Aaaaaaggggghhhh!! Energetic Littlies!!

Every morning's wake up call is the same in this house, the kids already awake and playing. Somedays happily in their bedrooms other days the three of them are racing up and down the hall on their wheely bugs.
Meanwhile, Neil and I try to drag ourselves out of bed and hit the kitchen for a caffeine fix to get us going.

Whats that all about? How have kids got so much energy? and When did we lose ours?!

I think the answer to the latter is when the kids came along!

Finley at 6 is in year 3 of Primary School so we have the girls to entertain during the day. Valentina who has recently turned 4 will be heading for school in September this year and then there will be one, little Madison who is 3 home alone for another year.

I wish I had half there energy!

The energetic littlies walking the dogs!

Entertaining littlies needn't be a tough job. We entertain our girlies everyday, trying to come up with ideas that will help them learn and grow.

Running our workshops from home has been a real blessing for us as a family, not only does it allow Neil and I to work from home whilst also bring up our littlies together it has allowed our kids to join in the workshops that we hold for kids and they love it.

They are learning such great skills at such a young age. It has allowed us first hand to see the benefits of our workshops and of course its great to think that we will be able to retire early and they can take the reins!

Some of the benefits include, improving hand-eye coordination, developing the pincer (thumb and forefinger) movement, colour recognition and improvement of social skills. Isnt it great to think that the kids benefit from having fun?

Of course there are the more obvious benefits like the learning of the craft they are doing.

Madison in particular loves Button Jewellery. When we started she struggled to thread the buttons but now she can do it and is very proud of it.

Valentina and Finley both have a love of sugarcraft and take part in every kids sugarcraft that we run. Finley even turned down a trip out with Nanny and Papa so as he could take part in one! Very quickly their skills have improved and they now produce wonderful creations to decorate their buns.

I personally believe that these are all life skills, i know already that my kids will be able to head of to college with the skills needed to not only feed themselves but also make yummy treats. The girls are already trying to knit so hopefully they will be warm students as well with their home knit sweaters!

And the best bit? The skills we are teaching them now, they will teach to their kids and so the cycle will continue.

We teach our kids so much these days about recycling. Making and Baking should all go hand in hand. You dont need to have a fortune in the bank to bake some buns or knit a sweater and although money makes the world goes round these skills will help them stretch what they have even further.

Even just blogging about it gives me a satisfied feeling.

Me and my 3!

Have a look at our workshops, we run plenty for kids and adults or we can run private classes for you and your kids to learn together. Why dont you come and learn how to do something and then pass it on?

Keep the Making and Baking cycle going, its so important.

Love n kisses,

Suzi
xxxxx

Relaxation? Bring it on!

Do you ever just sit down and completely chill out?

I know that in here it's a rare occasion, even when I do grab half an hour in front of the telly in the evenings my mind is still ticking over thinking of all the things that need done.
Recently I haven't been sleeping very well, the only reason being my head is full of everything that is going on, needs done, is coming up and needs planning. It's very frustrating not being able to sleep and generally I get up and make myself a ginger tea before returning to bed and heading back to sleep.

I love every workshop that we run, they are all enjoyable and fun to do but turning my hobbies into a business hasnt been without its frustrations, all of a sudden I had to think through every aspect of the craft and think of everything we would need to complete the project. I found my evenings would be taken up planning and writing lists etc. Dont get me wrong, very exciting and fun times but yesterday a realized I hadn't just sat down and completely relaxed in months.

We had a Littlies Learn to knit workshop yesterday afternoon, I had to think of something that would be fun and would also teach them their basics, casting on, knit and purl.

I decided that a dishcloth was an easy place to start and picked a pattern that a heart shape picture in the middle, I remembered how fun it was it make them and watch the picture growing while you knitted!

I started the dishcloth before the workshop so as they could see how the border should look. We had a really fun workshop, there is something thoroughly enjoyable about teaching a life skill to kids. It is something that they will always have, knitting's like riding a bike, you never forget! I told them yesterday that they would never be cold students with a skill like knitting, mum can send them some wool and they can knit a jumper up!

So with the workshop over, dinner done and our littlies all tucked up in bed I lifted what I had started and settled myself in front of the fire. I completely relaxed into what I was doing, my mind was blank and I knitted away for a couple of hours. It was blissful. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to get lost in crafting.

I have a real issue with wasting time and feel like I always have to be doing something but last night I chilled out. Did I waste time? No not at all, I finished my dishcloth and this morning it has pride of place by my sink ready for the first load of dishes of the day!

So you see, when you have a skill like knitting, it can be used for so many different things, relaxing and producing all at the same time.

I get the same feeling of relaxation when I close myself away in the kitchen and bake for the family, no pressures just me and my mixer.

