I’ve got this deadline, which is for a huge project. I’ve spent the last couple months not really taking weekends off, and working late into the evenings too. The number of times D asks me if I want to watch a movie with him, and I cajol him into choosing something I *don’t* want to …
I started this website back in May 2016. The plan back then was to create a website where people could come to learn more about creative hobbies. I interviewed art friends at the Art Studios I was based at in London’s Wimbledon, and I wrote up reviews of exhibitions too. Within a few months, ‘gurus’ …
Oh my word, I am IN LOVE with my new sewing pattern! I should add that it is not a garment sewing pattern, but an accessory pattern that I suspect you will love as much as me. One of my pet peeves is having my sewing supplies (and my favorite art supplies) scattered across my …
It’s been a long time coming, but a while back I spent time at an exhibition, something I hadn’t done in several years due to the worldwide shutdown. The exhibition was ‘Viva La Frida’. Featuring many of the garments worn by Frida Kahlo as well as some of her most famous paintings, the Frida Kahlo …
If you are a complete beginner when it comes to sewing, you can learn easily enough using all the free sewing tutorials on my blog, which is a great resource for newbies. But what if you’re going to be offline for a while? Or just like to have an actual physical book in your hands? …
While I have previously written about a variety of sewing tools and equipment, I haven’t focused on the essential tools a sewing beginner might need when starting out on their sewing journey. And to be fair, the tools a sewing beginner needs will vary depending on which sewing discipline they plan to learn. Some people …
Who here struggles with finding gifts for friends and family? Snap. Which is why I think it’s a better idea to create a list of Christmas gifts that you can sew for friends and family, and then space the projects out throughout the year. I know that some people dislike the idea of making gifts …
I love bow ties. I love them for myself and for others, and I’ve made quite a few in my time because they make great gifts. Today I’m sharing a tutorial on how to make a bow tie out of any fabric. In this tutorial, I’ll also be sharing the two ways I use to …
It’s getting close to that time of year (again) and you may be a bit like me, thinking about all the things your dad already has and what you could possibly get him that he doesn’t already have… Of course, it’s a tad late to be sewing up a big project in time for Father’s …
Back in 2023, I shared a video on my art YouTube channel about the ways that I use an every day sketchbook. At the time I was very new to keeping a sketchbook for everyday use – I’m more practiced now! – so the quality of the ‘artwork’ on the pages is probably not what …
This padded glasses case tutorial was part of a DIY gift series I created for my YouTube channel in December 2022, and for some reason never made it to my blog. I love the padded glasses case I made in this tutorial, and usually have it with me when I leave the house so that …
I have quite a collection of pattern making books. Its my biggest passion and I love to have books around me on things I love. Some people will stick to just one book, and refer to it as if it’s their ‘bible’ for that topic, whereas I am a little freer, and love all the …
I love fashion. I love seeing what’s new in the shops and what’s trending on runways. But what I don’t like is that there are very few designers or stores where I can walk in and get a great fitting item of clothing. My body does not conform to the ‘standard’ sizing, with its long …
One of the joys of Christmas that I miss since moving away from the UK is having a Cadbury’s advent Calendar. That daily bit of tasty chocolate has long been a joy, even if the amount of plastic and card waste on the packaging is ridiculous! This year, I’m going to make myself feel better …
This tutorial on upcycling brogues into DIY mules came about after I popped onto Pinterest and searched for tutorials and found nothing. I also searched Google, and again came up empty. But why was I looking to refashion some mighty fine brogues you’re surely asking? Well, I have always wanted a pair of brogues, and …
As I write this, it is HOT. Spring skipped us this year and we went from almost 0ºc to 27ºc in the space of a week. I’m wearing shorts and a tank top but I feel like a summer dress would be better. I also have special event to attend in June – another wedding …
I often hear from people daunted at the thought of using a serger, as they see them as being a more complex machine compared to a traditional sewing machine, but sergers are actually great sewing machines and very easy to use once you know how. We can use them to finish off raw fabric edges before …
