Lucy Houle, fellow mum and founder of Lucy Locket Art knows that you can never be without a pack of wipes or tissues with little ones around, and has created a range of handmade oilcloth accessories for your handbag, nappy bag and home. From tissue box covers to baby wipes holders and make-up bags to peg bags, every item is designed to be both pretty and practical. Lucy prides herself on creating items of the highest quality and has supplied products to Fortnum & Mason and JojoMamanBebe.

Free Gift: This month Lucy Locket Art are offering a free Mini Tissue Holder in either blue & white spot or cream & rose spot worth £7.50, when you spend over £20 (excl P&P). Simply state which design you’d prefer in the comment box when you checkout. Browse the collection at www.lucylocketart.co.uk.

Anna’s studio will be open from 1st to 17th June showing her latest collection of paintings and prints entitled ‘Huts and Hounds’. Find out more  at www.annawilsonpatterson.com.

Proudly designed and made in Britain, the Sarah Smith brand was launched in 2005 to inject some fun into the rather mundane world of cleaning materials. Managing Director Clive Birnie explained that the parent company Severn Delta had been manufacturing industrial textiles and traditional blue j-cloths in Somerset for over 40 years. But when the company was faced with closure, Clive and his business partner Martin carried out a management buyout, rescuing the business and saving the 45 strong local workforce.

While the ethos behind the Sarah Smith brand is one of lighthearted fun, the products themselves are a sophisticated combination of innovative fabric technology and eco-friendly materials. The cloths are made from 50% recycled polyester and 50% viscose derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp, and all conform to the Oeko-tex 100 standard for textiles so they’re certified free from harmful chemical substances. As Clive explains… “it’s the perfect combination of ethics and aesthetics”.

On the day I visited, Clive was busy choosing the designs for the latest collection of cloths – a bright and cheerful selection of bold flowers, stripes and stars. I put in my two pennies worth and opted for the red stars and pink flowers as my favourites (I shall be keeping an eye on the supermarket shelves to see what was chosen!).

Then it was down to the factory floor where enormous rolls of printed fabric were stacked high, waiting to be cut and packed. The production line was busy and the transparent wraps with their distinctive union jack motifs were rolling off the machines. After wrapping, the colourful cloths are packed into floral cartons and shipped off to supermarkets across the nation, well on their way to adding a little much-needed glamour to the kitchen sinks of Britain!

Find out more about this innovative British business at www.sarah-smith.co.uk.

First up is TV chef Gizzie Erskine, who has chosen artworks with a food related theme. Check out the short film below to see some of the famous faces which include Vivienne Westwood, Jon Snow and Lauren Laverne who will be taking part in the project.

Which two pieces from the Tate Britain collection would you choose? Tweet your answers to @Tate using the hashtag #thisisbritain. To find out more about the project visit www.tate.org.uk.

Twice a year Craft Central hosts their must-visit open studio called Made in Clerkenwell. Taking place from 24th to 27th May to tie in with Clerkenwell Design Week, the event will showcase the work of over 90 of London’s most talented designer makers in their own studios. From jewellers and ceramicists to fashion and furniture designers there is something for everyone, making it the perfect opportunity to meet the makers and snap up some original designer pieces. So, whether you’re local to London or fancy a day out to discover some of the capital’s creative gems, make a beeline for Made in Clerkenwell this May.

Reader Giveaway: Craft Central are offering our readers five pairs of tickets to Made in Clerkenwell, valid for all four days of the event including the launch on Thursday and late night shopping on Friday. For a chance to win a pair of tickets, simply leave a comment below before 15th May telling us why you love buying handmade.

For more information and to browse the designer-maker gallery, visit www.craftcentral.org.uk.

From Top Right: Ring by Mark Nuell, Pendant by Amy Keeper, Vases by Jo Davies, Cake Stand by Michelle Mason, Placemat by Lucie Pritchard.

The Lake District is a beautiful place to visit whatever the time of year, but for me one of the best months to explore the region is May. At this time of year, the temperatures are starting to warm up nicely and there is lots to do and see. Visitors sometimes bemoan the rain in the Lake District, but May is historically one of the driest months. In any case, if it weren’t for a little rain now and again, the Lake District wouldn’t be the beautiful place that it is.

With the tourist season getting into full swing, and the blossom in full bloom, there’s also a number of great events to enjoy at this time of year. For those who are actively-minded, there are some great challenges to tackle. How does the Fred Whitton Challenge (13th May) sound? It’s 112 miles of road cycling over the Lake District’s steepest passes – not for the faint of heart! There’s also the Brathay Windermere Marathon (20th May) in support of a local charity, which entails running a 26.2 mile course around Lake Windermere. Or, if you’re a little unhinged, you could tackle the ‘10 in 10’ (11th-20th May) instead which requires you to do the Brathay Windermere Marathon 10 times in 10 consecutive days!

