deadly decor

where i come from, we don't make a big thing of halloween. if i'm honest, i don't really like the idea of it. the undead stalking the earth and witches curses. doesn't sound like much of a reason to celebrate to me. 

however i'm not one to say no to a reason to breakout my glue and scissors and make a little seasonal decoration. what do you think of this ghostie garland? i used this template from ginger & george, played around in photoshop accessorising the little fellows until i had one page with 9 ghosts to print out. i sat and did some snipping while enjoying 'dancing with the stars', threaded them on a piece of string, and voila! halloween decor suitable for even the softest of people. 

do you go all martha stewart over halloween? or would you rather hide from the trick or treaters and eat your own sweets? 

{em} x

pretty in progress

without even realising it, i've started my first crotchet project in my blog colour scheme. these colours are a fair bit darker in real life, but i love how they contrast. i'm planning a long stripy scarf in some very basic stitches that i'm learning using the great videos at craftyminx.  it's currently going slowly and i'm worried that christmas is only 9 weeks away. this project may end up being a present for myself, sometime around april!

this year i'm determined to get ahead on my christmas shopping and making. i'm on the look out for cute tutorials that would make nice little presents. if you love giving handmade gifts, check out my pinterest board for some ideas. 

hope you are having a lovely weekend. 

{em} x

not too cool for {crochet} school

why am i still awake and online after midnight you ask? you might also ask why i have a little metal hook in bed with me. the answer to both questions is here.

my name is em and i'm addicted to craftyminx's incredibly cute crotchet tutorials. the videos are super easy to follow and her blog is so sweet i just want to click around it for hours. 

photo courtesy of craftyminx.com

now i have got a grip on the basics i want to just keep going. i may end up with a very long scarf all in the most simple of stitches. this makes me feel good because i'm learning something new and i'm tackling a potential handmade christmas present. well for anyone who needs a very basic, very long, green scarf!

if crotchet is something you've thought about but never got round to trying, here is your chance. but make sure that you get some sleep at some point too. goodnight!

{em} x

swoon!

images of these iphone charger docks are all over the blogosphere right now and i just had to share one. but that's no surprise, pretty and practical are 2 of my favourite things. 

check out the etsy shop for lots of pretty book combos, many featuring my favourite cloth bound penguin classics. although it would pain me to damage one of my own collection, i'm tempted to pick up some hardbacks from the second hand shop and make one for myself. 

and while i'm being crafty with books, i'm thinking of trying my hand at some black out poetry... i find this stuff amazing.

wishing you a happy crafty weekend.

{em} x

pins and needles

well hello there lovelies. what have you been up to this weekend? i've been slaving over my sewing machine making this little purse; a special order for my sister.

i used this tutorial from noodlehead. the fabric is a chopped up old sundress, so it only cost me a few hours of time and a zip (well actually 2 zips, as i made a right hash of the first attempt and ended up abandoning it).

i don't claim to be a great seamstress, but i do get a wonderful satisfaction out of sewing. seeing something like this come together feels like such a productive way to spend my free time, and at the end i have a lovely little gift to give someone special. don't you think handmade gifts are just the best?

if you like to make little purses like i do, check out my collection of online tutorials on pinterest.

{em} x

make love not horcruxes

my sister and i are lucky enough to share a birthday. sarah was born on my 8th birthday, and ever since, 25th july has been a day not about me, but about family celebration. on monday, my sister will turn 19, and as big sister it is my duty to be a great present buyer.
i often try to come up with a handmade gift too. she's a big harry potter fan like me, so when i saw the slogan "make love not horcruxes" doing the rounds on the internet, i knew i had to stitch it up for her. i used a scrap of fabric, and put it in an ikea frame i had lying around. that's what i call a present on a budget. i hope she will like it.

{em} x

scrappy flower & frank

my mum asked me to make her a brooch to make her new bag look different from the thousands of others sold in the marks & spencer's sale. here it is pretending it's a real flower with frank. why the plant is named frank i'll never know, remind me to ask my fella sometime.

i started making these years ago from an online tutorial (i've searched but i can't find it anymore - if you know it, let me know please). it's basically a stack of flowers made from different scraps of fabric. you fold a square in half and then half again and cut it into a heart shape. unfold and voila! sew through the middle of the stack and attach a button if you fancy.

this all came together while watching an episode of the biggest loser usa and helped me to reduce the size of my scrap bag a little. i'd call that a productive saturday wouldn't you?

{em} x

30 days of doodles

30 days of doodles... what a fab idea. oh how i wish i could come up with cute doodles like this!

i sometimes wonder how i manage to have such little artistic talent. but i suppose i'll never get anywhere without a little practice. i have a heap of empty sketchbooks lying around.

i think i might play along, just for fun though. i love a good challenge! is anyone joining me?

{em} x