Five of my favourite craft posts

After thinking about my favourite hedges last week I got thinking about all the crafts I've shared here. For someone that only got back into crafting at the start of 2014 there's more than I expected. Today I'm sharing five of my favourites.

1. Cute Triangle pouches

These pouches were my first attempt at sewing anything useful for quite a while. I'd bought some fabric on a visit to the V&A but hadn't used it. So when I finally bought some small zips I knew what I was going to make.  

And there's two because I made one for my mum, as a surprise.  And quite a surprise for her for me to make something as a gift.  I've since made more and filled them with sweets on the Christmas tree. They were quite popular too!

2. Gift bows from magazines

The simplicity of this one amazed me. I grew up in the Seventies when these kind of bows where on presents everywhere. I know you can still get them but somehow they went off my radar.  But they're back and I think I like the handmade upcycled magazine versions even more.

3. Bleached pine cones

This is one that's not for the impatient. Or the unorganised.  But despite being both of those I tried it anyway. For the price of a bottle of bleach I got some pretty pine cones - and clean bricks in the garden too!

4. Rolled paper shapes for cards

Another use for those old magazines - something I've plenty of. At the time there were lots of rolled paper items around so I thought I'd get in on the act.  I used my new die cutting machine and the result was squashed rolled paper shapes, but an effect I loved even more than the rolled paper shapes.  I need to do these again soon I think.

5. My new tote bag

Yes more sewing, and this is a recent project too.  When I agreed to make this bag I only hoped it would turn out as well as it did. I'm itching to make some more of these style bags, but goodness knows what I'll do with them.  It's not exactly the kind of bag I could send MOH to the shops with is it?

So there you go, my five favourite craft posts - did I include your favourite?

Three of my favourite hedges

Yes, you read that right. I have favourite hedges. They're pretty special too. I love how they're shaped and recognisably so. At home I shape some of my plants but so far haven't really ventured too far from the box spheres or the cone shaped yew.  Maybe one day I will, but in the meantime I'll be admiring these hedges instead.

1. The "wave" hedges at the Thames Barrier Park

We discovered this one on a bike ride and it was an unexpected find especially so close to home too. The hedges are in one an old lock which was an entrance to London's docks. We've cycled past these many times since and one day I'll stop again for another photo shoot!

See more at: Hedges at the Thames Barrier Park

2. The bubble hedges at Houghton Hall

This was on another cycling adventure and quite a day too.  As I made my way to Houghton Hall to meet MOH my chain came off and without any tools to start to fix it I was stranded until MOH found me.  That prompted a purchase of my own bike tool as you'd imagine I didn't want to be stuck like that again.

We got soaked, dried out in the cafe and had a great afternoon wandering around the house, its grounds and the walled garden - it's a huge place too, so plenty of room for hedges.  These bubble hedges were my favourite but there's also the Sybil hedge here and much, much more to see.

See more at: Hedges and huts at Houghton Hall

3. The elephant hedge at Stiffkey

Another Norfolk hedge, this one is in someone's garden so to see this one there was some strategic walking up and down and getting up on tiptoes. But it was worth it, just look.

See more at: Stiffkey hedges and stores

So there you have my favourite hedges, do you know of more I'd like?

Turning a negative into a positive

Today I'm handing my blog over to my blogging friend Louisa who's sharing what she's been up to lately and her plans for the future. 

Hi there! Have you ever had something happen, that at first glance seems like a total disaster but upon reflection you can actually turn into something really positive? This happened to me recently and Stephanie has kindly asked me to write a guest post talking about what occurred and sharing my plans for the future.

Until recently I had a blog called Life As We Know It. For 2 years I updated and shared my family life with all it’s ups and downs. Then, I suffered every bloggers worst nightmare when I lost my blog despite my host’s best efforts to repair it. It really hit me hard.

After a little wallow I had a light bulb moment and decided to use this to my advantage. With a clean slate I could start again with a clearer idea of what direction I wanted to go in. Following some brain storming I purchased a new url and my upcoming new blog Inside Out was born. It has the tag line mind, body and home. I’m aiming at the slightly older reader and plan to cover topics such as interiors, renovations, home and garden, body image, mental and physical health, style and beauty (for those of us who are the wrong side of 39) and lots of crafting ideas and tutorials.

In other news despite being on crutches, I managed a weekend away to learn how to use my camera in manual. I learnt so much and hope to persuade my other half that I need a macro lens. Here are a few shots to show what I learnt...

On the home front the kids and dogs are delightful at the moment which is slightly worrying. I wonder if they are lulling me into a false sense of security while they plan world domination in secret? They are being very patient with our ongoing renovation programme. This week we had a new log burner fitted which was a cause of great excitement! Junior loves making YouTube videos at the moment and has just declared he is going to do a house tour video. It’s disconcerting when your kids are more tech savvy than you isn’t it?

The date of my new publication depends on whether I have to have spinal surgery, I don’t want to start and then have to take a few months off to recover. I feel like I am 900 years old at the moment. I just want to get fixed and start writing again! I have really enjoyed writing this post, I miss blogging very much.

I do hope that when I do start up again you will come over for a read. I’d love for you to comment with any suggestions of things that you’d like to see or topics that you would like to read about? Thank you Stephanie for letting me give a little update explaining the sudden disappearance of my old blog and how I am turning a negative into a positive. I hope you have a great holiday!

Thanks Louisa. I'm looking forward to seeing back blogging, the plans for your new blog sound fab - and fingers crossed for no surgery.  Until Louisa's blog, Inside Out, is live keep in touch with her on Twitter and Instagram.