A handmade cottage - The craft blog

A Handmade Cottage - The art of crafting home THE BOOK!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:20:00 +0000

Hello my lovelies,

Well, what a long time it has been since my last post ... it has been almost 5 years! Are any of you still there? I did intend to keep blogging once I moved to Norfolk, but being a new mum, working and running a home made it impossible. Thanks to instagram and facebook I was still able to stay in touch and keep posting from time to time so I didn't disappear completely.

I hope this finds you all well and looking forward to Spring. Are you still crafting away? All is well here, hubby is fine, Frankie is thriving (she has just turned 6!) She is such a funny, creative, mischievous little minx and she crafts even more than I do. Ralphy is still going strong I'm happy to report. He's 15 now and while he's grey, a bit blind and deaf as a door post he can still chase a squirrel as fast as any puppy!

In other big news, if you don't already know from following me on instagram and facebook, I have written a craft book! It is called 'A HANDMADE COTTAGE - The art of crafting a home.' It has been published by Murdoch books, and it's out in all good bookshops and online from today! :-)

A Handmade Cottage - The art of crafting a home

So what is the book about?

A cottagecore enthusiast's guide to sustainable upcycling, thrifty decorating, and achieving an eclectic and cosy home from Norfolk-based cottage crafter Jodie May Seymour.

It's possible to create a picture-perfect cottage frugally and simply with some creative ideas and a little DIY know-how. Jodie May Seymour shares her projects and ideas for every room in the house using simple craft and DIY techniques. Almost everything can be made by an absolute beginner, yet there are also inspiring projects that will appeal to the more skilled crafter. From candles and lampshades to dressers and curtains, there's a range of projects and an introduction to some of the most useful DIY techniques, such as sanding, sewing and painting.

Restoring old furniture, repurposing forgotten fabrics, decorating your home using whatever nature has to offer – you too can make a beautiful home that's uniquely yours on a tight budget.

Of course Ralphy and Frankie feature in the book too.

I'm so proud of it. I always hoped I'd write a book because I really wanted somewhere to compile all the things I'd learned over the years, so that I can refer back to it, as well as sharing it all with the big, wide world. You'll notice some of the projects have disappeared from this blog, and that is why ... they're now in the book! (I had to remove them from here for legal reasons.) I'll pop a link below in case you'd like to buy it, for yourselves or for your crafting buddies. I hope you love it, do let me know what you think.

As you know I'm not blogging as much as I'd like now so do come and find me on instagram and facebook for craft projects and suchlike, it would be lovely to stay in touch.

Jodie x

Available now A Handmade Cottage - click here to buy.

Ralphy Muss Muss - watching the birdies.

A new life in the country ....

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 22:10:00 +0000

Hello friends!

Do you remember me? It has been so long since my last post you'd be forgiven if haven't the foggiest idea of who I am. I've missed chatting to you all, sharing news and creations. I know it has been so long since my last post ... are you still there? Ever since Frankie May's arrival I haven't been able to find time to blog. There always seems to be ten more pressing things that I need to get done first, and time just passes. There is also another good reason for my radio silence. Our little family has finally upped sticks and bought a house in the country! My Ma Larkin dreams have finally come true! Pheasants, deer and various wildlife often wander into the garden. I look out in the morning and can't believe I'm here ... I'm waiting to wake up. I think of all of us are still pinching ourselves that this is now home, Ralphy included.

It has taken some getting used though. Our old house was in a bustling market town, it was small and cosy, and while it had character, like many Victorian houses it was quite dark, and no matter how nice you dress it up, it could feel quite oppressive at times. Our new house has much more space and light, and it makes a huge difference to my day to day. It's an old house, with countryside all around. It was built in 1855 and the rear garden looks out onto arable farmland. It has everything you'd expect from an old house; wooden beams, stable doors, a farmhouse kitchen and crooked ceilings and floors. The thing I'm still enjoying most though is the light ... at early evening, golden sunlight floods the kitchen and it is my favourite place to be.

I've also been getting lost in the garden. The last owner worked hard on the garden and it is an incredible gift indeed ... there is a green house, a prairie garden, a pond, TREES and a veggie patch! so I've had a LOT to be getting on with. At times it is overwhelming, so I have to remind myself to try and enjoy the present and do what I can ... we have years to make this house our own, it needn't happen overnight. Easier said than done when you enjoy nesting as much as I do!

Ralphy is in heaven here - he chases the pheasants & chickens any chance he gets ... he never hurts them though, he's a city dog, he wouldn't know what to do with them!

And our little Frankie May sunbeam turned 1 year old last week :-) She is such a happy little bundle of life - walking, talking, clapping, and saying 'Hiya!' She loves the garden, it needs a little more baby proofing but now it's warming up it's been lovely letting her have the run of it.

She and Ralphy are bonding more now ... funny enough, he's been more attentive ever since she hit the solids, and she takes great pleasure in giving him most of her snacks. Though he has to be quick on his heels when she's in her walker as she chases him around the kitchen!

So that is why I've been away for so long. To be honest I've enjoyed the break from social media. I find when I spend too much time online I find myself living life through a lens rather than experiencing and enjoying things first hand, and when that happens I know I need to take a break. But I have missed engaging with you all. I don't know how often I'm going to be able to blog but I will certainly try, even if it's just sharing photos.

There are lots of crafts I'd like to do here, and things I plan to make for this house, including furniture. Next week I'm planning on knocking up a Vinyl cabinet made out of crates so I'll post a piccie if it turns out ok. So do bear with me ... I am still here. I'm still on instagram and facebook too so come and say hello if you're on there.

Have a lovely easter and springtime all. Feel free to comment or drop me a line, it's always a pleasure hearing from you.

Sending love,

JM x

DIY Woodland nature-inspired baby mobile

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 19:29:00 +0000

Hey all, well it's been actual months since my last blog post. I've had so many projects lined up that I've wanted to share with you but my hands have been so full, literally, all day every day. I'm absolutely loving motherhood though I must say ... Frankie is such a joyful little soul. My days are all about soaking up as much of her as I possibly can. She's rolling over now and is full of smiles and chuckles. I'm now also incredibly good at doing things with one hand, and I can eat / drink at incredible speed if need be :-) but unfortunately blogging takes two hands hence the very long gap. So here is one of the things I made for Frankie. It's a baby mobile but it if you dropped the little creatures it could also be a lovely autumnal nature decoration!

So before Frankie was born I decided on a woodland-themed nursery. I was looking to buy a mobile for above her moses basket, and when I searched for woodland inspired mobiles they were all either very expensive or just not what I had in mind. So in true AHC throw-it-together-fashion I thought I'd make my own, and what a success it turned out to be! Simply because ...

... this little mobile turned out to be Frankie's 'most favourite fing' EVER. It has stopped tears in their tracks and even now, 5 months later she still sits and stares at it for long periods. I don't know what it is that has her so transfixed but she loves it, in fact I think she loves watching the shadows it casts more than anything.

I made this by forming a hoop out of some faux twig twine with fake moss. You could easily use an embroidery hoop for this too. I then hung various things at regular intervals using clear invisible thread - an oak leaf, pine cones, a feather and two little felted wool creatures I bought from Spittalfields Market in London (actually they were brooches, I just removed the pin.) When we hung it initially it looked like the picture above. However, it didn't spin for long ... and it turned out that Frankie liked it to spin, and when it stopped spinning, she wasn't too happy - cue taking it it turns to peg it over to the other side of the room to make it spin again.

So hubby had the bright idea of buying a wind chime motor from eBay. It was a great idea and while it doesn't look as pretty it serves a darn good purpose! So now it turns gently ... it does make a slight humming noise but it just acts as a 'white noise' machine so it's a win win as far as we're concerned. If you fancy making one of these for your little one do make sure all the components are fasted securely and well out of reach of baby.

If it works as well for you as it does for me you're more than welcome to send cake in the post ;-)

JM x

Introducing my little girl - Frances 'Frankie' May

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 09:49:00 +0000

Frankie May

Hello all. Well it certainly has been some time since my last blog post. You may have noticed my posts have been a little sporadic since the autumn. Well I can now tell you it's because I was pregnant with our little girl ... and Frances 'Frankie' May was born on 24th March 2018, weighing 7Ib15oz. Those of you that follow me on Instagram and Facebook will already know all of this because I've been bombarded my followers with many a piccie of her :-)

One day old

Hubby and I decided to wait until she was born before sharing our news. I was making lots of lovely things in the lead up to her birth (although we didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl) so everything I made for the nursery was nature / woodland themed. It was so hard not being able to share my creations with you at the time! but sharing a breastfeeding pillow might of given it away just a little.

32 weeks pregnant

I had a lovely pregnancy ... well actually the 'all day' morning sickness for the first three months was pretty horrendous, as was the relentless heartburn in the last three months but aside from that, the small window in between was lovely. The birth unfortunately was tricky. Like many women I had hoped for a natural, hypnobirth delivery in water but what I actually had was a traumatic emergency C-section which resulted in a two week stay in hospital due to an infection. Frankie was a strong little soul though and she thrived from the start, it was just mummy who was in the wars, but we eventually made it home safe and sound and that's all that matters.

On our first outing at a friends house

Arriving home was hard ... they say nothing prepares you and 'they' are absolutely right. Landing home with a body full of jumbled hormones and a bubba is mind blowing to say the least, and not in a lovely 'oh-isn't-this-so-magical' kind of way but more like a 'oh-crap-what-do-we-do-now' kind of way. Thankfully that feeling didn't last too long and slowly but surely we found our feet. There are so many voices out there and so many opinions on various ways of parenting, it can be totally overwhelming for new parents. By all means, read as many books as you like but I personally found Frankie to be the best teacher - no one can guide you as well as your own baby, so between that, leaning on friends / family and going on instinct we're all doing ok ... that said I do highly recommend the very funny book 'Hurrah for gin' by Katie Kirby. I don't have time to read at the moment so I read a page whenever I run for a wee :-)

Frankie is 3 months now and we're completely in love with her. She laughed for the first time tonight. I laughed and she laughed back. Then I cried. Thankfully she didn't. She's such a happy little soul most of the time .... wind issues permitting! and despite the lack of sleep and occasional scream-the-house-down witching hour (I don't know why they call it that ... it's never one hour ) I love spending each day with her. Hubby has been amazing from the start, especially when everything fell to him in the beginning as I could hardly move, I would have been lost (and hungry) without him. Ralphy is doing OK and is slowly getting adjusting to the new 'bald dog' that has taken his place on the sofa. I'm contemplating getting his bark removed * as no sooner has she gone to sleep, he barks and she jumps out of her skin. Hubby has the same affect when he sneezes or sniffs! which is unfortunate as he has hayfever :-/ ... it's surprising she sleeps at all.