We are looking into the health benefits of crafting for children with differing disabillities at the minute and last night proved to me the health benefits that are there for everyone. Stress is a major factor in everyones life, isn't it fab to think we can counter act the effects of it whilst also producing something wonderful?

                                                My Camo stress relieveing dishcloth!

Oh and I slept really well last night.......bonus!!

Love n hugs,

Suzi xxxxxx

Fabulous February Workshops.

Well, with Christmas now a distant memory for another year all our workshops are back in full swing. This is as our first year in business and we are very excited.
With the January workshops all booked up here is the February timetable. February is going to be a fabulous month as half term week takes place in it. Lots of exciting workshops for the littlies.
All materials and refreshments are included in the cost of our workshops.

Monday 4th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Parent and Toddler sugarcraft
£7.50 per child (parents dont have to pay!)

7.30 - 9.30pm
Couture Cupcake Decorating
£20 per person

Tuesday 5th February:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Rag Rug Making
£20 per person

Wednesday 6th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Parent and Toddler Button Jewellery
£7.50 per child

7.30 - 9.30pm
Scrumptious Scones
£25 per person

Thursday 7th February:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Sugar Flowers Sugarcraft
£20 per person

Friday 8th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Downs Syndrome Parent and Toddler Cupcake Decorating
£7.50 per child

Saturday 9th February:

10am - 12pm
Kids make Creative Creatures
£15 per child

Monday 11th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Parent and Toddler Farmyard Sugarcraft
£7.50 per child

7.30 - 9.30pm
Learn to sew Celebratory Bunting
£20 per person

Wednesday 13th February:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Bake me a cupcake MENS ONLY Valentines special
£20 per person

Thursday 14th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Parent and Toddler Valentines Cupcakes
£7.50 per child

Half Term Week.

Monday 18th February
10am - 12pm
Make me a sock monkey

Tuesday 19th February
10am - 12pm
Sticky Fingers Cupcake Decorating

Wednesday 20th February
10am - 12pm
Make me a dream catcher

Thursday 21st February
10am - 12pm
Briscuit making and decorating

Friday 22nd February
10am - 12pm
Glass Painting Lanterns

£15 per child per workshop or all 5 workshops for £50.

Friday 22nd February:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Day 1 Corset Making
£89 for the 2 days per person.

Saturday 23rd February:

10.30am - 12.30pm
Day 2 Corset Making

2.30pm - 4.30pm
Learn to Bake basic skills
£25 per person

Monday 25th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Parent and Toddler In the Night Garden Sugarcraft
£7.50 per child

7.30 - 9.30pm
Learn to Bake basic skills
£25 per person

Tuesday 26th February:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Vintage Charm Cupcake Decorating
£20 per person

Wednesday 27th February:

10.15 - 11.15am
Parent and Toddler Button Jewellery
£7.50 per child

Thursday 28th February:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Quick and Easy Traybakes
£25 per person.

Friday 1st March:

7.30 - 9.30pm
Design and make a fascinator Day 1
£45 for the 2 days per person

Saturday 2nd March:

10.30 - 12.30pm
Day 2 Design and Make a Fascinator

To book a place on any of our workshops contact us on, nice-buns@live.co.uk, 02897 528331, 07772535380.
All of our workshops require deposits to secure your place.

Loads a Love,

Suzi
xxxxx

Christmas is over...............Already?!?!

Wow! Its Boxing Day already!

We plan for Christmas for weeks/months, we write lists, the kids write their Santa letters, we bake and make gifts and decorations. The kids excitement builds and builds in anticipation of Mr Claus's visit. I know that in this house the debate continues as to whether or not they will have made it onto the naughty or nice list!

And then all of a sudden, its over for another year.

We had a great day here at Nice Buns, Nice Life Hq. Santa Claus was very good to the kiddies and we all ate well, you cant ask for better than that.

I have spent this morning regaining control of the kitchen and living room which to be honest was hidden under wrapping paper, toys and dirty dishes.

So with the house back to near normality we are planning on spending the afternoon chilling out in front of the fire, enjoying some family time........Bliss.

For those of you who were lucky enough to recieve Nice Buns, Nice Life gift vouchers, then we look forward to seeing you at your chosen workshop.

With the New Year just round the corner why not have a look at our workshops and come and learn a new skill for 2013? The workshops we run will provide you with skills that you will have forever, that will save you money and most all that are enjoyable. We run kiddies workshops too and its so important to teach our kids how to make their own, they have fun learning and at a young age they absorb everything like a sponge. Our February half term workshops are booking up, if you are interested in a place then get in touch.

