personal – Mum In The Madhouse

Free 2018 Mandela Calendar to Colour

Jen Walshaw — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 20:11:45 +0000

Why Hello 2018 – I hope you are going to be a good one. Well to help you start the year in a great way I have this fun fab and free 2018 Mandela Calendar for you to download and colour in. Perfect for keeping you on track and I love that it has somewhere for you to personalise and colour in.

Free 2018 Mandela Calendar to Colour

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I love to colour in. I find it really therapeutic and I am delighted that so many people feel the same way. This Free 2018 Mandela Calendar to Colour is simple enough for children to use and keep in their bedrooms or you can add more colour and shading.

Each month of the year has a different mandala for you to colour in and I would love for you to come and share them with me over on my facebook page or Instagram

I have printed off three copies and the boys’ and I are going to each have one for above our desks. I am also going to keep one on my desk for doodling whilst I am on conference calls.

Download your Free 2018 Mandela Calendar to Colour below:

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Free 2018 Mandela Calendar to Colour
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Colouring Supplies:

I am often asked what products I use and I am a big advocate of using the best supplies you can afford. It is really frustrating to use pencils that keep snapping or refuse to blend well, oh and don’t get me started on pens that bleed through the paper. I always buy the best quality I can afford, not just for me but for my kids too. I want colouring to be a joyful experience. These are mine and the

These are mine and the MiniMad’s suggestions to you. Our tried and tested favourites. When I first started colouring I just pinched the boy’s products, which is why adult colouring is so accessible and over the period of a year I now have my own supplies!

Pens

We are currently loving using Staedtler Triplus colour pens (UK Link/US Link) – they do not bleed through the paper, which is great for adults and kids and they are really bright. Plus you can get different nib sizes (UK LInk/US Link), my niece has the 3mm nib ones (I bought her them for Christmas and she adores them). I also love the way they stand up in the packaging, so you can see the colours.

For a more inexpensive pen, we like the BIC kids coloring pens. These are great with minimal bleed through the paper and last for ages if you forget to put the lid back on (yes I am guilty of this)! (UK Link/US Link).

Pencils

Again we have two distinct favourites. One high quality and the other medium. Staedtler Ergosoft pencils are great value. They are soft and blendable and last really well. These are our go to pencils for pretty much everything (UK Link/US Link), they are not paying me to say this – honest! These are the pencils that the boys use for all their work and colouring too.

If money was no object then it would be Prismacolor pencils. I was introduced to these by the amazing illustrator Jennie Maizels (go check out her sketchbook club, you can thank me later). They are blendable, fantastic colours, durable and everything you could need, but are at the top of the price range. (UK Link/US Link)

Paper

As you are printing off these pages you can control the quality of the paper and unlike colouring books that you buy, you can print one sided (whoop). I print a lot of my pages on standard copier paper and if you have good quality art supplies then that is fine, however, if you are planning on framing or keeping your artwork then it would be better to print on a higher quality of paper. Or if you plan on painting them, then you can print onto inkjet watercolour paper (UK Link/US Link). For standard colouring get some bleed proof paper and use it to print off your pages (UK Link/US Link).

Accessories

You need to have a good quality pencil sharpener for your pencils. I LOVE my standard office supplies one. It can be adjusted to sharpen to a killer point or to a more blunt edge and there is something therapeutic about the crank handle and all the shavings being collected (UK Link/US Link)! We use a Staedtler pencil sharpener for our on the go one and this is the one we keep in pencil cases (UK Link/US Link).The other must have for me is a clipboard. I am often found colouring in downstairs on the sofa on an evening (I try to reduce screens on a night) and rather than rest on a book I use a clipboard (UK Link/US Link).

Win fab personalised bedding sets

Jen Walshaw — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 07:00:00 +0000

Today I have a great competition to share with you thanks to Tobias Baker. You could win one of three whole makeover sets, which includes butterflies personalised duvet set in single or double, butterflies lined curtains in either of the 2 sizes, matching quilted bed runner and boudoir cushion and square filled cushion.

Tobias Baker want to help kids feel great in their bedrooms and make really special personalised bedding sets for children. They have a beautiful butterflies bedroom range, which means you can create a whole interior designed makeover and even better you can personalise the bedding with any name.

Butterflies duvet sets are available

In 40 popular girls names &
Can be personalised with ANY NAME

The beautiful room sets includes detailed embroidery, gorgeous applique and sparkling ribbon embellishment, to create a dazzling combination of colour and texture throughout the whole range. We love that the script panel is in an antique satin fabric which is subtly light reflective and a perfect contrast for the bright pink applique lettering.

The delicate butterflies are embroidered in the latest fashion palette across the entire range including soft lime, turquoise, fuchsia, baby pink and reflective ivory. This means that the bedding is great for any colour room.

