Friday 1 February 2008

The Craft Club ..


The gallery

January 2008 has been a month of turbulence in our household for all sorts of reasons and so I am pleased to welcome February with open arms and an open mind. It is best not to look back and I have practised a simple philosophy for many years that has always worked for me however difficult life can be sometimes.. I strongly believe that there is always promise around the corner and some kind of salvation..
There is a wonderful Chinese proverb that says.."only a fool trips on what is behind him" ...in other words don't make the same mistakes from the past or look back and think what could have been..

So it is with this that I welcome this new month and the days to come.. Spring will herald the end of a long winter.. not necessarily a cold or bleak one.. more a state of mind.

I have much to do and many little seeds of thought are sprouting into new projects each day..
Last night I held a Crafters Club at my home.. I am fortunate enough to live in a very friendly neighbourhood and several of my close neighbours are artists or have some creative flair..so along the lines of a book club but without the books..I held my first club meeting last night..
I was a little apprehensive as the small community that makes up this club had already held several meetings which I had not been able to attend so I didn't know what to expect, nor had I met all of the members.

The evening was filled with chat and laughter and much creative and artistic banter which I found most inspiring and exciting..
Everyone brought their talents to the table and we shared our collective knowledge of collage, knitting, felting, painting etc etc and one of two of the members had quite a pedigree having displayed their work at the R.A at some time.

I am really looking forward to my next meeting in two weeks time.. where we will come together to share mutual musings on life and our craft interests and maybe just one or two glasses of wine too!



This is a local exhibition that I hope to visit this weekend.. One of the exhibitors is a Candace Bahouth.. a vibrant woman and hugely talented .... her mosaics have to be seen to be believed.. and her character is very much reflected in her work... bright and witty.

Hope you all have a good weekend... doesn't look like the snow is coming after all.. well at least not in balmy Bath!

26 comments:

Ragged Roses said...

Hi Michele
i love the idea of a craft club especially with the addition of a glass or two of wine. It sounds like fun and your work looks very impressive sitting on the mantlepiece. Did Pickles behave himself or was he banished?
Kimx
Have a great weekend, enjoy that exhibition and try and find some of that elusive snow!

Georgia Peachez said...

I would love to go to that exhibit too! I love all those artists, have fun!! xo, suzy

Garden Girl said...

Hi Michelle, your craft club sounds fabulous fun!Your fireplace looks gorgeous with all of your bits and pieces lined up.I am off to Twickenham tomorrow to admire mens' muddy thighs, so will try and get some photos up soon to cheer you up!
Happy February! anna x

bj said...

I'm so glad you had a lovely time....getting together with others is so good for the soul.
hugs, bj

OhSoVintage said...

Hi Michele,
I hope the rest of 2008 will be good for you. I love that sketch on your mantlepiece. Did you do it?
Ruth x

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Ruth
You asked about the sketch above the fireplace..
No I didn't draw it ... but wish I had.
My beloved bought if for me for my birthday last year.. it is a charcoal and pencil sketch of a young girl. I love the whole character of the drawing and I would love to have know who she was.

Michele

Rubyred said...

The craft club sounds like a lovely idea.I shall have to remember that Chines proverb,it's so true.Hope you enjoy the rest of 2008!

Carol said...

Hi Michele,
That is great....having a gathering of talented ladies...I assume that they are all ladies!
Your frames look great on the mantle.
Well lets see what February brings....I am hoping to be able to get out in the garden!!
Hugs,
Carol x

Alexa Lett said...

The craft club sounds interesting...sometime when you have more time...maybe you could share the details....how long it was..the format...what you supplied? Might want to start one here. Thanks.

Nancy Malay said...

Hi Michele,

Thanks for leaving such a nice comment on my website..... I've entered you into my "Easter Basket Giveaway" drawing!

I'll also add your blog link to mine, and if you'd like to add mine to yours, that would be great!

Nancy

pinkgreen said...

