They Don't Want to Go Home

When I left ELEMENTS at 5.30'ish there were still people there - they do NOT want to go home.  That says a lot for the wonderful, enjoyable weekend we have all had.  Paddy gave out Evaluation Sheets and I was the one who collected them in - then she said she wanted tutors to fill one in as well.  I think one of the most valuable things I got from the weekend was "Friendships" - people I had never met are now listed as friends - everyone was absolutely lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend.  

Thank You from me to all participants for making it a huge success and a lovely, friendly weekend.

Last night after I had left the lovely Helen did her ELEMENTS Extra with those participants who wanted to stay on.  Today she has been putting kits together for all those who did not stay and instructing them on how to go about it.  This is Helen's own project which looks great at the side of her box.

 And this one was done by Dee

Good fun - and I have a kit to make one too

Today kicked off with Becca doing her second Fabric session

Look at all the fabulous fabrics she brought up with her.  Below are some of the ELEMENTS that people did in readiness for their boxes.

Even though it involved the "i" word it was enjoyed by everyone - here's Wendy busy at it.

Rita hiding behind that box

And my second Clay session.

Lou decided that, as she had done a border of stamping on her drawers, she would just do a centre panel.  That meant she could work a lot faster than the others and, bless her, Lou made lots of tiny embellishments for most of the people at the table.

Sarah had never used Clay before and she was quite worried about her work but I assured her it was fine and I loved the sunshine yellow she had used to compliment the rest of her box - isn't it lovely and sunny?

After a break it was the turn of Kay with her MDF - unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the finished pieces as by then I was busy helping in the kitchen.

and Paddy with her Metal 

Just as I took this Paddy was lifting her hair from her neck - looks like she is in despair - I can assure you she was not.

You can see the metal pieces that slot in to one of the sections of the box on this one.  Think it is Amy's.

This is Chris's box - love the way she has done her metal and I absolutely love the claywork - so different from anyone else's.

On this one you can see one panel still awaiting completion.

This is Lou's and you can see how her claywork is different - and she has added pieces to the section above. The atc's she had done in Kay's class are in the front and they were gorgeous.  Loved them!

I would love to have taken photographs of everyone's finished boxes but there were too many, they were in differing stages of completion, and were scattered about the place so it was impossible.  However, I must feature Lynns.  Lynn took hers home with her the night before to finish off her stamping - just look at this

The back of her box

One side

The other - isn't it beautiful!

Lynn, will you make me one please?

Before I leave you I must show you what was a hit of the weekend.  Food!  Today we did chicken breasts with fresh herbs and crispy bacon.  Then there were salads, pasta, thingy salad (you know, with orange segments in - can't think of the name - but I am tired) and garlic bread.

and to finish off

Vincent's famous Apple Crumble and cream, chocolate cake, fresh fruit salad, carrot cake and fruit loaf.  Oh the pounds I must have put on!

The afternoon was a repeat of Kay and Paddy's sessions and then Paddy showing how the tree had to be put on.  Me?  I was washing up in the kitchen (mountains of it) followed by my trying to be helpful packing things up for Paddy before I had to go.  I've brought all the stamps home with me to clean and put back on the indices for Paddy - something I can do at leisure with my feet up.

I just wish I could upload all my photographs but that would take too long so here's hoping you can get a flavour of what ELEMENTS was all about.

A fab weekend, as I said lots of friendships made and lots of cries of "when is the next one" and "can we have priority booking please".   Now to get my feet up ... and probably fall asleep!

Elements - What You Missed

Day One has been and gone and now I am all fired up ready to teach another workshop today for ELEMENTS!

Yesterday was a huge success with everyone loving the Project and some completing the PAINTING, the PERSPEX, the CLAY and the FABRIC.  The final session was the WIRE but I have no photographs of the completed pieces as these have to be affixed today.

Today I have another session with the other half doing clay, Becca has another session doing her fabric pieces then it is over to Kay for her MDF and Paddy for the METAL work.

Now you know why it was called ELEMENTS.

Enough chatter - how about some pictures?

This is my piece which is called Time.  As you can see I have used all Paperartsy stamps (think I am a fan?).  

This is my tree made from wire which has all the elements attaached to it in the form of small pieces.

A close up

My MDF book

Tags which go inside the book

My Clay covered drawers

This shows my Perspex with some of my Fabric flowers attached.

Here are some pictures of the ladies busy working on the various Elements.

All busy painting with Paddy

Doing claywork with me

Perspex with Sarah

and wire with Paddy.

Hopefully, another day I can upload some more photographs showing the other elements which went into this super weekend.  I must also mention that the food Paddy prepared was fantastic.  What I can remember is:  Chilli, Baked Potatoes with butter, Garlic Bread, Humous, Roast vegetables, Salad, Couscous, Cheese, Chocolate cake, Carrot cake, Cheescake, Fresh fruit (strawberries and lots of other berries, grapes etc) and Cream - there might have been more - the table was groaning.  That is not mentioning all the drinks that were there for everyone to get as they wanted, the biscuits and gorgeous chocolates.

How hard Paddy has worked for this weekend, and here I must mention Rita who has helped so much behind the scenes and Helen who has run herself ragged over the time of preparation as well as yesterday when she was back and forth for various things and  putting the finishing touches to her optional evening class - MIXED ELEMENTS.  I didn't stay for the class, sorry Helen, as I was 'beat'.  Perhaps if I still didn't have this cold I would have made it but I am sure I will have time today to have a go.

More tomorrow - and hopefully lots of completed boxes to show you.