My first workshop!!

This post is rather a long time after the fact, but thought I would just let you know how my first ever mini workshop went. I was asked by Chatterbox Ladies Group if would come along to a crafty evening to demonstrate what I do and get some of the ladies involved. Ever up for a challenge, I agreed. I was extremely nervous on the day, with very shaky hands - especially when I couldn't actually find the venue!! But I think it went OK.

The first thing I had to do was decide exactly what I wanted to make with them. As I've never done this before, and I don't own lots of equipment, I had to find something that was straightforward and that I could resource from my stash without too much extra expense. Once I'd decided, it was just a case of prepping all the resources - something I'm fairly used to with my teaching background.

I decided to go back to basics for the two cards, and do some good old paper folding.

This first uses teabag folding to create the medallion. I use Papermania Antique Cream Creative Tones paper  for this sample. The ladies either had this combination of colours or a black and white version using Papermania Ivory and Black Creative Tones. I know that there are many tea bag paper designs out there with symmetrical designs, but I don't feel you have to use them to get a great effect. Any paper (even wrapping paper) will do. To add interest, to the finished medallion, I cut all the squares using a scalloped square die, and used a solid colour as a mat for the medallion itself. The brad in the middle was from my stash.

This was really successful - and, as well as this fold, I showed them a few others that they could use to make decorations for Christmas!!!

The second card was a very quick and simple card, inspired by a sample I saw in a DoCrafts magazine. The dress is made from a scalloped circle, cut from a 12x12 sheet of The Paper Company Studio Fuschia Fleur. The pink scalloped circle is cut from an old Papermania Colossal paper pad, and the purple beaded oval from a Brenda Pinnick Paper Pad. I embossed the cirlce with dots to add texture to the plain side of the card. The dress was finished off with sticky ribbon from my stash.

All in all, it was a successful evening. The ladies seemed really pleased with their make and takes, and I learnt a few things to help me make it even better (if there ever is a) next time.

And now, I need to go and finish the wedding invitations.
Cxx