Hello, welcome to my Cotswold Kitchen Mom Ultimate Guide to English Inspired Crafting & DIY Projects page. Here you will find many creative ideas and imaginative inspirations. This page covers topics such as seasonal craft projects, homeschool crafts for children, holiday craft ideas, and cozy cottage-style crafting inspirations to warm up your home spaces.
If you enjoy sewing, painting, decorating, or crafting of any kind- then this is the page for you. In this guide, I will share my inspiration(s) behind the craft- and then my blog post(s) that will further explain these projects and ideas. Below, my in-depth post(s) will share detailed, step-by-step process for each craft idea. Plus, my original photography will help to further illustrate these fun crafting concepts.
I am so glad you are here! Let’s “get our craft on,” shall we?
The Cotswold Kitchen Mom Crafting Way
My crafting philosophy is simple: use what you have, and then what you find. Look in your cupboards first to see what craft-friendly supplies you already have on hand. Then, when you are out and about shopping, stop by your local thrift store- and see what crafting items you may uncover and discover.
Challenge your creativity by using what you already have (or what you can source for cheap). I often collect craft supplies throughout the year from thrift stores.
By nature, thrift shopping means you have to buy the item when it is available. Therefore, even if I am not in the market for fabric for my bunting flags, but I come across a yard of beautiful vintage, floral fabric in my local thrift store, I buy it. For, when I do need some lovely fabric, I will most certainly have it in my craft cupboard.
The same is true for scrapbook paper or vintage lace. I always buy it… because I know, in the future, I will find the perfect use for it.
When it comes to creating a craft…craft how you enjoy. Absolutely use other ideas as inspirations -but no comparison. Let the items you find “guide” you. And let your personal tastes inspire your creations.
If you want to do a craft, but your imagination feels a bit slow, that is okay…just get started and expect ideas to flow as you go. Ultimately, remember to always have fun!
Finally, please do not feel like your craft projects have to be perfect. Make items that you enjoy and that make you feel happy. Relish the process of creating and find joy in the end result.
Making Ordinary Things Lovely
Lovely, ordinary things fill the world around us. Much of life is built on ordinary moments. However, ordinary moments can be spectacular if you train your attitude to see the beauty in the everyday. (See my post on simple things here.)
Speaking of little beauties, allow me to sidestep for just a moment. When I was a home economics high school teacher, I remember a story my assistant principal (and dear friend once told me). The story was of a mom and a little girl. I cannot remember the exact details, but my recollection of the story will relay the “gist” of the idea to you all bellow.
Hidden Butterflies
One day, a mother and her little girl were quickly walking through a crowded street. When suddenly, the little girl stopped to notice something. The distracted mother (who was busy on the phone), did not have time to stop…let alone to look and wonder. Because of her “busyness” she tried to pull her daughter away, but the daughter looked up at her mom with crocodile tears threatening. Filled with empathy, the mother went back to her daughter to observe the thing that had captured her daughter’s attention.
What she saw- changed her perspective. There, perched upon a flower petal was a beautiful butterfly. A small wonder of nature that often goes unnoticed. And it was in that moment; the busy mother appreciated the beauty that stems from taking the time to notice the small things and to wonder.
When is the last time you stopped to discover and uncover– to show wonder in the beauty that is present?
For, there are many beautiful things all around us. Sadly, in our busyness (or sometimes ungratefulness), we fail to see these wonderous little gifts. If we take the time to appreciate what is around us, we will often see/hear many hidden gifts: the laughter of a small child, the smile of a kind stranger, a cool breeze on a hot day, a radiant rainbow after a summer’s rain, the breathtaking beauty of a sunrise, or the calm of a spectacular sunset.
A hidden butterfly is a gift waiting to be discovered.
How to Use "Hidden Butterflies" to Decorate a Home:
Because this story offered such a simple, but lovely lesson, I decided to teach the concept of “hidden butterflies” to my high school students. As a class, we encouraged each other to look for the “hidden butterflies” of life.
I try to keep this concept in mind when going throughout life and when decorating my home. How can I appreciate beautiful details? How can I make ordinary things lovely? Making ordinary things lovely does not require much money. In fact, sometimes it is free. For this type of beauty stems from a thankful heart.
So next time you are in a rush, slow down, and look around at the lovely ordinary things that abound. Make ordinary occasions lovely by filling them with creative crafts, baked goods, and simple thrift flips. Celebrate what is right in front of you. And be thankful.
To see my post on how to dry ordinary flowers and use them to create a lovely home decoration, see my post here.
Holiday Crafting
Crafting during the holidays is a joy. What a wonderful way to feed your creativity, and your imagination, during the excitement of an upcoming holiday.
Holiday crafting is a wonderful way to prepare your home for any holiday celebration. Making your own decorations can save you lots of money in the long run. Furthermore, handmade decorations tell a beautiful story… and allow memories for years to come.
See my post on my vintage inspired Valentine’s Day crafts and decor here. And see my Valentine’s Day craft ideas for kids here.
