Chair

When we first moved into our house the previous owner had left a lot of old furniture to help us as we were first time buyers. This was very nice of them, but a lot of their items needed a facelift. The first thing I set my eyes on were the dining chairs.

They are pretty good chairs and we had a table and no chairs, but the table is bright orange and these didn't really match. So I waited until we picked our colour theme and then purchased some fabric to match. It was the same fabric that I used for the kitchen blind.

For the woodwork I used some left over paint that we had used on a feature wall. At first I sanded down the wood and then I applied a couple of coats of the paint. They look so much better I think and I have had many compliments which is lovely.

It was the first time I had attempted anything like this, but it really was nowhere as difficult as I thought it would be. Anyone can give it a go!

Jewels and Sparkles

Everyone likes something a little pretty for Christmas and when you have a lot of girly friends and not so much money it can be hard to give them all that bit of sparkle. So I have devised a way to give all my friends a little sparkle.

I purchased some silver plated studs and ring blanks from online, and raided my button box and my stash of small semi-precious stones. Then I warmed up my glue gun and got to sticking! They are so easy but everyone loves a handmade gift, well I do especially!

Tigers Eye Studs

Button Rings

Button Studs

Carnelian Studs

What would you make? X

Christmas Cards

Every year I try to make my Christmas cards and this year is no different. I have gone for something simple this year as I have a lot to make.

What you need:
* Black cards and envelopes
* Ink pad (I went for gold)
* Black skinny felt pen
* Red felt pen
* Fingers

What to do:
1. Decide on the placement of the reindeer's and how many you want to do. I chose two in the centre.

2. Then, making sure your card is upside down, ink up your fingers. I used two different fingers to make my reindeer in different sizes.

3. Stamp away! Making sure you press firmly. Then leave for a few minutes to dry.

4. When it is dry start drawing on your antlers, eyes and noses! I went for one red and one black nose. You have got to get Rudolph in there somehow! Then that is it, so straightforward, you could get kids to do them and they would love it! X

This Week...

Yes it's only the beginning of November but I am starting to put together all my things for Christmas. Cards, presents, the trimmings, all with a personal touch. So this week I am going to show you all my plans for makes for friends and family and ideas for bits and pieces that you could do too. I hope it inspires you...

Blanket Box

Living in this apartment is sometimes hard due to a lack of space and me having a lot of craft stuff (I can't stop!!). So I decided to purchase a blanket box to keep all our linens in.
I first looked around for a lovely vintage piece, but I could not find one that I liked. So I settled on this cheap little number.

I wanted to paint it but there was no need to spend a ridiculous amount on paint, all I used was one small tester of this paint. I even did two coats with it. Though I will say I did not do the top! Then I had some left over 2 inch wadding and I cut out two rectangles the same size as the top and put them one on top of the other.I took the same fabric that I used on the inside of my pouffe and cut a rectangle the same size as the top but with a two inch border all around, then I picked out this gorgeous fabric and cut out the same sized rectangle. I purchased some white upholstery nails from B&Q and then folding the fabric under, so it doesn't leave a raw edge I hammered in my nails roughly an inch apart all the way around making sure the fabric is tight, but not too tight.

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Pin-ups

I, like many, am really enjoying watching the Great British Sewing Bee! I have known how to sew since my mum taught me when I was little, and have made a few bits and pieces. But this program has made me unafraid of a pattern and the possibilities are opening up on making so many things. Here are some of my latest pins, using basic sewing stills these are all on my list of makes!

Apron

Envelope Bag

Rose Wreath

Picnic skirt from Tilly from Great British Sewing Bee

Cloud cushion

Hopefully you will see more sewing from me! At the moment I have so many projects on the go it is silly. Not enough time, and too many ideas I think. Which of these should I make first?

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Knitted Doll

Say "Hello" to my little knitted friend! Her name is Sarah. I am making her for a special little project that I am really excited about :)
I want to share the pattern with you because everyone should have a little knitted person in their lives! It would be a great gift for a little girl, for her to practise making clothes! Getting a bit carried away probably with my dreams!
Sarah (using 3.25mm needles) comes up at around 22cm tall and 24cm from fingers to fingers.

