Tuesday 28 March 2017

A pretty pastel bedside makeover




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 :-)

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Thursday 2 April 2015

Pretty projects and a crafty March - A month in pictures


March - A month in pictures - A Handmade Cottage


March. It's been an incredibly crafty month in AHC headquarters, and I can't believe how quickly time passes. The trees were so bare, yet so quickly life blooms. This has been a busy month on the blog, with some lovely guest posts, and since Easter is coming up I've been sharing some fab quick and easy Easter craft projects! Now I'm looking forward to some time with my family -  it's good to have some time to put the feet up and over indulge in choccie bunnies and hot cross buns. Hubby's birthday is also coming up, which is one my favourite days of the year! (after Christmas and my own birthday of course ... you know how I feel about my birthday) but I love his birthday more, since it's the day he came into the world and changed mine (grab your buckets by all means, but it's true!) But back to crafty business, here's a glimpse of the funsies I've enjoyed this month ....

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Tuesday 31 March 2015

How to make: Easter egg spring bunting


Easter egg spring bunting - Noolibird stamp


I love any excuse to decorate my house in a festive manner, and I love bringing the outside in as you know.  So this week I made some Easter spring bunting with the Noolibird 'folk egg' stamp. However you needn't use a stamp for this project if you don't have time, as it would work just as well with mis-matching floral fabric.You may have seen my previous ravings about Noolibird stamps, and I assure you I'm not getting paid to promote these stamps, I just love the detail and workmanship that goes into them ... they're just so pretty! So if you'd like to get festive 'Easter-stylie' here is how I made this pretty little string of easter bunting. Use it on the fireplace or string it around a flower arrangement as I have done - and once made, you can bring it out year after year ...

Difficulty rating: Easy
Skills needed: None, some sewing but could glue / peg instead.
Time: 2 / 3 hours.
Kiddy friendly: Absolutely
Dog friendly: Probably not.

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Thursday 26 March 2015

Easter spring flower table display - in 10 minutes!


Hello my little Easter bunnies! Easter is around the corner - So I thought I'd get a little festive and throw together a couple of super quick and easy flower displays. Like most people, I don't have the time to make anything extravagant so the following displays won't take you longer than 10 minutes to make, but they look beautifully festive and oh so pretty - in fact, such a pretty display would also be ideal for a spring wedding! Let's get started, by cracking open the choccy eggs ... 



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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


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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

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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.



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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.


Easy Easter table display

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Monday 7 April 2014

Changing soft furnishings with nature 'Spring summer'


Spring is here! Little creatures are unfurling and so are our gardens. Blokes are wearing flip flops as early as March and we girls are fretting over our pastry white legs. We change our wardrobe and our diet with the seasons so why not the inside of our homes? I can't afford to do much but even swapping my soft furnishings over twice a year (in the spring and again in the autumn) makes the world of difference. Why? because it lifts my spirits and invigorates my surroundings. I feel more in tune with nature and it just makes me feel better.



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Friday 7 March 2014

Seasonal decoration - Bringing the blossom in


Isn't it BEAUTIFUL out there people?! The BLOSSOM is out. I don't care what anyone says, that signifies Spring to me. Even if it snows ... it's Spring snow (?) So for today's 'Favourite Fings' I wanted to share a few photos of my foraging adventures this month ... and show you how to save pennies (and the planet) by adorning your house with Spring.





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Tuesday 25 February 2014

Crochet spring blanket and granny square cushion


Crochet - I've rambled about it before and I'll ramble about it again because it's just so lovely! It's quick, easy AND I can do it while watching 'Call the midwife' without making mistakes :-)
I've been itching to share my latest project with you. It's still ongoing but I didn't think you'd mind. I saw these beautiful yarns and immediately thought of spring ... new growth, buds and bluebells!




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