reloved – Confessions of a Fibre Strumpet

The latest edition of Reloved magazine was just winking at me from the shelf in Eason yesterday so I just couldn’t resist – and the robin on the cover promised lots of upcycling fun – 34 projects to be precise.

One of the things to note this time round is that the magazine will be out monthly from now on. Let’s hope this doesn’t mean Reloved’s standards will slip.

Back to our crafty Christmas – there are sooooo many lovely things to tempt your creativity. There’s also Kirstie Allsopp’s Diary and the Creative Hub with its news and ideas for upcyclers.

Of the 34 projects I have to say I love the little robin on the cover and there’s also instructions to create a little nest for him too. The Peacock Bag made from a pair of curtains is super cute too. Sadly, there isn’t a pattern for the crochet flower but there are loads on Ravelry you could use instead.

I also love the Pallet Coffee Table – I had one in England complete with fairy lights and a glass top (who knew I was already an upcycler? Thought I was just frugal).

Not just for Christmas in my opinion, the Paper Christmas Baubles are lovely and easy to make and could be used for loads of occasions. Change the paper and make them in different sizes to decorate rooms for weddings, communions or hang them in the garden for those summer barbecues (here’s hoping).

The same can be said for the Fabric Fairy Lights. I think they’d also make a great gift for Christmas. I know of at least one boy who’d probably overlook the ‘fairy light’ aspect if they were wrapped in comic pages or material with Minecraft Creepers on them.

My number 5 favourite project, because it wouldn’t be fair to count the coffee table, is the Bauble Wreath. Very cool, very shiny and very, very, very CHRISTMAS!

I have a dear friend who’d love one of these, if I have the time to make one. That will only happen if I get through my long list of gift knitting starting with said friend’s husband’s second size 11 sock. I’ve turned the heel so I’m nearing the finishing line……..

Happy Knitting!

(or Christmas crafting)

It seems we’ve finally got a hold of ourselves and tightened our belts (not sure mine was ever loose), we’ve seen the error of our ways and realised that everything isn’t disposable. There’s a whole upsurge in people learning how to remake, reupholster, upcycle and transform.

Hopefully there were very few of us that simply threw away a blouse if the buttons had fallen off but how many of us have given a dress away because we no longer like the style? Perhaps you cast away a piece of furniture because it didn’t fit in with your new contemporary styled living room? Can you see the charm in everyday objects from charity shops and house clearance stores if given a little love?

Reloved is a new quarterly magazine dedicated to restyling, transforming and revamping your world. In the first issue ‘Spring 2013’ there are 26 projects covering everything from transforming your clothes to upcycling your furniture. There is a masterclass on reupholstering a drop in seat pad chair and quick makes to create in an evening. There are several features including one on the original ‘Make Do & Mend’ series from the wartime upcyclers. Last but not least, there’s a guide to upcycling and knitting (ahem… of course).

The magazine welcomes you to a shabby chic lifestyle, full of colour and a renewed love for all things eclectic, mismatched and homely. Of all the projects some of my favourites are Changing Sleeves (above) and the Lacy Doily Lampshade which are really cool. In my house they’d have to be stained or painted though as the dust would turn them grey in a matter of minutes.

On page 16 and 17 there’s how to create the Vintage Cake Stand, all the rage at the moment and much cheaper than some of those to buy in the shops. I think they’d look really good made out of old mismatched plates and full of naughty teatime treats.

Loving all things knitted it goes without saying that the knitted Vase Covers on page 32 – 35 get my creative juices flowing and there’s also a lovely knitted footstool in the magazine. It’s cream and would again be a dirt magnet here, better to be done with it and make it in a tweedy grey for my home.

Last but not least and my absolute favourite item in this issue is the ‘All Wrapped Up Chair’ which has actually been taken from the book Granny Chic. If I ever get the time expect to see very similar looking chairs in the shop one day.

The magazine has been extremely popular and you may find it difficult to get hold of a copy however the digital edition will be available soon on Apple Newsstand, Google Play and Pocketmags.com. You can get further information on the Reloved website http://www.relovedmag.co.uk/

Happy Knitting!

(or should that be creating?)