No Batteries Required...

Today I read an article in Toy News that said that 44% of children play outside, this is an increase over the last 2 years. Whilst this is promising, in my opinion its still not enough!
Gone are the times when we as children used to disappear all day on our bikes with a bottle of pop and some sandwiches and only come home for tea. I know that society doesn't feel safe enough to let our children do that but I do feel as responsible parents we should encourage our children to play out doors whenever and weather permitting as much as possible.
After school this afternoon I commented to my hubby that whilst my son loves to play on his DS or Wii when its wet in the nice weather he actually needs nothing more than a stick and a stone as he will play outside making up games and digging, climbing and generally running around the garden, the cost of this ...nil, no initial cost, no electricity and no batteries required.

Heimess Dummy Chains

We are really pleased to have a lovely range of wooden dummy chains and wooden clip on toys starting at a bargain price of only £5.99.
Made by the German manufacturer Heimess, who produce a range of baby toys that are renowned for their safety and are strongly constructed with robust wooden pieces and safe natural colours. Their products are hand crafted using non-toxic materials and more importantly they are made from saliva resistant materials as we know what little ones are like for putting things in their mouth!
The dummy chains are great way to stop baby dropping their comforter and either getting it dirty or even worse losing it!

The clip on both products is strong enough to prevent it being pulled off but still safe enough not to snag clothes.

Product Review: Wooden Transporter Lorry

We thought we would share this fabulous review of our ever popular transporter lorry with you,

This amazing lorry keeps my son (aged 2.5) amused for hours, he loves brumming his cars up and down the ramp and using his small vehicles to load up on the transporter too. His brother who is 5 also loves playing with it so I can see we will get loads of play value out of it. We are always stuck as to what to get Jake as his older brother has lots of things and most things that he likes are too old but this lorry is suitable for younger children whilst still fun for older ones. Great value for money, great quality and really sturdy which is a must for my boys!

Wooden Transporter Lorry £20.99

Thanks Sarah, really glad your boys like the wooden transporter lorry, we bought this my son for his 2nd Birthday and was still playing with it at 6 ! its now passed down to my Grandson and is still played with daily and going strong 5 years later, now that's what I call value for money!

Great Traditional Travel Games.

Last week we took the opportunity to go on holiday in a caravan, you know the ones where you save the tokens from the paper.
We have been doing these for the last umpteen years with the kids and have only been disappointed once.
This year we didn't have much choice as we wanted to go in the Easter holidays, actually we didn't have any choice as the only one left and available was a Park Resort Holiday in Withernsea (York's)
We decided to upgrade to the Gold accommodation (so glad we did!) The park itself was nice, clean and quiet. It had a mix of caravans, tourers and a few hardened campers!
The weather on arrival was atrocious, but as a family we love these holidays as your away from too much technology and making your own entertainment is all part of the fun.

Pick Up Sticks £2.99

We took a few 'old fashioned' games with us that all the family could play when it as too wet to go out, pick up sticks (the men/boys love this one!), Jacks, Dominoes and Mini Skittles.
When the weather cleared we spent most  of our time at local attractions or walking and climbing along the beach playing skimming in the sea or searching for nice stones.

Jacks £3.99

Skittles (Also vailable in Fairy) £6.99



Dominoes £4.99

Your Votes are Needed, Pretty Please

This blog post is a bit of a begging post, Knot Just Jigs have been nominated in the Best Children's Party Supplier catagory in the "Whats on for Little Ones" Awards sponsered by Konfidence.
To get nominated you had to have 5 seperate nominations from customers which then gets you into the next round which is a public vote! This is where you guys, my friends, customers and supporters come in WE NEED YOUR VOTES !

Just click this  Whats on for Little ones link and scroll down to to the next to bottom catagory, its really easy to do. Thanking you so much in advance of you vote, we will be keeping our fingers and toes crossed!

Good Friday ?

Yes I think so, I was treated to a lie in and a cup of tea in bed!
Hubby had last night off so we could go to the Nottingham Playhouse with friends to see 'Reasons To Be Cheerful', a play set during a time of political change and economic hardship.

