• Creating with stamps {Stamp Garden}
    Crafts for adults

    Crafting with botanical stamps {Stamp Garden}

    April 20, 2018 - By 

    This year is all about experimenting with new crafts as well as ploughing through my craft stash. I was delighted to be sent a new creation by designer, illustrator and author Coralie Bickford-Smith. Bickford-Smith attracted worldwide attention with her award-winning cloth-bound series of Penguin Classics and her children’s book The Fox and the Star. Now she has teamed up with  Princeton Architectural Press to create Stamp Garden. Stamp Garden from Coralie Bickford-Smith Coralie has always been inspired by the work of William Morris, and his obsession with engaging with crafts and creating pattern is a big part of her professional life designing and illustrating…

  • How to make a Duck Tape Minecraft chest
    Crafts for adults - Duck Tape crafts - Minecraft crafts

    How to make a Duck Tape Minecraft chest

    April 11, 2018 - By 

    A few weeks ago my son had his 8th birthday and we held a Minecraft themed birthday party for him at home. I needed something to hold all the prizes as we had organised a lot of games to keep the children busy. I thought a Minecraft chest would be perfect and it was really easy to make. I love ot craft with Duck Tape so thought I would share how I made it in case it’s useful. Equipment used: Brown paper Cardboard box Black and Silver Duck Tape Double sided tape How to make a Duck Tape Minecraft Chest…

  • simple duck tape treat jar
    Crafts for adults - Duck Tape crafts - Easter

    Duck Tape treat jar

    April 3, 2018 - By 

    We were recently sent a bundle of Duck Tape to craft with. There are some gorgeous colours which are perfect for Springtime crafting. Last week we decorated some plastic eggs with Duck Tape washi tape to make a cute Easter display which just happened to double up as a fun Easter toss game, too. We love to craft with Duck Tape and have an endless list of projects we want to make with it. With a house full of guests over the Easter weekend I wanted to make some last minute gifts so came up with this cute little Duck…

  • how to make candles
    Crafts for adults - Handmade gifts

    How to make your own candles

    March 28, 2018 - By 

    As you all know, 2018 is my Year of Craft. I’m trying to work my way through my craft stash, my wall of craft books and piles of fabric. The idea is to make the craft kits, weed out some of the unwanted books, and use up the fabric before I buy anymore. I have to admit that the last few weeks have been so busy I haven’t had time to make much. I’ve done a small amount of paper cutting and a stash of projects to make over Easter. With guests coming for Easter I wanted to up my…

  • Minecraft inspired wall art
    Crafts for adults - Handmade gifts - Minecraft crafts

    Minecraft inspired wall art

    March 17, 2018 - By 

    My lovely 7 year old will be turning 8 tomorrow. It’s such a cliche but time is going far too quickly and he is growing up and becoming such a lovely independent young person. He adores Minecraft so I made him some Minecraft inspired wall art as a handmade birthday gift. Minecraft inspired wall art supplies Deep box frame Minecraft paper Scrabble tiles Hot glue gun Bostik Blu Tak Fast Tak Repositionable Spray Glue How to make Minecraft inspired wall art I decided which words I wanted to frame and opted for Eat, Sleep, Mine. I have a huge stash of…

  • DIY photo fridge magnets
    Adobe Partner - Crafts for adults - Mother's Day crafts

    DIY photo fridge magnets for a personalised Mother’s Day gift

    March 8, 2018 - By 

    We have a lot of photos on display in our house. We have a lovely photo wall where we like to display some of our favourite family photos. I love to use photos in my craft projects too, and with Mother’s Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to create fridge magnets as a personalised Mother’s Day gift. We love to give handmade gifts throughout the year. Mother’s Day is a lovely date in our calendar and I would much rather receive a handmade card and gift than anything shop-bought. Follow my tutorial and you can see how…

  • Signs of the Sewdiac
    Crafts for adults - Family Life - sewing - subscription box

    Signs of the Sewdiac subscription box (February box)

    March 4, 2018 - By 

    Where did February go. I love February but it just whizzed past, March is here and I’m feeling a little disorganised about it! I received some lovely mail last month, including the February Signs of the Sewdiac box. This is a new subscription box for crafters, based on the Signs of the Zodiac. I really enjoyed the January box so signed up for the February box too. It arrived last week and contained a craft kit which I was excited to receive. Signs of the Sewdiac subscription box The theme for the February box was scissors, so the contents were…

  • Christmas wreath paper cut
    Craft book review - Crafts for adults - Paper cut art

    Paper cutting by garden {book review}

    February 11, 2018 - By 

    Late last year I treated myself to a copy of Paper Cutting by garden – Flowers, Animals and Other Decorating Ideas. I have quite a few paper cutting books but this one looked lovely. Paper cutting by garden Mihoko “garden” Kurihara is a well-known Japanese papercut artist is the author of many books including adult colouring and paper cutting books. This book presents more than 150 original cutting designs, mainly of flowers and animals, but also includes alphabets and numbers. It provides detailed step-by-step techniques on paper cutting from copying the design to framing the completed work, which makes this…

  • Family photo Valentine decor using Photoshop Elements 2018
    Adobe Partner - Crafts for adults - Valentines Day crafts

    Family photo Valentine decor using Photoshop Elements 2018

    February 9, 2018 - By 

    I am so happy to start crafting for Valentine’s Day. Not that I don’t fully embrace Winter, but its been colder than usual here in London and I was starting to get a tiny bit bored of the lack of colour. So welcome Valentine’s Day, warm hugs (which always makes me think of Olaf!) and the colour red. Valentine’s Day is a great occasion for the whole family to celebrate. I treasure the Valentine’s Day cards my parents gave me as a child and carry on the tradition with my own children at this time of year. I think that…