Innehållsförteckning för January 2021 från Mollie Magazine

After switching from fashion print designer to freelance artist, Elizabeth Rachael found time to follow her dreams, and hit her illustrative sweet spot – homewares. Elizabeth’s bright, bold motifs look just as striking on tea towels as they do on posters, so why not shop a gallery wall that does it all? www.elizabeth rachaelshop.etsy.com…

HOW TO MAKE A CLAY BOOKEND MATERIALS ■ 1kg (35oz) white air-dry clay (we used DAS Modelling Clay) ■ Two pieces of wood, 38 x 2.5 x 0.6cm (15 x 1 x ¼") ■ Rolling pin ■ Circle biscuit cutter, 11cm (4¼") ■ Craft knife ■ Baking paper ■ Pointed blending tool ■ Medium-grain sandpaper ■ Paintbrush ■ Beige paint If you’ve always loved the thought of donning an apron and getting all Ghost with a pottery wheel, this make’s for you. Using air-dry clay is a great way to master the basics of hand-building at home, plus you don’t have to worry about firing your finished creation. Channelling arty Matisse vibes, Francesca’s abstract bookend won’t just brighten up your shelf, it also doubles as a handy pot to store…

Becki Clark Nature-obsessed Becki is living her creative dream in the New Forest. Surround by flowers, foliage and countryside galore, she's always finding inspiration for her latest illustrations and with her dachshund Reggie. Find Becki’s pull-out art prints on page 57. www.beckiclark.com Atia Azmi London-based Atia is a sewist and lifestyle blogger, and also works part-time as a doctor. Oh, and she co-hosts the un: CUT podcast too, featuring interviews with other creatives. Atia's website, The Bright Blooms, brings together her passion for colour and creative living. Sew Atia’s upcycled jumper cushion on page 26. www.thebrightblooms.com Naomi Weetman Former teacher Naomi turned her hand to DIY nd painting, telling her Instagram followers it's ok to draw on the walls. She also co-hosts the #mymeaningfulhome interior challenge, showcasing dreamy décor galore.…

Saskia created her brand GoldFreckles after her knitwear creations started attracting interest and requests. She comes from a creative background but is a self-taught knitter, and designs all her own patterns to create handmade-to-order woollies. Saskia loves nothing more than exploring the mountainous and coastal surroundings of her beloved Wales, where she makes all her GoldFreckles garments. Follow F her knitting journey on Instagram I @goldfreckles. www w .goldfreckles.co.uk…

“My mum would make curtains and bedding, then paint the rooms to match.” Bringing joy to Instagram feeds across the world, Naomi Weetman – AKA Colour Confident – is interiors bravery personified. The 1960s Warwickshire house she shares with husband Luke and their three-year-old son Otis is filled with an abundance of vibrant murals, reflecting the family’s love of nature and the crafting skills Naomi inherited from her mother. You’ll find flowers on the ceilings, mountain ranges on the walls and rays of sunshine brightening up the landing of this warm family home. But, Naomi admits she wasn’t always so bold with her décor choices. “When we first moved in there was a lot of magnolia. My sense of style has always been really colourful and eclectic, but it didn’t…

HOW TO MAKE A ROOM DIVIDER MATERIALS ■ Plywood, 244 x 122 x 1.8cm (96¼ x 48 1/8 x ¾") ■ Jigsaw ■ Electric drill ■ Drill bit, 2mm ( 1/8") ■ Bar clamps ■ Sandpaper, 120 and 240 grit ■ Sanding block ■ Seven 6.5cm (2 5/8") brass flush hinges with screws ■ 1l matte emulsion in pink (we used Valspar in Faint Of Heart) ■ Matte emulsion in dark blue (we used Valspar in Sapphire Earbobs) ■ Clear matte varnish ■ Two gloss sponge rollers ■ Paint tray ■ Small flat paintbrush ■ Brass tack ■ Wood filler ■ Hammer ■ Lightweight wire, 27cm (10 5/8") ■ Wire cutters If your living area has morphed into a multi-functional office/ meeting room/make-shift pub over the past year, this clever…

