Made in the desert

Orange and clove pomanders

This time each year I make these wonderful orange and clove pomanders that fill the house with Christmas scent. They look great sat in a decorative bowl or hung with ribbons but this year I added tea lights to make a beautiful Christmas candle centre piece. What you need to do There are lots of … Continue reading »

Coconut body scrub

This coconut sugar body scrub is DIVINE!. It smells amazing and it’s sooooooo good for your skin. I’ve made some as Christmas gifts for my friends, wrapped with festive red ribbons and bells they make beautiful gifts. This is going to be the shortest blog post ever as this is just the easiest scrub ever … Continue reading »

Christmas mince buns

These little pastry packages are a great alternative to Christmas mince pies, (which I have to say I’m not too fussy about). Made from classic mincemeat and puff pastry these little Christmas parcels are quick and easy to make and taste delicious. These mince buns were featured on Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas, a TV programme in … Continue reading »

Christmas Santa Sacks

After trawling the internet for children’s personalised Christmas sacks and not finding anything suitable I decided to have a go at making my own. These fancy Christmas postal bags will look beautiful filled with gifts, or simply sat as a decoration next to the fireplace. Unfortunately in Dubai we have no need for a fireplace … Continue reading »

Christmas gingerbread cookies

There is nothing more Christmassy than the smell of gingerbread baking. I made these Christmas cookies in an attempt to block out the Dubai sunshine and get that lovely feeling of Christmas in the villa. With the help of some Christmas music and a cup of tea Christmas arrived in Dubai. What you’ll need This … Continue reading »

Handmade children’s Christmas cards

I love making Christmas cards with the kids but it’s hard to find quick and easy ideas which the kids won’t get fed up with making after producing just two. These fingerprints cards are beautiful, I have seen lots of examples of how fingerprints can be used for cards including fairy lights, choir singers and … Continue reading »

A Dubai Christmas wreath

Normally in the UK during the first week of December my friend and I would do a Christmas wreath making course at our local florist. Lots of festive foliage and ribbons accompanied by mulled wine, mince pies and carols, at the end of the evening we had the most beautiful wreaths to decorate our front … Continue reading »

The kids rule

I’ve seen these rulers in magazines and thought how lovely they were but I couldn’t afford the price tag or the shipping to Dubai. So, I decided to have a go at making my own. Since, I’ve seen many examples on blogs and on Pinterest but the quality of the typography and lines aren’t that … Continue reading »

Counting days until Christmas

November is coming to an end, that means Christmas is behind the corner. It´s about time to get the advent calendar ready! I´ve been looking into how to make my calendar this year and found many great ideas that I want to share with you. 1. The tree I love this idea of a proper … Continue reading »

An easy cake anyone can decorate

Don’t you just love this cake? I made this lovely sweetie cake for my husband’s birthday with a lot of help from the kids. I love the fact it was so easy to decorate and yet it’s so effective, so bright, so colourful and so tasty, there is something for everyone on this cake. How … Continue reading »

Jam jar tea lights

These cute little tea light lanterns would make great decorations for Diwali or Christmas celebrations, or simply for a cosy night in. Easy enough to be made by the little ones they also make great presents and keepsakes. You will need You can stick almost anything onto these jam jars, I used the following: A … Continue reading »

Bonfire toffee

Remember remember the 5th of November Today in the UK it’s Bonfire night. If you have never heard of it, here is a quick history lesson. In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain’s most notorious traitor. On the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, on … Continue reading »

Pinterest Board – Halloween

It’s got to be done. Here’s a great Pinterest board with some cool Halloween ideas.

Scarves made of 100% silk

This september me and my sewing machine have been pretty busy. Together we have made silk scarves in so many beautiful new colors. New colors arrive at the textile souk every week so it is important to stay alert and grab them as soon as they show up at the market. This month I will … Continue reading »

Lego thank you’s

It’s been nearly 4 weeks since Harvey’s Lego themed birthday and I’m just getting round to making his thank you cards. They’re made from photographs I took of two Lego men holding a printed thank you sign. Here’s how I made them, I’ve included my image files for you to download and use. How I … Continue reading »

Getting organised – chalkboard

I’ve been a bad Mum this week. For the second week running I have forgotten to return the school library books and had a very near miss with a PE kit. So it’s time to get organised! I gave this old Ikea chalkboard a new look and a new place it in the heart of … Continue reading »

The quickest cupcake decoration ever

Today I made some very quick and easy cupcakes. If you don’t have the time, the patience or the desire to spend ages decorating cupcakes but you’d still like to create something effective. The why not try topping them with something you can buy or already having lying around. Ok so I made the hearts … Continue reading »

Quick and easy choc pops

This week we had a bake sale at school, I always like to contribute it’s a good excuse to make something, well, decorate something. The fact is I am just too lazy to bake but I love the decorating and after all when children are your customers that’s the important bit. So this time I … Continue reading »

Pinterest board – Cookies for fun

This week we have a cake sale at the school. We put together a Pinterest board that could be an inspiration for busy parents that want to participate. It doesn´t need to be complicated. If you don´t have the time to make cake or cookies from scratch, just buy them ready and decorate in a … Continue reading »