Creative Countryside
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Creative Countryside
A Seasonal, Slow Living Magazine
 

STORIES. NATURE. FOLKLORE. ADVENTURE.

 
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A quarterly magazine and seasonal gatherings for wild and wholehearted folk.

For those who strive to live more slowly, who are inspired by the first snowdrop and who walk outside in the rain. For lovers of stories, everyday adventures and local traditions. For those who opt for simplicity, appreciate ancient crafts, and celebrate the seasons.

 
 
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Issue 4, SUMMER 2018

 

Somewhere off grid. travelling coast to coast. lammas celebrations. the twilight hours. light through the leaves. sunflowers of the soul.
 

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Featured Story

 
 
Featured
Bumblebee Summer
Helen Duncan
Bumblebee Summer
Helen Duncan
Read More →
Helen Duncan
 
 


Summer Gathering

Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th June 2018, Yorkshire Dales
 

  • Midsummer feast & fire
  • Outdoor book club
  • Wild herbs workshop (making herbal butters & a 'dream pillow')
  • Seasonal photography walking workshop
  • Meditation & yoga
  • Seasonal mindfulness walk
  • & the chance to meet and connect with a wonderful group of like-minded creatives!
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MORE FROM THE JOURNAL

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

We love stories and folklore, adventures in nature & seasonal celebrations. Sound like you too? Join like-minded folk and become a part of the community today. We'll send you a free 46-page seasonal living e-book, a digital mini-magazine four times a year, & monthly(ish) newsletters, including exclusive updates on our printed magazine and seasonal gatherings.

We'd love to have you join us. Are you in?

 
 
