This has been a great month for some grown up crafting. I’ve cut back on my blogging which means lots more time for making the things that make me happy rather than hours spent staring at my laptop. I completed Wild Olive’s Winter Stitching Club pattern which made a really lovely table mat or wall hanging. I loved stitching each hexagon and making them into puffy hexies. I think my favourites are the embroidered Christmas jumper and quilt. Wild Olive’s Winter Stitching Club I’ve completed some smaller projects too, such as a cute little gingerbread man I bought from Asking…
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This year Playmobil have released 5 Playmobil Advent calendars – Santa’s Workshop, Unicorn Fairyland, Police, Pony Farm and Dragon’s Treasure Battle. You may remember we were fortunate to be sent the Pirates Treasure Cove calendar last year as part of our role as Playmobil Playologists. I was pretty excited to receive the Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar as I’m a real traditionalist and love the look of this. The Pirate advent calendar was great and fun to open but had nothing to do with Christmas, this is perfect! Santa’s Workshop is designed for ages 4-10 and priced £18.99 which seems reasonable…
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Do you like Mondays? I’m coming to the conclusion that I love them. There’s something comforting to me about the start of our weekly routine and my favourite weekly post. I finished my ticker tape doll quilt and it’s now hanging up on our quilt gallery wall. It only took me an hour to finish the binding so I’m mentally kicking myself that I let it sit around unfinished for so long. Somehow I have over twenty three thousand followers on Pinterest! I’m not sure how that happened but I’m happy as I love Pinterest and Instagram too. I find…
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My children love to hear the classic story of the gingerbread boy all year round so I thought it might be fun to look for some related activities. Here our 15 brilliant gingerbread activities for kids. 15 gingerbread activities for kids I love this idea of crafting a gingerbread house themed puffy paint shadow box from Teach Preschool. I’ve never made our own puffy paint but it sounds simple, and I think I might try adding some ground gingerbread for a full on sensory experience. My children love to use their hands so gingerbread playdough is a favourite activity. For…
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Week 5 has gone past in a bit of a flash, we’ve enjoyed entertaining the family but unfortunately been ill too. An extra pair of hands with the children meant I was able to go to Camden for the DryNites Mums crafting event with Tamara Melvin and parenting expert Emma Kenny which was fab. I still need to put my upcycled lamp together and share it with you. My husband and I had a rare date night at our local Miller & Carter restaurant. I’ve been spending loads of time making things with the children which we love doing. It’s…
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I always forget how busy Christmas Eve is. A few last minute presents to wrap, meat to slow cook, and somehow small children to keep calm! This year my two are so very excited. Our Christmas Elf has said goodbye and left a present for them both under the tree – new pyjamas and a book. The pyjamas are already on and a carrot and mince pie have been left by the fireplace, just in case Santa is early. The only thing left for us to do is track Santa on his journey! A holiday staple for more than 50…
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Our biscuit barrel was sadly empty so I knew it was time to fill it up. I chose one of Tate & Lyle Sugar’s gorgeous Christmas recipes and made the biscuits last night. Much as my children love helping sometimes it’s really nice to concentrate and enjoy doing something on my own. I followed the recipe for the sparkly Christmas biscuits, mainly as it used cinnamon and ginger, which I just love. I adapted the recipe slightly as I forgot to buy an orange 🙂 The recipe made a lot of dough so I cut out star shapes as the…
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I had big ambitions for making lots of handmade gifts this year. Time seems to have run out on me though and although I made a couple of hand stencilled gifts, I have made far fewer than I would have liked. We’re giving lots of gift cards this year so I have come up with a great way of making them a little more interesting to open. By placing them in lovely hand decorated boxes! I enjoy decopatch and have been spending my evenings covering stars and hearts for our Christmas tree. It’s nice and simple which ticks all my…
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Have you ever crafted with a light bulb before? I was set a challenge from LightBulbs-Direct to redecorate an old and plain light bulb into an exciting new Christmas ‘light bulble’ bauble! Easy. I turned to Pinterest and found tons of inspiration, so much in fact it took me a while to decide exactly what to make. Lightbulbs are always burning out in our house so there was actually a couple by the back door waiting to go out with the recycling. I chose the largest one I could and gave it a light spray with a white acrylic primer to…