A Month of Moments Part 4: 22-31/31

It's been fun but all good things must come to an end. A Month of Moments, a word for every day of the month visually represented in photographs. I would recommend taking part in a link up, it's been a great creative challenge and has allowed me to meet and have some insight into other people's lives across the world. It's funny how we can live on different continents, come from different cultures and maybe have different beliefs but still have so much in common.

Pin It

#Monday Moodboard - RED

There appears to be an inadvertent theme running here, without realising it over the years we have bought a number of red items for our house etc. Has this ever happened to you, a reoccurring shape, colour or style?

Happy Monday everyone, have a fab week.

Pin It

A Month of Moments Part 3: 9-21/31

I fell behind on 'A Month of Moments' this week due to the dreaded Noro Virus, I'm still camped on the sofa under a blanket trying to shift this damn illness. Is this virus worldwide or just isolated to the UK? I thought the last image in this series 'fragrant' was very apt!

Anyway I digress...to find out more visit Pip Lincolnes blog JustB; it's been fun joining in this creative 'link up', only another week to go!

Pin It

Strawberry Jam Tarts Recipe - De-lish!

I'd heard that jam tarts were easy to make but had never tried them, and yes they are easy to make, very easy. What a reward for such little effort, bite-size morsels of sweet jammy joy.

I have to admit I did cheat a bit and used my stand mixer to make the pastry and my gorgeous daughter was on jam administration duty!

Anyway here's the recipe, I've included instructions for making the pastry by hand and by mixer/food processor. I hope you get as much satisfaction from making and eating them as we did.

Ingredients

Strawberry jam (or any other jam you like)

200g (7oz) plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp icing sugar
110g (4oz) softened butter cut in to small cubes
1-2 tbsp cold water

Equipment Needed

Mixing bowl or stand mixer/food processor
Rolling pin
Pastry cutter
12 hole tart tin

Method

Pastry by Hand

1. Sift flour, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl.
2. Add the butter, rub the butter into the flour using your finger tips keeping the pressure light.
3. Once the butter has been rubbed into the flour it should look like a breadcrumb crumbly mixture.
4. Sprinkle in some of water and gently mix in using a knife, the mixture will begin to bind together, if not add a little more water. You will know when the pastry is ready as it will leave the bowl fairly clean.
5. Using a pastry cutter.

Pastry by Mixer/Food Processor

1. Place the flour, salt and icing sugar in to the mixing bowl.
2. Add the butter to the bowl and mix with flat beater (or recommended pastry attachment as per your mixers/food processor instructions) until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add a little of the water and continue to mix until a smooth dough forms, if it does not form immediately add a little more water.
4. Once the dough is formed knead it a little on a floured surface.

Method cont...

5. Wrap the pastry in cling film and place in the fridge for a minimum of 30 mins.
6. On a floured surface roll out the dough using a floured rolling pin until the dough is about 3-4mm thick.
7. Using a circular pastry cutter cut out the tart cases and place in the tart tin ensuring that each tart cavity is lightly greased to ensure the cases don't stick.
8. Add a generous tsp of jam and then place in the centre of the oven at 200 degrees centigrade for approx 15 mins or until the pasty is golden and the jam is bubbling. CAUTION THE JAM WILL BE VERY HOT AND CAN BURN!
9. Set aside on a wire rack to cool before eating.

Add pastry stars or hearts on top to decorate, alternatively letters of the alphabet would be fun for children. Most of all enjoy eating them!

Pin It

#Monday Moodboard - Snowy Weekend

It's been a winter wonderland this weekend with lots of snow time fun, sledging, snow man building and hot chocolate to warm ourselves up. I wonder how long it will last?

Have a lovely week.

Pin It

12 Place I'd like to Stay - Quirky UK Holidays

As I sit here writing this it's bitterly cold outside and snow has been forecast for some time this week, maybe even tonight! The wood burner is roaring and I am happily snuggled under my blanket thinking about where to go on our summer holidays.

We didn't go away last year, instead we holidayed at home, a year off on maternity leave and a tough economic climate made cash a bit tight. We still managed to have a great time with trips to the beach, barbecues and lazy days in the sunshine.

Next year we are planning to visit Australia to see much missed family, so this years holiday will be on a budget, however this doesn't stop me from looking at a range of accommodation, you could say it is a 'holiday wish list'.

::Rent a Bell Tent - Devon:: 

We are looking to buy a bell tent one day, if you want to try before you buy check out the link above, you can opt to have your tent set up for you upon arrival.  There are various options to choose from, ranging from the basic 'tent and ground sheet only' to luxury, available across a few campsites in beautiful Devon.

::The Beach Hut - Widemouth Bay, Cornwall::

This unique beach hut in North Cornwall looks stunning, built in the 1920's it's situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty.  The beach hut has simple seaside chic with a clapperboard exterior and wooden floors making it a characterful and cosy hideaway.  Stars such as Kate Winslet have holidayed here, whats good enough for Kate.....need I say more?

::The Chapel - Walcot Hall, Shropshire::

This tiny chapel was saved from destruction and renovated by highly skilled woodworkers creating a serene environment to stay in.  The chapel stands amongst the English oaks and chestnuts of the Walcot Arboretum. It is accessible on foot only via a 500 yard walk from the stable block and car park.  Suitable footwear is a must for this picture perfect location.

