Making Union Jack Cushions

A Rainy Day Craft Activity...Sewing A Union Jack Cushion

Unfortunately, yesterday was a rather wet and cold and windy day for the Jubilee celebrations and our street party was cancelled.  So instead of singing God Save the Queen while eating scones and cucumber sandwiches with our neighbours, we were stuck indoors.  But with an Interplay My Style Make Union Jack Cushions set to try out, we could get down to some patriotic crafts instead!

The set includes everything needed to make two hand sewn felt Union Jack Cushions, one large and one small.  The cushion pads come vacuum packed and spring up when removed from the plastic packaging.  You just need your own scissors and you're ready to go.  The pre-cut felt pieces are sewn together according to the instructions using the coloured thread.  The sewing holes are ready punched and line up well.

9 year old Kizzy set off stitching together the pieces and although I had to unravel a few knotted threads she did quite a good job initially.  She did however get a bit confused as to how to assemble all the parts and I have to admit that with my lack of spatial awareness and lack of sewing skills I wasn't much help.  I'm pretty sure we had two of the diagonals sewn on upside down!  Kizzy found it a bit complicated and fiddly as we progressed.

We persevered together, and even though we ended up probably doing some bits our own way, rather than sticking to the instructions, we did end up with a rather nice little button-up cushion at the end of our session.  It isn't perfect...but we were proud!

The Union Jack Cushion Set costs £14.99 and is aimed at ages 8+. 

Kizzy is not a naturally gifted seamstress, but she was quite pleased with the finished pillow.  I'm sure with practice she'll improve and quickly surpass my sewing talents!!  But between us, we had fun and created a Jubilee souvenir that will forever remind us of the day that our street party was rained off!

Patriotic Fancy Dress

All Fancy Dress Gets Patriotic For 2012!

This year is one that is filled with national pride.  From this weekend's Jubilee celebrations to the forthcoming Olympics, there has never been a better time to be British.  So let's belt out our National Anthem and hoist our Union flag high and make the most of this special era in our history.

To celebrate, All Fancy Dress have a range of Great British Costumes that will be perfect for street parties, celebrations and for supporting Team GB at sporting events.

We were sent a Rule Brittania Glitter Costume, a sassy outfit based on Geri Halliwell's iconic Union Jack dress.  Covered in sequins it is very sparkly and will certainly stand out at any event!

Available in sizes 8-10, 12-14 and 16-18, it will fit any figure.  However its short and slinky design is definitely one for the brave...which is why I asked for one to fit my 16 year old daughter!  And what a gorgeous model she makes!

The design really is quite glamorous and the sequins are well attached to the lace front that covers the sleeveless polyester mini dress.  Not only will this dress work for Great British events, it will be great as a fancy dress costume if you wanted to go as a Spice Girl.

The dress is sponge clean only.  It costs £25.99.  All Fancy Dress pride themselves on quick delivery (with same day despatch if ordered before 17.15)  and excellent customer service.  They offer low cost and free delivery options.  You can order online or speak to a member of the team by phone.

If Union Jack mini dresses aren't your thing, they offer a huge range of fancy dress outfits and accessories for men, women, couples and children for every occasion in dozens of themes for fans of Horror to Disney and everything in between!

www.allfancydress.com

Celebrating the Jubilee Weekend With Aldi

A Right Royal Knees Up with the Big Jubilee Price Bash At Aldi

This weekend heralds the much anticipated Diamond Jubilee weekend.  With people up and down the country celebrating all that is British, Aldi is offering some great priced products to make your party go with a patriotic bang!  I have been sent a selection to try out.

If you are having a street party, Aldi have a range of party ware in Union Jack, Official Jubilee and Keep Calm and Carry on designs.  Packs of 8 Cups, 8 Plates and a Tablecloth cost just 99p each.  I love the quality of their tableware.  Jubilee Face Paints will  add an element of fun and at just £1.99 for six crayons are a real bargain.  Fly a Union Flag with pride for just £1.99!  The eyelets allow you to hang it from any pole with ease. Tall Top Hats will prove to be the crowning glory of any party and are available in red or blue for just £2.99.  The velvet feel, novelty headwear are emblazoned with the Union flag and will definitely get you noticed!  I love the Keep Calm and Carry On mug twin packs that cost just £2.99.  They will make a great souvenir after the event!  I really like the popular Keep Calm and Carry On design and am really pleased that it appears on so many of the Aldi Jubilee range.  It is so stylish and so very British!

