More Than a Mama

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!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Easter Fayre is coming......

It's nearly fayre time! Only 5 weeks until Berkhamsted Town Hall will again be full to the brim with exciting Easter goodies and gifts.

Amongst all the goodies will be many NEW products ...... including delicious cakes and cookies for all from Nevie-Pie Cakes, beautifully handmade home wares for grown ups and children from Isla B Baby and Heartfelt Handmade, fabulous children's wear, toys and fun things from Stealing Candy and Rockabye Baby, gorgeous hand painted ceramics, cards and prints from illustrator Katy Leigh, expert photography from Richard Roscoe, treat yourself or someone dear to some glorious lotions and potions from Vie at Home, yummy handmade chocolates, including lots of Easter Eggs, from Coup de Chocolat, pretty personalised flannels and towels from Millsy and we will also have a Easter themed craft table for the children.......... look out for our posters and fliers coming very soon!

We will also be spotlighting many of our sellers here on the blog in the run-up to our Easter Fayre and we are very excited to be offering you some new local sellers .......... keep checking back.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Feel the LOVE (HEARTS)

Are you stuck for a Valentine present for that special someone? Look no further than this fabulous tutorial from Nevie-Pie Cakes who has very generously shared this wonderful project with us.

Here is an easy way to make a sweet treat for your valentine.

Inspired of course by my Natasha's childrens' favourites, Love Hearts.

Ingredients

This recipe is taken from Pretty Party Cakes by Peggy Porschen
Mix together the butter and sugar until creamed. Add the egg and then the flour. Mix and then knead slightly to make a firm dough.
You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla essence if you wish or swap 50g of flour for cocoa powder to make chocolate cookies.

Then roll out the dough to about 1/4" thick and cut out your circles.

Chill again for 30 mins.

Then cook in a pre-heated oven 180 for 10-12 mins

Colour your fondant, I use SugarFlair paste colours. Use a tooth pick and put a small prick of colour on your fondant, it is better to have to use more than put too much at the begining.

Cut out the fondant into circles and glue it to the cookie with brushed on boiled water or mix some gum trag with water.

Mix some pink lustre dust with water and brush it onto a heart cookie cutter. I used the wrong side of the cutter (if you know what I mean) as it is thicker. Then press it into the fondant, if the line isn't quite strong enough you can always touch it up with a paint brush.

I then used a small clean stamping kit to stamp the words on.

Apparantly this year 'Love Hearts' have added a new phrase.

Can you guess which one it is? (answer at the bottom)

You could deliver your Valentine goodies wrapped in cellophane with a suitable label.

I downloaded these two free fonts, wm valentine and love letters to make mine. I cannot tell you enough how much I love free fonts, I bored friends and family for weeks when I discovered them. You can then personalise your own label or click here and you can download my version. Thanks to Heartfelt Handmade for the technical advice and the felt heart.

Have a very sweet Valentines day!

Simply gorgeous, thank you Nevie-Pie Cakes. Read Natasha's blog at Amelies House, see photos of her magnificent creations on flickr or email her with any enquiries at nevie-pie@hotmail.co.uk.

Wishing you all a lovely Valentine's Weekend...............