Patchwork Woodland Tree Decal

I spent ages thinking about how I could make a tree on the wall for my little girls room. I've painted murals before and also thought about making one out of cardboard but when I found out you could stick material to the wall using cornflour - I was sold! My daughter loves looking at all the patterns on the leaves and the owl perched in the middle so I'm glad I made my own, rather than buying an expensive decal.

Before I start, this is just one tutorial in a range that will help you make a whole woodland nursery so if you would like to see the others then click on the image below

What you will need:

• Thin brown material - I used linen
• Different coloured material for the leaves. I bought some fat quarters as it was a cheaper way to get a few different patterns
• Cornflour

Knot in tree for owl (optional)

• Same brown material as above
• Oval or round plastic container ( you could make it out of cardboard as well)
• Wadding
• Cardboard
• Glue gun
• Drill & screw

Step 1 - Make your paste

Mix a cup of cornflour with boiling water until you get a thick wallpaper paste consistency and then leave it to cool to room temperature. 

I didn't do this before I started and then was frustrated that I had to wait for it to cool so please remember to do it first!!!

Step 2 - Carve out your tree trunk

I bought 2 meters of brown linen and then just cut my design out freehand, although we may want to draw your design on the material before you start.

Step 3 - Cut out your leaves

Cut out leave shapes from your patterned material, trying to do different sizes with the same colour so it looks more realistic. I arranged mine round the trunk on the floor as I was going, so I could see how many I needed.

To save a bit of time you could layer up your material and cut a few leaves at the same time.

Step 4 - Paste the tree onto the wall

Now as you can see from the pictures below I brushed the paste onto the wall but this left a slight mark on the wall as it didn't dry completely clear so I would recommend applying the paste to your material, putting it on the wall and then brushing another layer of paster over the top of the material.

I'm not very good at cutting straight so I let the bottom of the tree flap over the skirting board and then once dry I cut it with a craft knife

Good news is that this paste does come away with a clean cloth and bit of warm water so I was able to wipe away some of the excess but be careful as this will lift some of your paint as well. you can also use this method to remove your decal once you no longer want it on your wall

I also put a sheet on the floor round the tree so that any paste dripped onto that, instead of the carpet

Step 5 - Making the knot (optional)

Cut a bit of cardboard that fits neatly inside your plastic container (it doesn't need the cross cut out inside, that was already on my piece of cardboard). If you don't want to use a plastic container then you could make an oval shape from a long strip of cardboard but it would be more flimsy over time.

Using the left over scraps of material from your tree trunk, cut a piece that is a bit bigger than your cardboard and you can either glue it down or do a drawstring stitch round the material and gather it all in, like I have. You can see once you turn it over, you have a backing for your tree knot which will cover any screws etc.

Then cut a piece of wadding that is double the hight of your container and glue it all the way around. Fold the wadding over the top of the container, gluing as you go and then repeat the process with more material from your tree trunk (making sure its slightly more than double the width of the container this time). You don't need to glue the material on the inside the container as your cardboard backing will hold it in place.

Place your tree knot on the wall and then screw it in place using a drill. Then making sure all the material is folded into the middle, insert the backing to hold it all in place and hide that screw.

Step 6 - Add your animal

My friend Tatum bought this gorgeous patchwork owl from Monsoon, which fitted perfectly in our tree but you could add in any woodland creature, or even have a go at making your own sock animal!

 I'll be back,

Newborn Snail Costume

My daughter is now almost 10 weeks old but she really is the most tiny baby (still only just 5lb) so finding a Halloween costume to fit her this year was pretty impossible. I set myself a task of creating my own but it had to be something simple enough that I could fit it in between the little ones feeding, sleeping, pooing...you get the idea. Then it hit me that since she already had a woodland themed room it would be great to use that as the background and that's when I thought of a snail costume.

This costume really is simple. I completed it in half a day but it only took about an hour in total to pull together. I'm so chuffed with the results and hope that it helps someone else out how is stuck for a quick and cute costume this Halloween.

