Service Station Crafting Magazine - Homemaker - Issue 35

On  Monday I was heading home from a weekend up in Derby with my grandparents. Having married and left home, it's not often I head out on a family weekend away. But it was lovely weekend :)

Getting bored on the drive home (Dad was driving) - I swung into W H Smiths and picked up a crafting magazine. I don't treat myself to them very often, so it was pretty exciting.

The one I eventually picked out from the limited selection is called Homemaker and I'd never seen it before. Has anyone else heard of it?

Homemaker Magazine - Issue 35

It also came with a couple of freebies - a colouring book and a kit to make some crochet projects.

Only problem.... I can't currently crochet. But this could be a really fun opportunity to learn.

I have found this video is a great start for the basics through :)

Beginner Guide to Crochet

If you are looking for a new magazine, this is a really good one. It's packed full of a mix of different craft projects and instructions. As I love swapping between different types of crafting to liven things up, this suits me down to a T.

There are a few of the suggested projects (all with instructions) that I would love to try.

1. Peg bag

My current peg bag was a cheap bag brought from Wilko a few years ago. With my new love of crafting, the concept of making my own from scratch is so much more appealing. Fabric shopping time! Perhaps to match the apron I would like to get started on from my Pinterest Inspired Project To Do List..

Peg Bag Project Idea

2. Cushion.

This one looks a little more fidly. But I have a friend who is keen to teach me to sew and so this could be a fun one to get started on :) I'm thinking bold primary colours as that would match the marvel themed living room we are planning!

Inspiration for a Sofa Cushion

3. Floor cushions

Now I don't plan on doing this exactly. But it could be structurally better design idea for my denim patchwork floor cushion. Slightly more complicated I think. But a jobs got to be done properly.

Inspiration for floor cushions

4. Pocket door hanger.

I was thinking about doing something like this for storing my knitting needles. My collection is starting to get too big for the needle wrap.

So I'm thinking the same length as the door with slimier pockets a use of ribbon to keep the matching pairs together.

Inspiration for my needle organiser for the back of my door

5. Terrocota painted pots.

These look seriously cute. In addition to the bright colours, they also suggest using chalkboard paint so that you can write on what the pot contains. I'm not entirely sure what I'd use them for yet. But they would be a pretty solution to potting out herbs etc when my new kitchen is set up.

Terracotta painting pots. Ideal for keeping pretty much anything in - including plants!

6. Knitting wall project.

I loved this idea for a project. Having now got some confidence for changing colours mid row (check out my chevron square if you haven't already) this seems like a great project technically.

It's all DK wool, so I can easily pick up most of the colours I need at the local charity shop. So I will hopefully get started with it in the next couple of weeks - once I've caught up with this months squares.... A girl can dream...

Knitting Wall Project

So my project list is starting to get longer again... opps... But it's so much fun finding them all.

Have you been inspired by any of these projects?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

MrsKirstyHoll

x

WIP – Sewing Project – PATCHWORK Quilt

This is a project I started early 2014.

I’ve always fancied having a go at putting a quilt together. I’ve not done any sewing really since I was 13 – year 9 textiles class – so definitely out of practice!

Not quite sure where to start, I started collection designs on a Pinterest board. Then I eventually found this one and suddenly it all fell into place.

Cross quilt patterns

However, rather than being separated by white crosses, all of the crosses will be patterned. My thought was that this would be the best way of mixing the pattern fabric as individual squares might look a bit overwhelming.

Here is a quick sample of some of the fabrics that are going into my quilt. I’ve got a mix of fabrics I have brought and some that have been donated by friends and family for the project. The plan is to mix the block coloured fabric with the ones that have more white in the design.

Work so far…I have started sewing them into crosses and used a large white sheet to formulate my design. The plan is to use the sheet as an extra layer below the patched side between the stuffing. I’m hoping this will secure the patched design.

Fabric Samples

Samples of completed crosses

For the back of the quilt I have a red piece of fabric with a printed image of the Hindu God. I brought it in Portugal as I wanted something in the blanket to remind me of the holiday. It will also give me the perk of a reversible quilt! I’ll give you a sneak preview of it further into creation – so watch this space!