I am sure that seeing your own name on a duvet-quilt cover set, will give kids a sense of pride and ownership, which will hopefully result in them keeping their room clean and tidy.

I can not wait until they bring out a boys range!

Win fab personalised bedding sets

How did we do with our 2010 resolutions?

Jen Walshaw — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:19:17 +0000

I know many people would be saying blooming good riddance to 2010 and hello 2011, but in some ways that seems to be doing the year a major disservice, especially as it has been a quarter of Mini’s life to date. So I am going to just focus on the fact the lows are what makes the highs so spectacular and also say a quiet good bye to lost loved ones.

2010

Cuddle Mummy in the night if I get scared -Maxi

Learn to write my name – Mini

Be a footballer – Maxi

Learn to write mummy’s name – Maxi

Spend less time on the PC – Me

Dance more with a smile on my face – MadDad

Give up my dummies – Mini

Swim a length without armbands – Maxi

Go to swimming lessons – Mini

Learn to Knit – Me

Share and eat lots of chocolate – Maxi

Learn to crochet – Me

Have a weekly family games evening after dinner – all

I have to say I am pretty impressed with the things we managed. The only ones that we didn’t are the crochet (I tried, I went on a day course and it just hasn’t gone in), the knitting and the dummy. But hey, I am not going to worry about those at the moment!

So for 2011

The eating chocolate is still on Maxi list – Maxi
Cuddle Mummy on a morning when she wakes up – Maxi
Spend more quality time with my family once January’s out of the way – MadDad
Give up my dummy – Mini
Learn to control my temper – Mini
Be nice to each other – All
Not to shout as much – Me
To focus on me without feeling guilty – Me

I don’t believe that January is the right time for making big changes or resolutions. Spring seems to be the natural time for bringing in the new to me. So the more serious and thoughtful changes, goals and aims will be made around Easter time.

A Wonderful White Christmas

Jen Walshaw — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:30:00 +0000

I do hope that everyone is having a great Christmastime. We have been having a fantastic time here in TheMadHouse.

Christmas Eve was spent wrapping, wrapping and more wrapping, as all the presents were hidden in the loft until last minute to make sure that we dont spoil it for the children.

We also made sure that we ate the mince pie and carrot and also drank the drink left for Father Christmas. The Mini’s managed till about 5.50am, but we didnt come downstairs until 6.30am. The rule here is that stockings are opened straight away and that other gifts after breakfast and once we are all dressed. Rhis was no issue for the mini’s as Father Christmas had left light sabers and malteezers in their stockings.

We then spend most of the morning, in between MadDad checking on Lunch (he did it all this year, from prapping the veg on Christmas eve, to making the sausage meat stuffing with MiniMad) opening and playing with presents. The boys loved everything that they were given and were mighty lucky in that there are some very generous people out there (we were lucky to have been nominated for the Mumsnet Secret Santa).

We all sat down for a wonderful feast, including Boy Booze (sparkling pomegranet juice) for the mini’s and a glass of pink fizz for me (only one as I was driving later in the day). Being only the four of us for Christmas dinner, we had the things we like to eat, turkey, stuffing, sausages, roasted veg (carrots, parsnip, swash, onions and turnip from the garden), roast potatoes and gravy. It was yummy.

We then all had a relaxing afternoon playing with more of the boys toys, they really loved their Leapfrog Tag systems that I picked up in the sales last January!!

We then went to my inlaws for a late afternoon tea, the boys loved spending time with Nana and Granddad and were glued to the TV for The Gruffello.

Then back home for me and MadDad to have a lovly relaxing evening and lots of cuddles from Mr Smudge.

We have spent today at Harrogate and spent our Christmas money (from the inlaws), they were very generous. I dont really like enclosed shopping areas and we all love Harrogate with all the open spaces, which were filled with Snowmen. We all managed to get something we wanted, so a successful outing for all.

We are really looking forward to tomorrow, which we are spending at my mums with my brother, sister in law and niece, there will be present exchanging, eating, drinking, joking and lots and lots of messing about.

Secret Christmas Ornament Swap

Jen Walshaw — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:01:00 +0000

I am ever so excited Snaffles Mummy is hosting a Secret Christmas Ornament Swap. I have already signed up and think that it is a wonderful idea. Yep I love Christmas and building up traditions too.

So here are the basics:

1. Go to Snafflesmummys blog and grab the button and put it on your blog.

2. You have to spend at least £5 before postage.

3. It is a ‘secret’ swap so no reveal until you send your ornament.

4. Once you get your swap partners name and his/her blog address give her a visit and get to know him/her a little.

5. Deadline to mail your ornament is Saturday the 19th December 2009

6. Please do not sign up if you are not going to participate.

7. Once you have your ornament blog about it!!

So that’s it!! This swap is open to anyone! Deadline for participating in the swap is 28th November 2009.

How do you join? well head over to the snafflesmummys blog to find out how.

A homemade Girls Present – Bag and Purse with Beads

Jen Walshaw — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:31:00 +0000

MaxiMad was off to a birthday party on Saturday and we only got the invite on Tuesday. With me being in hospital I have not had the chance to go out and find anything suitable and I only have presents suitable for boys in our stash at the moment.

So I had a chat with Maxi Mad and we decided to make a small drawstring bag and a purse and fill it with lovely wooden beads and elastic for making bracelets and such.

We also stamped her name on with permanent fabric ink, for the personal touch. He came in to the study and picked which fabric he liked for her and helped me stamp the name, so was involved in it all and here is the finished version.

I hope she likes it. I am thinking of making the same for my nieces and the other girls we buy for at Christmas.

Picture Perfect Meme

Jen Walshaw — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Linda at ‘You’ve got your hands full’ tagged me with the Picture Perfect Meme, which Tara at Sticky Fingers started.

You have to show a picture that your children have drawn about you.

You may remember that a little while ago MaxiMad made a trip to the local sorting office where he saw the life cycle of a postcard he had previously posted. Well on that postcard was a picture of his family.

A while back MadDad ordered me the the wonderful Handmade home by Amanda Blake Soule, who is Soulemamma. In it she makes Portrait Bookmarks (she has a free PDF with the instructions on here).

I thought these were a great idea for the Grandparents at Christmas, but thought I would give it a try with the above drawing first. Now I haven’t embroidered since school, although I have been know to do a couple of cross stitches, so it is by no means perfect, but I love the finished product.

I have backed it with some denim from an old worn through pair of jeans and used ribbon from my stash. I already had the tea towel I have embroidered on to and the thread from an old cross stitch, so this has cost nothing.

I was so proud of MaxiMads drawing and this is a fitting way of recording it and one I will get to look at all the time. I have already started on the rest of the family and everyone should get one for Christmas.

Making a start on the Christmas Presents

Jen Walshaw — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Look, my new to me sewing machine and my first project on it. A new swimming bag for MaxiMad. He picked out the fabric when we were in York a few weeks back from the Cath Kidston store (he has taste that young man)!

Thing is once I had done one and mini mad saw it, I had to make another one this afternoon. I also made these key rings as Christmas Presents and one for myself, as I always end up popping my car keys in my mouth to hold it I dont have any pockets on (so I can strap the children in their car seats).

Do you like the cork board top I have given my sewing table. I also glued a couple of tape measures on.

A picture of our pumpkin and squash harvest from the garden. Liz at Violet Posy was commenting on trend in America to use pumpkins as a Fall/Autumn decoration. We have had these on the shelf in the kitchen for the last month or so, I am feeling very hip and with it.

The truth is rather more bland, I have no where else to store them and thee minimads are so proud of their garden, so I thought we would keep them out until we eat them.

The boys and MadDad spend a few hours up at the farm with his dad yesterday (potato picking and playing with Nana) and it turns out his mum is sorting through the attic and came across MadDads old school reports and thie yellow plastic teddy money box in the photograph above.

This was his first present off his Gran (she was his first grandchild) and it is so 1966. MiniMad has claimed it as his own and called it Danny. I am not sure if it was because it was a bear or down to the fact that it is half full of money!

Thrifty Christmas over at Violet Posie

Jen Walshaw — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:55:00 +0000

I don’t know about you, but we are pretty strapped for cash at the moment and with Christmas on its way, I am looking at ways of making it less expensive and more thoughtful, less consumer driven and more cared for and considered. So when I saw that Violet Posie was hosting a Thrifty Christmas’ Carnival from the 9-12th November, I though yep that is for me.

I have a few ideas up my sleeve for things that I will be making for all this Christmas, so will be participating, but I am also keen for some more ideas and can not wait for my imagination to be peaked.

We actually don’t buy many Christmas presents but it does all seem to add up, this year we will be giving to the following:

2 Nieces

Mum

Mums best friend (Christmas pudding)

Mother in Law and Farther in Law

4 close friends children

Boys Godparents

Our Homestart helper

The toddler group helpers (small appreciation gift – last year we made mini Christmas cakes and fudge)

Teachers and teaching assistants (7 in total)

The MiniMads are pretty much done, as I have been squirrelling things away each month, so that we don’t have a large outlay near to Christmas and plus they don’t really want for anything and have no real needs.

So for me Christmas means lots of baking, cooking, preparing and love. I have already purchased the dried fruit for the Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings and will be putting them in soak over the weekend.

What are your Christmas traditions, what do you give away and how many people do you give too?