As much as we should all be living in the moment more, the fact remains that there may come a time in later life that we need care and may have to move home. Planning for the future can provide you with the peace of mind that you will have the quality of life you deserve when you need to rely on others. A care home might seem like the most popular choice, or even the only choice, but realistically, there are quite a few reasons to avoid care homes if you can. And there are better alternatives that can ensure better physical and mental health for elderly people.

This article will, hopefully, highlight the reasons why a care home is not always the best options and where to find alternatives.

So let’s look at the downsides of residential care home…

Most People Don’t Want To Go Into A Care Home

A study by The Live-in Care Hub found that a huge 97% of people would rather avoid a care home if they become unwell or unable to care for themselves. Let’s be honest, it isn’t the ideal scenario for most of us to have to move into a care home in later life. And it shouldn’t feel like something we have to do when we need elderly care.

Your Physical Health Can Deteriorate

A British Medical Journal study  showed that those in care homes are 3 times more likely to fall than those who have live-in care at home. Worse still, those who do fall are 10 times more likely to sustain a serious injury as a result. This is unfortunately just one example when it comes to physical health and increased risks in care homes.

Your Emotional Wellbeing Is More At Risk

Evidence shows that emotionally those in care homes can face numerous challenges. Because of how the residential care system works, a major issue is that carers in care home simply do not have enough time to spend with individual residents. In addition, a lack of opportunities to take trips out of the residential care facility, a lack of control over the environment and limited choice about the food available, plus lack of stimulation can all contribute to issues with emotional and mental health.

Dementia Care Limitations

Statistics from NICE  show over two thirds of those in care homes have dementia, and yet sadly, the care provided is not person-centred. This can decrease quality of life, cause the person to be depressed and might even cause quicker physical deterioration.

Leaving Behind a Partner Or a Pet

Sadly, most care homes do not allow pets to live with their resident owners, which can mean a heart-breaking separation from your furry friend at a time you likely need their love the most. In some scenarios, there aren’t any spaces for both husband and wife to be together, which can mean you have to be separated from your spouse.

Care Homes Are Not The Only Option

Most importantly, it is vital you understand that if you don’t want to go into a care home you don’t have to – they are not the only option for later life. There are many options including: sheltered accommodation, day care and home care. Home care in particular is a great option because it means that your needs are catered for on a one-to-one basis. Companionship, nutritional needs, physical needs, specialist needs and personal care are all provided by a trained, professional carer in your own home. And for as many hours as you need. In addition, help with pet care, home maintenance, running errands and medication schedules can all form part of your care package. There’s no need to leave your partner or pet or the place you call home. In fact, the cost of home care has been shown to be comparable to care home costs.

If you’re interested in avoiding a care home in the future, then perhaps it is a good idea to start looking into alternatives now. The more informed you are, the more likely you are able to make a great decision for your future care needs.

The post 6 Reasons To Avoid A Care Home appeared first on Twits Guides.

London is the beating heart of England, and it never fails to draw people to it with its exceptional culture, fantastic career opportunities, arts and vibrant energy. However, it is also an incredibly expensive city to live in, especially as the cost of living keeps soaring.

Even before the financial crisis started, London was costly. It sits at around £700 a month for a room rental in central London, and around £850 a week to rent a full house. Expensive food, cost of eating out, transport – it was always expensive.

Now, prices have soared more. Some household products are over 100% more expensive than they were a year ago, and utility bills are becoming almost unmanageable, even for those in high paying jobs.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There are some easy hacks to help you make the most of your life in London, even with all the financial hurdles.

From finding accommodation that is more affordable, to exploring the treasures of the city for free, we have you covered. Let’s take a closer look at all the ways you can live in London for less:

Finding Affordable Accommodation

Living in London often means facing the daunting challenge of navigating the city’s housing market. The rent and property prices make anybody’s eyes water, but there are some ways to make it work financially.

One way is to simply accept you will need to live in a smaller space. A cosy sanctuary in the city can be comfortable and practical.

It’s more able to work if you utilise facilities like local self storage. Self storage in London is readily available and is incredibly affordable. By using it for your seasonal items and larger items, you can be more comfortable in a compact space, and save money as a result.

It is also worth considering flat shares and house shares too, as they can give you the ability to live in a really good location at an affordable price, as well as offering a ready-made friendship group.

Lastly, consider areas that have cheaper rent prices. Croydon, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, Barking, Dagenham and Havering, Bexley and Greenwich and Harrow and Hillingdon all have the lowest average rent in London.

