Today I'm sharing a little project for using up lengths of fabric and that will make some pretty decorative lanterns for hanging up around the home or even for a party.
Add thread and hang them up or you can set them on a table with some battery operated candles inside.
See the full tutorial over on the AO at Home blog.
Halloween is just around the corner and while I've been so tempted to purchase a costume to dress Ruby up in, I think I'll spare her the humiliation. until next year at least! ;)
If you're having a little party or just want to craft and decorate with the kids then here is a simple little project for making a ghostly garland!
The full tutorial is over on the AO at Home blog, and there is also a lovely post about carving a pretty pumpkin you should check out too! Happy Halloween!
Back in June 2013 I started making a patchwork quilt. I'm generally quite impatient, so a project like this was going to test me a little, but I actually really enjoyed having something I could pick up now and again and work on in front of the TV. Saying that, it's not a regular occurrence when I don't have something else more important to work on or do, so it has taken me over a year to finish the quilt!
It was sewn by hand using the paper piecing technique and I used bits of fabric I found cheaply in haberdasheries or in vintage shops. Quite a few of the fabrics were used to make napkins for our wedding last year so I thought it would be nice to include these as they'd remind me of the day.
I originally started following an online course via The Amazings, but as it took me so long, by the time I was getting to the construction stage The Amazings website had closed! So I had to find another source to learn how to finish it. I used this tutorial as I wanted a shaped edge as opposed to a straight one. I'm not sure whether the wadding i used was too thick or if it's the way I've quilted it, but it is very textured in comparison to the one in the tutorial, but I actually quite like it. My edging isn't perfect either, but hey, for a first go I'm pretty happy with the overall result.
For the backing I bought some Liberty fabric from eBay...
It isn't full double bed size - mainly because my impatience kicked in and I just wanted to finish it! I've got it on our bed at the moment, but one day I will probably give it to Ruby for her bed. That's if it hasn't fallen apart by then! ;)
I'm pleased I stuck it out and finished it though, it's been really rewarding. What I found is that a long term craft project creates memories as you make it. I loved picking out the fabrics for it, it reminds me of certain day trips when I bought some of the scraps. I also spent quite a lot of time trying to get it finished while I was pregnant so it will also remind me of that really special time in my life, and then finally finishing it off during the last few weeks with Ruby sleeping at my side. It will be lovely to tell her that when she is older.
Are you a fan of the long term craft project? Or do you prefer to start and finish something quickly and move on to something new?
If you child takes a packed lunch to school (or even if you do to the office!) then rather than chucking all your bits in a plastic bag, this lovely fabric drawstring bag will keep everything together and also looks lovely! Or, you could increase the dimensions and make a laundry bag! See the full tutorial for making the bag over on the AO at Home blog...
Does anyone else hate those thin, ugly dishcloths that seem to be the only option in the cleaning aisle at the supermarket?! If you'd rather have something prettier (and more durable) next to your sink then why not make these cute little dishcloths that can be chucked in the washing machine and will look lovely hanging in your kitchen? The full tutorial can be found over on the AO at Home blog.
I LOVE stationery and papergoods, especially a pretty notebook. As I had some vintage wallpaper knocking around I thought I would use it to make my own handmade notebook for a recent post for AO at Home.
Just pop over to AO at Home for the full tutorial if you fancy making your own handmade notebook!
School holidays are just around the corner, so I'm sure lots of you are thinking about activities to amuse the kids with! This little hanging mobile decoration is simple and can be made with materials you've got lying around the house... the kids can customise it to their tastes, and will have a cute decoration for their bedroom at the end!
Check out the full tutorial I created over on the AO at Home blog...
Pom pom making can be seriously addictive, so it's lucky there's so many things you can do with them - decorate gifts with them, make a garland, trim a blanket or cushion with them, even add them to a pair of slippers! This week I decided to give my new fridge a little pom pom love with some cute little magnets...
I think they look really sweet, and give a little bit of tactility to area which is mainly hard edges and surfaces. They are SO simple to make as well, you can follow my tutorial over on the AO at Home blog.
Let me know if you give them a go! ;)
xxx
Well, what a beautiful week of weather we've had in the UK this week, a mini heatwave some would say! The weekend looks set to be nice too, so if you've got some outdoor excursions planned then here is a great little DIY project for you to keep yourself cool in the heat. Oh and did you know it is National Picnic Week next week?! Pack your basket with some food and these paper fans and you'll be all set! ;)
You'll find my full tutorial and a template for making these on the AO at Home blog.
So June is now upon us, and many of us will be looking forward to a few days away in the sun! We don't have any plans at the moment, as we have another big event happening this summer (only 5 weeks til my due date now!!) But if you are lucky enough to be getting away, make sure you can spot your suitcase on the airport carousel with this pretty handmade Liberty fabric luggage tag...
