Grow Your Roses!

Hey!

Just popping in on this super chilly August day to share some of my beautiful roses from this Summer. I've been working on these beauties for about three years! Wow, writing that sounds such an age.

It's been lots of pruning, feeding and good soil but I am sharing as it been worth it. I've been cutting beautiful roses since June, not only have I saved a fortune on cut flowers but they smell gorgeous and for me, they are worth it 100%.

If you are inspired to grow your own, start looking for rose bushes at the garden centre now or wait until the DIY centres get rose roots in store in the Spring. Make sure you feed and plant your plants so they can get enough feed from the ground. Check out this video to get blooms next Summer. Roses, if looked after well and cut correctly twice a year (Spring and Autumn) will get you the most wonderful flowers.
 

As you can see I've a mix of roses! I tend to plant similar bushes in rows such as Queen Elizabeth roses above in one bed to block colour. Then statement roses like this lovely one below in corners to add colour to what would be an empty corner of the garden.

 I could write and write about my roses, so if you have any questions drop me a comment below!

Bye for now,

Samantha x

Hello Instagram

I'm on Instagram


 Finally and probably a bit too late to the party but I have joined Instagram. If you make lovely, inspiring crafts or create wonderful recipes, drop by and let me know how you are, I'm samanthajschofield .

Look forward to being inspired,

SS x



 

Garden Neon #MondayMoods

 With the sun shining down on us today, I wanted to capture the trend for neon this Spring with some fantastic brights from the garden and from garden to oven too!

Look around you, sometimes nature can give us those brights too.

SS x

My Top 5

My Top 5 Week 1

#sbtbmytop5

I was inspired by MummaFox at www.poppyfoxathome.com to look at a 'My Top 5' for the week and see if I could set a goal of five things and stick to it for a week. Things for me.

Motherhood is beautiful, but also busy, tiring and time hungry at the same time. I wouldn't change it, just be a better juggler! Some days I think I have a few hours in the evening and Little L can't sleep or the washing needs to be done and there is my free time gone. I am not the only one, so the 'My Top 5' sounded a great project to get involved in.

So here is My Top 5 for the week....

1. Time in the garden
2. Next step to my online shop
3. Cook something I have never done before
4. Share my craftiness
5. And breathe!

So here is how I got on...

I worked out that for me to take time the garden even just to weed or tidy up, I needed to make sure Little L love it too. So we watered and grew some garden cress which by the end of the week seemed to be even more interesting!! Good start! 

Sometimes she wants to just throw gravel onto the seeds or play in the water but the whole experience is part of family life. Something we are adapting our lives to,so we don't stop doing things we love. Plus the garden is a little bit more presentable.

I am also in the process of making some beautiful vintage fabric accessories for my new online shop (more info www.samanthaschofield.co.uk). This week I set myself a target of making my vintage fabric purses for the shop.

Here is just a sneaky peek at my colour palette, my old fashioned sewing techniques (no glue here!) of making the purses.

I am really excited to be sharing these online very, very soon.

Watch this space.

 

I decided that to share my craftiness, and take a freshly baked cake to a party on Friday. I never take my cakes out as a rule, as I don't want to look a show off if you know what I mean? I don't want to say that I can be 'super woman' and even bake cakes, run a home, bring a little girl up, set up businesses, be a landlord... I am sure other busy Mum's get my drift. But after looking at the sad cakes in the shop, I went home and baked one in an hour and it went down very well. Sharing my craftiness. I even put it on my blog I was so proud! Well done Mummy.



I also wanted to cook something I had never done before, my husband is not vegetarian and even though he is very good and mostly eats veggie food I decided to roast some chicken for him instead of buying pre-packaged pieces that aren't great. This was a basil and breadcrumb coated chicken thighs recipe I made up. He enjoyed it too.

I also managed a family bread recipe also on the same night, using bananas and cherries whilst cooking the family dinner. I felt such an achievement! My list was nearly complete!

..and breathe!

With our lives with a Little L, I don't have time in the week (at the moment) for pilates or yoga classes, but it is on the list. So each night when she goes to sleep I take time out for myself. I visualise and breathe and then I am ready for a relaxing evening and am getting a great sleep as a result.

Try it yourself... Click here 

So that is week 1, the gardening, purse making and breathing really made a difference.

Go on try it yourself..Click on www.poppyfoxathome.com or follow on twitter #sbtbmytop5

Enjoy your Top 5

Sam x

Spring Flowers -little late but still pretty

Spring is here..just!

 

 

 

I wanted to write about how lovely the garden is on this fine Spring day, on the eve of our Wedding Anniversary. But sadly with freezing temperatures and frost bitten primroses it doesn't paint a lush Spring day I was hoping for. But moving on, trees are in bud, fruit bushes are ready to bud and I feel that something will happen soon to give us our Spring garden.

 

The bulbs planted around the trees are just about to flower.

 

 

Sweet peas planted in loo rolls about a month ago are now tough enough to be left outside overnight to harden.



