Simply Homemade 15 & Bake supplement

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! Emma Forbes W Shares her top tips and ideas E for all things homemade N

Gorgeous makes using your FREE gifts

e e beautiful crafts for yo u and your hom Creat

inspirational spring ideas

186

ÂŁ2,050 worth o f pr to be w izes on

Trend alert!

Exciting ideas using pebbles & shells

Designer style

ISSUE 15 UK ÂŁ3.99

Get the look with our fabulous knitted throw

Inspire Imagine Create

Daisy delights

Word art masterclass

Upcycling with shirts

Decorative painting

Exclusive patchwork designs

Essential templates inside

Step-by-step guide

All you need to know

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WELCOME

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Hello... page

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...and welcome to issue 15 of Simply it in to us at; SH15 Using your Free Gift Competition, Homemade. It’s hard to believe we are Practical Publishing, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG to almost at the end of March already. arrive by the 17th May 2012.

Our Design Team has been pulling out With all of this and much more besides, including Sally all the stops as always this month to Shepherd’s ingenious duct tape delights on page 88 and bring you an inspirational array of a delicious array of chocolate treats for you to try your gorgeous projects. The only problem we envisage you hand at on page 52, I think I’ll leave you to it. having is deciding which one to try first. With spring well and truly established it’s always nice to bring a little of the Have a great month outdoors indoors, and with this in mind Jill Alblas is designing with pebbles and shells on page 18 to create a fresh contemporary collection of home décor delights perfect for giving as gifts or for displaying at home.

On page 26 Su Pennick turns party planner as she Editor conjures up an exquisite array of invitations and gifts diane.grimshaw@practicalpublishing.co.uk destined to make your party the talk of the town.

Gill Sutcliffe’s quilting creations are inspired by EDITOR’S C daisies on page 32 and we have all the templates you page HOICE need to get started, while Michelle Stamper delivers a 81 masterclass on decorative painting on page 40 with “I love everything about the cutest of teddy bear-adorned designs. this Parisienne shopping bag, Julie Ferguson’s knitted throw on page 54 is suitable from the hand-dyed wool for all ability levels and is quicker to make than you might used to make it to the gorgeous floral lining” think. Knitted in six scarf-style strips and incorporating nine different patterned panels it’s definitely at the top of my to-do list.

Judith Hannington is designing with letters and fonts on page 64 as she shows you how to create unique PS... gifts and home décor pieces, including a fabulous pair If you love Simply of wooden bookends, and Angela Daymond is Homemade you’ll love transforming shirts into cushions on page 76 with our sister magazines, fabulous results.

Creative Beads & We’ve included an eclectic mix of free gifts for you this Jewellery, Papercraft month. Mel Brooke puts the crochet hooks through their Essentials, Simply Cards paces with a seasonal collection of makes on page 12, & Papercraft, Scrapbook but we have purposely not included projects using the Magazine, Knit now and the buttons and the design sheet because we’d like to see all-digital Complete Cardmaking – what you all make with them, and there are prizes to win plus the craft store-only title too! Simply make a project using elements from the Creative Cardmaking design sheet and/or a selection of the buttons and send

EDITORIAL Editor – Diane Grimshaw Editorial Assistant – Lindsey Hopkins Art Editor – Kay Whittaker Sub-Editors – Becky Higgins, Justine Moran Photographer – Tym Leckey

PUBLISHING & ADVERTISING Publishing Assistant – Janice Whitton janice.whitton@practicalpublishing.co.uk Group Sales Manager – Kevin Edwards kevin.edwards@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 826 0610 Advertising Sales Executive – Noune Sarkissian noune.sarkissian@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 826 0612

CONTRIBUTORS Jill Alblas, Diane Bertolatti, Mel Brooke, Angela Daymond, Julie Ferguson, Emma Forbes, Judith Hannington, Patricia Harcourt, Su Pennick, Sally Shepherd, Michelle Stamper, Gillian Sutcliffe

Advertising Co-ordinator – Rachael Edmunds Financial Director – Karen Battrick Marketing Executive – Olivia Foster Associate Publisher – Louisa Castle Publishing Director – Dave Cusick Managing Director – Danny Bowler Chairman – Robin Wilkinson

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from We love to hear do share se ea pl so s er our read io in op ns and your thoughts, or email, or by st creations by po tson d at www.craf getting involve us g in w llo thenet.com, fo or ade on Twitter em m Ho y_ pl @Sim ge pa e ply Homemad ‘liking’ our Sim te da to to keep up on Facebook urite with your favo e in magaz

Simply Homemade is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd. All material © Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Simply Homemade is used under licence from Craft Media Ltd. No material in whole or in part may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Practical Publishing International Ltd.

The publisher welcomes contributions from readers. All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide licence unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity.

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Tel: 0844 561 1203 DISTRIBUTION Newstrade – COMAG Magazine Distribution Craft Trade Distribution – Practical Publishing International Ltd Tel: 0844 561 1202 CONTACT Practical Publishing International Ltd, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport UK SK2 6NG info@practicalpublishing.co.uk www.practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 561 1202 Fax: 01625 855011

Simply Homemade (ISSN 2045-4392) Published by Practical Publishing International Ltd

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issue 15 78 INTERVIEW We chat to Emma Forbes to find out about her website, her book and her passion for style

12 EASTER INSPIRATION Use your FREE crochet hooks to make gorgeous goodies and gifts for Easter

MARVELLOUS MAKES Try your hand at one of our inspiring projects tonight

18 ON THE BEACH Shells and pebbles have never been so stylish – Jill Alblas’s creations are stunning and simple to make

54 COVERED IN COLOUR Knitted in scarf-style strips, this stylish throw is a cinch to make and looks fabulous

40 PICTURE PERFECT The art of decorative painting is explained, with a guide to adorning your own picnic set

32 PATCHWORK PICNIC Gillian Sutcliffe uses her sewing and quilting skills to create gorgeous mats and cupholders

76 BUTTON IT Follow our step-by-step guide to transforming an old shirt into a stylish cushion to grace your home

Step-by-step guidance through every project

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FREE GIFT

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TECHNIQUE

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CRAFT CROSSOVER

Easter Treats: Mel Brooke puts this issue’s fabulous free crochet hooks through their paces to create an eclectic array of Easterinspired delights

Shell Seekers: Jill Alblas takes her inspiration from the beach to create a collection of fresh and natural home décor items

A Night On The Town: If you’re planning a special party and want to create something unique that will wow your family and friends, Su Pennick has the answer!

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QUILTING

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TECHNIQUE

Daisy Delights: Gorgeous fabric and daisies are the inspiration for Gill Sutcliffe’s quilted placemats and cup holders and we have all the templates you need to get started

Teddy Bears’ Picnic: Michelle Stamper introduces us to the delights of decorative painting this issue with a stylish array of adorable makes

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SWEET TREATS

Easter Eggstravaganza: With Easter fast approaching why not have a go at making your own chocolate eggs? Patricia Harcourt shows you how

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KNITTING

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INTERVIEW

Elegant Throw: Julie Ferguson is designing a gorgeous blanket this issue in the season’s must-have colour scheme

Emma Forbes: This issue we catch up with Emma Forbes as she shares her passion for all things homemade and tells us about the inspiration behind her fabulous new book

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CRAFT CROSSOVER

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UPCYCLING

Take A Letter: Words and letters are central to everyday life and they are also a great source for crafting inspiration, as Judith Hannington demonstrates

Get Shirty: Angela Daymond transforms an old shirt it into a fantastic cushion complete with raw-edge appliqué birds

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FELTING & DYEING YARN

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UPCYCLING

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COMING NEXT ISSUE

Celandine: This elegantly named and beautifully crafted bag was inspired by the hand-dyed yarn used to make it. Diane Bertolatti explains all

Duct and Cover: Sally Shepherd is indulging in a spot of upcycling this issue to create a range of fabulous and functional projects incorporating duct tape

Next Issue: Take a sneak peek at what is coming up in issue 16 of Simply Homemade

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CONTENTS

12 FREE GIFT

18 TECHN IQUE

64 CRAFT CROSSOVER

Subscription Offer

6 What’s new?

59 & 72 Giveaways

Sit back and relax as we bring you all the latest from the world of crafts

We have a fantastic array of crafting goodies up for grabs this issue

10 Letters

63 Events

Tell us what you think!

Keep track of what’s on, when it’s on and where you’ll find it

Keeping you up to date with new products and projects

80, 84 & 93 Competitions

39 Follow the trend

Enter today for your chance to win a fabulous prize

We take a look at who’s Tweeting in the crafting world

87 Found on...

This issue we look on Etsy

48 & 49 Shopping

95 Inspiring days out

Your guide to what to buy and where to buy it from

We bring you details of great ways to spend a day

Your Free Gift!

FREE! Exclusive

81 FELTING & DYEING

ING 76 UPCYCL

Regulars

16 & 17 New products

52 SWEET TREATS

SUBSCRIBE TO Simply Homemade and receive this incredible FREE Letraset 24-piece ProMarker pack

Worth

£43.98

Turn to page 36

Only

.9t9er £1r 0 quar pe ect on Dir t Debi

Interview With...

Emma Forbes page 60

crochet hooks and 20-piece button pack

PLUS A1 designer pattern sheet

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What’s

new?

Sit back and relax as we bring you all the latest from the fabulous world of crafts Cloth creations There are some must-have releases now available for fans of handmade cloth makes from publisher David & Charles in the form of Country Cottage Quilting and A Bag For All Reasons.

Australian-based Lynette Anderson’s quilting designs are sold worldwide and Country Cottage Quilting combines easyto-sew hand stitchery with traditional patchwork and quilting techniques. This latest release is a collection of beautiful quilted designs with a country garden theme, and the simple patchwork techniques used are a great backdrop for the decorative appliqué and stitchery designs. The title features a wide range of ideas, from quick projects that make ideal gifts to larger wall hangings and bed-sized quilts.

RRP: £15.99 According to Lisa Lam, author of A Bag For All Reasons, the secret to a great handmade bag is in the details – zippered pockets, magnetic closures and adjustable straps that make a bag organised and comfortable to carry. This book is loaded with beautiful, easy-to-follow guides and even beginners will be lining, piping and installing hardware in no time! If you’d love to make your own bags but the process seems too complicated this book is for you!

RRP: £17.99 To celebrate the imminent launch of Lisa Lam’s newest book, and the arrival of her baby this spring, RUCraft is calling all crafters to upload images of their own baby-based craft items.

Create an item for a nursery or for a baby or toddler; it could be a baby blanket, clothing, mobiles... simply use your imagination. Materials must be

purchasable from RUCraft.co.uk.

Final entries must be in by 31st May 2012 and winners will be notified by post by 31st June.

1st prize Janome CXL301 sewing machine Chicco Winter London baby stroller (birth-3yrs) Handmade bag by Lisa Lam 2nd prize Lindam Clarity Video baby monitor Munchkin bath-toy hamper Baby sling 3rd prize Lindam Easy Fit Plus safety gate Burt’s Bees Babybee Bundle Of Joy gift set For more information, to submit an entry or for terms and conditions, visit www.rucraft. co.uk/craftybaby ♥ For information on new releases visit www.davidand charles.co.uk; 01626 323200

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A quilter’s dream Ellison is pleased to announce the newest release from its popular Sizzix brand – a range of dies created specifically for quilting enthusiasts. The collection has been exclusively designed for quilters and features some of the most popular quilt shapes, such as Apple Core, Dresden Plate and Drunkard’s path.

“It is an exciting time to be joining the quilting market, as the make do and mend trend continues to grow through 2012”, said Fiona Williams, Marketing Manager at Ellison Europe.

Running material through a handoperated die-cutting machine with any of the new quilting dies has never been easier. The steel rule blade construction of the die allows for easy cutting through multiple pieces of fabric, taking away the often laborious task of using a ruler and rotary cutter to create those quilting masterpieces.

The new collection features a generous selection of varied die designs for use in the Big Shot and Big Shot Pro machines. This introductory range is supported by the addition of appliqué dies and there are more die designs planned for release throughout the year. ♥ For full product details visit www.sizzix.co.uk or call 0844 499 8181

Wedding wishes Sarah Foster at Roobarb Gifts has recently ventured into making bespoke wedding products.

The idea came about when a close friend of hers asked for help planning her wedding. Sarah designed these personalised badges for the favours and hand-crafted miles of pretty wedding bunting. ♥ If you’d like to contact Sarah about your own commission you can email her at roobarbgifts@hotmail.co.uk or visit her lovely blog for more ideas at http://roobarbgifts.blogspot.com

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NEWS

Introducing Pinkyknits Pinkyknits is the new and exciting way to create your very own fashion accessories in minutes. You can create scarves, bags, belts, hats, mufflers, cushions, snoods and more!

Using only your fingers, you can make a ‘knitted noodle’! This negates the need for knitting needles and makes this relaxing hobby safe and fun for children, who can learn new skills and enjoy the sense of achievement when they have created something!

Pinkyknits products are designed and manufactured entirely in the UK by Laxtons Specialist Yarns using 100% wool and in collaboration with Erika Knight, renowned design consultant to the fashion and yarn industry. Pinkyknits supports The Campaign For

Michael Powell does papercrafts docrafts is delighted to be working exclusively with Michael Powell to bring his beautiful illustrations into the world of papercraft in a gorgeous co-ordinating collection released this month.

The 4x6” pocket-sized Michael Powell DesignStax is packed full of gorgeous double-sided paper designs that perfectly complement the range of co-ordinating toppers and stamps. Add a personal touch to your projects with the individual Urban Stamps

THIS MO N WE LOVE TH ...

Wool, whose patron HRH The Prince Of Wales is putting wool at the forefront of fashion, interiors and accessories. ♥ More information is available from www.pinkyknits.co.uk

. says.. ditor E r u O “We love anything that gets children interested in crafts, and finger knitting is a great place to start!“

designs, which are easy-cling, convenient, have superior definition and come in five gorgeous designs.

Also in this new collection is an essential selection of A4 die-cut toppers, and for the busy crafter there’s a choice of two card kits; Midnight and Secret Garden. ♥ Michael Powell papercraft products are available through docrafts’ stockists. Got to www.docrafts.com to find a stockist near you

Wonderwool Wales Plans are well advanced to make sure that the 2012 wool and natural fibres extravaganza, Wonderwool Wales, is bigger, better and bolder than ever!

The 2011 show attracted 20% more visitors than the previous year, and applications from exhibitors keen to take stands at the 2012 event are coming in thick and fast. Organisers are intending to expand this year’s show and increase the space available for exhibitors.

The event, at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys on April 28th and 29th, attracts wool and fibre enthusiasts from far and wide eager to see the wide and vibrantly colourful selection of yarns, fibres, equipment, books and designermade products from more than 150 exhibitors. A wide range of crafts are covered including knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and felting.

Organiser Chrissie Menzies said: “The Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, who have had individual stands at previous shows, will be combined into one large area where there will be displays, a spinning area, a weaving area and other demonstration areas, making it easier for people to interact.

We’ve also got plans to add even more interest to the Sheepwalk (our woolly take on the catwalk), which is a firm festival favourite, showcasing garments and accessories made by exhibitors.”

After the success of the additional two-day felting courses added to the 2011 programme, the 2012 event will include a twoday workshop on shirbori and ripple nuno felting techniques led

by Birmingham-based textile designer and maker Emma Jackson of Silversoles. The course will run on April 30 and May 1 and early booking is advised.

The course is an extra to the Woolschool workshops, which are regular and enthusiastically supported features of Wales’ premier annual festival of wool and natural fibres, now in its seventh year and, since 2011, an official supporter of The Campaign for Wool.

Wonderwool Wales 2012 will also see the return of an interactive area where visitors can try their hand at a range of

techniques under expert guidance, get advice on a particular subject, watch the demonstrations or just catch up with friends and knit and natter.

On-site caterers will provide a variety of hot and cold food and drink throughout the weekend, there are disabled and camping facilities, plus free parking.

Admission is £8.00, which includes a show directory, and children under 16 can go in free.

Weekend and coach party tickets can be purchased in advance via the website. ♥ For more information visit www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk

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NEWS

Leicester gets creative!

Ruth Singer, textile designer, author and tutor, has recently won the Haymarket Shopping Centre’s Big Idea competition, giving her a great opportunity to kick start her own mission to get Leicester sewing and making by opening a studio and running sewing and craft workshops.

Ruth had to submit a proposal, impress a panel of experts and win a public vote! For her efforts, Haymarket Shopping Centre has given Ruth a rent-free shop unit for a month and a cash prize of £1,000 to spend on the business.

The Big Idea competition ran at the end of 2011 and was an initiative set up by the Leicester shopping centre to give a local entrepreneur the opportunity to get a new business launched.

Ruth will be running a craft and design studio where anyone can learn new practical skills, starting with a month of taster

workshops and activities for all ages to raise the profile of her studio.

“I want to run a craft and design workshop where anyone and everyone can learn new practical skills, to make and create. I want to share my skills as a professional textile designer-maker to help the people of Leicester rediscover the pleasure of making things themselves. Sewing and making workshops are popping up all over the country – it is time Leicester had one,” says Ruth.

Phil Toyne, Manager at the Haymarket Shopping Centre, added, “We’re really pleased to be welcoming Ruth to the Centre. It’s great to be able to give her the support to get her new venture off the ground and it is even better to know that our shoppers have chosen her idea.”

The studio opens in the Haymarket Shopping Centre on 29th March for a month and will run the following activities:

● Regular Learn to Sew free taster workshops ● Lampshade Restyle workshop (1st April) ● Easter holiday activities for children (5th April) ● Open Studio & Craft Cafe (8th April) ● Fabric Manipulation masterclass (14th April) ● Dressmaking class (15th April) ● After school activities (18th April) ● Handbag Making workshop (22nd April) ● A day of activities for local schools (25th April) ● Customising Clothes workshop (date tbc)

● Coffee & Craft Mornings ● Sewing machine hire by the hour ● Private hire for groups There’ll also be a small retail area selling Ruth’s own kits and patterns, vintage fabric, sewing patterns, haberdashery and lots of books including Ruth’s own Sew It Up and Sew Eco. Visitors to the studio will also be able to see and buy Ruth’s work including wall panels, customised clothes and small gifts. ♥ Visit Ruth’s website at www.ruthsinger.com or pop in to the studio at Haymarket Shopping Centre

Crafted in Scotland

The Manor House & Ashbury Hotel crafts Set on the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, The Manor House and Ashbury Hotels are the ideal venue for your craft break. The unique Craft Centre offers 17 tutored crafts including pottery, glass engraving, enamelling, personalised hot press printing and woodwork, where the experienced tutors introduce each course with a comprehensive yet brief talk.

To increase appreciation of the techniques required, there’s a stock of examples for all crafts and this, coupled with the continued support from the tutors, ensures rapid understanding and excellent results from students. All costs are

minimal – essentially you only pay for the consumables.

The atmosphere in the Craft Centre is relaxed and friendly, and since opening has been a considerable source of pleasure for guests, enjoying the diverse range of crafts on offer. Away from the arts and crafts you’ll be spoilt for choice with an abundance of activities waiting to be explored. Facilities available free-of-charge to all residents include tennis courts, bowls rinks, badminton courts, a swimming pool with spa facilities and water slides, 10-pin bowling, snooker tables and target ranges featuring archery, air pistols and air rifles. ♥ For more details call 0800 955 0286 or visit www.activity hotelbreaks.co.uk

Fiona Mackay has set up a new website that acts as an online marketplace for Scottish craftspeople and independent producers to sell their products. This is a great idea from Fiona to support Scottish crafters and allow them to sell their creations online.

The website went live in December 2011, so be sure to head over to have a look at the beautiful creations from a variety of talented creators selling handmade goods including jewellery, textiles, clothing, home décor accessories and more! ♥ www.craftedinscotland.co.uk

NOTE: By entering these competitions you accept that your details may be passed on to a third party

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SH15 pp10-11 Your letters_pp 05/03/2012 14:37 Page 10

Every issue our Star Letter winner receives £50 worth of crafting goodies from craft and hobby specialist Abakhan, and all other letters printed win a free gift Email letters@practicalpublishing.co.uk or write to us at Letters, Simply Homemade, Practical Publishing, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG

www.abakhan.co.uk

A piece of cake

Star letter

SH:This knitted cake looks good enough to eat! The little characters sitting proudly on the top are so cute! Well done and keep sending us pictures of your makes! If you like knitting you should check out our sister magazine Knit now – issue 6 is on sale.

