Make it Cosy

Woohoo! I'm so excited that my cushion cover is on the front page of this issue of Gathered Magazine by Mollie Makes! You can download issue 8 directly to your iPad here, where I show you how to make it yourself.

I am also offering this one-off cushion cover as a FREE GIVEAWAY prize! Head over to my Facebook page for details of how to enter. Good luck lovlies xx

My Handmade Christmas Wish List!

Ok so at AUD $230 this Kantha quilt is out of my price range but I love how this Aussie company, Fossik, styles these vibrant quilts in a bright and fresh setting teamed with circles and polka dots. 

Coupon Code: YES1000

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? If you still need to get some gifts for 'her' (or for yourself!) then don't miss out on the 20% off sale I'm having in my Etsy shop (to celebrate reaching 1000 sales!) This week only - don't miss out! 

Knitterati Night

Woolly Jumper Wonder

It was cold and dark. Wind howling, rain lashing against the window panes. The kind of night you dread going out into. I tell you, couch + woolly socks + hot water bottle have never seemed more appealing.  

Warm and Toasty Weekend

My new iPad mini arrived this week - oh swipe-y, gadgety goodness! What was the first thing I did with it? Download Gathered by Mollie Makes of course!

Top 5 Tips for Growing a Successful Online Handmade Business

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In this second part of a two part feature (part 1 here)  I look at some practical tips to help build your own online handmade business.

Tip 1: Make Product Ranges

It may seem obvious but it helps if you make a range of products that are similar to one another. It will mean your shop appears cohesive and will enable shoppers to make sense of your brand. This needn't be a creativity stifler! And please don't feel you need to become a manufacturer of one product only. After all, you want your collection to remain special and unique. You can still make an assortment of eclectic items, but how about working in limited edition sets according to a specific theme or colour palette? 

Hunted and Gathered Part 2

There's a new awesome craft mag out called Gathered by Mollie Makes. It's exclusive to the iPad and for hardcore addicts because it's a weekly hit of creative projects, people and videos to inspire your very own handmade crafty amazingness. Issue 3 is supposed to be the best one yet because I AM IN IT!

Hunted and Gathered Part 1

I've done it. I've taken the plunge and there's no going back now.

Having intentionally steered clear of the iPhone/iPad fever of the past half decade, I must say, for the most part I have felt strong in my convictions and yes, probably even just a little bit self-righteous.

Having held out all this time, defiant, fighting the futile battle for real human interaction – for asking a stranger a question vs google maps, for reading a real book with ink on paper instead of squinting into a luminescent screen, for having a real conversation face to face with a human being rather than multi-tasking tapped out message fragments to somebody whose attention I can't be sure I have – I myself have now switched over to the dark side.

Selling your handmade crafts online: Is it for you?

In this first part of a two part feature I look at the perks and pitfalls of running your own online handmade business. Part two, coming soon, will offer some practical tips and advice.

Are you the kind of person who prefers to make gifts instead of buying them at the shopping mall? Do you scour little tucked-away shops for inspiration and unique finds that you could incorporate into your crafts? Are you always dreaming about your next project and constantly have several things on the go at once? Do you live to create, whittling away into the wee hours because you are ever so slightly obsessed with what you're making? (Me too!) Have you been toying with the idea of selling your handmade crafts online but don't know where to start? Maybe I can help you with that.

Great British Makers Competition

Exciting news! I'm part of the Great British Makers Competition being run by Seek and Adore. If you're feeling especially lovely you can vote for me, Leanne Garrity, here and don't forget to check out all the clever British designer-makers also in the running. To vote, all you need to do is follow the link above and click the Facebook 'like' button in my listing. Thank you! xx

Some recent features!

My New Labels!!! :o)

My labels arrived today - happy! I got them from Label Name and I'm really pleased with how they turned out, would highly recommend these guys if you're thinking of getting your own labels done.

Now, on to attach them to as many things as is humanly possible! Bye xx

Crazy-Cushion-Cover-Commission-Completed! CHUFFED!

Phew! They look like an innocent stack but these babies have really put me to the test over the last couple of weeks. In amongst the regular work routine, I've been washing and drying and ironing and taping and painting and painting and fanning and ironing and sewing and ironing again, over and over and over.

Creative Block

Cool! Check out my feature spot on the topic of creative block in this month's issue of Craftseller Magazine :o)

Hot-steppin'

My sister is preggers, big time. Whilst eagerly awaiting the now-fashionably-late little miss, she has not allowed herself to grow idle. She's used the opportunity to really get her craft on, with some impressive results.

