How your child’s development can benefit from doing jigsaw puzzles

Puzzles are a fun way to spend time together as a family and they also have the added bonus of being a great aid in children’s development so having them as part of your routine is definitely encouraged.

As they provide many skills and mental learning benefits and opportunities, they are an important educational leaning tool for toddles and young children.

The Benefits

When a child is alone with a puzzle you can expect these essential skills to develop and improve:

• Hand-Eye Coordination – your child will develop a better understanding between what their eyes see, what their hands do and what their brain relates to this information.
• Gross Motor Skills – Larger puzzles can develop the large movements of your child to the point where they can go on to work on their fine motor skills
• Fine Motor Skills – The brain, eyes, and hands work together to locate the piece, manoeuvre it accordingly, and fit it into the puzzle accurately which can help to improve handwriting and typing skills.
• Problem Solving – Puzzles teach our children to use their own minds, work out how to solve problems and think in a logical way which can later be transferred into their adult life.
• Setting Small Goals – As a child figures out a puzzle, they will often come up with a strategy to complete the puzzle faster and more efficiently. This will help them learn to achieve small goals as a way towards larger ones.
• Memory – They will need to set aside pieces that don’t fit and remember them for later, helping to enhance the ability of their memory.
• Patience – Puzzles don’t just fall in to place they take time; your child will learn this.

There is no mistaking the benefits of puzzles have in childhood development, challenging their minds and teaching and preparing them early some very important life skills.

Here at Amelia’s Hobby box we have some choice jigsaw puzzles that are great for children such as the Ravensburger Sofia the First 35 piece jigsaw puzzle, the Ravensburger Thomas & Friends My First Puzzles – 2, 3, 4 & 5 pieces and the Ravensburger Disney Frozen 35 Piece Jigsaw to name few.

If you would like to see all of the puzzles we have on offer, you can take a look at the puzzles section on our site or if you have any other enquiries or would like any other information please contact us on 01636 646 954 or visit the contact area of our site for more ways to get in touch.

The history of knitting…

Here at Amelias Hobby box we love knitting. It chills us out, helps us clear our and heads, and give us time to unwind. However knitting hasn’t always been a hobby, and at one time it was a necessity.  This blog will talk a little about the history of knitting…

Knitting is a technique for producing fabric or items from a strand of yarn or wool. Unlike weaving, knitting does not require a loom or any large equipment, which makes it a valuable, inexpensive and widely available technique.

It is believed that the first garments produced using techniques similar to knitting were socks and stockings in Egypt from the end of the 19th century.

Fashionable knits were known in France as early as the 1420s, but the 1920s saw a vast boost in the popularity of knitwear in much of the western world. Knitwear, particularly jumpers, became essential part of the new fashions for men, women and children alike.

‘Make do and mend’ was a booklet produced by the Ministry of Information, a British wartime government department. As wool was in extremely short supply, the booklet encouraged women to unpick old woollen items and re-use the wool. Knitting patterns were issued so that people could make items for the Army and Navy to wear in winter, such as balaclavas and gloves.

The 21st century has seen knitting grow popular as a hobby. Women, including stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts, have rediscovered knitting. It’s no longer something we have to do, and we see it instead as a relaxing, comfortable hobby. Here at Amelias, we stock everything you need to get started in Knitting. Everything from high quality yarns and to knitting books, if you are a keen knitter, or are interesting in starting to knit, look no further. If you would like any advice on our items or what you will need to start out, please feel free to give us a call on – 01636 642765

Benefits of Crocheting and Crafting

Crocheting and crafting can calm your body and ease your mind. Many people report huge benefits from crocheting and other forms of yarn crafting from helping with reducing insomnia to easing depression. Here are some ways it could help you –

Reduces Stress

Stress is a leading health problem. Busy lives and pressurised jobs can really take their toll and start to affect your quality of life. Many people use knitting or crochet as meditation! It can really help to reduce stress and calm you down after a busy day and can be an easy and daily way to minimise the impact of stress in your life.

Relieve Depression and reducing anxiety

Depression relief is one of the biggest and most popular benefits of crocheting or knitting. The repetition of these activities release serotonin, a natural anti-depressant. This can help to leave you feeling satisfied and happy, naturally. Yarncrafts also help with various forms of anxiety. It keeps hands busy and the mind focused, which helps to bring the mind to a calmer space for when you’re coping with the anxiety of repetitious thoughts. The counting has even been shown to serve as a productive outlet for people with anxiety associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well as eating disorders.

