THE GRUFFALO PARTY IDEAS

Here's some ideas I have found for a terribly good Gruffalo party...

INVITATIONS

COME FOR TEA IT'S LIAM'S BIRTHDAY YOU KNOW

COME FOR TEA WITH LIAM AND THE GRUFFALO!

THEY'LL BE ROASTED FOX AND SCRAMBLED SNAKE

OWL ICE CREAM AND GRUFFALO CRUMBLE
FOR GOODNESS SAKE!

COME FOR TEA IN THE DEEP DARK WOOD

BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER TO BE TERRIBLY GOOD!

COSTUMES

Tutorial for owl mask

Tutorial for mouse ears

SETTING THE SCENE

 for the back drop use Woods Wallpaper

The deep dark woods

DECORATIONS

BUNTING

acorns and leaves on vines

there is a free template for this cute acorn bunting from Amay Atlas
 I found it fiddly to cut out, as cut all one.
(I have very little patience!)

I found it easier to cut separate pieces and string them together.
acorn nut template
leaf template

TABLE SCAPE

1. Wooden Plater from Bridal Hood

2.  The Two Tree Trunks Cake Stands from Bridal Hood

3. Tree Trunk Plate from My Wedding Report

4. Leave Pile on Tree Trunk Cake Plate from Toast and Tables

I adore this tree cupcake stand

 from Boss

artificial grass mat

FOOD

roasted fox

scrambled snake

owl ice cream cones

Oh Sew

Gruffalo crumble - choc pudding purple sprinkles

poisonous warts - green grapes

log pile house - chocolate fingers and jelly snake

purple pickles juice - blackcurrant

IAs you know I am not a great fan of this kind of thing...

 these "oh crumbs" Gruffalo napkins are cute!



CUPCAKES

1. from Cupcakes Take The Cake

2. from Here

3. from The Cupcake Blog

4. from The Cupcake Blog

COOKIES

..."the mouse found A NUT and the nut was good"

1. Acorns in a Basket from My Own Label with instruction on how to make

2. Acorn and leaves Cookies from The Sugar Tree
3. Easy Acorn Cookies from Baking in Heels

4. Mini Acorn Pan from Mini Acorn Pan

BIRTHDAY CAKE

both from Flicker

GAMES & ACTIVITIES

pin the wart on the Gruffalo

enlarge and print a picture of the Gruffalo 

use green round stickers with child's name on for warts.

log pile house - jenga snake

mouse saw a nut - find the nut treasure hunt
printable coming soon!

owl - bean bag toss into a tree trunk hole.
made from mdf or cardboard box.

FAVORS / GOODY BAGS

from Made By Bronwyn

wooden wriggly snake toy

clockwork mouse

PHOTO BOOTH

THANK YOUS

PRINTABLES

working on these come back soon!

CLIP ART

Product Review - Karsten Inflatable Tents for Single Parent Camping

As many of you know I am a single mum.

What you don't know is once upon a time I was quite adventurous  ...

I have been on three camping treks through the states

As a single parent I find hotels, and holiday homes very isolating for myself and more so for Liam...

but I have always found the majority of people on campsites friendly ,

they are always up for a chat and the children mix well

and they get a little freedom which is not as easy at home.

So yes I am a single parent camper,

some friends say brave others stupid...

What do you think?

Well the first year we went to Dorset, in a cheap tent (I say cheap it still cost £100)...

I struggled to put the tent up with Liam as he was only 6 and couldn't hold the poles in the wind.

(we had a dry run at home in the garden but no wind)

Anyway we were there for less than twenty four hours, as force 10 gale winds cleared the campsite.

We returned to our tent to find it flattened,

the lovely people in the caravan had weighted it down so our wet clothes and camping kit didn't blow away.

As soon as we pulled up they ran out and helped me throw our soggy belongings in the car.

The East Fleet campsite owners  returned our money (god bless them)

How beautiful is this site!

The site owners rang to see if there was a B&B for the night, as they knew we were about 5 hours from home.

Anyway with Liam upset, our clothes soaked I decided to go home,

we were just about to leave and the last tent went down, so stayed to help these guys pack up.

(told you us campers are a friendly bunch!)

Then home we went :(

So Liam's first camping experience out of the back garden was a complete wash out!

but I didn't want it to end on a bad experience...

A good friend had told me about Karsten inflatable tents.

The Camping Travel Store is the only UK retailer

but they don't have a store they tour around the UK to show up to 10 combination of these tents so you can see how they can be adapted to your needs.

Karsten Tent tour dates

as you can see they look the bees knees,

and are not called the Rolls Royce of tents for nothing but they are an investment.

The canvas tents have large inflatable tubes instead of poles,

the inflate tubes as hard as the tyres on your car not lilo quality,

and are force 12 gale tested, SOLD!!!

but alas the money tree at the end of our garden was bare!

so set out to look for a secondhand one, well they were still out of my reach at half price...