What you'll need:

1/2 meter of Jersey Material (I chose grey but you can be more adventurous if you want)

1/2 meter of any other material for the shell

bubble wrap (or another very light material)

Fabric snap fasteners or velcro

sewing machine

NOTE: you might need more or less material depending on the size of your child

Step 1 - The Hat

Step 2 - The Body

Step 3 - The Shell

And if you are felling really adventurous, you can create a little woodland scene for some super cute photographs.

I've also created a image tutorial card that you can easily share and store the instructions

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Fun Snacks for Kids

It can be difficult to get your little ones to choose a healthy snack over a sugary option but these butterfly snack bags will get them excited about fruit and veg, as well as being an easy way to transport food on a day out or for a kids party.

What you will need

sealable sandwich bag

peg

pipe cleaner

googly eyes

double sided tape

choice of snacks

Step 1 - Store your snack

Open your sandwich bag and put snacks into both bottom corners. Its up to you if you mix your snacks up or leave them separated on opposite sides like mine. Seal the sandwich bag, making sure you push out all the air out before you seal it, and then twist bag in the centre and put the peg over it.

Step 2 - Give your butterfly a face

Take your pipe cleaner and fold it in half then roll in the ends until it looks like the photo above. Then pinch it in the peg to give you the antenna. Finish off the face by stick your googly eyes on the front of the peg

Step 3 - Optional extra snack

I wanted to add a little something extra to my snack so using some double sided sticky tape I attached a mini cheese block to the back of the butterfly but you could use other sealed snacks like raisin boxes or yoghurt tubes.

Enjoy your snack and hopefully the 5 minutes of piece and quite you get while your child is eating.

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Alcohol Free Prosecco & Peach Sorbet

I couldn't be more excited about being a new mummy but I have to admit that I'm finding it easier to grab a chocolate bar than have a proper meal at the moment, so I decided to create a sweet treat that was simple to make and a bit more refreshing...its no roast dinner but it's a start!

Now for those who like a bit of fizz but are pregnant or breastfeeding,  this alcohol free prosecco for

Sainsburys is the bees knees. I've tasted a few fake boozes in my time but this is as close to the real deal as I think you can get which is why I've opted to use it in this recipe.

What you'll need

4 peaches

Alcohol free prosecco (or the real deal if you wish)

3-6 teaspoons of honey (depending on your sweet tooth)

Step 1

Peel the peaches with a potato peeler and destone

Step 2

Blend peaches until smooth

Step 3

Mix in 1 cup of prosecco and your honey

Step 4

Transfer to a container and put in the freezer, mixing it when you get a chance throughout the day

Step 5

Feet up and enjoy 5 minutes of piece and quiet

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Gluten Free Baking - Lemon Tartlette with a Raspberry Sorbet

I'm trying to eat a bit healthier at the moment but love my puds so I tried my hand at a few Gluten Free recipes I'd seen on Pinterest

My first shout out is to Hidden Ponies for there fabulous Lemon Curd Mini Pies (which I made a little less pie shape so I could try out one of my new moulds). The coconut in the cases with lemon filling is a match made in heaven. I will definitely be making these all summer!

The second is one of my favourite desserts - good old Raspberry Sorbet, and I found a great recipe Eat Well 101. 

Both of these treats work wonders together and will bring a kick to your summer dinner party so get that pinnie on and try your hand at these simple summer favourites!

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Hand Print Flower Collage

This spring I was lucky enough to spend the start of spring with 4 lovely girls in the Bell Household and we set to work making this lovely piece of art! It really is super simple to make, even the 3 year old twins were able to get involved so keep your kids busy in the holidays and give it a go this Easter!

What you will need:

Canvas  - I got mine from The Works but you can get smaller ones in Poundland

Blue Tissue Paper (or whatever colour you want your background to be)

Green Card

Card to match your background colour

Readymix paint

Glitter

PVA Glue (lots of it)

Scissors

Thick kids paint brushes

Step 1 - Get those hands messy

You'll need about 6 hand prints so split the hand prints between the number of children you have taking part.

