Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Crafting with friends

 It's all been about group crafting here. And what a fine thing it is, to be a part of a togetherness of creative spirit, and to be among wonderful friends.
  Yes, another Sewjourn.  Another restorative break from daily routines and responsibilities and a chance to spend time with talented, generous, inspiring kindred souls.

And I was inspired.. oh so inspired.... (and don't have the skills or patience for this sort of work, so shall just watch Megan's progress with this one and d r e a m ....).
 There was also healthy dose of machine-envy this trip, on my part.  Talk about fancy-schmantzy!
There was prolific garment making, a bit of quilting and even a Mod Bag.   Prolific sewing by all.
 ...and the weekend is never long enough.  I could happily live at Sewjourn.

Today we had a curriculum day at the girleen's school - a student-free day.  Since I have child-free weekends and we have a very important birthday this week, I thought my lateral best and organised a party for this morning.
 No surprises here... it was a CRAFT party in the studio (with a balloon and daylight-lamp centre piece).  The birthday cake was made by The Baking Team (me and my girl), with equal input from each in the baking and decorating.  We both felt pretty proud of our joint effort.
There was no pass-the-parcel or musical chairs and there were no tears.  There were half a dozen busy kids (and three busy parents).
 
Although all manner of card-making, beading, stickers, stamps, glitter and paints were on offer, the main activity that took their fancy was SEWING.   The kids used fabric markers to draw on cotton sheeting and we made the artwork into cushions.
 There was a small discussion about why there ought not be a pillow fight at the end of it all, and each kid went home with their own personal cushion.   They were all very happy and very proud of themselves. (Check out the canary cushion - drawn by a 6-7 year old friend of the girleen. I know adults who couldn't draw like that.)  The birthday girl made up one of the jewellery-making kits she recieved as a gift (she can sew anytime!).
I'm seriously exhausted after the day, but feel happy that some good memories may have been created for my beautiful 7-year-old girl.
 
I had a brainwave yesterday, which also slots into the "crafting with friends" theme ...possibly because I was still a bit loved-up from the weekend and wanted to share the joy.
 
Since I'm free the first weekend of  December, and I don't feel like travelling or spending time setting up the website/PayPal for a scheduled class, if any group of friends would like to book a class with me in Northcote, I'm available for a private xmas-crafting class.  I can take up to 6 people in my studio, and provide mulled wine, mince tarts and some great gift-crafting skills and ideas.  It'll be a flat day rate that is cheaper than the per-person rate of the usual classes (because we won't have as much admin to do).  First come, only one served.  You choose the class you want to do.  Just a thought.... Contact the office for details.

14 comments:

A Peppermint Penguin said...

Happy Birthday to your big girl!

That looks like a fantastic cake/party/day. All excellent.

and yes, that canary is stunning.

I'm glad you got a break. Not that your version of a break involves much resting....

Anonymous said...

I wish I was a kid again so I could come to your parties!

meli B said...

I love those hands on kid's parties. The kids have the best time and get to take home something they made. The cake was fabulous too. One of my most special times with Mum was making cakes and licking the bowl! See how good you can be when you have a weekend away? Grounds for having them more often!

thornberry said...

So pleased that it all went so well today. What a superb cake! And thanks for a great weekend.

Breakfast Jo said...

Happy Birthday Miss 7!!! what a wonderful party you had, and what a clever mum! I wouldn't have to be a kid again to enjoy that kind of day :O) Love the cake :O) xx

Fer said...

Happy birthday Girleen! That party looks a great idea to tuck away for future reference!

Tania said...

I can't believe you're not comatose! Usually I can't utter verbal sentences after a party hosting, let alone string a written one together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEVEN YEAR OLD.

(AND HER MUM).

Lisa H said...

Great birthday party; I love it when all the children get to take something home that they made. I did this many years ago for my daughter as a Christmas Party. All the quests brought a $5 limit Kris Kringle and spent the day making decorations and icing shortbreads and gingerbread men to take home. I supplied little individual christmas trees and they decorated them with their individual creations. It was a great day, both for the children and the parents. I hope your growing girl had a fabulous time.

Also, I am interestedin attending a craft with friends day, so I will be contacting your office tomorrow. Sounds like the perfect Christmas present to myself.

ARTwendy ... said...

wow ... looks like a lovely weekend ... there's a sparkling new machine i spotted pictured with a pin cushion i'd know anywhere! ... thanks for sharing ...

CurlyPops said...

Can't believe the wee girl is 7! Where did all that time go?

Katy Cameron said...

Sounds like a fab weekend, and excellent lateral thinking there, love the cake and the cushions (and the funky stripy tights one of the guests has on in that photo lol)

Lilli boo said...

How wonderful are those pillows. A fantastic way to spend an afternoon for celebrating a birthday. The cake looked exceptional too...

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing your expertise and conversation and time with everyone, it's always so lovely to break from the daily grind!
Thanks to you and Tan I just ordered an edgestitch foot!! (enablers!).
Love that cake - just what a small cat girl wants - hope she had a great birthday.

ellie said...

What a fantastic birthday party, I would still love a birthday party like that even though I'm a big kid lol. Love the cushions and the canary is great!

and Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!

(had such probs with the captcha as I totally ignored the numbers in the photo at least 4 times hahaha)