Inspiring craft ideas roundup
10 March, 2013 By 1 Comment
This is a very beautiful, fascinating place – JD, 5
We went to a craft fair last weekend and I was absolutely buzzing by the time we left. There were so many talented people there, sharing their crafts. The kids were excited too and we took time to photograph our favourite ideas on my phone.
Here’s a roundup of what we saw – it’s inspiring stuff.
Handmade bunny egg cosies from Nonnyrabbit
These are so cute and would make lovely Easter gifts. They’re small enough to be made with spare material scraps and pretty to stay on display all year round.
Check out more beautiful products and stunning sewing craft ideas on the Nonnyrabbit website.
Handmade plastic jewellery by Frances Fantastic
Ever since we saw these quirky shrink plastic jewellery pieces, I’ve been kicking myself that I didn’t buy the Y-fronts necklace. They were a big hit with the kids and would add a touch of personality to any outfit.
I really want to have a go at making them myself, but I’ll also be ordering some from Frances’s Folksy page.
Washable toys from Baska Lindars
This is such a brilliant idea! You buy the dolls, decorate them however you like with washable felt tips, then chuck them in the washing machine and start all over again. They’re beautifully made and would make such a great gift for a preschooler.
Baska doesn’t have a website at the moment has now set up at Etsy store, where you can view and buy her creations.
Solemate sock creatures from Cubby Cards
With a touch of Moshi Monsters (or Pokemon) about them, these hand sewn and hand embroidered creatures would be a hit with most little ones, I reckon. They’re made from colourful socks and look great – each one sporting its own unique facial expression.
Definitely one to try yourself, but if you want the really professional looking ones, head over to Cubby Cards.
Bead bracelets – a craft for kids
While we were at the fair, two lovely ladies gave JD a length of nylon string and free reign of their bead box for just £2. He made me this lovely bracelet and it’s inspired me to order a whole load of beads so we can make more.
A great idea to round things off – sorry ladies, I didn’t get your names!
So that’s what we saw. Feeling inspired? Let me know if the comments about your own creative crafts, if you’d like to :)
The MAD Blog Awards are open – will you nominate A Mummy Too?
6 February, 2013 By 1 Comment
You do quite good work on your blog – JD, 5
First up, thank you for all your support. Since this blog launched 18 months ago, it’s grown and evolved hugely. Your comments, shares, contributions and feedback have helped shape it, so THANK YOU!
Next up, I want to tell you about the MAD Blog Awards, which recognise the best of UK parent blogs each year.
I would love your nomination in the ‘Best FOOD blog‘ category – and perhaps ‘Best Blog Photography‘ if you’re feeling particularly generous.
Blogs with the most nominations go through to the voting stage, so every nomination counts.
You can vote here. Thank you!
A digital postcard from #TeamHonk at The Virtuous Women’s Bakery in Ghana #goodwork
4 February, 2013 By 6 Comments
Let’s Keep Up the Good Work – Comic Relief
I’m delighted to have received an email this evening from Team Honk, who are currently in Ghana with Comic Relief. Today, they visited The Virtuous Women’s Bakery.
You might have seen the bakery on Celebrity Great British Bake Off on TV a couple of weeks ago. It’s an amazing facility, set up by The African Women’s Development Fund, an organization dedicated to empowering women through the economic independence within their community. In a struggling community, the bakery employs mothers struggling to financially support their children by themselves. Thanks to the profits of the bakery, these women have also employed a teacher who cares for their children whilst the mothers work.
Here’s what Team Honk have to say:
Hello Emily!
This is a digital postcard sent from TeamHonk (www.mammasaurus.co.uk; www.aresidence.co.uk; www.mummybarrow.com ) during their travels with Comic Relief in Ghana celebrating #goodwork.
This is the bread dough being cut, then weighed before being passed on to a line of other women who will lightly flour, shape and pack it into baking tins – they have a really efficient production line on the go!
This is Davina blowing bubbles for the children to chase – they really loved the bubbles, we blew so many that we were all quite light headed by the end of it!
For the past 25 years the money raised through Red Nose Day has been changing the lives of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa. Let’s Keep Up the Good Work. Find out how at rednoseday.com
Thank you!
For other digital postcards please do check out the linky on www.teamhonk.org
Saturday is #teamhonk caption day in The Gallery of #goodwork and #socialpix
1 February, 2013 By 22 Comments
Go #TeamHonk!
What? Who? Eh???
I confess, I’m hijacking various memes from across the blogosphere in the name of Comic Relief.
Three incredible ladies, Penny, Annie Mammasaurus and Mummy Barrow (aka #TeamHonk) are jetting off to Ghana on Sunday to report back on all the good work that has taken place since that first £1 was donated to Comic Relief 25 years ago.
Since 1988, Comic Relief supporters have raised over £600 million, which has gone to help poor and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa. It’s amazing and long may it continue.
I’m behind #TeamHonk 100% – please look out for updates all over social media next week and help spread the message.
(PS Thank you to my lovely husband for the pic)
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The Vampire Diaries – teen horror never looked so good
31 October, 2012 By 3 Comments
You’re dead, dude. Get over it! – Damon
It’s Halloween, so what better time to sit watching the entire first series of teen horror series, The Vampire Diaries.
The premise is this. Small town girl, Elena Gilbert is busy trying to get over the death of her parents and has recently returned to high school when it comes to the attention of two vampire brothers that she bears a striking resemblance to their old vampire flame, Katherine Pierce – last seen in 1864.
So, first the good brother (well, the one trying to stay off the red stuff) Stefan, and then the not-so-good brother Damon hot foot it back to the town to gaze upon her, but with differing motives.
I won’t say too much more as it would spoil the show, but suffice to say there’s plenty of sibling rivalry, high school angst, romance and blood.
It’s a sexy series, aimed, I suspect at a market a little younger and with more mainstream tastes than my own, but it’s good fun, and I may or may not be on the hunt for series box sets 1-3. Y’know, just to pass the time.
Disclosure: we were sent The Vampire Diaries Series 1 free of charge on DVD for review. No payment was received for this post. All posts are 100% honest.
