What Makes the Perfect Changing Bag - Cooper & Hill NEED You

Wouldn't it be lovely if a company actually listened to parents and created a changing bag based on their feedback? The lovely team over at Cooper & Hill have decided to do just that and therefore we need your opinions today! After all, it's the mums and dads that are the real experts when it comes to travelling with little ones and this is a company that recognises that fact and wants to combine style with functionality.

We will be collating all of your thoughts over the next few days and at the end of the week Cooper & Hill will be analysing the results before sending off the final plan to the manufacturer - how exciting knowing that you can be a part of the process!

They would appreciate your opinions on colour, design and just about anything else you may wish to mention when it comes to making the perfect bag so please do take a look at the three options they have come up with, use the poll to share your preferences and leave any additional comments below. 

Option 1

7 Great Fabric Paint Techniques

There are limitless opportunities to customise all sorts of items around your house using fabric paints. You can jazz up your curtains, create your own clothing designs, produce original table mats and a lot more besides. There are also a variety of different ways to apply the paint to produce great patterns or repeat your favourite motifs. Fabric paints are easy to get hold of with websites such as George Weil stocking a great variety of brands and accessories. Here are a few fun techniques to experiment with when using fabric paints. Get the kids involved for a fun alternative craft activity.

My Sunday Photo

Decorating Children's Bedrooms

Our house has always been a bit of a project in need of some work and I long for the day when I can curl up on a beautiful corner suite, look at freshly wallpapered rooms with thick pile carpet beneath my toes knowing that there is nothing else left to do. A day where it is complete and my house becomes a home.

The central heating has been installed and ticked off the never ending to do list, the bathroom and kitchens are scheduled in for replacement too so now I've begun to really think about how I can make the Mini Mes' bedrooms magical!

The bed is the most important aspect of any bedroom and it is usually the focal point too. I adore these playhouse style beds from Elite Carpentry and I'm saving my pennies up to purchase them. They are great quality and help little ones to be imaginative through play as well as being a stunning and comfortable place to dream the night away.

The one on the left for Jamster reminds me of our holiday at Feather Down Farm - he loved the bed there!

The Mini Mes often have friends around and Minxy in particular likes to put a movie or some music on to entertain her guests so a sofabed would be ideal; somewhere to sit and relax that can fold out with ease for sleepovers! This one in black is slimline so it doesn't take up much space and it is a piece of furniture that will match the style of her room as it changes with her taste over the years to come.

Jamster would appreciate a selection of bean bags for reading in comfort and as a place to sit while playing on his games console. I can imagine him having great fun diving into them too as he is quite an acrobat at times!

Minxy has quite a long narrow room so ensuring there is plenty of light will help to give an illusion of depth. Mirrors work in a similar way and being a tween these will double up as a place for her to pose while practising her make up I'm certain. Novelty lights are always a hit and I will be purchasing a variety of lava, fibre optic and plasma lamps in the near future. I may treat myself to a new one too!

The finishing touches are not to be forgotten and having matching storage solutions, curtains and rugs is essential plus good duvet sets and pillows too. Wall art is a favourite of mine as are framed prints and I really can't wait to get started on creating something spectacular!

What would your child's perfect bedroom be like?

*Sponsored Post*

Interplay myStyle Craft - Shamballa Fire Jewellery

Interplay myStyle Craft kits are aimed at children aged 8+ and they are ideal for those who have an interest in creativity and fashion - just like Minxy.

We received the Shamballa Fire Jewellery set to review and it was really enjoyable designing and making bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

The set includes everything required to make 5 pieces of jewellery. The beads supplied come in a variety of colours and Minxy really loved how some were glittery and her favourite shades of pink.

• 2 Silver shamballa beads
• 6 Shamballa beads
• 20 Imitation glass pearls
• Plastic coated jewellery wire
• 8m of black cord
• Jump rings
• Clasp
• Clamshell clasps
• Ear hooks
• Safety pin
• Colour instruction booklet

The instructions supplied are well detailed with lots of imagery to guide you through the entire process. Minxy found the macramé knotting a bit difficult at first but soon got the hang of it with a little support.

She was really eager to make gifts for her friends and family and a few pieces for herself. The plastic container was great for storage of the items she had made and for those she was still creating.

All of the kits content was really good quality and the beads were heavy rather than hollow. I was impressed with the set and as the items take some time to make it will keep tweens to teens well entertained.

You can watch the advert here:

The Shamballa Fire Jewellery Set costs £12.99 which is good value, especially considering how much this style of jewellery currently retails at.

You can purchase your own set here:

*We received the Shamballa set for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Skylanders... A new character

Jamster is a big Skylanders fan (you can read about that here) although we all tend to get involved and play the game too at times, even us grown ups! When we heard about the Tots100 competition to create a new character we were excited to join in. An opportunity to receive and review products from the range was really appealing to all of us as a family and the chance to get crafty too in the process.

Meet BladeBot

This is Jamsters design which is a robot featuring spinning blade hands that apparently 'Pow people into infinity and beyond. He has muscles and is the strongest ever.' Watch out world!

Meet Eel-a-tron
This is my little creation! An eel that slides and glides around and uses electric bolts to attack. He is slimy and  can spin at rapid speed to dig and escape when captured. As you can tell art isn't my strong point!

What powers would you have as a Skylander and what would you name your character?

You can share your picture by tweeting it to @Tots100 with #TeamSkylanders before 5pm on 17th December 2012.