• Rag Rugs, Pillows and More book cover
    book review - Craft book review - crafts - What I'm reading

    Rag Rugs, Pillows and More book review

    October 26, 2016 - By 

    It’s not often I get sent a lovely adult craft book to review, but I am so pleased when I do! The latest book on my bedside table is the wonderful Rag Rugs, Pillows and More by Ragged Life founder, Elspeth Jackson. This is a wonderfully modern approach to a traditional, and rather forgotten, craft filled with beautifully contemporary projects all illustrated with gorgeous photography. Elspeth also includes all the techniques and tools you’ll need to get started on an exciting new craft. In this stunning new book, crafter Elspeth Jackson reinvents the old (and somewhat forgotten) technique of rag…

  • The Muse by Jessie Burton
    book review - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: The Muse by Jessie Burton

    September 17, 2016 - By 

    I absolutely devoured Jessie Burton’s first novel, The Miniaturist, so when I saw a copy of her new book The Muse I bought it straight away. I finished it a few weeks ago. It was an easy read but it took me a good few weeks due to all the upheaval of the summer holidays. It’s story has kept me thinking ever since I finished it. A picture hides a thousand words . . . On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about…

  • The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl
    book review - Roald Dahl crafts - What I'm reading

    The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl {book review}

    August 5, 2016 - By 

    The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl, a spectacular scrapbook of stories, characters and creations is published later this month, part of the celebrations surrounding 100 years since the birth of the author. Don’t forget the 13th September will see the biggest ever global celebration of Roald Dahl’s birthday on Roald Dahl Day. So, have you ever wanted to know what actually happened to James Trotter’s parents when they encountered an angry escaped rhino? Or how to make the Twits’ infamous bird pie? Well now you can find out, with The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl. The book is a brilliant…

  • Bottersnikes & Gumbles
    book review - competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of The Adventures of Bottersnikes and Gumbles

    July 30, 2016 - By 

    This week Bottersnikes & Gumbles – the award-winning kids’ CGI animation show – premiered on CBBC, airing at 6pm every week day (with a repeat the following day at 3.30pm). The series brings to screen the much-loved 1970s classic children’s books by Australian author S.A. Wakefield and illustrated by Desmond Digby. In a far away forgotten valley, heaped with long abandoned junk, a timeless battle rages between good and evil… and also between squashy and scaly, happy and grumpy, clever and wily… cute and plain old ugly. This is the land of Bottersnikes and Gumbles. Each episode features the charming…

  • I Can Make My Own Accessories book
    book review - crafts - sewing - What I'm reading

    I Can Make My Own Accessories review

    July 28, 2016 - By 

    I love craft books and it seems my enthusiasm has passed to my children too. Every time they hear the sound of the postman dropping a book through the letterbox they rush to open it.  Next month sees the publication of I Can Make My Own Accessories, a follow-on from the popular I Can Make Dolls’ Clothes – both from Thames & Hudson. Written by former head of Children’s Wear Design at Liberty of London Louise Scott-Smith, and graphic designer Georgia Vaux, I Can Make My Own Accessories features on-trend pieces such as a festival garland and brooch. With easy-to-follow guides, this creative book teaches children aged…

  • Miffy books
    book review - Miffy Mums - parenting - What I'm reading

    Our Summer holiday essentials

    July 24, 2016 - By 

    I don’t share a lot of very personal things of my blog but you may have noticed that my blog posts and social media presence have been all over the place for the last 2 weeks. My husband had elective surgery recently but there were some complications, meaning he was in hospital a lot longer than we envisioned. Trying to juggle daily hospital visits whilst keeping the children in a normal routine has been absolutely exhausting and something had to slide. Hopefully my husband will be discharged from hospital any day and I’m hoping to be able to kick back…

  • Win a copy of the 2016 edition of The BFG
    competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of the 2016 edition of The BFG

    July 18, 2016 - By 

    A new 2016 edition of The BFG has recently been published by Puffin Books. With a new foreword by Lucy Dahl and exclusive fun activities inside, including: Draw Your Dream, BFG Draw-along with Quentin Blake, BFG Quiz and much more! The cover ties in with the film and this is sure to be a classic copy for my children’s generation. For those not familiar with the story: On a dark, silvery moonlit night, Sophie is snatched from her bed by a giant. Luckily it is the Big Friendly Giant, the BFG, who only eats snozzcumbers and glugs frobscottle. But there…

  • More Colouring for Contemplation
    book review - competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of More Colouring for Contemplation

    July 14, 2016 - By 

    With the School holidays looming I thought you may be interested in More Colouring for Contemplation by Amber Hatch and Alex Ogg, the follow ­on title from the team that brought you the hugely successful Colouring for Contemplation. Colouring books for adults have seen a huge rise in popularity, ­ this ‘new’ craft is an antidote to the stresses of modern living. In answer to this, Watkins released Colouring for Contemplation in November and a pocket edition of the same book in January. These books have received fantastic 5 star reviews across the board with positive comments on the book’s…

  • Cath Kidston Teatime book cover
    baking - book review - Cath Kidston - What I'm reading

    Cath Kidston Teatime: 50 cakes and bakes for every occasion

    July 2, 2016 - By 

    My book shelves are pretty full, and double stacked in places, but when I heard about Cath Kidston Teatime I really wanted to treat myself to a copy. I have all the Cath Kidston books as I love looking through them, but so far they’ve all been craft books. Cath Kidston Teatime: 50 cakes and bakes for every occasion is a baking book and I was excited to see a copy. Teatime is a British tradition that has become a staple the world over. Afternoon tea brings people together over sumptuous scones and sponges, elegant sandwiches, marvellous macarons and delectable…