Beginners Sewing Supply List

We found these great sewing tips and instead of stealing them, we want to say thank you to Cold and Warm Crafts for putting them together.

Source: coldhandswarmheartcrafts.blogspot.com via Craft on Pinterest

Cold and Warm Crafts  - Beginning Sewing Supply List

January 2012 Stitch Give Away!

Don’t let January give you the blues, we have a great January give away!

Do you have an iPhone 4? And do you enjoy stitching?

Four lucky readers or tweeters can win one of our iPhone 4 Cross Stitch phone covers. At the moment this is the ultimate crafter gift, you not only get to enjoy your favourite past time, you also get to decorate your iphone with your stitched design.. 

Here’s a few we found earlier...

Source: purlsoho.com via Sallywag on Pinterest

Source: purlbee.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: connectdesign.co.kr via Kyna on Pinterest

It’s simple to Win!

Just Return our special competition tweets on Twitter or leave a post on the this blog,Facebook or Google+

Entrants must live in the UK to take part and win. Winners are selected randomly by Random.org on Friday after 1pm. 

Oilcloth Lunch Bag Tutorial

We predict 2012 is the year of oilcloth, forget the plastic tablecloths we remember as children and acquaint yourself with the new fashionable oilcloth with gorgeous prints.

My love of oilcloth started last summer at the SW Craft Club pop up summer events. I brought 20 metres of oilcloth to cover each table for the event and besides being a protective cover it also needed to look pretty.  

Fast forward to the winter and I have 20 meters of oilcloth gathering dust in my home, I’m all about recycling and upcycling, so I researched the fabric further and what it’s capable of and other than being referred to by lots of different names, I also learn it can be waterproof, it’s wipeable,  it’s durable and I think fun! This Christmas my nearest and dearest received oilcloth lunch bags and they look amazing! Even one of a male friend has asked me to make a manly version for him (see below)

Still not sure? Checked out the latest ranges from Cath Kidson, Boden and Lisa Stickly and you’ll find very pretty bags, in all shapes and sizes, mobile phone holders and aprons etc.

Like I said 2012 will be the year of the oilcloth and here’s how you can get involved. I have to be honest, I’d like to pay homage to Martha Stewart, from where I originally found this no brainer of an idea, for the lunch bag but her tutorial isn’t as detailed as I need it, see below:

Cut main piece 29 1/2 by 8 inches and two side panels, each 12 1/4 by 5 inches.

1. Fold long panel, inside out, into U shape with 5-inch bottom.

2. Make 1/4-inch cut at bottom corners of side and middle pieces so bag folds smoothly. Sew-in side panels, leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3. Turn right side out and top-stitch all around, 1/8 inch from edge.

I’m not sure if you are like me, but I need images or more detail, either way, Martha you were a bit sparse on this occasion.

Below are my additional tips and images to help you to help you to make your own oilcloth bag:

Finished. One waterproof manly oilcloth lunch bag

Here's two I made earlier

...and we found more great examples on Pinterest

Source: freshhomeideas.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Christy on Pinterest

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Book Review: Pretty Pantry Gifts

By Natasha De Vil

Hello and happy New Year to you all, I hope you have lots of crafting ideas for the year ahead, stuck for ideas well why not try something new like making jams or pickles. Have no idea where to start well then I have the perfect item for you. Perfect Pantry Gifts by Tara Duggan is a beautiful kit that will get you well on your way to making your jams, preserves and pickles.

This tiny little book is not only packed with seasonal and all year recipes but also advice on how to prepare and sterilize jars, food safety and the kind of equipment that you will need.

The kit also comes with an assortment of jar labels, tags, gift bags, matching ties and cloth lid covers for you to create your gifts or maybe stock up of goodies for yourself and brighten up your larder.

I know I did!

I decided to make the Lemon Curd from this book and I have to say the recipes in this book are very easy to follow and I had this jar of delicious Lemon Curd whipped up in no time.

This kit would make a great gift for a budding or even experienced cook, the recipes are easy to follow but a note for British buyers this book is American and so you will have to convert your measurements as all ingredients are measured in cups and pints. I was surprised at how much information ws contained in one little book and the label, tags and jar covers are all quite lovely.

I would give this kit a 4 out of 5 stars.

By the lovely and fashionable Natasha De Vil

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DIY Upcycled Picture Frame

I’ve been inspired, last year I pulled together a pictorial post on chalk boards for our sister site Craft Candy. The post had some great images of modern things people are producing with chalkboards in mind, using slate, blackboard paint, blackboard adhesive or by just recycling an old chalkboard, here’s the link: Craft Candy Chalk post

Before you chuck out your old belongings in January to make way for all of the new Christmas presents, Don't! read my modern interpretation on the very boring chalkboard (how to upcycle something old into something new).

Equipment list

Old picture or mirror with an interesting ornate frame (Warning: do not use a  plain frame, you’ll be disappointed)

Spray paint

Hot glue gun

Blackboard adhesive and of course chalk.

I didn’t have an old picture with a great frame at home and I really struggled to find one in a charity shop which didn’t have an antique price tag attached to it! But and after months of looking, I  eventually  found 3 frames at Columbia road market and with a little haggling I got them for a price which meant I didn’t feel guilty when spray painting them.

Start by taking apart the picture and the frame and washing them both, if like mine, yours are old and dusty, they’ll be filled with lots of dirt and grease which your paint and adhesive won’t stick to.

Spray the frames, they’ll need 2/3 layers of spray paint. But with each layer, spray it lightly and wait for it to dry before applying the next layer. Tip: if you spray too much paint at once it will obviously take longer to dry but also the paint will be too thick and runny!

Whilst you are waiting for the frames to dry stick the adhesive to the picture. The easiest way to do this to draw around the picture onto the reverse of the adhesive and cut it out.  Tip: pay special attention when sticking I ended up with a few bubbles in mine because I stuck it too quickly.

                                             

Finally, it’s now time to glue your frame back together. I mainly used a hot glue gun, but one of the frames I had to unscrew and screw it back together again.

                           
                                   

old picture upcycled and transformed into a modern chalk board

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