Seeds sown, flowers blossoming at Mistletoe Cottage.

This morning, six absolute beginners joined us at Mistletoe Cottage to learn the first foundation steps for crochet. Our aim: to produce flower garlands for the head or home.

Initially, not wanting our lovely ladies to fall into bad habits, we focused on learning to hold the hook and yarn correctly and to develop control over the tension of the yarn. This, many would say, is the hardest part of learning to crochet but once this has been achieved it becomes so much easier and is worth taking the time to explore.

It wasn't long, however, until each lady had made a long chain, and could confidently move onto the making of the flowers. With lots of concentration, sprinkled with good-humoured chat, flapjack and coffee, all the group succeeded in crocheting themselves beautiful flowers to attach to their garland.
We hope now that the flower making will continue to blossom at home and that with practice the group will continue to develop their newly acquired skills; that perhaps new seeds of inspiration may be sown for future projects. Wherever the flower garlands are destined - maybe on a head at a festival or delicately brightening up a corner or ledge at home, we hope wherever they land that they will always remind you of that beautifully sunny morning at Mistletoe Cottage where you began learning the gentle craft of crochet.

 

If you missed out on this workshop but would still like to come ... Watch this space for information on an extra session coming to Mistletoe Cottage soon!

 

Rays of sunshine at Mistletoe Cottage

Our home schoolers yet again brought with them beautiful rays of sunshine. After a break of a month since their last workshop at Mistletoe Cottage and some practising at home over the holidays, the girls were keen to get stuck into part 2 of their crochet workshop.

 

 

 

 

As time went on the crochet hook got more relaxed in its movements and the chain and slip stitch magically made their daisy chains appear ready to be worn for Summer happenings. In just two hours they managed to create some colourful and individual master pieces. Well done lovely girls, both Jacqueline and myself found it a pleasure to teach you. Keep it up and more magic will evolve!

 

 

If you are new to crochet and fancy making a daisy chain, we have a few places left this Friday 16th May at Crafts at Mistletoe Cottage. Price £20,  9.30-12.00 (see previous post)

Tel. 07860361040

Absolute Beginners Crochet

"May Blossoms at Mistletoe Cottage"

Friday 16th may 9.30-12.00

Price £20

 

 

During the morning you will be introduced to the first simple steps required in learning the craft of crochet, successfully creating a spring flower garland to decorate your home or hair!

 

£20 per place (minimum in group 6) includes all tools, materials, refreshments, homemade yummies, personal hook and yarn to take home.

To book email dianne.leutner@btinternet.com or  phone or text Dianne 07860361040 or Jacqueline 07941419811

 

NEW : One place left to join the "Bluebell Bus" homeschooling group on Wednesday 14th May 1.00 - 3.00 pm. £15 per child age 7+

 

Mistletoe sprung into life ...

This afternoon we welcomed a group of charming bright-eyed homeschooled children to a gloriously sunny and warm Mistletoe Cottage to start learning crochet.

 A homemade banana and chocolate cake later ....

 

 

 

Look what they made: Tiny Easter Baskets - perfect for holding a clutch of mini eggs.

 

"When can I come back?" Was the question asked by the children! Great fun and productive - inspiring the group to practise at home in preparation for our next projects (and oh my there are some exciting and grand plans hatched already!)

 

 

 

Next workshop - Making Merry May flower hairbands - Wednesday May 15th - 1.00-3.00 - £15 per child (only 1 place available on this date - please contact us to discuss other dates)

Jacqueline 07941419811 or Dianne 07860361040

Spring has arrived at Mistletoe Cottage ...

 

 
And oh my what a beautiful flock of crafters arrived this morning for our Easter themed needlefelting workshop!

 

Our morning  began with decorating Easter eggs followed by needlefelting some  tiny birds to be homed in felted nests.

Needle felted easter eggs

 

Tiny birds in nest

 Once fully warmed up and having enjoyed homemade cake and coffee, we sculpted birds on wire legs and before we knew it, Mistletoe Cottage had become a real nature reserve and home to some very rare breeds!!!!!!! Super cute and a complete antidote to the busy world around us.

Beautifully shaped by Clare

Anna's super cute big bird

Hannah's cuddly robin

Friends Danni and kate

 

Carol's bird caught a worm!

Francesca's fragile feathery friend

Cheryl-Ann's colourfull pheasant

Rebecca's floral birdy "tweet tweet"

Some of the nature reserve, some were camera shy and flew away!

Our session finished with sculpting bunny keyrings, using pipe cleaners as our base. A joyful morning with a buzz of chat and industry - we all agreed it was a great way to welcome spring and prompt us all to start planning our Easter trees.