So what do you need to make one of these lovely ladies?
* Yarn (I used Sirdar's Country Style wool blend DK in shade Palest Pink 0391) - you need less than one ball
* Needles - 3.25mm in this case but obviously the bigger the yarn the bigger the doll
* Stuffing
* Sewing needle

How do I make Sarah?

Body (make 2)
Cast on 16 stitches.
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Row 3: K1, M1, K14, M1, K1 (18sts)
Row 4: Purl to end
Row 5: K1, M1, K16, M1, K1 (20sts)
Row 6: Purl to end
Work in Stockinette stitch for a further 12 rows, finishing with a WS row.
Row 19: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K14, K2Tog, K1 (18sts)
Work next 3 rows in Stockinette stitch
Row 23: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K12, K2Tog, K1 (16sts)
Row 24: P1, P2Tog, P10, P2Tog, P1 (14sts)
Row 25: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K8, K2Tog, K1 (12sts)
Row 26: Purl to end
Cast off.

Head (make 2)
Cast on 12 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Row 3: K1, M1, K10, M1, K1 (14sts)
Row 4: Purl to end
Row 5: K1, M1, K12, M1, K1 (16sts)
Row 6: Purl to end
Work in Stockinette stitch for a further 10 rows ending on a WS row
Row 17: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K10, K2Tog, K1 (14sts)
Row 18: Purl to end
Row 19: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K8, K2Tog, K1 (12sts)
Row 20: Purl to end
Cast off

Leg (make 2)
Cast on 11 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Repeat rows 1-2 14 more times (28 rows in total)
Row 31: K1, M1, K9, M1, K1 (13 sts)
Work 3 more rows in stockinette stitch
Row 35: K1, M1, K11, M1, K1 (15sts)
Row 36: Purl to end
Cast off

Arm (make 2)
Cast on 7 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Row 3: K1, M1, K5, M1, K1 (9sts)
Row 4: Purl to end
Row 5: K1, M1, K7, M1, K1 (11sts)
Row 6: Purl to end
Work a further 26 rows in stockinette stitch
Row 33: K2, SL1, K1, PSSO, K3, K2Tog, K2 (9 sts)
Row 34: Purl to end
Cast off

When you have finished all your pieces, trim and weave in all loose ends, press and block to the correct size. I sewed all my pieces inside out and turned the right way around before stuffing them, then sewed up the open side and stitched all the pieces together. Head onto body, arms and legs onto body. Then all she needs is a face. Sometimes this can be easier to do before you sew the two head pieces together, but it depends on the detail of the face.

I have used this pattern before to make a memory for a friend from her wedding day and made a little knitted and crocheted couple. It took some work but it was well worth it!

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Button Biscuits

I should start my own baking company with the amount that I have made this past week. This time it's biscuits. But not just any biscuits, ones that are shaped like buttons!!
Of course yours don't have to be button shaped, they can be any shape. Just ignore some of the method instructions. But these are tasty and have a good crunch to them. Perfect for tea!

What you need:
* 226g unsalted butter at room temperature
* 227g caster sugar
* 2 eggs
* 2 tsp vanilla extract
* 427g flour
* 1/2 tsp salt

What you need to do:
(Now, a little side bar: This may sound complicated and annoying but stick with it)
1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on high, mix the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Reduce the mixer to medium and add the eggs and vanilla. Then, when mixed, turn down to low and beat in flour and salt until a soft dough is formed.

2. Divide the mix into four equal pieces and pat each into a disk. Wrap each tightly with cling film and pop into the fridge overnight.

3. The next day, roll out each disk between 2 pieces of greaseproof paper to about 7mm thick. Transfer to a baking tray, still on the greaseproof paper and pop back into the fridge for another 30 minutes to an hour.

