Crafty times and the Creation Station

Since the beginning of this year Raphael and I have been bit by the craft bug. This has been in part from a course I did just before Christmas where we looked at doing craft with recycled things (card, bottle tops etc) and more recently because of The Creation Station running sessions at my local children's centre. Nicole, the woman who runs these sessions, has been absolutely lovely and so patient with Bubbah when he decides to run off and, say, wash his hands mid-craft!

 As with any most things involving toddlers The Creation Station provides jumpsuits to cover their clothes (which comes in handy, especially when Bubbah decided to potato print his jumpsuit) and incorporates music, interaction and different craft techniques to keep things interesting and fun for them. Previous examples include; ice cube painting, comb painting, potato/veg printing/painting and rolling pin painting.

 Each week we come away with something different, even if it's just a picture Bubbah has scribbled over. My favourite home pieces have been the broccoli monster and stained glass kite below as I would never have thought to make something like that.

These have pushed me at home and after a quick supply gathering (aka stealing paints etc. from Nana's house and eventually buying my own paint) we now have frequent craft/painting sessions which Bubbah loves. We've also bought a craft kit from Nicole and made our very own spoon puppet!

 And generally Bubbah is always please to show off his work (after some cajoling and flashing the camera at him) as seen here with his teddy bear's picnic picture (complete with Paddington gripped in hand).