Wednesday 14 January 2015

Sweater three ways - gloves, scarf AND headband - one jumper / 5 minutes.


As promised, here is part two of my 'sweater 3 ways' project.
In part one we made a pair of fingerless mittens out of a felted jumper which you can watch below or see here.  In part two, we are going to make a snood (circular scarf that covers neck and head) AND a warm winter headband out of the very SAME jumper AND (I'm sorry about all the capitals but I feel this project warrants it) AND it only takes a few MINUTES!! This is an easy peasy make and is suitable for everyone and anyone.

Enjoy and keep warmin'!
JM x


Part two: From sweater to headband and snood ... in 5 minutes.






Part one: How to make mittens from a jumper ... in minutes.





Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Thursday 8 January 2015

VIDEO: How to make gloves from an old jumper - in minutes!


Hi all! Here's a brand new video for you, which will show you how to make a pair of fingerless mittens from an old jumper (sweater - to my American friends ;-) in a matter of minutes!
This is ideal for absolute beginners and no sewing experience is necessary.

NOTE: I'll be following this video with another very soon, showing you how to make a snood (neck scarf) and headband out of the same jumper so don't throw your jumper away after you've made the gloves!

Enjoy! 
JM x



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Friday 26 September 2014

No-sew winter curtains - in minutes (and they're beautiful!)


Morning autumnal poppets! Hubby's away at the moment so I've been having a good clear out, and I'm starting to cosify the house ready for autumn. So before I forget I wanted to remind you of a video I made last year, which has proved really popular with 40,000 views ... it's a short tutorial on making thick, warm winter curtains, without the need for sewing. If you can't see the video just clear here






So if you want to save a little on your heating this year don't rush buy new expensive winter curtains - This project takes minutes to do, you only need a couple of things and it costs very little money. It's looks much nicer too I think! 


JM x



To receive the latest post via email
 simply enter your email address below

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Friday 25 July 2014

My floral fair isle cardigan + shopping for knitwear in Summer (yes that's what I said)


Oh my dear readers, look what Mr Postie brought me this week! I can say with the utmost certainty, this humble cardigan is, without a doubt, one of my favourite fings. You can tell I love it by how happy I look ... especially since it was one of the hottest days of the year at the time of this picture (it's roasting!) As well as being a 'favourite fing' it's also a 'thrifty find' because it wasn't just luck that brought me to this cardi, it was sneakiness! and here's how you can be sneaky too ....




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Beat the Jan blues and have a HAPPY new year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I have just returned from the bosom of my family. We stayed in a lovely secluded cottage in the welsh countryside for Christmas and it was just lovely. I'm now home, a bit fat (as we all are - just don't look down, or in a long mirror until February) and though I'm getting the itch to take down the deccies and spring clean I shall refrain and make the most of the festivities while they last ... cue Mary Poppins, feet up!

It's tempting to do some housework ... but I won't.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Friday 20 December 2013

Cheesecake mince pies at Poppyloves.com

This week I've been lucky enough to guest post London lifestyle blog Poppyloves.com
Poppy (AND her blog) are just lovely, so I decided to share my very special recipe for ...

* CHEESECAKE MINCE PIES *


How to make cheesecake mince pies


The recipe was handed down from my ninja-chef of a mother in law and they are simply the best I've ever eaten. So if you'd like to sample these melt-in-the-mouth bad boys (and see me licking the bowl) pop on over to Poppyloves by



Enjoy and have a wonderful Xmas, 
JM & Ralphy the dog
X




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Friday 13 December 2013

Snow globes and old christmas ornaments.


Snow globes. I'm simply a sucker for them. But not any old plastic-made type of snow globe. It has to possess a charm, giving you the feeling it's been on a journey and looked out onto many Christmas scenes in houses over the years. I'd rather have only a small handful of well-loved sentimental ornaments that come out of a dusty old cupboard year after year, than new freshly bought bits and bobs. Like antiques, our old things seem to have a soul of their own and it's a lovely feeling when we come across them ... almost like remembering old friends.


Old fashioned snow globe



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Monday 9 December 2013

Good gift ideas for hard-to-buy-for types


Oh my, I've had such a lovely week my little festive readers. I made some delightful Orange and cinnamon stick decorations and I picked up my tree yesterday! While decorating it I ate almost all of my mince pies and watched repeats of Vicar of Dibley (pronounced 'Dimblebee' if you're my dad). 

Now when it comes to present buying every year I always get stuck for what to buy my big brother. Like many men, he has everything he wants and he has expensive taste so not the easiest person to buy for. However this week a friend told me about Good gifts www.goodgifts.org. The Good Gifts Catalogue was born 11 years ago and is a refreshing alternative to conventional unwanted presents.


Charitable christmas gifts for hard to buy types
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Friday 6 December 2013

Orange and cinnamon stick decorations


We're putting our deccies up on sunday!! Eeeeee I am so excited. It's killing me just walking past the boxes. I have been wearing my santa hat around the house though, and just because I don't have a tree (yet) doesn't mean I can't prepare my deccies for it! I make these every year. They're SO easy, quick and very rustic. 

You will need:

Oranges
Two contrasting ribbons or brown string
Cinnamon sticks
Cinnamon powder (optional)


Orange and cinnamon stick decorations

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Monday 25 November 2013

How to make: Rose hip facial oil with Lavender & Rose - part 2

Morning all! So here are the instructions on how to make a basic anti-ageing

 * Rose Hip Oil - with Lavender and Rose *






Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

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.




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

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.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...