Our June craft box celebrates all the things we have loved during lockdown. Spending time at home is one of them – being housebound does have upsides, – including giving us an opportunity to look at our four walls with fresh eyes, and make little tweaks and improvements that can make it better when it [...]
One day an Arctic Roll met a Swiss Roll... the result is swirly chocolate spongy, raspberry ice-creamy yumminess! YOU WILL NEED For the sponge 4 eggs (whites & yolks separated) 100g caster sugar for the egg whites 70g caster sugar for the egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 70g plain flour 40g cocoa powder 1/2 [...]
With little ones around dressing up is ALWAYS a top favourite. So too are paper straws, broken necklaces and other bits and bobs. Throw in a few carton pullers to up-cycle and you have everything you need to make these super fun dressing up rings! YOU WILL NEED Plastic carton pullers A selection of any [...]
Delightfully delicate mini cupcakes disguised as pretty potted plants. Perfect for a summertime teaparty! YOU WILL NEED FOR THE SPONGE 125g butter or margarine 125g caster sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 125g self-raising flour FOR THE BUTTERCREAM 125g butter or margarine 200g icing sugar 50g cocoa powder Chocolate sprinkles (optional) OTHER BITS 10 [...]
Chocolate that cracks when you bite it hiding ‘bonkersly’ DELICIOUS bite sized frozen banana, decorated with rainbow sprinkles, swirls and speckles... bananas! YOU WILL NEED Bananas (x 3, or more if you’re hungry) Lolly sticks 200g white chocolate 200g milk chocolate Sheet of baking parchment Chocolate sprinkles Multicoloured sprinkles Nuts (crushed) Smarties if you have [...]
This joyful Himmeli garland is the perfect way to use up all those paper straws you've been storing! Hang them in a row to create a fabulous garland for a party or kids room. YOU WILL NEED; 8 x Paper straws per diamond shape 1 x Embroidery skien per shapeFine wireScissors for straws Ruler Pliers or scissors [...]
Add a flowery flourish to your dressing up outfits! A BLOOMing big and bold cardboard necklace. I think mum might fancy one too! YOU WILL NEED Cardboard (around 30cm x 20cm) Yellow, white and brown paint Paint brush Scissors Glue Stapler Ribbon (approx. 50cm long) HOW TO 1. Cut out three flower shapes approximately 9/10cm [...]
Jet setting Great British Bake Off judge, founder of Leith’s School of Food and Wine, ex-Director of Belmond, and author Prue Leith CBE OBE has tasted all corners of the world... Back in Blighty, she recently celebrated her 80th birthday and has collaborated with the government to celebrate VE Day. Angela Sara West chats exclusively [...]
Meet Peggy, a delightfully delicate Peg Doll Mermaid who loves being painted, preened and pouting on a beautiful beach near you. YOU WILL NEED Dolly peg (or pegs for multiple mermaids) Paint (black, white, red) Small pointed paint brush Tissue paper, white (4 sheet A4 or a couple of A3) Crayons (recommend Kitpas) Glue HOW [...]
Calling all budding photographers! Make your own pocket camera to take on adventures everywhere, even if it’s just into the next room or down the road for a morning stroll! YOU WILL NEED Cardboard 11cm x 5cm Cardboard roll Red paint White paint Paint brush String or ribbon Scraps of cardboard Glue Hole punch HOW [...]
This gorgeous vase is a genius way to up-cycle your old tin cans. With the look and feel of a vintage enamel tin, they are perfect for flowers or as a pen and pencil holder. YOU WILL NEED 1 x washed tin can with label removed Spray paint, suitable for metalSheet of paper to practice on [...]
How wonderful it would be to fly around free as a butterfly, did you know they only ever fall in love once? With a little concertinaing and a twist of a pipe cleaner why not make a super simple Bridgette or Bryan Butterfly of your own. YOU WILL NEED Approx. A3 paper (brown, white or [...]
