For the last few years, I've still somehow felt that I was pretending to be a grown-up. Sure, we got married, but we were still too young to have children. Yes, we had a dog, but that was for health reasons. OK, so we've got a mortgage, but we can always sell the house and go off round the world whenever we choose. Thus the path of denial into parenthood. Yet even at playgroups and Doctor's surgeries, whenever I've had conversations with other … [Read more...]
10 ways to play: pasta
I know that if I had my time over I’d ban all toys that require batteries. Particularly ones made by large American toy companies that have irritating yet catchy tunes that you find yourself singing long after you’ve bestowed said toy upon the nearest frenemy, or charity shop. Entertaining your children doesn’t have to involve masses of mass-produced garishly-coloured toys. Take pasta, for example. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and a great … [Read more...]
Grandparents, benches and a proposal
We’ve just spent the weekend with Grandparents and PD has been in heaven. Mamma and Daddy were merely servants: seen but not heard. PD did craft with Grandpa and sat next to Granny at mealtimes. She’s really starting to understand family connections and talk about people when they are not there. Skype has been a big help with this, enabling us to talk to the GP’s every Sunday, see Uncle Neal in America and Uncle Wilbur in Australia. To help with … [Read more...]
Inspired by….June
June has been an odd month, primarily because I sent two weeks of it tucked away in a sunny corner of Mallorca without adequate internet access, but that didn't mean we didn't get things done. To keep the girls busy en route, I took a leaf from Activity Mom's book and printed out some fabulous Mr Potato Heads. It won't shock you to learn that the actual potato head was quickly forgotten in favour of making a Mr-Bunny-Head, Mr-Fridge-Head, … [Read more...]
10 alternative uses for a Pashmina
When the Pashmina craze hit a thousand years ago, I threw away my customary silk neck ties and upgraded as soon as I had the money. I just loved the way it made my employer look so casually elegant, thrown over her shoulders on a summer evening, or wrapped round her neck on winter days. Wonderfully versatile, I thought, and they have been part of my wardrobe ever since. Never have I been more glad of a Pashmina (or cotton-based-copy which I … [Read more...]
How to make a snake bookmark from a tie: Father’s Day Craft
I am quite proud of this simple technique for making a snake bookmark. It’s perfect for a last minute handmade Father’s Day gift. Here's how to make a snake bookmark from a tie. All you will need is: • One old tie (silk is best!) • One marker pen • Glue • Scissors 1) Unpick the tie at the middle seam between the narrow and the fat end of the tie. 2) Cut across the fabric lining and … [Read more...]
Easy Father’s Day Crafts
Inspired by Maggy at Red Ted Art and Robinsons, we've been making a Squash Monster pen holder for DH's day. I used spray paint to give the inside a ghoulish purple tint, then coated the outside in chalkboard spray, which means that whilst he is making dull business calls, DH can doodle monster faces with chalk. Give it a quick wipe and you can start all over again. Oh, and this particular Monster's favourite treats are … [Read more...]
