• Camping at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Isle of Wight
    Family Life - Isle of Wight

    Camping at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Isle of Wight

    August 23, 2019 - By 

    Last weekend we finally got our tent and camping stuff up together and went camping at Parkdean Resorts, Nodes Point, Isle of Wight. We had booked a short weekend break with my sister and her family, and were looking forward to camping again. Camping at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Isle of Wight We took the Red Funnel ferry over to the Isle of Wight from Southampton. For us, this is when our journey really begins! It was a quick crossing over to West Cowes and we kept the children busy with a selection of Rubik’s toys. From West Cowes it…

  • {Free printable} Autumn bookmarks to colour
    Autumn - Crafts for kids - free printables

    {Free printable} Fall bookmarks to colour

    August 22, 2019 - By 

    I don’t know about you, but have you noticed the evenings getting darker earlier? The sun is still warm but when it goes down you notice how chilly it gets. We certainly felt Autumnal when we were camping last week, but we made the most of it (and came home with a stash of blackberries!). Autumn is my favourite month. I love looking out for the signs of Autumn, picking blackberries, looking for conkers, and walks in the woods where you can watch the leaves changing colour and falling. {Free printable} Fall bookmarks to colour Today I wanted to share…

  • A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
    What I'm reading

    A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier

    August 22, 2019 - By 

    I’ve read a few books by Tracy Chevalier so I was excited when I heard she had written another book, titled A Single Thread. The cover featured a needle and thread which immediately made me want to read it. Tracy Chevalier is an American author, who now lives in the UK, who has written 10 novels. She is probably most well-known for writing Girl With A Pearl Earring which was made into a film with Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier If she was to make a mark on the world, she would have to…

  • Tatty Devine X Craft Council exhibition
    Family Life

    Tatty Devine X Craft Council exhibition

    August 21, 2019 - By 

    I haven’t had much time to myself over the holidays (I really miss my day off whilst the children are on holiday!). Earlier in the holidays I did manage to sneak a trip into London to go and see Misshapes: The Making of Tatty Devine at the Lethaby Gallery. This was a free exhibition which has unfortunately now closed, however it is going on tour around the country so Tatty fans will still be able to see it. Tatty Devine X Craft Council exhibition I’ve been a fan of Tatty Devine for a while and now have a small collection…

  • Summer fun with Rubik's
    Family Life

    Summer fun with Rubik’s toys

    August 21, 2019 - By 

    This summer Rubik’s launched a Summer Scrambles campaign with lots of fun new products. We were kindly gifted a bundle of them including Rubik’s Cage, Rubik’s Edge, Rubik’s Orbit, Rubik’s Block, Rubik’s Match and Rubik’s 3×3. We’ve always had the classic Rubik’s cube which my husband learned how to solve (with a bit of help from the website!) so I was keen to show him the new products. Summer fun with Rubik’s toys We’ve had a busy Summer holidays with plenty of trips at home and in Europe, so I always pack a few toys to keep them busy. I…

  • Mollie Makes magazine
    Crafts for adults - Mollie Makes crafts

    Felt Dandy Lion {a weekend sewing project}

    August 20, 2019 - By 

    Regular readers will know that every month I challenge myself to make the Mollie Makes magazine cover gift. I’ve subscribed since it first came out and have had a drawer full of unopened kits – but no more! I’ve been making more time for grown up crafting and I love to make the kits and hopefully try something new. Issue 109 came with a sweet felt craft kit to make a lion – perfect! I’m a bit behind. Issue 107 contained a crochet kit which I donated to a friend as I can’t crochet. Issue 108 contained a paper flower wall hanging…

  • camping on the Isle of Wight
    Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 254}

    August 19, 2019 - By 

    I love to start the week by writing Five Happy Things. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. After our epic trip to the Netherlands and Belgium we all enjoyed a few days at home. It was lovely to relax and catch up with some sewing, we painted rocks to hide and I did lots of tidying at home. We also bought the children’s shoes but let’s gloss over…

  • Rumple Buttercrump by Matthew Gray Gubler
    competition - Family Life

    Win a copy of Rumple Buttercrump by Matthew Gray Gubler

    August 16, 2019 - By 

    We’ve been sent some wonderful books to review recently (I have built up quite a stash that I need to go through!). Today I wanted to share a giveaway for a lovely children’s book. It’s a story of bananas, belonging, and being yourself. A charming and inspiring story, written and illustrated by Criminal Minds actor, Matthew Gray Gubler. Rumple Buttercrump by Matthew Gray Gubler “Year after year with his eyes shut tight he would feel the breeze of the changing seasons.” Rumple Buttercup has five crooked teeth, three strands of hair, green skin, and his left foot is slightly bigger…

  • Back to school with the Maped Picnik range
    Family Life - Maped Helix Blogger Ambassador

    Back to school with the Maped Picnik range

    August 16, 2019 - By 

    So the weather forecast is pretty dire today so we’re going to go school shoe shopping. This is probably my least favourite thing to do as a parent as my children’s feet are always growing. School shoes are really expensive but I know it’s important to get good quality shoes that fit properly so I know we’ll go to Clarks on the High Street. Back to school with the Maped Picnik range Fortunately I only have a few things to pick up before school starts (and I’m really glad we still have 2 weeks left of the summer holidays to…