My Daughter Loves to Draw Cats

I couldn't resist sharing these with you, I never knew my 5 year old daughter liked drawing cats so much.  Each one has its own quirky personality and charm; I really like the simplicity of each of them.  They made me smile, I hope you like them too.

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Monthly Moodboard - It's Been a While

It's been over a month since the last post on Make Do Sew, apologies but at times there are things that happen to us all that take priority over everything and this past couple of months has been tough.  Hence why my blogging and social media activity has been at a minimum.

I don't like to share too much of my private life on my blog as I feel it's unfair on my family who either, don't want to be posted on the internet or are too young to make that choice for themselves.  However at the moment my life is going through a transitional period and this means my usual 2-4 blog posts a week will be a bit sporadic until life reaches some kind of normality.

Despite all this my mind can't help but think up 'crafty makes, and potential blog posts to share, it's a cathartic process that allows the mind a needed rest.  Time permitting I'm intending to post at least once a week and my Monday Moodboards will be monthly for a while.  Thanks to all those who have contacted me, it's been lovely to know that people I've never met are looking out for me, surely that's one of the many beauties that blogging and networking offer.

My Moodboard today is 'yellow', such a happy and optimistic colour that sums up summer wonderfully.

Have a great day everyone. Xxx

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Guest Blogger 'Create it With Samantha' - Wedding Ring Pouch Tutorial

I am lucky enough to have another great guest blogger featuring on Make, Do, Sew today, Samantha writes 'Create it With Samantha'.  This blog is an eclectic mix of craft, motherhood, home life, vintage and recipes.  It's a really good read and appeals to a wide audience with its broad range of subjects.  Samantha is also in the midst of putting together a website and also has an Etsy shop, she is one busy woman!!!  Today's guest post is a fantastic tutorial with step by step instructions/images to follow.  I hope you enjoy!

Project: Wedding Ring Pouch Designer: Samantha Schofield

This Wedding ring pouch, is a perfect customised gift for the Bride and Groom and also handy for the Best Man too!  Wedding rings are so tiny and on the big day can be easily mislaid, make this little pouch to not only to give reassurance to the Best Man but also a keepsake of the Wedding Ceremony.  I still use mine for holidays, swimming trips, DIYing; those times when it is safer to take your rings off and put them in a safe place.

Here is how you can make this project within two hours with many items from your sewing box.

You Will Need:

15cm x 12cm linen fabric
75cm x cream double faced 3mm ribbon (Cut into 3 pieces 2 x 20cm and 1 x 35cm)
1 skein of embroidery stranded cotton thread DMC 3712
1 pot of fabric paint Dylon gold
Heart stamp (this one was in a stamping kit from Boots.com)
1 cross stitch needle
1 sewing needle
1 spool of self coloured thread
Sewing scissors
Sewing pins
Use of a sewing machine
Cross Stitch Pattern ABC

Let’s Create!

1. Fold The Fabric - fold into thirds length ways and then in half.

2. Stamp Your Hearts - Test first to get your stamping technique perfected on paper! Print using equal amounts of fabric paint across your stamp, five hearts across your fabric using the picture as a guide.

3. Stitch Your Hearts & Initials - thread your needle with two strands of stranded cotton in 20cm lengths. Firstly using a backstitch, outline the printed hearts.

Then following the cross stitch pattern, add the initial of the bride and groom over the hearts which will form the inside of the pouch.

If you are new to cross stitch this link on technique can help. Link to http://www.cross-stitching.com/how-to from a click through from ‘help’

4. Detail of cross stitch and backstitching

5. Add The Ribbons - pin the longest ribbon to the centre back and hand stitch on. With the two smaller ribbons, tie in a knot in the middle. Handstitch the ribbons in the bare centre square so they are in line with the initial hearts. This is where the rings will be secured.

6. Sew The Pouch Together - with the right sides together and the ribbons tucked in, pin and sew on the sewing machine the pouch together down one short side and the longest side. Grade the seams and cut the corner bulk off. Then turn inside out to show correct side. Press. Handstitch up the open side to form a seam. If the fabric frays, it maybe easier to zigzag the raw edge to make easier handling. 

7. Press The Ribbons & Seams - with the end of iron on a low heat press.

Your Finished Wedding Ring Pouch!

For more inspiration visit my website www.samanthaschofield.co.uk or my blog http://createitsamantha.blogspot.co.uk to rediscover vintage and ladylike crafts!

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Coconut Macaroons Recipe - A Rough and Ready Version

I've tried to make 'posh' macaroons before with varying success, they look great but to get the lift or foot as it's known can be tricky. However a rougher finish doesn't detract from the taste and the recipe below is excellent.

I got this recipe when I joined a well known slimming club, it's low fat, tastes great and the macaroons have a lovely chewy texture. If you want to jazz them up make a chocolate ganache and use as a filling or dip in chocolate and sprinkle with chopped pistachio nut....bliss.

You will need:

Baking parchment
Whisk
Spoon or piping bag

Ingredients:

71g Desiccated coconut
198g Sugar
4 x Egg whites

Method:

1. Whisk the egg whites until frothy.
2. Gradually add the sugar and whisk until stiff.
3. Slowly fold in the coconut, once evenly distributed either, spoon on to a lined baking tray in rough blobs to the size you want or, use a piping bag for a more uniform shape.
4. Place in a preheated oven on 170*c for 25-30 mins or until just turning golden.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
6. If adding chocolate ganache the macaroons must be completely cool otherwise your filling will melt.

They are a lovely tea time treat and will last in an air tight container for a few days, I hope you enjoy.

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#Monday Moodboard - Backdated and Belated! - Nostalgic Retro

Phew...talk about a hectic week, it's definitely time to relax a bit and slow down, apologies for the belated 'Monday Moodboard', as they say 'better late than never'.

The sunshine always makes me feel nostalgic; those six week summer holidays that seemed to go on forever, camping holidays in Cornwall, freshly cut grass that always ended in a 'GRASS FIGHT', the sound of the ice cream van a few streets away. In light of this nostalgic mood I've put together some of the highlights of my 1970's/80's childhood.....which ones do you remember?

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#Monday Moodboard - Fry-Ups and Chips

Well the Easter holidays are officially over and I have to say I've been eating rubbish for the past two weeks. As much as I've enjoyed it it's time to get back in the zone, healthier eating and a bit more exercise for me.

Have a healthy and happy week. Xxx

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Crochet Guest Post - Home to Roost Blog

There's been a lot of guest post gorgeousness this year, a few of us who've met through blogging have been guesting for each other.  Today I am returning the favour for the lovely Sarah who writes a blog called Home to Roost.  You may remember Sarah, she wrote a great post on Make, Do, Sew about crochet and knitting back in March and now it's my turn to return the gesture.

I decided to write about a crochet puff stitch neck roll I have made, it is to go with a hat I have previously crafted. There was some delay in getting this post together (due to both my children having chicken pox and some technical internet issues) so I was concerned that my woollen scarf would not be suitable for Spring. However the weather has been so miserable that a snuggly Aran neck roll is still very wearable even in April!

I have to thank Sarah not only for letting me guest but also for her fantastic technical help. She managed to give my post a bit of a 'buff and a polish' and made it look fantastic.....thank you so much Sarah!  Please take a look and let us know what you think.

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