Getting Around London For Less

Using London transport can be really expensive, but there are ways to save. One way is to get an Oyster card, which can save you money if you use The Tube and buses every day.

It could also be a great idea to cycle, but be aware that it can be hairy cycling in the city, so you need to be well aware of how to cycle on roads well, and how to navigate busy traffic as you cycle. What some people do is cycle to a bicycle parking station and then walk to their location, cutting out the most chaotic part of the cycling where all the traffic is.

Alternatively there is also the opportunity to walk more in general, which is free, healthy and quite enjoyable too if you listen to a podcast or take more scenic routes to your location.

Budget-Friendly Dining In London

Apps like OLIO and Too Good To Go are incredible ways to get free or low priced food. These apps have been designed to help combat food waste, and give you the chance to enjoy all kinds of amazing foods at a really low cost.

You can also check out restaurant dining offers and promotions which could be; 2-4-1 deals, discount nights and meal deal options.

Lastly, get better at cooking at home. Many people struggle to afford to eat out at the moment, and cooking at home is essential for many to eat well without it costing lots of money. Learning to cook means you can enjoy better food at home.

Even better, consider splitting bulk food costs with flat mates and having a cooking rota. This way you get to try lots of different types of foods, get fed without having to cook every night, and you can save money.

Explore London On The Cheap

London has so many amazing free places to visit, which is great news for your purse. Highlights include the Natural History Museum, the Saatchi Gallery and The British Museum. Green spaces like Regents Park are also wonderful to spend time in.

If you have free time, it is also good to wander around without a plan, so you can discover new, amazing places that aren’t as well known. Wandering around Brick Lane is particularly fun because of all the regularly changing street art.

Day Trips From London

You can expand your horizons by enjoying a day trip outside of London for the cost of train tickets, or petrol. The New Forest is only 30 minutes on the train from Waterloo and about two hours by car. There are lots of grazing animals, amazing flora and fauna and wonderful walks to enjoy.

Dungeness is another great day out, just 90 minutes from St Pancras (train and bus combined) or two hours by car and you can enjoy a beautiful beach, nature reserve trails and pubs for lunch if you do have a bit of cash for a nibble.

Style On A Budget

You can feel a little bit out of place in London without the same fashion budget as other people. The good news is that you can wear any style in London and look cool, because there is such fashion diversity in the city. This includes wearing second hand threads you might have found in charity shops, at car boot sales and even on Vinted. You can look amazing on a budget, you just have to spend a bit of time seeking out those bargains.

You Can Master The Art Of Thrifty Living In London

Living in London without lots of money is possible. Does it take more time and energy to thrive living in London on the cheap? Absolutely. But the result of your efforts mean you get to enjoy this vast, vibrant, bustling capital without having to have a massive budget. Your adventure can continue as you embrace a thrifty life in London, making memories that will last a lifetime.

The post Easy Hacks For Living In London on a Tight Budget appeared first on Twits Guides.

Around 60% of people who live in London felt found working there stressful before Covid-19. Now, that amount has increased to 7 in 10 Londoners, who feel even more stressed working in this bustling city. The good thing is, that whilst London can be very stressful, it also provides exceptional access to escape its concrete scenes when you need to. Cycle routes, trains, a great road system – they can all take you away to somewhere different for the day, so you can recharge before returning back to the vibrancy of the city.

If you feel like you want to get away from London for the day, and you want some inspiration, here are 10 ways to escape the noise of London for a day:

1.   Camber Sands

Camber Sands is accessible from London in around 90 minutes, which is trains to Rye in 60 minutes, and then a bus to the beachfront from the station which is around half an hour depending on the time of year you visit.

One of the big draws of Camber Sands is the castle, which is about a half hour walk from the train station, and it is free to explore from the outside. There are also tours you can book onto that enable you to explore the interior, for a fee.

There is also a large watersports centre in Rye, which is a lot of fun for those who are more adventurous. Or, you can enjoy the beach itself, and an amble around the town for a bite to eat and a look around the shops.

2.   The Cotswolds

If you want a truly English chocolate box area to explore, then The Cotswolds is the location for you, and takes about an hour and forty minutes on the train to Moreton-In-Marsh. Fans of the movie ‘The Holiday’ will absolutely love exploring the stunning villages and natural beauty of the area, complete with stone cottages galore. Best enjoyed in winter for that true Christmas card magic.

