As regular readers know, I love to be creative and make things but my crafty side does tend to take a back seat when life gets busy (read: always!).
Luckily, docrafts offered me the chance to review their latest Creativity Magazine so I had an excuse to spend a Sunday evening reading a magazine and getting crafty- bliss!
It was the first time I had ever read this particular craft magazine so I was intrigued to see what it would be like. The cover price is £4.99 which I think is reasonable for this type of magazine.
I love to see what the “free gifts” are. With this particular issue readers were treated to a free Let’s Bake magazine, a Voucher Booklet, a Victorian Christmas Decorative Bauble Kit and Create Christmas Wooden Shapes.
The voucher book could come in handy if after reading the magazine you plan to buy lots of the craft products. It included savings of up to £15.
A tutorial is included for how to use your free craft gifts. There is a handy “Get the Look” product list if you are looking to stock up on your craft supplies. Personally, I would take the tutorial as inspiration and then make cards or decorations using my own craft supplies before I stock up any further.
When I saw the Bauble Kit, I did hope that everything needed to make the bauble would be in the pack, however Crimp Tubes, Monofilament Thread and Glass Pearl Beads were also needed.
I love it when craft magazines have it all to hand so even if you pick it up to read on the train you can still get stuck in straight away.
There was again a handy list so you could easily buy the needed items. However I am quite impatient and wanted to make up something from the magazine straight away. Rather than hunting in my under-stairs cupboard or waiting until ordered craft goodies turned up I decided to improvise and made my bauble with some jewellery wire and silver beads. I think it turned out quite well. I know my photo is very cross-seasonal with the Christmas bauble and Autumn blackberries! I think this design would make good pumpkin decorations for Halloween too.
All of the craft ideas were beautiful and useful. I would love to make this necklace.
I think these Chalkboard Stickers are a good buy for £1.25 too and I can see a lot of different uses for them.
I enjoyed the Die Cutting special and was impressed with the different pattern Die Sets now available such as this English Country Borders one used in the card above.
I also enjoyed the Thrifty Upcycling craft ideas.
I was excited to hear that there is a Roald Dahl craft range available which both me and the kids would love.
I am saving the above idea for teacher presents- imagine “Thank You” iced on the heart biscuits- just perfect!
I will also be making this “L❤ve” applique using buttons for the heart. I’m not sure if it will be a cushion yet or something on a smaller scale.
I was so happy to find this pirate theme in the Play and Craft section! Caitlyn is always looking for more pirate craft ideas. I love the idea of covering cardboard boxes in lolly pop sticks to make them look like treasure chests.
Then there are always the aspirational craft ideas in these magazine that I know I will never get round to doing. However, I love the look of the button top table so may help the girls decorate jewellery boxes or something on a smaller scale with them.
I also enjoyed Let’s Bake. I went on a cake decorating course last year and found out that tools really do make a difference. I would love to stock up on lots of different tools such as icing cutters over time.
Thank you for this little peek into your magazine docrafts! You have certainly inspired me as I haven’t usually started making my Christmas decorations in October.
Maybe I am going to be organised in time for once…
What do you love to see in your favourite craft magazines?
I was sent this docrafts Creativity Magazine to review. All opinions are honest and my own.