Enjoy the rest of the holidays guys because from the end of the week im pretty willing to bet you will be able to start your Easter shopping!!

Love n hugs,

Suzi

xxxxxxx

February Half Term Workshops!! Sorry!!!

I havent lost the plot...........honest!! I feel a bit like Mr Tesco waiting for Boxing Day to put the Easter Eggs out but here at Nice Buns, Nice Life Hq we are always 2-3 months ahead.

We have planned a full week of Half Term workshops for kiddies aged 4 to 10/11 years (primary school kiddies). It will be a fun filled week for us all and we are really looking forward to it as we have mixed up making and baking throughout the week.

These workshops can be booked individually at a cost of £15 per child per workshop or you can book all 5 at a cost of £50. All materials and refreshments are included in the cost and the kiddies get to take home everything they make.

All of our workshops that we hold for kids are great for improving hand/eye co-ordination, increasing confidence and improving social skills. Our workshops are run in small groups so each child receives the attention they need to complete their projects.


Monday 18th Feb, 10am - 12pm
Make me a Sock Monkey.

Tuesday 19th February, 10am - 12pm
Sticky Fingers Cupcake Decorating

Wednesday 20th February, 10am - 12pm
Make me a dream catcher.

Thursday 21st February, 10am - 12pm
Biscuit making and decorating

Friday 22nd February, 10am - 12pm
Glass painting lanterns.

All parents/carers are welcome to stay if they wish and enjoy a brew while the kids complete their creations. If your child has any learning difficulties or disabillities then please get in touch because here at Nice Buns, Nice Life we cater for everyone.

Love

Suzi xxxxx

New Years Resolutions!

So, with a week to go before Christmas and after the craziness of the past few weeks Neil and I decided that we had perhaps better do some Christmas shopping!
Baby sitter in situ (cheers Nanny!) off we went last night. Now I like to class myself as a professional Christmas shopper as I have done it on my own for the past few years, focussed with a list of who we need for, dont get in my way!
However, Neil likes to look and think, look some more, think some more then make the decision. Any other time would have been mighty frustrating, but it was the first time we had been out alone together in years and with everything going on it was nice to share the decisions.

We got some really great pressies for loved ones that weren't overly expensive, thankfully as we are on a tight budget after Santa took his cut.

Taking the time to look really made me think about how we could make nearly everything that we bought! I mean, thats what we do here at Nice Buns, Nice Life Hq, we make things! So why, the week before Christmas, are we out shopping for gifts?? The answer is quite a simple one, disorganisation! lol

I have made the coolest gift for our little niece Eva which I know she will love and the best bit has got to be the amount of love that went into making it. That you can't buy.

So the first Nice Buns, Nice Life New Year resolution is that we are not going to buy anyone any gifts for the entire year of 2013. Everything will have to be made. In order for this to work we will need to be organized, this one could be more difficult!

                                          How about knitting a cupcake? No seams, no small parts,
                                          perfect for littlies. Our girls use them in their play kitchen!


So with this in mind and alot of family birthdays early in the year I have cast on the first pressie this morning for our nephews birthday in January. I will share it with you when im finished.

If you love this idea of making and giving with love but are not confident enough or have never tried knitting, sewing, baking etc then get in touch with us and book a workshop. Not only will you learn a new skill but its a great evening out as well.

New Year, New Skills.

Love n hugs,

Suzi  xxxxxx

Christmas?!?!? Already?!?! Really!?!?

Wow, what a manic few weeks!

Apologies for the lack of updates but things have been going full speed ahead since our official opening.
The days seem to travel by in a blur of mummy duties, workshops and advertising. It's hard to believe that Christmas is here already.

The excitement about the arrival of the man in the big red suit is certainly building in our house, with the three littlies counting down the days on their advent calenders it reminds us all how magical Christmas really is.

The kids all got personalized messages from Santa this year, and although there is only 3 years between them, the difference in reactions was night and day. Finley was only interested to see if he had made it to the nice list and pretty much switched off after that point, Valentina was facinated and I think being on the nice list was a bonus for her as she thought it was the coolest thing hearing Santa say her name (behaviour in the last few days may however have to be reported back to elf hq!) and Madison, well, Miss Mads was most interested in the snow surrounding Santa! The big man also sent a message for Neil and unfortunately he's on the naughty list although the elves did tell him there was still time! lol

So with all the festivities going on and Christmas workshops taking place we have started to look forward to the New year, 2013, and what it has in store for Nice Buns, Nice Life. We have many plans and dreams and we're going to make sure and not stop till we achieve them all.

The support we have had so far has been fantastic, from friends to the local press, even the bank!!!! we can't thank you all enough and hope you will continue to travel along this journey with us.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Suzi xxxxx