June 2015

Photos from my Instagram

It wasn't until a friend mentioned to me the other day that we are now halfway through the year (and halfway to Christmas!), that I realised the rather alarming rate at which June sped by. One minute it was 'shall I take a jacket in case it rains', the next it was 'denim is just too warm for this weather', aaand now it's nearly July. I'm rather excited for July - it's a month which will see me turn 22, and it feels great (I was that person having a panic over turning 21 - it's a defining milestone of becoming an adult), I've got the feeling that 22 is going to be a more relaxed and carefree age.

So, here's my June favourites...

REMNANT 101: DIY Sleep Mask

If there's one thing I've learnt about my fabric hoarding problem, it's this - there's not much of a problem with storing a lot of fabric because at some point it will get used. As my fabric stash depletes thanks to a couple of (as yet unblogged) projects, the real problem is the remnants. I just can't bring myself to throw out a few scraps of a fabric I love, no matter the shape or size, if it's pretty it stays. Which is an issue coming from someone who actually has very little use for remnants (I'm no quilter!). So, in a positive effort to force myself to actually use some of my beloved remnants, I'm starting up a new series on A+M: Remnant 101, where I'll be posting a little project I've sewn up from remnants every once in a little while.

The Weekend Whim: Links for Sunny Days

When the summer heat has well and truly set in, it fills me with an odd kind of optimism. I'm definitely not the kind of person to let the weather govern what I do by any means (when you live in Britain you have to make do!), but at the same time, sunny days make me dream about how I'm going to be spending the following few weeks. So, in spirit of the fact summer has finally arrived, this Sunday I'm sharing a few of my recent favourite links, so take advantage of some out of doors wifi and enjoy!

The Knitted Turban Beanie: Take 2

As odd as it sounds, I always feel a little... uncomfortable writing about knitting during the summer months. It's strange, because I certainly don't stop knitting during the summer months - if anything I do a little more, finding it easier to dedicating a lazy afternoon to sitting outside with some wool and a podcast. And if some of my favourite sources of inspiration - Wool and the Gang, my favourite knitting blogs - don't stop during the summer months, and I still enjoy reading their brilliant content, then I don't see why I'm stopping myself from writing about knitting. It's always winter someplace in the world, right?

Hence why it's been a while since I've discussed the turban beanie here. It's still something I'm working on, because I'm a slave to that pinterest inspiration, and I'm imagining practically living in it next winter. If you need a little recap (I know I do!) you can have a look-see at my first try at knitting this up.

Sewn: Daisy Pistachio Backpack with Hillarys

One of the things that has been an unexpected result of writing Awake + Make for nearly two years now (eek!), is that I have an online journal of my crafting process and makes. It's hard to see an improvement within yourself, but when Hillarys got in contact with me to announce that they were running their craft competition for a second year, I had a little look into the A+M archives at my entry for the year before, and was pleasantly surprised at how far my sewing has come along. It seems hard to believe that this time last year I was becoming acquainted with my sewing machine (no darts! mostly hand stitched!), and now we're on our way to becoming friends (nearly - he can still be an asshat at time).

May 2015

Photos from my Instagram

It's pretty scary to say that we're edging towards being halfway through 2015 (um... like where did time go?), and in just over a month I'll be turning 22 (whuut???). Now that it's starting to feel a lot more like summer, and my uni workload has lightened up, I'm in the mood to start sewing up summer dresses left right and centre, read outside in the park or garden, and take my camera out to new horizons. And May certainly delivered in those aspects! Here are a few of my favourite things from May...

How to: DIY Colouring Pencil Photo Frame

At the moment, I'm really digging decorating with things that are both practical and pretty - I prefer items that have a purpose rather than endless knick knacks that just collect dust, no matter how adorable they are. This colouring pencil frame is such a simple idea, yet I love how it turned out - I spotted a similar frame whilst shopping in Debenhams (aaaahh, their home section is to. die. for.), and instantly thought 'I could do that.' And do it I did, and I'm pleasantly surprised with the results - it's so bright and cheerful, and yet is such a simple idea!

Whilst the process was super easy, if a little time consuming, I thought I'd share how I did it here for those of you looking to add a statement to your photos...