I wanted to do something a little different with my Halloween decorations this year. As the children get older they seem to enjoy simpler decorations. I’ve already had a good sort out of our Halloween decorations, getting them down from 3 boxes to 1! I’m not sure how we ended up with so many things but I was very happy to drop them off at the charity shop today. I came across some small papier mache pumpkins I had picked up a few years ago but never got round to using. When I spotted a box of Liberty scraps I…
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I love the few subscription boxes I sign up for regularly. They are always something I look forward to and the contents usually keep me busy for weeks. The Summer Craftpod sub box arrived right at the beginning of Summer and I have finally finished it. Wild Rose and Strawberries {Summer Craftpod} The Summer 2021 Craftpod contained two summer themed projects to enjoy. One was the Wild Rose and Strawberry Embroidery, with the pattern printed onto 100% cotton fabric, with 7 DMC embroidery threads, in a 5 inch hoop. I really loved the way the embroidery threads complimented each other.…
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I think it’s fair to say that I love an embroidery hoop. I’ve been tidying up my craft space for a little Autumnal revamp and put all my finished embroidery hoops in a crate. It was surprising just how many I had, and how many more I found when I was tidying up. Adventures in frame loom weaving Recently I was gifted a gorgeous weaving set from Elka Sustainable Textiles. As much as I love embroidery I was happy to try something different. The only previous experience I had of weaving was a couple of free cover gifts with issues…
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I love all things embroidery and noticed there’s a real trend for embroidering on clothes, trainers, bags and hats. How do you transfer an embroidery design on to all these different surfaces? I’ve used vintage tranfers, tried transferring designs using natural light from a window and it’s hard. I also recently received a light box which is great for light fabrics, but totally doesn’t work on darker fabrics. So when I came across embroidery transfers it was a real game changer. How to use stick on embroidery transfers If you haven’t come across embroidery transfers before then let me tell…
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I love to practice mindfulness in my every day crafting. I was really excited when I heard about Conscious Crafts: Quilting – 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart & hands by Elli Beaven and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Conscious Crafts: Quilting In Conscious Crafts: Quilting, maker Elli Beaven reveals the meditative nature of the quilting process and its empowering skill set for creating, mending and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and quilting is a renowned and rewarding craft. Drawing on the traditions of hand quilting, Elli has created 20 modern makes, ranging from simple coasters,…
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I love making handmade gifts and my thoughts are beginning to turn to the gifts I want to make and give this Christmas. Handmade gifts are always well received and our DIY mug warmer will be enjoyed by those who love their tea and coffee! I used a sweet Baby Yoda fabric for my little Star Wars fan but this would look great in many fabrics. Baby Yoda Mug Warmer equipment list: 1 yard of Baby Yoda fabric 1 yard of Wrap N Zap (or alternative thick cotton batting) Elastic cord 2 large buttons Matching thread (I used white) Scissors…
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I love learning a new craft and the lovely sunny days of Summer seem a great time to try. Last week Search Press published The Joy of Modern Calligraphy by Joyce Lee. It’s been a while since I tried calligraphy but it’s a lovely craft and handwritten lettering can be used for all kinds of occasions. The Joy of Modern Calligraphy Joyce Lee first picked up a calligraphy pen when she started making stationery for her wedding. For her, it is now a way of life, her career and what she calls a ‘calligraventure’. In this practical and inspiring book, Joyce…
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Thanks to the first week of the Summer holidays I’ve had time to finish work on Months 3 and 4 of ‘The Summer Sampler’ Block of the Month Club. This was a monthly club I subscribed to back in 2019 from Pretty Fabrics and Trims. Spread over 4 months, each month I received a little packet containing Monthly instructions, super pretty fabrics and embroidery threads for three blocks. Over the 4 months this made a number of blocks which could be stitched together to make a super sweet Summer Sampler. ‘The Summer Sampler’ Block of the Month Club update I…
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I love to discover and try new sewing techniques. I have come across sashiko before but only recently heard about boro. A few months ago I attended an online Boro stitch mending workshop as part of Hey Craft! an event to raise awareness for mental health during Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s a fun craft and I was excited to discover more about it. Boro and Sashiko – Harmonious Imperfection Search Press kindly sent me a copy of Boro and Sashiko Harmonious Imperfection: The art of Japanese mending & stitching by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby to review. Authors Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby, a.k.a The…