Blast from the Past - Tank Top Tote Bag

Hello! This is a new feature where we share projects which have been on our 'things to try' list for a while.... but just haven't got round to yet. They will still stay on our list (or Pinterest board!), but in the meantime we thought we'd share them for inspiration!

This is a tutorial by Can Can Dancer on how to turn a t-shirt or tank top into a lovely drawstring tote bag. Make sure you also visit Laura's website and check out all the other fab things she's made!

We are linking up to these parties!

Obsessions & Distractions - Back to School

Here in the UK, the summer holidays are over and kids are back to school! So here are some crafts for kids and big kids alike!

Obsessions & Distractions - Holiday & Travel Crafts

It's nearly the school summer holidays, so we thought we'd get in the holiday spirit by sharing a round up of travel crafts! Bon Voyage!!

Obsessions & Distractions - Sunshine Crafts

Good Morning! Its the 1st of June and the sun is actually shining here! Yay! Time for a round-up of some great sunshine crafts we've found!

... and a Drawstring Peg Bag

I have been procrastinating about making a peg bag for ages. I knew I wanted to make one myself, but had very specific requirements in my head... not made with a hanger, easy to take on/off the washing line, something that I could stick in the washing machine... decisions, decisions!!

So when I saw this fab tutorial by Diary of a Quilter, it was exactly what I needed to spur me into action and finally make this Drawstring Peg Beg!

... and an Upcycled Tie Pouch... with Link Party & Giveaway!!

Welcome to the May edition of the Ho, Ho, Ho and On We Sew Link Party!

We were delighted when Fiona from Celtic Thistles asked us if we would like to host her Ho, Ho, Ho, and on We Sew Link Party this month and of course said yes straight away! The idea of this feature is to get prepared for Christmas by making something each month and showcasing this on the Link Party. It's such a fab idea and will definitely help us avoid the last minute rush - even if it feels slightly strange talking about Christmas in May!!

We'd love you to show off your Christmas or Holiday themed projects and link up at the bottom of the page. There is also a fantastic giveaway for one lucky entrant!

For our monthly project, we've made an Upcycled Tie Pouch which will hopefully make a great Xmas pressie and can be made from any ties you have lying around!

... and a Canvas Tote Bag

I always seem to work best under pressure and have a bad habit of leaving everything until the last minute.... and making this bag as part of my sister's Christmas present was no different! I had carefully chosen the fabric and planned it out 'in my head' weeks before, but still managed to leave it until Christmas Eve to even start! Luckily I found a great Tote Bag post by My Growing Home and finished it just in time.

... and a Quilted Make Up Bag

We're well into the New Year now and Christmas seems like a long time ago! But I still thought I'd share with you a quilted make up bag I made as a little pressie...

... and a Juice Pouch Pencil Case

When we were kids, Capri-Sun was one of my brother's favourite drinks.  So when I saw this great post here on Craftster, I just had to make him this pencil case as a Xmas pressie!

Obsessions & Distractions - Gift Wrapping

Only three more sleeps until Christmas!! If like us, you still have a bit of wrapping to do, here a few ideas for inspiration!

Obsessions & Distractions - Upcycled Sweater / Jumper Crafts

The weather here has definitely turned chilly, so what better time to check out all these great upcycled sweater and jumper crafts! All of these can be made from your old clothes, or finds form charity shops etc. And if you make these, you get to buy yourself some new jumpers!!

... and the Yellow Suitcase Exhibition

The Yellow Suitcase project has been founded by a group of people who live, survive and are in recovery from mental health issues. The idea of the project is to get people talking about mental health by taking the yellow suitcase to places of work, community groups and organisations around Reading (UK). More often than not one of the most difficult things about having a mental health problem is talking about it, in fear of stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

You can read more about this project on the Yellow Suitcase Project website. "We all have a common dream and shared hope that people suffering with mental health issues, have the right information, help and support, they need to make the most informed decisions about managing their mental health".

... and a Denim Wine Bottle Bag

One of my favourite things is to go to my friend Eleanor's house, armed with a bottle of wine (or two) for a cheap alternative to a night out. And Eleanor LOVES her wine! So for her birthday I decided to make her a present for when she is carting her bottles around to whoever is hosting the next wine night - a travel friendly bag, upcycled from a pair of jeans!

... and a Fused Plastic Bag Pencil Case

I always try to use my Bag-for-Life, but despite my best efforts I always seem to accumulate lots of plastic bags, so fusing them to make something new seemed like a good idea!! I found  this great tutorial by A Fanciful Twist  and tried it out for myself to make a Pencil Case!

... and Gift Bag Transformations!

We were delighted to be asked recently by Carrier Bag Shop to review and transform some of their gift paper bags by adding our own crafty twist to them*! With all the gifts we've been making, and because we are hoping to enter the scary world of selling our items soon, we thought it would be a great opportunity to try a variety of styles of packaging them...

* DISCLOSURE - we were given one of each of the bags below for the purposes of this review. All opinions are our own.

... and a T-Shirt Beach Bag

A girl can never have too many bags right?! So when I saw this great tutorial by Delia Creates to upcycle a T-Shirt into a bag, I definitely had to give it a go!

Obsessions & Distractions - Oranges & Lemons

Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of St Clement's! Check out these zesty crafts that are soooo perfect for the Summer!!

... and a Make Up Bag

For part of my Mum's birthday present, I decided that I wanted to make her a make up bag. I had it all planned out in my head, chosen the fabric/colours etc.... but then suddenly I realised I only had one day left and I had never tried sewing a zip before... eek!

Luckily all was not lost, as I found this great tutorial by Noodlehead which gives really clear instructions on adding a lining and a zip. I tweaked this slightly for my version, and here's what I did...

... and some Placemat Clutch Bags

Recently we got asked by Artistry by Amrita (a fabulous London based make up artist) if we could supply some accessories for photo shoots she would be doing. It reminded me that I have been meaning to make these bags for AGES. So here is my take on some placemat clutch bags:

... and a Denim Knitting Bag

Like many people here in the UK, I've been glued to the TV watching the BBC series Great British Sewing Bee. I am a far cry away from making my own clothes but it has inspired me to get on with a sewing project I've been meaning to start for a while....a denim bag!

I feel should start with a disclaimer as I'm sure much of what I did broke several sewing 'rules' and I just made it the way that seemed logical to me! Anyway, here's what I did....