LOCKDOWN 2020 // COOL COLOURING SHEETS

 

TIME TO ADD SOME COLOUR: Cool (printable and free!) colouring sheets.

We’re currently in lockdown, here in the UK, and while the weather has been pretty good (now thats unprecedented!) the kids always need something to keep them occupied during that rare and scarce downtime. As so many of us are working from home or have other children that require more 1:1 care, colouring sheets are vast becoming something of a life-saver and a bit of routine too!

We’ve found colouring sheets really fun – they’re also a great way to encourage a little bit of mindfulness. A bit of time to zone out. I’ve personally done my fair share of colouring sheets too – when accidentally on purpose printing out one too many for Eli. A lot of our favourite small brands and businesses have created their own colouring sheets, printable, and for free, using their signature styles and branding. Some of these sheets are perfect for colouring and popping up in your windows to brighten the day of your neighbours and those passing by. Some of these sheets might also be nice to colour and send to those that you’re missing or as a little “hello” note for neighbours or perhaps (like us) you have a local nursing home that are accepting artwork to spark a little bit of joy for residents.

Also, just to add, these colouring sheets are predominantly aimed at the kids, but let’s not lie to ourselves when we say that “we’re printing them for the kids”. Because they’re really good when you’re a fully fledged adult too. Whatever that is…

Without further ado, I have compiled a list of all my favourite colouring sheets so far. I’ll continue adding more as they crop up.

Enjoy colouring – and let me know which you’ve done!

Peace & love
C
✖️✖️✖️


TILLY HOBBS & CO // STAY SAFE OUR KID

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // TILLY HOBBS & CO – STAY SAFE OUR KID >>>

 

 GOOUTSIDETHELINES.CO.UK x CLEMMIE TELFORD // SUPERSTAR REWARD CHART

Superstar Sunday - with bank holiday and half Term we thought you might like a little help. 😜😜😜•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•= #Repost @judypink - how's it going? 👍🏻👎🏻 ・・・ 🔙🔛 I'm relying on you @gooutsidethelines @clemmie_telford! 🤜🏻🤛🏻 #gooutsidethelines
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // SUPERSTAR REWARD CHART >>>

 

MUTHA HOOD // STRONG GIRLS CLUB ACTIVITY SHEETS

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // STRONG GIRLS CLUB ACTIVITY SHEETS >>>

 

WONDER&RAH // LOTS OF LOVELY COLOURING SHEETS

Mothers Day Colouring Sheet - Rainbows
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // LOTS OF LOVELY SHEETS >>>

HUXBABY // VERY COOL COLOURING PACK

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // SUPER COOL COLOURING PACK >>>

 

EMILY BOOKS // COLOURFUL COLOURING SHEETS

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // COLOURFUL COLOURING SHEETS >>>

 

JAGO SILVER // NEVER STOP EXPLORING

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // NEVER STOP EXPLORING >>>

 

ELEANOR BOWMER // SUPER CUTE COLOURING PACK

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // SUPER CUTE COLOURING PACK >>>

 

DISKO KIDS & FRIENDS // COLOURING SHEETS BY NEON MARL, DISKO KIDS, MAMA DESIGNS & GAYLE MANSFIELD

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // DISKO KIDS & FRIENDS’ SHEETS >>>

 

TANDEM GREEN // BEAR HUG PRINTABLE

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // BEAR HUGS >>>

 

LE TOY VAN // LOTS AND LOTS OF COLOURING SHEETS

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // LE TOY VAN COLOURING >>>

 

MADDIE // THE SCRIBBLE SHED – COLOURING TIME

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // COLOURING TIME >>>

 

PLAYGROUND // FRANKIE – FLYING ICECREAM

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // FLYING ICE-CREAM >>>

 

RACHEL MAHON // THANK YOU & STAY HOME

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // THANK YOU & STAY HOME >>>

 

BOB THE BRAND // AMAZING ACTIVITY PACK

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // AMAZING ACTIVITY PACK >>>

 

NICOLA ROWLANDS // POSTAL WORKER SUPERHERO SHEET

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD // POSTAL SUPERHERO SHEET >>>

BRAND IN FOCUS // ETTA LOVES

 

BRAND IN FOCUS // ETTA LOVES

You may, (or may not), remember that back in 2017 I used to run a Q&A segment,   “NEVER CONCISE CHATS“, where I would chat to the founders of businesses or services, who also happen to be parents. One of those chats was with none-other than Jen Fuller of ETTA LOVES. You can read our original chat, here >>> NEVER KNOWINGLY CONCISE CHATS TO // JEN FULLER | @ETTALOVES

Since Edie was born in August, we’ve used ETTA LOVES products with such great success! So, I just had to write a Brand In Focus post on all the amazing items that we’ve been able to test in real life.

