I recently saw an online tutorial for making beaded wind chimes, and when our local craft store had a sale with 30 percent off beads, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to buy some and have a go at making the wind chimes. There were so many beautiful beads to choose from, but I knew the colours I wanted, and that I wanted them to have some sparkle so that when the sunlight shone on them they would glisten and send happy rays dancing around the garden.

For a natural element, I added some seed pods, and used a stick from our garden to hang them from. I haven’t decided yet whether to hang it from the roof of my studio,

or from a tree.

You can find the tutorial for the beaded wind chimes here.

I love to knit over the winter months and usually have my knitting bag beside the couch with a project on the go. I learned to knit when I was about ten years old and fell in love with all the different yarns. I find knitting soothing. Handmade woollen things always seem so warm and cosy and inviting. My recent projects include a scarf for wearing on winter walks…

and a jumper for Finn to wear on frosty mornings. I wasn’t sure if he would want to wear it, but he seems to love it. He is quite happy to have it put on before snuggling up on the couch…

or under the quilt when it’s really cold.

He loves to lie on the sunny bench seat outside the studio.

Happy winter crafting to all my friends in the southern hemisphere, and happy summer crafting to all those in the northern hemisphere!