5 Reasons you should take up a new craft in the new year
Today’s blog post is all about getting stuck in to a new craft this year and the five reasons why you should try a hands-on project in 2018…
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DIY Christmas jumper bunting sewing project – The Second Hand Santa Challenge with Emmaus
This week has been an incredibly crafty one for me – first it was the wreath-making workshop and today’s blog post is all about my latest sewing project: Christmas jumper bunting. Scroll down to see my step-by-step guide to making this fun festive project – I hope you’ll give it a go yourself!In the lead […]
Read MoreSew-your-own Christmas Angel + win the pattern!
Remember your childhood Christmas tree – I bet it had an angel on the top, didn’t it? Over the years I’ve spotted more and more stars adorning the tops of our festive trees, but I love the traditional look that an angel adds when sitting at the very top of the tree. So today, here’s […]
Read MoreHow to upcycle your old Christmas jumpers into cosy fair isle cushions
Do you have a lovely Christmas jumper that you’ve shrunk in the wash? Did the moths nibble their way through your favourite festive pullover? Don’t bin them – you can turn your old knits into Christmas cushions! All it takes is some straight lines of stitching to make cute throw pillows to dress up your […]
Read More5 Tips for choosing the right sewing machine for beginners
Last century, sewing was a skill that many people wanted to master. Sewing meant freedom of choice and the ability to be able to create your own textiles such as clothing, curtains, bedding, and other items for the home. Sewing was also a way to make money and earn extra funds to help put food […]
Read MoreFeeling the cold – Cosy gift ideas
Do you know someone who always seems to be chilly? The spouse who turns up the thermostat in the middle of summer. The family member who wears three pairs of socks, and the friend who’s never without a mug of tea. Now that the seasons are changing, you’re likely to know plenty of people who’d […]
Read MoreHow to refashion & re-wear your bridesmaid dress
Were you a bridesmaid over the summer? Do you have a gorgeous freshly-laundered bridesmaid dress hanging in your wardrobe? Think you’ll probably never get a chance to wear it again? Think again! If you’ve recently been a bridesmaid at your best friend’s wedding and you loved the dress you wore but aren’t that much of […]
Read MoreDIY picnic basket, lunch box & flask upcycling project
Have you seen this month’s issue of Reloved Magazine yet? If not, quickly get yourself a copy from WH Smith, Sainsburys, Tesco or Costco, because my picnic project is in the magazine with an impressive double-page spread (and 3 further pages of step-by-step photos, too!) Yes, I’m seriously excited! Not one but three of my DIY upcycles were […]
Read MoreHow to sew zips & sleeves + WIN Complete Dressmaking book
Today sewing blog post is a step-by-step guide to sewing sleeves and fitting zips. These handy projects have been extracted from Jules Fallon’s brand new book Complete Dressmaking (published by Quarto Press). I’ve started reading the book this month and I’ve already learnt a thing or two about sewing that I never knew before. It’s […]
Read MoreHow to use fabric dyes
Today’s blog post is all about make-do-and-mend and how you can use fabric dyes to makeover your wardrobe. Plus there’s a giveaway to win a bundle of goodies from DYLON worth £50 so read on to enter the competition below 🙂 Tie-dye t-shirt tutorial on Wendolonia’s blog Remember when I gave my husband’s shoes a makeover […]
Read More5 tips to help you start sewing with a machine
Whether you’ve never sewn a stitch in your life or can vaguely remember how to sew from your schooldays, you can be reassured by the fact that sewing is a pretty straightforward task. It’s repetitive, precise and anyone can have a go at it. I’d love for you to have a go at it if you haven’t […]
Read MoreLint roller printing – and my April showers scarf is in Reloved Magazine!
So excited to share with you my latest project for Reloved because my DIY infinity scarf was chosen to be photographed on a model for the magazine! Pick up a copy of the magazine this week to see my step-by-step guide to fabric printing using a lint roller.It’s a doubly-thrifty project because I’m upcycling an old tablecloth and […]
Read MoreSaving money this winter – tips for home, wardrobe & cooking
If you are living on a tight budget, each season brings its own challenges and I think that winter might be one of the most difficult. During this season one of the biggest issues homeowners face is finding the money to pay for higher-than-usual power bills. We all know that it’s likely that we’ll be […]
Read MoreHomemade upcycled gifts – How to make a memory bear using baby clothes
What do you get for your niece and nephew when you’re the coolest aunt in the world? Why, handmade teddy bears, of course! It’s a project that has been six months in the making and now the bears are finally wrapped up and flying across the sea to reach the little ones in Ireland in […]
Read MoreRound-up of my festive craft projects – there’s still time to make these quick DIYs!