 

Image may contain: one or more people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is ETTA LOVES?

I love to champion a family-run business and ETTA LOVES is precisely that; founded from the sofa by Jen Fuller whilst feeding her first-born daughter, Etta. Jen quickly realised that a 4 week Etta’s gaze was locked onto a black and white jumper she was wearing – it was the first thing her daughter had concentrated her focus on, that wasn’t a face.

Something clicked and the ETTA LOVES creativity began. All of the ETTA LOVES range is carefully designed with actual science.

—-

“Babies are born with fully formed eyes however they are not born with the ability to see clearly. This develops with time through practice and the forming of critical eye-to-brain connections.

Because of this, at birth babies are attracted to high contrast, large scale patterns but as the weeks and months go past their vision improves steadily and the world starts to appear in more vivid detail and colour.

At Etta Loves we use the knowledge of what babies can and can’t see at various stages of their visual development to design patterns that support their incredible discovery of the world around them. It’s why our patterns are often described as magical, as babies are calmed and mesmerised as they try to make sense of the fascinating shapes and contrast before them”.

Your baby is, quite literally, spellbound by science with the ETTA LOVES designs. The range started with Muslins as Jen knew how you ALWAYS need one (or two, or three!) on hand at all times.


 

CLICK TO SHOP >> 3-PACK ANIMAL PRINT MUSLINS

We have this 3-pack of Animal print muslin’s – and they’re the ultimate multitasker! Not only are they mega soft (that Bamboo-Cotton is magical in its own right!) but they’re mega functional too. Use them as usual for spills and snotty noses and for when you need those moments of calm. I can’t recommend these muslin’s enough! Even after washing what feels like a million times, the quality is still the same. Edie was completely taken by the prints straight after they were out of the box – they’re the first things she’s learnt to focus her gaze with. The Etta Loves magic knows no bounds here!  We tie the muslins to the side of the play gym/pram/cot/back of the car seat to keep Edie mesmerised (which also gives us a few minutes peace to sit down and drink that hot cup of tea – which is so important!). The science behind the designs is really quite something – they catch the eye of everyone we come into contact with, so the print also works on adults too! Stylish AND scientific, you can’t get better than that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What ETTA LOVES say:

Triple pack of super-soft sensory muslin squares in high contrast black and white patterns. Designed to the millimetre to support babies’ cognitive and visual development between birth and around four months.

The ultimate multi-tasker also delivers sensory calm through our scientific patterns.

Pack includes 1 x zebra, 1 x starfish and 1 x Dalmatian design presented in our stylish box packaging.

Each muslin is 60cm x 60cm.

Made from: 100% viscose from bamboo.

“Muslins are so omnipresent for the first year of life, and beyond, so when you add in how multi-functional they are and the close proximity they come to a baby’s face it made sense to start there and make them do something far more valuable than just mop up baby yuck!”

JEN FULLER, FOUNDER OF ETTA LOVES

Eli is 7 and still uses a muslin for spills or when he’s got a cold – proof that this is product that you’ll be using for a long time after those new-born day’s are over!In times where we need to think and buy in more eco-friendly ways, its a good job that the muslin’s are designed to last – and even better when a muslin is as stylish as the ETTA LOVES designs.

 

click to shop >> NEW ZEBRA KNITTED BLANKET

We absolutely LOVE this knitted blanket in zebra print and wish it was made in adult sizes for us too! I’ve never felt a softer knit, which Edie loves to snuggle into. It has a gorgeous hand-feel, which hasn’t decreased since washing several times – just superb quality. We love how the science behind the design keeps Edie calm as she begins to drift off to sleep. It looks looks mega cool in the pram. It would make a great newborn gift too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What ETTA LOVES say:

Our first knitted blanket delivers super-soft sensory stimulation, for calm snuggles at home or on the move.

Our zebra print is designed to support babies vision from birth to 4 months old.

