Three mindful craft projects for January

 Last week I had the pleasure of teaching some simple jewellery making as part of an intention setting workshop held at an amazing local place called Do It Like a Mother. I was invited last minute to attend the whole day which I'm so glad I did as it was really really inspirational. I've fallen so many times for courses with clever marketing that make me feel bad about myself before selling me another expensive workshop but this one was different. How? It took one simple question...

"If you could imagine talking to me this time next year, what things would have happened to make it the best year yet?"*

It's a big one - never before in my whole adult life have I been asked or asked myself that question and it feels life changing. After years of studying and working in fashion, which was my dream, then leaving the industry pretty quickly I've never felt in control of my destiny or asked myself what I wanted because I always thought that life had to be about having a "good job" or nothing. The answer to this question has taken some thought, it appeals to me as it isn't about setting goals or targets, its about invisaging and dreaming big. There's no failure, no dissapointment its about taking down boundries that I/we set ourselves and pushing past them. By knowing how I want my life to look and feel means I know what to look for and what to work for when those opportunities arise or even better creating them myself.

I wanted to share - this time of year can feel pretty swamped with other peoples goals which I find really intimidating. Also, if you're not ready to answer it now its always one to come back too. If like me you need to take some time to process here are three lovely DIY projects that give you time and space to think. If you want more then Keri is starting an online course call Thrive, starting Monday 21st January that you won't want to miss.

A simple guide to growing sweet peas (its never too early to get those seeds going!)

Simple beaded and silk necklace (I taught this last week)

How to create a flatlay (I find these the most calming of all)

*I've paraphrased a bit as I was finishing necklaces and couldn't write the question down

Gathering treasures and more macrames

Even with the most positive intentions there are times when January and winter can feel really bleak. My rememedy is to get outside as much as possible but when thats not an option gathering my favourite things - books, fabric and flowers and immersing myself in pages of colour, remembering the smell and feeling of markets in faraway lands or simply planning this years garden is enough for a grey afternoon. 

I gathered this selection of treasures inspired by a recent macrame commission my mum did before Christmas, each one is my favourite and always reflects the personal style of the person that has ordered it. I've never made one but and desperate to learn, which is lucky as my mum has agreed to teach me. But not just me you can come too...I'm going to hold a macrame workshop in my craftroom Sunday 3rd February, 1.30 - 4pm, £35 pp. There are four spaces available so I'd you'd like to come along drop me a message to secure your place, I'd love to see you. xx

You can see more macrame posts below

Mum's macrame

Cord and Jewel Macrame bracelet (this is one of my most popular posts) 

Mollie Makes Macrame T-shirt

Star Wall Hanging

This star wall hanging is still up (I love too much to take down!) so its not too late to share here. Keeping to my festive theme of using up what materials I had in my stash, this gentle star garland used up air dry clay decorations I made years ago along with metallic coloured sequins and crystal beads. I had originally planned it to be more detailed but when it came to hanging, its delicate simplicity won me over. 

I made the strands using tiger tail and crimps - first looping the tiger tail around a clay decoration and securing with a crimp then adding a mix of beads and sequins randomly along the length. To finish I looped and fastened the tiger tail over and old branch I'd painted and glued gold stars in the gaps. I also added a string of wire lights to the branch because you can never have too many fairy lights.

It's sat happily behind my Christmas table and after Christmas table and I plan on keeping it up for a little while longer. Being almost invisible it was really hard to capture so I made the most of the dramatic winter sun to show you how it contrast and glimmers in the winter light. 

A simple New Year Table

Happy New Year! There's something about the gentle simplicity of January that I always look forward to. Fresh air, fresh notebook pages, fresh intentions - I love the change of pace from December. Soon after I packed the Christmas table away I replaced everything with clean bright pieces that reflect the light but keep the room feeling festive and cosy. I don't believe that decorations are just for Christmas so like to keep a few around the house before replacing them with spring flowers as the months move on. I decided to keep the Christmas cake for the New Year, despite being copped up with various bugs over the holidays we made it out for plenty of winter walks which is something I intend to keep doing as much as possible throughout winter. I can't wait to return home from a stomp around the beach to a piece of cake (no diet resolutions here!).

I used this as-you-like-it Christmas cake recipe which tasted pretty good when I took it out the oven. I decorated with flowers - hellebores from the garden and some eucalyptus and miscanthus grass I borrowed from my sister (I'm going to try growing the seeds this year) and some flower dyed silk. Despite the mass of toys out of shot, having a table with a tablecloth and cake on a stand always makes me feel much more together than I really am, until those resolutions kick in I'm keeping it that way!

 I've had all these pieces in my collection for ages but have found some great alternatives
White Tablecloth - H&M
Glass cake stand  - Wayfair
Pink Candles - Amazon
Miscanthus - Bally Riberts

Winter sparkle layered gift wrapping

I've kept my Christmas prep so simple this year, by focusing on just a few elements I've really been able to enjoying doing Christmas things as much as I've enjoyed creating them. For this years wrapping my aim was to use up all my supplies but still keep things beautiful. Like this fairy themed wrapping I painted my own paper which meant I could keep the colours similar and for the rest I layered fabrics, paper and a few paper decorations to keep it consistent. I'm pleased to report I haven't bought a single piece of wrapping which is such an amazing feeling and I've used up my stash which makes my head feel so much lighter and ready to create some new ideas for next year. 

If wrapping is top of your list this weekend and the thought of the shops doesn't appeal then look to your existing materials, fabric can be cut to make ribbon, small scraps and be used to create bows and decorations can be used to create gift tags don't be afraid to try something new, the results are often better than you could imagine. I've still got a few posts to share but going to save them for the lull between Christmas and new year, until then I've got a teething bubba to look after and  fizzy amaretto sours to prep ;-)  Happy Making! x

 

Sparkle Child

Something unplanned today - my sister was shooting some gorgeous products for Molly Meg this week and I fell in love with these beautiful mobiles from Sparkle Child. Whilst she was busy I took these photo's of them hanging against this fab dark grey canopy and then helped her style them looking lush in all their boxes. I think they're magic and I hope you do too. x

Mini tree Christmas gift wrapping

A very quick post tonight as I've got SO many posts I want to share before Christmas arrives. This quick and easy gift wrap made a dent in my paper stash and was so fun to put together. If like me you're being more conscious this year, a simple way to use up those collected pieces of wrapping is to find one or two consistent elements - here I used blue ribbon and little christmas tree and get wrapping. I only managed a few snaps but there is another blog in the works I promise.