Monday, 13 October 2025

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.  







Thursday, 27 March 2025

Flower power crochet square :From Circle to Square: A Beautiful Crochet Block for All Skill Levels.

Grab your hook and yarn — today, I’m working on something fun and satisfying: a circle-to-square crochet block! ๐ŸŒธ

This project is perfect for beginners to intermediate crocheters who want to expand their skills and create something truly versatile. You can use these blocks to make blankets, cushion covers, bags, or even combine them into a stunning patchwork throw.

I’ll be walking you through each step, showing how a simple circle gradually transforms into a neat, balanced square — one of those magical crochet moments that always feels rewarding, no matter how many times you’ve done it.

It’s a wonderful design to learn from, with clear stitches and lots of creative potential for colour play and texture.

So, get comfy, grab your favourite yarn, and let’s crochet together! Whether you’re brand new to shapes or just want to brush up on your technique, this block is the perfect place to start.



Wednesday, 26 February 2025

What Makes JUNK Journal Art So AMAZING?

Week 5 of #HillsideHeartPrompts: Enjoyment and Clouds ☁️

Welcome to Week 5 of #HillsideHeartPrompts hosted by @CarolineontheHillside! This week’s theme is Enjoyment and Clouds — though, yes, I might have said it wrong again (lol). But that’s half the fun, right?

As part of this week’s creative challenge, I’m diving into something that always brings me joy — junk journal art.


✨ Discovering the Magic of Junk Journaling

If you’ve ever wondered what makes junk journaling so enchanting, this is the week to find out. It’s a world where paper scraps, old postcards, lace trims, and forgotten notes come together to tell a story — your story.

What I love most about junk journaling is how it blends freedom, texture, and emotion. There are no rules. You can stitch, glue, paint, layer, or tear — and somehow, it always turns into something meaningful and beautiful.

In my latest video, we explore:
๐ŸŽจ The history and evolution of junk journal art
๐Ÿ–‹️ Different techniques for layering and texturing
๐Ÿ’ญ Why this craft captures the hearts of so many creatives

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting your creative journey, junk journaling invites you to play, experiment, and express your truest self. Every page becomes a reflection of your personality and mood — whimsical, vintage, or totally wild.


☁️ Art That Feels Like Clouds

This week’s theme — Enjoyment and Clouds — feels especially fitting. Junk journaling, to me, is a lot like watching clouds drift by: it’s calm, ever-changing, and full of imagination. You start with something simple and end up seeing whole worlds form out of scraps and shapes.

So grab your papers, pens, and glue sticks — and join me in celebrating the beauty of creative freedom.

Let’s find joy in the process, embrace the imperfections, and fill our journals with clouds of colour, texture, and heart.







Beautiful beginners crochet pattern, from, circle to granny square!

A Crochet Block a Month: January 2025 ๐ŸŒธ

One of the things I love most about the crochet community is how it brings people together — sharing stitches, stories, and inspiration from all over the world. This year, I’ve joined a wonderful group on Ravelry called “A Crochet Block a Month 2025”, and I’m so excited to be part of it!

Each month, we work on a new pattern, and this month’s beautiful design comes from the talented Desire Fourie. You can check out her blog here — it’s full of creative inspiration, patterns, and crochet goodness.


๐Ÿงถ This Month’s Project

This month’s block starts as a circle that gradually transforms into a granny square — a classic crochet shape that’s endlessly versatile. It’s such a satisfying technique to learn (or revisit!) because you get to see that smooth transition from round to square right before your eyes.

In my latest video, I’ll take you through the process step-by-step, sharing some of my favourite techniques and little tips along the way. Whether you’re new to crochet or a seasoned hook-wielder, this is a fun, relaxing project that adds a beautiful block to your collection.


✨ Why I Love Crochet-Alongs

Joining a monthly crochet-along like this one keeps me inspired and motivated — it’s a lovely reminder to carve out time for creativity each month. There’s something special about knowing that makers all around the world are working on the same stitches at the same time, each adding their own colours, textures, and style.


So grab your hook, some yarn you love, and let’s get crocheting! Watch as I turn this simple circle into a gorgeous granny square — and maybe learn a few new tricks along the way.



Friday, 31 January 2025

Watch as I turn my junk journal into a textured bird page!

 New youtube up! I'm following Caroline on the hillside on youtube and following her prompts. It's great fun! Tomorrows another busy weekend as per normal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1j_mxda3fA&feature=youtu.be




My patterns featured again!

 I'd forgotten about my Halloween mittens, although I still wear them, even after all these years!  Im thinking I might make some different patterns soon!

I found I was featured on a few different websites!

https://craftwithmeemaw.com/free-pumpkin-knitting-patterns/ 

and 

https://www.theknitcrew.com/8-creepy-knitted-halloween-mitten-patterns/

here's my free pattern, it links you to an older post of mine.


https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/happy-halloween-mitts



Thursday, 30 January 2025

I TURN TRASH INTO AMAZING JUNK JOURNALS!

 This journal was made completely from Junk! It was so much fun to make!

Heres the link to my video to flick through, I'll definitely make some more of these!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4UZ5esOJOA



 






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 ...