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.

  

  

Needle felting workshop

Stab away those January blues!

Friday 31st January or

Tuesday 4th February 2014

9.45am-12.45pm

£29 Includes refreshments with homemade cake, tuition, materials and a bonus needle felting project kit to take home.

 

During the morning you will be introduced to the basic tools and techniques required to create a unique brooch in a shape of your choice.

Absolutely no prior experience is necessary! This is a day for everyone, absolute beginners or those with prior experience.

 

To book phone or text Dianne 07860361040 or Jacqueline 07941419811

Fantastic results from the winter workshops

Mistletoe Cottage was glowing with Christmas spirit this week.


The last of the Winter craft courses took place on Friday. Our day began creating wreaths and centrepieces using a lot of chicken wire and some fresh moss.

The weather was very wet and cold outside but we were warm, cozy and busy inside.


The group putting finishing touches on wreaths and centrepieces.


Jenny's beautiful wreath finished.

It was another very enjoyable set of workshops. Thank-you to everyone who attended. Click here to go to our Flickr site and see more images from the two days.

Seasonal craft courses in full swing

The Winter Craft courses at Mistletoe Cottage began on Tuesday with some beautiful seasonal arrangements. Clare's wreath turned out lovely.



Monica's long centerpiece is stunning...



so is Sarah's table wreath.



And Vicky's birdhouse arrangement will look gorgeous adorning her entrance and may possibly attract a tiny feathered family come spring.

The images from both Winter Craft days will be posted at the Flickr site during the weekend.

Winter Workshops

Tuesday, November 25 or
Friday, November 28
9.30am - 2.30pm

Enjoy a day creating two festive, seasonal decorations.

The day will start with morning coffee and goodies followed by instruction and the crafting of one of two projects for the day. A busy morning of decoration making will be followed by a tasty two-course lunch made with locally sourced ingredients. After lunch the second arrangement will be completed.

During the day you’ll create two different decorations - the first a charming, very versatile birdhouse arrangement. This arrangement can hang on a door or wall in place of a traditional wreath or it can be designed to sit on a table. It can also be hung outdoors where you might just find feathered friends hiding out come springtime.

The second decoration is a table wreath. This lovely arrangement can be filled with any type of seasonal foliage or flowers and it can be refilled throughout the year. As it sits low on the table, this wreath makes a perfect centrepiece and won't block the view of your dinner guests. A candle can be placed in its centre or tapered candles can be inserted around the circle.

No prior experience is necessary! This is a day for everyone, absolute beginners or those with prior flower arranging experience.

A large selection of supplies and materials will be provided but bring along a pair of secateurs and a pair of light gardening gloves.

The cost of the Winter Workshop is £49
This includes all supplies for two arrangements, morning refreshments, and a two-course lunch.

To book, click here to go to email. Then email us and let us know the day you'd like to attend Tuesday, November 25 or Friday, November 28. Or email us if you have any questions regarding the course.

More mosaic madness

Another day of mosaics and another fantastic group of enthusiastic makers. It all started off with deciding on a design then gluing the pieces into place.



Some people worked picture frames while others chose to mosaic the frame of a mirror.



An array of pottery and broken china was provided and some people brought along their own broken pieces. There were also flat marbles, pieces of mirror, coloured glass and buttons available to use within the pieces.



Although these were very busy sessions, everyone was able to complete at least one whole piece and some people completed two.



A break for lunch was taken in the afternoon, then we went back to work grouting the mirrors and frames that were ready.


Grouting is a bit like cake baking but a lot crunchier.


All of the finished pieces were completely unique - a very good time was had by all.


Thank you to everyone who joined us for these very creative sessions. To view more images from both mosaic days as well as previous classes go to our Flickr group click here.

Mosaic Classes in Progress

What a fantastic group of women we had at our class on Tuesday - and so dedicated to completing their mosaics. Clare took hers home not quite finished, stayed up late to complete it then gave birth the next morning! Congratulations Clare - a beautiful mosaic mirror and a beautiful baby boy.


Here she is hard at work.

A very busy, productive day all around. We're looking forward to another fantastic group on Friday. Check out our Flickr group to see all the photos for the Mosaic Making Days as well as images from previous classes.

Dates for our Christmas events will be posted soon.