3.   Stonehenge

Stonehenge is an amazing day trip from London, where you get to grips with a mysterious past in an area that is anything but bustling and busy. It really is a true escape from the capital.

It does take a couple of hours in the car, but if you set off early, the time flies by quickly, and some of the scenery is beautiful. On site you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the stone circle, as well as the on site Neolithic houses. Some people like to also include a visit to Avebury henge which has a uniquely interesting history that is just as impressive, if not less well known, than Stonehenge.

4.   Oxford

Oxford is a popular day trip from London because the city has so much to offer in a relatively small area. Museums, churches, colleges, restaurants, pubs, nature – Oxford has it all. Even better, it takes just an hour or so on the train.

5.   Margate

If you are a bit of a foodie you will love a day out to Margate. It was not seen as a very cool place to visit a few years ago, but has now grown trendy again because it has such a buzzing food and drink scene. You can enjoy incredible food and drink here, and make your entire day trip centre around that without doing much else. However, there is the beach, the sea front and many shops to enjoy too, and you can get there in just two and a half hours, so you won’t be rushing when you get there either.

6.   Chilham

Chilham is incredibly charming, with beautiful timber-framed houses galore, and cutesy tea shops and gift shops to explore around every corner. It takes about 90 minutes to get there by train, and is often combined with a trip to Canterbury as well, which is only 20 minutes from Chilham on the train.

7.   Bath

Bath is a stunning location that is known for its Roman baths and beautiful English market town. If you want to, you can spend a day enjoying spas and relaxation here, but there is a lot more to enjoy too. The River Avon is there to enjoy, along with various walks through the area to enjoy the architecture. You can get to Bath in less than two hours from London, so you have lots of time to enjoy the area once you arrive.

8.   Dover

The White Cliffs Of Dover are stunning and will make you feel worlds away from London when you visit. In around two hours on the train you can enjoy this iconic coastline, which also has all kinds of cool history to learn about and see, including Dover Castle.

9.   Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is one of the most popular day trips for people to enjoy from London. It is iconic, huge and has a lot of history to enjoy and take in. It takes about half an hour to sixty minutes to get there, and is a good option if you don’t want to travel for a long time.

10.   Paris

That’s right, you can go on a day trip from London to Paris. Is it a long day? Yes. But it is absolutely worth it for such a memorable adventure. You would enjoy your time on the Eurostar and get to Paris in a couple of hours, enabling you to explore the stunning French city without rushing. You could focus on iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, or explore hidden gems like the charming Pere Lachaise Cemetery, or the interesting Jewish sector, home to the best Falafel you’ll ever have. It’s a bit of a boujee day out from London, but it certainly is an escape if you want to go all out.

Where will you explore as you escape the bustling chaos of London for a day? From the iconic history of Stonehenge, to the bourgeoisie of Paris, you can enjoy a breather from London in 24 hours before you head back to the capital fresh with new memories made.

The post Ten Ways To Escape The Noise Of London For A Day appeared first on Twits Guides.

If you have a friend or family member who’s a keen gardener (or who wants to be), then the good news is that you’re never stuck for a present! We’ve tracked down 10 gifts perfect for the green-fingered, ranging from the practical to the quirky. Here’s what we’ve found:

The Plant a Tree kit, The Den Kit Company

The Plant a Tree kit, The Den Kit Company

Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow – and this little kit can help you grow your own. Collect your tree seed (a nut, winged-seed, berry or even a conker), and follow the instructions within – perhaps one day your tree will provide oxygen, habitat and food for creatures and birds, or even the shade for a picnic. It’s a wonderful thing to do now, for the future – and you can use the wooden-handled trowel for other gardening jobs whilst you wait. £24.50, available from The Den Kit Company.

Personalised garden seed advent calendar, Something Pretty 

Personalised garden seed advent calendar, Something Pretty

The Something Pretty Festive Garden Seed Advent Calendar is an eco-friendly advent calender. Complete with fully recyclable packaging, the garden seed advent calendar includes a range of seeds to be used in the garden throughout the following year. Optional personalisation is also available. It costs £32.25 from Something Pretty.

Garden and cookery calendar 2022, Sarah Raven

Garden and cookery calendar 2022, Sarah Raven

This calendar which would be a wonderful gift for any gardening or cooking enthusiast. The calendar features beautiful horticultural pictures taken throughout the year at Sarah Raven’s Perch Hill garden, with a delicious seasonal recipe every month, as well as the important monthly gardening jobs to be done. £9.95, available from Annabel James.

