Encouraging children to make!!!

As you may well know, I feel it is really important to encourage children to make and create, and so have been working on various kits to support this.  

'These kits have been designed to provide children with the opportunity to experience new activities, develop skills, and build self-confidence that will last a lifetime.  They also offer the perfect opportunity to spend time with your child, doing something together and creating lasting memories for you both.'

Because my main passions are sewing and cooking I used this as a starting point.  

Soooo, now available to buy are...

... The Budding Chef's Cooking Set...

This kit is available for boys and girls... 

... you can even have it customized.

We tested the kits when I took a set each for my niece and nephew last time we visited.  They loved them, and kept getting their utensils out to look at, and then putting them away again.  My niece was really sweet, carrying hers around with her... she even came down for breakfast the following morning with it clutched to her!!

They enjoyed making the gingerbread people even more.  First they explored the dough...

 

... and then it was down to business!!!

This cooking set compliments the Little Beau Utility Pinny Set and the Little Belle Utility Pinny Set.

 

Also available in the new make and do range are some little brooch kits, containing everything you need to make yourself a brooch. Fabulous little gifts that fit perfectly into a Christmas stocking!

You can make a Christmas pudding...

... or if you are not too keen on Christmas pudding, you could make a Fairy cake.

So if you are looking for a pressie to encourage a little on you know to have a go and do something creative, head over to my shop for a closer look!

Loula Belle At Home for children.

At the moment Loula Belle At Home is focusing on children as I feel it is important to encourage children to become more involved in activities in the home.

One of the activities that is very close to my heart, is the importance of learning how to cook, and having confidence in the kitchen.  With this in mind I have put together Little Belle, and Little Beau Utility Pinny Sets for age 2-6 year olds, consisting of a little denim pinny with an adjustable strap and pocket (for storing kitchen utensils if cooking, and gardening tools if gardening), a matching neckerchief...

  

... and a little bag to pop it in when it's not in use.  

My little boy loves putting on his utility pinny and helping mummy around the house whether this be cooking (which he loves) or getting the duster out, I'm sure you know someone that would love to look the part too!  These gift sets are available to buy online here.

N.B Keep your eyes open over the next month or so for the children's kits I am working on!

I hope that you too have experienced pancake heaven!

As soon as the little Tinker heard that I was off to the kitchen to pop on my pinny and make pancakes for tea, he followed behind dragging a chair and demanding that I put an apron on him.  Unfortunately for him he doesn't have one made by me... aprons for boys are in the pipeline!

I am a lover of the fat little pancakes (I fell in love with them, and ate copious amounts, on holiday in America as a child), not the ones that people (often men if I am not mistaken... please correct me if I am wrong but I have the understanding that pancake throwing goes alongside fire making and barbecuing!!!), for some reason, insist on throwing into the air.  The exception being crepes which are a completely different kettle of fish!!!

Here's the recipe.  I know it is a little late in the day for sharing pancake recipes...  I really should get more organised... but please don't wait until next year to try these.  They are a definite hit with my children and we love to eat them for breakfast at weekends (if they are lucky!!!).

200g of plain flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 egg

1tsp sugar

10ml milk

1 grated apple*

butter to fry them in

To serve... what ever you fancy, for example

maple syrup or honey

creme fraiche or mascarpone

* use any fruit you fancy really.  They are very tasty with grated pear, mashed banana, a handful of blueberries or chopped strawberries.

Simply throw your pancake mixture into a bowl and use a whisk to mix.  Add the fruit of your choice.  Heat a frying pan and melt a teaspoon or so of butter to cover the bottom of your pan.  When hot add a little of the pancake mix... use about half a ladle full for each one.  Fry for a minute or two, flip (with spatula!!!) and cook the other side.

Put on a plate, cover with yummy things, and eat.

You can find more delicious recipes here.