Easter is on its way.  It’s the time of year for indulging in our favourite chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and steaming cups of tea, and maybe even making an egg hunt for the kids. It is also the time of year that tells us winter is over… and that is reason enough to celebrate!

There are so many different activities you can do over Easter. Egg painting for one, keeps the kids happy and away from chocolate for a short time! Once the eggs have dried you can keep them cosy and warm with our gorgeous egg cosies. We have shaped egg cosies in different animal designs – Bunnies, Chicks and Owls to name but a few and they all come in very handy packs of 4.

After an exciting morning of egg decorating and Easter egg hunting you may be ready for a steaming cup of tea and some relaxation time. So have our tea cosies at the ready to keep your tea pots toastie warm.

With the onset of spring and the thought of the dreaded spring clean looming, why not jazz it up with our funky, shaped aprons to make you feel that little bit more glamorous as you clean. Our gorgeous floral PVC aprons will help keep you clean and dry.  If you’re doing a massive spring clean you might be thinking of re-decorating or updating your style – why not share your tips with us…? We’d love to hear about any great home improvement ideas you may have.

As it’s almost Easter we thought we’d share a classic, favourite recipe with you that kids will love.

Easter Chocolate Krispie Chick Recipe

Ingredients:

For egg:  175g Milk Chocolate  (add a little extra for decorating)

50g Rice Krispies

To Decorate:

2x50g Mini egg bags

2x White Chocolate Buttons

250g White chocolate (melted)

50g Golden Marzipan

Method:

• Break chocolate into pieces; melt in bowl over pan of boiling water. Stir until smooth and take off heat. Stir into the Rice Krispies.
• Put ½ mix into each egg mould, the put in fridge for no more than 5 minutes.
• Carefully take the rice krispie mix out of the moulds and stick together with melted chocolate. Leave to set.
• For the eyes of your Krispie Chick, paint chocolate circles onto the white chocolate buttons and stick onto egg with melted chocolate.
• Spoon melted white chocolate into a pipping bag and decorate wings and a beak onto the chick.
• For the chicks feet roll marzipan onto a sheet of greaseproof paper and cut out feet, big enough for the egg to sit on. Place the chick on top of feet.

Enjoy!

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday so get the kids involved, kitted out with their PVC aprons and chef hats and start baking! We’ve found a couple of recipes you could try to help ensure your mum can put her feet up for the day and get pampered.

Baked Dippy Eggs (simple recipe, ideal for kids to make):

Ingredients:

1 Large slice of ham

8 Small spinach leaves

8 Cherry tomatoes

4 Eggs

Cheese

4 slices of toast

Method:

• Ask a grown up helper to switch on the oven to 180c/gas mark 4.

• Cut ham & spinach into strips and share between the ramekins.

• Squash the cherry tomatoes into a bowl using your fingers. Add a small amount to each ramekin dish.

• Break the eggs one at a time into a separate bowl (scoop out any shell) and then tip carefully into the dish on top of the spinach and ham. Repeat with the 3 other eggs.

• Grate and sprinkle a little bit of cheese on top of the egg.

• Put in oven for 15-18 minutes (get a grown up to help).

• While the eggs are cooking, toast the bread and butter. Then cut into soldiers.

• Serve in bed with orange juice.

Or why not spoil your mum with this delicious recipe of Rhubarb and Ginger Muffins (for those of you who are slightly more advanced in the baking department!):

Ingredients:

350g plain flour

1tsp baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

325g brown sugar

½ lemon

250ml Milk

Zest 1 orange

2 pieces stem ginger

1 large egg

100g butter (plus 1 melted tbs)

300g rhubarb

Method:

•  Pre-heat oven to 180°c/350°f/gas mark 4.

• Line muffin tray with muffin cases.

• In a large bowl place flour, baking powder, salt and 225g brown sugar. Mix and make a hole in the centre.

• Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into the milk.

• Place orange zest, 1 stem of finely chopped ginger, 1 egg, 100g melted butter and milk into a bowl and beat thoroughly. Then fold in the chopped rhubarb.

• Spoon mixture into cases (about 12) and fill to the top.

