look! 105
CHRISTMAS GIFTS, DECORATIONS & MORE...
FESTIVE IDEAS!
MAKE IT!
SEW SIMPLE
WINTER MITTENS
GINGERBREAD
KNIT IT! PAGE 82
WELCOME CHRISTMAS PAGE 20
PLAY HOUSE
RETRO TABLE DECOR
SLIPPERS 3 KNITTED TREATS
WAYS WITH
FOR PETS PRETZEL PLUSHIE
FREE!
2016 CALENDAR 12 PROJECTS PLUS 136 STICKERS
Peace & Joy ISSUE 59
PRINTED IN THE UK • £4.99
20
FESTIVE WREATH Talk to us! facebook.com/MollieMakes
@MollieMakes
MollieMakes
ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP SOWELS, STYLING: HELENA TRACEY AND JEN GARDNER, MODEL: NATASHA WHITE
CONTENTS
issue number fifty nine
59
86 Sew a playhouse INTRODUCING... LIVING
The latest news from the world of handmade
Fill your life and home with crafted goodness
9 INTRODUCING…
49 LIVING
Handpicked crafty happenings
Our top picks of the most lovely buys for a hand-crafted, creative home
14 TRENDS Three ways with jewel tones, plus our top shopping picks
20 FELT WREATH
52 HOME TOUR Artist Rachel Oome’s family home is filled with fun, especially during festive times
Welcome the festive countdown with our sparkly partridge and pear wreath
59 DOILY PRINTING
30 TEA AND A CHAT
63 FELT BAUBLES
With the iconic Annie Sloan
A unicorn and goose for your tree or shelf
36 SLIPPERS SPECIAL
66 TABLE DECORATIONS
Three different designs to gift – one crocheted, one sewn, and one upcycled
60s-style decs to liven up Christmas dinner
44 HOW TO COLLABORATE
Treat your spare room to new bed linen
72 CROCHET CUSHION One to make in an afternoon
Creative advice from our award winners pinterest.com/MollieMakes
youtube.com/user/MollieMakes
46 GIANT PRETZEL Use as a cushion or hang as a wreath
4 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 59
100 TEMPLATES Everything you need to make all the issue’s projects
NEVER MISS AN ISSUE 70 Subscribe UK
Subscribe and choose from one of two fabulous free gifts
76 Subscribe overseas International subscribers save up to 40%
63
Felty baubles
LOOKING FORWARD
82 Classic scarf
We’ve got that coming-up-for-air vibe at MMHQ having just gotten back from a very busy Handmade Fair at Hampton Court – it was lovely for us to see so many of you there. We’re now straight back into planning the next event – the Handmade Christmas Fair at Manchester Central from 20-22 November. See page 74 for more details about how you can join us for workshops, shopping and Q&As on the main stage. We’re also looking forward to 2016 with our brand new calendar! Emily Quinton did a wonderful job designing 12 gorgeous seasonal projects to see you through the year, and we’re thrilled with Chiara Perano’s hand-lettered stickers. Plus, check out our new subscription offer on page 70, and bag yourself a gift to look forward to, too.
18
Jewel tone necklace
LOVING
Treats and treasures to fall in love with 77 LOVING Beautiful things to adore and make
78 COLLECTOR The kitsch world of vintage dolls
46
Lara Watson Editor
Giant pretzel
79 CROCHET HEART A gingerbread-inspired sweet treat
82 KNITTED SCARF An elegant suits-everyone design
86 FABRIC PLAYHOUSE Giant gingerbread playden for kids
72
Chunky cushion
90 DOGGIE GIFTS A mini jumper and a crochet bone.
95 UPCYCLED MITTENS Just cut up an old woolly jumper
106 BACK PAGE PROJECT Rosehill Design’s Christmas prep tips Subscribe at molliemakes.com
e it’s our calendar! Shares your diary sticker mak using #molliemakers
INTRODUCING trends
THIS MONTH WE’RE OBSESSING ABOUT...
JEWEL TONES
Shine bright like a diamond – or ruby, or emerald, or sapphire...
