My name is Sarah Whiting, and I am the founder of Craft Invaders.
I started Craft Invaders for the simple reason that I want my kids to see me make things, and to learn homecraft skills themselves.
I was fortunate to grow up in an environment full of people with homecraft skills. When I was a child people baked, mended, did their own DIY, and could name all the plants in their gardens. My brother and I watched, helped and without even realising it we learned. We learned to try things out and to problem solve, to explore our surroundings and to have a go. I believe that if I can pass the same homecraft ethos on to my children that I will have done a pretty good job!
What you’ll find on Craft Invaders.
Our Original Craft Tutorials
Our tag-line is Create, Explore and Discover because that’s what we love to do. All our tutorials use items which are readily available to everyone so you won’t need to spend lots of money to try one of our projects at home. We particularly love to come up with new homecraft ideas using everyday items that are found around the house, in nature, or are recycled. Everything you see on Craft Invaders, the kids and I have made ourselves. If we can do it, anyone can!
Outdoor Inspiration
I hope that the creative ideas we share here will inspire you and your family to spend more time outdoors. Whether its playing in the park, foraging for food or simply sitting under a tree watching the world go by we believe that everyone, whatever their age, gains huge benefit from spending time outside.
Children love spending time in wild settings. It encourages exploration and imaginative play, and nature really does provide everything needed to keep them entertained. Playing in a natural environment allows kids to discover and learn, test themselves and take risks. All things that are crucial for their development and well-being.
I am hugely proud of my role as an Ordnance Survey Get Outside Champion tasked with encouraging families outdoors.
Recipes and Food Craft
I believe cooking is an essential homecraft skill. Everyone should know where their food comes from and how to cook it. We share recipes which will inspire you to cook, make your own food gifts and start foraging for wild food. You’ll even find some original Craft Invaders recipes that we have developed ourselves. – Revolting edible scabs for Halloween anyone?
Days Out with Craft Invaders
We live in the beautiful Cotswolds in the South West of England and want to share its beauty and history with you all. From Neolithic sites to Castles and festivals, we hope that by sharing our family days out and holidays we’ll inspire you all to visit our little corner of England one day!
We hope you enjoy your visit to our blog and would love to hear if we inspire you with any of our makes and activities. We welcome all comments, suggestions and feedback – please feel free to leave a comment, contact me at sarah@craftinvaders.co.uk or via any of our social media channels x
Meet the Craft Invaders Team
32 comments
Hi Sarah
I have just been learning to do Batik. I want to practise at home but need the tools to do it. I was talking to my daughter about how i wanted to do it. Julie showed me your Batik using a glue stick, I am so impressed because i am rather messy when working with hot wax etc. This is ideal for me so thankyou. I can’t wait to give it a go. Your web page is also very interesting.
Love what I ‘ve seen. I love crafting. I can hardly wait to see what’s in store to craft. Thank-you
Sincerely, Denise
Sarah, what a lovely, earthy and artsy blog you have here! I’m so happy that I just stumbled upon your site! I am subscribed and fully exploring your lovely crafts! I live in Titusville, Florida in the USA. My children are all grown up now–but when they were little I did teach them some fun crafts. Best of luck with your happy family and many followers on your fun site!
Found your site when looking to make a no-cook rosehip syrup recipe – mine is now happily ‘syrupping’! Love all the recipes and crafting ideas, so think I will be a regular visitor here. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful makes.
