Easter Bunny Treat Jar How To...

Hello to you all, wishing you a lovely Easter Bank Holiday weekend! What are your plans? Mr Writer and I have the coming week off so we're looking forward to relaxing.

I thought that this would be the ideal time to re-share the Easter Bunny treat jar that I made a couple of years ago. I always make a cake for Easter and it's nice to have some pretty jars and tins to store baking bits and decorations in, such as chocolate mini eggs, and they also make great gifts. Read on to find out how to make them...

You will need:

A clean jar with lid, model rabbit or other model of your choice, spray paint, glue gun or other strong glue

1. Make sure your jar and the lid are clean and dry

2. Spray paint the lid of the jar using light coats, allowing each coat to dry, building up the colour until completely covered. Repeat this process with the model rabbit/your chosen model

3. Glue the model to the top of the jar lid. You could add other decorations of your choice and create fun jars with different themes

Fill with treats and enjoy!

Happy making and have a fab weekend!

Louise xx

How To... Three Knitted Pumpkin Patterns

Hello to you all! I hope you are all keeping well. I moved house last month and I'm just getting to the stage where I am organised enough to start making and writing again- sorry for my long break! It's been quite a year which has meant that I haven't been able to devote as much time to blogging and making, but hopefully going forward into the new year I can get back on track. As I get more organised I'll share some photos of how my new craft room is coming along.

Mr Writer and I have moved to a different part of Essex and we are enjoying exploring the very autumnal countryside around us. There is a lovely local farm shop that has the most brilliant pumpkin display and that reminded me of the knitted pumpkins that I designed and shared the patterns for this time last year. I'd like to share the patterns with you again as a celebration of autumn and the pumpkin season! I used less than 25g of leftover DK yarn to make three pumpkins so this is an ideal project to make in an evening. Grab some needles and knit yourself a lovely Autumn display! Find out how to make them here


Happy making!

Louise xx

If you make some pumpkins I'd love to see, please share your photos in the comments below!

Bead Embellished Gloves How To

It's been a colder than normal January in the UK. I'm so looking forward to Spring-  I can't remember the last morning I woke up and there wasn't a frost and below freezing temperatures!

However, although I'm not a fan of the cold, I really love Winter clothes- big knitted jumpers, cosy coats, hats and gloves. I'm never without a pair of gloves at this time of year and this gave me the idea for this How To. Why not add some sparkle to your Winter wardrobe with my How To for bead embellished gloves? Stay warm and happy making!

DIY Christmas Jumper How To

It's Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 16th December so I thought I'd re-share the How To for my DIY Christmas jumper! It's really simple to make using buttons and trimmings that you may already have in your sewing box and it gives a festive new lease of life to an old jumper. Find the how to here - if you make one, do share your photos in the comments, I'd love to see!

Happy making!

Tile and Spray Paint Coasters How To

Have you got some old kitchen/bathroom tiles that you're not sure what to do with? Why not turn them into handy coasters or plant pot holders? This is a really thrifty make using tiles, spray paint and masking tape- all materials that you probably already have to hand, or can buy cheaply. With just these few materials you can create something that's both stylish and really useful for your home or desk. As you know, I love upcycling and thrifty makes, so I'm excited to share this How To with you today...

1) You will need

Tiles, spray paint, masking tape, small pieces of felt and double sided tape/glue for backing (not pictured)

A note on tiles... If you don't have any spare tiles to hand, many DIY shops sell sample tiles for a few pence each

2) Use the masking tape to cover the areas you don't want to spray paint. I chose simple striped designs but there are lots of other things you could try- try adding small snippets of masking tape to your tiles, blocking out a grid, mask just the corners or the sides- so many possibilities!

3) Spray your tiles! Building up thin coats will give you a better paint coverage than one thick coat. I sprayed my tiles with three coats of paint. Ensure you spray paint in a well ventilated area and wear a mask. Allow to dry thoroughly between coats

4) When the paint is completely dry, carefully peel away the masking tape to reveal the finished design. I didn't leave mine to dry completely and as you can see, this has resulted in jagged paint lines. I quite like the effect, but if you'd like straight lines, do leave the paint to dry completely!

5) Use double sided tape or strong glue to fix small squares of felt onto the corners of your coasters to protect your surfaces

Tah da! Make a nice cup of tea, grab your favourite biscuits and put your new coasters to good use, or use as a pot holder for your plants. Happy making!

How To... Fabric Scrap Photo Frame

I keep this fabric scrap, decopatch photo frame that I made for a blog How To a couple of years ago on my bedside table- this pic of Mr Writer and myself is one of my favourites. I wanted to share the post again as it has been one of my most popular posts so far and it's such a fun make! All you need to make your very own customised frame is some fabric scraps, Mod Podge (or watered down PVA glue is a good alternative), a paint brush and a photo frame in need of a new lease of life. This thrifty make is a lovely way to display a special photograph and would also make a thoughtful gift. Check out the How To here. Happy making!

If you try this How To and make your own frame I'd love to see- share your makes in the comments below!

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!

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!

Makes Using Felt Flowers

Last week I shared this How To showing you how to make felt flowers and I so was so chuffed to receive such a positive response- it seems that lots of you are in the mood for Spring inspired makes! Today I'd like to share just a few of many many ways you could use your felt/fabric flowers...

Add details to your flowers... 

There's no need to buy anything for this make as chances are you have everything you need already!

