Crafts at The Little House – dreams really do come true

I have been more than a little excited to share with you a closer look at my very first Crafts at The Little House with Whitewood and Linen workshop. And so here today are photos, some not yet shared and words which I hope portray a little of the magic of that very special day for you.

The day for me, began rather like a pinch me is it real moment. I had planned for this for a long time and dreamt of it for longer still. There had been many false starts and many deadlines not quite achieved because when it comes to it, real life happens and sometimes gets in the way and now actually it was the day and the sun was shining brightly too…

Of course I was extremely nervous. In my previous life, I ran a successful sales and customer service training company. Key to its success was organisation, planning and communication. Now, as I moved around my home, Belle’s and The Little House, titivating till the last possible minute, I knew I had done my best to prepare and if I had forgotten something, I would simply have to learn for the next time. This line of thinking however did nothing to eradicate the nerves and anyhow, it is beneficial to have a certain level of nervousness about you don’t you think? Keeps you on your A game so I hear.

When I had initially discussed my ideas of a joint workshop for my first one, with Ruth @cucumberwoodcandles I hadn’t realised at that time, quite what a blessing that might be. Nothing phases that lady. She is the epitome of a cool cucumber perhaps not realising herself, the ironic link when she named her business. When initially, two ladies hoping to join us cancelled after a mix up with their dates, Ruth took my hysterical squealing down the phone completely in her stride and calmly told me to re-advertise. “The places will be gone in no time” she said and she was quite right. The first workshop was indeed booked up and very soon we had a waiting list to fill places if we needed as well, a pivotal moment for sure.

The nerves seemed to disappear when happy smiling faces arrived. Cheery chatter filled my kitchen and at that point, all I had to do was concentrate on the tea and coffee orders and pass around my home baked cookies. 

Introductions complete and six excited ladies made their way to The Little House to enjoy a morning of mixing and making delightful spring scented candles in sweet vintage teacups with Ruth. As a burst of laughter rang from the craft room, I had a real ‘moment’ and tears threatened to spill as it dawned on me, a dream had indeed just come true. Right there and then; like-minded crafty souls were in my home, creating pretties and making friendships.

Very soon with candles and melts left to set over a lunchtime break, it was time to feed everyone and the kitchen was again buzzing with friendly chatter as the ladies got to know one another a little more. A hearty lunch was served followed by my signature crumble and cream – I will have to learn another pudding in time – and then there was only just enough time to shop at Belle’s with everyone able to treat themselves or perhaps a loved one to a craft or artisan goodies. Of course all the attendees were way too polite to tell me that keeping a visit to Belle until lunchtime might be bordering on cruelty and perhaps my shop assistant skills might too need a little more attention so rushed was this part of the day. An opportunity I think, to reconsider how this experience might indeed be improved upon.

There followed a joyous afternoon creating delicate dried flower hoops with yours truly back at The Little House. Last summers Cottage Garden had dried quite perfectly and Doris didn’t disappoint for her modelling moment. And as I stood watching these crafty souls each select the dried blooms they wanted for their hoops, I found myself once again, squealing within. 

Each hoop was carefully finished off with avocado dyed rag ribbons and lace and there was just enough time for everyone to cover a matchbox in vintage fabric scraps with typewritten words, quite the perfect accompaniment to delicate teacup candles. And as we polished off Ruth’s delicious signature chocolate brownies and flapjacks with our afternoon tea, everyone agreed it had been a truly wonderful and happy day.

I will never be able to do the day justice of course in a few paragraphs though I have tried. And it’s kind of odd reviewing your own workshops anyway. I can’t be the one to say they are fun and magical and just the place to spend some time in the company of others who like you, enjoying making and creating the day away. Perhaps those words are best left to those who attended.

I will tell you this though. If you do decide to join me here for Crafts at The Little House with Whitewood and Linen, you are guaranteed a warm welcome, you do not need any experience in the craft you come to join in with and you will spend your day with others who like you, enjoy creating and making in an all-inclusive environment. I do hope I get to meet you here one day and share our love of crafts.