Laura Strutt's Blog, page 23

Pinterest: What They Did With Washi Tape

Chevron Washi Tape £2.61 per roll PapersNColors

Need something to look fancy ion a flash? Washi tape is the answer – there are so many styles, designs and colours to choose from that it is no wonder that this remains one of the most popular crafting products right now! Looking for some inspiration for your next wash tape project? Here are some of my favourite finds for Washi Tape Projects on Pinterest!

1 Decorative Power Cords ⇒ DesignLoveFest

2 Fancy Light Switch Plates ⇒ TinkerWithThis

3 DIY Wall Frames ⇒ Design Sponge

4 Washi Tape Play Car Track ⇒ Le Jardin De Juliette

5 Washi Your Woekspace – 8 easy ideas! ⇒ Brit+Co

6 DIY Envelopes ⇒ KeyLimeDigitalDesigns

Now if they are a whole heap of reasons to stock up on yet more pretty wash tapes then I don’t know what is!

Y’all know that you can find me over on Pinterest to check out the other things I’m pinning right now!

The post Pinterest: What They Did With Washi Tape appeared first on Made Peachy.

Coffee Crazy: Hot & Dirty Chai Latte- Aeropress

Well if there is one thing that is getting me through these deadlines then it’s coffee!

Making great coffee at home isn’t the huge hassle – or expense that you might think it would be. Friends, let me introduce you to the Aeropress!

This little baby is a your fast track to coffee gold – every time, without fail!

 

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…

1 Add the filter into the lower position of the Aeropress and secure to the base of the coffee maker

2 Add a heaped measure of your favourite fresh ground coffee and slowly pour on boiling water, ensuring that the grounds are fully saturated. Hey! Check out the handy measure marks on the side of the coffee maker - this denotes the servings – 1 scoop, fill the water to the 1 mark, simple!

3 Press the plunger to release your delicious fresh brew! I know, French press fans, you’re gonna want to leave your grounds to steep for a while…trust me, there is really no need. Just give it a little stir if you must but you ahead and take the plunge! 30 seconds is all you need for the perfect brew – no bitterness, just fresh delicious coffee!

Tah Dah! Delicious coffee in seconds…and the clean up is pretty speedy too!

Just remove the base and press the plunger to release the used coffee grounds before washing in soapy.

Want to know another little secret? This is also great for making a super quick Hot & Dirty Chai Latte too! Here’s how I make them when time is not on my side!

1 Place two filters into the base of the coffee maker, because you need the tea to infuse a little longer than the coffee.

2 Add a heaped spoonful of your fave Chai loose leaf lend and allow to steal for up to one minute.

3 Press the plunger to release the aromatic chai tea.

4 Add with a shot of espresso – made with the Aeropress, of course, and top with steamed milk, a sprinkling of cinnamon and some sugar or honey for a little sweet treat!

Hot & Dirty Chai Lattes are by far my favourite coffee drink right now, and this method is much quicker than making a trip to the local coffee store. So, tell me, how do you re-create your fave barista beverages at home?

The post Coffee Crazy: Hot & Dirty Chai Latte- Aeropress appeared first on Made Peachy.

The Week That Was: The Calm Before The Storm

Sometimes you just got to chill out, take a breath and step away from all the busy – am I right?

As you know I have been working super hard on a major new project – yes, that’s right, that top secret one. The end of this week will see this project finished up, completely. Now, that is a thought that is carrying me through the long hours and epic To Do Lists.

But, what about down time? Well this last week I have been making the most of the calm that comes before the storm. I have been making sure to take time out, to spend time with friends and family, to catch up on chores and – most importantly – to have some time to relax. To take a breath and to make sure that I don’t get completely burnt out.

One of the things that I haven’t had much time for in recent weeks is keeping up with some of my favourite magazines. In my previous life as a magazine editor for Sew I know all too well just how much effort, love and work goes into each and every issue. Perhaps this is the reason that I really enjoy and appreciate every page of my fave mags.

This last week I have been catching up on the latest issues of Love Patchwork & Quilting, the launch issue of Quilt Now and also Love Sewing. Now, these three magazines are all very different in terms of content, features and projects, but they do have one thing in common – well, two, sewing is at the heart of all of them. But, they are all modern, bright and inspiring.

