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. 

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! 

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

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. 

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 ... 

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!)