Battenberg Beanbag - free tutorial

I recently had a request from Hobbycraft to create an easy to make beanbag.

Sometimes when I get these requests it takes me a while to think up something to fit the brief, but other times the ideas just "POP" into my head.  This was a popping idea.

Why on earth I had Battenberg in my head I do not know, although I do like a slice now and again.

So, I made a beanbag to look like a slice of Batternberg, completed with 'apricot jam' piping.

Are you hungry now?

If you want to make one for yourself, then pop over to the Hobbycraft blog where you will find all the step-by-step instructions.

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/how-to-sew-a-battenberg-cake-pouf/

Crochet Easter/Spring Bunting - Free Tutorial

I am aware that is probably a little late for me to tell you about this Easter Bunting that I made for the Hobbycraft Blog, but hey!  Bunting is not just for Easter, and this gorgeous soft springtime colours mean you could drap it around your house to feel all fresh and springy, ready for summer.

It is made in crochet, UK terms, and you can find the step-by-step photo tutorial over on the Hobbycraft Blog.

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/summer-bunting-crochet-pattern/

Do let me know if you make some.

Crochet Easter Bunny Basket

I was asked by Hobbycraft to design and make an Easter Bunny basket for their blog.   I love these commissions, they really challenge me to think of something different.

This cute bunny basket is what I came up with.  The ears and nose are a soft pink, but they don't show up very well in the photograph.

You can find the tutorial HERE on the Hobbycraft blog   :)   Let me know if you make one.

Poncho + Blanket = Ponchet (Crochet Tutorial)

A while ago I sent a very cheeky Tweet to DMC Creative, asking for a hand-out of their lovely Natura XL yarn to do a big project with.   I had already had a few balls of this to review - find that review HERE - and I fell in love with it.
The yarn is 100% cotton, so so soft and beautiful to handle, so obviously I wanted to do something else with it.  A blanket!

Nothing done by halves in this Shed.

I made an agreement with DMC that I could have the yarn to create the pattern, as long as it was featured on the Hobbycraft blog, as other patterns of mine have been in the past.   So off I popped to check that would be ok  (well, actually, I fired an email off, but you get what I mean).  Hobbycraft wanted to tweak my blanket idea into something "wearable" like a poncho, or a cardi.  I was still set on my blanket.

Time for a little bit of compromise then.  How about a blanket you can wear?

And the Ponchet idea was born.  A totally useable blanket, with a removable panel which leaves a head sided hole so it can be worn.  Perfect for festivals and camping.

So, you can sit on it......

Or wear it.

You can wear it square on....

Points down....

Or with the removable square as added detail...

Whatever you choose    :)

If you fancy making one for yourself, then you can find a step-by-step photographic tutorial on the Hobbycraft blog.  Enjoy   :)  (and do send me a photo if you do one)

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/blanket-poncho-crochet-pattern/

Halloween Costume/Poncho - Free Tutorial

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to come up with a Halloween cape/poncho for the Hobbycraft blog.   I was sent a nice pile of fabrics including netting with spider webs on it, which is super cute.

The brief was to make it for an 8yr old, which was a wee bit tricky as I don't have an 8yr old, and my manequin, Claudette, is a little well endowed in the chest department to get a good measurement off   ;)

So, I borrowed a neighbours child, took a few measurements and got to work.

It is really easy to make and you can adapt the pattern to suit a different theme - like make it in purple to be a wizard, or in white to be a snowflake for Christmas.

It is up on the Hobbycraft Blog right now, with step-by-step photograph instructions   :)  Oh, as some of you may know I have a slight aversion to feathers, so the mask isn't one of my creations   :)

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/how-to-make-a-raven-costume/


Let me know if you make one.

Glow-In-The-Dark Pineapple T-Shirt - free tutorial

I had so much fun with this tutorial I did for the Hobbycraft Blog.  The Tulip 3D paint is just brilliant for decorating t-shirts with, and the fact that this one glow-in-the-dark..... what's not to love?

The paint goes a long way too, which is a bonus, as it is so annoying to run out of things mid project.

The t-shirt was just £3.00 from George at Asda.  It's quite thin, but that makes it better to work with as you can see through it easier to trace the lines of the template through.

Of course, you can put any design you like on in the same way.

To find the full step-by-step tutorial click on the link below, and do let me know if you make one for yourself   :)

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/how-to-print-a-pineapple-t-shirt/

Denim Tube Dress - free tutorial

I was asked by Hobbycraft to make a simple dress out of some lovely soft denim fabric.

This is the result, a tube dress, super easy to make and if you want to add a bit of extras like pockets or a belt, that is easy too  :)

Perfect for summer holidays, for slipping over your cozzie on the way to the pool, or for a nice evening meal in a lovely warm climate  (not the UK obviously!!)

I especially loved the bright orange thread I chose though.... well, I had to really didn't I?  Denim is just not denim without orange stitching.

To get the full step-by-step tutorial, each step with an accompanying photo, pop yourself over to the Hobbycraft blog, or click on the link below  :)

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/denim-dress/

If you make one I would love to see a photo, email me at soozintheshed@gmail.com

Sponged Pineapple Cushion - free tutorial

I was asked to make a pineapple cushion by Hobbycraft, for their blog.

I could use a ready made cushion cover, which I did, and something from the Tulip Fabric Paint/Dye Range.

I chose the Tulip Soft Fabric Paint range and picked the colours Olive, Golden Tan and Holiday Green.

Then I got to work.....

If you would like to see the full tutorial please visit the Hobbycraft blog, if which you can find the link below.

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/how-to-make-a-pineapple-cushion/

If you make one for yourself I would love to see a photo  :)

Roll-Up Craft Tidy Tutorial

A few weeks ago the lovely people at Hobbycraft HQ sent me some gorgeous fabrics to play with.

I made three projects in all, and the first one is now live on the Hobbycraft Blog for you all to see and make yourself, if you like.

The fabric is just delightful  - I mean, who could not love purple elephants?

These roll-up storage solutions are great, just think of the things you could store in them.  I especially find one useful for my crochet hooks.

If you would like to make yourself one, pop along to the Hobbycraft Blog and check out my tutorial.

Hope you like it.

Animal Storage Jars

I created these funky little jars for a Hobbycraft Blog.

Really easy to make and loads of sticky messy fun for the kids - most kid's like messy crafts I find.  And the best bit, is you get to use PVA glue...... the next bit is for adults only...... which you can paint all over your hands to peel off later once it is dry  :)  (please don't tell me you have never done that!?)

Anyhooooo here is the link to the blog and the step by step instructions  :)  

http://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/how-to-make-animal-storage-jars/

You can see they make great storage jars for other art and craft materials. 

Keep an eye out for more crafts with jars as I am working on others  :)