Creative Live online classes- A Full and Honest Review
It is well established that lifelong learning is fantastic for our mental health. How do you go about it? Online classes are an obvious and excellent way forward. You can watch a class as many times as you like and you can work along at home if appropriate. There are literally thousands of online classes and courses to choose from. You are not restricted by what is available locally. This page contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission if you use those links at no cost to you. I only recommend brands I use and trust. This article is a full and thorough review of CreativeLive, an excellent library…
Simple Applique to Decorate Fabric Items
What is applique? You may be wondering this? Well, strictly it is defined as ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric are attached to a larger piece to form a picture or pattern. So, lots of decorative sewing is applique. If you attach fabric onto other pieces of fabric then you are probably appliqueing. People often think that it is hard and that there are lots of ‘rules’. Well, there aren’t. Applique can be as complicated or simple as you like. This tutorial is going to show you very simple applique that I did to a bedding set but you can repeat it with any shapes that you like and…
Easter Chick made from Pompoms
Easter is a great time of year and one of the traditional symbols of Easter is the Easter chick. This has come about because of the connection between Easter and eggs. The eggs represent new life and are also associated with the Easter Bunny bringing them. This Easter chick is so easy to make with pompoms and is really cute. He can be used as a gift or a decoration, perhaps with some eggs. It is a great craft for kids to get involved in and they can all personalise theirs with different coloured wings or different eyes, etc If you want to know how to make the pompoms then…
Easy Drawstring Bag to Sew- great for gifts
This adorable little easy drawstring bag is such fun to make. YOU can make one any size you like even if you are a complete beginner. They are superquick and you can make them for lots of different uses. From cute gift bags that are a gift in their own right to sports storage bags, they really can be scaled up or down for your own needs. Throughout this tutorial I will show you the instructions while making a little bag for a car key. Why not attach it to your house key I hear you shout? Well I share the key with my son so it is easier to…
Stool Makeover (DIY) – a detailed tutorial
You may well have an old stool at home that you like but is a little old and worn. Perhaps, like me, it is a piano stool but to be honest the process is similar whatever stool you have. You probably do not want to throw it away because it has sentimental value or you use it all the time. Well, why don’t you give it a makeover? Yes, you can do it without too many tools or special skills. I have never been trained and while I would not tackle a sofa I can work on small pieces and so can you! Just think about how it will look…
15 Valentine’s Day Gifts (DIY) – the best craft tutorials on the internet
Valentine’s Day Gifts can be tricky to get right. Do you want to show your other half how much you care on Valentine’s Day? Show them how special they are? What is the best gift you can give them? Hint: It is a finite resource that is the most precious thing you have. I am, of course, talking about your time. Spend as much time as possible with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day but really melt their heart with a hand made gift. No matter how crafty you are (or are not) there is a great creation for you to make. This article will show you some of the best…
Lavender Bag Hearts to sew for Valentines Day Gifts
This Valentine’s Day why not show someone how much you care for them by making them a beautiful gift? These gorgeous lavender bag hearts are really quick to make but look gorgeous. You could make one really special one or a collection to wow your loved one! They can use them to freshen their clothes and think about you every time they open that drawer or perhaps sleep with it under their pillow. Lavender helps you sleep! If you want to know more about the possible benefits of lavender read this informative article. This tutorial has everything you need to make your own special lavender bag hearts including a free…
Re-cover a lampshade – coordinate your room on a budget.
Re-cover a lampshade! When you re-vamp a room you want your lampshade(s) to match but they can be so expensive. You have painted the walls, bought new furniture and soft furnishings but what about the lighting. It is so expensive, even for new lampshades. Getting lampshades to match perfectly is often impossible. So instead of buying new what about upcycling the ones you already have. This tutorial will show you exactly how to re-cover a lampshade to match your new decor. This lampshade is being covered with a beautiful burgundy fabric to match my bedroom curtains (that I made)! Tip: If you buy your curtains ask if they have fabric…
How to make a folded napkin arrowhead
In this series of napkin related posts I have been guiding you to make your own fabric napkins which can be found here and to fold them into a rose which you can find here. This post will show you how to fold them really quickly and easily to form a folded napkin arrowhead. These are great if you need your napkins to lie quite flat or, like me, you like symmetry in your displays. They will help you make a stunning table display especially if you have double sided napkins like the ones I am using. You will need: Fabric or paper square napkins Step 1: Make sure…
How to fold a napkin into a rose
In an earlier post I showed you how to make double sided napkins really easily. You can find that here ‘Fabric Napkins Tutorial‘. Well, now I am going to show you how to make a folded napkin rose. Your table will look fabulous and your guests will be so impressed. I won’t tell them how easy it is! These roses really do look impressive especially with the double sided napkins. Quick and easy to make and easy for your guests to unravel. So, jump in and get started. You will need: Fabric (or paper) napkins Step 1: Take a square napkin and fold it in half to form a triangle.…