The Make Lounge Blog

The Artful Hoarder: Customised Plastic Bags

2010-08-14T13:45:02+01:00

Check out these cute customised baggies made by the super talented Babalisme! If like us you are a bit of a hoarder when it comes to craft supplies, these make sorting and stashing that little bit merrier.

Why not give this unusual craft a try by taking a permanent marker to a few humble plastic seal bags and tracing some of your favourite illustrations - or even some of the objects that will be stored inside?

You needn't stop at archiving, anything contained in a baggie can get a make over, from your homemade bathbombs to your family's pack lunches!

A Nin Win Situation: Refashioning Your Clothing

2010-07-29T09:51:00+01:00

The Make Lounge's creative alterations class is truly a thing to behold! On a recent weeknight, I watched as within an hour eight ladies excitedly went on their way to perfecting all sorts of items with hidden potential after consulting with the awesome fashion tour de force that is Nin Castle, founder of sustainable fashion label Goodone.

In the spirit of Nin's class we found this simple idea for a fab nautical top top which anyone can attempt at home without the use of a sewing machine. Just perfect for summer, we think it has more than an air of Vivienne Westwood about it! Why not recycle an old men's shirt, then it'll be eco-fabulous too!

Tees and Cake: Threadless' friendly cake-off!

2010-07-27T08:36:00+01:00

Possibly giving even The Make Lounge's own prize-winning caker Louise Hill (of Love to Cake and Cupcakes Ahoy) a run for her money, these wonderful 3D interpretations of designs from t-shirt mecca Threadless.com are just a few of the entries so far in the 2010 edition of the aptly-named Threadcakes competition!

It's open to anyone, so if you've been hankering for a new sugar paste project, look no further! Simply select an artwork to 'interpret' (there are literally hundreds), and get baking! You have until 16 August to send in pictures of your finished cake (plus the making and demolishing of it) before the winners are awarded some as yet undisclosed (no doubt cake or t-shirt related) prizes!

For more info and to read the rules (very important) head to the competition website. To check out the competition, head on over to the gallery, and if you feel as a result a little help might be in order, why not take a look at our upcoming cake decorating class dates?

Here's last year's winning entry!

Tasty Fashion Accessories!

2010-07-26T09:08:00+01:00

Here's something that's already got me looking at the specials on soft fruits differently! Although the subject matter of award-winning advertising photographer Fulvio Bonavia's latest book might be a departure from his usual automotive bent, it's his virtuoso skills in Photoshop – coupled with his wife's love of Italian fashion - that are really on show in this surprising set of images.

Visit his website to view more images from the book, A Matter of Taste and, for, a behind-the-scenes look at how these surreal still life images were achieved, watch the video below!

Cool Knitannia: Learn, Shop, Knit, Spin at Knit Nation!

2010-07-23T11:51:00+01:00

If you know your wool from your Wollmeise you might want to make a massive note about this in your diary. The first ever Knit Nation Expo, brainchild of Soctopus' Alice Yu and Cookie A (of the monkey socks), is coming to London's Imperial College in South Kensington, on 29-31 July! The event promises to bring something of a festival vibe to the usual knitty goodness, with an exciting program of classes featuring a stellar lineup of international knit and spin stars!

See who will be there on the Knit Nation blog.

Whatever your level of skill, you can knit and spin along with your heroes for hours and hours, learning anything from tip down gloves to spinning for socks (do book in advance). Plus, as you might expect, there'll also be more delicious yarn than you can shake a DPN at with over 35 local and international vendors on site.

Another higlight is the talk by the founders of the knitting social media site Ravelry who will also be throwing a party (that's right, PARTY) on Saturday night! And as if that's not enough to keep you contented, the V&A and Kensington Gardens are only moments away if you need a break.

Who needs Glastonbury?