• Archive for February, 2011

    Country Homes & Interiors – celebrating 25 years

    by  • February 28, 2011 • Living • 8 Comments

    Back in the office this morning from my holiday, I was greeted by the early copies of our April issue (on sale this Thursday – 3 March). It’s our Special Edition 25th Birthday magazine and to celebrate we have spent the last 2 months busily designing a really fresh and gorgeously Springy new look for you. All your favourite features are still there, but with new fonts, layouts and colour palette.

    Click on the digital magazine to see my favourite pages. I’d love to hear what you think of it…

    Country Homes & Interiors

    Our April issue - celebrating 25 years

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    Stitch a retro print apron

    by  • February 23, 2011 • Crafting • 0 Comments

    Fresh from the pages of our out-very-soon, new look April issue is this lovely idea for a homemade apron. We chose a beautiful Jane Churchill fabric for ours, but you could use any retro-style design. Just add a linen pocket hand-embroidered with the words ‘tea time’. It’s easy to sew in just two pieces and you can find the instructions here. For more lovely country craft ideas, visit our sister website House to Home.

    Serve breakfast in style with a homemade 'tea time' apron.

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    On hols

    by  • February 18, 2011 • Out and About • 0 Comments

    Just to let you know, I have had enough of the Great British winter and am heading off for a bit of winter sun in the Canaries. Will be back on 7 March when I hope Spring will definitely be here. Think of me on my sun lounger!

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    H&M Home: High summer collection

    by  • February 18, 2011 • Living • 5 Comments

    What a lovely, hazy summery scene. For high street homeware I’m rather impressed with H&M‘s late summer collection from pretty picnic accessories to key pieces for the beach. Affordable outdoor living!

     

    H&M High Summer picnicware

    H&M High Summer picnicware

    H&M beach accessories

    H&M beach accessories

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    Teacup sewing kit

    by  • February 16, 2011 • Crafting • 3 Comments

    I’ve just found this gorgeous little sewing kit from Made by Kate D, which I thought I’d share with you.

    Complete with everything you may need for a spot of sewing including vintage cotton reel and thread, buttons, ribbons, scissors and a tape measure, the set comes beautifully packaged in cellophane with a vintage fabric label.

    It’s such a pretty and practical gift idea for craft lovers who I’m sure will love to use it or even place it out on display.

    Teacup sewing kit, £15, Made by Kate D

    Teacup sewing kit, £15, Made by Kate D

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    A Friday treat from Hope and Greenwood

    by  • February 11, 2011 • Crafting, Eating • 5 Comments

    This lovely book came into our office this week and I just had to share it with you. Miss Hope of the nostalgic sweet shop, Hope and Greenwood presents 50 of her favourite chocolate recipes. Beautifully photographed, each recipe looks simply delectable and I can’t wait to make something. Hooray for all things cocoa-based! Published in early March and available from all good book shops.

    Miss Hope's Chocolate Box, £12.99, Ebury Press.

    Miss Hope's Chocolate Box, £12.99, Ebury Press.

    Pink Fancies

    Pink Fancies

    Strawberry and Cream Lollies

    Strawberry and Cream Lollies

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    Brighton craft show

    by  • February 9, 2011 • Crafting, Out and About • 0 Comments

    Attention stitchers and crafters in the south of England – don’t miss the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts show at the Brighton centre this weekend. As well as plenty of opportunities to add to your stash with show-only bargains from craft suppliers, there are workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions, including Alison Murray’s spectacular-sounding ‘Above and Below the Waves’, a knitted extravaganza with a sea theme – with knitted fish, mermaids, fisherman and an ‘undersea tunnel’ – all created to raise money for the RNLI.

    Knitted fisherman from Above and Below the Waves

    Knitted fisherman from Above and Below the Waves

    A winsome knitted mermaid

    A winsome knitted mermaid

    And if you’re nowhere near Brighton, the show is bound for Glasgow, Liverpool, Exeter and Cardiff later in the year.

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    Valentine’s gift ideas

    by  • February 4, 2011 • Living • 5 Comments

    It would seem love is all around us as we approach St Valentine’s day – so if you’re looking for  the perfect gift, I think these charming Emma Bridgewater mugs and Coulson Macleod artwork say  it all…

    Love all over 1/2 pint mug, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater

    Love all over 1/2 pint mug, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater

     

    Big Love 1/2 pint mug, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater

    Big Love 1/2 pint mug, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater

    P.S I LOVE YOU on reclaimed wood, £199, Coulson Macleod

    P.S I LOVE YOU on reclaimed wood, £199, Coulson Macleod

     

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    New Cath Kidston craft book

    by  • February 2, 2011 • Crafting • 1 Comment

    I never tire of looking at beautiful craft books and this new one, Sew! by Cath Kidston, £9 from Quadrille, is  truly inspiring. Beautifully designed with lots of gorgeous sewing projects, the book also takes beginners through stitching basics, includes templates, pattern sheets and a really sweet needlecase. My favourite projects are these lovely lavender bags and this pretty tote.

    Sew! by Cath Kidston

    Sew! by Cath Kidston, £9 Quadrille

    Lavender bag project

    Lavender bag project, taken from Sew! by Cath Kidston, £9 Quadrille

    Tote project

    Tote project, taken from Sew! by Cath Kidston, £9 Quadrille

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