To see my post that features adorable Easter fabric crafts and thrifted flips, click here.
Also, see my post on Christmas canvas crafts and wall art decor here.
And finally, to see my post on a special Mother’s Day stepping-stone craft- see my post here.
Seasonal Crafting
Seasonal crafts are slightly different from holiday crafts. These crafts tend to have a longer lifespan…meaning they can generally be used to decorate a home for longer periods of time. Seasonal crafts are exciting to create and can be used for many future seasons in the home. There is no need to always buy brand new seasonal decorations.
See my post on how to make adorable air-dry clay hearts here.
Winter Crafts
Winters can be cold, dark, and long. Why not cheer the winter months up with a bit of crafting fun? Pour yourself a cuppa hot tea- and pull up a seat around the table. If you can have a crackling fire in the background, by all means do! For winter crafting is one way to uplift and warm your spirits.
Often, my winter crafts involve getting ready for Christmas, but winter crafts can (and do) include much more. Winter crafts are uplifting to create and add a touch of whimsey and magic to a home space.
Spring Crafts
Spring is a beautiful time of year. The dark months of the winter have passed, and the hope of spring is on the horizon. When making a spring craft, think bright and vibrant. How can you bring the beauty of the outdoors… inside of your home?
This “outside-inside” approach is a good place to start.
Summer Crafts
Generally, my summer crafts involve my children. I try to plan a few structured crafting activities to do with them during the hottest months of the year. However, much of our crafting is also very informal. I allow the children to create their own fun… using random crafting supplies. I am always amazed what their little imaginations can come up with.
If you are ever lacking a bit of inspiration, ask a child. You will be happy to hear what wonderful ideas they possess in their young minds.
Autumn Crafts
When I think of autumn crafts, I think of the smell of burning leaves and cinnamon. I think of cool nights with a cozy blanket draped over my legs, a cuppa tea, and a good book.
Personally, I like to borrow inspiration from what the seasons naturally give. Afterall, God is the ultimate Creator. I love using natural things to decorate my home and give it a warm and cozy feel. Some of my favorite natural items to use in my autumn crafts are colorful leaves, pumpkins, and acorns. Moreover, a bit of gold sparkle spray paint can go a long way in making your crafts- and your home- lovely.
To see an autumn inspired post for children, using vegetables as stamps, see my post here.
For an easy autumn leaf craft, see my post here.
And to see how to make an autumn leaf garland, see my post here.
English Cottage Style Home and Fabric Crafts
Living in England, it was my observation, that many English cottages utilized an array of different fabrics and patterns. I loved seeing combinations of a floral and a stripe fabric, a plaid and a polka dot fabric, or toile and a damask fabric. The unique combinations of fabrics and prints often reflected the owner’s personal taste and style.
As a nod to these English cottage fabrics, I too, like to utilize different fabrics to make crafts for my home. Fabric adds a lovely softness to a room. It can be bold or subtle. Either way, fabric adds beauty to any space. Whether it is in the curtains, a throw pillow, a textured rug, a soft blanket, or a handmade bunting flag… fabric is a powerful element in a room.
*To read more about my time spent living in England with my English husband and daughter, see my “Welcome to My Story” post here.
Fabric Bunting Flags
My regular readers will know that I love bunting flags! I make both fabric bunting, and paper bunting, for various occasions. Living in England, I had the opportunity to see many bunting flag examples. Pulling inspiration from these lovely little flags, I decided to make similar bunting flags for my own home.
Now, I have a small collection of my very own handmade bunting flag sets. I pull these charming flags out of the cupboard time and time again. I like to use bunting to decorate a mantel, a table, or a doorway. Bunting flags are also an adorable party decoration!
In our home, we also use them to decorate behind our children’s beds- as a nod to their English heritage- and a sweet way to mark their space.
With a few simple supplies, a sewing machine, and a bit of time- you too can create a lovely set of bunting flags for your home.
To see my Valentine’s Day bunting flags and garland, read my post here.
Or to see a biscuit recipe and a summer bunting flag craft project, see my post here.
Wreaths
Wreaths are a lovely addition to a front door. They can even be used inside the home (on a mantel or to decorate a wall, a shelf, or an interior door).
However, it is worth noting that wreaths can be expensive to buy for each season. Luckily, you can find wreaths in thrift stores for a reasonable price. Don’t worry if they are not to your exact liking. With a bit of imagination, you can make a thrifted wreath lovely (and without spending much money).
Good craft supplies to revamp a wreath are artificial flowers, floral wire, ribbon, fabric wreath bows, acorns, pinecones, wooden craft hearts, Easter eggs, Christmas ornaments… to name but a few.
See how I transformed two thrifted wreaths, into one lovely Valentine’s Day wreath here.
And to see how I updated an autumn wreath from hobby lobby- with a sewn wreath bow, see my post here.
Table Styling
Mealtime is an important time to share with those you love. Making a meal a peaceful time of celebrating the ordinary moments in life is a great way to teach children thankfulness.
