A handmade cottage

Thursday, 29 May 2014

How to make simple rustic bunting - for any occasion

This video will show you how to make simple rustic vintage bunting that works for ANY occasion:

WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAYS, CHRISTMAS and GARDEN PARTIES!

Super easy and ideal for absolute beginners and experienced crafters.

Ralphy (my dog) and I show you how to make three types of bunting, in just 3 minutes ...

* SUPER EASY VINTAGE BUNTING * DOUBLE SIDED BUNTING *

and BUNTING LIKE YOU GET IN THE SHOPS!

Enjoy and don't miss Ralphy's party trick at the end! :-)

JM & R xx

Friday, 23 May 2014

My thrifty finds!

It has been a while since I shared some of my thrifty finds with you so here's what I've managed to sneak past hubby in the last month or so (having said that it's often his own fault cos he points out pretty things for me!) I've also been trying to have a clean out - our little cottage is getting too small for us three so we need to either move house / do a charity run / car boot / get my eBay on / OR start a shop!? I always spend more than I make at car boots ... though it's always worth it for the banter alone ... "How much for the table love?"

"Fiver love"

"Take 50p?"

*sigh*

Wednesday, 21 May 2014

The AHC guide to cottage holidays

Now don't get me wrong, I love a wee in the sea as much as the next person but a holiday doesn't always need to be based around the beach. (Hubby's just informed me, not everyone likes a wee in the sea, is this true??) Like many people, I used to associate the word 'holiday' with sun, sand and sangria. A holiday in the UK simply conjured up images of Carry-on camping and school trips to Bognor. Initially we chose to holiday in the UK to save money, but now we've discovered the goodies it has to offer, we actually prefer it ... and the dog gets a holiday too! So for those who aren't convinced lets see if I can put your mind at rest and turn you into cottage lovers .... that didn't sound right did it? here's my rough guide to cottage holidays ...

This was the beautiful woodland behind our cottage in Wales.
We had a lovely picnic here and I'm sure I saw a faerie ...?

Friday, 9 May 2014

Getting away from it all

Well as I told you earlier this week, it's our 1st Wedding anniversary on the 14th May * still beaming * so we're OFF of holiday!! We're both in dire need of a break so we're packing up our sombreros, flip flops, bikini, sun crea .... NOPE sorry, wrong holiday ... we're packing up our walking books, books, craft basket and dog, and heading to the lush green hills of SHROPSHIRE!

Ok well this photo was actually taken from the top of the
Brecon Beacons in Wales but you get my point!! : )

Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Our handmade wedding

Next week hubby and I will celebrate our first wedding anniversary! *beams*
So I thought this would be the perfect time to tell you about ... our handmade wedding. I suggest you make a cuppa and curl up in a chair for this one. Those about to marry might find this very helpful, and those who aren't might also find it useful as many of the crafty ideas we used are just great for around the house and garden, lace lanterns and bunting for example. I've got SO many things to show you so today I'm just going to give you a little taster of what we got up to, and in the coming weeks I'll go into more depth on each subject; show you the making of the dress, and photos of all the crafty bits and photos from the making-of! We didn't have a huge budget to play with so my thrifty knowledge came in very handy, and with the help of family we managed to craft the perfect day. I learnt quite a lot in the process so hopefully I can pass some crafty wedding wisdom ...

Friday, 2 May 2014

The bedside book of the garden - by Dr D.G.Hessayon

The bedside book of the garden is on my bedside right now, and it occasionally joins me in the bath too. I find it the perfect companion for bath-time because if I have the window open I can see the garden from the tub ... and occasionally the neighbours too (ohh-err missus!) Turns out, it is about gardening but it focuses more about where the garden came from, and the people that gave it to us. It also gives us practical tips such as; How to press flowers, make wine, floral perfume, hops pillows and so much more. It's just a lovely read, and if you love flowers and gardening, I've no doubt you'll love this. This following explains it better than I can ...

How very true ... the wise words of Dr D. G. Hessayon

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

The lazy guide to a cottage garden - with Garden Nomey

At last, summer is on the way! We all love spending time in our gardens, and while some are flourishing and bursting with blooms, others are not. If your garden is lacking in flowery loveliness (like mine was) do not despair! There is a quick and easy way of creating a beautiful cottage garden on a shoestring. Enter, the lovely Naomi, author of Garden Nomey blog! Naomi currently works for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine and writes a brilliant gardening blog, full of tips and advice on all things flowery. I lured Naomi round with the promise of tea, cake and doggie cuddles (which she got) and around she came, armed with .... SEEDS!!! In a matter of weeks my garden will be transformed into a beautiful flowery haven, providing ole Mrs Miggins' cat Cliff Damien (!) doesn't have his way with it! and luckily for you, our green-fingered goddess Naomi is going to share her wisdom, and tell you how we did it!

JM x

Friday, 25 April 2014

A picnic in the Bluebell Woods

Bluebell woodlands are by far, one of my favourite fings ... well places. There is something truly magical about Bluebells. This might be because they are, in fact, little faerie houses or maybe it's their heavenly scent. Whatever it is, spending time in a beautiful bluebell-covered woodland is by far, one of the best things you and your people can do this April.

Bluebell woodland - by A Handmade Cottage

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Finished Spring Crochet 'Bluebell' blanket

Hello lovelies.

Just a quickie. I really wanted to show you my finished Crochet Spring blanket!

'She' has been aptly named 'Bluebell Blanket' after the bluebell woods that inspired her. You really can't go wrong if you take your colour pallet from our lovely mother nature. Thanks again to Sarah at Weaveknitit for the lovely yarn. I'm snuggled up in it as I type : )

JM x

The beautiful Bluebell wood that inspired this blanket.
Take your colours from nature and they will usually work together.

Thursday, 17 April 2014

Super quick Easter gift and table display

Hey peeps. Ok so I'm visiting family this weekend and a trillion kids will want eggs. So I came up with a cheap, super quick way of giving everyone a treat whilst making a nice table display at the same time. I made two of these for two families, it took 10 minutes and cost £7.

Pages

Thursday, 29 May 2014

How to make simple rustic bunting - for any occasion

Friday, 23 May 2014

My thrifty finds!

Wednesday, 21 May 2014

The AHC guide to cottage holidays

Friday, 9 May 2014

Getting away from it all

Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Our handmade wedding

Friday, 2 May 2014

The bedside book of the garden - by Dr D.G.Hessayon

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

The lazy guide to a cottage garden - with Garden Nomey

Friday, 25 April 2014

A picnic in the Bluebell Woods

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Finished Spring Crochet 'Bluebell' blanket

Thursday, 17 April 2014

Super quick Easter gift and table display

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