Soft, snuggly and sensory knitted blanket in high contrast black and white zebra print. Designed to the millimetre to support babies’ cognitive and visual development between birth to four months.

Perfect for in the home or on the go, keeping snuggly and calm at the same time.

100cm x 80cm with black edge (white edge on reverse) in our stylish box packaging.

Made from: 100% cotton.

Image may contain: one or more people, stripes and baby

CLICK TO SHOP >> ZEBRA COMFORTER

Much like the muslin’s, during a meltdown, we can guarantee this Comforter calms Edie. The print, plus the soft bamboo cotton against her cheek, immediately mesmerises her to sleep. We’ve washed ours plenty of times now and again, it still looks and more importantly, FEELS, brilliant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What ETTA LOVES say:

Super soft, super cute comforter in clever zebra print that your baby will want to keep in their hands and near their eyes. Babies not only love the clever zebra pattern but will also fiddle with the cute floppy zebra ears, providing an additional sensory experience.

Our zebra print is designed to support babies visual and cognitive development from birth to around 4 months old.

40cm x 40cm double lay knotted muslin.

Made from: 100% viscose from bamboo.

CLICK TO SHOP >> ANIMAL PRINT PLAY-MAT

reversible: 0 to 4 months and 5+ months

I was first of all struck by the stylish look of this play mat as it fits in perfectly with our decor – but its actually the science and design consideration of this product that mesmerises me (never-mind Edie!). The fact that the design is illustrated so carefully for brand new baby eyes is a real winner for us – its made Edie cope so much better with tummy time- she loves this dalmation print, her eyes widen and she is immediately transfixed! Really wish we’d had this for Eli 7 years ago as he absolutely deplored tummy time! The mat allows us time to get on with bits around the house or EVEN sit down for a few extra minutes while Edie is captivated by the monochrome print. We also love that from 5 months the mat can be turned over to further the eye development with the colour side – how clever is that?!

The mat itself is really soft, a great size and has lovely padding for the comfort of your babe. It rolls up easily for storage and carting around when travelling. Oh and you can whack it in the washing machine too – which is very important – as all new parents will understand!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What ETTA LOVES say:

Our playmat provides perfect stimulation for tummy time and playtime. Reversible dalmatian (0-4 month print) and leopard print (5+ months) in soft organic cotton with a comfy padded fill.

Designed specifically to support babies’ visual and cognitive development throughout their first year.

The pattern also encourages your baby to use their back, neck and shoulder muscles (helping them prepare for rolling and crawling) as you’ll notice them trying to push up to make more sense of the print before them.

Comes in our gorgeous box packaging with a band to hold the mat together when rolled up – making it perfect for home and away.

Size: Circular – 1m diameter

Made from: Outer – Organic cotton. Inner: Polyester padding

Machine washable to make your life easier too.

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“OUR MAGIC IS BY DESIGN, NOT CHANCE”

“From the colours we use, the scales within each pattern and the placement and space between each shape, everything is designed on our consultant Orthoptist Laura’s recommendation to support your baby’s visual and cognitive development.

As a result, our patterns will look different to your baby from week to week as their vision develops. This is the magic of Etta Loves and what makes us unique in the world”.

JEN FULLER, FOUNDER OF ETTA LOVES

So as you can now tell, we’re big fans of ETTA LOVES in our household. We can’t recommend all of these products enough. They would all make great gifts for loved ones. And remember when you buy from a small business, you’re supporting a family. And that always feel’s nice. Even better when the products are this clever and functional!

What Jen has created is really quite extraordinary – especially for such a young and small brand! What ETTA LOVES has accomplished in the 3 short years that its been going is amazing and I honestly can’t wait for the new products to launch next year. Jen, you and your team of specialists are so very clever and you have helped a lot of families and babies learn and grow. That is really quite epic!

C
✖️✖️✖️

 


 

THE ETTA LOVES TEAM

JEN FULLER – FOUNDER

Founder of Etta Loves and mum to Etta and her little sister Uma. I started this business to give parents the gift of calm and babies pure wonder through our sensory patterns. I want to make everyday moments easier, calmer and super sensory.

LAURA – ORTHOPTIST

Mum to Sophie and Thomas, Laura has 20 years’ experience as an early years orthoptist (or specialist in children’s vision development to you and me). She has provided in-depth knowledge of the first 12 months of a child’s visual development, to ensure that every pattern, colour and scale we produce is led by science to delivery the sensory magic.

