I love crafts that are quick and easy but super effective.​

Hooray for pre cut paper lengths!​

I bought several packets of these glitter paper strips (£1.99 each from The Range) instead of painstakingly cutting my own.​

Group 20 or so strands together. It doesn't have to be perfect so just bunch together, tie with string and away you go!​

I made a short string that will be perfect along a buffet table at an upcoming party but you could easily make a great length in no time. I love the way the wind catches them - they would look lovely strung up outside.​

There's just a little over 48 hours to go to vote in the Brilliance in Blogging Awards. You can find me in the CRAFTS & PHOTO categories, if you like what you see :) Vote HERE.​

​Any regular readers will know that last month my Mum and I hosted a bee themed baby shower for my sister (who is now overdue and we are all getting impatient).

The last thing to share from the shower is the scrappy fabric backdrop I made for the buffet table which doubled up a photo backdrop, for some of their pregnancy pictures I took the next day.​

It turned out so beautifully, (if I do say so myself) that they have saved it to use at the christening! ​

I used my frame that I use in family sessions but you could easily use a bamboo garden cane. Tie three sticks together with cable ties and use two plant pots as bases!​

I bought 3m of 4 different fabrics in the sale bin of a local fabric shop. I literally jumped up and down and frightened the 65 year old shop keeper by exclaiming "I can't believe it's all bee colours!"​ 

Cut your fabric into strips lengthways. The scrappier the better. Tie the lengths in a repeating pattern to the top of your frame, in a single knot.​

I used some awesome paper pom poms made by one of my sister's best friends. She very kindly agreed to share a tutorial but I would definitely recommend buying them from her. Check back soon, I hope to have a link to show you of her beautiful creations.

Take roughly 10 sheets of tissue paper and concertina fold them. Cut the ends into a semi circle shape (or pointed for a spiky look) and tie the middle with string.​

Fan out your pom pom one side at a time. Pinch a layer at a time from the middle outwards and fluff to create a dome shape. ​

To create a ball, complete one side and turn over and repeat. We used the dome shaped pom poms as they lay flat against the backdrop. I used some ribbon, some wicker hearts, paper fans and some bee themed baby clothes from Asda to complete the effect!

When it comes to paper pom poms I definitely think more is more! They are my favourite party decoration!​

Quite a while ago I picked up a load of old fishing nets to use for storage in Sammy's nautical themed bedroom. ​

I finally got round to airing the green one outside, in the glorious sun we had last week.

I originally had thought of storing all his soft teddies, ​that are displayed on the top of his wardrobe, but I was reading about dreamcatchers, and I knew this was a better idea. 

Sammy suffers terribly with nightmares and night terrors. I can count on one hand the number of nights my husband and I have slept all night in the same bed, over the last 18 months. What has become our normal routine is Sammy goes to bed happily early in the evening but by around midnight, he is inconsolable and petrified. Same time, every night. 

We have been lucky and got to about 4am on a few occasions, when we feel like we are getting over this horrible phase and then it goes straight back to midnight. ​The only way he settles, is to snuggle next to me and my husband ends up in the spare room or on the sofa when friends and family stay.

It's the same where ever we go.​

Things we have tried:​

• disturbing his sleep pattern by waking him just before we know he's due to cry
• putting him to bed earlier
• putting him to bed later
• changing his bedroom furniture around
• changing his covers and pillow (he sleeps with one of mine)​
• using a night light
• using a turtle that lights up the ceiling in stars
• having a drink by his bed
• using blankets
• wearing socks at night to stop him getting cold feet
• having a hot water bottle
• sleeping on my dressing gown to have my smell in with him for comfort
• sticking to our rule of no television before bed
• not allowing any scary programs
• letting him cry it out and us not talking
• taking him downstairs to calm down

We are absolutely desperate to help him, he is tired at preschool, ratty in the afternoons and that makes for a ratty Mama.​ 

We have cancelled friends coming to stay as I am worried about him disturbing their little ones.​

When I read that the idea of a dreamcatcher is to let the good dreams float through the net and the ​catch the bad, I thought the old net would be perfect and we added our own twist.

We drew the things that he knows he dreams about, that he finds scary. A witch, ghosts and he drew a monster. He described it in great detail, blue spikes, big mouth, only one hand with three claws, no legs and two horns.

We pegged the bad dreams into the net and hung it by his door. He was very animated during this little ritual and then explained to his Dada, when he came in from work, how the dreamcatcher works. He totally understands and has bought into the idea.​

Fingers crossed. 

If you have any advice we would love to hear it!​

I wrote this last yesterday and here is our morning update:​ Tears at 11.40pm, a cuddle in our bed for 5 minutes and then he slept in his own bed until 6.50am. Progress but still tears. Help!