Have yourself a merry little Stashmas...(or, Christmas makes using what you have in the cupboard)

So this year, we moved house, dropped an income have two kids, need new hall carpets and I have a feeling the porch might squeak through this winter if I ignore the damp, but probably not next year.

Christmas is expensive -and I love the giving, but not the bills. No-one should get themselves into a penny-pickle over something that should be fun for everyone. I could go on about my loathing of spoiling kids with brightly coloured plastic, but I'll restrain myself...

I don't have the answer for everyone's festive-austerity measures, but if all the family-based 'get back to what's important' Christmas ads are to be believed perhaps we should raid the cupboards, learn or practise a new skill and make a proper gift. I can help with that.

Festive mug cosies:
These would be great gifts for teachers filled with chocolate or posh coffee, or lovely pencil crayons...maybe that's just me...

You will need:
A plain mug -these were less than a pound from a supermarket. Straight sided is best for beginners;
A small amount of yarn in a Christmassy colour;
A size 4mm hook;
A found button and a scrap of ribbon;
A darning & sewing needle.

The number of stitches you need to start (your foundation chains) depends on the size of your mug. I usually measure enough to go around and then drop two to ensure a snug fit.



Foundation Row: Chain (ch) enough to go around and drop two. Join (jn) with a slip stitch (ss);

Round 1: Ch1, double crochet (dc) around and jn to the top of the ch1 with a ss;

Round 2 & 3:(making sure you turn at the end of the row as if you are now working a flat piece -this is your handle hole!) Ch3, treble crochet (tr) around, turn at the end of the row and repeat;

Round 4 & 5: Ch1, dc around, turn at the end of the row and repeat;

Round 6: Ch3, tr around, turn at the end of the row;

Round 7: (This is the scallop top) Ch1 *half-treble (htr), 2tr in the same st, her, ss*  Repeat ** to the end;

Button loop: Ch7, then ss into the first of the ch7 to form a loop. Fasten off.

Finishing: thread ribbon through on of the treble rows and stitch in place on the inside. Add button.

More festive ideas can be found by clicking the links below!

Christmas Pudding Crochet

Sparkly crochet baubles

Mince Pie Ravioli

Quick fix: Pirate wrapping...

There is simply too much potential here for dodgy puns about pirates actually rapping...This was a panic over a present for a 4year old's pirate party -no wrapping paper but some brown parcel paper, kids markers and kitchen string. You get the idea...x

Heartbombing Fun!!

So yep, plucked up the courage to sneak around a supermarket and leave a few hearty presents. I cannot believe how nervous I was...as a teenager I was far to nerdy and good to shoplift, and I couldn't play poker as I get nervous when lying, so sneaking about was really tricky...even though I wasn't doing anything wrong!!

Anyhow, hearts were successfully left in the Valentine's display of chocolates, in some cupcake boxes in the bakery section, tucked into a card and attached to the trolley.

It's pretty addictive and I might abandon crocheted carrots next time...Keep your eyes peeled Hitchin!

Have you ever enacted quiet sneaky kindness? I'd love to hear what you did! x

Sheepish Yarn Bombing Day 2 - Share Your Heart

Sheepish Yarn Bombing Day 2 - Share Your Heart


This is a lovely idea and one I'll be having a go at -I'll let you know where they end up!

Share you pics at #sheepishheartbomb

How to Make...Crochet Girl's Purse

This purse accompanied the shopping lists and used up lots of odds and ends of wool that I had knocking about. Took about an hour and was a quick, satisfying make, working in circles. Other colourways would work really well too -pick whatever you have knocking around your yarn stash.

You will need:
A variety of scraps and one base colour (here I used the cream), in DK or cotton;
A 3.00mm hook;
Darning needle;
Scissors




Read on for instructions!

Honey I shrunk the biscuits!

Tee hee... Found these mini gems in a new shop 'Blott' in Cambridge. Possibly pointless but very pleasing all the same. Check out www.blottshop.com for mini marvels. x

Three things...

Three things found this week that made me happy. Simple (yes I am, as are they) but providing some brightness in January...Read in a magazine about 'mindfullness' which is a tad knit-your-own-yoghurt for me, but actually is like playing grown up eye-spy. I looked out for three things that were red to be more aware of what was around me. Going to practise a bit more, take my camera and see what I can find. Have a go! x

Stalling...

Tried out some ideas for selling the workbasket -not the basket itself, just the contents!! It's only when you ulay half of your stuff out on a table that you realise that some of it has to go! Next job, is going through my unfinished project pile, which maybe even more shameful...

Where are you selling this year? Being brave and taking the plunge? Or...How many unfinished projects do you have stashed away? Tell me about it -It's cold out here and I love a chat x

I love Kilncraft!

So husband tried for about two hours on Christmas morning to try and get me to open the dishwasher...I ignored him/didn't pick up on the fact that this was a weirdly persistant request until 2 mins before we all piled into the truck to go for lunch...where I found it stacked with this beautiful lot of crocks!

