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Tuesday 15 April 2014

Crochet Workshops and Crafternoon Tea.........................

My crochet workshops have really taken off and I've had my first venture into organising a "crafternoon tea" Life has become very busy and I'm finding it hard to keep up to date with everything which is why my blog seems to be suffering. I must apologise to everyone for not stopping by quite as often, I have a quieter day planned tomorrow so I have promised myself the afternoon off to catch up with all my favourite blogs.

I am so proud of all the women who have been to my beginner crochet workshops they have become so proficient at crochet and many have gone on to master mandalas and hearts. I ran a heart workshop on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon and both sessions were full, it was really heart warming to see the joy everyone felt in creating something so intricate and beautiful. The lovely Sam from Patternpiper gave me permission to teach the heart tutorial she shared with us a few months ago. Everyone loved the pattern and heart bunting is now high on the agenda.

The "Crafternoon Tea" event required an awful lot of preparation and was a bit of a family affair, Kate had kindly let me use some of her beautiful "make one kits" for the craft activity which she had designed and had printed onto cotton fabric.

I have tried to give you an idea of all the beautiful detail Kate has included in her "make one kits" It's full of illustrations that you can cut out and sew to make wall hangings, lavender bags, trees, birds, bunnies, pincushions, key rings, brooches and more.


I spent so much time cleaning, re-organising furniture, baking, cooking, sorting out crafty stuff on the Friday and then early Saturday morning Laura came round to help. With out Laura's help I wouldn't have been ready on time she was amazing and so supportive - Laura went home at 1.45pm and I was all set for the 2pm start - so very close.

The room started off looking like this.......................

 very soon it looked like this.......................................
then it was time for afternoon tea..........................
  more sewing of beautiful things to take home..................
Saturday's Crafternoon Tea was really lovely I could not have asked for a nicer group of women, some people knew each other but some were newcomers all gelled and got on well together.

At 5pm everyone went home full of cake and with lots of lovely handcrafted things to treasure - what a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I have already planned my next "Crafternoon Tea" event for May and most of the women have re booked, which felt really lovely knowing that people had had such a good time they wanted to come back again.

Apart from an Easter Egg Hunt to organise I have a few quieter days ahead, until my next "Beginner Crochet Workshop" starts on the 24th April, although I've also planned a "Lets make crochet flowers" afternoon as so many people want to learn how to make them.

I'm very proud of my new business venture, I've had to learn so many new things, the need for public liability insurance, having to register with Environmental Health as I am providing refreshments. I have become a self employed sole trader. The lists of things to do are endless but it's all exciting.

I'm off to cook dinner now -  talk soon x


20 comments:

  1. Brilliant Sue. Make sure you look after yourself too x

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  2. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sue this is fabulous. I really mean it, truly wonderful, I see only one possible downside, you are too far away for me to come and join in!! Things are obviously really taking off for you which is so great and great for all the people who come and learn in your beautiful home. I bet that it will be a massive success for a long time to come. I am so proud of you for doing this and so pleased that it is doing well - I have a big smile on my face! Congratulations and celebrations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  3. I'm glad to see it's all going well for you. You deserve to feel proud of yourself. Good luck for your future classes. x

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  4. Wow. Sue, your workshops look amazing and so do the cakes. Congratulations.
    S xx

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  5. So glad it is going well for you, I still love hosting workshops and crafternoon teas after 3 years of doing it - best job in the world! Have you tried Ian Wallace for insurance, they deal with our niche market. Some great wholesalers in Manchester when you need more supplies. x

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  6. Congratulations Sue! The Crafternoon Tea looks like it was great fun and all the food and cake looked amazing too. I'm glad the heart pattern went down well with your crochet ladies x

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  7. Wow, everything seems to be escalating! Well done on the growth of your business; if I lived nearer I would be a regular at your Crafternoon teas!

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  8. What a wonderful achievement Sue - my congratulations to you, and how wonderful that your lovely girls are so supportive of you too! You really are doing a tremendous job, especially in light of your ongoing health issues, and I admire you for your tenacity as well as talent and all-over management skills. Keep up the good work girl! Love, Joy xo

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  9. Ooh, I want to come along too! Well done, Sue - that all looks like so much fun (and a lot of behind the scenes hard work) I wish you every success in your new venture - enjoy :-)
    Xx

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  10. WOW! This looks fabulous - I want to have a craftanoon tea! XX

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  11. Wow!!! This is a great event, a Crafternoon Tea and what a lovely idea!!! I'm not doubt it was a wonderful time! I love all sachets and the meringue! If I were near I would join you with pleasure :)
    Happy Easter!
    Hugs from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  12. Hello Sue, I am thrilled for you that your little venture is working - way to go.
    Take good care of yourself and save me a piece of your next cake.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  13. Wow Sue, that Crafternoon tea looks mighty tasty! The ladies all look as if they are enjoying themselves! I'd love to do something like that but alas, not enough time - maybe in a few years when the boys have left home (ha ha) and I have more time on my hands. Until then, I'll just have to read about yours! Jane x

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  14. Oh Sue what a magnificent post! I am so very, very happy for you! Brilliant ideas, look at all those goodies! I think I may just have to make the journey to yours one day for a crafternoon, it just has to be! Chrissie xxx

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  15. So pleased it is going so well for you, I know I'd love to come along to one of your crafternoon teas, such a fab idea
    Clare x

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  16. Glad things are going well for your venture. Jo

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  17. Congratulations Sue :-) Wow you have done well! The crafternoon tea looks fab.
    Tracey xxx

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  18. How fun!!!! I wish I could have been there to meet these lovely women and sit for a spell and crochet. Well done!
    Meredith

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  19. Well done you! The fact that most of them have rebooked is testament to how well you're doing.

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  20. Wow Sue, what an amazing time those ladies must have had. The craft the gathering of like souls, and that grand spread. I am thinking and wishing I could come to one. Where exactly are you and could I fit a visit or gathering into my trip May/June. That is as long as my knee gets better quick. Real quick. Here's hoping and willing. Blessings, Trills.

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