Make it Monday: Crochet Mandala

Yesterday I completed this cute little crochet project from Mollie Makes in about an hour. I love the colours and it was the perfect little stress reliever for German Mother's Day. Isabella has already laid claim to it. As ever, I loved trying something just a little bit different.

Make it Monday - Crossstitch Pendent

 Did a quick little Mollie Makes project today. It was easy, fun and effective. I love the style and the message. I could be tempted to try more of these.

Make it Monday - Stylish top

I recently made this top for my Mum's birthday. I found the instructions in Mollie Makes and thought it would be suitable for work or social.

I chose a black and white fabric with a nice pattern as it will go with lots.

And she liked it! It needs a small alteration but that's almost to be expected without fittings in between.

New techniques for me include using bias binding and making teeny tiny hems.

This is the first top I've made for an adult and I really enjoyed it. I'm now working on a dress.

Make it Monday - Crochet Pin Cushion

This was the free project that came with the very first issue of Mollie Makes sent to me by my Mum last year. At the time, I couldn't make any sense of the instructions as I was new to crochet and learning in German.

At the weekend I set my mind to it and had this little beauty finished in a day. I'm growing to like crochet more and more, partly because you see results fairly quickly and I've got a bigger crochet project coming up soon!

Make it Monday: Papercut Card

 Today I tried a new card making technique through a freebie project from Mollie Makes. I had a cutter and the mat so it was quick and easy.

It's a bit fiddly and the results aren't perfect but it was very therapeutic and the more I look at the finished project, the more it grows on me. I'm looking forward to trying some more paper cutting projects and honing my skills.

Make it Monday - Potato Print Cushion Covers

 Inspired by the colour scheme of a Mollie Makes project last year, I've been trying to incorporate more pink, turquoise and grey into Isabella's room. Her Ikea furniture is white and pink, she has a grey rug, a turquoise weaving and a painting with all three.

 Following yet another Mollie Makes project, this time from the 2017 calendar, I made three cushion covers for her bedroom too.

I ordered linen in the three colours with enough left over to hopefully make a quilt. I picked up cushions from Ikea. They are fairly large and comfy.

 Adapting an old envelope cushion pattern for the size of the Ikea cushions, I sewed them together yesterday. It's an easy pattern that I have done before.

 To jazz it up I got out a potato and a couple of pastry cutters. I settled on this clover shape as it's not too plain, nor too complicated. I had some white fabric paint to make a nice contrast. Then I got creative! With some help from Nico, I came up with three different patterns.

I'm really pleased with the results. Here's a tutorial if you want to try.

Make it Monday - Purse

This week I adapted a Mollie Makes project to make a little birthday gift for my aunt.

The French script didn't really appeal so I embroidered a flower instead. It's not perfect but it's cute. You could embroider initials or anything on there.

It was an easy and quick project to follow. It might be an idea for Christmas stocking fillers.

Make it Monday - May Birthday Cards

I mixed it up a bit this month and made the most of some of my Mollie Makes papers. I love the Spring theme - it feels nice and fresh for the new month and new start.

It was also easy to make a card for my uncle that didn't feel too girly.

I was taken right back to arts and crafts at school but I think the results look good. I'd love to get a card like this. Now to work on some gifts!

Make it Monday - Embroidered flowers

This week's quick project was this embroidery kit from Mollie Makes. It fits perfectly to Valentine's Day and I love the colours.

The designer described it as being like colouring in with embroidery threads and it really was! It was fun and simple and I got to practise my French knots again.

Make it Monday - Embroidered Cacti

For a while now, I've been admiring this new embroidered cactus trend through Instagram and Pinterest so I was really excited when this mini project came with the last Mollie Makes.

Apart from cross stitch, I've never really done much embroidery so it was fun to learn some new stitches and techniques. Plus the finished pieces were small so they seemed achievable and I love the finished products.

These will be going up somewhere and I'm definitely going to be embroidering more!

Make It Monday - Bead Bracelet

Recently, my mum started to get me the Mollie Makes magazine. It's a brilliant read for a wide range of crafts. They have a project in each issue and so far it's been really fun.

In the first issue I got, you could send off for a free bracelet making kit. I've never made jewellery before so it was nice to try something new.

It was as fiddly as I expected but fun and I'm pleased with the results. I think this is something I will revisit in the future. Thanks Mum!