New Name

I am back!

Over the past few months I have had a bit of a busy time. Me and my man purchased a house which we are currently converting into a home. We have already done so much and yet it never ends, as most home owners will know.

So I have a new look coming to the blog which will contain some crafts and bakes as it did before, but also many a home design challenge for a first time home-maker. Make, Do and Mend is certainly becoming a motto of mine and  I am enjoying every moment of it and I hope to help others along the way.

Look forward to speaking to you again soon.
Zoe


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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

Garland

Okay, this doesn't necessarily have to be a Christmas garland, it could be adapted for any need, but mine is for Christmas so it is going in my Christmas week of ideas.

What you need:
* Polymer clay such as Fimo or Primo!
* Cutting devices and/or cookie cutters
* Beads
* Threads or yarns
* Sharpie

What you need to do:
1. Follow the instructions on the polymer clay, with both Fimo or Primo I just warmed up the clay in small pieces, rolled them out and then cut out stars with a small cookie cutter.

2. Lay the pieces out on a piece of foil an using a cocktail stick/knitting needle or something similar poke through some holes big enough for the yarn you are using. Bake your pieces when you are satisfied with them following the instructions on the packet.

3. Then take your thread and your beads and weave your design.

4. Then take your Sharpie and write your message across your shapes (if you want to add a message, they also look really cute without writing). Give it a coat of clear nail varnish or special varnish and dry.

Then you are done! Add it to your tree or some where that needs a little sparkle and shine. You could also make little individual ones for the tree as little decorations.

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...

Crochet hand warmers

Now the nights are darker and the wind is up, its time to get knocking up some quick fixes to warm me up. Last night I made these crochet hand warmers. I made them using some really pretty yarn that changed colour as I went along. This means that they will probably go with everything, which is always a good thing!

Here are some pretty pictures of my hand warmers...

Mmmm Warm and Snuggly x

Meditation Cushion

Recently I have been looking into meditation and mindfulness. After a very tough year I am looking into ways to help myself and this seems to be a great way. Now I am not going to tell you all about it, but I do like to be fully prepared when I try new things. So.. I thought I should fashion myself a comfortable cushion to be able to sit and spend a good amount of time on.

I have seen many around but they are so expensive. So I dived into my stash and spent some time working out the maths and got my large fabric scissors out. Excitingly it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I received a new sewing machine, so I got to try that out on this, it was very good!

I used yellows, oranges, blacks and greens and when I had patched together my top I used a pom pom edging between the top and the sides. To make it more comfy and less like a bean bag I used a 1 inch thick wadding under the top and embroidered basic stitches to give it a more ethnic and colourful look. I even found some mirrors to sew on which had a beautiful gold embroidered edge.

I filled the cushion with both cushion filling and bean bag beans to give stability and comfort. It has worked out well even if I say so myself! I think I may make a few more.

X