Friday, March 26, 2010

Thank You!

This morning's Easter Fayre at the Town Hall, Berkhamsted, was very well supported, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who supported and helped us today and during the run-up to the fayre.

The Prize Draw Winner is Denise Newton - congratulations, we hope you enjoy your basket of More Than A Mama goodies which includes children's clothing from Rockabye Baby and Stealing Candy, a large purse from Thirtyfive Flowers, cupcakes from Nevie-Pie Cakes, Easter Decorations from Heartfelt Handmade, original cards from Illustrator and ceramic artist Katy Leigh, a voucher from Richard Roscoe Photography and a bag and hair band from Isla B Baby - wow - such an abundance of goodies!

We will post images from this morning's fayre soon, so keep checking back.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Spotlight on Nevie-Pie Cakes....

If you were in any doubt that Easter is just around the corner, then just take a look at these gorgeous goodies from Nevie-Pie Cakes and you feel the children's excitement, see their chocolate smeared faces holding up cute bunny cookie pops, smiling from ear to ear..........
Natasha, the master baker behind Nevie-Pie Cakes, says,
"I always like to have a theme when I do stalls to stop myself from getting bored. So for Easter I have a colour scheme of spring green, yellow, blue and pink." 
Don't these cookie-pops look scrumptious, in flavours of vanilla, chocolate and gingerbread, mmmmm...yummy!
Come along to our Easter Fayre this Friday, March 26th, at Berkhamsted Town Hall from 9.30am -12 noon and expect such delicious delights as Vanilla cupcakes, blueberry, banana and orange cupcakes and lemon cupcakes..........who could resist?
To see more of Natasha's amazing cupcakes, cookies and celebration cakes take a look at her gallery over on flickr, a real feast for the eyes. Read more about Natasha's thoughts and creations over on her fabulous blog, Amelie's House. For orders or more details please email Natasha at nevie-pie@hotmail.co.uk or come along on Friday and taste her creations for yourself.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Pete's Poppies & Bespoke Verse

Yesterday we heard the lovely Samantha Rogers from Pete's Poppies talking to Lorna Milton on BBC Three Counties Radio. Although not a mum herself, Samantha is a young entreprenuer and has been instrumental in our More Than A Mama fayres. On the occasions where she hasn't been exhibiting her beautiful flowers and country style home wares, she has still been there helping out behind the scenes! Pete's Poppies is located at 102, High Street, Berkhamsted, contact them on Tel.0808 144 0808. Listen to Sam's radio interview again by clicking on this link. Samantha will be at the More Than A Mama Fayre next friday.

Today's radio interview is with local mum, Jo Miller, founder and creator of Bespoke Verse, a unique service composing tailor-made poems for all occasions, be it a Best Man's Speech or a Birthday, Jo has it covered.

We spoke to Jo recently to find out more, she said,
"I’m a Mum of three (ages 6, 4 and 1) and turned 40 this year.  Before having a family, I worked as an English teacher and adviser.  Poetry was my bread and butter!  My very supportive friends and husband encouraged me to set up ‘Bespoke Verse’ after I wrote a speech in the form of a poem for my wedding.  Friends started asking me for poems for their special occasions and eventually, the Bespoke Verse website was launched in June 2009.   I have been busy ever since, with a stream of interesting commissions from christenings to civil partnerships, 40ths to funerals."

As for her inspirations,
"Roald Dahl is my literary inspiration – those familiar with his poems will recognise that we use the same style (rhyming couplets, of which Dahl is the master).  Writing poems is a welcome escape from domestic chores, and I find it satisfying having a project of my own.  Every poem is different, and it is fascinating finding out about other people’s lives, and great fun being part of a surprise for them."

Her best sellers are......
"Poems commissioned for birthdays are my most popular request, whether it’s a 40th, 60th or 90th.  Most poems are 2-3 pages long and are composed using the background information provided by the client.  Humour is definitely a feature of my work, although often there are a few tears, too.  I spend lots of time talking to clients and sharing my rough drafts with them, so I know they are getting exactly the sort of poem they want."

Bespoke Verse will be at the More Than A Mama Easter Fayre, a week today, at Berkhamsted Town Hall, Friday 26th March from 9.30am - noon.
Visitors to the fayre will be able to read lots of her poems and testimonials and chat to Jo about the process. Bespoke poems make very original and personal gifts, especially for that hard to buy for relative or friend.


