Handilady Crafting Projects

A simple breakfast or teatime snack still deserves some flowers such as this clutch of ranunculus to cheer the table even if they are in the simplest container.

This warm, glowing collection of fruit and flowers has a richness and depth of color which is further enhanced by the shining mahogany-colored woven basket. Here the choice of container is vitally important for the success of the whole arrangement.

Knitting doesn’t only have to be worn. Simple knitted pieces can be stretched over a canvas or frame and hung on the wall. Here, the op-art paintings of the sixties have been re-invented with simple knitted patterns for interior decoration.

If there is so much space left on your embroidery canvas, and you probably have no plan to go further. Now I can teach you a good way to transfer your embroidery into an living painting. It looks better than the painting. By the way, you have your own embroidery on it, the embroidery or your painting looks much better alive.

This bath should really relax you. Chamomile and neroli are renowned for their soothing and calming properties, and are often used for treating insomnia. For a gift, present the mixture in a decorated bag accompanied by a bottle of the matching oils.

This exotic mixture of rose petals and lavender mixed with citrus peel and bay or lemon leaves will lightly scent the bath. These bags are slightly more substantial than the quickly gathered ones shown opposite, but the different fillings can be put into any type of bag or pouch. Any loosely woven fabric, such as muslin or voile, will do.

This pleasure blend of oils ideal for soothing away stress and nervous headaches. When a full masseage is not possible, rub a few drops of the oil behind the ears in a circular motion. Clary sage and chamomile should be avoided during pregnancy.

Wide, shallow containers can be quickly and effectively filled by slotting flower heads into crumpled wire netting inside the bowl. The wire holds the flowers safely in place and makes a framework to help you create a pattern of texture and color.

Crisp white table linen and gilt-edged china demand a formal and sophisticated arrangement which is neat and controlled but richly colored and textured for plenty of impact.

If your finished work is not quite straight, it may be necessary to block (damp stretch) it before mounting or making up. In any case, damp stretching will improve the general appearance of the embroidery, just as pressing improves knitting or dress-making.