Mollie Makes

 Mollie Makes Issue Two

There's nothing I love better than a cup of tea

and a new magazine!

Mollie Makes is my favorite new British magazine.  This adorable magazine has taken the crafting and publishing world by storm.   

 Issue Two hasn't even hit the US stands yet but I already own it. I just couldn't wait...so I ordered Issue Two online from my favorite yarn store in London, Loop.  It was worth every penny spent on shipping to be ensured I received it and its cute little Flower Felt Kit, too. 

 Inspired!

I like Issue Two even better than Issue One. 

I love the sweet and vintage inspired cover project, Strawberry Pincushions by Eirlys Penn.  The magazine not only gives you clear directions on how to make them but also a neat little history  "The Story Behind The Strawberry".  Love that and can't wait to make them!

You can read more about EirlysPenn at her website http://www.scrapiana.com/. 

Issue Two is also filled with pages of inspiration for crafting, collecting and thrifting.  I love staying "in the know" with the wonderful blogs and cute shops that Mollie Makes shares with us.

 Feeling Crafty?

Everyone loves a "freebie" including me!

One of the neatest things about British magazines is that they often include a free gift!  On my trips to England, I've snagged British magazines with free gifts including an Anya Hindmarch change purse and Cath Kidston pouches and bags. 

Mollie Makes is including a free little-crafty kit with every issue.  Demand has exceeded supply so some issues have not include the free-gift.  I didn't want to miss out on the free-gift with Issue Two so that's why I ordered it from Loop.  I can't wait to get crafty now and make some felt flowers!

 Vintage Chic

The granny square is re-born! 

Another reason I'm excited about Issue Two is Jane Brocket's Starburst Flower Crochet Blanket.  Jane's pattern is from her new book The Gentle Art of Knitting and the pattern is included in the magazine.

I haven't made granny squares since my G.G. (great-grandmother) taught me how to make them when I was a little girl.  I love how they've made a comeback and I can't wait to try my hand at crochet again.   

Jane Brocket says  "This blanket made from "starburst flower" squares was inspired by the many granny square blankets I have seen on blogs and in magazines, as well as the actual crocheted blankets I saw as I was growing up".

I couldn't wait to have my Mom pull out my G.G.'s Granny Square Blanket (vintage 1960's) so I could use it for this photo shoot!

 How Does Your Garden Grow?

I used to do a little embroidery work as young girl, too.  My mom still has the flour-sack towel tucked away that my G.G. taught me my very first embroidery stitches. 

I haven't embroidered in ages except maybe for a few French knots here and there.  Seeing Charlotte Lyons beautiful embroidery work in this issue, just might change that. 

You can find out more about Charlotte at her website http://www.charlottelyons.com/. 

Bath

Lastly, I love the article Why You Should Visit Bath!  Trust me...one does not need a reason to visit Bath.  It is one of my favorite cities in all of England to visit!  

On my recent trip to Bath in May, I visited Wool, the wonderful knitting emporium.   Wool's owner Laura referred me to The Makery where I picked up the premier issue of Mollie Makes. 

Here's a list of some of my other favorite places in Bath:

Jane Austen Center & The Regency Tea Room, The Pump Room, Sally Lunns, Cath Kidston, The Royal Crescent, Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, Brora, Rossiters of Bath, Jamie Oliver's Italian, Whittard of Chelsea, Tilleys Bistro and HRH Highgrove Shop.

Now that I've discovered Mollie Makes I bet I'll be adding even more places that I'll want to visit on my next trip across the pond! 

Issue Three of Mollie Makes is now out in the UK.  It typically gets to the US about a month later...
I'm not sure I can wait that long!