Fairy cottage When my copy of issue 12 arrived with the free flower loom, I was eager to give it a try.

However another project caught my eye and inspired me to get out my crafting goodies. It was the fairy cottage storage box designed by Su Pennick, which was absolutely stunning. I had been saving a circular hat box for some time, knowing that one day I would find a suitable use for it – this fabulous project was the perfect thing.

My niece’s 10th birthday is coming up very soon so I decided to make the fairy cottage for her.

I used an old cake board for the base and covered it with scrapbook papers, the leaves are made using my Cricut machine and I used Letraset ProMarkers to add definition to the leaf edges as I didn’t have a green inkpad. All the embellishments were taken from my craft box, along with the scraps of card for the doors and windows.

It is a slightly different version than Su’s, but I am really pleased with the result and if my niece doesn’t like it I will be happy to

I think your magazine is great – I am in to all things crafty and I have been a subscriber since the very first issue. I have enjoyed crafts such as knitting and crochet since I was a teenager but have only been cardmaking and beading for a couple of years. I have also dabbled with sewing and soapmaking in the past. My new craft for 2012 is quilting using my sewing machine. Your magazine has given me some fantastic ideas for handmade Christmas presents for this year!

My brother got married on 11th November 2011 and I decided to make a few things for them to remember the day by. I used a mixture of my old skills and some new – I knitted this wedding cake for them! My brother was pleased I’d given him some hair (he’s not bald but cuts his hair really short)! It took me a whole week of knitting to get it finished and I am glad he appreciated the hair as that part took ages to do! I even managed to stick to their colour theme of orange and peach too !

Joanne Baker, by email

have it back! I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Thank you to your fantastic team for a very inspiring magazine and I continue to look forward to trying new projects and crafts.

Elizabeth Stearne, Wakefield SH: We sincerely doubt that your niece will let you have this fabulous present back! We’re positive she will appreciate the care and love that has gone into this fairy cottage! Some of the best presents are the ones that cost us nothing but some thought and effort, and they’re the perfect opportunity to use up some of your stash.

Turn to page 26 to see Su’s fabulous opera-themed projects! We especially like the ‘Night on the town evening bag’ and we’re sure you will love it too!

We hope you enjoy your Star Letter prize and don’t hesitate to send us more images of your work. We love seeing what our readers create.

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LETTERS

Homemade hairbands I love Simply Homemade as it covers such a wide variety of crafts. I wanted to show you some flower hairbands I have made myself.

My pen pal Dawn sent me a bag of fabric flowers she purchased in her local bargain shop, she had even painted some of them with acrylic paint. I wanted to find some way of putting them in my hair, and found a pack of three hairbands in the January sales in a popular high-street shop. I layered the flowers with some sparkly brads and sewed them onto the hairbands. The blue one is for Dawn and the pink one is for me – I hope you like them. Thank you for such a great mag!

Natalie Willoughby, Hampshire

SH: We love these hairbands Natalie. It’s such a simple idea and it shows you just need a little imagination and not an everlasting budget. We think these summery accessories will brighten up even the dullest of days! Well done!

Flower loom

Crafty Catz I can’t praise your magazine enough and I find the projects inspirational and am always raring to try at least one of the projects your magazine shares with us each issue. I liked the window hanger from issue 13 so much that I had to try and make one of my own.

I never copy your projects fully as I prefer putting my own creative spin on them, but I find the projects’ step-by-step instructions simply brilliant. I used pictures and découpage from a Crafty Catz CD-ROM called Bubbles and Squeak,

instead of the flowers Jill Alblas used. As you can see from the blue ribbon, this is for a boy’s bedroom window – I think it turned out alright!

Thank you for providing me with so much inspiration, you really have made me look at my craft stash in a new light and now I am interested in trying to turn it into home decorations and gifts for others. The second picture shows how everyday rubbish can be changed into something pretty – this is an old gravy tub that I have decorated to be a sweetie pot, but you could use it to store crafting bits and pieces or even as a piggy bank. For many of us money is tight right now, so I hope my thrifty recycling tip is helpful for your readers!

Sharon Noble, by email SH: What a fantastic idea Sharon. Upcycling is so on trend right now, and it is definitely a good idea to look around the home and see what you can use to create something new without it costing you too much money.

What better way of having a spring clean and saving money at the same time?

SH: We’re glad you like the magazine.

Issue 12 was a very popular issue with our readers, as was the flower loom free gift.

Back issues are available but only while stocks last. You can call 0844 561 1203 or write to Simply Homemade Reader Offers, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EF. You can also log on to www.practical publishing.co.uk/shop where you can check individual issues of all of our magazines and their availability.

Flowery fun I wanted to write to tell you how wonderful your magazine is. I had never seen it before, but while browsing in my local supermarket issue 12 caught my attention – I loved the free flower loom that came with it.

On closer inspection I realised Simply Homemade contains a variety of crafting ideas across a whole range of crafts. Most craft magazines specialise in one area such as knitting or cardmaking, but yours has a bit of everything! I had to have it! I enjoy making all sorts of things, out of all sorts of materials and this was a definite must-have for me.

As soon as I got home I got out the flower loom and turned straight to page 12 for instructions. I was amazed at the range of designs and different materials you could use.

After a quick attempt with wool to see how it worked, I made this hair clip. I used a long strip of cotton (a curtain remnant) and some purple brass wire. After tying them together with cream cord, I added a pearl bead in the centre. I then glued it to the hair barrette and here it is!

I have been an avid crafter all my life – now I have retired I’ve got even more time to spend on crafting. I was delighted to discover issue 13 of Simply Homemade in a local supermarket.

What a lovely selection of projects! I am definitely going to make the knitted blanket and will enjoy having an ongoing project that I can pick up when I want.

I was also interested to see the embellished tins, using the issue’s free patterned papers, as this is something I have done myself in the past.

I find the screw-top plastic body-butter pots can be decorated and recycled with great results too.

I am looking forward to the next issue and another set of ideas to try. I wish I had found issue 12 with the free flower loom gift, but have been unsuccessfully trying to get one of the little looms for a while now as I want to decorate some crochet granny squares I have.

Can you tell me if there is anywhere that sells back issues of Simply Homemade? Thank you for a lovely magazine.

Jenny Gaunt, by email

I was quite pleased with myself and couldn’t wait to show it off. Thank you Simply Homemade – you made my day!

Leah Ingledew, Northumberland SH: Leah, we love this flower, it just shows how versatile that little flower loom can be.

The shabby chic effect of your hair clip is gorgeous and we think it is a perfect accessory to welcome the spring weather!

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Easter

treats

Egg cosies MATERIALS

TOOLS

♥ 6mm crochet hook ♥ tapestry needle or bodkin

BY MEL BROOKE

Give your egg cosies a vintage feel with these pretty little crocheted pieces! Make them using your FREE 6mm crochet hook, then simply tie with ribbons, embellish with silk flowers, beads or sequins. Boiled eggs have never looked so cute!

SIMPLY MAKE ♥ double-knit (DK) wool ♥ ribbon

Mel Brooke puts this issue’s fabulous free crochet hooks through their paces to create an eclectic array of Easterinspired delights

Make as a single piece Row 1: Make a magic circle then 1 ch, 6 dc into circle, join with a ss and pull the end of the thread to close the circle.

Row 2: 1 ch, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc then join with a ss.

Row 3: 1 ch, 1 dc in same st, * 1 dc

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in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, rep from * to end then join with ss.

Row 4: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, then join with ss.

Rows 5-11: Repeat Row 4.

Row 12: 3 ch, *ss to next dc, 3 ch, rep from * to end then join with ss, fasten off.

Finishing: Sew in the wool ends

and trim. Gently primp the loops at the bottom of the cosy to frill them out slightly. Use a crochet hook to help you weave ribbon through the bottom row of double crochet chain spaces and tie in a bow. Trim the ends of the ribbon diagonally to help prevent fraying.

SH15 pp12-15 Free Gift_pp 05/03/2012 09:29 Page 13

USING YOUR FREE GIFT

Crochet abbreviations ss – slip stitch ch – chain stitch dc – double crochet (US single crochet) htr – half treble tr – treble crochet (US double crochet) dtr – double treble tr tr – triple treble miss – miss or skip the next stitch(es) rep – repeat st(s) – stitch(es) * – stitches shown after this point are to be repeated [ ] – stitch combinations in brackets must be repeated in order shown cast off – point at which to fasten off the thread yoh – yarn over hook dctog – double crochet 2 stitches together (or more stitches as per instructions)

Crochet flowers

MATERIALS

♥ double-knit (DK) wool TOOLS

♥ 4mm & 6mm crochet hooks

Darling buds of spring Inspired by the little spring flowers that are in abundance at this time of year, these cute crochet creations are worked in a layer with the buds at the centre and a round of chain loops worked underneath to allow you to add the outer petals. They are best made in heaps so you can gather them together in a pretty posy!

SIMPLY MAKE To make the central bud: Use 4mm crochet hook Row 1: Make 2 ch (leave a long tail), then 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook and join with a ss to make a circle.

Row 2: 1 ch, *1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc in next st, ss to each of next 2 sts, rep from * into same st, twice, ss into next 2 sts and fasten off leaving long thread.

To make the outer bud petals: Use 6mm crochet hook Row 1: Working on the back of the ‘bud’, join the 2nd colour of wool to a ch sp, ch3, *skip a ch sp, ss to next ch sp, ch 3, rep from * twice.

Row 2: ss into first 3ch sp, *2 ch, 1

dtr, 1 ttr, 1 dtr, 1 tr, ss to next ch sp, rep from * twice more, ss to bottom of first petal and fasten off with long tail end of wool.

Finishing: Pull the long thread ends through the centres of the buds so that they hang underneath like floppy stems. With the flower facing up, gently pull all the petals upwards.

Push your thumbs into the outer petals to give them the curved shape and, holding onto the threads underneath, squeeze the petals towards the middle to give the budlike shape.

There are lots of ways to use these flowers – gather lots of buds together to make a posy and wrap the stems with ribbon, raffia or wool.

Or simply secure with an elastic band and trim the stems shorter before wrapping in fabric or a lacy paper doily. Try making different-sized flowers by using other crochet hooks – a few smaller ones sewn onto backing felt would make a pretty brooch or use them as spacers on mixed textile jewellery pieces.

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SH15 pp12-15 Free Gift_pp 05/03/2012 09:29 Page 14

Fluffy Easter chick This cute and fluffy chick is made by working stitches in the round with simple increases and decreases to get the basic body shape. The secret of the ‘fluffiness’ is in the loop stitch, which although initially tricky to master gives the chick a lovely textured feathery look.

MATERIALS

♥ yellow double-knit (DK) wool ♥ toy stuffing TOOLS

♥ 4mm crochet hook ♥ scissors ♥ felt or beads for embellishing

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LOOP STITCH Loop stitches are also often called fur stitches because of their texture.

They need to be worked on a base of double crochet stitches and are basically a variation of that stitch.

To make a loop stitch: You will need to begin as if you are starting a double crochet by inserting your hook through the stitch from front to back as normal. Then lift the yarn up with your second finger to form a loop and hook both strands at the bottom of it (depending on how you hold your yarn you may find it easier to do this with your first finger). (See Fig 1).

Draw both the strands back through the work so that you have three loops on the hook. (See Figs 2 and 3).

Then take the yarn over the hook again, as in double crochet, and draw it through all three loops on the hook. (See Fig 4).

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2 3

The loops will be worked onto the wrong side of your crochet and you would normally alternate a loop row with a normal double crochet row. Try to keep the loops the same size as you work and gently pull them to neaten. (See Fig 5).

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SIMPLY MAKE Make as a single piece with a 4mm hook.

Row 1: Make a magic circle then 1 ch, 5 dc into it, join to 1st dc with a ss and pull the end of the thread to close the circle.

Row 2 & 3: 1 ch, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc each dc, join with a ss.

Row 4 & 5: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, join with a ss.

Row 6: 1 ch, 1 loop st in each dc, join with a ss.

Row 7: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, join with a ss.

Row 8: Repeat Row 6.

Row 9: Repeat Row 7.

Row 10: Repeat Row 6.

Row 11: Repeat Row 7.

Row 12: Repeat Row 6.

Row 13: 1 ch, 1 dc, 2 dctog, 6 dc, 2

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dctog, 6 dc, 2 dctog, dc to end, join with a ss.

Row 14: Rep Row 6.

Row 15: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 6 dc, 2 dctog, 6 dc, 2 dctog, dc to end, join with a ss.

Row 16: 1 ch, 1 loop in each dc st half way around the body then dc to end, join with a ss.

Row 17: Rep Row 15.

Row 18: Rep Row 16.

Row 19: Rep Row 15.

Row 20: Rep Row 16.

Row 21: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 4 dc, 2 dctog, 4 dc, 2 dctog, dc to end, join with a ss.

Row 22: 1 ch, 1 loop st in each dc, join with a ss.

Row 23: 1 ch, 2 dctog all way around, fasten off leaving a long tail of yarn.

Finishing: Turn the crochet inside out so that the loops are on the outside. Stuff with suitable toy filling then use the long tail end of wool to sew up the top (you can make a few extra loops on top to help cover the join). Add beads for eyes and cut felt shapes for the beak and feet then fluff up the loops by gently pulling them outwards slightly.

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SH15 pp12-15 Free Gift_pp 05/03/2012 09:29 Page 15

USING YOUR FREE GIFT

s Crochet Easter bonnet Use long strips of faux raffia to make these sweet little ‘straw’ hats, which can be decorated with anything from ribbons and beads to flowers! This hook size should make hats that fit your average Barbie™ type doll and could be made larger or smaller by trying different hooks or made with other yarns. The bonnets make gorgeous table decorations too – perfect for adorning the top of a wine bottle.

MATERIALS

♥ brown 10m synthetic raffia TOOLS

♥ 4mm crochet hook ♥ scissors ♥ ribbons, bows, beads, flowers or fabric for embellishing

SIMPLY MAKE Make as a single piece: Row 1: Make a magic circle then 1 ch, 6 dc into it, join to 1st dc with a ss and pull the end of the thread to close the circle.

Row 2: 1 ch, 2dc in each dc then join with a ss.

Row 3: 2 ch, 1 tr into back loops of each dc, join with ss.

Row 4: 2 ch, 2 tr into front loops of each tr, join with ss.

Rows 5: 1 ch, *1dc into each tr, join with ss, fasten off.

Finishing: Tuck in the raffia ends and trim. Shape slightly by helping the brim to curl up a little then decorate with your chosen embellishments.

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SH15 pp16 Teddypops_pp 05/03/2012 15:07 Page 16

Sugarcraft Creations

teddy pops With cake pops being all the rage at the moment, who could resist these adorable teddy pops?

Wilton 6” cookie sticks ♥ RRP: £3.50 for 20

Wilton 3D mini bear cake pan ♥ RRP: £25.47

Orange Wilton Candy Melts ♥ RRP: £5.39

Wilton edible candy decorating pens ♥ RRP: £11.85

Blue Wilton Candy Melts ♥ RRP: £5.39

Yellow Wilton Candy Melts ♥ RRP £5.39

Bake Me I’m Yours...

Cake Pops book ♥ RRP: £9.99

Pink Wilton Candy Melts ♥ RRP: £5.39 16 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

WHERE TO BUY For all your cake making needs, go to www.sugarcraftcreationsonline.co.uk or call 01225 359039 / 07779 771891

SH15 pp17 Kaisercraft_pp 05/03/2012 14:51 Page 17

New PrODuCTS AND PrOjeCTS

Kaisercraft

On the Move photo frame The On The Move collection from Kaisercraft is perfect for masculine projects...

Nine frame photo display ♥ RRP: £15.95

Sticker sheet ♥ RRP: £2.85

Chipboard alpha pack 2 ♥ RRP: £3.75

Collectables die-cut embellishments ♥ RRP: £4.45

Childhood rub-ons ♥ RRP: £2.75

Propel paper ♥ RRP: 82p

Take Off paper ♥ RRP: 82p

Cylinders paper ♥ RRP: 82p

Accelerate paper ♥ RRP: 82p

Diesel paper ♥ RRP: 82p

Full Tank paper ♥ RRP: 82p

WHERE TO BUY Slate paint ♥ RRP: £2.45

For Kaisercraft products go to www.merlyimpressions.co.uk or call 07913 394451

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SH15 pp18-23 Shells_pp 05/03/2012 10:43 Page 18

Shell seekers Jill Alblas takes her inspiration from the beach to create a collection of fresh and natural home décor items

Pebbles and shells are timeless and there’s nothing quite like them for giving a fresh and natural look to your décor. A few carefully chosen designs can make all the difference to the look of a room and, because we all seem to be pushed for time nowadays, everything in this collection is quick and easy to make.

LET THERE BE LIGHT As a nation, our love of candles knows no bounds and their aesthetic and practical properties enable them to enhance any room they happen to grace.

Making your own candles is actually easier than you may think and creating gel candles, as shown opposite, is a great place to start. The gel just needs to be melted in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering

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water and then poured into a tumbler, wine glass or vase.

The gel should be melted slowly to avoid air bubbles and for safety reasons shouldn’t be left unattended whilst heating, placed in a microwave or melted over direct heat. Utensils can be cleaned after use with hot soapy water and the excess gel reused. Just leave the gel to set then peel it away from the bowl and store the leftovers in a plastic bag

ready for future projects.

Clear gel and pebbles in a plain square vase will look cool and contemporary, but shells will look just as good if you prefer them. Candle dye can be added to colour the gel and different shapes of container used to create an interesting display.

IN THE FRAME The pebble frame on page 20 is simple to make yet very effective and it would make

BY JILL ALBLAS

a lovely gift. Any size of frame can be used, but for ease of working and best results a flat surface is important. When securing pebbles to your projects, good-quality strong PVA glue is essential. Economy brands are fine for fixing paper and light card but these projects require a much stronger hold. Use a small brush to apply the PVA to one pebble at a time and press it firmly into position

SH15 pp18-23 Shells_pp 05/03/2012 10:44 Page 19

TECHNIQUE

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS square glass vase gel wax wick Sticky Tac pebbles TOOLS saucepan heatproof bowl barbecue skewer or similar

SIMPLY MAKE Wash the vase in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Heat some water in the saucepan, bring it to the boil then turn the heat down to a gentle simmer.

Pour sufficient gel to fill the vase in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl on top of the pan and let the gel melt. Keep an eye on the water to ensure it doesn’t boil dry.

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Cut a length wick 15cm longer than the height of your vase.

Use Sticky Tac to fix one end of the wick centrally in the base of the vase. Fix a skewer across the top of the vase using Sticky Tac. Take the wick over the skewer and fix to the vase using Sticky Tac. Check the wick is centred and held firmly in place.

Carefully place a selection of pebbles in the vase; the quantity and size of

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the pebbles is purely a matter of choice.

Pour the melted gel slowly but steadily into the vase. Leave a gap of about 2cm at the top of the vase. Tap the glass gently to release any air bubbles.

Leave the gel to set overnight before moving the vase. Remove the Sticky Tac and skewer then trim the wick to about 2.5cm above the gel.

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Gel candle

before proceeding to the next one. This sounds time consuming but the technique is easy and you’ll find a medium-sized frame can be completed quite easily in an evening.

WALL ART Adding to the shells and pebbles look, a few fabulous pieces of wall art will really set the scene. Textured icon plates look more interesting than plain card

or wood backgrounds and come ready drilled with hanging holes threaded with string so you can just get on with the fun part and start decorating right away.

Simple pebble designs work a treat, as do shells. If you’re pushed for time and want a really quick and effective piece of art, just glue a large shell in the centre and, voila, you have instant wall art.

COMPLETE THE LOOK A pretty houseplant suits any room but for best effect it really needs a nice pot that fits in with the decor. A lick of paint plus a few small shells and pebbles can transform a plain earthenware pot into something special that is bound to get noticed.

The natural, seaside theme has been completed with a pretty plate ideal for displaying a few special soaps, some fragrant pot pourri or

luxurious cosmetics. The glass has been coloured using acrylic paint and can be cleaned with a soft dry cloth.

The shell and pebble embellishments have been fixed into place using strong PVA glue; some of the shells need to be glued carefully round the edges to ensure a strong hold. The glass surface is very smooth so it’s difficult to press newly glued items down firmly and they tend to

slip and slide out of position if you’re not careful. Once in place they should be left for a few hours so the glue can start to set before pressing them down.

