More from our August 2013 Issue, Number 24

Our August 2013 includes articles from:

Millie-Mae, Toby & Mummy makes... Eton Mess

This month’s make fell into place when the children asked to go strawberry picking on a very hot Saturday afternoon. So our challenge started with finding and picking a lovely large basket of strawberries. But what to do with them all having paid for them? Well, I thought it would be nice for Mummy (me) to take a step back this month and let the children (Millie-Mae and Toby) take total control. As they are young, it had to be kept simple, and yes Eton Mess is really simple – but it’s delicious and just perfect for two under 7s to rustle up on their own!


To read the full article you can purchase issue 24 from our website here

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Recipes
Forgiving, quick and easy recipes free from gluten and dairy products by Elderberry Arts.
Recipes for:

Grilled Pineapple and Coconut
Banana Ice cream
Avocado chocolate pudding



To read the full article you can purchase issue 24 from our website here

Crafting on a Budget

In theory the weather is usually nice atthis time of year, but as we all know it’s definitely hit and miss so far in 2013. I’m sure we all love to be outside when the sun is shining, and with the limited sunny days we’ve had so far it’s nice to seize them as they land.

I don’t know about the rest of you but the sunshine certainly throws my creative drift into overdrive, and if I can take my crafting outside it’s even better. Just recently Yorkshire has been blessed with masses of sunshine and with it came an abundance of inspiration, not only for some new products but for my next Crafting on a Budget article.

Whilst playing in the garden with my young niece I discovered some old terracotta pots that had been cast aside. They were crying out for a good reinvention!

To read the full article by SmallSurprisesBoutique you can purchase issue 24 from our website here

Create a Salt Patterned Silk Scarf

Make your own gorgeous intricately patterned silk scarf to wear in this fabulous summer weather!

To read the full article by Jane Cameron you can purchase issue 24 from our website here





Damoiselle Designs

I got hooked on crafting when I was little - I was always borrowing fabric or buttons from my mum and ‘making’ something that would inevitably look strange and fall apart a few minutes later. I started crafting a bit better when I was about ten - I set up a mini business decorating and selling hair bands to friends, but when I got to comprehensive school  making your own things became ‘uncool’ and I slowly drifted into other hobbies. But now here I am a few years later at fifteen with an admittedly slightly bigger business set up!
My mum’s been selling her crafts online for a while now, and when she realised my interest in practicing some of the techniques from my Textiles GCSE class, she suggested that we buy the equipment needed and make a few things to sell. And so Damoiselle Designs was born.

To read the full article you can purchase issue 24 from our website here

Don't miss out on:

The British Love Affair with the Beach Hut

Tina in the Garden

Time for Tea - Two tea related projects

and much more!

Crafting on a Budget - Part Two

Crafting on a Budget - Part Two

Published in Issue 23, June 2013

Written by Leanne from Small Surprise Boutique

https://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutique

 orchidflowers.wordpress.com

So, last time I discussed the art of upcycling as a way of reducing your craft expenditure, but there are only
so many times you can raid your loft or garden shed when on the hunt for supplies. We will revisit recycling more throughout this series, but for now there is something else I would like to consider.

Upcycling is an everlasting adventure, but it is useful to have a set stock rather than relying on uncovering recycled materials. I’m sure most of us have battled with the thought “I have so many ideas in my head, but where can I get my hands on cheap materials to bring my creations to life?” I know I have.

Obviously my own personal experiences come into play a lot here, but perhaps some of you out there have had similar encounters. When I took my first steps into my local craft superstore I was amazed by what was right in front of me. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to venture inside, but once I did I didn’t want to leave. 

After a few visits I started to realise I was on a strict budget, a budget that wouldn’t match the store, and although there were many things I needed in order to progress forward in my craft work, I would spend more time wandering back and forth through the isles and whittling down my decisions to fit in with my budget than actually crafting. 

I soon started to research the world of crafting, and after being amazed by the sheer magnitude of this new world I had embarked upon, I found cheaper alternatives for what I needed. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to visit my local craft superstores, I would live there if I could, and I recommend you keep them on your shopping route. I have learnt the importance of buyer’s research and it is something I would encourage you to do. 

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Quite often we get lucky when our favourite stores have sales, but sales don’t last forever. In order to protect my bank balance I have taken on a new way of craft shopping. With notebook in hand a trip to my local craft superstore soon gives me my next shopping list, to see if I can find cheaper alternatives elsewhere. We’re all familiar with shopping around to find the best price, and I have found it to be just as useful when shopping for craft supplies. 

