it's a nice day to bake a mud cake

This weekend it was so sunny in London, and for the first time ever we have a garden!

Doing anything in doors felt like a waste of this amazing sunshine, so we decided to make mud pies (and mud chocolate mouse, and mud hot chocolate)

 Eli and his cousins loved it, and it really brought me back to my own childhood.  I spent hours pottering about outside with water, mud, petals and grass for garnish!

 It made me think... do kids ever get messy these days? I think it's very healthy once in a while. It was really nice to see the kids using their imaginations, thinking about the ingredients they could put into their potions, using a cardboard box as a cooker, and narrating pretend cookery programs.... and not an ipad in sight!!

 This is a lovely little book which can help if your lacking your own mud pie ideas

a little sample of what's inside

So next sunny day... get messy!

Negative space - Kids activity by Olivia

Like most children my 3 year old loves stickers

To make our sheets of stickers last longer we use the negative spaces to create new stickers.

Cut up in any shape

Peel off and stick onto paper

It's fun to get your child to use their imagination and create a new image.

We have created a scene - a large tree with green leaves, snakes and big waves.

Follow the light- non messy making project for kids.

Cardboard box house with lights inside!

A super easy but effective thing to make ......

Eli is just over 1 now and LOVES lights and shadows , so once you have made this, switch off the main light in the room do the windows and doors really glow!

 You can make it any size- especially to fit any little toys you might have.

 This is is made from a pampers box turned inside out. you can make it as decorative or as simple as you want, but the more little windows ot holes you make in the box the better the light show!

Step 1: Find a box- can be a show box or a huge grocery box. if it has a lot of pattern, cut down the join and rejoin in inside out so you have a plan clean surface on the outside.

Step 2: Get a sharp craft knife- I wouldn't recommend cutting with a knife while your little one is around, and it's nice to surprise them once you have done this bit.  cut out little squares for window - you can mark out with pencil first.

Step 3: cut the door- remembering only to cut 3 sides leaving one edge as the hinge- you might want to score this lightly with your knife so it folds in the right place.

Step 4. get some Christmas tree lights and put them in the box... it's that easy!  

don't leave this unattended when switched on.

Tip: I leave the top open as Eli wants to take the lights in and out.

back to blog ... and instagram (it's easier!)

OK it's been a while! Sorry guys.... I guess I didn't quite realise how much my life would change after having a baby ! sounds ridiculous as everyone tries to warn you, but until it happens to you you don't believe them!! So juggling work and baby was tough, and now Eli is a WHOLE YEAR old, I finally feel a little more adjusted to it!

So I'm ready to do a few more blog posts, focussing on creative things to do with your baby/child.  I really don't want to see Eli glued to the TV or an iPad (every now and again is OK) but I am trying to encourage him to play and create and get messy.

At the moment he is very keen on getting messy, and not so keen on playing with his toys, but as with everything I'm sure that will change.  So here goes... I'm hoping to inspire you with easy and fun projects, some messy and some not!

in the mean time and if I don't manage the blogging part, please follow me on instagram @DonnaWilsonltd or Facebook or twitter and learn about work projects through my other blog : Leaves and twigs http://donnawilsonsblog.blogspot.co.uk

Piechart Patchwork and Giant Turtles- NEW kids products

 Just finished installing a little room set at the kids trade show Bubble London, where we are showing a couple of our new products for the first time... available in September so here's a sneak preview!

This is one of my favourite things... it's a piechart patchwork quilt, made of lovely soft lambswool knitted sections, and each one is a one off!

 not very easy to see, but there is a knitted fruit mobile hanging infront of the leaves.

little knitted booties at the end of the bed

 and our GIANT TURTLE floor cushion has a mind of his own

Hope you like the new additions, we'll be launching more new products in September.

Bubble Kids trade show

This weekend we're doing an installation in the entrance of the kids trade show- Bubble. Please stop by and say hello!
Opening times Sunday 16th and Monday 17th June- 9.30 till 6 pm

Wiggly Jigglers for under 2's

Today I had a good day,  I've been struggling a bit recently trying to juggle work and baby, something I'm told will never get easier! ......but I'm not going to moan about that, instead I'm going to tell you about wiggly jigglers which is a drop in 'event' at the Rich mix cinema on Bethnal green road every second Monday.   It looks a bit like you have stepped inside a magicians dream, as there are chiffon scarves-( which are a real hit with every baby!) silver balls, bright lights, music, and crash mats everywhere, so much stimuli for babies and toddlers alike. I found it very good to get out of the house and meet other nice mums.

A lovely lady called Jasmine Pasch a movement practitioner comes round and talks to you about how your child is progressing with his or her crawling etc.  and the best thing about it is it's only £3.00!

 find out more here http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/wiggly-jigglers-copy260911/