So there it is ... the reason for my tardiness. It wasn't an easy journey to this point but I don't think it is for many people, so I feel very blessed with this little family of mine. There's movement on the monitor so I better end this here. I'll be sharing more crafty things and some of the things I've made for her when I can. Feel free to hop on board to my Facebook or Instagram if you're not already and I'll try not to bore you with too many baby pics ... though I suppose it makes a change from doggie pics?

I hope you're all well and having a lovely summer.

JM, FM & R x

Little Frankie May

*Disclaimer: For the record I'm not really going to get Ralphy's bark removed, please don't call RSPCA :-)

Armchair makeover - before & after

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:12:00 +0000

Hello all. Well you may have noticed that it has been a little quiet on the AHC front. To be honest it has been a hectic year for me and I've been struggling to commit to all the things I have balanced in the air, which is why crafting and blogging have taken a back seat lately. So please don't think I've lost heart in this little blog of mine - blogging and interacting with you is something I really enjoy doing. I just have to accept I can't do everything. So while I may not post as often as I'd like too, I will keep it ticking over as best I can ... starting with this armchair makeover!

You may remember me sharing a piccie of this chair a couple of years ago. Suffice to say it is no ordinary armchair. It once belonged to hubby's lovely grandparents, who are no longer with us sadly. When they passed away we were asked if we'd like something of theirs to remember them by - and straight away we thought of this chair. Granny often sat in this chair and everything about it reminds us of them and their cosy, welcoming home.

However, once we got the chair home it was clear that it was in need of some TLC. Granny and Grandpa had this chair for years so understandably it was now getting a little worn and threadbare.

After scouring shops and the internet I eventually found this lovely fabric called Finch Toile in Willow at Just Fabrics - who have an excellent selection of fabric, I really can't recommend them highly enough. It's such a pretty pattern & fresh shade of green ... I'm sure granny would have loved it.

I'd love to say I re-upholstered the chair myself but this was a project for the professionals! Lucky for me one of the ladies from my craft group has an upholsterer for a husband and an excellent one he is too! I was completely blown away by his work (and he only took a couple of days to do this - can you imagine??!!) his attention to detail, the buttons, the stitching, the piping ... was all to an incredibly high standard.

Unfortunately I can't recommend him to you as he is now retired and only does one off pieces for friends and family. However if you are thinking about getting a precious chair re-covered, it really is worth doing. Upholstery is a dying art and giving old, much-loved, well-made pieces of furniture a new lease of life is far more rewarding than buying something cheap and new. I love sitting here in this chair now - it means so much to have something of granny and grandpa's, especially since it can eventually be passed down to the next generation.

JM x

Armchair fabric - Finch Toile in Willow by Just Fabrics

A crafty tea basket with Fortnum and Mason

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 08:47:00 +0000

What a treat. I recently received this gorgeous tea basket hamper from Fortnum and Mason - who are the quintessential British company, founded in 1707 and still located in London's famous Piccadilly. Specialising in fine teas, jams and hampers (amongst many other fine things) F&M sent me this delightful hamper and asked me what I might use it for once I'd devoured all the delicious goodies inside ...

Well before I get into that have a peak at what you might find inside. They make a variety of baskets for different tastes - some are wine-based, some are food-based and they vary in size and price. This is the F&M tea basket ... which as you can see comes with a selection of 3 fine teas, a selection of jams, a F&M breakfast mug and (my favourite thing) a tea strainer! To be honest I've never been gifted a hamper before and I felt like a kid at a birthday party, delving my hand in and pulling out various bits and bobs! (what was that game called?) anyway, I can see the appeal of hampers now.

Photo by Fortnum and Mason

So once I'd emptied my hamper I gave it some thought .... it was too small to be a bed for Ralphy :-) so I was torn between making it my foraging basket (which it would be SO ideal for) or it would be my favourite wool stash basket! So it now sits, in pride of place by my sofa housing my favourite yarns. My winter knits thank you kindly Fortnum & Mason! What would you use your for??

JM x

This blog was in collaboration with Fortnum and Mason.

All thoughts and options are my own.

The joys of autumn & foraging for a seasonal display

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 07:22:00 +0000

I've been thinking a lot about autumn lately (or 'fall' for my overseas friends) and I've been trying to put my finger on what it is about autumn that warms our cockles so. Many of us have our favourite season but autumn seems to be such a firm favourite for so many. While we know it is a rich and beautiful season visually, it also fills many of our other senses - it brings warmth to our bellies, our homes and even to the clothes we wear. Essentially, Autumn is one big giant hug! I don't know about you but when the trees start to change to hues of amber, red and gold and the fires are lit I crave slow-cooked stews, as well as pumpkin soups, apple crumbles, chai lattes and hot cocoa. (FYI I never said I was good at making any of the above, but I am very good at eating them!)

Then there's the cosy clothing! Opaque tights are very much like marmite, we either love them or hate them but I personally take great pleasure knowing my legs are as furry as Ralphy's underneath my tights, and yet nobody knows...well except poor hubby when he comes a-snuggling and thinks I just have long furry socks on. In fact I enjoy dressing for Autumn more than any other month. I love mimicking the colours from the season in my clothes - the warm berry and rust tones, the hats, gloves and all thing soft and fluffy. Have you noticed that when you mimic the colours in nature you seldom get a clash? well OK it doesn't work every time but it often does!

One thing I've wanted for oh-so-long is a duffle coat, but I've always found them to be too expensive so I was over the moon with my new camel duffle coat from Laura Ashley. It's cosy, affordable and the neutral colour means it goes with everything - including my vast collection of scarves and hats! I love the hood and rope fastenings. Hubby thinks I look like a cute female Paddington bear in it :-)

This weekend hubby and I (and Ralphy of course) went foraging in Pishiobury Park in Sawbridgeworth, because aside from clothes, food and scenery the other thing that also feels the change at this time of year is our homes. Winter duvets go on, the blankets come out, the fire kicks into action and the hot-water bottles earn their keep. So one of my favourite things to do is to forage for seasonal bits and pieces to decorate the house with! and you don't have to go far to find hidden gems ...

Take the kids / dog / hot-flask / basket and head into the garden, the local park or venture out on a countryside walk and you'll find plenty of pine cones, autumn leaves, fallen dried oak branches, berries, rose hips, dried thistles and dried cow parsley - all of which are all perfect for creating a beautiful seasonal display.

Now depending on your style, you can make quite a stylised display OR you can just do as nature intended and go for the natural looks-like-it-just-fell-from-the-tree approach, which as you can see I much prefer. It's fuss free and just suits my little home. I also picked up a few mini pumpkins from the local supermarket! I can't tell you how happy I was when I sat down in front of the fire afterwards ... It just looks so cute and lovely.

I'm always drawn to little wooden nature ornaments so my toadstools and mushrooms blended in perfectly too! and don't forget some little tealights and candles too (but be careful they're not near anything flammable!)

Most of what you pick will already be dried out, or it will dry nicely. And if you use greenery to give it a splash of colour you can always replace it with more when it withers.

Just be careful what berries you use and make sure they are our of reach from children and your furry friends. Happy foraging friends!

JM x

Camel duffle coat £150 Laura Ashley Rust Beret Fatface

Log basket (on sale!) £36.40 Laura Ashley

Pumpkins from Waitrose

A month in pictures - August and September

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 08:56:00 +0000

Hello readers. Well it's a chilly Monday afternoon here in Hertfordshire, and Ralphy and I are snuggled under a blanket in front of the fire surrounded by tissues because I have a cold! Boo :-( Autumn is here, and how lovely it is too (colds aside.) I know I've been quieter than usual on the blog front recently - life & work has been pretty full on recently. However I still have some lovely things in the pipeline for you in the next month. In the meantime here's a look back over our adventures the last couple of months ...

Our little Ralphy turned 8 in August. Sometimes I think he's slowing down a little, but then again, as soon as his football makes any appearance in the park you've never seen a puppy with so much energy - he dribbles and headers it around the field like Beckham! That's one of his birthday cards top right :-) and he insisted on wearing glasses bottom right as he was feeling his age a little ...

It was also my birthday this month, I turned 21 again :-) My friend Yidan made me this beautiful personalised bangle, isn't it lovely? She runs a website called Silver Cave Designs and makes lovely pieces of jewellery and sells them via Etsy. She makes beautiful things, it's well worth having a lookie with Christmas round the corner.

Last month I received this beautiful handmade red leather Journal by Central Crafts. I can't find the time to write on a daily basis now, so I have found a really nice way of keeping a journal is to document throughout special experiences and on holidays - not just to document our time away, but I find it's also a great way to wind down and take stock of where we are in life at that moment in time. This diary also had me reminiscing on my childhood and teenage diaries ... The joy of journaling.

August brought some lovely sunny happenings to our neck of the woods. We had some fun days out frolicking with friends at BBQs, and I also had some lovely lunches and mooches around gorgeous trinkets shops with my girly friends. It was on one of these outings that I was introduced to the fabulous Debden Barns shop(s) and cafe, situated just outside Saffron Walden - the food is all homemade and delicious, and there are some beautiful antique and home ware shops. Last week we returned from a long weekend in Amsterdam, as hubby was performing out there. I've always had a soft spot for Amsterdam - it has such a lovely feel to it I think, and if you ever find yourself wandering the cobbled streets, Ivy and Bros cafe make the BEST banana cake ever ... like, ever!

