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by Lou 4 Comments

Tumblethumps Wool Tumble Dryer Balls

“What are Tumblethumps and what do they have to do with crafting?”

The answer is simple. Tumblethumps are dryer balls which are created using a process of wet felting and needle felting and as you may know, felting is a craft that’s currently growing in popularity. We handcraft every one of our Tumblethumps right here in Scotland using pure Shetland wool.

Whilst dryer balls may not seem to be particularly creative on the face of it, there isn’t actually any reason not to turn such a functional item into a decorative one too. In much the same way that a humble hand towel is often embroidered or cross stitched, making it pleasing to our eyes as well as of practical use, wool dryer balls can have any design felted onto it that your mind can think up. 🙂 And once you have decorated them, they can make lovely, safe, soft toys for kids and pets alike to play with! How’s that for versatile?

Tumblethumps Wool Dryer Balls

Tumblethumps wool dryer balls in white Shetland wool

 

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Filed Under: Eco Crafting, Local Scottish Craft, Tumblethumps Tagged With: eco crafting, green crafting, sustainable living, tumblethumps wool dryer balls, wool dryer balls

by Lou Leave a Comment

Craft Kit Review – Sheep Cushion

When I was at the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts show at the SECC in March this year, I picked up this adorable cushion kit from Fiddlesticks Fabrics of Ballyclare. I may have mentioned a penchant for sheep-ish items and this was one of them. Featuring 3 applique sheep in some very stylish black and white swirl fabrics, I was curious to see just how easy it would be to make.

On opening the kit I found

  • a set of instructions
  • 3 sets of applique fabric pieces to make the sheep
  • 6 white buttons for the eyes
  • fabric for making up the cushion front and back

The cushion fabric itself was generously cut with more than enough to make the 3 pieces and their respective seam allowances as required. I do recommend using dressmaking scissors for this to get the best and easiest cut through the fabric. I didn’t have any and waited till I’d bought some before attempting the job. The cushion is a very simple envelope style so it’s geared towards being a suitable starting point for beginners. No complicated sewing involved, just straightforward hemming.

 

IMG_0204 IMG_0205 IMG_0206

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Craft Events, Craft Kit Review, Craft Projects Tagged With: craft kit, craft kit review, cushion, sheep

by Lou Leave a Comment

Inspirational Craftsmanship Using Recycled Materials

I watched this video from the ever amazing Upworthy site a couple of days ago and simply had to share it. Having watched this, the reasons that I hear from people on a daily basis as to why they don’t recycle are shown up for what they truly are… excuses.

 

A Must Watch Video!!

 

The children themselves are wonderfully talented but I’m sure you’ll agree that those people who actually collect the materials and craft those stunning instruments are truly special. Eco crafting at its most extreme.

Filed Under: Eco Crafting

by Lou Leave a Comment

Product News – Scottish Place Name Map Pendants

Brand new in our Etsy shop in the last few days are our first batch of hand crafted antique silver plated pendants showing various maps of Scottish towns and cities in pretty heart shaped or round bezels. On this occasion we’ve added Kelso, Hawick, Stirling and Glasgow. More to follow in due course.

These make truly unique gifts for friends or loved ones to commemorate a variety of events from births to weddings to anniversaries. You can even treat yourself, perhaps as a memento of a great holiday spent in Scotland.

We’re also offering postage to the USA, Canada and the EU.

You can check out the current towns on offer HERE. We’re adding new stock all the time and you can of course request a custom order if you wish.

 

Kelso Map Pendant

Vintage Map Pendant of Kelso. Click to enlarge.

 

Filed Under: Our Scottish Crafts on Etsy

by Lou Leave a Comment

A Woolly Summer Craft Festival in Argyll

Don’t we all just love a summer craft festival? Well here’s a very special one for you. Argyll is set to host their Gaelic Wool Festival, Feis Cothlam 2013, from 18th to 20th July in Benderloch and around Oban. It promises to be a woolly spectacular with stalls, displays, workshops and demonstrations galore. Thursday will find the market in full swing, showcasing local produce at its best and the Friday will see the Festival playing host to a Mongolian Fibre Art Cultural visit with a talk and a film in Benderloch’s Victory Hall.

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Filed Under: Craft Events, Eco Crafting, Local Scottish Craft

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Louise at Thistle Dubh Ewe

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A Little History At the start of last month, Gilbert Baker died. He was just 65 years of age. The name may not mean anything to you but his legacy certainly will. Gilbert was the creator of the rainbow flag; a vibrant symbol for the LGBTQ community and one that is globally recognised. He said he wanted to […]

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