I’ll be honest, I’m not usually one of these freebies fans that will pick up literally any magazine just because there is something stuck to the front – but, these cute mini makes are just adorable and, most importantly for right now, are a size of project that I might manage to squeeze in to my crazy schedule!

There is nothing I love more than to curl up on the couch, with a mug of tea and a sleepy pup and catch up on some magazine reading – so, tell me, what are your favourite magazines at the moment?

 

The post The Week That Was: The Calm Before The Storm appeared first on Made Peachy.

Style Sunday: Fair Isle Fanatic

I think it is safe to say, as the rain has made it’s self clear that it set in for the day, that we are heading into a whole new season.

Yes, I love the summer time, and yes I’m going to miss wearing sundresses. But, if it’s going to be a time for digging out the wintertime woolies then I think I might be fine with that.

I mean – check out this amazing look from Marks & Spencers – I love everything about this – the layering, the floats skirt teamed with boots but most of all I love that flash of Fair Isle from this lovely button-up cardigan, £39

How about creating this colourful knit for yourself? Then check out this Style Sunday: Fair Isle Fanatic Mood Board!

The Patterns

1 The Martha Jacket free download from Drops Designs

2 The Birdie Fair Isle Cardigan by Hannah Fettig US$6 downloadable pattern from Quince and Co

3 The Plum Frost Cardigan by Elinor Brown US$6.50 download from Elinor Brown Knits

 

I’m pretty sure that there will be lots of Fair Isle featuring in my autumn wardrobe this year – whats on your new season knit list?

The post Style Sunday: Fair Isle Fanatic appeared first on Made Peachy.

Annie Sloan Paints: Frottage Table Make Over

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been sharing some fun home decor projects you can create featuring Annie Sloan Chalk Paints – so why not try this striking Chalk Paint Frottage Table Makeover?

The latest inspirational furniture painting project from Annie Sloan is achieved using the Frottage technique on the table top above. Frottage is taken from the French word frotter which literally means “to rub”. Frottage was developed by the surrealist artist Max Ernst in 1925. Ernst was inspired by an ancient wooden floor where the grain of the planks had been accentuated by many years of scrubbing. The patterns of the graining suggested strange images to him. He captured these by laying sheets of paper on the floor and then rubbing over them with a soft pencil.

“Frottage is one of my favourite paint effect techniques as it brings a bolder and more distinctive ageing process to any surface – in an instant! You often see this look in Swedish country interiors, I think partly because of the old textured paints that have long been in these wooden interiors, and partly because of the way it is allowed to peel off over time,” says Annie Sloan.

DIY Frottage Table Make Over

1 Choose one Chalk Paint colour as a base – here Aubusson Blue was used.

2 Then choose two Chalk Paint colours to create the aged look – here Scandinavian Pink and Cream was used.

3 When the base coat is dry, apply a second add-on colour of thin, diluted paint over the surface (use enough water for it to drip slightly). Before this dries lay a newspaper over the surface and rub it down with your hands then lift it off – et voilà, the aged look process has begun.

4 When the second add-on colour is dry, add the third diluted colour, following the process as above. This technique removes each layer of paint unevenly to create the age worn effect.

5 Finally add Annie Sloan Clear Wax to seal the surface.

♥ – ♥ – ♥

Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan are £5.95 for 100ml tester pots and £18.95 per 1 litre pot. Available in over 30 historic, mixable, colours are available, which produce a beautiful, velvety matt finish that can be applied to numerous surfaces including wood, concrete, metal, glass, plastic, brick, stone and even fabric. Chalk Paint™ is the favourite choice for upcycling furniture as, due to its incredible unique sticking power, no priming or sanding is necessary – just paint over existing surfaces to create great, durable, results. Lead free and completely non-toxic Chalk Paint™ is naturally as low in VOCs as you can get and is virtually odour free – making it ideal for those who are sensitive to traditional paints.

Annie Sloan Soft Wax is available in Clear and Dark, priced at £7.95 for 500ml tins and Clear Wax is also available in an extra value 5 litre tin at £58.95.

