LOOKING FORWARD TO QUARTERLY CRAFTERNOONS, JUNE 2014

This is going to be awesome! It's only a week and a half away, materials being organised and I'm left wondering what cake I'll bake for the day!

WEDNESDAY JUNE 11TH is the date for our next gathering at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre, Warburton.
AND GUESS WHAT??????? A first for Quarterly Crafternoons..............

THERE'S GOING TO BE A DOOR PRIZE........(insert excited squeal here.......)!! 

Clare Daly from Stampin' Up Paper craft supplies is donating a box of goodies to give away. I haven't seen them yet but I can't wait to give them away on the day, eeeeekkkkkkk! Check out her blog right here at http://www.clairedaly.typepad.com/   Thank you Clare we are so grateful.
 

Anyhow, our workshops will run something like this......... (sorry,  I'm still excited!!!!!!)


COSY HEADBAND/EAR WARMER
This little cozy number was whipped by Melinda Duncan who will guide you through this project. Using a repurposed t-shirt and our new Elina sewing machine. 

Here's the one I whipped up under Melinda's guidance in about 30mins and it didn't cost me a thing! I grabbed an old t-shirt from the rag bag, a contrasting fabric scrap and a button and wah-la!! Cozy ears and headband completely unique to me!! It has inspired me to create a crocheted chevron neck cozy in grey and yellow- yarn is in transit and I will begin that one after crafternoons. 

If you would like to create this in a particular colour or pattern, bring your own t-shirt and button along, otherwise there will some provided for you.


BEADED DANGLY EARRINGS
Local artist Christine Kay is offering to help you create your own pair of sparkly, danglies. With years of experience teaching beading you will be off and away looking good in your handmade treasures. Learn basic skills (don't be frightened) using specialised equipment, threading techniques using seed beads and bugle beads, waxing cotton,creating the foundation, fringing and finishing techniques to walk away with a complete of earrings. I will be taking photos of you all scouting your new danglies!!

Here's a little bio from Christine........

My name is Christine Kay. I live in Warburton. I am an Artist and also love making craft.For many years I ran my own business called 'Mahakan' and sold my handmade American Indian Craft and Beading, Tie dyed clothing and Glass Painting at different markets and to shops. I also ran workshops and classes teaching Native American Indian Beading and craft. These days I spend most of my time painting.

PAPER CRAFT EMBELLISHED CARDS, ENVELOPES AND GIFT TAGS

These words are straight from Amanda Davern for our FIRST EVER paper workshop. 

'We will make three note cards with coordinating envelopes and a decorative box to hold the cards. 

All of the projects are skills based so the participants are learning papercraft skills to build upon to create their own creative works.   

This project introduces the concept of using punches, folding aligned edges, learning paper/colour coordination, tying bows, making layered/shaped flowers, making boxes and envelopes, sponging and making layered bands.'

The next project is making a gift tag and three gift/note tag/cards.  
 The skills involved the participants will be learning are: Learning to
use water based ink to sponge backgrounds/edge paper.  Using the blender
pen, learn how to paint with water based ink with particular skills of
blending colours, colour coordination, highlighting and avoiding the
pilling of paper.  This is another three dimensional project.

Here's a bit about Amanda-

'I have been teaching papercraft since 1994.  Whether it be three dimensional paper tole, photo 

albums, cards, stamping, colouring with alcohol markers (copic), banners, etc.  The highlight of

 my career was being one of fifty Australians who were selected to participate in an eight hour 

master class with Tim Holtz (creative director of RangerProducts). 

 If asked what my passion is, I would reply with the following:
"My passion with papercraft and teaching is to provide an experience with individuals in which

 they discover their own creative talents/abilities and the joy that follows.  Paper craft is the 

number one art form/craft in the world with endless possibilities.'

How good is that line up, only trouble is being the organiser I hardly have a chance to sit still and

participate.  

However, I take great joy out of watching everyone else come together, make 

connections,see our beautiful town, share some lunch and appreciate other peoples crafting 

skills.All because of an idea someone had and because someone else supported it. 

Looking forward to seeing you there. 

x Le x

MARCH QUARTERLY CRAFTERNOONS CATCH UP

This is what happened on Wednesday, 12th March, 2013 at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre.

NEEDLE FELTED ACORNS WITH JENNIE DE VARGA

I had wanted to create needle felted (also called dry felting) acorns for my own children for our Autumn table this season, especially as our daughter loves collecting them and giving the fairies drinks from the teeny caps! I was going to host this myself as I was quite pleased with how mine turned out, (mine is the pink one to the right of second picture down) but there's nothing like having the expert close at hand to hand over all the little tips and tricks learnt over many years. An eleventh hour call out to the gorgeous Jenni De Varga of SEASONAL TREASURES (basically I begged her!!), resulted in a polite 'No thanks' at first and then a couple of days later she said 'Yes'!! I was over the moon! Here she is smiling away below- secretly I think she had a great time. The table was filled twice over as everyone enjoyed learning a new technique and taking only about 10-15mins each, some came away with quite a little bundle of colourful, felty acorns. Darling Raelene couldn't get the smile off her face.

 

Here's a few woolly numbers dropped from the tree......