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tune in at 2...Spotlight on Richard Roscoe

Today on BBC Three Counties radio will be our resident 'More than a PAPA' Richard Roscoe. Richard is an accomplished photographer running his own business Richard Roscoe Photography. He will be talking to Lorna Milton today at 2pm, straight after Lorna has played her first tune.
Richard will be at our Easter More Than A Mama Fayre on Friday 26th March, 9.30am-noon at Berkhamsted Town Hall. He has recently introduced an exciting new package to his product line up, Baby's First Year. During the first year, your baby will progress through many stages of development at a staggering rate. Why not capture that time forever with The Baby's First Year Package the ideal keepsake.
The package consists of FOUR creative portrait sessions in the studio which will be 
relaxed, pressure-free and baby-friendly. 
Choose sessions at ages 3, 6, 9 and 12 months or newborn, 4, 8 and 12 months, the choice is yours. 
Find out further details online at Richard Roscoe Photography or call the studio on 01442 870005. 
Richard is also offering a fantastic FREE GIFT if you book your Baby's First Year Package with him, 20 custom made photo announcement cards to show your baby off (these would normally cost £50!),
what a fantastic offer.

So, don't forget to listen out for Richard Roscoe today on the Lorna Milton Show, if you miss it we will add a link to the iPlayer tomorrow so you can hear it all again and again! 
Yesterday Wendy Jones, a Harpenden Jewellery Designer, mum of 4 and seller at our Easter More Than A Mama Fayre, talked to Lorna Milton about being a busy mum and juggling her own business. 
To hear it again, for a limited period only, click on this link.

By the way - we are GOING GREEN here today in honour of St.Patrick's Day!! 
Happy St.Patrick's Day to you all! Back to pink tomorrow!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

More Mama's on the Radio...

After yesterday's fabulous interview between BBC Three Counties Lorna Milton and Mac Wai from Daisy & Mouse we have another super mumpreneur on today's programme too. Wendy Jones, jewellery designer, will be chatting to Lorna just after 2pm at the beginning of the show.

If you missed Daisy & Mouse's interview yesterday you can catch it again HERE on the iPlayer for a limited period of time.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Tune in today.......

More Than A Mama are on the radio....again! Tune in today to Lorna Milton on BBC Three Counties Radio (90.4, 92.1, 94.7, 95.5,98, 103.8 and 104.5 FM and 630 & 1161 AM) from 2pm and listen to Mac from Daisy & Mouse talking about how it all started. Daisy & Mouse will be at the More Than A Mama Easter Fayre on Friday 26th March, Berkhamsted Town Hall, 9.30am-noon.
 
See you there!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Design close to Millsy's Heart

Spotlight today shines upon George North, from Millsy Designs, who has designed these pretty pink heart face cloths and hand towels, with all direct profits from the sales of these two pink heart designs going directly to the Breast Cancer Care Charity

George says, 'Unfortunately, someone very close to me is terminally ill with breast cancer. I am trying to raise as much money as I can to go towards the charity, Breast Cancer Care.  So far this year, we have successfully raised over £3,000. '

The Face Cloth (30x30cm) is £5.00 and the Hand Towel (50x90cm) is £10.00.

These are available to order directly From Millsy, please contact Georgina North at millsy.info@googlemail.com or 07983 811718 to place an order. 


They will also be available for purchase at the 'More Than A Mama Fayre Easter Fayre' held at Berkhamsted Town Hall on Friday 26th March 2010, 9.30am - 12 noon. Come along and support George and an amazing charity. 
Not forgetting Millsy's lovely personalised flannel and towel range too!.  


George will also be taking part in the The Breast Cancer Care Blenheim Palace Pink Ribbonwalk on 22/05/2010 to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, if you would like to support her by making a donation please contact her directly, many thanks.  

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Spotlight on Isla B Baby



Our Mama members have been very busy since our last fayre, today we are catching up with Rebekah Warwick from Isla B Baby, she has been busy working on their brand new website and can reveal it to you all today. Isla B Baby is now available to purchase online from www.Islabbaby.co.uk and don't forget you can keep up with the latest creations and news by reading their blog too, www.Islabbaby.blogspot.com. 


Now look at these cute bunnies, perfect for Easter and a great alternative, or addition (!), to chocolate gifts. Isla B Snuggle Sacks come with their own lovely Jellycat bunny for your child to tuck into bed each night, each sack has two pillows and a tale to tell your child. Not forgetting all the other gorgeous handmade goodies, including bandanas, changing bags, reusable baby wipes, Easter Egg Cosies, bed linen, bags, purses, aprons, tea and coffee pot cosies, blankets and much much more.


Isla B Baby will be at the Easter Fayre, Friday 26th March, 9.30am-noon at Berkhamsted Town Hall (lift access at rear through Tesco's car park). 


Monday, March 8, 2010

Spotlight on Katy Leigh - Ceramic Artist & Illustrator

Katy Leigh, Ceramic Artist, Illustrator and active member of the More Than A Mama group has a brand new website to reveal to you all.........not only that but you may very well have spotted one of her pieces in The Observer at the weekend. Well done Katy, such well deserved recognition, we wish you great success with your new site www.Katyleigh.co.uk.

Katy has very clear memories of obsessively drawing her parent’s Royal Doulton figurines, shortly followed by the characters from her brother’s 2000AD comics, shortly followed by pictures of Nick Kershaw!. 
 

Her subject matter has changed since but not her love of drawing. After completing a BA and MA in Illustration, Katy was a Picture Editor and Illustrator for various magazines but she has recently found a new love. 

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, “The Potteries” and her drawing has taken her back to her roots. Katy's current work is hand painted onto bisque ware, dip glazed and fired. Every piece is different. Katy is also planning to cast her own bowls and plates so that she can be more experimental with the shapes.


Katy will be at the More Than A Mama Easter Fayre on Friday 26th March at The Town Hall, Berkhamsted High Street, from 9.30am - 12 noon, come along and  grab a Katy Leigh original.




Monday, March 1, 2010

Mothering Sunday

A day for celebrating motherhood, hurray! A day of peace, relaxation, pampering? ummmmm, maybe not all of those (maybe not any of them), but how about a lovely little gift, you deserve it!

More Than A Mama have been sniffing out some lovely gift ideas, so why not send a link to our site to your partner or children - just as a little hint!

We start off with Millsy and this pretty 'I Love MUM' towel shown here as a Hand Towel, but can also be made in Bath Towel and Bath Sheet sizes. It is illustrated in their popular range of 'Floral Pink' fabric.
Why not team it up with this gorgeous hand-knitted pure wool tea cosy, with pink and turquoise beaded edging? Prices start at £13.50 for a Hand Towel and £12 for a tea cosy. Please allow 10-14 working days per order. 

Contact Millsy via email:millsy.info@googlemail.com.
(Please note, all other props are not for sale).

Heartfelt Handmade also has some cute ideas for treats. How about these lovely felt corsages, available in a range of colours. They are sold individually at £5 per brooch but there is a SPECIAL OFFER of 3 for £10, available for a limited time only, check out her site for further info on how to place an order. 
Or why not choose one of these lovely hearts? These ones have 'yummy mummy' and 'love you' on them but Heartfelt Handmade can personalise them with your very own message. Each heart costs £6.50 each and can be made in any colour you like! To contact Marie at Heartfelt Handmade, email her at info@heartfelthandmade.com.


If you fancy something tasty to share (or not to share!) why not order a beautiful cake creation from Nevie-Pie Cakes. Natasha has perfected her painted cake technique as you can see here ......

 
.....maybe some cupcakes? Look at this mouth-watering cupcake swirl.......divine!

You can contact Natasha at nevie-pie@hotmail.co.uk.

If it's yummy lotions and potions you are looking for then our resident beauty expert, and Vie at Home consultant, Sharon Herholdt, can point you in the right direction. Contact Sharon via email at s.herholdt@homecall.co.uk or call her on 07939 270160.



For gorgeous cards and prints to show you care, all by Illustrator 
Katy Leigh, contact Katy via email at: katy.leigh@yahoo.co.uk

How about a family portrait to surprise mum with? Contact Richard Roscoe at Richard Roscoe photography, email: richard@richardroscoe.co.uk or call him on 07879 827179.

So, no excuses now! Make sure your partner and family don't forget you on what should be a very special Mama's Day! Whatever you decide to do, we wish you lots of love for Mothering Sunday!