To read more about this project read Annie Sloan’s story The eye-catchy colours of Paul Klee on her blog - Check out the Klee-inspired dotted chest of drawers project and Graduated Chest of Drawers! You can find the entire range of Annie Sloan paints on her website or look for tutorials on YouTube!

Find Annie Sloan on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest too!

The post Annie Sloan Paints: Frottage Table Make Over appeared first on Made Peachy.

DIY Itty Bitty Owl Plushie

Hello Friday! I can’t believe that the weekend is right around the corner – and it is a lovely long Bank Holiday weekend.

For me, this long lazy weekend can’t come soon enough! The last week I have been wrestling with a mountain of makes and getting things all finished up for a couple of pretty huge deadlines. But, by tomorrow, all the goodies will be  finished, shipped and it will be time to relax. And, boy I can not wait to relax!

Today I’m working on some fun toy makes so I thought now would be a great time to share a fun little mini make – so why not stitch your own Itty Bitty Owl Plushie?

This sweet little guy only requires a few basic supplies and with easy-to-use downloadable templates he’s a great project to work on with the Little in your life this long weekend!

Making toys is a huge amount of fun, not only the process of stitching but also adding in the sweet little features that give these guys stacks of character. I love creating adorable little creatures and can’t wait to try out a few more funny little plushies in the future.

If you are looking for some more Toy Making inspiration be sure to check out the exclusive Toy Making Supplement that I put together for the latest issue of Sewing World Magazine!

Download the templates and full making up instructions for making your own Itty Bitty Owl character today!

The last few makes are calling me, so have a very happy Friday y’all and see you on the flipside of this deadline!

The post DIY Itty Bitty Owl Plushie appeared first on Made Peachy.

Guest Post: Elyse Major – Seaside Blog Tour!

As part of her Seaside Blog tour, Elyse Major of Tinkered Treasures and author of beautiful seaside-themed crafting book, Seaside Tinkered Treasures, she has stopped in past to share her love for the beach and how the seaside at summertime can be an endless creative inspiration!

♥ – ♥ – ♥

There’s so much that I love about the seaside…the smell of the salt air, gazing at the line where sky meets water, the carefree and messy equalizer of it all. Mix in an adoration for humble beach cottage living, kitschy souvenirs and I’m filled with ideas!

When it comes to my favourite craft project in my new book, Seaside Tinkered Treasures, currently it’s the Craft Stick Cottage but my answer changes almost daily! All of the projects are really fun to make.

Using items with sentimental value is a wonderful way to display keepsakes that might otherwise stay hidden in a drawer – perhaps use a favourite broken earring as an embellishment or the fabric from worn pyjamas. However, any project that you enjoy the process of making can hold special meaning. My sister, Dede, recently visited and we made Craft Stick Cottages – of all the places we went to and things we did together during her visit, I think the time we shared tinkering was most special to both of us!

What to try out a Tinkered Treasure make for yourself?

How about creating these cute DIY Twined Tidies - an exclusive project from Elyse’s new book!

♥ – ♥ – ♥

Capture the love for the summer with a collection of 35 fabulous projects in Seaside Tinkered Treasures by Elyse Major, £12.99, CICO Books

 

The post Guest Post: Elyse Major – Seaside Blog Tour! appeared first on Made Peachy.

Love Sewing Issue 4 – On Sale Now!

Its always a happy day when I get to see some of my work out there in the big wide world! So, I wanted to share with you one of my latest makes featured in the latest issue of Love Sewing Magazine!

Friends, how about this sweet and stylish head band set?

There are three different designs to choose from, so you can pick something to suit your very own style and your sewing skills – what could be better than that?

The last few weeks have been all about yarn and working on new designs, with the exception of my time at the Festival of Quilts I haven’t been at the sewing machine in what feels like the longest time. And, let me tell you, for a girl like me, that is rather a strange feeling! So, even better for me, this latest issue of Love Sewing magazine comes with a fantastic – and exclusive – design to sew your own retro-inspired tea dress…I don’t know about you, but I surely have the perfect fabric in my stash just calling out to be working up into this pretty little number!

