Our September Meeting - Healthy Eating into Winter

Hello there,

Welcome back to the Bake, Natter and Roll blog!

Last week was WI Sports Week and also our September monthly meeting. We were supposed to be having a meeting dedicated to jam and chutney making, but we couldn't get a speaker.....so instead we decided to tie the theme into Sports Week and generally being healthy.

Nuffield Health Farnham joined us again, this time providing a speaker for our healthy eating evening. Georgie Laverton, Operations Manager, joined us for an evening of practical tips and discussion about keeping healthy - what to eat and how to keep active when you have a busy life. Georgie has been in the fitness industry for over 18 years, training as a fitness professional and previously being a Health Mentor at Nuffield Health.

Georgie asked us lots of questions about healthy eating - what we wanted to achieve and what our biggest barriers are. It was great to discuss healthy eating with other people - we all know what we should eat, but equally we all face the same issues with staying on track! Georgie then gave us lots of advice about how to keep the sweet cravings at bay and how we can weave some activity into our everyday lives. Her advice was simple and straight forward - no faddy diets or strict regime!

She stressed the importance of eating regularly to maintain blood sugars levels and suggested we try snacking on nuts (especially walnuts). She also reminded us of the guidelines that we should try and exercise for ten minutes three times a day.

It was a really interesting meeting, with lots of sensible advice that we all felt we could follow!

Thank you for popping by today,

The Bake, Natter and Roll Committee

Women's Institute First Sports Week!

Hello there,

Welcome back to the Bake, Natter and Roll blog -home of Farnham WI.

Last week was the first ever Women's Institute Sports Week! The aim of the WI Sports Week was to encourage as many members as possible to take part in a range of sports – it can be anything from swimming or dancing to rock climbing or archery. As long as members are getting active! 

Bake, Natter and Roll were very lucky to be joined by Nuffield Health Farnham this sports week, who offered members a series of WI only classes throughout the week. Nuffield Health also offered members complimentary 7 day passes to the club during the week, so members could enjoy the gym, classes and swimming pool.

Bake, Natter and Roll hit the gym at Nuffield Health Farnham!

Our members enjoyed a spin class with Mandy on Monday morning, an outdoor circuts class with Max on Wednesday evening and a fun filled zumba class with Elaine on Satuday lunchtime! There was something for everyone on offer and members tried new activities that they hadn't experienced before - including our lovely President Cat who went spinning!

Some Bake, Natter and Roll (Farnham WI) ladies at Zumba!

We'd like to thank the team at Nuffield Health Farnham for their generous support!

Also as part of sports week we were invited to play rounders with the Normandy Nightingales, another new Surrey WI who launched around the same time as we did. Some of our members joined in the fun at the beginning of September for a friendly game and the chance to meet some other WI members. A great evening was had by all!

Thank you for popping by today,

The Bake, Natter and Roll Committee

Bake, Natter and Roll...Meet the Committee - Part 6

Hello there,

Welcome back to the Bake, Natter and Roll blog - home of the Farnham WI! Today we're meeting another of our lovely committee members, this time it's Miriam our Treasurer....

Miriam lives in Farnham with her husband Wayne and their two children.

Why did you join Bake, Natter and Roll?

I joined Bake, Natter and Roll to meet new people and learn new things

What is your favourite cake?

My favourite cake is Red Velvet (especially cafe nero's!)

Tell us three facts about yourself:

I love keeping fit especially running, 

I have trekked the Himalayas twice, 

I have started up-cycling old pieces of furniture from car boots or tip!

We can't wait to see all Miriam's up-cycled projects!

Thank you for popping by today - we have just one last committee member left for you to meet....our membership administrator Jude.

The Bake, Natter and Roll Committee

Craft and Coffee Wednesday - polymer clay trinket dish

Hello there,

Welcome back to another craft blog post from Bake, Natter and Roll.

For this project you need to make sure you have some polymer clay before you start - but its a really simple craft project and you can either keep the dish for yourself or they make cute gifts....

These marbled beauties are made using several different coloured polymer clays, I love the effect and you never quite know what you are going to get.

I use Fimo clay - not sure why...I just love the colours.

The more colours you use for this project, the more colourful your final dish - for this one I used just three colours. To start off with you need to make long sausage shapes out of your clay...

In this case I used more white than the other two colours. 

Next you need to twist the sausages together, before turning them into a ball of colourful clay...

Next you need to start rolling your clay out.....and this is where the magic happens. 

I used a glass jar to roll my clay- this meant I could see my clay as it marbled....