Reduces Irritability and Restlessness

Crocheting can help you through any times when you feel down, restless, irritated or bored. This positive outlet is beneficial to your relationships and helps to keep your mood balanced.

Building Self-Esteem

Having a low self-esteem can have a variety of negative health impacts. Merely visualizing, working on and then creating something can really help to make you feel better about yourself. Crafting can really help build self-esteem by:

• Allowing the crafter to feel productive
• Building new skills
• Creating beautiful works or art and items you can be proud of
• A useful way to give to others
• A way to express yourself

Crocheting and crafting can really help. It has been known to help people with everything from coping with the trepidation of being unemployed to gaining the strength to leave abusive relationships!

Postpone or reduce the risk of Dementia

A number of studies have shown that knitting and crochet can postpone age-related memory loss, as well as being soothing for those people who are already experiencing signs of dementia. It has been reported that as knitting is neuroprotective, it may help to reduce dementia by as much as 50%.They can also do wonders to promote cognitive function as well as hand health.

Help with Insomnia

Insomnia is a horrible thing to experience. Feeling tired but being unable to sleep in very frustrating, which is where crocheting and knitting come to the rescue! Centring your attention on an easy, repetitive crochet project can help your body and mind to wind down and relax. This is reported by many to really help in getting to sleep.

On our website you can find lots of yarns in all sorts of colours and thicknesses to get you into crocheting. If you would like any help or advice choosing the one that is right for your project, feel free to get in touch and our friendly staff will be happy to help you.

Mothers Day Gifts from Amelia’s Hobby Box

Mother’s Day can be really difficult to find a unique and thoughtful gift for our Mum’s. When you consider all they have done for you and how much they care for you, it becomes really important to, at least for one day a year, buy them a gift that is that little bit different. Of course, they would be more than happy with flowers, but we want them to feel really special!

Here at Amelias Hobby Box we have a wide range of sweet, unique and quirky gifts that are sure to make your Mum feel as special as she really is! Our options are distinctively different and of the highest quality. Here are a few ideas –

Santoro Gorjuss New Heights Premium Journal with Pen £11.99

Santoro Gorjuss New Heights Premium Journal with Pen £11.99

This pretty notebook has 3 different sections, each with a different coloured printed paper subtly printed with images of the cover artwork, New Heights. There are also 3 different ribbon page markers, a co-ordinating book mark, and a card pocket hidden away within the back cover. The pen is coupled up to the journal with an elasticised decorative band. A thoughtful little gift we’re sure many Mum’s will love.

Corgi Die Cast Models

At Amelia’s Hobby Box we provide lots of toys and figures for customers to add to their personal collections including Corgi Die Cast Models.

Corgi models have been tremendously popular ever since their initial launch in 1956 by Mettoy Playcraft Ltd, a toy car company which has been in existence since the mid 1930s.

Following its launch, Corgi toys immediately became a huge success not just across Britain but across continental Europe, and its popularity would later be replicated in Australia as well as the USA during the 1980s.

Corgi Die Cast Models

Initially toy cars had been introduced to the market by Dinky Toys, a British company, which was the first manufacturer to produce miniatures. Dinky Toys has been in existence since 1934 and they produced mini metal cars which were the most popular British toys for many years before Mettoy Playcraft Ltd started to make competitor toys in 1956.

These Mettoy toys were known as “Corgi Toys”. They were created in Wales and advertised themselves as a more realistic version of Dinky, primarily because they included windows, something that had not been done before and became the company’s major selling point.

Over the decades new toy models have been introduced by Mettoy in accordance with vehicles in popular culture. The most notable examples are the James Bond Aston Martin in 1965 and the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang model in 1968.

Today many people still collect both the classic models and more updated ones, such as the Eddie Stobart lorry.

If you are looking to expand your Corgi collection or are looking for a specific model, have a look at the Corgi range available on our website here and get in touch if you have any questions.

New Tatty Teddy range available NOW!

Welcome back everybody; we hope that you had a fantastic Christmas and a memorable New Year!

