• The Lego Batman Movie souvenir photograph
    days out - film review - Lego - London

    The Lego Batman Movie

    February 5, 2017 - By 

    Last weekend we were fortunate to be invited to a very special preview of the new The Lego Batman Movie in Leicester Square. My son loves Lego so off we went to the West End for a day out together. Before the preview started there were lots of things to do at the cinema. My son got a Batman logo painted on his hand (which he insisted on not washing off all day), we enjoyed some special Lego biscuits and he played Lego Dimensions with the new Batman Movie Story Pack.  It was a great way to spend a morning…

  • Mollie Makes Creativity bookazine
    Craft book review - crafts - handmade - Mollie Makes crafts - Paper craft

    Mollie Makes Creativity bookazine

    February 4, 2017 - By 

    A few weeks ago I saw an advert for Mollie Makes Creativity bookazine. I have a few of the MM bookazines and overall they are pretty good value, although I do find they recycle some of their features from the monthly issues. The last few months have been all about exploring paper craft and paper cutting. I am so happy to have discovered papercutting and the best thing is – it hardly takes up any room! Over the years I have explored sewing, embroidery, patchwork and quilting and I have a *lot* of supplies. Papercutting requires a cutting mat and scalpel and…

  • Valentine heart stone craft for kids
    Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - crafts - handmade - Painted rocks - Sizzix crafts - Valentines Day crafts

    Valentine heart stone craft for kids

    February 3, 2017 - By 

    We are excited to work with Bostik again this year to produce some family friendly crafts. We are huge fans of Bostik products and today we’re sharing a really fun Valentine craft. We were sent a wonderful box of craft products including Bostik White Glu and Glu Dots. These products are staple for our craft cupboard and are so useful. Recently I’ve been experimenting with some heart-shaped dies and the children were keep to use the cut outs. We combined them with some beautiful smooth pebbles to make a fun Valentine heart stone craft for kids which also doubles as…

  • wb-lego-greatest-movies
    competition - film review

    6 films for the perfect Lego movie night in

    February 1, 2017 - By 

    Last weekend my son and I were lucky to attend the premiere of the new LEGO Batman Movie. It was brilliant and we absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see it again when it comes out in cinemas on the 10th February. Lego films are always fun and it inspired us to plan our own Lego-themed movie night in with the whole family. First of all there will be snacks. Luckily I’ve had some practice making Lego themed food. Everyone loves lego biscuits and simple Lego cupcakes. I’ve also had fun experimenting with Easy Lego Bento ideas, so we have plenty of…

  • Layered swan papercut for Valentine's Day
    crafts - handmade - Paper craft - Paper cut art

    Layered swan papercut for Valentine’s Day

    January 31, 2017 - By 

    I wasn’t very impressed with the art of macrame from the latest issue of Mollie Makes but I quickly fell in love with the layered swan papercut from the same issue. I love paper cutting and have been working my way through Cut It Out! book and my monthly Embellish Box. Issue 75 of Mollie Makes had a gorgeous pattern for the perfect handmade Valentine gift. The papercut was by Sarah Louise Matthews and consisted of 6 pieces of coloured card with various chunks cut out. I’m really enjoying trying new things and this was only my second layered papercut. I…

  • Mincemeat and marzipan loaf {a brilliant way to use up mincemeat}
    baking - Christmas - homestyle

    Mincemeat and marzipan loaf {a brilliant way to use up mincemeat}

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    We can’t be the only family who still has a freezer full of leftovers after Christmas. Yep, we still have some homemade sausage rolls and mince pies in the freezer! Not to mention all the boxes of chocolates… Every time I open the fridge I saw a massive jar of mincemeat which I was meaning to use up. We didn’t need any more mince pies but I knew it would go really well in a cake. Today I’m sharing my mincemeat and marzipan recipe which is perfect for using up leftover mincemeat. Mincemeat and marzipan loaf ingredients: 8ozs Self Raising…

  • Lego Batman Movie premiere in Leicester Square
    days out - Lego - London - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – week 122

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    Every Monday I sit down and take 10 minutes to think about the high points of the previous week. Sometimes I struggle to find 5 things, and sometimes there are too many. Last week was quite quiet so I was able to find time for lots of baking and crafting. Monday Happy List – week 122 The highpoint of last week must be starting with a day at the V&A, one of my favourite galleries. There were some exhibitions I had wanted to see for a while and I managed to visit the Undressed exhibition, Opus Anglicanum exhibition as well as…

  • Mollie Makes Jersey Yarn Macrame Wall Art
    crafts - handmade - Mollie Makes crafts

    Mollie Makes Jersey Yarn Macrame Wall Art

    January 29, 2017 - By 

    Every month I challenge myself to make the Mollie Makes magazine cover gift. I’ve subscribed since it first came out and have 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. The last few kits haven’t been terribly inspiring and yet again my heart sank when I saw the latest kit – a Jersey Yarn Macrame Wall Art by Wool and the Gang. I know that macrame has made a bit of a come back but it’s not…

  • Opus Anglicanum at the V&A
    days out - Local Review - London - sewing

    Opus Anglicanum at the V&A

    January 28, 2017 - By 

    Last week I took myself off to town for the day. There were a couple of exhibitions I really wanted to see at the V&A, one was Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery. I love sewing and embroidery and this looked like a fantastic exhibition. Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery From the 12th to the 15th centuries, England enjoyed an international reputation for the quality of its luxury embroideries, often referred to as ‘Opus Anglicanum’ (English work). Made by professional craftspeople in the City of London and rich in their intricacy, they were sought after by kings, queens, popes…