It seems that whenever Spring is just around the corner, I come alive and want to start sewing. Often I have no idea what I want to make, I just know I need to make something!And that is why I love and adore all of the crafty and creative magazines out there.
I wait impatiently each month for 'Making' and 'Mollie Makes' to appear in the newsagents. When I spot a new edition I pounce on it in sheer delight.
There is no doubt that they are the leaders in the creative magazine sector. However, much as I love them, I've got to say that my personal super-favourite is 'Handmade Living'. Whereas the other two mags lean more towards sewing, knitting and crochet - though not entirely, I should point out - 'Handmade Living' is more general, which means you can find lots of inspirational ideas, even if you can't or don't sew/knit/crochet.
In the latest edition, this necklace caught my eye. 
Made from shoelaces! I just love this idea, and can see how they could be used for all sorts of embellishment ideas. Used as brooches, necklaces, or stitched on a cardigan to liven it up. So naturally, I had to give it a go. I started off with trying to dye white laces pale pink. Did not work very well as shoelaces don't want to take dye easily. They didn't argue with tea, so I've dyed the rest with tea. The flowers themselves are a little fiddly to do, but not exactly difficult.
No doubt that I need to practice them more, but I love these little shoelace daisies. Very cute. Will I make the necklace? No idea, but I'll make the daisies then make up my mind afterwards. The plans for the craft room are starting to take shape. The husband has lots of ideas of his own, some have been really rather good! I know the kind of storage that I'm after, and it's just a case of finding the right table and chair. Again I know what sort of thing will be perfect, it's just a case of tracking it down.
The main dilemma has been about the walls. I know 'my' style, but I also want to make sure that we'll all like it for many years to come. Every time I see this Cath Kidston wallpaper on blogs I think how gorgeous it is, and how I'd love to have it somewhere in the house.
The dilemma was that it might be a bit bright, but I adore it, and both husband and the girl liked it, so that's what we're going to go for. It's so pretty. I'm really looking forward to getting the craft room set up. Maybe then I'll finish projects that I started. I found these earlier today.
I remember starting them a couple of years ago, they were meant to be vintage inspired peas in a pod! No idea what I was going to use them for, but clearly, I didn't get very far with them.I might finish them off this week. Perhaps I'll remember the original plan for them if I do!