Budget friendly craft projects

Crafting can be expensive hobby, especially if you get stuck in the trap of spending more time buying supplies than you do actually using them! But you don't need to spend a lot of money, or even any at all, to indulge your creative side and create something that allows you to enjoy both the creative process and the finished product. 

Here are some craft activities that are either free or very low cost.

Collage

You can use all sorts of things to create collage art. Even if you don't buy magazines, there are always free magazines and junk mail being posted through the letter box! There are plenty of places to find free magazines and leaflets, like supermarkets, tourist attractions, garden centres...or ask around among friends and family for ones that they've finished with. Then you can just have fun cutting out the pictures and text that you like and arranging them in a way that appeals to you. You can create mood boards, or collect images that appeal to you and stick in a scrapbook. Maybe you enjoy looking at relaxing beach scenes, or want to collect ideas for your home or garden. Or create fantastical collages, playing with perspective or mixing vintage with modern.

Photo credit Francisca Silva via Unsplash

Ephemeral art

Ephemeral art is created using natural materials and is not designed to last. You can create ephemeral art anywhere - maybe on the beach with stones and shells or in the forest with leaves and twigs. If you want to document the art then you can take a photograph, and then either destroy it or leave for others to enjoy. Just be careful not to do anything damaging to your surroundings, for example don't create sturdier structures like stone stacks which will not naturally disappear.

Pressed flowers

Don't go out picking flowers from parks or people's gardens, and you need to be careful picking wild flowers to avoid rare or endangered plants (see some guidance here - The rules about picking wild flowers). But if you have a garden or can collect things when you are out and about like fallen leaves then it's easy to press them. You don't need a proper flower press (although they do make it more convenient) you just need a few heavy books and some kind of tissue or blotting paper to prevent marking them. There are some great tips from the RHS here - Pressing flowers and leaves. I like to use pressed flowers in my journal as a reminder of some of the flowers that I managed to grow in my garden.

Photo credit Cary Bates via Unsplash

Recycled fabric crafts

Old t-shirts can be cut into strips to create a thick yarn that can be used for knitting or crochet, or you can use smaller strips to craft rag rugs You can also make quilts from old fabrics like clothing or bedding. Hunt through wardrobes to find clothes that are past their best but not good enough to pass on, or use fabrics with meaning like baby clothes or sporting memorabilia. Making a quilt doesn't need to be complicated and can be done by hand. English Paper Piecing is a style of quilting that uses paper templates and can be as simple or as intricate as you like - find some advice here - The English Paper Piecing Guide. 

Photo credit Olga Ferina via Unsplash

Photography

Most people already own a camera of some sort, and it doesn't need to be a special one to take interesting photographs. You can get out and about in your local area and look for the things that others miss, or create still life groupings with things from around your home. Favourites can be printed and displayed around the home.

Digital art

Digital art is a great way to engage your creative side without needing expensive materials. An emerging form of digital art is AI generated art, where you can experiment with different prompts and see what you can come up with. Maybe start by thinking about somewhere that you've visited or a scenario that you've imagined.

Drawing

You may want upgraded supplies at some point, but to start with all you need is a pencil or pen and some paper, and most people have those lying around! If you don't know where to start then look for an online tutorial, there are many YouTube videos that can help with both technique and inspiration. Look for challenges too, maybe with a different starting point every day.

Photo credit DHANYA A V via Unsplash

Writing and journalling

You can write by hand in a journal or write on your computer or laptop. You can write just for yourself, in the form of a journal or diary, or write for a larger audience with a blog or website. Putting your thoughts on paper is a great way to get your thoughts in order, or you can experiment with poetry or creative writing.

I hope that this gives you some ideas for ways to bring out your creativity without having to spend a lot of money or invest in too many supplies!

Some Autumn sunshine in the Dominican Republic

Over half term we were lucky enough to get away for some sunshine and warmth in the Dominican Republic. We booked our holiday as a package with Tui, staying at Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa. The hotel is located in Bayahibe, about an hour transfer from Punta Cana and the airport. We chose this resort because the beach is on the Caribbean Sea rather than the Atlantic, so we were hoping that the water would be a little warmer and calmer.

Unfortunately our holiday did coincide with Hurricane Melissa, and although we were well away from the direct path I do think that it made the sea conditions a little rougher, especially at the beginning of the week. The sea was also quite cloudy, fine for swimming but unfortunately no good for snorkelling. The water temperature was really warm, it was lovely to float out there bobbing up and down and it felt very safe.

We had two rooms which each had two double beds. The rooms were next door so we felt comfortable letting the teenagers share a room, and they loved the independence. 