 It’s 1979: Labour loses to the Tories, strikes rock the nation and Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3) climbs the charts. As the ultimate fans, Vinnie and his mates would do anything to see Dury at the Hammersmith Odeon, only the gig is sold out. But life has a habit of throwing strange things at you, and one night of frustration becomes something else entirely…

We didn't know what to expect, except we (or should I say 'I') was a bit of a punk in my early days and loved Ian Dury and The Blockheads music, although at the tender age of 12 wasn't quite aware of the political views of his lyrics.
Excellent part play/part gig, thoroughly enjoyed it, a bit cringe worthy at times as the language (and some of the back drop images)  were quite colourful ;) Its left me singing 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' all last night and today!  Would definitely recommend it.

Easter Gift Guide

Buy a gift that lasts longer than chocolate!
There is still a couple of days left to buy an Easter gift rather than the obligatory chocolate egg!
Here is our top 5 and they are all under £6
1 Pull A Long Wooden Duck £5.99
2 Rabbit Night Light £5.00
3 Design Your Own Farm Bag £3.99
4 Wooden Flower Press £5.00
5 Animal Cube Puzzle £3.99

Making products for the Olympics ?

As a crafter I am always aware certain words, designs, logo's and trademarks are protected, yestreday I came across a post that I thought might interest you and provoke lots of discussion.
Have a read of this document http://www.london2012.com/documents/brand-guidelines/guide-to-protected-games-marks.pdf it gives you a comprehensive list that are legally protected  marks owned or licensed to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd ( LOGOG)

I agree with the most part of this document but the one I am gob smacked at is the protected use of 'Listed Expressions' ! This is going to be a hard one to police ?

The Listed Expressions are :

-any of the 2 words : Games, Two Thousand and Twelve, 2012, Twenty-Twelve

or 

- any word in the list above with one or more of the words:

London, Medals, Sponsers, Summer, Gold, Silver, Bronze.

I expect those big companys wanting to cash in on this massive marketing oppotunity will be racking their brains trying to get around this.

What are your thoughts ? 

Bunting!

I have been making bunting now for a few years and when I am setting up my stall at craft fairs and adorning my gazebo with a vast array of colours and designs it never fails to raise a smile.
Its so cheery and welcoming and can be hung any where inside or out.
I like to make mine in flag style and double sided so that it can be hung in front of a window and be seen both sides but I know for quickness some people make it one sided and edge with pinking shears.
Over at Knot Just Jigs we also offer some stunning bunting made from embroidered butterflies, dinosaurs and vehicles!
Our personalised bunting is really popular and can be used for names or even to advertise a business.
I looked into the history of bunting and its origin and can't believe that it can be traced back to the turn of the 17th century when they manufactured signal flags for the Royal Navy!

The lovely Jenny from a fabulous bog called WINNIEBRIGGS HOUSE have written a wonderful blog post about bunting, complete with a step by step tutorial of how to make your own!

Go on have a go, its very satisfying :)

My Creative Friends, Bambino Beads

I am surrounded by very creative people and would like to dedicate a few posts on telling you about them and their businesses.
Firstly my friend Helen Keightly who runs a lovely business 'Bambino Beads' making personalised children's jewellery .
Helen is a busy Mum of 5 year old twin boys as well as designing and handmaking all her jewellery for Bambino Beads. I have always admired Helen's work but have never had the occasion to buy any of her products until Helen launched her new line of 'Mummy Bracelets' these stunning bracelets have the name of your loved ones or children personlised on them, they come in one or 2 strands dependant of how many children's name you want on them (I have 4 !) and was so impressed with the quality and price of them that I keep trying to think of people I can buy them for!

30 Day Blog Challenge, can I do it ?

I can talk for England and I can probably come up with enough subjects to cover a 30 day challenge but have to be honest I get bored very easily. I really really need to get my bum in gear so I am going to take up the blogging 30 day challenge of April.

I know I should blog more not only to keep my friends and customers up to date with things but also its good for the seo of my website, something I have got to work very hard on now as I have had to start back at the beginning since my "Old" website is no longer, if you want a nosey at our new website (waiting for our designer to refurb) we can be still be found at www.knotjustjigs.co.uk.

I apologise in advance of my blog posts but in the name of seo here I go .....