• Bottersnikes & Gumbles
    book review - competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of The Adventures of Bottersnikes and Gumbles

    July 30, 2016 - By 

    This week Bottersnikes & Gumbles – the award-winning kids’ CGI animation show – premiered on CBBC, airing at 6pm every week day (with a repeat the following day at 3.30pm). The series brings to screen the much-loved 1970s classic children’s books by Australian author S.A. Wakefield and illustrated by Desmond Digby. In a far away forgotten valley, heaped with long abandoned junk, a timeless battle rages between good and evil… and also between squashy and scaly, happy and grumpy, clever and wily… cute and plain old ugly. This is the land of Bottersnikes and Gumbles. Each episode features the charming…

  • I Can Make My Own Accessories book
    book review - crafts - sewing - What I'm reading

    I Can Make My Own Accessories review

    July 28, 2016 - By 

    I love craft books and it seems my enthusiasm has passed to my children too. Every time they hear the sound of the postman dropping a book through the letterbox they rush to open it.  Next month sees the publication of I Can Make My Own Accessories, a follow-on from the popular I Can Make Dolls’ Clothes – both from Thames & Hudson. Written by former head of Children’s Wear Design at Liberty of London Louise Scott-Smith, and graphic designer Georgia Vaux, I Can Make My Own Accessories features on-trend pieces such as a festival garland and brooch. With easy-to-follow guides, this creative book teaches children aged…

  • i-SPY books
    book review - competition

    Win 2 i-SPY activity books for kids

    July 27, 2016 - By 

    Do you remember the i-SPY books? I had a few when I was little and loved looking through them, ticking things off as I spotted them. The books have been around for 60 years and I’m pleased to say that HarperCollins have recently relaunched the series and they’re better than ever. You can still collect points to send off for a certificate! If you haven’t heard of them before, then each i-SPY activity book encourages children to discover the world around them. With photographs of each feature to look out for, and details of where to spot them, it won’t be…

  • Miffy books
    book review - Miffy Mums - parenting - What I'm reading

    Our Summer holiday essentials

    July 24, 2016 - By 

    I don’t share a lot of very personal things of my blog but you may have noticed that my blog posts and social media presence have been all over the place for the last 2 weeks. My husband had elective surgery recently but there were some complications, meaning he was in hospital a lot longer than we envisioned. Trying to juggle daily hospital visits whilst keeping the children in a normal routine has been absolutely exhausting and something had to slide. Hopefully my husband will be discharged from hospital any day and I’m hoping to be able to kick back…

  • More Colouring for Contemplation
    book review - competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of More Colouring for Contemplation

    July 14, 2016 - By 

    With the School holidays looming I thought you may be interested in More Colouring for Contemplation by Amber Hatch and Alex Ogg, the follow ­on title from the team that brought you the hugely successful Colouring for Contemplation. Colouring books for adults have seen a huge rise in popularity, ­ this ‘new’ craft is an antidote to the stresses of modern living. In answer to this, Watkins released Colouring for Contemplation in November and a pocket edition of the same book in January. These books have received fantastic 5 star reviews across the board with positive comments on the book’s…

  • Cath Kidston Teatime book cover
    baking - book review - Cath Kidston - What I'm reading

    Cath Kidston Teatime: 50 cakes and bakes for every occasion

    July 2, 2016 - By 

    My book shelves are pretty full, and double stacked in places, but when I heard about Cath Kidston Teatime I really wanted to treat myself to a copy. I have all the Cath Kidston books as I love looking through them, but so far they’ve all been craft books. Cath Kidston Teatime: 50 cakes and bakes for every occasion is a baking book and I was excited to see a copy. Teatime is a British tradition that has become a staple the world over. Afternoon tea brings people together over sumptuous scones and sponges, elegant sandwiches, marvellous macarons and delectable…

  • Landmarks of the World adult colouring book
    book review - competition - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of Landmarks of the World adult colouring book

    June 16, 2016 - By 

    The weather has turned slightly here in the UK so instead of sitting out in the garden we’ve been spending more time indoors. Luckily for me I was sent a new adult colouring book which has been keeping me busy – Landmarks of the World. Landmarks of the World contains 35 famous buildings, from ancient forts and castles to towering skyscrapers of the modern age. The buildings featured are selected from every corner of the globe and ordered chronologically displaying a unique and fascinating picture of architectural development and changing trends. Landmarks of the World looks to the some of…

  • The Cath Kidston Colouring Book
    book review - Cath Kidston - Craft book review - What I'm reading

    The Cath Kidston Colouring Book

    June 5, 2016 - By 

    I’ve always been a fan of pretty prints and patterns so when I heard about The Cath Kidston Colouring Book I knew I would be ordering myself a copy. I’m always sharing my latest adult colouring book on here and Instagram. What can I say? I really do like them and have a shelf full of them. So what can you expect from The Cath Kidston Colouring Book? Colour in the best-loved designs from two decades of Cath Kidston prints. Enhance your inner creativity with your own colour combinations; relax and be inspired by looks that are adored the world…

  • 3D Art Adventures
    book review - crafts - Kids crafts - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of 3D Art Adventures

    June 4, 2016 - By 

    I love to craft with my children so was excited to get my hands on a copy of 3D Art Adventures: Over 35 Creative, Artist-Inspired Projects in Sculpture, Ceramics, Textiles and More by Maja Pitamic and Jill Laidlaw. Three-dimensional art – whether sculpture, ceramics, installations, textiles or collage – combines the visual with the physical, making it perfect for kids who enjoy using their hands and getting a little messy. 3D Art Adventures introduces both adults and children to key works of three-dimensional art, which encompass a wealth of styles from ancient Greek sculpture to contemporary installations – and uses those…