Getting Ready for a Healthy, Happy and Productive 2017

To say that 2016 hasn't quite gone to plan would be an understatement. I had big plans for all aspects of my life; the blog, the business and our home. With the year whizzing by in a flash along with a few personal challenges and the loss of loved ones, my plans have not transpired.

It hasn't been all bad though. Where I haven't achieved a few of my goals, I have achieved something else. Other than a years worth of fantastic memories with my family, knowledge and motivation are top of my list. I have learned so much whilst running my own business (Hello My PA) and re-discovering my confidence in my professional abilities has served to remind me of my skills and how I can use those in 2017 to reach my goals.

This post isn't about looking back over what hasn't happened. Instead I am taking stock of everything I have learned, getting prepared for the year ahead and declaring that 2017, I am so ready for you.

Healthy Home Improvements

You may recall a while ago I shared with you a piece of furniture that I had saved from a 'skip' pile at a local charity donation centre. Before the weather turned too cold, I got to work sanding down the sideboard so I could get creative. I couldn't wait to get it prepped for some pretty chalk paints.

How to Create a Floral Doily Cushion with Cricut

The exhibitors of The Handmade Fair are back with some great tutorials for you Crafty Bs. If you haven't already planned your visit, don't forget to book your tickets using the special Crafty Bs discount code.

This week we are joined by Cricut. A world leader in personal electronic cutting machines, Cricut enables people to achieve their creative best. For 50 years, Cricut has sold tools that inspire creativity, including the Cricut electronic cutting machine, Cricut Craft Room design software, and the Cricut Cuttlebug embosser and die cutter. Today, millions of people use Cricut products to create projects, and Cricut products have won dozens of industry awards, including, most recently, the Best Innovation Award 2014 from Hobbycraft. You will find them at stand E31 at The Handmade Fair but today they are sharing how to create a floral doily cushion. 

Make a Pompom Garden Seat Cushion with Multipom

The exhibitors of The Handmade Fair are back with some great tutorials for you Crafty Bs. If you haven't already planned your visit, don't forget to book your tickets using the special Crafty Bs discount code.

This week, Multipom join us with step by step instructions on how to create your own pompom garden seat cushion. They will be at stand W3 at the fair so be sure to pop by, say hi and get your free pompom! 

Making Home Link Up #39: The Real Morning of a Mummy

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up! 

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

This week for me has been a mixture of wonderful moments and high stress levels. Multi tasking has taken on a new meaning over the last couple days as I have had to keep on task for all of my VA clients, keep the blog a float and most importantly, celebrate a very special birthday. 

Baby B turned a big ol' 5 this week. I cannot believe that it was 5 years ago that my first born made his dramatic entrance into the world. Most odd is the feeling of how long ago it seems but at the same time it feels like yesterday. I remember the whole experience perfectly and our journey as parents at Crafty Bs HQ has been amazing. Every day throws up its challenges but equally brings joy, smiles and complete heart wrenching love. 

Let's be real though. We all have those days. Remember this post about The Morning of a Mummy? Mummy's I know you identify...

How To Create Your Own Air Plant Terrarium by The Indoor Botanist

The exhibitors of The Handmade Fair are back with some great tutorials for you Crafty Bs. If you haven't already planned your visit, don't forget to book your tickets using the special Crafty Bs discount code.

Today's guest will be found on stand E80 at The Handmade Fair this September. With a totally unique range of planted terrariums The Indoor Botanist will bring inspiration, peace and the joy of nature into your home or workspace. In this post, they are sharing how to create your own air plant terrarium.

Making Home Link Up #38: A Legoland Adventure

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up! 

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

The past week seems to have passed by in a blur. Whilst I am trying to figure out how to reset the anti-flood system on my dishwasher, I'm recalling what I have to update you on.

Making Home Link Up #37: How To Survive The Summer Holidays

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up! 

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

We're back! I hope you have missed the #MakingHome link up as much as I have for the last couple of weeks. We took a little break whilst we shared some great interviews with exhibitors and crafty folk who will be attending Kirstie Allsopp's, The Handmade Fair this September. If you missed the series, you can catch up with the interviews here. I recommend you do. If you are heading to the fair, there are some exclusive offers on the blog and if you haven't got your tickets yet, there is a special discount code to be found in each post as well as a link win tickets for the event! To say I am excited about the fair is an understatement and having interviewed lots of the people going, that excitement is now top level. I have already planned what food I want, what coffee I want, what stalls I NEED to go to and in some cases, I already know what is going to be on offer and I have started a fair fund! Anyway, I digress.

Making Home Link Up #36: The Ultimate Caravanner’s Cook Book

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

Whilst we are enjoying making our homes beautiful, it's always nice to go on an adventure. The summer months are upon us (well, sort of) and we are seeing caravans appearing on the roads being towed by excited families ready for their summer jollies. 

Very recently, I was invited to contribute to an e-book with these families in mind. With hundreds of thousands of Brits every year taking their home away from home, 'The Ultimate Caravanner's Cook Book' is an essential guide to easy home cooking in the caravan.