My favourite part about the room was the balcony. I absolutely love a balcony, especially one that is high enough to be tucked away from the world and with plenty to look at. I spent hours out there every day reading on my Kindle, enjoying the warmth and watching the birds and the people going past. Even when it rained I sat out there until the wind picked up and turned horizontal!

There was a brilliant cafe in the lobby which was always open and served drinks and delicious cakes as part of the all inclusive. Every afternoon I went down to fetch a fruity tea and a couple of cakes to take back to my balcony to enjoy.

The holiday did involve speaking a little more Spanish than I was expecting. Spanish isn't one of my languages although both children can do pretty well. I managed to learn the words to order cheese (there wasn't a huge selection of veggie food) and bottled water as well as a few bonus words like watermelon and butter!

The resort also has a water park which was excellent and not too busy. There was a lazy river with plenty of rubber rings, and although it featured several instances of unavoidable waterfalls they were spaced very well to let you get nice and hot before you were swept underneath to cool down!

On our last morning we were floating happily along when my husband spotted what he thought was a dead crab in the water. A lady by the side of the pool came over and fished it out with her flip flop - it was actually a dead tarantula! I had no idea there were freely roaming tarantulas in the Dominican Republic, I'd been walking around every evening through grassy areas in my sandals!

We had a lovely holiday, and it was a great chance to relax and enjoy some last warmth before heading for cooler temperatures and dark evenings. 

The books that I read while on holiday:

American Sky by Carolin Dasher - an Amazon First Reads selection that was excellent, much better than many of them that I've struggled through, a historical novel that follows three generations of women and in particular their connections to aviation.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose - a sequel to the The Maid, I enjoyed this very much.

The Restoration Garden by Sara Blaydes - ticked a lot of my boxes - an overgrown garden, secrets to uncover, a time jump between WWII and present day narratives.

The Memory Library by Kate Storey - a simple plot but with the lovely idea of choosing and collecting books for others and explaining their special meanings.

Very, Very Lucky by Amanda Prowse - fairly predictable but a fun easy read.

The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan - a group of women with compelling stories connected by life on a remote island.

Simple craft projects that are great for sharing on social media

Some of my favourite crafts are simple ones that don't need many materials, and it's even better if you don't need to go shopping and can use things that you already have at home. 

Today I'm sharing some of my favourite crafts that are great for beginners. They also look fantastic when shared on social media, or they can be used as a way to enhance your online content. You can find the tutorial for each craft by following the links below.

Felt heart bunting

Felt bunting is a great way to use up scraps of felt that you may have lying around from other projects, and it is so simple to make. All you need to do is cut out small hearts (or you can try different shapes like circles or stars) from colourful pieces of felt, then string them together. I used a sewing machine to connect the hearts, but you can make it even easier by just glueing them to a length of cord or ribbon. The bunting looks great strung up for a colourful background, or you can use it as decoration in the background of another craft post or image.

You can find the tutorial here - Simple felt heart bunting

Recycled book crafts

If you have any old or damaged books that are headed for the recycling bin, there are some lovely photogenic crafts that you can make with the pages. My favourite is making simple bookmarks, which are a great fit for pairing with book reviews, blog posts about reading or images of books.

See how I made them here - Bookmarks made from old book pages

Tin can lanterns from upcycled cans

All you need for this project are some old tin cans, a hammer and a nail. My tutorial below explains how to make punching the holes for the lantern really easy, and how to make them look cheerful even during the day with colourful beads around the rim. The lanterns look great when photographed at dusk or at night, and would be a great accessory for content related to outdoor parties or as a backdrop to lifestyle content.

The full instructions are here - How to make simple tin can lanterns

Fabric covered plant pots

These flowerpots are another great craft for using up scraps of fabric which you may have lying around. You can match the fabric to your home decor, and they look great in photos if you use bright, cheerful fabrics in a range of different designs and pots in a variety of sizes. They would brighten up images of a bookshelf or windowsill, and would work well with content about gardening or houseplant care.

Find details here - How to make fabric covered plant pots

Easy beaded bracelets

Stretch beaded bracelets are so easy to make, all you need is some stretch elastic, a selection of beads and some superglue to keep the knots secure. You can make bracelets for special occasions like a concert, and take colourful photos of your arm covered with bracelets as you sing along to your favourite group or singer. They can be made in different colours to reflect the changing seasons, or to co-ordinate with different outfits, making them a great accessory for outfit posts. You can also use them in flat lays. 

Here's how I made my ocean themed stretch beaded bracelets

All of these crafts are really fun and simple to make and they also look great if you are planning on sharing the results on your social media or as a part of your online content creation!

