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.

WORKSHOPS FOR 2009

Here is a list of some of our upcoming workshops. If you are interested in booking a place on any of them please contact us on schoolhousearts@yahoo.co.uk

• Saturday January 31st 2009 -Memory Book -Tutor Sharne- cost £20 *
  

In this workshop Sharne will be showing you how to make a memory book with lots of pockets for photos, mementos and journaling.

• Saturday February 28th 2009 - Art Quilt - Tutor Debbie cost £20 *
  

Debbie will show you how to make a small art quilt , embellished with a picture of a bird or a pet.

• March 28th 2009 -Memory Postcards - Tutor Nickie £20 *
  

Discover how to make two very different "memory" postcards using the same techniques, predominantly using hand stitching and the embellisher to achieve these results, but as always a few surprises will be included. This workshop is for all levels.

• April 25th 2009 - Silk Paper Jewellery - Tutor Margaret- £20 *
  

Learn how to make silk paper which can be embroidered and beaded and used to make jewellery.

• June 27th 2009 Dabble Day-Tutors Debbie, Margaret, Nickie, and Sharne -Cost £20
  

Following on from the success of our first Dabble Day we plan to run another one. Come along and use more new materials and try out new techniques in small groups.
* There will be an extra cost for specialist materials which will be supplies by the tutors.

Dyeing Day

Last week we held a dyeing day at School House. It was a fun day led by Debbie and Margaret with Sharne and Nickie helping out serving refreshments, clearing up and assisting. Debbie introduced everyone to the joys of procion dyeing using plastic bags. Everyone had the chance to mix primary colours to produce graduated dyed fabrics and threads.
Margaret then showed everyone how to use disperse dyes and they painted a range of coloured papers which were left to dry until the afternoon. This was followed by tearing wallpaper into strips and colouring the strips with brusho ready to make into pages in a book.
In the afternoon Nickie served everyone with home made rocks cakes and book covers were made by ironing the disperse dyed sheets on to craft vilene. Most people chose to take their fabrics home to wash so we are eagerly awaiting photos of the finished fabrics!


Here is some of the great feedback we had!
"We had a lovely time on Saturday. Thank you for all your expert instruction and for looking after us all day with coffee, tea, biscuits and rock cakes. You really spoiled us. You were also very generous with the materials and the packs/samples were very well put together. Thank you for all your hard work and pre-course preparation."