• ELmer Day craft
    Baker Ross Blogger Network - crafts - Elmer Day - Kids crafts

    Painted elephants to celebrate Elmer Day

    April 26, 2016 - By 

    My children really enjoy the stories of Elmer the Elephant. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is a children’s picture book series by British author David McKee. We’ve amassed quite a collection of Elmer books and were delighted to discover that the first Elmer Day will be held on May 28th 2016. In case you haven’t seen a picture of Elmer before, he is an elephant who has a colourful body, with yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black and white arranged as a patchwork pattern. He is a very cheerful elephant who loves practical jokes and always stands out from the…

  • english paper pieced diamonds
    days out - family - homestyle - mindfulness - National Trust - sewing

    Monday happy list – week 83

    April 25, 2016 - By 

    I’m not sure why but I haven’t felt in the mood for sewing recently. I have lots of things to make, such as my Shipping Forecast quilt and a fun Nana Company swap deadline looming. The only thing I have been stitching are pretty yellow English Paper Pieced diamonds from the last issue of Mollie Makes. Normally I love to make the cover gifts so something is definitely wrong with me if I’m still making it (the new issue landed on my doorstep today!). The yellow EPP diamonds will eventually make a Starburst Sampler which I’m going to hang on my…

  • magnolia plant
    gardening - homestyle

    6 Reasons Why Magnolia Shrubs Are The Perfect Summer Plant For Beginner Gardeners

    April 25, 2016 - By 

    If you are just beginning to find your green fingers this year and the warmer weather is encouraging you to get outside and really start to give gardening a go, then you are probably wondering what to plant. Well, where better to start than with the summery magnolia shrub? Plant them in spring and they will then flower right through the summer until the autumn. If you are already looking through these pretty plants on You Garden, but still not convinced whether to purchase them or not, then here are six reasons why magnolia shrubs are the perfect summer plant…

  • Colourful unicorn poop cupcakes
    baking - crafts

    Colourful unicorn poop cupcakes

    April 24, 2016 - By 

    Apologies if you’re visiting my blog today in the hope of finding some serious craft inspiration. Today I’m sharing the colourful unicorn poop cupcakes we recently made. My daughter and I have been enjoying talking about unicorns recently. Maybe you read about our unicorn sewing session? Well, I came across a bag of Unicorn Poop in the sweet shop. First of all, I can’t believe anyone would make these. Secondly, what type of person would buy them? Oh, that’s right, I would! I knew they were perfect for some baking fun so we made some very colourful unicorn poop cupcakes.…

  • Tiny figurine from Clangers magazine
    family - parenting

    Make, read and do with Clangers magazine

    April 23, 2016 - By 

    A magical new magazine is out and it’s home to some very special inhabitants. Clangers Magazine is a place for children to discover, wonder, play and explore. It’s jam-packed with over 30 Clanger things to read, make and do, along with a special space sticker section, Clanger Club and regular features such as ‘I spy in space’ as well as two stories. It’s an intergalactic learning journey where the reader helps the Clangers to solve their latest problem and it’s sure to capture the imaginations of those children who wonder, “What is out there…?”. The first issue of the new…

  • pillows on a bed
    homestyle - interiors

    The benefits of a good nights sleep

    April 22, 2016 - By 

    How important is sleep to you? Earlier today I was reading an article about Prince over on the BBC website. Apparently he used to boast no one could last as long as him without sleep. I’m not sure that can be good for your health but I doubt you can be a musical genius without sacrificing something. I love my sleep and pretty much the only thing that stops me having a good nights sleep is my husband. Before your mind jumps to the wrong conclusion let me state that his snoring keeps me awake, nothing else. Monday 25th April will…

  • Sizzix Thinlits die
    crafts - die cutting - Sizzix crafts

    Kid-friendly floral bracelet

    April 22, 2016 - By 

    Hi everyone, as you may remember every Friday I post a tutorial over on the Sizzix blog. If you aren’t familiar with the brand then all you need to know is that Sizzix make the best die cutting machines, die cutting tools, accessories, and embossing equipment around. I’m not a traditional paper crafter but I love how their products can be used in so many different ways. Once again floral is a big trend this Spring, so with this in mind, I’ve designed a kid-friendly floral bracelet. You can find the full tutorial over on the Sizzix blog today. I…

  • Farm Life range from Schleich
    family - parenting - playing - toy review - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    Farm life small world play with Schleich

    April 21, 2016 - By 

    I know I keep going on about the weather but it’s been warm, and sunny, which means the children can play outside more! They love playing outside and our tuff spot is one thing which really facilitates outdoor play. Farm life small world play with Schleich We were sent some of the new sets from the Farm Life range from Schleich to review. As soon as my children saw the packaging they were really excited as they love Schleich toys. The two sets were: Stable cleaning kit with calf and lamb (41422) Every morning, the farmer gets up early to…

  • Colour with Me, Mum! by Jasmine Narayan
    book review - competition - crafts

    Win a copy of Colour With Me, Mum!

    April 20, 2016 - By 

    I love adult colouring books as you probably all know by now. I spend so long colouring with my children that I’m happy to have my own books and am happy to spend some time colouring in when I need to switch off for a bit. I keep thinking that there can’t possibly be any more to invent when I was told about Colour with Me, Mum! by Jasmine Narayan. Featuring over 50 unique colouring templates, family psychologist Dr. Jasmine Narayan’s colouring book is shaped to make colouring side by side easier. Each spread features a single piece of art connected across…