Fortunately, living in Leeds I am blessed with a spectacular market, filled with a wide variety of stalls and

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goodies. My needle craft seems to benefit most from my trips to the market, with material, wool, ribbons and buttons on offer in abundance. Buttons are always a useful addition to any craft box, and the market is a good place to start your collection. Also, I have discovered once you become ‘a regular’ customer there is often the opportunity to collect some enviable bargains. Just recently, for example, I was able to pick up a large amount of lovely material, which was discounted thanks to being familiar with the seller. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Building a network specific to your craft work is also a good way of keeping your craft budget to a limit. The more you network with others in the industry, the more likely you are to find out about the best places to stock up your craft cupboard. As your network develops, so will your knowledge, and in turn you can help others. I have found this particular method very useful, especially in recent weeks. I have signed up for my first craft fair, due to take part in July, and I am constantly extending my ‘what I need’ list. By networking with experts in this area I am gradually finding everything I need, such as packaging materials, and they come at reasonable price. 

There are many ways to protect our bank balances whilst still producing high quality creations, and shopping around for the best options is very beneficial, but it doesn’t have to be time consuming. My first port of call now is often my local market, and I recommend anyone in need of supplies has a wander around their local market too; it is surprising what you will find. And if you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, have a chat with the stallholders, they’ll often advise you on the best place to go. 

Bracelets made using equipment from a trip to the market – ribbon, elastic etc.  

A selection of my bargain material from a market shop, soon to be used towards many upcoming projects. 

Crafting On A Budget

Crafting On A Budget

Published in Issue 22, April 2013

Written by Leanne from Small Surprises Boutique

http://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutique

The art of crafting is a hobby that is available to many people, and as I have been finding out it doesn't have to be expensive. This is the start of a new series entitled ‘Crafting on a Budget’, to demonstrate it doesn't have to cost the earth to be creative. 

I found my way into the world of arts and crafts during the summer of 2012 after creating some baby safe toys for my niece, and I was instantly hooked. Ideas for other projects soon began to form and after browsing through the work of others I was worried I would be in a different league, a lower league, purely for the reason I don’t have the funds to dedicate to my projects. Many people are likely to be in the exact same situation, which is why I wanted to share my experiences so far, and hopefully prove you can craft on a budget. The first of this new series of articles will focus on creating tasteful products from things you already have, or may have, around the house, in the garden or around and about. 

It is surprising what you can create from what you already have lying around, which can be transferred into a simple, hand decorated classic. My first project, although a simple one, proved to be somewhat effective. Whilst having a clear out I discovered a set of plain cream coloured candles that had been given as a present some time ago, and after buying some beads they were the ideal collaboration. Held together with sewing pins I’d had in my sewing box for many years, the beads provided a bit of sparkle to brighten up an otherwise ordinary household decoration, and it was at a very minimal cost. 

I’ve used this idea for a number of products, using beads and buttons to decorate plain candles, and it works very well. Personally I found that decorating something that already exists gives you a gentle start in the craft world, and also sends your thought process into overdrive with other ideas. Simple is always effective, and helps to keep your costs down. 

Recycling items you find around the house is an ideal way to keep your crafting budget to a minimum. A simple tidy up of my dad’s garden shed gave me some inspiration for a range of products – wooden signs and ornaments. Strips of wood he was about to throw away suddenly became useful again in my mind. After buying some very cheap wooden letters, adding a splash of paint and a bit of extra strong glue I had created something simple yet tasteful to display proudly in my home, or sell on should the occasion call for it. 

Inspiration is all around us. Much of my inspiration comes from one of my favourite places, Cornwall. I have been an avid visitor to the glorious South West for 20 years, after holidaying there since I was very young. Whilst on holiday there last summer inspiration hit heavily and led me to the local beach. After collecting pebbles, driftwood, sand and shells I started to create a range of beach themed items – candle holders, decorated pebbles, decorated candles, for instance. You can buy pebbles and shells from a number of different shops, but hand picking them yourself is friendlier on your bank balance, and it’s enjoyable; it also ensures you collect exactly what you need. 

Recently I have moved my attentions to cushion covers. My main goal is to make my own, but being between sewing machines at the moment I haven’t been able to produce my own. Instead I have been decorating already existing plain cushion covers, which is another way to utilise your creative needs. 

Obviously it is not possible to craft and create solely on what you find at home, or at the beach, it does take some expenditure, but it doesn’t need to break the bank. Initially I thought the only way to find the supplies I needed would be from top end craft retailers, but if you know what you’re looking for there are always cheaper alternatives, such as your local market. We will explore these alternatives further throughout this series. 

In the meantime, I hope you find my experiences so far useful. If you’re new to the crafting world, or if you’re looking for some new inspiration, why not have a look around the house and see what you can find to embellish.