::Yotel - Heathrow Airport, Middlesex::

This Yotel is located inside Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport, it's only minutes away from the departures and arrival gates.  Yotel offers "a first class hotel experience at a great value price". 'Cabins' are bookable by the hour with check in and check out times totally flexible for you to choose from.  The cabins are small but perfectly formed and smartly designed so that everything is at your fingertips as well as offering wi-fi, drinks and food 24/7.

::Beach Huts - Mudford Spit, Dorset::

Muford Spit boasts the most expensive beach hut in the UK recently selling for £170'000, not bad for a place with no running water.  You can rent huts that sleep up to 6 for a fraction of the price.  Its a great location on one of the best coastlines in the UK.

::Martello Tower - Sutton, Dublin::

Fear of an invasion by Napoleon in 1804 and was the reason Martello Towers were built, their purpose was to provide towers from which fire could be directed at the expected French invasion fleet.  The Martello Tower Sutton was the first to be built in Ireland and offers breathtaking views with plush accommodation, truly a unique holiday location.

::Tibbetts - Lundy (Puffin Island), Devon::

Tibbetts was built in 1909 on the second highest point of the island and apparently 14 lighthouses can be seen from it on a clear night.  Tibbetts has no electricity but does have a pumped water supply and a shower. It retains its original four built-in bunks and is "the sort of place where you can wander around in your pyjamas collecting mushrooms for breakfast".

::Gypsy Caravan - Cleave Farm, Devon::

This classic bowtop waggon at Cleave Farm in Devon comes complete with a hot tub, fire pit for cooking, an orchard and traditional authentic paintwork.  Whilst traditional in style the waggon has a gas hob for a quick cuppa and a comfy bed that folds away. Situated in an orchard at Cleave Farm the focus is on the slow life and relaxation, sounds idyllic to me!

::Eco Pod - Argyll, Scotland::

Ecopod is a light, open plan and relaxed style of accommodation that has panoramic sweeping views of Loch Linnhe and the mountains of Mull. The pod has been decorated to a high spec and houses all the mod cons as well as fantastic locally sourced produce and toiletries, the best of both worlds in a beautiful part of the UK.

::House in The Clouds - Thorpeness, Suffolk::

Originally intended for water storage for local residents, due to its unsightly nature The House in the Clouds was born.  The cottage housed the water tank but now this famous folly has now been turned into fantastic holiday accommodation.

::The Tree House - Alnwick, Northumberland:: 

This Treehouse is built from sustainably sourced wood and sits high in the treetops looking like it’s been there forever.  There are walkways in the sky and wobbly rope bridges and all are accessible by wheelchair and buggy.  Features include an education centre and a restaurant as well as log fires and handcrafted furniture.  Sounds like a fantastic place to take the children.

::Belle Tout Light House - Eastbourne, East Sussex::

The Belle Tout Lighthouse at Beachy Head was built in 1832 and decommissioned in 1902; it has been a tea-shop, a home, it was partly destroyed during the second world war and lovingly rebuilt in the 50's and is now a hotel with a difference.
This hotel offers 360 degree views of the English Channel and the surrounding countryside, a one off experience in a great part of the world.

There are such a range of diverse places you can stay at in the UK on a variety of budgets, this really is just the 'tip of the iceberg'.  if anyone has visited any of the above, I'd love to hear about it, its always good to get a recommendation.

Pin It

A Month of Moments Part Two: 8-14/31

Here is week 2 of a Month of Moments, the creative link up by Pip Lincolne (see my previous post for more info).  I've struggled with a few this week but they look okay as a collection.  If you know of any other link ups let me know, I'd like to join more in the future.

Pin It

#Monday Moodboard - Neon Love

I love living so close to the sea, just a short drive away is the seafront with arcades, fish and chip shops and the beach. During the day the arcades look a bit forlorn and shabby, such a contrast to at night when the lights dance and flash. I've alway been a sucker for the 2p drop machines, how about you?

Have a wonderful week, keep warm and safe in the snow (or cool and safe if in warmer climates).

Pin It

Guest Bloggers...watch this space!

I'm really excited, over the next few months Make, Do, Sew will feature some posts from guest bloggers. This is a learning curve for me, I have guest posted once before but have never hosted guests on my blog, lets hope my hosting skills be be adequate! I've met some lovely people through blogging and I am really pleased to be able to feature some of those people here.

Guest posting is a great way to meet new people in the blogging community as well as introducing readers to new blogs that may interest them. I am aiming to host a guest post once a month and I will hopefully be able to return the favour by posting on my guests blog too. If you are interested in guest posting on my blog please feel free to message me on my Facebook page or leave a comment below.

So, watch this space and as they say 'mi casa su casa'.

Pin It

A Month Of Moments - Creative Link Up #amonthof 1-7/31

I'm such a novice blogger, I've been seeing hashtag link-ups on Instagram for a while now and didn't know what they were all about. I've now joined the JustB blog link up 'A Month of Moments' (#amonthof). Each day an inspirational word is given that can be interpreted in any way (see the info below).

I've really enjoyed participating so far and thought I'd share my first weeks work, a series of photos; it has been great to have a creative challenge each day and so far with a bit of app trickery I've been quite happy with the results. Why not join in, it's not too late and if this months theme doesn't appeal to you maybe next months will.

Pin It