secret craftings

Crafting requires patience, a resource that I have very little of in all other aspects of life (and even when I'm crafting its pretty limited)... so the process of imagining, designing and then creating something can sometimes drain my resources of patience. Especially, when my mind is raring to go on the creative side, but it takes time to work out the logistical method of creating what I see in my mind.

Add into the mix, the fact that sometimes we craft very special gifts, for very special occasions - with the result of my very patient self, having to sit on my work in secret waiting even longer for the day that I get to reveal it to whomever it is made for.

In this case, its a wedding gift for two dear friends.

After visiting the Quilt exhibition at the V&A in London, I was overwhelmed with amazing ideas and wanted to find a way to incorporate a quote into a quilt. A few days later, a conference took me to New York where I found myself knee deep in a wealth of amazing fabrics patterns - putting a few ideas together, I bought up some material and came up with the idea of make a simple scrap square quilt, with a featured quote from William Wordsworth as inspiration in the centre.

I tried to use some fresh colours which weren't too tied to any season or style... and chose fabrics which had a vintage, but modern look to them.

Check out the results.




Quote from William Wordsworth, suiting Her penchant for the pastoral... and nostalgic of a road-trip we took together through the lakes district. (Although, I must admit its not terribly suitable to His scottish heritage) For the next gift, I'll have to quote a Scot.


Close up on the fabrics. I tried to find an interesting balance of matching and constrasting, so each combination of materials would have a difference effect.

lazy crafternoons could teach you a thing or two...

Hear ye, Hear ye! Lazy Craftnoons could be bringing the craft fun to you!

If you are interested in learning to do some of the crafts featured on the blog, and work for a charitable group or community organisation who could benefit from craft courses and workshops then get in touch!

We'll bring all the 'kit and kaboodle' to you (and take the mess with us when we leave)
send an email through to info@lazycrafternoons.co.uk for more details!

a crafty equation - granola goodness

In light of a new year, new resolutions, and most importantly a new budget, I have decided to re-evaulate my equation for crafting.

Coming up with a new idea or recipe, and diving right in - doesn't always make the most sense. Sometimes craft ideas sit on your to-do list until the perfect storm of crafting occurs; you have a spare afternoon, the supplies you need are on sale, a good friend comes for a visit, someone's birthday or a gift giving occasion is coming up, etc...

Although I always say that crafting inherently saves money (you are staying in and doing something free, instead of going out and spending on entertainment)... expressing a new creative whim, can sometimes be a costly process.

Up until now my craft feasability equation has roughly been based on whether the cost of materials is percevied to be worth the total benefit of fun, function, and time spent.

For example; If the cost of spending an afternoon in making a present for a friend, roughly equals what you would spend for their gift plus what you might spend at a movie or museum for the afternoon, then the value is worthwhile for both you and the gift recipient (just as long as you make something worth giving in the end).

But for 2010, there is a new element to the equation, which is that the benefit should not only outweigh the costs, but also the crafternoon activity should ideally;

a) create something usefull/already needed
b) potentially save money and or use free/reused/already purchased materials

and so comes 2010 Crafternoon #1 -

Granola Goodness

Problem: getting one's baking fix often results in over consumption of cookies, cupcakes, muffins, etc. this results in higher calorie consumption as well as the cost and expenses of desserts you probably wouldn't have bought anyway.

Solution: making your own Granola is a crafty way to do a bit of baking, while making something healthy that you would consume anyway.

break down:
- mix it up, add new elements every time you make it. (creative fix!)
- make your granola with what's on sale at the supermarket or buy in bulk (saves money!)
- don't waste your money on posh boxes of cereal and muesli (saves MORE money!)
- have a bespoke, healthy breakfast every day of the week (useful function!)



This is my granola mix with added sultanas, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. The basic recipe came from a friend, and I added my own mix of nuts and seeds based on what was buy one get one free at the shops.

I'll watch the sales, and hopefully try dried blueberries, dried cheeries, mango, coconut flakes, almonds, pecans.... ack! I cant wait!