Indoor, Outdoor Seating

It took me a while to find the right title for this post..."random stuff that inspired me one afternoon"  didn't sound too catchy! We've recently had our patio re-done which has already made such a difference to the feel of our outside space. What was once a concrete paradise is now a really smart place to sit. The trouble is,  its so smart I don't know what to do with it - we're used to almost finished and a bit rough and ready so this perfect spot has thrown me! I've added some festoon lights, a vintage table found at a church sale (church sales are hidden gems when it comes to furniture, cake and plants) and these really great Lacko chairs from Ikea but I'm not quite sure what else it needs? I'd almost like to make it more of an outdoor room, cocooned by a giant fig tree and lots of plants, this like many of my grand ideas will take time and of course money. 

As I ponder my longterm plans I might as well talk about a current quick table laying fix that has been bouncing about my mind, bud vases. With this year being my most successful in the garden, I'm beginning to really treasure and feel proud of the plants I'm growing. As such, I want to give them a proper place to be displayed. A collection of little bud vases not only highlights the movement of each flower (like with these ranunculus) but is sophisticated move on from a jam jar (which I'm sure I'll always have a soft spot for).  For a no fuss, I love these extra small vases from Arket , I always keep an eye out for ceramic vases from Kt Robbins and of course a few charity shop hauls never leave me disappointed.  I'm excited to see where this space and my new collection takes me over the summer.  

Dancing Flowers

I want to capture the beauty of these flowers forever. All homegrown, they last well over a week and I just love seeing them change as the days move on , it's almost like they're dancing. 

 

Mum's Macrame

 My mum's been making the most beautiful macrame's recently - I love all the tassels and different textures and don't even get me started on the heart shapes. She's making to order so if you'd like one, get in touch with me - lottsandlots@gmail.com  and I can put your order in. Prices start from £30.

A beginners guide to growing flowers

This year I finally feel like I understand my garden and the best way to grow plants in it. It's taken me a few years of experimenting and learning but I finally feel like I've cracked it, as I type, my mantle is full of homegrown tulips, anemones and ranunculus (it was the  blooming ranunculus that made me feel like I've reached a new level). If you're new and feeling daunted then here are some simple ways to get going, like with anything creative I find the best approach is to get stuck in and have a go. Don't worry if it goes wrong, I've learnt so much more from plants that have failed than bloomed on the first trial.

Be inquisitive - As a starting point take a walk around your local area and see what's growing in front gardens or in parks. Take pictures or ask (if you're feeling brave) of plants you like the look of and start to research. I figured if a plant was doing well in someones garden close by then it'll probably do well in my garden too - as a result I've added so many roses and am beginning to add more and more hydrangeas which do really well in my heavy clay soil.

Focus on a few - Every year so far (and a little bit this year) I've brought too many seeds that I don't have time to properly care for which has lead to a few lanky plants that never do that well. This year (manly due to two small people) I've kept it really simple and focused on a just a few plant types that I can care for all in the same way and at the same time. My main plants are cosmos, sweet peas and dahlia's, I've gone for loads of different varieties but kept to the same plant type. As a result I've got a greenhouse full of gorgeous green seedlings that I cannot wait to see flower.

Cut and come again flowers - I love fresh flowers so its really important for me to grow plants that flower abundantly which probably explains the cosmos, sweet peas and dahlia's in the greenhouse! If you don't have much time then I think it's really important to focus on plants that make life easy and provide loads of flowers for your time.

Plant in blocks and rows - Last year I made a small cut flower bed in my garden and also took on a bed at my mum and dads allotment - whilst the flowers that grew were totally different, the common theme was flowers that I grew in blocks did much better than the flowers I grew in rows. This year I’m planting the same amount of seeds in square blocks rather than singular lines, safety in numbers works.

Plant what you can afford to lose - Whilst I say focus on a few plants that are easy to care for it’s also fun to set some time aside for experimenting. My rule is to buy only what I can afford to lose, I often buy one of a plant to see how it does then will add more the following year if its looking good. This year I’ve been buying lots of bulbs, tubers and a few tiny shrubs from the Poundshop which are all performing really well, although the only downside is they’ll take a few years longer to establish, its been a great way to fill my garden on very little money.

Read as much as you can -As much as I love the internet, it can be a little overwhelming when looking for information as research I've loved reading The Floret's Farm Cut Flower Garden  and The Cut Flower Patch . Both are great starting points and really helpful to refer back to once you get going. I especially love the photography and simple break down of each plant type in The Floret Farm book, I read a page before bed every night!

If you want to follow along, I try and update my garden instagram (@lottsinthegarden) on a weekly-ish basis and I share my weekly pickings on my main instagram @LottsandLots .

Happy growing! x

All the spring flowers

I'm out of words currently but wanted to post the beautiful homegrown blooms before the moment passes. All these feminine frilly beauties are giving me so much joy, and if you don't you should definitely try growing your own (I'll write a post soon). Enjoy! xx 

DIY - Beaded Tassel Necklace for Lisa Comfort

What's this, a jewellery making post?! For anyone just joining, my blog started as a jewellery making blog many moons ago and whilst I still love to make there just aren't enough hours in the day with two little ones in tow. That said, I always say yes when a jewellery making opportunity comes my way and I couldn't be more in love with delicate tassel beauty that I designed for the new Lisa Comfort Magazine. 

Inspired by a mutual love of all things feminine with an exotic edge, I put this beaded tassel necklace tutorial together using brass findings and pink, blue and white seeds beads. It's an ideal project for a gentle afternoon of making or if like me you need a project that can be done over a few days (or lets be honest weeks!). 

I shared the whole process from start to finish on my Instagram account (see tutorials in the highlights) as I wanted to show how long it really takes to put a tutorial together but also if time is short I hope to inspire you to keep making. I'm finding it a real challenge to manage the needs of my two babes and I swear that getting just a few minutes a day to do a tiny creative activity is keeps me much sane! 

For the full tutorial you can buy a copy Lisa Comfort, Issue 2 here (which is what I'm about to do). 

Happy making! x 

Soft colour inspiration in Norfolk

Like many of us here in the UK I was really feeling the last weeks of winter - it wasn't the snow that got me down it was the endless flow of virus' that kept us coughing and spluttering for months. My living room had turned into a nest of trains and tissues and I was desperately needing an escape from the sagging sofa cushions. A family wedding called us to Norfolk and it was there that we landed at the mothership (well for me anyway!), the amazing Voewood. 

Voewood is a beautiful Arts and Crafts house Just around the corner from the town of Holt - whilst the house and gardens are lovely it was the interior that got me weak at the knees. Full of collections; cups, chairs, paintings all a little wonky but you could see they amused something in the owner and I delighted in them all. 

I'd been looking for some new inspiration for around the house, before we went away I could almost feel/see what I wanted but not quite articulate it in my mind. It was the collected treasures and gentle palettes of creams, greys, greens and pinks I saw in the house and on our subsequent trips to Stiffkey, Blakeney and Wells that have given me some fresh ideas and set me off on various treasure hunting missions. My Ebay search history is full of old floral oil paintings (I haven't found the right one just yet), I've been rummaging for bits in secondhand shops, bootsales and found a cracking new table at a church sale this weekend. I'm thinking of taking the plunge and buying this beautiful Moroccan throw to cover up the sofa and adding more textured and child friendly cushions. I'll keep you posted on the results...Until then I really hope you enjoy these images as much as I do.