Thursday 29 September 2022

Amok! Amok! Amok! A Hocus Pocus Embroidery Pattern for Halloween

I've got a free, spooky embroidery pattern to share with you guys today - a celebration of one of my favourite films, and all things witchy! 


With the nights drawing in, my thoughts have turned to the books and films I want to revisit on chilly autumn evenings. 

Top of my Must Watch Halloween Movies list is the kids classic "Hocus Pocus" - starring Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker as witches brought back to life by some hapless teens. 

My absolute favourite moment from the film is when SJP's dim, giddy character gleefully shouts "Amok! Amok! Amok!" ... so obviously I had to stitch an homage to that moment. 

I started out wanting to design something simple, focusing on the text itself, then got a bit carried away drawing cute and spooky witchcraft-themed things! More is more, right???

The finished pattern fits nicely in a 7 inch embroidery hoop, or you can trace individual motifs for some quick Halloween stitching. 

I think this would also make a great Halloween colouring page, maybe even to colour in during a Hocus Pocus rewatch?

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY PATREON AND DOWNLOAD THE FREE PDF PATTERN.

Want more crafty projects? Subscribe to my Patreon for a small monthly fee and you'll get access to a growing library of PDF patterns and tutorials, with an email whenever I add a new project. You can cancel any time. 

Click here to check out my Patreon page and sign up!

This pattern is for personal use only: you can use it to stitch as many spooky things as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don't make any for sale. Thanks xx

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Wednesday 21 September 2022

Felt Craft Brooch Kits for Hawthorn Handmade

Some nice freelance news - I've designed some more felt brooch kits for Hawthorn Handmade! 

I've been working with Hawthorn Handmade for a while, creating lots of fun DIY sewing kits with different themes: flowers, wildlife, dogs, and insects. 

Last month they launched two new themes, which I'm excited to be able to show you guys!

First up: a trio of crafting-themed brooches.

There's a sewing machine brooch...

 ... an embroidery brooch...

 

... and a knitting brooch, with a lovely basket of yarn!

 

Which one's your favourite?


Click here to shop the whole range of felt craft kits.

Saturday 17 September 2022

A Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Felt Ornament Tutorial

Sew a felt portrait of the Queen, to commemorate her long life and reign!

 

This step by step project includes templates, instructions, and several text options for the embroidery - including "Thank you, Ma'am, for everything" for the Paddington fans among you. 

Don't want to make an ornament? Sew the finished portrait onto a larger piece of felt or fabric and frame it instead. 

CLICK HERE to find the printable PDF pattern over on my Patreon.

In case you missed it - here's the embroidery pattern I shared earlier. 

I'm sharing these patterns for free, but if you'd like to support my work you can sign up to become a Patron, buy me a coffee, or visit my shop. 

If you'd prefer to make a donation to a charity in memory of the Queen that would also be lovely!

Wednesday 14 September 2022

Snail Mail Love: Vintage Stamp Postcards


As well as getting back into the rhythm of stitching and designing stuff, I've also been adding lots of lovely vintage bits and bobs to my shop!

I've been selling vintage things for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it. It's such a joy finding gorgeous and interesting items and then sending them off to their new homes - particularly when customers tell me their purchases are going to be a special gift, or are something they've been looking for for years. 

As the months go by, I'm working out what sells and what doesn't and also what I'm most enjoying selling. I blogged a while back about my new-found obsession with vintage tea towels (I love them so much I've set up an Instagram account devoted to them!), and obviously I'm drawn to all kinds of vintage crafty goodness... but one of the other things I'm really into is vintage stamp postcards.


These cards are known by collectors as "PHQ Cards" - PHQ standing for "Postal Headquarters" because they were originally issued by the Post Office here in the UK (more recently they've been issued by the Royal Mail). 

The Post Office (and later Royal Mail) have been publishing them since the early 1970s: a new set of postcards for each new set of stamps. 


 

I've loved postage stamps since I was a kid and I absolutely adore these postcards. 

They're great for anyone interested in stamps, of course, but they also make fab gifts for people born in the year they were issued, or anyone interested in the theme of the featured set. Pretty much whatever you're interested in Royal Mail have produced stamps connected to that theme!


 


I'm selling sets of totally unused postcards, so you can send a lovely bit of snail mail to your friends. The Christmas and winter-themed sets would make great Christmas cards. 

The cards would also look great framed, either individually if there's a particular stamp design you adore, or as a set. Super affordable vintage art!




Visit my shop to see the postcard sets I currently have available, and do give me a shout if there are any designs in particular that you're interested in as I have plenty more to photograph and list!

Monday 12 September 2022

Hello Autumn! Autumnal Fungi Embroidery Pattern

It has been an embarrassingly long time since I've had the energy and creative mojo to send out a new free pattern to my newsletter subscribers... but it has finally happened!

My "Autumn Fungi" embroidery pattern features toadstools and a mushroom and lots of swirly lines to stitch in your favourite autumnal shades.

 

If you've already subscribed to the pattern segment of my newsletter, this new free pattern will be pinging into your inbox sometime soon. Hurrah!

Once it's been sent out to current subscribers, it will then be the freebie for new subscribers until I have another new project ready to share :)

Click here to read more about my newsletter and subscribe!

Click here to visit my tutorial archive for lots more free autumnal patterns and project ideas.

Saturday 10 September 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, Free Embroidery Pattern

Queen Elizabeth II commemorative embroidery pattern by Laura Lupin Howard
 

Like so many people I've been deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

I wanted to sew a little something to commemorate her long life and reign... and this has turned into three creative projects in progress!

I'm sharing this embroidery pattern today, then sometime soon I'll post step by step tutorials for a couple of felt projects. Watch this space xxx

CLICK HERE to find the printable PDF pattern over on my Patreon.

All the projects in this series will be free and remain so, but if you'd like to support my work you can sign up to become a Patron, buy me a coffee, or visit my shop. If you'd prefer to make a donation to a charity in memory of the Queen that would also be lovely!