 

The Pansies and Primroses planted out 2 weeks ago have been badly frost bitten, so I have put the rest in the green house to perk up and see off the cold night air. But at least the Muscari from our Wedding day has flowered just in time. I'll leave you with some images and hope to have more pretty ones next week..

 

 

Spring Into March...

OOHH..What I Love Is The Sign Of Spring In The Garden..

With the brighter days and the birds happily singing away, it is now time to put a bit of TLC into the garden. Luckily, last years primroses and snowdrops have come up again to say a Springtime 'Hello', so it's not a 100% start from nothing. But a few additions here and there and some prep for the Summer can be done in a few hours.

This is what I did last week when I had a few hours in the afternoon to get out in the garden for what seems like the first time this year!

Refresh those Winter pots ...

I took a few trays of primroses and potted over the tired old Winter pots with Winter pansies looking like they were at the end of the season. In a few weeks I will give them all a proper Spring clean but until I get there I'll add a dash of colour.

Spring bulbs ..up they come!!

I potted these bulbs out back in December and up they come for the start of the warmer weather. If you need to cheat for Summer do the same, plant in planters with a dash of gravel or sand in the bottom for drainage and then plant the bulbs so you can transplant when you have re-ordered (sounds organised!) your beds.
A real cheats way of popping in a dash of colour when they are established bulbs. Just be careful not damage the roots structure when moving, I use a knitting needle to disturb the roots from the soil and plant in a large hole and fill in carefully.

Cheating Seeds for Summer Blooms...

I always do this, plant the seeds inside and place on the tops of my kitchen cupboards. Why the kitchen? Well it's warm and cosy for the seeds to start to germinate and save the costs of fancy heated seeds beds.

I plant about four packs of seeds in seeds trays with multipurpose compost, then cover with cling film and place on newspaper on the tops of my cupboards. Water and check regularly and within a week they will shoot up.

Summer seeds ready to be spring up!

.

If you can planting sweetpeas save your loo rolls and plant in these as sweetpeas love to get their little roots established early so need the length of a loo roll to make healthy plants.

Shoots in 1 week

Transplant around Easter and then harden by taking outside in the day.

Give them some love and they will sure to give you a fab garden come June.

DIY Bird Feeder

For These Snowy Days ..

 

Think of the birds with a thrifty bird feeder..

 

On these cold days when the birds are really looking for food and you are stuck indoors, make a DIY feeder.

 

I used an old nut net from the supermarket filled with nuts and raisins, but you can use

cooking fat / lard rolled in seeds in the bag. Tie the top with string or twine and attached well to a branch. Enjoy it birds!

 



My Creative Christmas Family

 I love homemade gifts...

..so tonight's post is a thank-you for some gifts made by love by my caring family!

 

I am really am blessed to have some talented people around my new little family. Here are some of the lovely homemade Christmas gifts we received on Tuesday. So tonight I am having a break and showcasing my family and some beautiful gifts, given with love.

Homemade Chutney

Made by Great Aunty Celia

 

Aunty Celia makes us chutney every year and it is mild enough for baby L to have for tea with her cheese sandwiches. We love chutney and I use it on everything sandwiches, toast and a spoonful in a curry always goes down well.

Crochet Baby Gifts

Made by Aunty Hazel

 

Baby L has some handcrafted crocheted knits for Christmas from Aunty Hazel, a pinafore and a jumper with crochet flowers and over sized buttons. I took a few pictures as I cannot wait to get baby L dressed up in theses handmade unique pieces. As they are winter colours we can team them up with tights and colourful bodies. So very cute...

 

 

Nordic Style Felt Bird Hanger

Made by Nana

 

For baby L, she has this beautiful Nordic style felt bird hanger. Each felt bird was stitched and embellished with beads and sequins in orange and pinks. It has a little bell on the end so we have attached it to her door so it rings each time you go into her room.

 

 

Homemade Christmas Cakes

Made by Grandma Cynthia 

Some handmade Christmas cakes were made and iced by my Mum as Christmas gifts. They were so light and a great idea, you never eat all the cake and these are kept really fresh. We have been eating our way through them and they stack in the cupboard. At Christmas time the cupboards are always full.

 

 



Party Dress

Handmade by Grandma Cynthia

 

I haven't been able to make some beautiful handmade dresses for baby L this Autumn due to my other crafty ventures and job hunting / interviews etc. So while I was busy looking to get back in the job market as a new Mum, my Mum helped out making a new dresses. This one was a surprise for Christmas day which she kept very quiet from me and I am sure that baby L will spend many happy times in this dress.

Spring Bulbs

Handmade by Aunty Melissa

 

How lovely, a pot of spring  bulbs wrapped in Christmas ribbon and decorated with small stones . In a few weeks we will have a show of Spring bulbs in our kitchen window to remind us that spring is just around the corner.

Crafty For Christmas! 6 days to go

As Us Mum's Get Busier Leading Up To Christmas ...

 

here are some quick ideas to make a lovely crafty festive time...