None of the projects here are difficult to create so even if you’re completely new to crafting and home décor you’ll find them easy to do.

Just set an evening aside, get creating and most importantly have fun!

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SH15 pp18-23 Shells_pp 06/03/2012 12:33 Page 20

Pebble frame MATERIALS wooden frame with flat surface grey pebbles white & black acrylic paint strong PVA glue TOOLS ♥ large & small paintbrush

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

SIMPLY MAKE Mix white paint with a spot of black to make mid-grey. Add a tiny amount of black at a time and mix thoroughly to ensure the correct shade.

Use the large brush to paint the front of the frame, the sides and round the window. Leave to

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2

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dry then apply a second coat.

Glue a pebble at each outside corner of the frame and pebbles down the sides to give a neat edge.

Adhere the pebbles right up against each another.

Adhere a pebble at each corner of the window and a line of pebbles along each edge as before.

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Affix pebbles between the inside and outside pebble borders. Use a variety of sizes and shapes so you can arrange them closely together.

Press all the pebbles down firmly so you’re sure they’re secure. Leave the frame to dry overnight before fixing a mirror or picture in the back.

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SH15 pp18-23 Shells_pp 06/03/2012 12:33 Page 21

TECHNIQUE

Plant pot ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS earthenware plant pot white & blue acrylic paint variety of small shells grey pebbles strong PVA glue TOOLS large & small paintbrush

SIMPLY MAKE Mix a few spots of blue paint with white to make pale blue, and use a large paintbrush brush to paint the pot. Paint the rim white.

Leave to dry then apply a second coat.

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Divide the sides of the pot into four and four again to make eight equally spaced segments.

Use a pencil to mark the segments just under the rim.

Measure the height of the pot and place eight rows of shells and pebbles on your work surface ready to glue down the sides of the pot.

Place the pot on its side and, working on one row at a time, glue the top and bottom shell or pebble in place. Adhere the remaining shells and pebbles between them in a straight line.

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Press the decorations down firmly. Turn the pot a little and glue the next row of shells and pebbles.

Continue working round the pot in this way.

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Leave it to dry and set then use white paint and a small firm brush to dab lines down the pot between the rows of shells and pebbles to finish.

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SH15 pp18-23 Shells_pp 06/03/2012 12:33 Page 22

Wall art MATERIALS

♥ 3 x 13cm-square icon plaques ♥ pebbles ♥ strong PVA glue TOOLS ♥ small paintbrush

SIMPLY MAKE To make the three pictures as shown you will need between 45 and 50 pebbles in varying shades measuring between 1.5cm and 2cm long.

Lay the three icon plates on your work surface.

Refer to our patterns or arrange the pebbles in the design of your choice.

Working on one plate at a time, brush glue generously on the back of a pebble and press it in place.

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2 3

Continue working round the design in this way, making sure each pebble is firmly secured.

Decorate all three plaques in the same way.

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Leave the glue to dry overnight before hanging the plaques.

WHERE TO BUY Icon plates are available from www.cc-craft.co.uk; 01793 616 068 Shells and glass plates are available from www.efco.sinotexuk.com Gel wax and candle wicks are available from www.houseofhandicrafts.co.uk; 01376 550099 Extra-strong PVA glue is available from www.angloadhesives.co.uk; 01664 480 866

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SH15 pp18-23 Shells_pp 06/03/2012 12:34 Page 23

TECHNIQUE

Display plate

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS glass plate white & blue acrylic paint sponge variety of pebbles & shells TOOLS small paintbrush

SIMPLY MAKE Add a few spots of blue paint to white and mix them thoroughly to make pale blue. Turn the plate upside down.

Sponge the paint evenly over the back of the plate and leave to dry thoroughly before turning the plate the right way up.

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Select four shells to decorate the corners of the plate. Brush glue generously over the base and edges of the shells and place in position.

Select a mix of shells and pebbles to fit between the corner shells on one side.

Lay them in position then affix in place Repeat to decorate the remaining three sides.

Allow the glue to set for an hour or so then press them down gently but firmly.

Leave to set overnight then check all the decorations are held firmly before using the plate.

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SH15 pp24 Quarter & Eighths_pp 02/03/2012 12:37 Page 24

DOTTIE4CRAFTS.CO.UK Our very easy to use Website stocks a vast range of quality craft products from well known stockists, including our very own DIE CUTS. Most of the DIE CUTS designs can be made to the size you require.

Awaiting you is a fast friendly service

BellaCrafts is a fantastic Craft Centre!

Open 7 days. Running workshops for children and adults all year round. Huge stock range - scrap booking, card & paper stock, bead supplies, ribbons, books, brads, stickles, distress inks, punches, stamps, wool, fimo and loads more!

BellaCrafts - Tel: 023 8051 7054 - www.bellacrafts.co.uk

Gorgeous fabric and patterns

Find us on Facebook! Within Fair Oak Garden Centre, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, Hants SO50 7HD We'd love to see you – always a comfortable, crafty seat waiting for you!

www.thefabricloft.co.uk 24 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com Color Scheme 4

SH15 pp25 Survey_pp 05/03/2012 16:30 Page 25

What do you think?

Take part in our Reader Survey and you could be one of THREE lucky winners to receive an Artesano goody bag worth £100

£ 3 0 0 of kniting

goodies to give away!

We would love to hear what you think of Simply Homemade , whether you are a regular reader or this is the first time you have picked up a copy. Let us know how we are doing on news, projects, our look and content and what YOU, our lovely reader, wants to see more of!

To complete the survey, go to…

www.ppjump.co.uk/sh15survey

SH15 pp26-31 Night at Opera_pp 05/03/2012 14:41 Page 26

A night on the

town

BY SU PENNICK

If you’re planning a special party and want to create something unique that will wow your family and friends, Su Pennick has the answer!

The invitation featured here is designed to be easily mass produced for a special occasion; the wording can be produced on a PC and printed off in bulk. We’ve chosen to use Graphic 45’s Curtain Call collection for the projects featured here due to the fact that at least six

panels can be cut from one sheet of patterned paper and one sheet of die-cut tags contains between 20 and 30 images of varying shape and size so each invitation will be different.

As the tags are all different, the composition of the invitation will need rejigging to make the most of the tag’s image, but

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these are quick and easy to produce in productionline style.

The fabulous thing about this collection of patterned papers is that it contains images suitable for both men and women. Even though the birthday card is designed with a woman in mind, the colour scheme can easily be adapted for a

man by choosing the more masculine-style images and tags. The same goes for the cufflinks box, which could easily be made as a jewellery box by choosing alternative images and charms.

BOXING CLEVER The evening bag on page 30 may, for some, be a touch eccentric and over the top,

but is easily toned down with the use of simpler patterned papers or even just plain paint. It is worth taking the time to create the lining for the bag, as the side panels will prevent any bits and pieces falling out when it is opened. The technique is a little fiddly but easier than it sounds and is worth the effort when you see the

SH15 pp26-31 Night at Opera_pp 05/03/2012 16:36 Page 27

CRAFT CROSSOVER

MATERIALS ♥ Graphic 45 12x12” Curtain Call collection Moulin Rouge, Tags & Borders patterned paper ♥ pearlescent plum, pearlescent cream & black cardstock ♥ white card blank ♥ Woodware paper flower ♥ Dusty Concord Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inkpad ♥ 14mm bronze filigree bead cap (AC08648) ♥ 4x6mm Metallic Plum Iris crystal rondelle bead (CR46448) TOOLS ♥ computer & printer ♥ Playbill font ♥ Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Chip Block Alphabet Decorative Strip die ♥ manual die-cutting machine ♥ flat-nosed pliers

SIMPLY MAKE Cut a 7.5x11cm rectangle around the chosen image within the Moulin Rouge patterned paper. Matt onto pearlescent cream cardstock and attach to the front of a 13.5cm card blank. Cut the dotted strips from the patterned paper and stick them around the edges of the rectangular image.

Use dotted strips from the Borders paper to fill the remaining blank area of the card front, approximately a

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third of the way down from the top edge to the bottom. Add a 2.5cm strip of pearlescent plum cardstock across the bottom edge along with a piano-key border and dotted strip.

Matt a tag onto pearlescent cream cardstock and attach to the card as shown, ensuring that the top corner touches the card’s folded edge. Trim the card front around the top edges of the two images.

Cover the inside of the card with pearlescent cream cardstock and

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adhere this to a 13cm square of pearlescent plum cardstock. Die-cut the number 40 from pearlescent plum cardstock and stick in place.

Use Dusty Concord Ink to colour a paper flower and glue this in place along with a flattened bead cap and a bead. Use your computer to print the sentiment onto pearlescent cream cardstock using Playbill font. Cut this out, matt onto black cardstock and attach to the card as shown to finish.

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Starlet birthday card

WHERE TO BUY Graphic 45 patterned papers and embellishments are available from www.thestampattic.co.uk Wooden boxes and metal bag clasps are available from www.craftbarn online.co.uk All jewellery findings, settings, charms and beads are available from www.bojanglebeads.co.uk

finished effect. The box we used has a magnetic clasp built in and is fine for normal use, but not strong enough when the box is turned on its side and carried by the handle. The additional metal clasp not only adds strength but also a lovely little design detail.

On a practical note we recommend that both the

handbag and the cufflinks box be covered with a couple of coats of varnish for protection – the paper coverings will soon deteriorate with use if not protected. The type of varnish is entirely up to you; spray varnish is best applied in the early stages before the addition of any of the metal

of beaded decorations and clasps while other types of varnish can be painted on at any time.

The cufflinks on page 29 are a bit of fun really. They would be great as a gift for a lover of old films and, as with the other items featured here, can be

decorated in a style to suit the wearer. Every woman needs some delicate jewellery to go with their dressiest-dress for a night out and the necklace on page 31 can be made in the perfect shade to match your outfit. All these items

can be adapted for any occasion. Whether you have a wedding coming up, a christening, a party or a special night out it’s easy to make yourself accessories that are unique and fun.

Go on, treat yourself!

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SH15 pp26-31 Night at Opera_pp 05/03/2012 14:42 Page 28

Screen idol cufflink box MATERIALS ♥ Graphic 45 12x12” Curtain Call collection Tags, 2 x Borders, Top Billing & The Cinema patterned paper ♥ rectangular wooden jewellery box ♥ acrylic paint ♥ 4 antique gold corner filigree ♥ antique gold key charm ♥ 4 silver large beads TOOLS ♥ small screwdriver

tation Make an entrance invi MATERIALS ♥ Graphic 45 12x12” Curtain Call collection Let’s Dance & Tags patterned paper ♥ pearlescent cream, pearlescent plum, pale brown & gold cardstock ♥ small star stamp ♥ Dusty Concord Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inkpad TOOLS ♥ manual die-cutting machine ♥ Sizzix Stars #2 die ♥ computer & printer

SIMPLY MAKE Matt a 14x9.5cm rectangle of pearlescent cream cardstock onto an A6 piece of pearlescent plum cardstock. Cut a 13x8.5cm

1

panel of patterned paper and affix it in place as shown.

Adhere a 1.5cm strip of pearlescent plum cardstock across the matted layers.

Use your computer to print the invitation details onto light brown cardstock using plumcoloured ink and Playbill font. Cut this to form a rectangular panel, affix it to the card front and stamp small stars randomly around the edges.

Matt a tag onto pearlescent cream cardstock and stick in place along with a gold die-cut star to finish.

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SIMPLY MAKE Remove the hinges and clasp from the box before applying your chosen shade of acrylic paint. Leave to dry.

Stick two tiny film reel borders around the sides of the box base along with dotted strips cut from the edge of the Top Billing paper.

Cut rectangles of pearlescent cream cardstock to fill the frame areas on both sides of the lid. Trim the Rudolph Valentino image slightly smaller than the frame dimensions and affix to the

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SH15 pp26-31 Night at Opera_pp 05/03/2012 14:42 Page 29

CRAFT CROSSOVER

pearlescent cream cardstock. Adhere a piece of the back of this paper to the inside frame along with a tag. Reassemble the box.

Cut one of the small images from the edge of the Moulin Rouge paper and secure in the front-right corner of the box lid as shown. Use strong glue to stick four beads to the bottom of the box base, four corner filigree pieces to the lid corners and a key charm to finish.

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MATERIALS ♥ Graphic 45 12x12” Curtain Call collection Tags patterned paper ♥ cufflink blanks ♥ bronze 20mm round frame blanks ♥ Ranger Glossy Accents ♥ 2 clear gemstone buttons ♥ 2-part epoxy adhesive TOOLS ♥ 3⁄4” circle punch ♥ pliers

Movie star cufflinks

Bend the metal shank on each button at a right angle to its original position (or cut the shanks off if they will not fit through the loop in the – metal frame). Use epoxy adhesive to stick these in place. When dry use the adhesive to attach the cufflink blanks to the back of the metal frames to finish.

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SIMPLY MAKE Punch two circles from the patterned tags and stick them inside the round metal frames. Affix so that the connecting

1

loop of the frame is at the of 4 o’clock position on one and 8 o’clock on the other. Fill the frame of each with Glossy Accents and leave to dry.

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SH15 pp26-31 Night at Opera_pp 05/03/2012 14:42 Page 30

one piece will fit around the back part of the box and the other will fit the front. Affix in place, matching the pattern all around. Cut the dotted area from the Moulin Rouge paper and stick this around both edges of the border Cut a 12x7cm panel of Moulin Rouge paper incorporating the title.

Matt onto black cardstock and adhere to the box front. Cut a 12.8x7.8cm panel, matt onto black cardstock and stick to the back of the box.

Attach a metal clasp to the top of the bag. Use the epoxy adhesive to add a

4

MATERIALS ♥ Graphic 45 12x12” Curtain Call collection Moulin Rouge & 2 x Borders patterned paper ♥ rectangular wooden box ♥ acrylic paint ♥ black cardstock ♥ 1m plum 7cm-wide satin ribbon ♥ antique gold metal clasp ♥ antique gold octopus charm ♥ 2 strands 8x10mm Metallic Plum Iris crystal rondelle beads ♥ memory wire ♥ 2-part epoxy adhesive ♥ strong double-sided tape TOOLS ♥ pliers ♥ piercing tool

SIMPLY MAKE Paint the whole box with acrylic paint and leave to dry. Turn the box on its side so that the back now becomes the bottom, the base becomes the back and the lid becomes the front. Measure 2cm in from the side edges of the top of the box and pierce two small holes (for the beaded handle) through the wood half way between the front and the back. The box is made of soft wood so a piercing tool should be strong enough for the job.

Line the inside of the box with ribbon. Cut a piece of ribbon the width of the box plus 2cm. Stick the extra 1cm of each end to the back of the ribbon using strong doublesided tape to form two hems.

Adhere this across the bottom of the inside of the box over the

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2

Evening bag hinged area. Secure it by adding strong double-sided tape to the edges only and sticking these to the inside front and back of the box so that the hinge will be able to move freely. Cut a 14cm length of ribbon and create a large pleat in the middle of one edge by sticking the folds together using strong doublesided tape. Attach this to the opening side of the box. Stick 1cm at each end of the ribbon to the inside of the back and front of the box using strong double-sided tape and the middle pleat only (approximately 3cm) to the ribbon lining the bottom. Add strong glue to the ribbon/tape at the sides for a firm hold and leave to dry. Repeat for the other opening side of the box.

Cut two 12x6.5cm rectangles of black cardstock and adhere to two lengths of ribbon, folding 1cm at each end of the ribbon around the edges to be stuck to the back to form neat edges.

Use strong glue to secure these two ribbon-covered panels to the inside of the box front and back with their bottom edges covering the edges of the previously attached ribbon.

Leave to dry thoroughly.

Take two Curtain Call borders and cut them in half lengthways so that

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30 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

5

SH15 pp26-31 Night at Opera_pp 05/03/2012 14:43 Page 31

CRAFT CROSSOVER

bead in each corner of the bottom of the box and an octopus charm to the front.

Re-pierce the handle holes through the paper border covering the top. Cut a length of memory wire measuring approximately 20cm and use pliers to bend 2cm of one end at a right angle to the coil. This will act as the anchor for the handle. Thread this up through one of the holes, making sure the bent end will not pull through. Thread 19 beads onto the wire and push the end through the other hole.

Bend the end of the wire (inside the box) at a right angle, pulling the beads as taught as possible.

Add epoxy glue to each end of the wire and the inside area of the holes to secure them. When dry add a panel of black cardstock to the inside of the box to cover the wire ends. The box can now be varnished using your chosen medium.

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Standing ovation locket MATERIALS ♥ Graphic 45 12x12” Curtain Call collection Tags patterned paper ♥ Ranger Glossy Accents ♥ bronze 32mm locket setting ♥ bronze bail ♥ 2-part epoxy adhesive ♥ 4x6mm Metallic Plum Iris crystal rondelle beads ♥ bronze 14mm filigree bead caps ♥ 0.8mm bronze wire ♥ 4 bronze eyepins ♥ 1 bronze headpin ♥ 7mm bronze oval jump rings ♥ bronze lobster clasp ♥ bronze flat-link chain TOOLS ♥ chain-nosed pliers ♥ round-nosed pliers ♥ nylon-jawed pliers ♥ wire cutters ♥ 3⁄4” circle punch

SIMPLY MAKE Punch a circle from one of the patterned tags and stick it within the locket setting. Cover with a coat of Glossy Accents and leave to dry. Use epoxy

1

adhesive to attach a bail to the bottom of the locket as shown.

Use nylon-jawed pliers to flatten five bead caps. Cut five 5cm lengths of wire.

Thread a bead into the middle of a length of wire. Bend the two wire ends at right angles to the bead and thread them through opposite, inner, holes of a flattened bead cap. Holding the bead close to the bead cap bend the two wires, outwards, across the underside of the bead cap to form a straight line.

Use round-nosed pliers to roll each wire end towards the edge of the bead cap to from a loop.

Form five of these wired bead cap flowers.

Thread four eyepins with a single bead each. Trim the wire and form a loop.

Cut six five-link lengths from the chain.

Attach two beaded filigree flowers to the loop of the locket using jump rings.

Attach the other loop of each to a five-link length of chain with a

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jump ring. Attach the ends of these to more flowers and then more chain. Next attach each end to the wired beads, then five-link chain and more wired beads. Add the required length of chain to each end, and a lobster clasp.

Thread a bead onto a headpin, trim and form a loop. Attach this to one of the loops of the remaining beaded filigree flower and the other loop to the bail attached to the locket to finish.

5

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 31

SH15 pp32-35 Daisy picnic_pp 05/03/2012 15:02 Page 32

Daisy

delights

BY GILLIAN SUTCLIFFE

Gorgeous fabric and daisies are the inspiration for Gill Sutclie’s quilted placemats and cup holders and we have all the templates you need to get started

Reverse

32 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp32-35 Daisy picnic_pp 05/03/2012 15:02 Page 33

QUILTING SIMPLY MAKE Remove any selvedge from the blue fat quarter and fold it in half right sides together. Sew all around except for approximately 4” in the centre of the long side.

Turn it the right way out and press. Fold the two sides into the centre and finger press.

Open it out again.

Trace the pattern for the daisies from page 35 onto the smooth side of the Bondaweb. Cut out roughly and iron onto the relevant colours. Cut out the pieces on the line but do not remove the Bondaweb until you are ready to use the piece. (See Fig 1).

Arrange two daisies in the centre panel made by the finger pressing, making sure the top of the stem is covered by the petals and the tops of the petals are covered by the yellow centre. Iron to fix in place. (See Fig 2).

Fold the two edges to the centre again and arrange a daisy on each side. Iron to fix. (See Fig 3).

Slide the wadding into place inside the placemat and, making sure the edges of the gap you left are turned in so they are level, sew all round 1⁄4” from the edge.

Using matching thread, blanket-stitch round the daisies. This also quilts the placemats and shows as quilted daisies on the back.

Stitch down the finger-pressed lines to help the sides fold in.

To make the pockets, fold in half right sides together and sew all round except for a gap in the short side just

1

For each placemat you will need: MATERIALS ♥ fat quarter blue fabric ♥ 2 x 51⁄2x14” blue fabric pieces ♥ 10x20” piece of Thermolam ♥ fat quarter white fabric ♥ green and yellow fabric scraps ♥ matching thread ♥ 0.5m Bondaweb ♥ templates on page 35 TOOLS ♥ sewing machine & thread or needle & thread ♥ dressmaker’s pins ♥ iron

2 3

4 5 6

smaller than a daisy centre.

Turn right side out and press.

