Every little child has their own favourite toy that they love playing with. Many teddy bears and blankets are stuck to the hip of young boys and girls as a security concept to keep them company whilst they sleep.

What is more, all kids love to attend parties; to have fun with their friends, run around and eat lots of food. So what better way to combine the two than to throw a teddy bears picnic this summer with the help of Ulster Weavers!

A teddy bears picnic is simply a party intended for young children which involves a picnic to which teddy bears are brought. They make a great idea for birthday parties as they get the little monsters outside in the sunshine and allow for their creativity.

As well as using our fantastic picnic homeware, you can play the song “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” whilst the festivities take place. It is a song consisting of a melody written by American composer John Walter Bratton in which the lyrics were later added in 1932 by Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy. It remains a super popular child’s song decades later!

Ulster Weavers homeware range includes everything from trays, coasters and placemats, bone china mugs and cake tins- all that are essential when hosting a fun picnic. The colourful trays are perfect to put little cucumber sandwiches on and the cake tins are ideal to store all the biscuits, buns and cakes.

And to make the kids feel all grown up and special, let them drink their juice out of our quality bone china mugs- we even have the specific range Tea Party.

Don’t worry about transporting all the homeware though as our canvas shopping bags are great to carry all the food to and from the picnic hotspot!

Tea Party Bone China Mug

My Garden PVC Packable Bag

Cassandra Rose Cotton Packable Bag

This month in America is purely dedicated to ice cream- so much so that the United States President Ronald Reagan was the one who in fact designated and proclaimed July to be National Ice Cream Month in 1984.

But that doesn’t mean other countries across the world can’t get involved!

Celebrate the official month with the help of Ulster Weavers by putting on your PVC Aprons and making your very own homemade ice cream; or simply bake up some delicious dessert recipes.

You can be as creative as you like and really let your imagination run wild with flavours and toppings whether it is nutty pistachio or strawberry. Have fun with the food that is every child’s and adult’s favourite dish and join the 90% of the US population who consumer ice cream.

So grab your Aprons and try making some of these recipes to tantalise those taste buds this July!

Liquorice poached pears with praline and honey ice cream

Be prepared that making ice cream does take a couple of hours so make sure you choose a day that you don’t have tons of chores to do.

You don’t have to go with the traditional vanilla or chocolate zests; instead why not try this dessert packed full of liquorice flavour.

Instructions

No-churn piña colada ice cream

You don’t have to have an ice cream machine or to churn by hand to make homemade ice cream and this is a perfect example.

Ideal for lazy hot days this July, go crazy with tangs from pineapple juice to coconut with this pina colada recipe.

Instructions

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

Tea parties are all the range these days with top celebrities such as Britney Spears, Cheryl Cole and Lady Gaga making drinking look fashionable.

Sipping the British past-time has never been more popular, so take advantage of the glorious British summertime and hot temperatures by throwing a tea party in the back garden.

Tea parties can suit all ages whether it is a leisurely adult girly catch-up or a little kid’s birthday party. Women love nothing more than gossiping over a hot cuppa and biscuits; and kids will have so much fun running around the garden with balloons and their teddy bears, munching on sandwiches.

Ulster Weavers has a cute Tea Party range that comprises of Tea Cosies, Aprons, China mug, Tea towel, oven glove, gauntlet and pot mitt. We have everything you could possible need to cook the fairy cakes, carry the hot tea and buns out, and keep the brews nice and warm; so you can definitely look the part when hosting your summer tea party.

So whilst there isn’t a cloud in the sky and the weather is lovely and sunny, don’t waste your time sitting indoors. Get outside into the garden and have fun relaxing in the sunbeams with Ulster Weavers home textiles help.

And if you don’t have a particular occasion to party this summer, why not throw a Mad Hatter Tea Party like in the film “Alice in Wonderland” and celebrate your Unbirthday?

Tea Party Bone China Mug

Tea Party Tea Cosy

Tea Party Pot Mitt

Today is Care for a Cuppa day!

Organised by the national charity Diabetes UK, the recognised day calls for the British public to gather the friends around, make brews and hold a tea party.

It aims to be a great way of supporting the charity’s work whilst enjoying time with loved ones and mates.

There is a Care for a Cuppa prize draw this year which offers the lucky tea winners a Grosvenor Hamper from Fortnum and Mason; and all you have to do is request your very own party pack.

Diabetes UK are also asking for all domestic goddesses to send in the pictures from the tea parties as they are in full swing so everyone can join in the fun and laughter!

So help raise monies towards the charity and its research by holding a tea party for Care For A Cuppa Day this May, in support of Diabetes Week in June.

You can invite some of your close girl friends and family members round in the afternoon, bake some cakes and treats and sit drinking and gossiping over a lovely hot cuppa. And with our fantastic Cosies your brew will stay lovely and hot for hours.

