• book review - Halloween crafts - tutorial - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Halloween Crafts

    I’ve noticed that Halloween seems to be more commercial every year and colourful images are already creeping onto Pinterest. Halloween Crafts: 35 spooky projects to make and bake has recently been published and is packed full of fun projects to fill your home this Halloween. My children are just getting interested in Halloween. The last few years I’ve dressed them up and we’ve carved a pumpkin but this year I think we will be doing a lot more. This book gives you some great inspiration, from spooky decorations to creepy costumes and scarily sweet treats. There are a couple of…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - upcycling - vintage - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Vintage Revised Jewelry

    Moving house has helped me re-discover all of my lovely crafty items which have been packed away during the whole house moving shenanigans. Everything is slowly coming together and I have a long list of things I want to make. A couple of weeks ago I was sent a copy of Vintage Revised Jewelry by Co-Co Nichole Bush to review. I’ve been reading through the 35 projects and already want to try so many of them. They combine my love of recycled treasures and handmade which is a brilliant match for me. Divided into four sections the projects cover Vintage…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - sewing - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: And Sew to Bed

    How are you all enjoying The Great British Sewing Bee? I have to say I’m still hooked and so disappointed it’s only 4 episodes. Watching it has definitely spurred me on with my creativity and over the last few weeks I’ve finished off re-sizing a duvet cover for the toddler and made lots of progress with my grandmothers flower garden quilt and another doll quilt for Little Sis. I love hand sewing but watching TGBSB has really encouraged me to improve my machine sewing skills too. Last week I had my first machine sewing lesson which was a brilliant investment.…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - homestyle - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Hand knit inspiration for your home

    I’m on the look out for inspiration for our new home and finding plenty of it in craft books. I was recently sent a copy of Hand Knit Your home – 30 knitted projects for a modern home by Melanie Porter which is full of new ideas. Hand Knit Your home is a really interesting book as it presents a fresh perspective on decorating your home. The book is divided into three chapters and colour schemes – hot ideas, cool collection and pale palette. The projects are really inspired, ranging from a small flower vase cosy to a large floor…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - Patchwork & Quilting - sewing - tutorial - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Hand quilted with love

    I’ve been working on a couple of patchwork projects lately. As well as a Union Jack cot quilt, I’m also making some patchwork doll quilts for my daughter. I was really keen to get my hands on hand quilted with love by Sarah Fielke. The book is subtitled patchwork projects inspired by a passion for quilting and it’s a beautiful book. I think of myself as a pretty competent maker of patchwork, I’m not so confident at quilting. In Hand Quilted with Love Sarah Fielke encourages and inspires you to step outside of your comfort zone! The book includes 16…

  • book review - reviews - tutorial - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Marshmallow Madness

    As a home baker with a *very* sweet tooth I was happy to receive a copy of Marshmallow Madness by Shauna Sever to review. It may be summer but with the wet weather it’s also pretty  good to hide indoors from the rain drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows. I didn’t ever think of making my own marshmallows but Marshmallow Madness gives you all the information you need to make them at home. The book is well set out with a helpful introduction and a list of key ingredients as well as marshmallow-making tips and techniques. The book…