Ah hubby and I (and Ralphy of course) have been loving our walkies of late. At this time of year there is always something new to see emerging from the hedgerows ...

... I was hot on the trail when the blackberries and elderberries emerged, which I was pleased about as I'm often too late, and devils spit has got to them! ie they look a bit manky! FYI, the term 'devils spit' comes from old english folklore, which says the devil landed in a bramble bush when he fell from heaven. He then spat and stamped on the bramble's blackberries, cursing and scorching them with his fiery breath. This rendered the fruit inedible, so tradition says blackberries shouldn't be eaten after Michaelmas Day. But Ralphy and I picked a lovely fresh batch of berries to freeze for our apple and blackberry crumbles this winter - Ralphy loves a blackberry too, though he always looks like he's wearing lippy afterwards.

I also picked some Rose hips to make my anti-agin face oil for the coming months! They're still going strong if you fancy it.

A new addition to our garden is our new log store! We've needed one for a while but they're usually very expensive. However I found this one on Ebay - it is handmade by craftsman Steve, who makes lots of lovely wooden bits and bobs. Because this was on auction I managed to get it for a great price for it too!

Finally this month I shared our adventures in Bee's Bower: part-cabin, part-tree house, this incredible glamping getaway is like no place we had visited before. Perched at the top of corpse it stands alone, completely private overlooking the beautiful valley which surrounds it. Here is a glimpse into our getaway at Bee's Bower.

Well I hope you all had a lovely summer and are looking forward to all the joys of autumn that lay ahead of us. Keep cosy friends and stay safe.
JM & Ralphy xx

A tree house in the wilderness - Bee's Bower, Herefordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 07:37:00 +0000

So remember I recently shared our glamping getaway in Mimi's tree yurt in Herefordshire? well after Mimi's Yurt we spent the second half of our glamping adventure in another incredible dwelling on the same site, which we also booked through The Cottage Co. But this place was like no other I'd ever experienced before - part tree-house, part-cabin, part canvas tent, Bee's Bower is an extraordinary place in every way. Perched at the top of corpse it stands alone, completely private overlooking the beautiful valley which surrounds it. The tranquil location and the incredible craftsmanship which has gone into this building really does make this a special place. Here is a glimpse into our getaway at Bee's Bower.

Sleeps: 2

Where is it: Herefordshire

How much: From £289 for 2 nights

Pets: Up to 2 well behaved dogs welcome

Note: Suitable for babes-in-arms but not suitable for toddlers.
I also wouldn't recommend to those who have difficulty walking.

The arrival

After parking our car in the small car park at the top of the site, we filled our wheelbarrow and followed the sign down to Bee's Bower. The great thing about this site is that all the accommodations are completely separate from each other.

This means it is a good 5 minute walk from the car to Bee's Bower, and the walk takes you through a beautiful meadow with spectacular views. It's downhill on the way there so it can be tiring on the way back up depending on your fitness levels - which is why I wouldn't recommend this place to those who have difficulty walking.

As you approach Bee's Bower through the meadow path you start to see the canvas roof emerge through the flowers. To the left of the house there is a lovely fire pit and BBQ area.

On arrival Ralphy took it upon himself to inspect the property and check everything was ship shape before we entered :-)

Inside Bee's Bower

The inside of Bee's Bower is simply a work of art. Just like Mimi's yurt, owners Tim and Bryony were keen to create indoor / outdoor living that exists in harmony with nature, and craftsman Zane Dutton-Thompson saw the creation of Bee's Bower through from start to finish. At the centre of the house is a huge tree stump that supports the hand-carved spiral staircase that leads up to a beautiful bedroom (and if I'm ever lucky enough to build my own house, I'm going to shamelessly steal the tree-in-the-middle-of-the-house idea because it's just so lovely!) Two hand-stitched woven armchairs sit facing a cosy wood burner and the open-plan kitchen, and dining table for two is tucked away in the far left.

My next favourite installation was the gorgeous beaten copper bath that sits in the corner. After a long day of walking it was the perfect spot for a soak whilst reading & sipping hot-choccy whilst looking out into the surrounding countryside.

Almost everything in Bee's Bower is handmade, including the bath taps which are fashioned from pipes and fixed to an incredible piece of driftwood which looks remarkable like Emu from 'The Pink Windmill' don't ya think? (for those that don't know that's a much lovely kids TV programme from the 80's.)

The large canvas door keeps the house snug and warm when it's chilly, but when when the sun is out you can roll it up and let the summer scent and breeze in. I absolutely loved sitting on this balcony with my morning coffee ... it's just a lovely spot where time seems to stand still. It's also a great spot for star gazing and scrabble re-matches too! And if that doesn't sound perfect enough the balcony also has a hammock ... which Ralphy and I took to napping in after our walkies.

A bedroom with a view

Up the spiral staircase you'll find the bedroom, and an impressive bedroom it is too. The bed is super comfy, with it's super soft bamboo linen. And just above the bed is a window that opens with a winch, and looks out onto the fire pit area.

There are some lovely touches in the bedroom, like a basket of hot water bottles and the lovely handmade wardrobe and shelf. The balcony that looks over the lounge below is another beautifully designed piece of work, with beaten copper leaves dotted along the wood branches. It was deliberately designed to allow you to see the view of the valley opposite. This however is why this incredible house is not suitable for toddlers due to the lack of safety railings ... I also wouldn't recommend you allow your dogs upstairs.

Kitchen & bathroom

The kitchen sits in the corner of the house, and with it's roll up canvas window, and stained glass window there is plenty of light. It is well equipped with everything you'll need. Like the rest of the house, every single piece of wood, piece of shelving, and every handle has been hand-carved. Many of the large beams are kept secure with thick ropes and wooden pegs, and many of the lights and lamps in the house are also handmade ....

The bathroom has a large shower cubicle with hot water, a lovely sink unit (with handcrafted taps) and a compost toilet. Compost toilets can take some getting used too, but these ones are absolutely fine. You do get the occasional fly hanging around but if you're a nature lover and you love the outdoors you'll take these things with a pinch of salt. Plus the owners are always on hand if you have any problems. However I will say, if you're looking for a super chic 5 star hotel experience this place is not for you. This is a rustic getaway adventure, and the price you pay for being so close to nature means you will come across creepy crawlies from time to time - as hubby discovered when he left the window open when settling down to read his book by the nightlight ... he's not too keen on moths either :-)

Out and about

There are plenty of walks on the doorstep and Offa's Dyke Path and the Brecon Beacons are just 2 miles away. There are also some lovely towns and villages nearby so you won't be stuck for things to do, and there are plenty of leaflets and recommendations in the house. I highly recommend a meal in The Carpenters Arms which is also in walking distance. The food is delicious the pub is incredible quirky and the locals are warm and friendly. We had such an incredible time at Bee's Bower and I was so sad to leave. Tim and Bryony are such a lovely couple and the haven they have created here is well worth a visit.

To visit the official website for Bee's Bower click here.

JM x

This blog was in collaboration with The Cottage Company. All views and opinions are my own.

The joy of journalling + a handmade leather journal by Central Crafts

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 07:03:00 +0000

I really enjoy writing in my journal, but I find it almost impossible to keep a daily diary now - the days fly by far too quickly and there is no pleasure in writing just because you feel you should. I used to write a diary daily when I was a little girl, until the very worst thing happened ... my big brother discovered it and threatened to tell my mummy that I'd written a rude word in it! Well of course I was mortified, and what I had written was something like ... "In the playground today Dennis Gilbert said I was bloody rubbish at throwing!" Now the truth is my mummy probably would have just laughed to herself had she read it but my serious 8 year-old-self was taking no chances so I destroyed it - and all diaries from that day forward had padlocks! I continued to keep a diary into my late teens, which also makes for a very funny / tortured read ... "no one understands me and I'm DEFINITELY running away tomorrow" and the next day it read "didn't run away, went to cinema with Tara instead, went McDonald's after, was nice" :-) Those were the days when I wore motorbike books and dressed like Madonna in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' ... and no I'm not showing you any pictures!

But after that I got out of the habit, and I didn't rediscover the joy of keeping a diary again until my adult life. I find it too difficult to write on a daily basis now, so I have found a really nice way of keeping a journal is to document throughout special experiences and on holidays - not just to document our time away, but I find it's also a great way to wind down and take stock of where we are in life at that moment in time - and because we are away relaxing it's not only a pleasure to write, but I'm able to look back over the previous months with clarity - and as a result, perhaps even make changes in my life for the better. I also kept a diary in the 6 months lead up to my wedding day, and another diary covered the wedding day and the honeymoon, which I love re-reading on our anniversary.

In the past I'd use notebooks as diaries so it was a real treat to receive this beautifully made, personalised journal from a company called Central Crafts - a family business based in Hertfordshire, run by a husband and wife team who are passionate about finding and making quality, ethically sourced handmade products. I love the vibrant red leather and the paper is thick and luxurious too. The journal is called the Firenze Classico Handmade Leather Wrap Large Journal and it is handmade by a family run business at a small workshop in the centre of Florence. The family have been working in the leather industry for generations, employing not only classic tanning techniques but also new ethical methods such as vegetable and organic tanning.

While this is one of the larger more expensive journals, Central Crafts have a huge collections of beautiful made journals (and wedding albums!) in all shapes and sizes to suit any budget. It comes it's is own protective case and the initials make for a lovely personalised touch too.

About Central Crafts;

"Situated in the sprawling Hertfordshire countryside, we are in an idyllic setting, which allows us to harness the creativity, intimacy and beauty that sets our products apart. We found our passion for handmade pieces whilst travelling across South East Asia back in the 1990’s, and once settled back in the UK we started out sourcing and designing bespoke pieces with small independent producers in Thailand. Central Crafts was established in 1999. Over the years we have evolved to working with various small independent producers elsewhere in Asia and Europe, and we now ship all over the world. Our leather is responsibly sourced and we are especially proud of our recycled leather range which is created using an ingenious tanning method which is far kinder to our environment and ensures that our impact on the planet is kept to a minimum."

