Shaun says choose wool!

Yes that's right - it's Wool Week and even Shaun is getting involved!

I guess it's not all that surprising he's a big fan of wool, well, he is a sheep after all :)

Do check out Shaun's page on the Campaign for Wool site - it's full of fun things to do like games and crafty how-tos (choose from pom-pom sheep, a flock of nodding Shauns or even knit yourself sheepy a Nintendo DS cover!).

Best of all, there's a gallery where you can submit your own drawing or painting of Shaun and the gang!

Peek-a-boo!

..it's Pook-A-Looz! I do think most kids (and big kids, for that matter) have a favourite Disney film or character - I always adored the Aristocats myself. I was browsing around my local supermarket today searching for a birthday card, and found these little guys dancing around on one!

Image via here
I guess they are like a fun, stylised version of each character. I love how soft, cute and friendly these toys look :)

Image via here
Image via here
I think my favourite is probably this one though:

Image via here

Oh and look - there are Muppet ones too!

Image via here

Sock Pals!

Here's a couple of fun Easter break projects, suitable for small kids and big kids alike! :D

You can use an old sock (maybe its partner has been eaten by the sock monster?) to make a sock friend:


...or even a sock pet! Choose from snake, sock dog, crocodile and even a doggy draught excluder:


The possiblities are endless, if you have as many socks lying around that are no longer in a pair or have holes in them as I do. Check out the Pet Pooch Gallery too!

Spooky Saturday!

With Halloween only a few short weeks away, here are some fun picks to get that party started!


Cute little Halloween Spiders by Diomo Glass.


I love these fun cupcake wraps by Bespoke Cards - they'd be great for adding a creepy touch to edible treats.


Send someone a spooky message with this card from Little Bird Too.

Now I just need to figure out my Halloween costume...!

The Big Draw

I recently found out about the Campaign for Drawing, which I think is a fantastic idea, and not just for kids. For one thing, I think it's a real shame that many people worry that they are just not 'artistic' enough to draw. I think folks should just have a go, and have fun...it can be quite liberating. It's also great to experiment around with different drawing materials - pens, pencils, felt-tips, markers, ink...and then there are all the different choices of drawing 'surface' - not just paper, you know. The list is endless!

The Big Draw is a celebration of drawing - for those who can, and those who think they can't - that takes place in October every year. There are lots of events taking place all over the UK next month, which you can find out about on the site.

The Owl & Lion Gallery/Boutique in Edinburgh is running some free workshops for children as part of the Big Draw - details here - including mask making, owls and other animals. All they ask is a small donation (which goes to their chosen charity, the World Wildlife Fund for Animals). Places are limited though, so if you're interested, I'd suggest booking very soon!

...and, just for kicks: here's an interactive, online version of that game we all play(ed) at school - Draw & fold over.

DIY Duvet!

Having been under the weather in recent weeks, I've had rather a lot of duvet days lately. So I thought I'd tell you about this fantastic idea for kids - or big kids for that matter!


What better way to stave off boredom than by doodling...on your duvet. Yes, really! It's called the Doodle Duvet:


This is a stroke of genius by Stitch Designworks - the 100% cotton duvet comes complete with a set of colourful pens using ink which washes out at 40°C. I also like the fact that it's printed to look like a sheet of file paper :)

Reading Roald Rocks!

This is a special Roald Dahl Day edition of Reading Rocks! :)

As it's the advent of the well-known children's author Roald Dahl's birthday today, what better day to celebrate some of his wonderful works. So, without further ado, here are a small selection of my favourites, featuring the lively illustrations of Quentin Blake.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory


Matilda


Revolting Rhymes


James & the Giant Peach


The Witches


The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant)


George's Marvellous Medicine


If you want to mark the occassion yourself, why not try something from the downloadable Roald Dahl Day Party Pack? It's sure to be entertaining!

There's also a rather wonderful and interactive official website (complete with a quiz, e-postcards you can send and a flying peach game for under 13s) here.

Easter Bunnies!

It's been a bit quiet around here recently, so apologies for that...but a few inquisitive little rabbit creatures have just hopped past. It must be Easter time!


Amigurumi Bunny Rabbit by Moon's Creations


Red Hares Gocco Print by Dee Beale


Eco-friendly wooden bunny family by Imagination Kids

A Pirate's Life For Me

Arrrrrr...

I seriously believe I might have been a pirate in another life, as this may explain my love of dressing in stripy things, skull & crossbones motifs, (rum) and the like.

Allow me to introduce: the Barbarossa!



Image via Toy-Choice

How wonderful - a wooden pirate ship, perfect for playing pirates. It caught my eye as I walked past the window a great little boutique in Stockbridge called Bliss. I love that it even has a proper cannon!

Bliss is on Raeburn Place, and quite easy to find as it's located on a corner. One window has 'grown up' things and the other has things for children (usually my preferred window, it's often a lot more fun!). I believe they might just have had a few 'Dennis the Menace' style red-and-black striped t-shirts for babies/toddlers in the display, for full piratey authenticity, if memory serves me correctly.