Below you will find a mixture of tutorials and ideas, some quick, some slow. There is general craft, sewing, crochet, DIY and papercraft below, with varying levels of skill needed. I've divided my projects into the areas of Home, Children, Christmas, Easter and Gifts, so that you can easily find what you are looking for.
If you want to see more of what I like to make then please click on the "crochet", "crafting", "finished projects", "embroidery" and "sewing" labels on the right hand side of my blog. They are not included here, as they are often based on patterns written by other very lovely and talented people, but you might see something there which inspires you to pick up a crochet hook or needle.
I hope you enjoy browsing and find something you like, and that you enjoy making whatever it is as much as I did.
Some inspiration for your home
Easy peasy ideas:
Painting furniture is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of updating your home. I have bought pieces from eBay or just sanded and painted something we already owned.
IKEA chair - the arms of this classic Ekenaset arm chair were badly chewed by our teething puppy, so I shortened them slightly and then sanded and painted the whole piece with white eggshell paint.
Dressing table - this pine piece was something I've had for years, and painting it white and giving it new drawer pulls transformed it.
Spindle backed chair - a pair of orange varnished chairs from eBay were given a new lease of life with white and grey eggshell paint.
Coffee table - another casualty of our teething puppy, I actually found I preferred the wooden legs sanded, filled and painted white.
Stamping with a stencil and fabric paint is another fantastic and easy way to add your own style and creativity to something plain.
Tree printed bedding - using a tree stamp and ink pad on a plain white bedding set.
Bedroom blind - I updated a plain black out blind with a potato stamp and fabric paint.
Ironing board cover - using a halved potato again to create an irregular semi circle design.
Peg bag - I used circular lids in varying sizes and fabric paint to create some handmade fabric.
Cross stitched napkins - these look a lot harder than they really are. Plot out a design on graph paper and then stitch it onto the fabric using soluble canvas, making the squares as big or small as you like.
If you want to see more of what I like to make then please click on the "crochet", "crafting", "finished projects", "embroidery" and "sewing" labels on the right hand side of my blog. They are not included here, as they are often based on patterns written by other very lovely and talented people, but you might see something there which inspires you to pick up a crochet hook or needle.
I hope you enjoy browsing and find something you like, and that you enjoy making whatever it is as much as I did.
Some inspiration for your home
Easy peasy ideas:
Painting furniture is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of updating your home. I have bought pieces from eBay or just sanded and painted something we already owned.
IKEA chair - the arms of this classic Ekenaset arm chair were badly chewed by our teething puppy, so I shortened them slightly and then sanded and painted the whole piece with white eggshell paint.
Dressing table - this pine piece was something I've had for years, and painting it white and giving it new drawer pulls transformed it.
Spindle backed chair - a pair of orange varnished chairs from eBay were given a new lease of life with white and grey eggshell paint.
Coffee table - another casualty of our teething puppy, I actually found I preferred the wooden legs sanded, filled and painted white.
Stamping with a stencil and fabric paint is another fantastic and easy way to add your own style and creativity to something plain.
Tree printed bedding - using a tree stamp and ink pad on a plain white bedding set.
Bedroom blind - I updated a plain black out blind with a potato stamp and fabric paint.
Ironing board cover - using a halved potato again to create an irregular semi circle design.
Peg bag - I used circular lids in varying sizes and fabric paint to create some handmade fabric.
Cross stitched napkins - these look a lot harder than they really are. Plot out a design on graph paper and then stitch it onto the fabric using soluble canvas, making the squares as big or small as you like.
These projects are wonderfully simple and will provide a quick and easy update to any room.
Thrifty wall art - fabric covered hoops provide instant colour for your walls.
A Map Garland - use an old map that has meaning to you to add memories as well as interest.
Thrifty wall art - fabric covered hoops provide instant colour for your walls.
Hama bead coasters - not just for children, Hama or Perler beads can be great fun for adults too.
Pine Cone Garland - one way to display all those cones collected on autumn walks.
Feather garland - a mixture of real and card feathers strung together give a soft fringed look to a mantel or shelf.
Copper dipped pots and jars - a quick and easy way to update some old jars with a can of copper spray paint.
Feather garland - a mixture of real and card feathers strung together give a soft fringed look to a mantel or shelf.
Copper dipped pots and jars - a quick and easy way to update some old jars with a can of copper spray paint.
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If you have more time:
Three ways with crochet wall hangings:
Crocheted zigzag wall hanging - the zigzag/chevron stitch, as seen in the left and right pictures, is enormous fun to create and can be used in so many ways.
Ombre crocheted wall hanging - in the centre picture, this uses the crocodile or scale stitch to create a wonderful texture.
Stitched wall hanging - inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's famous quote, this uses applique and hand stitching.
Tree wall hanging - all made with wool felt, again with hand stitching.
Anchor wall hanging - again, using felt with applique and hand sewing, but in a slightly more complex design.
Three ways with crochet wall hangings:
Crocheted zigzag wall hanging - the zigzag/chevron stitch, as seen in the left and right pictures, is enormous fun to create and can be used in so many ways.
Ombre crocheted wall hanging - in the centre picture, this uses the crocodile or scale stitch to create a wonderful texture.
Tree wall hanging - all made with wool felt, again with hand stitching.
Anchor wall hanging - again, using felt with applique and hand sewing, but in a slightly more complex design.
Crocheted curtain tie-backs - granny sqaures, not just for blankets and cushions!
