• How to make straw rockets
    Kids crafts - Staedtler Try It Tribe

    How to make straw rockets

    August 25, 2015 - By 

    Every week during the school holidays Staedtler are setting a crafty challenge and the winner will become the next member of the Try-it Tribe. More information can be found on their Facebook page. This weeks challenge is to create a game which can be played whatever the weather. As a member of the Try-it Tribe we were sent a bundle of craft supplies and had great fun making straw rockets. Equipment needed to make straw rockets: Paper Scissors Gel crayon pens from Staedtler Paper straws Sellotape How to make straw rockets: Cut your paper into rectangles at least 3 x…

  • George's Marvellous Medicine mud kitchen activity
    Crafts for kids - garden crafts - Kids crafts - Roald Dahl crafts

    George’s Marvellous Medicine mud kitchen activity

    August 25, 2015 - By 

    Did you know that the 13th September is Roald Dahl Day? This Summer we started reading our first chapter book and I chose George’s Marvellous Medicine to read with our 5 year old. He soon got used to fewer pictures and the chapter structure. It’s been a great way to get him to re-tell the story to me each night before we read a chapter and see just how much he’s taking in. It’s lovely to re-read stories I enjoyed when I was younger and I can’t think of a more inspiring author to introduce to my children. Roald Dahl…

  • book review - upcycling - What I'm reading

    How to make a plate clock

    August 24, 2015 - By 

    As I mentioned the other day I was invited to a fun workshop to celebrate the launch of Furniture Hacks by Hesta Van Overbeek at West Elm, the furniture and accessories store on Tottenham Court Road. How to make a plate clock We sat down at a long table and were able to pick a plate from West Elm for the clock face, our choice of hands as well as a clock mechanism and battery. Then came the fun part. I painted my clock hands orange using nail varnish and marked the centre of my plate with a small dot…

  • Cath Kidston - Orla Kiely

    Monday happy things

    August 24, 2015 - By 

    Time for my weekly Monday happy things post. I’m excited to announce that we’ve been chosen as Playmobil Playologists for the 3rd year running. We love Playmobil and are looking forward to sharing our reviews and Playmobil news with you. My husband treated me to a new Orla Kiely handbag which was my annual wife bonus. I haven’t had a new Orla Kiely handbag for a good few years so had a lovely look at some of her latest collection whilst we were on holiday in Exeter last week. I chose the Big Owl Zip Messenger which features a new…

  • Kids crafts

    8 cute alpaca crafts

    August 23, 2015 - By 

    July was so hectic I didn’t manage to write my usual Monthly Makes post. However as August is nearly on its way out I thought I would take a minute to write about what I’ve been making this month. When I sat down to think about it I realised I only really made one thing – I stitched a cute Loving Alpacas embroidery pattern, another Wild Olive by Mollie Johanson pattern. Have you noticed how cute alpacas are? There was a gorgeous alpaca bag charm in the latest Kawaii Box (which is attached to my bag so I can find…

  • exploring Utrecht with Miffy
    days out - exploring - holidays - the Netherlands

    Exploring Utrecht with Miffy

    August 23, 2015 - By 

    As a mum of two small children we love Miffy, the little white rabbit drawn by Dick Bruna. This year Miffy celebrates her 60th birthday with, amongst other things, a special exhibition called Celebrating 60 years of Miffy! at the Centraal Museum Utrecht. Exploring Utrecht with Miffy Dick Bruna was born and lives in Utrecht and created Miffy there so it is great to see such a huge exhibition dedicated to Miffy. The exhibition runs from 20 June 2015 until 20 September 2015 and earlier in the summer holidays my husband and I enjoyed a weekend away and found ourselves…

  • holidays - Peppa Pig Holiday Blogger - swimming

    Swimming with Peppa and George

    August 22, 2015 - By 

    This year we have really enjoyed being a Peppa Pig Holiday Blogger. Both my children love Peppa and she plays a large part in our lives, as I’m sure she does in many other families. A few weeks ago we received our final Peppa Pig parcel of goodies and it was packed with lovely toys and products to see us through the holidays. The parcel contained lots of items which were perfect for my daughter who was really looking forward to swimming in Grandad’s pool this summer. The last time we put her in a pool 12 months ago just…

  • playing - toy review

    Bright Eyes toy review

    August 21, 2015 - By 

    Over the last couple of weeks Little Sis has been helping to review a brand new product from Character, Bright Eyes. This is a supersoft, interactive toy with light-up, animated eyes and cute animal sounds. Little Sis received Tiny the Elephant and there are three further Bright Eyes toys: Breeze the Owl, Twinkle the Dog and Rosy the Cat. My 3 year old loves her elephant. She carries her around all day, takes her to nursery and then up to bed at night.  Simple to use, you can pet their head to wake them up, pet their backs and they…

  • playing - toy review

    Qixels Turbo Dryer Playset review

    August 21, 2015 - By 

    I have been keeping my 5 year old busy over the school holidays. As well as days out we’ve had fun at home too, reading books, crafting and practising his writing. He was sent the Qixels Turbo Dryer Playset from Character to review and this is an easy review to write as he absolutely loves it. Qixels are the cubes that fuse with a blast of water. Add the tray and templates to your Turbo Dryer then add Qixles to build your design! Spray with water the press and spin to dry your designs super fast! Simply Make, spray, play…