Thank you so much for your kind comment Hazel :)
Hi Sarah I just came across your website when I was looking for a no cook rosehip syrup recipe. Many thanks. I’ve just read your about page and I couldn’t agree more with your philosophy and inspiration. Congratulations and many thanks for your generosity is creating this fantastic online resource – for kids and explorers of all ages. I’m 62 now – and grew up much the way you describe (in rural Scotland in my case) As you say – I hope that we passed on to our 2 kids – now in their 30s – some of what we benefitted from growing up. Too many folk these days have lost their connection with nature – and don’t realise that we humans are part of nature. That is very, very sad and generates fear of the countryside -of wild places and of food that doesn’t come from a supermarket wrapped in plastic. Your website is a perfect antidote to this issue. All strength to you and your beautiful family. Kindest regards Sheila
I have just found your lovely web site, I love crafting but am often at a loss as how to get it right or what to make. You have given mw inspiration and i look forward to using your tips and suggestions. I especially love ‘making my own ‘ rather than just buying materials so thank you
Hi Sarah. I have just discovered your inspirational website & was amazed to discover that you are based just down the road from me. I have already made a lavender wand & am looking forward to making lots more lovely things. Thanks Kathy
Morning! I have just moved to beautiful Wales where everything is dripping in lichen. So I’m collecting bits from the ground to try to dye some yarn. Looking for ammonia, may I ask where you buy yours and what strength you buy? I saw it on Amazon from 2 to 30%. I’d rather buy from a bricks and mortar shop if I can.
Thank you for your inspiration!
Best wishes
Marieke
Congratualtions on your move Marieke, Wales is beautiful :) I use household ammonia which is 5-9.5% and have got it from Amazon in the past. If you have a hardwear shop near you they should stock it.
Lovely to chat this morning down the lane. Sophie remembered me too!
Loving the site, your photography is looking great too, and I think I can feel some recipes getting done.
Thanks Jas and ofc she remembered you!
I came across your site while looking at the “Window Birdfeeder “you made. I’m 60 years old and have always saved things that most people would throw away, and would make “something out of nothing” as my mom used to tell me. I’m a do it yourself person who loves to create & make useful & everyday things from whatever I have collected, saved, or taking it from friends and family who were throwing it away. Making “Handmade & Homemade” gifts, plus things for inside & outside our home is my favorite thing to do. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, and I just turned 60 last September. I miss making things with my kids, and grandkids, but the grandkids are in there teens . Thanks for sharing your great ideas, and I will definitely be back to see what else I can find to make, or cook. It’s my 1st time posting on any sight, other than Facebook.
Thank you for your lovely message Sue, it’s lovely to meet a craft kindred spirit :)
Just found your website through a Pin on Pinterest. Love the tin can owls. I plan on making some of these to hang on our peach tree for the winter since the leaves and peaches are all gone. I live in Southern Arizona and I thought they would dress up the tree a bit this winter.
That sounds lovely Jane. I’ve been to Arizona so you’ve bought back some lovely warm memories while I sit here on a very cold, damp British January morning!
Just discovered your site. Love it!
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Brenda, it’s lovely to have you here :)
I line in Dorset in England and have just found your site it looks interesting I would love to see more , going to try the gin for sureSusan
Dorset is a lovely county Susan, good luck with the gin making :)
Hi! I just found you and I am definitely going to try making the glycerin soap. I love Pears and this is such a nice twist to a lovely product. All the best…and please keep coming up with more great crafts.
Thank you so much for your kind words Lindy :)
I love all of your lovely natural recipes, I think you should put together a recipe book.. I would certainly buy it
Thank you so much for your kind words Louise :)
I’ve only just found your website and I LOVE it. The recipe for DIY fabric paint is brilliant, I can’t wait to get started.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment Rachel :)
Hi Sarah
Really like your website and recipes.
Keep up tge goid work!
Thank you so much for your kind comment Ivan :)
Your home is beautiful! I live in the mountains of North Carolina, USA. It is beautiful here, too, especially this time of year with so many wonderful things blooming. I can send you some pictures of our mountain places. I will follow you on fb and would love to be added to your blog receivers.
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Thank you for your kind words Gail. I have never been, but have heard how beautiful North Carolina is and I’d love to see some photos. I have popped your email into my subscriber list so you’ll get an email to check you still want to be added and can unsubscribe at any time :)
I would love to follow your blog so if you can add me to your list and we will keep in touch.
That’s great Lori :) I popped your email into the subscribe form – you’ll get an email confirming you want to subscribe before you are added to the list :)