This is a really thrifty make, using scraps of felt or other fabrics left over from other projects and you can raid your stash of embroidery thread, beads and buttons to add different centres to the fabric blooms and create your own unique flowers. 

Cut leaf shapes from scraps of green felt and stitch to the back of flowers to create foliage

Crochet a chain (or use ribbon) and either stitch or glue the flowers onto it using small pieces of felt to create a pretty garland

Attach a felt flower to an elastic hairband and wear flowers in your hair!

Glue a flower onto a ring base to create a great statement ring

 There are so many ways you could use the flowers. I'd love to know what you are making with yours- share your makes in the comments!

Happy making!

Easter Bunny Sweetie Jar How To

Sharing a quick idea today- If you're looking for a last minute Easter gift idea there's still time to make this Easter Bunny sweetie jar! All you need is a clean empty glass jar with lid, a model rabbit (or lamb, chick or anything else with a spring theme), spray paint and a glue gun or other strong glue. Simply spray paint the jar lid and model rabbit, allow to dry and then glue the bunny to the lid. Fill with chocolate eggs or sweets of your choice and give as a gift or use as a quirky Easter decoration! 

You could even top the jar with those fluffy Easter Chick decorations, felt flowers or pom poms- lots of possibilities.

Happy making and have a lovely weekend, whatever you're up to!

How To... Handmade Patchwork Mother's Day Card

It's Mother's Day this Sunday 6th March! I always like to make my Mum a handmade card- I love making cards and I think it's so lovely to receive them- I always keep them when I receive one. This Patchwork handmade Mother's Day card idea is a great way to use pretty fabrics from your stash (if you're a regular reader you will know that I love a stash busting How To!) and could even be mounted in a frame after Mother's Day. Here's how to make it!

1) You will need

Blank greetings card, pretty fabric scraps, small piece of paper for making heart template, ruler and pencil, pins, fabric scissors, embroidery thread, small piece of cotton fabric for use as backing, small piece of Bondaweb, double sided tape

2) Cut the piece of cotton fabric to the size you would like for the background

3) Cut strips of fabric the length of the background fabric and to a width of your choosing. I was aiming for a random patchwork effect so the pieces are of different widths and are not cut perfectly straight

4) Heat your iron and cut the piece of Bondaweb to the same size as the backing fabric. The Bondaweb will have a paper on one side and a side that feels rough- this is the glue. Apply the rough side of the Bondaweb face down onto the backing fabric, so the paper side is facing you. Cover with a piece of baking parchment or a thin piece of fabric to protect your iron and iron for 10-20 seconds. If you iron it for too long it will be impossible to peel the paper off (I've learnt the hard way!). Peel off the paper- do this while the Bondaweb is still hot, or the paper may be difficult to remove

5) Decide how you would like you fabric strips to be arranged and place them onto the prepared backing fabric, overlapping them slightly. Cover with a piece of baking parchment or thin fabric and iron for 10-15 seconds to fix the fabric to the background- the fabric strips should now be attached to the backing fabric. Trim the edges of the fabric if necessary

6) Draw a heart shape onto thin paper or card and use this template to cut the fabric heart

7) Pin and then stitch the heart patch to the middle of the background patch. I've simply over sewn the heart but check out more stitch inspiration here. Next, stitch around the edge of the patch to seal the edges- again, I've over sewn the edges but you could use blanket stitch or add a decorative embroidered border

8) Write "mum" in the middle of the heart lightly in pencil, or use a heat dispersing pen and embroider over the top using running stitch

9) Attach the patchwork to the blank card using double sided tape. After Mother's Day the patch could be mounted onto strong card and displayed in a box frame- it's both a card and a gift!

Happy making!

How To... Hand Coloured, Embroidered Gift Tags

I never seem to have gift tags when I need them so I often make my own and this has inspired my latest How To! As always, I have designed this How To with thrift in mind- you just need basic materials that you probably already have in your craft stash. This is a really simple idea that will bring a lovely handmade touch to your gift wrapping. Also, If you enjoy the trend for adult colouring, this is the how to for you! Happy crafting, here's how to make them...

1) You will need

Swing tags (or make your own using spare cardboard), drawing pencil, coloured pencils, hole piercing tool/a needle if you don't have one, sewing needle, embroidery thread, scissors

2) Draw your design on to the swing tag. The world is your oyster here in terms of designs and colours, just bare in mind you will need to make holes and stitch around them, so a bolder and less intricate design would be best. I have been given some seventies style fabric so the designs on this inspired my gift tag designs!

3) Choose your colours and colour in your design. You could use felt tip pens rather than coloured pencils if you wanted a bolder look

My lovely pencil roll was made by my friend Karen, check out her Facebook page at Karen Felt Sew Crafty

4) Use the hole piercing tool or needle to pierce stitching holes along the outline of your design. I have found it easier to make one row of holes and embroider this row before moving on to make holes for the next row, as this can mean you need to make less holes.

When I first made these tags I didn't pierce holes before starting to stitch and I found it difficult to bring the needle up in the right place every time

5) Stitch the outlines of your designs in embroidery thread. I chose to use four strands of embroidery thread but you might like to use more or less depending on the look you are going for. I've just used a simple back stitch here, but again, if you would like to use other embroidery stitches, go for it!

6) Stick some plain paper or card onto the back of your tags to hide the stitching and there you have it, very simple but effective gift tags to add a handmade touch to your gift wrapping!

If you try this How To I'd love to see your gift tags,share in the comments below!