• How to make a Lightning McQueen piñata
    birthday - crafts - Crafts for adults - handmade

    How to make a Lightning McQueen piñata

    April 26, 2013 - By 

    The toddler turned 3 a couple of week ago and for the last couple of months has been a little obsessed with the films Cars and Cars 2. He still loves his Thomas the Tank Engine but I’d say every day he’ll spend a little more time with his collection of Cars. Thanks to Christmas and birthday presents he now has quite a collection of both. A bit like his Thomas obsession, he also has to wear Cars-themed clothing, eat and drink from Cars plates and cups and has a bedroom covered in posters of cars! Anyway, for his birthday…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - playing - vintage

    Small world play and the Little Poppets

    April 26, 2013 - By 

    My children are really lucky to be sent some lovely new books, the latest is Little Poppets which is a new series of board book first stories following the adventures of four friends: Mole, Rose, Pippin and Mouse (the Little Poppets). These gently humorous stories and the intricately conceived detail of the world in which they live will delight children and adults alike. The stories are sweet and comical, with little mysteries for the Little Poppets to solve, such as where on earth the socks on Mouse’s sock tree are really coming from! Both my children have been enjoying Mouse’s…

  • baby products - competition - days out - London

    Win tickets to Mums Show Live!

    April 25, 2013 - By 

    Have you heard about the exciting new exhibition called Mums Show Live!, the UK’s first show for parents of 4-12 year old children? The show is taking place at Alexandra Palace which is a brilliant venue (and right on my doorstep!), from 16th-19th May 2013. There’s a range of really interesting speakers lined up, including: ·         TV presenter and vocal coach Carrie Grant, who will be speaking candidly about her experiences raising children with learning difficulties ·         Betty Herbert, a 35 year old sex expert, who will be offering her advice on how to keep your sex life exciting despite…

  • baby products - Britax Mumbassador

    A smooth ride with Britax Affinity

    April 24, 2013 - By 

    Over the last week I’ve been testing the Britax Affinity with Little Sis as part of my role as a Britax Mumbassador. I have to say I didn’t think Little Sis would ever be on the receiving end of a new pushchair. There is lots of choice with the Britax Affinity and we have the black chassis with the Cool Berry fabric set which I love. It’s nice to stand out from the crowd and we’ve certainly been doing that! It took minutes to put together and we’ve been enjoying using it. It is equally easy to handle on the…

  • Finding Nemo crafts
    crafts - handmade - sewing - tutorial

    Make your own Finding Nemo

    April 24, 2013 - By 

    It’s been far too long since I made anything with felt but we watched Finding Nemo for the first time this week and thought we could make a related fish craft. This took a little preparation before it all came together. Make your own Finding Nemo You will need: paper plate blue paint and brush orange, white and black felt selection of felt basic sewing kit How to make your own Finding Nemo First paint your paper plate with blue paint and leave to dry. Make up your felt clownfish and stuff lightly. I made two the same so my…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - sewing - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: And Sew to Bed

    April 23, 2013 - By 

    How are you all enjoying The Great British Sewing Bee? I have to say I’m still hooked and so disappointed it’s only 4 episodes. Watching it has definitely spurred me on with my creativity and over the last few weeks I’ve finished off re-sizing a duvet cover for the toddler and made lots of progress with my grandmothers flower garden quilt and another doll quilt for Little Sis. I love hand sewing but watching TGBSB has really encouraged me to improve my machine sewing skills too. Last week I had my first machine sewing lesson which was a brilliant investment.…

  • being green - competition - Earth Day crafts - homestyle - housekeeping

    Win with P&G on Earth Day

    April 22, 2013 - By 

    Did you know that today people around the world are celebrating Earth Day to demonstrate support for environmental protection? The theme is – What everyday small changes can we make to help make a difference to the environment? To help celebrate I’ve been offered an Earth Day kit which one of my readers has the chance to win. The fun kit includes: A blackboard made from recycled coffee cups A cardboard rocket for the children – and eco-paints so the whole family can get involved too A selection of P&G products Big changes don’t have to start with grand acts;…

  • baking - book review

    A good book and some baking

    April 21, 2013 - By 

    It finally felt like spring this weekend as we enjoyed pretty much uninterrupted sunshine. We made the most of it by spending lots of time in the garden, cleaning the toys and pots we want to take with us when we move. Bizarrely this was the weekend that the toddler finally decided to wear his wellies. For the last couple of years he has refused to wear them. We’ve read Peppa books, talked about jumping in muddy puddles and pointedly walked around puddles in the park. Do you want to know what changed his mind? It was pretty simple. I…

  • book review - competition - crafts

    Folk art needlecraft giveaway

    April 18, 2013 - By 

    Last month I reviewed folk art needlework, a really beautiful craft book, packed full of 35 projects inspired by traditional motifs from across the globe. There are lots of lovely projects in this book (all added to my to-do list!) and I’ve actually begun a hand-tied quilt. I love this way of finishing off a quilt and think it looks great as the fabric can really stand out. Of course, it doesn’t involve much embroidery but there are plenty of other projects which do. I love vintage embroidery and can’t wait to make a start on some embroidery projects of…