December 9, 2010
November 15, 2010
Christmas Workshop: Felt Tree Bottle Covers
Don’t miss this funny christmas Workshop that we have found at Martha Stewart’s Web!!!
Next time you give a bottle of wine as a gift, dress it up with these lovely felt tree bottle covers.
Tools and Materials
Tree template one or two
1/2 yard (or 2 packs) felt
Pins
Sewing machine and thread
Pencil
Pinking shears or straightedge shears
Decorative embellishments (bells, rhinestones, garland)
Fabri-tac glue
Wine bottle
Bottle Cover How-To
1. Download and print tree template one or two. Pin together two pieces of felt. Place tree template on top of pinned-together felt pieces. Trace tree onto felt.
2. Using sewing machine, sew sides of tree together, leaving the bottom portion open. Then, use pinking shears or straightedge shears to cut tree out of felt.
3. Decorate the felt tree by gluing or sewing on embellishments of your choosing, such as bells, rhinestones, and garland.
4. Place felt tree cover over wine bottle.
October 22, 2010
Halloween Recipes: let’s keep it simple
Orange Jack-o’-Lanterns with Sorbet
Invite a crew of frozen friends for dessert. Cut off the top quarter of an orange. Scoop out flesh with a spoon, then carve eyes, noses, and grins with a utility knife.
Ingredients:
- 4 navel oranges
- 2 pints mango, passion-fruit, or orange sorbet, softened
Directions:
- Slice off the top quarter of each orange, and reserve for lid. Using a grapefruit spoon or paring knife, scoop or cut out interior of oranges. Reserve flesh for another use, such as fresh orange juice.
- Use our templates or draw a jack-o’-lantern face freehand. Tape paper to hollowed orange, and cut out features with a craft knife or other small, sharp knife.
- Pack each orange with sorbet, and top it with a “lid.” Bend floral wire, and poke it in — not through — top of orange for tendrils. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and place in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes. Oranges with sorbet can be frozen for up to 3 days.
More Halloween recipes at Marthastewart.com
September 6, 2010
Musical Entertainment on Duke of York Square
Set to delight music lovers, The Duke of York Square will play host to an eclectic range of musical artists performing every evening from 6pm to 8pm. This free 7 day music event will be taking place in and around Duke of York Square in the heart of Chelsea.
Enjoy a relaxing meal in one of the many gourmet restaurants accompanied by some light entertainment and soothing ambiance. With many of the stunning boutiques staying open late, there are many reasons to savour the last of the bright summer evenings.
The unique and varied ranges of musical genres are sure to appeal; from jazz and gypsy swing to classical and contemporary there is something for all the family to enjoy.
August 17, 2010
Stories on the wall!!!
We strongly recommend to all of you – who are thinking in redecorate your children’s bedrooms – to have a look to this post , it will be worth it!!!
We really love the work of these two portuguese women, Leonor Feijó & Marta Belo.
Little Hands is devoted to the fascinating world of illustration, manly children illustration . Here you can make new discoveries and meet new friends like rabbits, elephants, pandas, dogs, …
Their illustrations have been applied in wallpaper, fabrics, canvas, vinyl, …
The work you will see in their blog, is a result of many of their projects. If you like any of the illustration you just need to send them an email and they can produce them as Wallpaper, or any different king of material.
They have also been working with children books that will be out soon.
July 13, 2010
Summer Kids Beach Party
Planning a do-it-yourself children’s beach party? Sun, sand, water, kids – the perfect recipe for summer fun. At NECK & NECK we think it will be worth the effort!!
Look! we have found a great site – http://tinyurl.com/2fvuk3f – where you will find all the details to plan a summer kids beach party!!!
The nice thing about a beach party is it doesn’t require access to a golden sandy beach or seashore. You can plan a kid’s beach party for the backyard and not worry about cleaning up sand. It’s also easy to keep the party budget small and easy on the pocket.
Guest List
Keep the guest list small. A general rule of thumb is: one guest per year of age of the hosting youngster. A seven year old child should have a maximum of seven guests. Ask parents to send a beach towel, sunscreen*, and a change of clothes with their children.
