• Sewing Star Wars felt toys
    crafts - handmade - sewing - Star Wars crafts

    Sewing Star Wars felt toys

    February 23, 2017 - By 

    It feels like an age since I stitched something. Clothes alterations just don’t count although it does feel like I’m constantly stitching badges on my son’s Beaver uniform! Our whole family love Star Wars so when I spotted a Star Wars felt kit in the shops I knew it would make a great Christmas present for myself my husband. He cannot sew to save his life so I had the happy job of making them up for him. My children were equally delighted to see the set and immediately started dictating which ones I should make first.   Of course…

  • Win a copy of the new picture book from Sophy Henn
    book review - competition

    Win a copy of the new picture book from Sophy Henn

    February 22, 2017 - By 

    It’s been a while since I featured any children’s picture books on my blog. With World Book Day coming up we have been thinking about our favourite books and characters. So it seemed like the perfect time to share a lovely new picture book with you. Read on for your chance to win a copy. Edie by Sophy Henn Hello! My name is Edie. I am EVER so helpful. In fact, I think helping is one of the things I am best at… Edie is certainly a very good helper, whether it’s helping mummy wake bright and early, helping Daddy…

  • How do you like your pancakes?
    Pancake Day crafts - recipe - Winter

    How do you like your pancakes? {Hob Pride Pancake Challenge}

    February 21, 2017 - By 

    I love the first few months of the new year. There is so much going on with birthdays and special days that it’s difficult to be bored for a minute. Next week we will be celebrating Pancake Day here in the UK. My husband *always* makes the pancakes in our house so I have been practising so I can make them for a change. Everyone seems to like them served a different way but we’re all agreed that flat pancakes are the way forward. A basic pancakes recipe is cheap and cheerful, it’s what you serve them with that makes…

  • Before the Rains by Dinah Jefferies
    book review

    Before the Rains by Dinah Jefferies

    February 21, 2017 - By 

    I’ve always enjoyed reading historical fiction so was excited to hear about the latest book by Dinah Jefferies, Before the Rains, which was set in India. Today I’m sharing my thoughts and taking part in the blog tour. Look for the #BeforeTheRains to find the other reviews. Before The Rains 1930, Rajputana, India. Since her husband’s death, 28-year-old photojournalist Eliza’s only companion has been her camera. When the British Government send her to an Indian princely state to photograph the royal family, she’s determined to make a name for herself. But when Eliza arrives at the palace she meets Jay, the…

  • Cluedo Junior Carnival Board Game from Hasbro Gaming
    Hasbro Toy Tribe - playing - toy review

    Cluedo Junior Board Game from Hasbro Gaming

    February 20, 2017 - By 

    My children love board games at the moment and we are building up quite a collection. The latest game added to our stash is the wonderful Cluedo Junior Board Game from Hasbro Gaming. I remember the adult version of Cluedo so it took me a few attempts to read the rules before I understood this version. Basically you need to solve the mystery of the missing cake to win the game of Cluedo Junior! Who took a piece of the cake before dinner? Can you figure out who took it, when they took it, and what they drank with it?…

  • Spring flowers
    mindfulness - Monday Happy List - Orla Kiely

    Monday happy things {week 125}

    February 20, 2017 - By 

    Good morning everyone! Monday again but my children have an Inset Day today so we’re very thankful that half term is lasting an extra day! Time for my weekly Monday happy things post, re-visiting the things that have made me happy in the previous week. Monday happy things {week 125} As it was half term we went away and visited the parentals. This involved quite a lot of driving and some extremes of weather. We started off with snow and freezing temperatures, ending the week with warm sunshine, finally able to shred the layers of coats, hats and gloves. You’ve…

  • Share your Impossible Experiences to win
    competition - days out

    Share your Impossible Experiences to win

    February 19, 2017 - By 

    I know my readers love to hear about the latest competitions so this evening I am sharing one hosted by IntoTheBlue as it’s creative and fun. My children love to chat. This morning my 6 year old crept into bed with me and immediately started talking about what he wanted to build in Minecraft! Thankfully I’ve perfected the art of listening whilst imagining myself elsewhere. Sometimes I just imagine a long, hot bath with a glass of wine. Sometimes whilst waiting at school pick up I imagine myself somewhere warm and sunny …. Imagination is a wonderful thing and for sharing…

  • 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…