On this day in 1893 the “Happy Birthday To You” song was published!

According to the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records, the song is the most recognised song in the English language which is no surprise seeing as we sing it every year for someone’s birthday.

It has been translated into at least 18 various languages making it a universal tune.

The melody and lyrics were actually written by two sisters called Mildred Hill and Patty Smith Hill and it was originally intended for a classroom greeting song titled “Good Morning To All”.

The song lyrics were changed to “Happy Birthday To You” and became so popular that their other sister, Jessica Hill, filed a lawsuit in 1934 for the melody. It wasn’t until 1935 that the infamous record was copyrighted and published as “Happy Birthday”.

Celebrate the birthday festivities by doing arts and crafts with the family with the help of Ulster Weavers. We have some ultra-cute PVC Aprons which can be worn to protect your clothing from mess and damage.

Why not make your own birthday cards, bake some birthday cupcakes or make simple bunting with coloured card and paper trimmings for a pretty party decoration. If you are buying a present how about making your very own bag to put the gift in, or save cash by creating your own party favours.

Just wear one of Ulster Weaver’s fantastic Aprons and let your imagination run wild!

Party Scrapbooking Page

Create memories of a party or celebration with patterned papers and embellishments on a scrapbook page.

It only takes an hour to make and is a little bit more challenging for those who are intermediate experienced with arts and crafts.

Make the book and customise it however you want whether it is with glitter, stars, fabric, paint or coloured pens.

Instructions

Butterfly Card

Use pretty papers and flower gems to embellish this butterfly card, and then send to someone special for their birthday.

Personalise to the receiver’s needs and style and try and find make it to match their favourite colour.

This is perfect for beginners and really shows how much you care, as it involves that little bit of extra effort.

Instructions

Glass Bead Bracelet

This is a super cute idea which shows personalisation and creativity!

It is a great gift for the warmer months as she can customise her outfits with the on-going colour trends and makes a perfect present for any mum, sister, niece or aunty!

Although it looks quite complicated, it is surprisingly easy to make and you can use whatever shade beads you want and have it finished in less than 60 minutes.

Instructions

This week is National Insect Week!

It has been invented to show the nation more about the insect world in all its fascinating diversity and zoos up and down the country are getting involved by dedicating the week to insects with national and local competitions.

Organised by the Royal Entomological Society and supported by a large number of partner organisations concerned with many aspects of insect science, natural history and biodiversity; have fun this National Insect Week with Ulster Weavers and our brilliant Aprons bug ranges.

The UK is home to a wonderfully diverse range of insects and has 12 fascinating insects which include;

- Dragonflies and damselflies

- Butterflies and moths

- Bugs

- Earwigs

- Beetles

- Lacewings

- Ants, wasps and bees

- Flies

So why not join in the celebrations and get involved by wearing one of our Bugs PVC Childrens Aprons?

In the meantime, here are some fun and interesting facts about insects in Britain…

- The most hated insect is the cockroach whereas the most loved is the ladybird.

- The most underestimated bug is the dung beetle as without them we’d be up to our necks in dung in next to know time, while the most misunderstood are earwigs as they don’t actually go in ears.

- The most feared insect is the wasp and hornet for their stings and the most bizarre use is the wart biter cricket who used to actually bite off warts- ouch!

- The most unpronounceable is the Cylindronotus laevioctostriatus and Agapanthia villosoviridescens however the most appropriate name is the hogweed bonking beetle which is a type of soldier fly.

Bug's Child's PVC Apron

Ladybird Shaped Packable Bag

This summer is jam-packed full of different festivals up and down the UK!

From Glastonbury, Leeds, T in the Park V, Download, Sonisphere, Oxygen and hundreds more, this season is set to be well and truly heated up in festival fever; so make sure you are looking bang on trend with the latest craze with the help of Ulster Weavers.

Look uber stylish whether the sun is shining or it is forecast for rain and take over the fields wearing wellys and hot pants and of course THE new festival fashion obsession.

It is of course the all-important headwear and festival junkies like Fearne Cotton have already jumped on the fad in a leopard print design. Some hippie-hard core types may prefer a ‘70s style daisy chain wrapped round their head but other fashionistas are turning their heads to the edgy fashionable headgear.

Some media outlets are describing it as an UGG boot for your head- which is extremely strange- but be rest assured when it is chucking it down this summertime and all you have is your tent in the middle of the field you will definitely be hatting it up in fun fur.

But make sure you rock your furry headwear with one of Ulster Weaver’s gorgeous Canvas Shopping Bags. We have some super cute “Cats in Waiting” PVC Bags in all sorts of shapes and sizes which would be ideal if you can’t fit everything into your backpack!

You can show a bit or irony wearing our “Musical Cat” bags or stamps some British style on the festival with our British Cats bags ranges. Whatever you choose to accessorise your outfit with, have fun jumping up and down to some of the world’s best headlining acts.