Arrange the daisy so that the yellow centre is half above the pocket and covering the gap, and put another centre matching on the back of the pocket with the Bondaweb sides together. Iron to fix.

Blanket-stitch the daisies.

(See Figs 4 and 5).

Sew on one pocket round the edges, this is for the serviette. Sew the other pocket into three sections for the knife, fork and spoon. The easiest way to do this is to sew the dividing seams first and then sew round the edge. (See Figs 6 and 7).

Continued on the next page

8

TOP TIP If your cup is a different size to those used here, draw round the base of your cup to get the correct centre size

7

BRIGHT IDEA

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Why not make each family member a different coloured mat?

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www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 33

SH15 pp32-35 Daisy picnic_pp 05/03/2012 15:03 Page 34

Put the cutlery and serviette into the pockets, pop a plate on the centre section and fold the two sides in to protect the plate while travelling.

To make the plastic cup holder cut, sew around and cut out nine daisy petals and turn the right way out. Draw round two centres onto Bondaweb, iron onto yellow fabric and cut out.

Remove the Bondaweb and place down one centre, glue side up. Arrange the petals evenly round the centre with approximately 1⠄2� on the glue, then put the other centre glue side down trapping the ends of the petals between the centres.

Iron to fix, and blanket-stitch round the centre. (See Figs 8, 9 and 10).

Drape the daisy over an upside down plastic cup and arrange the petals evenly.

Sew into place. (See Fig 11).

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34 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp32-35 Daisy picnic_pp 05/03/2012 15:03 Page 35

QUILTING Daisy templates actual size

Cut x 8 Cut x 36

Cut x 2

Cut x 2 Cut x 2

Cup petal Cup holder base

Pocket pattern

Leave open

Centre pattern

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 35

SH15 pp36-37 SO_pp 05/03/2012 09:15 Page 36

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SH15 pp39 Twitter (blogs)_pp 05/03/2012 15:08 Page 39

TWITTER

Follow the trend This issue we’re heading over to Twitter to see what’s making it big in the world of crafting and beyond right now If you’re new to Twitter, fear not. Simply go to www.twitter.com and sign up... it really is that easy, and extremely addictive! You can choose to follow who you like – here are a few of our favourites to get you started.

The Makery @the_Makery

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Craftrange @craftrange

Etsy @Etsy

Personal Impressions @PImpressions

Craftwork Cards @CraftworkCards

Inside Crochet @InsideCrochet

Crafter’s Companion @CraftyCompanion www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 39

SH15 pp40-45 Teddy Picnic_pp 05/03/2012 16:51 Page 40

Teddy bears’

picnic Michelle Stamper introduces us to the delights of decorative painting this issue with a stylish array of adorable makes

BY MICHELLE STAMPER

40 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp40-45 Teddy Picnic_pp 05/03/2012 16:54 Page 41

TECHNIQUE Decorative painting in simple terms is the surface decoration of everyday objects, such as wood, ceramics, candles, fabric, glassware etc using paint. It is mainly done with acrylic paint nowadays, which offer good surface coverage and opacity, combined with a fast drying time. Acrylic paint is easy to clean up with cold water and different mediums can be incorporated into the paint to facilitate its application onto a range of surfaces.

Decorative painting is generally used on 3D objects rather than flat surfaces, but anything goes – if it doesn’t move, paint it!

DECORATIVE DETAILS The history behind decorative painting is varied as it incorporates many art forms that reflect religious and cultural influences from all over the world.

In colonial times European people would take their art to North America along with their cherished painted items and, as in Europe, in no time at all this style of painting spread by way of itinerant painters and peddlers. Since early times humans have felt a desire to express themselves and their environment through artistic endeavours and decorative painting has been practised on every continent in a wide variety of styles.

English canal boats were decorated with roses and romantic landscapes and castles and turrets. This style became known as Roses

and Castles or English Canal Boat and is thought to have been influenced by a combination of the Romany Gypsy-style Dutch folk art and the Japanned tinware that was painted in Pontypool in South Wales and also in Birmingham.

African folk art can be traced back to the caves of the Sahara desert and the earliest forms depict the people, tools and activities of daily life, along with familiar African animals. Some items were decorated to reflect social status and others simply for aesthetic appeal.

China has a history of decorative painting that spans over two thousand years and Chinese art influenced its neighbours in Japan, Korea and Thailand.

Throughout Asia, fans, umbrellas, boxes, bowls, trays and screens were decorated and wooden pieces coated with lacquer for strength and added protection.

The Aztec and Mayans decorated their pyramids and temples with brightly painted sculptural reliefs and large frescoes of mythical animals. They created pictorial manuscripts on deerskin or bark paper that were filled with images of gods, rulers and warriors.

The Islamic style of decorative painting stretched from North Africa, Spain, Egypt, Turkey and Iran to as far as Indonesia. Strong colours were used to adorn clothing, items of daily use, houses and mosques. The carving of images or idols was forbidden by the Koran and since artists were not permitted to paint figures

that cast shadows they did not use shading to imply dimension. Instead they used pure colours with a brilliant, enamel-like finish.

Religious rulings encouraged painting of patterns and abstract designs and most natural motifs were stylised rather than realistic.

The Greeks and Romans concentrated on ceramic rather than wood or furniture items. Tiles were not only used on the floor, but also on chests, walls, fountains and window boxes. Many of the European, Slavic and Scandinavian folk-art styles are well known all over the world. Bauernmalerei was developed in Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland and translates as farmer, or peasant, painting, though most pieces were in fact created by travelling artisans or cabinet makers. It was originally used to enhance cheap wood and conceal flaws.

In Norway, a style known as Rosemaling (rose painting)

developed. and this was characterised by roses and scrolls with shading and line work and it brightened the décor of homes where families spent long, dark winters. Hindeloopen was originally influenced by Norwegian styles, but soon developed its own characteristics. Chinese porcelain and chintz fabric influenced the basic style and designs were painted using a main colour, a shade colour and a highlight colour.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Decorative painting is a creative and unique pastime that can be learnt by anyone because it is a step-by-step technique that doesn’t require artistic experience and you can build your skills as you go. All that is required is a desire to create and lots of practice; it’s like learning an alphabet, shaping different strokes and techniques and putting them together to make

There are a number of groups across the UK with excellent teachers and joining one of these is a great way to meet new people. For more information visit the British Association of Decorative and Folk Art at www.badfa.org or www.ukdecorative painters.co.uk

wonderful art that is satisfying and absorbing.

Be warned though, it is extremely addictive!

For the projects featured here we are going to use a stippling technique to paint a bear onto fabric, ceramic and card to create a delightful hand-painted picnic set and invitation.

You could easily incorporate this motif into lots of different projects if you wish.

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SH15 pp40-45 Teddy Picnic_pp 05/03/2012 14:49 Page 42

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Painting the head and paws BEFORE YOU START Please note that for use on ceramics or glassware the acrylic paint will need to be mixed with a paint adhesion medium – follow instructions on the bottle for the mix ratio

A deersfoot paintbrush is made up of tightly packed hairs to form a stippling brush and gets its name from the way that the hairs are cut at an angle to form a short and a long end – much like the shape of a deer’s hoof.

Note: Throughout our instructions the short end of the brush will be referred to as the heel and the long end as the toe.

How to use a deersfoot brush to paint the teddy bear’s head and paws Dip a dry brush into the Sable Brown paint and then pounce the brush in an up and down motion onto a piece of wax/greaseproof paper or a plain tile. This will load the brush with sufficient paint to start painting the bear’s head.

Hold the brush in an upright position and pounce onto the surface to begin the stippling around the edge of the bear’s head, forming a circular shape. (See Fig 1).

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Painting supplies needed for ALL projects: MATERIALS ♥ Titanium White (DA01), Sable Brown (DA061) or Light Cinnamon (DA114) & Lamp Black (DA067) DecoArt Americana Acrylic paint ♥ 2oz DecoArt Paint Adhesion Medium TOOLS ♥ scissors ♥ plain tile or wax/greaseproof paper for mixing ♥ Royal & Langnickel 1⁄4” Softgrip Fitch Deersfoot paintbrush ♥ Royal & Langnickel Softgrip Gold Taklon short liner paintbrush no.4

When you have the outline of the bear’s head you can fill in the circle entirely (you may have to repeat the first step a few times to completely fill the head). It is important to continue picking up more paint until the circle is filled, always remembering to pounce up and down on the tile or the wax/greaseproof paper before you paint or you will not get a fluffy texture on the edge. (See Fig 2).

When the bear’s head is filled in completely you will have a solid disc of colour with slightly fuzzy edges. If your brush needs more paint, reload as before and then gently stipple the shape of the bear’s ears.

Remember to keep within the edges of the pattern as this will help keep it all in proportion. (See Fig 3).

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42 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

Without washing the brush, and using the long edge, or toe, of the brush, dip it into the white paint (just dip in the toe, not all the bristles). Pounce onto the surface to blend the white into the brown slightly.

With the toe pointing outwards towards the edge, stipple around the outside edge of the ears to create a highlight. If the paint does not appear to be blending, pounce a little harder. When you have gone around the ears carry out the same technique around the circumference of the head, remembering to keep the toe with the white paint to the outer edge at all times. You may find it easier to rotate the bear’s head as you go around the edge. (See Fig 4).

Reload the brush with more Sable Brown.

Gently dip the toe into

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6

the white paint and stipple in the bear’s muzzle (keeping the toe to the outside). This will give the appearance of a highlight on the bear’s muzzle. Allow the paint to dry. (See Fig 5).

Use the short liner brush and black paint to apply the details of the eyes, nose, mouth and whisker dots. Use the picture above for inspiration. When the paint is dry, add a small highlight dot on the eyes and top of the nose with white paint. (See Fig 6).

The same stippling technique used for the bear’s head can be used for the paws. Use Sable Brown paint and then go around the edge with white paint, blending and pouncing as you go. When the paint is dry you can add the bear’s paw pads with black paint.

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SH15 pp40-45 Teddy Picnic_pp 05/03/2012 14:49 Page 43

TECHNIQUE

Ceramic dinner plate, side plate and mug MATERIALS ♥ dinner plate ♥ side plate ♥ mug ♥ plain tile for paint mixing or wax/greaseproof paper ♥ paints & adhesion medium and brushes as listed opposite

SIMPLY MAKE For adhesion purposes mix the paint with the painting adhesion medium according to the manufacturer’s instructions and paint on the surfaces of each of the items using the techniques outlined on the page opposite.

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SH15 pp40-45 Teddy Picnic_pp 05/03/2012 14:50 Page 44

Picnic throw and napkins

MATERIALS ♥ 0.5m calico ♥ 4 gingham napkins (or make your own) ♥ gingham tablecloth (or make your own) ♥ 1 skein blue darning yarn for edge decoration ♥ fusible webbing ♥ plain tile or wax/greaseproof paper for paint mixing ♥ darning needle ♥ paints & brushes as listed on page 42

Napkins

SIMPLY MAKE Paint the teddy bear images onto pieces of calico following the technique outlined on page 42. You will need four images for the picnic blanket and one for each of the napkins.

Using our examples as a guide, attach the painted squares to a readymade

1

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or hand-sewn picnic rug and set of napkins using ironon adhesive. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the iron-on adhesive.

Use sewing thread to add a decorative blanket stitch around each of the painted squares to add to the homespun feel.

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44 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp40-45 Teddy Picnic_pp 05/03/2012 14:50 Page 45

TECHNIQUE

Invitation and envelope MATERIALS ♥ cardstock & envelope ♥ plain tile or wax/greaseproof paper for paint mixing ♥ paints & brushes as listed on page 42

SIMPLY MAKE Crease-fold a piece of cardstock to create a card blank, or use a readymade card blank.

1

Paint the teddy bear motif directly onto the front of the card and allow to dry.

Apply the invitation wording using black paint and a brush. If you’re nervous about painting the words you could use a PC and printer before you paint the bear in place, or simply handwrite them using a black pen.

2 3

Paint a paw print onto the envelope and set aside to dry.

4

WHERE TO BUY The paints and brushes used here are available from www.calicocrafts.co.uk; Tel: 01353 624100

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 45

SH15 pp46 Scent Perfique_pp 01/03/2012 12:37 Page 2

Go ahead… get creative!

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All the features of the DXL603 but with an automatic built-in thread cutter and advanced feeding system for precise stitching.

Our first model with alphabet & memory facilities. It has direct stitch selection for the most useful stitches and a handy panel for quick selection.

This machine has computerised precision and is packed with over 500 stitches including 10 auto 1-step buttonholes. Type in and edit lettering from 3 full alphabets and create custom combinations of up to 50 stitches, it’s all in the finer detail.

Janome has a great range of machines to offer the very best in computerised sewing.

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SH15 pp48 Shoppin_pp 05/03/2012 14:53 Page 48

Cath Kidston Flowers melamine crockery

Gift

Stockist: Cath Kidston www.cathkidston.co.uk Tel: 0845 026 2440 RRP: from £3

ideas

♥ Both attractive and practical, this range of melamine crockery includes plates, bowls and beakers

As the weather begins to warm up our thoughts turn to the great outdoors, and with these gorgeous accessories you can picnic in style Cath Kidston canvas stripe camping stool

Cath Kidston Spray Flowers paper napkins

Stockist: Cath Kidston www.cathkidston.co.uk Tel: 0845 026 2440 RRP: £12

Stockist: Cath Kidston www.cathkidston.co.uk Tel: 0845 026 2440 RRP: £3.50

♥ This portable folding stool is a practical accessory. Its colourful canvas seat gives it a distinctive look that will complement your picnic, concert or any other occasion

♥ These gorgeous paper napkins are available in a selection of styles and colours to suit any colour scheme

12-piece cutlery set Stockist: Dotcomgiftshop www.dotcomgiftshop.com Tel: 020 8746 2473 RRP: £4.95

Linen-covered basket Stockist: Not On The High Street www.notonthehighstreet.com ♥ RRP: £38 Perfect for picnics, these pretty wicker baskets measuring 41x39x38cm have gathered covers crafted in pretty linen. Available in Old Blue Posy, Ivory Posy and Ecru Gingham

♥ 12 pieces of Vintage Doily embossed plastic picnic cutlery, shown in blueberry colour. Perfect for parties and alfresco dining (hand-wash only) Recycled Acapulco picnic mat Stockist: Dotcomgiftshop www.dotcomgiftshop.com Tel: 020 8746 2473 RRP: £19.95

Birds & Trees lunch bag Stockist: Ditzy & Dotty www.ditzyanddotty.co.uk RRP: £11.99

♥ Great for picnics on the beach or at home, this woven Acapulco picnic mat is made from recycled plastic and measures 180x120cm

♥ This gorgeous cotton print bag is lined with a white soft brushed cottonmix fabric and finished with a large button. It can be washed, tumble-dried and ironed to keep it looking its best

Picnic drink holders Wine bottle bags Stockist: Charlotte Macey Textiles www.charlottemacey.co.uk Tel: 07890 642454 RRP: £6

Stockist: Not On The High Street www.notonthehigh street.com RRP: £20

♥ A lovely cotton bottle bag that is perfect for drink-related gifts and to make your bottle of wine that little bit more special!

Available in spotty, floral or striped, each bag is made from 100% natural cotton and measures 17x37cm

♥ These are essential for grown-up picnics; your bottle and glass are kept upright and secure with these wire spikes. The set includes two glass spikes and one bottle spike, height approximately 20”

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SH15 pp49 Shoppin_pp 05/03/2012 10:24 Page 49

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS Easter cupcake/cookie stencils Stockist: Funky Muffin www.funkymuffin.co.uk Tel: 01483 799140 RRP: £3.95

Creative

ideas

♥ Turn plain treats into spring sensations with a stencilled design. Just place one of the fun designs over your baked treat and add sprinkles or coloured sugar.

These also work well with spray food colouring. The pack includes eight designs – bunny, eggs, chick, sun, Easter egg, butterfly, chick in egg and flower

Easter sugar decorations Stockist: Funky Muffin www.funkymuffin.co.uk Tel: 01483 799140 RRP: £4.75

Easter is just around the corner so get creative, involve the whole family and have fun with one of these fab products

♥ A pack of 14 different and delicious sugar decorations to make your cakes really special Paint Your Own Easter Eggs set Stockist: Dotcomgiftshop www.dotcomgiftshop.com Tel: 020 8746 2473 RRP: £4.95

Crafting Springtime Gifts book Stockist: Coast & Country Crafts & Quilts www.coastandcountrycrafts.co.uk Tel: 01872 870478 RRP: £7.99

♥ The mini crate contains a paintbrush, set of paints and four hanging decorative eggs in pink, blue, purple and yellow for you to decorate. Approximate size of the eggs 7cm

♥ An inspirational book from Tilda containing 25 adaptable projects with an irresistible collection of bunnies, geese, wall hangings, cuddly lambs, patchwork bags and cards that are ideal gifts to make for Easter, Mother’s Day, christenings, housewarmings and birthdays. Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions with actual-sized templates help ensure great results

Make Your Own Easter Chicks Stockist: Dotcomgiftshop www.dotcomgift shop.com Tel: 020 8746 2473 RRP: £4.95

Mouseloft Stichlets Easter Basket cross stitch card kit Stockist: Abakhan www.abakhan.co.uk Tel: 01745 562133 RRP: £2.69

♥ A lovely little kit giving you everything you need to create a cross stitch card featuring a cute chick in an Easter basket with eggs Yellow chick cookie cutter Stockist: Funky Muffin www.funkymuffin.co.uk Tel: 01483 799140 RRP: £1.60

♥ A coated stainless steel chick-shaped cookie cutter perfect for Easter biscuits.

Cutter size 7.5x6cm

♥ Make your own cute Easter chicks with this kit that includes pre-made coloured wool pompoms, pre-cut felt pieces, black plastic beads and a helpful instruction leaflet Bunny Hutch 7+ sewing kit Stockist: Button Bag www.buttonbag.co.uk Tel: 020 8525 1640 RRP: £11

♥ This is a great Easter craft project for children. Make the rabbits, make the carrots, then turn the box into their hutch! The kit contains four rectangles of felt for the bunnies and orange and green felt for their dinner. It also includes a needle kit, embroidery thread, stuffing, beads, simple patterns and clear instructions. Younger children may need some help cutting out the shapes

Easter egg baking mould Stockist: Dotcomgiftshop www.dotcomgiftshop.com Tel: 020 8746 2473 RRP: £5.95

♥ This flexible, non-stick food-grade silicone mould is dishwasher safe and makes six half or three whole chocolate mini eggs www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 49

SH15 pp50 Quarter & Eighths_pp 02/03/2012 12:44 Page 50

120 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, SP2 7QT Tel: 01722 327077 www.7thheavencrafts.com

7TH HEAVEN are specialising in materials and tools for PAPERCRAFTS, BEADING and TEXTILE CRAFTS. Including Card making, Lacemaking, Embroidery, Beading, Patchwork, Crochet and Knitting.

We have a selection of crafty books.

If we don’t have what you need, let us know and we will do our best to get it for you.

Contact us for details of our regular workshops.

Extensive range of rubber stamps e.g. Molly Bloom, Magnolia, Hero arts, Fizzy Moon and more.

Hundreds of 12x12 papers. Die cutting machines.

Spell binder, Memory box, Go Create cutting dies. A large selection of punches. We are now stocking Penny Black rubber stamps, Tilda Fabric, Debbie bliss, Sirdar and Rico wool, design felt and material.

Tel/Fax: 01226 350532 The Craft Box, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley, S74 8HJ.

Supplies for card making, scrapbooking and rubber stamping.

Wide range of decoupage and quilling papers.

We specialise in Cardmaking, Scrapbooking, Beading and Jewellery making.

Come to our regular, friendly classes 4 times a week.

Contact our experienced team for details

57 Queen street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2AU

Tel: 01626 336171 Email: craftroom@btconnect.com 50 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

_PE79 pp37 House ad SCP96_PE 27/02/2012 14:13 Page 69

ISSUE 96

ON S A L 29 MARE C TH

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Exclusive

FREE NitWit Collections Spring Whimsy stamps, die-cuts and paper pack Worth £10.99 l Rule Britannia – hottest colours of the season with Judith Hannington’s thoroughly British makes! l Cards for crafters – Kirsty Maluga’s gorgeous gift card ideas l Heavy metal – Deb Hughes gives metal embellishments a pretty twist l Story time – children’s books for inspiration in this issue’s Cardmaker’s Challenge! l Shape up! – add interest to your card blanks with the latest range of Spellbinders dies

www.simplycardsmag.com www w simplyc i lyccardsmag

SH15 pp52-53 Easter eggs_pp 05/03/2012 09:32 Page 52

Easter

With Easter fast approaching why not have a go at making your own chocolate eggs?