Sage and brass watering set, Haws

Sage and brass watering set, Haws

This watering set by Haws is a piece of British gardening history based on the original 100 year old design. The 1-litre sage watering can is handcrafted from powder coated steel and is ideal for watering small plants and pots throughout the home.  This lightweight design comes with a removable brass rose and an elegant brass mist sprayer for adding moisture to dry environments, which is perfect for helping orchids and succulents to flourish. You can also add a personalised engraved message to the mister for an extra £5. The set costs £55 and is available from Farrar & Tanner.

Organic cotton waist apron, The Country Crib Somerset

Organic cotton waist apron, The Country Crib Somerset

This practical apron is designed and hand-made in a cottage studio in Somerset, England. Every aspect of the design and packaging is considered with the environment in mind – all aprons are made from 100% organic cotton with hemp ties and come in a range of vibrant colours. Perfect for pottering in the garden, it costs £40 from The Country Crib Somerset.

Plantable stars letterbox gift, Plant a Bloomer

Plantable stars letterbox gift, Plant a Bloomer

These sparkling stars are made from a unique seed paper. Handcrafted from recycled materials, the paper contains sparkling mica and UK native wildflower seeds. When ‘planted’ the paper breaks down into the soil — and the seeds germinate to produce seedlings! Each box includes plantable stars in terracotta, blue and white and includes 3 large and 6 small tokens. £25, available from Plant a Bloomer. 

Natural insect house with bark roof, Gardenesque

Natural insect house with bark roof, Gardenesque

As every gardener knows, insects are vital for pollination. Attract them with this functional and stylish three-tiered wooden insect house. Complete with a textured bark roof and different sized bamboo hollow tubes, fir wood, pine wood and wood shavings to home various insects from lacewings to ladybirds and bees and butterflies. £26.99, available from Gardenesque.

Personalised garden slate sign, Treat Republic London

Personalised garden slate sign, Treat Republic London

Your green-fingered friends will love this sign, made from rustic slate. Engraved with a short personal message, it costs £16.99 from Treat Republic London. 

Large round Bolga basket, Lola & Mawu

Large round Bolga basket, Lola & Mawu

Perfect for harvest time, this fair trade, handwoven basket is made by a cooperative of women artisans in the Bolgatanga area of Northern Ghana. The handles of the basket are finished with sustainable leather for strength and comfort. Available in different colours and sizes, this one costs £55 from Lola & Mawu.

Gardeners’ Christmas cracker gift set, Denys & Fielding

Gardeners’ Christmas cracker gift set, Denys & Fielding

This eco friendly christmas gift (above and main image) includes two handmade skincare treats to create the ultimate hand care gift set. These include wild mint and poppyseed soap and hand balm. Both are made for hard working hands. £22, available from Denys & Fielding.

By Sara Walker.

The post The Cosy Home Christmas gift guide for gardeners appeared first on Twits Guides.

The last few months has seen the UK turning itself into a nation of cooks! Whether you’ve learnt to make your own sourdough bread, experimented with new recipes or taught yourself to cook from scratch, you’re definitely dialling into the new trend. With that in mind, we thought we’d put together some gift ideas for the keen cook in your life – if that’s you, you can always put a few of these on your own list.

Wooden star press rolling pin, Gisela Graham

Wooden star press rolling pin, Gisela Graham

Roll some festive stars onto your bakes this holiday season with this star press wooden rolling pin, made from solid birch wood. £12, available from Quince & Cook.

Brompton cook book holder, Garden Trading

Brompton cook book holder, Garden Trading

This class cook’s helper will aid you in creating home cooked meals, whether a hearty old favourite or new vegan venture. The simple wirework frame has a curved front to hold your book open and folds up for storage. It will also hold a tablet or iPad. £25, available from Garden Trading.

Saunderton spice storage dispenser, Cole & Mason

Saunderton spice storage dispenser, Cole & Mason

This spice dispenser is ideal for smaller kitchens, as it holds five different spices efficiently. The acrylic body means that you can see exactly how much of everything you’ve got. To use, simply select one of the five labelled chambers, turn to pour or sprinkle and dispense straight into your cooking. £24.99, available from Cole & Mason.

Medium lasagne dish in blue rose, Artisan Homeware

Medium lasagne dish in blue rose, Artisan Homeware

A pretty hand-decorated four to six portion Polish pottery oven dish, this is robust enough for everyday use (dishwasher, microwave and oven safe) yet striking enough to make even a simple meal feel like a special occasion. Handmade in Poland from premium stoneware, this versatile baking dish can be used for everything from roasts to brownies. £55, available from Artisan Homeware.

