Europe’s biggest festival is kicking off this bank holiday weekend in London’s Notting Hill Carnival 2011.

Held annually on the August bank holiday, the Notting Hill Carnival is the largest celebration of its kind on Europe.

Started since 1966, it sees thousands of people gather on the streets of West London to rejoice in the sounds and smells of a full-blooded Caribbean carnival. Twenty miles is covered in vibrant colourful costumes with hundreds of stalls and carnival revellers.

Astonishing floats procession the streets with traditional steel drum bands and massive sound systems bellow out Caribbean music. It is arguably London’s most exciting annual event; so why don’t you get involved too by making some arts and crafts for the floats by wearing gorgeous aprons.

Have fun joining in the festivities and parties and create wonderful arts with the help of Ulster Weavers and our PVC aprons. You can be as messy as you like with the assurance that your clothing with be protected from any paint damage!

The carnival kicks off around 9am on Sunday 28^th August and the day is dedicated to being a children’s day with child games and activities on offer. The Monday is the adults’ day, so why not pop down with the kids this Sunday and get them involved too with our childrens aprons.

Sorrento PVC Apron

Disco Butterfly Child's PVC Apron

Painting Child's PVC Apron

School children up and down the country will be waking up this morning feeling nervous and in anticipation because all the GCSE exam results are being published today and tomorrow.  

Youngsters aged 15-16 who have studied hard and sat their exams will find out what grades they have accomplished and for many, it will mean the difference of whether they can go into further education or not.

Do you have a little brother or sister, son or daughter, or niece or nephew who is receiving their marks? Why not congratulate them for all their hard efforts with an alternative gift idea by Ulster Weavers.

The pupils have put a lot of energy into studying so show them how proud you are but get something different rather than the boring old same present you get every year. We have plenty of suggestions to help you find the perfect gift to celebrate the exam results so let us be your one stop gift shop!

Treat a loved one or relative with some gorgeous giftware for as little as £10 and under; for her why not splash out and buy her a cute new bag which is every girl’s dream; and for him why not buy him a Union Jack Bone China Mug In A Tin? Very British!

And just in case the younger siblings get jealous of the older ones getting all the attention, you can always treat them with a little present such as a Farmyard’s Child’s Water Bottle or Animal childrens aprons for less than a tenner!

So say congratulations in a quirky way with our quality giftware ideas and for all school children awaiting their GCSE results, good luck from Ulster Weavers!

Polly Medium PVC Bag

Union Jack Bone China Mug In A Tin

Farmyard Child's Water Bottle

One of the most important home comforts British holidaymakers pack when going abroad is tea bags, according to some new research.

Survey findings by Low Cost Holidays reveal that toilet paper and tea bags are essential items packed when going on holiday and even 25% of those surveyed said they take an alarm clock with them too.

So if you are heading to a foreign country for a last minute summer holiday this August, don’t forget your tea bags and one of Ulster Weavers gorgeous tea cosies to keep your brew piping hot!

Matt Hall, Product Director of Low Cost Holidays, said: “With over 1 million British holiday makers heading abroad with Low Cost Holidays this summer, it’s clear that many of them will be packing their most important comforts so that they still feel ‘at home’ whilst abroad.”

The survey showed that other home comforts packed included bacon, Marmite and a work phone.

Ulster Weavers has cosies in all shapes and sizes with a mixture of traditional styles to quirky shaped tea cosies and egg cosies. Each cosy comes with matching items and will make a perfect gift or as a necessary item to pack for a break abroad.

And let’s face it- no other country in the world is as good as the UK in making a perfect cup of tea!

So whether you prefer your Tetley, PG Tips, Lancashire Tea, Bettys & Taylors or Yorkshire Tea bags; make sure you put them in your suitcase along with Ulster Weavers cosies this summer.

Tea Pot Shaped Tea Cosy

Kaleidoscope Tea Cosy

Cat Shaped Tea Cosy

This Sunday is Senior Citizens Day!

People are living and working much longer these days due to being a lot healthier than the generation beforehand.

Better access to health care and improved technology is resulting in people dying older so it is important to support our OAPs and senior citizens within our society.

The nationally recognised holiday is a day to acknowledge the long-term contribution and dedication of older people and to ensure that we as a society as a whole, are doing our very best to give something back to older people.

And what better way to show appreciation for your gran and granddad than knitting cosies with them!

Grandparents would rather spend time with you to catch up and tell you about the good old days than anything else; so why not devote some quality time to them and get them to show you how to knit?

