The smell of Christmas...

...has filled my kitchen as I've just made my mincemeat!  It's filled with apples, cranberries and lots of other fruits, and it smells (and tastes) delicious.  It's a shame that the majority of it will be given away as gifts - what lucky people they are!

Pear picking!

I've just picked my first basket full of pears.  I think I'll try making some Pear & Ginger Cordial this year! Wish me luck!

Luna Lighting

I first discovered Luna Lighting at the Country Living Spring Fair a few months ago.  Designer, Anna Perring creates a wide range of beautiful tea light holders each with their own intricate, yet so simple design.

My little 'Tug Boat' candle holder sits perfectly on my mantle piece and just looks magical.  The 'Little House' version is a favourite of mine too.

Anyone for tea & cake?

I've just bought this very convincing set of hand-knitted cakes to sit happily on my cake stand (for display purposes only in my dresser!).  I just couldn't resist them on eBay.

Simply delicious to look at - if only they were real!

Down at the farm

Last Sunday, we decided to take a trip to Church Farm in Ardeley to see where our weekly box delivery of meat, fruit, veg, cheese and butter comes from!

The farm not only has lots of sheep and pigs to look at (and feed!) but there's a cafe, shop and play area for children too.

I couldn't resist the farm's All Day Breakfast before heading home.

A simple, seasonal posie!

Freshly picked from my garden... Sweet Peas, Cat Mint and Lavender.  Who needs to buy overseas flowers when we can grow simple, British flowers in our own gardens.

Sweet peas are so easy to grow and the more you pick, the more they flower!  And they smell so lovely too.

Happy Independents' Day!

Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail are teaming up with independent retails today to celebrate 'Independents' Day.

People around the UK are encouraged to buy at least one item from an independent retailer and to celebrate the diversity on the high street.  With support from a host of trade associations and media around the country, it is sure to be a hit with retailers and the public.

So go on, hit your local high street and support your independent shops!!

Some of my favourite local shops!

Breeze, Trinity Street, Cambridge
Cuckoo Clothing and Cuckoo Kids - Burwash Manor, Barton and St Mary's Passage, Cambridge
Mia Caro, High Street, Royston
Ark, St Mary's Passage, Cambridge
Bury Lane Farm Shop, A10, nr Melbourn
Nest, Burwash Manor, Barton

Happy knitters at Jolie

I just popped into the gorgeous little shop, Jolie in Walkern to be greeted by a happy group of ladies who were knitting whilst drinking tea and eating biscuits.  Pure bliss!  How I would have loved to join them... perhaps soon!?

I just love this manifesto 'From Britain With Love"

It pretty much sums up what me and my Little House are all about!

If you're a believer too then please visit my website and the lovely one created for From Britain With Love for more inspiration!

Beautifully handmade beach huts!

Thank you to everyone who came to my Mrs B's Buttons party last night. I'm so happy with my string of beautifully made beach huts - I can't wait to hang them up!

If you haven't already heard about this great little business set up by two very talented and lovely mums, please click here!

My new shelf!

I love my new shelf from Alison Capeling! I can definitely recommend this lovely company based in Cornwall. Alison was so helpful and very kindly agreed to make this according to my needs. It's only a little thing but it looks very pretty in my kitchen, oh and it's a great place to hang things too!!

Rhubarb & Elderflowers - a sweet treat!

After my delicious Elderflower Cordial last year I was unable to buy the Citric Acid that I needed to make it again (it seems that everyone's making it this year!!!), so I had to search for new and exciting ways to use the sweet-smelling flowers.

I have a fantastic book called 'From Mother to Daughter' which has some simple ideas for country living, including a recipe for Rhubarb & Elderflower Jam.

This was perfect, as whilst the elderflowers were blooming along the hedgerows around us our farm box also arrived with freshly picked rhubarb!

This jam is superb, especially on warmed scones and cream!!

What a treat!

I love Bread and Jam!

I have completely fallen in love with the lovely, little dresses from Bread and Jam. I recently bought one for my daughter to wear for her 4th birthday party. Just gorgeous!

Country Living Spring Fair

I'm looking forward to visiting the Country Living Spring Fair on Friday, so if you'd like to get together for a cuppa and a chat to see how I can help your business, please let me know.

Have a great fair everyone!!

My new 'handmade' cushions!

Anyone who knows me will be more than aware that I recently became obsessed with decorating my lounge, in particular the choice of fabric for my new cushions! I'll be honest, I almost confused myself!!!

But, after choosing some wonderful fabric printed by England-based, Vanessa Arbuthnott, I got out my sewing machine and got busy making my eight new cushions!

Although I studied textiles many years ago, it had been a while since I'd started such a big project, but sewing is like riding a bike... you never forget!!!

So here they are, my beloved pride and joy!!!

Hmm, what will I make next?

Me & my scarf - made by me

It may be a beautiful, sunny morning, but it's chilly in the shed... but no need to worry I have my handmade scarf to wear and a cup of coffee to keep me warm.

Wedded bliss and beautiful cakes!

I went to the National Wedding Fair at Olympia with my sister, who owns Crafty Wedding Essentials, yesterday. We thought it would be fun to have look at what trends are coming through and all I can say is that there was lots of loveliness.

Both of us are already married, so we resisted the temptation to try on dresses, and instead took a great interest in the cakes and gorgeous trimmings.

Here are just a few photos. If in the meantime you're planning your wedding and designing your own stationery, please visit my sister's Facebook page.

Happy planning!

Time to get crafting!

One of my new year's resolutions has been to make more time for crafts as up until now it just hasn't happened.

So after being inspired by all things Allsopp and this fabulous website www.grannyknits.co.uk I'm getting ready to knit, sew and hopefully cross-stitch.

And how am I going to find the time?

Well, some friends and I have decided to meet on a regular basis for 'Make and Be Merry' evenings, which will no doubt involve something refreshing to drink too - even if it's just a cup of tea!

Wish me luck!