I always love the build up to Christmas but somehow feel that apart from a Christmas party or two, that we don’t do enough festive ‘stuff’. So, this year I was delighted when Tia, of A Crafty Alternative, offered to run one of her craft workshops for me and a group of my friends. Tia’s website is really clear and I immediately honed in on the wreath-making workshop as I know it’s relatively easy to make an impressive wreath, even if you’ve never made one before and what could be more festive?
Tia brought armfuls of really beautiful foliage and dried flowers – did you know that you can dry Hydrangeas in the oven?! Her workshops are based on the principle of using materials that are easily accessible and inexpensive so that you can easily recreate what you learn by yourself. Therefore, our wreaths were all made around a coat hanger…
And here are our finished wreaths! What we all loved about this particular workshop was that it was fascinating to see how different our wreaths were in the end and how they reflected our personalities so well. Can you tell which one is mine bearing in mind that I am the total neat freak, organised one of the group?
Tia brings the food, drink and music to your home, as well as all of the craft materials, and can even organise trestle tables and chairs. All I had to worry about was finding a date that my friends could agree on (Amy, we missed you!), adding a few festive touches to my home office for the evening and keeping Otto under control as he thought the whole thing was far too exciting.
We had the workshop in my office but Tia takes care of everything else so it is a no-stress evening for the host.
Agnes and Najette starting their wreaths.
Emma started an hour and a half after the rest of us but somehow finished before us – what’s that about?
Apologies that there is no ‘end of workshop holding up what we made’ shot. Jules was responsible for that and messed it up big time but he did serve us mulled wine all night, so he’s forgiven.
Do pop over to A Crafty Alternative to check out the other workshops that Tia runs. My friends and I had a really lovely time and it made such a nice change to going out to dinner, which is what we would normally do and costs a lot less. I love doing craft classes but being able to do it in your own home with your own friends was so much fun and Tia was wonderfully relaxed and it felt just like having another friend in the room, which was perfect.
I’m off to hang my wreath on the door now (yes, top right, the really tightly wound one – a bit like me!).
Katy x
So beautiful and thank you for being so welcoming, the ultimate hostess!
No, thank you, Tia! It really was such a fun evening – I’ve had so many messages from the girls since saying how much they enjoyed it too xx
What a fabulous idea! And as you say, so much nicer than always going out for dinner. Fab wreaths too!
Thank you, Michelle! Such a fab idea – would totally recommend it x
I love these wreaths! I’ve been making my own from old/vintage baubles and also birch wood and I’ve had so many compliments, plus they’re personal to me.
Oh, wow! That sounds beautiful xx