• 9 ways to re-use Scrabble tiles
    crafts - handmade - Handmade gifts - upcycling - vintage

    9 ways to re-use Scrabble tiles

    July 7, 2017 - By 

    I love searching for vintage toys and games in charity shops, especially when the pieces can be upcycled into something else. Scrabble and other letter games are brilliant for upcycling and I’ve made quite a lot with vintage Scrabble tiles. With the end of term fast approaching some of these items could easily be made as handmade thank you gifts for teachers too. Here are 9 ways to re-use Scrabble tiles or things to make inspired by Scrabble tiles: Personalised Scrabble wall art Scrabble tile Father’s Day coaster Scrabble tile badges DIY Scrabble tile dishwasher magnet  DIY magnetic Scrabble board…

  • crafts - handmade - sewing - swap

    A crafty swap {Very Berry Hoop Swap}

    April 4, 2017 - By 

    It’s been a very long time since I participated in a craft swap. My free time is very short at the moment and I’m hardly spending any time papercutting or sewing. However, the latest Very Berry Hoop Swap really appealed to me so I signed up. The idea was quite simple. To purchase a miniature embroidery hoop (measuring just 4.5cm across) and fill it with some handmade textile art. I purchased a dandelyne miniature embroidery hoop from Cloud Craft and turned to Pinterest for some inspiration. There was almost too long to think about this swap – 8 weeks from signing…

  • EmbellishBox papercutting template
    crafts - handmade - Paper craft - Paper cut art

    Embellish Box for Papercutters (March box)

    March 28, 2017 - By 

    I was lucky to receive some lovely gifts for my birthday last week, including lots of new papercutting books. By luck the March Embellish Box also arrived but got put aside for a few days whilst I was busy celebrating my birthday. Embellish Box for Papercutters (March box) The theme for theMarch Embellish Box for Papercutters was ‘How Does Your Garden Grow?’ which was perfect for this time of year. There was no Contents card inside my box so I’m not really sure what everything was. However as usual there were 3 x A4 templates and a new house template…

  • Craftiosity {Modern Craft Kits review}
    crafts - handmade - subscription box

    Craftiosity {Modern Craft Kits review}

    March 1, 2017 - By 

    You all know that I love my monthly subscription boxes. I find that a monthly magazine and subscription box landing on my door mat really encourages me to be creative. I find it hard to see projects through (hello Shipping Forecast Quilt project!) but a monthly sub box is the perfect size for me. I was kindly sent a Craftiosity Sub Box to review. It’s a subscription box of modern craft kits (with single kits also available), with a completely new craft and make every other month. A lovely box was handed to me by my postie (it’s too large to…

  • Sewing Star Wars felt toys
    crafts - handmade - sewing - Star Wars crafts

    Sewing Star Wars felt toys

    February 23, 2017 - By 

    It feels like an age since I stitched something. Clothes alterations just don’t count although it does feel like I’m constantly stitching badges on my son’s Beaver uniform! Our whole family love Star Wars so when I spotted a Star Wars felt kit in the shops I knew it would make a great Christmas present for myself my husband. He cannot sew to save his life so I had the happy job of making them up for him. My children were equally delighted to see the set and immediately started dictating which ones I should make first.   Of course…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - Patchwork & Quilting - quilt

    Wise Craft Quilts by Blair Stocker

    February 19, 2017 - By 

    I’ve been reading craft blogs for a long time and one of the first I discovered was Wise Craft. The author, Blair Stocker, has followed her very successful book with a second, called Wise Craft Quilts: A Guide to Turning Beloved Fabrics into Meaningful Patchwork. Quilts are stories we compose with fabric and thread, providing physical and metaphorical warmth, and Wise Craft Quilts is about creating these stories. Whether making a quilt from baby’s first clothes or from a collection of Tyvek race numbers stored away in a box, sewing pieces like these into quilt form creates a new level of appreciation…

  • The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon magazine cover
    book review - crafts - handmade - Mollie Makes crafts

    The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon

    February 17, 2017 - By 

    I regularly write about books and magazines I’ve been enjoying. I’ve read quite a few books lately but since finishing my last one, review coming soon …. I couldn’t resist picking up a copy of The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon to read. I’m a big fan of Mollie Makes and am still enjoying the Mollie Makes Creativity I told you about here. The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon I picked up a copy in Sainsbury’s along with the weekly shop. It cost £8.99 with £5 of that going directly to Comic Relief projects. The magazine/bookazine contains over 50 crafty makes for Red Nose Day…

  • Making Concrete Pots, Bowls, and Platters by Hester van Overbeek
    book review - crafts - handmade - What I'm reading

    Making Concrete Pots, Bowls, and Platters by Hester van Overbeek

    February 7, 2017 - By 

    Making Concrete Pots, Bowls, and Platters is the third book by Hester van Overbeek, you can read my review of Furniture Hacks here. In this book, you will find everything you need to make a range of unique concrete projects. The comprehensive techniques section explains what type of concrete to buy, how to use it and how to decorate it. You will also learn how to mix, cast and mould concrete. From there you can put this knowledge into action to make chic home accessories such as upside-down plant pots, a concrete bowl with a wooden base, serving platters, a letter-shaped…

  • 6 handmade gift ideas for Valentine's Day
    crafts - handmade - Handmade gifts - Valentines Day crafts

    6 handmade gift ideas for Valentine’s Day

    February 6, 2017 - By 

    With Valentine’s Day now just over a week away I thought I would pull together some of my favourite handmade card, decorations and gifts in case you are looking for ideas. I love Valentine’s Day. Not for the overblown gestures, but the simple message that lies at the heart of it all – sharing and showing how much we love. There is so much bad stuff going on in the world that I think it’s important to send a homemade card or gift and remind our loved ones that we appreciate them. 6 handmade gift ideas for Valentine’s Day With…