Firenze Classico Handmade Leather Wrap Large Journal
Central Crafts
£42

JM x

This piece is in collaboration with Central Crafts & all thought and opinions are my own.

A month in pictures - June & July

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 07:48:00 +0000

Hey folks. Well it's August today and the summer feels like it is whooshing by doesn't it? We have had a lovely summer so far ... we have been busy working but we have still found time to enjoy ourselves, the surrounding countryside, seeing friends and bopping around at festivals and whatnot. We also had a fabulous glamping getaway in Herefordshire this month, and I became smitten with lampshade making! We have had some scorching weather here in the UK but we've also had some huge torrential storms too, which Ralphy was not very impressed with, we had to sit up all night with him :-( bless his little paws. He's never really been bothered by storms before but these storms were on a whole other level - in fact the lightening was so frequent we could of cranked the music up and called it a disco. Here was our month(s) in pictures!

When it has been hot this summer (and it really has felt like stepping off a plane into a hot country sometimes - which is quite a novelty for ole blighty!) Ralphy and I have headed out early and gone in search of watery walks - as long as there is a stream to paddle in nearby, we are both happy. I made heaps of Elderflower cordial this year, which was absolutely delicious, and we spent some lovely evenings in the garden with friends, enjoy the heady scent of jasmine in between the bangers and G&T's.

My craft group and I had a lovely day out together in June at Blake House Craft Centre - is one of the best craft suppliers I've come across in Essex / Hertfordshire. It houses a variety of craft, antique and trinket shops in original farmyard buildings - and there is also a lovely restaurant on site and a Maze. Here's a peek into what you can expect to find there ... Blake House Craft Centre.

This month I also made my own lampshades! I love making them ... it's so simple and easy to do. All you need is a piece of fabric and a lampshade making kit. I promise that once you've tried this you'll never buy a ready made lamp shade again!

I don't know about you but I've started to notice the blackberries are well on their way now (baskets at the ready, get set and go!) and the rose hips and sloes are all in their early stages too ... all signs that Autumn is on her merry way. When the seasons start shuffling into change I always find myself looking around the house at all the jobs that need doing - I wish I didn't because now I have list of jobs that need doing yet I can't seem to find the time to do any of them. I've got quite a few soft furnishing projects in mind too - I bought these pretty dovecote napkins from M&S in the sale, I'm not quite sure what to do with them yet. Any ideas?

Oh and finally our lovely glamping getaway. Mimi's Tree Yurt is a beautifully made Eco yurt and Botswana-style kitchen set in the Herefordshire wilderness. Complete with log fire and copper roll top bath, this really was a lovely little corner of paradise. Click here for a peek at what we three got up too.

Well I hope you've all had, and are still having a lovely summer. I'm trying not to wish it away but in truth I'm really looking forward to getting the logs ordered, the fire on and the woolies down from the loft! I know, I know I'm naughty for saying it, but hey, at least I'm not pointing out that there's only 20 weeks until Christmas!! :-)

JM x

A glamping hideaway - Mimi's Tree Yurt, Herefordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 08:08:00 +0000

Last week we returned from a wonderful glamping getaway in Herefordshire. We booked Mimi's Tree Yurt through The Cottage Company who have an excellent selection of quirky cottages based in Wales and the surrounding areas. However, Mimi's Tree Yurt, which is not far from the Wales border is not your average glamping experience - this beautifully handmade Eco yurt and Botswana-style kitchen have been lovingly handcrafted by a small team of talented craftsman, and the results are very impressive. Now this may not be to everyones taste, so if you're looking for a bug free existence and prefer pristine hotel-like conditions Mimi's Yurt is not for you. But if you are looking to escape into nature ... if you fancy some rustic slow living, roasting marshmellows under the stars, and soaking in a copper bath after a long day of walking, or perhaps taking a hot shower in the outdoors while the sun streams through the leaves overhead .... then you will love Mimi's Yurt. Here's a glimpse into what you can expect from this little corner of paradise.

Where is it: Herefordshire

How much: From £207 for 2 nights

Pets: Yep. They love them.

Sleeps: 2

The arrival

You enter the camp via a long dirt road (not ideal for low slung cars mind) and there are valleys & meadows all around. After parking we hopped out the car only to be greeted by three gorgeous doggies. They were very friendly and would often greet us this way when we parked up. Ralphy can be very selective when it comes to his canine pals but he took to these pups instantly. There are a few other quirky accommodations on the site but none of them are nearby. All are hidden away in their own secluded spots and are a good distance from each other. In fact it's possible you won't see another human while your here unless you pass in the small car park. Tim and Bryony are lovely people and are a real pleasure to talk too. They are on hand to help should you need it, but unless you go looking for them, rest assured you will be left well alone from start to finish.

We loaded up our wheelbarrow and headed down to the yurt. I spent the next 10 minutes running around exploring-while-squealing, then while I unpacked, Hubby got the BBQ going! The yurt is surrounded by a wild-flower meadow, with one beautiful giant oat tree that acts as a canopy in the yurt garden - it's a lovely place to sit and relax, and on chilly nights there's plenty of wood available (and blankets!)

View & wildflower meadow next to the yurt

Concept & Creation - The Yurt

Before I show you around I must tell you a bit about how these incredible buildings were made.

Inspired by their life in Botswana, Tim and Bryony (the owners) were keen to create indoor / outdoor living that exists in harmony with nature, and one that also has a 'feather-light' touch on the environment. Mimi's Tree Yurt is just one of their creations, and I'll be sharing another at a later date. Using locally sourced coppiced wood and solar generated electricity they created this Turkomen Yurt with the help of yurt maker Tobias Fairlove. As you can imagine an awful lot of work goes into the process - from sourcing the saplings, stripping the bark, shaping, steam bending, sanding and finally stringing and knotting each one - all of which is done by hand using traditional techniques. The whole family got involved in the process, and their daughter Pia Designed the central roof wheel.

The Chestnut Cabin (Kitchen & bathroom)

The inspiration for the kitchen and bathroom building were the glorious camps Bryony and Tim experienced in the Makgadikgadi salt pans game reserve in Botswana - camps where creative inventiveness saw showers hanging from trees, and soap dishes made from branches. They loved the blurring of inside / outside living and with the help of craftsman Zane Dutton-Thomspon and Dane Horton they set about adapting some of these ideas to suit the UK climate.

One of the things I throughly enjoyed about Mimi's yurt was the outdoor shower. On the chilly days I admit I chickened out (though hubby swears it was lovely) but when the sun came out I happily dived in and what a beautiful experience it was ... to be under a hot shower in the outdoors, with the sun shining through the leaves, surrounded by birdsong and the chatter of sheep. In fact I even made a mental note that if we're not overlooked too much I'd love to have an outdoor shower in our future house!

Eco living & getting back to nature.

Another thing that made a big impression whilst staying here, was how much it made me aware of my own carbon footprint. There were plenty of lamps, fairy lights at the yurt which were all powered by one single solar panel. It never ran low but it still made you think about reserving energy - something I rarely do at home. Even the bed linen (which was so lovely and soft) was made from bamboo! I thought the compost loo might take some getting used too - I've used them at festivals before and that has never been a nice experience. However, these ones are absolutely fine. They are just like a regular loo to sit on, except once you have thrown your loo roll in, instead of flushing you simply throw in a couple of handfuls of sawdust to cover up your loo roll - there's no smell and it's a 'long drop' loo so it's not a ghastly sight either :-) you do get the occasional fly hanging around but it's a price I'd happily pay to be so close to nature.

My other favourite thing was being able to roll up the kitchen window, and look out into the garden and over the valley. I love bringing the outside in and Mimi's yurt does exactly that in abundance. The price you pay for that is of course being visited by the odd bug / spider / moth. In fact one tip is make sure you're windows are closed before you pop your lights on in the evening ... otherwise just as you settle down to read you'll get a moth hurtling himself towards your nightlight.

But all those things are part and parcel of getting back to nature, and like I said before, If you don't like camping, or don't like experiencing the great outdoors up close and personal then this may not be the holiday for you - personally I loved it. We all left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated ... Ralphy Included.

Surrounding areas

We had a mix of rain and shine during our week which was quite nice ... on the warm days we'd head off and explore the region, then return with some local produce and cook it on the fire pit. There are so many beautiful walks and places to explore nearby, and since it's located right on the Herefordshire / Wales border you are just a stones-throw from the Black Mountains, Ross-on-Wye and Brecon Beacons. Should you fancy a bit of retail therapy there are some lovely quaint towns and villages nearby too.

Yurt entertainment

On rainy days we still love to go walking (no such thing as bad weather, just poor choice of clothing!) and then it's such a pleasure to get back to the yurt, run a hot bath and curl up in front of the fire with a book or a game of scrabble. There are plenty of great books at the yurt, as well as some cards / games. We took our own scrabble as we're slightly obsessed with it at the moment. Though I'm ashamed to say that I didn't win one game of scrabble while away. Not one! In fact, there did come a point where I declared I would never play scrabble again. Ever. But I did ... and I didn't win :-(

Mimi's Tree Yurt is only open for business in the spring / summer / autumn months so if you're looking for a last minute escape into the wilderness head over to Mimi's page on The Cottage Company for more information and booking.

Thanks so much for having us Tim & Bryony.

JM x

This blog was in collaboration with The Cottage Company & The Goytree.

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Blake House Craft Centre - Essex

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 09:14:00 +0000

Last week my craft ladies and I headed to Blake House Craft Centre. I had visited briefly the weekend before with hubby and Ralphy, but upon seeing how gloriously crafty this place was, I knew I had to return with my crafty girlies so we could savour the vast array of fabrics, yarns and trinkets. It houses a variety of shops in original farmyard buildings and there is a lovely restaurant on site with ample indoor and outdoor seating should you need refreshment and a laze in the sun. It's a great place to take the kids too as there is also a 10 acre maze of ... wait for it ... MAIZE! It was drizzling the day we visited so we didn't visit the maze this time around but I'm sure it would have been amazing! See what I did there? :-) Here is a peek into the delights of Blake House Craft Centre ...

