SO, last weekend my fellow crafters and I took the coach to The Alexandra Palace knit and stitch show. I was so excited I hardly slept the night before ( I know - I don't get out much). We sat on the coach and made our crafty shopping wish lists.
Friday, 18 October 2013
The knitting and stitching show at alexandra palace
SO, last weekend my fellow crafters and I took the coach to The Alexandra Palace knit and stitch show. I was so excited I hardly slept the night before ( I know - I don't get out much). We sat on the coach and made our crafty shopping wish lists.
Saturday, 12 October 2013
AHC welcome video!! - feat special guest
Morning lovelies!
I have a special treat today ... it's my FIRST video! It's a video of myself (and Ralphy of course) introducing A handmade cottage while giving viewers a bit of an insight into what AHC is all about.
I hope you enjoy it! if you do feel free to comment and share with friends and other like-minded folk.
Have a lovely weekend,
JM & Ralphy the dog x
Please note: no Jack russells were harmed in the making of this film : )
If you don't see the video you can click here to view
Sunday, 6 October 2013
How to make sloe gin - 'the wintry tipple'
Well last weekend I successfully made my first tipple of Sloe Gin! It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday and I can't WAIT to taste it while my chestnuts are roasting on a chilly December eve. Christmas will never be the same without this lovely wintry Liqueur and it's a lovely way to enjoy our bountiful hedgerows. It's far more satisfying to enjoy something you've gathered / made yourself than to get it from Tesco and I've no doubt this autumnal ritual will become a firm favourite in our household. It's easy to prep, easy to make AND you can blot out Xmas with it! (if need be). So get the kids off their phones, grab your baskets (guys - your plastic containers) and enjoy a day in the wilderness together!
Note - Sloe gin is a sweet berry liqueur and can be enjoyed on the rocks OR with a mixer ... perhaps Soda water or sparkling wine Kir Royale-style, so don't be put off if you don't like Gin. I don't but I do LOVE this drink.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
A thrifty guide to growing plants & flowers for free
Good Morning autumnal lovelies, I just spent a lovely day in the garden, getting it ready for Autumn. I filled my brown bin to the brim and woke the neighbour's baby several times after walking face-first into spiders webs. But before the summer comes to a close I wanted to share some tips on filling your garden with beautiful flowers without spending a penny (literally that is). While some of you may relish an afternoon traipsing around Homebase, others may not (myself included) - and the following will not only save you money, it will also give you a far deeper sense of satisfaction and you'll love your garden all the more for it.
Sharing flowers with your neighbours
Now before you head out into the garden and start cutting back all your plants - (which I'm sure has therapeutic benefits and often reminds me of cutting Hubby's hair) stop, and take a look around. More often than not, ole Mrs Miggin's next door has let her plants go wild and they're clambering all over your side of the fence. But rather than hacking away at her prize Geraniums, why not entice them into your garden instead? For example - my shed was looking pretty bare and I really wanted a 'Santa's grotto' vibe so I enticed Mrs Miggin's straggly old bush onto my shed. I didn't even need to hold it in place (it had suckers!) and now it's almost completely covered and I didn't spend a penny.
More tips for accumulating new plants for free
Collecting seeds ....
At this time of year flower heads dry up and their seeds fall out or fly off in the wind. If you collect these carefully you can store them (in pretty little packets!) or sow them in Autumn and you'll have have a flower-filled garden come spring! For more info check out this BBC Gardening article.
Sharing seeds ...
Did you know there are seed swapping / sharing events? check out http://www.seedysunday.org
Or browse the Internet to find one near by.
Transplanting ...
Or as I like to call it - Pulling them up by the roots out of your mums / mates garden and plopping them in yours, Easy peasy! Autumn / winter is a good time to move plants as they're dormant, but not all plants can handle a move so have a google beforehand to make sure.
Dividing plants ...
Certain plants get so big it helps them enormously if you divide them into smaller plants (chives for example) and not only does it help them, you also multiply your plant! Again, autumn is a great time to do this. However you might not want four of the same plant so why not do a swap with friends to get some new shrubs into your garden?! I've swapped a few plants this way so it's a win win all round. But do check beforehand as dividing doesn't work with all plants and some plants will look at you aghast!
Further reading ...
With a little thought we can easily save pennies. I love making arrangements just from wild flowers and plants I find in the hedgerows all year round and will be posting on this later in the year. In the meantime if you feel you need a little help in the garden I suggest 'The Thrifty Gardener' by Alys Fowler. I don't usually recommend a book if I haven't read it but this girl knows her stuff so we're in good hands. But for now, get out there and start luring in your neighbours plants!
JM x
Note: Please note, I cannot be held responsible should you get into trouble for luring your neighbours plant into your garden. I suggest you only work with plants that are already hanging over your fence (so now your property) and refrain from pulling them over at 4am in the morning : )
Monday, 9 September 2013
The cottage guide to BLACKBERRY picking!