Swallow jugs, Mosney Mill

Swallow jugs, Mosney Mill

These fine bone china jugs are hand decorated in Staffordshire, with the swooping Mosney swallows design set on a white background. This jug is a great practical or decorative addition to any kitchen. Sold separately and available in mini 140ml, small 300ml and medium 500ml, prices range from £13 to £20. Available from Mosney Mill.

Personalised recipe box, Funky Hampers

Personalised recipe box, Funky Hampers

If you know someone who loves to tear recipes out of magazines or write them on scraps of paper, then this recipe box will be appreciated. It has segments for easy storage, and can be personalised with a name and short message. £22.99, available from Funky Hampers.

Karu charcoal and wood pizza oven, Ooni

Karu charcoal and wood pizza oven, Ooni

The custom design of this portable wood and charcoal fired pizza oven maximises airflow, allowing you to reach temperatures of 500ºC for a professional result.  Once hot enough you’ll be able to cook delicious pizzas in just 60 seconds. Comparing Ooni Pizza Ovens, the Karu 12comes with an extra thick stone baking board and ceramic fiber-insulated stainless steel body for maximum heat retention. £299, available from Cuckooland.

Fetch AGA collection, Sophie Allport

Fetch AGA collection, Sophie Allport

Perfect for country kitchens is the Fetch collection, featuring a range of kitchen essentials including this tea towel (£10), double oven gloves (£23) and hob covers (£14.50 each). Available from Sophie Allport. 

Crabby spoon holder, Red Candy

Crabby spoon holder, Red Candy

Keep your spoons high and dry and not making a mess on your counter with the help of this handy little gadget. This rubbery red crustacean is made from heat resistant silicone and, with his strategically designed legs. can either stand on top of the flat surface or on the edge of a cooking pot. £13, available from Red Candy.

Soup maker plus, Cuisinart

Soup maker plus, Cuisinart

The soup maker plus is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for a whole host of comforting recipes. It can do any combination of sautéing, cooking, simmering, stirring and blending all inside the thermal glass jar, so it’s perfect for homemade smooth and chunky soups, risottos, curries, sauces and much more. £140, available from Cuisinart.

Main image (c) 2021 Pixabay by einladung_zum_essen

By Sara Walker.

The post The Cosy Home Christmas gift guide for cooks appeared first on Twits Guides.

Many of us now fill our bird feeders all year round, which according to the RSPB can help wild birds to cope with natural food shortages – for example if there’s a drought and their natural food supply is compromised. If you’d like to give the birds a boost when they really need it, though, spring, autumn and winter are the seasons to concentrate on. Spring is the nesting season and birds are looking for additional calories to support their young. Autumn is the season on migration, and birds need to stock up with extra energy before making the journey which in some cases can be thousands of miles long. Birds will also appreciate an additional layer of fat before going into the winter, so feeding them in the autumn as well as the winter can mean that they’re more likely to survive colder weather.

What to feed the birds

As we approach the winter, birds will appreciate a high fat diet. You can use commercially produced fat balls and fat bars – the former are best removed from their mesh nets which can damage feet. Decant them into a fat ball holder which will also keep them dry. You can also make your own high fat food, too. Collect kitchen scraps such as stale cake or biscuits, cooked rice, mashed potato, dried fruit, grated hard cheese or leftover dry oatmeal into a cup lined with clingfilm. Melt some suet or lard and pour it into the cup. Put it in the fridge to harden then turn the whole thing out onto the bird table and remove the clingfilm.

If you provide a wide variety of food, you’re more likely to see different species of birds. Commercial bird seed mixes can often contain cereals such as barley, which is too big for little song birds to eat. If you offer a mix of niger seed, mealworms and sunflower seeds as well as suet pellets and grains, you’ll have a lot of takers! Always provide a source of fresh water, especially if natural sources such as ponds may be dry or frozen.

What not to feed the birds

While birds are not generally fussy eaters, some kitchen waste will do them more harm than good. Chocolate is toxic, and anything too salty or sugary should be avoided. While bread won’t do them any harm, try to feed it only as part of a variety of other foodstuffs as it will fill birds up quickly and offers little nutritional value. Birds also can’t digest milk, so don’t offer that as a drink, although small quantities of cheese are fine.

How to feed the birds

If you can, try and put bird feed out at the same time each day so that they expect it. It won’t be long before they’re learnt your routine and came swooping in! Sweep up under bird feeders regularly as spilled seed may attract rodents.

