• easy fabric tissue holder tutorial
    crafts - Handmade gifts - sewing

    Fabric tissue holder tutorial {a Mother’s Day gift}

    March 13, 2017 - By 

    With Mother’s Day coming up soon I thought I should make a head start on some handmade gifts to give the ladies in our family. A couple of weeks ago I visited the Spring Knitting & Knitting Show where I picked up some gorgeous pieces of Liberty Lawn fabric. At the time I didn’t have a project in mind but the fabrics were too good to stay hidden in my fabric cupboard. In fact they didn’t even get put away as I’ve already used them to make some sweet fabric tissue holders. To make your own you will need: Self…

  • Brickheadz Belle figure
    homestyle - Lego - Monday Happy List - Orla Kiely - sewing

    Monday Happy List {Week 128}

    March 13, 2017 - By 

    This week has been a bit hit and miss. I’ve been busy planning for my son’s birthday which is on Saturday. He’s turning 7 which is kinda shocking as I remember the day he was born as if it was yesterday. We’re having a low key day with some of his friends coming over, then taking him out for dinner. Currently there’s a huge pile of presents to be wrapped in the corner of my bedroom – I’m not quite sure how he hasn’t guessed what’s hiding under the Spiderman blanket! Every week I try and write a post about…

  • The Art Of The Brick: DC Super Heroes in London
    days out - Lego - Local Review - London - parenting

    The Art Of The Brick: DC Super Heroes in London

    March 12, 2017 - By 

    My 5 year old absolutely adores Batman so for Christmas we gave her tickets to go and see The Art Of The Brick: DC Super Heroes, billed as the world’s largest collection of Super Heroes-inspired LEGO artwork! Created by legendary Lego artist Nathan Sawaya, this is the second large-scale exhibition of his that we’ve been to see. It’s actually been two years ago since  we saw the last one, blogged about here. This new The Art Of The Brick, sub-titled DC Super Heroes is a contemporary art exhibition using nearly 2,000,000 bricks to create large-scale sculptures of the most enduring…

  • Always Tea Time EmbellishBox for February
    crafts - Paper craft - Paper cut art - subscription box

    EmbellishBox for papercutters {February box}

    March 11, 2017 - By 

    Last moth the February EmbellishBox for papercutters popped through my letterbox. I really like the box so took out a monthly subscription! Now I never have to worry about forgetting to order a box. The February box had a theme – Always Tea Time. Inside were 3 x tea-time templates and an Always Tea Time House to add to my growing collection. As well as the templates were some extra bits. I love the tea pot stand which I’m using as an over-sized coaster, some tea, badge and a special iced biscuit which my children took. The box included 3 x…

  • floor covered in BRIO train set
    parenting - playing - toy review

    Expand your imagination with BRIO World

    March 10, 2017 - By 

    One of the first ‘proper’ toys my son had was a BRIO train set. It was a basic set but as we realised how much he loved it we added to it with more track and bridges. He made brilliant layouts and we quickly got used to having the track out across the floor (and learnt how not to trip over it!). We’ve always loved wooden toys – they are sustainable, easy to clean, brilliant quality and excellent value. Expand your world with BRIO World BRIO is a popular brand and I love how they keep expanding their range. In…

  • pile of magazines in a Doctor's waiting room
    parenting

    Searching your symptoms online

    March 10, 2017 - By 

    One thing I never anticipated when I became a parent was how I would turn from a sane woman into mother/doctor/nurse/giver of medicine. My husband has a serious on-going health problem but babies, toddlers and children’s health is something I knew nothing about – until I had children and was suddenly required to be an expert in every little thing! Touch wood, my children are healthy. They’ve had sniffles, winter coughs and chicken pox, but nothing more serious than that. The problem is that you never really know if it’s serious or not at the time. So how do you identify…

  • DIY BUNNY JARS
    Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - crafts - Easter - Spring

    Simple bunny jar for Easter treats

    March 9, 2017 - By 

    Last week I received my usual box of crafting supplies to take part in the March Bostik Bloggers craft challenge. The theme was Easter which is perfect as I have been itching to get started on some Spring time crafts. This month our box included the wonderful Fine & Wide Glu Pen as well as a packet of white Blu Tack, both really useful crafting products. I decided to make some little Easter treat jars for my children. They love Easter, who doesn’t with all that chocolate, so I thought some cute little bunny jars would go down well. I…

  • #IWD2017 #5by20
    homestyle - International Women's Day

    Supporting women on International Women’s Day {5by20}

    March 8, 2017 - By 

    I received products from Coca-Cola’s 5by20 program; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Today is International Women’s Day. It is celebrated on March 8th all over the world and commemorates and raises awareness of women’s rights. So today I’m going to share a great initiative from Coca-Cola and how they are working to empower female entrepreneurs worldwide with the tools and training they need to grow their businesses and income. I may be a stay at home mum at the moment but I am so lucky that this is a choice, taken between me and my husband. Some women…

  • crafts for kids to celebrate the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee
    crafts - Royal crafts

    10 crafts for kids to celebrate the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee

    March 8, 2017 - By 

    Last month, on February 6, the anniversary of the day she became Queen, Elizabeth II has reigned for 65 years. She is the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee, with royal gun salutes to mark the historic day. I heard some rumours that we might be getting a public holiday this year to celebrate her Sapphire Jubilee. This would be great for the children. I don’t remember celebrating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee back in 1977 as I was too young but it’s always fun to create memories at special occasions. The Royal Mint is marking the 65th anniversary with…