SHRUTI – DESIGNER

Jen met Shruti through NCT. Shruti is a phenomenal designer. She’s the super stylish one in the group, whose baby Kiran looked effortlessly cool since day dot. Once Jen and Shruti agree on the theme and style of a new pattern, she uses Laura’s expert input to create the stunning designs.

SAMIA

Samia has a wealth of experience in the children’s wear market, so brings her unique knowledge to the team to help grow and drive the brand forward. She is also critical in helping Jen make product decisions and giving the confidence to reach for the stars

THE ETTA LOVES STORY

Sat on my sofa with a heap of mucky muslins by my side, I realised that 4-week old little Etta was staring at my top. It was the first thing I’d noticed her actively trying to focus on and unsurprisingly it was a simple black and white pattern.

After a month of trying to rotate black and white clothing (which got both difficult and boring) this got me thinking; why aren’t the most seen items by babies designed to stimulate them and capture their attention? And why wouldn’t you use medical knowledge of babies’ visual development to make them the best that they could be at doing this? And while you’re at it they should be stylish.

Etta Loves was created to turn everyday essentials into sensory sensations, by using the science of what babies can and can’t see to create clever and stunning patterns. The result is that babies are mesmerised and supported in their visual and cognitive development, whilst parents benefit from a priceless moment of calm.

 

*Some words taken directly from EttaLoves.com to ensure information delivered is correct.

For clarity, I was kindly #gifted all products that are highlighted in this post above, by ETTA LOVES.

This is not a sponsored, paid post or an ad and I was not obliged to write this blog post or link back to the ETTA LOVES website. I only shout about items that I genuinely believe in, so be safe in the knowledge that I’m in love ETTA LOVES as much as Edie is!

 

Wot Ma Like | Shy Bairns Get Nowt mug.

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“Shy bairns get nowt”. For those who don’t understand what this means… I shall explain! This well known phrase (an overused phrase by oneself!) translates to: a shy person doesn’t get anything without asking for it.

I absolutely LOVE this mug. My dear friend Christie bought me it for my birthday this year, but due to Royal Mail being HORRENDOUS the birthday gift not only arrived smashed to smithereens but as we were out at time, it was put into a food caddy that was FULL of food at the time. (I honestly don’t know where to begin with that one!).

A few weeks ago, we went back to Newcastle for the first time in 6 years, where we had once lived for 4 years, to visit our lovely friends Christie (who sent me the mug!) and Adam. Our Motherland is a 1 hour drive from Newcastle, so we used a lot of Geordie lingo to begin with, but living in Newcastle gave me a proper tongue from the Toon! This mug is perfect for me and I couldn’t wait to get it replaced!

I managed to get the mug back Daaaaaahn Safff in one piece, I’m hoping it remains the case!

Wot Ma Like is an ingenius brand from husband and wife team, Jo & Nick Burrows, who set up the Geordie Mug company initially, before expanding the dialects to include accents such as Yorkshire, Scouse and Manc to name but a few. Their items are definitely one-of-a-kind and make such great gifts and treats for your home. We’ll definitely be purchasing more items for ourselves and others! I do love to give Independant, small and local brands a shout out – so if you’re a new/small/local business, please do get in touch!

You can find my “Shy bairns get nowt” mug as well as other Geordie products on their website: wotmalike.co.uk and you can follow them on Twitter @wotmalike

MM.

Keeping Mum: I salute you, Jessica Simpson.


I just had to write a post on the pregnancy ‘rumours’ circulating the lovely Jessica Simpson. Now, I have done A LOT of pregnancy research in the past 2 years leading up to TTC… I am by no means an expert, but Jeez Louise, Jessica Simpson has definitely got a bun in her oven! A six month bun by all rumour accounts. But why is she keeping mum about it? She looks positively glowing – she looks REALLY well. Part of me thinks, well, it’s nobodies business really… but then again, it’s so obvious she’s pregnant, and quite far along in her pregnancy, so why the ridiculous oversized bags in front of her tummy? Maybe she’s uncomfortable with the way she looks? Maybe the pregnancy wasn’t planned? Maybe (probably) she’s waiting for a highly lucrative magazine deal. Who knows!

I’ve had a great time watching Jessica’s recent ‘maternity’ outfits – don’t think she can hide behind those massive handbags for much longer though! Take a look at her recent outfits below: