Up-cycled paper basket

I found this really funky paper basket tutorial on the Design Sponge blog last week and I couldn't wait to try it out. Using scrap brown packaging paper you sew long strips of paper that are then woven into a neat little basket to store your bits and bobs.

Unfortunately I don't get packages that require excessive amounts of brown packaging paper, but I do have hoarding tendencies so I managed to dig out an old roll of lining wall paper that we kept - still there form the previous owner of our house. And it was sutiably yellowing in places!

Here are my efforts - now housing my crochet project!

If you keep things sometimes, not entirely sure why, when or what you'll use it for,  then this is a great way to use some of those supplies up. I'm still holding out for something to use all my old tissue paper for, there is only so many presents you can wrap in scrunched up old tissue paper without people thinking your a little bit stingey!

Valentines crochet hearts

As its the big day today and in keeping with the Valentines theme of this month I thought I'd share this great quick tutorial I found on how to crochet a heart from the Little Birdie Secrets Blog.

You could use these versatile hearts for loads of things....to decorate a card, embellish a purse or bag or even make a few a stitch them onto a cushion cover.

I decided to make a little bag charm with mine and added some wooden beads to give a bit more weight.

It only takes a few minutes to hook 'em up and is a great way to use up an scrap yarn you have so get hooking!

Tutorial: How to make a 'Love' banner - bunting style

Now that January is over its time I think its time to forget about the post Christmas/holiday blues. Okay...a February freeze may have been predicted for the UK but there is still plenty to look forward too....longer days...spring flowers...the Olympics...and Valentines day (maybe?) Either way why not bring some love into your life with this cute 3D banner.........read on to find out how....