WORKSHOPS AND BEYOND

Hell everyone

It has been a hectic week leading up to my pilot card-making workshop on Thursday evening.  Despite spending 20 years teaching and millions of hours preparing material for my courses, I had forgotten how exhausting it all was - and it wasn't that long ago that it was my day job.  The pilot workshop went very well and Linda and I feel we met the two specific aims of the event: the guinea-pig card-makers had a great time and we received valuable feedback to enable us to plan and move forward with this joint-venture.

It is very easy to forget what it is like to make one's very first card, and I did.  I had planned for at least two cards to be made during the evening - this was to be in addition to a demonstration by a Stampin' Up Expert.  However, once an explanation regarding the format of the evening, safety issues, and the first demonstration had taken place, it was clear that my 'lesson plan' was going out of the window.  But as is my habit, I had prepared about ten packs of cards for each person - a habit of over-preparing that I find very hard to break.

The first card the group made was an Art Deco locomotive decoupage.  I chose this as it had simple straight lines and was less likely to put novice card-makers off of the beautiful art of decoupage:

Everyone enjoyed this and it was a great start to the event.  The next card to make was an Easter Bunny card, but we ran out of time so this was some 'homework' for everyone to take away with them.

Here are some photographs of the event in action:

The calm before the fun

A much needed cake and coffee break

Completing the feedback form for us

The workshop was enjoyed by everyone and I am sure there are some budding card-makers out there at this moment make cards.  I would like to say a BIG thank you Lauren Huntley, who stepped in almost at the last moment to be our Stampin' Up demonstrator.  Everyone enjoyed Lauren's session and thought her cards were lovely.  Lauren runs workshops too and I am sure some of the participants' in the evening's event will be in touch with her.

Now it is feedback review time - what worked, what didn't, what was very popular and what should be left out of the next workshop.  Exciting times and I am really looking forward to the next events, but in the meantime thank you everyone who took part in our pilot one.

I have several card orders to complete, plus a range of cards to make for an event I am taking part in next Saturday: the Chilworth Community Play Group Easter Fair.  I will be back next Sunday with more news and pics, and Milly will be here on Wednesday with her next diary post.  But before then don't forget to visit the crafters taking part in this week's Handmade Monday to catch up with their posts about last week's events.

Have a good week everyone

Jill

JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT SPRING HAD ARRIVED

Hello everyone

Snowing again, just when I though spring had arrived.  A whole two days of it - wonderful.  Double figure temperatures too.  Back to normal now?

Last week was spent preparing for my pilot card-making workshop - feeling nervous about this.  I am starting with a simple decoupage card, following that with a 'large letters' one and time-permitting a third one with punched flowers.  Can't get out of the habit of ensuring I have stacks of material ready in case there are fast-learners or people attending with existing skills.

I had hoped to have a friend who is a Stampin' Up (SU) demonstrator join Linda and I at the event, but unfortunately he is working.  However, this is just the beginning so fingers crossed plenty of other workshops for the three of us to do.  I have been lucky to find another SU demonstrator who lives 'just down the road' and is free on Thursday evening - I am really pleased as I want to add something extra to the workshop.

The work packs, samples and demo bits are nearly ready, just need to concentrate now on making cards to display, produce the feedback forms and the million and one things I have no doubt forgotten!  Linda will be baking cakes and icing them on the day.

Here is a photograph of one of the cards I have produced to demonstrate - don't want to show too many as some of those attending follow my blog and I want some surprises left for them:

Before I get back to workshop preparation, now is a great time to visit the bloggers taking part in this week's Handmade Monday.  Always great to catch up with what everyone has been doing.

My pottery course has nearly finished for this term and although I have lots of work in progress, here is a photograph of one of my pieces.  It is made of porcelain using a mould (sadly the sides sagged a little when it was fired).  I created the finish by sponging three layers of slip, having first added a template of the leaves.  Finally I used a transparent glaze and it was fired at 1250 degrees.  I am pleased with the finish the sponging has created and the colour is lovely too.  It is odd looking at the picture as it sometimes creates the impression that the dish is inverted.

Back to work now, but a quick cup of coffee first I think.  It has stopped snowing and the sun seems to be trying to shine.  I hope you all have a good week - keep warm.  I will be back next Sunday with an update on how the card-making workshop went and Milly will be here on Wednesday with her diary post.

Jill