If blackwork sometimes feels a little formal or wintry, spring is the season that softens it beautifully. Floral motifs, fresh color palettes, delicate ornaments, and garden-inspired details give blackwork a lighter feel while still keeping all that lovely geometric structure … Read More...
The great naturalist, who is about to turn 100, is still surprised by wildlife in his new series about British gardens. But not every pet owner will be happy with his top tips
Whenever David Attenborough speaks, the world listens – so his latest BBC programme, which heralds the broadcaster’s 100th birthday, is bound to attract attention.
Secret Garden, which features five different UK gardens, might not be what people normally expect from Attenborough, says the show’s series producer, Bill Markham, as “there’s no lions and tigers”.
Continue reading...Use this fun FREE Carrot effect in Illustrator to change any font or simple line image into a carrot inspiration for Spring and Easter designs. This plug in will easily customize your titles, text, numbers and shapes by adding a … Read More...
I have a random collection of links to cross stitch websites that I sometimes look through when I’m looking for things to share with you. I’ve been hitting them up more often lately because I’m trying to share more free … Read More...
My mother, Shirley Cargill, who has died aged 89, made a name for herself by creating beautiful surroundings at her large family homes in Norfolk: first at Alby Hall near Cromer and then at Elsing Hall near Dereham.
The interiors she created in both places were bold, original and constantly evolving, while for their gardens she favoured a romantic and instinctive style, filling the grounds with roses and championing the wild self-seeding style that is now widely favoured.
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If you like supporting Etsy designers, this one is a sweet example of the kind of practical seasonal project small embroidery shops do so well. The Machine Embroidery In The Hoop Design Soft Bunny Toy from BabyEmbroideryShop is a digital … Read More...
If you’re a science fiction geek you may already be familiar with the movie Project Hail Mary, based on the book of the same name and starring Ryan Gosling.
What you might not have seen if you haven’t watched the … Read More...
At the end of last year I sat in on a crafting trends webinar and one of the things that was mentioned that was going to be trending this year was ducks and geese. I don’t know if I’m seeing … Read More...
I’ll let you in on a little secret — I don’t buy these felting needles one set at a time. I buy four or five. At once. Every single time.
Now, before you think I’ve lost my mind … Read More...
Before you start working on your Spring and Easter scrapbooking projects you might want to download this FREE pretty in pink collection of Easter papers. There’s 6 different petite patterns, all in different shades of pink, from soft and pastel … Read More...
There’s a certain type of sewing pattern that immediately signals comfort-first, and the River Pants are very much in that category. They’re relaxed, practical, and clearly designed for everyday wear rather than “stand still and look nice” clothes. The … Read More...
I was looking through the free cross stitch patterns at DMC the other day (always a worth use of time because they’ve got some great stuff!) and I came across this set of patterns that are tiny representations of famous … Read More...
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Dear Crafty Readers,
“I sell handmade sewing items — mostly simple, practical things. Tote bags, pouches, table runners. Nothing fancy or complicated, but well made and thoughtfully finished.
Lately, I’ve started charging what I believe is a fair price. Enough
The Fresh Cross Stitch shop is fresh in the way that a spring day is fresh, with pastel colors and happy designs. Let’s take a closer look at this sweet cross stitch pattern shop based in Spain.
The shop has … Read More...
My father, Tony Bracegirdle, who has died aged 83, was a successful amateur rose grower and exhibitor. He won the Royal National Rose Society open championship in 1996 and 17 more times over the next 20 years.
His love of roses began in 1965 when he saw “Ena Harkness” in bloom in the garden of his new wife’s childhood home. He said it was the most beautiful thing he had seen, and from that moment wanted to be a rose grower.
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As cross stitchers, we have lots of essential tools, including our thread and fabric, but one of the things none of us can live without is our scissors.
I have scissors of all sizes all over the house, from large … Read More...
If you’ve ever wanted to create something beautiful and functional with wool, this soft, rounded catch-all bowl is the perfect project. Using the wet felting resist method, you’ll learn how to sculpt natural fibers into a bowl that’s sturdy enough … Read More...
