Author archive

:: Recipe: soft, American-style chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Kerry on July 21, 2008 | Permalink

Makes: loads (approx two dozen - thirty, depending on how much mixture you eat and how big you like ‘em)
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Categories: recipes
Tags: baking, chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, cookies, food, recipes, sweets

5 comments

:: An hour and a half, a yard and a half, a swimsuit and a half!

Posted by Kerry on July 21, 2008 | Permalink

I’ve been meaning to give Burdastyle a proper once-over for a while, but so far none of the free patterns that I’ve seen have really piqued my interest. Until now. Yowza!

The gorgeous, vintage-inspired bathing suit above is available as a free pattern for you to print out here. It’s rated as easy, and from the reviews on the site it sounds like it should be a breeze even for a newbie like me. I plan to give it a whirl in the next month or so - I’m planning a holiday to somewhere warm, for once, and I think it’d be a shame not to go for the full-on retro faded glamour approach.

I already have a turban and a pair of enormous sunglasses, so I guess all I need to complete the look is a tiny, vicious dog dog, a large martini and a packet of Sobranies. And a private pool. And a gay husband.

Categories: craft
Tags: bathing suit, burdastyle, free, patterns, sewing, swimming costume, swimsuit, tutorials, vintage

2 comments

:: I’m tempted to buy seven new pairs of knickers and decorate them accordingly

Posted by Kerry on July 8, 2008 | Permalink

I dabbled with embroidery when I was a child, and then got really into it last year courtesy of Sublime Stitching. After the initial excitement of embroidering everything in sight, I put it away for a little while - the last and most ambitious project I did, embroidering an illustrated Dorothy Parker quotation on to a handbag, rather took it out of me and I felt I’d earned a rest.

I don’t know whether it’s a summer thing or maybe just that I’ve finally got bored of my Nintendo DS (say it ain’t so!), but over the past couple of weeks I’ve found myself itching to start embroidering again. Having lent Joelle my Sublime Stitching book, I was forced to improvise. I looked up old botanical images of poppies online to find the perfect image for a pillowcase, and copied the outline of an Egyptian-style scarab beetle on to a handkerchief for my boyfriend. I doodled, and encouraged others to doodle so that I could do something interesting with their designs. It was all very bold and experimental, and I felt pleased with it (heck, I might even take some pictures sometime).

And yet in spite of all my exciting modern designs, I still felt a hankering. There’s something about those kitschy old embroidery patterns, isn’t there? And it’s sadly something that I can’t capture in my own drawings, however cutesy I try to make them. This, dear reader, is where Needlecrafter.com comes in. I got put on to their excellent collection of vintage needlepoint patterns by a poster on craftster, and I’m delighted with what I found - a collection beautiful early 20th century embroidery patterns, all free to download and print out for your own use.

That’s certainly scratched the kitsch itch for now - however, I suspect that my limited research has revealed only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to free patterns online. Do any of you have your own favourites that you’d like to share?

Categories: craft
Tags: craftster, cross stitch, download, embroidery, free, needlecrafter, needlepoint, patterns, sewing

5 comments

:: It’s a wrap

Posted by Kerry on July 1, 2008 | Permalink

I would say that my absolute favourite thing to wear is a little cardigan/wrap/bolero - they’re so chic and dressy, and (unlike most of my other favourite things in this life) have at least some practical value.

I’ve been shopping around for a new one recently, and fell rather in love with the above. It’s by Irish indie fashion label Bonzie, whose Etsy store is filled with romantic, elegant delights.

Of course, being the kind of gal that I am, I couldn’t stop there. While it is undoubtedly a beautiful piece, I’m a) skint and b) in the mood for a new project, so I decided to find out how to make my own elegant evening wrap. After a bit of searching, I found this Threadbanger tutorial - with a few tweaks here and there, I think this’ll do the trick.

While I can’t guarantee the same beautiful results as the dreamy picture above, I can guarantee a couple of evenings out of the pub and a totally one of a kind garment. I hope to have a go at this during the next couple of weeks, so I’ll post the results when it’s ready. And I see absolutely no reason to stop coveting the above - I really don’t believe in the concept of too much of a good thing!

Bonzie

Categories: craft, tutorial
Tags: bolero, bonzie, cardigan, craft, etsy, jacket, sewing, threadbanger, wrap

5 comments

:: New challenge: pimp my jewellery box

Posted by Kerry on March 5, 2008 | Permalink

Inspired by this post from Vanessa, I hit upon the idea for a fun challenge: Pimp My Jewellery Box.

The rules are simple: take a jewellery box (not necessarily a traditional kind - heck, any kind of container that’s the right size would do) and trick it out in whatever way you see fit. There’s no time limit - we want you to enjoy taking the time to make something really special, and we’ll be posting our own updates and achievements as and when they come to fruition.

Now, here’s where you come into it: we want our readers to get involved in this challenge and to share the results of their creativity with the gang here. We’ve set up a flickr group for Four Good Corners contributers and readers, and we’d love you to join and add photos of your materials, creations, “before and after”s - heck, anything you think we’d be interested in! We’ll be adding our own snaps to the pool, so we can all share in the experience, admire each other’s handiwork and commiserate if it all goes pear-shaped.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get creative! Drop us a comment below if you’re interested in getting involved, and let us know what ideas you’ve had so far!

Categories: challenge, craft
Tags: flickr, pimp my jewellery box

5 comments

:: Useful tips for sewing newbies

Posted by Kerry on January 7, 2008 | Permalink

Poor old Vanessa was having a bit of trouble setting up her new sewing machine this weekend, resulting in a lengthy transatlantic phone call about bobbins. We sorted the issue out in the end, but I was reminded of a number of sites that I found very useful when I was just starting out. I’m sure Vanessa will be fine from now on, but for anyone else who got a sewing machine for Christmas and is just about ready to tear out their hair, here are a few helpful pointers…

Read more…

Categories: craft
Tags: craft, craftster, help, sewing, sewing machines, tips

6 comments

:: Knitted Christmas decorations by Soule Mama

Posted by Kerry on December 3, 2007 | Permalink

Soule Mama is one of those blogs that I love to dip into for crafty inspiration, and I’d recommend it to anyone who secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly!) yearns for a quick hit of domestic bliss. Anyway, I absolutely have to share this post, in which the author knits a beautiful garland for her Christmas tree (pictured above). Now I’m all for a bit of festive craft - just you try to keep me away from the home-made cards and lavish centrepieces! - but I just can’t imagine having the patience to knit a garland big enough for a full-size tree. Needless to say, I’m impressed!

Now, this brings me to my point: I’m planning on handmaking a few of my own decorations this year. I’ve an idea for a wreath that I can’t wait to share with you all (assuming it doesn’t go horribly wrong, in which case I’ll save it for our forthcoming feature on craft disasters!), but apart from that I’m open to suggestion. If anyone has any tips for slightly less labour-intensive handmade decorations, from baubles to garlands to scary gingerbread things, please share!

Categories: blogs, christmas, craft
Tags: christmas decorations, knitting, soule mama

4 comments

:: Sweet handmade accessories by Liana Kabel

Posted by Kerry on December 3, 2007 | Permalink

I love these fantastic accessories by Liana Kabel. She recycles sewing and knitting paraphernalia into the sweetest brooches and bracelets - perfect stocking fillers for the crafty gal in your life!

Liana Kabel’s Etsy store

Categories: christmas, shopping, style
Tags: etsy, gifts, knitting, liana kabel, sewing

4 comments