First Post Of 2010

I can't believe that we are nearly half way through January already! I must apologise as it has been a while since I posted on here as things have been so busy and so much has been happening.

Christmas seems such a distant memory now. This was the wintry scene that we woke up to on Christmas morning.



Just before the New Year we spent a few days in Norfolk. I really love this part of the country and we have spent some very happy family holidays here.


While we were there we decided to travel down the coast and over the border into Suffolk. I had never been to Suffolk before so it was lovely to visit somewhere new for the first time.


We decided to go to Southwold and although it was bitterly cold we had a lovely afternoon there.



Not surprisingly there weren't many people on the beach!


The snow is still abundant here in Yorkshire. Last week my son's school was closed all week and so we made the most of it and went sledging!

Although he is nearly 10 years old he has never experienced this amount of snow and has never been sledging. needless to say me and Hubbie were ready to go home long before he was!


The end of season sale is now well under way at the Homes & Dreams shop and I've been busy planning the new ranges for Spring. They'll be introduced to the site over the next few weeks.


Hope the bad weather isn't causing you too many problems!

Christmas Fair Preparations

This week has been a flurry of activity with preparations for the Cliff School Christmas Fair where we will be hosting a stall selling all sorts of goodies. We have been choosing a selection of our ranges including lots of Christmas decorations and gifts including our current best seller - this Shabby Chic Christmas Bunting.

I've already earmarked a place in my own home for this bunting (if there is any left!) and think it will look great strung across the chimney in my kitchen.

Hope your preparations are going well.

Christmas Has Arrived At Homes & Dreams

I know its only October but we like to be prepared at Homes & Dreams and so we are happy to announce the arrival of our 2009 Christmas range.

This year we based our range on delicate shades and ivory tones with just a hint of festive red to decorate your home for Christmas.

Already we have sold some of the Reusable Advent Calendars so it just goes to show that some of our customers are as organized as we are!

Have fun planning for Christmas!

New Shopping List Message Holders.

This week we have introduced these shopping list message holders. They are great for holding all those bits of paper together as they have a wooden peg on the back and a magnet so they can be stuck to your fridge or one of our Magnetic Memo Boards. They are priced at only £2.25.

Our New Art Range Has Arrived!

At last, our new range of wall art has arrived in our shop.

Our range of art panels are made by hand and are the perfect marriage between reclaimed wood, craftsmanship and modernity of design.
Each panel is made from recycled woods which have been aged naturally. They are printed and finished by hand making each piece unique.
They work well individually or for stunning results hang in an eclectic mix.

Why not take a look for yourself at http://www.homesanddreams.co.uk/

Top 10 Childrens Garden Plants

Following on from the last post here are our top ten plants for a child’s garden.

1. Lamb’s Ears - This perennial with its fuzzy leaves is a favorite in any child’s garden. Children love to feel the soft silvery leaves.

2. Buddleia - Butterfly bushes make wonderful small trees in a child’s garden and most children are fascinated by the winged creatures covering the plants.

3. Sunflowers - These cheery, yellow annuals are fun and easy to grow.

4. Snapdragons - They can pick the flowers and make them talk.

5. Mint - Children enjoy the smell of different mints and rub the leaves between their fingers to release the scent.

6. Thyme - Use this plant between stepping stones. It is tough enough to handle the occasional mis-step.

7. Curry Plant - The warm spicy aroma smells just like curry.

8. Carrots - Children like the fluffy tops and enjoy the surprise of finding veggies growing underground.

9. Lavender - The foliage of these plants is a lovely gray green, but the best part for kids is picking the flowering wands.

10. Grass - Its smell great and cushions them when they fall over!

Have a great time in the garden and don't forget to take a look at our 'Mr McGegors Grow Your Own Gardening Kits'. These are a great way to introduce your little ones to the joys of gardening!

Gardening Ideas For Children

The weather looks like it might be picking up at last. This weekend I'm planning to get out into the garden with my son as he has a nature project to work on for school which involves us looking for bugs!



Children love being outdoors so here are a few ideas:

• Collect flowers, berries, leaves and insects


• Plant seeds (inside or outside)


• Create vegetable, fruit and leaf prints


• Make seed mosaics


• Simple supervised tasks such as deadheading or watering plants


• Start a wormery


• Watch a butterfly or tadpole develop


• Place carrot tops in water & watch them sprout roots and leaves


• Press and dry flowers


• Arrange fresh flowers