I LOVE this time of Year! When blackberry picking time comes around I get so excited. I do love summer but I love autumn more. It's such a beautiful time ... the colours, snugly blankets, fires, hot chocolate and BLACKBERRY AND APPLE CRUMBLE! we're also allowed to get a bit fat as we need the warmth : ) I realise I haven't talked about craft much lately but I'm just too distracted by the pick n' mix of berries in our hedgerows at the moment. Thanks to a glorious summer the bushes are jam-packed (see what I did there?) with fruit this year which means? ... 'one for me, one for the basket, one for me ...'
Monday, 2 September 2013
Making Sloe gin - How to tell when Sloe Berries are ripe
So it's been a wonderful summer and the hedgerows are bursting with bumper crops this year ... 'one for me, one for Ralphy, one for me ...' I'm determined to make the most of mother natures bounty this year. So today I want to give you a heads up on the SLOE berry. It's not picking time yet but it will be soon so here's a guide to picking at the right time.
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Beauty & the egg - a natural face mask
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| Photograph by Binky Nixon |
BEAUTY AND THE EGG
A natural beauty recipe
This remedy is a godsend and I've used it on countless occasions. It's especially good before a night out as it's a temporary facelift without the surgery. It works better than the countless creams I've tried and it's 100% natural. Botox in a shell (I kid you not.)
Tools required: 1 egg.
Prep time: none
Takes: 5 minutes
1. For best result exfoliate before hand.
2. Take one egg, crack and separate the white from the yolk. (Dispose of yolk or keep for hair mask ... that's another post) Give the white a quick whip (only for 10 secs or so)
3. Slap it on ... pat it all over your face and let it dry. Soon you'll be transformed into a Barbi that's half your age! (err see disclaimer)
Note: Try NOT laugh when it's dry. If you do it cracks and you'll get to see what you'll look like as an old woman. It's hideous ... but if you want to freak out your other half out then it's WELL worth doing.
4. Simply wash off. Feels just lovely.
For best results: If you have dry skin, follow with a 10 minute pure honey mask for ultimate moisturisation.
xx
Disclaimer: you won't look like Barbi and you won't really look half your age but you WILL look better and appear younger looking as it does smooth fine lines in my opinion. Also I can't take responsibility if you're allergic to egg white. I suggest a test patch. Bear in mind it does sting a little when it goes on but that's normal, however if it's too uncomfortable wash it off.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Easy curtain tie backs!
Use a simple lace ribbon or pretty neck scarf to tie back a neutral curtain. Can add a lovely splash of colour and is easy to wash / change with the seasons (I love lace in summer and something richer and heavier in winter) Now go have a cuppa while you peruse your scarf drawer : )
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
How to make a teacup candle
What girly doesn't love a teacup candle. They are feminine, decorative AND they serve a function! (this is what you point out to loved one when you get told off for buying more toot.) They also make a perfect gift. When hubby and I were married we made all of our decor by hand. There was a LOT of decor and it took 8 hours to decorate a beautiful Tudor barn. But that's another story ...
One of the things I made were 50 Teacup candles as favours for the womenfolk. It was my first time at making them, and I wanted to give them something they could keep and enjoy, and in years to come remember us when they're sipping tea from their pretty cup : ) It may sound like a huge undertaking but it really was much easier and far cheaper than you think. It was also fun, easy and hugely satisfying. Buying a ready made teacup candle can set you back £12 a cup, but to make it is pennies. So why not start collecting, and make some up ready for xmas!!?? your girlies will love you for it ... (and feel free to send one to me for giving you the idea : )
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Welcome to a handmade cottage
Welcome to my cosy corner. I'm Jodie May - songwriter, wife and devoted dog mother to Ralphy (pictured right.) I founded my local craft club (The cottage crafters) and I am happy to be the first Craft columnist for the Herts and Essex Observer. When we moved into our little cottage we didn't have much in the way of money. So by using craft, thrifty buying, up-cycling and making things myself I managed to create a lovely, cosy characterful home ... full of old furniture, antiques and ramshackled loveliness.
I not only created our handmade home, we also had a handmade wedding! We made almost everything and saved a small fortune. On return from our honeymoon I felt my life needed a change of direction, so I started a craft club in my town, became a craft columnist for the local Observer and decided to start a blog! I want to show people that crafting cosy characterful homes (or weddings) is a lot easier (and cheaper) than you might think. I hope you enjoy the blog, and do feel free to come and say hello anytime.
About me ...
Name: Jodie May
Age: A lady never tells ... Ok I'm 37.
Likes: Dog Walks in Woodlands * paddling in streams * anything floral antique lace * tea and cake in vintage china * Campfires * Antique shops (I love old things that have a story to tell) * Gardening and attempting to grow my own * blankets * charity shops * crafting * making things * having time
with with my loved ones.
Dislikes: Cooking (I just can't ... I try but it's not good, thankfully hubby loves cooking : ) Slugs - though I can't kill them. Running (I just can't - and hubby laughs when I try.)
TV: Wind in the willows (I know I'm a grown woman but it's just so sweet and lovely! and I'd love to
live in Moles house) The good life * Upstairs downstairs * Frasier * Only fools and horses * Larkrise to Candleford (I watch it with my lovely little elderly friend Ros : )
To read some frequently asked questions (and answers) click here!
JM x
www.ahandmadecottage.com
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