Since digging out my old guide blanket a few months back I've been fascinated to look back at various old things associated with the Brownies and Guides from the period when I was involved with them. I remember spending hours with my copy of The Brownie Guide Handbook trying to work out how I could get more badges for my uniform. I managed to get my hands on an old copy of the edition that I had at the time - the 1980 third edition - and it's fascinating to read back and see what you had to do at the time to earn various badges. It's all very much written in a ... read more
Stash Happy: Felt
I was delighted to be sent a copy of Stash Happy: Felt to review by GMC Publications this week. I'd not done much with felt before I started reading Mollie Makes, but I think I'm now addicted. I'm not allowing myself to start a new project until I've finished one of the in progress ones, but there are so many now on my to do list from this book that it's a bit silly. The book contains 30 projects to make and it's fair to say that all of them are completely adorable. Two projects are both owl based and I have an owl obsessed daughter at the ... read more
Fabric numbers
There are so many unfinished sewing, knitting and crochet projects in this house at the moment that it's more than a little ridiculous - even for me! Here's a little sneak preview of one of the sewing projects though - the irresistible numbers from Meg McElwee's latest book Growing Up Sew Liberated: Making Handmade Clothes and Projects for Your Creative Child. You may already know Meg from her lovely blog, Sew Liberated, and as you would expect this book is crammed full of amazing projects for children of a range of ages. The non-clothes projects are all focussed on ... read more
Jemima’s pants
Remember Jemima? It seems like a whole life-time ago that she was finally finished, yet she's still lacking a full wardrobe of outfits. I'm delighted to say that finally some of her modesty can be regained as at long last she has a pair of knickers! Next I need to sort out her top half! ... read more
Calling all local crafters…
I've got some exciting news that I've been meaning to share with you for ages - I've found a new home for all St Albans crafty types. The lovely Charlotte has opened up StudioDelirium in the grounds of the Secret Garden Cafe here in St Albans. She's offering knitting and crochet classes, a weekly Stitch & Bitch session and also selling a delightful array of lovely yarn and crafty accessories, as well as some lovely handmade bits buy local people including myself! Whilst she's starting small she is very keen to meet the needs of all local crafts people, so ... read more
Finally
I don't want to work out how long ago I started sewing this cross-stitch picture for Little Miss C's room. Let's just say that it's when I was still pregnant and leave it at that. Finally though I have got round to framing it. Now the countdown starts for how long before it's actually on her bedroom wall... ... read more
A studio update
There's been a lot of work going on down the bottom of the garden recently. Not of a gardening nature, but instead in my studio down there and it's looking very different to how things were a couple of months ago. Gone are all the old paint pots that used to sit on the shelves next to my sewing machine. Also, gone is the pile of old carpet that was in the corner until we found somewhere else to use it. Instead I have clear space, a second table and two bookcases to build. As of this afternoon I also have a vast quantity of yarn, machine cotton thread, buttons, zips, knitting needles ... read more
Flower Ring
One handmade ring from the current issue of Mollie Makes. Made from felt in a lovely turquoise colour this was a tad fiddly to make, but possibly because I wasn't using a sharp enough needle to stitch it together. This was just one of three designs in the magazine. I've plenty of felt left to try the other designs, and have a few ideas of my own to experiment with next. ... read more
Clothkits dress preview
Since Little Miss C turned one life seems to have become a bit of a blur. She's suddenly desperate to walk and her speech is also developing every day. We've had a few first steps and miles and miles covered around the house with her baby walker. That does mean I have had to quickly develop even more eyes in the back of my head and a skill to crochet whilst walking around! I have also managed to squeeze in some me time with a lovely night out being pampered with other mummy bloggers at Beautylase and an evening of crocheting in a pub with a good friend. There are also plans ... read more
Mollie Makes (a phone case)
I'm not sure what started it, but I've been indulging myself in a few magazines lately. Both old favourites and some new ones. Mollie Makes falls into that latter category and having seen a buzz about this on Twitter I knew that I just had to get my hands on a copy. It involved a 120 mile trip (don't worry I was going there anyway!) but I was lucky to only have to pay the cover price. There's a copy of issue one on eBay at the moment going for over £22! If you like handmade and vintage then Mollie Makes is for you. It quite simply contains beautiful inspiring things ... read more