The mindful maker: journaling prompts for embracing creative imperfections and growth.

 

 Sometimes the best part of creating is learning to love the little imperfections along the way. This week I’m embracing that idea and diving into Week 1 of the Hillside Heart prompts, which are all about mindful making, gentle creativity, and letting go of perfection.

In this video, I sit down with an old journal page and give it a new lease of life, using the prompts “Souldog” and “House/Home.” I really love how these words invite comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging. As I work, I let the page evolve naturally, turning what might once have felt like “mistakes” into design features and happy accidents. A few layers here, a pocket there, and suddenly something worn and forgotten becomes something useful, pretty, and full of heart.

Junk journaling and mixed media art are such wonderful ways to explore creativity without pressure. There’s no right or wrong — just playing, experimenting, and enjoying the process. Each page tells a little story, and each layer adds character, even the unexpected ones.

If you enjoy cosy crafting, gentle prompts, and creative time that feels calm and joyful, I hope you’ll enjoy watching this page come together. It’s a lovely reminder that growth happens when we allow ourselves to create freely and with kindness.

This is Week 1 of #hillsideheartprompts by @CarolineontheHillside, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where these prompts lead next.

Happy creating 💛📖✨

🌸 Shabby Chic & Vintage Cardboard Art — A Mixed Media Adventure!

 

🌸 Shabby Chic & Vintage Cardboard Art — A Mixed Media Adventure!

Good afternoon, lovely makers! 💕 I just put up a new video that I’m so excited to share with you — it’s all about shabby chic, vintage cardboard art, and mixed media fun!

There’s something so cozy and creative about working with old cardboard pieces and turning them into something pretty and meaningful. In this video, I play with textures, layers, paint, scrap papers, and little bits of lace and ephemera to create pieces that feel soft, nostalgic, and wonderfully imperfect — just like shabby chic should be.

I absolutely love this style because it lets you blend beauty and simplicity with everyday materials. The worn edges, the weathered colours, and the layered look all come together in a way that feels both artistic and personal. It’s the kind of craft that doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs heart.

Whether you already love shabby chic art or you’re just curious about mixed media junk journaling, I hope this video inspires you to pick up some cardboard, gather your scraps, and let your creativity roam.

Here’s the video if you’d like to watch the whole process:
🎥 https://youtu.be/O4rrpzPXM6o

Come craft along with me and enjoy a little shabby chic magic! ✨💖🧶

Upcycled Journal from a Juice Carton | Slow Craft

 Of course 💛 Here you go — a warm, cosy YouTube description for your project:

🧃📓 In this video, I create a trashy junk journal using a reclaimed juice carton and a mix of rescued, scrap and discarded papers. This is a gentle, creative upcycling project all about turning everyday packaging into something personal, playful and beautifully imperfect.

I love working with humble materials, and this little journal shows how even a simple juice carton can become a sturdy, character-filled cover for a junk journal full of texture, layers and surprises.

This is a relaxed, process-led make — perfect if you enjoy slow crafting, creative reuse and letting go of perfection while you create.

✨ In this video you’ll see:

• How I turn a used juice carton into a journal cover

• Ideas for building a “trashy” style junk journal

• Simple, low-waste creative techniques

If you enjoy cosy, mindful crafting and giving new life to everyday throwaways, I hope this inspires you to try making your own reclaimed journal too. ♻️💛

#JunkJournal #UpcycledJournal #TrashJournal #CreativeReuse #SlowCraft #JournalingCommunity

 

Relaxed Crochet | Avalon Square by This Little Hook of Mine

 

🧶✨ In this video, I’m working on the Avalon crochet square — the final piece in the Legends of King Arthur series from Lisa at This Little Hook of Mine. This isn’t just any square: it’s an intermediate to advanced crochet skills project featuring thoughtful construction, texture and detail that really makes this square stand out.

🌟 Avalon represents the mystical island of Arthur’s final destiny, and this design brings that story to life stitch by stitch. It’s perfect if you’re ready to challenge your skills and create something truly unique.

📌 Pattern inspiration & credits:
This design comes from Lisa’s blog This Little Hook of Mine — full of creative crochet patterns and project ideas. Check out her blog here: https://thislittlehookofmine.blogspot.com/

Whether you’re making this square for a blanket, wall art, or just as a beautiful practice piece, it’s such a joy to bring this pattern to life! 🧵💙

✨ Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe if you enjoyed watching — and let me know what crochet techniques you want to see next!

