• DIY Valentine hoop art - the gingerbread house
    crafts - sewing - Valentines Day crafts

    DIY Valentine hoop art

    February 11, 2015 - By 

    I’m not sure how Valentine’s Day has come around so quickly. Have you bought your other half something special? We usually only exchange cards but this year I have made some hoop art for my husband. Materials needed to make a DIY Valentine hoop art: embroidery hoop fabric felt red embroidery thread or red wool fabric glue How to make a DIY Valentine hoop art: First cover your embroidery hoop with fabric. I chose a simple Dear Stella fabric and made sure it was tight within the frame. I’ve been playing around with a spool knitter, trying to teach my…

  • competition - crafts - handmade - Handmade gifts - sewing - Valentines Day crafts

    Win 1 of 2 Sew Your Own craft kits

    February 11, 2015 - By 

    I have been enjoying all the heart themed crafts over the last few weeks. There’s just something about the bright colours at this generally gloomy time of year. Our house is filled with hand made cards, decorations and a few sweet treats too. My children are a lovely age for this little celebration and they’ve really enjoyed making cards for everyone. With two young children much of my crafting is now aimed at them. They love to craft more than anything and our house is filled with their work. I figure I have plenty of time to craft when they…

  • book review - crafts - handmade

    The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon bookazine

    February 6, 2015 - By 

    I’m so happy The Great British Sewing Bee is back on. I really enjoyed the first episode last night and I’m awe of the contestants sewing skills. Some dress making skills are definitely on my wish list this year! I love to sew so was really excited to hear about the new Mollie Makes bookazine – The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon. This is a collaboration with Comic Relief (obvs!) and the bookazine features over 50 marvellous makes for Red Nose Day  (13th March 2015). I rushed out to buy a copy last week (Sainsbury’s Pinner if anyone is local to…

  • Chinese New Year crafts - Cooking - crafts

    Sponsored Video: Heinz – Amoyzing Noodles

    February 3, 2015 - By 

    We’ve had a lot of fun with the theme of Chinese New Year over the last few weeks. We love exploring other cultures and I find there’s usually a learning opportunity for the whole family! This year Chinese New Year falls on Thursday 19th of February and we’ve made some really fun crafts, such as our Chinese lantern sun catcher and Chinese New Year Year of the Sheep sun catcher. This year I’d love to try some Chinese cooking. My family love trying new foods so I think it could be fun for everyone, I just don’t know where to…

  • book review - crafts - handmade

    What I’m reading: Indigo by Nicola Gouldsmith

    January 4, 2015 - By 

    Indigo is one of the colours of the rainbow, as easily recognised as it is fashionable. From its origins as a naturally produced dye, most common in India, to its ubiquitous appearance in blue jeans today, indigo has travelled far and wide. Just before Christmas I was sent a copy of a new book called Indigo. Inside the author, Nicola Gouldsmith, shows you how to use indigo to dye fabric in different ways, including dip-dyeing, tie-dyeing and printing and stencilling, as well as basic plain dyeing. She then shows you how to use the results of your dyeing to make…

  • crafts - gingerbread house - handmade - Handmade gifts - sewing

    Monthly Makes – December

    December 31, 2014 - By 

    I completely failed to make as many handmade gifts as I wanted too this year. As I got nearer and nearer to Christmas I persuaded myself to move items from my little handmade list into next year! Which means instead of rushing to make things I will be able to spend more time making handmade gifts in the New Year. There’s not much to report in my Monthly Makes. I made one wall hanging for my sister which I can finally share with you. I used a pattern from Home Quilt Home by Janet Clare, which is one of my…

  • New Year's confetti box
    crafts - Kids crafts - New Year crafts - tutorial

    New Year’s confetti boxes

    December 28, 2014 - By 

    Even on Boxing Day my children wanted to do some crafting! Luckily we were at home so we were able to raid our craft supplies to make some sweet confetti boxes for New Year’s Eve. There’s no way my children will be staying up to see in the New Year but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to mark it in some way. Stay tuned for a couple more New Year’s crafts I’ll be sharing this week. Equipment needed to make New Year’s confetti boxes: plain match boxes assortment of coloured paper paper punches foam stickers How to make New…

  • Christmas - crafts - gingerbread - gingerbread house - handmade

    Felt Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread House

    December 23, 2014 - By 

    Today seems to be a great time to tell you about our felt gingerbread house. This is one of those projects that has been waiting to be finished for a while. I’m terrible at starting something and not finishing it! Felt Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread House I made it as much for myself as the children and we’ve all had fun getting it out and looking at it. Here’s our Felt Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread House I purchased the pattern from Jeanette Lim at umecrafts a while ago, she’s also the author of Big Little Felt Universe which is one…

  • Christmas - crafts - handmade

    Monday happy things

    December 22, 2014 - By 

    We survived Big Brother’s first term at Reception. This week we’ve had parties, lunches and just so much that I’m grateful for a 2 week holiday from all the running around. Let’s ignore the fact it’s Christmas and we have a household full of guests, at least I don’t have to go outside! Over the weekend I made a wreath for the Winter solstice. I like it’s simplicity compared to our Christmas decorations, just a ring of intertwined branches and a string of lights. I placed it in the dining room and put one of my new house-shaped tea light…