• dog walk at Hughenden
    Five Happy Things

    Five Happy Things {Week 30/2025}

    July 27, 2025 - 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 smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 30/2025} My kids finished Year 8 and Year 11. Their school finished later than all the others and they were so happy to start their summer holidays. My son immediately flew off to Bosnia with Explorers, and my daughter went to Scout camp in Dorset for a week. I know they…

  • Champing with teens (and a dog!)
    days out

    Champing with teens (and a dog!)

    July 25, 2025 - By 

    Have you heard of Champing? It’s a mix between a Church and camping, because several churches have thrown open their doors to campers! Yes, you can stay in some wonderful Church buildings for a totally different experience. We thought this sounded like a fun adventure, and found the gorgeous St Bartholomew’s Church in Lower Failand, just outside Bristol. The experience was dog-friendly (teen-friendly too!) so no-one was left behind. Champing with teens (and a dog!) I discovered Champing on Instagram a few years ago and have been trying to find the right time to try it out. We found a…

  • Easy Embroidery Embellishment
    Craft book review - What I'm reading

    Easy Embroidery Embellishment {book review}

    July 24, 2025 - By 

    I’ve been so lucky to receive a couple of new craft books to review recently. Last week I told you about the Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery book. This week I’m sharing Easy Embroidery Embellishment: learn to customise your clothes with simple stitch techniques. If you love spending time on Instagram browsing for the latest craft trends, then you may recognise the author Jenny Billingham as Flynn and Mabel on Insta where she shares many of her embroidery projects. Easy Embroidery Embellishment Transform your wardrobe and elevate your style sustainably – no experience needed! Learn how to personalise your clothes and accessories…

  • Crafts for adults

    8 Top Free Background Removal Tools for 2025

    July 23, 2025 - By 

    High-quality product photos are a cornerstone of success in e-commerce, and nothing detracts from a great image more than a cluttered or distracting background. Clean, sharp visuals help build customer confidence and boost conversions. Thankfully, background remover free technology has improved drastically, giving users professional results without expensive software or steep learning curves. Here’s a handpicked selection of the best free tools for background removal in 2025. Whether you’re a store owner, designer, or marketer, these tools make it easy to create clean, polished visuals without hassle or cost. 1. Creative Fabrica Studio Creative Fabrica Studio earns the top spot…

  • outside of the fabric housewife
    Crafts for adults

    Making a huswif sewing kit

    July 21, 2025 - By 

    I’ve been working on making myself a huswif or housewife and I’m so excited I’ve finished it and can share it here. Making a huswif sewing kit This was from a lovely kit from Pretty Fabrics and Trims. I received it as a present some time ago but was too scared to make it. Last year I embroidered the front cover but them put it away, too scared! This year was the year to complete the huswif, so in March I opened the kit up and looked at all the different parts! The kit came with labels which was helpful…

  • Whiskers and Cream cat cafe
    Five Happy Things

    Five Happy Things {Week 29/2025}

    July 20, 2025 - 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 smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 29/2025} This week my blog needed a few updates which resulted in me changing the theme of my blog which meant losing my beautiful new blog header. It feels like I’ve only had it a few weeks! When I have some more time I will find a better theme and reinstate…

  • Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery
    Craft book review - What I'm reading

    Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery by Hilary Leslie

    July 16, 2025 - By 

    As a longtime fan of the enchanting world of Bridgerton, I was beyond excited to get my hands on a copy of Bridgerton Unofficial Embroidery: 20 Patterns Inspired by the World of Regency Romance to review. The moment it arrived, I couldn’t wait to dive in and see how the elegance of the Regency era was translated into embroidery patterns. Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery by Hilary Leslie Create elegant, Regency-inspired in-the-hoop embroidery projects with Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery: 20 patterns inspired by the World of Regency Romance, and bring the opulence of your favourite Netflix drama to your stitching. Whether you’re looking…

  • {Giveaway} Aquabeads Nail Studio: Stitch Nail Designer Kit
    competition

    {Giveaway} Aquabeads Nail Studio: Stitch Nail Designer Kit

    July 15, 2025 - By 

    My children once spent hours creating with Aquabeads. Have you heard of them before? Aquabeads is the Original Water-Activated Bead Craft Kit! Since 2004, children throughout the world have created millions of Aquabeads designs. We were delighted to receive one of their latest sets to review. With the new Aquabeads Nail Studio line, you can make pretty Aquabeads nails by using just tap water to create and wear your creations! Aquabeads Nail Studio: Stitch Nail Designer Kit The Aquabeads Nail Studio – Stitch Nail Designer Kit – includes Aquabeads nails and decorations for over 40 nail designs, work table, plastic…

  • Pretty Fabrics & Trims huswif kit with Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery
    Five Happy Things

    Five Happy Things {Week 28/2025}

    July 13, 2025 - 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 smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 28/2025} We’re currently on our third heatwave of the summer here in the UK. Last weekend we escaped the heatwave and went to see the latest Jurassic World film, Jurassic World Rebirth. I actually really enjoyed it and found it entertaining and fun, just what I needed. I set myself a…