Mummy says "eat your fruit & veggies please!"

This fruit and Veggies 'Felt Story Folder' was such fun to make - I definitely got carried away with the detail. The cauliflower set the standard as it was the first item I made, so the other felt pieces had to follow suit. I was thrilled to sell the folder to a lovely mum of twin boys that I met on Colette's sewing course at the Bronte Sewing Room. It's always good when I know that my products are being used by boys as well as girls (redressing the 'gorgeous gifts for girls' versus 'plastic toys for boys' balance). As the Mum of a five year old boy myself I know they often get the short straw when it comes to handmade products, it's why I insist on making a boys version of everything I make...

Abstract Canvas

Last year I attended an intuitive painting class in Clovelly run by Lisa Patroni at Creativity Unlimited. It was great fun and inspired me to experiment at home. We had a huge empty wall in our living room that was crying out for a picture so I had a go at my first large acrylic painting with the help of the children. It was a real tonic to do something creative that didn't involve the sewing machine or the business. Sometimes you need to step back, reflect and replenish before plunging back in again...wow now that's getting deep!

Butterfly Bag

I bought a butterfly book at a children's book fair and by chance found some plastic butterflies in our local toy shop. It seemed a good idea to combine the two and give it as a Birthday gift. All that was needed was a small bag to pop the butterflies in and I'd already seen the instructions for a simple fabric bag in a children's sewing book called 'Made by Me' by Jane Bull. As it was for my daughter's friend, she willingly volunteered to make a butterfly themed card to go with it.

The book & bag combination can be adapted for any theme and makes a lovely, inexpensive personalised gift for children that are 'mad about' something!

Tea Party Story Time

I sold this Tea Party 'Felt Story Folder' last week to a much loved teacher at my son's pre-school. She wanted a special Birthday gift for her three year old niece who loves pink. What a pleasure to know it's going to good home!

Super heros in the park...

Another birthday party to plan...this time I decided to hold it in the park and not at my house. We had invited ten energetic 5 and 6 year olds so this seemed like the best way of letting them run about and have fun. The theme was 'superheroes' and I decided to make themed 'bat lolly bags' for the little guests to take home filled with more number five biscuits a couple of lollies and a super hero tooth brush (I'm sure I got a few brownie points for that one with the Mums!). We also took a huge colourful parachute for the energetic super heros to play with and it worked very well - a couple of the Mothers have the biceps to show for it too!

Cookie Cutter Crazy

It was my little boy's 5th birthday last week and what better way to decorate his party cakes than with the number five? I made a batch of biscuit dough and managed to squeeze about 60 number 5's out of it which gave me enough biscuits for him to take into class and share with friends, plus ample left over to decorate the party cup cakes and pop in lolly bags. The best bit was decorating them with the children around the kitchen table the night before. Of course there was chocolate and sprinkles everywhere but we had huge fun doing it, especially as my son insisted that these were the best letter 'fours' he had ever tasted! Ha!

Last minute Christmas ideas?

If you're in need of some last minute inspiration come along to the 'Clovelly Mum's Craft Show Case' next Monday on Arden Street and you might just find what you need! I'll be there selling my Craft Kit Bags, bedroom door plaques, reindeer food (great fun for the children to sprinkle for the reindeer on Christmas eve) and more goodies. Plus there will be a selection of other hand made crafts made by local Clovelly Mums. Everyone is welcome to come and have a look, pass it on!

Date: Monday 14th dec
Where:The Garage 86 Arden st Time: 9.30 to 1.00pm