Rainy Day Activities

With the weather turning into a typical British Summer, I thought I'd do another quick post on activities to do with little ones, but this time  rainy day activities, things to do that are fun, free and (mostly) indoors.
Links to the websites featured can be found at the head of each activity 

Alphabet Cookies

all good rainy days start with baking and this is a fab idea, make the cookies into letters and make names, phrases or just silly words.

Paper Plate Hoops

Paper plates, a little paint or colouring pens and a kitchen roll tube you have yourself a game of hoops.  a great way to entertain the children for an hour or 2.  When its made, and should the sun ever come back out again you can take it in the garden for some fun.

Make Your Own Crayons

Pretty much everyone I know who has children has broken crayons some where. In our house we have an entire box full of them. Well why not make use of them and make a whole new set of crayons. These are perfect for little fingers to hold when cooled too.

Spiders Webs

I love this idea, some sticky tape stuck over a doorway (with room to walk about still) and some balls of screwed up magazine paper. great fun!

Rain Painting

If you don't mind getting wet then why not try rain painting. using kitchen roll and paint go outside and paint to your hearts content., any left over paint can be poured into puddles and used for monster puddles (have a look below)

Monster Puddle Jumping

Using either powder paint (i you have it) or crushed pavement chalks sprinkle into nearby puddles and then take your little one puddle jumping. Fab fun and the paint or chalk is easily washed away with the next rainfall.

For the older ones Treasure Hunt

for those that can write, why not try this, a treasure hunt, write the letters of the alphabet on a sheet of paper and get the children to go round the house finding objects that begin with the letters.  If your little one is too little to write but still wants to join in why not download a picture sheet or draw your own for them to take part too.

Hope you enjoy these activities if you try any let me know how you got on :)

The Summer Holidays are upon us!

For those without school aged children, the term 'Summer Holidays' has no threatening connotations for you.
For those of us with children of Nursery and School age that term can put fear in the heart of the most unshakeable person.  
"How will we entertain them?", "Will the nice weather hold out?", "Will they ever stop arguing/fighting/trying to kill each other?"

I've come across some great ideas to keep kids occupied during the 'dreaded time'.  Come rain or shine i think even my stroppy 8 year old would struggle to announce she was bored with these activities. (click the titles for the link)
Enjoy x

Summer Activity Jar

Such a great idea, get your kids to write down all the things they'd like to do, and then pop them onto a lolly stick.  As soon as the dreaded B word pops out of their mouths they can pick something to do 


Toilet Roll Activities

simple activity, easy to make, and cheap too.

Build a Sofa Fort

For the wetter/cooler days fort building is a must!

Ice Chalk

Such a fab idea, cornflour, water and food colouring to get cheap and fun activities

Dino Dig

If you have space in the freezer this one is great fun.  All is needed is a washing up bowl, some plastic toys and water.  Simply pop in some toys cover with some water, freeze.  Add more toys more water freeze again and keep repeating till the bowls full of ice.  On a hot day pop it out of the bwl and lt your little archeologist explore.

Free Days Out

Most Museums and Art Galleries are free to enter and have activities and special events on for the Summer Holiday

Make Magic Sand

Possibly the most fun looking stuff i have seen.  Simple to make with sand Scotch guard spray and a pot with water.  Spray the sand (making sure to get an even covering) allow to dry then experiment.

Balloon Bean Bags

cheap and fun, bean bags made from balloons and flour.

Water Painting

The simplest and possibly cheapes craft, all you need a wall/pavement/step in the sunshine a pot of water and an old paintbrush.
Paint a picture wait a while paint a new one.  

and at the end of the day a fun way to unwind..............

Glow Stick Bath

makes the chore of bath time so much more fun!

Top 10 Work At Home Mum items

With my little man turning 1 in under a week my thoughts have turned to what to make for him.
Murphy's law being Murphy's law the majority of what i have found when searching online for inspiration have been more suitable for little girls and i doubt very much in years to come if he will appreciate photographs of him in a little pink tutu.
While looking on the infamous facebook i discovered lots of untapped talent from Work at home mums.  This is why i have created this list, so many fab crafters going un-noticed.