Naturally the New Year tends to bring with it some fresh changes and we are absolutely delighted to announce the arrival of our brand new Tatty Teddy range; DMC mini cross stitch kits for you to have fun with.

The finished size of each kit is 3 x 3” and they include a needle, thread, fabric and instructions for you to follow.  They are an ideal little item to be made into cards, wall hangings, or any other little decorations.
Tatty Teddy, also known as Me to You Bears, are a collection made by Carte Blanche Greetings which are often found on greetings cards but can also be purchased as ornaments, soft toys, mugs, and cross stitch kit patterns too.

Known for his cute bright blue nose, charming expressions, and adorable patch, Tatty Teddy is loved by adults and children alike. The innocence and sweet-nature of the brand is part of what has made it such a success, turning over hundreds of millions of pounds.
Tatty Teddy was established in 1987 and is often associated with Clintons Cards. It is quite common for Tatty Teddy items to be given as birthday and thank you gifts, as well as to loved ones on Valentine’s Day, which is why we have decided to introduce them here at Amelia’s.

As you can see, there are several fun kits for you to have a go at making, some of which would be great to put on a card made for a partner, while others are brilliant birthday or thank you decorations.

So whether you are sewing to make a card for a partner, for a friend, or simply for fun; these mini kits are sure to give you lots of delight. They will be available on our website from next week so don’t miss out, at just £4.50 they are a real bargain as well!

Christmas List for Loved Ones

 

 

 

The number of days left until Christmas are rapidly running out and panic buying has already commenced. Choosing a great gift is difficult enough when you have plenty of time, but when you’re in a rush trying to find the right one it can feel like an impossible task.

At Amelia’s Hobby Box we have all sorts of unique and interesting presents for you to explore. Here is a small collection of gifts that you can purchase for your loved ones:

 

 

 The Gift:

The DMC Crochet Baby Beanie hat and booties pattern is a fun gift to create if you are somebody who considers themselves to be at intermediate level for crochet. Making it yourself and giving it away shows that extra care has been taken to give a personal gift.

The Recipient:

Ideal if a close friend or family member has had a baby this year. All new mums and dads think about their baby before themselves and will appreciate a parcel that is for their little one.

The Price: Just £2.50 when you purchase online from Amelia’s Hobby Box.

 

 

 

The Gift: a model of the B192 Benetton Formula Racing car which first raced in the 1992 F-1 Spanish Grand Prix.

The Recipient:

This model requires paint and glue to put together so would be ideal for anybody who is interested in Formula 1 as well as art or design.

The Price: Find your racing car for £15.49 here.

 

 

The Gift:

The Tamiya Combat Support Behicle is a radio-control kit which is terrific fun to play with. Also on our website you can find lots of alternatives that can actually be painted as well.

The Recipient:

This is a brilliant gift which is lots of fun to play either on your own or with family and friends. If you know anybody who loves the army / army history / army toys then this is the ideal present. It is a fantastic gift for a collector who understands the true value of this classic model.

The Price:  £199.99 when you buy online with Amelia’s.

 

If you are looking for fun Christmas presents to give to your family and friends, have a browse of our website for lots of inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Quick History of Airfix Model Kits

At Amelia’s Hobby Box you can find all sorts of fun toys and crafts to enjoy, complete, and play with including a large range of the infamous Airfix Model collection.

Airfix have been developing scale plastic model kits since 1952 which means that it is the oldest manufacturer of this type of product in the UK. It was originally founded in 1939 by Nicholas Kove, a Hungarian who had previously made money from producing inflatable toys.

In 1949 the company was commissioned to create a miniature model version of a Ferguson TE20 tractor which was to be given to employees of the Ferguson business. In order to maximise on sales of the product while simultaneously lowering its manufacturing costs; it was retailed in Woolworth’s stores.

Five years after this, a buyer employed by Woolworth’s suggested that Airfix produce a model version of the Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship. To reduce costs further the packaging was changed from a cardboard box to a plastic bag with a paper header on the top which displayed the instructions for each

This product proved very successful and so the company continued to expand and were soon producing miniature aeroplanes including spitfires and other well-known planes that had captured the attention of the world during and following the War.

Today the company continually develop new products as well as often re-release classic models from previous decades which can be purchased as part of collections.

