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    Christmas - crafts - Crafts for kids - handmade

    Kid-made Christmas cards

    October 8, 2012 - By 

    I mentioned the other day how we were aiming for a handmade Christmas. The first step was to make a start on our kid-made Christmas cards. There’s so much inspiration on Pinterest but I narrowed it down to simple ideas I could do with the toddler. He absolutely loves finger painting at the moment so we got the paints out, covered the table in newspaper and got stuck in! Kid-made fingerprint Christmas cards Christmas finger print lights This was so much fun. I opened four pots of paint and let the toddler loose. He’s pretty good if I give him…

  • Christmas - handmade - reviews

    The C word

    October 5, 2012 - By 

    I’m going to be brave and use the C word. There’s something about September that just gets me thinking about Christmas. I’ve written my Christmas wishlist (iPad mini please), been buying stocking fillers and joined in some swaps for Christmas crafting. Christmas doesn’t have to be all about the money. We’ll be keeping it simple. I’ve decided to  buy and wrap 24 books to put under the Christmas tree. I love the idea of reading Christmas stories with the children during Advent so have been buying second hand festive books whenever I see them. We’ll also been starting early on…

  • Christmas - handmade - playing

    A very Chuggington Christmas

    January 8, 2012 - By 

    Big Brother is turning into a typical boy and loves anything with wheels. His absolute favourite programme is Chuggington which he would watch pretty much all day if I let him. Before Christmas he had a couple of Chuggington books, engines and a board book which he loved. They’re all well-loved and splattered in food (before I introduced a ban on toys at the table!). We knew what to get him for Christmas although I think we may have gone slightly overboard. It was all a bit Chugtastic and I only hope he doesn’t fall out of love with it…

  • Christmas - handmade - swap

    An Advent swap

    January 1, 2012 - By 

    Signing up for festive swaps seemed like a good idea in the months before Christmas and my favourite was the Advent swap, organised by Hookin’ with Laalaa. The idea was simple – to buy, make, gift or thrift 24 small gifts for your partner to open each day of the advent. These could be very inexpensive, or even free (think skincare samples or teabags!). The parcel was also to include a larger gift for your partner to open on Christmas Day. The swap was fun to collect for and I ended up with lots of little gifts which I put…

  • Christmas - Day Zero - gingerbread house - handmade - sewing - swap

    Day Zero – Month 15 (December)

    December 27, 2011 - By 

    On the 19 September 2010 I started a Day Zero list: a place to record your goals, discover new challenges, and gain motivation to achieve them. I have a list of 100 things I want to do over 1001 days. The list is due to be competed by 16 June 2013. This has been a rubbish month for me personally. I think I underestimated how much time I would have with a toddler and new baby to look after so I haven’t managed to complete a single action on my Day Zero list. Aside from changing lots of nappies and…

  • Christmas - handmade - swap - vintage

    Faith, Hope and Charity Swapping

    December 21, 2011 - By 

    I can’t resist a swap, especially when it’s a thrifted Christmassy one so signed up straight away to Lakota’s Faith, Hope and Charity Shopping Christmas swap. The challenge was to send a minimum of 3 items: one item to be sourced from a charity shop, one handmade item and one Christmas decoration of some sort. My partner was the lovely Hope from Pixie’s Ponderings. The parcels were beautifully packaged (almost too good to open!) but one evening last week I couldn’t resist looking at them any longer and did open them. Hope sent me vintage pot holders, a vintage crochet…

  • Christmas - competition

    12 Days of Christmas – Day 4

    December 4, 2011 - By 

    On the fourth day of Christmas my mummy bought for me – a 3D Puzzle (Club Penguin gifts, fun festive crafts and a hamster dressed like royalty!). Welcome back to my Christmas gift guide for little ones! Today my recommended gift is the Children’s World Map Puzzleball which retails at £19.99 from Ravensburger. The next dimensional for puzzlers, this 3D jigsaw builds a world map, which you can proudly display once complete as it includes a rotation stand! Helps promote geographical knowledge, fine motor skills and spatial awareness, it is perfect for ages 8+. Giveaway I have one Children’s globe…

  • Christmas - competition

    12 Days of Christmas – Day 3

    December 3, 2011 - By 

    On the third day of Christmas my mummy bought for me – Club Penguin gifts (fun festive crafts and a hamster dressed like royalty!). I must admit that so far Club Penguin has passed us by as Big Brother is too young for them. However, it is difficult to escape the cute plush Club Penguin Puffles & Penguins by Jakks Pacific! They are available from Argos from £4.99. You can help bring the virtual Club Penguin to life with a range of cuddly Penguin and Puffle plush, perfect for recreating icy adventures at home and for a special gift, each comes…

  • Christmas - reviews

    12 Days of Christmas – Day 2

    December 2, 2011 - By 

    I can tell this month is going to go quickly as it’s already time for Day 2 of my 12 days of Christmas gift guide! On the second day of Christmas my mummy bought for me – fun festive crafts (and a hamster dressed like royalty!). Being a crafty mummy I just love this Mould & Paint Christmas set by Great Gizmos. It’s suitable for ages 5+ but Edward and I have had lots of fun with it. The set aims to let the little ones create their very own Christmas ornaments and magnets in this crafty fun-packed kit. Including…