Trivial Pursuits - Mobiles

Always on the lookout for something for you to have a go at.  I seem to be on a mission to find the creativity in everyone!

Today, I happened upon some mobiles while clicking around Pinterest and just had to search out some tutorials from great bloggers to get you inspired.

If you have access to die cuts or are nifty with a pair of scissors, all you need for some of these is some colourful card, templates and something to hang them from.

           

And if you have some felt lying around, I'm sure these wouldn't be difficult to recreate too. 

I love this simple but effective mobile by Diane Bohn on her blog fromblankpages.  You can see the full tutorial here 

Or how about this adorable felt mobile by Jess? Again she has produced an easy to follow and highly illustrated tutorial which you can find here.

But if it all seems a little overwhelming, don't forget you can always buy one ready made.  There are lots out there, but since I've shown you one by Lovely Friend at the beginning of this blog, why not check out her mobiles on Etsy.  

And of course, do send us photos of your mobiles if you do have a go.  Or any of your other DIY projects too.  We'd love to see them.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Design Challenge - Inspiration from a cake!

My sister in law is one of the most creative people I know (and is married to one of the others!)

For her son's recent birthday she made not only this amazing birthday cake but also these absolutely fab cupcakes for everyone to take home at the end of the day.

I know Kim for her attention to detail but there can't honestly be many people who would go to the effort of making unique toppers for each one.  Just love them.

Anyway, it gave me another thought about where you might get some inspiration for your own design in our challenge.  Mine came from her cakes.

I took the basic idea and sketched out my own picture.  I've tried to keep the different parts of the image completely separate by drawing them in different and distinct colours.  This will help when it comes to transferring the image onto the software for embroidering.

You can either draw the different components on separate sheets of paper or do it as one image.

To find out how this turns out pop back later when I'll update the blog with the finished result.  And in the meantime, I hope this has given you food for thought and inspired you to have a go at our design challenge.  To see how to enter click here ....

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - Pom Pom making

Another thing I got up to last weekend when friends came to visit with their kids was a marathon pom pom making session.  Overhearing their mum explain that she would show them how to make them the traditional way using cardboard I couldn't resist the urge to leap in and introduce them to the amazing time-saving pom pom maker that had Kirsty Allsop so giddy when she discovered them on her last C4 series.

However, there are several ways to make your pom pom, so here are some YouTube clips using cardboard, special machines or just your hand, as well as my own visual tutorial for making multiple mini pompoms 

which I discovered when making bootees to complement my moptop hats which you can see here and buy from our website.  

Just using your hand .....

... or cardboard ...

... or a special machine ...

Enjoy!

And of course, let us see how you get on or which method you prefer, or indeed, if you have a method of your own.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the maker - Helen Round, Printmaker

In my never ending search for new projects to try, I was lucky to happen upon this website about printmaker Helen Round. With passion for print and a life time love of beautiful fabrics, not only does she design and create beautiful prints but she also offers workshops so that others can have a go themselves.

She uses traditional screen printing methods and prints her unique, hand drawn designs onto the highest quality linen, combining state of the art digital printing with traditional hand printing techniques such as monoprint and screen print.. 

Everything in her work is carefully considered and all designs begin life as beautiful hand drawings inspired by the Cornish countryside, where she lives and from where she takes much of her inspiration. Living close to the sea she says, 'Her work is a celebration of all that is Cornwall.'

As she says herself 'Everyone Needs a Creative Day' and you can join Helen in her studio for an opportunity to experiment, learn a new skill and feed your creativity. 

Workshops held in her studio and are limited to six people ensuring plenty of 1:1 support. They are very reasonably priced and full day workshops include a delicious home cooked lunch and 'plenty of tea and cake'. 

Here students are printing their own designs and making books. But there are other courses available too and if you find yourself in Cornwall, I urge you to book yourself in and have a go. But if you can't, then do see if you can find something similar nearer to home.

You can buy mugs, bags, coasters, cushions and aprons from her website and don't forget we sell aprons too. You could even get one personalised with 'printmaker' once you've tried it out for yourself.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - why not make it yourself?

You know I like to blog about other artists because of our shared passion for creating things.  But I know that within most of us there is a creative person that needs to express themselves.

And the owners of the Makery in Bath shared the same view.  They realised that not everyone had the resources to indulge their artistic bent so they set up a creative hub, where people could come and learn countless new skills as well as have lots of fun in a relaxed and welcoming space.

I’ll let them continue in their own words:

We’ve always enjoyed the sense of fulfilment from making things ourselves ... so we decided to give our comfortable, safe jobs and follow our hearts.  We spent months researching and planning and were committed to helping anyone who wants to be creative, learn to live more resourcefully and have thoroughly good fun! We believe that if you can make it yourself, you don’t need to buy it and if it’s broken you can mend it and you won’t need to replace it.  If it’s old you can reinvent it.

 As well as two fantastic shops which are akin to Aladdin’s cave and where you will lose yourself in their buttons, trimmings, fabrics, ribbons and crafting essentials, they run amazing workshops and parties.   

 So if you want something different for a hen do, kids’ party or baby shower, look no further.

 And having moved recently I’m intrigued by their courses where I can make my own roman blinds, print my own wallpaper or learn how to pipe cushions.  Where do I sign?

For more information about their shop and courses, visit their website

www.themakeryonline.co.uk

And don't forget we have our own knitting kits that you can buy too.  Click here to order one.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk 

Meet the Maker - Annabel Burton, Cherry Tree Handmades

This watercolour caught my eye on Facebook the other day and I thought others might like it too.  By Annabel Burton of Cherry Tree Handmades, she works with textiles, wood and paper, but it was her delightful sketches that I liked best.

If you're thinking of getting some original art, Annabel's work might be a good place to start as you can snap it up quite inexpensively (if you're lucky) on ebay or purchase in advance from her facebook page.

She also sells work through Folksy.

All images (c) Cherry Tree Handmades & Annabel Burton

Meet the Maker - Rhubarb and Cider

In keeping with our blog about birds, we just love these little creations by Rhubarb and Cider. 

Currently available through Facebook, these colourful handmade gifts are handstitched by Mandy and Wendy in Gargrave, N Yorkshire.

All images (c) Rhubarb and Cider

Surf's Up - Country Life and Other Passions

If you're looking for inspiration for interiors, landscape gardens and mood boards, you could do a lot worse than check out the images on this Facebook page, Country Life and Other Passions. 

  

We love the photographs and advice on many small and great passions of life ... with a focus on simplicity and reflection .... With an emphasis on beauty in the broadest sense, extending to art and nature, music and style ... 

    

Their page welcomes all those who love good taste and love the little things!