It’s the time of year when the weather really gets to play along with the rollercoaster that is life in 2021!
While we often wake up not knowing whether the day will bring feelings of hope and optimism or overwhelm and a bit of despondency, the spring weather can often seem to be the deciding factor. Let’s take some of the initiative back. Glorious sunny mornings don’t need our help, but if the sky is grey and offering life-giving rains and invigorating breezes (we are being positive, remember?!), let’s take the opportunity to enjoy some snuggly knits in snappy colours while we head outdoors to get our fresh air and exercise.
If your woollies need a spring refresh check out Sian’s latest designs for cosy hats, combining her Shoreline design with a delicate highlight of her Welsh Bach motif for a fresh take on this classic beany. This new design is not in the online shop yet, but Sian would love to make one to order for you – just get in touch and Sian will help you select your perfect colourway.
Wrist warmers get plenty of use long into the season and the Bach or Pebble designs are terrific choices to combine with your new hat.
Optimistic as we might be for warmer weather, some of our spring walks can definitely still be on the nippy side and even summer evenings in the garden can be made more enjoyable with a bit of extra cwtch. Sian’s revised and refreshed Voyager wrap is perfect for preventing chilly breezes cutting the fun short.
Now with extra drape, the flowing lines and intriguing textures are as sophisticated as they are cosy, making them a great year-round investment. In addition to the shop colourways, choose from gentle grellow or rich emerald and navy using the contact form, or get in touch to discuss a unique colourway to suit your style.
Pembrokeshire hospitality
Along with the new growth outside our windows, Ash Farm is growing too – the swelling buds of our new ventures ready to burst into life over the coming weeks. We had a wonderful training day with our swanky new coffee machine and are delighted to announce our grand opening for take-away coffees on the weekend of April 16th-17th! Come by to pick up your take-away brew and see our beautiful new cafe and shop space.
We are brimming with excitement to be able to invite you in for some proper Pembrokeshire hospitality, hopping from one foot to the other as we wait for the go-ahead to open our doors for sit-down hospitality as we move through the phases of re-opening from lockdown. Our new accommodation will soon be ready to welcome our first overnight guests as well, for those taking part in one of our workshops or just coming to enjoy a break in this beautiful part of Wales. If you would like to discuss a stay with us this year, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Workshops
The new programme of workshops is opening up, with Bronwen Gwillim and Marian Haf kicking off the 2021 season in April, teaching us how to make beautiful jewellery from found plastics and wonderful prints. These workshops are fully booked, but if you would like to attend a future course with Bronwen, get in touch and we will be happy to let you know when more events will be taking place. In fact, Marian is running another print-making course in September, this time in no press relief collagraph making! There are still a few places available, but they go fast so don’t dilly dally…
If you would like to join Sian to learn how to start your own machine knitting journey, her highly regarded and immensely popular beginners’ course is starting up again on 25th-26th September. There are two places left – why not come with a friend and stay in the new accommodation for a fuss-free relaxing but inspiring start to your autumn?
The sap is rising and our creative juices are starting to flow, too – perhaps after a bit of a sluggish start to the year?
This winter lockdown hasn’t quite inspired the same motivation to get creative as the first one. With both winter weather and restrictions seeming never ending, it hasn’t always been easy to keep the creative momentum going through recent months. Now hope is on the horizon and it is time to let the sunshine work its magic. For a quick creative fix, why not grab a stack of swatches from Sian’s textile bundles. Using these carefully curated coordinating packs you can be confident of a beautiful result – check out these projects for added inspiration. For a quick and easy but beautiful Easter gift, why not choose to include some dried lavender with your order and make some lovely lavender sachets for yourself and your friends, for wafts of soothing aromas from your draws or wardrobe? (No time? These lavender sachets are available ready made from the shop, too!)
New season
If your brand of creativity involves refreshing your home spaces for the new season, why not add some wooly Welsh chic with a new cushion or throw.
The Bach motif really sings in these newly imagined fabrics in a beautiful new palette. Bring together large and small scale fabrics for a stunning combination that blends sophisticated design with sumptuous comfort.
Sian’s cushions are available with feather or alpaca inserts.
Sian is very excited to be offering her unique lampshades for bespoke orders as well. Each made to order to your own requirements, they will be shipped direct to you to complete your vision for your new season décor.
Peanut Butter Truffle Balls with a crunch!
Easter would not be complete without a little chocolate treat!
“With super smooth truffle-like interiors contrasting beautifully with the crunchy exterior from cacao nibs…. we are huge fans of these super easy crunchy peanut truffle balls in our household. The slightly bitter cacao nibs make these quite a grown-up treat, rich in flavour, full of nutrients and intensely chocolaty. (The nibs are also perfect for adding to morning porridge, homemade trail mixes…. sprinkling on top of desserts… you name it cacao nibs is the answer!) The nibs are optional though – try other coatings like chopped nuts or a dusting of cacao powder and let us know your favourite.”
Ingredients:
250 grams of medjool dates
100 grams smooth peanut butter
2 tablespoons cacao powder
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
Pinch sea salt
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
Optional – if the mixture is a little dry add either an extra tablespoon of maple syrup or warm water. This is very much dependent on your own personal taste as to whether you like the mixture to be a little sweeter or not.
Method:
– Make sure that all the seeds are removed from the dates. If they are a bit hard you might need to soak in hot water for 5 minutes to make them easier to blend.
– Add all the ingredients to your food processor and blend, blend, blend until everything comes together in to one combined ball . It is as easy as that.
– Roll into balls.
– To get the crunchy exterior simply roll each ball in cacao nibs.
– Refrigerate and enjoy!
Looking for another chocolate pud idea? Don’t forget the chocolate mousse recipe from last months journal!
