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Keeping two very different children busy for over two weeks is no mean feat. Whilst My Boy is happy to go off and read or use a computer for hours on end (I'd like him to spend more time interacting with us!), Little Miss needs more creative input. I started the holidays with a list of different activities and am pleased to report that it's going well so far.
We have been thrifting, visited the library, eaten pancakes, taught one of their friends to finger-knit, had a picnic and Little Miss has mastered the crochet chain - she's been carrying her 'stash' around with her ever since.
We also visited two National Trust properties this week - Petworth House (the location of a sunny but very windy picnic) and Nymans. During the holidays there are plenty of volunteers who really help to bring these historic places to life - plus things for the children to do such as puzzles and lego in galleries - so the adults can spend more time looking around - and an Easter Egg hunt, as well as geocaching (and fairy-house spotting) in the grounds.
Someone really enjoyed dressing up as a Scullery Boy and learning all about kitchen life "pre-electricity". He also managed to amuse a gallery full of tourists by asking why the male statues all had their appendages on show - although he used the correct anatomical terms and full volume. Anyway, we had a lot of fun and I'd highly recommend the restaurant and giftshop at Petworth, if you're lucky enough to visit. The kids bought marbles for £1 a bag, which kept them entertained for a while on our return.
Affiliate discount code: "NT15024M0" will get you two months free when signing up by 31/5/15.
Affiliate discount code: "NT15024M0" will get you two months free when signing up by 31/5/15.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse today and I've been looking for inspiration for things to do indoors. The "Shadowbox" is a free project on Creativebug and a great way to preserve the bits and pieces the children like to collect on our walks. I wish I'd seen this before our trips this week, and will definitely be doing this after our summer holidays. I am already wondering if I still have enough things from our last trip to the beach... and where I can get a box frame around here...
Talking of Creativebug*, there are lots of new things coming in April as well as all the existing content - I'm mostly looking forward to a new drawing / illustration course with Heather Ross as I've been doing lots of doodling in the evenings - it's all I have the energy for!
Edie Eckman's Baby Blanket CAL could be fun and is suitable for new crocheters, but too tricky for Little Miss' 5 year old fingers - for the moment, at least. I think she might like to make the cushion pictured instead - it's an iron-on image transfer which is then embellished and looks right up her street. It reminds me of the t-shirt she embellished last year. Luckily, there are lots of other crafts that I think she'll enjoy too - if you have a crafty little madam - or mister - you might like to check out this list.
*Affiliate link: Get a 14 day free trial with unlimited access to content, if you aren't a subscriber already. You can read my review of the platform here.
Edie Eckman's Baby Blanket CAL could be fun and is suitable for new crocheters, but too tricky for Little Miss' 5 year old fingers - for the moment, at least. I think she might like to make the cushion pictured instead - it's an iron-on image transfer which is then embellished and looks right up her street. It reminds me of the t-shirt she embellished last year. Luckily, there are lots of other crafts that I think she'll enjoy too - if you have a crafty little madam - or mister - you might like to check out this list.
*Affiliate link: Get a 14 day free trial with unlimited access to content, if you aren't a subscriber already. You can read my review of the platform here.
Box frames are available in IKEA and The Range in various sizes but I don't know if these are near you. I'm not sure where you can get the really large ones so I'll be checking back to see if someone else comments about a good supplier!
ReplyDeleteThanks - the one in the video is from IKEA but sadly neither of those stores are very close. My Mum is going past a Wilkinsons on Saturday and I think they have some (not sure of the quality!) so she's going to take a look there for me. I'll update the post if we find some good alternatives :) x
DeleteMany thanks for this. There is a Wilkinsons not that far from here so I must go and have a look. I love these frames for the butterfly and heart punches. I'm working on one at the moment so always on the look out for some more as my stash is getting low.
DeleteI went past it and completely forgot to go inside!! Grrrr!!!!
DeleteWhat lovely fun you're having. Lucky you to have two weeks off. Our week here has zipped by so fast.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely - thanks. Time goes so much quicker with the children, doesn't it?! xxx
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