4. Unwrap two of the disks and using a round cutter around 8cm in diameter cut out as many biscuits as you can. (At this point I actually had enough biscuits and then froze the rest of the mix for future use.) Then using the blunt side of a slightly smaller cutter indent a circle on the cookies to make the border. Then using a straw, cocktail stick or knitting needle pop in the button holes.

5. Then pop into an oven pre-heated to 180C. Bake them for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. EAT! As if you needed telling really.

I tried doing different shaped buttons, wiggly edged ones, star ones. They would make a beautiful gift, tied together with ribbons, or even strawberry laces or something. Ooooh ideas :)

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One year on

I can't believe that it has been over a year since I started doing this blog. I started it as a reason for doing all the little bits a pieces that I do. But there was another reason too; to gain confidence. This past year has been a tough one for me, and as silly as it sounds, my craft has done a good job at keeping me going, and so has this blog. I have decided to keep going and through doing it, test myself to do things that I wouldn't normally do. I love One sheepish girls blogging for confidence series and I am taking it as inspiration. This next year I am going to challenge myself to as many new things as I can that I wouldn't normally do. I have sort of being doing this so far this year, I gave a crochet lesson in public. I found that lots of people came and asked what we were doing and genuinely seemed interested in it. The cafe we were in even said they should start up a knitting/crochet knit and natter night. I improved my baking skills, tried new things. Became the soup dragon and perfected my soup making abilities. Tried lots of new crafting skills including embroidery, and started a big project (no it's not finished yet) with my crochet skills. I thank you all for continuing to read my blog, and hope that you carry on. :)

Here are some of my favourite projects from this past year

Crochet bag

Bracelets

Embroidered frame

Owl Fascinator

Purse

Crochet Slippers

Crochet Snood

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Pin-ups

I have decided that a weekly feature is needed. It can be used as inspiration or just something pretty to look at. This week I have decided to pin all my recent favourite crafty upon my 'pin board' and thought I would share them with you. :) Hope they give you ideas like they gave me.

Cushion

Gloves

Rug

 Felt needle cases

Cute Hats

Do you have any 'Pin-ups?' X

Bookcase re-vamp

This bookcase was in our living room, cluttered up and pretty boring. The best a famous Swedish furniture store can give. So I put my touch on it, I purchased some wallpaper and got to sprucing it up!

I used glue rather than paste to stick the wallpaper to the backboard of the bookcase. Matching up the patter properly of course! It took around 15 minutes which was way quicker than I thought it would be! Now I get to put all my nicknack's and books/vinyls on a beautiful piece of furniture.

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Origami Gift Box

Sometimes, when wrapping all the gifts commences, you suddenly remember something important. For me it is mostly "ahh a box!". So I learnt to make this easy peasy origami box. It can be used for anything, but the best thing I love about it is that it matches the wrapping paper your using; because you can use the wrapping paper!

So what do you need?
* Ruler
* Line drawing implement (pen/pencil)
* Wrapping paper

What do you need to do?
1. Draw out a square roughly 3 times the size that you need the box to be. I made my 30x30cm and it came out 10.5x10.5cm.

2. Putting the print side down and the inside facing up fold the square in half sides touching, open and repeat with the other side so there is a creased cross across your square.

3. Then take all 4 corners and fold into the centre where the two previous creases are crossed over.

4. Next take one edge and fold it over so the edge touches the centre of the square and fold, repeat on the opposite edge.

5. Repeat the last step with the top and bottom thinner edges. You should now have a smaller square.

6. Then unwrap all your folds except for the last two opposite corners touching in the centre like so...

7. Then, looking at the above photo, the square in between my thumb and finger fold inwards on the diagonal to match the edge of the paper to fold in towards the centre of the square, and repeat 4 times around the box.

8. Then take the last corner and fold over the folds and down back into the centre of the box. Repeat on the other side and fix with tape if needed.

Make two squares in total. The second square should be smaller to do the bottom of the box. Mine was 28x28cm and fit just nicely. 

Then all you need to do is stuff with your gift and add a bit of a sparkly ribbon and a lovely tag. Then pass on to the person you love and watch as they are amazed that your box is so pretty... :)