Even celebs are signing up and hosting their own tea parties, such as Melanie C- otherwise known as Sporty Spice- from the pop girl group, Spice Girls. She said: “I am pleased to be supporting Diabetes UK’s Care for a Cuppa campaign and would urge everyone to have a tea party to help support the charity’s research and its other diabetes-related projects.

“My brother has Type 1 diabetes and I know first-hand how serious diabetes is and what a huge impact it can have on people with diabetes and their family.”

The singer added: “Throwing a Care for a Cuppa party is a great way to entertain friends, family and colleagues with the knowledge it can make a real difference to the lives of people with diabetes.”

So get involved by throwing a tea bash; Ulster Weavers Tea Cosies will ensure your tea pot stays nice and warm even if sat outside in the sunshine. And with our extra special Tea party range, you will definitely take the theme to a whole new level!

Tea Party Bone China Mug

Tea Party Tea Cosy

Tea Party Cotton Apron

The royal wedding is less than a week away which means now is the time to get all the part decorations sorted ready for the celebrations!

The Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the nation to get involved and have fun on the royal wedding day, urging Brits to meet their neighbours and organise street parties.

Whether you are a royal fan, patriotic or not, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on the 29^th April will be a nationwide party full of excuses of a day off work and the chance to get out into the street and hang out with the neighbours.

Street parties are a British tradition which has been in existence for over a century linked with royal and national events. Celebrate the great things about the country and join the two million people taking part in street parties this year for the couple’s wedding.

Ulster Weavers fantastic Union Jack range is brilliant to decorate the street with everything that is themed royal. From Cafetiere Cosies, Cotton Tea Towels, Cotton Aprons, Tea Cosies and Union Jack Bunting- you are bound to get everything that you need to make the party extra special.

Use our Union Jack Double Oven Gloves, Gauntlets and Pot Mitts to carry all the food out to the hungry neighbours and really go to town enjoying the hotly anticipated wedding of the year!

So get involved in your local community for the Royal Wedding and throw a royal bash; but make sure you check with your local council regarding the need for any of licences that may be required, road closure permissions, insurance and safety; and after party clearance.

And double check what the weather forecast is- you don’t want to drown away the fantastic memories!

Union Jack Bunting

Union Jack Cotton Tea Towel

Union Jack Cafetiere Cosy

Have fun this Easter creating an egg treasure hunt with the kids or making arts and crafts outside in the glorious sunshine.

It is the perfect weather to get outdoors and sit in the garden basking in the sunlight; so get the little monsters out of the dark home and into the fresh surroundings. They can be amused for hours colouring, painting, making and sticking crafts for the home and Ulster Weavers have some fab ideas to theme the arts with the Easter holiday.

Make cute bunny bags with long furry ears, create paper birdies to decorate the trees or simply make a long paper chain to hang up in the living room that is brightly coloured and great for special occasions.

It isn’t just the kids that can be involved though. With adult Aprons you too can have fun by decorating the dining table with egg napkins or table runners; making bird brooches to wear on your clothing; or for a quirky Good Friday party why not invite everyone to make their very own Easter themed mask.

What’s more; if you are giving someone a gift this Easter, why not make the little box to put it in as a special treat; or wow your friend’s with an Easter Bunny Garland. Further party ideas include egg shaped cookies, chick and bunny bonnets, or a fun past time of painting polystyrene eggs.

Whatever you do this Easter, have fun and make sure you keep your clothes clean and dry with the help from Ulster Weavers and our cute PVC Aprons.

Birdsong Cotton Apron

Duck Egg Plain Dyed Cotton Apron

Farmyard PVC Apron

Arranging a birthday party for your child can be a fairly daunting task; from buying the birthday presents, room decorations, child entertainment, invites, party bags, music and food.

Having 20 or so screaming little monsters running round at your feet can cause any parent to have a nervous breakdown; so organising the party well in advance can only ease the strain and pressure allowing you to enjoy the birthday as you should do.

When it comes to food, every child loves their desert; whether it is ice cream, chocolate or fruit.

Why not make that extra effort when it comes to the party favours and bake some cupcakes, full of interesting and pretty designs for your special little girl/boy’s birthday?

You can even get them involved beforehand to help, by giving them one of our fantastic Childrens Aprons to wear. They’ll love cooking and decorating the cupcakes and it doesn’t even matter about them making a big mess because the apron will protect their clothing.

Ulster Weavers have found some amazing recipes that you can try out and let’s face it; everyone loves eating cupcakes!

Ladybird

These ladybird cupcakes are super cute!

They are more appropriate for bakers of the intermediate level but why not try this out for yourself, practise makes perfect.

Recipe

Initial Letters

This is a great idea as you can make so many cupcakes to spell out the words Happy Birthday and the name of your child.

It really personalises the day, as opposed to buying a generic one from the shop, and the kids can fight between themselves what letter they get.

Recipe

Sheep

What a cool cupcake design!

This is brilliant for a younger child’s birthday; and you can even adapt the recipe if you’re feeling brave to include all farm animals such as a pig, cow and chick.