I just love this time of year now that I have a little one year old running around. Yes, some days are tough but she is so rewarding. Being a full time Mummy for the time being is lovely but tiring. Sunday afternoon Mr S looked after baby as I needed some sleep and catch up on some rest as I was getting runned down. Feeling so much better now and ready to get ready for Christmas time..Mums need energy at this time of year and sometimes being looked after too!

So as baby sleeps as we have been Christmas shopping, here are a few things that I have been up to on my sister site of my own name ... http://samanthaschofield.blogspot.co.uk/

With the countdown to Christmas in full swing, here is what has been going on...

Handmade Christmas Stockings are such a delight to make and so easy even if you are a beginner.Baby has this one on her cot.

Stamped Christmas wrap was something that baby and I could do together, she stamped and then wanted the whole set but it was fun for both of us to do. I will save a bit for her scrapbook.

Christmas Greetings cards was a friday night project as Mr S was out working late so I made the most of my time alone.

Christmas Bulbs have been planted and ready to be given as gifts.

 

Mince pies were made last week and yes I need to make more. The butter is out on the side as I write to make some more.

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This is one of my favourites from this year  2012 Union jack card

Herby Garden..in the freezer!

Getting ready for fresh herbs through the winter...

 

 

This year I planted a herb garden, just over a year after moving in to our new house. I tried to live with herb pots at the back door but after seeing my Uncle using herbs as beautiful shrubs, I was up for the challenge!

 

 

So, this year I am getting a well established herb garden with thyme, sage, parsley, chives just to name a few! Oh and Lemon Balm (Melissa) which always takes over!

It is such a shame not to make the most of all my hard work and with a baby it feels like double hard work - so I have started to freeze my herbs so I can use fresh and dried in my culinary delight until next Spring.



So I harvest the herbs, wash and chop them and put them in clear freezer bags with the names on the front. So whenever I need sage or parsley it is in the freezer just waiting to be used.

I save a fortune on fresh supermarket herbs in the Winter and such a simple thing to do...

Autumn Bouquet

With the change in the weather and the last blooms in the garden...

 why not bring those flowers inside in a lovely bouquet?

With little time on our hands as new mums we spend time making a lovely garden, but when the weather changes we cannot enjoy sitting outside and see our achievements grow and flower. So I thought, why not bring in those flowers and give these as a gift or dress your own home?

I took sunflowers and fewer few and the start of autumn berries to make this bouquet of yellows, reds and whites. Tie with florist wire to make sure it is nice and firm.

I buy florist's acetate film off EBay in 10 metre rolls so you can wrap up your own bouquets and still make them professional. You can also buy flower food from your local florist or again or EBay.

Make the most of your garden with a bouquet for your own garden or to give as a gift..

Late Summer Self Seeding Garden

 Easy Self Seeding Garden

 

Perfect for new mums..

 

 

When I was five months pregnant with Baby L, we have a good push at sorting out our new garden. By planting seeding and plants that self seed, we have been able to enjoy a lovely country garden and yes our own micro climate.

 

We have planted a lot of Verbena and this attracts bumble bees and butterflies. Poppies were very easy to scatter and then after they flowered, then they just plant themselves. The trouble with poppies is that once they past flowering, the best thing to do is to dig them up, save the seeds for next year (either scatter or save in a envelope). So I plant in pots summer flowering bulbs so that once the poppies die back, simply add the bulbs from the pots. I just tip the pot upside down and empty the bulbs into my hands, tease out some of the roots and plant in the boards.

 

Who knows and yes an instant garden!

 

 

A Stitch & Bit Here and There...

 

.....Adds a personal touch to a keepsake..

Tonight, after a day of sorting and DIY-ing in the home, I decided to organise my boxes of craft bits. They needed a lot sorting as with little time I tend to throw them all back! Not good! So I arranged the beads from buttons and the ribbons from the clasps...I now have a more organised craft room. I have to admot that I feel more relaxed and organised. I feel better that I can lay my hands on what I need quicker.

 

But do we need all those little bits? A question my husband often asks. My answer is just a bit of everything! As you never know and here is why...

 

This picture just shows what we can do with just a little bit of fabric and a few buttons, embroidery thread and off we go!!

 

 

Give yourself half and hour with a few pieces from your craft box and see what you can create...??

Simple Mint Garden

Keep these simple pots by your back door..

Pot up different varieties of mints in terracotta pots by your back door for use in the kitchen. Cut it in the summer and it will grow again and again. I freeze it and dry it out for the winter months. From experience I keep mint in pots as it spreads very quickly and takes over!

I use mint in ...

Mint Teas - pick a few leaves and make a great infusion for those days when you need a pick me up or to settle your stomach. Mint tea with sugar and roasted pine nuts is a great palette cleanser after Moroccan food. Serve in small shot glass style glasses - brew dark and strong.

Moroccan Tagine's are beautiful with a handful of mint leaves added at the end to add depth. Or chop up the leaves and add to pittas with chick peas, yogurt and falefal. Lovely for a summers evening.

New Potatoes - just wonderful with mint and fresh butter added at the end before serving.

Plus the pots are simple to maintain, keep well fed and watered not in full sun.