MS: A Personal Account and Fundraising for MS Trust

As my regular readers will know, I don't go into much detail about my personal life on the blog (occasionally the woes of being a grown up or my personal struggles with housework). Today however, I am going to get a tiny bit personal as my sister is fundraising for MS Trust and I wanted to share with you a personal experience.

A few years ago, one of my nearest and dearest (who shall remain anonymous) was diagnosed with MS. I won't be going into the personal struggles of that person or the people around them but MS takes it toll in so many ways untold. 

Meet The Maker: Jess of Babi a Fi

The best thing about hosting a new crafter every week for #MeetTheMaker is the variety of handmade loveliness we get to oogle. This week, Jess of Babi a Fi is sharing something we haven't seen before on the feature! I'm already intrigued....

Making Home Link Up #16: More Ikea Projects

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about home; moving house, decorating, DIY, handmade for home, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more.

Don't forget to join in this week and add your own posts if you are a blogger. You can find out how at the end of this post. 

First up, a little bit of something from me

This week has flown by (yet again) but in keeping with our intentions of a productive January I have managed to take a few pictures of things to sell online and we FINALLY have a guest bed. We went for a Hemnes Day Bed from Ikea in the end. Seemed like the most sensible option as it meant we would have a room with a function when it is not needed as a double bed for guests. The room will have a pretty cool function too but it's a secret until it's complete *watch this space*. 

Quick and Easy Noodles for Children with Sausage and Broccoli

When it come to tea times during the week, we occasionally find ourselves stuck in a bit of a rut. The Little Bs eat together but Hubby B and I will eat later on. Although on the weekends we can be more creative and cook nice family meals together, busy routines on weekdays usually see me making the same things over and over. A break in routine is always good, especially when it comes to encouraging good eating habits and encouraging the Little B's to try new things. One meal in our 'cycle' is this noodle dish and it is so quick and easy. I thought I would share it in the hope that you will give it a go and perhaps comment below with some suggestions for things I could add to my repertoire of dinners. 

Meet The Maker: Simmi of Grace's Favours

Welcome to this weeks #MeetTheMaker interview. We are getting to know Simmi of Grace's Favours. The start of Simmi's crafting journey was very similar to mine so I am extremely pleased to be hosting her today. Further proof that crafting for therapy really is a positive way forward. 

The Making Home Link Up #15: How to Clean Your Oven

Welcome to the #MakingHome weekly link up!

Be inspired by posts all about home; moving house, decorating, DIY, handmade for home, crafts, family activities, recipes, gardening and more.

Don't forget to join in this week and add your own posts if you are a blogger. You can find out how at the end of this post. 

First up, a little bit of an update from me.

The new year has given me a bit of a boost. 2015 was a bit glum on my part and I lacked motivation to achieve in all aspects of life. It is totally cliche but 2016 has brought with it a new determination to drive my business forward (Hello My PA), spend more quality time with my lovely family and to make our home beautiful. I don't really make 'resolutions' as such but I am determined to get my mojo back and find the old me! 

So last week I launched #CraftyBs online and now I have no excuse not to make time for myself to indulge in a hobby. Our routine at #CraftyBs HQ has changed up a little bit, allowing me to get focused and Hubby B and I have started a little bit of home organisation and spring cleaning. Not bad for only 15 days into the year right? 

There are things in the house that have been a bit neglected since we moved in, one of them being the oven. It is very well used and the build up of roast dinners, weekly teas, baking and of course Christmas cooking was making me cringe a little. I had a little dig around in our cleaning box (I totally have one of those) and I found something that meant I could literally (I kid you not) wipe this stuff of with a damp cotton cloth! 

How to Make a Lampshade Using Wallpaper

A while back, I shared a post on how to make your own lampshade with a lampshade making kit. The kit and tutorial was based around using fabric. The lampshade proudly hangs in my front room and I decided that I liked the idea of having individual handmade lampshades in all rooms. Of course this means that I don't actually have any shades anywhere *doh*. 

After painting the Little B's room I took down their old lampshade that was more suited to their old nursery and ordered myself another kit. I wasn't really feeling any fabrics for the project and as we didn't have a 'theme' in mind I asked Baby B what he would like. Of course his answer was 'superheroes' and I remembered the test piece of Avengers wallpaper that I had picked up before we started decorating. I wondered whether I could make this work; and so the experiment began!

Meet The Maker: Raya Brown, Textile Artist and Felt Maker

#MeetTheMaker has taken a little break over the course of 2015. The Christmas special; where we met the maker of a beautiful crochet Christmas wreath was well received and so I am on the hunt for the creatives that we shall meet in 2016.

First up is Raya Brown; textile artist and felt maker. She is introducing us to wool painting. Ever heard  of that?! No me neither. Good job Raya is here on the Mrs Crafty B blog this week for the first #MeetTheMaker interview of 2016. 

Make Time For Yourself With The #CraftyBs Online

Well happy 2016 to you! This year I am skipping the 'review of 2015' and the 'what I didn't do' post and I am jumping straight in with something new for this year on the Mrs Crafty B blog. Having taken a lovely long break from the crazy over the festive period and deciding that I have become completely overwhelmed with my schedule, I have concluded that I no longer make time for myself and that it is something I need to do. 

I KNOW that I am not alone in this. Many of you will be guilty of the ignoring the importance of time for yourself and getting swept up in the activity of day to day life, work and family. 

Every Monday evening, I miss my old Crafty Bs group (which still runs in Cambridgeshire) and I no longer have a set night for crafting or childcare to go out and join a local club. So here is my solution....