 
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Today: frustrated phone call with printing company about another delay; interview for a part-time job; tons of emails; final prep for the summer gathering. I am so ready for a creative weekend of feasts and workshops! One of our sessions is centred around wild herbs and will be led by @north_star_nomad - herbs are said to be particularly potent around midsummer, so I can't wait. How's the start of your week been? Photo: @the_seasonal_table for #aseasonalyear
Change is afoot around here. Summer is sneaking in; the strawberries are starting to blush, the peonies by the back door are having a field day, and the evening light stretches later every night. And things are also changing at Creative Countryside - I'm so excited to announce Sarah @frondandfeather is moving roles to become the magazine's Deputy Editor, and @aseasonedsoul is our new Features Editor. Callum has been a frequent contributor to both the journal and the magazine since the beginning, and I'm so thrilled to welcome him on board. Go say hi if you don't already follow! Photo: @aseasonedsoul
With each issue, I promise myself I'll leave plenty of time, that I won't neglect online spaces and that I really will stick to my timeline. Of course life never sticks to the plan, and here I am a week later than planned, but still so excited to share the cover image for issue 4! It's by the wonderful @asaulyte and you can pre-order a copy of the magazine now (orders will be sent in a couple of weeks). Expect slow travel tales, ideas to make the most of summer evenings, butterflies, off grid creativity and tons of seasonal inspiration. What's your favourite thing about summer? P.S. check out the tags for some of our brilliant contributors.
'The woods were calling to me, just as they have called to others throughout time, urging us to reconnect with our true nature and renew ourselves.' Sometimes we need a reminder that spending time outdoors improves our mood, reduces stress, and makes space for creative thinking. Rebecca (@rrobinsonwriter) shares more in the journal (link in profile). I can't wait to get into the woods at @timberfestival in just a few weeks. Celebrating woodland culture, this new festival is bringing communities together to play and create in an arboreal woodland, where the tonic of wildness rules supreme. Will you be there? (Photo: @clickandlearnphotography via @unsplash) #getoutside #onehouroutside #adventure4all #greatoutdoors #capturingbritain #visitengland #visualsofbritain #wanderlust #gohiking #naturalworld #stayandwander #naturelover #liveauthentic #optoutside #getoutstayout #exploremore #keepitwild #igooutdoors #outdoorlife #goexplore #everydaylifeoutdoors #thisismyadventure #photosofbritain #gowildlyandslow #thewildnesstonic
And so seven became nine. So thrilled to announce two new members of the #creativecountryside team - Rhiannon (@mudlarkandmagpie) is our new Poetry Editor for the magazine (get in touch with her if you'd like to submit) and Rebecca (@margotgoodlife) is our new Book Editor for the journal (if you've any recommendations for reviews, let her know!). There will be some more changes in the next few months, so keep an eye out, and send me a DM or email if you'd like to get involved! (Photo: @mudlarkandmagpie)
Three years ago we took Bella (the labrador) to Theddlethorpe beach for the first time. The sun shone the whole day, and we had the entire beach to ourselves. This weekend we took little one there for the first time, and it was just as glorious. There was hardly anyone else there, so we had a long walk and quick splash in the sea (he didn't like the cold water very much!) and even saw a seal bobbing just a few feet away. Do you have quiet spots you like to escape when the weather gets warm? P.S. I've got some exciting news to announce tomorrow - our team is expanding! #aseasonalyear #alovefornaturesbest #slownaturemoments #gowildlyandslow #mynaturestory #thewildnesstonic #quietinthewild #inspiremyinstagram #holdthemoment #smallmomentsofcalm #getoutandgather #capturingbritain #theweekoninstagram #passionpassport #seekthesimplicity #finditliveit #ofsimplethings #postitfortheaesthetic #aquietstyle #thelifestylecollective #abmhappylife #stayandwander #pursuepretty #livethelittlethings
I seem to have bypassed blossom season on IG, but there's still so much about here! On our smallholding, the apple orchard (where the chickens also live) is by far my favourite spot, and last year every single tree blossomed at the same time. It hasn't happened this year, but it still looks beautiful, and photographs never seem to do it justice. Do you have a favourite blossoming tree? Is there one in your garden, or on your way to work, that stops you in your tracks? (Photo: Priscilla Du Preez) #aseasonalyear #kindredmoments #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #alittlebeautyeveryday #thesweetlifeunscripted #thehonestlens #facethespring #botanicalforagersunitedsocietyinc #simplethingsmadebeautiful #myeverydaymagic #behomefree #aseasonalshift #cherishandrelish_may #awakethelight #underthefloralspell #bloomandgrow #tinytinymoments #cornersofmyworld #nestandthrive #foundforaged #prettiestpastels #holdthemoment #smallmomentsofcalm
Whether you choose to celebrate the turning of the seasons or not, the ancient festivals punctuate each year, acting as a reminder of the passing of time. Today marks the fire festival of Beltane, and though traditionally bonfires would have been lit, tables laden with a feast, and Maypoles danced around, sometimes simple celebrations are just as meaningful. You could light a candle, gather some greenery indoors, or pick a posy of flowers to give to a loved one. How will you mark this seasonal change? (Photo via @unsplash) #aseasonalyear #embracingtheseasons #inspiredbynature #savouringtheseason #inspiredbynature_ #cherishandrelish_may #slownaturemoments #livecolourfully #optoutside #liveauthentic #stayandwander #littlestoriesofmylife #thatauthenticfeeling #savouringhappiness #slowlived #exploretocreate #nothingisordinary #creativelifehappylife #simplenaturefinds #aquietstyle #curated_nature #beltane
Of the seven members of the CC team, three have a campervan ready to escape on adventures whenever they have the time. Being away as a family last week made us realise that spending time exploring the countryside beyond our back door is something we'd love to to do more often too. We don't have a campervan (yet!), but we are going to try and prioritise UK adventures as much as possible. So I need your recommendations! Where should we go?! (Image by @wrigglytinhuts in the South Downs, run by the very lovely @a_slow_adventure and already on my list!) #alovefornaturesbest #slownaturemoments #gowildlyandslow #mynaturestory #thewildnesstonic #quietinthewild #inspiremyinstagram #holdthemoment #smallmomentsofcalm #rusticgamestrong #getoutandgather #capturingbritain #theweekoninstagram #passionpassport #seekthesimplicity #finditliveit #ofsimplethings #agameoftones #postitfortheaesthetic #aquietstyle #thelifestylecollective #abmhappylife #stayandwander #pursuepretty #livethelittlethings
You know those days when you're constantly doing, but you never really get much ticked off your to-do list? Today was definitely one of those days. I'm craving a lie-in with a mug of strong coffee and a good book, but it will have to wait! Also, yes, this is another photo from the wonderful @anniespratt via @unsplash. I promise I try to share the work of other photographers with you too, but most of the time when I see a photo I like the look of, it ends up being one of Annie's. Can't wait to learn her tricks of the trade at the #ccsummergathering! #slowlivingforlife #quietchaotics #gritandvirtue #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #alittlebeautyeveryday #searchwandercollect #beautyinsimplicity #beautyyouseek #simplethingsmadebeautiful #myeverydaymagic #inspiremyinstagram #holdthemoment #curatedlife #smallmomentsofcalm #slowlived #onequietcup #provenciallife #kinfolklife
The daffs are still going strong! I can't remember a time when it's been so hot and they've still been blooming, but they've been lovely to see on our week away. I've had a break from my phone (so sorry if I owe you a DM/email/message - I'll get on it this week!) and just enjoyed being a family, going for walks, eating tons of cake, and exploring the countryside. I'm giving myself another slow day before getting back in the office on Tuesday, and I'm crossing my fingers for more sunshine... How's your week been? Have you managed to get outside for any adventures? (Photo taken @nationaltrust Wallington Hall & Gardens) #aseasonalyear #nationaltrust #kindredmoments #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #alittlebeautyeveryday #thesweetlifeunscripted #thehonestlens #facethespring #botanicalforagersunitedsocietyinc #simplethingsmadebeautiful #myeverydaymagic #behomefree #aseasonalshift #cherishandrelish_april #awakethelight #underthefloralspell #bloomandgrow #tinytinymoments #cornersofmyworld #nestandthrive #foundforaged #prettiestpastels #holdthemoment #smallmomentsofcalm
I’ve been going on a lot recently about community, collaborations, and working together as creatives. So I’m thrilled to be a part of the Damson and Slate Collective; Hilary has organised a pop-up shop in London (24th-28th April), and Creative Countryside magazines will be on sale alongside some other wonderful products. To kick-off the week we are giving away a luxury goody bag worth over £500! Here’s what you could win… @tuffet.co Pouffe selected from stock @1819.gallery Two 19th C seed spoons @damsonslate A Cresselly Stripe Welsh blanket @juleshoganknitwear Lambs wool scarf @welshlavender Farmers’ 1100 Eau de toilette @creativecountryside Issue 2 & 3 of the Magazine @rosebudandviolet Surprise vintage painting - To enter follow each of the accounts above. Tag 3 people in this post who you think might love our gorgeous products and want to hear about the Pop-Up. All accounts that follow all of the Pop-Up Participants above and who have tagged 3 other people will be entered into the prize draw. Shipping to the UK only. Open 16th -28th April, closing at 6pm. The winner will be picked at random on the 1st May 2018 and will be notified by direct message. Wishing you lots of luck! Please do share. This competition is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. #popupgiveaway #damsonandslatecollective #luxurygoodybag #shopsmall #makersgonnamake #creativehappylife #createmakeshare #thisismycommunity #thehappynow #shopindie