• In small bowl place remaining 100g sugar, extra tbs of melted butter and the rest of the finely chopped ginger, mix and sprinkle over the top.

• Bake for 25 mins.

Enjoy!

We receive lots lovely comments from our customers thanking us for our service or letting us know what they think about our products. From time to time we get some that really make us laugh so we thought we’d share a few of the best with you…

Bliss Apron

“The apron was sent very quickly and she loved it. Her comments were “it’s actually the nicest apron I have ever seen. It’s so lovely in fact that it would make a great dress! (If it had a back of course- a bum hanging out is never a good look!)”.”

Oven gauntlets

“These (I ordered 2 so that neither hand needs to feel deprived or dangerously exposed) certainly provide the jolly splash of colour I hoped for. I like the individual glove rather than single strip mitts design, and indeed appreciate the long gauntlet, as opposed to glove length. Safe, fit for purpose, fulfilling all the padding Health and Safety etc., etc. of oven glovvery.” 

Rooster Bag Saver

“It’s a thing for keeping plastic bags in and that’s exactly what it does, and I like chickens and it has chickens on it, happiness.”

PVC Bag

“I thought you had failed when Mattie the Postman went straight by earlier. Then there was a knock on the door & your parcel, as promised, was delivered by van within the two days.  Now Madam can have her birthday present in a lovely Ulster Weavers bag tomorrow.  Many thanks; you have just saved my life.”

It’s always good to know our products can spread so much joy (and relief in some cases!) so next time you buy something from our website, whether it be a linen tea towel or a cotton apron, drop us your comments and put a smile on our faces. You never know, if we receive enough comments we could make this a regular feature and spread the happiness!

It’s that time of year again when dogs arrive in their thousands to show off their tricks, obedience and presentation. Owners bring their dogs from as far as Canada, Chilli and Thailand, for a chance to take part in the World’s most renowned dog show.

For the last few years running the Golden Retriever has maintained its position as the best represented breed of the show. Entries for the 2012 show have shown a big increase in the Japanese Akita Inu and the biggest decrease with the Irish Water Dog. This year has been the highest entry of dogs to Crufts with a massive 28,000 dogs heading to the NEC in Birmingham on the 8^th-11^th March.

For all those dog lovers out there who will be avidly watching Crufts and wishing they had the time to train their dog that well or groom their dog so beautifully. We have a few treats that may just cheer you up.

The perfect accessory to help you wash your dog in the bath, try our Dog and Bone PVC apron, this will help keep you dry even when your dog needs to have a good shake.  Or if you just love the design you can complete your set with the Dog and Bone tea towel and PVC bags, helping you carry your doggy treats.

Or if you’re a fan of the Dachshund who won the Crufts Junior Warrent Competition last year then you will love our new range ‘Hot Dogs’ with a range from cotton aprons to Linen Tea Towels to tea cosies.

This week is National Chip Week!

It seems that the British just can’t get enough of the tasty potato food and so Chip Week is calling on all chip lovers across the nation to celebrate chips in all formats.

There is everything from crinkly, wedges, chunky and straight chips so whatever is your favourite, there isn’t any excuses to not getting involved.

Here are some fun facts about chips to sink your teeth into;

• Around 200 million chip meals are sold in fish and chip shops each year.
• Nearly 60% of the chips prepared in the home are oven baked; over a third is fried and 3% are microwaved.
• The most popular day of the week Brits eat chips is Friday.
• 87% of Britons love chips
• In just one year Britain eats nearly three billion meals containing chips. 

There are numerous ways to cook chips, so grab your aprons and try some of these recipe ideas!

Chocolate Chip Cookie

A chip shop in Birmingham has reinvented a biscuit favourite by making chocolate chip cookies with actual chips. *Personally here at Ulster Weavers, we just enjoy the traditional chocolate ones!*

Spicy Wedges with Avocado Dip

This is perfect as a starter meal to tantalise the taste buds but not fill your belly up too much!

Egg, Chips and Beans

This is a classic meal which has been cooked for generations but is timeless due to its simplicity and the fact that it is just delicious.