I've been collecting for about a year -and now am on the hunt for bowls. If you stumble upon a link or source of kilncraft loveliness please send me the link/location and my dresser will be eternally grateful (not to mention making my Rice Krispies look far more funky in the morning).

All I want for Christmas...

With less than a week to go, I have come to the realisation that I long to be the fairy on top of the Christmas tree, but sadly, due to 6 million mince pies I eat from November through to February, I am only destined to be a dumpy bauble, slightly dented and tucked around the back...either that or the sturdy support for the tree itself.

Perhaps if I cover myself with enough glitter and sparkle, and shin my way up the nearest Leylandii the resultant effect on height/aspect/perspective will make me look like I've descended from the heavens...probably to end up in a mangled sparkly mess in the nearest A&E unit.

Anyway, if stuck for what to get either myself (ahem... blog-stalking-husband note) or the glitter obsessed lady in your life, you could do a lot worse than this little lot.

Sparkly Sneakers from www.converse.com
Sequins from the craft mecca that is Hobbycraft  (99p)
Glitter Nail Polish Nails Inc 3D (£11)
Sparkly Collar Aynur Dereli at etsy (£22.02)
Beautiful Headpiece LaBoheme at Etsy (£98)
Metallics Satchel (I have a red one and it's going to last forever, they are ace!!) from www.thecambridgesatchel.co.uk Metallics collection (£125)
Personalised word bangle found at the inspired notonthehighstreet.com  (£59)...I'd probably go for really naughty words on mine, seeing as the bangles are small and you'd have to be close enough to catch a glimpse...sneaky.
Snowflake Earrings from Rinnovato vintage on etsy ($20)

And if all else fails visit www.thewandcompany.com. Yep, they really do sell wands and provide a helpful instruction manual to make the most of your magic...really.

On the fifth day of Christmas she started getting her act together...

Cards using stitchery photos -try printed.com

Bloody hell I'm running out of time! Having spent most of my maternity leave eating homemade mince pies and musing about Christmas I reach this point where I realise that I've done nothing actually productive to make this whole shebang happen...

That's not strictly true, as I have got some cards printed, made some nice lookin' embroideries as decorations and thought about presents...but still...

Let it Sew, Let it Sew, Let it Sew...

It's getting to that cheesy time of year, and I have to confess that I am a reformed scrooge...This morning my Christmas cards turned up (more of that next week) which was very exciting, and yesterday I 'helped' (read 'hindered') Han in making some handmade tree decorations. Despite a traumatic sewing history involving lessons at school and sewing herself to her work, by the end of the afternoon, no-one had cried and she had a found her stitchy-groove.

Han had got the initials of key family members printed in a large sized font (I think it was at least 132??!) and then glued them onto a cereal box to make a sturdy template. Cut two pieces of glittery felt (who knew this existed?), ribbon, a simple running stitch around the outside, a smidge of toy wadding and some jingly bells and voila!

These make lovely little presents that can be used again next year, or even gift tags...I like the idea of bottles of homemade sloe gin with the initial of the recipient around the neck...but then I like the idea of sloe gin in general.

Little Miss Party Bags...

Sam's been invited to a party (very exciting) for 4 girls at nursery who are turning 4. The parents are really sweet and said not to worry about gifts as there are 4 of them, but it's nice to bring along something..so...

These little shopping bags are really quick and easy to whip up out of bits and bobs from my fabric box. It didn't really use a pattern -just made sure that any patched pieces fitted to A5 size with a 2cm turn over seam allowance at the top. Piece all the fabric, then before you sew the sides and bottom, make sure you turn over and sew the top seam, add any embellishments that need to be done on a machine, and add handles. The handles are a simple strip of fabric, with seams rolled, pressed and stitched on one side. Easy peasy. Whizz up the sides, turn the right way in, press and add buttons and beads. Smile.

Top Tip: Press, press and press again! Use of a bloomin' hot iron will really make the difference to the overall look and it also makes stitching remarkably easy if everything has been pressed flat.

Mulling it over....

Getting a start on the Christmas presents has never smelt so good -my kitchen is lovely (for a change), this make having successfully masked the pong of the weekend's rugby kit. When it gets cold I get all nostalgic (for many things) but mainly German Christmas markets and mulled wine. It's fabulous -a great pairing of internal warmth and the smell that lets you know that good times are on their way, despite the weather.

These giant mulled wine t-bags are really easy to make, are great gifts over the festive season with a bottle of plonk, and can be used for a variety of other uses if you're not a drinker. I made 6 big bags (will flavour a bottle of red) for less than £10, but depending on the size you make (you can half the size and the bottle, but seriously??) and what you already have in the store cupboard it can be done cheaper.