The Ultimate Caravanner’s Cook Book

Making Home Link up #35: Upcycling Furniture #NationalUpcyclingDay

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

I took a leap. I have been so inspired by some of the posts that I read on other blogs, that I decided to try something new. Something a bit different for me. I am dreading it and I am excited all at the same time. I hope you're going to offer up some tips, some advice and some posts to inspire my next project; upcyling some furniture!

Making Home Link Up #34: Raising Money for MS Trust

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

This week's post from me is not so much craft or decor related, but the topic is close to my heart. As the day that my sister gets thrown from a plane draws nearer, I wanted to re-share a post I wrote a short while ago: MS: A Personal Account.

Making Home Link Up #33: Win a Pair of Full Experience Tickets to Kirstie Allsopp's The Handmade Fair

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

It probably won't be a surprise to you that I am a big fan of Kirstie Allsopp. I have always enjoyed a bit of Location, Location, Location and Relocation, Relocation. When Kirstie ventured into the world of TV shows demonstrating her love and enthusiasm for crafting and 'handmade', I couldn't help but identify with her. Mostly the way she gets overly excited and enthused about the tiniest (but pretty/cool/lovely) things. It is very much like watching someone imitate my reactions! 

This September, I will be heading the The Handmade Fair to indulge in all things crafty and, well, handmade. You #CraftyBs can join me by getting your discounted tickets by using the your very exclusive #CraftyBs code which is valid until the 31st August 2016. Whilst you are here though, you may as well enter our giveaway to win a pair of full experience tickets! 

Making Home Link Up #32: 101 Budget Friendly Ideas for Your Summer Adventures

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

With the icy cold winter months finally starting to fade in our memory, the recent heatwave starting to warm us back to life and the summer holidays just over the horizon you may be starting to plan your summer adventures.

If your bank balance is already showing the early signs of a panic attack with the endless requests of day trips to theme parks and pricey soft play centres, you may be thankful to hear about this fab new ebook. Created with the input of over 100 of the best British parenting bloggers, the book contains a serious plethora of budget friendly activities and destinations.

101 Ideas for Having Fun with the Kids this Summer 

Making Home Link Up #31: Making Wind Chimes With Your Mini Makers

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post which is a tutorial by Amy of Hooked showing us how to make wind chimes with our little ones. 

Making Home Link Up #30: Needle Felting Project For The Home

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

This week I have learned a new craft. Ok I am still learning but I am totally loving needle felting. I fully intended to give this ago around the time I moved house (ahem...18 months ago) but I found that the equipment you apparently needed was fairly pricy just for giving it a go. Last year I picked up a little kit to make a seascape picture which I thought would fit nicely with a decor scheme I had in mind in the utility room. The kit contained a foam mat, a single needle and holder (with a spare needle) a piece of felt and enough fibres to create the picture. It was just £9. This week I took it out of the pack on a whim and just, went for it. It was so easy and very therapeutic.

Making Home Link Up #29: How To Make Overnight Oats

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

Hello you crafty lot. No guest poster this week. I am here to rave to you about my new discovering for super easy breakfast times!

Recently I have been on a bit of a lifestyle shake up. As I am now working from home and being a full time Mummy, I have found a need to change things up a bit, increase my energy and productivity levels and reduce my stress levels. I have gradually changed my eating habits over the last year, very slowly (but hopefully permanently) lost 2.5stone (16kg) and I'm working on becoming fitter; yes I have ACTUALLY been exercising! 

Part of my little re-jig in lifestyle has been making life easier and I have discovered overnight oats. I am sure you have seen these all over the place along with some intricate recipes with all sorts but I am all about keeping it simple. They are great to grab out of the fridge in the morning and the Little B's love them too.

Making Home Link Up #28: How to Crochet a Heart Shape

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post which is a fabulous crochet tutorial from Eve over at Little Miss & Mummy.

Today I'm sharing this really quick and easy pattern for a crochet heart, prefect for using up those odd bits of yarn you have lying around.

How to Decoupage with Paper Napkins: Make a Tile Coaster and a Desk Tidy

It is no secret that I am a bit of a hoarder. It's a trait I am certain I share with crafters and creatives around the world. I see the potential in everything to become something better than it is or to be used in a project. Pretty paper napkins do not escape my attention. Not only do they make a nice addition to a table setting when entertaining but they can be used in my craft projects too. In the past I have made paper pom poms with napkins but in this post,  I am going to show you how to use them in your decoupage projects. 

Making Home Link Up #27: How to Make Coasters with Fimo Clay

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post by Angela from Garden Tea Cakes and Me who is showing us how to make coasters with Fimo clay.

Making Home Link Up #26: Gardening Jobs For April

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about home; moving house, home decor, DIY, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more. It’s all here under one roof at Mrs Crafty B’s.

Don't forget to join in this week and link up your own posts. The linky is open from Friday until Tuesday. Find out how to take part at the end of this post. 

This week, Joanna from Adventures and Tea Parties offers up a list of jobs you can do in the garden in April to get a head start on a beautiful garden this summer.