• How to bleach bottle brush trees
    Christmas - Christmas - Crafts for adults - tutorial

    How to bleach bottle brush trees

    November 11, 2014 - By 

    This year’s obsession is house-shaped tea light holders. We recently put up two long shelves in our living room. They’re really long and high up enough so they can’t be taken over by my 4 year old and his obsession with making displays of his toys. I’ve accumulated a small collection of tea light holders and I’ve made them into a little village, complete with sweet little bottle brush trees. I was aiming for a green and white theme but a few red houses have slipped in so I thought I would mix up the colour even more by bleaching…

  • book review - Christmas - competition

    Miffy the Fairy and a Christmas with Miffy Activity Book giveaway

    November 7, 2014 - By 

    The John Lewis Christmas advert has been aired for the first time which means the countdown to Christmas has begun. Miffy, created by Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna, nearly 60 years ago, is a firm favourite in our house. We were excited to hear that new books and an activity book have been released in time for Christmas. The titles are Miffy in the Snow, Miffy’s Dream and Miffy the Fairy. There is also a Christmas with Miffy Activity book! Activity books are great, my 2 year old practically eats them! Miffy is a lovable little bunny who likes to find…

  • Christmas - handmade

    Our new Christmas tradition – Christmas plate

    November 5, 2014 - By 

    Is it too early to be talking about Christmas? I don’t think so! Now the weather has turned colder my thoughts have turned to Christmas and the pile of presents I’m trying to hide from my children is growing. One thing I can’t hide away is this wonderful plate from Bluebelle Create which we were sent. I shared it on my Instagram feed when I un-wrapped it and it got lots of Instagram-love. Isn’t it lovely? Bluebelle Create is a lovely handmade business, which you know is right up my street, making personalised and handmade gifts, from signature plates to…

  • Christmas - playing - Playmobil Playologist - toy review

    Playmobil Advent Calendars and the Playmohair

    October 29, 2014 - By 

    This year Playmobil have released 5 Playmobil Advent calendars – Santa’s Workshop, Unicorn Fairyland, Police, Pony Farm and Dragon’s Treasure Battle. You may remember we were fortunate to be sent the Pirates Treasure Cove calendar last year as part of our role as Playmobil Playologists. I was pretty excited to receive the Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar as I’m a real traditionalist and love the look of this. The Pirate advent calendar was great and fun to open but had nothing to do with Christmas, this is perfect! Santa’s Workshop is designed for ages 4-10 and priced £18.99 which seems reasonable…

  • simple upcycled tin candles
    crafts - Handmade gifts - tutorial

    How to make a personalised tin candle

    October 7, 2014 - By 

    Today I have a fun craft to share with you which combines my love of recycling and making handmade gifts. I’m getting a head start on my handmade Christmas gifts so if you’re my sister and you’re reading this please look away now! I really like making candles and thought I would use some vintage tins from my stash to make sweet tin candles with personalised photos. Equipment you will need to make a personalised tin candle: assortment of vintage tins soy candle wax candle dye candle wicks printer glossy premium photo paper How to make a personalised tin candle The first step is…

  • Christmas - Halloween crafts - Handmade gifts - vintage

    Monday happy things

    October 6, 2014 - By 

    Do you like Mondays? I’m coming to the conclusion that I love them. There’s something comforting to me about the start of our weekly routine and my favourite weekly post. I finished my ticker tape doll quilt and it’s now hanging up on our quilt gallery wall. It only took me an hour to finish the binding so I’m mentally kicking myself that I let it sit around unfinished for so long. Somehow I have over twenty three thousand followers on Pinterest! I’m not sure how that happened but I’m happy as I love Pinterest and Instagram too. I find…

  • Christmas - gingerbread - Handmade gifts

    10 gingerbread foods to bake

    September 28, 2014 - By 

    You know by now that I love gingerbread, not just at Christmas but all year round. I’ve drawn up a little list of 10 of my favourite gingerbread foods to bake. We love making gingerbread men as much as anyone but some of these are just a little bit different and so much fun. 10 gingerbread foods to bake You can make gingerbread biscuits in any shape or size. I’ve been collecting vintage cookie cutters for years and my children love to rifle through the collection to choose their favourites. I have a never fail gingerbread recipe and sometimes the…

  • Christmas - Christmas - gingerbread - gingerbread house - Kids crafts - tutorial

    15 gingerbread activities for kids

    September 21, 2014 - By 

    My children love to hear the classic story of the gingerbread boy all year round so I thought it might be fun to look for some related activities. Here our 15 brilliant gingerbread activities for kids. 15 gingerbread activities for kids I love this idea of crafting a gingerbread house themed puffy paint shadow box from Teach Preschool. I’ve never made our own puffy paint but it sounds simple, and I think I might try adding some ground gingerbread for a full on sensory experience. My children love to use their hands so gingerbread playdough is a favourite activity. For…

  • Christmas - crafts - days out

    Our Summer holiday round up – Week 5

    August 27, 2014 - By 

    Week 5 has gone past in a bit of a flash, we’ve enjoyed entertaining the family but unfortunately been ill too. An extra pair of hands with the children meant I was able to go to Camden for the DryNites Mums crafting event with Tamara Melvin and parenting expert Emma Kenny which was fab. I still need to put my upcycled lamp together and share it with you. My husband and I had a rare date night at our local Miller & Carter restaurant. I’ve been spending loads of time making things with the children which we love doing. It’s…