Patricia Harcourt shows you how

eggstravaganza Making your own Easter eggs is easier than you might think and the creative possibilities are endless. Once you’ve mastered the basic technique and made your first egg we can guarantee you’ll want to make many more!

GETTING STARTED When making your own chocolate eggs you will need to temper the chocolate before you use it in your egg moulds. If you heat and cool chocolate without controlling the temperature, the crystallisation of cocoa butter will result in crystals of different sizes forming and your chocolate will take on a matt appearance and and be covered with white patches. It will also crumble rather than snap, so in order to avoid this you will need to temper your chocolate.

TEMPERING CHOCOLATE Correctly tempered chocolate produces crisp chocolate with a bright, shiny finish, but you do need to use chocolate that has been made with real cocoa butter. You’ll need a pan of water, a clean and completely dry stainlesssteel bowl and a rubber spatula for stirring. The chocolate is placed in the stainless steel bowl and heated over the pan of hot water.

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SH15 pp52-53 Easter eggs_pp 05/03/2012 16:06 Page 53

SWEET TREATS

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

INGREDIENTS good quality chocolate & chocolate couverture UTENSILS egg moulds saucepan stainless steel bowl rubber spatula thermometer palette knife baking sheet

Tempering chocolate SIMPLY MAKE Chop the chocolate into evenly-sized pieces that are no larger than 1⁄2” square. Place them in the stainless steel bowl Place the bowl on top of the pot of hot water and gently stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula until it has melted completely and looks smooth.

1 2

WHERE TO BUY Chocolate egg moulds are available from www.lakeland.co.uk and www.cakescookiesand craftsshop.co.uk Chocolate couverture is available from www.essexchocolate fountain.co.uk and www.cakescookiesand craftsshop.co.uk

Test the temperature of the chocolate. You need to melt the chocolate to a target temperature of about 110˚F (45˚C). Going over this target temperature can cause scorching.

As soon as the chocolate reaches the required temperature, remove the bowl from the heat, dry the bottom of the bowl and begin the stage of cooling and agitating.

One way of cooling the melted chocolate is to add chopped, unmelted couverture chocolate to the bowl. (Add about a third of the amount of chocolate you started with, so if you melted 150g originally, add an additional 50g of finely chopped chocolate.) Stir vigorously until the chocolate is melted.

This process is called seeding and it produces the smooth, glossy finish we are looking for.

3

4

5

WHY NOT TRY? Decorating your egg with ribbon bows, sugar-paste embellishments or pipe a name or sentiment onto the egg using tempered chocolate

Making the eggs SIMPLY MAKE Ensure that the moulds are very clean – polishing the inside with cotton wool will ensure that they are free of dust and grease. The shinier the mould, the shiner the chocolate will be when it comes out.

Put several spoonfuls of tempered chocolate (see above for how to temper the chocolate) into a mould and rotate the mould so the chocolate runs right up to the top edge.

Tip out any excess chocolate. Draw a palette knife along the top of the mould to give a straight edge.

Leave the chocolate to set.

If it looks thin or patchy, repeat with another layer of chocolate. Place the mould in the fridge for about 10 mins

1

2 3 4

until the chocolate is very firm.

Remove the mould from the fridge and turn the egg out. Ensure the egg is released from the mould, but leave the mould over the egg for a few minutes so that if any condensation forms it will be on the mould rather than on the egg itself. Remove the mould.

To stick the halves together, heat a baking sheet in a hot oven for a few minutes. Wearing gloves, take the two matching egg halves and hold them briefly on the hot tray to melt just the edges. Press the halves together, holding them in place until they are stuck. Leave the join to set completely and then decorate as desired.

5 6

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SH15 pp54-56 Blanket_pp 05/03/2012 15:24 Page 54

Elegant

throw This super soft blanket is an ideal project for beginners as it relies solely on simple knit and purl stitches to create a textured sampler blanket. The blanket is knitted in scarf-sized strips which are then sewn together and best of all, it’s super quick to make. It’s perfect for picnics or for draping over a sofa, and we’re sure you’ll be making more than one!

54 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

Julie Ferguson is designing a gorgeous blanket this issue in the season’s must-have colour scheme

BY JULIE FERGUSON

SH15 pp54-56 Blanket_pp 05/03/2012 15:24 Page 55

KNITTING

MATERIALS

♥ 6 x 50g Baby Teal Artesano Superwash Merino

♥ 6 x 50g Baby Lavender Artesano Superwash Merino

♥ 5 x 50g cream Artesano Superwash Merino

♥ 5 x 50g Biscuit Artesano Superwash Merino TOOLS ♥ 4.5mm circular needle 100cm long ♥ 5mm needles ♥ large tapestry needle

K - knit P - purl st st - stocking stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) Yo - yarn over Sl1 - slip one stitch

SIMPLY MAKE The blanket has been worked in separate strips which are then sewn together – each section of each different stitch pattern measures approximately 20cm. This is an easy project for beginners that uses simple knit and purl stitches to create a textured sampler blanket.

STRIP 1 Using 5mm needle and cream yarn, cast on 40sts Row 1: K. Row 2: P. Row 3: K. Row 4: K. Repeat rows 1-4 for 20cm.

Change to Biscuit yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

Change to Baby Lavender yarn.

Row 1: K. Row 2: P. Row 3: * K4, P4, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Row 3 three more times.

Row 4: * P4, K4, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Row 5 three more times.

Repeat rows 1-8 until this stitch pattern measures 20cm.

K 1 row.

P 1 row.

Change to Baby Teal yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

Change to cream yarn.

Row 1: K. Row 2: P4, * K2, P4 repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: K. Row 4: P1, * K2, P4 repeat form * to last 3 sts, K2, P1.

Repeat rows 1-4 until this stitch pattern measures 20cm.

Change to Biscuit yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

Cast off loosely.

Change to Baby Lavender yarn Work 2 rows in st st.

Row 1: K4, * P2, K4 repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: P4, * K2, P4, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: K4, * P2, K4, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 4: P4, * K2, P4, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 5: P1, K2, * P4, K2, repeat from * to last st, P1.

Row 6: K1, P2, * K4, P2, repeat from * to last st, K1.

Row 7: P1, K2, * P4, K2, repeat from * to last st, P1.

Row 8: K1, P2, * K4, P2, repeat from * to last st, K1.

Row 9: P. Row 10: K. Repeat rows 1-10, three more times.

Change to cream yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

Change to Baby Lavender yarn.

Row 1: K. Row 2: * K1, sl1, repeat from * to last 2 sts , K2.

Row 3: K. Row 4: K2, * sl1, K1, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat rows 1-4 until this stitch pattern measures 20cm.

Change to Baby Teal yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

Work 20cm in st st.

Change to Biscuit yarn.

Knit 1 row.

Row 1: P. Row 2: K1, * yo K2, pass yo over K2, repeat from * to last st, K1.

Row 3: P. Row 4: K. Repeat Rows 1-4 until this stitch pattern measures 20cm.

Change to Baby Teal yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

STRIP 2 Use 5mm needles and Baby Teal yarn.

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SH15 pp54-56 Blanket_pp 05/03/2012 15:25 Page 56

KNittiNG

Close-up images to show the nine different knitting patterns used to create this blanket

Change to Baby Lavender yarn.

Work 2 rows in st st.

Row 1: P7, K2, * P8, K2, repeat from * to last st, P1.

Row 2: * P1, K1, P2, K6, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: * P5, K2, P1, K2, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 4: * P3, K1, P2, K4, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 5: * P3, K2, P1, K4, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 6: * P5, K1, P2, K2, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 7: * P1, K2, P1, K6, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 8: As row 6.

Row 9: As Row 5.

Row 10: As Row 4.

Row 11: As Row 3.

Row 12: As Row 2.

Row 13: As Row 1.

Row 14: * P2, K8, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1-14 until this stitch pattern measures 20cm.

Change to cream yarn.

Work 20cm in st st.

Change to Biscuit yarn.

Row 1: K. Row 2: P1, K2, * P4, K2, repeat from * to last st, P1.

Repeat Row 1-2, five more times.

Row 13: K. Row 14: P4, * K2, P4, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Row 13-14, five more times.

Cast off loosely Strip 3 Work the same stitch patterns as in Strip 1 but in this colour sequence: yarn C (Biscuit) yarn D (Cream) yarn A (Baby Teal) yarn B (Baby Lavender) Repeat colour sequence once more.

Strip 4 Work the same stitch pattern as Strip 2 but in this colour sequence: Baby Lavender Baby Teal Biscuit cream Repeat colour sequence once more.

Strip 5 Work stitch pattern and colour sequence as for Strip 1.

Strip 6 Work stitch pattern and colour sequence as for Strip 2.

56 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

Making up: Sew the strips together as per diagram below: Strip 1 Strip 2 Strip 3 Strip 4 Strip 5 Strip 6

Borders With RS facing, using 4.5mm circular needle and yarn Baby Teal yarn, pick up and knit 240 sts down left side.

K 3 rows.

Cast off loosely.

Work right side to match.

With RS facing, using 4.5mm circular needle and Baby Lavender yarn, pick up and knit 132 sts along top edge (including side borders).

K 3 rows.

Cast off loosely.

Work bottom edge to match top edge.

WHERE TO BUY Artesano Supersoft Merino is available from www.mrdarceyscottage.co.uk

SH15 pp57 Tricolette_pp 01/03/2012 12:41 Page 62

SH15 pp58 Quart_ Eighths_pp 05/03/2012 09:46 Page 58

ARTESANO STOCKISTS FOR YOUR CREATIVE NEEDS

We carry huge stocks of fabulous yarns by Noro, Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding, Araucania, Mirasol, Rowan, and many more. Help and advice always on hand.

Call 01524251122 Beckside Gallery, Church Avenue, Clapham, North Yorkshire, LA2 8EA WWW.becksideyarns.co.uk info@becksideyarns.co.uk Twitter@becksideyarns

Stockist of gorgeous yarns, contemporary fabrics and more...

Unit 42 Studley Grange Craft Village Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 9QT info@crafty-yarn.co.uk www.Crafty-Yarn.co.uk

01793 855535

Laughing Hens

sales@laughinghens.com Tel 01829 740903 Proud stockists of the full range of Artesano Yarns and patterns

www.laughinghens.com

Online store: www.thelittlewoolcompany.com Mail order: 01409 221699 Online store specialising in alpaca yarns from our own herd as well as Artesano, Manos Del Uruguay, Shilasdair, Brittany Birch Needles. Well supported with haberdashery and patterns.

10% discount for Simply Homemade readers use SHM14

www.thelittlewoolcompany.com

l l l l l l

Home craft parties available Workshops on a weekly basis Classes by appointment Cake tin hire Various hand crafted items Voucher also available in store

We stock wool, haberdashery and much more, including: RICO Pompon, CanCan, CanCan Glitz, Loopy, James Brett Star Lites, Polystyrene shapes including 8cm discs, Ribbons – for details see website 118 Elm Grove, Hayling Island, Hants PO11 9EH Tel: 023 9246 3744

www.relativelycrafty.co.uk Mail order please telephone the shop, payment by Cash or Cheque only (Payable to RELATIVELY CRAFTY)

58 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp59 Creative Freebies_pp 02/03/2012 14:53 Page 59

FREEBIES

Giveaways Enter today for your chance to win one of these fab prizes

Over £330 worth of prizes Union Jack hedgehog felt kits 3 to give away, worth £19.95 each Art Felt (www.artfelt.co.uk; 07531 288482) has donated these fabulous Union Jack hedgehog felt kits designed by textile artist Andrea Coleman. Andrea has been teaching feltmaking for 10 years and runs a series of workshops in the West Country.

DMC A Cupcake a day sampler kit (93115) 3 to give away, worth £16.99 each These lovely ‘A Cupcake a day’ counted cross stitch kits from Sew & So (www.sewandso.co.uk; 01453 889988) feature a framed saying and cupcake motif and are approximately 19cm square.

Uniquely Felt books 5 to give away, worth £16.99 each Suitable for all skill levels, Uniquely Felt is the essential resource on feltmaking and features a complete primer on techniques with step-bystep instructions for 46 projects and profiles of professional feltmakers. www.storey.com

Sew-on acrylic gem packs 4 to give away, worth £10 each Simply Sequins (www.simplysequins.co.uk; 02392 476125) has donated these super sets of mixed colour sew-on acrylic gems. Each pack includes a variety of shapes and sizes and holds approximately 100 gems.

Stitch Step by Step books 4 to give away, worth £12.99 each Sewing is all the rage right now, and Stitch Step

by Step will help you progress from a sewing student to a seasoned stitcher in no time. This is the complete guide to decorative sewing, embroidery and needlepoint stitches from cross stitch to couching and whitework to beading.

Over 200 stitches and techniques are clearly photographed across the full sewing spectrum and annotated notes make following the steps quick and easy. Stitch Step by Step will give you all the stitches you need to create beautiful, personal pieces perfect for any occasion. www.dk.com

Fiskars Multi-Purpose scissors 4 to give away, worth £12.49 each Not too big and not too small, these reliable scissors from Fiskars feature one rounded and one pointed tip making them great for use with fabric, paper and card. www.fiskarscraft.co.uk

TO ENTER For your chance to win one of these great prizes, send your name, address and email on a POSTCARD along with the name of the product you want to win to SH15 Giveaways, Practical Publishing, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG to arrive by 19th April 2012

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 59

SH15 pp60-61 Emma Forbes_pp 02/03/2012 15:10 Page 60

Emma Forbes This issue we catch up with Emma Forbes as she shares her passion for all things homemade and tells us about the inspiration behind her fabulous new book Best known for her bubbly personality, Emma Forbes made a name for herself on upbeat TV programmes such as Live and Kicking and Talking Telephone Numbers, but has recently been busy with more domestic matters. Since launching her successful lifestyle website, www.forbesstyle.com, back in 2010, Emma has fast become known as a homemaking guru, albeit with glamorous leanings. Now building on the success of Forbes Style, she has written her first Photos © Clive Streeter

60 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

coffee-table book, Life & Style (published by Ivy Press) – a glossy bible on entertaining for all budgets.

Living in London with her family, including her two children (aged 11 and 14), Emma is something of a party connoisseur, renowned among her friends for throwing inventive parties and memorable get-togethers. As a previous semi-finalist on BBC MasterChef, she also draws on her culinary experience in the book, with recipes and foodie tips, and is keen to reinforce the current zeitgeist that ‘staying in is the new going out’.

SH15 pp60-61 Emma Forbes_pp 02/03/2012 15:11 Page 61

INTERVIEW

How did you go from working on TV to putting together a website?

Why do you think there is such an interest in homemaking at the moment?

“It wasn’t a huge leap, to be honest. The two merged in more ways than one. I was already working on the idea while appearing on TV and radio (Emma recently co-presented popular radio show Going Out With Alan Carr on BBC Radio 2). Then suddenly the website took off and it was a natural progression to then bring out a book; it all just tied in and became a full-time job! I’ve always wanted to have an online magazine, something to call my own, so when it became successful it was a dream come true. It’s actually like having a TV programme, but just online.”

“Because of the recession people are staying home more and eating out less. It’s all about making your home your castle. Staying at home is definitely the new going out. I can’t actually believe it’s taken so long for everyone to catch on to something I’ve been practising for years. I love entertaining. I enjoy the build up and the preparation as much as the event itself. I have to practise what I preach, after all.”

And your home?

“My home is a quite modern, imagine bold colours set against white walls, although I do have the odd piece of vintage furniture. My style is eclectic but never cluttered. I veer towards minimalism, but always have objects that I love around me, such as my collection of snow globes and brightly coloured glassware.”

Which career do you enjoy more?

“Truthfully, I love all of it. Books are very hard to do, but it’s hugely rewarding to see the outcome.

The website is fabulous fun as it is constantly growing and changing and is a real challenge. I adore TV and would love to do something ‘live’ again, like breakfast TV or Loose Women.”

Do you shop for crafts or vintage pieces?

“Yes, absolutely. I scour junk shops and am mad about car boot sales. The best one is one held by the RNLI in Henley on Thames, on the first weekend in September. It’s a must!”

What are your top three lifestyle tips?

Was your childhood a very homely one?

“Take pride in your home and keep reinventing it, then you’ll never get bored. Find your own personal style and be proud of it – never be a follower! Teach your kids to cook, you won’t regret it and they will have it as a life skill for ever.”

“I had a lovely childhood. It was very creative, actually. My mother had this amazing room stuffed full of things we could make so we were always doing crafts. She taught me lots of skills, from needlepoint to making things with clay. I can’t say any of the results were particularly amazing, but at least it got me doing them! More successful were my Christmas presents. I always made them for my friends – anything edible from fudge to cookies.”

What’s on the horizon for 2012?

“I hope to start working on another book and I have lots planned for forbesstyle.com, but ideally, I’d love a return to TV.”

How would you describe your personal style?

“It’s classic but with an edge to it. I adore classic Audrey Hepburn-style clothes. But I don’t ever want to be a seen as a frumpy mum, so I try and add the odd ‘twist’, like pairing biker boots with a pretty dress.”

How important is home cooking to you?

“Hugely important, and I place a lot of value on family meals. It is important for everyone to have that social time, to catch up over a good meal – my signature dish, a pea, lemon and mint risotto, always goes down well. I actually learnt loads doing MasterChef. It was like a doing an intensive cookery course, so everyone has benefited from me upping the stakes!

Life & Soul by Emma Forbes, RRP: £20 ISBN 978-1-907332-86-9, is published by Ivy Press www.ivypress.co.uk.

Visit forbesstyle.com

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springshows2012_Layout 1 20/12/2011 11:12 Page 1

Inspirational displays, supplies, demonstrations, talks & workshops for all creative crafters

0cm

0in

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2012 SPRING SHOWS

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2nd - 5th February 2012

CREATIVE STITCHES / HOBBYCRAFTS

Bluewater Events Venue, Kent

2 sho for thws price e of 1

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7 3

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8th - 11th March 2012

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CREATIVE STITCHES / HOBBYCRAFTS

2 sho for thws price e of 1

SECC, Glasgow

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22nd - 25th March 2012

3 sho for thws price e of 1

HOBBYCRAFTS SEWING FOR PLEASURE FASHION, EMBROIDERY & STITCH

NEC, Birmingham

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26th - 28th April 2012

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4

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CREATIVE STITCHES & HOBBYCRAFTS

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Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

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27th - 29th April 2012

CAKE INTERNATIONAL

THE CAKE DECORATING AND BAKING SHOW

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ExCeL, London

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10th - 12th May 2012

CREATIVE STITCHES & HOBBYCRAFTS

The Brighton Centre

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Buy tickets on-line www.ichf.co.uk or phone Ticket Hotline 01425 277988

SAVE UP TO £2 OFF

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EACH ADULT & SENIOR TICKET

IF ORDERED AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE SHOW.

