• Setting goals and growing my business in 2018
    Crafts for adults

    Setting goals and growing my business in 2018

    January 31, 2018 - By 

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias The start of a New Year is generally a time of reflection and looking forward. Although I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions there are some things I would like to achieve. Last year my goals were to lose weight and get a job. I managed a significant weight loss, thanks to joining Slimming World, and bagged myself a part-time job too. I love the power of positive thinking which is why I’m happy to start 2018 by setting myself more goals.…

  • 5 Creative Date Night Ideas for Busy Parents
    Family Life - parenting

    6 Creative Date Night Ideas for Busy Parents

    January 31, 2018 - By 

    With Valentine’s Day now just 2 weeks away my thoughts have been turning to how to mark the occasion. I’m not a huge fan of overly commercialised days. Instead my husband and I try to make time for each other through the month, rather than go all out on one day each year. We’re huge Netflix fans round here. Lack of a baby sitter means we often watch a film when the children have gone to bed. Sometimes it’s good to plan something which doesn’t revolve around a screen though, so I thought I’d share 5 creative date night ideas…

  • Family Life - homestyle

    My garden lighting shopping guide

    January 30, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Wyatt Ryan on Unsplash Lighting is an important element of any home. Using it in the right way really matters. The way a space is lit can make a huge difference to how it looks and feels, as well as affect how practical it is. This is also true of your garden. Using LED garden lights from LED Hut or another retailer, in the right way, can have a transformative effect. It can turn a space that is dark and unwelcoming, at night, into one where you long to go to relax at the end of a hard day. However, you do…

  • Signs of the Sewdiac Subscription Box
    Crafts for adults - subscription box

    Signs of the Sewdiac Subscription Box {January Box}

    January 30, 2018 - By 

    Just before Christmas I heard about a new subscription box for crafters, the Signs of the Sewdiac Subscription Box from Samantha Claridge at Sew Crafty. I liked the idea of this subscription kit because it’s a 12 months one that you can dip in and out of. It promised a selection of products to complement a creative lifestyle. Every box would include a collectable enamel pin and selection of exclusive products including notepads, greetings cards, postcards, pens, pencils, patches, fabric, haberdashery, stickers as well as complimentary products available on the website. For example, a banner to keep your pin badge…

  • Chinese New Year lantern craft for kids to make
    Chinese New Year crafts - Crafts for kids

    Chinese New Year lantern craft for kids to make

    January 29, 2018 - By 

    Welcome to our fourth annual Chinese New Year blog hop! Lunar New Year, more commonly known as Chinese New Year, starts on February 16th. It is the beginning of the Year of the Dog, and we have lots of great ideas for celebrating it with kids! Don’t miss our series from last year, 2016 and 2015, and you can find even more on our Chinese New Year Pinterest board. Chinese New Year lantern craft Materials used: Small polystyrene ball Red tissue paper PVA glue Yellow pipe cleaner How to make a Chinese New Year lantern First thread your pipe cleaner…

  • Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things

    January 29, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone! I’m looking forward to the end of January and a new month. January has flown by but I admit to being excited by warmer weather, longer days and February. We’re decorating my daughter’s bedroom this week which I’m quite excited about. I had a major clear out today and although I’m sad to get rid of the toys she no longer plays with, I’m excited to give her a lovely bedroom. Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things We were lucky to go and see two great films this weekend. The first was Darkest Hour which my husband…

  • Mollie Makes pom pom love birds kit
    Crafts for adults - Mollie Makes crafts

    Mollie Makes pom pom love birds kit

    January 28, 2018 - By 

    Regular readers will know that every month I challenge myself to make the Mollie Makes magazine cover gift. I’ve subscribed since it first came out and have had a drawer full of unopened kits – but no more! I’ve been making more time for grown up crafting and I love to make the kits and hopefully try something new. Mollie Makes pom pom love birds kit The pom pom love birds kit from issue 88 was designed by Christine Leech and contained a pom pom maker, pink, blue and black wool, as well as small pieces of green, yellow and peach felt. I’ve…

  • Celebrating National Chocolate Cake Day
    Family Life

    Celebrating National Chocolate Cake Day

    January 27, 2018 - By 

    Did you know that today, Saturday 27th January, is National Chocolate Cake Day? My children were so excited when I told them this and couldn’t wait to make something special to celebrate. To celebrate Chocolate Cake Day my daughter was sent a bundle of Series 4 Num Noms and all the ingredients she needed to bake some delicious Num Noms-inspired chocolate cakes. Have you heard of Num Noms? You can mix and match Num Noms to create sweet, scented recipes! There are 120 Num Noms in Series 4! Scented Nums are adorable, squishy characters with tons of personality. Noms are scented nail polish or…

  • Family Life - homestyle

    Top 3 family-friendly floors

    January 26, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash As a parent there are often a lot of things to consider, have you safety-proofed your home? Are they getting enough vitamins? All the usual palaver. But have you ever considered your floor? Flooring has been overlooked by a lot of people, so if you are one of those, we’re here to inform you of the choices you can make when it comes to child-friendly flooring. Bamboo: Yes, you read that correctly, bamboo – it’s not just for pandas you know! Over the past decade this material has seen a huge increase in usage due to its ability to handle a…