Our favourites
Here are some great crafty blogs we've enjoyed reading this year:
Hope and Chances Creativity
Scrapbooking sensation Christine welcomes all ‘do-it-yourself’ inspired readers. With two talented sons in-tow, creativity and decoration is very much a family affair. Stitching, gluing and beading, Christine finds new inspiration for preloved scrabble pieces and tea towels. There's even something for the boys: “handsome” gift bags and embossing powder moulding.
This Day I Love
This day we love...Leyla! “This Day I love” is a sweet tribute to Leyla’s beautiful young family, which consist of two tiny daughters and a small cheeky dog. With a love for wildlife which prompts homemade bird houses, trampolining and very messy dinner times, a picture-perfect family is revealed. We were captivated by Leyla’s tales of the mysterious, black and white cat and a beautiful day in a buttercup field.
And Who Says you Can’t
And who says you can’t? Not us. We absolutely adore blogger Helen’s craft heaven! Helen is a thrifty and creative bundle of energy. Beautiful embroidery posts accompany D.I.Y. flashes of brilliance, such as combining lego guys and picture frames, Sonic birthday cakes, invitations and paper gaming controllers! The ins and outs of a busy family life make for sparkling story-telling and infectious can-do crafting.
Tidy Away Today
Antonia is a furnishings fashionista. Breathing new life into vintage, or tired furniture, her blog is a boutique of chic. Exploring everyday family quandaries, like finding more storage space or if that chalkboard wall is really a good idea, Antonia is an authority on the fun, friendly and functional family home. Finding that piece which really ‘ties the room together,’ is no big deal for the girl who exudes style.
Creative Playhouse
The Creative Playhouse is a vibrant mingling of crafts, arts, inspiration and activities for families! Mum of two toddlers and resident of scenic Jersey, Kat lives an idyllic lifestyle. Embracing adventures with coffee and chocolate smelling playdough and altogether speedier cardboard car-craft. Take a peek at ‘Play in Pictures’ feature; leaping over sand dunes looks like tonnes of fun!
Down the Rabbit Hole
Cupcake virtuoso and crocheting champion, blogger Sammy has everything under control. We love ‘the do,’ and hootingly good, handmade owl bonnets (babies only, we’re sorry to say!) Popped in front of a LOTR marathon, knitting cute woodland creatures, we can only marvel at Sammy’s talent. With a young son and devoted husband to complete the picture, Down the Rabbit Hole is an artistic thrifter’s heaven.
Indietutes
“Giving with both hands” creative, Charity, is passionate about sharing her knowledge. We think the nervous eyed monster stepping-stool is a must for every home with young children, certainly inducing hours of giggles! Charity’s crafting is practical; enlarging clothing patterns for little ones who aren’t so small anymore, and altering t-shirts into dresses. Stitch devotees will adore her sew and share generosity.
Jennifer’s Little World
A little world with a universe of possibilities, Jennifer and her lovely family are explorers and crafters, who love get out and play! We were captivated by sensory tubs with underwater and even firework themes, certainly something to try at home. With an impressive section devoted entirely to tactile felt craft, you could be excused for lingering a little too long over the lifelike party biscuits and angel fish.
Kate’s Creative Space
June has been a great month in Kate’s Creative Space. A penchant for pink has created dip-dye neon candles, but we also see intimate mother and son photos where polar bear Wilberforce makes an appearance. ‘The Little House’ is an unmissable post; featuring an exquisite hand built wendy house, complete with homemade curtains. Gingerbread house chic you might say.
Knitty Mummy
Knit one, purl one, we are smitten with Knitty Mummy! Weaving wonder Kath has an endless ream of talents, including entrelac knitting and creating a mosaic table from scratch. We are also introduced to garden and home musing, like sky planters and the hole in the wall. For an afternoon tea treat, be sure to try the Bara Brith with a twist - delicious!
Love Lemon
Lovely, lovely Katy Lemon, we think your sense of style is fabulous! Love Lemon is a vintage and craft focused haven based in the Suffolk countryside. Ice cream pink retro phones, knitted apple cosies and baby blankets captures the creative’s imagination. With a tiny baby boy on the scene and another cheeky chap sporting a straw hat (the master of competitions,) Love Lemon is lots of fun.
