Whats on our desks - April

 

Another look at our desks this month and a little behind the scenes action.  So, lets take a look at what's been on our desks this month.

H - I thought I would do a little behind the scenes shot for this month including some air dry clay that I have been enjoying using.  Sometimes I find it easier to have everything set up for blog posts the night before and so I can just get straight on shooting in the morning of the weekend.  Its about getting all the equipment out and making sure camera battery is charged and tripod and notebook are by my side.  Sometimes I find it easier to write a step by step first with a shot list and other times its just for writing notes or ideas down while I go.  Just before I got started with this little lot it was a chance to have my favourite weekend breakfast of poached eggs on crumpets and a big old brew to keep me going.

Sammy - My desk at the moment is my sewing desk, I have been sewing up a storm on my little Janome. The black and white fabric is a dress for myself that I have had cut out for ages and have finally got around to finishing off this last weekend.  It is a jersey fabric from our friend Maude and the pattern is the Colette Myrtle. I am so happy with how it turned out, it is my new favourite dress! As well as goodies for myself, I have been sewing up samples for Sew Crafty and some tutorials for  later this month. 

What's been on your desk this month, any new ideas and fun projects?  Let us know in the comments, as we all like to be a bit nosey!

H,xxx

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DIY's I want to try April

Simple Yarn Dream Catcher Via Little Inspiration  //  Gorgeous Hanging Planter via Place of My Taste  //  Metallic Fringe Necklace Via Lovely Indeed  //  Zipped Leather Pouch Via Always Rooney

Make it: Easy Phone Cover + Free Printable

One of my favourite things to DIY and decorate are phone cases. You can make really cool looking personalised cases for a fraction of the price you can buy them for in the shops. I have recently got a new phone so I have been making myself a bunch of new cases and thought it would be fun to share how I have made my own collection.

I only actually had to buy one case, a clear case, I got mine from Amazon but you can get these kinds of cases in lots of places.

First I made a template of the back of my phone to use to make all the inserts I want.

Then I print off some patterns that I have designed on Photoshop, you can download these for yourself  here >>Free Printable Cover Inserts<<  I used some fun brushes in Photoshop and some scans of some watercolour paintings from my sketch book to create these designs. I have an iPhone 6plus so these should be big enough if you print them at 100% for most phones, all you need to do is use your template and cut them down to size

I cut out the designs using my template then you can simply insert them between your phone and the case.

The best thing is that once you have the template you can use any paper or card you like to insert in the case.

I have made some out of transparent papers I got in my Messy Box, project life cards and scrapbook papers. You could even make some out of wrapping paper or fabric. I would suggest gluing lighter paper and fabrics to stiffer card to make them last longer.

If you want to make the inserts last longer you can always laminate them, but I just use them as they are.

I am so fickle and love to change up my case with my mood so for me this is the perfect solution to stop me having to buy loads of new cases. If you want to have a go at this yourself don't forget to download my designs here >>Free Printable Cover Inserts<< or raid your own stash to make your very own collection.

I am off to decide which one is my favourite!

Sammy xxx


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Sammy's Desk Drawer Tour

I have a fun little post today for anyone who is like me and likes to have a nosey into other people's craft spaces. I am sharing the contents of my Ikea Alex desk drawers. I have been meaning to do this post forever and recently had to take some photos of my craft room for an interview so I took some extra ones of my drawers to share with you. I love the system I have for my desk right now, but it has taken me a few goes at it to work out what works and where. Lets get stuck in shall we.

The first drawer has my basic sewing supplies, things I might need or things for quick hand sewing. I also keep all my pretty sewing supplies in here, so my cutest scissors, needle cases, pins and pincushion. The next drawer holds my embroidery threads and cords for jewellery along with spare needles and odd bits of aida canvas.

Next up is jewellery findings, beads and tools. I have loads of odd bits and bobs from when I used to make and sell my own jewellery, I still do the odd repair and often make stuff for myself and friends so I try and stay well stocked. A few years ago I bought a ton of these tic-tac style bead storage boxes and they are the best way for me to organise my bead collection. I stack them on their side so I can see what I have by colour. 

The bottom of that set of drawers keeps my favourite drawing supplies, spare paints and a few calligraphy inks. The top drawer in the other set has my pens, felt-tips, pencils, anything that isn't in the pots on the top of my desk is in here, close to hand.

Next down is stamps and ink pads. I have a lot more clear stamps in another box but these are all my most used wooden stamps and ink pads. Tape, glue, staples and paperclips anything sticky or holds paper together is in the next drawer. You can see I have a good stock of my favourite double sided scotch tape, I use that stuff for everything!

The last two drawers hold spare stamps and paper punches and a few odd bits and bobs like spare drawing pins, staples and old embossing powders. The last drawer holds my paints, mostly acrylics and metallics, with some tester pots and sponge daubers.

So I hope that was fun to see inside my craft desk. If you have any questions leave them in the comments below, I will happily answer them. Also let me know if you want to see a full craft room tour?

Have a lovely weekend
Sammy xxx


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Dairy free Chocolate Chip Cookies

I thought it was about time I tried another cookie recipe and this month I found this one on the Mean Miss Mustard website.  This is a new site for me, but I think I will be back time and time again, so many good recipes on there from mains, to soups and snacks.

This is an already egg free recipe but to make mine dairy free aswell I used Pure Sunflower sperad and dark chocolate.  They came out really well and very tasty, easy to make a small batch too - which always helps when you just can't stop eating them.

Any other recipe recommendations always appreciated, anything we just have to try?

H,xxx

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Life Update April

Catch-up time again!  I swear these are getting closer together. So a month of fun treats, rain and cross stitching was what March had to offer, lets get you up to speed...

H - I had a bit of time off this month and so it started as normal days off do, with rain!  But at least it gave me a great excuse to actually stay in the house and relax.  Well needed after the last few months.  I also got out and about though and enjoyed some spring-time like sun, so not all bad.  Lots of behind the scenes work got done on the blog too as it has been on my list for ages and so Hot Cross buns were my fuel of choice, well I did find some which are cows milk free, so it was meant to be.  I did however succumb to something very not dairy free when I spent the day with my Mum this month.  We pottered about and ran some errands and then had lunch at a garden centre and so this lemon meringue pie had to be mine!

Sammy- March is my Birthday month, so it kicked off in the right way, my lovely friend Verity made me (my favourite) red velvet birthday cake which was so yummy and the rest of my friends and family spoilt me rotten as usual, I am a very lucky girl. I managed to get my hands working on some projects, some for work and some for pleasure, as usual.  I can't show you them all right now but there are some exciting new products coming to Sew Crafty very soon!! We have had loads of deliveries of new stock at work too, so I was making up some samples to show off the new additions. Personal projects included the gem embroidery from last months Homemaker mag, which was fun to do and a bit of watercolour painting made the rainy days more bearable. I have also been tidying my craft room like a demon and coming across alot of stuff I forgot I had, so look out for some fun tutorials over the next few months!

We hope you had a good month, what have you been getting up to? We would love to know.
Sammy and H, xxx


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