... and The Big Knit 2014

You remember we said we were taking part in the Innocent Big Knit... well we've finally finished and sent our contribution!

... and Making a Rag Rug Brooch

As part of the Make Reading Christmas Fair, we took part in the Make a Rag Rug Brooch workshop. Here's how we got on!

... and The Innocent Big Knit

Today we thought we'd share a bit about The Innocent Big Knit, which are planning to get involved with. The idea is to knit mini hats to fit onto Innocent drinks bottles to raise money for Age UK.

Blast from the Past - Fabric Pumpkin

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!

Obsessions and Distractions - Wool Crafts

Wool and yarn isn't just for knitting! Here are a round up of fab wool related crafts. Enjoy!

... and #World Pomination

We're super excited about going to The Handmade Fair next week (only 7 more sleeps!!). In preparation, we have been making pompoms for our contribution to the #worldpomination world record.

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!

... and Yarn Wrapped Pots

I had some candles in terracotta pots, which were well past their best to say the least! So to make the pots more pretty, I decided to wrap them in yarn!

... and Wool Against Weapons (finished pieces!)

You may remember that back in May we mentioned that we were taking part in Wool against Weapons by dusting off our knitting needles! Well, thanks to some fantastic friends we've been able to contribute a 5 metre peace scarf to this great cause!

... and Wool Against Weapons (Knitters Needed!!)

Today, instead of our usual type of post, we wanted to highlight a great cause we are getting involved in...

Wool against Weapons is a creative and direct action protest against renewing Trident (UK's nuclear weapons programme) with 7 miles of knitted wool power!

The plan is to create a 7 mile long peace scarf which will join the Women's Peace Camp at Aldermaston, UK and the other Atomic Weapons Establishment at Burghfield, Berkshire on August 9th 2014

... and No Nails String Art

One of our good friends has just become a Grandmother! (Remember Lants who made the Pink Furry

Headboard?!). Her daughter Abbie has had a beautiful baby girl called India and I wanted to make something extra special and personal for her.

... and Yarn Bombing our Local Library

We've finally got round to getting all of the pictures together from our first Yarn Bombing experience! When we found out that the Coffee and Craft group from our local Library (Battle Library, Reading) were going to spruce up the inside of this historical building, we couldn't wait to get involved!

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 Knitting Basket Makeover!

I found a great basket during one of my many occasional charity shop visits and have been using it to store my knitting supplies! Although it's very functional, it's not that pretty... so time for a makeover!

.... and some Felted Pebbles

Sometimes projects present themselves and you HAVE to try them as soon as possible, even when you weren't planning to... This is one of those projects! As well as the Pincushion Ring project, Issue 5 of Crafty magazine also had this great tutorial for creating felted pebbles. Well, we had the wool roving from our Needle Felting attempts and as for the pebbles, Sian had plenty in her garden so we were ready to go!!!!

Tips, Tools & Techniques - Making Fabric from Scraps

Like all good crafters, I have been saving every scrap from my sewing and embroidery projects. Even the bits of thread and tiniest snippets of fabric. I knew I was saving them for something (stuffing maybe?!) but then I came across this post by Just Jude and I had to try it immediately! The idea is that you can create a fun, new piece of fabric that you can then use for whatever you'd like.

... and a Pincushion Boat (with Trawler Net Thread Catcher!)

Ahoy there! Today's post has a nautical theme.... with a boat pin cushion and thread catcher.

If there was a prize for messiest sewer, I'd definitely be in the running. Despite my best efforts, I always end up with threads all over the floor and pins stuck randomly in cushions, jeans etc. So whilst sorting out my new craft room(!) making a pin cushion and thread catcher seemed like a sensible idea!

... and a PomPom Festival!

Recently we read about the PomPom Blossom Festival in Making magazine, and we just had to put our names down and take part!! For the month of June, Balfron (in Scotland) is going to be turned into an open air installation with hundreds of PomPoms hanging from the trees. Each will have a label attached with the maker's name and a word chosen by each maker.

... and Pillowcase Dresses for "Dress a Girl Around the World"

It's Red Nose Day! For those of you who don't know about this Red Nose Day happens here every 2 years and its an opportunity to fundraise and help change people's lives in the UK and Africa. You can read more about this here

We wanted to do something to help, that would also give us our crafting fix. The emphasis this year was on baking - we thought we'd try something that couldn't potentially kill someone - we are trying to improve people's lives after all!!!

Having seen this blog post by Sew Scrumptious, it inspired us to make our own Pillowcase Dresses for the charity Dress a Girl Around the World.  This is how Louise from Sew Scumptious describes it: