• competition

    Win a bundle of Clangers toys

    I can’t believe February is nearly over and this time next week I’ll be sitting in a nice pub being treated to a delicious pub lunch. Yes, we’ll soon be celebrating Mother’s Day here in the UK and I have a wonderful competition to share with you today, thanks to the Clangers. My children love the Clangers and we all have our favourite characters. Actually, Big Brother is just like Small, inquisitive and inventive, and Little Sis has a kind and gentle nature, just like Tiny.  I guess that means I’m Mother which I’m happy about, I always seem to…

  • baby - baby products

    Baby sight tool from Vision Direct

    The first 12 months of a baby’s life is a time of amazing growth and development. I remember trying to plan the nursery for Big Brother and realising that much of the design available was useless until he reached 12 months old and his vision would be almost as clear as an adult’s. Instead of picking the soft pastel colours which seemed popular in the shops we looked for bold colours and designs I knew would help his developing eyesight. Baby sight tool from Vision Direct Vision Direct, Europe’s largest online retailer of contact lenses, has launched a new interactive…

  • Crafts for adults - Sizzix crafts

    Personalised Liberty pouch

    I can’t believe it’s time for my second Sizzix project already. Today I wanted to show you how I used my Sizzix Big Shot Plus to make a sweet personalised Liberty pouch for my daughter. At the tender age of 4 years she can’t go anywhere without a little something. She’s also a bit fo a magpie and I’m always telling her off for picking up things she finds on the ground. Anyway I used my Sizzix Big Shot Plus and the Sizzix Bigz Alphabet Uppercase Die – Sassy Serif Letter “N” (654729) to make this personalised pouch. Find out…

  • Kids crafts - tutorial

    Simple scrappy ribbon wreath

    Today I am taking part in the monthly Recycle & Create challenge: celebrating eco-friendly creativity in children! As a keen sew-er I have a large amount of fabric scraps leftover from craft projects. My son keeps mentioning that when he turns 6 next month he would like to start sewing which I’m really excited about. To get him started I thought we would make a scrappy ribbon wreath. You will need: flat wire wreath scraps of ribbon scissors How to make a simple scrappy ribbon wreath Take your ribbon and cut into small pieces about 8cm long. This was something…

  • Cath Kidston - Crafts for adults - Handmade gifts - Mother's Day crafts

    Mother’s Day Crafting with Cath Kidston

    You know by now that I love giving homemade gifts. I never have as much time as I would like but today I want to share with you a gorgeous fabric rosette which can be put together in about 30 minutes and would make a special gift for your mum this Mother’s Day. The full tutorial can be found over on the Cath Kidston blog and I would like to say a big thank you to them for sending me a hamper of crafty products so I could make my own Mother’s Day rosette. Whilst the children were at school…

  • birthday - handmade - Handmade gifts - sewing - Star Wars crafts

    30 minute Star Wars blanket

    Earlier this year I made my daughter a lovely Liberty quilt. She keeps it on her bed and I’m so happy she loves it, if she didn’t I would quite happily put it on my bed instead. My 5 year old son keeps asking if I can make him something as “you’re always making stuff for her” as he puts it. Little did he know that I was planning on making something for him too. Since Star Wars Episode VII came out he has turned into the biggest Star Wars fan. His birthday is coming up next month so I…

  • book review - garden crafts - gardening

    What I’m reading: The Children’s Garden by Matthew Appleby

    A couple of weeks ago we were sent a copy of The Children’s Garden by Matthew Appleby to review. We’re all ready for Spring so this seemed like a great time to read a seasonal crafty book. My children love to play outside and are lucky to have a sand pit, water table, playhouse and mud kitchen. You would think that would be enough to keep them busy, but someone it is nice to have little crafty projects too. A garden can be a place for discovery, creativity and fun, and a space that encourages children to enjoy and engage…

  • Baker Ross Blogger Network - Easter - Kids crafts - Spring

    Easter egg fuse bead decoration

    Once again we were the lucky recipients of a bundle of craft kits from Baker Ross which kept my children busy during half term. With the weather turning a little less wintery (I can hope, can’t I?!), the children playing outside more and my tête-à-tête blooming, I declare it is time for Springtime crafting! We were sent a selection of Easter crafts. The children loved the mini birdhouse gift boxes and ceramic bird planters. If you follow me on Instagram you’ll see I have been sharing some photos of these Easter makes over there. Easter egg fuse bead decoration We…

  • days out - Kids crafts - mindfulness

    Monday Happy Things – Week 74

    Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. I have one more day with my children before they head back to school tomorrow. It has been a busy week with them around, but loads of fun, and we’ve created some great memories. The weather has been a mixed bag but we enjoyed a trip to our local Lido so the children could take their bikes out. You can see how muddy it was but that didn’t stop them. A chance of clothes *might* have been required when we got home. Our little village finally has its own gastro…