A proud show of acorn achievements, we even got stuck into dry felting some oak leaves.....

 Thank you Jennie, it was such a pleasure to have you host a workshop.


LIVIN' IN THE SEVENTIES MACRAME PLANT HANGER

The kindness and generosity of this amazing community I live in never ceases to amaze me. The lovely lady to the right of the third pic below is Anna. She came to a crafternoon and then offered to host a workshop! Anna had been making macrame plant hangers at home and was a bit addicted. I had been toying with the idea myself so was thrilled when Anna came up with the offer to host this workshop at our little crafternoons. I am so humbled by this event that happens here every three months.
I went to Anna's house and we practised while our 2 little darlings played.

This is my first and currently only macrame plant hanger so far. It was such fun to make and super cheap. I used a 30m length of nylon clothesline rope that cost $3 at my local cheap shop. It came in a few different colours too.

Getting started was a bit tricky as you need lots of space but like most crafty crafts, a rhythm developed and away we went. Now at least I knew what I was talking about!

All seats were taken for the workshop which brought such joy. They each went off to sort out the lengths of their chosen rope. We provided the thick clothesline nylon rope, natural jute which was very fine and some builders twine purchased from hardware store that came in awesome bright neon colours of blue, pink, green and yellow.

 Everyone was able to receive one on one attention from Anna as there were many questions. From a craft that was so hip in the 70's (I soooo remember my mum making plant hangers, owls and latch hooking rugs), there was only a handful who's memories came flooding back.

After a bit of faffing about, the participants realised only a macrame train will do! The chairs at the UPPER YARRA ARTS CENTRE have a perfect handle grip on the back to loop the work around. If doing this at home a door handle will be fine.

Here's a close up of Jenny's fine work. The jute being the finest of all the ropes, took the longest yet created lovely knot definition. 

 After 4 hours, we had more than half a dozen happy macrame knotters leave with a handmade creation and a memory of a day with lots of laughter. Thank you to the lovely Anna who gave her time and passion for a handmade life so enthusiastically.

 APPLIQUE EASTER BUNTING WITH MELINDA DUNCAN

Our March Crafternoons couldn't go past without a Hoppy Easter project. My right hand gal, Melinda Duncan, created these very pretty Easter inspired bunting appliques so we could learn how to use that iron on sticky stuff (interfacing or Vliesoflex) and practice our hand-stitching techniques. 

 

With some gorgeous prints and calico squares we handcrafted sweet little squares with appliqued bunnies, flowers or eggs complete with handstitched borders in DMC embroidery thread. I've been in crochet land for so long my handstitching was a bit wonky!

In the end, we were very pleased with our makings. Though not completely finished, everyone could take their squares home with them along with enough thread to finish the project. These would be so sweet as little pockets on aprons, dresses or pants. 

 Thank you so much my dear friend for another gorgeous workshop! 

 Our SHOW N TELL table was a bit bleak this time around. I had left my bag with my poncho I'd completed on the table at home, Melinda bought in a lovely cardi WIP in a divine Rowan Organic Belle and Jenny had her darling all cotton mixed stitch blanket on display (sorry Jenny I forgot what the pattern is called!!). And that was IT!! I must make it a point to promote this part of it more for next time.
 

Thanks for dropping by and see you all at our June Quarterly Crafternoons (with your show 'n' tell!!)
x Le x

CHRISTMAS, 2013 CATCH UP

Here's a catch up of our Christmas 2013 Quarterly Crafternoons, yes LAST year's Christmas, only 6 short months ago- where does the time go?

OUR WORKSHOPS

KANZASHI FLOWERS

 The lovely Melinda hosted a full table twice over for the Kanzashi Flower workshop. Kanzashi are the traditional hair ornaments worn by the Japanese and is a term now given to the folding technique used to make fabric flowers. I first saw these on Pinterest and pow, I just knew we had to make these. I was so surprised how simple and quick they were and it was lovely that some made more than one on the day. Unfortunately I wasn't very snap happy that day and took hardly any photos. Let's just say I was 'in the moment'! 

Quite simply they are 6 small circles of fabric, about 5-6 cm diameter that are folded in half on the bias, sewn with a gathering stitch, pulled tight and a centre button added. They are folded a particular way and quite precisely too. Check out this Pinterest too right HERE. As I was 'in the moment' there are no photos of ANY finished flowers, hmmm, I really must pay more attention next time!

TISSUE PAPER POM POMS
It may also be because I was busy instructing others in the finer craft of Tissue Paper Pom Pom making! 

This really was lots of fun and super easy using an accordion fold, some string, a pair of scissor and some precise 'fluffing' of the layers and soon we were adorned in colourful layers of soft tissue. They were perfect for the littlies to make too. I really enjoy seeing the smaller ones have a go and it's quite a relief for mums to know they can come along, be social, make something and the kids are cool with it too!

 

We also introduced everyone to Elina, our new addition to the crafting family.

Our gorgeous brand new SEWING MACHINE!! Purchased with thanks to the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Banks sponsorship that has funded our workshops. The bright and cheerful Elina is now available to use at our Quarterly Crafternoons gatherings.

So thank you everyone for coming and sharing in the Christmas joy.
x Le x