How to Make Story Stones

I recently saw some Story Stones on Pinterest and loved how cute they looked as well as encouraging story telling and writing.

One wet weekend came, we had cancelled a camping trip so Snaffles was grumpy and Munchie had a sick bug. These seemed like a nice simple project for me to do with Snaffles whilst Munchie had some sleepy daddy cuddles.

The link I had pinned used cut out pictures from magazines. I am too tight and lazy to go out and buy magazines so I decided that we would draw our own pictures.

We had some decorative stones which cost us around £1.00 for a bag full. You could also go on a pebble hunt in the park/forest/beach. 

To help make sure our pictures would fit on our stones we drew around the stones first.

Then Snaffles decided what he wanted pictures drawing of (with a bit of vetting from me due to my lack of drawing skills) and we managed to agree on lots of things that he wanted and which I also felt able to attempt to draw.

I drew the pictures inside the templates of the stones.

Snaffles then had fun colouring them all in. It was a very serious task with lots of concentrating.

We then cut the pictures out and Snaffles used PVA glue to stick them to the stones and another layer on top of the picture to make sure they were definitely stuck.

Here are our finished stones. 

We love them. The only issue we had in drawing our own pictures rather than using a magazine was that the glue caused some of the colours to run a little. Although it does add to the homemade look of them.

The stones can be used for verbal stories or at the minute Snaffles likes to choose a few stones and write a little story using them as prompts.

We love these so much that I plan to make a little drawstring pouch to keep them in.

I can see us making more of there. I think they would make great teachers gifts for the end of the term and a fun activity to occupy next weeks half term. Why not go on a pebble hunt one day?

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Crochet Owl Pattern

I recently attempted making a baby comforter. It was a half thought through idea, I knew what I wanted to make but didn't really have a pattern. I had various photos and parts of patterns which I liked but I didn't have a compete pattern.

In the end I decided that the only way to recreate what I had pictured in my head was to create my own crochet owl pattern. He is now my little rainbow owl friend. I wanted something simple in shape and easy to crochet up. I wanted the impact to come from the rainbow stripes.

So, here it is. It's my first effort at sharing a pattern so apologies if it doesn't read well. It is very simple to make.

This is written based on the UK crochet terms and the stitches used are:

sc - single crochet
ss - slip stitch
dc - double crochet
tc - treble crochet
htr- half treble crochet

Hook: 4mm

Yarn: I used stylecraft special double knit in various colours that I had left over. You could work this in just one or two colours or in a rainbow of colours as I have done. I needed my colours to be unisex.

Body (worked from the base up)
I knew roughly the shape I wanted to create, an oval base with straight sides.

Note: the first 6 rounds are worked in a spiral in a single colour.

Rnd 1 - ch 10. 1 dc in 3rd chain from hook (and mark this st with a stitch marker), 1 dc in each of next 6 ch. 3dc in next ch, then work down the other side of the length of ch, with 1dc in each of the next 7 ch and 3 dc in the space made by the 2 missed ch you started with. (20 sts)

Rnd 2 - * 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * once again (26 sts)

Rnd 3 - * 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) 3 times, rep from * once again (32 sts)

Rnd 4 - * 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, (1dc in each of next 2sts, 2dc in next st) 3 times, rep from * once again (38 sts)

Round 5 - dc around

This is the width of the base of the body made, we now need to work on the height so we will stop increasing the number of stitches in the rounds.


You can now either continue working in the same colour and work in a spiral or you can change colour and work in the round.

If working in rounds start each new round with a chain 1 and your first dc in the same stitch as your chain 1, continue the round as per the pattern below and then slip stitch to the chain 1 and break off your yarn. The great think about this is the ends all just get tucked into the inside meaning less sewing in to do at the end.


Rnd 6-24- dc around

Line (you can use fabric or an old tight foot) and stuff your owl. (the top will still be open for now). Its always best to put a bit more stuffing in that you think necessary.

Wings (make 2)
I used the same shape as for the beginning of the body but I just made it on a smaller scale.

Rnd 1 - ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd chain from hook (and mark this st), 1dc in each of next 3 ch. 3dc in next ch, then work down the other side of the length of ch, with 1dc in each of the next 4 ch and 3dc in the space made by the 2 missed ch you started with. (14sts)

Rnd 2 - * 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * once again (20sts)

Rnd 3 - * 1dc in each of next 3 sts, (2dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) 3 times, rep from * once again (26 sts) slip stitch to the next stitch and finish off.