I happen to really like French knots. I think they’re fun to make and I’ve written a lot about how to make French knots, how they look different depending on how many strands of thread you use and how many … Read More...
After more than 20 years of blogging about sewing, crafts, and DIY, I have seen a lot of creative websites come and go. Some were full of inspiration and community, and some just slowly disappeared as social media took over. … Read More...
Emily Call’s Etsy shop is full of cross stitch patterns for the whole year, including specific seasons, affirmations and floral designs. Let’s take a closer look.
The biggest category on the site is called “all year” and it includes month … Read More...
El Salvador, officially the Republic of El Salvador, is a country in Central America bordered by Honduras, Guatemala and the Pacific Ocean. It was historically home to the Maya and then the Cuzcatlecs before being conquered by Spain in the … Read More...
Even though we’re getting close to spring, I’m not quite ready to call it planting time where I live. I am, however, quite ready to have fresh herbs right outside my door again. Maybe for now I just have to … Read More...
Now’s the perfect time to sort your outdoor space, and we’ve got the whole thing covered with our roundup of the best online nurseries. Plus, gardening pros reveal their go-to kit
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With the first signs of spring and that tantalising sense of sap rising, it’s time to venture into the garden. If it’s looking a mess, then don’t despair: these days the received wisdom is to let it stay scruffy over the winter, providing a much-needed habitat for all kinds of wildlife. So the good news is that you’ve been doing your bit, however unwittingly.
Now, though, it’s time to tidy up dead leaves, straggly growth and all those precocious weeds that are trying to get a head start. And if 2026 is the year that you want to up your gardening game – whether that’s planning a new border, or just plugging some gaps – you might be thinking about buying some new plants. We’re here to help.
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Continue reading...Whether you want bulbs or bare roots, perennials or houseplants, we asked experts for the online nurseries they trust for reliable, beautiful greenery
As winter turns to spring and the days warm and lengthen, we’re so keen to get out in the garden, do some work, and also go shopping for lovely new plants.
It’s great to get acquainted with your local garden centre to see what’s on offer, but nurseries with an online presence can be a horticultural lifeline if you don’t have a good one nearby, or you’re (or want to be) car-free. Online stores often provide a wider range of inspiring plants because they have more growing space or specialise in particular types of plant, such as shade lovers or hellebores, enabling you to track down the perfect plant for your space.
Continue reading...If you long for freshly picked produce but don’t know where to start, try these sure-fire winners
At this time of the year, gardeners are susceptible to the lure of colourful, quirky veg catalogues. But hold fire! A little restraint is our friend. By focusing on reliability, yield and flavour over exotic looks, we are likely to have an easier and more successful year on the plot.
The following fruit and veg should produce hassle-free harvests. They may not look like the most exciting crops, but they will result in more food on your plate, having been tried and taste-tested for a high chance of success and good flavour. Their reliability and resistance to problems makes them easier to grow, and they’re also simple to harvest and prepare, so you’ll be left with more time to enjoy eating them.
Continue reading...Getting your garden ready for spring? We asked the experts for their go-to kit, from secateurs and soil knives to trousers with enough pockets for twine
• How to make your garden tools last longer
In my garden, the celandines are popping, the blackthorn buds are breaking, and the bees are beginning to bumble. These, to my mind, are all solid seasonal omens, and I for one can feel my sap beginning to rise: time to venture outside.
Though undoubtedly there are cold, damp and dreary days still to come, the spring starting pistol has been fired and months of good gardening now lie ahead. There are seeds to sow, shrubs to prune and perennials to chop back and divide. In all tasks, however, being well equipped makes every bit of difference to the experience, so here are some dependable, tried and tested – and in many cases beloved – tools recommended by professionals, from head gardeners and growers to producers of vegetables and cut flowers.
Continue reading...This time of year I don’t have it in me to knit (or, most of the time, to wear) a full sweater, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still get cold...
