How to Sew a Cube Pin Cushion by Jessalli

The exhibitors of The Handmade Fair are back with some great tutorials for you Crafty Bs. If you haven't already planned your visit, don't forget to book your tickets using the special Crafty Bs discount code.

Today, Sophia of Jessalli is showing us how to make a very cute cube pin cushion. I should note at this point that the bee was not a pre-requisit but of course is an apt choice of fabric and I love it! 

Meet The Maker: Jenny from The Gingerbread House

This week, we are meeting Jenny from The Gingerbread House. I love reading Jenny's news, reviews and of course craft projects and today we are getting to ooo and aaaa over here very beautiful rainbow quilt. 

Meet The Maker: Joanna of Adventures and Tea Parties

With Valentines Day fast approaching, it seems apt that this week's maker is sharing this 'Love Birds Handkerchief'. This was hand embroidered by Joanna Payne, creator of Adventures and Tea Parties. Ready to get gossiping? 

Meet The Maker: Shelley of Shelley Makes

Welcome back to #MeetTheMaker! This week, Shelley of Shelley Makes is sharing an item that she has made. A self confessed 'closet crafter', Shelley likes to keep crafting simple, enjoys a good cuppa and has a few crafty plans for the next year. Read on to find out what inspired Shelley's make and what she thinks to Twitter chats...

Meet The Maker: Simmi of Grace's Favours

Welcome to this weeks #MeetTheMaker interview. We are getting to know Simmi of Grace's Favours. The start of Simmi's crafting journey was very similar to mine so I am extremely pleased to be hosting her today. Further proof that crafting for therapy really is a positive way forward. 

How to Sew a Frozen Art Carry Case - Free Tutorial

I have teamed up with Plush Addict to show you how to make this art carry case for your #MiniMakers

Top Ten Things That Mrs Crafty B is Buzzin' About in June

I have been keeping note of some of the fabulous things that I've seen, heard or experienced so that can share them with you Crafty Bs. Here are the top ten things that I am loving this month...

Crafting With Hillarys: How to Make A Handmade Lampshade and Washable Fabric Coaster Covers

Made-to-measure window dressing company Hillarys, invited myself along with some other bloggers to take part in a challenge; to see what we could craft with 1m² of one of their beautiful fabrics.
With the launch of #MakingHome I jumped at the chance to get involved. I didn't just think along the lines of 'craft' but what I could make that was usable in my mission to create a beautiful home as well as easily replicable for you Crafty Bs.

Happily one of the choices of fabric, Rayna Apple, beautifully complimented our intended colour scheme for the front room (green and grey). As of yet, we have nothing decorative in the front room including (shock horror) a lamp or light shade! I have seen plenty of lampshade making kits and workshops so I thought I would give it a go. Knowing I would have lots of fabric left over

I Need moremags.com!

During my browsing time at the ICHF craft shows, I was drawn to a stand which had magazines laid out with crafty kits as a bonus. I got chatting with the lovely folks from Practical Publishing and I am now familiar with moremags.com (which you should check out). Not only were they selling copies of lovely magazines, there were lots of crafts kits up for grabs from past issues of various publications.

Although I do a lot of online browsing (obviously), I am a big fan of books and magazines. There's nothing like a good sit down with a cuppa and a mag and being able to pop an actual marker in for your next project! Fully armed with reading material for the train on the way home from the show, I started browsing and decided that I would tell you a bit about the publications I have now discovered; just in case you hadn't heard of them yet! It is worth noting here that it you still do prefer doing everything online, there are a lot of digital subscriptions via moremags.com 

The publications offered are essentials for crafters, covering things from knitting to paper craft, sewing and stitching. I'm going to kick of with a new sewing magazine…

Twiddling and Tucking with Muslin Mistress; Jennie Rayment

This class with Made Peachy wasn't the only opportunity for me to get a bit of sewing practice in this weekend. In fact I learnt some lovely texturing techniques with Jennie Rayment on a Madeira and Bernina Workshop; Twiddle and Tuck into Embellishment.

Not only did I have the opportunity to play with a bit of a snazzy sewing machine and get in some practice, I learned some really great techniques that, had I seen an example of before hand, I would have thought impossible for my level of ability!

First we learned to sew in some 'tucks.' I had never really appreciated the simplicity of doing this before for quite a nice texturing effect.

The Sewing Club with Made Peachy and Vilene (Guest Appearances: Easy to Sew Cosmetic Purse and Some Cambridge Based Crafty B's)

Very recently I made a new space for my sewing machine in the hope that I would be more likely to play with it. It became apparent very quickly that I had lost my confidence with my machine and needed a bit of practice. What better place to get started then at the ICHF Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC this month.

