The Making Spot

Freebie Friday: Crochet flower gifts

jennyphin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:43:39 +0000

Here's a fantastic free download for crochet fans - the fantastic Flower Power Crochet project from Simply Crochet!

In this downloadable pdf article, you'll find the pattern for a beautiful bloom by Jennifer May - once you've got the hang of it, move to the next page and learn how to make a purse corsage, posh paperclip and flower gift ribbon.

Click here now to find your free Flower Power Crochet project. You have to sign up to The Making Spot to download the pattern, but it's quick and totally free.

Love this? Check out more of our Freebie Friday projects now!

Win: Mollie Makes Handmade Wedding!

jennyphin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:55:52 +0000

If you're looking for wedding inspiration, don't miss the beautiful Mollie Makes Handmade Wedding, a one-off special from the team at Mollie Makes.

This scrumptious 130-page special is filled with crafty ideas for weddings, including step-by-step projects, wedding theme ideas and tips for buying vintage dresses.You'll also love the 8 picture galleries from real-life weddings, with tips from the brides and grooms! Projects include a gorgeous fresh flower circlet, stunning paper decorations and a funky heart-shaped fan for summer weddings.

For a sneak peek inside, click over to the Mollie Makes website and check out the digital sampler!

Mollie Makes Handmade Wedding is out now, available in all good newsagents, or you can order a copy online.

We've got 10 copies of Mollie Makes Handmade Wedding to give away to lucky winners!

Click here to enter our Handmade Wedding competition now. Good luck! This competition is open to UK crafters until 3rd May 2013.

Wedding style - craft & wear!

Sophie — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:09:23 +0000

We're celebrating our favourite wedding crafts on The Making Spot this month! If you're going to a wedding this summer, dress up your outfit with a special hand knitted or stitched piece - imagine how great it'll feel to say 'I made it myself' to the other guests!

Here are some of our favourite shawls, cardigans and accessories from The Making Spot - just click on the images to find more details and download the pattern today...

How to make stepper cards

jennyphin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

We've got a very special free download for card makers today - a fantastic stepper cards masterclass from the Papercraft inspirations archives!

These shaped 3D cards look so impressive, and they're lots of fun to make. Designer Angela Poole has made it easy for you to get started - your pdf article includes a basic stepper card how-to, plus step-by-step guides and templates for making three gorgeous cards.

Click here now to get your free stepper cards download. You have to sign up to The Making Spot to download the project, but it's quick and totally free!

If you love this, check out more of our Friday Freebies here on the blog, and don't miss more of our fantastic card making tutorials over on The Making Spot.

Have a great weekend!

Our top 10 crafters on Pinterest!

jennyphin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:20:06 +0000

We love Pinterest - it's a great place to collect inspiring images, ideas and tutorials you've spotted online, and you can browse other people's 'pins' for hours. It's totally addictive!

We're pinning our favourite craft projects over at pinterest.com/the_making_spot - come and join us.

If you're just getting started with Pinterest, here are 10 of our favourite crafters to follow right now...

Freebie Friday: New home cross stitch

jennyphin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Send a special handmade greeting that'll brighten up a new home! Download Angela Poole's free new home card project now and get started on these four fantastic designs. We think the 'Home sweet home' design would even looked great framed up as a picture for you to keep!

If you're new to cross stitching, we've got a handy beginners guide and lots more free tutorials to help you along. Happy crafting!

If you love this, check out more of our Freebie Friday patterns now.

Love cross stitch? Find 100s of projects, freebies and tutorials on The Making Spot!

Freebie Friday: Make wedding cards!

jennyphin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:28:00 +0000

April is wedding month on The Making Spot! We'll be bringing you our favourite wedding craft projects, including ideas for gifts, decorations and cards.

Today we've got a fab Friday freebie for you - Angela Poole's romantic wedding cards. As well as your project guide, this PDF article includes Angela's gorgeous bride and groom illustrations. Print them on to card and get busy embellishing with beads, sequins and ribbons!

Freebie Friday: Cross stitched pendants

jennyphin — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:00:57 +0000

It's chilly outside, so curl up and enjoy a spot of crafting over the long weekend! We've got a special treat for you today, Maria Diaz's cross stitched pendant project, from the wonderful CrossStitcher magazine.

There are two sweet pendant designs to choose from, and each takes only 1-2 hours to stitch. If you like this, we've got lots more free projects for you to download, plus plenty of tutorials to help you along.

Happy crafting!

Interview: Marna from Little a Designs

jennyphin — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:57:44 +0000

Marna Lunt is the talented designer behind www.littleadesigns.co.uk, a treasure trove of handstitched delights. We love Marna's colourful style and clever personalised designs, so we asked her a little about how she works, what inspires her, and what she's up to at the moment!

Marna, your online shop is a crafty treasure trove! What inspired you to set up Little a Designs?

Many of us find that life changes greatly after we have children and we have different goals and ideals. Luckily when you're an artist it often gives you a purpose and talent to use that works well around children and working from home.

I had been made redundant during my pregnancy with my first child Arthur. When he was born he suffered severe brain damage and so I was very limited to what job I'd be able to do around his very specialised and intense care needed. Then I found not only did I need to make money but I needed to have an outlet that would help body and soul and I knew that now was the time to grab the opportunity and do what I really loved at last and paint and create. And Little a was born.

Every morning I'm excited about the day to come and the opportunity to make and create. I am constantly inspired by my greatest loves; the landscapes and colours of my North Yorkshire Moors and my deep love of Itaian Renaissance art. That may sound like an odd combination but they each excite me everyday.

Easter blog party - quick links!

jennyphin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:45:14 +0000

We hope you enjoyed our blog party, and that you're inspired to create fun cards and decorations for Easter weekend! Here are some quick links to the free patterns and competitions - the competitions are open to UK crafters until 2nd April 2013. Remember you can still get 50% off your next purchase too!

Free Easter party decorations project, plus 50% off your next purchase.

Free crochet pattern - bunny napkin holder

Free card making project - craft funky sheep cards

Win gorgeous Anchor crochet yarns

Free Easter cross stitch chart from DMC

Win a trio of party-perfect craft books

If you love these, check out more Easter craft projects on The Making Spot now!