How do you spend a creative afternoon?

Photo by me … beautiful stitches on the Christmas tree by me!

‘Would you like to come to a Crafternoon?’ my friend asked.

The word ‘craft’ caught my interest. I love all things craft and the timing of afternoon worked too, not too early and not too late in the day.  A novel way to spend a day off I thought. Usually, I’m the one who admires and buys the artwork of others.  I’m always in awe of artistic flair and creative pursuits of friends and colleagues.  But the idea of making and sewing, I hesitated.  Why?  Sewing! Even now the word struck fear and distant memories of a domestic science teacher, Mrs P, from a certain Grammar school in Ireland came flooding back. Okay, I confess, I was not the A star sewing student but I could make a mean casserole dish that could stave off hunger for a day or two.

‘Sounds like fun,’ I said, but please understand that I can’t sew!’ And there it was, I’d spoken my truth and wondered if this had jeopardised my chances of joining the creative group.

‘Not a problem’, retorted my friend, ‘lots of other craft activities are available’.

With reassurance from my friend that Crafternoons weren’t all about sewing, I agreed to attend. What a great time I had with several other ‘crafty ladies’. The event was organised to raise funds for Brake, the road safety charity that supports families who have been affected by road deaths and injuries.

We created lots of beautiful cards, labels and papers using woodprints and paint.  We made Christmas tree decorations with felt and thread. I found myself sitting next to lady who enjoyed travelling as much as me.  As we stitched and sewed (yes, actual sewing!), we shared travel stories about Australia and New Zealand.  We were both writers and keepers of journals too. The time whizzed by as each of us worked on our respective craft pieces.  Tea, coffee and glasses of wine were served at regular intervals by the generous hosts.  Well, crafting can be thirsty work, you understand.  There were moments of chat and laughter. There were times of focus and stillness too.  Overall, it was a very enjoyable and therapeutic afternoon.  We raised £200 for the Brake charity.

I was very proud of my handiwork and takeaway achievements.  I look forward to sharing them in due course. I doubt if the pieces will win any awards but I think I’ve done Mrs P proud with delicate stitching on my little Christmas tree decoration.  What a great way to spend an afternoon.  What a great idea for an Artist’s Date too!