We had another great planning - and social - session at Diane's last weekend, with the Crafty Crew this time, who also welcomed new member Jennie to see what we get up to!
There was no shortage of ideas and inspiration on offer, plenty to take us through to next year and beyond in fact! A few key themes emerged in the shape of denim, embroidery and upcycling. For embroidery we decided this would be an ongoing project with those Crew members taking part prepared to reveal their progress along the way. As you can see from the collage, Diane has already started with hers by adding a neat design to some denim and others will chip in with kits they've chosen or the stitch journals they're making through the year.
On the upcycling front, denim was mentioned and Michelle talked about a craft apron she's making from an old pair of jeans which she'll show another time. Bags and hearts were other possibilities and Gill has plenty of denim which could be used. Upcycled jewellery also came to the fore, as did plenty of ideas for paper and Christmas crafting, both of which have a place in our programme for 2023.
NB we decided the Little Yellow Duck Project will become an open crafting project and the date in the Happy Hookers' calendar will be used for this activity. We also anticipate an open social session at e.g. Rivo Lounge before we let our ducks out into the world (like we did for the community bunting last year).
Here are the Crew's sessions and dates; as usual these are very much open to all members on a 'come and have a go' basis. This post will form the central one for the year, which will be added to as soon as the materials needed are determined together with any links to guidance, patterns/templates, tuition videos etc. are found.
Note there is no meeting in March. All meetings are on Saturdays and are at Diane's unless stated otherwise.
Scrapbooking - 11th February at Angela's
Angela has kindly agreed to demonstrate and will provide materials
Bring along any photo(s) you'd like to use
Diane will also bring along a range of suitable materials from Ginny's card making stash she still has
The brilliant results from this meeting are here.
Jewellery Upcycling - 22nd April
Bring along your pieces of jewellery you'd like to craft into something different and new OR raid the charity shops for potential pieces to use
We will need e.g. findings for making the beads into jewellery and/or memory wire for bracelets
Several crew members have a selection of pliers we can use
A return to memory wire bracelets are another possibility (see our previous Group making activity for more information and guidance)
Macrame Owl - 27th May
Plenty of internet inspiration available - a suitable one to be selected
Diane to check how much string she has from previous activities
Michelle can provide suitable twigs for the make's branches if needed
There may also be the possibility of making macrame feathers another time
Marbling - 10th June at Wendy's (we need space for this one!)
Michelle has a kit we can use
Paper for marbling will be needed (we may have a supply between us - need to check before hand). There may also be an opportunity to marble other objects, depending on what trays/bowls we have available between us
Time is needed for drying so this session is likely to have lots of activity up front and then plenty of time to chat
Michelle has a small drying rack we can use, though plenty of newspaper would also be handy too
Wear old clothes and/or bring an apron, this could get quite messy!
Mandala Dots - 22nd July
Designs for paper, cards or stones are possibilities
Several crew members have suitable materials to contribute
As for marbling this session will require time for drying and could get quite messy!
Mosaics - 12th August
Start raiding the local charity, tile and DIY shops NOW for suitable materials. This is why this session is in August in order to allow enough time for this
Michelle and Wendy have enough 'blanks' between them suitable for making a coaster or other small design
PVA glue is needed to stick the mosaic materials to the blanks and grout will be needed for the final result. NB it is unlikely there will be sufficient time to do the grouting at the session. Michelle has the guidance issued when she and Wendy made their mosaic pots in 2018
Michelle has a mosaic nipper somewhere...
Hallowe'en themed Glass Painting - September Date TBA
Need to source suitable paints, particularly black
Start collecting suitable jars and bottles!
Michelle has the PB tealight supply for those painting a glass jar. Otherwise small battery operated fairy lights could be used for these or any bottle makes (makers to source their own)
The Crew love the cat design Jennie showed. Similar and other Hallowe'en themed templates can be found on the internet
Christmas - October onwards, dates TBA
We have so many ideas, we need several months!
Diane's sock snowman + outfit(s) (Happy Hookers are also making hats and scarves) - a supply of white socks will be needed
Paper crafting Christmas - paper cut stars/snowflake decorations and origami santas (Michelle has some Christmassy origami paper; Wendy has paper cutting tools; bring a self healing mat or other surface to work on for the paper cutting)
Adapt the folded bunny box Wendy found into a reindeer one
Printed cards and gift tags (Michelle and Wendy have suitable printing materials, supply your own cards or materials for gift tags)
Do just one craft or as many as you want to tackle
Other ideas discussed
Christmas or other design onto wood slices (Michelle has the slices)
Folded book art (cut into a cheap or unwanted book to make e.g. a hedgehog)
Various seasonal wreaths (Michelle has some small wire wreaths @ £1 each)
There are still some bath bomb kits available - see previous activity
Several of the Crew would like to make something with Fimo again
Poundland has some small magnets which can be used for adding your own design