Cross-contamination and the spread of disease  is one of the biggest risk factors when you’re feeding lots of birds from the same feeder, so mitigate this as much as possible by washing feeders with mild detergent and warm water every so often. Position feeders high up and in a relatively open area so that birds can fly in easily.

If you have time, why not keep a log of the birds that visit your garden daily? Most visitors will be common birds but you might get the odd rarer visitor when word gets out!

All images (c) Pixabay

By Sara Walker.

The post How to feed garden birds this autumn appeared first on Twits Guides.

For many of us, 2021 has been all about crafting and learning new skills. Crafting helps to relax and de-stress as well as giving that warm glow of achievement! Sara Walker takes a look at the kits available from specialist leather craft company .Ar.ti|sans, who develop their own kits and host events and workshops from their base in East London.

“Here at Cosy Home we’re lucky enough to be able to try lots of different things – but I was really looking forward to this one. As a lifelong horse rider I’ve always been interested in techniques with leather and how it fits together, and I was looking forward to actually learning how to stitch properly. (I don’t think I’ll suddenly be able to do my own tack repairs, but it’s always nice to learn a bit more about how things work!) The kit sent for review was the simple cardholder ‘experience in a box’. This contained everything you need to make a simple cardholder with space for several cards. The kit included pre-cut leather pieces, thread, needles, polishing clothes, clamps and full instructions.

“The kit was beautifully presented, and designed to go through a letterbox so that you could also send it as a gift. Everything was of very high quality. My cardholder was in a pale creamy pink, but there are also two other colours available. I started by unpacking everything and laying it out.

Wetting and smoothing the raw edges

“The first step was to smooth the raw edges of the leather by buffing them with the cloth provided. As instructed I carefully wet the edges first then rubbed them with the cloth. This stage did take a bit of elbow grease, but eventually the edges wore smooth which would give the finished product a neat look.

Ar.ti|sans provide three different colours of thread, which I really liked because it meant I could personalise my cardholder to my taste. After laying the colours out and dithering for a bit, I finally decided on red for contrast. The instructions walked me through measuring two lengths of thread using a ruler and then threading a needle to each end of the first thread, using a special technique to secure the thread.

Choosing the thread

Preparing the two needles

“Then, I was ready to start stitching! I laid the first two pieces of leather together, put the cloth over the edges to prevent marking and secured them together with the clamp. The instructions gave step-by-step advice about how to start the thread off and use a double-handed stitch (called saddle stitch, although I’m not confident enough to use it on my saddle!). This was a bit fiddly at first and stitching with my left hand took a bit of getting used to.

When I ‘cheated’, though, and did both sides of the stitching alternately using my right hand only, I noticed I had a difference in the thread tension so I unpicked and started again (fortunately .Ar.ti|sans have not been stingy with the thread provided and had put in extra for this eventuality!). It’s definitely worth putting a bit of time into doing it properly.

Securing the pocket to the main cardholder ready for stitching

“Once the first piece was securely attached, I stitched the second piece in place in the same way. Then, I used the cloths again to buff the edges up a bit more. My stitching wasn’t perfect and my lining up was a little wonky, but I was really pleased with the results – it’s sturdy, the leather is lovely quality and it’s a neat, slim shape to slip into a pocket. A ring was also provided so that you could attach a strap or clip to the cardholder, but I decided not to add this on.

Stitching the first side, with instructions

“A final little surprise was that the leather thread holder turned out to be a keyring! This was very easy to make up and was a nice little bonus.

.Ar.ti|sans provide a range of leatherwork kits, including this simple cardholder at £25 and a more complicated version at £55. Although the instructions are very clear, there are also guides available on the website. I’d recommend this kit for yourself or a friend if you’d like to have a go at leatherwork – it’s a very satisfying technique and I thought the kits were really nicely presented.”

The finished products

To find out more, please visit the .Ar.ti|sans website.

Main image: (c) 2021 .Ar.ti|sans. All other images (c) 2021 Write Image for you Media

By Sara Walker.

The post Review: .Ar.ti|sans leather cardholder craft kit appeared first on Twits Guides.

Sara Walker tries out the technique of marbling with Craftiosity Craft Boxes.

Crafts are enjoying a big resurgence at the moment, as more of us find that we’ve either got a little more time on our hands or that we like the de-stressing and relaxing effect that handicrafts can have. Traditional activities such as crochet and knitting are seeing more converts, as are more niche crafts such as lino cuts and leatherwork. Craft subscription box services are proving really popular at the moment as the nation gets crafting, so I was pleased to be asked to try out the Craftiosity service.