Before we started browsing we needed a caffeine hit so we stopped off for a quick cuppa in Timbers Restaurant before hitting the shops. Afterwards we headed into The old apple shop which is full of home decor, gifts, shabby chic treasures, bits for the garden and plants ...

We then stumbled into the fabulous clothing shop Altered Image ... which sells a selection of secondhand and vintage clothes, including evening wear and wedding dresses. The owner of the shop Sally Attwood has worked in the fashion industry for years (she is also an embroidery designer) so as well buying and selling clothes (if you take your goods into the shop she'll sell them for you and split the profit!) she also works to commission whether it's cushions, bunting or clothing alternations.

I felt 5 years old again in the enchanting Bijou Dolls House ... I have never seen dolls houses like it - they were extraordinary! and Linda sell every piece of furniture you could imagine including mini Henry the hoovers! Linda (pictured below) makes a lot of miniatures herself and is a member of the Guild of Essex craftsmen - she was making little fairy scenes when we visited.

My favourite shop had to be And sew on. Housed in an 18th century barn it was fabric heaven! and is by far the best fabric shop I've come across in Hertfordshire and Essex.

They have a huge selection of fabric in every style you could imagine - for dressmaking, curtain-making, patchwork, as well as selling all the tools you could need. They also offer a bespoke curtain make-up service, sewing machine servicing as well as hosting a variety of sewing workshops!

I was after some lovely fabric for a patchwork quilt I'm making, and they didn't disappoint. They even have another shop opposite that is their 'sale' room.

My crafty ladies made a bee-line for Sconch - the yarn and fibre shop that has a huge range of patterns, yarns and books ... and a lovely selection it was too. I bought some gorgeous yarn by Erika Knight to make a shawl with and my ladies stocked up on knit patterns and sock yarn (they are all sock mad!)

Open 6 days a week, Sconch also hold Craft n' cake groups 5 times a week which only cost £3 to attend and they supply the cake! as well as a holding a variety of sewing classes. They've recently taken on a bigger premises and will soon be stocking materials for felting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, cross stitch and tapestry too.

Aside from the ones I've mentioned there are plenty more shops to visit too - as well as a nail parlour and aromatherapy treatment room too should you fancy a foot-rub on your way round. You'll find a full list of shops on the Blake House website (link below.) We were all worn out after all the shopping, and as the sun had finally made an appearance we bought and ice cream and put our feet up ....

As we chatted and compared purchases we heard a little tweet from above ... right next to us was a little birds nest build onto the side of the restaurant - he and his birdy wife were taking it in turns to bring food home for the babies in the nest! It was such a lovely sight to see, and provided the perfect end to a most perfect crafty day.

JM & My lovely crafty bunch

Blake House Craft Centre is open all year round.

Summer: April - October, 10am-5pm

Winter: November - March, 10am-4pm

Closed Mondays (except bank holidays)

Timbers Restaurant open 7 days a week, plus evenings Weds - Sat.

Our Wedding cross stitch sampler & cross stitch table numbers / letters

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 18 May 2017 08:02:00 +0000

Hubby and I recently celebrated our 4th anniversary. As most of you know, we handmade a lot of the things that featured in our wedding - and one of my favourites was this Wedding Day Cross Stitch Sampler. I also used the same kit to create table numbers! (well letters, actually.) I had never cross-stitched anything in my life before making this so I admit it was a bit of a plunge into the deep end, but when I saw this beautiful kit from socreastitch I just had to make it. Cross stitch is a lot easier than you might think, and many kits are colour coded. That said, this one wasn't but if I can get the hang of it, anyone can. It was such a pleasure to make - and I still remember evenings spent stitch in front of the fire stitching while hubby designed invites. We had the sampler on display on the actual day and it now hangs in our bedroom as a reminder of our beautiful day.

This cross stitch kit, which is called "Blossom Heart Wedding Record" is designed by Le Lin d'Isabelle and comes with everything you will need for this project; the linen fabric, the threads, the needle ... and it comes with a complete alphabet for you to personalise your work. All you need is an embroidery hoop to hold your work.

On display on our wedding day - Photograph by Binky Nixon

After I made our wedding sampler I used the letter patterns to make table letters too - I made 10 in total. Once I had cross stitched the letters I simply improvised and added little flowers and leaves on each one. Then when the wedding day was over I gave them to some of our special helpers who shared the same initial as a keepsake, and hubby (Andy) and I kept the A & J.

When finished I cut them into a circle and popped them into an embroidery hoop and kept the edging rough and rustic ... and as I didn't want the stitching to show on the back, I simply added a layer of lace (which I cut a bit bigger than the other circle so it showed around the edge), before clipping them both into the hoop.

When making the wedding sampler, the date was initially in italics but I didn't like the way it was working out so I improvised, and played around with it and eventually ended up with this ... it's not perfect but that's ok, it doesn't always have to be ... I was happy with it for my first attempt.

My favourite thing about the pattern is the heart ... it's just so pretty and you could personalise it for anything really, it doesn't just have to be for a wedding does it? anniversary, a milestone birthday, or simply with initials!

TIP: When you've finished your sampler leave a good amount of fabric around the edges. Unfortunately I didn't, which made it difficult when I framed it because I had to tape the edges down and I couldn't get it as taut as I would have liked. Below is the back of another cross stitch project - this is very easy to do, just thread a long bit of thread, start in the middle and just sew back and forth, back and fort etc until you've sewed two sides together nice and tight, then sew the other two sides together. Had I left enough fabric on my wedding sampler I would have done this to ensure a nice tight finish - but live and learn!

JM x

The Coeur Fleuri "Blossom Heart" Wedding Record Kit is currently available

from Socreastitch for £20.95

A romance with Rome, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Mon, 08 May 2017 09:43:00 +0000

For hubby's birthday this year we packed our bags and headed to Rome for 5 days, and I have to say that it was one of our most memorable city breaks to date. If you haven't been to Rome, and you're contemplating whether it's worth the trip ... just do it. I can't recommend it highly enough, it is simply beautiful. The food is incredible, the locals are funny and warm, it is incredibly rich in culture and you'll find stunning scenery around every corner. Here's a little peek into our recent romance with Rome ...

1. Typical cobbled backstreet 2. Market at Campo De Fiori 3. Tiber river

Our apartment was located in Trastevere which is a wonderful base from which to see Rome - it has a relaxed, laid back friendly atmosphere; restaurants, markets and lovely little shops line the cobbled streets, yet all the big attractions are but a stone's throw away. We chose to stay in an apartment rather than hotel so we could experience Rome as a local. It can work out cheaper than booking a hotel and if you fancy a quiet night in, you can buy some incredible local produce and whip up an Italian feast at home!

We found our apartment on booking.com. We hopped in a taxi (organised by our host Maurizio) and 40 minutes later we were standing outside our new home. Maurizio was a true old school Italian gent - he greeted us on arrival, gave us plenty of tips and settled us in well with his warm, fatherly manner. The apartment itself was cosy, clean, well equipped with everything you'd need; linen, towels, maps and restaurant recommendations, utensils and fresh coffee of course - he even had English tea so I didn't feel too homesick :-)

Maurizio apartment in Trastevere. Photos courtesy of booking.com

Rome is quite small compared to most cities so we walked everywhere. There is a metro / bus service but we didn't want to miss a thing - some of the loveliest sights we experienced were walking from one place to another. I had been warned about pickpockets in the main tourist areas so I was a bit wary of how safe I'd feel in Rome but to be honest, I felt quite safe at all times ... day and night. You just need to keep your belongings secure like you would in any big city. Before we arrived we made a list of all the sights we wanted to visit using the lonely planet guide - I always find them quite helpful when looking for tips and restaurant recommendations ... but I also wanted to make sure we had plenty of time for wandering aimlessly and getting lost through the winding streets ...

Temple forum and the Colosseum

On our second day we headed to The Roman Forum and Colosseum, and it was hot! If you do plan to visit, Spring or Autumn may be the safer bet as I can imagine it gets pretty unbearable in the height of summer. It was quite an experience seeing the Colosseum. Built in AD 72 it is the largest amphitheatre ever built. Though while I found the history and architecture aspect fascinating, I also found it to be quite a sombre experience - so many lives were lost here in the name of religion and sport during gladiator games, battles and executions that were held in the presence of cheering spectators - it was quite sobering. But don't get me wrong, we had a lovely time wandering the maze of Temple Forum - taking a moment to drink from the spring water drinking fountains and resting under the tall pines. TIP: It's worth booking tickets in advance as it is so much cheaper and you can also skip the very long queues.

Wandering through the ruins in the Temple Forum and a brief espresso stop afterwards!

The Colosseum

When you visit a city you often find there are nice areas or buildings, perhaps followed by a less desirable area, followed by a nice area again etc etc but in Rome, every road we walked down was beautiful ... old ivy-clad buildings, pastel coloured shutters, flower window boxes, fountains, rustic cafes and beautiful old churches. There may be a few tacky tourist shops near the main attractions but for the most part the shopping is excellent; lovely clothes shops, art and antique shops and gorgeous homeware shops. Unfortunately as I only took as small suitcase I couldn't take any thing back with me! so therefore TIP!!! Take a big suitcase and check it in :-) The markets are also excellent and worth a visit. We really enjoyed the daily market in Campo de flori where we also met this cute little pup and enjoyed a delightful marionette performance.

After a hot afternoon of sightseeing we looked forward to long lazy lunches along with the rest of Italy. Now I won't dwell on this because once I get started I won't stop but oh. my. word the food! It was just incredible. Every meal was completely seasonal and truly delicious, and then there is the gelato! Oh gelato how I miss you so. One of my highlights on this trip was heading down to breakfast at this cafe bar around the corner - where there was often a huddle of elderly gentlemen wearing flat caps, smoking cigarettes and drinking cappuccino whilst discussing (and sometimes arguing) about the news of the day. We'd sit and listen while enjoying our Cornetto *which is a delicious cream-filled croissant (very naughty but nice) freshly squeezed juice and cappuccino. We missed them them on the morning I took this photo, but that's hubby on the far right.

