Happy New Year & #craftblogclub Secret Santa 2015

Happy 2016! Hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Most of you will know I co-host #craftblogclub and this Christmas was our third Secret Santa. This Christmas I was given the lovely Jenniffer Taylor @JenniBobTaylor. I wanted to make Jenni something she would really love and so I had to put my thinking cap on. I know Jenni loves an upcycle project and so I thought I could use this opportunity to make use of some fabric I had left over from a quilt I made. I decided I would make a fabric wreath. Fortunately the fabric was already cut into strips. I purchased the hoops for the wreath from Amazon. I finished off the wreath with a hessian bow. I was really pleased with how it looked and even more thrilled to hear from Jenni that it arrived in one piece and that she loved it too!

I was the lucky recipient of a gift from @IcySedgwick I received my secret santa gift on 21st December and was rather naughty as I couldn’t wait until Christmas day and open my present then! Icy made me some wonderful handmade items of which I love, particularly the crochet snowflakes to hang on my tree.

Thank you so much Icy and thank you to everyone that took part in this years Secret Santa. I cant wait to read everyone’s posts and see what wonderful gifts were exchanged. Remember to join us for #craftblogclub this Tuesday from 7pm when we will be sharing our Secret Santa makes and gifts. I can’t wait!

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Merry Christmas!

I can’t believe a week today will be Boxing Day? This year has certainly flown by and it is certainly one I will remember! It’s been a rather special year for me as I turned the big 30 and married my best friend. I would like to thank all my friends, family and readers for a fantastic 2015 and for your continued support. I have loved watching Katie Gets Crafty develop this year and #craftblogclub continue to grow.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones. Stay safe, be merry and here’s to a super duper 2016!

Inspiration, Sewing

Rocky the Reindeer!

I have never attempted a stuffed toy before, but when I saw ‘Roger the Reindeer’ in a Sew Home & Style issue last December I fell in love! A few of us at the sewing class I go to decided we would all have a go at making him. It was so lovely to work on a project together – we had a bit of a production line at the beginning for the cutting out which was a great help. I hate cutting out so to reduce the time spent on this was brilliant.

Cutting out!

I don’t know why I had been apprehensive in the past about making a stuffed toy – yes there were a few fiddly moments but nothing too stressful.

It was a great way to use up bits of fabric and some wooden buttons I have had lying around for a long time. For the eyes we used a fabric pen. I wasn’t sure about this at first but it actually works really well.

I am really pleased with him – I don’t think he is one for cuddling (for fear he will fall apart) but he will certainly brighten up a shelf or arm of the sofa at Christmas! Sew Home & Style called their reindeer Roger but we have christened ours Rocky; in memory of our amazing trip to the Rockies this year!

Little and Large!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet, Sewing

Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show 2015

On Saturday I attended the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate. To say I was excited is a HUGE understatement. The night before was like Christmas Eve – I just wanted it to be morning and show time! I had wonderful company with me, Hilary, my mother in law. This was actually a Christmas treat from last year from me to her. I thought we would go all out, so I got us VIP passes which was fab as it allowed us to jump the queue, have a goodie bag and get a reduced price on the workshops.

My favourite stand by Amanda Blackwell at Joe’s Toes

I just love this Robin!

The show had the most wonderful stands and suppliers of every craft you could possibly imagine. There was also an ‘artists in action’ area which allowed us to see the artists at work, plus fabulous exhibitions of stunning projects.

It sure was busy but everyone was so lovely – especially the stall holders. We had a lovely chat with Jane Greenoff, founder of the Cross Stitch Guild, and she was kind enough to sign Hilary’s book.

I’ve made lots of fabric brooches – this has given me the idea of building them up to make a wreath.

How cute is this quilt? Love the bunnies tail!

I couldn’t get over just how vast the show was – we were truly inspired and ideas were flowing over lunch as we discussed our crafting goals for 2016.

We ended the day with a Dressmaking workshop with Sandra Togher of Bowey Gallery. We both want to get into dress making next year and so we thought this was the perfect kick-start, and it certainly was. We were given a free pattern and both now feel more confident to give it a go in the New Year.

We had the most wonderful day, needless to next years show dates (1-4 Dec) are already in the diary! This really is a show not to be missed.

Workshop time!

