Button up!

We had a successful AGM last week - thank you to Karen for hosting and to everyone who attended. I will be emailing the minutes out to you very soon, along with a draft copy of workshops for the year ahead.

Our workshop this week is based around buttons. My demo will be sewing-based cards (however, for both designs above you could get away with the bare minimum of sewing if it is really not your thing.) I will be bringing my sewing machine though, and needles and thread, so be warned!

If you really have a needle phobia, then Michelle will be doing a completely non-sewing option. She will be using buttons to create different designs on cards, using glue/glue dots to attach the buttons.

Feel free to bring any favourite buttons, sewing kits, relevant stamp sets etc.

And don't forget you could use buttons on your mirrors. Here are a couple of ideas for inspiration below...Click on the picture to take you to the relevant web sites.

See you on Wednesday.

RIP Pat Tribe

Yesterday we paid our final tribute to Pat. It was a moving service and she leaves behind a very loving family. As you know Pat was a real family person and we have had three generations of her family at Card Club previously. 

Arthur, Pat's husband, was very appreciative of the card and flowers we sent from all at Card Club. Both the card and flower arrangement were created on a purple theme, Pat's favourite colour. It is always difficult making a sympathy card for anyone, but this one was a joint effort between Linda W, Michelle and myself. Thanks also to Karen for sorting out the flowers. 

Pat will be sadly missed by all who knew her and our thoughts go out to her family at this sad time.

Envelope challenges...

We went back to basics on Wednesday for an envelope workshop. Envelopes from scratch, coordinated cards and envelopes, creating crimped envelopes and notecards and making woven heart pockets were just some of the techniques we explored. It was so busy I didn't have time to take any piccies this month unfortunately! But I'm sure you will believe me that we did have some wonderful results!

Hopefully you all picked up your spare envelopes for this month's "Envelope Memory Book" challenge too. (see above) If not you will still be able to get some envelopes at the next workshop as it is not due in till March 27th. If you missed the demo for the three basic styles of envelope book or need a reminder, click here for the demo notes. There are other styles out there too so don't feel you have to stick to one of these if you don't want to. Don't forget that the winner of the challenge wins free entry into the next workshop.

Be creative and happy memory book making!

New Year, New Ideas...

Hello and Happy New Year to you all! It's been a while but the crafting hasn't stopped even if the blogging has halted for a while! Michelle and I have been busy sorting out the schedule for the year ahead. We have had ideas and input from some of you and hopefully will manage to incorporate most of your requests into the forthcoming year's schedule. But it's not too late if you have a burning desire to revisit a technique or try something new, so please do bring any further ideas with you on Wednesday.

And talking of Wednesday...

... the focus will be "Envelopes". We always find we have lots left over with no card blanks and spares on top of that too. So we thought we would look at envelopes in general. Your choice of projects for Wednesday evening will be:

• Create a crimped envelope and notecard (a useful project to recycle envelopes that have sealed themselves!)
• Create a coordinated envelope and card (and even go back to basics creating your own card blank too)
• Make heart shaped gift bags and envelopes
• Create your own envelopes from scratch using templates and your own choice of patterned paper
• Begin your first challenge of 2013...more details on Wednesday!

We also have new ideas regarding membership and competitions, and rather than a membership pack this year, you will get a "Project kit" that you can work on throughout the year. You will then be able to enter your finished work of art into our competition at Christmas. We will still run the Summer competition too, although it will obviously not be a membership pack competition this year. 

Don't forget to bring your Membership subscription money this month too if your membership is due to run out. 

And finally just to let you know that Kay is now online too. She has recently started her own blog to share some of her ideas and tips. You can link to it here and on the side bar - it is called Ink, Paint and Me. Check it out - she has only just launched but already has three posts and several crafty photos on there.

Last post for Christmas...

...and 2012. Just wanted to show photos from our Christmas Speedcrafting workshop and our Christmas Gifts workshop. The Speedcrafting was a little more relaxed this time as most people knew what to expect! Techniques included Magic Motifs with foil or glitter, ready made toppers, Cuttlebug cutting and/or embossing and finally a Christmas Zentangle challenge. See below for some examples.

And a big thank you to Kay once again for her superb demo on how to make the Christmas wreaths and table decorations. They proved to be very popular and no doubt will now be brightening a few doorways in and around Ashtead! Here are a couple made at the Saturday workshop. For instructions on how to make the origami flowers click here.

The children had fun too making all sorts of gifts for friends (and for themselves!)

So that's all for 2012.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Looking forward to another crafty year in 2013.

Last minute gifts and decorations.

Just a reminder that our Christmas Gift workshop is happening this Saturday! We still have some spaces available in the morning so please contact us if you would like to come along. Projects include these lovely paper floral wreaths and table decorations, notelet sets, desk organisers with notepads or calendars, Christmas table mats and laminated planners.  The morning session runs from 10 - 1pm and costs £6 for members and £7 for non members. Project costs and lunch are in addition to the workshop costs, but tea, coffee and sweets/biscuits will be provided.

And after that we have a workshop at Tadworth on Monday 10th, then our meal on Wednesday 12th and that will bring 2012 to a crafty close!  

Looking forward to hearing your ideas for projects for 2013 - we have already had some ideas through so keep them coming!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The winners...

...of the Christmas Decoration Competition and our 2012 "Crafts" awards!

So as you can see Kay B won 1st prize in the decoration competition and Carol S was runner-up. A big thank you to Sheena Douglass for judging our competition, and an especially big thank you for all her valuable feedback on all the entries. Very much appreciated.

Our Annual awards this year have been inspired by our "Crafty Chums" article (p73 Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine, December issue) and the "Crufts" dog show (sounds a bit like "Crafts" when said in a southern accent?!!) Anyway - long story, but you will see from the pictures that all the awards and prizes have a canine connection!! Awards are as follows:

Crafty Chums Award - Claire and Michelle for being in a Crafty magazine this month.
Agility Award for Active Support and Jumping Through Hoops - Karen
Walkies Award for Active Support - Linda A
Fetch Award for Active Support - Kay B
Puppy Training Award for Best Newcomer - Sally-Anne
Well Groomed Award for High Standard of Work - Kay P
Man's Best Friend Award for Loyalty and Attendance - Vanessa
Freestyle Award for Creativity - Linda B
Best in Show for All Round Support and Involvement - Sarah

Well done to all our winners!

Our Charity Raffle this year will be split between a dog charity (appropriately!), nominated by Mandy, and the Royal Marsden Hospital.

So we have one more All-day Workshop (8th Dec) this year and then our Christmas meal on 12th Dec.

Don't forget to look out for projects for next year. Your current challenge is to let us know what techniques you would like to cover or revisit in 2013.

Best Wishes for Christmas to those of you not able to attend the workshop or meal. And see you soon to those of you that can!!