Sad Happiness?

Is it really sad that the highlight of my day was receiving a package of fabrics in the mail? I was so happy I thanked the postman profusely, to which he replied, "Lady, it's what I'm paid for".

iMake Interview

A very big thanks to Martine from iMake for featuring me on her lovely blog :o) Martine is very crafty Guernsey gal and her blog really is a treasure trove of all things handmade and craft related, including photography and cookery as well! So go over and check it out! You can read the full Chi Chi Dee Handmade interview here.

Bye-e! Love Leanne xx

Monday Makes: Kindle Cover

Hello Monday! Today's post is especially for the lovely Lauren, my Crafternoon pal, who has just got herself a new Kindle and needs some inspiration for a cover. Hope this helps :o)

Monday Makes: Decoupage Chairs

Ok, I know I'm doing a 'Monday Make' on a Friday, but it's been a busy week! I've been in Stuttgart attending an author's workshop for my other job as a writer (I know - so adult!) but I've since returned and, having caught up on all my orders, now have a chance to type up this post, propped up in bed surrounded by assorted German chocolates and Hasselnusswaffeln crumbs. Yum.

My Top Tips For Selling Your Knitting

Moss Stich Knit Cowl

I was recently contacted by a writer for a knitting magazine asking me if I had any top tips for people who are thinking of starting to sell their knitting, either to raise money for charity or just to make a bit of extra cash to help out during those lean times. It turns out I have learnt a thing or two about selling my handmade goodies over the years (mostly through trial and error)! So I thought I would share my ideas here too :o)

New Fabrics!!!

Red with Fat White Polka Dot

I'm very exited about the new fabrics I have in stock! I ordered them online from Tissue Fabrics.

They do free UK delivery for orders over £50 and I'm really happy with everything I ordered from them :o) 

Monday Make: How To Upcycle An Old Jumper

I'm starting the week with a new how-to. Yip! And it's a two-in-one project which makes it twice as good. This week we're learning how to upcycle an old jumper into a cosy cowl and armwarmer set. And with the wind rattling my rain-splattered window panes as I type, what better way to spend today! (Other than lying in bed watching old movies and Mad Men Season 5 Episode 3, but I did that yesterday...)

Just Havin' a Lark

I've just finished making this cushion for my Mum for Mother's Day. It's crocheted using Rowan 4ply 100% wool in a larksfoot stitch. I love the fresh colours and the striking pattern. The back is envelope style made in white linen.

My mum taught me to crochet and the most important tip she imparted on me is not to hunch your shoulders while you're doing it. It's easy to get really fixated on what your doing and a little manic as you push yourself to do "just one more stitch, just one more row..." or is that just me being a crazy? Anyway,  Mum teaching me crochet was definitely what set me off on my crafty life adventure so I guess this is a tribute to her teachings. Thanks Mum!

What are you all making your Mums for Mother's Day?


Ps, If you want to learn how to do this cool crochet stitch then Pip Lincoln of the (sadly no more) Meet Me at Mikes shop of loveliness in my hometown of Melbourne has made a how-to video and also a tutorial on her blog.

xx

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has sprung and I have been sitting in my sun-drenched craft room over the weekend bathing in the warmth and fragrance of 1kg's worth of Yorkshire-grown dried lavender from Lavenderworld and making a ridiculous amount of lavender pouches. Here are a few to give you the idea:

Baby Booties

I'm going to be an Aunty soon and ever since I found out, I haven't been able to stop making adorable little baby booties. I was at it again yesterday, this time with some new fabrics that remind me of French kitchens in the summertime.

Folksy Winter Sampler 2011

It was just another day of making in the little craft room upstairs on a grey December day. I heard the familiar squeak and thud of a parcel slipping through the letter box and landing on the floor. It always gives me a little buzz as I am secretly addicted to online shopping. But it wasn't a squidgy bag of wool nor yet another pair of Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles (amazing invention – craft revelation!). It was a sleek brown envelope, indistinct, but it had big fat surprise inside. It was a letter from Folksy along with a quirky, colourful newspaper. I raced greedily through the pages devouring all the UK handmade loveliness when suddenly I froze. Gobsmacked. There it was. A half-page feature interview with – me! – was staring right back at me. Plus one of my cable knit headbands on another page, it was all too good to be true. What a lovely Christmas present from the wonderful folk at Folksy. And to top it off, the Folksy Winter Sampler 2011 is now available as a snazzy online version. Take a peek, there are so many goodies inside...