A recycled, art-filled journal page, using prompts "Orange and Buttons "as a starting point.

 I know I'm a little out of chronological order but, Week 31 of the Hillside Heart Prompts gave us “Orange” and “Buttons,” and honestly, this combination was so much fun to play with. I grabbed an old page from my stash—nothing special, a bit dull and forgotten—and turned it into a bright, cheerful junk journal spread packed with colour, texture, and a couple of handy little pockets.

The orange theme brought such a warm, happy vibe to the whole page. I layered bits of paper, scraps, and embellishments until it started to glow with those lovely citrusy tones. And of course, adding buttons is always a joy—they bring that perfect touch of charm and whimsy. A few carefully placed ones ended up giving the page so much character.

I love how junk journaling lets you transform something plain into something beautiful and useful at the same time. The finished page feels lively, practical, and full of personality—exactly what I hoped for with these prompts.

A recycled, art-filled journal page, using prompts "Delight and Sunflow...

Week 32 of the Hillside Heart Prompts brought us the words “Delight” and “Sunflowers,” and they were such lovely themes to work with. I took an old, plain page from my stash and transformed it into a bright, cheerful junk journal spread complete with pockets and little details tucked in. There’s something so satisfying about turning something simple into something that feels joyful and full of life.

Sunflowers always make me think of late summer warmth, and I tried to bring that feeling onto the page—soft yellows, warm tones, and little touches that make the whole thing feel sunny and uplifting. The pockets came together so nicely too, making the page not just pretty but genuinely useful. That’s one of my favourite parts about junk journaling: beauty and practicality all mixed together.

If you want to see how the whole thing came together—from the scrappy starting point to the finished page filled with colour and texture—you can watch it all in my latest video. It’s a calm, creative crafting session inspired by Caroline on the Hillside and her wonderful weekly prompts.

A recycled, art-filled journal page, using prompts "Bubbles and Angels ...

I had so much fun today turning an old, forgotten page into a really pretty junk journal spread using the prompts “Bubbles” and “Angels.” There’s something magical about taking a plain, slightly scruffy page and giving it a whole new life. I added pockets, layers, and little scraps I’d saved, and somehow it all came together into something both pretty and useful.

I love that about junk journaling—you never really know what it’s going to look like until the very end. A bit of paper here, a sticker there, some ink, some texture, and suddenly it transforms. This page turned out soft, whimsical, and a little dreamy, which is exactly what the prompts inspired.

If you want to see the whole process, from the messy “before” to the finished page with pockets and details, you can watch it all unfold in my video. It’s just a calm, creative session where I let the ideas flow and enjoy making something out of almost nothing.

Come craft along with me and see how this old page became something special!

https://youtu.be/rLM5MwbJ9Vs

🧶 Cozy Crafting & A New Video to Relax With

 

🧶 Cozy Crafting & A New Video to Relax With

I’ve just uploaded a new video and I wanted to share it here because it’s one of those slow, cozy crafting moments that just feels right for this time of year. If you love settling down with a cup of tea, some yarn nearby, and something calming to watch while you crochet or knit… this one’s for you.

🎥 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbdMDq54Aqs&lc=UgwwqrQRcIJzqTwdEgN4AaABAg

In this video, I’m just crafting, chatting, and letting the creativity wander a bit — nothing too complicated, just the joy of making. I always feel like crafting is as much about the atmosphere as the finished thing… the yarn in your hands, the rhythm of stitches, the quiet moments where your mind settles.

If you're into crochet patterns (or are working from one and something isn't quite adding up 🙃), you might find this link helpful — it’s a little resource I found that has pattern corrections and clarifications:
🔗 https://everytrickonthehook.com/patterns-2/errata/

A Little Treasure Trove of Barbie Knits 💗🧶

 

A Little Treasure Trove of Barbie Knits 💗🧶

Okay, I have to share this with you — I stumbled back into one of my favorite old pattern sites, Sticka till Barbie, and even though the original site is gone now, a lot of it still lives on through the Wayback Machine!

Here’s the link to one of the big index pages (it has the first 50 patterns!):
https://web.archive.org/web/20211205205205fw_/https://www.stickatillbarbie.se/Sida%201-50%20.htm

If you’ve never seen it before, it’s basically hundreds and hundreds of free knitted outfits for Barbie and other dolls. Everything from cute dresses to little sweaters, coats, hats, even some hilarious retro styles that just scream the 70s and 80s. And honestly… I love them for that. 😂

Why I’m obsessed:

• The patterns are free (we love that)

• They’re quick little projects — perfect stash busters

• And there’s just something so charming about the vintage style

You might need to poke around the archived pages a bit (some of the pictures can be slow to load), but it’s totally worth it.

I’m planning on picking a few to try soon — maybe even making a little seasonal wardrobe for one of my dolls. Because why not? Life is too short not to knit tiny cardigans.

If you grab a pattern and start something, tell me! I love seeing what others make.

A Recycled, Art-Filled Journal Page: Transparent and Nature 🌿

There’s something incredibly rewarding about creating with what you already have — transforming scraps, textures, and forgotten bits into something meaningful. This week, I worked on a mixed media journal page using the prompts Transparent and Nature, and it turned into such a peaceful, reflective process.

I began by playing off screen pieces of recycled paper, packaging, and tissue — anything with a hint of transparency. The goal wasn’t perfection, but expression. A dried leaf became the focal point, pressed gently between thin layers of tissue and watercolour. The effect was soft and organic, like nature preserved through time.

For me, craft journaling is a space where creativity flows freely. It’s not about rules or outcomes; it’s about the journey — allowing colours, materials, and emotions to guide the page. I love how mixed media invites you to experiment, to let go, and to see beauty in the imperfect.

If you’d like to see the full process, I’ve shared a video of this journal page on my YouTube channel. You can watch it here:
🎨 Watch on YouTube

I hope it inspires you to gather your own bits of “junk” — those small, overlooked materials — and give them a second life through art. After all, creativity often blooms from the most unexpected places.

Half-Term Dreams and a Hint of Autumn

Ha! So, it’s almost half-term here in my little corner of the UK — and honestly, I can’t wait. This year has flown by in a blur of plaster dust and paint fumes. Between redoing my bedroom and hallway and tackling a total kitchen renovation, I feel like I’ve spent more time with sandpaper than sunlight! Let’s just say my “summer break” didn’t feel very summery.

But relief is in sight — soon I’ll be heading off with my family to sunny Alicante for a much-needed week beside the pool. Just the thought of not having to clean up plaster dust for seven whole days feels like a holiday in itself.

Back here in England, though, the seasons are definitely shifting. The air has that early-morning chill, the fog rolls in now and then, and it’s almost dark when I wake up. You can feel autumn stretching its fingers through everything — the light, the colours, even the mood of the day.

Eleanor seems to have taken the hint too. She’s already dug out her winter wardrobe and is looking effortlessly chic in her new outfit: a jaunty beret, a thick ribbed jumper, and simple black leggings. The pattern is by Stickatillbarbie, a wonderfully creative designer whose work you can explore here.

Sadly, many of her patterns have been lost to time — but not completely. Thanks to the magical powers of the Wayback Machine, you can still find thousands of them archived. I’m planning to work my way through as many as I can… one cosy knit at a time.

So, as I pack my sunglasses and swimsuits for Alicante, Eleanor’s already wrapping up in knits and wool — and honestly, I kind of love that contrast. Summer may be over, but autumn has its own quiet charm… and a brand-new wardrobe to go with it.