Monday, 7 July 2014

Quarterly Crafternoons June Gathering 2014

On a cold, windy wintery day, we were warm and cozy (and busy!) inside the Upper Yarra Arts Centre for our June gathering of Quarterly Crafternoons. I tell you I'm glad it's only once a quarter because it comes around waaayyyy too quickly and I find my self scrambling to get the last mintue things organised literally at the last minute. Thank fully the wonderful women who lead the workshops are organised and ready to go.

PAPERCRAFT AND CARD MAKING

This month saw Amanda Davern, a Stampin' Up demonstrator run a cardmaking plus much more funshop. Amanda was very organised and had spent hours preparing the kits to ensure the 4 hours of folding, stamping, blending and tying were a breeze for everyone and we all left with gorgeous sets of notecards and tags embellished with sponged and blended colour, bunting, flowers, buttons and twine.
tags and a boxed set of notecards made with beautiful papers and card embellished with hand-coloured flowers

a small selection of tags used to stick onto the notecards. eceryones created something quite different using similar embellishments

with the right equipment we were able to master the techniques very quickly

one of our many Ta-Dah moments!! Sue even won a Stampin' Up stamp pack! Good on ya Sue



COZY EAR WARMER AND HEADBAND
The lovely the Melinda Duncan, my crafty right hand gal, had us re-purposing pre-loved t-shirts into cozy ear warmers. Surprisingly quick, surprisingly easy (even for the self-professed non-sewer Raelene!), these little numbers saw t-shirts and buttons being rummaged through to find just the right combination. With very little sewing to be done and all that in straight lines, a bit of cutting, some ruffled flowers, some button stitching and much trying on there were endless combinations created.

oh Raelene you are crack up!!

there was consultation about colour combinations

much satisfaction with completed projects (please notice Kylie sporting her crocheted doiley earrings from a quarterly crafternoon long ago)

this was a lesson in more is definately more!!
And if you drop into the op shop in Warby on a friday you may just see Melinda with warm ears under another handmade cozy- they are a bit addictive!!

BEADED EARRINGS
Christine Kay has a long association with beaded jewellery making. Her talent displayed beautifully in her colourful range of very fine beaded earrings that were on show.

these must have taken her hours!

Christine's helping hand was much appreciated by Julie

as you can see this is very fine work with the tiniest seed beads being threaded onto fine waxed cotton thread using a fine beading needle. everything is small, small, small!!

and we went from this..........................

to this, well done Julie! I hope to see them dangling off your ears sometime soon!
We are so lucky to have the support of the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Banks which without their sponsorship we not be able to provide such a range of crafts and therefore the wonderful leading crafters who are able host each workshop. And a big Thank you to the Yarra Ranges Council who provide the beautiful Mechanics Hall at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre free of charge for our venue each time.
I am so grateful that my vision for a free, inclusive crafting event is supported by this community. Thank you to everyone who comes and enjoys this space. You are all wonderful.

Now we have our annual International Crochet Day gathering to look forward too. More on that later. Now I'm off to enjoy the gorgeous winter sunshine that has grace our pressence today.
x Le x

Saturday, 31 May 2014

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