Invitations
Get your kids involved in the party by letting them design their own handmade invitations. Free beach theme printables that are unique can be found online here
Party Favors
They can also help make party favors for guests. Buy some inexpensive cellophane bags, ribbons, and aquatic themed trinkets at a discount or dollar store. Use items like plastic seahorses, seashells, flip-flop key rings, and ocean colors like blue and white with a punch of neon colors for emphasis to make the beach party bags original and memorable.
Decorations
Creating an atmosphere for a beach party for kids is simple. Position a plastic kiddy pool in a shady location and fill with sand. Provide some pails, shovels, and sand toys, and watch the kids add the right touch of imagination.
Set up another pool in a sunny area, fill with water, and let the sun warm the water. Be sure to keep an eye on the pool to keep kids from playing in the water unsupervised.
Have toys like hula hoops, beach balls, and Frisbees ready for play. Beach towels work great when kids need a place to sit and rest or eat lunch.
Games
Games are fun, but optional. Have one or two planned, like hula hoop competitions or beach ball volleyball. Be flexible, and let the youngsters indulge in their own creative play. Kids have a sense of wonder and an eagerness to explore and discover things on their own. Self-paced activity combined with group games is a good balance.
Refreshments
Simple refreshments are best: hot dogs, pizza, or hamburgers with chips and a drink. Finish up with an icy cold, juicy watermelon or frosty ice cream. Just have the kids sit on a beach towel, and if they accidentally spill something, clean up is fast and easy. Some paper towels, plates, and cups are the only necessary supplies for this stage of the festivities.
Water Fun
Do water activities last to let the beach party kids cool off and wind down. Let half the group play in the pool, and half in a water sprinkler, and then alternate as needed. Parents can towel them off and have them change prior to leaving the party. Remember to give each guest a party favor bag as they depart.
Clean up
Clean up is a cinch! The kids who are waiting for rides can help gather up toys, fold beach towels, and pick up trash. Viola! Your kids beach party has been a fun in the sun success, and you have enjoyed it just as much as your guests.
ENJOY!!!
Picture from www.techgirldesignstudio.com
July 8, 2010
Summer kids’ handicrafts: sponge ball
And for today NECK & NECK has chosen the most funny kids’ handicraft – play for this summer! It’s about the “sponge ball”!!! Great for a game of tag on a scorching hot day, squishy sponge balls (made from kitchen sponges) are summer’s alternative to snowballs. They also make a family chore like car-washing more fun.
A great idea that we have found on Martha Stewart’s website. Click here to get how to.
July 5, 2010
Making Summer Plans
Have a look to Annette Berlin’s article, where you will find some useful ideas to provide you kids a funny and also cheap summer!
No money for camp? Not a penny for vacation? How will you and the kids ever survive the summer?
Very well actually, if you’re willing to get creative. You can treat your kids to a fun, educational and el cheapo summer if you learn to look first at the resources you already have access to before taking out your checkbook.
Start with your library. Libraries often have wonderful music, nature and reading programs running from June through August. Most of the programs are free but they do require you to reserve a place ahead of time, so call early to avoid a last minute disappointment.
Next, work your way over to the new book section. Harry Potter is on every library’s most wanted list but maybe you’ll be lucky enough to be the next to find a copy. If not, dig into some good mysteries, historical fiction and how-to books instead.
Then, see what’s available in the crafts section. Our local library has half a dozen books on making “treasure from trash.” Also search for titles on dough crafts, paper crafts and scrap fabric crafts.
Before you leave, be sure to read the “what’s happening” section of your local newspaper (Discounted newspaper subscriptions). Most big cities have free outdoor concerts, puppet shows and art fairs throughout the summer months. See what’s in your neck of the woods.
June 25, 2010
Crafts for kids: Seashell Koalas!!!
Have a look to this picture!!! Isn’t it adorable and funny?! A Seashell Koalas kid’s craft!
NECK & NECK carries on looking for the most originals ideas and funny crafts for kids. This one we found it out at the Martha Stewart’s website. Click here to see Koala how to.
Enjoy!!
April 22, 2010
40th anniversary of Earth Day
Today is a special day as its Earth Day 2010. The day is about celebrating the Earth, finding ways of looking after the Earth, and raising awareness of how to protect the environment.
NECK & NECK suggests you: Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with your kids. Teach them about how to look after the planet we live on and all kids love coloring in. As they’re enjoying the activity you can talk to them about what they’re coloring and how important it is to be environmentally aware.
Click in the following links to get the templates:
