• holidays - mindfulness

    Monday Happy List – Week 89

    Sometimes it feels that I’m always writing this post. My Monday Happy List feels a little like Groundhog Day – thankfully this is a nice post to write and a lovely way to mark the days which pass far too quickly. We spent the first half of the week on the Isle of Wight which was lovely. When I asked the children what their favourite part of the holiday was, they said paddling in the pool shaped like the Isle of Wight. For once I was totally unprepared and, despite my pleas to the children paddle, of course they just jumped…

  • book review - Cath Kidston - Craft book review - What I'm reading

    The Cath Kidston Colouring Book

    I’ve always been a fan of pretty prints and patterns so when I heard about The Cath Kidston Colouring Book I knew I would be ordering myself a copy. I’m always sharing my latest adult colouring book on here and Instagram. What can I say? I really do like them and have a shelf full of them. So what can you expect from The Cath Kidston Colouring Book? Colour in the best-loved designs from two decades of Cath Kidston prints. Enhance your inner creativity with your own colour combinations; relax and be inspired by looks that are adored the world…

  • book review - crafts - Kids crafts - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of 3D Art Adventures

    I love to craft with my children so was excited to get my hands on a copy of 3D Art Adventures: Over 35 Creative, Artist-Inspired Projects in Sculpture, Ceramics, Textiles and More by Maja Pitamic and Jill Laidlaw. Three-dimensional art – whether sculpture, ceramics, installations, textiles or collage – combines the visual with the physical, making it perfect for kids who enjoy using their hands and getting a little messy. 3D Art Adventures introduces both adults and children to key works of three-dimensional art, which encompass a wealth of styles from ancient Greek sculpture to contemporary installations – and uses those…

  • book review - What I'm reading

    Share the magic of reading with Disney Book Week

    As a family who love to read we’re delighted to help promote the magic of Disney Book Week. My children love to read, something we introduced them to when they were tiny babies. I’m so pleased that at the grand old ages of 6 and 4 years old, that we still share at least one book at bedtime with each of them. Disney Book Week, is an exciting campaign running from 25th May – 12th June from Parragon and Disney. Disney movies have delighted generations of children and we can often be found re-watching one of our favourites when we…

  • crafts - die cutting - homestyle - Sizzix crafts

    Personalised chalkboard labels

    I love to personalise items around the house and today I’m sharing a tutorial for these personalised chalkboard labels. We’re trying to help our children save for our next holiday by filling these glass jars with our loose change. I’m hoping that once the money has been taken out they will fill them with souvenirs from our holiday. You can find the tutorial over on the Sizzix blog. Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 28PK – Delicate Letters (661040) You may be interested in my other Sizzix makes: Embellished oversized peg craft  Father’s Day Rosette Simple dream catcher tote bag Easy felt flamingo…

  • baking - Father's Day - Handmade gifts

    Biscuiteers biscuits for Fathers Day {Classic Car Show Biscuit Collection review}

    So it’s not so long ago that I wrote a post about getting a gift for the man who has everything. I always find Father’s Day a little bittersweet as I lost my own Dad a few years ago. However I am lucky to be married to the most amazing man and love to treat him when I can. I’ve already told you about the little personalised gifts the children have made for him but I thought he might like something a little more grown up too from Biscuiteers. My wonderful husband bought me my first and only (so far!)…

  • playing - Summer

    Fireman Sam’s Top Ten Summer Safety Tips

    We’re enjoying half term but I have to be honest and say we’re already thinking about the wonderfully long Summer holidays. Fireman Sam, the ultimate Hero Next Door, has recently launched a nationwide campaign to highlight the importance of keeping safe this summer, in partnership with Child Safety Week which runs from 6th– 12th June. This is an annual initiative run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to raise awareness of child-related accidents and how they can be prevented. The campaign is aimed at teaching children and parents about summer safety including how to be safe around water while…

  • crafts - sewing - swap

    Being brave and trying new things {NanaCompany swap}

    Regular readers will know that I love to craft and purchase an insane amount of craft books. Sewing is my favourite thing to do in my limited free time but often I’m struck by the fear of failure which holds me back from trying new things. So when I saw a new swap on Instagram I bravely signed up. The swap was quite specific to those who were fans of the NanaCompany style. I’ve had Amy Sinibaldi’s book for a while, I love her blog and her style but never got round to making anything from the book. I knew…

  • book review - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: The Wonderful Adventure of Nils Holgersson

    I love reading so was very happy to receive a copy of The Wonderful Adventure of Nils Holgersson by Selma Lagerlof to review. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I was blown away by the book cover designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, the award-winning designed and creator of Waterstones Book of the Year (2015), The Fox and the Star. The Wonderful Adventure of Nils Holgersson by Selma Lagerlof was first published in 1906. The author was a teacher, feminist, suffragette and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize. It was originally intended as a school geography book but…