Top 5 Quick Crafts

When I'm not drawing or designing, one of my favourite ways to spend my time is creating. Whether it's crocheting, painting, embroidery or sewing, nothing is more therapeutic for me than being creative. While I don't always have the time for big projects, sometimes I just need to scratch that creative itch and recently, especially on the run up to Christmas, I've spent a lot of time craving quick projects and crafts that I can finish in a short period of time. So, I thought I'd share with you some of my top quick creative projects which I have enjoyed making recently.

5. Book Covers

   

   Hands up who loves stationery? Me, me, me! There is something nostalgic about stationery that takes me right back to my school days and stationery shopping in the summer holidays in anticipation for the new school year. This feeling encompasses all stationery and art supplies whether it's a new pen, sharp pencil or a crisp new notebook. There's nothing nicer than opening a new notebook and writing on the first page in your best handwriting. Admittedly I do have quite a large collection of notebooks and sketchbooks, but they don't always come with the most inspiring covers. The wonderful Sally Ablett gave me the idea of making book covers as gifts and a way of making my desk a more inspiring place to be. Whether you buy fabrics especially or choose to use up scraps from your stash, this project allows you to play around with scale, composition and quantity. Not to mention having lots of fun in the process.

   
   

   This gorgeous book cover was designed and made by the lovely Sally Ablett and it never fails to make me smile whenever I go to write something in it.

4. Card Making

There are a lot of lovely cards on the market to suit all budgets, but when I can't find any I like in the shops, or I want something with more of a personal touch I make my own. You don't always need to buy new supplies either to create them. Some of my favourite designs and ideas come from cutting up old art work or fabrics. These aperture cards can be made easily by cutting out a shape from a piece of card to create a frame and inserting any artwork you wish. A really quick craft which reuses, recycles and requires very little time to create fantastic results.

3. Small Bags and Purses

   
   

There is something immensely satisfying about making a bag or a pouch and depending on the design a really simple bag can be quick to make. I love the feeling when you have finished and you can squirrel away all of your clutter in your new bag. My favourite bags and purses not only use beautiful fabrics on the outside but on the inside too, so it's always a pleasure to open them up to reveal the pretty lining. These pouches make fantastic gifts which are both beautiful and functional making them great ideas for birthdays and Christmas.

2. Hair Scrunchies

Useful handmade gifts are one of my favourite presents to give and if I can use fabrics from my stash, even better. My daughter is always loosing hairbands, but we find using scrunchies they are a bit harder to loose because of the size. We have a constant rotation of these to suit every outfit and look. Requiring just a sewing machine, thread, elastic and a strip of your chosen fabric, these can be created in just a matter of minutes, making it a lovely quick project with simple yet effective results.

1. Fabric Covered Buttons

These little fabric covered buttons are my new obsession. They take just minutes to create and anyone with even the most basic sewing skills can put them together. These particular 'self cover' buttons are from Hemline, however you can find them in most hobby and craft shops. Not only are they quick to create, but they are fantastic for using up those teeny, tiny fabric scraps that are often left over from projects, but are too pretty to throw away. Perfect for keeping in your stash to add a little je ne sais quoi to other projects such as bags, clothes, jewellery, book covers etc, these buttons are a great way to finish off a project.

I hope these crafts inspire you to get creative and you have as much fun making them as I did. If I've inspired you at all, please tag me in any photos on Facebook and Instagram using #CassandraConnolly or @cass_connolly .