New Workshop Programme

Debs, Margaret, Nickie and Sharne have been busy arranging the next set of workshops for School House Arts. They are listed here. To register an interest in any of the workshops please email us at schoolhousearts@yahoo.co.uk
Work on the School House is almost complete so we should be using it before the end of the year.

Dabble Day

On Saturday we held a very successful Dabble Day when we tried wet and dry felting and using embellishers. The ladies were great fun and they worked hard to produce the beautiful pieces pictured above.

We are really looking forward to our next workshop on July 11th when we have Pauline Verinder coming to do a workshop called "Boogie with Books". It should be great fun.

Silk Paper Workshop

Yesterday we had a fun day making silk paper, at School House Arts. We used silk cocoon strippings to make the paper which was then bonded onto fabric, painted and sealed with acrylic wax. The ladies are then going to use the fabric to make jewellery, book covers, or bags. As you can see from the photographs everyone worked really hard, hardly stopping for refreshments. It was a good job Debs was on hand to keep us well supplied with tea, coffee and biscuits.

Here are some pictures of the fabric and some of the things the ladies have started to make.

We are looking forward to seeing the finished work.

Sharne is taking our next workshop on May 16th when she will be showing us how to make a travel journal.

This will be followed by a Dabble Day on June 25th when we will be covering different aspects of felting and needle felting.

On July 11th we are lucky to be having Pauline Verinder with us. She is going to take a workshop called "Boogie with Books" which is sure to be a fun day.

Pet Potraits

A small but beautifully formed group collected together on a sunny Saturday to make 'Pet Portraits'
There were a few familiar faces but also a couple of new friends too which is always good.
We started off with piecing backgrounds and they were all encouraged not to plan too much but adopt a free approach. Some added a small amount of machine embroidery. June was delighted to discover that she had more stiches programmed into her machine that she thought.
Once backgrounds were done it was down to facing the fear with some Free Machine Stitching.
Many people are concerned when they first try this and it is often hard to persuade people that practise is all that is needed.
Then the applique could begin. Unfortunately time ran out before anyone was completely finished as it so often does.Where does that afternoon go ?? Everybody made enough progress that I feel confident they will all finish and hopefully bring them back to show us or send photos.

Thank you to all the ladies that attended for making it such a pleasant day.
And thanks to Margaret for keeping us well supplied with tea,coffee and biscuits.

Pauline Verinder Workshop

Debbie Margaret, Nickie and Sharne are pleased to announce that Pauline Verinder will be coming to School House to do a workshop on Sat 11th July 10am—4pm. The workshop will be called "Boogie with Books"
The books created will all have a professional finish, but with a unique twist and originality which will appeal to anyone interested in bookmaking and embroidery. Experience with free-machine embroidery is essential.
To register an interest in this workshop please email us on schoolhousearts@yahoo.co.uk
Places will be limited so put your name down as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Pet Portraits

Our next workshop will be held on Saturday February 28th, when Debs will show us how to make one of her lovely pet portraits pictured here. We still have places available so if you are interested in joining us please email us and we will send you details. Our workshops are held in a fun and friendly environment, where you will receive help if you need it and plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits to keep you going.

Happy Christmas

UPDATE: Good News! We have heard that we have been awarded a grant from Maldon District Council and we will now be able to start work on the School House in the New Year.
Debra, Margaret, Nicky and Sharne wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year and look forward to seeing you at our workshops next year.