#Crochet #CrochetSquare #AvalonSquare #ThisLittleHookOfMine #AdvancedCrochet #CrochetInspiration

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📚 A Cozy Flip-Through: 50-Year-Old Craft & Art Magazine ✨

                                    

There’s something truly special about seeing the past through the lens of creativity — and that’s exactly what I’m sharing today! I recently came across a 50-year-old craft and art magazine, filled with vintage inspiration for sewing, knitting, embroidery, paper crafts, and more… and I couldn’t wait to flip through it with you.

In this video, we take a gentle stroll back in time, page by page, exploring patterns, ideas, and illustrations that are classic yet timeless. There’s a warmth to these older magazines that feels comforting — like crafting with a cup of tea beside you on a rainy afternoon. The colours, the style, the projects… it all has such personality.

What I love most is how many of the ideas still feel relevant today. Sure, fashion has changed, and materials might be a bit different now, but the joy of making something with your hands hasn’t. There are charming sewing patterns that make you smile, knitting ideas that feel cozy and familiar, and delicate embroidery stitches that remind you of slowing down and enjoying the process.

Whether you’re a maker, a dreamer, or someone who just loves a bit of creative nostalgia, this flip-through is like discovering a hidden gem. It’s playful, inspiring, and just plain lovely.

Watch the full video here:
🎥 https://youtu.be/r6DaEBZeihU

Let me know which vintage project caught your eye — I’d love to hear what inspires you! ✂️🧶🌼

Prompts for junk journaling.

 

I’m a little behind and decided to completely embrace it by going out of order — because honestly, that’s half the fun of creative journaling! This time I’m jumping straight to Week 52 of the Hillside Heart prompts, and the prompts were Door and Tea… which felt like such a warm, comforting combination.

In this video, you can watch as I take an old, ordinary page and turn it into a pretty and practical junk journal spread, complete with pockets and layers. I love how junk journaling lets you slow down and enjoy the process — adding bits of paper, texture, and details until the page feels just right. Doors always make me think of stories and possibilities, and tea brings that cosy, take-a-breath feeling we all need now and then.

Nothing fancy here, just using what I have and letting the page evolve naturally. It’s all about making something useful and beautiful from scraps, and not worrying about doing things “the right way.”

You can watch the full process here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT2lT09CvWU

Huge thanks to Caroline on the Hillside for the lovely prompts — they’re always such a joy to work with. If you’re behind too, or jumping around like me, you’re in good company. Grab a cuppa, pull out your scraps, and enjoy a little creative time ☕🚪✨

Slow Crochet: A Spinning Windmill Square, using advanced techniques.

              ✨

 In this video, I’m working on the beautiful Melin Wynt Goch crochet square — a stunning design that uses complex stitches to create a striking windmill effect. This is not your average granny square! Each round builds texture, movement, and depth, resulting in a square that looks almost like it’s spinning.

This project is perfect if you love textured crochet, learning new stitch combinations, and pushing your skills a little further while creating something truly eye-catching. 

🌬️ Pattern details:

The Melin Wynt Goch pattern can be found on Ravelry here:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melin-wynt-goch

🌊 Creative inspiration:

This project is inspired by the handmade, crochet-loving vibes of Mermaid Wiggle — a lovely blog full of crochet projects, creative living, and crafty encouragement. You can visit the blog here:

https://mermaidwiggle.wordpress.com/

Whether you’re planning to use this square in a blanket, cushion, or as a standalone piece, it’s a joy to make and a pleasure to admire.

💙 If you enjoy crochet tutorials, textured stitches, and creative inspiration, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment — I’d love to hear how you’d use this square!

#Crochet #CrochetSquare #TexturedCrochet  #CrochetPattern  #CrochetInspiration

Slow Craft: Repurposing an Old Diary with Junk Flyers! 1/52

 Welcome to Week 1 of 52 Weeks on Junk! ♻️✨

I’m kicking things off by giving an old diary a brand-new life, and honestly, this was such a fun way to start the year.

In this week’s project, I’m reusing and repurposing an old diary and transforming it using everyday materials — things like junk mail flyers, scrap paper, and bits that would usually get thrown away. It’s a gentle reminder that you really don’t need fancy supplies to make something meaningful. Sometimes the best creative moments come from working with what’s already around you.

There’s something very satisfying about turning something old and forgotten into something useful and personal again. Each page slowly changes as layers build up, textures appear, and the diary starts to feel like yours all over again. It’s creative, a little messy, and very relaxing.

If you’d like to watch the process and craft along with me, you can see the full video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6ljL9JAgiA&feature=youtu.be

This project is all about upcycling, creativity, and slowing down — one page at a time. I’m really looking forward to seeing where this 52-week journey goes, and I hope you’ll join me along the way. Grab your scraps, get comfy, and let’s make something beautiful from junk 💛📖