OK it isn’t the most exciting concept in the world but it shows that you care and that you are never too old to spend some time with your old folks.

Or if knitting isn’t quite your cup of tea, then simply just brew one and sit and natter the afternoon away instead with a piping hot pot of tea. But don’t worry about your brew going cold because Ulster Weavers tea cosies are perfect to keep a brew all lovely and warm.

So dedicate this weekend to the older generation and spend some quality time with your grandparents with the help of Ulster Weavers.

Bliss Muff tea Cosy

Musical Cat Tea Cosy

My Garden Tea Cosy

As years go by, new trends in society flourish whether it is a new fashion trend, homeware trend or more.

At the start of 2011, the trend of ‘planking’ started to arise that involved a person mimicking a wooden plank and lying face down in an unusual or odd location.

Millions of people took part in the game and posted pictures of themselves on the internet and on social networking sites, as players competed to find the strangest location in which to play.

Participants ‘planked’ on top of roofs, in vehicles, on tables and even on top of poles! But when the craze went viral, with it came many variations which included ‘tea potting’ and ‘owling’. Tea potting consisted of simply bending the arms in the shape of a teapot; and owling involved a person squatting and crouching in a perched position and looking off into the distance, like an owl.

So jump on board the trend with the help of Ulster Weavers and our fantastic owl and tea cosies homeware!

We have some super cute owl shaped tea and egg cosies which are great for when you are finished ‘owling’ and wish to replenish your thirst with a nice hot pot of tea. Ulster Weavers has some fun owl linen tea towels and packable bags so you can install some animal craziness into the home or into your wardrobe!

And if you are a fan of social networking site Twitter, like millions of people across the world are, then you may want to buy one of our brilliant owl Twitter ranges which consists of an apron, double oven glove, gauntlet, bone china mug in a tin, pot mitt and more.

So whether you take part in the online game by ‘planking’, ‘tea potting’ or ‘owling’, make sure you follow the fad with Ulster Weavers fantastic homeware, giftware and textile ranges.

Twitter Bone China Mug In A Tin

Owls Arrived Linen Tea Towel

Owl Shaped Tea Cosy

There are many rules in the kitchen to abide by to keep order and harmony.

Whether it is the kitchen in the home, a restaurant kitchen or the kitchen at the office, a basic unspoken etiquette is needed for a shared space.

And this protocol is even more important when cooking for guests.

The main customs to put up with include washing dirty dishes in the sink, emptying the overflowing bin, wiping the sides rid of crumbs and doing your share of washing up.

A top tip is to establish an enforced cleaning schedule so everyone has a responsibility and a chore to fulfil. By forming this decorum, it will ensure relationships remain friendly and common good manners are kept.

But what happens when you invite friends and family around to cook for them?

BE POLITE AND COURTEOUS

Some domestic goddesses feel comfortable cooking for guests and having them watch in the kitchen while doing so to show off their culinary skills, whereas others may think there is too many persons in the kitchen and may prefer to banish them to the living room until the food is served.

Whichever option you choose to do, ensure that you remain a polite and courteous host! Try to do most of the preparation and cooking in advance before the guests arrive, so you can spend the quality time socialising and chatting with them rather than hidden away in the kitchen.

PRESENTATION

A key kitchen etiquette is presentation. Looking the part is essential to appear as if you at least know what you are doing, so wear one of Ulster Weavers aprons, throw a teatowel over your shoulder and SMILE!

If things start heating up in the kitchen, don’t sweat it. Even if the food gets burnt or becomes a disaster, don’t let the guests see it in your facial expressions. Come across as cool as a cucumber and they will never know. Simply pour them a glass of wine, put on some music for entertainment and go salvage the tea.

So next time you invite your relatives and pals over to cook them a meal, bear in mind these protocols with the help of Ulster Weavers homeware.  

Master Chef Cotton Apron

Tea Party Cotton Apron

Domestic Goddess PVC Apron

Throwing a great party is all about presentation, having fun and serving delicious food.

Gathering all the family and friends around to relax in the back garden this summer is a brilliant idea.

And what better way to host the perfect BBQ than to cook tantalising foods, look the part in a fabulous apron and to decorate the house in gorgeous streamers, garlands and ornaments.

Ulster Weavers continually set the trend when it comes to homeware and textiles from traditional table runners, to quirky cotton tea towels.