Then at Christmas I had a call from a Karsten owner/ enthusiast  to say there was one for sale

and at a BARGAIN price!

It was 4/5 hours away, but so worth the trip to go get it.

Karsten tents are canvas and fantastic quality so even years old still look fab.

This one was four years old, hardly used, with ALL the extras.

and here she is, isn't she a beauty?

(and a real BARGAIN!!!)

The blue part is the inflatable part and we have awnings that zip onto the front.

and we couldn't camp without her!

It is camping at it's easiest...

peg four corners down

Inflate from car

zip on awnings

peg down

30 minutes little help and camp is set up!


see here (once on page scroll down to the bottom)

see here for video of my friend James setting up a smaller carp tent so you get the idea.

( he's just using a foot pump, far quicker using one attached to your car)

I have fellow campers thinking what a shame it's raining (good olde British summers eh), she has got to set up on her own...

I peg down, plug in and have a coffee in the car, how smug am I?

and it's a great ice breaker, people come and watch it going up, and going down

(even quicker take out valve, deflates in seconds, roll up and off I go)

and we even do tours of the inside, do pop in if you see us.
or go to one of Karsten Tour dates

The best part is as it comes in separate parts if we go for a weekend we just take the blue domed part,

and just use the beige awnings for longer trips.

(this is my dream set up, not there yet)

And you can buy extra extensions to add to the tent and the money grows on your money tree.

SEE HERE and HERE
they come in various sizes and colours too,
fortunately I like the dark blue as it stays dark in the mornings,
I have an early bird this and the  fresh air he actually sleeps in.

The only negative thing I can say is..
it is takes up a lot of room and is heavy but canvas tents are and do
and how far are you going to carry it, you park your car next to your pitch anyway.

It is the best thing I have EVER bought, EVER!

and Liam loves camping,

"mum when you are to old to camp can I have the tent"

if that doesn't say it all!!!

Well what do you think, brave or stupid???

Vonnie

X

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews.

Book Review - Tilda Crafting Springtime Crafts

Well here goes, my first book review...
I know it's been around awhile but I have to share it with you.

Tilda's Crafting Springtime Gifts by Tone Finnanger

Crafting Springtime Gifts

About the author...

Tone Finnanger is the designer and owner of the brand Tilda.

She grew up in Oslo, Norway.

Fond of art and craft, inspired by members of the family she soon began to explore how she could make a living from her talent.

The dream was to make dolls and scenery for animation films, while in real life she was working in a craft shop.

This combination is what led to the idea of Tilda.

Tone started Tilda in 1999, at 25 years old.

She has an education in graphic design and art.

part of  the books introduction...

...This friendly group of rabbits, lambs, hares and geese have been invited to a springtime Easter celebration, and they may even stay for the rest of spring- perhaps even for the whole year if you like. Isn't it nice to know when you sit down to your sewing machine, you give life to new friends?

     The sun inspires the yellow of Easter, but pastel colours are also popular for this springtime celebration and have been used throughout this book.But, of course when using the patterns to make the items in this book the choice of colour is entirely yours.

     We wish you a creative and happy Easter and spring!...

 

My favourite projects...

Bird house egg cosies 

 with an Easter egg in an egg cup would make a lovely Easter gift...

The bunny tea cosy reminds me of The Mad Hatters Tea Party...

I adore these geese on sticks, just look at their feet...

look at he lonely one on the table the button wheels are fab!

I love the simple fabric Easter eggs, the Easter wreath and don't forget the

The Good Witches are so cute but would be even cuter for Halloween.

This Tilda book contains beautiful photo's of the fairytale folk and bunnies, geese,
towelling lambs (PST use a cheap towel for this project to save those pennies)
and home ware projects with easy to follow pictorial instructions.


Suitable for adapting for Easter projects, the book contains sewing and paper crafting for all abilities.
At the back of the book there are patterns for each project to photocopy
and stockist to but everything you need.
The patterns are very basic, yet the finished products are striking.

At a recommended retail price of £7.99 it's a must for fabric and paper crafters
at not much more than the cost of a craft magazine.

It would make a lovely gift for a young new crafter due to the simplicity of the designs.

You can find out more from Tilda's World

More Tilda products here

 

links to

*Tilda Fabrics
*Tilda Papers

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews.

Easter Wreath

How adorable is this Easter Spring wreath, it's everywhere at the moment...

it is so simple no instructions needed just follow the photo's...



Here's what you need

* polystrene ring / floristry ring

* Lime fun Furr in the UK

* Venise Daisy Trim available with pink or yellow centre's

* pink pearl / yellow pearl floristry pins

* Ribbon

and a little printable "bare feet welcome" flag...

right click, save, resize as required and print.

add colour where desires but don't forget to colour in the lines!