Steak, Chips and Vegetables

Again, this is a definitive British mealtime that will whet the appetite of any man. And girls, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! Finish the dish with some peppercorn sauce for the piste de resistance.

Remember that chips can be dangerous though because how hot they can become. You need to be especially careful when you are deep-fat frying or cooking with oil because it can catch fire easily; so use some kitchen tea towels when carrying the plates to avoid hands getting burnt.

Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday, otherwise called Pancake Day.

Although there are many ways to get the whole family involved, there are some top tips to carry out to avoid any kitchen disasters and flops.

So grab your aprons and get tossing those pancakes!

You can still become immersed in the culinary showdown even if you have any allergies with gluten-free flour and ingredients.

But do you know why we celebrate Shrove Tuesday?

Well first of all, it is the last day before the period of Lent which is a time of abstinence of giving things up.

Therefore, the day is a tradition for Brits to have the last chance of indulging themselves and to use up foods that aren’t allowed in Lent such as eggs and butter.

And it is named Shrove Tuesday because the word derives from the old word ‘shrive’ which means to confess. In the Middle Ages people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before Lent began.

There is no single way to make pancakes and you can include everything from sugar, lemon, jam and chocolate, to ham and cheese.

But popular toppings include;

- Ice cream

- Golden syrup

- Strawberry jam

For specific recipes, there are numerous websites available but Ulster Weavers advice is to just go with the flow because practice makes perfect!

If you are making pancakes for the very first time, just remember to mix the flour and salt first into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre to break the eggs into. Add the small quantities of milk and water gradually and continue whisking until the batter is smooth.

Why not make the flipping of the pancakes a competition with the kids to see who can toss the highest? Just be careful as not to get any stuck to the ceiling!

And another tip is that pancakes are best eaten as soon as possible before they go rubbery.

Today is Friday 13^th and superstitious folklores state that it is a day of bad luck.

Although there is no written evidence for a ‘Friday the 13^th’ superstition taking place before the 19th century, why do so many people believe it is unlucky?

One theory is that the number 13 is deemed an unlucky number and that Friday is a fateful day and therefore the two unfortunate theories have amalgamated together.

But the impact on present society is far greater than one can imagine. The phobia of Friday the 13^th is called ‘friggatriskaidekaphobia’ and according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, America, on average 21 million people in the United States is affected by the fear of this day.

It is reported that some people are so paralysed by fear of Friday the 13^th that they avoid doing their normal routines and stay cooped up indoors. Many cancel flights that they are scheduled to take and it is estimated that the US lose up to $900 million in business on this day.

Are you superstitious? Sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry, but if you really do feel compelled to stay inside your house on this day, entertain yourself and the family with fun arts and crafts with the help of Ulster Weavers.com

Don one of Ulster weavers gorgeous apron ranges to protect your clothing and spend time as a family doing homemade projects. Why not print out a paper calendar for the year and encourage the kids to be creative and decorate each month with a theme?

Children and parents will be going back to school/work in the New Year, so why not incite the little ones to draw some colourful pictures for you to put up in your office or on your desk?

Is there a relative’s birthday in January? Support the kids to make homemade cards with crayons, glitter and bit and bobs. The extra effort will really show how much as a family you care and the personalisation is a lovely sentiment.

And after all the hard work, sit down as a household with some scrumptious tea and biscuits and keep the pot of tea piping hot with our tea and kitchen cosies.

Stripe Child's PVC Apron

Vintage Rose Cotton Apron

Jack Child's PVC Apron

One of the biggest traditions at Christmastime is to deck the halls with some festive decorations!

Many people choose to hang holly wreaths on the front door, suspend mistletoe above the doorway and embellish each room with bright and colourful tinsel.

Try to choose one main colour scheme and convey this through the whole house; popular favourites are green, red and gold.

Get the whole family involved by adorning twinkly fairy lights wrapped around the Christmas tree, spraying snowflakes onto the windows and tying little replicate robins in the plant pots. Don’t forget to put the traditional figurine on top the tree whether that is a pass-me-down fairy, angel or shining star; and hang a stocking for each family member on the fireplace mantel.

