• Cotton Clara X Maptote embroidery hoop
    Crafts for adults

    July crafting

    August 11, 2023 - By 

    July was a busy month so it’s probably no surprise that I forgot to post an update of my crafts. The kids had loads of activities and finished their school year, and promptly went off to summer camp with Scouts. There was also plenty of time for crafting and we fitted in a few exhibitions in London and lots of makes. July crafting At the beginning of the month we went shopping for new clothes for her end of Year 6 disco. I looked for an online fabric store and found some great materials but she found some clothes she wanted…

  • Fossil walk with Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
    Dorset

    Fossil walk with Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

    August 10, 2023 - By 

    We’re currently on our glamping holiday in Devon which we have been looking forward to for ages. We made sure to book a fossil walk as this seemed like a great family activity, and we even found a dog-friendly one! Fossil walk with Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre We met outside the fascinating Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. The guided walk was taken by a guide along with several volunteers. There must have been at least a hundred people of all ages, excited to go fossil hunting along the Jurassic coast. Charmouth is a pretty coastal village on the Jurassic Coast which…

  • Crochet Maple leaves tutorial
    Autumn - Crafts for adults - Crochet

    Crochet Maple leaves tutorial

    August 9, 2023 - By 

    I love crochet and it feels like this is the time of year I can start thinking about adding some autumnal decorations to our home. I’ve been making crochet maple leaves which I think would look perfect strung along some fairy lights over the mantlepiece. Although there are quite a few steps, if you know some basic crochet stitches, these crochet maple leaves come together in no time. List of supplies to make crochet maple leaves: Crochet yarn – medium light Crochet hook – 3.5mm A pair of scissors Tapestry needle How to crochet maple leaves: Select an autumnal coloured…

  • Java Whiskers Cat Cafe Marylebone
    Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 460}

    August 6, 2023 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for a while. This is 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 our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Five Happy Things {Week 460} The weather has felt autumnal all week even though we are in the beginning of August. We have been blackberry picking so many times that we have frozen bags full of them for later in the year. We did bake one blackberry and…

  • Morph trail London 2023
    City of London - Local Review - London - Sculpture trails

    Morph’s Epic Art Adventure London trail (Part 2)

    August 5, 2023 - By 

    Last month I shared a post about our epic visit to London to see the Morph’s Epic Art Adventure London trail. I’m sure it’s possible to visit all the sculptures in one day but we decided to break it down and visit them over a few days. We love a trip into London as there’s always so much to see and do. Not only is Morph’s Epic Art Adventure London trail accessible to all, it’s also free and fun to do. We did pay for the app but it’s definitely made ticking off the sculptures more fun and well worth…

  • Exploring Greys Court with kids
    National Trust - Oxfordshire

    Exploring Greys Court with kids

    August 2, 2023 - By 

    We recently spent a lovely day exploring Greys Court, a Tudor country house and garden near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. We packed a picnic, the two kids and dog, and went off for the day. The drive was beautiful and before we knew it we had arrived at our destination. We walked the short distance from the car park and were greeted with the stunning view of Greys Court, which overlooks the countryside. As well as the beautiful historic house, there are extensive walled gardens and the ruins of earlier buildings, as well as a gift shop, tea room and toilets. Exploring…

  • Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 459}

    July 30, 2023 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for a while. This is 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 our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Five Happy Things {Week 459} Last week the kids were away at Scout camp on the Isle of Wight all week. They went hiking, crabbing, cycling, go karting and kayaking and had an amazing adventure. The weather was not kind to them but it sounds like they enjoyed…

  • d20 Uxbridge Board Game Cafe
    days out - Hillingdon - Local Review - London

    d20 Uxbridge Board Game Cafe

    July 26, 2023 - By 

    A few weeks ago we visited our local Board Game Cafe, d20 Uxbridge Board Game Cafe. If the name sounds familiar that’s because they have another branch we’ve previous visited, d20 Watford. d20 Uxbridge Board Game Cafe The Uxbridge branch can be found down Windsor Street which is the prettiest street in Uxbridge. It’s full of independent shops and the perfect place for a board game cafe. It’s at the furthest end of the street, away from Uxbridge town centre, but still only a few minutes from Uxbridge underground station. There are at least two rooms at d20 so we…

  • homestyle

    How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Art Space

    July 25, 2023 - By 

    From painting marvellous moonscapes to constructing sensational sculptures, getting creative outside hits different. Being an artist is a glorious part of an identity, but one of the downsides can come from too much time spent inside. How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Art Space As artists, we dedicate a lot of our lives to reinterpreting the world, often in beautiful ways. Being able to combine art with time spent outside is a great tool in keeping grounded and balanced. Rooftop Space If you’re fortunate enough to have a private rooftop space or balcony that you can work from, you’ll likely…