Certainly, I do not always make my dining table fancy. In fact, it is often very basic, but it is always dressed in love.
However, I certainly like to decorate the dining table for special occasions. Taking a little extra time can make the table look welcoming and lovely. I do this with thrifted candles and pretty thrifted treasures. Layering in some fresh flowers and a few handmade crafts, helps the table to look polished and considered.
In my opinion, a table is much more interesting when it has different layers woven in.
Food is not the only decorative element on a dining table.
Why not also make a feast for the eyes by adding a few interesting crafting elements to the table.
To see these birthday bunting flags made of paper, see my host here.
Candle Making
Candle making can be a bit tricky to get right- and I am certainly not the expert candle maker. However, making candles is also and satisfying and rewarding craft to be involved in.
I especially love using vintage items I find in the thrift store to create my own candles to decorate my home with. Obviously, you must consider safety and function when using a vintage item to make a candle, but here are so many lovely candle vessels on the shelves of your local thrift store to choose from.
When thrifting for candle vessels in a thrift store, look for items made of thick quality glass and no cracks. Crystal is not heat resistant- so stay away from crystal containers. Also, make sure the vessel is flat and offers a wide base. Steer clear of wine glasses, and such, as they can easily tip over and become a fire hazard. Canning jars work well.
Personally, my favorite candles to make are made using a good quality beeswax. However, I also enjoy using soy wax and some English inspired garden scents.
Children's Bedroom Crafts and Toys
Allowing children a little freedom when decorating their bedrooms is a way to let them be involved in creating their own cozy spaces. Our children share bedrooms, so I often let them each have a little area of the room to call their own. Sometimes they use small canvases to paint a fun picture- and other times, they use their dresser tops to display their favorite completed crafts.
Unsurprisingly, we also use thrifted items to decorate bedroom shelves and bunting flags to decorate above their beds.
The possibilities are endless. Allowing children to have crafting items they made on display- is a great way to encourage creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions on English Cottage Style Crafting:
Where do you buy your crafting supplies? I do not have one particular place I go to source all my crafting supplies. Hobby Lobby, the Dollar Tree, and Walmart are ideal for new crafting supplies. However, my favorite place to get my crafting supplies from is the thrift store. Granted, you cannot always find worthy supplies at a thrift store, but I have found many quality items over the years. I especially love finding unused, or vintage fabrics, for my crafts. Scrapbook paper and ribbon are other favorite thrifted finds. Oh, and lace…vintage lace is always a good craft supply to stumble upon.
Where do you find your crafting inspiration? All over the place, really. My inspiration for my crafts comes from nature, homeschool lessons, my time spent living in England, interior decorating magazines and books, and from my thrift store finds. Often, on a thrifting spree, I will stumble across an item that is either lovely by nature, and therefore, inspires me to do a bit more with it- or an item that needs a little TLC. Thrifted flips are a favorite hobby of mine.
How often do you craft? As a mom to four young children, I am often doing a bit of crafting. Naturally, homeschool lessons (or rainy days) necessitate creative crafting as a means of learning. I enjoy working with my hands in creative ways- and I always try to encourage my children to do the same.
How did your time living in England influence your crafting style? When I lived in England I loved going for daily walks through our village. The beauty of the homes and the natural landscape was hard to beat. Walking past ancient cottages and homes, I would often observe tiny cafe curtains- in an open window of a kitchen- blowing in the wind. I would also note sweet floral arrangements, wooden hanging hearts, and pretty bunting flags. My bunting flags are definitely inspired by my time living in England. Of course, the tea shops, and their crafted decorations, where a direct inspiration as well.
How often do you incorporate crafting into your homeschooling? Weekly, if not daily. Teaching elementary school students- and crafting- often go hand in hand. There are so many fun activities that can be done alongside a school lesson that enhance learning and exercise the creative muscles of the brain.
What do you do with your crafts once they are completed? Generally, I make things that I like or items that are expensive to buy brand new. Often, my crafts revolve around the home. Therefore, I use these crafts to decorate my home spaces. Crafted items have a lovely way of making a home feel warm and lived in. Perhaps this is why I loved the English cottage style homes so much- for they felt incredibly warm, welcoming, and lived in.
Final Thoughts on English Inspired Crafting & DIY Projects:
To conclude this page, I would like to remind you to notice the hidden butterflies in your own life. Use your imagination and hands to create lovely, cozy crafts and DIY projects to add warmth and charm to your own home. Crafting exercises your brain and allows you to express your own creativity. Remember that thrift stores are great places to inspire crafting- for you never know what you may discover and uncover there.
Spending money is optional in crafting, as God’s beautiful creation offers us many beautiful supplies (for free) that we can create with. Enjoy and don’t stop exercising your creativity- all the while- being thankful.
As I continue my crafting journey with my children, I will add my ideas and inspirations to this page. Be sure to check back frequently for my newest crafts and DIY creations. I hope this guide proves beneficial to you. I will “see” you all soon in my upcoming adventures. Until then- happy crafting.
~Elizabeth~