Makie Do
Writer, designer, artist, crafter and marvellous ‘makie do-er’ mum, Stephanie, is a master of all trades. Much to our delight, The Very Hungry Caterpillar makes an immediate appearance in a cute pebble project (happily have those on our coffee table!) Hats, bobbles, beads and buttons pop into existence, but none are more enthralling than the ‘storytelling’ characters. From red riding hood to Princes and castles, Stephanie is an inspiration for all crafty parents.
Making Boys Men
Well, it’s going to get messy, but that’s completely fine over at Making Boys Men. With an all-out arty goal, such as t-shirt printing, homemade snow and a dinosaur small world, there is a ‘mess rating’ star system. With some of the most creative family activities online, blogger Hannah has plenty to keep her three little lads busy all year round. Readers will love her resourceful and creative outlook.
Mrs. Crafty B
“Making” a few of her daydreams a reality, Mrs Crafty B explored her creative side when her children were born. Baking delicious treats, inviting us round for cupcake decorating parties, delicately pressing flowers and crocheting chunky knit scarves, Mrs Crafty B is a go-to-gal for all things pretty. We are quite taken with the tiny crocheted bumble bee mascot too.
Sarah Yewman
Children’s picture book illustrator Sarah Yewman is a bundle of imaginative curiosities. From the egg tummied ‘mini me’s’ with oval ears, to felted psychedelic monsters, every blog post holds something new and exciting. Our favourite is the feathered dragon beastie, inspired by Walking with Dinosaurs and an unbelieveable layered rainbow cake with, what looks like, a trillion sprinkles of hundreds and thousands!
Sew Scrumptious
Proudly co-ordinating the Dresses Around the World campaign and managing a gorgeous fabric shop as her career, fabric obsessed Louise has her hands full! She has two children, Sam (fireman aspirations) and Isabella (couturier in the making) who inspire her to make fabric gifts for children. Bursting with tutorials, for pen rolls and reversible superhero capes, it’s not one to be missed.
Tales from Mount Pleasant
Tales From Mount Pleasant had an intricate, delicate beginning in jewellery craft and Anthea’s love for yarn and textile craft has flowered. Her mission is to fill every home with ‘handmade loveliness,’ using recycled wool birdies and heart-felt keepsakes, really woos her readers. Meanwhile she rescues tiny birds, assists with the family motor cycle business and has a flair for microphotography. A box of tricks!
The Fairy and the Frog
‘The fairy’ and ‘the frog’ are two talented bilingual and cultural kiddies, who become the sweetest stars of this blogging show. Cork painting ladybirds, ethereal forest walks and gooey dinosaur play are activities which will inspire your family fun time. We were captivated by the googly eyed elephant watering can and the inventive gardening solutions for used bottles, which make perfect greenhouses.
The Making Home
Make, create, dream and do, artist Davina has a style and elegance which exudes from every post. Her aim is to make life more beautiful. Seasonally influenced and child inclusive, projects include halloween bunting and branch advent calendars. We love Borrower style Shrinky Dink Tie Tacks and her delicious creamy and fruity ice lollies. Her home is eclectic and welcoming, please can we pop over for a tour?
The Owl and the Accordion
At the Owl and the Accordion, craft projects are ambitious, slow roasted and the results are magnificent. Artistic mother and style icon Vicky, is a crocheting cracker jack. Creating hanging basket plant pot holders and beautiful purses, she embraces bright, beautiful and moreish colours. Vicky simply points her camera and we expectantly peer through castle arches to the beautiful ocean and root through trinket shops of vintage goodies.
Zing Zing Tree
Quite simply, The Zing Zing Tree goes all out in world book week just look at that Norman the slug costume! With a pink doughnut backpack, orange face paint and blamonge pink outfit, parents will love the humour. Pine cone piggie pets, Diva Ducks and sparkly spiders are likely to amuse the little ones too (but will also keep them occupied for hours, hurrah!)
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