HOW TO MAKE A KIDS' CROCHET JUMPER MATERIALS ■ Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, 100% acrylic, 100g/184m per ball, three (four, five six) balls in Stormy Grey (204) (Yarn A), one ball each of Light Caramel (208) (Yarn B), Vanilla Cream (207) (Yarn C) and Pure Black (201) (Yarn D) ■ Stylecraft Eskimo DK, 100% polyester, 50g/90m per ball, one ball in Winter White (5006) (Yarn E) ■ 4.5mm (UK 7, US 7) crochet hook ■ 5mm (UK 6, US H/8) crochet hook ■ Yarn needle TENSION Approx. 8 sts and 10 rows to 5cm (2") square over dc using 5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS (UK)  st(s) stitch(es) ch chain dc double crochet htr half treble ss slip stitch yrh yarn round hook dc2tog double crochet 2 together – (insert hook in next…

HOW TO MAKE EARL GREY BISCUITS INGREDIENTS ■ 2 tbsp Earl Grey loose-leaf tea ■ 100g (3½oz) vegan butter, unsalted ■ 50g (1¾oz) caster sugar ■ Zest of one lemon ■ 1 tsp vanilla extract ■ 150g (5oz) plain flour ■ 100g (3½oz) vegan chocolate EQUIPMENT ■ Food processor ■ Mixing bowl ■ Electric whisk ■ Baking paper ■ Two baking trays ■ Wire rack ■ Twine MAKES 12 There’s a reason why us Brits turn to the kettle in times of crisis – there’s nothing better than a cuppa and a biscuit to spread joy from head to toe. These delicious tea-flavoured versions cover all bases – a two-in-one treat you can share or keep all to yourself. And, you’d never know from tasting them, but they’re vegan too.…

SLIP STITCH (SS) THIS STITCH HAS NO HEIGHT, AND IS OFTEN USED TO JOIN ROUNDS 01 Slip stitch is used to join a length of chain into the round. Insert the hook from front to back into the first chain worked. Wrap the yarn around the hook, anti-clockwise. 02 Pull the yarn through the chain stitch, then the loop already on the hook, to make a slip stitch. You can also work this into each stitch along a row to form a neat edging. WORKING IN ROWS FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES TO CONSTRUCT CROCHET FABRIC 01 The first row is made by working across the foundation chain from right to left. At the end of the chain or row, turn the work so the yarn coming from the ball is…

thumb CAST-ON method A GREAT ALL ROUNDER – USE IT TO CAST ON STITCHES QUICKLY AND EASILY 01 Make a slip knot and place it on a needle, leaving a long yarn tail – roughly three times the width of the project should be long enough. 02 Hold the long yarn tail in your left hand and stick out your thumb, then wrap the yarn anti-clockwise around your thumb, as shown. 03 Push the needle tip along the outside of your thumb, under the loop, then wrap the working yarn anti-clockwise around the top of the needle. 04 Pull the needle back down slightly and hook the loop around your thumb over the needle. Pull to tighten, then repeat from Step 2. Knit FOLLOW OUR SIMPLE STEPS TO MAKE THE…

ELEVATE THE WHOLE VIBE OF YOUR LOOK with the transformative powers of a scarf. This one’s called Kelly, and she’s bringing a laidback 70s aesthetic with 2021 direction to this Dowse Design ensemble. Take your pick from Susannah Dowse’s beautiful selection, knitted in small batches and available online or at their bricks-and-mortar shop in Brighton. Just what’s needed to face January head-on. www.dowsedesign.co.uk FOR THE KIDS RATTAN LOVE runs deeper than just interiors. We’re smitten with the next-level whimsy of Olli Ella’s shaped baskets and bags. Little foragers with big imaginations will love these acorn and mushroom designs, or you may want to nab one yourself to live your cottagecore dreams. www.olliella.com THE BEST KIND OF CALENDARS are ones that double as inspiring wall art. And have big squares to…

HOW TO MAKE EMBROIDERED WALL ART MATERIALS ■ Embroidery hoop, 15cm (6") ■ Light blue felt, 25 x 25cm (9 7/8 x 9 7/8") ■ DMC Stranded Cotton in 3831 (dark raspberry), 3827 (pale golden brown), 930 (dark antique blue), 803 (deep blue), 939 (very dark navy blue), 3756 (very light baby blue) and 720 (dark orange spice) ■ Embroidery needle, size 22 ■ Heat-erasable marker pen Stitch some positivity into your life with this mood-boosting embroidery hoop, inspired by beautiful winter botanicals. It’s a great way to incorporate some mindfulness into your day, letting your mind wander as your hands work. Plus, you’ll get to try out our new favourite thing – embroidering onto felt. Adding extra texture to Lucy’s tactile design, it’s giving us all the feels. If…

