Fresh from the Garden? Yes Please!!!

I was treated rather specially yesterday to cooked breakfast in bed, even more delightful as Paul used free range eggs that one of his customers had given him - yum!!!! We've always wanted chickens and have agreed that we will get some 'when we move' but a chat with a local chicken owner last night revealed that we may be able to keep some here if we find the right ark. We've decided on Black Rock Chickens and have found a local seller, all we need now is the ark and a bit more knowledge!!!

Useful Links

http://www.downthelane.net/keeping-your-own-chickens-faqs.html

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/

http://www.keepchickens.info/

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/news/article/122097/Top_tips_on_keeping_chickens.html

http://forum.rivercottage.net/viewforum.php?f=25

Green Class is go!!!

The thought of six weeks until school starts up again in September scares me senseless!! No not the mum that dreads entertaining the kids 24/7 but the gap in their learning!!! In junior school I was taught joined up writing in the term before summer holidays, then when I went back in September I couldn't remember how to do it at all!! I've never really used it since, doomed to a life of unjoined letters!!! The kids have been doing so well, I didn't want them to slip backwards come september so we are doing a Home schooling Summer School! The kids chose the class name - Green Class, and the Topic - Animals, each week we'll do a different section Fish, Pets, Wild Animals and Farm Animals, We'll do crafts, art, trips spellings, stories and cooking!!

This week is FISH we've done colouring and fish beanbags today so far other activities this week include a river trip and a swim!

Wow where did that come from!!

Its here, last day of school is tomorrow!!! Wow we've been so busy enjoying ourselves it kinda crept up on us.

Jade class pressies have been given and we're busy putting finishing touches to Red Class presents...... 4 gifts all the same ( so much easier!!!) Painted pegs - for prettifying your washing line, hanging up notelets or just looking fab in the kitchen!! Cameron pitched in and is covered in paint - nothing like the personal touch!!!


Reception sports day was this morning, couldn't quite make Cam out though, he runs everywhere at 100mph and then falls over alot so we weren't quite sure whether he'd win everything or just be left behind on the floor! Turned out a bit of both lol but he really enjoyed it and even won the egg and spoon race!!!




Cams sports day had Egg and Spoon, Sack Race, Running and Obstacle Races. Evies had the same plus Skipping, Welly race , Bean Bag throwing and Foam Rocket Javelins!!

What Can I do with this?

With over 5 billion drinks cans being bought every year in the UK alone, it seems pretty obvious that someone somewhere asked the question, instead of putting them straight into the recycling bin.
I just wouldn't have imagined how stunning and varied the results would be......

Pop Art Charm Bracelets from Swift Jewelry

Beautiful bracelets from Modern Vintage



Individual Artworks from Paintingcans



Useful Links

http://temp.thinkcans.net/think-cans-in-the-classroom

Felt Food Tutorial - Sausage

This is a nice little project, you could complete it in 10 minutes or less.

1. Cut a rectangle of felt in brown or pink

2. Fold in half along the length and sew the long edges together (2mm seam)


3.Turn tube inside out.

4. Sew up one open end by sewing a running stitch around the perimeter and pulling the thread through to gather the edges in to the centre.

5. Pack with wading then sew up open end to close and finish.

Beep beep

I've been busy drawing campers all week and the first one hit my etsy shop today!!! Meet Daisy Daydreamer, she takes her owner on trips to wild flower meadows, where they sit all day on their homemade picnic blankets daydreaming and making daisy chains.....!!!

Dont worry there's designs for the boys too....

A little late.....

my recycled Tuesday that is!! Worth the wait though I hope! I found this gorgeous little bird made out of reclaimed sea glass by SeaFindDesigns.




More investigation revealed its part of a group on Etsy called EcoEtsy members are commited to "Reduce, Resuse and Recycle" in their items and packaging. Search tags for 'ecoetsy'.

Mummy I've got to have my name on it....

L6

....... because Jake's got the SAME ONE!!!!!

Our Jolly into Bath yesterday resulted in Nanny Shirley buying the kids a new water bottle each, handpicked by themselves in Bath's fabulous Kitchen store that sells everything you could possibly need for cooking and kitchen ( so why does my mind go blank as soon I pass the doorway only to be filled with stuff I should have got as soon as i get home???) Anyhoo, Cam declares this morning - it needs a label mummy, Jake's got the same one. No labels in the house, well no blank ones - could have covered it in pumpkins ! - so I decided a paper one covered in sticky tape would have to do, Plus a cute little sketch each!!! aahhhhhh!!

