Sponsored post | Create your own printed napkins with Seasalt

Take inspiration from nature with eye-catching printed napkins that’ll brighten up the dining table

There’s a nip in the air, so now’s the time to wrap up and plan a cosy get-together with good friends and good food. We’ve teamed up with Seasalt Cornwall and creative designer, Becki Clark, to bring you this printed napkin project, guaranteed to give your gatherings a lovingly homemade touch.

You will need

Fabric

Scissors

Small potato

Knife

Fabric paint

Paintbrush

1 Start by cutting your fabric to size. You could give old clothes a new lease of life – Becki’s used linen from preloved Seasalt garments. Also, think about the finish of your napkins; you may want to hem them, however pinking shears will give a pretty edge, while tearing the fabric will give a more rustic raw look.

2 For this simple pattern, cut your potato in half to create a circular stamp, then cut a thin slice of potato for your stem stamp.

3 Use your paintbrush to apply a thin layer of fabric paint to your thin slice of potato.

4 Begin on the left-hand side of your napkin and print a stem line downwards from the top. Stop and reapply more paint if needed to keep the paint line looking consistent.

5 Apply a thin layer of paint to the potato half and print circular leaf shapes opposite each other on either side of the stem line, finishing with a final circular print at the top of the stem. Repeat this process down the centre and right-hand side of the napkin.

6 Hang your napkins or lay flat to dry.

This project was created by Becki Clark, a multidisciplinary creative designer and author who is based in the New Forest. Her simple thing is nature and watching the seasons change, which in turn inspires her work, books and craft projects. beckiclark.com

Discover Seasalt Cornwall and find more craft ideas at seasaltcornwall.com.

Becki’s Style

  • Try creating a mood board with your chosen fabric, inspiration and colours to help you decide on the final look.

  • I experimented with cream fabric paint before deciding to work with black for the final napkins.

  • Take inspiration from nature. If you spot something that catches your eye whilst out and about, take a photo on your phone for reference. Many botanical motifs can often be broken down into simple shapes that you can recreate in a potato print.

  • Sketch out your print idea and try repeating a single motif in different directions to explore repeat patterns.

Sponsored post | Stoking the Flames of Evolution

 

With over 50 years’ experience, Charnwood proves that it’s always at the forefront of wood-burning technologies

This year marks a very special year for family-run British business Charnwood, it’s 50 years since founder Alfred Wells and sons Alistair and John created their first wood-burning stove. Based in Niton, on the Isle of Wight – and against a backdrop of the oil crisis and Dutch Elm disease that was sweeping the nation at the time – they built a stove that wasn’t reliant on fossil fuels and could use the abundance of wood that was available. The result proved so successful that Charnwood was born and the family haven’t looked back since, always striving to break new boundaries and provide the latest innovations.

Setting the standard

Having grown from those three founding members to a team of over 180 people, the company has evolved to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry and in the coming months will launch two new models, each designed to make the burning process cleaner, greener and more accessible. The revolutionary Skye E700 with its intelligent wood-burning technology will soon be unveiled across the pond in the US followed by a European launch, while the Haven – a new compact wood-fired range cooker – is set to heat up the wood-burning market over here. Featuring a large view of the fire within, the Haven combines the charm of a traditional range with the very latest efficiencies and clean-burn know-how, and has been designed for cabins, bothies, off-grid and smaller homes.

A sign of the times

Charnwood doesn’t just limit its expertise to wood-burners, either. Since the installation of its vitreous enamel plant over 30 years ago, which enabled the company to enamel its stoves in-house, it has worked to extend its services to other industries, most notably transport signage. Operating under the name of AJ Wells, the company has a strong working relationship with Transport for London, being the principle supplier of signage for the London Underground, and also supplies the Paris Metro.

For more information, and to find your nearest stockist, visit charnwood.com.

Sponsored post | Mindful Moments with Gaia

The summer months are always hectic; holidays, family outings, and social occasions, we can often find ourselves in a constant state of busyness. If you err on the side of introvert it can often feel draining, so make sure you prioritise your mental wellbeing, finding balance and calm in everyday life.

GAIA Skincare believes that the health of your mind and body are equally important, one without the other can leave you with a feeling of disparity. So, when it’s all feeling a little busy, make sure you take time to find grounding and equilibrium.

A great way to start is by practising small mindful moments in everyday life, which encourage you to slow down and focus on yourself. At the end of a long day, why not light a candle? GAIA’s Calming Candle will give your home a warming glow, combined with the rest-inducing aromatherapy blend of French Lavender which will help you to relax and find peace.

