The Magic Bean

Freebie Friday - Sunny and Fresh Craft Tutorials

New Here?

Every Friday I share a collection of links to free craft tutorials that I find on the internet, focussing on a different theme every week.  If you are looking for something specific, use the Search box on the top left.

Here comes the sun...these free tutorials will help you to usher in the warm weather.  Just click the link to see the tutorial in question.

Click the link to pop on over to the blog Delia Creates to get the tutorial for how to make these pom-pom and felt black eyed susans.

Mackenzie of Cheerios and Lattes shared a tutorial to make this Summer Bloom Wreath, click the link to visit Mackenzie's blog.

If you'd prefer real plants then pot up this summer succulent garden with instructions on Oh Hello Friend.

Visit the Hostess with the Mostest blog to get this free Bring on the Sunshine and Lemonade printable plus some summery party ideas.

Erica who blogs at Honestly...WTF shares a tutorial on how to create a designer-look-a-like pair of embroidered sunglasses using plastic sunglasses and a Dremel tool.  Click the link to see how to make this super cool project.

Make a sunglass case with a tutorial from Melissa Mortenson from PolkaDotChair.com as she guest blogs at Riley Blake Designs.

Click the link to visit Lowes Creative Ideas to see how to custom paint a drop cloth to make an outdoor rug perfect for some sunny al fresco dining.

Prop open that door and let the fresh air in with this custom concrete doorstop tutorial from Instructables user Cheng Concrete.

Make a no-sew summer handbag with instructions and a video from Martha Stewart.  Click the link to see how to do it.

The absolutely amazingly creative Jen Hadfield at Tatertots and Jello shared a tutorial to make these wood shim flowers that really bring the outdoors in and would brighten up any room.

Even on a rainy day these sunny little crafts would brighten your day.

Word-full Wednesday - What you Need

"One has to find a blanace between what people need for you and what you need for yourself."

- Jessye Norman

Freebie Friday - Craft Tutorials to Bring Out Your Inner Child

New Here?

Every Friday I share a collection of links to free craft tutorials that I find on the internet, focussing on a different theme every week.  If you are looking for something specific, use the Search box on the top left.

All these tutorials will really appeal to anyone who has an immature playful side.  Most of these are perfect for playing outdoors.  So I don't care if you are an adult with kids or without - these DIY tutorials have got fun written all over them.

Click the link to visit the blog Oh Amanada where you can learn how to make a PVC gun that shoots mini marshmallows.  Awesome!

Try some target practice by making this bow and arrow set from pipe and foam with a tutorial on the blog Shannon Makes Stuff.

 
Unfortunately, the link for how to make these lifesize Lincoln Logs from pool noodles is no longer available, but I think you get the picture.  Apologies for the bad pun. 

Valerie who blogs at Inner Child Fun shared a tutorial to make an entire mini golf course in your living room using old bath mats - you just use the pieces in new and interesting configurations for each hole. 

If your idea of a fun game is slighly more sedate, this lawn ball game made from pipes with a tutorial on This Old House might be for you.

Desiree who has her own blog called The 36th Avenue, guest blogged at Design Dazzle and shared a tutorial on how to make your deck into a giant board game - and incorporated fun stuff like wearing silly hats and having water balloon fights.  Count me in!

Lowes Creative Ideas shared a method of making these giant dice and combining it with darts.

Game on!

Word-full Wednesday - The World is Round

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning"

- Ivy Baker Priest

Freebie Friday: Tutorials for Craftings with Pipes

New Here?

Every Friday I share a collection of links to free craft tutorials that I find on the internet, focussing on a different theme every week.  If you are looking for something specific, use the Search box on the top left.

With a trip to the plumbing store your visions of creativity can be more than just a pipe dream.  Check out these plumby tutorials for making stuff with pipes.

The Home Depot shared a tutorial on how to use pipes and a piece of reclaimed wood to make this vintage-fabulous shelf.  Click the link to see how to do it.

Over on the blog Nelliebellie.com you can find a tutorial on how to make this super cool pipe lamp.

This Old House shared a tutorial over on their website on how to make this kitchen pot rack from pipes.

Librace has got nothing on this DIY pipe candelabra.  Click the link to visit Guardian.co.uk to see the pipe candelabra tutorial.

On the blog Cafe Cartolina you will find the DIY plans on how to make this amazing pipe table.  Click the link to check it out.

Amy Azzarito shared the DIY plans for how to make this canopy bed out of pipes and Klee Klamps over on Apartment Therapy.