Trevi fountain took our breath away. Located in the Trevi district in Rome it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. It was such a hot day when we arrived so I was itching to hop in like Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita (although she had waders on under her dress supposedly which is cheating) but I refrained ... instead I cooled off with a delicious gelato. TIP: Theres a great gelato shop just to the right of the fountain ;-)

Trevi Fountain

This made me really chuckle ... while admiring Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) in the famous square Piazza Navona I took this photograph (bottom right). It wasn't until I got back to the apartment later that day did I notice the shot had been photobombed by this smiley guy who clearly knew he was doing :-) It's a shame he never got to see it.

1. Ocean - Trevi Fountain 2. Near the Spanish Steps 3. Piazza Navona 4. Best photobomb of the trip.

The Pantheon

Many recommended that when it comes to restaurants it is well worth avoiding the main tourist spots as you can get ripped off easily - simply walk two streets away and you'll see a difference in price but always check the menu prices before entering. We made the mistake of grabbing one slice of pizza each and a bottle of water in a restaurant near the Vatican without checking the price first, we were then slapped with a €40 bill. Most restaurants however are very reasonable, but there are some absolute gems so it's well worth getting recommendations from locals, guide books or trip advisor. Coromandel came highly recommended to us as a great place for breakfast, and we also had the most delicious meal in Trattoria Da Lucia in Trastevere - set on a cobbled backstreet and frequented by mostly locals - it serves authentic roman cuisine and the decor and the staff are all equally as charming.

Wandering around Trastevere

A trip to Rome is not complete without a trip to the Vatican, but if you visit do book well in advance. We left it until the last minute and had to pay out €50 a head (Ouch!) but if you book in advance you can get skip-the-line tickets which are much cheaper. The Vatican Museum and St Peter's Basilica are incredible - it's well worth getting a tour of the museum (or getting the headsets) so you understand exactly what you are looking at. Our tour guide was very informative and even made a point of telling us that the Pope's new advisor looks just like George Clooney, and if you stand by the tapestry floor window at 2pm you can see him wandering up and down :-) Hubby had wandered off by that point.

1. St Peter's Basilica 2. Santa Maria in Trastevere 3. St Peter's Basilica 4. Vatican Museum

There are so many incredible things to see in Rome, so I know how easy it is to get overwhelmed, trying to fit everything in. Initially I wrote a detailed itinerary (I'm just a bit of a 'Monica' in that way) but in the end we took it a day at a time, because part of Italy's charm is the slow pace of life. Even though it's a major city it is still laid back in nature and that is one of the things I love about it - that said, that does seem to go out the window when it comes to being on the road. I had to stifle a giggle a few times when our taxi driver rained fury down on other drivers for not pulling away from the lights within 2 seconds; arms are raised, shouts are exchanged but that just seems to just be the way of things here - and it's all an experience. In just 5 days this city crept under my skin and I was genuinely sorry to leave. Still I'm pleased we experienced all the big monuments and attractions this time around because there is still so much more to see, so we have every reason to return.

JM x

VIDEO - How to make a faded 'distressed' floral table top

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 09:15:00 +0000

So you may remember I posted a tutorial on how to create a faded 'distressed' floral table top using napkins and decoupage last year? well I also made a video for it as well and I have only just got around to uploading it! This has been one of my favourite projects to date, it's so pretty and affective ... I highly recommend giving it a go.

If you can't see the video above simply click here. Enjoy x

Month in pictures - March

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 09:37:00 +0000

Morning all. Well since I've had my head buried in work for most of this month my photos are few this month I'm afraid ... however I did really enjoy taking time out to research and write the piece on my real life heroes and my bedside makeover which you'll see in a mo. I've been very excited this week as Hubby and I are off to Rome later this week for 5 days! We're both in need of a break and I've never been to Italy before! So to get me in the mood I've been; digging out my summery chic dresses from the loft (It's all about the chic in Rome don't cha know!) planning a detailed itinerary (with plenty of time for simply wandering-whilst-eating-gelato) brushing up on my Italian (OK so by that I mean hello, goodbye, excuse me and can I have a large vat of red wine please?) and I've been watching Rome-based films to get me in the mood (in fact I highly recommend the woody allen film To Rome With Love ... it's a lovely feel good comedy). If you've been to Rome and have any fabulous recommendations, tips or hidden gems then do share! In the meantime, here's our month in pictures.

It was International Women's Day this month, which had me thinking a lot about the incredible women in my life, so I decided to dedicate a post to them. One of these women (my mother) I've been blessed enough to know, but the others passed away long before my time. These women have an incredible story to tell - it is a sad but uplifting story, and whenever I find myself struggling to cope in life I think of these women and I find courage. The story begins in Liverpool in 1941.

My real life heroes + My mothers remarkable story and the Liverpool Blitz

Project 'clear out' has been going strong at AHC. I cleared out the shed this month ... and when I say 'I' cleared out the shed what I mean is my mum came round and cleared out the shed while I ran around the garden in circles screaming every time a giant spider dashed out from behind a plant pot / tin of paint. My mum found that highly entertaining - as she's not afraid of anything EXCEPT mice. I love mice and have a hard time telling them to leave ... which is why I didn't tell her that there is a family of mice living in that shed, but there was no way I was tackling those spiders single-handed so I denied all knowledge and just told them lay low while she was clearing in there :-)

FYI - I do love spiders too ... I just don't like looking at them unless they're small and standing still!

Do you remember the little cottage birdhouse I made readers? well it's gone stateside! This month it was featured in Woman's World - The american weekly magazine! It's such a lovely spring project and can be simplified too.

I collaborated with Laura Ashley this month, and after a good de-clutter I gave my bedside table and bedroom some much needed TLC. Hubby's side needs more work but one thing at a time! Bedtime is a real pleasure now. We spend so much time making our houses and gardens presentable, often with visitors in mind ... but it's also nice to make an effort on the rooms / places that only we will enjoy, especially the bedroom which has such an important role in regards to our health and well being.

A pretty pastel bedside makeover

Well that's it for this month folks. I hope you've all had a good March yourselves and

Ralphy and I wish you all a happy and safe easter.

JM xx

A pretty pastel bedside makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 07:19:00 +0000

As most of you know I've been having a clear out of late, and as a result I have to say I've been enjoying my living space much more. I don't know about you, but one room that I often feel gets overlooked is the bedroom. Perhaps it's because visitors don't often venture into this space so we put our decorative energy into other areas of the home, but the bedroom really is one of the most important rooms in the house - not only do we spend a lot of time in this room but it has a direct affect on our mental and physical well being. If you do have difficulty sleeping you might find that creating a calm, peaceful and uncluttered environment makes the world of difference. After a good de-clutter I've given our boudoir and my bedside table some much needed TLC. Hubby's side needs more work however but small steps people, small steps :-)

My favourite colour is green, In almost every shade ... ok except perhaps kermit's 'lime green' shade - no offence Kermit. In the bedroom I've always preferred pastel colours as I find them to be more calming, so this Josette Hedgerow duvet and pillow set in a pastel apple green instantly appealed to me, and you should know there is currently available in the half price sale!

When it comes to bedside tables, mine is usually piled high with books ... and there is never room for anything else. So I swapped my table for one with a shelf so I could house my books underneath, leaving the top free for other useful / lovely things. I love how brass is quite popular at the moment as it really lends itself to the antique / rustic style. This beautiful brass and mirror tray is a lovely way to keep your things together, whether it's in the bedroom, lounge, bathroom or kitchen, and it looks so pretty on crisp white antique linen.

Bedtime is not bedtime with my pillow spray. I love it ... as do my pillows. I discovered this particular brand and scent in a little market whilst on Holiday in the South of France. So I was over the moon to discover it is also available in the UK. The brand is called Durance and my favourite scent is Cotton Flower - it's light, floral and just lovely. I also love this little gold leaf trinket holder from Laura Ashley. I usually remember to take my earrings out last thing at night, so this is ideal for keeping little things like that in one place.

I admit it - I used to think bedside carafes were only used by elderly ladies. Shame on me! I now realise they are probably used by elderly ladies because they have the wisdom to see how useful they are! I'd always take a glass of water to bed, and I'd always put something on top because I didn't like the idea of a spider landing in my water, then it finally occurred to me a carafe and tumbler set was the perfect solution - and it would look so pretty in a guest bedroom too wouldn't it?!

When it comes to bedtime tranquility nothing says 'relax' more than a good book and bedside candle. I love this vintage style glass candle which can easily be used again once burned out. I do love scented candles but prefer unscented in the bedroom, as scented candles and pillow spray would be a little too overbearing.

... and lastly no bedside would be complete without photo's of our loved ones :-) Since spending a bit of time on my bedroom I now look forward to going to bed. A nice tranquil space to wind down in not only improves our well being, but I think it's also important to do something nice for ourselves. We deserve it don't we? now I just need to get cracking on hubby's side!

Sleep well.

JM x

Josette Hedgerow duvet and pillow set from £35

Durance Cotton flower pillow mist £7.68 Small feather gold trinket dish £10 Brass and mirror tray £20 Josette glass caraf and tumbler set £18 Vintage style glass candle £9.80

This post is in collaboration with Laura Ashley, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Country cottage birdhouse in United States edition of Woman's Weekly Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 08:52:00 +0000

Do you remember the little cottage birdhouse I made readers? well it's gone stateside! This week it's being featured in Woman's World - The american weekly magazine! How exciting ... I hope the attention doesn't go to it's head :-)

With the arrival of spring, if you fancy making this lovely project but you don't live in the US you can of course find the 'recipe' for this project here on the blog. I'll pop the link below. It's such a lovely spring project and can be simplified too. I love mine, I use it for ribbons and string.