Why not treat the kids by decorating the kitchen with advent calendars crammed with scrumptious chocolates? But you can save money and make your own decorations this year with the help of Ulster Weavers. Money is tight for many Brits but that doesn’t mean you cannot fill the home with some festive cheer!

Entertain the kids as well as create some home-made trimmings at the same time with some imaginative arts and crafts. It is a perfect project for a snowy day. Just make sure you wear PVC aprons to protect your clothes and ensure that the scissors are child-friendly.

Stockings

Have fun this year and knit your own stockings! They are easy enough to make and the possibilities of shape, size and colour are endless. To make the classic stocking just get two pieces of fleece and cut one piece from each material.

Take care that the toes match up and point in the opposite directions to each other and then pin it together before stitching it in place. Just make a cuff on the top and then go to town decorating it with cotton wool, glitter and felt tip pens.

Tree decor

Make your own ornaments to hang off the Christmas tree and let the creativity flow with anything from snowmen to Santa. Parental supervision is recommended at all times though. To make a mini tree knick-knack all you need is a lolly stick, some sequins, ribbon and craft glue.

Why not cook and glaze some Christmas cookies that remain inedible; or if you want to make some baubles, choose from Santa designed, festive polka dot or glitter. Use any old light bulbs and recycle them for the basic shape but be careful in case the glass breaks.

Tomorrow is Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day!

It is a dedicated day in the UK for people to take the opportunity and share their special gifts with friends and family.

Everybody has at least one ability they truly excel at, so what is your one-off talent? Can you do lots of kick-ups with a football in a certain amount of time? Can you lick your own elbow? Do you have a really good singing voice? Here at Ulster Weavers we’d like to think our one of a kind gift is to create gorgeous homeware and textiles.

If your talent is baking and cooking, and you consider yourself a bit of a whiz in the kitchen, use the devoted day to practice your culinary skills. Don one of our beautiful PVC aprons and start brewing up a storm with lots of scrumptious cupcakes and desserts. Cooking takes time and effort so spend the day locked in the kitchen making hearty stews and homely bread.

And the children can get involved too if you want with our cute kids aprons ranges. It is an appropriate time to pass on your expert tips and advice and hand over any family secret recipes to the next generation to enjoy.

Share your knowledge of kneading, mixing, grilling and sautéing and spread the wisdom to the little ones for something they will always remember they gained from you. But take note that the day is mainly about you and expressing your talents, so go back to basics and rekindle your enthusiasm for cooking with the help of Ulster Weavers excellent homeware ranges.

British Cats PVC Apron

Cakes Child's PVC Apron

Twitter Cotton Apron

Image Courtesy of AdamKR and reused under the terms of the Creative Commons Licence.

Remembrance Sunday, which takes place annually in the second Sunday on November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom many Brits enjoy to date.

Britons all across the nation pause to reflect the sacrifices the brave service men and women made; and you can do the same by showing your patriotism and installing some British-themed homeware in the home.

Every year the National Service of Remembrance ceremony occurs at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Westminster, in London and is a unique expression of national homage devoted to those who gave their lives in war and service to their country. 

The wreath laid by Her Majesty The Queen and the other tributes placed on the Cenotaph are dedicated to all who have suffered or died in wars, past and present. Wreaths are also laid by representatives of the Armed Forces, Merchant Air and Navy and Fishing Fleets, as well as former Prime Ministers, the Mayor of London and Members of the Cabinet.

The service is organised by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport but home owners can get involved too with Ulster Weavers fabulous British Cats and Union Jack ranges.

Fly the flag, metaphorically, by using British themed bone china mugs, oven gloves and tea towels in the kitchen. Don one of our vast arrays of British themed aprons and bake some cupcakes, decorating them in colours from the British flag.

Showcase your loyalty to the country with Ulster’s Olympic textiles and giftware and choose from a wide selection of Team GB gauntlets and canvas bags.

And our gorgeous Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ranges are now in stock so if you love spending time cooking and showing off your culinary skills, then you can do so whilst displaying some nationalism. 

British Cats Linen Tea Towel

Union Jack Double Oven Glove

Tourist Icons Gauntlet