IPP - the crafty side of things . . .

One of the most fun things about having creative & crafty friends to stay over the summer, is that there is always the opportunity to learn something new.   So when Lesley arrived with a bag full of beading & felting things,  Jen  & I did a little dance of joy.

The three of us first met, just a little over two years ago in Washington DC, USA where our hubbies were attending IPP.  Within minutes of being introduced, we'd discovered amongst other things, a mutual love of all-things-crafty.  And that was that. . . a firm friendship was born.

Fast forward to August 2014 and once more our boys were gathered at the annual IPP conference - this time in London.  So crafting plans were laid and first up was a bit of beading . . .

Left to our own devices whilst the boys were out & about (running around in some not-so-secret nuclear bunker - yes, seriously . . . read a bit about it here if you're interested), we donned our comfy gear, ordered take-out for dinner and turned the dining room into our crafting studio. 

Lesley makes the most beautiful beaded jewellery and had brought everything along that we needed so we set about making ourselves each a pretty bracelet under her expert tutelage.

bracelets in the making . . .

. . . and the end result :-)

Next on our list was "Learn to needle felt", so after a little excursion to The Cotton Patch for more supplies, and a re-location to London, we set up a makeshift craft space at our hotel, and went about ticking that one off too.

 

turning a bundle of wool roving into a sweet little penguin

expert tutor at work . . .

The call to dinner interrupted our crafting session,  but a little later we reconvened in the hotel lobby bar and had an impromptu workshop for a few of the delegates' kids . . .

. . .  and between us we produced 3 penguins, a Mallard duck, a dinosaur & 2 very scary monsters . . .

How cute is this little menagerie ?

Sadly all good things must come to an end, but as Jen winged her way westwards to California and Lesley crossed the pond home to Canada, we're already making plans for next year . . . 

hmmmm . . . .  what shall we make ?

: - )

'til next time,

xoxo

Being charmed . . .

Once upon a time in Africa, long long ago, I learned to bead. 

 Like so many crafts that I've attempted over the years, I loved it. 

And so began a collection of beads and the making of all manner of pretty things.

But almost 9 years ago now, when we packed up, waved goodbye to Africa and moved across the Equator to the big island of Blighty, my enthusiasm for beading waned somewhat. 

And after a little while it all got popped in a box (albeit a pretty one) and packed away. 

And there is has remained.

Until yesterday . . .

My friend Sarah is the creative genius behind Purple Pepper, who seems to be able to turn her hand to most things. She only learned to sew fairly recently, but has already whipped up some gorgeous things and is now passing on her skills, running after-school sewing classes for kids. 

 Her real passion however,  is for making lovely jewellery.  She does commissions and parties and classes,  and I've been wanting to go along to one of her workshops for ages.

So when the opportunity presented itself, I signed up and yesterday spent a truly fun afternoon learning to make a little beaded charm bracelet.  

There were 5 other lovely ladies in our class and together we umm-ed and aah-ed over our choice of beads and then watched attentively as Sarah guided us through the making process - explaining the technique and warning us of the potential consequences of incorrect wire cutting ; - )

 

 

 

I decided that as Sarah & I had done the "Make me a Reversible Skirt" workshop together {you can read all about that here}, I should make my bracelet to match my skirt. 

 

 

 There was much chatter, lots of laughter, copious cups of tea and a delicious cake.  

Can you think of a better way to spend an afternoon ?

 

 

 

 

Our bracelets all turned out great and I have to say we were all very chuffed with our first attempts.

That's mine, second from the top . . .

So as soon as I got home, I hunted down the pretty box of old beads and now I can't wait to get stuck in and make another piece.

Thanks Sarah for your inspiration and patience, and for rekindling this lovely craft for me.

Now I just need the sun to shine this week, so I have the excuse to wear my reversible skirt and my pretty new bracelet

: - )

Hope you've had a lovely & creative weekend too,

xoxo

ps.  for a wee peek at more of Sarah's gorgeous creations, pop over to the Purple Pepper website here or

 Like her Facebook page here.