The latest issue of Love Sewing is on sale now – have you got your copy yet? Tell me, what projects and makes have stolen your heart this issue and what are you planning on making first?

The post Love Sewing Issue 4 – On Sale Now! appeared first on Made Peachy.

Annie Sloan Paints: Graduated Colour Chest of Drawers

Last week I shared a fab Klee-inspired project from Annie Sloan to create a dotted chest of drawers – now, about some more inspiration for using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint?

Still drawing from inspiration from a recent visit to a Paul Klee exhibition, Annie Sloan has created this striking finish with this Chest of Drawers with Graduated Colour!

1 Find a chest to upcycle with close fitting drawers (see above).

2 Paint the frame with a dark shade of Chalk Paint™ - here show in Graphite.

3 Choose two complementary colours for the bottom and top drawers – here show in Chalk Paint™ in Greek Blue for the bottom and Chalk Paint™ in Barcelona Orange for the top.

4 Starting with the bottom drawer make gradual colour gradations using those two colours.

5 For the bottom drawer – here shown Greek Blue on its own, for the next drawer up mix a small amount of Barcelona Orange in with Greek Blue, and so on, finishing with Barcelona Orange on its own for the top drawer.

Quick Tip!

Making brave colour choices will often result in the strongest and most dramatic finished pieces. If you need some expert guidance and information on choosing complementary colours check out the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ Colour Card available online or from Annie Sloan Stockists!

♥ – ♥ – ♥

Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan are £5.95 for 100ml tester pots and £18.95 per 1 litre pot. Available in over 30 historic, mixable, colours are available, which produce a beautiful, velvety matt finish that can be applied to numerous surfaces including wood, concrete, metal, glass, plastic, brick, stone and even fabric. Chalk Paint™ is the favourite choice for upcycling furniture as, due to its incredible unique sticking power, no priming or sanding is necessary – just paint over existing surfaces to create great, durable, results. Lead free and completely non-toxic Chalk Paint™ is naturally as low in VOCs as you can get and is virtually odour free – making it ideal for those who are sensitive to traditional paints.

Annie Sloan Soft Wax is available in Clear and Dark, priced at £7.95 for 500ml tins and Clear Wax is also available in an extra value 5 litre tin at £58.95.

To read more about this project read Annie Sloan’s story The eye-catchy colours of Paul Klee on her blog - Check out the Klee-inspired dotted chest of drawers project and be sure to watch for the next in the Annie Sloan Furniture Painting Project Inspiration next week! You can find the entire range of Annie Sloan paints on her website or look for tutorials on YouTube!

Find Annie Sloan on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest too!

The post Annie Sloan Paints: Graduated Colour Chest of Drawers appeared first on Made Peachy.

Obsessed with…dolls by Lou Love This

I have a weakness for dolls – not the baby doll kind, I’m talking more about the super rad big eyes beauties.  You have probably noticed my little Blythe doll Lux popping up here and there whenever I get the chance to get her in front of the camera!

Last year I happened to meet one of the sweetest, most talented doll makers on the planet – Louise Kelly – who is also one of the most adorable gals that I feel blessed to call my friend.

Recently, I worked on a Toy Making Special Issue for Sewing World magazine and couldn’t wait to get the chance to showcase some of her amazing makes to fellow stitchers!

Today, I wanted to share just a few of her wonderful creations because I know that these adorable characters will steal your hearts away in an instant! Friends, I’d like to you meet…

Elodie
Mae
Maggie

These three amazing and unique characters make me feel totally justified in my obsession with sweet dolls! If we could die from the cute, then these little ladies would be killers, am I right? You know something else cool? Louise creates custom dolls, unique for you – now, I personally can’t think of anything more wonderful than that!

To find out more about the fabulous Louise Kelly – be sure to check out her blog , Etsy Store & Facebook page…also if your a fan of precious puppies (just like me!) then her Instagram feed is a real treat! You can read more about Louise’s story about how she came to make these amazing dolls, what inspires her and even a few pro-tips in the Toy Making Special Issue in this months Sewing World magazine – on sale now!

The post Obsessed with…dolls by Lou Love This appeared first on Made Peachy.