Ooooooh teacup crafts...

You may have noticed I love teacups. So I can't resist sharing with you this month of teacup crafts {via whipup}

Photo: week 8 of 52 crafts in 52 weeks.

Weeks 10 & 11

Wow can you believe I'm now starting week 12 of my 52 crafts in 52 weeks challenge? Only 40 to go...

{week 10} was all about fabric - I tried out paper piecing which was really easy and effective. I see many more of these little squares in my future...



{week 11} was knitting. This week wasn't as successful as previous weeks in that I didn't actually manage to make a finished object. I gave it a bloody good try but I just couldn't do it. I will keep persevering though.



I've got week 14 planned already (hopefully) but haven't decided what to do over the next couple of weeks yet. Any ideas? I'm up for anything as long as it doesn't involve knitting!

Weeks 7, 8 & 9

I'm still going strong with my 52 crafts in 52 weeks project. You can keep up to date with it by following the blog, my twitter or facebook page.


{week 7} book binding

{week 8} origami

{week 9} porcelain beads

Good food

I'm addicted to cook books (and craft books) and one of my recent purchases was Mexican Food Made Simple by Thomasina Miers.

I made the chorizo & potato quesadillas - so good!

The most Mexican thing I've ever cooked before was fajitas using those packets from the supermarket so I'm looking forward to making loads more from this book. I'm thinking burritos next and I'll definitely have to try one of the delicious-sounding desserts. Oh and making my own tortillas.

This book is now very near the top of my favourite recipe book list. What's your favourite?

Are you nosy like me?

Then you'll love peeking into other people's workspaces too. I've been searching out gorgeous studios for the UK Handmade blog recently so I thought I'd share some here too.

My lovely friend Lu Summers opened up the doors of her Suffolk studio - it's so inspiring with its charity-shop finds, bright colours and cosy corners.

See more of Lu's studio here.

Tina Mammoser has a wonderful setting for her studio - it overlooks the Thames and helps inspire her beautiful work.

 Take a look around Tina's studio here.

There are lots more studios featured on the blog - and there's a new one every week so check back regularly to get loads of wonderful workspace inspiration.

Why do you make stuff?

Sometimes when I tell people I like to make things I get comments like: "How do you find the time?" and "Oh I'd love to make things but I'm just not creative enough". And other people just don't get it or see the point of making things just for fun.

Let's look at each of those comments in turn...

"How do your find the time?"
I simply make the time. If I find myself spending too much time surfing around the crafty internet instead of doing some actual crafting I stop and go and do something less boring instead (why don't you?).
Of course having a project to drive me helps as well. And sometimes I'll craft instead of doing the cleaning (am I a terrible wife?).

"Oh I'd love to make things but I'm just not creative enough"
I fundamentally believe that everyone is creative. Some people are just too scared to let go and try. There are tonnes of articles about how adults have forgotten how to just relax and create - as children we'd happily make things out of toilet rolls and yoghurt pots. I also think that creativity is a bit like a muscle - the more you use it, the more you can do. I learn new techniques all the time (literally every week at the moment of course!) and that keeps my muscle working.

"I don't see the point"
I mainly make stuff to relax and have fun. Of course I enjoy sharing the results of what I make with my internet friends but it also helps me forget the stresses of work and just be myself. 


So over to you - why do you make things? And what do people say about it when you tell them: I'm a crafter!



PS Just for fun - here's the first project I ever posted a photo of on the internet...  

I have certainly learnt some better photography skills in the last four years - and the box the card is sitting on used to contain all the craft supplies I owned. Now I can fill a room. How times change!

Fabric addict

I need help - look at all this fabric I've bought lately! And there's more on the way.

Let's look at each pile in turn...

This gorgeous selection was from Saints & Pinners - brilliant service and a great range of fabrics.

All these goodies were from Seamstar - a lovely shop full of things to tempt you. And they're lovely to deal with too.

And finally, this little stash of Anna Maria loveliness was from my favourite shop - Quilters Haven. The staff are all so knowledgeable and friendly. And the shop is stacked full of beautiful fabrics. A must-visit if you're ever in the area. They do mail order too.

Meet Mr.Bunny

Well the weeks are marching by and I've completed more weeks of my 52 crafts in 52 weeks project.

Week 5 was all about yummy felt - read more about the project here.

Week 6 was toy-making - see all of Mr.Bunny's adventures here.

Hope you're enjoying all the projects so far - I'm trying not to think about how many more weeks there are to go!

Beautiful weekend

Guess what? It's my birthday. And I've had a wonderful weekend of celebrations.

 Felixstowe beach - taken with my iphone (hipstamatic application)

My new toy! A very big surprise present from my lovely husband.

Birthday pressies - Gizzi's Kitchen Magic and The Homemade Home.

Wearing my new dress - design by me, fabric by Anna-Maria Horner.

PS Week 5 of 52 crafts in 52 weeks is up on the blog (it involves felt).

Catching up with 52 crafts in 52 weeks...

Can you believe I'm on week 4 already?



{week 3} papier-mâché




{week 4} papercutting

Haven't decided on week 5 yet but I think I should move away from paper as three of the four have involved my favourite material so far. I just love paper. What's your favourite material to craft with?