Making a Proud Home in mini

Hey guys,

So I have a love for all things miniature and when the lovely Joanne @aproudhome was admiring my miniature makes on Instagram I knew I wanted to make something for her just for fun and also I like a challenge.

My mini version of Joannes living room

Joannes home is fun, bright and inspirational-if you check out her instagram @aproudhome you will see what I mean-she is also a wonderful DIYer and crafter!

Close up of the little details-Feck wall art by @themessybrunette, you're terrible muriel print copied with permission from @ladygraygraphics

For my mini I wanted to have as much similar items as I could so it includes a mixture of handmade items such as the couch, wall decor and some pieces I bought like the rug and drawers. I also included a basket of knitting as Joanne loves making pompoms and doing punch needling... a mixture of vintage bottles and a gallery wall complete the look.

Rocky by @weetreetribe 

I made a short video showing some of the process too which you can see here and I know Joanne enjoyed her gift.

Thanks for stopping by,

Aideen xo

Macrame UK-United Knots beginners macrame mandala

This post has been sponsored by the wonderful Robyn from Macrame UK-United Knots, I usually get my macrame cord from Robyn so I am delighted to be doing this tutorial-I have also made a video showing the steps to make it easy to DIY.

The supplies you need are:

Macrame UK raw ecru single ply cord HERE
Macrame UK 4 inch metal rings HERE
Scissors
Comb

The knots you use are:

Larks head HERE
Square knot HERE
Double half hitch HERE

This is such a sweet little mandala and a great beginners project-it makes a great wall decor piece but would also look lovely as a candle surround for a centre piece or if you could back it with a mirror that would look amazing.

Tag me on Instagram if you make one @aideenfallon,

Aideen xo

Rico PomPon yarn review and tips

Hey guys I have another mini review today and its on Rico PomPon yarn AVAILABLE HERE (Pssst if you enter AIDEEN FALLON at checkout-referred by a friend? section you will get 15% off your order and so will I).

The little pompons are like squishy marshmallows

I chose Rico pompon in silver and its a beautiful unisex colour perfect for making a baby blanket as a gift. The tricky part for me was the casting on/off but with lots of research online and trying out different methods I found what worked best for me which I share in my video below.

From my Instagram @aideenfallon

Once you get going with knitting in the yarn it is very easy to do and the pom poms just fall into place. I made a blanket and it is the cutest, cosy, snuggly blanket ever!!

Here is the video of what I found that worked best for me:

Thanks for visiting,

Aideen xo

#etsylove Irish owned faves

Hey guys,

I am back to share some more Etsy shops that I have been loving and these ones are all owned by fantastic Irish ladies.

First up is The Golden Stitch HERE and my crafty pal Caoimhe, she makes the most beautiful wall hangings and not only that but she dyes and spins the coolest yarns sharing the process on Instagram-@goldenstitchdesigns so go check her out because she is just fantastic!

I bought this mini skein from Caoimhe which I keep admiring but one day I will add to a weave I promise...

Daisy and Tanya HERE is where you will find stunning hair pieces and tutus for any occasion or colour scheme. I bought a floral crown from Tanya for my daughters communion and it was just perfection-she loved wearing it.

And one of most recent finds and a lovely local lady is Beyond the Pink Door HERE, Andrea who is a talented sewing lady making such beautiful outfits-check her instagram @my.galwayhome but on her Etsy she has such fun cushions...definitely on my wish list.

Fun cushion from Beyond the Pink door HERE

Tell me some of your Etsy or small business faves,

Aideen xo

Wall hoop decoration

Hey guys,

Hoop decorations have been popping up everywhere and of course I had to give it a go myself. It was fun to make and really looks so good-these decorations would be great for any occasion.

So first thing to do is spray the hoop and the wood insert piece-I got mine from the wonderful Craft Shapes Ireland. The spray paint I used was Montana Gold in copperchrome which I also got from Craft Shapes Ireland and it was perfect for the plastic hoop and the wood piece.

Next I added the flowers, I bought two beautiful bunches from Aliexpress HERE (#AF) The stems were wired so I was able to loosely sort out how I wanted the flowers and then I secured them using string.

I used fishing wire to attach the insert to give it a floating look and thats it! Super easy and looks great-the perfect prop for photo backgrounds!

Thanks for visiting,

Aideen xo

Weaving a rainbow...

Hey guys, so I may or may not (read: I definitely do) have lots of bits and pieces of roving in lots of fun colours! I wanted to use up some of the smaller pieces by making some mini roving weavings.

I made one bright rainbow and one muted tones.

I soumak-plaited wove the pieces of roving on top of each other and packed them tightly together before taking it off my loom and it felt nice and solid.

Rather than adding rya fringing I framed it by sewing a dowel to each end.

This muted rainbow I kept for the moment... and the brights I sent onto @vintageirishkat and when I get a pic of that I will add it here.

Thanks for visiting,

Aideen xo

Lotties seed stitch jumper *free knit pattern

Hey guys,

I was so happy from the response for Lotties hat pattern HERE that I made a jumper pattern too! People have been tagging me on Instagram (@aideenfallon) with their knitted makes for Lottie so I created a high-light reel on my profile called 'My patterns' if you want to check it out!

I think you'll agree the hat and jumper make such a sweet set!

So let's get into the pattern its super simple and in one of my favourite stitches the seed stitch,

Using DK yarn and 4mm needles

Cast on 13 stitches-I use the long tail cast on method.

Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat for the next 11 rows

Cast on 6 at the beginning of the next two rows 

Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat for the next 6 rows

Knit 1, Purl 1 repeat for the first 9 stitches, cast off 7, Knit 1, Purl 1 repeat for the last 9 stitches 

Knit 1, Purl 1 repeat for the first 9 stitches, cast on 7, Knit 1, Purl 1 repeat for the last 9 stitches 

Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat for the next 6 rows

Cast off 6 at the beginning of the next two rows 

Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat for the next 11 rows

Cast off and seam

 Thanks for visiting and if you make any of the Lottie knits tag me on Instagram!

Aideen xo

#marchmeetthemaker challenge

Hey guys,

If you are following any lovely crafty Instagram accounts you may have seen some #marchmeeetthemaker posts-if not search the # on Instagram and you will see lots of fun posts and maybe even discover some amazing new businesses to support.

The challenge is set up by Joanne Hawker and there is a prompt for each day to show all sides of your small business-I am taking part on my Instagram @aideenfallon and I have them saved to a highlight if you want to go check them out.

Aideen xo

All about Ami headband

Hey guys,

So I was thinking I should share more of projects I have made and what I think of the patterns etc like mini reviews.

This pattern is by Ami from allaboutami.com she has a fantastic website full of beautiful patterns and makes! Ami has a lot of patterns available on the site but you can also buy them from her Etsy shop to keep in your pattern library.

So back to my headband well it’s for my daughter and I made it in this funky flamingo yarn by cygnet yarns and I have to say the seed stitch is one of my favourite knitting stitches.

I followed the free pattern on Amis site and it was super easy to follow and quick to make up! I am hoping to maybe try one of Amis cardigan patterns next-I am going to buy it to have in my library.

Cygnet seriously chunky yarn prints in Flamingo is 100% acrylic and it’s super soft and the colours are fantastic perfect for little girls who love unicorn colours like my little ladies!! 

I am currently working on some scarf patterns for beginners myself and I am so excited to hear what people think,

Aideen xo