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SH15 pp63 Events_pp 02/03/2012 14:19 Page 63

WHAT’S ON

If you’re running a class or workshop, or know of an event coming up, get in touch and we’ll try and include it here for you! Email lindsey.hopkins@practical publishing.co.uk with details

26th March

9th April

19th – 21st April

Crafty Ideas by Kaz Ltd Knit & natter Wivelsfield, East Sussex www.craftyideasbykaz.co.uk Tel: 01444 471888

Crafty Ideas by Kaz Ltd Knit & natter Wivelsfield, East Sussex www.craftyideasbykaz.co.uk Tel: 01444 471888

The Creative Crafts Show King’s Hall, Belfast www.sccshows.co.uk Tel: 01822 617744

31st March

13th April

Craft North East DIY bride workshop Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle Upon Tyne www.craftnortheast.co.uk

ArtisOn Crafternoon tea – family activities North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

ArtisOn Freeform crochet North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

ArtisOn Fabulous blowers – hand-tied posies & beginner’s crochet North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

14th April

The Craft Studio Felting taster session Nottingham www.thecraft-studio.com Tel: 07931 432301

ArtisOn Homemade contemporary porcelain decorations North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

1st April Handmade crafts market By local people Indoor Market, Rochdale, Lancs Tel: Kelly on 01706 510826

2nd April Crafty Ideas by Kaz Ltd Knit & natter Wivelsfield, East Sussex www.craftyideasbykaz.co.uk Tel: 01444 471888

4th April ArtisOn Cupcakes for Easter – family fun North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

5th April Rubbish Revamped The stress-free sock bunny Chorlton, Manchester www.rubbishrevamped.org.uk Abakhan Workshops & Courses Abakhan www.abakhan.co.uk offers a range of one-day workshops and courses in dressmaking, soft furnishings, bags, jewellery, machine embroidery, patchwork, knitting, crochet and creative techniques

Craft North East Wabi sabi workshop Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle Upon Tyne www.craftnortheast.co.uk

16th April Crafty Ideas by Kaz Ltd Knit & natter Wivelsfield, East Sussex www.craftyideasbykaz.co.uk Tel: 01444 471888

17th April Homemade London Introduction to perfume making Portman Village, London www.homemadelondon.com Tel: 020 8616 0771 ArtisOn Making a creative journal & dressmaking courses North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

18th April Sew In the City Sew & party in the city Sheffield Sewing Studio www.sewinthecity.co.uk Tel: 07982 494399

19th April Rubbish Revamped Sort your life out Chorlton, Manchester www.rubbishrevamped.org.uk Tel: 07910 270789

20th April

21st April Sew In The City Sew & party in the city Sheffield Sewing Studio www.sewinthecity.co.uk Tel: 07982 494399 CollyBrook Beginner’s curtain making Tenbury Wells www.collybrook.co.uk Tel: 01584 781255 Colinette Yarns Felt Vessels and Pots with Michelle Dibdin Powys www.colinette.com Tel: 01938 810128

23rd April Crafty Ideas by Kaz Ltd Knit & natter Wivelsfield, East Sussex

25th April Lady Sew and Sew Coiled fabric pots class with Helen Deighan Henley-on-Thames, Oxon www.ladysewandsew.co.uk Tel: 01491 572528

26th – 28th April Creative Stitches & Hobbycraft Show Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool www.ichf.co.uk Tel: 01425 277988

26th – 29th April The Creative Crafts Show Shepton Mallet www.sccshows.co.uk Tel: 01822 617744

27th April ArtisOn Rag rugging North Yorkshire

Image courtesy of The Stitch and Creative Crafts Shows, www.sccshows.co.uk; Tel. 01822 617744

www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089

27th – 29th April Cake International ExCeL, London www.ichf.co.uk Tel: 01425 277988

28th April Craft North East Hooked on crochet Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle Upon Tyne www.craftnortheast.co.uk ArtisOn Reupholstering a simple chair set North Yorkshire www.artison.co.uk Tel: 0845 686 0089 Scrapbooking for family historians course West Yorkshire www.yourfairladies.ning.com

28th – 29th April Wonder Wool Wales Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk Tel: 01938 820495

30th April Crafty Ideas by Kaz Ltd Knit & natter Wivelsfield, East Sussex www.craftyideasykaz.co.uk

Creative Glass Guild courses can be booked to suit your own schedule www.creativeglassguild.co.uk Tel: 0871 200 3389 ● Stained glass taster days and weekends ● Stained glass with fusing techniques ● Art of stained glass painting taster days and weekends ● Helen Slater cast glass two-day course ● Exploring glass 13-week course ● Fused glass jewellery taster days and weekends ● Chris Ainslie glass engraving and sandblasting taster courses and weekends

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SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:33 Page 64

Take a

letter

Words and letters are central to everyday life and are a great source for crafting inspiration as Judith Hannington explains

BY JUDITH HANNINGTON

WHERE TO BUY All the patterned papers, cardstock, paints, letter stickers and embellishments used in these projects are available from Kaisercraft specialist www.merlyimpressions.co.uk The free-standing papier mâché letters together with the box frames and bookends can be purchased from www.thecraftbarn.co.uk

Take a single letter as inspiration and come up with lots of words that begin with that letter to use in your project. Take a single word and make a list of other words or phrases associated with that word and use them as the starting point for a design. There are lots of crafting products out there you can then use to translate your idea into a physical

creation to adorn your home or give as a special gift or greeting.

GETTING STARTED Start by choosing a colour scheme for your project – black and neutral shades are a perfect choice as they visually fit with the whole ‘text’ concept and then pick a colour to lift and complement the scheme.

All the projects here use that mix of black and neutral

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shades together with purple for a dramatic and bold effect. Simply choose a colour to match your décor or to suit the tastes of your recipient.

Single boxboard, wood or papier mâché letters are a great focal point for letter-inspired projects as they provide a generous surface area on which to work. Many are often free standing, which allows for easy display – they can be

painted and then embellished with all sorts of materials and designs to convey your message.

IN PRINT Printed text, whether generated by a computer or from a book is an obvious material supply. Entries cut from an old dictionary or thesaurus provide word meanings and word synonyms for use in very ontrend design styles. You don’t

need to own any sophisticated software to make use of your computer – any basic word processing program can be used to create background text sheets of paper, and internet access will allow you to use Wordle, which is a great piece of online software that enables you to create word clouds and have control over the colour scheme, orientation of the words and overall shape of the cloud.

SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:33 Page 65

CRAFT CROSSOVER MATERIALS

♥ Kaisercraft La-di-da & Ebony & ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Ivory collections patterned paper black cardstock copier paper embroidery thread Kaisercraft crystals marker pens 3D foam pads TOOLS PC & printer scallop-edged border punch corner-rounder punch hole punch

SIMPLY MAKE Type a selection of bookthemed words into a word processing program, repeating any keywords several times so that they will appear large in your Wordle.

Paste the words into the Wordle website and select the font style you require.

Select ‘Straighter Edges’ and ‘Horizontal’ in the Layout tab then select ‘Edit Custom Palette’ in the ‘Colour’ tab. Choose five as the number of colours and add the following codes for the colours: Background: #ffffff Foreground colours: #000000, #473291, #735987, #473267, #473294 Select ‘Re-Layout with Current Settings’ from the Layout tab until you are happy with the word cloud generated. Save the Wordle and print it onto an A6 piece of paper selecting ‘Print Image to Fit’ in your printer software.

Trim the Wordle to 7x14.5cm, round the corners using a punch then mount onto a slightly larger piece of black cardstock then to the right-hand side of a 9x15.5cm piece of purple patterned paper, rounding the corners as you go. Shape the left-hand edge of the paper using the border punch and punch three holes towards the bottom as shown.

Punch a hole at the top centre of the bookmark through all the layers.

Secure a length of thread through it before mounting the whole panel to a piece of black cardstock and rounding all the corners using the punch.

Colour flowers cut from patterned paper using purple markers. Attach three to the main body of your bookmark using thin 3D foam

1

2

pads for a little dimension, and then sandwich the thread ends between two more flowers securing with 3D foam pads between the petals.

Embellish using three crystals close to a flower – the foam-supported flowers will then keep your book pages from being marked by the crystals.

7

TOP TIP To allow Wordle to function on your computer, Java will need to be installed and activated. The Wordle website should sense whether this is present on your system. If not, follow the on-screen link to download and install Java before proceeding

Words bookmark

3

4

5 6

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SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:34 Page 66

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS 8”-square card blank Kaisercraft Ebony & Ivory & The 13th Hour collections patterned paper white & black cardstock Karen Foster Designs greeting rub-ons Luxe Designs There’s the Rub minisquare frames rub-ons purple striped & organza ribbons Kaisercraft crystals TOOLS PC & printer Martha Stewart Valentine Lace border punch

SIMPLY MAKE Cut a 19.5cm-square piece of purple patterned paper and attach centrally on your card blank front.

Cut a 19.5x4cm strip of black dotty-patterned paper and mount onto white cardstock so there is a little border on the left and right with the edges flush at the top and bottom.

Wrap a length of ribbon around this piece and secure the ends on the

1 2 3

reverse. Tie a contrasting length of ribbon in a bow around the first ribbon and attach the layer to your card 3.5cm in from the left-hand edge of the purple paper – the position of the bow can be adjusted later by sliding it up or down.

Type a selection of themed words to suit the greeting card occasion into a word processing program, repeating any key words several times so that they will appear large in your Wordle.

Paste the words into the Wordle website and select the font style you require.

Select ‘Straighter Edges’ and ‘Half and Half’ in the ‘Layout’ tab, then select ‘Edit Custom Palette’ in the ‘Colour’ tab.

Choose five as the number of colours then add the codes for the colours as per Step 2 of the bookmark on page 65.

Select ‘Re-Layout with Current Settings’ from the ‘Layout’ tab until you are happy with the word cloud generated, then save the Wordle and print it onto an

4

5 6

A5 piece of paper selecting ‘Print Image to Fit’ in your printer software.

Trim the Wordle to 18x9cm then mount to a 18x9.5cm piece of black cardstock. Cut a 19x12cm piece of white cardstock and shape the lower edge with the border punch. Trim away three hearts from the border as pictured – two hearts in from the left-hand edge – then attach your mounted word cloud to it.

Hand-cut a small heart from white cardstock and apply a rub-on flower and a crystal to it as shown. Mount to a 4cm square of purple cardstock with rub-on frames around it.

Matt and layer this onto a square of white cardstock and then black cardstock, leaving a narrow border each time.

Assemble the layers on your card and apply your rub-on greeting together with three crystals underneath.

7

8

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS wooden bookend blanks papier mâché letters Kaisercraft acrylic paint sanding sealer / light varnish Kaisercraft After Five & Ebony & Ivory collections patterned paper Kaisercraft The 13th Hour sticker sheet purple & black cardstock old dictionary 3D foam pads TOOLS paintbrush

9

Card

SIMPLY MAKE Trace around the two papier mâché letters onto copier paper. Apply two coats of purple paint to the letters leaving them to dry between coats. Set aside until completely dry.

1

Paint the bookends black and once dry give the inside faces a coat of sanding sealer or light varnish to protect them. Cover the two outer faces with black dotty paper.

2

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SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:35 Page 67

CRAFT CROSSOVER

A-Z bookends

Cut out the copier paper letters from Step 1 about 3mm in from all your pencil lines and check they fit on the dry letters. Cut 1⁄3 of each letter from patterned paper and the remaining portion from the ‘A’ and ‘Z’ pages of an old dictionary.

Tape the letter parts together as pictured.

3

Cut a heart shape from the border stickers and mount to black cardstock trimming to leave a narrow border all around. Attach to a slightly larger purple cardstock heart using 3D foam pads for dimension. Attach the clock to purple cardstock and the letters to black cardstock and trim, leaving a narrow border.

Assemble your letters into words on strips of purple cardstock using 3D foam pads.

4

Attach the paper letters to the papier mâché letters followed by your layered sticker elements.

5

Glue the letters to the bookends placing them over a table edge so that the letters are horizontal until the glue is set.

6

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SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:35 Page 68

MATERIALS

♥ 20cm-square wood block frame ♥ Kaisercraft acrylic paint ♥ Kaisercraft Large Scallop Doily wood flourish

♥ Kaisercraft Ebony & Ivory & ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Argentella collections patterned paper black cardstock old dictionary & thesaurus Kelly Panacci Friends rub-on marker pens 3D foam pads TOOLS paintbrush sponge craft knife metal-edged ruler

SIMPLY MAKE Paint the interior of the frame using purple paint and the front face and sides of the frame using black paint.

Leave to dry between coats and colours and set aside to dry overnight once complete.

1

Cut patterned paper to fit the frame and attach as shown.

2

Trim a portion from the wooden die-cut using a craft knife and metaledged ruler – slice along the ruler edge gently then repeat until you have completely cut through the wood.

Cut a circle of patterned paper, a slightly smaller circle of cardstock and then trim your photo to a slightly smaller circle again trimming the right-hand edges of each to fit the wood die-cut.

Cut the bottom from your photo to fit a layered dictionary meaning and rub-ons or stickers as shown.

3

Lay the trimmed wood on your frame with the paper frame in position, mark the outline with a pencil then trim just outside the lines to cut the paper frame as pictured.

4

Create a second narrower paper frame trimming the two open ends a little shorter than the first and attach together and then to your wood frame

5

Paint the wood die-cut with two coats of purple paint. Once dry apply a little white paint to the edges using a sponge.

6

7

Attach these layers to the painted die-cut using 3D foam pads for dimension then glue it to the edge of your frame.

Cut specific entries from your dictionary and thesaurus that describe friendship. Attach them to black cardstock and trim each to leave a narrow border all around.

Cut a 14cm-square piece of patterned paper and use 3D foam pads to attach your mounted words to it in a Wordle-style arrangement.

Glue the paper centrally inside your frame.

Colour some flowers on a sheet of patterned paper then cut them out and attach them to the bottom-right corner of the frame using 3D foam pads for dimension.

8

9

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10

11

SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:35 Page 69

CRAFT CROSSOVER

Friends frame

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SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:36 Page 70

SIMPLY MAKE Paint the papier mâché letter all over using two coats of purple paint.

Leave it to dry between coats and set aside until it is completely dry.

1

Check the fit of the ‘M’ template on your letter to ensure it is just a little smaller all the way around as each letter will vary slightly.

Cut the outer shape from patterned paper and the inner shape from your printed word page.

3

M for mum MATERIALS

♥ papier mâché letter ♥ acrylic paint ♥ purple cardstock or paper for printing

♥ Kaisercraft Ebony & Ivory & Garden ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Arabesque collections patterned paper Kaisercraft chipboard letter set Kaisercraft Lilac Avenue alpha stickers purple organza ribbon Kaisercraft crystals marker pens TOOLS PC & printer paintbrush

M for Mum template 50% actual size Photocopy at 200%

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Cut some flowers from patterned paper and colour them using markers in shades of purple.

5

SH15 pp64-71 Fonts_pp 05/03/2012 14:36 Page 71

CRAFT CROSSOVER

Bag charm

In your word processing software type a couple of lines of words about your mum and motherhood and then copy and paste the words so that they cover the page in a fairly small font size.

Print one copy onto purple paper or cardstock.

2

MATERIALS

♥ inkjet shrink plastic ♥ Cupcake Cards & Crafts Dippy ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Doodles digital paper collection selection of large-hole beads silver spiky spacer beads black waxed 1mm cord silver bag charm clip Super Glue TOOLS graphics software package PC & printer heat gun craft knife & cutting mat

SIMPLY MAKE

Attach the letter stickers to the chipboard letters and secure them to a label shape cut from patterned paper.

4

In a new letter-sized document in your graphics software program, import the background paper and shrink in size to about 80% of the original. Duplicate twice and arrange the three papers down your page.

Increase the lightness of the images by about 20-40% before printing one copy onto a piece of shrink plastic. Move the images to the other side of the page and print again onto the reverse side of the plastic.

Using the templates as a guide draw and cut out the ‘DREAM’ letters from the plastic.

1

2 3

Shrink each letter either in a domestic oven following the manufacturer’s instructions or using a heat gun.

When using the latter, rather than directing the heat as normal over the entire piece, concentrate on one end to start then move the air flow along each letter slowly to avoid the letters completely curling up.

Cut five staggered lengths of black cord and tie a letter onto the end of each length using the shortest for ‘D’ and increasing in length for each consecutive letter.

Slide a glass bead onto the cord making sure it slips over the short cord end too, then cut off the end and thread on a spiky silver spacer bead followed by another glass bead.

Once each length is beaded tie all five ends together and slide a largehole glass bead down to the knot. Trim three of the ends flush with the bead then add a

4

5 6 7

glass bead and a spiky silver spacer followed by a glass bead to the remaining ends.

Trim to leave just one end then thread this through the chain on the bag charm clip and tie the end off with knots down its shank. Trim the cord end and secure with Super Glue.

8

TOP TIP To create the bag charm using inkjet shrink plastic try using free software from Serif such as PagePlus or DrawPlus.

If you want to use regular shrink plastic simply colour the plastic in light shades with pencils, pens or chalks before stamping your design using StãzOn inkpads. Several brands, including BoBunny rub-ons, shrink nicely on plastic too

Dream template 50% actual size. Photocopy at 200%

Attach your paper letters to the papier mâché ‘M’ together with the label and patterned paper flowers using 3D foam pads for dimension. Finish with three lengths of ribbon tied around the letter and embellish with crystals.

6

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SH15 pp72 Gift Freebies_pp 06/03/2012 09:09 Page 72

FREEBIES

Giveaways Enter today for your chance to win one of these fab prizes Maternity Survival Pack

Wild Garden quilt kit 1 to give away, worth £51.95 The Cotton Patch (www.cotton patch.co.uk; 0121 702 2840) has donated this quilt kit pack that contains all the Wild Garden fabric required to complete the quilt top and binding. Quilt adapted by Nik Sewell from an original design by Pauline Smith.

1 to give away, worth £48 Backstitch (www.backstitch.co.uk) kindly offers this set of the four most popular Megan Nielsen maternity sewing patterns. The survival pack includes the MN1003 wrapped maternity top, MN1005 rie dress and top, MN1006 ruched maternity t-shirt and MN1008 ruched maternity skirt patterns. It would make an ideal gift for a pregnant lady who loves to sew! The pattern envelopes includes the full-size patterns (covering sizes XS to XL) and instruction booklets with detailed directions to help you construct these beautiful maternity pieces.

Over £300 worth of prizes

Coast & Country Crafts prize set 1 to give away, worth £50 This lovely prize set from Coast & Country Crafts & Quilts (www.coastandcountry crafts.co.uk; 01872 870478) includes the A Stitch In Time book by Rosalie Quinlan plus 12 Lecien Flower Sugar fat quarters that are ideal for making the projects in the book.

Stepping Stone kits Bothy Threads Gorjuss™ counted cross stitch kit set 1 to give away, worth £44.97 A set of three lovely Gorjuss™ counted cross stitch kits that includes the Purrrrrfect Love, On Top Of The World and I Found My Family In A Book designs. www.santorolondon.com; 01709 518100)

2 to give away, worth £34 each These fabulous stepping stone mosaic kits from Tracey Cartledge (www.tracey cartledge.co.uk; 0161 860 0387) contain everything needed to make a decorative 28x28x3cm stepping stone in a daisy or ladybird design. Please specify your design preference on your entry postcard and include your email address

Liberty fabric necklace kits 8 to give away, worth £5.75 each Springwood House Designs (www.spring woodhousedesigns.co.uk; 01937 581276) has donated these Liberty fabric necklace kits in a selection of shades (colour may vary from image shown).

TO ENTER For your chance to win one of these great prizes, send your name, email and address on a POSTCARD along with the name of the product you want to win to SH15 Giveaways, Practical Publishing, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG to arrive by 19th April 2012

72 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp73 Half_Quart_Eighths_pp 02/03/2012 14:15 Page 73

Liberty fabrics in stock ...

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www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 73

SH14 pp76 SH The Collection_pp 06/02/2012 15:36 Page 76

FANTASTIC READER OFFER NOW ON S ALE!

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SH14 pp77 KN subs_pp 06/02/2012 15:34 Page 77

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SH15 pp76-78 Shirt Cushion_pp 05/03/2012 15:04 Page 76

Get shirty Angela Daymond transforms an old shirt it into a fantastic cushion complete with raw-edge appliquĂŠ birds

76 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp76-78 Shirt Cushion_pp 05/03/2012 15:05 Page 77

UPCYCLING

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS man-sized button-up cotton shirt (pale colours work best) 20x40cm fusible web small amount of cotton fabric for the bird 12x45cm brown fabric (more if you use an XXL shirt) black & brown thread & thread to match the shirt 45cm-square wadding 2 small buttons cushion pad TOOLS sewing machine & thread or needle & thread dressmaker’s pins iron

SIMPLY MAKE Iron the shirt if necessary and cut off the arms near the top seam.

With the shirt buttoned up, measure an accurate square so that the row of buttons is in the centre. If you do not have a cutting mat, draw and cut out a square of paper. This needs to fit across the front of the shirt and will include your seam allowance.

Position the square so that the edges are between each buttonhole.

You need to make sure that the buttons are at least 4cm away from the edge so the sewing machine’s foot will not touch them. For a medium shirt you should be able to cut a square that measures 40cm.

Note: If your shirt has a breast pocket, position the pattern so that you cut at least 2cm away from the edge of the pocket.

Put the backing square aside in a safe place whilst you work on the front.

Trace the bird, wing, beak and branch onto fusible web. Depending on the size of your shirt, you might have to extend or decrease the length of the branch to fit.

Remember you will be tracing a mirror image of everything.

1 2

Cut just outside your drawn line. After selecting each fabric, place the fusible web (glue side down) onto the wrong side. Iron into place and cut out accurately along the lines.

