• Cotton Clara modern embroidery hoop
    Crafts for adults

    Outdoors is better {modern embroidery hoop}

    June 1, 2021 - By 

    I love to find the latest modern embroidery hoop kits. I have quite a collection of finished hoops on display and love to find new patterns to work on. When I saw that Cotton Clara has released a new pattern I knew I wanted to get my hands on it. I have quite a few of her designs and they are always really easy but satisfying to stitch. Outdoors is better embroidery hoop kit Just like all her kits, this embroidery kit included a pre-printed fabric panel, embroidery hoop, needle and red embroidery thread. I placed the fabric panel inside…

  • Monday Happy List
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 346}

    May 31, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 346} Last week we were all really excited for half term to arrive. It has been a strange term at school and we were all more than ready for a break, especially from the dismal weather. We did all our usual activities,…

  • The Wildmeadow Hare {book giveway}
    competition

    The Wildmeadow Hare {book giveaway}

    May 28, 2021 - By 

    My little bookworm was delighted to hear that one of her favourite authors has written a new book. The Wildmeadow Hare is written by Holly Webb, illustrated by Dawn Cooper, and published by Little Tiger Press on 9th June. Read on to find out more about the book and for your chance to win a copy. The Wildmeadow Hare When she was younger, Ellie used to love watching the hares leap and play on the common with her mum. But with every year that goes by since she lost her mum, it’s getting harder for Ellie to remember her and…

  • Stitching the Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler
    Crafts for adults

    Stitching the Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler

    May 26, 2021 - By 

    A few years ago my husband bought me an Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler by Rebecca Ringquist. I love this kind of pre-printed panel and the Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler features 14 stitches to try. Earlier this year I made a list of all my unfinished wips and it has really helped me finish projects. This week I finished my Dropcloth Sampler. Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler You can purchase the Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler from Rebecca’s Etsy shop along with lots of her other pre-printed panels. I opted for the Original one as I liked the idea of trying some new…

  • Shadows over the Spanish Sun
    What I'm reading

    Shadows over the Spanish Sun (review)

    May 25, 2021 - By 

    Today I’m taking part in a book tour for Shadows over the Spanish Sun by Caroline Montague. I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and loved reading this book. Shadows over the Spanish Sun Spain, 1936. Leonardo’s only connection to his past is the half medallion he wears around his neck – a painful reminder of his origins, and of the man he must fight to become. As the shadow of war falls over his beloved country, Leonardo is drawn into a desperate, forbidden love affair. But risking everything for love is a dangerous gamble, where one mistake could destroy everything… 2019. When…

  • Monday Happy List
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 345}

    May 24, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 345} Last week I went to my first sewing class in months. I headed off into London to Ray Stitch for a beginners sewing machine course. It was a great refresher for me and I ended up with a gorgeous Japanese knot…

  • Perfect on Paper by Gillian Harvey
    What I'm reading

    Perfect on Paper {review}

    May 23, 2021 - By 

    I’ve really been enjoying reading over the last year. To me, reading is perfect escapism and I love having a couple of books on the go. I was recently gifted a copy of Perfect on Paper by Gillian Harvey and today I am taking part in the Perfect on Paper blog tour. Perfect on Paper Clare’s life might look ‘perfect on paper’, but she’s ready to shake things up and put herself first for once… A fun and uplifting novel from Gillian Harvey, author of Everything is Fine. It’s time to shake things up a little… Clare Bailey’s life is perfect. Successful…

  • Liberty heart banner with kantha stitch
    Crafts for adults

    Liberty heart banner with kantha stitch

    May 22, 2021 - By 

    My favourite craft is anything which combines using beautiful Liberty fabrics and English Paper Piecing. Earlier this year I made a sweet EPP Liberty heart and framed it in an embroidery hoop. I wanted to make something similar in different colours so I could try decorating it with kantha stitch. What is kantha? Kantha is an ancient form of hand-stitched embroidery which originated in India. The word kantha means “rags” in Sanskrit, reflecting a tradition of using discarded clothing or garments to recycle into something new, such as bed coverings or clothes. Kantha can also refer to stitching fabrics together…

  • Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens
    Buckinghamshire - Family Life

    Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens

    May 21, 2021 - By 

    A few weeks ago we managed to book tickets to visit Chenies Manor and Gardens in Buckinghamshire. This was a place we had wanted to visit for a while, so booked tickets for their special open gardens. Chenies Manor is a gorgeous Grade 1 Tudor mansion house with lovely gardens. Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens We pre-booked our tickets and drove the short distance to Chenies in Buckinghamshire. The village of Chenies is very picturesque and you drive right past the front of the house to get to the car park. The House is currently closed but we were able…