How To... Customised Canvas Bag

Last Summer I shared my How To to make this bright, block printed, customised canvas bag with a belt strap and studs. I enjoyed using it all Summer and what with the holiday season upon us I thought I'd share it again today- check out the How To here. Happy making!

If you're interested in making bags you could also take a look at this post and find out how to make your own tote bag. Really handy as a project/shopping/beach bag and a great way to use remnants of fabric

If you try any of my How Tos I'd love to see what you make- share your photos in the comments!

Fair Isle Necklace Giveaway On Instagram!

Over on Instagram I'm holding a giveaway to win one of my new hand knitted Fair Isle necklace designs! It's just a little way of saying thank you for supporting my creative endeavors and all you need to do is hop over to my Instagram page and follow the instructions to enter. Best of luck, I will be picking a winner on Sunday 22nd May!

New Fair Isle Necklaces Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek at some new Fair Isle necklaces I've been working on! They are all hand knitted to my own designs in Shetland wool and the lightweight Fair Isle triangles hang at 11" on a 22" silver plated chain. I love making them as much as wearing them- they are very versatile dressed up or down. I'll be adding them to my Etsy shop very soon and I'll also be holding a competition to win one- I'll keep you posted!

How To... Make A Set Of Coasters Using Old CDs and Lace

Today I'm re-sharing one of my most popular posts to date. I came up with this really simple How To after thinking about how I could use unwanted items around the house, such as old CDs and paint tester pots and reinvent them as something new rather than throwing them away. Find out how to make your very own set of coasters here. Check out my recipe for the white chocolate, rosewater and pistachio cakes pictured too! Happy making!

Craft Workshops At Cressing Temple Barns

I'm excited to tell you that I will be running some craft workshops at the lovely Cressing Temple Barns in Essex this Summer! 

Learn To Knit

Sunday 19th June 10-3. £15 pp

On Sunday 19th June from 10-3 I will be running a Learn To Knit workshop. This workshop will teach you the basic skills to start you off on your knitting journey- learn to cast on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch and how to cast off! All materials will be provided

Upcycling Jewellery Workshop

Sunday 21st August 10-3 £15 pp

On Sunday 21st August, come along from 10-3 and get in on the upcycling trend, learning how to make fabric wrapped bangles from materials that would otherwise have been thrown away! All materials will be provided but please feel free to bring your own along too

To book a place on either of the workshops, please call Gemma Clayton, Customer Liason Officer at Cressing Temple Barns on 0333 013 2738 or email gemma.clayton@essex.gov.uk

I'm really excited and so looking forward to both workshops-  hope you can join me!

On Instagram In April

April for me marks a definite shift in the seasons- there are April showers and chilly blustery winds at times, but the mornings and evenings are noticeably lighter, the countryside is in bloom and there are spells of bright blue skies- sometimes even whole days of beautiful sunshine. I love this time of year because everywhere looks so pretty and sunshine just makes me happy! 

Today I'm sharing a look back at April through my Instagram photos. I hope you had a lovely month- what did you get up to?

I've spent a lot of time outside this month, which I've loved. Mr Writer and I are RHS members and we took a trip to Hyde Hall in Chelmsford, Essex to see the gardens in full Spring bloom. See more photos from our visit in this post

There is a fantastic view across the Essex countryside from the highest point in the gardens

At home, the garden has sprung into like with flowers and blossom!

It's Bluebell season!

Blossom on our plum tree

It's tulip season!

A seaside walk from Frinton to Walton (Essex). As you can see, the weather was typically Spring like and mixed with spells of gloomy cloud and bright sunshine!

Beach huts stretch for miles along the walk. See more photos from our walk in this post

Baking! My first attempt at making Portuguese Custard Tarts and they were yummy!

There is a lady called Bridget who lives at the top of our road and she has a stall in her front garden where she sells her homemade cakes, sweets, biscuits, jams and chutneys. She makes the best Brownies and needless to say Mr Writer and I visit her often! 

 

Nelson has been enjoying the occasional sunbathe in the garden  between his naps on my bed, lucky thing!

I took this photo at a more reasonable hour in the morning following him waking me up at 4am for breakfast!

Chuffed to bits to have a new stockist for my jewellery thanks to the lovely Daisy from Make Thrift London (pictured). Find out more in this post

My Felt Flowers How To proved popular!

Using my yarn wrapped peg dolls to decide on colour ways and designing Fair Isle necklaces

Fair Isle necklaces WIP. I love working with Jamieson and Smith Shetland wool, it's beautiful to work with and comes in a huge range of colours

A necklace Fair Isle Necklace order off to its new home

My ball winder is one of my favourite crafty gadgets. At the moment I'm winding small balls of yarn for an upcoming workshop- more on this soon!

Going for the double Fair Isle look! Teaming one of my Fair Isle brooches with a fab jumper find from H&M. Knitting a Fair Isle jumper is definitely on my challenge list!

Here's to a fab May!