What a great idea. It sounds like a really pleasant way of spending an evening. Hope you get some snow, but don't think it is headed our way.
Cathy X

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Michele,
The craft club sounds like a fabulous idea! I'm sure everyone had a wonderful time in your welcoming home.
Your frames look incredible on mass like that!

Enjoy the Candace Bahouth exhibition - I love the little china roses on her mosaic shoe.

Take care,
Niki x

Niki Fretwell said...

Doh! en masse !! Not, on mass!
hehe! Niki x

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Michele

What a wonderful idea. And what an excuse for a glass or two of wine - all in the name of crafting!!!

The exhibition looks exciting - shall await your blogpost with interest.

Sue x

Anonymous said...

The craft club sounds like a wonderful idea how lovely it must be to have so many like minded people to share experiences with in your own local.
Carolyn x
http://willowhouse.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there, BJ sent me over cause she says you actually got to meet my dream man Nickalos Cage???? But I cannot find it on your blog??? Do tell.... :)

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Dabooklady.. this is for you..
I didn't exactly meet Nicholas Cage but I was within touching distance! It was one early morning in our local Supermarket in Bath UK. He has a couple of houses in the city and outside so is a fairly regular sight around town if you happen to be in the right place right time.. as I was that fateful morning.
Have a look at my December 2007 post.. Stars in her eyes... this will tell you what happened.

Michele

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

How fun to have artistic and clever friends to share your passions with! I think that there would be much buzz going on in the room! LOVE the mosaic shoe! I bet the artist is a lot of fun!

Have a wonderful February!!!!

xo
Becky

Tracy said...

So wonderful with your craft club! I hope it will generate much inspiration, learning, fun and friendship! Did you get to that lovely exhibit? Happy Day ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Delightful Durham has had its fair share but its all gone now.

Whenever I come here I always wish I was crafty... :o)

Sea Angels said...

Hi Michele, thankyou for your super comments. I really like the idea of a Craft Club, especially in the light of so many colleges no longer participating in Adult Classes, I think there is much potential in small gatherings and a pooling of ideas, for fun, feedback, and friends.
Was that 'balmy' Bath or 'barmy' Bath or both he he !! just joking I adore your part of the world, I would so love to go to the new Spa, have your been ?....
Have a super week
Hugs Lynn xx

Joanna said...

Craft club sounds a wonderful idea, wish I lived closer. We live in the middle of nowhere so I'm not sure about starting one here.

DianeSchuller.com said...

that sounds like a fabulous craft club get together. I wish I lived within civilization ... I'd love to have a creativity club or some such. I've been visiting but can't always get Blogger comments to work.

Cheers!
Diane
Alberta Postcards
Diane's Flickr photos

Chelle said...

It sounds like you had a great time. What a wonderful idea. I bet you couldn't get your fill of other people's creativity. I am always in awe of what other people can do, especially if I know I can't do it myself. I'm sure making new friends was a bonus too.

I take it you didn't get the snow I sent. I guess I'll have to try again. We just got another foot overnight on Sunday. lol! I hope spring springs for you faster than it does for me. There is always something so refreshing about spring, and it sounds like you could really use it.

Have fun at the exhibition. Take some pictures if you can. :)

Hugs,
Michelle

P.S. No worries about any comments on my blog. Sometimes its nice to have perspective from other people. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Michele, Im so jealous... I would have loved to come to your craft evening... I love the idea of like minded people all gathering round a bottle of wine! Im glad spring is just round the corner too, Im hanging on by my fingernails after a miserable January! I remember your mosaic in the kitchen, I bet the exhibition will be a real treat. xx

closed account said...

Dear Michele, apologies are written on my latest post for you, check it out please, I am so sorry!!
Have been away (mentally that is) for a few days, I hope I have not offended you by not being in touch lately, bu as you will see my mind has been full of the preverbial.....c**p recently, hope we can get back to our friendship again , asap.!!!lol
love and big hugs, Kath, your ever forgetful pal..xxx:)
Love the craft idea, what an uplifting post, enjoyed reading it, well done..send some of that inspiration up this way please!!!lol