Wednesday 26 January 2011

Tea and Tarts

In december last year, I was selling my wares at my local theatre's annual Festive Fayre where I came across a very lovely set of ladies.....completely unawares that they were actually the local Women's Institute group! "Run away!" I hear you cry, "They're all middle-aged, middle-class tory jam makers!" And yes, although I'm ashamed to admit it now, those are the thoughts that rushed through my mind when anyone mentioned the WI. I couldn't have been more wrong. I've always been a believer that women should at least be able to sew a button back on a loved cardigan and that nowadays, women are useless at the things that used to give us a collective sense of gender identity.

The best thing about my new discovery is that it fulfils my longing to join a regular group learning new skills and sharing crafty knowledge. Whether it's knitting, crochet, lace-making, book-binding...whatever the skill, there's something for everyone.

The meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at Gerry's Vintage Tearooms in Huddersfield (next to Verve and opposite the Parish Church). I attended my first meeting this month and absolutely loved it! The women are so warm, friendly, welcoming and a wide range of ages.



The first session of this year was how to knit a cupcake. Although we didn't have time to finish the whole project in one evening, our creative spark was ignited enough to carry it on when we went home. Here's the finished project. Not bad for my first try I think!

So ladies, I suggest we put away our old prejudices and assumptions and try something new this year. Be brave!

Wednesday 19 January 2011

The Tortoise and The Hare



My other half is working on some models for his first animation based on the famous tale of the Tortoise and the Hare. Here they are as works in progress. I'll keep you posted as they transform! I'm very honoured to have been asked to be the voice of the Hare :)

Thursday 13 January 2011

Brooches and Bakewells



Hello readers!

Hope you all had a very merry christmas and a boozy new year! I'm feeling very excited about 2011! Although I don't believe in New Year's resolutions (let's face it, vowing to quit chocolate never lasts past January), I have thought of a few changes I'd like to make to the way I live. One of these is to blog at least once a week. From now on, check back every Thursday! Feel free to pester me if I start getting slack, I'm determined to stick to this one!

For me, this year is where my future career begins. In a couple of weeks, I will be attending a business enterprise course to apply for funding for my craft business. I am also planning on enrolling on a diploma course in Interior Design. Scary, but amazing. I've finally found something I'm 100% to making my life's work.

Another of my 'new year's changes' is to make all my friend's and family's birthday cards and presents. Yesterday was my close friend Suze's 24th birthday. I spent the afternoon making her some yummy cherry bakewells (very pleased with the result to say I've never made them before!) and the last week making a personalized brooch, inspired by her love of vintage and shabby chic. She loved them, I was so happy. Nothing beats seeing the look on someone's face when you give them something you've put time and love into.