The classic egg box transformation project. Perfect for fantastical fairies & pixies who eager to explore a wondrous woodland. Let your little sprites imaginations run free! YOU WILL NEED Cardboard (ideally from a cereal box) Square cardboard carton (juice ones work well) Egg box Scissors Tape (masking tape ideally) Glue Paint (white, brown, red, yellow) [...]
What a wonderful way to keep photos of your loved ones, this beautiful picture frame has been inspired by the stunning 1920s Barbloa mirrors. It's incredible what you can make from some cardboard and love. YOU WILL NEED 1 x A4 medium thickness corrugated cardboard for frame 2 x toilet rolls 1 x A4 sheet of [...]
Fancy an adventure? Hop on board the cardboard camper and let your imagination take you! YOU WILL NEED Cardboard (thin corrugated or cereal box, A4 size or there abouts) A4 paper (white or cream) Cardboard roll Scissors Glue Paint (blue and yellow) Paint brush Crayons (black and white) HOW TO 1. Cut out your camper-van [...]
What could be more fun than a game of skittles! Here’s a super duper bunny themed make to create your own skittle set. YOU WILL NEED Corrugated cardboard (roughly A3 size in quantity) Coloured paper (two contrasting colours) Scissors Glue stick BallHOW TO Cutout 6 bunny shapes (approx. 12cm tall) from the cardboard. Cut out [...]
We are thrilled to announce the launch of two stunning brand new and exclusive Emma Block watercolour illustrations to download on the blog! Why not get out the watercolour kit you received in the Pretty Painting box to complete these lovely paintings? They include a Hellebore Wreath with "stay home" or you choice of words [...]
Love spring daisies, zingy lemons and buttery biscuits? Then these delicate floral cookies are one to try. Dreamy, daisy, delicious, delightful & d-lemony! YOU WILL NEED for the biscuits: 250g soft butter or margarine 140g caster sugar 1 egg yolk 2 tsp vanilla extract 300g plain flour For the lemon curd: Zest and juice of [...]
Since the pandemic all of us have been astounded by the bravery and kindness of our key workers. Thought deeply about those who are sick and those who need extra help. Why not make a few of these simple origami butterflies, pop a little message in the wing and leave them at a doorstop of [...]
It’s that “cheepy chirpy” time of year and what better way to celebrate all the little chicks being born than to paint this little chap. It’s time to experiment with a bit of block printing! Great fun to make pictures, posters and cards galore. This design is a brilliant introduction to a traditional printing technique. [...]
These super cute scrunchies not only are a gorgeous addition to your hair accessories collection, a lovely bracelet, beautiful gift and also make great napkin holders for a party! YOU WILL NEED 2 sheets of A4 paper 25cm height by 56cm width lightweight cotton fabric 25 cm elastic, 5mm-1cm width Needle and thread Sewing machine [...]
A perfect alternative for your Easter Egg Hunt, easy peasy to whip up and super fun to decorate. Easter Cookies! Just keep them away from that nibbling baby bunny! INGREDIENTS 250g soft butter or margarine 140g caster sugar 1 egg yolk 2 tsp vanilla extract 300g plain flour 30g cocoa powder Couple of drops of [...]
Easter wouldn’t be Easter without big blooms and bonnets! Here’s a floaty floral, super simple one to make for your little chicks. Perfect to wear for a chocolate egg hunt! YOU WILL NEED Tissue paper x 10 sheets A5 sheet of patterned/ striped paper (or make your own stripes) Large sheet of brown kraft paper [...]
What better time of year to get into some egg-cellent crafting? We have created a round up of some of our beautiful seasonal craft projects for you to enjoy year on year. And don't forget to check instagram and kids pages for additional free ideas over the next few days. Heirloom "Happy Easter" Banner This [...]
Who knew that with a little cardboard and paint you could have your very own flower garden spring up in your bedroom. Remember these flowers don't require water! In fact thats probably the only thing that will make them wilt. YOU WILL NEED Corrugated cardboard (A3 size approx.) Paint brush White paint Pink paint Green [...]
Who knew you could make something so joyful from some old egg boxes! This beautiful project is a wonderful way to sing in the spring. As seen on MakeBox Live on instagram (@makebox.co) with Hannah. YOU WILL NEED 4 or more half a dozen egg boxes, please note some egg boxes differ, ones where the [...]