How to pack light for a longer holiday

We have been lucky enough to enjoy some longer holidays over the years, but as the children have grown so has our need for suitcases! 

Before children we managed a two week trip around Europe with just hand luggage, we also survived nearly six weeks away with a suitcase and a holdall. I even lived in Germany for a year with mainly just the contents of a 22kg suitcase. So I like to think that I'm quite good at planning my packing to be as minimal as possible. 

Travelling light isn't just about saving on your weight allowance, it's also much easier when it comes to moving around airports and stations with a suitcase, and with less to keep track of it takes away some of the worries.

Here are some tips!

Try to wash clothes while you are away

If you can, book accommodation with laundry facilities. This is the reason that we usually book a villa stay when we travel to Florida - I'm able to keep up with washing as we go and we only need to pack clothes for a few days. It can be a pain taking time out of your holiday to faff with the washing, but it makes such a difference with the packing and it's so nice to come home with a suitcase of clean clothes! On our recent trip to Seoul we stayed in a hotel with a coin laundry which was fantastic, I would never pay for a hotel laundry service so it's definitely worth looking for self-service facilities.

If there aren't any washing facilities you can always wash by hand in the sink or bath, especially underwear that will dry quickly. You can either take some hand washing liquid with you, or in the past I've just used shower gel! Take clothes made from lightweight materials like sportswear and they will dry more quickly if you wash by hand.

Plan your clothes packing carefully

Unless you are an Instagram influencer then you really don't need a fresh outfit each day. Obviously underwear needs to be changed, but outer layers like trousers and jumpers can be worn a few times. 

Make sure that everything you pack goes well together, with neutral colours that can be mixed and matched.

Pack lightweight clothing that can be layered depending on the temperature or your activities.

Choose items that can be worn in different ways. For example I might wear a summer dress during the day, then add leggings and a cardigan for the evening. 

Bring the clothes that you enjoy wearing at home, don't bring clothes that you will avoid wearing and will turn out to be a waste of space.

Don't pack extra 'just in case' clothes - you will always be able to make do with what you have even if it means washing a few things out after unexpected accidents.

Photo credit Nick Fewings via Unsplash

Check what is included in your accommodation

Don't pack towels unless you are absolutely certain that you will need them. If you are going self-catered you can shop for essentials like toilet rolls, tissues, bin bags or dishwasher tablets when you arrive. 

Remember weight rather than size

If you are flying, it will usually be the weight that limits what you can take with you. I find that the heaviest things are usually shoes, so try to pack pairs that can go with all of your outfits. I try to limit myself to a pair of trainers for walking and some comfortable sandals if we are going somewhere hot. Depending on the type of holiday you might also want a pair of dressier shoes.

Books also add to the weight, so if you are an avid reader consider using an e-reader. When we went on our long holiday in the days before Kindles I chose one nice thick book - Anna Karenina - which kept me occupied for the entire trip!

Another way to save weight is to decant toiletries into smaller bottles, or do what I do and plan to use toiletries provided by your accommodation. If you arrive and there aren't any supplied then you can always just buy some when you arrive.

If you are packing heavy clothes like boots or winter coats then try and wear them for travel days.

A luggage scale is a great investment if you are worried about going over a weight limit - we have a simple strap one that you hang the suitcase from and it's very accurate. You can keep track while you are packing, and it helps you to think more carefully about what's going in.

Modern suitcases are much lighter than older ones, so it might be worth upgrading if you are wasting some of your weight allowance on bulky luggage.

Look for travel sized items

If you travel regularly it's definitely worth investing in some lightweight accessories. For example a small, light umbrella or a device charger with multiple USB ports. Thin, foldable ponchos are a great alternative to a bulky raincoat if you aren't sure whether you'll need one.

Remember that other places have shops too

Most of what you need can always be purchased while you are away. Even if you are staying in a remote resort there will always be a shop for essentials.

I always consider the things that absolutely couldn't be replaced, and anything other than that is a bonus. Apart from travel documents, for us that is our glasses as we are glasses wearers (and a spare pair is essential too!) and medication that would be difficult to replace or find an alternative.

Do you have any tips to add?

The things that make me love a book

Recently I've been making really good progress working through my to be read pile, and part of that has been becoming much more strict about the books that make it on there in the first place. I've become more inclined to put a book aside if it isn't grabbing me within the first few chapters, and I've been ruthless with some of the free books that had been piling up on my Kindle. 