14 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 59
A colourful circle dress suits both the office and evening cocktails. www.boden.co.uk
INTRODUCING trends 02
01
01
03
We’re filling our
kitchens with deep berry hues. www. anthropologie.eu 02
A jewel-coloured
statement necklace enlivens winter wear. www.oliverbonas.com 03
Scarf, polo neck and
overalls = this season’s wardrobe, sorted. www. hilarygrant.com 04
You can crochet
this clash pot yourself, or buy it ready-made if you’re short on festive prep time. www. woolandthegang.com 05
07
Our favourite cosy
homewares designer also makes fab clothes and accessories. www. donnawilson.com 06
Not only is this jute
bag a catch-all, it’s ethically made too. www.decoratorsnote book.co.uk 07
Warm plum and gold
sparkles for cosy nights 06
on the sofa. www. cerisesurlegateau.fr
04
05
MAKE IT! TURN THE PAGE FOR THREE WAYS WITH JEWEL TONES Subscribe at molliemakes.com
59 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 14
PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP SOWELS, STYLING: HELENA TRACEY AND JEN GARDNER, CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: ROSSITERS OF BATH WWW.ROSSITERSOFBATH.COM
… and a partridge in a pear tree On the first day of Christmas, we grabbed our felt and started stitching Laura Howard’s sparkling, embellished wreath
20 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 59
Describe your style in a few words? Bohemian, art school, indie, contemporary.
Staying true to yourself with…
ANNIE SLOAN Chalk paint inventor Annie was a pioneer of the upcycling trend – and behind the business savvy, she’s still an art student at heart Words: OLIVIA GORDON Photographs: RACHAEL SMITH
The godmother of upcycling, Annie Sloan was into painting reclaimed goodies long before it became fashionable. Her brilliant idea, 25 years ago, was to create an easy-peasy furniture paint that takes away the need for sanding and priming, and works as well on leather armchairs and curtains as it does on wood, metal and plastic. Having built her cult chalk paint range and published many books on decorating, Annie is today recognised as one of Britain’s most influential designers, and has launched ranges 30 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 59
of wall paints and fabrics, as well as stencils and brushes. Born in Australia – her mother was Fijian and her father Scottish – Annie moved to England aged ten. She juggled her start-up with raising three children, and her Oxford shop launched in 2000. Today, as much of a friendly dreamer as ever, Annie works at her fun studiocum-warehouse, where every surface is beautifully painted and staff enjoy lifedrawing and yoga lessons together. We sat down with Annie to hear about her creative path to success.
Why did you start making paints? After graduating from art school, I wanted to learn more about paint and thought: ‘I’m going to go back to first principles.’ I was interested in why ordinary people – farmers, not painters – have always painted their walls and furniture. I looked at where they got paint from – the pigments around us; earth that was red, earth that was yellow. They couldn’t paint that well, but they wanted to do it. All of that led me to making my own decorative paint. I knew what I wanted the colours to be, but I’m not a chemist, so, 25 years ago, I went to a factory in Belgium and had paints made up. I started my range with 12 colours – now we’re up to 33. Mixing the colours is important – when you go to art school you don’t buy 100 colours, you buy eight, and you mix them. That’s what my paints are all about. What colours inspire you most? I don’t have a set favourite colour; they change in the same way as what clothes I want to wear. I do have favourite colour combinations. Right now I’m loving bright green with bright yellow, which is weird because these are two colours I’ve previously always felt uncomfortable with.
INTRODUCING tea & a chat
‘Running a business is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’
02
01
Describe your style in a few words? Bohemian, art school, indie, contemporary. Why did you start making paints? After graduating from art school, I wanted to learn more about paint and thought: ‘I’m going to go back to first principles.’ I was interested in why ordinary people – farmers, not painters – have always painted their walls and furniture. I looked at where they got paint from – the pigments around us; earth that was red, earth that was yellow. They couldn’t paint that well, but
they wanted to do it. All of that led me to making my own decorative paint. I knew what I wanted the colours to be, but I’m not a chemist, so, 25 years ago, I went to a factory in Belgium and had paints made up. I started my range with 12 colours – now we’re up to 33. Mixing the colours is important – when you go to art school you don’t buy 100 colours, you buy eight, and you mix them. That’s what my paints are all about.
03
01
Annie’s studio
03
Annie’s playful
is crammed with
personality means
salvaged furniture
there’s unlimited
which she upcycles.
blackboard
02
doodling and
Well-loved
paints waiting to be
decoration inside
experimented with.
her HQ.
What colours inspire you most? 59 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 31
One for the super smart
36 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 59
One for the girlie girl
Gift it!
Pottering around You can never own too many slippers – here’s a trio of quilted, upcycled and crocheted versions to treat your tootsies (or someone else’s)
One for the tomboy
Subscribe at molliemakes.com
59 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 36
LIVING home tour
Rachel Oome’s home is filled with creativity, festivities and family fun Words: CAROLINE ROWLAND Photography: HENNY VAN BELKOM
Artist and maker Rachel Oome shares her home with husband Jeroen, six-year-old Moos, one dog, two cats, three sheep and various chickens and birds. They live in the Dutch village of Raamsdonksveer, which they were drawn to because of the old buildings and the diversity of residents and amenities. Shops, cafés plus the local baker and carpenter are on their doorstep. They live in an old mansion, built in 1910 and now split into two homes. There’s ample
52 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 59
LIVING home tour
Left: Moos in the garden room. The sofa is actually Jereon’s old childhood bed. This page: At Christmas, Moos has her own tree which she decorates herself.