Our free pattern :)

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Knitting & Stitching Harrogate Show Ticket WINNERS!

I am SO very excited to announce the winners of our amazing Ticket Giveaway for The Knitting and Stitching Show, Harrogate. The show runs from Thursday 26^th to Sunday 29^th November at the Harrogate International Centre. At the show you will find the best suppliers, workshops, demonstrations and interactive features.

The winners are………..(drum roll please)

Bridget Mellor
Angela Britton
Alison Haywood

Please email me now at katie@katiegetscrafty.com with your postal address. I will then get the tickets out to you. Enjoy the show and please make sure you share with me all about your experience. Please do tweet a pic @katiegetscrafty and post a comment on www.facebook.com/katiegetscraftyuk telling us all about your visit to the show.

Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet, Sewing

Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate Ticket Giveaway!

Are you a lover of all things creative? Looking for some inspiration? Then I have just the thing for you. I have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway for the Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate. Yes, 3 pairs!

The show runs from Thursday 26^th to Sunday 29^th November at the Harrogate International Centre.

Described as ‘The definitive event for anyone with a love of stitch and crafts’ you really will find every kind of creative craft. The show is packed with the best suppliers, workshops, demonstrations and interactive features including ‘Artists in Action’ where you can watch as textile artists create new pieces. I am particularly excited about The Dress Making Studio!

So, fancy coming along? Here is how you enter this amazing giveaway:

There are a number of ways you can enter the Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate ticket giveaway. Each of the below will be counted as 1 entry so do all three and you will be entered three times!

Please leave a comment here on this blog post sharing why you would love to go to the Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate
Share this post on Twitter tagging @katiegetscrafty using the hashtag #KGCGiveaway
Give the Katie Gets Crafty facebook page a like and leave a comment on why you’d love to win.

Terms and Conditions The giveaway is open to UK entrants only. The tickets are NOT valid for entry to the show on Saturday 28^th November, but are valid for the Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Deadline for entries is 14^th November at 5:30pm. The 3 lucky winners will be picked at random using random.org and announced at 8pm on 14^th November 2015. I will make contact with the lucky winners via Twitter and Facebook.

Good Luck!

#craftblogclub, Inspiration

Mince Pie Challenge

By now I am sure you know I am co-host of #craftblogclub. Our latest challenge was set by my fellow co-host Fiona. I was really pleased when this challenge was set as I have been rather quiet on the blog this year (busy having a wedding, wedding party and honeymoon!) so what a great excuse to dust off my keyboard. The only requirement of the challenge was that the post was to be based on the theme of ‘firsts’. So, this got me thinking …first sewing project, first knitting project, first kiss…no, let’s not go there!

With the clocks turning back and thoughts turning to Christmas I thought I would set myself the challenge of making mince pies for the first time. My husband LOVES mince pies and I want to be the good wife (it is our first Christmas together as husband and wife after all) and supply him with scrummy homemade mince pies. Having never attempted them or pastry before, I thought I best get some practice in before the festive season really begins. I remembered seeing a Mary Berry Christmas special last year and I found two recipes, with slight variations, online. Armed with a shopping list I headed off to the shops at 7:45 am on a Saturday – far too early for the weekend.

Everything you need

Pastry – for my first attempt I was worried it was too sticky.

But after 10mins int eh fridge and a sprinkle of flour it rolled out fine

But after 10mins in the fridge and a sprinkle of flour it rolled out fine

ready for the mincemeat

star pastry and grated marizpan – ready for the oven. Fingers crossed!

ta-da!

So here are the recipes:

http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/recipes/mary-berrys-cranberry-mince-pieces

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mincemeat_and_orange_21941

I also found this youtube clip of Mary at what she does best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ne-TIqBmrU

The verdict – I found both recipes really easy to follow, especially having the video helped. More importantly my husband gave them the thumbs up! I will certainly be making plenty over Christmas; and maybe another batch before then just to make sure I perfect them!

#craftblogclub, Inspiration

#craftblogclub Secret Santa 2015

It’s that time of year again and we are SO excited here @craftblogclub! Can you believe this will be our third Secret Santa?! If you took part in previous years then we are certain you will want to be involved again. Here is how it works:

If you want to take part please email us at:

craftblogclub@gmail.com

include your name, twitter name, email address and postal address.