January progress…

So post Christmas work on the blanket has progressed from pieces to some of the crosses of the fabric actually sewn together! Originally I had began the design sewing together using invisible plastic thread. During this stage I discovered that that was not my best plan as some of that stitching is coming apart. So I am now using white cotton thread and make small repair stitches where necessary.

So here is a photo of my progress so far! I’ve given up on pinning them onto the sheet. This was manly because I was being an bit impatient. I really needed to see some progress to get my motivation going on this project.

Some of the more eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that my attempt at free wheeling this without a pattern needs more focus. The bottom cross with with flowers needs to be unstiched and moved across and up one square. Apparently spending a bit of time doing a line drawing pattern could be a good move.

Here it is (feel free to copy if you want to try the composition yourself. The squares are 13″ x 13″ inches.

Since I put the line drawing together, the blanket has progressed significantly.

Projects Update – Patchwork quilt

Yarn Addict Signing off

MrsKirstyHoll

x

F.O – Pin cushion tutorial – Vintage Milk Jug

Seriously love this Pin Cushion idea from House of NicNax.

I’m in the process of buying my first home. This home will have a second bedroom which will mean – for the first time  ever – that I have a permanent crafting space. So a beautiful pin cushion is suddenly an awesome (and very practical) idea.

My first thought is that this idea would work awesomely in a vintage style teacup. So I hit the charity shops in the hunt for an odd one.

Finally spotted (by my mother in law) is this seriously cute vintage milk jug.
I will continue to hunt for a vintage 1920’s teacup. But I’m loving this alternative.

I then had a hunt through my fabric stash – I’ve got a bit now due to my fabric patchwork project.

What do you think?

This was a really simple make. I literally managed to finish it in an hour.

The first thing I did was get measuring the jug. From that I could work out what size I needed the fabric to be.

I then got out my needle and thread and threaded around the edge.

Then pulled it tight…

Then I stuffed it full of cushion stuffing (my mother in law handily had one in the cupboard for that exact purpose).

The finished project (the second finished one for the week so I’m doing pretty well  )

The original also had a button… but I thought it would look a bit much?

What do you think?

Yarn Addict Signing off

MrsKirstyHoll

x

Craft Ideas that I would love to try

*Bookmark this blog - I will be adding to it as I find new amazing projects throughout the internet* 

Crochet Ideas

DIY Crochet Flowers

This design is one of the reasons I would love to be able to Crochet. Such a beautiful pattern idea.

Can somebody please make one for me?

The pattern is here

Funky Up Your Wine Glasses

Name your wine glasses

Hate getting your wine glasses mixed up? Why not turn the base of each glass into a chalk board. Name each glass at your gathering and you shouldn't get so confused! 

All you need to do is get some of that paintable chalkboard stuff and dip your wine glass into it. I have some of this at home - so I will update when I have had a go at it. 

This idea was found on: listinspired.com






Sewing Projects

Butterfly Pot Holders

I love butterflies - we used them as a theme at our wedding. I'm also going through cheap oven gloves at a stupidly fast rate. So this project caught my attention.

The finished project looks beautiful!

This project was found on: diy.tag

Upcycle old denim into Storage Pouch

I have loads of old jeans at home that I plan on keeping for denim related projects....

This is a fab idea for a pouch. I have one of those wooden beds with a headboard. Because we have it pushed right up against the bed, I don't have enough space to be able to have a shelf or table beside the bed.

This idea is meant to be for a pouch to hang on your door. But it would be super useful for me to hang on the posts on my bed.

This idea was found on: listinspired.com

A denim Recycled Apron

This has two major positives - really easy craft project and refuses a set of jeans. What would you accessorise yours with?

Get the instructions here. 

Quilt & Blanket Ideas

Harry Potter Book Blanket

This super awesome design is by Happy Hooker and can be found on her blog here. It is a pretty funky idea and would be easy enough to knit. I'd probably do this without the numbers at the top...

Projects to use up old buttons

Button Bowl

If you are looking for a storage bowl or something a little different - take a look at this. Personally, I have hundreds of buttons at home I could use up. Alternatively, they are also really cheap to buy if you want a specific colour scheme.