JM x

DIY country cottage birdhouse

My real life heroes + My mothers remarkable story and the Liverpool Blitz

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:55:00 +0000

Mothers Day is almost upon us, and with the recent celebration of International Women's Day I've been thinking a lot recently about the incredible women who are responsible for my being here on this earth. One of these women (my mother) I've been blessed enough to know, while the others, who are still very much a part of my tapestry, passed away long before my time. These women have an incredible story to tell which I'd like to share with you today. It is a sad but uplifting story which features three women from three generations, and whenever I find myself struggling to cope with whatever it is that life is throwing at me, I think of these women and I always find courage. The story begins in Liverpool in 1941 ....

Selina May

My mother Valerie May was born during World War II on Valentines day, in 1941. Her mother Selina worked in the local ammunition factory making shells. Selina was only 18 when she gave birth to my mother. She had no husband to speak of, so my mother was deemed 'illegitimate'. In those days such circumstances were severely frowned upon, and were simply brushed under the carpet never to be spoken of again. As a result my mother never knew her father and no one ever mentioned him. I would love to have known more. Was it love? or just a brief affair? The closest my mother ever got to him (unbeknown to her) was when she was a little older ... she was scolded for playing in a particular road - and it was only years later she discovered the reason being was that her father lived there, along with his family.

Selina May (my grandmother)

Selina lived in a small terraced house on Peter Road, in Walton, along with with her siblings and parents; May and Fredrick. On May 4th, 1941, as the family were settling down for the evening the air raid sirens began. Selina's mother was in hospital at the time with fractured legs, so Selina gathered up 3 month old Valerie in her arms, and together with her father Fredrick they made their way to the nearby shelter. But as they were leaving the house the adjacent road was bombed by a parachute mine, and my mother was thrown from her mothers arms. She was later discovered amongst the rubble, a good distance away from the house ... alive. But Fredrick, and her mother Selina, with whom she had only spent three months of her life, never survived the impact.

County road, Walton - May Blitz

May

After the bombing, chaos ensued. May, Selina's mother heard the news that her husband and child had been killed whilst lying in her hospital bed. I still can't imagine what that woman must have gone through in her hospital bed, as this was not her first loss. May had bore 13 Children, and had been married twice. She was no stranger to hardship having endured two husbands who had been heavy handed to say the least. Sadly it wasn't unheard of in those days for men to keep their wives in line with the use of physical violence. It was tolerated, and people turned a blind eye. But May had also already lost 7 of her children to childhood diseases and some of her older children from her first marriage to the war. And now she had lost her husband, her daughter, and as far as she was aware - her granddaughter. After a couple of days in hospital May was approached by one of the nurses. The nurse said "I thought you should know May, some babies have just been brought it ... you never know, might be worth a look just in case one of them is your Valerie?" May did look, and as luck would have it my miracle of a mother was staring right back at her.

My mother was incredibly blessed that day. Not only had she miraculously survived a bombing but she had been found by someone who loved her dearly. Perhaps May was blessed too, for now she had a reason to live. All the other babies that hadn't been claimed were put into foster care or sent to orphanages, and my mother could easily have been one of them. So May, a then 56 year old woman who had endured as much loss as one woman could - took my mother home, and brought her up as her own.

May (my great grandmother)

Valerie May

So my mum grew up in Liverpool under the loving, watchful eye of May. She never searched for her father because she never felt like she needed too. She did search much later in life but all leads soon went cold. She was curious about him but wasn't particularly desperate to know him, as she never felt like there was hole that needed filling. May never spoke about Valerie's father and she didn't speak of Selina much either, possibly because it was simply too painful for her to bear. My mum grew up with family around her as May's remaining children also lived nearby and they were all close. My mum saw through the swinging sixties in her prime as a teenager. Mods and rockers dominated the streets (she was a mod!) and she partied regularly at the now-famous Cavern Club, chatting away to the cloakroom girl Cilla Black (then Priscilla White of course). She'd dance the night away to some up and coming band called The Beatles who were only a few years away from world domination ... in fact later she was once proposed to once by a fella who looked just like Paul McCartney, but thankfully she turned him down, and married my dad.

My mum (Valerie May) and myself (Jodie May)

Although my mum was very lucky to have been taken in by my May, life wasn't easy for her. They didn't have much money, and while her friends were acting like normal youngsters, my mum needed to earn enough money to support them both as May was an older woman by then. May had worked and cared for my mum all her life which can't have been an easy task for a woman her age but my mum didn't want for anything. May was a keen crafter too ... although crafting was more about necessity in those days rather than pleasure - my mum remembers May making rag rugs in the front of the parlour fire when winter was drawing in. I still have grandma's old crochet shawl in the cupboard, it's close to tatters, but it's hers and I love it. Now May was older and her health was in decline, so it was my mums turns to find strength enough to carry them both, which she did, willingly.

Wedding Day - My mum Valerie (left) my dad Derek (right) and May (centre)

May didn't like any of my my mums boyfriends. Not a single one ... not until my dad came along (who was a motorbike riding rocker!). They met on a dance floor in Belgium where they were both on holiday at the time. My dad had a few too many drinks and all he could remember was a lovely woman in a white dress, and once he arrived back in London he discovered her details on a beer mat inside his pocket. He contacted my mother and went to visit her in Liverpool. After three visits, they were engaged, and they've been happily married and the best of friends ever since. After the birth of their first child, my parents, together with May, moved to the South of England to a riverside village called Roydon. They lived there in a large static caravan while my dad earned enough money to buy their first home, which he did soon after. One of my favourite stories about May happened there. May was an elderly lady then, she didn't go out much, preferring to sit by the window and watch the world pass by. My parents returned one day to find her sitting by the window crying - when my mum asked her what was the matter she said she had spent the whole day watching a a single flower open and bloom and it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen - she never had a garden in Liverpool.

The pillow Rita made for my mum (left) and the Mothers Day pillow I made (right)

More than anything I wish I known these women. I looked just like Selina as a child (that's her pictured below) and my brother looks just like her as an adult. I consider myself immensely lucky to have had such women in my life, and even though they're no longer here they still inspire me; with their courage and strength, but also with their capacity to show tenderness, compassion and unconditional love. I made this pillow for my mother (top right) on mothers day a few years back. It was inspired by my late cousin Rita - who also made a pillow for my mum (top left) several years before, on which she embroidered a picture of Selina, the year she died, along with the words 'A mothers love is always with you.' Rita was the daughter of Selina's Brother Arthur (pictured below) but Rita deserves a whole blog post to herself, so I'll tell you all about her another day.

Selina (Centre) and May's other children Arthur (Rita's father -far left)

and Joan (second from right.)

Well I hope you found that story as inspiring as I always do. We often read about incredible women achieving incredible things, but it's always worth recognising and celebrating the remarkable stories that transpire from the everyday lives of our own loved ones. You'll be surprised how many heroes you already know ... these women are certainly mine.

JM x

A month in pictures - February

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:52:00 +0000

Well it's the end of february and little green shoots are poking their noses though in my garden and on my forest walks which can only mean one thing - SPRING! That said today was freezing so I shan't be changing the duvet and getting my flip flops down just yet, but just knowing it's around the corner is enough to put a zing in your step! I haven't been very crafty of late (though I have been in a knitting frenzy of sorts) and I have been planning some lovely craft projects, which I'm really keen to get started on. In the meantime here's our month in pictures ...

February ... (and while we're on the subject has anyone else spent most of their adult life spelling February as 'Febuary'? I'm quite good at spelling so I don't know how that managed to slip through the net for so many years! I only realised I was spelling it wrong a couple of years ago. Anyway, where was I ... ) As February is the month of love I shared a super duper easy peasy project that would warm the cockles of any recipient: A heart filled memory jar. Memory Jars make beautiful gifts for any occasion and they are so quick and easy to make. Here is my step by step for making a 'Jar of hearts' memory jar.

... and as it was Valentine I did a #throwback to previous Valentines projects such as cardmaking and how to make a Decoupage box (which would be a lovely gift for mothers day - in fact I made the box above for my mummy.) All of these crafts are great for any occasion, especially the card making.

We've had some lovely walkies this month but I don't have many photos to show for it as I felt the need to leave my phone behind a little this month. I've enjoyed the solitude and freedom that comes with being unreachable - though of course it's only when you don't have your camera that wildlife seems to perch right in front of you and strike a pose! Still ... I did take a little video of Ralphy this week though - he does make me chuckle sometimes :-)

I was recently asked where it is in my home that I choose to relax and unwind. My initial thoughts took me straight to the sofa, dog on lap in front of the fire ... but while I do relax and pass the time there in that cosy spot, the place I truly relax and feel at peace is when sitting in front of my sewing machine, in my craft room. So here's a glimpse at my favourite corner and my new industrial vintage Barker and Stonehouse lamp.

The urge to loft-clear seems to be catching as my mum has been clearing her loft this month, and in it she found a bag of clothes from when I was a wee girl - it contained my first swimsuit, and this little leotard I wore for dancing, along with my little tap and ballet shoes ... aw they were very cute.

I've started keeping a journal this month and bought this lovely woodland trust notebook in WHSmith. Then later this month the thrifty fairy was lurking at our local recycling unit (ok so the fairy was more like a big burly bloke called Steve) who sold me this fabulously rustic hardwood table with sage green iron legs ... for a mere £5! I couldn't believe my luck. Thanks fairy Steve.

Well that's all from me and Ralphy for now. Have a lovely month of march all, and don't forget Mothers Day!

JM xx

My favourite little corner + my new Barker & Stonehouse industrial lamp

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 08:42:00 +0000

I was recently asked where it is in my home that I choose to relax and unwind. My initial thoughts took me straight to the sofa, dog on lap in front of the fire ... but while I do relax and pass the time there in that cosy spot, the place I truly relax and feel at peace is when sitting in front of my sewing machine, in my craft room. My mind goes quiet there, and only ever there really. So for those that haven't visited my craft room, here's a glimpse at my favourite corner, plus I have a a recent new addition to show you - my Barker and Stonehouse green vintage industrial lamp!

