• how to make jelly worms - the gingerbread house
    Halloween crafts - Kids crafts - STEM activity - tutorial

    How to make jelly worms

    September 17, 2014 - By 

    Always on the look out for some quick and easy crafts to occupy my children, last year we thought we’d try and make wriggly jelly worms, which we’d seen on Pinterest and are perfect for a Halloween party or a Halloween STEM activity. This was fun but messy and I recommend taking your time with it. Equipment you will need to make jelly worms: Jelly cubes Mixing jug 100 plastic straws How to make jelly worms: The first stage was to mix up the jelly. We used two packs of jelly cubes which we melted in hot water, before topping…

  • Dolls quilts - handmade - Patchwork & Quilting - quilt - sewing

    Ticker Tape doll quilt

    September 16, 2014 - By 

    One of my favourite craft books is pretty in patchwork doll quilts. I’ve already made one of the quilts from it (the I Spy quilt) but I’ve also had my eye on the really pretty ticker tape doll quilt by Cathy Gaubert for my daughter. So over a year ago, yep you read that correctly, I bought a colourful rainbow of fabric from an Etsy store and it wasn’t until a few months ago that I got it out again. It felt strange finally cutting into each piece but now I have at least I’ll be able to use the…

  • competition - film review

    Win a Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray

    September 15, 2014 - By 

    To celebrate the special 30th anniversary Blu-ray release of Ghostbusters, I’ve teamed up with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to host a giveaway where one lucky winner can win a children’s Ghostbuster’s costume, a keyring, and a copy of the Blu-ray! From September 1 fans will be able to own the Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray and a two-disc Blu-ray box set, which includes the Ghostbusters II 25th Anniversary Edition, debuting on Blu-ray.  Both films have been fully restored and remastered in 4K and will be presented in high definition on Blu-ray from those 4K sources. Both the Ghostbusters and…

  • Baker Ross Blogger Network - Kids crafts - tutorial

    Stained glass owls

    September 14, 2014 - By 

    Over the school holidays my 4 year old had a friend over for a playdate. He was a very sweet 4 year old but wanted to play with everything we had. Fortunately he loves to craft as much as we do so I was happy for him to explore our crafty cupboard(s). I thought it would be fun to make something he could take home with him so we made sweet little stained glass owls. Materials you will need to make stained glass owls: Pre-cut card owls from Baker Ross selection of colourful acetate sheets cut into small pieces contact…

  • competition - homestyle - housekeeping - shopping

    Win Lenor Unstoppables and wash Summer into your Autumn wardrobe!

    September 13, 2014 - By 

    The start of the new school year means my washing basket is full of essential school items. My 4 year old must see it as his mission to get as messy as possible and give me something to do whilst he’s at school. Fortunately for me I received some samples of the new Lenor Unstoppables which are pure perfume for your fabrics in a bead format. There are three delicious scents – Bliss, Lavish and Fresh. You simply add a handful to your washing machine, and wash into your clothes along with your normal detergent. The scents can be used…

  • baking

    How To Use A Silicone Mould And Flower Paste

    September 12, 2014 - By 

    How To Get The Best Results When Using A Silicone Mould With Flower Paste Have you ever seen a beautiful wedding cake that has delicate lace patterns on it and wondered just how the incredible effect was achieved? Although most sugar-crafters would love to have the skill needed to achieve such a finish the simple fact is that such accuracy is achieved by using flower paste formed into shape in a silicone mould. Using a mould allows incredibly fine and detailed shapes to be created using flower paste which would otherwise be impossible, or at least extremely difficult and time…

  • book review - sewing - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Sewlicious by Kate Haxell

    September 12, 2014 - By 

    There are some great craft books coming out at the moment. I’ve found a few extra pennies to purchase a few and have ear-marked a few projects to make as gifts for people this year. One book I received to review  was Sewlicious – 35 ways to a handmade world. The author, Kate Haxell, creates 35 stitched and highly original projects. This is a lovely craft book, beautifully photographed with clear instructions. The patterns are a little different from other craft books which is really refreshing. In the introduction Kate Haxell explains that “Sewlicious” is delicious sewing. “That just because…

  • Kids crafts - tutorial

    Easy Day of the Dead kids craft

    September 11, 2014 - By 

    This year for the first time we had fun crafting around the theme of Day of the Dead. This is a Mexican festival celebrated over three days at the end of October and focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. We don’t have any Mexican connections but my Pinterest stream has been full of ideas so we joined in. It’s been a while since we’ve tried printing with styrofoam but I thought a skull shape was perfect for this technique. Equipment you will need: styrofoam sheet black paint…

  • baking - days out - Summer

    Our Summer holiday round up – Week 7

    September 10, 2014 - By 

    Today is my last weekly Summer holiday round up. I’m well aware that all of my friends have waved their children off to a new school term, except me. This morning it’s finally the turn of my 4 year old. I’m both excited that he’s starting a new chapter but also feeling terribly sad about losing him to school. Luckily for me I still have my 2 year old so no worries about my having lots of time on my hands to do the housework or food shopping 🙂 The past week has been quite busy as we’ve packed in…