Rock the industrial look with how-to instructions on how to make a pipe bookrack (or shoerack) from Instructables user Carleyy.

Click the link to visit the blog the Brick House to learn how to make this awesome open shelving with pipes.

See what you can do with a few lengths of plumbing pipe? Break out your wrench and get busy.

Word-full Wednesdays - The Most Precious Hour

"I have always felt that the moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.  No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that...absolutely anything may happen."

- Monica Baldwin

Look what Jo made from my Counting Down the Days pattern

One of my favourite things about creating patterns is seeing what other people make using my design as a jumping off point.

Jo Burke was a "beginner" when she attended one of my doll making classes for the first time at Blue Haze in Chesham.

Jo seemed to skip right over the pitfalls that many beginners face (stuffing that looked like lumpy doll cellulite, an eye that looks wonky no matter what you do with it - sound familiar to any doll makers out there?) and jumped right to utter fabulousness. 

Jo decided to participate in my Mystery Doll pattern offer where doll makers got a very special discount for buying a pattern without knowing what it was ahead of its release.  The pattern was later revealed to be my Counting Down the Days pattern.

In creating her version of this doll, Jo really got geared up.  She made a Steampunk version which really worked well with the Victorian costuming for Counting Down the Days.

Jo told me "I decided to make her a steampunk doll so chose the fabrics appropriately, I sewed watch cogs and watch parts onto her dress, I also adapted her hat to make it more like a top hat. It was a great pattern to follow and I really enjoyed making her!"

Jo, I think you've outdone yourself as usual!

I tip my hat to you!

Freebie Friday - Crafty from your Cubicle: Office Inspired Craft Tutorials

New Here?

Every Friday I share a collection of links to free craft tutorials that I find on the internet, focussing on a different theme every week.  If you are looking for something specific, use the Search box on the top left.

This week I'm highlighting tutorials that will help to perk up your office, whether your office is at home or at a day job, these crafts will make you the talk of the water cooler.

Amy who blogs at Positively Splendid shared a tutorial on how to makeover a plain office chair by creating a custom DIY slipcover.  Click the link to see how Amy did it.

Take an office chair makeover one step further and reupholster the chair.  Use this clever tutorial from Jessi on her blog Practically Functional to learn how to makeover your standard desk chair.

If you've got room in your office for chairs for guests then take a walk on the wild side by reupholstering a chair with fun fur with a tutorial from Marc Atiyolil.

Over at BHG.com check out this idea for a space saver table home office arrangement.

Rachel who usually blogs at Pleased as Punch, guest blogged on Brassy Apple and shared a tutorial on how to sew up a lap desk.  Click the link to see how she did it.

Here is an easy desk idea from Martha Stewart - combine a door with two bookshelves to make a desk.

Allison who blogs at Dream a Little Bigger came up with the funniest idea to make "Thumb Tacks" using alginate to make a mould for plaster of paris and shared the tutorial.  Allison, I love how your mind works!

Jennifer Perkins of The Naughty Secretary, shared a tutorial over at the Etsy blog on how to make this Office Hanky Panky bracelet out of hankerchiefs or other thin fabric.  Click the link to see the tutorial.

So get creative with that office space!

Word-full Wednesday - True Worth

"Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he (sic) treats a person who can do him (sic) absolutely no good."

- Ann Landers

Bloomin' gorgeous flowers photographed by Colleen Babcock

Hello My Name is Colleen and I'm a Pinterest User

On Thursday night I attended a party thrown by Pinterest to celebrate their Pin It Forward UK campaign, designed to really help UK bloggers and pinners get the most from the digital moodboard that is Pinterest.

Make Lounge was there with a cake pop booth and a decorate your own shot glass stand.  Lots of drinks and food on offer.  And of course - bloggers.  Lots of bloggers.

Cathryn who blogs at The Crafty Chai and Emma from the award winning foodie blog Poires au Chocolat and I played a game of "What kind of blog does that person write".  What we learned - you can't judge a blogger by their beard.  And there were a lot of bearded bloggers celebrating Pinterest on Thursday night.

Pinterest has got some interesting things planned for UK bloggers.  I also learned some great info about Pinterest that I'll be sharing soon.  You can also learn more about what Pinterest has in store by following #pinitforwarduk on Twitter.

One thing I know for sure is that since I started pinning, it has really affected the numbers of people reading my blog for the better.  And you've got to like that.  And the free goodie bag of course!

Thanks Pinterest!