Some news…

A while back I mentioned about a new venture I’ve been involved in, well I thought now is the time to share a little more of what’s going on.

Craft fair Lowdown

I have finally come back own to earth after a fabulous night at the craft fair on Thursday evening. Maeri did such a grand job of organising it, serving bubbly in vintage china and ensuring everyone had what they needed. It was a select group of stalls, 7 in total and all with different wares to sell.

Craft on the Canal – A Movie

A while go you might remember me mentioning that I was going to be part of a film by the BBC. This was to be part of a series documenting a variety of people telling their story of how the Internet has helped them in their day to day lives, businesses and hobbies. Maeri from the Make and Do Studio was approached to be included and she asked me and some other friends to be extras in the film!

Well the moment has arrived and the film has finally been published on the BBC website. Please have a look to learn a bit more about the Make and Do Studio (select number 11 on the numbered links) and have a look at some of the other films, there’s some great stories!!

Sarah x

Kindle Cover Workshop

As you all know I gave my first workshop on thursday night on how to make a kindle cover, under the title of tutor for the Make and do studio. To say I was nervous was an understatement and as we were setting everything up I wasn’t sure how I was going to control my nerves!

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This week I am finally able to share with you the gifts I have made for the Love swap organised by Gem’s country life dream, My swap partner was Pen of Rosa Lily. We decided to send approx 5 items to each other and after looking at Pen’s Pinterest boards, I had a good idea on the things I wanted to make.

2012 so far…Reasons to be Cheerful

With the start of February and Penny’s reasons to be Cheerful, I thought I would see how I was doing with my new years resolutions. I think I’m not doing too badly, writing them on here has certainly made me focus more on my goals! There a lot that I have already got stuck into, including the getting rid of 366 items. Since the beginning of the year I have sorted out the loft and under the stairs. I sorted things out into piles and have managed to give some things to friends. I also have a huge pile of thing ready for doing a car boot. It has been so nice to have a good clear out, although I am not sure how many things I have cleared, I will need to get counting!! I have also sorted out my sewing room, and have got a lot of fabrics that I no longer have use for (some were given to me) so I have signed up for Rosa Lilys swap shop. Have a look at her blog and sign up if you too have things to swap!

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Welcome to another handmade Monday! I haven’t had a lot of time to be sewing this week, so yesterday I made the most of getting up early and set to at my sewing machine, armed with many cups of tea and a stack of fabric.

I have been asked by Maeri at the Make and Do Studio to teach a workshop as part of her new evening craft nights. I was beyond excited as this is really something I would love to develop, so I jumped at the chance! I decided on developing a workshop on making a kindle cover as it seems a lot of people have a kindle or e-reader of some sort! As the workshop is only an hour long, the sewing has to be fairly straight forward. I have stuck with a very simple envelope sleeve, with the option to add a magnetic clasp or button closure to personalise it. I made a few trying to get a size that would fit most sizes of kindle (why can’t they all be the same size?!) and stuck with my motto of reusing, therefore no need to buy any more fabric!

So here they all are! I am quite pleased with the results and I am meeting Maeri in the week to discuss the finer details of the workshop – so exciting! Keep your eyes peeled on here next month for a tutorial on how to make one. Also I realised that all these things add up to a few of my new years resolutions being ticked off – bonus!

If you live in the Cheshire area and are interested in the evening workshops, check out The Make and Do Studio for more details. Also why not check out Wendy’s blog for more handmade Monday loveliness!

Sarah x

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This week has been a busy week, not necessarily for crafting but more for making things. On Tuesday I went to the second Clandestine Cake club meeting in Warrington. 9 other lovely ladies also came along, bringing lots of different cakes, all baked with the theme of frolicking fireworks and copious celebration in mind.

There were all sorts of different cakes including a triple layer caramel cake, a hummingbird cake and a chocolate marshmallow cake.

After playing it safe at the last meeting, I wanted to try something a little bit different. My husband suggested using popping candy

So I searched for cake recipes using it and found a Heston Blumenthal recipe. It was fairly straightforward to make, although I missed off the chocolate glaze, which was probably the hardest bit! I forgot to take a photo after I made it, so here’s one after everyone had tucked in and tried a piece.

I didn’t let on what was in the cake, so the popping candy came as a surprise for people, making a lovely crackling sound as everyone was eating!

Later in the week I went along to another course at The Make and Do Studio – Creative Wrapping. The course was run by Sue Lacey, a very talented lady who knows everything you need to know about wrapping presents in a beautiful way.

We learnt the basics of wrapping, how to make a gift bag, tying bows and how to wrap unusual shapes such as bottles and biscuit tins. I learnt so many useful tips, perfect timing for christmas presents!

Please pop over to Wendy’s blog to see what everyone else has been up to for this weeks handmade Monday

Sarah x

Reasons to be Cheerful…

It feels like ages since I last posted! I have been so busy with various bits and pieces and sadly missed the last handmade Monday, mainly as all the things I am making at the moment are for the advent and decoration swaps, so I have to keep it all secret! After reading Penny’s blog over at Planet Penny, I thought I would join in on her linky – Reasons to be cheerful!

I am writing this on my second day of being off work, definitely one of my reasons to be cheerful! I took yesterday off to learn how to knit over at The Make and Do Studio. My friend Nic had also signed up, so at least I can pester her when I forget all the different stitches! I found that the memories of knitting as a child came flooding back, however I think  I did make up some stitches all of my own! I finished the day off with a lovely walk with Nic and her 2 springer spaniels and then met my mum and dad for a lovely Pub dinner out at the Glasfryn in Mold, North Wales – I would highly recommend it, the food was yummy!

My second reason is that with being off work today, i have been able to catch up on a bit of crafting, making more swap gifts and catching up on taking photos for my CRAFTfest stall. I really wish every day was like this!! I have also been able to catch up on reading some blogs. One I particularly want to mention is Sewabee. Vicky is currently nearing the end of a year challenge of not buying any clothes, bags, shoes etc and each month she donates money to a charity close to her heart  - Oldham Cancer Support Centre. She is celebrating finishing her challenge by organising a Frock swap in December, I am hoping to go and take some of my things in the hope of swapping for somebody elses! If you live in the Northwest why don’t you get a ticket (only £10 each!) and come and join the fun!

My last reason for being cheerful is that me and Nic are going to Judy’s affordable vintage fair in Manchester on Sunday. I am beyond excited about going and can’t wait to see what bargains I can find! I am hoping to pick up some bits of china, maybe a dress or 2 and some things for my advent swap.

Please pop by Planet Penny and see what everyone else has been up to, it’s so nice to see that as it’s getting colder and darker there are still reasons to be cheerful!

Sarah x

Crafty Collection

This gallery contains 8 photos.

I thought I would share with you some pictures from my previous projects and classes.