Welcome to my mini-series of inspiring tweens to be creative over the summer. How about a week focussing on woodwork? My husband and I are united in the thought that if we don’t teach our children DIY skills no one will. There is no doubt it can be nerve-racking handing an electric drill to a tween, …
For some time I have been contemplating attempting making a crochet cushion, however, I am far from confident at crochet. The patterns are just so overwhelming. There seem to be so many different stitches, which can have two names dependant upon whether you are in the UK or the US. A few years back I …
I have to confess the balancing act of the school holidays, the day job and blogging has meant that the blog has had a little less time this last couple of weeks. Hence over a fortnight without a blog post! This week’s focus for crafting with tween’s is printing. There are so many different ways …
A few years back our neighbour updated his bathroom and he offered us the old bath. I have to admit he did look rather amazed when we said we would take it (as was I!). The bath was added to the vegetable patch as an additional raised bed for our children to plant flowers in. …
As my children grow up I am reminded on a daily basis that I am now the parent of a tween. My understanding of this word is the pre teenager stage… As such it appears to involve being bored. This is a common complaint during the six weeks school holidays which have just started in …
As a child tie-dye was fashionable, bright colored t-shirts hand dyed. Recently there has been a resurgence in interest in shibori. These scarves are inspired by the Japanese shibori style. Shibori originated in Japan, it’s a technique which involves folding, twisting or bunching cloth and binding fabric, then dyeing with indigo. It’s easy to either …
This week I had the pleasure of holding a clutch bag workshop. The house was cleaned and tidied, fabrics and various interfacing’s dug out plus example bags found. During the day we covered weights of fabric, interfacings, plus means of closure (buttons, magnetic snaps, zips). Two lovely ladies joined me to learn how to make …
Do you have a pair of trousers which you would like as a skinny fit? Do you have a skinny pair of trousers you can use as a template? Then let’s get started, this is a quick transformation, you will be done in no time at all! This refashion takes less than half a hour!! …
This free sewing pattern makes three different sizes of a boxy zipper pouch which are great for small personal items, such as cosmetics, and even small toys. Unlike most free patterns this box pouch has no seams exposed. I love working with old jeans, worn denim has such a lovely feel to it and it …
If you have been following my journey for a while you will be familiar with my attempts in zero waste week to really think and action a reduction in waste. We only have one world, climate change is almost at tipping point. So what can we do? there are many actions we can take individually, …
For some time I have been a fan of Kelly Swallow who sells the most beautiful bright patchwork chairs. Last year I discovered Pillar Box Blue blog, Claire has a love of reusing denim in projects and has recovered a office chair in patchwork denim. The inspiration from these two creative women sparked the idea …
Here in the UK the summer term is coming to an end, the children have three weeks left at school. Last Tuesday my daughter announced her teaching assistant was leaving on Friday, could I whip up a hand made present for her… Children always seem so last minute, at least I had three days notice! …