It's taken me a good number of years of reading to work out what it is about a book that makes me love it! Here are some of the things that I've narrowed it down to:

Female authors and a female main character

Until a few years ago I never really thought about whether the book I was reading was written by a man or a woman. But now I've realised that although I do enjoy many books written by male authors, it's usually the female ones that really grab me. I find that they tend to focus more on relationships and characters rather than just what is happening in the plot. There is often more observational detail, and more focus a character's inner thoughts and feelings.

Plenty of description

I love books that really immerse me in a place, whether it's somewhere familiar to me or somewhere that I can learn more about. I enjoy detailed descriptions, and I tend more towards a rural or coastal setting rather than a city. For example - Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens), The Paper Palace (Miranda Cowley Heller).

A twist, but not too obvious

Twists in a book are great, but I don't want to spend the whole time trying to work it out. I want to concentrate on the story, not be looking for hidden details and double meanings that might or might not end up being important. My favourite book of all time is like that - Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier) and I also enjoyed We Were Liars (E. Lockhart). But the best twist in a book that I've read comes in I Let You Go (Claire Mackintosh).

An element that leaves me thinking

I'm especially drawn to speculative fiction, stories that are set just a few years in the future but where things have changed either as a result of society or technology. Some of my favourite examples are The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood), Klara and the Sun (Kazuo Ishiguru), The School for Good Mothers (Jessamine Chan) and Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguru). I like to be left with something unsettling to ponder.

Photo credit Zooey Li via Unsplash

Unreliable narrators

I enjoy books that are narrated by a character that you can't be sure is telling the complete truth, and where you have to read between the lines to work out what is really going on. Many of Kazuo Ishiguru's books fall in to this category, and one of my favourites is The Remains of the Day. I also like books that are written as a stream of consciousness, like I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith). Rebecca ticks this box too - so much of the book is things that don't actually happen, they are just imagined by the narrator.

Booker Prize shortlisted books and winners

For some reason, Booker Prize shortlisted books and winners always seem to appeal to me. Recently I've loved Orbital (Samantha Harvey, winner in 2024) and Great Circle (Maggie Shipstead, shortlisted in 2021). I would love to have the funds to be able to buy the Booker Prize shortlist every year when it's announced! World of Books, where I buy second hand books when I'm after a specific title, even has a dedicated section on their website for previous Booker prize books which is very handy.

A nice cover

Yes I know, I'm shallow! But the cover of a book does make a difference to me when I'm browsing, especially in the library or a charity shop when there is less money changing hands and less pressure to pick the perfect book. Covers are very carefully chosen by a publisher, and I can usually tell from a cover what type of book it is. Or at least I know which ones to avoid - like those with gory pictures!

What do you find grabs you in a book?

Hobbies which calm the mind

Earlier this year I wrote about my obsession with jigsaw puzzles, and how it was helping me to calm my mind when I was going through a difficult time. I found it a great way to slow down, focus, and also feel that I was bring some order out of the chaos of jumbled pieces.

I've found a few hobbies that help to relax me when I'm feeling anxious or worrying about something, and so I thought I'd share them here in case they can be of help to others. These hobbies can help to take your mind off what you are worrying about, and their repetitive nature can be meditative and calming. They also offer a sense of achievement when completed.

Jigsaw puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles force you to slow down and concentrate on the shape and colour of the pieces in front of you, and you get a small hit of satisfaction with every one that you slot together. I like to have a jigsaw puzzle out on the table whenever I can so that I can work on it a bit a time. It's a really absorbing process watching it all come together.

Running or walking

I enjoy getting out for a run or walk a few times a week. I enjoy my surroundings, and I also have the mental space to sort through anything that's on my mind. Some fresh air and exercise always makes me feel better, and the feeling continues for a long time afterwards. Running is a great hobby to start because it's really easy to track your progress, and you can feel the satisfaction as you begin to complete longer runs and manage a faster pace. 

Colouring

Adult colouring is very popular at the moment, and there are a huge range of colouring books and pens available. Try to keep away from social media and just focus on colouring for yourself rather than feeling the need to compete with others. You really don't need many supplies, I'm sure most people have some colouring pens or pencils tucked away and there are lots of free printable colouring pages available online.

Cross stitch

Cross stitch or embroidery is another hobby that is easy to pick up and put down, with a repetitive and mediative nature. I like to work on large projects that take me years to complete, but I do intersperse them with smaller pieces that can be finished in just a few hours. I like the feeling of the thread running through the fabric and watching the pattern come together.

Similarly, knitting and crochet are great hobbies to quieten those racing thoughts with some tactile repetition as you follow a pattern, count the stitches, and watch your project take shape in your hands. Even though it's repetitive, it's challenging enough not to be boring.