Join your next colour up with a slip stitch into the last stitch of the previous round and continue with round 4.

Rnd 4 - * 1dc in each of next 3 sts, (1dc in each of next 2sts, 2dc in next st) 3 times, rep from * once again (32 sts) slip stitch to the next stitch and finish off leaving a long tail of yarn for joining together.


Eyes (make 2)
Rnd 1 - Using a dark colour, chain 2 and made 5tr into a magic circle and slip stitch together to the top of your chain 2.

Rnd 2 - Join light colour and slip stitch into the first tc of the magic circle, then work 2dc into each st (12 sts) slip stitch into the next stitch and finish off leaving a long tail for joining together.

Beak
Rnd 1 - make a magic circle, ch 3 and then work 5 tr into the magic circle, join with a slip stitch to the top of the ch3.

Rnd 2 - * 1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, rep from * to end (9 sts)

Rnd 3 - 1dc in each st around (9 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn for joining together.

Making up

Sew on the beak, eyes and wings.

Using the same colour that row 24 of the body was worked in and working through both layers of the top of the owl ch2, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr, dc to last 4 sts, 1htr, 1tr in each of last 3 sts, fasten off and weave in ends.

I attached my owl to a large granny square with a boarder of double crochet but there is all sorts you could do with this cute little owl.

.

Do let me know it you find any mistakes in the pattern as this is my first attempt at writing one.

I would also love to hear if you have made an owl and see pictures of your creations. Feel free to leave links to your creations in the comments.

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Review - Maxi Mirco Scooter

Last summer came and Snaffles started asking for a scooter. I had seen Micro Scooters but couldn't justify the price tag without an occasion like Christmas or a birthday. So, instead of a pricey Micro Scooter we bought a cheap Toy Story version. It was around £20. 

It was bought in August and broken by March. He was scooting along one day when the front wheel just fell off! 

I knew we would have to replace it. It is not just a toy for Snaffles, its a means of transport. He can scoot much further distances than he would walk (at least without complaining anyway!) 

So, the timing of an opportunity to review a Maxi Micro Scooter couldn't have been better. 

Snaffles has had the Maxi Micro Scooter for 3 weeks now and we have had plenty of opportunities to test it out.

Until Snaffles cheaper scooter broke I had thought I had been fairly happy with it. 

However, after seeing and riding the Maxi Micro Scooter (yes, I have been on it too!) I have realised how bumpy noisy the cheap version was. 

The Maxi Micro Scooter has rubber wheels and is so smooth in comparison and virtually silent. Far more peaceful for a nice family stroll. 

It looks sturdier than his cheap scooter and I can see this one lasting longer than the last. 

Here are some details about the Maxi Micro Scooter;

The award winning Maxi Micro scooters are available in a rainbow of colours (orange, green, purple, black, green, red, pink and blue) and are suitable for children aged 6-12 years.

Robust, durable and long lasting the scooter will be a part of your family for many years to come.  The scooters feature;

• 3 puncture free wheels
• A substantial rear brake (some scooters don’t have one at all)
• Intuitive tilt and lean scooting style
• Adjustable handlebar height meaning the scooter will grow with your child
• Ample opportunity to accessorise your scooter
• Scooting allows your child the independence they crave while being safe and getting exercise.
  
  

The Maxi Micro Scooter is steered by tilting the handle left and right. It took Snaffles a little while to get the knack of this after using a scooter which you turned to change direction. 

However, the daughter of a friend of ours doesn't ride a scooter much and took to the tilt steering of the Maxi Micro Scooter instantly.  

Over the last 3 weeks this scooter has been used by a 2 year old, 5 year old and 6 year old.

I like the wider foot plate, the variety of colours it comes in and it was easy to assemble.

There are also some fetching accessories available which allows children to personalise their scooters and make them stand out from the crowd. With accessories starting from just £2.95 it is an inexpensive and fun way to customise their scooter. Visit http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/category/accessories/ for ideas and inspiration. 

I also decided to ask Snaffles what he thought of his new scooter. 

Which scooter do you like more? - The Micro Scooter

Why? - Its faster

What do you like about it? - It looks cool

That pretty much echos my thoughts on it too. 