Its mine mine mine all mine!!!!

This gorgeous apron arrived from etsy
Isn't it lovely!!! I feel like a glamourous 50s housewife, so to keep in role I've been baking.....

Kims Cake

8oz Sultanas
1 cup cold tea ( Lady Grey is my fave but u can use any)
2 cups SR Flour
1 cup sugar
1 large egg ( beaten)

Soak sultanas in tea overnight, then mix with other ingredients in a large bowl. It'll look to dry but keep mixing and it'll get wetter!
Pour into a greased and lined loaf tin then bake in oven at 160C for 2hours. Turn out allow to cool slightlly and slice. This can also be frozen but i doubt if ours will be around that long!!!!!!

Oh well back to the housework now...........At least i'll feel pretty in the apron!!!

Everythings coming up roses.......

well poppies, corn and some new turquoise flowers!!! I've been working on notelets this week, doodling and designing and printing onto card. pressies for TA's at school at the mo but the might be making an appearance on etsy soon!!!!!

Recycled Tuesdays

I had a brainwave this morning as I collected out empty jars and cans together for collection, how about a recyling bit on the blog? Every tuesday they'll be tips or links to tutorials that are eco friendly or recycled and I'll try and find some nice recycled goodies to showcase too? How about these to get us started??







Recycled Notebooks from stubbypencil


Cam is going on a school trip to westonbirt auboritum soon and we've been provided with a sheet for .......

Creating a low-waste lunch

1. Start with a reusable lunchbox - great tutorial here
2. Pack food in reusable plastic containers
3. Bring your drink in a reusable bottle not carton or can
4. Homemade biscuits and cakes reduce packaging
5. Buy a large packet of food (yogurt, crisps, raisins) and decant a portion, rather than buying individually.
6. Reduce packaging by choosing fresh fruit, apples, bananas and oranges etc
7. Reduce leftover food by only packing what you will eat.

Other useful sites include
www.recyclingconsortium.org.uk/schools/lunchboxwaste.htm
http://english-nature.org.uk/science/nature_for_schools/primary_3.asp

Whats in a name?

Evie googled her name yesterday ( she also did bra's and bratz but less said about those the better!) and found this book!! She'd seen it before at school but its for older years to borrow, luckily being a Parent Helper in the school library I have my own card so guess what tonights bedtime story will be!!

I got Cam another Funnybones book too.... we love that series!! Both Funnybones and Black Cat have been fave bedtime reads for ages here!!!

Only Superheros need apply!!!!!

Or maybe that should be supervillans, scary face or what!!! Cam LOVED his hero mask, they wore them all afternoon, to nanny's, village fete, out in the garden..... I got so many compliments on them that i'll be starting a new batch for the etsy shop tonight!!

We did try and go camping last night to Stowford Manor but when we got there, they had a private rally so we came home again

Busy as a bee.......or is that a butterfly??

I whipped up this fancy dress mask for Evie this morning, its reversible with a pink butterfly on the back. 2 cutouts sewn together and a body added on each side - simple!!!!

Guess I better get on and do that super hero mask for Cam now!

Paul magiced up these whilst I was sewing......

All In One Cupcakes

4oz Self Raising Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
4oz Soft Marg
4oz Sugar
2 Eggs

Mix all ingredients together with an electric whisk, Bake in Oven for 15 - 20 minutes at 170 C.

Finished another teacher gift too : yay! :

I'm a Mug.......................Cozy

DSC_0037
Originally uploaded by perfectcupcake76

oh no!! Someone mentioned yesterday its only 3 weeks til the end of the school year!!!! Time to start sorting out the gifts for the teachers - 6 this year???? Damn those job shares!!!

Mr Arnold - Done
Ms Roughan - Done
Ms Proudler
Ms Kinson
Ms Webb
Ms Milsom

Evie's Sketch embroidered onto material and made into a cozy!! First time we've tried but shes great at sewing, and Cam is tooo!!! Think we'll take needles next time we go camping and its rainy!!

Flowers

Flowers
Originally uploaded by perfectcupcake76

These lovely flowers arrived yesterday, in thanks for helping a friend at her daughters party last weekend.



If you're eagled eyed you'll spot the new mosaic in the background......