I keep old vintage bottles on the window ledge and pop little fresh blooms in from the garden in summer. I love the way the light catches the glass. As it's the brightest spot in the house this corner is where my house plants are happiest ... I've been propagating my 'hearts on a string' plant so I hope to see them flourishing in the spring. Plants are a lovely way to bring calm and tranquility to a room.

Just below this window is a lilac tree (AKA Ceanothus tree) ... in spring it blooms with beautiful lilac flowers which eventually cover the ground in a lilac carpet. As I sit and sew on my sturdy singer machine I can hear the birdies playing around on the branches, foraging for twigs for their nests. This machine which was gifted to me by my husbands grandmother, and before that it once belonged to her seamstress mother. On my sewing chair sits my favourite crochet blanket which I made a while back ... there's some photo's of it here if you'd like to see it.

... and here are some close ups of my lovely new industrial lamp! When it arrived it did look a little different from the pictured image as you'll see if you go to their website, it's not as 'worn' and it was a lot bigger than I thought! Though if I had actually bothered to look at the measurements I would have known how big it was going to be. Either way, it's sturdy, very heavy, gives great directional light and I love it.

If you head to Barker and Stonehouse you'll see that stock a whole range of goodies and furniture for the home. Do check out their range of reclaimed 'little tree furniture' - it's absolutely beautiful, especially the different coloured pieces ... you'll see what I mean! Even if some of he pieces are a little out of your price range it's a great place to take inspiration from - I know I will.

JM x

Barker and Stonehouse lamp £115 / Laura Ashley brass terrarium £35

Handmade crochet bluebell blanket / Fatface cardigan

'Jar of hearts' Keepsake memory jar

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 09:28:00 +0000

Memory Jars make beautiful gifts. They are quick and easy to make, yet they are an incredibly thoughtful way of capturing a moment in time. I made this one for my young niece who was turning 21. I asked everyone she knew to write something on one of the folded hearts - be it a favourite memory, or simply what they loved most about her, and she absolutely loved it, and in years to come or even when she's having a bad day, she can looking inside and be reminded of good times, and of how much she is loved. So since Valentines Day is coming up I thought I'd share this lovely little project with you, but remember it's also makes a lovely birthday / anniversary / wedding / christmas gift too!

You will need:

A jar

floral or patterned paper

Ribbon or string

scissors

Top Tip: I had a pad of pretty floral paper and some pretty tags but you can easily make your own. Thick wrapping paper works well for this too, and you can cut out some pretty labels from old birthday / gift cards!

Step by step

Step 1. Cut out a small heart on a piece of card to use as your template.

Step 2. Using your template, draw and cut out as many hearts as you'd like.

Fold them and place them in the jar.

Step 3. Make a label and tie it on the rim with string or ribbon.

Tada! Easy peasy.

JM x

A month in pictures - January

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 09:19:00 +0000

Well hello you lovely lot and happy January! I've had a bee in my bonnet this month over clearing out our loft. As I've mentioned we'd like to move house later this year, so I figured it was about time I tackled the pile of stuff that has been accumulating in our loft for the past Occasionally I climb the loft stairs, look around, then proceed to walk straight back down and pretend no such loft exists. In fact you often find that tidy people (which I am, usually) are the worst hoarders. Our houses are only tidy because somewhere there lurks a cupboard or drawer (or *ahem* loft) where EVERYTHING is thrown. So bit by bit I've been dragging it downstairs, sorting it into piles, holding it under hubby's nose while shouting 'THROW OR KEEP!! ANSWER NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE' in a Sergeant major manner ... and oh my, it feels so GOOOOD!!! I never expected to get such a buzz from driving away from a recycle dump with an empty car but alas, I think I'd choose that high over a G&T and hot bath! OK, well maybe not ... here's out month in pictures.

Walkies! We've had some fab walks this month. Did I tell you hubby bought me a metal detector for Christmas? don't laugh, I can hear you laughing! I've always wanted one. It looks like such a nice, relaxing hobby ... poodling alone in the countryside ... "beep beep beep." And if you watch the BBC series 'Detectorists' you'll definitely want one. I admit I haven't been out with it yet. You need to get the landowners permission and I was also thinking about joining a group. But I'll wait until it gets a little warmer as the ground is to hard to dig up buried treasure. I could even knit it a little cover / jumper for it couldn't I? :-) Do any of you have one??

This month I shared one of my Christmas presents with you. This Enchanted Forest Bag is made by a company called Voyage and I fell in love with it at first sight. Aside from bags they stock a whole range of soft furnishings in these fabrics, from footstools, armchairs, cushions and lampshade, and they are all exquisite. I'll be trying my hand at making lampshades using their fabric soon so watch this space!

This week I shared Tŷ Glas holiday cottage, which is located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales, and it is definitely one of my most memorable and favourite cottages in Wales. This pastel blue period Welsh cottage is set in its own wild natural gardens, with 40 acres of pastures, woodlands and lakes, with beautiful views of the Carningli Mountain. Click here to have a read about it and see more pictures.

Lastly a couple of thrifty finds. I found this gorgeous, perfectly-sized footstool on eBay for a whopping £20! Oh I do love a bargain. I was planning to recover it but once it arrived I decided I really liked the mustard corduroy so it's staying as is for now. The Dovecote biscuit barrel from Marks and Spencer's latest range was less of a bargain at £9.50. I usually buy second hand vintage tins for pennies but I have a rule, that if I see something that I absolutely love, I should buy it (as this doesn't happen as often as you'd think as I've grown quite fussy with age!) They sell cake tins in the same design too ... I must not buy the cake tin, as I'll then have to make cake to go in it, and then M&S will be responsible for me going up a dress size. That's how they make you buy more clothes! Sneaky.

JM xx

Tŷ Glas Cottage - A romantic 'Hideaway' in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

noreply@blogger.com (Jodie May) — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 09:57:00 +0000

Tŷ Glas cottage is located in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales, and it is definitely one of my most memorable and favourite cottages in Wales. This pastel blue period Welsh cottage is set in its own wild natural gardens, with 40 acres of pastures, woodlands and lakes, with beautiful views of the Carningli Mountain. Conservation is at the heart of this lovely cottage, and it has been renovated to reveal it's old dairy, open fireplaces and natural wood flooring throughout. Everything about this cottage is idyllic, and it combines natural rustic charm with comfort and luxury in the most perfect way. While this cottage is one of the more expensive cottages I have featured, if you're looking for something special, this cosy romantic retreat for two really is worth a visit.

Where is it: Pembrokeshire coast national park, Wales

How much: £584 for long weekend.

Pets: Allowed by special request

Sleeps: 2

Ty Glas / Waun Bayvil Cottage

'A charming pale-blue period cottage surrounded by 40 acres of meadows and woods, close to the beaches and with views of Carningli. Inside wood floors, log fires, and period features including spiral stairs, a roll-top bath and a four-poster bed combine to create an idyllic hideaway.'

The Independent

The Cottage Garden and surrounding countryside

''The cottage and barn have fires, plump pillows, period furniture and views of 347-metre tall Carningli mountain. Meadows full of orchids in spring can be seen from your window, while horses peep over the open fences. The landscaping here provides true inspiration for wild gardening.'

The Guardian

View of cottage, and little barn to the right.

As you know one of my 'must haves' when searching for a cottage is seclusion, so I was slightly concerned when I noticed the owners lived nearby. However it was not a problem in the slightest. We were not at all overlooked, we had complete privacy and on the rare occasion we did bump into the owners, it was an absolute delight because they are such a lovely couple, in fact we even stayed in touch.

The nearby lake

The cosy lounge

The house has the perfect balance of rustic charm and comfort. It is full of little touches ... a beautiful grandfather clock, bookshelves, artworks, pottery, antiques and of course cosy soft furnishings. Aside from the spacious dining area, kitchen and lounge there is also a lovely old fashioned pantry! To be quite honest with you, if I could move into this cottage tomorrow, I would ... and I wouldn't change a single thing. Hubby also said he had the best naps he's ever had on this couch, which is saying something because he doesn't usually 'do' naps. Once of my favourite things to do after a day of walking was to make a fire and write up the day's adventure in my travel journal at the writing desk.

Napping and resting our paws after a day spent rambling

The kitchen and dining area

The kitchen and dining area is a great space and so well equipped ... my pictures really do not do this house justice. There are beautiful views from the kitchen window and just off the dining room is the glass bothy with a little table and two chairs, ideal for reading and taking in the sunset in the evening - then outside is the patio /garden with seating area for alfresco dining. It's a perfect location for dark skies, so we sat out one night and enjoyed the night sky ... hubby snapped this picture below that evening.

Dark skies - view from cottage

The bedroom and bathroom

I loved the bedroom in this cottage. In the morning the sun streams in through the window and bathes the room in golden light ... which is made even better by the delivery of breakfast in bed, made by hubby :-) It is huge room but it is still cosy and incredibly comfy. There are beautiful artworks on the walls and the attention to detail shows how much this cottage is cared for by it's owners, which always makes a big difference I find. I've visited cottages that are slightly neglected and you can just feel it can't you? just as you can feel when a house is loved. The bathroom is another great space ... the underfloor heating and the high-backed roll top bath are a heavenly welcome after a day spent walking. I loved the handmade elements in this room; the rustic wood-clad walls and the toilet roll holder, shelves and curtain rail which have all been lovingly carved by hand.

Out and about

Tŷ Glas cottage is in an excellent location - as it's surrounded by lush countryside but it is also not far from the coast. We had some wonderful walks in the countryside; we walked up mountains, explored local villages and one evening it was a race against time as we got lost in the countryside without a torch! the sun was going down fast so there was hubby, Ralphy and I bounding along through field after field trying to find a way down into the town before we became stranded in a cow field in the dark. It was quite an adventure - and as you know, I do love getting lost from time to time. We were so cold and wet so you can imagine how amazing my cuppa in the bath was once we made it back to the cottage :-)

If you'd like to sample the delights of Tŷ Glas Cottage for yourself you can find more information at Sea and Slate.

JM x