• Our homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar
    Advent crafts - crafts - Friends of Sylvanian Families

    Our homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar

    November 22, 2017 - By 

    Every year (since having children) Advent seems to get bigger and bigger. I buy both the children chocolate Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas but in the run up to December 1st I can’t help buy more and more advent calendars! I will be writing a little more about them another day, but today I wanted to share the homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar I’ve made for them to open. Our homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar Over the past few weeks I’ve been collecting vintage Sylvanian Families items, mainly from eBay. I’ve managed to buy a pretty big collection…

  • Christmas button wreath decoration for kids to make
    Christmas - Crafts for kids

    Christmas button wreath decoration for kids to make

    November 22, 2017 - By 

    I had a tidy up of our craft materials yesterday when the kids were at school. When they got home they saw what I had been doing and wanted to get everything out! I love a bit of after school crafting. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy day at school and a great way to talk to my children about what they’ve been up to. They are usually so engrossed with their crafting that they actually talk to me about their lessons or who they played with. Equipment to make a button wreath decoration  Green and…

  • Advent candle wreath craft for kids to make
    Advent crafts - Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - crafts - Toilet roll crafts

    Advent candle wreath craft for kids

    November 20, 2017 - By 

    We have a strict no-Christmas rule in our house in November. My daughter celebrates her birthday at the end of the month and we try not to do any Christmassy things before the end of the month. This doesn’t stop me planning but it makes sure we all focus on her and her birthday. This year we slipped a quick and easy Advent craft in over the weekend whilst she was out 🙂 Equipment to make an Advent candle wreath craft for kids Cardboard tube Shiny craft paper Bostik White Glu Embroidery hoop Pipe cleaners and ribbons Red craft foam…

  • Get outdoors with BEAR PAWS!
    crafts - Happy By Nature

    Get outdoors with BEAR PAWS!

    November 15, 2017 - By 

    This half term we were busy with some planned days out and plenty of days at home too. The children have been re-discovering some of their favourite toys and making the most of the garden, before it got too chilly. We made them special Half Term Reward charts, which were more a list of things to do, in case they ran out of ideas. Top of the list was spending time outdoors, as we all know that fresh air and activity helps children sleep better! I love working with BEAR Nibbles because, like me, they believe in getting little cubs…

  • DIY Sylvanian Families gingerbread house
    crafts - Friends of Sylvanian Families - upcycling

    Sylvanian Families gingerbread house

    November 14, 2017 - By 

    My daughter has a great collection of Sylvanian Families buildings. She can create her own little rural Sylvania with her tree house, log cabin and other buildings. I recently bought her the Baby Sleigh Ride Set, she just *loves* the babies. It’s a sweet little Christmas set but got me thinking. The only thing missing was our Sylvanian set up was a gingerbread house! So I made one. Sylvanian Families gingerbread house I bought a pretty shabby village Post Office Shop which came with a counter and accessories. The cardboard detail was ripped and bent which I thought made it…

  • Mollie Makes Reindeer Tree Decoration
    crafts - Mollie Makes crafts

    Mollie Makes Reindeer Tree Decoration

    November 14, 2017 - By 

    Regular readers will know that every month I challenge myself to make the Mollie Makes magazine cover gift. I’ve subscribed since it first came out and have had a drawer full of unopened kits – but no more! I’ve been making more time for grown up crafting and I love to make the kits and hopefully try something new. Mollie Makes Reindeer Tree Decoration The Reindeer Tree Decoration in Mollie Makes Issue 86 was designed by Jenny Blair and contained felt, thread, pom pom trim, stuffing and a needle. I cut out the templates from the magazine and got cutting. I love making things…

  • Make your own PJ Masks Headquarters craft
    crafts - Toilet roll crafts

    Make your own PJ Masks Headquarters

    November 11, 2017 - By 

    My 5 year old recently discovered PJ Masks. Little does she know that she’ll be receiving some goodies for her birthday at the end of the month! In the meantime she has been collecting the different figures from the blind bags with her pocket money. We thought we would make our own Headquarters for them to play in. It was so simple so we’re going to share how we made the PJ Masks Headquarters. Equipment to make your own PJ Masks Headquarters: Cardboard tube from the recycling bin Black/red/green/blue paper Glue stick Scissors Make your own PJ Masks Headquarters The…

  • Sew Your Own Felt Nativity Set
    competition - crafts

    Win a Sew Your Own Felt Nativity Set

    November 10, 2017 - By 

    Over the last few weeks I have been getting ready for Advent. For me Advent is the start of Christmas and we celebrate it with Advent calendars, counting down the days until Christmas Day. I recently spotted this lovely Sew Your Own Felt Nativity Set in Hobbycraft and thought it looked so much fun if you like being crafty at Christmas time. Sew Your Own Felt Nativity Set This Sew Your Own Felt Nativity Set is the perfect way to handcraft your own Christmas decorations and create a stunning centrepiece. With all the materials included in the kit, along with a general…

  • The Lord Mayor of London State Coach craft for kids
    crafts - Local Review - London

    The Lord Mayor of London State Coach craft

    November 10, 2017 - By 

    This Saturday sees the annual Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London. Traditionally the newly elected Lord Mayor makes his or her way from the City to Westminster to swear loyalty to the Crown. The Show takes place every second Saturday in November and is a great day out for families. Each year the Show reinvents itself to attract a fresh audience while at the same time not losing sight of its heritage and tradition. The military, Livery and civic elements represent the spine of the procession; while charities, youth associations, overseas organisations and businesses bring the energy and…