Cats In Waiting PVC Bag

Musical Cat PVC Shoulder Bag

British Cats Medium PVC Bag

Today is the longest day of the calendar year; otherwise known as Summer Solstice!

The date 21^st June 2011 is the longest day of the year as it is the time when the Sun is at its highest or most northerly point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere; so with the extra hours of daylight we will be receiving why don’t you spend a little bit longer chilling in the garden with a nice pot of tea.

Contrary to the longest day, 22^nd December is the shortest day of the year and the winter solstice. And as the world’s countries handle the climate in reverse to each other when the UK experiences Summer Solstice they will be having Winter Solstice.

The term summer solstice derives its name from the Latin for ‘sol’ (sun) and ‘sistere’ (to stand still). The Sun reaches its most Northerly point and momentarily stands still before starting its journey South in the sky again until it reaches its most Southerly point before repeating the cycle which is how we get our seasons.

With the extra hours of daylight in the evening why don’t you and the family go alfresco and dine outdoors whilst drinking tea? Ulster Weavers fantastic Cosies will keep your pot of tea piping hot during the meal so you won’t even have to nip back inside the home unless you wanted to refill it or get scrumptious dessert!

Our Tea Cosies and Egg Cosies come in all colours and sizes with a mixture of traditional styles and quirky shapes. Plus tea parties are definitely back in fashion so set the garden table up with your outdoor cutlery and make a change to your ordinary sit down meals with the kids by taking the grub outside!

Birdsong Tea Cosy

Flower Pot Shaped Cafetiere Cosy

V&A Double Bough Tea Cosy

For all the Brits who will be frantically rushing to the shops this Saturday for a last-minute card for their dad for Father’s Day, they will probably not get much choice.

The saying, “the early bird catches the worm”, is true in that the leftover cards may not be humorous or nice or indeed have the envelopes missing.

But you can avoid all the drama of ransacking the high street by simply making your own card! Going to so much effort by creating a personalised card really shows your dad how much you care about him and he will definitely appreciate the hard work that has gone into the art and craft.

Wear one of Ulster Weavers Aprons and use your imagination and get creative by using paints, coloured pens, fabric, glitter, feather and more to make a card that he will store as a keepsake forever. Why not print out a picture of the two of you and stick it to the front cover as a lovely reminder of past memories?

Decorate the card with your dad’s favourite items whether that is sport, beer, DIY tools or food which will put a smile on his face and really individualise it for your number one pa.

Really go to town with a Father’s Day theme such as motoring madness or football fun or try out some of these designs for yourself! But make sure you wear of one our PVC Aprons though to avoid getting your clothes dirtied or messy.

If you are still unsure what to buy your dad this Father’s Day then why not do something a little bit different; cook him a meal!

Most people celebrate the day by going out for a slapped up meal at an award winning local bistro but you could go the extra mile this year to express how grateful you are for everything your dad has done by cooking him a meal yourself.

Buying all the ingredients and following these super easy recipes is the perfect way to show how much you love him, is cheaper than costly restaurant charges and displays that little bit of additional effort which the big fella will most definitely appreciate.

Try finding out what your dad’s favourite meal is be it chicken stew, beef curry or a Sunday roast and cook it this Sunday 19^th June. But make sure you wear one of our gorgeous PVC Aprons when practising your culinary skills in the kitchen as to avoid any stains getting on your clothes!

You don’t have to go out to eat quality exquisite food that tantalises your taste buds; cook up a storm at home with Ulster Weavers fine homeware products and then reminisce about good old times when you were a just a little kid.

So grab one of our brilliant Aprons and have fun baking, roasting, boiling, frying and steaming this Father’s Day!

Steak Pie

Make your dad feel special this year by cooking your pa a pie.

From mud to steak, chicken and mushroom to meat and potato, fish or pork; there is something to suit everyone this Father’s Day.

Simply save time with read-made pastry!

Instructions

Perfect Pizza

This is a great idea to cook your dad as you can do his favourite toppings!

Depending on the size of your oven you can do whatever size pizza you like and if you make the dough the day beforehand the rest is quick and easy.

Rump steak, chips and béarnaise sauce

For the steak cook the meat however it is liked best be it rare, medium or well done.

As for the béarnaise sauce, be adventurous and don’t be intimidated about making it.

It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and only half an hour in the oven, so the meal can complete in only an hour!

Instructions

It is Father’s Day this Sunday!

If you have been ransacking the high street in search for that perfect present for your dad this weekend but had no luck then fret no more because Ulster Weavers has some brilliant gift ideas.

It may not be the first place you’d think to go to buy gifts for men but you’d be surprised! We have a whole array of products when it comes to finding the textbook present for all the men in your life.