Give each child a piece of card (the colour that will match your background) and then get them to put their hand prints on it. I did this by letting them put some paint on a paint brush and then colour in their hand before pressing it on the paper. I also let the kids pick their own coloured paint (which quickly backfired when they all copied each other but they were happy)

Put these hand prints to the side and leave them to dry

Step 2 - Create your Tissue Paper Collage

Start by asking the kids to tear the tissue paper up into lots of small pieces and make a pile in the middle of the table. This bit went down a treat but make sure it doesn't get crumbled into balls otherwise you will struggle with the next bit.

Clean a paint brush and use it to cover the canvas in a thin layer of PVA. Then start layering the tissue on top - you can either do all the same colour like us, or do a multicoloured collage.

Then put another thin layer of PVA over the top, as this will make the background shiny when the glue dries. Don''t worry if the tissue tears, you can always layer more tissue over the top.

Step 3 - Cut your stems

Take the green card and cut enough strips for your flowers. Then stick these strips in the centre of your canvas, grouped together at the bottom. You won't need any more glue if your canvas if still sticky but if it's already dried then just add a bit more to the back of the stems.

Step 4 - Let the flowers bloom

Take the hand prints you made earlier and cut around them before sticking them on the top of each of the stems

Step 5 - Plant your flowers

Cut a spare piece of card to the shape of a plant pot and then cover in it PVA glue. take your glitter and shake across the top to cover

Top Tip - lay another piece of card under your plant pot of that you catch the excess glitter and then can gently fold the card to funnel it back into the glitter pot

Finish your picture by gluing the pot over the bottom of your stems and that's you done! 

Told you it was easy and it's a great way to show off not only your kids art skills but their hand prints as well, rather than one of those generic kits you can by in the shops!!!!

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DIY Photobooth

Everyone loves a photo booth at a party but to get the professionals in it can cost hundreds. 

If you are looking for a cheap but very effective solution then I have it here - costing under £20!!!!!

What you will need:

3 rolls of wrapping paper

masking tape / bluetac

card (if you want to make a sign)

scissors / cutting machine e.g. Cricut

various props

blackboard & chalk

Step 1 - Create your background

When buying wrapping paper for your background you need to think of a couple of things:

•  If there a theme to the party, you should try and find wrap that matches the theme so that your photo booth doesn't look out of place
• You also need to think about the lighting of your venue. If it's a dark lit venue then you are likely to need a camera flash so don't pick a wrapping paper that is likely to reflect. I mostly got away with the one you see in the photos but there was times where the flash really caught the glitter and reflected back. Also avoid anything with foil as it's really reflective

Once you have your wrap, don't unroll it until the night as it could become damage. When you get to the venue, lay all 3 piece face down and line them up. Then take your masking tape and stick them together so that it becomes one big piece. You might not need 3 but I found this was about the right size for groups of 5/6 in a photo.

You will probably need help for the next bit as it's hard to do it by yourself. 

Ask a friend to hold the background up against the wall whist you stick the top of the background using either masking tape or bluetac. Then put some more at the bottom and along the sides if necessary.

Step 2 - Make your sign (optional)

To make the photos more a memento of the evening, I made a sign to stick on the background. This part was really simple, just cutting the letters out of card. I used my Cricut machine to get a really clean finish but scissors will work as well.

Step 3 - Buy some props

Obviously the more props you buy the more fun your guests will have but remember it will also make your booth more expensive. This is where my bargain hunting skills really came in handy as I scoured pound stores & discount shops. I was very lucky that Claire's accessories had a sale on where I could by 5 items for £3 - crazy bargain considering most items I bought were £5 each

Lay all the props out on a table next to your background so they are easy to get to. I also had a blackboard and chalk so the guests could write cheeky messages to the party host

Step 4 - Add people

Step 5 - Take your photos

you can leave it to your guest to take photos using their cameras & phones but I like to have my trusting Polaroid with me

Polaroid Z340

This polaroid is amazing - not only can you print your photos out straight away but it lets you pick and choose which to print so your not wasting paper. I'm not going to lie it's a bit temperamental so I won't leave it out for guests without instructions but I've taken it to lots of parties and weddings and it's always a big hit - people love getting a picture to take away on the night 

I've made an instruction guide to using it so if you want you could print this out and leave it next to your camera

I'll be back,