Also available are a range of kitchen textiles.  The tea-towel three packs for £2.99 are great quality and value.  In the same three themes of the party ware, they are colourful and cute.  This floral Union Jack design is just gorgeous.  It's a touch Cath Kidston but at a fraction of the price. 

With hundreds of great everyday savings you can buy food and drinks that represent great value and quality.  A four pack of Great British Ales is just £4.99.   Or treat the kids to a huge jar of sweeties for just £2.99.  The Let's Party range offers buffet goodies from just £1 a box.  So whether you are having a small family gathering or a street party for all your neighbours, Aldi can help cater for your needs!

So have a fantastic weekend and celebrate in style with Aldi.

These offers and many more fabulous items are available in store while stocks last.  Find out more on the Special Buys page at www.aldi.co.uk

Ryvita Gets Patriotic

Designer Ryvita by Kelly Hoppen

Ryvita has partnered with world renowned British designer Kelly Hoppen MBE to design a special tin to celebrate all that's British during this exciting year!  The 'designer' Ryvita tin has a striking modern assymmetric design incorporating the Union flag.  It will hold a pack of your favourite Ryvita crispbreads keeping them fresh while adding a splash  of Kelly's unique style to your kitchen.

It is available to buy from the Ryvita website for £4.99 (including postage) and is available while stocks last.

Ryvita Designs For 2012

In addition, Ryvita have launched a range of limited edition Union Jack Packs to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Available for packs of Original, Dark Rye, Multigrain and Sesame Ryvita, they will be available for approximately three months.  It's never been easier to show your patriotic colours!

For more details go to www.ryvita.co.uk

Oh Baby London

Oh Baby London is a children's clothing line born out of a hatred for dull, uninspiring, pastel baby clothes.  When founder and graphic designer Hannah became pregnant, she was so disillusioned with the babywear on offer that she designed her own range of clothing full of life affirming anarchy.  With her children as her inspiration and her muses, Hannah has created baby clothes that are original, unique and incredibly funky!  

With bang on trend graphic and slogan print and retro tees, onesies, shoes, bottoms and dresses, Oh Baby London caters for mums who want something a bit out of the ordinary for their precious little ones.  They also sell a selection of shoes, gift sets, accessories, books, toys and retro blankets and cushions.

Oh Baby London has a shop in Brick Lane and also sells their range online so we can all get our hands on the gorgeous, quirky clothes for our trendy kids!

Freddy was lucky enough to be sent a Cool Britannia Union Jack print sweatshirt to try.  Made from 100% soft, thick cotton, it is perfect for little Brits!

It is available in sizes suitable for newborn tots right up to kids aged 8.  It arrived beautifully packaged secured with Oh Baby London ribbon and stickers for a personal touch.

The sweatshirt is so well made from a very strong and hard wearing fabric and the stitching is very secure.  The attention to detail is great.  The fabric design is really original with rumpled Union flags and safety pins in an homage to the punk era.  The colours were quite muted making it look retro and really trendy.

We got the sweatshirt in size 3Y.  It was a spacious and comfy fit on Freddy, so he'll have a bit of growing room.   It kept him really warm and did not restrict movement at all.

The Union Jack Sweatshirt costs £20 direct from Oh Baby London.  At the moment they also have a great sale with up to 75% off selected styles.  You can also sign up to their email newsletter for 20% off your first order.  

And if all that isn't reason enough to pay a visit to OH Baby London, just look at this Shearling Biker Playsuit.  How incredibly cute and funky is this!  It's currently on sale for just £27!!

Flying the Union Flag

Silent Sunday

Get Patriotic with Snazaroo

We were sent a set of Snazaroo Union Jack Face Paints to review for IzziWiizi Kids.  The set is enough to paint 10 faces in readiness for the Royal Wedding celebrations.  Kizzy was my willing model.

The paints went on really well and the colours were vibrant.  They dried quickly giving Kizzy a fabulous Union Jack face!  When it came to removing the facepaint, Kizzy used a baby wipe followed by a quick rinse with warm water to remove the residue.  It cleaned off easily and left no irritation. 

The Snazaroo Union Jack Face Painting Kit is available to buy online for £3.99.