It is slightly more difficult than the other cupcakes, but if you follow the instructions step by step you are on a sure-fire way to have some amazing animal cupcakes.

Recipe

Decorate your house for Halloween

Whether it is your home you are hosting a party at, or a friend’s house that you’re going to, this Halloween is sure to be a holiday full of scary encounters, family fun and party antics.     

Get the kids excited and involved this Halloween by decorating the home full of pumpkins, plastic spiders and cobwebs to make your house stand out in the neighbourhood.     

Invite the whole family round and have fun carving pumpkins into weird and wacky faces. Light some candles inside the pumpkin and leave by the front door window ledge to create that menacing face and creepy aura.     

But remember to extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. Keep them away from items that can catch on fire such as clothing, curtains, books, paper or flammable decorations and always remind your children the dangers of flames.     

Make sure your party is the most ghoulish, ghastly, ghostly party of Halloween to remember! Have Halloween Balloons, decorations, life size gravestones, coffins, fog machines, hanging ghosts, costumes, halloween masks and much more.     

To give you a few ideas this Halloween we have put together some decoration ideas that you can get creative with your family.      

Decorate the buffet table in spooky sprinklings of confetti; of bats, witches and pumpkins.      

 

Don’t forget to send everyone’s invites to your grueseome event, or otherwise how else are they going to know!      

Fill the house with balloons galore, giving children hours of fun and amusing any pets. Why not get this eery black and orange cat style.     

Why not buy these Ulster Weaver delightful items to spruce up the decorative theme when baking or carving your pumpkins…    

Black Plain Dyed Pot Mitt

Curious Cat Black Unbleached Linen Tea Towel

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning by MacMillan Cancer Support is back by storm with the big event set to take place this Friday. (Friday 24^th September 2010)

The fundraising event is calling out to all UK citizens – or anyone in the world for that matter – to hold a coffee morning, where donations on the day are made to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Last year the big event saw 43,000 people register to hold their very own coffee morning, raising a massive £7.9 million. And this year, the team need your help to raise over £8 million to help change the lives of people affected by cancer.

The coffee mornings started when a local fundraising committee decided to hold a coffee meeting where people would come together to mix and mingle as well as donate the cost of their coffee to Macmillan in the process.

The idea was eventually taken up nationally becoming the first National World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Since it started, the coffee mornings have raised a total of £60 million for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Tea Pot Shaped Tea Cosy from Ulster Weavers

As the years have rolled on, many people have come up with some fantastic ideas for their coffee morning. From quizzes to karaoke finished with tea, coffee and scrumptious cakes, many people have created a fantastic atmosphere in their local communities as well as offices in a bid to raise money for cancer patients.

In fact, there have been numerous record attempts to create the biggest and best coffee morning, including the Highest Coffee Morning (on a jet fighter in 2004) to the Most Distant Coffee Morning (in Antarctica in 2002) and the World’s Deepest Coffee Morning (down Poldark Mine in Cornwall in 2002).

The whole idea behind the coffee morning is about having fun with friends and family for a good cause. There are a wide range of activities that you can bring along to your coffee morning which will certainly keep your guests happy, and here are a few ideas from home textiles company, Ulster Weavers to get you started.

• Throw a Mad Hatters Tea Party for all your guests. With plenty of tea pots, tea cosies, mugs and lots of cakes, you can create hopping mad surprise for everyone. See our recent post on how to throw your own Mad Hatters Tea Party by clicking here.
• Why not host a raffle or competition where people can win kitchen accessories for the home, such as tea cosies, mugs or tea towels for their home.
• You could even have a paint your own mug/cup competition which will see your guests paint their design on a blank canvas mug and then finish off the morning with a nice cup of coffee and a cake afterwards. To get some inspiration about organising a pot painting event, visit our Paint Your Own Pottery post by clicking here.
• Why not have all your guests bring their own homemade brownies, cakes, scones to sell at the coffee morning. Getting everyone involved makes everyone feel they have done their part in raising money for cancer.
• You could even have a knitted tea cosy competition which sees your guests knit their own tea cosy for the event. The tea cosies can then be sold off at the coffee morning or put into a raffle. To get some inspiration for your tea cosy visit our blog post on homemade knitted tea cosies by clicking here or view our fantastic collection of tea cosies at UlsterWeavers.com.

Alternatively you can visit the Macmillan website at www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk where you will find lots of

Flower Pot Shaped Cafetiere Cosy from Ulster Weavers

 inspiration from previous coffee mornings as well as some fantastic desserts for you try out. And if you are not able to host your own party, but wish to take part in a coffee morning in your area, simply visit the Macmillan site, enter your postcode, and all your local coffee mornings will be listed.

If you are thinking of hosting your very own Macmillan coffee morning then make sure you visit the site today to register your coffee morning so fellow supporters can join you in this fantastic fundraising event for Macmillan Cancer Support.