Coming up at Mistletoe we're looking forward to welcoming a group of homeschoolers who shall be learning crochet next week with the aim of making some Easter baskets where quite possibly the Easter Hare may pay a visit!

Don't forget we're happy to run workshops for "ready-made" groups: a friend's birthday perhaps, a  civilised hen party or exam stress busting!!!!!!!!! Minimum number in group 8. Book for 10+ and one comes free. Contact either Dianne or Jacqueline to book and to discuss your options.
 

 

Introduction to 3D felting

"Spring eggs, spring birds, spring bunnies"

Friday 21st March and Friday 28th March 9.45-12.45

Spring bird

During the morning, whilst being introduced to the core tools and techniques used for 3D felting, you will create a hanging egg decoration, sculpt your own spring bird and make a bunny key ring.

Absolutely no experience required.

£29 includes all tools and materials, refreshments and homemade yummies. Bonus goodie bag to take home. Places limited.

To book phone or text Dianne 07860361040 or Jacqueline 07941419811



Hanging egg decoration

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Some comments from last months workshop

Anna "A lovely day, food for the soul"
 
Stephanie "A total switch off from daily chorus"
 
Rebecca "If only every morning could be so peaceful and creative"
 
Mary "All wonderful - naturally!"

Serenity at Mistletoe Cottage

Felting Workshop 4th February

After Friday's frenzied felting and resulting needle breakages, we came armed with extra needles and the consideration of introducing a "swear box" (thanks Carol) ! HOWEVER ...

6 absolute beginner needle felters arrived and after introductions got to know their barbed needles through sculpting an acorn. Much fun, concentration and amazement that the fibres were holding so quickly and effectively.

 

As before, we were impressed with how quickly the group picked the process up and how each lady in such a short space of time developed their own style:

Rebecca's signature bit of fluff unique broach; she developed very much a style of her own from the minute she started.




Wendy's earthy alpine pebbles in a heart.



Claire's skilful blending of colour. She managed to create a landscape of a sea that is bathing in beautiful sunshine. Her technique could be compared with water colour painting.

A beautiful and warm end result! 

 

Sue's subtle and delicate designs and colours. She chose a colour that captured her blue eyes.

By the end of the morning all of the group were delighted with their "makes" and knowing that Margot's colour blind husband is going to be presented with a green early valentine's day heart

and that Mary has laid claim on the beautiful bird brooch regardless of her young daughter's protestations tickles us no end!

Thank you ladies for such a pleasant morning and hope you enjoyed your cookie dough at home! Look forward to the next workshops on the 21st and 28th March (same time, same place) where we shall be exploring 3D felting with a Spring Theme - we'll be excited to see your new found skills developing and to welcoming more lovely "needle felters in the making" into Mistletoe Cottage.

 

Workshops coming up:

We've been asked by many folk about workshops we have planned in the future. We have planned a series of workshops throughout the seasons this year (and hopefully into the next). Do contact either Dianne or myself, Jacqueline, for information or to discuss your needs and watch this space for information on forthcoming events. Our workshops would be an ideal way to enjoy coffee with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday, surprise a friend with a workshop as a gift or simply treat yourself to a jolly good making morning with homemade nibbles, frothy coffee and convivial company

First day back "a great succes"

31st January 2014 - introduction to felting workshop

Making a come back with Crafts at Mistletoe Cottage after five years did bring with it some healthy nerves. Lost my previous partner, Joan Gorman, who has moved all the way to Somerset, but her replacement, Jacqueline Smallwood is an equally lovely and talented lady. She arrived yesterday morning with boxes full of cakes, granola bars and baskets full of felt. Commitment all the way from J! Mistletoe Cottage was in it's crafting situ and we both felt rearing to go! 



 

Time for a cuppa before the ladies arrive



Introduction to felting

 



Working on their designs

After a welcoming coffee with granola bars we got to the expected cry outs of "ouches" when introduced to the felting needles. It didn't take long until the ladies got the hang of the felting techniques and got started on their own individually designed broaches. The force behind the stabbing was a little terrifying at times and we lost more needles than we bargained for! They were literally stabbing away those January blues!

 

The most satisfying part of the workshop was to see the designs evolve into beautiful creations and creatures.

 

Julie's wise owl

Anna's remembrance poppy

Carol wasn't horsing about!

Katherine's stylishly beaded broach

Danni's alpaca wool love

Fransesca's dove of peace

Kate's delicate heart

 

Grace's earthy oak broach

 

 

Stephanie's colourful heart

All in all it was a fun, educational and productive morning. Thank you to all you lovely ladies who came and supported us in our new venture! Long may it continue.
Dianne and Jacqueline.