He looks pretty happy on it to me. 

With more and more children scooting to school why not take a look at Scoot Safe. A comprehensive scheme teaching children how to scoot safely. Micro Scooter offer training to school as well as the opportunity for parents to download the material for free and teach it at home themselves. Visit http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/community/ms-schemes/scoot-safe/

Disclosure: I recieved a Maxi Micro Scooter for the purposes of this post. 

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Silent Sunday

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The Gallery - the Weekend

I have already shared our bank holiday weekend activities. It's a shame that the weather has not lasted.

Amidst all of the fun and giggles and playing the boys did together there was a moment when my little Munchie was overcome with exhaustion and crashed out in the garden.

He may now be two but he still makes be cherish these early years and I often forget when he is tearing around the garden, just how much he still needs his afternoon nap.

As I tended the garden and Mr C and Snaffles played one tired little boy curled up in his wigwam and napped as his family carried on around him.

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Happy Bank Holiday Weekends

Bank Holidays are renowned for being filled with DIY and bad weather. After such a long and cold winter it was such a delight for this bank holiday to break the trend.

We may not have been on any grand days out but we have had a great break from work and school.

After a few tough weeks with what I am assured is typical cheeky six year old behaviour, weekends haven’t been much of a relaxing break recently.  Fraught with early rising,tired, grumpy, cheeky children, weekends were becoming a bit of a grind. It made the arrival of a bank holiday weekend a mix of pleasure and uncertainty.

Thankfully our approach of not making any grand plans, in the knowledge that they would most likely be revoked as punishment, paid off.

The tempo of the weekend was much more laid back, lazy mornings, aimless wanders around camping shops, trips to the bike track to reward the good behaviour for the children and trips to Starbucks to reward the patience of the adults.

I finally dealt with a garden boarder that was in distinguishable from the grass as it was so over grown (I haven’t a clue what to do with it now though!).

We spent an afternoon with a garden filled with our friends.The offers of salads to join our meat and extra hands for the washing up meant that everyone got to relax and I wasn’t stuck in the kitchen for half the day as can often happen.

Everyone got to partake in the things that made them happy. There was lots and lots of time spent in the garden, a trail of toys from bedrooms to tents and I managed to steal some time with wool and crochet hooks gracing my lap.

My sensitive little blondies found the heat all a bit too much by the middle of yesterday and half naked children crashed out on the sofa and in the wigwam. At least it meant I had a rest from demanding hats be kept on!

I am just hoping that this weather continues. The sun seems to make everyone much happier!

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What Is Your Bedtime Routine?

After all of the sleepless nights, sleep depravation and general feeling that I was actually losing my marbles I still can not quite believe that Munchie now sleeps through. It is amazing how little sleep I was once surviving on and how long I put up with it. I have nothing but sympathy for fellow sleep deprived mums.

I have a busy life with lots of things I want to get done.The hours of 7pm-7am are my time. Just like it is for More Than Just A Mother.  Time for myself, for my relationships with friends and Mr C and nothing, not even housework or children will deprive me of that now.

As bedtime approaches I feel a little urge to do an internal dance at the prospect of adult conversation without interruptions, questions,demands for food etc.

We are not overly strict with our bedtime routine, as long as it ends up with them both in bed then how they get there is not so important. I am a believer that the actual format of the routine does not really matter, provided what ever you choose to do, you do consistently.

We have a loose routine of baths, quiet time, stories etc but it does not usually go to plan, they each wind the other up and both end up running around the house like headless chickens. They both know that when we start going upstairs that's it, no coming down, no messing, its bedtime. Cries for drinks or food or any other random excuse falls on deaf ears.

Both boys love their books and tend to take a book into bed with them. I know many think that bedtime is bedtime but if taking a book to bed means they go to bed without a battle and don’t spend the next hour screaming for mummy/daddy (or Mum if I ignore Munchie long enough!) then I am happy.

There are a few things that I do insist on though;

1. Blackout blinds. I am not having the excuse of the light nights preventing sleep. Web-blinds have a good selection.
2. No getting out of bed
3. No getting up before 7am (this applies more to Snaffles). If he wakes up he has to stay in bed (except for toilet trips). 

What is your bedtime routine? Laid back or precisely timed?

This is a sponsored post.

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