Lay the cushion front onto the square of wadding. Use matching thread to quilt the cushion front using vertical lines. Use the presser foot as a guide to make sure your lines are the same width apart. You could quilt the cushion using horizontal and vertical lines for added interest.

Peel the backing paper from the fusible web and place the branch about a third of the way up the cushion front. Fuse in place using a hot iron.

Use brown thread to quilt along the branch (try and make your stitching

6 7

8 9

follow the contour lines of the branch).

Position the bird’s bodies just above the branch, leave enough space for the legs as you will sew them on afterwards. Tuck the top of the beak behind the bird’s head.

Peel off the backing paper and fuse the body and beak in place. Repeat with the wing.

Thread your sewing machine with black thread; you are going to sew round all the edges of the two birds using a straight stitch. Starting with the beak, sew from the side of the head up to the point and back again.

Try and sew about 2mm away from the edge. After the beak you will sew round each bird and then each wing.

For each bird’s legs, start at the body and sew down in a

10 11

12

straight line onto the branch.

Stop with the needle down, pivot your work and continue at an angle. Sew about four stitches, pivot your work again and stitch back up to the leg.

Repeat twice more at a different angle for the bird’s toes. Sew back up the leg to the body. Each line will have been sewn over twice. Repeat for the other leg.

Sew a small button onto the head of each bird for an eye.

Sew in any remaining threads.

Place the appliquéd cushion top onto the backing square, right sides together, and pin all the way round. Sew round the square using a 0.5cm seam allowance.

Turn through the cushion, press if needed, and pop the cushion pad inside. Enjoy!

13 14

15

3

4 5

WHY NOT TRY? Using a patterned shirt and quilt round the motifs for the front of the cushion Using the same techniques to add some appliqué flowers onto your cushion Personalising your cushion by adding a name

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SH15 pp76-78 Shirt Cushion_pp 05/03/2012 15:05 Page 78

UPCYCLING Bird template

Beak position

actual size

Beak

TOP TIPS When doing machine appliqué always bring the bobbin thread to the top of your work before starting to avoid it getting tangled. You can sew in the threads once you have completed all your appliqué

Branch template 50% actual size Photocopy at 200%

Variegated threads can give extra texture to your work If you don’t have any suitable colours for the birds and branch, you could use fabric pens or paint to colour leftover fabric from the sleeves Always iron fusible web under greaseproof paper to protect your iron and ironing board

Wing

If you use polyester wadding you might want to add a square of muslin behind it to stop bearding as you sew When choosing fabric for your appliqué, choose ones that have a small print or solid colours

Cushion reverse

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SH15 pp79 Quart_Eighths_pp 02/03/2012 12:58 Page 79

BECCLES SEWING & HANDICRAFTS DRESSMAKING & CRAFT FABRICS, HABERDASERY & CRAFT REQUIREMENTS SEWING MACHINES REPAIRS & SALES Authorised dealer for: JANOME, BROTHER, BABYLOCK, SILVER, ELNA, SINGER, JUKI, ALFA & FRISTER+ROSSMANN.

15A, Blyburgate, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TB 01502 714234

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SH15 pp80 Comp_pp 05/03/2012 09:23 Page 80

WIN!

£400 worth of Serif software up for grabs!

Competition We have got 10 copies of CraftArtist Platinum to give away!

This digital crafting package from creative software developer, Serif, is perfect for anyone who wants to easily and quickly make unique photobooks, wedding stationery, cards, scrapbooks and loads more at home.

CraftArtist Platinum is the ultimate PC crafting product,

specifically designed for those who want to create and print beautiful projects with a stunning finish and share them with friends and family.

Designs can be personalised with unlimited pictures and text, plus there are craft tools and photo-editing capabilities to help deliver high-quality

results that are guaranteed to impress.

The software is incredibly easy to use, thanks to its simple drag-and-drop function, and it contains fun video projects for users to follow. What’s more, the creations can be printed from home, or made as a PDF or image for professional printing.

Enter now ce han for your c py of o c a to win t r A Craft tis th r o w m Platinu h c a e 9 £39.9

For more isit on, v informati rtist.com a ft ra .c w ww

TO ENTER For your chance to win a copy, send your name, address and email on a postcode to SH15 CraftArtist Platinum, Practical Publishing, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG to arrive by the 19th April 2012 NOTE: By entering these competitions you accept that your details may be passed on to a third party

80 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

SH15 pp81-83 Bag_pp 02/03/2012 15:08 Page 81

FELTING & DYEING YARN

Celandine This elegantly named and beautifully crafted bag was inspired by the hand-dyed yarn used to make it. Diane Bertolatti explains all

BY DIANE BERTOLATTI

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SH15 pp81-83 Bag_pp 02/03/2012 15:08 Page 82

A COLOUR TO DYE FOR It was a warm summer weekend, too hot to knit but just right to do some gardening. Some new plants (weeds!) had seeded themselves in my tiny garden and I noticed they were attracting the honey bees, so I could not bring myself to dig them up, even if they had spread a bit.

One day I decided to dead-head the flowers and as I cut into the stems an orange sap stained my hands. Could this be used to dye yarn? I began to research the plant on the internet and discovered it to be a medicinal herb called Greater Celandine.

A relative of the poppy, Greater Celandine has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is a natural dye. The name comes from the Greek ‘chelidon’ – meaning swallow – as the flowers appear when swallows arrive and fade when they depart. The sap stains the skin strongly and it is an irritant to skin and eyes, so gloves should be worn to harvest it.

As the weeks went by the idea of dyeing yarn with these plants would not go away. My brother had brought me some Knit Picks Bare undyed yarn from Canada so I decided it was time to experiment. I have two great books on natural dyeing: The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing by Eva Lambert and Tracy Kendall, and Colours from Nature by Jenny Dean, although neither mentions Celandine! I made sure I read all the safety advice before embarking on my new adventure.

I discovered that before I could enjoy the excitement of changing the colour of my yarn, I had to prepare it with a mordant. Mordant helps to bind colour to the yarn and prevent fading. I purchased a Mordant pack from www.george weil.com, which contained

small samples of the most commonly used mordants; alum, iron, chrome, copper and tin. I chose to use alum which is generally used in conjunction with cream of tartar. I used 8% alum and 6% cream of tartar to the weight of yarn (I dyed three 100g skeins). I dissolved both in warm water in a stainless steel saucepan, which I reserve for this purpose. I then added cold water and the yarn, making sure it was covered and had enough room to move freely. I brought the water slowly to the boil for over an hour and then simmered it for 30 minutes. I allowed it to cool naturally (once cool you can dye the yarn immediately or store it in a plastic bag to use within two or three days).

I picked the stems and flowers from the Greater Celandine until I had 100% of the weight of the yarn I was going to dye. I placed them in cold water in a stainless steel pot (used only for dyeing) and slowly brought it to the boil, leaving it to boil for an hour.

I then cooled and strained off the liquid, adding the yarn and more water to cover it. I brought this to the boil and simmered it gently for an hour, then allowed it to cool until safe to handle and removed the yarn using tongs. I rinsed it in mild soapy water as near to the temperature of the yarn as possible and then with clear water of the same temperature until it ran clear. (Sudden changes in temperature will cause the wool to felt.)

The best part was yet to come – I hung my newly dyed skeins on the washing line, made a cup of tea and sat down to admire my yarn and ponder what to make with it! It reminded me of straw and those lovely French baskets with colourful lining you see around markets. And that was the inspiration for ‘Celandine’. A word of warning before you start– dyeing is very addictive!

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SH15 pp81-83 Bag_pp 02/03/2012 15:08 Page 83

FELTING & DYEING YARN

MATERIALS

♥ 3 x 100g skeins Knit Picks Bare ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Worsted (hand-dyed with Celandine plants) suggested alternative: Straw Cascade 220 wool 8mm circular needle, 80cm long stitch marker 0.5m lining fabric wool or tapestry needle two wicker handles

Abbreviations K – knit P – purl G st – garter stitch sl 1 – slip one m1 – pick up the loop between last and next stitch and knit into the back of it.

Size before felting: W: 11” at base / 21” at the top H: 14” Felted: W: 8” at base / 17” at the top H: 10” Gauge/Tension (unfelted) 12 sts and 23 rows = 4” over 10cm (felted measurements are approximate subject to yarn and washing)

SIMPLY MAKE With a double strand of Knit Picks Bare Worsted wool and an 8mm circular needle cast on 32 sts and work in G st for 12 rows to form the base of the basket.

Next Row: K 32 sts, pick up 8 sts along short edge, pick up 32 sts on long edge, pick up 8 sts on second short edge (80 sts). Place a stitch marker to define the end of each round. Now continue in the round with the right side facing you.

Basket Stitch (2 row pattern): Row 1: [P7, k1] repeat 9 times to marker.

Row 2: [K7, sl 1 purlwise] repeat 9 times to marker.

These two rows form the basket stitch pattern. Repeat without shaping for a further 17 rows ending on Row 1 of the pattern.

Increase Row: [M1, k7, m1, sl 1 purlwise] repeat to end of round (100 sts).

Next row: [P9, k1] repeat to end of round.

Work a further 18 rows in basket

stitch as set without shaping and ending with Row 1.

2nd Increase Row: [M1, k9, m1, sl 1 purlwise] repeat to end of round (120 sts).

Next row: [P11, k1] repeat to end of round.

Work a further 18 rows in basket stitch as set without shaping.

3rd Increase Row: (M1, k11, m1, sl 1 purlwise) repeat to end of round (140 sts).

Next row: [P13, K1] repeat to end of round.

Work a further 13 rows in basket stitch as set without shaping.

Work 4 rows in garter stitch commencing with a purl row. Cast off purl wise. Darn in end of yarn.

FELTING Felt in the washing machine using a small amount of detergent or soap on a 60˚ wash with old trainers/tennis balls to cause friction until felted to the desired effect. Avoid using fluffy

towels as they may lose fibres, which will then attach themselves to the yarn, and avoid using items that may transfer their colour. (I have a frontloading washing machine and it took a one-hour wash to reach the level of felting required.) Use a minimum spin cycle to avoid any creasing. Pack the basket with wadding or a similar material covered in a plastic bag to the desired shape and allow the bag to dry naturally.

HANDLES AND LINING Sew on the handles using the same colour yarn and a tapestry needle.

Fold the lining fabric in half, right sides together. Place the basket on the fabric with the base of the bag on the fold line. Allowing a 1” seam allowance, cut around the shape of the basket. If you wish to add pockets to the inside of the bag cut these to size and stitch in place before sewing the side seams.

Tack the side seams of the lining

fabric, right sides together. Check the lining fits inside the bag snugly and adjust if necessary. Stitch and press open seams. Press the seam allowance inwards at top of the lining.

Place magnetic fasteners now, if required. Top stitch by machine or slip stitch by hand.

When using fabrics with a directional pattern, two pieces need to be cut, or the design will be upside down on one side of the bag. In this case, add another inch in height to the seam allowance.

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SH15 pp84 Comp_pp 05/03/2012 10:18 Page 84

WIN!

Over £500 worth of Craftime goodies up for grabs!

Competition We have a fabulous selection of Craftime products for you to win

Craftime has donated six fabulous prizes worth over £84 each for this issue

EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE: ♥ MDF Spring Birds & stencil sets ♥ MDF egg holder ♥ MDF small flower 3-pack & small butterfly 6-pack

♥ A5 Butterflies stencils ♥ Hearts, Garden & Flower A6 stencils ♥ Garden & Garden Text silhouettes ♥ Strawberry & Butterfly A5 laser sheets ♥ Strawberry A4 die-cuts ♥ Flowers 1 repositionable stencils ♥ violet & white/cream mini crystals 100pcs ♥ violet & cream pearlised blank cards & envelopes

♥ violet & white crystal flowers ♥ violet & white/cream mesh sheets 50pcs ♥ violet & white/cream tassels 5pcs ♥ white/cream trinket box

Craftime ation on ils For inform d stockists’ deta an m ts o c u c d e. ro p w.craftim visit ww 623 722828 01 ll a c r o

TO ENTER To enter send your name, address and email on a postcard to SH15 Craftime, Practical Publishing, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG to arrive by 19th April 2012 NoTe: By entering these competitions you accept that your details may be passed on to a third party

84 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

KN07 House Ad_pp 06/03/2012 12:56 Page 98

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SH15 pp86 Quarters_pp 02/03/2012 13:00 Page 86

Cardmaking and Sc rapbooking Suppli es

Suppliers of Cardmaking, Scrapbooking, Craft and Bridal Supplies General Craft Supplies Floral Products Card Embellishments Bridal Supplies Baby Embellishments

Units B4/B5, Dudley Central Trading Estate, Shaw Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY2 8TP Phone: 01384 230000 Mobile: 0775 1891754 Fax:: 01384 235666 Email: sales@e-crafts.co.uk Internet & Mail order only

01763 268686 • See our free Crafting demonstrations from basic to advanced • Hire our machines and equipment for just £5.00 for 30 minutes • Come along and join our clubs. Now 2 Knit & Knatter clubs Tuesday and Thursday We Stock…

• Robin, Aran, Pomp, Paintbox, Wendy, Wisp, Origin, Freedom Chunky 100% wool, Lustre, Goldfingering, Chunky, Happy, Chic, Cosmic, Cupcake and more…

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SH15 pp87 FO Etsy_pp 06/03/2012 09:23 Page 87

FOUND ON...

Found on...

Online market places are fast becoming THE place to buy and sell homemade wares. Vintage styles with a spring twist are the order of the day for this issue’s www.etsy.com picks

CYANIDEKISS Proprietor says:

“Cute, retro and Lolita-inspired clothing for the sweet and not so innocent! The Cyanide Kiss aesthetic is outrageously sweet and girlie to the extreme. It’s a nod to both the Lolita girls from Harajuku and the Rockabilly girls from Manchester, merging two styles from opposite sides of the globe and providing unique styles that you won’t see anywhere else. Designs are of vintage inspired by the 40s and 50s and a love street clothing, infused with a twist of Japanese s, style ue uniq to n draw ys alwa were style. We m, and strea main the from ent something a bit differ e! We want want to reflect this in the clothes we mak special to make quirky clothing for you for that thing for occasion, whether you’re looking for some y to happ we’re es, dress ds’ smai bride or a prom ct perfe s that’ thing some ide prov work with you to for your occasion.”

♥ For more information visit

www.etsy.com/people/xcyanidekissx

PINK LABEL MOLLY MOO

Proprietor Gemma Payne says:

“All items of clothing are individually handmade by me, and as I use reclaimed and/or remnant fabrics these items of clothing are one of a kind. Please pay a visit to my other shop Molly Moo And Jessica Too at www.etsy.com/shop/Molly MooJessicatoo for quirky, colourful, fun, one of a kind homewares and gifts using reclaimed and/or remnant fabrics.”

♥ For more information visit www.etsy.com/ shop/PinkLabel MollyMoo

ELEGANCE 50s

Proprietor Lawrence Aitken says:

“Raised by an amazing and hugely inspiring designer with 30+ years experience in highquality couture and formal fashion, I have a huge enthusiasm for design and absolutely love dresses with a 50s style! I adore silk, my finest dresses are designed to be their best when made from pure silk dupion! I only like to use fine-quality materials! I think cheap materials cramp our style and they’re not nice to work with, not nice to wear, and ultimately I would hate to craft poor looking and feeling dresses from low-quality materials.”

♥ To find out more visit Lawrence’s Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/ elegance50s

WEE STITCHERY

Proprietor Lauren Dalzell says:

“I live in a lovely, windy little town in Montana with my husband, baby girl, dog, cat, and four chickens. I come from a long line of seamstresses, each daughter being taught by her mother. I’ve always loved to sew and create, but my passion was reignited when I became ed pregnant with my daughter Maya. I want her, to make unique, handmade things for ren. things she could pass on to her own child ines comb It . born was ery Stitch And so Wee my love for sewing with my love for scavenging. I’ve always been a thrift store junkie and a fabric hoarder, and now I’m I putting these habits to work. Each piece is one each and love, of ur labo a is make unique. The apron dresses are named after ng the women I imagine created them, putti ” il. deta love into every

♥ For more information visit

www.etsy.com/people/weestitchery

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SH15 pp88-92 Duct tape_pp 06/03/2012 09:27 Page 88

Duct and

cover

Once you start crafting it’s amazing how excited you can become about the design possibilities offered by the most innocuous looking materials... such as duct tape for example! Duct tape is fabulous for crafting with due to its flexible, wipe-clean, waterproof

properties. It is also available in a wide variety of colours and patterns, which makes its design possibilities almost endless. Buying duct tape is relatively inexpensive – one roll goes a long way – and if you happen to tear or scuff your newly crafted duct tape masterpiece don’t panic, you don’t need to start

88 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

again... you can simply repair it by adding a new piece of tape.

BAGS OF STYLE Using duct tape as a medium for making bags has lots of advantages.

There is very little sewing involved, and you can actually dispense with sewing altogether if you

Sally Shepherd is indulging in a spot of upcycling this issue to create fabulous and functional projects all incorporating duct tape

staple a zip into the top of the bag and then cover the staples in a further layer of tape to hide them.

CREATING DUCT TAPE FABRIC The basis for all of the projects featured here is a sheet of duct tape fabric. To create this, you place a strip of tape on your work

BY SALLY SHEPHERD

surface with the sticky side up and then place a strip sticky side down, overlapping half of the original strip. Lift up both strips and turn them over and place another strip over the bottom sticky side, overlapping the last piece of tape by a small amount.

Continue in this way until you have reached the size of

SH15 pp88-92 Duct tape_pp 05/03/2012 10:22 Page 89

UPCYCLING

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS blue duct tape coloured duct tape to add design baking paper or freezer paper for your design permanent markers TOOLS craft knife or scissors

SIMPLY MAKE Create a sheet of duct tape fabric as outlined on page 88 to measure 25cm square. Fold in half widthways and place under a heavy book so it holds its shape. This will be the outer wallet piece.

Take a 25cm length of tape and place it face down on your work surface. Lay another piece sticky-side down on top, overlapping by about a third.

Repeat until your piece measures 18cm. Turn the tape over so that the sticky side is facing upwards. Lay it with the longer edge along the top.

Take an 18cm piece of tape and place it face down on your work surface. Take another piece, place it face down overlapping the first piece. The sticky sides should face downwards.

Repeat until the width of the pieces is approximately 6cm.

Make two more 18x6cm strips. These will be your credit card pockets.

Take the first credit card pocket and place it stickyside down on the large sticky piece, about 1.5cm in from the left-hand edge. The pocket should run down the length of the larger piece, leaving a sticky border along one edge.

Place another pocket piece face down, 1.5cm away from the right-hand edge of the large sticky piece.

1

2

Take the third pocket piece and lay it centrally between the other two pockets. There should be a small strip of sticky between each of the three pockets.

Fold the large piece up until the bottom and the top meet. The sticky strips you have left will stick to each other and create the gaps between each of the credit card pockets. Press them down firmly.

Take the outer wallet piece and place the credit card piece on top of it. Line up the two bottom folds and stick together using a long piece of tape.

Stick both sides together using strips of tape.

7

8 9

10

Fold the wallet into thirds and again place under a heavy book to get the wallet to hold its shape.

Draw your chosen decoration onto baking paper.

11 12

Remember to reverse any letters or numbers. Cover the reverse of your decoration with coloured tape, and cut out the shapes. Peel off the shapes and stick them to your wallet. Add detail with permanent markers.

Duct tape wallet

3

4 5 6

fabric you need. Use a craft knife or scissors to straighten the sides and then fold over the top and bottom sticky edges to create a neat finish.

DECORATING THE BAGS We have decorated each of our bags with a different motif. Simply draw your

pattern or design onto baking paper and then cover the back of the baking paper in strips of duct tape.

Cut out your shapes or run the tape and baking paper through a manual diecutting machine. You could also print out an image onto freezer paper before covering the reverse in tape and cutting out the shape.

TOP TIPS We used a clean cutting mat to stop the tape from damaging our work surface and a craft knife to cut the tape into strips. Alternatively you could use a large piece of baking paper to protect your work surface and a pair of scissors to cut the tape if you prefer. We decorated the bags with motifs cut from tape – these can be peeled off and changed at a later date

WHERE TO BUY Duct tape is available in a wide variety of colours and patterns from www.amazon.co.uk

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SH15 pp88-92 Duct tape_pp 05/03/2012 10:22 Page 90

Vanity bag

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS red duct tape 18cm zip coloured tape to decorate TOOLS strong needle & sewing thread thimble (optional) Sizzix manual die-cutting machine & die (optional) craft knife or scissors

SIMPLY MAKE Take a 27cm piece of tape and fold over 0.5cm, sticky to sticky side.