What is Craftiosity?

Marbling candle holder kit from Craftiosity. Image (c) Craftiosity

A subscription box service which delivers a complete kit in a box to your door every month for a payment of £24.95/month. You can also buy individual boxes on a one off basis for £26.95. Free postage applies on all boxes. The thing that’s brilliant about it is that it gives you a chance to try all sorts of different crafts on a small level so that you can see what you enjoy and what you don’t. It’s a cost effective way of ‘having a go’, you’ll end up with a finished project and you won’t have to nip out and buy anything in order to complete your work – everything is included. The slight downside is that occasionally you’ll get something that doesn’t appeal as much – but you never know, it might turn into your new favourite thing! A subscription would make a great gift, as well. I also like the fact that there’s no minimum subscription and you can cancel whenever you like.

The Craftiosity marbled candle holder craft kit

My review kit contained all the equipment needed to create a marbled candle holder. According to the instructions, “With the wooden candle holder, you’ll add a base colour with white paint, then create whirling, swirling patterns using the marbling inks in a tray of water. The best thing about marbling is that the results are unique every single time, so no two candle holders will ever be the same.”

The kit contained a wooden candle holder, plastic tray, white paint, paintbrush, marbling inks, disposable gloves (non-latex), printed-step-step instructions, details for an online tutorial video and some beautiful sample marbled postcards.

Wooden candle holder and acrylic paint.

This was an interesting kit for me, as I’ve never tried marbling before and it was certainly being made easy! I covered the dining table with plastic and newspaper (I’m a messy worker!) and got started.

Painting the holder before marbling.

The kit comes with both an instructional video and very detailed step-by-step instructions, and is suitable for beginners. It comes in a beautifully presented box – I can imagine these would be a pleasure to open every month!

I started by giving the plain wooden candlestick a coat of white acrylic paint to create a base for the marbling, and then left it to dry.

Adding the inks to the water.

Then, following the instructions, I part-filled the plastic tray with drops of the two inks (one black, one blue), and used the wrong end of the paintbrush to swirl them together to make the marbling pattern.

Creating the pattern.

Finally, I lowered one side of the plain white candlestick into the patterned water then rotated it and lowered the other side in. I then set it to dry. The instructions said that this would take around four to five hours but I must have put my dye on very thick, as it actually took a couple of days to be completely dry. One thing I liked about this craft is that it’s very quick to produce an impressive result.

The downside was that you really only get one go at it! I would have prefer my pattern to be more marbled, and should have ‘swirled’ it more first. Next time, I’d practise with a piece of cardboard so that I could get a feel for how the pattern was going to turn out before I used it ‘for real’.

And….da dah! The finished result.

The finished result looked good though, and unusual! I think this kit would make an excellent gift for anyone interested in crafting, or for yourself if you fancy trying various different techniques. It’s not cheap, but I think it’s good value as I ended up with enough materials to complete several more projects in the future. A lovely idea!

All images (c) 2021 Write Image for you Media except where marked

By Sara Walker.

The post Review: craft subscription box Craftiosity appeared first on Twits Guides.

Every homeowner wants to give the value of their property a boost. However, many of these projects can be extremely time-consuming.

Stress can be experienced when implementing more complex home upgrades too. Financial concerns, finding reputable architects and builders, managing your schedule and coping with noise levels – it can all become overwhelming. Some experts even recommend knocking the property down and rebuilding it!

Fortunately, there are quicker upgrades you can implement to increase the value of your property. Here are some of the top ways:

Focus on Kerb Appeal

Most curb appeal jobs do not take a lot of effort. Direct your attention to the following areas:

• Weeding your garden.
• Planting new and exciting flowers.
• Mow the lawn.
• Repairing fences.
• Cleaning the gutters, paths, and driveways.

Ideally, you will be on top of most of these chores already. However, if you’re looking to add value to your property on a tight schedule, you can do any one of these things in no time at all. Rally other members of your household and these tasks can be completed even more quickly.

It may be worth adding some finesse too. In a few extra hours, you could purchase quality seating equipment, making the outdoor spaces of your property more dynamic and social. Incorporate tables, chairs, barbecues, and anything else that could complement an outdoor seating area.

Purchase a New Boiler

The functionality of your home can play a crucial role in raising value. Don’t just think about aesthetics, but keep your utility arrangements in mind too.