Gardening

My garden is new so I have lots of empty beds, which very quickly fill up with weeds! I've found that I can easily spend a couple of hours out there weeding away and the fresh air and job satisfaction always leaves me feeling calmer afterwards.

Yoga or stretches

I don't do serious yoga, but I do have some stretching videos that I enjoy which often include yoga poses. Just closing the door and rolling out my yoga mat already helps me to feel relaxed, and because I follow videos that are familiar to me I don't have to concentrate on following the routine. I just go along with it and feel lovely and relaxed afterwards.

I think it's important to remember that taking the time for a calming hobby isn't indulgent, it's something that is really important for good mental health. Just making time for a few minutes doing something enjoyable and relaxing can make a big difference, and help you to face the world when things feel overwhelming.

How I survive long haul flights

I've been lucky enough to enjoy some wonderful holidays to far flung destinations, and I like to think I'm a pretty seasoned traveller when it comes to flying long haul. So I thought I'd share some tips for things that have helped me survive a long haul flight and emerge at the end ready for a new adventure, or prepared to get back into the swing of things at home!

Before flying

We try to pre-book seats or check in on time to choose seats together. I like an aisle seat, so I usually have the children next to me by the window. Bulkhead seats are nice for extra legroom, but I'm short and I'm personally not a fan - hand luggage has to go in the overhead compartment, the table and screen are awkwardly positioned, the toilet queue is right beside you, and it's where they keep the noisy babies! 

As soon as I sit in my seat I change my phone clock to the new timezone and sync my watch. I try to get myself in the mindset for the new time, so if it's suddenly evening I imagine being ready to go to sleep.

Finally when packing for peace of mind I always make everyone pop spare underwear and a clean top into hand luggage. You never know when you'll spill a drink down yourself, or whether your suitcase may end up in a different place. 

Daytime flights

I find long daytime flights the hardest. I keep the flight map up on the screen and sometimes it can just go so slowly! 

I download plenty of entertainment to my phone. I only found out recently that you can download videos from YouTube to watch offline! I choose light, easy to watch videos that normally I pass over for something more substantial. There's usually something that I want to watch on the entertainment system, maybe an old film that I've not watched in years or some episodes of a sitcom that I enjoy.

I take plenty of reading material. Mostly it's on my Kindle, but I always make sure to take at least one physical book in case of a Kindle mishap. I'll choose a book that I've been looking forward to reading (making sure that I've read the first few pages and know it's one I'm going to enjoy). A few days before we go away I have a good browse of the Prime Reading Library and free Kindle books to make sure that I've got plenty of options, and I have lots of old favourites in my Kindle library.

I like to take a notepad and pen too, useful if anyone needs to be entertained with some pen and paper games and it's somewhere to jot down random thoughts that come into my head when I'm bored and staring into space!

I pack plenty of snacks, and I try to include things that I don't eat often and are a bit of a treat. Minstrels are good because they don't melt if it's hot, and I like savoury snacks like the little packs from Graze. 

I also try to nap even on a daytime flight. It's not easy when people are going up and down the aisle or the children need something, but it does make the time pass more quickly.

Photo credit Suhyeon Choi via Unsplash

Night flights

For me night flights are all about sleeping, as much as possible. Whether it's because I want to make the most of our first day in a new location or so that I can arrive home and not need to fall straight into bed and make the jet lag worse.

I have an unusual neck pillow which is called a trtl pillow. I'm not sure it's much more comfortable than a classic neck pillow, but it packs down small in my hand luggage and it has a long fleecy scarf which I wrap around almost my whole face. I use it with a black sleep mask and ear plugs, and that combination really does help me to get some sleep.

Before a night flight we try to eat dinner at the airport. For a longer flight I'll wait for the meal on the plane, but for a shorter long haul flight I'll just make sure that the children are comfortable and then I'll tuck myself up for sleep straight away. I don't have an alcoholic drink, it's tempting because I know it would make me feel dozy, but I think I would wake up during the flight feeling worse.

Even if I can't sleep during the flight I try to avoid turning on the screen or a reading light. Luckily night flights on planes are set up for sleeping with disturbances kept to a minimum so I can usually at least doze. It's such a nice feeling to wake up from a sleep on the plane and check the map to see that you are nearly at your destination.

After landing

I make sure that I'm mentally in the new time zone immediately. Even if it feels like the middle of the night I try to stay awake as long as I can, and eat meals at the correct times - sunlight, fresh air and exercise can help to stay awake. If we've landed early morning and I know that I can't manage the whole day awake then I will have a nap early afternoon, but I'll set an alarm and force myself to get up and keep going!