Cut Out + Keep: Around the USA in 50 craft projects!

I had the privilege to meet Cat and Tom a while ago on the London craft scene. What struck me straight away was their amazing love not just for each other but also for the whole hand made movement!

This young couple is the driving force behind the on-line community Cut out + Keep and their immense talent and energy has made it a huge success not just with UK audiences but globally too!

Cat Morley started Cut Out + Keep as her craft blog while still at university.
In 2007, with her partner Tom Waddington, she turned the blog into a community website.
Their website receives a million visitors a month and now keeps them both busy full time.

I'm a huge fan of their web site so hearing the news that they had written a book filled me with great excitement!

Cat and Tom...  cute as a button and super talented too!

"Cut Out + Keep: Around the USA in 50 Craft Projects" is a more then just a craft tutorial book though... it's also a nifty travel guide and we absolutely loved reading it! 
Inspired by the extraordinary history and culture of this enormous and interesting country Cat and Tom created a selection of step-by-step projects which showcase the singularity of each state. There are also tons of recommendations of quirky places to visit too, plus plenty of photographs which add a lovely personal touch. You really get the sense that these two had a great time exploring and coming up with their project ideas. 

The USA divided in to easy to digest sections...

But it's not simply a diary of their hand made road trip through the States but also a great insight on their fun loving and warm personalities... plus the projects are easily achieved by anyone due to the clear and concise instructions.

The projects cover a full range of craft disciplines from knitting, jewellery making, paper crafting to even some Kitsch Americana inspired food recipes like the UFO cake pops. 

I can just imagine them camping out in Roswell holding a tray of welcoming treats waiting for our extra terrestrial friends to land!

Roswell inspired cake pops... just one of the quirky projects you can make too!

The premise of this book is pretty much my perfect idea of a great American adventure story!
It's Jack Kerouac meets Martha Stewart and if you were thinking of going on a great crafty adventure then this book will be an awesome companion!
I'm so proud of them and what they achieved here... and I love that they had such an amazing adventure.
They truly are an inspiring pair and I hope they continue offering such great projects like this book. Maybe on the next trip they can bring me along... I'd be a great roadie!

Are we back in Kansas Toto? Cute Dorothy shoe tutorial... I really have to try this one!

I love the personal touches... the tourist snaps and the intros to each section... it's pretty much like we were there with Cat and Tom!

"Around the USA in 50 projects" is a Laurence King title, published in February 2015.

You can buy it here! 

Something for the weekend...

We met Cat and her partner Tom about 4 years ago and what struck us was the energy and enthusiasm they both shared for craft. I'm happy to say that that energy and enthusiasm is still going strong and so is their beautifully web site Cut Out & Keep - a dynamic and cool craft website with tons of stuff you'll want to make!

Filled with amazing tutorials, great articles and features as well as a friendly and thriving user community... plus it's free to join! We are very big fans and we hope you will become one too...
so if you fancy getting your hands busy this weekend then take a look at Cut Out & Keep... but beware - you will spend a lot of time on there!

And here's a very special exclusive tutorial for our readers compliments of Cut Out & Keep, thanks Cat & Tom.


See Chalkboard Bunting and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep


Or you can follow the step by step instructions here:

 Chalkboard Bunting

Rewritable bunting for every occasion!

I've been obsessed with chalkboard paint recently and when trying to come up with a fun decoration for our bookcase, the idea of chalkboard bunting came to mind! It's perfect because I can change the message from Happy Birthday to Merry Christmas, depending on the season or our mood...

You will need:
Thin Wood

Chalkboard paint 

A paintbrush 

String 

Hole punch 

Chalk

Step 1: 
Start by cutting triangles out of thin wood. We used some scrap shipping wood that came as packaging with a piece of furniture. You can buy wood triangles in craft shops, if you struggle to find a piece that works well. You'll need about 12 triangles to be able to write a nice long message.

Step 2:
Paint your triangles with a coat of chalkboard paint and leave to dry.

Step 3: 
Paint with a second coat of paint and leave to dry again.

Step 4:
Punch a hole at either side of the top of the triangle. My wood was thin enough to use a hole punch.

Step 5:
Loop some string through the hole.

 

Step 6:
Secure at the back with a knot and then string through the second hole, securing with another knot.

Step 7:
Leave a small length of string between each triangle and continue threading them all on to the string.

Step 8:
Now the fun part. Write on your bunting with chalk. I used a ruler to give mine a neat outline, but you can decorate yours however you like!

And you’re done!
Hang up and admire your handy work! 

Here's the bunting in action the new Cut Out & Keep Google video:

Cut Out +Keep...

Thanks to a craft lady, Cat Morley, on line craft sharing is now easier then ever!
Live tutorials and hundreds of craft projects varying in degrees of difficulty and ease as well as budget.
It's a crafty offering that is well in touch with the trends of D.I.Y. crafting, sharing and the need to
create within a community of like minded people. It's packaged in a neat web site with a wicked sense
of fun and effortless style.
Weather you're looking for some inspiration, joining for general crafty chit chat on the forum or if you'd like to share
your own know how with other crafty folk check this out...
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net