The third coronavirus lockdown is hitting us all hard. You've completed Netflix and Zoomed everyone in your address book, but have you tried these simple crafty ideas?
Beat the boredom of staying at home by getting your creative juices flowing. We've rounded up some easy and fun creative activities you can do from the comfort of your couch - you’ll be skilled before you know it!
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Ceramics
Grow your own herbs or flowers from scratch in a gorgeous planter made by yours truly. This kit has everything you need to make your own homewares.
Make your own planter kit, £17.50, Etsy
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Tie-dye your wardrobe
Since we can't go shopping at the moment, why not have fun revamping your wardrobe with a tie-dye kit? Find a T-shirt and give yourself a home fashion project like Victoria Beckham - you'll feel like you have a whole new wardrobe afterwards!
Tie-dye kit, £11.99, Amazon
Cross-stitching
If you’ve ever attempted a cross-stitch before, you’ll know how soothing it is. You don’t have to invest lots of money into buying the right equipment; just order a starter kit and you’ll be whipping up masterpieces in no time!
Cross stitch kit, £21.95, Cotton Clara @ Not on the High Street
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Start gardening
Gardening has many benefits for our mental health, and if you’re lucky enough to have your own outdoor space now is the perfect time to spruce it up. You’ll be surprised by how creative you can get.
Garden stool with bag and tools, £16.99, Amazon
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Flower arranging with a friend
All the while we can't see our friends in person, there's no better way to stay in touch than with video calls. To make a night of it, you could try your hand at flower arranging with a drink or two, what's not to like? Right now, you can even have a go at winning a free masterclass with Arena Flowers, as well as a complimentary bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Blossom Hill Gin Fizz Rhubarb, as part of new initiative Friendship Fridays. Find out more on Blossom Hill's Facebook page.
Grow your own herbs
Even if you don't have any outdoor space, that shouldn't get in the way of you trying your hand at gardening. From herbs such as cress to regrowing supermarket lettuce, there are plenty of fruit and vegetables you can pot and nurture inside your house with very minimal equipment! Try this easy herb garden kit, which comes with three white metal planters with blackboard labels and chalk, as well as three seed sachets.
Herb garden kit, £24.99, Amazon
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Calligraphy
Have you always wanted to learn how to create perfect, elegant lettering like a professional calligrapher - a talent the Duchess of Sussex is known to possess? Try this book for beginners to make your next homemade birthday card extra special.
Calligraphy book for beginners, £5.99, Amazon
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Painting-by-numbers
Chances are, you remember the joy of completing a paint-by-numbers picture from your childhood. It could be time to embrace that again!
Paint-by-number kit, £6.53, Amazon
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Sewing
We’re not just talking about fixing up holes in your existing wardrobe, or re-attaching buttons (although those are both handy skills) - learning to sew means you can create everything from cushions to dresses.
Craft bundle, £15, Not on the High Street
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Watercolour painting
Embrace your inner artiste with some watercolour paints. If you don’t have an inspirational garden, we recommend looking up some places you want to travel to once isolation is over. We can at least dream!
Watercolour box set, £35.99, Amazon
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Try new recipes
Always fancied cooking up adventurous dishes, but never had the time? Now’s your chance. Invest in a new cookbook and work your way through. Your family will be grateful.
Ottolenghi SIMPLE, £16.72, Amazon
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Bake!
Flour might be one of the most sought-after items right now, but if you manage to get your hands on some there’s a plethora of delicious cakes to be made. We recommend following the Queen of baking Mary Berry’s recipes.
Mary Berry's Baking Bible, £26, Waterstones
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Get creative in the kitchen
Lost all motivation? Cheat your way to a Mary Berry-worthy bake with Primrose Bakery's new home baking kits which are great for children to get involved with. Choose from a five-layer rainbow cake kit, vanilla cupcakes topped with vanilla icing kit or a decorating box filled with ready-made cupcakes and icing ingredients.
Primrose Bakery kits, from £28, Plateaway
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