I enjoy this part of the project - watching the colours marble and blend. 

Do it slowly though, otherwise you might loose the marbling effect. When you're happy with your colours you can cut out a small circle of the clay...

I probably could have used a bit more clay for this project - as you can see I only just had enough! Next lie this circle into base of a small dish in order to shape it...

Then you need to bake your clay (in the dish) following the manufacturers instructions. 

When the time is up, remove your dish from the oven and leave it to cool. Your dish will just fall out when you turn the china dish upside down.

Now my dish had some rather rough edges, so I just got a nail file and smoothed the edges down.

The next bit is optional, as you can just leave the dish unglazed. However, I think the finish you get from Mod Podge is lovely and works really well with the marble effect.

So I gave my dish two coats...

Finally I was finished.....and I just love my little dish....

This project might not be as quick as some of the other projects (as you have baking, cooling and drying times to factor in), but I think the uniqueness of the marbling makes up for the wait! 

We hope you've enjoyed this project -we'd love to see your makes if you try it at home! Send us a photo of your trinket dish!

Thank you for popping by today,

The Bake, Natter and Roll Committee

Bake, Natter and Roll .... Meet the Committee- Part 5

Hello there,

Another Saturday rolls around and today on the Bake, Natter and Roll blog we're meeting another lovely committee member. This time we meet Vice President Kate....

Kate lives with her husband Keith and two children in Farnham.

Why did you join Bake, Natter and Roll?

I started up the Farnham WI with our President Cat, as I've always loved the ideology behind the WI but didn't fit into any of the local groups. I was looking for a more varied age range.

What is your favourite cake?

My favourite cake is carrot cake

Tell us three facts about yourself:

I have had over 26 piercings and tattoos.

I love sewing and embroidery

I love travelling

It's great to learn a little more about Kate, if you want any sewing tips look for Kate at the next monthly meeting!

Thank you for popping by today - we still have two more committee members for you to meet!

The Bake, Natter and Roll Committee

Craft and Coffee Wednesday - quick bunting card!

Hello there,

Welcome back to the Bake, Natter and Roll blog, home of Farnham WI.

Today we're going to share another quick and easy craft project with you.....and this week we're making a card. It's always handy to have a card ready....and you can use this one for lots of different occasions.....

Quick and easy card from Bake, Natter and Roll

To make this card you will need:

Coloured and patterned papers

Blank card

Washi tape

wool or sting

sticky stuff -glue or glue dots

scissors

If you haven't got a blank card to use, simply use some white or coloured card to make your card blank. If making your card, it can be any size you like.....I find square cards work well for this design.

First you want to cut out and fix your background papers -if you haven't got any patterend paper at home, simply use coloured paper or wrapping paper works well too.

I opted for a plain green and multi-coloured striped paper for my card...

Next you need to make your bunting...

Cut three or more pieces of washi tape and lie them flat on the table (you can do this altogether or individually if  find it less fiddly), next you want to lay your wool / string across the tape...

Next, fold each piece of tape over onto itself and then cut a small triangle from the bottom to make the bunting shapes...

If you haven't got any washi tape, just use some coloured paper and stick it down. This is a little more fiddly, but just as effective.

You now need to fix the bunting across one corner of your card, tucking the ends of your wool / string under the paper...

Mini sparkly bunting!

On the opposite bottom corner of your card attach a white piece of card / paper backed with coloured card / paper - this is where you can write your sentiment.

And this is what makes the card really useful, as you can make the card up and just leave the sentiment card blank until you know what type of card you need!

And that's it - simple, quick and perfect for lots of occasions!

We hope you've enjoyed this quick craft project - if you have a go at home we'd love to see your cards....send us a tweet or a Facebook message! 

Thank you for popping by today, pop back soon for another quick and easy craft project!

The Bake Natter and Roll Committee

Excititng News - Farnham In Bloom Container Competition

Hello there,

Here at Bake, Natter and Roll we have some very exciting news to share.....we have been awarded gold for our entry in the 2016 Farnham In Bloom container competition!

Bake, Natter and Roll - Farnham WI entry for the
Farnham in Bloom Container Competition 2016

The judge thought our entry, with its knitting needles, crochet, bunting, cup and saucer, and even a bra as a nod to the WI's "Hanging Braskets" competition, was totally different and really fun. 

Farnham WI mini bunting

Buttons and thread join flowers in our container!

Well done to all the members involved in planting and decorating the container!

The Bake, Natter and Roll Committee