Buttonbag Advent Calendar kit c/o John Lewis
Most of us have heard of the philosophy that being grateful makes you happier.
As my project to learn new crafts comes to an end (well, technically. I’m not going to stop learning now!) I’ve been thinking a lot about mindfulness. Learning new crafts has a way of putting you on the spot and making you focus on right now this minute. Mistakes and pricked fingers happen pretty easily otherwise.
21 things is going to be a new series posted every Monday, sharing things I’ve loved, made, read, and generally just enjoyed the week before. And what day of the week needs a bit of cheer more than dreary old Mondays? It’s all about making, reading, and loving in the moment.
Enjoy this first instalment of crafty links and reads!
Making
- These GORGEOUS ‘just enough’ fingerless mitts (free knitting pattern)
- A colourful advent calendar from Buttonbag (c/o John Lewis)
- Yummy smoked gammon (recipe)
- DIY Vintage Placemats tutorial
- A lovely free screensaver to help makers deal with holiday prep
- Embroidered mistletoe! (free pattern)
- Pretty + simple felt ball magnets tutorial
I’m 11.5 months into this 12 month journey (where HAS TIME GONE?!). What.
November’s craft of the month is basket weaving. I’ve been busy so to give myself a break from trying to schedule in solo-learning (which tends to be pushed until 12am when it’s too dark to take photos) I’ve signed up for a course at my local art charity Arts Alive.
The photo above is from my little taster of the course back in October. My basket weaving course is going to last every Monday for five weeks, and even after just one day I’m already laughing at how loose and uneven my attempt back in October was! Bah! 
Alright. None of this vague ‘I am been so busy’ talk any more. I’m getting down to business and telling you what I’ve been working on.
OK. Deep breaths. I’m a bit nervous about this. I was approached in June about this project, and after a few meetings and a lot of doodles and scribbles (it filled a couple notebooks) and lots of emails and late nights, it’s ready for the world.
If you’ve been a part of this project, you already know what it is. (You know who you are.) And to these lovely makers, I have to say thank you. It has been such a joy to work with all of you! Your ideas, designs, and creative spirits are so inspiring to me. Makers literally made this project happen.
Drum roll please.
I’m the new Editor of Homemade with Love magazine!
(A quick peek behind the scenes.)
OK. I’ve been busy.
My crafty WIPs have been piling up, and I have to admit my blog post drafts are hitting two dozen! (I can’t even count how many doodles and notes I have lying around of even more post ideas, too.) But next week, I have something extra special to share with you all! I can’t wait! ;)
I’ve sneaked in some crafting here and there, but my WIPs include a needle felted garland, a set of pyrography coasters, and completing October’s project. For shame, lady. Get that craft on!
I haven’t even announced October’s craft properly! October has flown by, but if you’ve been paying attention on Twitter you might already know that October’s craft is candle making.
Tutorials are in the works, though, and I’ve blocked out some ‘me’ time in my craft room. There’s something about autumn that’s so cosy and inspiring it makes me want to stay indoors with the radio on and needles clicking! There’s a storm warning for Monday, so maybe it’ll give me the time to tackle my pile. The best part about exploring new crafts has been sharing the skills on this blog. The more makers, the merrier!
And speaking of, who has been crafting for their gift list? (Eek. Where. is. the. time. going.)
In other crafty news, I have a lovely new toy to play with:
I never thought I’d love one of these tools so much, but the busier you get the more you appreciate an assistant!
To be honest, this post is a breath of relief. It’s nice to sneak in some time to say hello and think of all the lovely projects that are just waiting to be finished. Who else has an overflowing WIP pile? I’d love to know what you’ve been working on.
This beautiful mason jar candle tutorial is what has been capturing my own crafty attention lately. I’ll share the results soon!
(If you’re being affected by the storm warning too, keep cosy!)
If there’s one thing creative people thrive on, it’s being in like company. Creativity thrives with creativity. Today I want to share 15 minutes with Kellee Rich, who is an artist, illustrator, designer, and all around modern maker.
Read her answers to sneak a peek into her studio, learn the (lengthy!) process of making her illustrated pouches, and best of all discover what she learnt from starting her own year-long project this year. Lessons come from unexpected places!
Where do you make?
I guess, like most, the whole house is a bit of a studio! I mostly knit and crochet in the living room, usually in front of a film or with the radio on, and do the rest of my work upstairs. My partner and I have moved house three times in the past year – from Brighton to rural Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire to Norwich, and our first priority (my partner is an artist, too) has always been to set up studio areas and worry about the rest later.
I love my space. The light up there is so beautiful all day long, and our landlord and lady have immaculate taste and have kept the whole house simple and painted white throughout (which is my dream arrangement—magnolia walls, ugh) so it really feels like a bright, blank space for us to imprint our personalities upon.
