finished piece. The following sections highlight typical errors that occur in DIY book nook projects and offer guidance on…

  • Maileg mice St Patrick Day costumes
    Crafts for adults - Crafts for kids - Crafts for teens - Crafts for tweens

    Making miniatures for Maileg mice

    March 18, 2026 - By 

    The teen and I have been enjoying making miniatures for our Maileg mice. We display our Maileg gingerbread house at Christmas but it seems to be staying out this year. So far we have decorated for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and even St David’s Day. Making miniatures for Maileg mice Our Maileg collection has grown and is now quite the family, consisting of Mum and Dad, Big Sister, Big Brother, Little Sister and triplet babies! They are 17cm and smaller and making miniatures for them is something we love to do. Sometimes these little miniatures can be just as time…

  • lino cutting
    Crafts for adults

    The Monthly Thread: February’s lino cuts & an Irish Chain mini

    February 28, 2026 - By 

    I love the start of a new year. Each month I love to write a round up of what I’ve been making. This helps me to see what I’ve made, and holds me accountable for projects half started or bought. This year I’m calling my series The Monthly Thread. February’s post is all about lino cuts & an Irish Chain mini. The Monthly Thread: February’s lino cuts & an Irish Chain mini February was a great month for us to get creative, especially with Shrove Tuesday, lots of birthday celebrations and a few days away on the south coast. I…

  • The Irish Chain Mini Quilt
    Crafts for adults

    Stash-Busting Perfection: The Irish Chain Mini Quilt

    February 17, 2026 - By 

    The Irish Chain block is a classic and much‑loved design in patchwork and quilting, admired for its elegant simplicity and striking visual impact. Thought to have originated in the early nineteenth century, the block is built around a repeating grid of squares that create the illusion of interlocking diagonal chains. This distinctive criss‑cross effect gives the pattern its name and makes it a favourite among quilters who enjoy strong geometric layouts. It’s a block I’ve wanted to try for a while, I even purchased red and white fat quarters when I visited the Knit & Stitch show. What is an…

  • Crafts for adults

    Subverted tea towel workshop at the Fashion and Textile Museum

    February 7, 2026 - By 

    I mentioned that I over the weekend I attended a subverted tea towel workshop with Holly Searle at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Using vintage tea towels, the original meaning is subverted by adding a statement which alters the original perspective. It was fun and a great way to spend a morning. The Fashion and Textile Museum I’ve been to the Fashion and Textile Museum a few times now. It’s a wonderful exhibition space near London Bridge. At the moment they have an exhibition called Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop. Cosprop specialises in period costume for film, television and…

  • 3d printed Lego wreath
    Crafts for adults - The Monthly Thread

    The Monthly Thread: January’s embroidery sampler & linen collage

    January 31, 2026 - By 

    I love the start of a new year. Each month I love to write a round up of what I’ve been making. This helps me to see what I’ve made, and holds me accountable for projects half started or bought. This year I’m calling my series The Monthly Thread. January’s post is all about a embroidery sampler & linen collage. The Monthly Thread: January’s embroidery sampler & linen collage Let’s start off with the embroidery sampler and linen collage! My first finished make of 2026 was the Pretty Fabrics and Trims Christmas Countdown panel. This was a lovely project to have…

  • Crafts for adults

    Christmas Countdown embroidery {part 3 & 4}

    January 3, 2026 - By 

    I can’t believe my two weeks Christmas break is at an end. I’m trying not to think about work on Monday, instead focusing on my beautiful Christmas Countdown embroidery. I thought I’d write a post about part 3 & 4 as I’ve had so much lovely time to stitch over the last two weeks. Christmas Countdown embroidery {part 3 & 4} Part 3 was motifs 13-18 and included wrap gifts, make eggnog, go ice skating, dry oranges, Christmas film night and send a card. These were so much fun to stitch whilst watching tv. Part 4 was motifs 19-24 and…

  • Crafts for adults

    What I made December 2025

    December 30, 2025 - By 

    The end of the year has arrived quickly and December has been the busiest month of all. It’s been a busy month with pretty much non-stop activity. There has been gingerbread making, tree decorating, card writing, reading, stitching and visiting exhibitions, making for a truly analogue end to the year – a trend I shall be carrying on into 2026. What I made December 2025 December was a month for making miniatures. Our Maileg mice gingerbread house came out and was decorated for the Christmas season. We made more mini Maileg Christmas costumes and crafted cardboard tube crowns to celebrate…