Have a Happy Easter!

Vonnie

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Easter Cupcake Inspiration

Here's some Easter cupcake inspirtion...

1. Confetti Easter Nests

2. Hatched from Scratch Cupcakes (free printables too)

3. Baby Bluebirds in Nests

4. Various Easter cupcakes

I like these cupcakes, as little fuss prep, but look fabulous!!!

 you can buy egg cartons here.

Happy Easter!

Vonnie

X

Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

I have been looking around for inspiration for classy / grown up Easter egg decorating ideas...

1. Easter Bunny Silhouette Place Setting Egg

2. Lace Easter Eggs

3. Stencilled Easter Eggs

4. Easter Egg in Glass Dome

I love the lacy ones, made with tights but I have another idea up my sleeve!

Happy Easter guys!

Vonnie

x

Easter Cookies Inspiration

Well as I said yesterday I have been atempting cookie decorating...

It was not a very sucessful attempt but will have another go tonight, so no photo's sorry.

but here is some inspiration I found...

1. Easter Nest Cookies

2. Easter Cookies in Basket

3. Tulip Cookies

4. Easter Egg Cookies

There are lot's of adorable cookie cutters around, and some from only a pound...

Wiltons

Eddingtons

Poundland

I have been using this recipe from Sweet Sugar Belle as it is so easy, she also has lots of tips to help you along the way.

(and she very kindly adapted the recipe for UK use)

Ingredients

■227 grams unsalted butter

■175 grams confectioner’s {icing} sugar

■1 egg {room temperature}

■1.5-3 teaspoons extract or emulsion {any flavor}

■1 teaspoon salt

■2 teaspoons baking powder

■400-425 grams all-purpose flour

Instructions

1.Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and extract and mix well. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, add to wet mixture little by little until well incorporated. Roll and cut cookies into desired shapes, dusting with flour as necessary. Bake cookies at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes until tops are appear dry rather than shiny. Do not brown.

2.This recipe will produce two to two and a half dozen medium sized cookies.

Copyright © 2010-2011 Sweet Sugarbelle.

Sweet Sugar Belle has icing tutorials on outlining and flooding your cookies and lots more!



I think I a going to go with Sweet Sugar Belle's 20 second icing (the video tutorials are fab) which seems alot simpler!!! Find the recipe here.

We'll have to see!!!



I have also found this filling the piping bag information invaluable from Here

Trust me after trying to clean out all your piping bags you will want to do it this way.
I found out the hard way!

I have to go get more supplies

*Icing colours
*Icing Bottles
*Couplers / Adaptors
*Meringue Powder

Once I can do it alittle better (with less mess LOL) I will let Liam loose too?

Have fun with your family this Easter!!!

Vonnie

X

Ombre Glitter

I have never really been a glitter girl,

but lately it seems to be pulling me in.

I love the idea of this graduated glitter...

Glitter for Christmas

photo source

and it is so simple to do from just two tubes of glitter...

in ...

1 - 100% red glitter

2 - ratio of 3 parts red to 1 part white gold

3 - ratio of 2 parts red to 2 parts white gold

4 - ratio of 1 part red to 3 parts white gold

5 - 100% white gold glitter

I hope you can understand my breakdown of the instructions.

Glitter projects seem to be slipping into all my holiday ideas at the moment...

Glitter for Easter

use on Easter eggs...

glitter Easter Bunny...

Glitter for Halloween...

use on skull and bones...

glitter pumpkins...

all photo's

hum, maybe I am a glitter girl after all?

Vonnie

X

DIY COLOURING SPRINKLES

I wanted to save this article for future reference,

so I thought I would share this post with you guy's too...

This weeks obsession is cupcake and cookie decorating,

not I am not great but try, try and try again.

The one thing I can't find is nice coloured sprinkles...

So me and my friend google found this fabulous tutorial

from Such pretty things

just look at those colours!

and it is so easy...

Here's what you'll need to get started:

* white sprinkles (jimmies) or non-pareils
* powdered food colouring or petal dust / dusting powder
* small plastic bags
* toothpicks
* glass jars for storage

you'll go from these bright white sprinkles...

to this by just adding...

a little powdered food colouring into the zip lock bag and shake.

Check out Such Pretty Things for full tutorial

oh these are so pretty and more dust for stronger colours!!!



Vonnie

X

BIRTHDAY MEMORIES

I started this last year 

but so wish I had thought of it when Liam was little...

this photo was taken around his 10th birthday...

I uploaded it to picnik and added the things that he loves at the time...

the only thing I would change is I would use a photo with a plain background.

I also made one for "when I grow up I want to be..."

wouldn't they make fab gifts for family and friends?

Have fun with your family!!!

Vonnie

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