A Crafty Life

A Crafty Life Welcome to A Crafty Life! Jennie has closed the business but continues her crafting activities.

2025 update: Visit the website to see what items are in stock and to place orders.

Yesterday afternoon I visited with friends. We had a brief look around the house and gallery, I'll be going back for a ...
30/05/2026

Yesterday afternoon I visited with friends. We had a brief look around the house and gallery, I'll be going back for a proper look at the print exhibition.
During last year's May visit Clare and I were eyeing up people's picnics so this year we went for a full afternoon tea supper. Having refueled we headed into the rose garden, the absolute highlight of a visit at this time of year.
I took this photo close to the 8pm closing time. The views in the gardens are always different, this year I loved the range of peonies in bloom along with the foxgloves and roses. The clematis were less showy but so is my one at home.
Mottisfont is my favourite local NT place, no matter the time of year.

When I was in junior school my best friend lived down the road and we would often have sleepovers. Her Dad was Scottish ...
23/05/2026

When I was in junior school my best friend lived down the road and we would often have sleepovers. Her Dad was Scottish and I was introduced to Irn-Bru, it was often paired with her Mum's amazing lasagna.
One of my travelling companions found this version of Irn-Bru and I was delighted that I could have it again. (I need to avoid 2 artificial sweeteners.) It was a welcomed sugar fix after we went up the Old Man of Storr in the "wet wind" / rain. And toured the north half of Skye, including Talisker bay.
Today we clocked up over 250 miles heading back to the mainland, visiting Glenfinnan. A late lunch stop at the Garden Cafe, Pitlochry. Before finding our beds for the night at The Black Bull, Lauder. Dinner was superb, a lamb shank with lots of fresh veggies. I'm going to sleep so well tonight.

Yesterday, we did over 18,000 steps around Glasgow. Much of that was whilst completing the - that's my 4th one complete...
20/05/2026

Yesterday, we did over 18,000 steps around Glasgow. Much of that was whilst completing the - that's my 4th one completed now. Our B&B was near a train station so we made use of it, so no driving for a day. We finished the evening with a ghosts and ghouls walk which included the necropolis.
The excellent tour guide asked if anyone knew the difference between a cemetery and a churchyard and I got all excited that I could answer.
Adite and Kunal had spotted a Lebanese restaurant the day before, so we headed there for a late meal before getting the train back.
Today we drove further north to Inverness. With a slight detour to visit The Kelpies and their resident heron.

In 2018 Mum, Peach, and I visited Luss on our road trip. A few years before that I camped there and kayaked on the loch....
18/05/2026

In 2018 Mum, Peach, and I visited Luss on our road trip. A few years before that I camped there and kayaked on the loch. Mum and I decided to return for her 70th birthday, hoping to take a canoe or similar to the water, it didn't happen.
Since Mum died I always do something nice on her birthday or at least have one of her favourite foods. So today I marked her 75th birthday with her favourite cake, yum yums, on an island in the middle of the loch. Mum would have been disappointed that the yum yums were not as good as M&S ones, but I wasn't expecting to find any in Scotland and was prepared to make do with Empire biscuits.
If you wish to compare yum yums M&S are the gold standard. I think Lidl toffee ones are good, but Mum only wanted plain ones.

I'm in Scotland - 10 days away from home and moving on most nights. (Staying indoors this time.) I have found a real gem...
17/05/2026

I'm in Scotland - 10 days away from home and moving on most nights. (Staying indoors this time.) I have found a real gem!
I wanted to visit CR Mackintosh's The Hill House and with special plans for tomorrow. I chose a cheaper guest hotel/pub rather than one of the more upmarket places further up the road.
The Hill House is undergoing major conservation work. The concrete render has been removed and the building is being allowed to breathe and dry out. The steel box around it, is there for the medium to long term. I went up and over the house. 15 metres above ground and I don't love being at height, but it was worth it.
I headed off to explored the east side of Loch Lomond, then came back to Helensburgh for tonight's accommodation,
On the bank of the Clyde, close to the parish church is a unassuming pub. The staff are so friendly, the rooms clean with a good supply of tea and biscuits. The food is amazing, new owners 6 months ago and they have already won an award.

Last year when visiting Powis Castle I got chatting to a couple and discovered he was a sculptor. His only piece current...
15/05/2026

Last year when visiting Powis Castle I got chatting to a couple and discovered he was a sculptor. His only piece currently on public display was in Ludlow. Thanks to Alan I've had a great few hours at the church and in the town. You can pay to climb the 201 steps and have an amazing view.

After a trip to Crown Needlework in Hungerford to buy hook and loop tape. I've finished a cushion cover for my mini benc...
02/05/2026

After a trip to Crown Needlework in Hungerford to buy hook and loop tape. I've finished a cushion cover for my mini bench. I decided to include a valance to hide the edges of the bencn. There's even a zip so the foam inner can be removed and the case washed.

In March I had a little trip to Nottinghamshire and discovered a brilliant craft cafe I bought this little embroidery pr...
18/04/2026

In March I had a little trip to Nottinghamshire and discovered a brilliant craft cafe
I bought this little embroidery project and finished it today. The design is taken from their archive of Nottingham machine lace designs.

Address

Mottisfont Lane, Mottisfont
Newbury
SO51 0LP

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when A Crafty Life posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to A Crafty Life:

Shortcuts

Share