59 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 53
Eat, drink and be merry Say no to dull parties with Danielle Thompson's eye-popping 60s-inspired table decs
59 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 66
SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Yes, I would like to subscribe to Mollie Makes. I would like the following bonus gift*: GIFT 1 – Book & fabric set
GIFT 2 – Polka dot satchel
UK – 6 issues by Direct Debit at £23.94 – saving 20% on shop price! UK – 13 issues by cheque or by credit/debit card at £53.49 EUR – 13 issues at £66.99 ROW – 13 issues at £91.99 *Sorry, gift available for UK subscribers only
YOUR DETAILS Title
(it is essential you complete this section)
Initials
Surname
Address Postcode Telephone number (in case of queries)
Don’t miss out on the chance to choose your gift when you subscribe to Mollie Makes today. Take your pick from either Zeena Shah’s brand new book with some gorgeous Tilda fabrics or a super-handy spotty satchel, just the thing for storing or transporting your latest project.
Email address
GIFT RECIPIENT’S DETAILS (please attach a separate sheet with the address, email and telephone details of the recipient, if you are giving a gift subscription)
CHOOSE FROM 3 EASY WAYS TO PAY 1
I would like to pay £23.94 by Direct Debit every 6 issues (UK only) (please complete the direct debit form below)
Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit UK only To: The Manager
Mollie Makes is a crafty lifestyle magazine bringing you the best of handmade from around the world. Save 20% on the magazine shop price and spread the cost when you pay just £23.94 every 6 issues. Subscribe today!
Bank/building society
Lara Watson Editor
Address
Postcode Name(s) of account holder(s) Bank/building society account number
plus
Branch sort code
Instruction to your bank or building society Please pay Immediate Media company Bristol Ltd, Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with Immediate Media company Bristol Ltd and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.
Signature(s) Date
free gift with every issue
Banks and building societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.
Originator’s identification number
7 1 0 6 4 4
2
I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to Immediate Media Company Bristol Ltd for 13 issues (please write your name and address on the back of the cheque).
3
Please debit my MasterCard Visa Amount £53.49 (UK only) £66.99 (Europe) £91.99 (Rest of World)
Card no:
Expiry date
Valid from
Maestro issue Signature
Date
FREEPOST YOUR UK ORDER TO Freepost RTRA-LBTC-YAGH, Mollie Makes, Immediate Media Company Ltd, 3 Queensbridge, The Lakes, Northampton, NN4 7BF
POST OVERSEAS ORDERS TO Mollie Makes, Immediate Media Company Ltd, 3 Queensbridge, The Lakes, Northampton, NN4 7BF Terms and conditions This offer ends 15th November and is subject to availability whilst stocks last. BONUS gift available for UK subscribers only. Your subscription will start with the next available issue and you will receive 13 issues in a year. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery of your gift. Gift is subject to availability. In the event of stocks becoming exhausted, we reserve the right to replace with items of a similar value. Full details of the Direct Debit guarantee are available upon request. Prices correct at point of print and subject to change. Data Protection Your personal information will be used as set out in our Privacy Policy, which can be viewed at immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy. Please give us your email address to receive special offers and promotions from Immediate Media/ Mollie Makes. You may unsubscribe at any time.
ORDER REFERENCE: MMSP44
SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS
■ Choose your bonus gift – book & fabrics OR satchel ■ SAVE 20% on the magazine shop price ■ Spread the cost – JUST £23.94 every 6 issues ■ Delivery direct to your door at no extra cost ■ Hurry – this offer ends 15 November 2015
Choose your bonus gift when you subscribe to
GIFT 1 Worth over £38 Including book, four fat quarters of Tilda Apple Bloom and wooden buttons
GIFT 2 Worth £30
Satchel measures 25 x 34 x 10cm with adjustable shoulder strap
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
O rder online at http://craft.buysubscriptions.com/MMSP44 Call now on 01604 828740 and quote code MMSP44 Lines open weekdays 8am to 9.30pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm
Freepost your completed order form
OVERSEAS READERS: SEE PAGE 76
Gift it!
There’s a good boy Make your canine chum the best-dressed doggie on the block with this suave jumper and crochet bone accessory
59
facebook.com/molliemakes
@MollieMakes
@MollieMakes
molliemakes.com 26 MOLLIEMAKES 3