I found the idea and you can find the instructions here.

Display Idea

Display memory box

I love keeping hold of tickets and passes from trips. It allows me to relive the moments when I rediscover the memory box.

This is a super cute idea that allows you to display and keep updating your frame.

This idea was found here.

Crafting and Homeware ideas from Social Media that work

*BOOK MARK THIS PAGE - I WILL UPDATE AS I FIND NEW IDEAS* 

I love Pinterest, It's an app on phone that streams hundreds of ideas to me every single day. Makes me feel like I'm being productive.... even if I don't do anything with them but pin them to one of my hundreds of boards.

In addition to this, there are a huge amount of Craft pages on Facebook I follow which offer me up hundreds of ideas. Some of which I love to have a go at and try out.

This is a blog that I will publish but keep updating with any ideas that I do actually implement and their actual effectiveness/awesomeness.





Craft

Quilting Projects

I am always on the lookout for amazing ideas to recreate. Eventually I had enough quilt ideas that I couldn't help but start a new project.

Follow Kirsty's board Quilt inspiration on Pinterest.



This was the pattern that caught my interest.

This pattern only works if you draw yourself out a line pattern to organise your fabrics. Trying to work this out freehand and sewing together isn't worth the time spend unpicking. Trust me. Here is the one I drew out:

I scribbled a name of each fabric cross I could make with the fabric I had onto here. It gave me the chance to ensure that the colours wouldn't clash. 

Ideally, I want this to have a decent thickness. So I'm going to double up some wadding between 2 white sheets. This will allow me to secure the wadding and have something secure to sew the patchwork too. I have another piece of fabric for the back that I brought on holiday in Portugal in June 2014. Any excess white fabric can be used as a border. 

Photo update 1

Currently it's looking like this - I'm slowly adding some length. It's going to be a double size quilt I think when it's finished. Which is exactly what I wanted :)

Apart from the shape there is absolutely no theme to this quilt! 

Easter Bunny (Knitted)

I saw this adorable pattern on my Facebook feed this week :) Now my husband has challenged me to knit 10 to hide around his safe-zone at Drone Airsoft. So that is my evenings sorted for the next week :)

Also has the perk that he is buying the wool and I get to knit something. So that is definitely a win.

Will update when I have completed them!

So this is my first attempt at a bunny. Colours were my husbands choice. 

This has given me a chance to work out the pattern.

I'm using double knit wool with 3mm needles. 35 stitches across. 62 rows. Knit stitch. Finished with a 2.5cm pom-pom. Then sewed on eyes an nose with white stitches. 

Black seems a little dark.... possibly also put a little too much stuffing inside.

UPDATE: All bunnies are now finished :)

Any thoughts on the colour scheme? 

Knitted Blanket

Having finished the bunnies, I found myself with lots of spare wool - and some cool ideas for colour combinations.

Recently I've found this idea for knitting a blanket on a set of circular needles.




This idea was from: purlbee.com
If you want to try this blanket pattern and have no wool - check out their website. She recommends so wool she describes as washable :)

The original pattern is for a child size blanket. But this comment discussion got me thinking.

Having now had some experience with knitting on larger needles I invested in some 7mm circular needles with 120cm length. I'm about 8 rows in and they are working really well for me.

You can buy them from amazon here. 

The chunky knit blanket lengthens a lot faster. Ideal if you are looking for a relatively short term project.

I'm creating an adult size blanket for the lounge. I cast on between 170-185 stitches (I didn't count and just kept casting on until it looked long enough.....). I'm hoping when I finish it will be a couple of meters wide.

Picture Update 1

Picture Update 2

Currently it's looking like this:

Home-wares + Improvement

Bathroom

I use mouthwash every single time I brush. So a plastic bottle of which ever mouthwash was on offer is always sat on the shelf above my sink. The only trouble is that it is not very pretty.

Then I saw this:

It's so simple and much more attractive than the current arrangement. I also remembers that I have a couple of beautiful and unused whisky decanters that I picked up for £1,99 in a charity shop. The pourers and shot glasses were brought off amazon. So I spent less than £5 extra and ended up with this: 

Much more attractive than a plastic mouthwash bottle.