Gartmore/Fifth Anniversary: Part 4 (the final)!

After breakfast we had our last class of the weekend. This one was given by Laura. She had offered to teach beginners crochet. Basically, different stitches and she was willing to show people specific stitches they wanted to learn.

Helen, Isabel, Anne and Elaine all took part. Even though I wasn't taking part I even learned what a half treble was. Isabel found this class very relaxing. There were no tantrums and she even helped Helen out at one point.

These are Elaine and Helen's practise pieces. I think the favourite among everyone was the bobbles. I can't wait to see what everyone does with their new found skill.

As I mentioned in the last post there were also some finishes. Caroline brought along this craft bag and zipped purse set. Once again I love the fabric she used. The ribbon in the drawstring bag is in the style of measuring tape. I think everyone was tempted to pinch it.

Caroline was also asked to knit clothes for a little pig toy belonging to the daughter of a friend. Without a pattern she managed to knit him a hat, scarf, trousers and a cardigan. I think he was our mascot for the weekend.

We found out recently that June knows how to tat. Anne had wanted some reminders on how to do it so June brushed up on her skills and helped her out. She also brought this doily along which is an example of tatting. So delicate. She rescued this from her church as they were going to throw it out. We don't know who created it but seemed a shame that it was being discarded.

Linda was making her pencil cases for the shoebox charity. She did this last year and manages to make quite a few over the weekend. I loved the little train fabric.

You can see here just how busy she was. 15 in total.

Isabel was also busy. She finished her advent calendar. There was a stamped foot at one point but as you can see she was very proud when it was finished. Quite rightly too as it looks lovely! She did also finish her baby blanket, the one with the brick pattern. She was sick of it by the end and although she has the wool for another she refuses to do it. It didn't help that she discovered she had picked up white instead of cream at one point and hadn't notice. I did take a photo but seems a little cruel to post it here.

Lastly, June brought along this bag kit that she got on her travels with Helen and Stephanie. At first it didn't seem like it was going to fit together and June thought she was going to have to take it back. However, it all worked out in the end. Unfortunately I do think that her granddaughter might pinch the bag no matter how much June insists that it's for herself.

It was a fab weekend and we all came home sad that it was over. It went in far too quickly. I won't be able to organise it next year and it's unlikely that I will be able to go. However, I have had a few people volunteering to be the organisers so it will still go ahead.

Tomorrow I am teaching Helen how to use blogger so Tuesdays update will come from Helen. Will be a nice treat for you as you must be sick of my voice by now. Worth looking out for. I also have plans for the next member of the month so look out for that.

Gartmore/ Fifth Annvirsary: Part 3

Whilst we had a fabulous weekend the weather was rotten. Only Margaret and myself ventured out for a walk on the Sunday after breakfast.

We did see a bunny although they kept themselves hidden for the most part. We think they knew June was coming to see them.

The bag lessons resumed as soon as people began appearing in the big room. Izzi was already first up and straight to work. All of the bags were actually finished on the Sunday. A huge thank you to Izzi for all the time and effort she put in over the last few months. You can also thank Elaine who suggested the design in the first place (or blame which every you prefer).

Isabel was very proud of her finished bag. I don't think she expected to have it finished.

Love the blue fabric of Helen's bag.

I also like the simple stripe pattern. Roberta's bag is quite effective.

I like Linda's spotty design.

Lyn is planning to decorate the front of hers later with some embroidery.

I love the stripe and spot combinations in Alison's bag.

Margaret used her own fabric which had to be quilted as it was a light cotton unlike the more canvas style fabrics that everyone else used.

I felt a close up was needed to show the detail of the fabric.

The last bag to be finished belonged to Elaine. It took time to work out a pattern for the fabric. I love the end result.

Only one more blog post to go. The last one will highlight Laura's crochet class as well as some finishes done by the group.

Gartmore/ Fifth Anniversary: Part 2

Half way through the afternoon we enjoyed a second tea break and cake. We normally take it through to the room we are working in but this time we all sat out in the foyer. It's a lovely, bright area with beautiful detail on the ceiling and glass panels on the doors.

After tea the second class began. This time it was run by myself and I was teaching everyone to crochet flowers. You can see all the stages above and an example of colour changes.

Lyn and Elaine get started whilst Elaine's friend watches on.

Margaret and June also get started.

The hardest bit is after you have done the first set of petals but everyone managed it. Here is Elaine's finished flower.

This one was finished by Lyn.

This one by Margaret.

This one by June.

I also did an example of adding an extra layer to it. You can see the difference the yarn makes too. I had used baby wool whereas the others used normal DK. Mine looks larger but the others are sturdier, making them perfect for broaches.

Other projects were also on the go between the classes. Margaret here is working on a cross stitch fairy.

Helen is working on a scarf for the shoe box charity.

Elaine is working on some mini cross stitch characters for her daughter.

Linda is working on pencil cases for the shoebox charity.

June is working on some cross stitch too. However, earlier she was also working on a felt bag kit.

Roberta had been working on a jumper for a charity at the church but ran out of wool. Here she is working on a hat also for charity.

Alison is working on her chunky cross stitch cushion. She managed to get quite a bit of it done and I think it won't be long until we see it finished.

For the rest of the night it was quite relaxing. We had a lovely dinner and then shared some sparkly wine. There was a lot of chat, laughter and of course work on projects.

Gartmore/5th Anniversary: Part 1

It always feels like Gartmore arrives and finishes all too quickly. However, everyone had a fantastic time and I hope that it felt a little bit special since we were also celebrating five years. There was some cava on the Saturday night but I'm afraid I didn't think to take photo's of that. Fear not though as I did take photo's of just about everything else.

As soon as we arrived and had our tea we set up the room. Some of us immediately got ourselves comfy.

Whilst others went straight to work. Most of the morning was spent working on bags at the sewing machine. Isabel here worked on her advent calendar. Those of us not at the sewing machines did get other projects out and began working.

The morning was fairly relaxing followed by a lovely lunch. That's one thing we have always said about Gartmore. You won't starve.

Once lunch was over the other classes began. First up we had a scrapbook lesson from Lyn. She was showing us how to make these gorgeous mini scrapbooks.

Lots of folding was involved, all very complicated. You can see everyone here concentrating to get it right. Although some got it better than others and even managed to start decorating their little books.

This one was mine although I was one of the last to be finished.

This one belonged to Helen.

Margaret decided to decorate hers with flower fairies.

This one was completed by Alison

Alison had brought her friend along who is also a knitter and a cross stitcher. She decorated this one and used a cupcake motif to match the papers inside.

Linda decorated the front of hers with different coloured flowers.

Isabel plans to have little bows made from black ribbon to decorate the inside.

Elaine has decorated hers for her daughter as it's her birthday soon.

Isabel is looking a tad stressed here. This was Isabel's face for most of the weekend. If anything could go wrong for Isabel it would. She was so relaxed after a weeks holiday too.

More classes coming up so look out for that.