I've always been fascinated by the idea of alchemy. Now, I'm not about to go and melt down my pots and pans in the hopes of turning them into gold, but the general idea – that it's possible to transform everyday materials into something special – sure is appealing. And the more I think about it, the more I think that crafting is a kind of alchemy. What does a crafter do, if not look at something, imagine what it could become, and then, with their own brand of magic, make it happen? Yarn becomes a much-loved sweater. Fabric becomes a quilt to warm heart and home. Paper becomes a cheerful sign of spring. And everyday household objects, re-arranged, re-imagined (tea towelling as a tablecloth and candles in jam jars), become the setting for a magical night. What sort of crafty alchemy have you been up to lately?