No. 1 Roxter Dreams

First up is the wonderful Roxter Dreams, absolutely stunning Tutu's perfect for the princess (or prince if so enclined) in your life 

Roxter Dreams Rainbow fairy dress, rrp £17.99, sale price £12.99 plus p&p 

Of all of Roxters tutu's i think this is my absolute favourite, although i may get some funny looks doing the school run in this one hehe

No. 2 Sew Domesticated

Next up is Sew Domesticated, I'm in awe of the nappies made by this very talented lady.  We use cloth on our little man and the skill and creative talent this lady has is amazing.

I'm loving this ballet design complete with a Tutu

Not only is she super talented but she shares her talent with others teaching classes to beginners and improvers, although right now she's a very busy lady as she's just had a beautiful baby boy (Congrats x)

No. 3 Miss Kitty Kat Crafts

Number 3 on my list is Miss Kitty Kat Crafts A lovely lady and such great fabrics check thses out 

Ahoy there! 

No. 4 Monkeynutz

Next up is Monkeynutz. Having made a few sock animals in my time i can appreciate sometimes how challenging they can be.  

'Baboy!!'

Loving the minions!

No.5 Suzi's Doctor Who Crafts

I confess i am a huge Whovian, and Suzi's Doctor Who Crafts is like catnip to cat for me.  All her fabrics are either Doctor Who themed or geek inspired.

All the Who's Wallet, A must have for all Whovians

No.6 Made By Jude

Had to put a plug for my page Made By Jude, in here somewhere. There's lots of fabrics and if you dont see anything you like I can get more. I'm willing to have a try at anything you'd like me to make.  Although the items I make are predominately child and baby related.

Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Set

No.7 Prints Charming

In position seven is Prints Charming.  The most amazing hand crafted jewelry, to keep and savour for ever.

a family print pendant

Prints of your children your partner or even your pet, very clever and stunning too!

No. 8 Joanne's Character Cakes

I couldn't have a list of work at home mum's hand crafted items and not include cake somwhere in the list. Joannes Character Cakes talents exceed most other cake makers i have encountered, if you give her the idea she will turn it into cake.

VW Split screen Camper

Here is the perfect example, i told Jo my partner loved camper vans and this is the creation, a perfect split screen complete with wing mirrors and number plates.

No.9 All  the pretty things

Next up we have more sparklies (got to love the sparklies). All the pretty things have some stunning peices, all hand crafted by the lovely Susannah.

gorgeous bangle bracelet with silver plated wire, black agate, crackled quartz and few small sparkly beads

I should also say Susannah herself is a little busy herself at the moment having just had a dinky baby girl :)

No. 10 Caricatures By Cheryl

Last but by no means least is the amazing caricatures by cheryl.  Amazingly talented lady who will make a picture or decorate a bag with any persons image.

All these Ladies are super talented so please click on the links and have a look at their fabulous creations and if you like them then share, share, share x

An Introduction

Hi there, I'm Jude I enjoying sewing and now my little hobby has turned into a business. 

Where did i start? 

I began to enjoy sewing when i studied for my Creative Craft course in 2005. The course led onto qualifications and I am the proud owner of levels 1 and 3 in creative craft. I have dabbled in craft teaching, I have taught silk painting and felt making to adults and more recently i have been working at a local school teaching craft to 5 - 11 year olds.

After having my little boy in July I started making taggy's and dribble bibs, a friend asked me to make her little boy a taggy then another friend and it snow balled. I now spend my days sewing and my evenings studying for a degree.

I have been commission to make

• dribble bibs for Parkinsons sufferers
• dog dribble bibs
• phone cases
• tablet cases
• pram liners
• scrub hats
• bags
• dresses, shorts, ties, t-shirts and many more clothing items
• Teddy bears and more

I'm quite willing to try my hand at anything. I also offer an embroidery service.

Think that is enough advertising on with the Blogging :)