Follow the full tutorial over on my AO at Home page
So apparently we are promised a little bit of sunshine this weekend! hurrah! The perfect time to get out in the garden and add some more finishing touches to accompany the recent spray painted plant pots you've all been making! :)
I made this little oilcloth cushion which looks really cute on my garden bench and adds an extra injection of colour!
If you fancy giving this a go, you can follow my tutorial over on the AO at Home blog.
After flicking through the gorgeous pages of Selina Lake's new book Outdoor Living, I'm feeling inspired to give the garden a little bit of love. Spray paint is amazing for injecting some colour, easy to use and great for outdoors, so I've just posted this quick little tutorial over at AO at Home for decorating some terracotta pots... read the full post here
I had actually never used bias binding before I made this little quilted pot holder. I found it was easier to use than I'd suspected, once I'd mastered it that is! So if you're in the same boat, then this little tutorial should hopefully give you a chance to give it a go on a small scale before trying something bigger!
The full tutorial is over on the AO at Home blog along with my fabric covered eggs for Easter too! ;) Happy crafting! xxx
The Easter holidays are fast approaching, woo hoo! Four day weekend, although I can't imagine I will be able to take much time off, I've so much to do before baby arrives! But if you've got a little get together arranged and want to give your Easter table a pretty pastel vibe then why not have a go at these fabric covered eggs?!
You can follow my full tutorial for making these over on the AO Blog.
Oh and you can check out some more Easter content here too including more crafts and recipes!
It's Mothers Day in the UK this weekend, 30th March. These little gold-gilded gift boxes are the perfect way to present a little gift to your mum, whether it's some artisan chocolates, a piece of jewellery or a gift card for her favourite shop.
I've shared the full DIY tutorial for these over on the AO at Home blog and don't forget you could always scale it up if have a larger gift which requires a bigger box.
Spring seems to be gradually showing it's face here in the UK, but we are never usually far away from a cloud are we?! I created this cute and easy cloud decoration DIY tutorial for AO at Home blog - super simple and costs next to nothing. Great for a rainy afternoon project!
Full instructions are here
If your new years resolution was to get more organised in 2014, then here is a quick little DIY for pinning notes, deadlines and appointments to, but that will also look super pretty hanging in your office or kitchen. Or simply use it for displaying inspiration and pretty things. The full DIY instructions are over on the AO at Home blog, but here's a peek...
What do you think? Will you give this idea a go?!
xxx
For Christmas the hubby got me a Kindle. It was by request, even though I've been in the 'I prefer real books' camp for a long time, I finally gave in, because I realised I read a book once and then it just lies in the house, never to be read again, until I decide to give it to the charity shop. So as I am trying to declutter, realisation dawned that perhaps a Kindle was the way forward. Plus, it's a lot easier to carry around in your bag when getting the train, which is often when I read the most.
So far, I'm loving it, but straight away realised I needed a little case for it to keep it protected when I am carrying it around, so of course, I decided I'd have a go at making one!
I've actually shared the tutorial for this little quilted number over on the AO at Home blog, so you'll need to pop over there for the full project, but just so you know, it's not just for Kindle, you can easier adapt it to fit your iPad or Samsung Galaxy or whatever device you have!
What do you think? I'm quite pleased with my Liberty-esque fabric which I found in my local Fabricland. ;)
xxx
It's that dreary month of January, I'm sure it's most people's least favourite month of the year. Everyone's broke after Christmas and it's cold and dark outside. Well! We've decided to try and remedy this problem with our brand new issue of 91 Magazine! It is our first ever Craft Special, as we thought it's the perfect time to stay indoors and get making and also with the new year, it's time to try out some new things!
If you've never tried crochet, then maybe have a go at Emma Lamb's simple crochet pin cushion or try a bit of cross-stitching with Peas and Needles blogger Lucy Davidson perhaps? We've got 9 craft tutorials for you to try, all different disciplines and levels of difficulty, so hopefully something to suit everyone!
We also report back on some recent craft and handmade events we've visited, such as Renegade Craft Fair, where we met some talented makers, and we peek inside the home of crafty bloggerLeigh Metcalf, as well as checking out the colourful garden studio of screen printer Megan Alice England.
Lots to keep you busy until Spring appears! We'd love to see if you have a go at any of our tutorials, so please share your photos on Instagram or Twitter and tag with #91craftspecial.
Also, you may have spotted we have a little bit of a new look! We'd love to hear your feedback on this so do let us know, via commenting here or on social media. And of course please let all your friends, family and colleagues know that our latest issue is available and free to read for all!
Below is a little peek inside, but why not head straight to the 91 Magazine website and get reading!
Regular readers will remember how much of the decorations and the details I made myself for our wedding last June. One of my projects was making these little fabric clipboards to display our seating plan...
Well as I thought these are something that have many uses, not just for weddings, I've shared the super simple tutorial for making these over on the AO at Home blog. Pop over there now to see how I made them, and some other uses for these pretty little clipboards!
Wedding pic ©Jemma Watts / Pearl Pictures
Other pics: ©Caroline Rowland