Rainbows are so special, they represent good luck and are one of life's little pieces of magic. After a thunderstorm you often see a rainbow and they can be breathtaking. Why not make one of these Ombre Rainbows and pop it in your window to support our NHS and wish all its workers good luck. [...]
After the rain clouds... there's a rainbow Rainbows are very special to the MakeBox family, and it makes us so happy to see how window rainbows are being used to show solidarity and support for our incredible NHS, and to spread a little joy during this strange time of social distancing and self-isolation. Let’s keep [...]
Bees are brilliant! Without them pollinating with their big bottoms we wouldn't have most of our flowers, fruit and veg. They also make sweet sweet honey which is super delicious, especially on toast! Create this Busy Buzzy Bee with its flappy wings, perfect to fly around the garden doing important jobs. YOU WILL NEED Parchment [...]
Call in spring with this joyful blossom origami design. So simple all you need is a sheet of paper and some excellent folding moves. This flower can be scaled up to create a rose shape or made a title smaller to create this blossom stem. YOU WILL NEED Sheet of paper, Scissors Toothpick, back of [...]
We believe everyone deserves to Bee Happy! To celebrate the one year anniversary of this wonderful thing called MakeBox + Co., Hannah has dreamed up our next generation bee design. This pattern features a silhouette outline of the original Bee Kind design, snuggled in a bed of dusky pink, pastel blue and golden daisies, saskatoon [...]
Other’s Day Robyn Donaldson and Emma Hopkinson created Other’s Day for people who, for whatever reason, feel left out by traditional celebrations. It could be that your mum’s not around. Maybe she is, but the relationship is tricky. Maybe you’re a mum yourself who’s lost a child. Maybe you’re far away from the kids. Maybe [...]
What makes the gift list money can’t buy so special? The Make Blog calls on some of its favourite artists and designers to explore the magic behind giving and receiving the home-made way… Isabella Strambio, macramé and natural dyeing expert “It is so lovely to know it means so much to her.” Isabella says… “One [...]
One of the things we absolutely loved this month was the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton’s, one on one interview with the Happy Baby, Happy mum podcast (which you can listen to here: http://aca.st/045608) It’s a really wonderful interview where Kate talks about a lot different things, her experiences of childbirth, of being a mum, her views on the importance [...]
Whether or not you work for yourself or for somebody else, living in this ‘always on’ modern world of smartphones and 11pm emails from the boss, it can often feel like you’re permanently at your desk! Where is the ‘me’ time? When do we find those moments to stop working and do something different for [...]
Hey there crafters! This week our blog is discussing a subject that is really close to our hearts at Makebox & Co: the health benefits, particularly the mental health benefits, of crafting and creative activity. As those who craft regularly already know; creative activity of any sort, but particularly crafting, can bring incredible benefits to [...]
We are thrilled to collaborate with Macramé and natural dyeing expert Isabella Strambio on this very special box which is available to buy now for delivery in January. Here you will be working with 100% natural materials to create a single or double plant holder and gorgeous feather keyring. This kit will provide the perfect [...]
Hello Crafters! As this is MakeBox+Co’s first outing in the blogosphere we thought we would start with 10 questions about who we are and what we do. 1. What is MakeBox+Co? (I hear you cry!) Basically, it’s like your organic veg box but with crafts. Each month you receive a box full of craft materials: [...]
If you’re getting interested in weaving, you’re standing at the threshold of an intricate and rewarding craft for your hobby. It’s one of the most technical crafting skills you can work on, so it’s well worth taking some time to research and understand all the elements, tools and skills you’ll have to marshall to bring [...]
Finishing an embroidery project could be the end of a long journey or a shorter one - depending on how complex the pattern is, and your own experience. However long you’ve been working on your embroidery project, you should be proud of the result, and you should be able to show it off! Sometimes, though, [...]
An embroidery project is a fun, satisfying way to spend to your time, but if you don’t know what you’re going to do with it afterwards, you could end up with a craft bag full of completed embroidery with no way to show it off. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can [...]
