It was a blustery start to the day with the
weather throwing everything that it could at us! However, once we got into the
hall, the warm welcomes that people were exchanging more than made up for it.
In fact it takes me so long to get organised,
looking at the workshop board and the things that members have made, and
catching up on the latest news, it's amazing that I ever get started on
the workshop.....Is there anyone else like this?
We began the day with Monica showing us some
beautiful examples of her work, mainly inspired by architecture and
nature. Inspiration can truly be found everywhere if you look hard
enough.
I can remember thinking 'How am I going to
smock like that''! But the mystery was explained by Monica and then the
fun started!
We managed to attempt the techniques of
'Honeycomb' and 'Basket Weave', 'Wave' and 'Lattice' and a lovely 'Flower
pattern'......
Although I have got to say, smocking takes
practice and patience, and sewing ' upwards' is a new one on me, it is however,
undoubtedly a therapeutic thing to do.
The room was full of people smiling and
having a thoroughly good time.
There were intermittent peals of laughter
coming from the smaller room and the atmosphere was super.
By the end of the workshop, most of us had
kind of decided which style of smocking might suit us the best, depending upon
how patient a stitcher you are! For me, it was the 'freestyle'
Flower pattern that won me over - I wonder why?
A great big 'thank - you' goes to Monica for
helping us to achieve quite a lot in a day, and I am sure that I say on behalf
of all the members that did the workshop, it was good to try something
different and interesting.
This is the essence of our workshops. It just
takes a day doing something new to be really filled with enthusiasm to do more.
Just one last thing - what were they laughing
about in the side room??!
Ann x
