Ahhh, The (Chicken) Pox!

The best laid plans! Baby steps have been made into the first spring project of loom beading and blanket crocheting, I have got as far as stringing the hand loom and crocheting twenty granny squares, but my Pinky Pie has come down with chicken pox. Having two small people at home is proving a problem in the crafting department. I have some time tomorrow evening, Pinky Pie allowing, to take some photos of the empty loom and the beginnings of my blanket.

Spring fever

Spring is here and it makes me think of sandals and bare legs. So I have been having a look at my craft archive and found this beautiful skirt tutorial. I am a bit daunted by the stripes but I think it will be beautiful both dressed up and down. H&M have the perfect jacket to go with this. Must buy it now.
To go with it I will need a reusable shopping bag for putting my springtime finds in, something plain that will go with all my sunny stripes and floral patterns. So I have chosen the free bag tutorial from Burda. It'll be perfect for carrying my materials home from the haberdashers.

If you try these out please let me know how they went! I am curious...

The return of the Mumming Lady

I have been busy! After the arrival of Tiny Spark I have been Mumming on an Olympic level. What with Pinky Sparkle Cheeks going off to school, and me hitting the baby groups, I don't seem to have had time for much else. I know, but I haven't stopped craft hoarding. I have been gathering supplies for my next adventure in making. I have realised that I love creating, but I'm a bit of a craft octopus. I haven't been able to settle on one craft that keeps me busy, I prefer to have a go at most things until I learn them. Some of the crafts I've learned I've gone back to (knitting, sewing) and some have been left by the wayside (hand beaded felt), but all of them have been enjoyed. Right now I have quite a few new things I want to get into, but some or all require equipment. Things I want to do are loom beading, wire working with a jig, PMC and peg loom weaving. I also want to make a granny square blanket and some wall art, some upcycled clothes for my girls and some tie dyed stuff.
I have purchased a little Indian hand loom and have a large amount of wool, so I shall be trying out the granny square blanket (takes a bit longer than a month so will be doing it alongside another craft) and a beaded bracelet. Wish me luck!
p.s. I have included a bee mandala for you to colour in. x

Halloween. Craft.

I freaking love Halloween! So much so that I'm hosting a spooky day at my house for Aminah and some of her friends. I'm going to give them goody bags and have been thinking of cool stuff to put in them. Then I saw some cute felt plushies and they inspired me to make something of my own. What would your monster of choice be? I'm going to have to tone down mine seeing as the recipients will be age five and under.

Christmas is coming! Gift!

Around our way there are some amazing beaches. Northumberland has a stunning coastline with award winning sands. The downside is that we only get a few days a year to roll around on them in our bikinis. The rest of the year they can be used for such things as bracing, restorative morning after walks, wrap up warm rockpool hunting trips and, if you're lucky, sea glass hunts. I always get a bit of sea glass when I'm at the beach but nothing like the lady at Surf and Silver. I have seen her at the local craft markets and covet her wares everytime. She can do some pretty inspirational stuff with the glass that she finds, and some of the glass she finds is exquisite! Have a look and hopefully it'll be a gift inspiration.

Christmas is coming! Decorate pt2

After posting about my felt tree ornaments I had the urge to find some lovely gingerbread man bunting. Bunting is very popular at the moment and is a welcome addition to most Christmas spreads. The question is can you be bothered to make your own? If not you should have a look at the festive cuteness on Ginger Creations Etsy store. This woman is so inspirational! And seasonal.

Christmas is coming! Decorate pt1

I love to make felt christmas ornaments. They are so easy to make yet so effective. I usually use my cookie cutters to get the shapes I need, which are usually gingerbread people, stars and christmas trees. I use an array of felt colours, but usually use red, green and brown the most.
I think for this year I'll be making some red stars with white nordic style snowflakes stitched onto them, ginger bread men with french knot buttons and eyes, and some round baubles in pale blue and pink with geometric patterns around the middles.

Everytime I've had these at a winter sale they have flown off the stall and I've wished I'd made more. And you don't have to stop at christmas themes, I've also had great success with sequined fish and pac man characters! Here is a link to a page of felty inspiration, http://www.shelterness.com/50-diy-felt-christmas-tree-ornaments/