Repeat with a second piece of tape.

1

Take another piece of tape 27cm long and fold over 1.5cm sticky to sticky side. Repeat for a second piece.

Take one of the smaller pieces and one of the larger pieces and place them so that the folded sides match up. Stick the pieces together. One will still have some sticky showing.

Place one side of the zip between the two folded pieces and sew in place.

Repeat using the other two pieces and the other side of the zip.

2 3

4 5

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Using the zip as a starting place, create a piece of duct tape fabric to measure 19cm from the zip.

Repeat for the other side of the zip.

Open the zip half way.

Place the fabric with the right sides facing each other (use the zip to work out which side is which). Cut a 2.5cm square from of each bottom corner.

Use a piece of tape to stick the sides and the bottom together, stopping before you reach the corners you have cut out.

6 7

8

Turn through the zip, and stick the bottom and sides together, again stopping before you reach the cut-out corners.

Open out the corners so that the cut edges join, and seal them together using a piece of tape.

Cut two small pieces of tape and stick them into the corners inside the bag.

Embellish as desired.

We used a Sizzix die-cutting machine and die for this.

9 10 11 12

SH15 pp88-92 Duct tape_pp 05/03/2012 10:22 Page 91

UPCYCLING

MATERIALS ♥ green duct tape ♥ coloured tape to decorate TOOLS ♥ craft knife or scissors

SIMPLY MAKE Create an 11x42cm sheet of duct tape fabric as described on page 88.

Fold the duct tape fabric sheet in three lengthways, so that each section measures 11x14cm.

Place it under a heavy book to crease it.

1 2 3 4

Cut a 14cm piece of tape and place it so that it half overlaps the right-hand edge of the central third. Fold it back on itself so that the sticky piece lies flat on top, and then stick the right-hand edge of the bottom third on

top. This will stick the inside of the case together, and stop the gadget from getting sticky when you seal the outside of the case.

Repeat for the left hand edge. You will now have the pocket for the gadget to sit inside.

Take a piece of tape 28cm long and place it along the left-hand edge of the case, overlapping the edge by a half. Fold it around to the other side of the case to stick the edges together. Make a small slit in the tape at the top of the pocket piece so that the pocket will open properly.

Repeat this for the other side of the case.

5 6

7 8

Decorate your gadget case to finish.

Gadget/phone cover

TOP TIPS A thimble is useful when stitching through duct tape If two sticky sides of tape touch, it is very difficult to unstick them. In this case it is better to just cut off the offending piece and use another piece to repair it

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SH15 pp88-92 Duct tape_pp 05/03/2012 10:23 Page 92

UPCYCLING

Messenger bag ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MATERIALS 50m roll of duct tape large button coloured tape to decorate TOOLS strong needle & thread manual die-cutting machine & dies (optional) craft knife or scissors

SIMPLY MAKE Create a piece of duct tape fabric as outlined on page 88 to measure 58x64cm.

This makes a bag large enough for a laptop plus books – you can adjust the size if you would like your bag to be smaller.

1

Fold the fabric in half widthways so that it measures 58x32cm and cut a 3.5cm square from both bottom corners.

Turn the bag inside out and stick a piece of tape over each side join. Turn the bag in the other way and repeat, sealing each side join.

Open out the corners so that the cut edges join, and seal them together using a piece of tape.

Create the handle of the bag by making a piece of fabric to measure 5.5x117cm (adjust this as necessary). Run a long piece

2 3 4 5

of tape down each edge of the handle to add strength.

Stick the handle to the insides of the bag. Use several pieces of tape and go down and across the handle to join it and add extra strength.

Use a piece of tape to join the handle to the outside of the bag too.

Create a 33x52cm piece of duct tape fabric. This will be the front flap of your bag. Cover all the edges with pieces of tape for a neat finish.

Use a piece of tape to stick the flap to the rear of the bag, about 3cm down from the top.

To create an inner pocket, make a piece of duct tape fabric to the size you want the pocket to be. Stick this to the inside of the bag using tape around three edges.

6 7

8

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Decide where you would like the button to be, and use a craft knife cut a small slit for a buttonhole.

Sew the button to the bag. Place a piece of tape over the stitching inside the bag to add strength and also to hide the stitching.

Embellish your bag as desired. We used a manual die-cutting machine and die to create our designs.

9 10 11

TOP TIPS Clean your scissors or cutting knife frequently to prevent them getting clogged with adhesive

SH15 pp93 Comp_pp 05/03/2012 10:19 Page 93

WIN!

Over £400 worth of eBooks to win!

Competition Win Rainbow Disks goodies!

eBook publisher Rainbow Disks is offering four lucky readers the chance to walk away with a set of eight of its titles. Each winner will receive:

♥ One Simple Stitch ♥ Little Welsh Quilts ♥ 3D Cross Stitch Cards ♥ Scrap Quilts for Babies & Toddlers

♥ Appliqué Angels & Hearts ♥ Making Cards ♥ Making More Beaded Jewellery

♥ Patchwork Postcards Helen M Stevens begins a crusade in One Simple Stitch to prove that if you can bring your needle up through your fabric and take it back through to the reverse, then you can embroider and therefore work all the projects in this book!

Welsh quilts are striking, featuring bold colours and simple shapes.

They look magnificent as bed quilts but are also distinctive when scaled down to cradle size or smaller. Welsh quilts are intensively hand-quilted with their traditional motifs, so making a little quilt is a great way for a beginner to start on a quilting journey with Little Welsh Quilts author Mary Jenkins.

Meg Evershed of The Nutmeg Company presents 40 new card designs in 3D Cross Stitch Cards. The

imaginative designs are stitched on perforated paper, which can be folded and cut out to produce freestanding 3D cards, gift bags and boxes. This is ideal for cross stitchers looking to develop their craft.

Scrap Quilts for Babies & Toddlers, by Katharine Guerrier, gives instructions and patterns for 10 crib/cradle and other small quilts made in Katharine’s inimitable scrap-quilt style. Ideal for using up small quantities from your stash and/or a few fat quarters, these quilts make joyous small projects to create swiftly using quick piecing methods and machine quilting.

Patchwork Postcards and Pinboard Quilts, also by Katherine Guerrier, shows readers how to use fabric and techniques on a diminutive scale to make postcards/postcard quilts. The

slightly bigger pinboard quilts are ideal for displaying unusual and treasured fabric scraps or embroidery.

Appliqué suddenly becomes colourful, easy and fun with Madeleine Millington’s unique designs brimming with character in Appliqué Angels & Hearts. Discover the tactile qualities of wool blanket fabric, using appliqué and simple hand stitching to produce imaginative and original designs.

There are lovely Christmas projects, with angels, stars and hearts aplenty!

Making cards is easy with the Making Cards Using Printable Artwork Papers eBook by Jenny Cocks. This disk contains two fully printable cardmaking kits, with art papers hand-painted by Theresa Mann, including alphabet, ribbon strips,

greetings and embellishments in two striking designs. The six chapters cover different techniques, with step-by-step guides and examples of how to use the kits. There are 24 project cards shown on the CD, and you can use the papers to make many more designs of your own.

Bestselling author Barbara Case’s latest eBook on Making More Beaded Jewellery contains 50 new projects, all with detailed instructions and illustrations. The gloriously colourful beads vary from small seed beads to large semi-precious stones, and the bead jewellery is in a wide range of styles, from casual to dressy.

One Simple Stitch, Little Welsh Quilts and 3D Cross Stitch Cards also feature fantastic video clips for extra guidance.

TO ENTER For a chance to win a set of these indispensable eBooks, go to www.ppjump.com/sh15rainbow and enter your name and email address by the 19th April 2012 NOTE: By entering these competitions you accept that your details may be passed on to a third party

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 93

SH15 pp94 S4C_CCM 01/03/2012 12:46 Page 99

SH15 pp95 Days Out_pp 05/03/2012 15:19 Page 95

DAYS OUT

Inspiring

days out Next time you’re planning a day out why not take inspiration from Simply Homemade’s pick of the best? Each issue we bring you a selection of the most popular and inspiring venues from up and down the country

DOODLE POTS CERAMIC CAFÉ Doodle Pots, 1A New Street, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6JJ Tel: 01263 713135 Email: rachel.doodles@ btinternet.com ■ Doodle Pots Ceramic Café is a place where young and old alike can relax and paint anything ceramic, from a mug to a vase.

Enjoy your painting with a cup of tea or coffee in a fun and creative studio environment.

STUDLEY GRANGE CRAFT VILLAGE AND BUTTERFLY WORLD Studley Grange Garden & Leisure Park, Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts SN4 9QT Tel: 01793 852400 www.studleygrange.co.uk ■ Situated just off the M4 at junction 16, near Swindon, Studley Grange Craft Village and Butterfly World is the perfect destination for all the

You can create a special baby keepsake for family and friends – Doodle Pots will help you to make hand and footprints using paint and transfer them onto vases, mugs, tiles, teapots or plates. The staff can even help with the addition of dates, names and ages, or a special message such as ‘Happy Father’s Day.’ You can also create 3D keepsakes, capturing an impression of your child’s foot or handprint for ever!

family. It’s open seven days a week and with two great attractions for all the family there is plenty to keep everybody busy.

Down at the tropical zone you will discover more than butterflies – you will find otters and meerkats too!

Visit the website for more information and to discover what else Studley Grange Craft and Butterfly World has to offer your family!

We’d love to hear from you too, so if you’ve got somewhere special to recommend, please send details to diane.grimshaw@practicalpublishing.co.uk

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH IWM North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1TZ www.iwm.org.uk Admission: Free ■ The Imperial War Museum North in Manchester is a fabulous place for the whole family to visit and there is always an abundance of inspirational events taking place.

One of our favourites right now is its Once Upon A Wartime exhibition, which is inspired by children’s novels about war.

The exhibition opened on 11th February this year and runs until 2nd September 2012 and it includes thrilling tales of loyalty, separation, excitement, survival and identity. Discover the stories of War Horse, Carrie’s War, The Machine Gunners, The Silver Sword and Little Soldier. Visit the exhibition to find out about the true events and experiences that inspired these children’s novels about war.

A tail fin from a German incendiary bomb, a First World War training horse, evacuee labels and aircraft recognition cards are just

THE SEWING CAFÉ 116 Castle Street, Hinckley LE10 1DD Tel: 01455 698034 www.thesewingcafe.co.uk Email: hello@thesewingcafe.co.uk ■ The Sewing Café’s owners Becky and Fay love to sew.

When they failed in their mission to find a social and inspirational place in which they could indulge their passion for sewing, they decided to create one for themselves. They wanted to make sewing as fun and accessible for everyone, from the true beginner to the super stitcher.

With a range of workshops, regular social sessions and sewby-the-hour facilities, Becky and Fay’s social sewing emporium is a place where sewing lovers can develop their skills and share their passion with others a the same time. To make it even easier to create gorgeous projects, these two lovely ladies

some of the objects from IWM’s collections that reveal the reality behind each of these thrilling tales.

The exhibition also features personal objects belonging to the authors, including the painting that inspired the writing of War Horse, on loan from author Michael Morpurgo.

On display for the first time are objects straight from the set of Steven Spielberg’s film War Horse, including the jacket worn by Albert and pages from the film script.

have filled their shop with lots of irresistible goodies, including an extensive range of gorgeous fabric.

Follow the café on Twitter @TheSewingCafe to find out more about its workshops.

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 95

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S I M P LY O N L I N E & C L A S S I F I E D www.fancymoon.co.uk Welcome to Fancy Moon online fabric shop for on-trend, affordable fabrics with a fast and flawless service! We supply an exquisite range of designer fabric collections from a host of world class fabric designers. We are home to the UK’s most exciting and unique online fabric collection

Syntego Wedding Stationery Premier Stockist

Wisdom Facilities Centre, 42 Hollands Road, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 8SA Tel: 01440 706041

www.twocatscrafts.co.uk sales@twocatscrafts.co.uk Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Soapmaking

To advertise here call Chris on 0844 826 0611

Courses

The Soap Kitchen Ingredients... for whatever you’re making

Tel: 01805 622944 • email: info@thesoapkitchen.co.uk

www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk Sewing Machines Yorkshire

Cheshire

CLASSIFIED

Sewing Machines & Crafts Patchwork & Quilting Demo 28th March from 10am With Melanie from Brother eu.

47 South Street Keighley BD21 1AD 01535 609466 Beading & Jewellery

Leather supplies

www.simplyhomemademagazine.com 97 7

To advertise here email chris.cooke@practicalpublishing.co.uk or call 0844 826 0612

Haberdashery

SH14 pp98 NI_pp 05/03/2012 14:57 Page 98

NEXT ISSUE

Coming next time EXCLUSIVTES FREE GIF.99 Worth £7

Here’s a preview of what you can look forward to in issue 16 Exclusive 16-page paper pack from NitWit Collections

DECORATIVE CANDLE MASTERCLASS Gorgeous candles inspired by our favourite treats

CONTEMPORARY CROSS STITCH Exclusive charts plus in-depth guide

HELLO DOLLY Fabulous introduction to French knitting using a dolly bobbin

GAME ON! Inspirational ideas using board games and counters

VINTAGE CHIC

PLUS

an embellishment pack featuring ribbons, buttons & blooms

Get the look with our stylish new apron designs

CHOUX PASTRY Follow our step-by-step guide to making chocolate éclairs

PLUS

more inspirational projects and designs, all the latest news and reviews and much more!

Contents subject to change

On sale 19th April 2012 – DON’T MISS IT! 98 www.simplyhomemademagazine.com

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THE

BIG BOOK OF

CHARITY BAKES

Bursting at the seams with an abundance of creative designs and ideas, Simply Homemade aims to provide you with an inspirational array of projects in every issue.

01

Well, hello there! Welcome to Practical Publishing’s Big Book of Charity Bakes. Being a company dedicated to making anything and everything, we decided that it was time we used our creative skills to give a little back and launched our charity bake-off in June 2011.

Every two weeks, one of us heads to the kitchen and whips up a tasty batch of something or other and brings the goodies in to work to sell, with all funds raised going to The Wellspring.

This is a local Stockport charity (where we’re based, up north) that does a lot of good for homeless people in the area and beyond.

It is dependent upon donations to keep providing its many services, which include advice and support, referrals for housing, maths and English courses and health services.

We’re really pleased that we can do our bit to help The Wellspring out and since we donned our aprons and picked up our wooden spoons, we’ve raised over £100.

So that’s what this recipe book is all about – just a taster of what we’ve cooked up to raise cash. We hope you enjoy!

Sarah Digital Editor and baking co-ordinator www.thewellspring.btck.co.uk simplyhomemademagazine

Simply_Homemade

shmagazine SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

Cherry Bakewell biscuits Another delicious recipe from Knit Now editor Kate Heppell. Enjoy!

02

You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

500g plain flour 250g butter 140g caster sugar 1 tablespoon milk Handful of glace cherries Almond essence Pre-rolled royal icing

Mixing bowl Circular cookie cutter Baking tray Rolling pin Cherry stamp Red food colouring Small plate

Preheat oven to 150°C.

 Money raised

£3.15

SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

Grease and line a baking tray.

Chop cherries into smaller pieces.

Mix flour, butter, cherries, almond essence and caster sugar in a bowl until well combined.

Roll out to the thickness of a £1 coin.

Cut out shapes using a circular cutter and place on baking tray.

Bake for approx. 12-15 minutes or until slightly golden.

Take out of the oven and place on a rack to cool.

Cut out circles of icing with the cookie cutter.

Pour out a little food colouring onto a small plate and use your stamp to stamp cherries onto the icing.

Place icing onto biscuits, wetting the underside with a little water if needed to keep the icing in place.

Banana muffins & cherry cookies Digital editor Sarah Adie is here, with a couple of recipes to make your week.

Cherry cookies

04

You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

200g butter 1 egg 225g self-raising flour 85g golden caster sugar 85g light muscovado sugar 50g white & 50g plain chocolate, chopped 85g glace cherries, chopped

Mixing bowl Spoon Baking tray

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Beat the egg, sugars and butter until smooth, then stir in the flour, cherries and chocolate.

Spoon out onto non-stick baking trays, leaving lots of space between each blob.



Bake for 12-14 minutes, then leave to cool.

Money raised

£15.11

Banana muffins You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

75g melted butter 2 ripe bananas 2 medium eggs 250g self-raising flour 115g caster sugar 125ml milk 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda pinch of salt ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract crème fraiche

Mixing bowl Spoon Muffin tray Cupcake liners

Heat the oven to 190°C, then melt the butter and leave it to cool.

SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

Mash the bananas well, then sieve the bicarb, baking powder, salt, flour and cinnamon together. Add the caster sugar and stir.

Beat the eggs, melted butter, milk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, then add the mashed banana and stir.

Make a well in the flour and add the egg mixture, stirring until you get a lumpy paste. Don’t over-mix!

Spoon into muffin trays lined with paper cases and bake for 20-25 minutes. Leave for five minutes, then serve with crème fraiche.

Awesome brownies Get your chocolate fix with this brownie recipe from Knit Now editor Kate Heppell.

06

You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

400g caster sugar 225g plain flour 80g cocoa powder 225g butter 4 eggs Pinch baking powder Pinch salt 50g dark chocolate 50g milk chocolate 30g instant coffee granules 50g bag of fudge chunks

Mixing bowl Baking tin Spoon Large knife Greaseproof paper

Preheat oven to 160°C.

 Money raised

£3.15

SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

Grease and line the baking tin.

Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Melt butter, then break eggs into a cup and whisk quickly.

Add butter and eggs to the bowl and mix until well combined.

Chop the chocolate and add this to the mix, then add fudge chunks and chocolate.

Stir until chocolate and fudge are well distributed through the mix.

Pour into a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, then allow to cool to room temp.

Chill in the fridge for two hours, then remove from baking tin and chop into chunks.

Wrap each chunk in greaseproof paper to store without having them stick together.

Justine’s jazzy flapjacks Our sub-editor Justine Moran shows you how to make the perfect flapjack – an oldie but a goodie!

08

You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

250g porridge oats 125g brown sugar 125g butter 2-3 tbsp Golden Syrup milk & white chocolate

Large saucepan Square tin Spoon Toothpick Greaseproof paper

Preheat the oven at 180°C Mix all the ingredients together, being careful not to over-mix and ensuring that the porridge oats retain their texture.

Spoon the mixture into a greased baking tin, pressing the mixture flat in the corners.

Bake for around 20 minutes until golden brown.

 Money raised

£7.47

SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

When they’re cool, melt some milk chocolate and spread it over the top.

Then melt some white chocolate and, using a toothpick, feather some through the milk chocolate.

When cool, slice and enjoy.

Ice cream cone biscuits Knit Now editor Kate Heppell shows you how to make super-sweet ice cream cone biscuits.

10

You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

500g plain flour 250g butter or margarine 140g caster sugar 1 tablespoon milk Bag of boiled sweets

Mixing bowl Spoon Small knife Ice cream shaped cookie cutter Baking tray Rolling pin

Preheat oven to 150°C.

 Money raised

£3.15

SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

Grease and line a baking tray.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

Roll out to the thickness of a £1 coin.

Cut out shapes using an ice cream cookie cutter and place on baking tray.

With a small knife, cut a window into the ice cream.

Place a boiled sweet into the window.

Bake for approx. 12-15 minutes or until slightly golden.

Leave on tray until melted boiled sweets have cooled and solidified.

Lemon and white chocolate cupcakes Knit Now editor Kate Heppell shows you how to make some truly delicious lemony chocolate cupcakes.

12

You’ll need

Tools

Simply make

225g self-raising flour 225g butter 225g caster sugar 4 eggs Small bag of white choc chips Leftover scraps of royal icing Candied lemons

Cupcake cases Baking tray Mixing bowl

Preheat oven to 160°C.

 Money raised

£3.15

SIMPLY HOMEMADE BAKING

Combine butter, sugar, eggs and choc chips in a bowl and then spoon into cupcake cases.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Take out of the oven and place on a rack to cool.

Top with a little icing and a candied lemon.

Postal Address The Wellspring PO BOX 456 Harvey st Stockport SK11WZ

Project Address The Wellspring Harvey St Stockport SK11YD

Phone / Fax 0161-477-6344

Email thewellspring@btconnect.com