Whether you are buying for you dad, granddad or great-granddad we have some something to suit your individual home-ware tastes and needs; so show your special man just how much you care this 19^th June with one of our cool gift ideas.

For everything he did for you throughout your childhood from putting food on the table, a roof over your head and clothes on your back return the favour by showering your number one dad with presents from Ulster Weavers.  It is the one day per year dedicated to celebrating all the best dad’s in the country so express how much you appreciate his hard efforts with one of our Aprons, Linen Tea Towels, Double oven gloves and more.

Conventional gifts include brandy, chocolates or slippers but think out of the box in 2011 and treat him to some trendy Cosies; if you’re dad loves to cook then he’ll definitely be grateful for some new but fashionable home-ware.

So go the extra mile this Father’s Day and let your big fella know just how much you care about him with Ulster Weavers giftware.

Cricket Linen Tea Towel

Chambray Charcoal Cotton Apron

Landrover Linen Tea Towel

Celebrate the British holiday of Loving Day on 12^th June this year with Ulster Weaver’s cute love ranges.

The commemoration stems back to a Supreme Court Ruling in 1967 which disbanded all laws that made mixed race marriages illegal.

Use the special day to show your loved ones how much you care by cooking a romantic meal for two. And go the whole extra mile by using homeware covered in love hearts such as Aprons, pot mitt and Tea Cosies.

Celebrate each other’s love for one another by taking the kids to the grandparents for the evening leaving the house quiet and free to light candles and enjoy the alone time together.

And as well as relationships, embrace the day by loving others outside of the family in the mission to fight prejudice through awareness, education and building multi-ethnicity communities.

The actual definition of love is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person; and a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

So check out Ulster Weavers adorable love ranges and spend the day without hatred or dislike.

Domestic Goddess Shaped Cotton Apron

Domestic Goddess Tea Cosy

Domestic Goddess Bone China Mug

Could there be another royal wedding on the horizons?

OK we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves but here at Ulster Weavers HQ we are super excited to hear that there may be a blossoming romance  between Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton.

The siblings of recently wed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have reportedly been meeting in secret, enjoying cosy afternoon teas together at London pubs.

HRH Prince Harry, who is dating on/off girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and Pippa, 27, are said to be good friends and were spotted enjoying an intimate chat at The Troubadour pub in Chelsea, where they spent nearly two hours drinking tea and eating muffins and jam.

A regular at the pub said: “Pippa and Harry were most certainly here last week. They sat together and had afternoon tea and cakes.

“They were alone, with no one else near to them. Everyone left them alone as this is the sort of place you can come to and escape from the rest of the world while you are inside.

“Harry has actually been here on three or four separate occasions now.

“He seems to like the place and normally enjoys a beer. But last Thursday with Pippa, they were both eating muffins and drinking tea. It was quite a quiet afternoon when they were here. Nobody bothered them.

“Harry just comes across as a normal kind of guy who likes to keep himself to himself.

“And Pippa seemed happy to be spending some time with him. Hopefully they’ll both be here again.”

So could this be the start of a new love? We’ll keep our eyes peeled and let you know but in the meantime, let’s hope they were using Tea Cosies to keep their brews warm for such a long period of time.

Ulster Weavers Kitchen Cosies come in all sorts of shapes, styles and sizes so there would definitely be one fit for the royal family’s tastes.

Union Jack Tea Cosy

Union Jack Cafetiere Cosy

Union Jack Flag Pink Tea Cosy

A latest survey has revealed that food prices are expected to increase by more than double in less than 20 years, putting an even bigger squeeze on already tight household budgets.

The findings, by the leading aid and development charity Oxfam, show that by 2030 the average cost of key crops will rise between 120% and 180%; which is extremely bad news to the populations already struggling to buy adequate food.

The charity, which aims to fight global poverty, is now demanding a radical reform of the global food system, as food prices have already doubled in the last two decades. It predicts half of the rise to come as a result of climate change and is now calling on world leaders to improve the regulation of food markets and invest in a global climate fund.

Barbara Stocking, Oxfam’s chief executive, said: “The food system must be overhauled if we are to overcome the increasingly pressing challenges of climate change, spiralling food prices and the scarcity of land, water and energy.”

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) world food prices have now amplified by two since 1990. It means if the trend continues, food prices such as wheat will increase 125%, maize by 175% and live-stock by just over 100%.

The Oxfam research also found that the world’s poorest people now spend up to 80% of their incomes on food.

In its report, Oxfam says a “broken” food system causes “hunger, along with obesity, obscene waste, and appalling environmental degradation.” It wants nations to agree to new rules to govern food markets to ensure the poor do not go hungry.

As food prices are set to increase, invest in quality home ware from Ulster Weavers. Our cute Kitchen hand towels are perfect to handle hot plates as well as dry the dishes spotlessly. And what is more, we have a vast array of Hand Towel ranges so you are bound to find one that suits your taste and room décor.