Bbright provides boilers in the U.K. and may even be able to fit them for you as soon as tomorrow. Select your preferred make and model by manufacturer, and get an instant quote as well. Ultimately, there’s no smooth or better method of securing a new boiler.

A new boiler will also enable you to counter rising energy costs and make your home more efficient in the long run. Consider the current climate and how much peace of mind your changes would give prospective buyers.

Additionally, a brand-new model generally takes 7-10 years to start breaking down and leaking. If new owners purchase the home after a recent installation, they will have very little to complain about for a long time. Those assurances add yet more value to your home.

Indoor Finishing Touches

Many homeowners have high aspirations for their properties. Everything needs to look perfect.

However, 40% of homeowners last year believed their properties would never truly be finished to an acceptable standard. Still, when it comes to adding value to your property, you must set this defeatist attitude firmly to one side. Focus on perfection.

Update paintwork, get your carpets clean and generally declutter. Better lighting arrangements can add more ambience and atmosphere. Sometimes the simplest measures can make an impactful yet subtle statement.

Instead of refurbishing your kitchen, replace specific and smaller sections such as cabinet doors and work surfaces. In the end, there’s not always a need to radically redefine everything in your home. This process can be more cost-effective too, which means you won’t need to spend time-saving and budgeting for the changes.

By Rachel Newcombe.

The post Quick Upgrades That Increase Property Value appeared first on Twits Guides.

As the seasons start to change, we’re looking forward to autumn. Glorious leaf colours, a nip in the air and a chance to eat all the plum and apple cake you want on the grounds that the fruit needs ‘eating up’ – what’s not to like? If you’re still thinking ‘summer’ in your home, then these quick tips will help you make a seamless transition from one season to the next. Move indoors, light the fire and put the kettle on!

Create a colourful autumn display

As fresh flowers from the garden start to wane, then create a seasonal display of autumn leaves. You can either dry these, or use them just like fresh flowers. Sprays of rowan berries look particularly good, as do the beautifully coloured leaves of acers and maples. Mix them in with a few late blooming flowers such as roses, dahlias and chrysanthemums, if you have any left.

Credit: Pixabay

Autumn leaves come in a stunning variety of colours and shapes – make some into a decorative arrangement or collage for your home.

Add some texture

If you already have some snuggly throws and textured cushions, now’s the time to break them out. If you don’t have any, then think about investing – they really do make a difference to a room. As you start to spend more time indoors, let the natural world follow you in. Natural accessories of wool, wood, stone and terracotta create a cosy atmosphere and add warmth to the room. If you’re investing in a couple of new pieces, a chunky knitted throw is a good choice as you can use it on the sofa and in on beds. Wool or cotton rugs will add a touch of warmth to hard floors, and you could think about adding a few new houseplants for the winter to keep your green fingers ticking over!

Chunky knit cushions and a throw add instant cosiness. Credit: Pixabay

Make the most of the harvest

Creative types can be spoilt for choice in the autumn, as there are so many wonderful colours and shapes. Pile small pumpkins and squashes into a wide, decorative bowl on the kitchen table, or use autumn leaves to make collages for the walls.

It’s almost a shame to eat these squashes, they’re so pretty! Credit: Pixabay

Light that fire

Now the nights are drawing in, it won’t be long before it’s time to light the fire in the evenings. Until then, draw attention to your fireplace with a display of dried pinecones – you can pick these up on any forest floor and they smell lovely when fresh. (If you have a real fire and you haven’t already done so, book a chimney sweep to check and clean the chimney ready for the winter. The National Association of Chimney Sweeps and the HETAS website are good places to find a qualified professional.

Add table lamps with low wattage bulbs for a cosy, atmospheric glow. Credit: Pixabay

Makeover your lighting

To create a cosy atmosphere, position table and standard lamps to throw soft pools of light. If your room has overhead lighting for when you actually need to see what you’re doing, then you can use your smaller lamps purely for creating atmosphere. Install the lowest wattage bulbs you can get away with to avoid glare, and use lampshades made from natural materials such as hessian or jute to help diffuse light. There’s nothing so welcoming as walking into a warm room lit by lamplight on a chilly evening – add in some sofa throws as well and your guests will never want to leave! For an added quick tip, use scented candles with ‘autumn’ fragrances such as cinnamon to complete the perfect atmosphere.

All images (c) 2021 Pixabay

By Sara Walker.

The post 5 quick tips to style your home this autumn appeared first on Twits Guides.