Manchester to Fredrikstad - 4-night travel itinerary for early Summer
Manchester to New England - a road trip itinerary for 16 nights in Summer
Itinerary journal of my jam-packed summer touring holiday through New England, taking in Maine, Vermont and a Boston city break.
Low-and-Slow Pecan & Pumpkin Seed Granola
Very simple two-step recipe for homemade pecan and pumpkin seed granola. Memories of Suffolk.
Sewing a square neck tiered midi dress in Liberty Heidi cotton poplin from 1970’s Style 1169 pattern
Fifth time I am using this pattern. Perfected the fit, and finally making with an expensive fabric, Liberty’s cotton poplin in Heidi. Absolute favourite make with this pattern so far. Lessons learnt and seam finished, with detailed dressmaking closeups.
Leeds to Jersey: a 3-night travel itinerary for Spring
My travel itinerary for 3 days in Jersey, Channel Islands. Ideas for walking, history and dining.
Leeds to Penzance - 4 nights in Summer
Travel tinerary for a 4-day mid-week summertime break in Penzance.
Apricot jam
Recipe for homemade apricot jam - more apricot than sugar. Making a taste of France at home.
Sewing high-waisted trousers in smooth serge wool twill from 1970’s Vogue 1275 pattern
Working with a 1970’s Vogue Basic Design pattern, sewing a pair of single pleated trousers in serge wool twill. Details on total make time, adjustments, seam finishes, and lessons learnt.
Sewing a boat neck summer dress with tie back in a novelty print cotton from Vogue 1102
Journal of my making a boat-neck dress with a shaped underbust seam and large tie bow at the back. Details on total make time, pattern adjustments and lessons learnt.
Leeds to Alnmouth, Northumberland Coast - 2 nights in Summer
Travel itinerary for a short weekend break in Alnmouth.
Leeds to Belgian Ardennes and France - 14 nights in Summer
Itinerary journal of my jam-packed summer touring holiday through the Belgian Ardennes and Northern France, starting with a ferry from Hull into Rotterdam.
Leeds to Cotswolds for William Morris - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend break near Kelmscott Manor in The Cotswolds.
Sewing a tent dress with dagger collar in Liberty crepe-de-chine from Very Easy Vogue 8593
Working from a 1970’s Style pattern, my reflections on making a very loose fitting maxi dress in Liberty crepe-de-chine; the first time working with silk but the second time with this pattern. Main lesson: crepe-de-chine is difficult to cut out…
Leeds to Norfolk - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend cycling break near the North Norfolk Coast.
Leeds to Suffolk - 2 nights in Summer
Itinerary for a short weekend break with a friend on the Suffolk Coast.
Sewing a scoop neck tiered sundress from a 1970’s Butterick 7012 pattern
Going off-piste, using quilting cotton for a simple summer tiered dress with topstitching.
Leeds to Guernsey: a 4-night travel itinerary for Spring
My travel itinerary for 4 days in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Ideas for hiking, history and dining.
Sewing a princess seamed dress with short puff-sleeves and collar from 1980’s Style 4603 pattern
First time sewing princess seams, first time sewing with proper shirting fabric. Starting from a 1980’s Style pattern, how long I took, adjustments made and lessons learn from my sky blue button-up midi dress with contrasting white collar and pearl buttons.
Stopover in Denver: a plan for 24 hours
My itinerary for a 24 hour stop in Denver.
Leeds to Småland, Sweden: a leisure cycling and off-road biking travel itinerary
Travelling in summer, my itinerary for 7 nights in Smaland, Sweden, cycling amid lakes, islands, country lanes, and deep forests.