Meet Our New Blog Ambassadors

From the 1^st July, we will be starting a Blog Ambassador Programme where six wonderful craft lovers and writers will be joining our Hochanda team. The purpose of the programme is to bring you great insight and exclusives on the craft industry. We will provide you with weekly information, tips, techniques and answers to all your craft questions and plenty more.

Watch this space and be sure to go on our blog and welcome our lovely Blog Ambassadors from July.

Meet the team:

Barabara McNaughton

“I have been an avid paper crafter and sewist for many years. More recently I began a journey into the wonderful world of mixed media, where I combine my love of both genres. I find I am learning new techniques all the time and love working with the wide range of amazing new products that Hochanda brings to us daily.”

Leanne Mcalpine

“I have been crafting for approx. 27 years since I started my nurse training. I started with cross stitch to see me through night shift and discovered paper craft about 12 years ago. I enjoy card making and have found a love for shabby chic paper crafts, although I also enjoy scrap-booking and making 3D projects. I’m now embracing mixed media… slowly!”

Lore Green

“Hi, my name is Lore Green and I’ve been crafting since I was very small. My nan brimmed over with creative energy throughout her life and introduced me to so many crafts, such as sewing, cake decorating, papercrafts, pyrography and flower arranging.

Lesley Moore

I love all Arts and Crafts and can apply myself to nearly all areas in creating. I particularly like Polymer Clay and making Dolls Houses. I have used a medium to make models from used wine bottles, to cement garden ornaments; I also make miniature drawers for gifts MDF Cards. I would like to say I am very good with my hands and imagination.

Debbie Shore’s Threaders Project 2: Currant Bun

This delightful rabbit in her pretty pink pinny is showing how much she loves you! She has long bendy ears and her arms and legs are jointed with buttons. She stands 28" tall. use a 1/4" seam allowance.

Materials needed:

Download the pattern this link50cm x 114cm plain fabric50cm x 114cm patterned fabric2m of 1/2" wide ribbonBlack embroidery thread2 small black buttons for the eyes4 x 2cm buttons for the joints2 buttons to decorate the heartA long needle and strong thread20cm of 0.5cm wide elastic250g of toy filler2 chenille sticksErasable ink penBlusher

1. Download the pattern here. Cut out the ear pieces and place the chenille sticks to the centre of the wrong side of the patterned fabric. Zig zag stitch in place.

2. Sew the plain ear fabric to the patterned, right sides together, leaving the bottom open. Turn the right way out and press, then edge stitch around the ear.

3. Sew four pieces of 15cm x 12cm of patterned fabric to four pieces of 15cm x 23cm of plain fabric.

4. …

Debbie Shore's Threaders Project 4: Japanese Knot Bag

This stunning bag is actually very simple to make, and can be made as large or as small as you like! Try making it up in different fabrics, denim, faux leather or even silk, which would look lovely when embroidered as an evening bag! Use a 1.4” seam allowance.

Materials needed:
• 2 pieces of patterned fabric measuring 19” x 25”
• 2 pieces of lining fabric measuring 19” x 25”
• 2 pieces of fusible fleece measuring the same

1: Cut a curve around the bottom edge of each piece of fabric and fleece.

2. Turn one of the patterned pieces to the wrong side and draw a line each side, from the top, 4” from the side and 12” from the top. Using a 12” circle template, join the lines to make a curve.

3. With the patterned fabrics right sides together, cut around the curved line. You’ll see two handles forming. Measure 8” from the top of one of the handles and cut across.

4. Measure 10” from the bottom of each section on the bag and make a mark on either side.

5. Sew the two outer and two lining section…

Meet the Presenter - Alex Turchyn

Coffee break quick fire questions with... Alex Turchyn How did you get introduced to crafts?My Granddad got me in to crafts and art from as soon as I could pick up a pen and brush. We would spend hours together drawing, painting and making things. What has been your highlights so far on Hochanda?Everyday is a highlight! I love meeting the guests, learning about different crafts and I particularly love it when the guests don't mind me crafting with them! What are looking forward to next with Hochanda?I'm looking forward to seeing the huge variety of hobbies, crafts and arts and especially the cross stitch shows which will be coming soon as that is one of my favourites. If there was one other craft you would like to try what would it be?Oooo that's a tricky one! I haven't yet had a go at making the tiny houses and furniture, which looks great fun and I'd love to do some glass painting. Interested in learning more? Tune in to Hochanda every day 24/7 for lots of fun and …

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