The Crafty Bunch hold classes in Marylebone on Tuesday mornings at 10am, at the Marylebone Village Nursery on George Street. We joined the group this week for our first taste of crafting and had a great time!

Jennifer runs the classes here and also in Maida Vale where they have been extremely popular. The classes are suitable for 2-5  year olds. My little one is 22 months and was just about able to focus enough to complete the task, with help from me (I had a great time - I can't remember the last time I did crafts!). The classes are fun but also educational, as they are influenced by the EYFS curriculum followed by nurseries so lots of opportunities to learn colours, shapes etc. 

We made a beautiful lantern with all the materials supplied by Jennifer, even a little battery operated candle and we also decorated a gift bag to carry our craft home in. The lantern is rather beautiful - we switched it on in the evening and it looked lovely in a dark room. 

The class was great fun and best of all (sorry Jennifer) we made loads of mess with glue and glitter which I didn't have to clean up. We all know that messy play is important for little ones, but it is difficult to do at home easily. Also, if you aren't at all crafty/arty (me for sure!) it is hard to think of things to do beyond Playdoh. The Crafty Bunch classes do all of this - fabulous!!!

You can find more information and a picture of lanterns here and also at the Crafty Bunch website

Another great thing about the classes is the flexibility - there is a multi booking discount for all regular crafty bunchers, £60 for 8 classes making each class £7.50 which can be used at your local class location on any date before the end of 2015. 

If you haven't tried it yet why not go along for a FREE trial class? Get in touch with Jennifer and let her know you'd like to come along. 

Please note that this is now cancelled - a new date will be published soon.


Our next coffee morning will be held on Friday 6th February 2015 from 10.45am to 12.15ish
Venue is tbc but we are hopefully going to have somewhere with space for mums with prams and toddlers too! 

The new term of Sing and Sign classes has started this week. Classes run at Rudolf Steiner House on Mondays at 3:30 on the third floor.

There are still spaces and if you would like to join and find out more about baby signing, please contact Vesna on vesna@singandsign.co.uk

More information is at http://www.singandsign.com/classes/classes-near-you/islington-primrose-hill-chelsea-marylebone-notting-hill

 

Come and meet up with other Marylebone Mums this Thursday (15th) from 10.30am to 12pm at Amanzi Tea on New Cavendish Street. https://www.facebook.com/amanzitealondon

The last time I successfully baked bread was at school (so a few years ago…). I remember enjoying it and feeling really pleased with the results so I was excited to hear about Bake With Maria, a baking class held just by South Hampstead station, so very easy to get to from Marylebone. Maria runs classes on bread, cakes and pastry, all of which sound great, and after my session yesterday I am already planning which class to try next!

Since I hadn't baked for many years, I chose the Introduction to Bread Baking. We were a small group of really nice people and it was a lovely way to spend a few hours. I returned home with 3 loaves of bread, and some rolls. One of the loaves was sent to work with my husband and I hear it was devoured very very quickly with lots of positive comments (phew!), and the rest of the bread is being enjoyed by us. The recipes and techniques are so easy to follow and I am sure I will be baking more now. My toddler would probably enjoy being part of the activity too! I feel a lot more confident now, and I can't believe how quick and easy it is to make delicious bread. 

Maria also runs family baking classes for those with older children which sound like great fun. 

Now, should I tackle pastry next or cakes…