Articles written by Gillian Buchanan

Every year London lights up for Christmas. Oxford Street and Regent Street have spectacular Christmas light displays and the rest of London is joining in!

Dec 13, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

This is one of Rosemary Sutcliffe's best historical novels for children. It is also one of her darkest.

Dec 13, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

With identity theft such a key topic it is important to be careful when disposing of letters and personal information. Don't just throw them out!

Nov 22, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Once the various boxes and bags needed for dealing with a declutter are in place and a decision has been made as to where the tidy up will start, it's time to begin.

Nov 18, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Areas in the home or office frequently become repositories for abandoned junk and items which might be useful some time. Eventually the mess must be dealt with.

Nov 17, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

It can be difficult starting a new character in World of Warcraft because all WoW players need game gold and new characters have none. It's easy to become wealthy quickly

Nov 9, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Learning to make string figures is an excellent, inexpensive game, which can be enjoyed by all children of all age groups.

Nov 9, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Godiva Chocolatiers have created a sumptuous range of chocolate gift baskets and hampers, any of which would make a most delicious gift.

Nov 8, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Many people are familiar with the packaged papers sold for the purpose of folding into origami models, but other materials can work very well in the right project.

Oct 26, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Lego make several different types of kits containing instructions for making model train sets and trains. This inexpensive set contains a very nice collection.

Oct 3, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Once the patchwork top has been made, it's time to remove the papers! This is always an exciting moment, but, as always, a little care helps.

Sep 23, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

The traditional rosette formed of seven hexagons is a very popular way to arrange hexagonal patchwork patterns.

Sep 21, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

English Patchwork is prepared and sewn in a manner that is different from most other methods of making patchwork. The seaming of the pieces is no exception.

Sep 20, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

In English Paper Piecing the fabric pieces are basted onto paper foundations before being seamed together. There is a special way of doing this to improve the finish.

Sep 14, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

As with all the stages of English patchwork, care should be taken when cutting out the fabric pieces as this will make the work easier to sew later.

Sep 13, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

There are many different kinds of scissors available. Learn about the right kind to choose to make work easier when doing English paper pieced patchwork.

Sep 6, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Rosemary Sutcliff was one of the finest children's writers of her time. This delightful novel is one of her best!

Sep 6, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Determining knitting gauge is the first thing any knitter should do before beginning a new project.

Sep 6, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Coping with deafness and hearing loss, whether sudden or gradually increasing, can be very difficult. Here are some thoughts on adjusting to new levels of hearing.

Aug 14, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Some considerations about using pins in patchwork, and thoughts on dos and don'ts to make the job easier.

Jul 15, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

The correct needle for the job in hand is another choice which can make the difference between patchwork that is a pleasure to sew and that which is a disaster.

Jul 6, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

The range of threads available today is huge. It's a good idea to think as carefully about the type of thread you use as you do about the type of fabric you choose.

Jul 6, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Some fabrics are easier to use than others in hand sewing. Older pieces of patchwork often use a variety of fabric and it's a good idea to think about what to use.

Jun 15, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Careful preparation when making the paper templates for English paper piecing helps to provide a good finish. Here are some thoughts on the best way to achieve this.

Jun 14, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Using the right tools in any project eases the work considerably. These items are necessary for patchwork made using the English Paper Piecing patchwork technique.

Jun 4, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Care taken when making patchwork using the English Paper Piecing Method can make or break the finished work. Here are some things to watch for.

Jun 1, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

This wonderful and very old technique is great for beginners learning to sew patchwork by hand. It's very accurate and easy to do, though a little time consuming.

May 21, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

This series of books by Enid Blyton is a most enjoyable collection of children's fairy stories.

May 11, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

All hand knitters require certain items and while in the beginning a pair of needles and some wool is all that is required, soon a few additional items are needed.

Apr 20, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan

Knitting a neat selvedge is important for many reasons. It can help to provide a good finish and is useful when sewing up the work.

Apr 17, 2009 - Gillian Buchanan