#craftblogclub, Inspiration, Sewing

#craftblogclub Upcycle Reveal

I have taken part in the latest #craftblogclub challenge and I am excited to reveal my make. For this upcycle challenge I decided to revamp a sad looking stool for the lounge. I enjoyed cutting off the old grey discoloured fabric and I picked a vibrant orange to recover it in. I used the grey fabric as a template and was able to make the perfect fit. I also got out the glue gun as the foam seat wasn’t secured and would move, so the glue sorted this out.

I am so pleased with the result and I feel I have saved an old but of furniture from going to the tip/charity shop. Do you have anything that is on its way out that you could give a little love to and upcycle? Do share your projects with us.

I look forward to #craftblogclub chat on Tuesday 2nd August from 7pm as everyone reveals their upcycle makes! Hope you can join us

#craftblogclub, Inspiration, Sewing

#craftblogclub New Year Crafty Resolution

CBC set its first challenge of the year back in January. With the New Year came the idea of a new craft. We were all set the challenge of trying our hand at a new craft. Now, at first I was reluctant as I had promised myself I would focus purely on sewing this year. As often is the case I’m too busy trying so many different things I am not growing my skills in one particular area. However, I did have a thought that I would try my hand at cross stitch. Strictly speaking this wouldn’t be my first time. I have completed 2 or 3 very basic and small cross stitch projects before. But for this challenge I wanted to set the bar high and decided I would complete a special cross stitch to mark my parents Ruby wedding anniversary.

I found this challenge a challenge before I had even started stitching! The trouble was there were just so many lovely samplers and packs online I couldn’t decide. In the end I opted for a simple yet effective design from eBay. The pack arrived promptly and had everything I needed. I was really surprised that it took me just 4 evenings to complete. It grew quickly which helped with my confidence. I am thrilled with the outcome and hope my parents will be too!

#craftblogclub, Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet, Sewing

Spring Show Fun

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know I am a big fan of the @twistedthread Knitting and Stitching shows. Earlier this month was the Spring show at Kensington Olympia and I went along with my friend and co-host of #craftblogclub @fizzijayne. We had a wonderful time The stall holders were pretty much the same as those I had seen at the Harrogate show last November. The show is so vast so I was pleased to have the opportunity to take in all these fabulous stalls again.

I fell in love with this foxy quilt! Being a Leicester girl (and with our current football success) foxes always catch my eye and I will certainly be making one of these for our home.

Another high of the show was having the chance to catch up with @JenniBobTaylor. Jenniffer is a wonderful supporter of #craftblogclub and so it was nice to finally meet in person. It gave us a chance to talk about a guest host slot with Jenniffer and an exciting up cycle challenge – more details to follow!

All in all, these shows are fabulous for being inspired and meeting likeminded people. So get out there and visit a show near you and be inspired!

Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet

Looking forward to Spring!

I don’t know about you but I am really looking forward to Spring. I’m already on my second bunch of Daffodils and I am looking forward to the smell of fresh cut grass and of course the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show. I am really excited to have been invited to attend the show at Olympia London at the beginning of March.

The Knitting and Stitching Show ‘offers over 200 exhibitors selling essential supplies and craft materials. Whether you want knitting yarn and accessories, fabric, sewing machines or embroidery threads you’ll find all the knitting supplies and craft products you can think of at the best knitting show in London!’ The show is hosting a new element this Spring with an exciting competition. The Knitted Feast invites you to showcase your knitted item of food. You can find out more about the competition, knitted patterns and enter here.

Make sure you also follow @twistedthread to check out all of the knitted makes and news leading up to the show.

#craftblogclub, Inspiration

#CraftBlogClub Ticket Giveaway

We are SUPER excited to be able to offer a special ticket giveaway. We have 3 pairs of tickets for the Knitting and Stitching Spring Show at Olympia London. The tickets are valid to the show on Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th or Sunday 6th March 2016. This years show is described as ‘The definitive event for anyone with a love of stitch and crafts’.

There are two ways you can enter the Knitting & Stitching Spring Show ticket giveaway. Each of the below will be counted as one entry so do both and you will be entered twice!

Tell us why you want to win by tweeting us. Please use the hashtag #CBCGiveaway and tag us @CraftBlogClub
Give the Craft Blog Club 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 5th March, but are valid for Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th and Sunday 5th March. Deadline for entries is 2nd Feb at 8pm. The 3 lucky winners will be picked at random using random.org and announced at 9pm on 2nd Feb 2016. We will make contact with the lucky winners via Twitter and Facebook. This competition is for 2 pairs of tickets ONLY.

Good Luck!

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 :)

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

Katie Gets Crafty

Welcome to my creative blog

Category Archives: Inspiration

#craftblogclub Upcycle Reveal

#craftblogclub New Year Crafty Resolution

Spring Show Fun

Looking forward to Spring!

#CraftBlogClub Ticket Giveaway

Rocky the Reindeer!

Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show 2015

Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate Ticket Giveaway!

Mince Pie Challenge

#craftblogclub Secret Santa 2015