HOW TO MAKE A PATCHWORK JACKET MATERIALS ■ Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids fabric in Delft (Fabric A), Deep Blue (Fabric B), Punch (Fabric C), Yarrow (Fabric D), Primrose (Fabric E) and Baby Blue (Fabric F) (we got ours from www. woolwarehouse.co.uk ) ■ Lining fabric, approx. 2m (78 7/8") (Fabric G) ■ Wadding, approx. 1½m (59 1/8"), 228cm (90") wide ■ Bias binding, approx. 3m (118 1/8") ■ Matching sewing thread ■ Rotary cutter ■ Quilter’s ruler ■ Cutting mat Looking to inject some fun into your winter wardrobe? This me-made beauty is everything a gal – or guy – could dream of. It’s colourful, cosy and oversized, and it’s beginner-friendly too. This statement jacket, we hear you cry? Yup indeedy. It might not be a sew-in-an-evening make, but…

01 Illustrator Sophie Potter has a passion for plants and nature, and you feel that shine through in every piece of her art. This Botany print is from a set designed for Made, but we’re tempted to hit up her Etsy and dedicate a whole wall to her work. www.made.com 02 If the thought of a freehand mural triggers art-class-fail flashbacks, leave it to the experts. Dutch wallpaper brand Eijffinger have been doing their thing since 1875, and judging by their Rainbow Stripes Wallpaper, they’ve got it down. www.limelace.co.uk 03 Matisse-style art without the million pound price tag? We’re here for it. Take inspiration from this Annie Sloan upcycle and wake up tired furniture with abstract shapes, carrying them up onto the wall behind for bonus points. www.anniesloan.com 04 Not…

Right now, I can hear, feel the sounds of the water running in between the beautifully rustic and textured yarn. I can just about picture the sheep baa-ing in the background. As I blink, I’m brought back to my scalloped-edged glass bowl. There’s a slight film that shimmers in the middle of the sink, the gathering of rouge mohair and wool reminding me it has a mind of its own. It will go where it pleases. A harmony whispers. All of the senses are heightened, a mystery in the air, because much of nature has been left to stay with the yarn, preserving its essence and natural charm. It’s in these seemingly simple moments where the dream comes to life – returning back to nature needn’t be quite so difficult.…

HOLDING THE HOOK PENCIL METHOD Hold the hook in your dominant hand like a pencil, roughly 3-5cm (1¼-2") from the hooked end. If the hook has a flat area, hold it here between your index finger and your thumb. KNIFE METHOD Hold the hook between your thumb and your index finger, about 3-5cm (1¼-2") from the hooked end, resting the other end against your palm. This will give you plenty of control. HOLDING THE YARN METHOD ONE Pass the ball end of the yarn between the little finger and third fingers of your non-dominant hand, then behind the third and middle fingers, over your index finger. METHOD TWO Loop the ball end of the yarn around the little finger of your non-dominant hand, then take it over the third finger,…

STRAIGHT STITCH The simplest of stitches, straight stitch can be grouped together or used alone. Come up at point 1, then go down at point 2. Repeat. SATIN STITCH When you want to fill an area with a smooth finish, this stitch is the ideal choice. It’s best worked in small areas, because if the stitches are too long, they may snag. Come up at point 1, then go down at point 2. Come up at point 3, then go down at point 4. Repeat. Always work the stitches across the area you’re filling, coming up on the opposite side where the needle went down. SPLIT STITCH A great stitch for working outlines. When you make the ‘split’, try to go through the fibres, and not just in between the…

“We have many similarities and few creative differences.” Hi, I’m Liv Cave-Sutherland! My sister Dom and I are ceramicists and illustrators, and together we run Liv & Dom. Working as an artistic duo wasn’t something we’d set out to do since childhood, but six years into business it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to be able to live and work together and somehow not want to kill each other. Being identical twins definitely helps – we have many similarities and few creative differences. When we were kids, our Mum always encouraged our creative endeavours. Some of our earliest projects together include a collection of Fimo bunny sculptures, clothes for our Beanie Babies, and a short animation about mice going berry picking – very labour…