I was lucky enough to get myself a spot on a workshop with Laura of Made Peachy who hosted 'The Sewing Club' sponsored by Vilene. These were free of charge and participants had the chance to make things such as knotted headbands, belts, bibs and key fobs. Here is a post on Made Peachy in which Laura talks about theses items and preparing for the classes. Our workshop was all about making a cosmetic purse. Perfect, since I just bought myself a whole new load of make up and it is worthy of a new case!
The first notable things were the colour combinations of fabrics and zips next to the machines that were all set up and ready for us. They were absolutely beautiful. I sat down next to the brightest one I could see. (Note to self; must learn the art of colour and pattern combinations!) The next thing I noticed were the beautiful lace zips that we would be using. We had already been eyeballing these at Little Laura's Haberdashery and I was so excited to be shown how to use them properly. I'm ashamed to say that despite full intention of going back for a few, I completely forgot before I left on the Sunday. It's a good job they sell online. I also need to get hold of some of the backing fabric we used.

A Week of Puke and Puffy Paints (and other crafts)

I would say 'we're all crafted out' this week, but that would be a total fabrication. See, I can't escape it!

This week we have had sickness bugs, colds, more sickness bugs, teething and more colds. Alongside Hubby B being away, it has been a long old week. Or has it? I remembered how much messy play I used to do with Baby B and with us all being home a few days, we made the most of the energetic moments and I got totally involved with just the boys and ignored everyday chores (that would still be there, waiting…sadly). The boys were immediately calmer and seem satisfied with the one on one attention so much so that they were happy for independent play afterwards. Baby B was also SUPER excited and proud of his puffy paint picture. Littlest B didn't much enjoy the taste of the play dough but seemed strangely happy with the taste of the shaving foam we used for the puffy paints. That boy eats all sorts!

I also made the most of evenings for crafting rather than staring at my phone! Of course The Great British Sewing Bee started this week (#GBSB) and I also got blogging about my pursuit of craftiness at an ICHF event in March.

Here are a few snapshots of our crafty week:

Sew it Begins

The 1st of February is upon us! How many of you spent January enthusiastically getting to grips with new hobbies, classes and new lifestyle choices? How many of you are still as enthusiastic going into the second month of 2015?

In my attempt to get back to crafty, I spent this week thinking more about

Christmas Crafting with The Early Learning Centre: A Felt Gingerbread Man

Last week was full of school runs in the car, (which I'm not yet used to) errands and housework and late afternoon trips to supermarkets and shopping complexes trying to get everything together for Christmas. Our holiday always starts when Hubby B finishes work and does the big Christmas food shop so I'm trying to be super organised and get prepared for that.

Last Thursday via social media, I told you I went into Cardiff for the first time on my own to start (and intending to finish) our Christmas shopping. Whilst in the Early Learning Centre I saw a little kit to make a felt gingerbread man. Baby B is a little bit besotted by gingerbread men so I thought it would be a lovely afternoon activity at the weekend and would be a welcome addition to our Christmas decor, which I am ashamed to admit, is looking a bit bare!

Meet the Maker Catch Up With Vicky of This is Lullaby

It's Meet the Maker Tuesday again, but instead of meeting someone new, we are catching up with past interviewee, Vicky of This is Lullaby. Lets see what she has been up to...

Meet the Maker: Kim of Kim's Handmade Cave

I saw this embroidery hoop work a few weeks ago via Twitter. It could not be more apt in the midst of the impending move as I strive to get my craft stash organised! I guess we should meet the maker as lets face it, all of us crafty folk will need one of these ;-) 

Meet the Maker: Helen of MisHelenEous

Well aren't these adorable?! So so cute. I know we shouldn't be thinking about Christmas (…or should we? It IS September) but these would be a great little stocking filler. Shall we meet the maker behind them?

The Crafty B's Craft Day in Bourn Cambridgeshire

This weekend ten Crafty B's met up in Bourn in Cambridgeshire and crafted their little hearts out. There was sunshine, tea, biscuits and a huge selection of crafting material to let imaginations flow into creations.

Greetings cards, bunting, pin cushions, wall art and brooches were all made with various mediums, remnants and upcycled material. We even had a little demo from a lady who does bead weaving. You can see all of the pictures of the day here but here are a few sneaky peeks...

This particular Crafty Bs group will be running once every 6-8 weeks and is held at Bourn Golf and Leisure which is set in the beautiful countryside in Cambridgeshire. It really is a lovely venue with the added bonus of the restaurant on site from which delegates can purchase light lunches, dinners, frothy coffees or a sneaky tipple if they're not driving! Here's the view from the balcony on which our  room is situated. Can't wait till its warm enough to craft out here!

The day will generally run from 11-4 and activities & cost will vary (but will always include tea and biscuits ;-) )You can stay posted by joining the Crafty B's Facebook page or by emailing me with your details so that I can contact you about the meet ups as they happen.

We have plenty of space and welcome everyone of all abilities and interests so have a mooch at the photos and get in touch!

Mrs Crafty B

Meet the Maker: Katie of Katie Gets Crafty

I can't quite figure out how it has taken so long to get us some crafty bunting on Meet the Maker but here it is! Let's meet the lovely Katie.

Upcycled Denim Bag

Remember back when I started Crafting a Daydream, I told you about a denim bag I made out of one of my mums old skirts when I was younger? Well here's Sam to tell you about a much better version made by her daughter this summer.