PEOPLE WHO HELP US

People Who Help us is this terms learning theme for nursery children at at Windy Nook Primary School. Crafty Creatures went along to work with the children and parents to create some great crafts. From very stylish looking police men and women to some fun looking x ray pictures. Great fun was had by all!

IT'S THE SUMMERTIME...

Well the summer is almost here! Along with working with Libraries across North Tyneside over the summer, you can also find Crafty Creature workshops at Sacriston Community Centre, Durham every Wednesday morning and at Ushaw Moor Children's Sure Start Centre every Thursday afternoon. At each venue there will be different themed crafts each week, so please contact the venue to find out more information. Hope to see you there!

ART IN THE PARK

I can't believe the Saltwell Park Spring Show has already been and gone. It was an extremely busy weekend, with lots of Japanese inspired crafts. It just keeps amazing me to see what great works of art are made. The children were absolutely brilliant, just could not believe the concentration and creativity. I certainly felt inspired seeing how different each picture was. Had a brilliant time, thank you all so much!

LIBRARY CHALLENGE

It's been a lovely time working with libraries across the region making some spring themed crafts. From popcorn spring blossom trees to animals in the field pictures.

Over the summer we're going to be working with libraries across North Tyneside creating CIRCUS themed crafts for their summer reading challenge. A Big Top collage and a clown's hat are just some of the crafts you will be busy making at the workshops. Look forward to seeing you then!

CARTOON TASTIC

IT'S PARTY TIME...yes we've been busy doing lots of parties, some new ones which have been very popular are Hello Kitty and Scooby Doo. Just can't believe how popular Hello Kitty is. Have a look at some budding artists creations from the parties.

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

A happy new year to one and all. Sounds scary saying a new year as I can't quite believe another year has gone by so quickly. I haven't made any resolutions, apart from one, which is to update the blog on a more regular basis! Last Autumn we worked with a local charity called Out of Sight. It's based in North Tyneside and is set up by parents whose children have a visual impairment. The spirit of the parents and children was remarkable and so inspiring. The crafts incorporated lots of different textures and materials, along with some messier painting activities, so the children could participate and use all of their senses.

Already for 2011 we have lots of exciting projects lined up, one is the Saltwell Park show in April. It was such a busy weekend there last year with lots of events available for the whole family. The theme of the crafts isn't confirmed yet, but I will keep you posted once they are.

Once again a big thank you to all the businesses and people I worked with last year and am looking forward to seeing you in 2011.

SPACE HOP @ LIBRARIES...

Crafty Creatures has gone out of this Universe to provide space themed crafts with libraries across the region. Crafty Creatures has been in Libraries across Durham, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside. Crafts were designed to link in with this years libraries Reading Challenge - Space Hop.

Some fab Space Invader Aliens have been made, with lashings of glitter glue to create a slimmed effect! Rockets, an Alien Space Ship and a Planets collage are also the crafts which children have loved making. Yet again it's been great to see a child's creativity flourish with an array of materials. Definitely seeing some budding artists across the summer.

Sure Start Children's Centres

Across the summer Crafty Creatures has been at Laurel Avenue and Kelloe Children's Centres to provide weekly crafts. Themes have varied each week, from jungle crafts, down on the farm to lets explore crafts.

The crafts are designed to suit a variety of ages, so children of all ages can participate. In addition to the themed crafts children have loved getting messy with finger paints and creating patterns and textures with paint and texture rollers.

EVENTS & BIRTHDAY PARTIES...

Looking for something different for your child's party then look no further. Crafty Creatures provides stress free crafts for Events and Parties. Crafts are designed around a theme of your choice and the children get to take whatever they have made home, giving them a lasting memento of the party!

Crafty Creatures was recently at Amy's 6th birthday party. Amy decided she wanted a "rainbow" craft and said she loved Unicorns. A mixture of themes you may think but Crafty Creatures was happy to oblige, along with the slime for the end of the party. Have a look at the pictures - a great time was had by all!!

Christ Church Community Fun Day

Christ Church in Felling held a community festival and Crafty Creatures provided food related crafts to reinforce information about Gateshead's Soul Soup Project. Soul Soup is part of a wider Generations Together project, which aims to bring together over 1,700 local residents, young and old. The community-based work will enable local groups around the borough to set up a ‘Soul Soup Café’; a meeting place for people of all ages to come together to discuss what is important to them in their community.

Children and their families made a picnic collage and their own bowl of soup craft - along with a recipe to make their own summer vegetable soup.