• book review - crafts - handmade - Patchwork & Quilting - quilt

    Wise Craft Quilts by Blair Stocker

    February 19, 2017 - By 

    I’ve been reading craft blogs for a long time and one of the first I discovered was Wise Craft. The author, Blair Stocker, has followed her very successful book with a second, called Wise Craft Quilts: A Guide to Turning Beloved Fabrics into Meaningful Patchwork. Quilts are stories we compose with fabric and thread, providing physical and metaphorical warmth, and Wise Craft Quilts is about creating these stories. Whether making a quilt from baby’s first clothes or from a collection of Tyvek race numbers stored away in a box, sewing pieces like these into quilt form creates a new level of appreciation…

  • Chicago Town Deep Dish #NotJustForDinner
    holiday - parenting

    Home and away {Chicago Town Deep Dish}

    February 18, 2017 - By 

    We got back from our half term adventures yesterday. We’d had a brilliant few days away and came back to a warm-ish house and a well-packed freezer. I’ve learned my lesson and now make sure to stock the freezer with bread, milk and something I know will make everyone happy for that all-important first meal back at home. Pizza is a firm family favourite so I know I can never go wrong with any of Chicago Town’s Deep Dish range. My youngest always chooses to have pizza when it’s her turn to pick dinner and we eat it at least once…

  • Sylvanian Families Cosmetic Counter Set
    Friends of Sylvanian Families - playing - toy review

    Sylvanian Families Cosmetic Counter Set review

    February 18, 2017 - By 

    As Friends of Sylvanian Families we have been the lucky recipients of some wonderful Sylvanian Families toys. My 5 year old loves her small world play and can spend hours playing with her different buildings and families. During half term she was sent the brand new Sylvanian Families Cosmetic Counter Set. Sylvanian Families Cosmetic Counter Set review This is a very special set which includes the very pretty Persian Cat Girl, a dressing table and an assortment of make up and lotions. There were over 30 pieces in the set and my daughter loved examining everything and putting the stickers in…

  • The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon magazine cover
    book review - crafts - handmade - Mollie Makes crafts

    The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon

    February 17, 2017 - By 

    I regularly write about books and magazines I’ve been enjoying. I’ve read quite a few books lately but since finishing my last one, review coming soon …. I couldn’t resist picking up a copy of The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon to read. I’m a big fan of Mollie Makes and am still enjoying the Mollie Makes Creativity I told you about here. The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon I picked up a copy in Sainsbury’s along with the weekly shop. It cost £8.99 with £5 of that going directly to Comic Relief projects. The magazine/bookazine contains over 50 crafty makes for Red Nose Day…

  • half term adventures
    days out

    Half term adventures {Nunney Castle}

    February 16, 2017 - By 

    We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather this half term. We started the week with snow but today we barely needed coats. It’a lovely sign of the warmer weather to come. We spent the afternoon at the pretty village of Nunney which has an amazing castle we love to visit. Nunney Castle is a picturesque moated medieval castle, dating from the 1370s. Built by Sir John de la Mare, it was modernised in the late 16th century. The castle was besieged and damaged by the Parliamentarians in 1645, during the English Civil War. Though ruined, Nunney’s dramatic great tower is very…

  • Returning to work and searching for childcare
    parenting

    Returning to work and searching for childcare

    February 16, 2017 - By 

    For me, half term represents a break from being Mum’s Taxi! In a normal week, as well as the twice daily school run, we have swimming lessons, karate, football, Beavers, Rainbows to get to and from. I think this is normal judging by the conversations I have with my mum friends as we pass and rush to get our children somewhere on time. I love that my children want to try new experiences and I’m happy for them to try different classes until they find things they enjoy. Last year my daughter tried ballet which she didn’t enjoy. I was…

  • Spring crafts for kids
    Baker Ross Blogger Network - crafts - Spring

    Spring crafts for kids {from Baker Ross}

    February 15, 2017 - By 

    As you know we’re away at the moment and really noticing the signs of Spring. The weather has been warmer and we’ve been looking for Spring flowers wherever we go. I think Spring is one of my favourite seasons and can’t wait for some sunny skies and warmth in the sun. Spring also brings an abundance of special days – birthdays, Mothers Day and Easter. Spring crafts for kids We were sent a lovely bundle of Spring crafts from Baker Ross. I’ve worked with them for a while and my children love to see a Baker Ross box waiting for…

  • DUCK TAPE VALENTINE ENVELOPES from the gingerbread house blog
    crafts - Crafts for adults - Duck Tape crafts - Valentines Day crafts

    Duck Tape Valentine envelopes

    February 14, 2017 - By 

    The other day I made a super sweet fabric envelope for my daughter. Yesterday I made something for my son from Duck Tape! As much as I loved the Liberty envelope I knew he would like something a little more robust so crafted an envelope from Duck Tape. Duck Tape Valentine envelope craft I love crafting with Duck Tape and they have a great range of colours for this time of year. Envelopes are pretty simple to make and you an make them any size, perfect for a chocolate heart or little card. First I made a Duck Tape sheet…

  • a bunch of crocuses
    Monday Happy List

    Monday happy things {week 124}

    February 13, 2017 - By 

    This half term has gone super quick and I’m so happy that we’re enjoying a half term break already. The weather has been so cold but we were rewarded with warmer temperatures and sunshine today which made everyone happy. Time for my weekly Monday happy things post. Monday happy things post {week 124} Last week was busy as I helped on a school trip my son went on with his Year 2 classmates to Bhaktivedanta Manor. I knew nothing about Hinduism before I went but the trip was very enlightening. We were shown around the farm and shrine and even enjoyed…