Wedding Card

It’s that time of year again, and this Saturday happens to be the first of the weddings we have been invited to this year. I spotted the hand printed paper (background of card) in a handmade gift shop and couldn’t resist buying a piece.  I knew I’d get a lot of cards out of it…

Crochet Rope Basket

I’ve been looking for a basket of specific dimensions for a while without any luck.  Then I saw a circular version of this idea and realised I could make my own! This uses a technique similar to thrumming, where you crochet over another thread to add bulk to a fabric.  If you have ever crocheted over your…

Introduction to Linoprinting

I picked up a flyer for the Ministry of Craft a few months ago and found myself quite tempted by a linoprinting course.  As you know, I am always excited to try a new craft, and since I have dabbled with most of the other courses they offered I thought it would be good to…

Border Print Skirt

Last week one of my best friends came to visit.  My poor husband had 4 days of not being able to get a word in edgeways! We had a lovely day on Thursday browsing round Manchester’s Northern Quarter and grabbing some lunch in Piccadilly Garden’s.  We also visited one of my favourite fabric and craft…

Chevron stripes 3-season sweater

I used a lovely soft merino wool to add warmth to this lightweight sweater, which will be worn spring-autumn.  Yes, unfortunately British summer nights often require sweaters, but I will not be sorry now I have this zigzag striped one to snuggle up in! I really liked the simple stitch on this chevron stitch cardigan,…

Matching Earrings

I made this necklace a few months ago, and I love it, but none of my existing earrings tone in with it very well.  I don’t think everything has to match perfectly but I do like it to “go”.  So, I decided to try and make a pair which would – they aren’t the most…

Card making tips and tricks

I think most of us have made our own cards at some point, even if it was only as a small child at school.  Making a card in itself isn’t difficult, but I think most people struggle with making something they are really happy with.  So here are some of my top tips to help…

How to Make Shamballa Bracelets

I had a really good response to this post on some shamballa bracelets I made.  So I thought I would do a how to post to show how they are made. If you like this bracelet, you can win it now in my current giveaway!  Also keep an eye out for similar items in my shop…

Diamond Scarves

I mentioned in an earlier post about my grandparents upcoming diamond wedding celebrations.  Not being able to afford a gift of real diamonds, I’ve made diamond themed scarves instead! The heather coloured one is for my Nanny (who my shop is named after).  I used this diamond trails pattern, but made it longer and repeated…

Pretty Card

What a week.  Started off with a cold but I recovered just in time for my birthday – I had a pancake party!  So not much time for being crafty between the sniffles and cleaning up sticky pancake batter (yes, it got everywhere)! It was also my sister-in-laws birthday this week so I did manage…

Chilli Pepper Pendant

I don’t know about you but sometimes I find the period after the start of the new year a bit bleak. After all the celebrating and spending time with family the dreariness of January really hits home! So I decided to crochet something to make me smile (it is after all, the motto of my…

Triangular Cowl

I’ve made a few of these multi-yarn cowls recently so wanted to go for something a bit different.  I made this as a Christmas gift for my brother (who writes awesome music, check it out on youtube here).  I like the texture of the post stitches and the colour combination. The pattern starts off in the…

New Year, New Resolutions

Happy New Year! I read that most New Year’s resolutions fail in the 2nd week. I don’t know if the reason is that they are often too unsustainable or if it’s just that most of us don’t have the necessary resolve required. Maybe we are just too ambitious? I haven’t made any for the last…

Advent all sewn up

This year I decided to make my nieces Christmas present- an advent calendar with pockets to hold a little gift for each day.  I’m hoping that it will get used again in future years and we can buy the gifts each year! I thought it would take a day or two but I definitely should…

Lace Drawstring Bags

I included these in a previous post about a gift I made for my mum.  I found that they are quite handy for all kinds of things- gift bags, batching up yarn and ribbons, and as mini work bags when I am working on a small project (like some of these Christmas decorations I have…