Tagged: Creative Coffee

January 26, 2016

An Update: House etc..

Yesterdays fascinator experiment went well..I was thinking of you Julie (hattitude) as we marshalled in the sinamay into shape! Could’ve done with your skill!!

No real finished ones to reveal yet..(the first official creative coffee is on Wednesday) but I think we’re a bit more prepared..

(It’s great stuff just to let loose and play with..I recommend it.)

On the house front, there’s no longer a broken neck risk checking out the cellar…we now have stairs!..

Upstairs…could that actually be a sink in the kitchen??!

To the unknowing eye, this all just looks like mismatched piles of wood..

To me, it’s the light at the end of the tunnel..(even knowing, once it’s made it’s coming out (sob!) to be painted (and so the floor can go down))..but this is pure progress. We may even have a working bin soon – the excitement, the luxury!

Laters, Kate x

September 29, 2015

Creative Coffee x

Despite the official Creative Coffee classes finishing, the joy it created has continued – I’m now (for my sins) a class rep for Charlie’s class with my awesome rep partner, Jenny. Last Friday was our first coffee morning of the year. So we thought, why not add more ingredients to the coffee beans and milk? Borrowing extra equipment from my lovely art teacher, Amanda we set up simple lino cut card station using just pencils and foam plates (the rollers make all the difference for a professional finish).

Yay!

We had another station to make nail varnish marbled luggage labels.

Fun, different and brain calming but the brucie bonus? We raised £160 for Macmillan in donations!

Laters, Kate x

June 25, 2015

Ode to Creative Coffee..

We had our final Creative Coffee EVER yesterday…a day of sadness, joy..and achievement all rolled into one.

Sometime it’s the simple things in life that make the magic and one of those things for me were Creative Coffee Mornings. They were started by the lovely Sophy many years ago now, when she made the genius decision that chatting over coffee with young children was so much more fun when creating was involved. Originally we’d all take over our unfinished projects and use the time to give ourselves much needed permission to complete them. Then Sophy and best friend, Minta developed it further and prepared, for a small fee, everything in advance with a termly timetable of once-weekly delights. From sugar craft to liqueurs to making sausages…it was the perfect antidote to urban brain boil.

Now Minta is off to pastures new – a whole new chapter is opening up for her in the wilds of Scotland, which I know she’ll relish and grab with both hands…but she’ll be missed.

Wednesday mornings will never be quite the same again..

(These are not handmade rolls but an edible sculpture, entitled ‘eight nude elderly ladies tying their shoelaces’..)

So I raise a cupcake to the wonders of Creative Coffee and all who sailed in her…. Ladies, it was a commanding performance with a spectacular range, lead with aplomb and an indescribable magical touch of alchemy. Thank you for the opportunity to spend time with some of the best women I know laughing, baking, making and creating. The memories will live long..(well..those that aren’t addled by sloe gin…)

I absolutely loved it.

Laters, Kate x

January 1, 2015

Happy New Year! xxx

From a very wet, stormy start to the year…

To the post-apocalyptic Christmas cake, complete with reindeer excrement, polar bear poo and a melting snowman…what would Grandma think?

Here’s to a fabulous 2015!

Laters, Kate x

November 19, 2014

Creative x

The aim of Creative Coffee last week was to create felt cushions in the style of Jan Constantine

Surprisingly easy and therapeutic..

Sophy’s sewing basket also provided some Christmas inspiration, but more on that later..

It’s a work in progress..but rather nice to finish on these dark evenings with a roaring fire and a glass of red wine..

Laters, Kate x

October 8, 2014

Chutney and Oat Cakes..

The joy that is Creative Coffee – wholesome and happy with stunning aromas and rich rewards, like the incredible (honestly, some of the best I’ve tasted.Ever) mango chutney and melt in your mouth oat cakes (why haven’t I made these babies before??).

I took away two things from the session:

1. To invest in a pan like Sophy’s (she’s kindly sent me a link) which not only holds an extraordinary amount but also has delights such as a spout for pouring and an extra large handle. Genius.

2. To buy the book by Annie Rigg we often use at Creative Coffee.

The recipes make your mouth water just reading them and – just as good – always work.

I’m thinking jars of spiced cranberry with edible glitter as the perfect cupboard gift for unexpected gifts this Christmas….

Laters, Kate x

December 10, 2013

Creative Coffee.. x

Creative Coffee this week had the enticing theme of Christmas-wreath-making-whilst-drinking-mulled-wine…Let’s face it..a winning, festive, smile-inducing combination!