The beauty of Airfix is that their products appeal to people of all ages. While they are often purchased by (and on behalf of) people with a keen interest in history, other people choose to buy them to play with or to set up and leave as an ornament in a study or work room.

If you are interested in purchasing models from the Airfix range feel free to browse our website and get in touch if you have any questions.

Crochet Patterns perfect for your baby

Trying to buy the perfect gift for a baby is difficult; one might go so far as to say it is impossible. Why? Because the perfect gift for a baby cannot be purchased in a shop, but is one that you make yourself!

At Amelia’s Hobby Box we have lots of crochet patterns for you to complete, from clothes, to cushions, to blankets, to toys – all of them look beautifully delicate but are safe and fun for children to enjoy.

 

Bumble Bee Mobile

 

The DMC Crochet Amigurumi Bumble Bee Mobile for example, is a beautiful gift for a little girl or boy. Child-friendly, it is a challenging design for an advanced crochet hobbyist who wants to push their skills to the next level.

By making this, the young recipient of your gift will have an extra special toy that they can play with, and perhaps they will even hold onto it throughout adulthood because it was a gift that was specially made for them.

 

 

 

DMC Safari Animal Amigurumi

 

 

As well as the bee mobile, there are lots of other toys that you can make. The DMC Safari Animals for example, include a Hippo, a Lion, a Zebra, and a Giraffe.

These are a fun and colourful collection of toys that would make wonderful gifts for any newborn. All children love flamboyant playthings and anything that looks cuddly so these little animals would be a wonderful treat for any baby.
Find the DMC Safari Animal Amigurumi Crochet Pattern on our website today.

 

 

 

 

Cardigan

 

In addition to many crochet toys, there are lots of different clothes that you can create such as this beautiful wrap-around cardigan which is decorated with pretty flowers that make a truly adorable, feminine design.

If you are inspired to make any of these, or you would like to explore other examples of crochet patterns, visit our website where you will find little outfits for him or her, as well as many other interesting creations.

A welcome to new customers at Amelia’s Hobby Box

Welcome to Amelia’s Hobby Box which is home to craft and hobby products. Having enjoyed a lot of success running a different website, we decided to perform a business upgrade by merging together our plastic model internet business (“Jaden Model World”) with Amelia’s Hobby Box so that our customers can now find all the craft items that they need in one place.

As a family-run business, we are very passionate about what we do and always aim to please every customer who chooses to use our products and services. Our mission is: to offer the best possible customer service along with the very best products and value for money.

To achieve this aim we always retail from the leading companies in the industry including the likes of Bothy Thread, DMC, and Corgi.

We are constantly increasing our stock so if there is something that you are looking for but cannot find on our website please feel free to contact us. It is likely that we may have it in stock but it is not yet visible online, or alternatively it could be a product that we are considering stocking in future so your feedback would be really helpful and we might be able to supply what you need.

What is it that makes us different from our competitors? We like to think that our passion shines through in our products and customer service. However another characteristic is that we offer free shipping on ALL UK and international products. While other companies offer this when you have exceeded a set spend, we offer it on everything so that you can be certain that you are getting excellent value for money, every time.

If you are interested in cross stitching then you will be delighted by the different products that we can provide. We have lots of stunning cross stitch kits for you to complete and enjoy, such as the following scenes:

With these products you can enjoy the pleasure of sewing while making a beautiful scene that can complement any room in your home. On our website you will find lots of very unusual cross stitch kits including the family tree kit where you can weave your very own family history into a beautiful design that you might want as a keepsake or give to a family member as a reminder of where they come from.

Crochet is a favourite pastime of many of our customers and you can find lots of different patterns available on our website. Several of them are aimed at creating gifts for babies such as the baby shawl which makes a beautiful, unique gift for a baby; or the crochet finger puppets and birds which make gorgeous gifts also.

As well toys, we also sell crochet kits that will make beautiful clothing for newborns and little ones, whether you want to make something for your own baby or to provide a memorable gift.

Amelia’s Hobby Box also delves into the model world with many toys available including Minichamps, airfix Model kits, and Tamiya Model Kits. Whether child or adult, nobody is ever too old to construct and play with these genius little models. In our collection you can find everything from race cars to motorbikes to tanks.

To find out more about the different products we stock, visit our website and if you have any questions please get in touch.