Renovate a vintage suitcase - a time consuming project, but in no way difficult. I use mine everyday to store my yarn.
Renovate a vintage suitcase - a time consuming project, but in no way difficult. I use mine everyday to store my yarn.
Granny chic tea-light holders - turn old jam jars into candle holders which give a lovely warm glow.
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And if you want something a little more challenging:
Embroidered holiday memories of Cornwall and France - these take a while but are a real heirloom project, something to keep for years to come.
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Ideas for children
Boxes of crocheted fruit and vegetables - time consuming, yes, but toys that can be kept and played with for years. They also make great props and ornaments!
Miniature Craft Room - this portable craft room lives inside a little suitcase. It's not just for children, either.
Boxes of crocheted fruit and vegetables - time consuming, yes, but toys that can be kept and played with for years. They also make great props and ornaments!
Miniature Craft Room - this portable craft room lives inside a little suitcase. It's not just for children, either.
A shoebox bedroom and A shoebox kitchen - all made with things lying around the house, these are charming projects to do with or for little people. My daughter's toy mice live in these.
Holiday activity bags - a great way to use up small scraps of fabric.
Crocheted baby blanket - this small cotton throw is made up of blocks of colour and, being washable, is ideal for babies.
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Christmas Ideas
Easy peasy:
Indoor garlands - so simple and understated, perfect to hang over a mantle or on an internal door.
Tin can tealight holders - these cost virtually nothing and look so pretty when lit from within.
Easy peasy:
Indoor garlands - so simple and understated, perfect to hang over a mantle or on an internal door.
Tin can tealight holders - these cost virtually nothing and look so pretty when lit from within.
These craft ideas are very speedy, the sort of thing you could easily do in an evening in front of the tv.
Treat filled jars - a fun and thrifty last minute gift idea.
Washi tape Christmas cards - handmade cards which take moments to make but look fantastic.
Dried oranges - these give a natural, organic feel to your Christmas decorations, and look great hung on the tree, strung together in a garland, or used to decorate gifts.
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For the love of Christmas:
And if you have a little more time, here are some projects which will take longer.
And if you have a little more time, here are some projects which will take longer.
Driftwood Advent Calendar - huge fun to make and unwrap, and a lovely way to bring some greenery into the house.
Toilet roll tube Nativity set - fantastic fun to make with bits from the recycling bin and fabric scraps. Very Blue Peter-ish.
Felt Christmas stocking - this easy stocking can be made totally by hand, no need for hemming, lining or sewing machines.
Felt gingerbread house - pure joy to make from start to finish, this gingerbread house will come out year after year.
Jam jar tea light holders - if you don't fancy filling your empty jars with chutney, cover them in a tissue paper alpine scene instead!
Jam jar tea light holders - if you don't fancy filling your empty jars with chutney, cover them in a tissue paper alpine scene instead!
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Easter
Flower filled eggs - a beautiful centre piece for your table, this idea brings Spring colours and seasonal flowers to your Easter lunch arrangement.
Rabbit garland - an incredibly quick, sweet piece of Easter decorative fun.
Hanging egg decorations - perfect to fill with mini eggs and hang from some branches or an Easter tree.
Chocolate bark - one of the easiest and prettiest gifts ever.
Flower filled eggs - a beautiful centre piece for your table, this idea brings Spring colours and seasonal flowers to your Easter lunch arrangement.
Rabbit garland - an incredibly quick, sweet piece of Easter decorative fun.
Hanging egg decorations - perfect to fill with mini eggs and hang from some branches or an Easter tree.
Chocolate bark - one of the easiest and prettiest gifts ever.
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Gifts ideas for others, or treats for you.
Washi tape greetings cards - like the Christmas ones, these are great fun and very fast to make.
Valentine's cards - these are decorated with buttons, and you could expand this idea to birthday or Christmas cards too.
You need to be able to crochet to make these, but they are very rewarding and pretty easy to make, they just take a little time.
Chevron clutch bag - gorgeous monochrome zigzags to take with you on a night out.
Yoga mat bag - super quick to make as it uses chunky yarn and a very large hook.
A crocheted filofax cover - it's a labour of love, but your filofax will be forever grateful.
Crochet wash cloths - these cotton cloths are soft on the skin and easy to wash and, with a pretty soap, make lovely gifts. Or just make one for yourself.
Homemade sugar scrub - a gift that looks like it took a lot longer to make than it actually did. Plus your skin will feel amazing afterwards.
Chunky Cowl - long and snuggly, this will look good in any colour you like.
Valentine's cards - these are decorated with buttons, and you could expand this idea to birthday or Christmas cards too.
You need to be able to crochet to make these, but they are very rewarding and pretty easy to make, they just take a little time.
Chevron clutch bag - gorgeous monochrome zigzags to take with you on a night out.
Yoga mat bag - super quick to make as it uses chunky yarn and a very large hook.
A crocheted filofax cover - it's a labour of love, but your filofax will be forever grateful.
Crochet wash cloths - these cotton cloths are soft on the skin and easy to wash and, with a pretty soap, make lovely gifts. Or just make one for yourself.
Homemade sugar scrub - a gift that looks like it took a lot longer to make than it actually did. Plus your skin will feel amazing afterwards.
Chunky Cowl - long and snuggly, this will look good in any colour you like.
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Will have to try the handmade sugar scrub, what a good idea. Pammy x
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