Fun In the...rain?

It seems to me that the moment the school holidays began so did the rain! My children, aged 2 and 4, adore playing in the garden and at times have been all but bouncing of the walls to get outside again. Their wellies and waterproofs are by the door so that we can dash outside as soon as the sun breaks through the clouds.

So I have been dreaming up ways to keep them busy and happy! I have listed a few things we have done below.

Playdough has kept them occupied for a good while. Here's my favourite recipe, we often add glitter for fancy schmancy model making. Kneading warm play dough is one of life's pleasures!

2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoon oil
1/2 cup salt
food colouring
In a pan mix all ingredients together, adding the food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove the dough from the pan and knead until smooth. Add glitter at this point if you want to. To store place in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled. The dough lasts for a long time.

We have decorated fairy cakes as you see in the pic.

Both rebels also love to make chocolate crispy cakes with mini marshmallows. Mmmmmm!

My daughter wants to go to the cinema, our tiny local picture house only does matinees at the weekend and as the kids are so young we have had a couple of practices at home.First they made their own popcorn cones. Then we filled them with microwave popcorn. We closed all the curtains in the living room and watched a DVD in the dark. We had a brief intermission to serve ice cream. And I realised that J probably is a little bit too young for a whole cinema showing.

playing in a huge tray of shaving foam is also a big hit - but not one for the faint hearted!

If you fancy adding an idea of your own in the comments section please feel free to do so and while your at it why not include a shamless plug for your blog, shop or favourite item:)

And if you would like a chance to win one of my Tiny Tile Paintings please click here
the giveaway closes soon!

Mucky Mouth Pie

Early this morning as I sat with a mug of coffee, wandering in blogland while the rain poured down I was wondering what we could all do for the afternoon. Then I visited the H is for Home blog. They had collected bilberries and made a wonderful looking custard tart with them. Moments later on Facebook my friend Paula from the wonderful Wychbury also mentioned that she had collected fruit on Ilkley Moor (yes, we all know the song).

Now as a little girl this is something I loved to do! So we waited for a break in the rain and off we went. We live a stones throw from Penniston Hill which is part of the local moorland - prime bilberry picking land.

It's been a great season for these tiny little berries, the bushes were dripping with them! We only came away when we did because J was eating so many. So with purple stained fingers and soaking wet boots we made our way home.

And I set about making Mucky Mouth Pie. A certain little someone had a great time gathering the fruit and couldn't wait for it to be ready.

And why is it called Mucky Mouth Pie?

There's your answer! The bilberries produce a huge amount of juice when cooked. J was covered and was so pleased to discover that the fruit had turned his tongue blue:)

Mucky Mouth Pie is just the name we have for a bilberry pie. I don't have a recipe as such, my only tip is to sprinkle semolina on the pastry base before adding the fruit and sugar - this helps to stop the pastry getting soggy.

I'll leave the final words to J "Mmmm it's not yuck, it's yum!"

My 1st Blog Competition

So here is my first blog competition / give away to celebrate my Tiny Tile Paintings making it into my shop.


I have been selling these at fairs for a while now. Sales have reached a point where it makes more sense to sell prints - this also makes them more affordable - who could argue with that?


Each print is treated in the same way as the original, mounted on a handcut wooden tile and coated with a thick layer of glossy resin. Set in the resin are twinkly crystals, faux pearls and pieces of vintage jewellery - depending on the title.

The competition prize is a Tiny Tile Painting of the winners choice.

For a chance to win simply:

pop along to my shop by clicking here
leave a comment on this blog with the title of your favourite Tile Painting and a note about why you like it . Please make sure that there is a way to contact you so that I can send your prize should you win.

If you Twitter, Facebook or blog about my competition please leave a link in the comment section here and I will enter your name for a further chance to win.

Hopefully I will be adding more paintings to the shop over the next couple of weeks. The winner can choose any Tile Painting when notified. The competition will close on the 5th August.

Good luck!

Want to see my etching?

Instead of more Friday Folksy Finds here are pics of a few of my wonderful birthday pressies.

First of all this is a really awful photo of the most beautiful etching that my husband gave to me. It is by Piers Browne and it is the first in an edition of two prints titled 'Wensleydale From Scarth Nick'. Following this edition a larger re-worked edition was created. I have loved Browne's work for many years and often visited Godfrey & Watt in Harrogate to see his beautiful creations.

I love the jewel like quality of the colours and the scale, this etching measures just 2 x4 inches. I really never thought I would own one so this was a wonderful surprise! It must be at least 15 years since I first saw his work. Some of my work is on sale in the gallery too. Though I daydreamed about it I didn't think that would happen 15 years ago!

Tickets to the Great Yorkshire Show have become a birthday tradition. When the children are old enough I hope to have a stand in the craft marqee:)
A very lovely friend made this little chap for me. I love him very much!

And this very sophisticated bloom was chosen by my little girl who thought "you have to have something pink on your birthday" how right she is! I'm so lucky!

Its been a lovely day:) More Folksy finds next week and a wee blog competition too x

Friday Folksy Finds...

Since its someone's birthday (ahem) next week I have put together a little wish list all spotted on Folksy of course!
I love these little seed packets. They are sold empty so that you can harvest your own seeds ready for next year. They are pretty enough to frame if seed saving isn't your thing

Seed Packets from Lapwing Printworks

I saw the pattern for this cushion on Hand Knitted Things blog a few days ago but I'm not much of a knitter.I'm so pleased to see the finished article for sale. It really is everything a cushion should be! It would be perfect on my rocking chair (I'm really not about to become as old as I'm making myself sound here!)

Hand Knitted Envelope Cushion from Handknitted Things

This little chap would look great perched on my mantle over seeing us all. I'm not one for ornaments usually but he is just irresistable!

Little Yellow Bird Needle Felted Sculpture by Fibrespace

This fella is great! But I know he wouldn't stay mine for long there are 2 little rapscallions who have already spied this pic - they would whisk him away in a second.

Rainbow Sock Monkey by Oddsox

More finds next week!

Upcoming Craft Fair

Harrogate is one of my very favourite places to visit for shopping. It has just the right mix of quality hight street shops and even better lots of independently owned boutiques, galleries and craft shops.

So to top this I will be selling at a craft fair slap bang in the town centre on Saturday 11th July! I'm so excited - the fair will be held in Wesley Chapel and is organised by Made-it who have a reputation for good quality events.

If you can make it please do say hello!