• How to crochet your own cherries
    Crafts for adults

    How to crochet your own cherries

    August 23, 2024 - By 

    Cherries are my favourite fruit at this time of year and I couldn’t resist making my own crochet cherries. They are colourful and sweet and would be so much fun made into a keychain or hung up over your workspace. I hope you enjoy our tutorial on how to crochet your own cherries. Let me know how you get on if you try our free crochet cherries pattern. List of supplies: Yarn Crochet hook Tapestry needle A pair of scissors Stitches (crochet abbreviations) used for this project Magic Ring Chain stitch – CH Single Crochet – SC Half Double Crochet…

  • beautiful Bayeux
    France

    Things to do with tweens and teens in Normandy

    August 20, 2024 - By 

    Now the kids are a little older it can be a little trickier to find a holiday which suits everyone. We have spent many happy years at EuroCamp in the Netherlands which has plenty of amusement rides and an amazing water park. However, our last visit showed the kids were beginning to feel a little too old for this type of holiday, so this year we tried something new – we took the tween and teens for a week in Normandy, France. We wanted to try gîte living and found a wonderful gîte with plenty of space to sleep and…

  • Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 513}

    August 19, 2024 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of the adventures we have as a family. Five Happy Things {Week 513} We went camping at Graffam in West Sussex which we found on the Camping and Caravanning Club Site.  It was a bit of a strange site as all the pitches were amongst the trees which made for lots of tree roots in all the wrong places.…

  • third layer of resin
    Crafts for adults - Crafts for teens - Crafts for tweens

    Easy resin personalised letters

    August 16, 2024 - By 

    My tween had the great idea of making a keepsake for her bedroom using some of her favourite small items. We found wooden fillable letters and purchased resin to fill the letter with her favourite items and make a really personalised item for her room. We’ve used a wooden fillable letter before, they are a large wooden shape made from thin wood which can be filled with anything, such as the sea glass one we previously made. We used: Wooden fillable letters from Hobbycraft Clear Epoxy Resin Starter kit x 2 (from Amazon) Glue gun Plastic tray Selection of lego…

  • Crafts for adults

    Swap screens for scissors: Creative crafts to conquer your vacation

    August 13, 2024 - By 

    A vacation, apart from the excitement of exploring a new destination, allows for plenty of time to indulge in new hobbies and other activities that bring joy and relaxation. Imagine sitting on the deck of a cruise ship on a sea day on your way to the Bahamas with the rhythmic sound of the waves and the gentle sea breeze providing the ideal backdrop for some creative inspiration. So the next time you are on vacation, consider swapping your digital devices with a pair of scissors and engage yourself in these hands-on creative activities that bring peace of mind which…

  • Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 512}

    August 12, 2024 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of the adventures we have as a family. Five Happy Things {Week 512} Finished my Cotton Clara cherry embroidery hoop kit. I wanted something simple to take away on holiday and this was stitched with simple split back stitch. I also packed my EPP and stitched some more blocks for my Liberty Tumbling Blocks cushion. We spent the whole…

  • saving money

    Affordable Lovefest: 5 Tips to Help You Save on Your Wedding

    August 9, 2024 - By 

    The average cost of a traditional wedding is around $35,000, depending on the number of guests, venue, and time of the year, among many other variables.  Now, it’s common for couples to prefer spending some of that money on experiences or simply saving it. So, if you’re looking for affordable ways to celebrate your wedding you’re not alone — but you are in the right place! Here are 8 tips to make your wedding more affordable.  1. Be Mindful of Your Wedding Date Did you want a classic late spring or summer wedding? If so, you should consider the fact…

  • Summer Exhibition 2024 Royal Academy of Arts
    City of Westminster - days out

    Summer Exhibition 2024 Royal Academy of Arts

    August 8, 2024 - By 

    2024 is the year of trying new things so I booked a trip to the renowned Summer Exhibition 2024 Royal Academy in London. Both the kids attend extra art lessons and this is somewhere I’ve been meaning to take them for a few years. The Summer Exhibition is an annual exhibition and has taken place every year since 1769, featuring the work of established and emerging artists. Summer Exhibition 2024 Royal Academy of Arts Artists can submit their work (along with a fee, of course) and a panel of judges produce a list of those which are worthy of being…

  • parenting

    Creating a Family Financial Plan That Works

    August 7, 2024 - By 

    In today’s fast-paced world, having a solid financial plan is essential for ensuring the stability and future prosperity of your family. A well-structured financial plan not only helps you manage your day-to-day expenses but also prepares you for unforeseen circumstances and long-term goals. Here are some vital steps to creating a family financial plan that works effectively for you. Assess Your Current Financial Situation Before you embark on creating a financial plan, it’s crucial to assess your current financial situation. Start by gathering all relevant financial documents, including bank statements, credit card statements, information about an ISA transfer, mortgage agreements,…