Live it: Letterpress printing with Inky and the Beast

We are throwing it back a bit now and looking at a workshop we went to in June - seems like such a long time ago - with Inky and the Beast.  The lovely Jen has a lovely big studio at the end of her garden which means she can take people in to learn all about the art of Letterpress printing!  This is something that we both have wanted to do for ages.  Both being Design students when we met, we both get silly excited about paper thickness, print and type!  So this workshop was perfect for us!

Make it: Anthro Inspired Headband

Anyone who knows me will know that I love Anthropologie and I have been loving these embellished bow headbands that have been popping up over there recently. They are gorgeous, but I really wanted a January friendly everyday version that I can wear when I have a second-day hair messy bun day. So I do what I always do when I can't find what I want, I DIY, and I thought you might be interested in seeing how you can make your own too. 

A day trip to ... London

We thought that as we have been to a fair few cities across the country and the globe over the years, it might be great to share with you some places and things we love to do while travelling around and you may even have been to them all, never been there or think, now why would I go there!  Now, not all of these will be quick one day stops, there may be 24 hour versions, a quick hop over the water versions and of course home grown, things to do with your day off in your nearest city versions.  But isn't that the beauty of adventures, they can be as long or short and as near or far as you like.

Mini Make it: Paper straw letter art

There is a mini make for you this week, this simple to do, Straw letter art.  Its the perfect make for a little time out and to make for a children's bedroom or making a big letter word for decoration.

Have yourself an Independent Christmas

We know we always bang on about this, but its for very good reason, promise.  If everyone just bought one small thing this Christmas from an independent shop it would make all the difference to making sure that we keep small businesses afloat!

February Favourites

A little late this month but we are still crushing hard on all these lives, loves and makes. Here is what has been getting us through all the snow days.

January Favourites

The end of what always feels like the longest month of the year is almost here and Payday is so close we can taste it! Here is what has been getting us through...

When Tidying Actually is Life Changing

Before you laugh it off (like I did) and say 'wtf do I need with some Japanese lady telling me how to tidy' or 'yeah right as if clearing out your wardrobe can be life-changing' I want to tell you my story and how this book has affected me in the last four months. I'm sure if you have been reading this blog for a while you will know that I (Sammy) am not a naturally tidy human. I am prone to spill, and I am a hoarder (I prefer to say collector but let's be serious I hoard). So when my Business Coach, Els, suggested that I read the ‘most’ famous book about tidying after our first real session back in September I was a little confused. But I dutifully ordered myself a copy from Amazon and waited for it to arrive. 

Make it: Drawstring Laundry Bag

Its January and so what better time to clear out all your stuff, organise what's left and of course try your hand at that Learn how to sew, or Sew more things resolution you keep putting on your list every... damn...  year.  Don't worry we all do it, mine is make more clothes, currently have a stash of at least 4 patterns and fabric sitting in a corner... and that's from last year!

Things learnt from 2017

I don't know about you but this time of year can be both full of promise and dread!  Things do not magically change just because the next year has rolled around and so while there are many people thinking of resolutions and what they can do better, there are just as many of us, if not more, that think well, we just keep doing what we do right? or why does everything have to be suddenly amazing, and what happens if its not amazing?!? Should we then fall in a heap and wail that our year is going crap so far, so whats the point!

Merry Christmas

It's Christmas! Did anyone forget, he he.  We thought we would send a Christmas Message for you all.

So, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that whoever you are with or without this Christmas you can create your own Happy time.

It can be a tough time of year for some and we think its important to remember that however you do Christmas, to take some time to rest and enjoy in the way you want to.

We will be taking a little break over the Christmas period and so we shall see you in 2018!  I am sure we will be about on social media though if you want to say hi!

Love
H & Sammy

Bloglovin / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

Make it: Silver Bracelets with ImpressArt

It's gift time for the Tutorial this week, with thanks to the people over at ImpressArt we are bringing you a couple of bracelet options for gift ideas for your friends or family.  These really are a great way to personalise something with song lyrics, favourite phrase or just plain a 'Love you' note.

Make it: Haberdashery Baubles

Its that time of year again, when we just have to share another fun bauble idea for your tree, it's becoming a bit of a tradition here that H gets to make a new bauble.  This year I thought I would go the fun Haberdashery way with some treats picked up from Sew Crafty. 

Make it: Tassel Earrings

I am super excited that statement earrings are a thing again, mostly because it means that I can get my DIY on! Tassels are first on my list and what all my friends will be getting in their stockings this Christmas so I thought I would get a head start. I made a few different pairs some with readymade mini tassels and some with DIY ones in colours couldn't get online. I picked up a few colours on Etsy from Pretty Pretty Beads and My Vintage Charms both based in the UK. They also have jewellery findings if you don't already have some in your crafty stash.

Makers Month: Adventures & Tea Parties

Hey there, well we are nearly at the end of our Makers Month and today we are chatting to the lovely Joanna from Adventures & Tea Parties about her instagram #ColourMyEveryday project she did for the first time this year.  We thought you lovely lot would like to find out more too and so we had a nosey around for you.

Makers Month: The Workbench shop

Hey there, so another week, another maker to treat you to for Makers Month.  This time we have a husband and wife team that make up the great The Workbench Shop.  They make products for designer/makers and people everywhere who want something beautiful made of wood mainly, but I am sure they could turn their hand to most things if asked! ha ha.  They also happen to be the wonderful human beings who bought Hello Sunshine up and so they are a family winning combo really!  Lets have a chat with Janet and Tony.

Makers Month: Stitchsperation

So for our second chat for Makers Month we sat down with the lovely Charlie from Stitchsperation.   Sammy has long been a fan of her work and we just can't get enough of it.  So bright, colourful and all kinds of different to the normal cross-stitch kits.  So lets have a chat and see if we can find out a little bit more.

Makers Month: Women who create

We are back with Makers Month for September and what a month of treats we have in store for you.  We are going to be chatting to some business folk and some makers who will of course impart their wisdom over to you guys.  Cos we all need some wisdom sometimes right?!?!  Here's me looking for the adult in the room!

The Secret is out ...

Well hello there, we have something very special for you today, we are launching our very own Pin!  Yay!

OMG! We are in an Actual Book

So, spoiler alert in the title there. This month the newest addition to the Mollie Makes book library is published and we were invited to create two exclusive projects to be featured. Alongside, some of our industry buddies we have two projects featured in Mollie Makes - How to Sew.  Goals right there people, goals!