• Crafting a bargello pin cushion
    Crafts for adults

    Crafting a bargello pin cushion

    February 25, 2022 - By 

    Bargello is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. Traditionally, Bargello was stitched in wool on canvas. Crafting a bargello pin cushion It’s a craft I wanted to try for a while so I was excited to see it was featured as one of the monthly Hoop Club by Cotton Clara kits. Inside the kit was 6 different coloured tapestry wool bundles, tapestry needle, needlepoint fabric and felt backing. The instructions were easy to follow and I followed the pattern, counting the tiny squares and bringing my tapestry needle…

  • Solve Your Own Mystery: The Time Thief
    book review - competition

    {Giveaway} Solve Your Own Mystery: The Time Thief

    February 24, 2022 - By 

    We are a family who love to read and I am excited to bring you a fantastic book giveaway today. I’ve teamed up with Little Tiger Press who recently published Solve Your Own Mystery: The Time Thief by Gareth P. Jones, illustrated by Louise Forshaw. Solve Your Own Mystery: The Time Thief One puzzling mystery. Several slippery suspects. Endless possibilities! Welcome to Haventry, a town where the ordinary and extraordinary collide! With ghosts, werewolves and zombies living side by side, trouble is always brewing. And when a fiendish crime is committed, YOU are the detective in charge of the case. The Museum…

  • St Patrick’s Day skittle experiment
    Crafts for kids - St Patrick's Day crafts - STEM activity

    St Patrick’s Day skittle experiment

    February 23, 2022 - By 

    My daughter loves experimenting with Skittles and we had fun experimenting with the classic Skittles experiment, and adapting it for a little Halloween science, Christmas science and New Year STEM fun. We thought it would work just as well for St Patrick’s Day so designed this St Patrick’s Day Skittles experiment for kids, perfect for a little STEM exploration at home. St Patrick’s Day STEM skittles experiment for kids You don’t need much equipment. Just a big bag of Skittles, a white plate, and a jug of cold water. You could also find a timer if you want to record how quickly the colour changes.…

  • Exploring the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
    days out - Kent

    Exploring the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

    February 22, 2022 - By 

    Already half term feels a lifetime away, I can’t believe that only 7 days ago we were exploring somewhere new. It’s been a couple of yers since we visited a miniature railway. My son was obsessed with trains when he was little but this has now been replaced with Minecraft and YouTube. Luckily my husband still enjoys trains, so we decided to stop off for a trip on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway last week. Exploring the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is a 15 inch gauge light railway in Kent, operating steam and internal combustion locomotives. The 13 mile line…

  • bargello pin cushion kit
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy Things {Week 384}

    February 21, 2022 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy Things {Week 384} I’m not a massive fan of Valentine’s Day but it’s always fun to exchange cards. This year my husband gave me a covid themed card and a gorgeous Orla Kiely jigsaw puzzle. We had a great few days away exploring Hastings,…

  • 10 Step Drawing: Dogs {book review}
    Craft book review - What I'm reading

    10 Step Drawing: Dogs {book review}

    February 17, 2022 - By 

    We were recently gifted a copy of 10 Step Drawing: Dogs – Draw over 50 delightful dogs in 10 easy steps by Justine Lecouffe to review. We have reviewed some of the other books in the series and found them really easy and fun to use. 10 Step Drawing: Dogs {book review} 10 Step Drawing: Dogs will help you turn simple shapes into beautiful dog drawings in just ten steps. Each drawing starts with easy, geometric shapes and simple guide lines, and the dogs are drawn in a variety of poses that typify the particular breed. Each drawing includes a…

  • Exploring Pevensey Castle with kids
    days out

    Exploring Pevensey Castle with kids

    February 16, 2022 - By 

    Over the weekend we were lucky to explore Pevensey Castle with our kids. A few days previously we had been to Battle Abbey, the site of the Battle of Hastings between the Normans and the Saxons. We were excited to visit Pevensey Castle. Exploring Pevensey Castle with kids Pevensey Castle is in the pretty village of Pevensey, 16 miles from Battle. It is managed by English Heritage although you can walk inside the walls of the castle for free. There is a small car park outside the castle walls and we were very excited to walk through the castle entrance…

  • What I'm reading

    Shadowlands A Journey Through Lost Britain by Matthew Green

    February 15, 2022 - By 

    Although I read a lot of historical fiction, I enjoy history books too. I loved the sound of Shadowlands: A Journey Through Lost Britain by Matthew Green, a book about Britain’s lost cities, ghost towns and vanished villages. We were lucky enough to visit the ghost village of Imber on Salisbury Plain a few years ago and found the village both haunting and fascinating. I was really interested to read Shadowlands. Shadowlands: A Journey Through Lost Britain Drowned. Buried by sand. Decimated by plague. Plunged off a cliff. This is the forgotten history of Britain’s lost cities, ghost towns and…

  • Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy Things {Week 383}

    February 14, 2022 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write. Monday Happy Things {Week 383} I’m so happy it’s half term and I have a few days off to spend with my family. Although the first half of term has flown I’m happy for a break. Last week I read Shadowlands: a Journey through Lost Britain…