If, like most people, you prefer a more sedate and relaxing introduction to the Lake District, don’t despair… there’s lots of other things going on to whet your appetite. There’s the Keswick Jazz Festival (3rd-6th May) in the north of the county, the Cartmel Medieval Festival (4th and 5th May), the Cross Bay Walk across Morecambe Bay (2 weekends in May), Music on the Terrace at Brochole near Ambleside (22nd May), Kendal Farmers Market (25th May) and the Westmorland County Show not far from Kendal (26th and 27th May).

Paul is the owner of a beautiful riverside apartment in Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District National Park. For more information visit www.kendalcottages.com.

From Top Left: Brathay Windermere Marathon, Keswick Jazz Festival, Fred Whitton Challenge, Kendal Cottages, Westmorland Country Show, Cross Bay Walk.

Artist Rebecca Vose is one of the latest creatives to join the ranks of independent British design talent at Acolyte Home & Gift, with her beautifully detailed pencil illustrations. She works closely with owners to ensure that each drawing perfectly captures the spirit and personality of their pet. Find out more about her work and get an exclusive 10% off at www.acolytehomeandgifts.com.

Another British business dedicated to reflecting the style and individuality of your pet is Scrufts. Their handmade collars are created using designer fabrics and lined with the softest velvet ribbon. Why not snap up a Union Jack design for the Jubilee and Olympics this summer? Browse the collection and get 20% off when you use code ‘FBL1′ until 31st May at www.scrufts.co.uk.

Reader Giveaway: Win a bespoke pet portrait by Rebecca Vose courtesy of Acolyte Home & Gift and a designer dog collar and lead set in your choice of design from Scrufts. To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us why your pet deserves to win by 31st May. Good luck!

Reader Offer: The Tartan Company are offering our readers an exclusive 10% off everything when you enter code ‘FBWL10′ at the checkout until 31st May 2012. Browse the collection at www.thetartanco.com.

The Make it In Great Britain Challenge is an exciting opportunity for innovators to submit an idea for a pre-market product, process or concept, intended for manufacture in Britain.

The competition is open to both individuals and businesses, and has been divided into five categories designed to showcase the breadth of British manufacturing: Make it… Smarter, Make it… Sustainable, Make it… Life Changing, and Make it… Breakthrough (16-21 year olds only). The winning entries will be put on display at a special Make It In Great Britain Exhibition at The Science Museum this Summer.

You can find out more about the challenge and submit an entry here, but hurry as the deadline is this Friday 13th April. For more information visit http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk/.

Trevor Bayliss talks about British invention

You can view two more videos featuring Trevor Bayliss introducing the Make It In Great Britain Challenge and Trevor Bayliss encouraging British inventors.

Starting your own vegetable garden isn’t as hard as you think. The question most people ask is, ‘Where do I start?’. If you’re interested in growing your own vegetables, many people presume you need lots of land, but that’s not so. In fact, you can easily customise your veg plot depending on the space you have available and what you want to grow.

Once you’ve chosen your plot, it’s a good idea to do a soil pH test, then lay down a ‘weedmat’ to prevent weeds growing. You cut holes in the mat so your plants can grow through, and people often cover them with bark cuttings or soil to give a more natural look.

Many vegetables can be grown outside or in. Greenhouses are perfect for growing small vegetables, enabling you to tend to your plants in all weathers, while protecting them from pests and predators… as well as giving you a peaceful retreat to escape to!

Tomatoes grow particularly well in greenhouses and are ideal for novice kitchen gardeners. Try Tomato Gartenperle, a delicious cherry tomato which can be grown from seed in small tubs or even hanging baskets. Of course, the benefits are huge as there is nothing quite like biting into your own home-grown tomatoes!

If space is an issue, consider a mini greenhouse which offers an excellent way of growing and protecting your plants where space is limited. Available in a variety of colours, they also make an ideal first gardening project for little ones wishing to tend their very own vegetable garden.

A kitchen garden is an excellent form of self-sufficiency and a great project for the whole family to enjoy together, as well as being an ideal way to introduce your children to the joys of gardening.

To find out more about Hartley Botanic’s award-winning greenhouses, visit www.hartley-botanic.co.uk.

From Top: Greenhouse by Hartley Botanic, Welsh Slate Garden Sign by Grasi, Gardening Gloves by Bradleys The Tannery, Tomato and Cucumber Seeds by The Balcony Gardener, Mini Patio Greenhouse by Hartley Botanic, Flower Scissors by Bradleys The Tannery.