Craft-A-Day: 365 Simple Handmade Projects

I really like this handy craft book that was sent for us to have a little play with, and I wanted to share with you what I thought of it. Firstly I really love the punchy design on the front....

CRAfT-A-DAY-365 Simple Handmade Projects really is a super crafty book to have on the bookshelf. It includes daily inspiration with weekly themes. You can learn to make magnets, garlands, cupcake toppers, cards, wall art, and much much more. There are 52 different themes so there are many craft ideas to suit and that would appeal to people....

I especially love the alphabet garland and is on my to do list for a handmade Christmas decoration this year....

The book comes with easy to use templates and has a very easy to follow feel to the directions throughout. The how-to photographs are great, and the book would appeal to people of all ages and who have an interest in craft. In fact this is a really good craft book to enjoy with young ones and many of the creations are ideal for children's hands to get involved in. My children love doing paper crafts and there are plenty of card based projects to get stuck into....

The themes for the week do tend to be around the same main theme, so for example you have Fox Week for January 8-14 and Gnome Week for Jan 15-21. Therefore all crafts for those weeks would be centered around foxes and gnomes. Overall I think there are more than enough crafty projects to keep us going and is a perfect rainy day craft book to get out with the family and get crafty. Here is a little animation, courtesy of  Quirk Books that showcases the many design ideas on offer in the book, which really is one the cutest craft books on my bookshelf.... 

X   

Fun At Chill Factore

Over half term the children and I were invited along to experience what is reputed to be the UK's most authentic indoor ski resort, complete with real snow. I am of course talking about Chill Factore where you can try your hand at skiing, snowboarding, or indeed even try out one of the many snow activities like sledging, and the luge slide. The new Snowscoot activity, a cross between a bmx bike and a snowboard looks super fun. What I like about Chill Factore, having never been there before, is that although proficient skiers and snowboarders can tackle the main slope, which is the longest indoor slope in the U.K. those of us ( like me) who need a little practice can go for just a fun old time in the snow.

There are realistic Alpine themed streets, with specialist shops, bars and family friendly restaurants overlooking some fantastic views over the real snow slopes. Miss. Poppins especially liked the look of the 12 metre high climbing wall and would like to go back to try that out.

 The snow fun activities on offer for us to try out were the sledging, the luge and the tubing. So off we went to get dressed for the occasion. Master P especially loved his snow bound attire....

Then it was off to the slopes. I have to say the children just loved the Sledging and I think was their favourite snow activity....

And they got some decent exercise too bringing the sledge up the hill again.... 

A certain Master Poppins, kindly knocked me over whilst I was filming him, getting into the spirit of the activity and we didn't half giggle about it. By his second go he had really got the hang of it, well almost, not quite remembering to break!

Next up it was The Ludge which is the only one of its kind in the UK. Now I wasn't brave enough to try this one out, but the children raced up to the top of the hill, am not quite sure they knew what they had let themselves in for....

Yes you do have to lie on your back and basically just hold on. I could barely look as I saw my six year old zooming past me, I was a happy mama when he and Miss Poppins got to the bottom. A real thrill seekers activity this one, and everyone zooming past me seemed to really enjoy it. As for my two once was enough ;) Finally it was time for the Tubing they really, really enjoyed this, and had mucho fun. Here they are sliding down the special tubing lanes....  

Soon it was time to head back into the warmth and the mornings activities certainly got the thumbs up. We would certainly come back again and I do know friends who have had successful Birthday parties there also. I would say is well worth a visit but costs can mount so I would be mindful of that. However for a very special treat we would definitely go back again. 

X

Disclosure: The children and I were provided with a mornings free snow activities, including The Luge, The Sledging and The Tubing as well as lunch for the purposes of this review blog post. All words and opinions my own.