I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready to hibernate for the whole of the Christmas period. Many of us are finishing work early this week and taking a few days to relax and finish off some festive tasks before the big day arrives. So if you’ve got some time on your hands this […]
Read MoreGuest Post – 3 Handmade Christmas gift ideas
Shopping for Christmas gifts need not be an expensive activity, in fact it it an opportunity for a having little thrifty fun. It’s often the case that the best presents are not very expensive, but are chock full of sentimental feelings; something that can help to bring up funny memories and remind you of beloved relatives. […]
Read MoreNo wifi for the weekend
When was the last time that you went offline? For me, it’s probably been years. Ever since I got my first smart phone I’ve not had a day away from the internet. Well, when you’re carrying a computer in your pocket at all times, and your job is based online, and your friends contact you via […]
Read MoreDIY Gifts Video – Step-by-step camera case sewing project
Over the past month I’ve been busier than an elf in Santas workshop – yes, I’ve been DIYing lots of festive projects ready to share with you on the blog this December. And what better way to kick off the month than with a simple gift project – a felt camera case.This easy-sew project lets you […]
Read MoreWooo I’ve been featured in Sew Style magazine!
Great news! I’ve been featured in the current issue of Sew Style magazine! When one of the writers from this fantastic magazine got in touch back in the summer I was really excited. I happily answered all her interview questions and even emailed over a couple of photos from my blog, just in case! Thankfully, the […]
Read MoreMoney-saving tips for your autumn wardrobe
Finding the perfect style to suit your everyday life can be difficult, especially when you need to save money. Whether you work in an office, as a shop assistant or are a student most people like to put a little effort into their daily outfits, with an increasing amount of cash being handed over to […]
Read MorePrimark hack – How to customise a top with pom-poms & splits
Today’s blog post is a super-fast DIY project to add a little personality to an off-the-peg high street top. Yes, I’m doing a Primark hack, and I don’t care who knows it! It’s such a quick project that I did it just half an hour before heading out to a party wearing the top. AND […]
Read MoreDIY project – How to sew a campervan playhouse
I’m taking glamping to the next level. Yes, I’m talking about camping indoors. Okay, maybe this playden for the little ones isn’t quite waterproof, so it’s not really festival-friendly. And it’s more a playhouse than a stayhouse. Even so, it’s something that my nephew really wanted – his very own campervan, just like daddy. One sunny […]
Read MoreI’m Cut Out + Keep’s Crafty Superstar!
Did you spot this news on my Twitter feed earlier this week? I’ve been tweeting and instagraming all week long because I’m just SO excited to be featured on one of my favourite sites. When Cut Out + Keep got in touch to invite me to be their Crafty Superstar, I was literally bouncing around […]
Read MoreMy mini kitchen makeover – DIY peg bag sewing project + carrier bag dispenser
I’ve been working on turning my tiny kitchen into a more habitable room for a couple of months now and if you’ve been following my progress you’ll know just how miniature my kitchen actually is! Firstly, I chose a bright colour scheme inspired by the Great British seaside and, in particular, my visit to Southwold Pier. After […]
Read MoreRed Ted celebrates winning the Hillarys Craft Competition 2015!
Yesterday, I had some amazing news. The kind that shocks you so much – in a good way – that you can’t speak and simply point to your email when your husband asks “what’s happened?!”. You watch his expression as he reads through the message, looking to spot the moment when he too realises, and […]
Read MoreDIY sewing project – My little red ted
This week I’ve been crafting away in my caravan and have enjoyed a couple of happy afternoons of cutting, sewing and painting (more on that project soon!). Today’s post is all about the latest addition to my soft-toy family; a cute little teddy bear named Red. There’s something about summer that makes me want to be creative. […]
Read MoreDIY trouser-leg clutch bag
Sewing should be fun. Creative projects ought to make us happy. And DIYs should be simple. However, in the world of perfect Pinterest photos, I’m starting to think that my crafts aren’t all that good. There are so many awesome tutorials out there that I can’t be but be inspired every day, yet I’ve found that […]
Read MoreMy little vintage caravan – Sewing room storage
Over the past couple of weeks you may have spotted a few blog posts relating to my vintage caravan makeover project and, in particular, my attempt to finally turn my space into a proper craft workshop. I desperately needed somewhere to stash all my creative bits, bobs and books so in the new year I started searching […]
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