Spinning and weaving are two of the skills that have gone into fabric creation for as long as humans have been working wool. They’re both skills you can try at home, as part of your crafting hobby, but first you’ll need to understand what they are and how they work! Spinning Spinning is the process [...]
Sewing is one of the oldest crafts in the world, with evidence of sewn clothes and sewing equipment dating back to the Paleolithic era - the stone age! Today, sewing can be done on the industrial scale to create garments that clothe entire countries, or on a small scale, simply for your own pleasure. Sewing [...]
When you’re taking your first steps with a new crafting project, it’s important to understand the materials you’re working with. If you don’t know what you need, then you might run out of a key ingredient at the wrong time, or find you’ve stocked up with something that’s unsuitable for your project. Quilling is a [...]
While in general ‘papercraft’ means making craft projects from paper supplies, the name covers a lot of different skills and it’s worth investigating just what different projects you could embark with a box of basic papercrafting supplies! Cardmaking You can use cutting, glueing and more advanced techniques to create personal, unique cards for your friends, [...]
If you’re beginning to get interested in knitting as a crafting hobby, then it’s useful to understand some of the key terms. The oldest knitted fabrics discovered by archeologists have been dated as early as the 11th century, and in a thousand years the craft has developed some terms of art and arcane language it’s [...]
If you’re interested in starting a crafting hobby for the first time, it’s a good idea to do your research: look at pieces that inspire you and learn how they were made, find out what equipment you need, and what exactly each different craft is. Today MakeBox is helping you take your first steps with [...]
If you’re interested in starting embroidery, then you should find out exactly what equipment you need. The list isn’t a long one, but if you begin your first embroidery project and find you’re missing a key ingredient, the disappointment and delay won’t be fun. A Needle The most fundamental thing you need to start an [...]
Before you sit down to start your first knitting project, you need to make sure you have all the equipment you need. Finding out you’re missing some important supplies or a vital tool after an hour or more of knitting could leave you disappointed and reluctant to finish the project, so make sure you do [...]
If you’re feeling tempted to try out the ancient craft of weaving, it’s worth your time looking at the sort of projects you can weave on a loom at home. This can focus your ambitions and provide the inspiration you’re looking for to use on your first project. Blankets One of the most impressive projects [...]
Knitting Mistakes If you’re an inexperienced knitter, you might be worried about making mistakes. If you ruin a project, you might never come back and finish it, and the yarn and needles you’ve bought will go to waste! Fortunately, the difference between expert and beginner knitters is not that experts never make mistakes! Everyone makes [...]
Embroidery is a great choice for your crafting hobby: it’s a meditative process that produces beautiful results. You can finish small projects quickly or spend longer on larger projects that are even more impressive in the end. It can help to think about the different things you can do with your embroidery hobby. It could [...]
When you’re starting out with sewing, the sheer breadth of possibilities can feel overwhelming. Choosing what to sew can look like an impossible task, and the risk of getting it wrong is real: if you pick the wrong project when you’re just starting out, you might start work and find it’s too ambitious for your [...]
If you’re getting interested in knitting as a craft, a way of relaxing or an artistic way to express yourself, it’s well worth your time to investigate what you can knit. Knowing what’s possible can focus your ambitions and inspire you as you look for projects. Clothes Perhaps the first thing you’ll think of is [...]
If you’re interested in starting your first embroidery crafting project, it’s worth taking the time to do a little research first. If you learn a bit about the different types of embroidery, you can make sure you have the right equipment for the job you’re planning to embark on. Starting a project with the wrong [...]
If you’re getting interested in papercraft, you should know the term embraces a large variety of different hobbies. They use similar materials, but have quite different results, so you could build a stockpile of paper crafting supplies and try out different ways to use them until you find one that fits the best with you. [...]
Papercrafts offer you a wide open canvas for creation. If you’re going to get the most out of your papercrafting projects, it’s worth taking some time to research exactly what you can do: what papercrafts you can make with the supplies you have on hand, what you’ll need to shop around and what you’ll find [...]