Please email us by 8pm on Thursday 5^th November. We will then email everyone back by Tuesday 10th November with the name and address of the person you are making a gift for.

You then make that person a Christmas gift – this can be anything you like and made from any craft. It would be lovely for everyone to receive their gift in time for Christmas, therefore we have set a deadline of 21st December. Make sure you include a note revealing who you are. Who you make for won’t necessarily be the person that makes for you.

Then the real excitement begins as we all receive a special handmade Christmas gift from our Secret Santa! You can then write a blog post about the wonderful gift you receive and about the gift you made. We suggest you do this by Tuesday 5th Jan, which is our first #craftblogclub of 2016. It will make for a great first chat of the year to discuss our makes and gifts.

I hope you are all as excited about this challenge as we are. We love seeing all the amazing gifts you lovely lot make for one another.

Enjoy making and receiving your special #craftblogclub gift.

Love Katie, Fi and Emma x

#craftblogclub

#Craftblogclub Guest Host and Giveaway – Tuesday 13th October 2015

#Craftblogclub are thrilled to have guest host Jenna Clements of the Exeter Sewing Machine Company join us for Tuesdays chat. We will lead the chat with ‘Top tips for running a craft business’ but Jenna is happy to chat about all aspects of her work. So get your questions ready and we will see you all Tuesday 13th October at 7pm. Here is a short bio to find out more about our fab guest host:

‘I was introduced to the crafting world when my mum taught me how to cross stitch when I was 2 years old – so it’s true to say that I can’t remember a time without craft! I’ve been working at Exeter Sewing Machine Co for 4 and a half years and now own the business with my husband. As well as sewing machines we sell fabric and haberdashery and employ a team of four members of staff. An important part of the business is our sewing classes – we run workshops in dressmaking, patchwork & quilting, as well as sewing machine and overlocker techniques – and occasionally host classes run by special guest tutors. My personal favourite class to teach is my Beginners Patchwork & Quilting – I love teaching absolute beginners. A lot of people ask why I don’t sell my work – but I genuinely enjoy dedicating my time to teaching others instead. I’m a firm believer in the positive effect that craft can have on personal well-being, therefore passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm feels important. This is also the reason why we as a business put a lot of effort into our own education. I’m in the middle of my City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Design & Craft, specialising in Patchwork & Quilting.’

Jenna has kindly offered up a fab giveaway for one of our lovely followers! Check out these three fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett fabric.

There are a number of ways you can enter this fat quarter give away and the best part is each one will be counted as 1 entry, so do all three and you will be entered three times!

1. Please leave a comment below about why you would love to win

2. Share this post on Twitter, tagging @craftblogclub and using the hashtag #CBCgiveaway

3. Give the #CraftBlogClub Facebook page a like, and leave a comment on why you’d love to win

Deadline for entries is 20th October at 5:30pm (GMT) and we can only except UK based entries – Sorry!

The winner will be picked at random using random.org and will be announced during #Craftblogclub on 20th October at 7pm (GMT) as well as on this blog and on Facebook.

#craftblogclub

#craftblogclub Spring Clean Gift Swap Challenge Reveal

At the end of March #craftblogclub set a new challenge – The #CraftBlogClub Spring Clean Gift Swap.

The challenge was to create and send a gift to a fellow #CraftBlogClub-ee, using materials that have sat unused. The idea of this challenge was to use up those materials that have been lying around and to help you have a good clear out.

I was partnered up with the lovely Kay. I know Kay likes her knitted items so I saw this as a chance to dust off my knitting needles. I had some wool left over from a scarf I made years ago. So I decided to make Kay some wrist warmers. Not much use to her now but ready for the winter.

I also had some fabric left over from a jute bag I made last year and there was just enough to make another. To my delight Kay loved them both.

From Kay I received the most wonderful gift. Next month I am getting married and Kay has made us a beautiful cross stitch as a keepsake for our special day! How thoughtful?! I’m not ashamed to say I shed a few tears when I opened my gift. Thank you Kay x x x

I can’t wait for the next challenge – there really is nothing like getting a special hand made gift through the post! #craftblogclub is every Tuesday 7-8.30pm GMT, join us for lots of crafty chat, blogging inspiration and fun challenges – Come Join Us!