Present Gift Card Holder

When giving someone a giftcard or just some cash, it can be difficult to make it look special. This free SVG by Dreaming Tree offers a solution with a little present that holds a gift card inside. This was quick and easy to cut out using my Cricut Explore Air 2, and was even fairly easy to glue together. I chose to make the main body of the present in a dark green, and chose a complimentary hand-marbled paper from my stash for the front. I also added one of my gift tags which I've shared peeks at over on Instagram! I used some simple curling ribbon to tie it up, as I didn't have any appropriate fabric ribbon to hand. Inside is an insert which you glue down, and it has a slot in the middle for your gift card or cash. I've just put a gift tag in to model it! I really love that this was easy and effective. And it wouldn't even be too difficult to make a simpler one without a cutting machine.

Accessories Holder

My youngest niece recently celebrated her 5th Birthday, and as many of us girls do, she loves her hair accessories! I recently saw this idea online, and thought it would be perfect for her. I'm sure it won't organise her entire collection, but it at least allows her to display and easily access her favourites :)

Assembly was fairly simple, once I had the right equipment! I began with a 15cm square canvas, and attached a layer of wadding on top of it so that there was some give. I cut a square of fabric from my stash (I used to have some of this fabric attached to my jeans!), and attached various ribbons to make four strips. I also attached two small loops at the bottom to hang hairbands from.

I attached a hanging loop at the top, and stitched a ribbon bow on for some extra prettiness :) This particular ribbon bow actually came tying up a set of pyjamas - remember to never throw anything away! I then spread the fabric over the canvas, stapling it at the back. I originally tried to do this by opening my normal stapler out to use as a staple gun, but it was not going well! Thankfully my father-in-law stepped in with a proper staple gun, which worked much better :)

Crochet Hook Case

If you like me on Facebook (something I recommend if you want sneak peeks!) you will be aware that I have been doing some sewing this week, but I haven't let on exactly what I've been making!

I was fortunate enough to inherit most of my crochet hooks from my Nan. They came in a 90s cardboard Jaffa Cakes circular tube, and whilst I loved that my Nan had put them in that, I wanted something more practical for my own use.

I spent a while scouring the internet, but couldn't quite find any tutorials which suited what I wanted: a fabric rectangle I could roll up, with a lower row for smaller hooks, and a higher row for longer hooks and knitting needles, with lots of room for me to expand my collection! So, some brain storming with my husband, and we came up with this design. This would probably be an afternoon make for most people, but I was thrilled to have made it in less than a week!

And even better, the only expense for me was some more thread... The outer floral fabric is from a pair of old curtains I received from a kind person on Freegle, and the inner denim is from an old pair of my jeans - the great thing about wearing flares is that you get a lot of fabric!! [The top of the jeans were used in this skirt!]

Assembling it worked out fairly simply...

• A large rectangle of floral fabric for the outside, with some ribbon added when it was finally assembled.
• A large rectangle of denim for the base of the inside.
• A rectangle half the size for the tall pouches for knitting needles, sewn on to the inside base.
• Two long thin rectangles for the short pouches for crochet hooks, sewn together and then attached at intervals to the tall pouches. [This has also added bonus pockets between the short and tall pouches, which I lined with more floral fabric!]

I'm so pleased with it! What do you store your crochet hooks and knitting needles in?

Shop: LP Record Trays

I know this sounds crazy, but a part of me hurts when I make these. I mean, how dare I melt vintage vinyl?! But in these days where very few people have record players, but everyone still has a soft spot for these beautiful records, these make the perfect compromise.

LP Record Tray
£8 (+ P&P £2.99)
Vintage LP Record hand shaped to form a tray suitable for use around the home. (I recommended a simple lining if using with food.)
The approximate diameter is 27cm/10.5", and the approximate depth is 2cm/1".
This record is Starlight Chorale.

These trays are great for presenting cakes, biscuits, gingerbread houses, and sweets and treats to everyone (just remember to use a doilie to line it). They are also great for dumping your keys and wallet in as you walk in the door; for piling your bracelets and knick-knacks on; or just to admire some vintage in your home.

LP Record Tray
£8 (+ P&P £2.99)
Vintage LP Record hand shaped to form a tray suitable for use around the home. (I recommended a simple lining if using with food.)
The approximate diameter is 27cm/10.5", and the approximate depth is 2cm/1".
This record is Simon and Garfunkle - Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Choose from one I have in stock, or request a custom tray based on an LP you love or used to love. Coordinate labels to match your living room or your snacks, and I can even adjust the size of the bowl to suit your needs.