Colour co-ordinate the party with our matching ranges to throw a brilliant bash with all the sandwiches and cakes served on our cute trays, coasters and mats. And protect your hands from carrying the hot plates and pots of tea with Ulster’s oven gloves, tea cosies and napkins.

And with our funky children’s ranges, the kids can get involved in the cooking too by helping out with a matching chef hat and childrens aprons.

So if you are thinking about putting on a BBQ this August, go to town with the décor as well as the food with some balloons, silly string and party homeware. 

Wenlock Child's Chef Hat

Cassandra Rose Napkins

Bliss Placemats

It is supposed to be the British summer that is filled with soaring heats, beaming sunrays and barbeques.

Although the weather still cannot quite make up its mind as some days that are glorious are drowned out with downpours, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the summertime and host a BBQ in your back garden with the help of Ulster Weavers.

A BBQ is more fun when it is sunny and warm but don’t let a spot of rain spoil your outdoor parties this August. A marquee is great in that it can be put up over the grill, protect the food from any rain and cover all your guests from getting drenched.

So if you were excited about hosting a BBQ this summer but have been put off the idea, simply get yourself a little outdoor heater and pop it in the corner of the garden to keep all family and friends all warm and toasty on a chilly evening.

Here are some brilliant food ideas for you to cook up a storm and impress the party-goers with. But make sure you wear one of our fantastic aprons when cooking to protect your clothing from any nasty splash backs. And with our vast array of funky designs and shapes of PVC aprons, you are bound to find something to entertain the guests with as well as look the ultimate top chef!

Feed your fun with;

- Texas pork ribs

- Summer salmon skewers

- Margarita grilled chicken

- Summer snap pea and cherry tomato salad

- Potato or pasta salad

- Corn on the cob

- Spiced mackerel

- Sausages and mash

So have a relaxed summer alfresco party with the help of Ulster Weavers. And don’t forget- you can protect your hands from burnt plates as well as cover up the food with our cute tea towels.

V&A Golden Lily Cotton Apron

Bliss Cotton Apron

Lobster Jacquard Cotton Tea Towel

This week is National Allotments Week!

From Monday 8^th to Sunday 14^th August 2011 allotment holders in the UK will be rejoicing in how much fun allotments can be and opening them up to the general public to share.

Now is no better time than ever to gain first-hand experience of an allotment plot and to celebrate with Ulster Weavers My Garden range.

Fundamentally, an allotment is a plot of land made available for individual, non-professional gardening for one to enjoy growing vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Use this special holiday to sell the produce to citizens in the local area and show people what the allotment is all about; so they can learn how they can have an affordable supply of fresh fruit and flowers.

Owning an allotment isn’t easy work but is definitely worth the effort- so why not treat yourself to a Gardeners Calendar linen tea towel or a My Garden PVC Aprons so you keep your clothes clean and mud-free when sowing seeds.

Celebrate the unique recreational activity and be inspired to be green; it is the perfect time for all allotment holders to display all the hours of hard work. Demonstrate to the world what gardening is all about and how it can be a brilliant way to de-stress and relax after a stressful day at work!

Ulster Weavers has a vast array of cute garden ranges that consist of gauntlets, pot mitts, PVC bags and more. Become one with Mother Nature this week with the help from our fantastic textiles!

Gardeners Calendar Linen Tea Towel

My Garden PVC Apron

My Garden Gauntlet

From this weekend until the end of August is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world.

For over 50 years Scotland’s capital city has seen a unique explosion of creative energy within the Fringe and it takes place for three weeks every year.

Thousands of performers take to a multitude of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste; from big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers. The festival caters for everyone and anyone including dance, comedy, theatres, musicals, exhibitions and music.  So get inspired to do your own arts and crafts and then let the creativity flow with Ulster Weavers PVC aprons.

HISTORY

The event started back in 1947 when the newly formed Edinburgh International Festival was crashed by eight theatre groups, who turned up uninvited to perform. The initiative was created to celebrate and enrich European cultural lift in the wake of Second World War. Year on year more and more performers crashed the festival until 1959 when the Festival Fringe Society was set up in response to the success of the growing trend.

So join in the celebrations of arts and entertainment at the 2011 Festival Fringe with the help of our gorgeous arts and crafts aprons. We have a wide variety of cotton, PVC and childrens aprons with just about every style you can think of; so if you want to express your inner creativity by painting or drawing you can do and protect your clothing at the same.

Tea Party Cotton Apron

Bliss Cotton Apron

Home Sweet Home Child's Cotton Shaped Apron