Or make time every weekend for a relaxing soak in the bath, giving you space to disconnect from technology and soothe your mind and body. Add a few drops of GAIA’s Calming Bath Oil to your bath water, with a blend of pure lavender, chamomile and orange blossom essential oils, which will help you find inner peace,  complemented with a blend of organic jojoba oil, rich in vitamin E, to leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft.

Sleep is another key factor in supporting your wellbeing; regular sleep patterns help to reduce stress and improve your mood. Creating a calming routine before you go to bed, such as a simple skincare routine with a gentle face massage, turning your phone on to ‘do not disturb’ and spritzing your pillow with a sleep spray will help prepare you for a restful night. We love GAIA’s calming blend of French lavender and vertivert in their Sleep Spray; it creates the perfect environment for you to drift off.

Sponsored post | Setting the Standard

The international B Corp certification highlights those companies operating at the highest social and environmental standards

What is B Corp?

We all want to do our bit when it comes to making choices, so rest assured that when you see a business with B Corp Certification it’s a clear sign that that company is meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Verified by B Lab, B Corp Certification covers all areas of business from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. With over 700 B Corps in the UK, across 56 industries, the UK B Corp community is growing faster than ever. And the benefits speak for themselves with those meeting the standards able to build trust with consumers, communities and suppliers, while attracting and retaining a like-minded workforce, as these companies attest… bcorporation.uk

Coaltown

In 2019, Coaltown became the first B Corp Certified specialty coffee company in the UK. Focussing on ethical coffee sourcing and sustainable production, they work to develop new and innovative green practices that benefit not just the consumer, but the industry as a whole. With ambitions to transform post-industrial towns and cities into sustainable and thriving communities, Coaltown is providing skilled jobs and paying above the Real Living Wage, all thanks to a new form of Black Gold… coffee. coaltowncoffee.co.uk

Weleda

Last year Weleda celebrated its centenary year by gaining B Corp Certification. Working sustainably and in harmony with nature comes naturally to Weleda, but it takes determination and investment, something that’s resulted in its range of natural and organic cosmetics being NATRUEcertified, its cosmetic supply chains being UEBT-certified sustainable, and its plant gardens being Demeter-certified. Weleda is a Living Wage Employer in the UK, and helped found the British Sustainable Beauty Coalition. Having recently joined the Board of the International B Corp Beauty Coalition, it’s now working to improve social and environmental impacts of business in the beauty industry. weleda.co.uk

Cully & Sully

Famed for its soups, risottos and pies, Cully & Sully became the first Irish food brand to become B Corp Certified in 2020. Launched in 2004, this award-winning business is committed to producing good, honest and tasty food, whilst prioritising community and environmental projects. Honoured to sit alongside other big B Corp Certified names, Cully & Sully now has its sights set on far more than just profit as it continues to cherish and protect both people and the planet. cullyandsully.com

Sponsored post | We've got the scoop

Mackie’s of Scotland not only produces delicious ice cream, but does so with an impressive environmental ethos, too

When it comes to making a fantastic tub of ice cream, Mackie’s of Scotland knows that it takes far more than just experience and natural ingredients.

This fifth-generation family business also embraces a ‘sky to scoop’ philosophy, acknowledging that every element of the sky is needed – the wind and sun power the turbines and solar farm (providing more than double the energy needed to run its dairy), while the rain and sun grow the crops, which feed the cows, who in turn produce the fresh milk and cream needed to make its smooth and creamy ice cream.

And Mackie’s doesn’t just create its own energy, it also produces its packaging, fruit compotes and honeycomb on the Aberdeenshire family farm. All of which are essential to delivering that beloved Mackie’s taste.

While its flavour-making expertise has long made it a firm favourite throughout Scotland, until recently it was only its popular Traditional flavour which was widely available south of the border. That’s all set to change as Strawberry Swirl and Honeycomb flavours are now available nationwide in most Sainsbury’s stores, in addition to existing stockists. So as the weather warms and thoughts turn to tasty summer treats, why not reach for a tub of Mackie’s ice cream with the knowledge that those rays of sunshine – and the odd drop of rain – helped to create an ice cream made with a passion for sustainability, fun and great taste.

For more info and offers, visit mackies.co.uk. Learn how Mackie’s makes its Honeycomb ice cream on Inside The Factory, available on BBC iPlayer