You will need:
1 piece of 50cm x 50cm Muslin (loose weave allows you to see a bit of what's inside)
Cotton and a needle
Kitchen string (for tying onto a saucepan handle)
Parcel label (to write on instructions)
Small cellophane bags to store

1 large orange and 2 lemons, peeled
Per bag: 1 x star anise, 1 x cinnamon stick, 1/2 a nutmeg, 5-8 whole cloves, 3 x demerara sugar cubes.
For the spicy one: 10 x peppercorns and a large tsp on dried chilli flakes.

To Make:
- Spread the peel onto a baking tray and (whilst keeping an eye) dry out in an oven for about 30 mins at 150.
- Cut the muslin into 12 equal rectangles (just smaller than a postcard should fit the fabric) and cut the string into 20cm lengths, one for each sachet.
- Onto 6 of the rectangles, stitch a halved length of string into each corner.
- Then, adding a back rectangle, sew around three sides of the rectangles in a running stitch.
- Add in enough of the mix per bag (once the peel is out of the oven!!) and then sew up the top.
- Write brief instructions onto each of the parcel labels, decorate festively and then place into a cellophane bag and seal (This will stop everything in your house smelling and the spices loosing their impact if you make them very early).

If your sewing skills are utterly pants, just portion the mix into the cellophane bags with a label. It still looks pretty cool and does the same job, just remember to serve the mulled wine through a tea strainer!!

To Serve:
Chuck a bag into a large pan with 1 bottle of red, and the juice of 1 lemon and one orange. Simmer until the strength you like it. Don't boil as the alcohol will evaporate.

Variations:
- For the spicy one, add a large slug of brandy and don't leave the house for 48 hours.
- For a non-alcoholic tipple, use half a carton of cranberry juice, half of apple juice and a generous measure of blackcurrant or berry cordial...this way kids can join in with a warm cup after fireworks night!
- Infuse in a saucepan with some full fat milk, which you can then make an egg custard out of...great with apple pie or winter brulee.
- Tip the contents into a large bottle of vodka and leave to infuse for at least two months. Great as a gift.
- Bung in your airing cupboard for snuggly smelling towels and sheets.
- Actually put into your husband's rugby kit bag as a form of defence against the dark arts of smelliness.

Crafty Cupcakes...

I'd never done this before -and best friend was turning a certain age, and after another certain age, nobody makes you birthday cake (I think because they assume you just make it yourself?!). So, I made some Red Velvet cupcakes (that I could do), bought some sugar paste and spent a happy morning modelling things to go on top. 

It would be fair to say that I ate quite a lot of mistakes, but with some trusty cocktail sticks and judicious use of the fridge to set stuff as I went along, I ended up with something quite cute. A little practise and I might just get there!

Marvellous Muzzies...

or, how to make mopping up baby puke slightly more attractive...

I've been going through my old baby stuff and washing up the salvageable bits for this one...and came across a stack of grey, depressing muslins. Functionally, there's nothing wrong with them and I can't really justify binning them all on account of their pallor (if that rule applied to people, I'd have been on the scrap heap years ago), so I needed a plan...

I used Dylon Cold Water Dye tins and followed(ish) the instructions on the packet. It's bloomin' easy to change the colour of muslin given that it's such a basic cloth. If you buy new ones and want to cheer them up/ personalise them as a gift, wash them on a hot cycle first to remove any of the manufacturers finish on the fabric, then dye.

Then, on a plain piece of cotton, I drew out eight 6cm x 6cm squares (making a card template first helped). Make sure you leave enough of a gap around each one to cut and turn the edges when you applique to the muslin. After practising some line sketches, I decided upon 8 designs and embroidered onto the squares -keep it simple and make sure all your loose ends are neatly tied in to prevent little fingers unpicking them!

 Once the muslins were dry, ironed and I had finished stitching, trim out your squares and applique to the cloth. Here, you can either iron all the edges over first, use some Bondaweb to secure your patch or just turn the hem as you go. All depends on the time and skill you have really. A final running stitch finishes them off neatly. Job done! Can't stop your kid puking, but can make wiping up the mess slightly more glam.

The big crochet flower swap!

Pretty Primroses...

Ever wondered how to ensure you get sent some flowers (short of sending them to yourself?) whilst keeping the elephant of surprise? ... The Making Spot have given us until the 28th September to send in a crochet flower with an SAE, and they'll pop one in the post by way of return. Bloomin' lovely is what I say!

Send your offering to: Crochet Along, The Making Spot, Future Publishing, Bath, BA1 2BW making sure to enclose a self addressed and stamped envelope.

Campaign to reintroduce cake fork usage...

An intriguing gift but bloomin' useful!

Birthdays can be quite nice even if it is bloomin' hot, you're bloomin' pregnant and have reached bloomin' 31! Many thanks to my little man who makes an excellent tea date when his Dad is at work, Aimee and her little chap who made up a nice foursome and Southill Village Stores and Tea rooms which has an excellent range of vintage crockery, exceptional portions of cake and the lovely manners to serve the aforementioned cake with cake forks. I went to bed happy.