Learn to sew at China Blue

Happy New Year! New sewing classes at China Blue Dressmaking Classes - No experience necessary Learn the basics of dressmaking as well as getting to know your sewing machine. When: Every Tuesday evening 7pm - 9pm. Cost: £20 per week, or book 6 lessons and qualify for a 10% discount. Call or email for further details. Booking essential. Make an 'A' Line skirt This workshop will teach you how to use a commercial dressmakers pattern, fabric placement and cutting out, basic sewing techniques including zip insertion and give you confidence in using a sewing machine. When: Tuesday 8th February 9.30am - 4pm OR Tuesday March 22nd AND 29th 9.30am - 1pm. Cost: £50 including teaching, use of sewing machine and refreshments (Excluding lunch). Please call or email for details of what you will need to bring with you. Make a Tote Bag Bring your own materials or choose from our wide selection to make yourself a hip new Tote Bag. When: Tuesday 1st February AND Tuesday 15th March 9.30 am - 1 pm. Cost: £40. This includes ALL materials, use of sewing machine and refreshments. Cushion making workshop Learn to design and make your own cushions to liven up your living room or brighten your bedroom. When: Tuesday 25th January AND Tuesday 8th March 9.30 am - 1 pm. Cost: £40. This includes ALL materials, use of sewing machine and refreshments. Journal Covers Journal or book covers make great gifts and can turn something ordinary into something very special. When: Tuesday 15th February 10 am - 1 pm. Cost: £35. This includes ALL materials, use of sewing machine and refreshments. Small zipped bags Learn how to make a small lined bag for use as a pencil case, cosmetics bag or purse, and how to insert a zip. When: Tuesday 1st March 10am - 1pm. Cost: £40. This includes ALL materials, use of sewing machine and refreshments. Sewing Cafe Come and use the sewing machines to start/ finish your projects. When: Anytime between 10am and 4pm. Cost: £10 per hour. Includes refreshments and as much help as you need. NEW for the Spring term The Craft Cafe Whether your interests are sewing, crochet, card-making, cross-stitch, beading, photography, jewellery making, painting or anything art and crafty, bring your crafty bits and pieces to the Craft Cafe! Meet like minded creative people, chat, swap ideas, share skills and spend time being creative working on your latest project. When: Every Wednesday morning at China Blue in Totnes from 10am until 12pm. Cost: It's FREE!!! Coffee and delicious cake available to purchase from the coffee shop. I look forward to seeing you at a workshop very soon. Yvonne xx Places are limited so book today to ensure your place. Call Yvonne on 07815 811005 or email to yvonne.r.temple@gmail.com. A deposit of £10 is required at the time of booking.

Workshops

Just popping by with a little reminder of some workshops that I am running this week... I would love to see you if you are free, and I promise that you will have a fab time and will take home some lovely handmade products with you.

Wednesday 9th June

10 am till 1 pm

Button jewellery workshop

We will be making, necklaces with buttons, beads, crochet and woven beads, button bracelets, rings, key rings and brooches

Thursday 10th June

7 pm till 9 ish .. depending on how much fun we're having!!!

Learn how to sew using a sewing machine workshop

We will be learning right from the beginning all about sewing machines and how to use them with confidence. Throughout this 4 week course the emphasis will always be on practical application wherever possible, so we will be making bags.....

... and cushions like these. All materials are provided... just bring yourself!

Saturday 12th June

10 am - 4 pm

Jewellery making workshop

Treat yourself... come and indulge in a whole day of jewellery making. You will learn basic wiring and stringing techniques to enable you to create at least one necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings. This is a fantastic opportunity to make some beautiful jewellery in a relaxed and creative atmosphere.

All of these workshops are held at China Blue in Totnes, Devon.

It would be fantastic to have you along.

Email me for further details

Hope you can come... we'll have lots of fun!

Love Yvonne xx

Tranquility

This week didn't start too well for me ( pouring boiling water down my leg and taking one of many trips to A+E was not the best start ) but it has picked up as the week has gone on, so I thought that I would take you on a beautiful walk that I had a couple of weeks ago and try to capture and re-live some of the peace, beauty and tranquility of the amazing estate that is Dartington. I often visit here as it's almost on my doorstep and is always changing.

This is the Great Hall... the place of many a concert, wedding or other function....

In the middle of April, the lawns were covered in the most beautiful crocuses... they really carpeted the place, but now the blossom is the biggest, showiest I have ever seen....

The branches were just groaning with the weight of it......

Tiered lawn......

Wonderful scented clematis....

This is my favourite part of the whole little stroll..... the magnolia walk..... it is absolutely stunning!

More signs that Spring is here......

There are a couple of these little structures throughout the estate...... What a perfect place for a studio... don't you think?

Just look at that heather.... I'm not really a fan of heather, but I've never seen it this flamboyant!... Some one will now tell me it's not heather?!

I love this little hose too... it always makes me think about the three bears cottage.....

I just had to give you another look at that stunning blossom.....

There wasn't that good... don't you feel relaxed? I certainly do!

Don't forget... take a peek at the 'workshops' tab at the top of the blog and treat yourself to a sewing or jewellery making session with me at China Blue.

I gave the staff a taster session on Wednesday evening and they loved it.... lots of oooohing and ahhing... and loads of beautiful jewellery being created. They all wore their pieces to work the next day and were buzzing about it.

Off to tend to the BBQ now... not getting too close though!!!!

Have a lovely, warm, sunny weekend.

Yvonne xxxx