As I say my byes

Yesterday we said our final goodbyes to our lovely loyal customers who have supported me and Mum in our tea room the past two years. It has been a fantastic two years and whilst I sit here reflecting on what has become an amazing chapter in my life I have both tears and smiles. It has been an absolute pleasure to provide a place for people and to bring the community together (in a crafty way).
I hosted a chat and crochet group where I simply provided a place, cake and tea! But out of this, great friendships have been formed. I know a lot of them will stay friends and that the group will continue just in a different venue (I will actually enjoy being a member). I am just so glad that my passion rubbed off and there are more people in Chapeltown picking up crocheting hooks and possibly the sewing machine too! I hope I can continue to provide the workshops and people are still interested to support this.
The past two years would not have happened if it had not been for the immense support we received! ill-health has determined our fate but with the less pressure of running the tea room I can focus my energy and time in my crafting side.
To all the people who have become my friend please do keep in touch. It maybe the end of the tea room but it's not the end of friendship. I will now have lots more time to blog and create once I hand the keys back to Network rail! Hopefully meet up over a coffee and cake, please do email me!

Lastly I want to say a big thank you to everyone who sent cards and gifts! WOW I have never received such kind words even my time in midwifery. The plea's of opening a tea room in a few years have cracked me up! The kind words expressed are keeping me sane. Each and every one of you will be remembered in my heart and mind and all the cards and gift tags I will be making a scrap book and will blog the photos!

xxxxxxx

Christmas crafting workshop

I have put together a workshop to teach you how to make Christmas decorations. I am holding it at Chapeltown library in Sheffield. 

All students need to provide is a sewing machine, a bundle of fat quarters and a 14" cushion pad!

I will provide the rest... looking forward to seeing you there. 

Places do need to be booked and a non-refundable deposit of £10 at time of booking. The final balance to be paid on the day. 

See poster for full details or contact me for further details.

Crafting for charity

Recently, my home town hosted a village show (Chapeltown village show). This gave the community the opportunity to show of their crafty creations, home baked goodies and home grown produce. I myself had a crafty venture or two at the show. In keeping with this community spirit, Marie’s Tea Room, which I happen to own, has also recently hosted 3 bingo nights raising valuable money for a local little boy called Oscar. I have to say, it never ceases to amaze how a community can be so helpful and, of course, crafty. All coming together in times of need or just for a social time

On Wednesday mornings I run a chat and crochet group and we’d all decided that we would enter our own individual items.  I then came up with the idea of crocheting squares and putting together a blanket to raise more money for Oscar and enter this into the show. Everyone was really excited to take part. How did it go I hear you ask? Well, we were all in agreement and the brief was set…crochet 2 squares each; 10 rounds using double knit and a 3.5mm hook. The squares could be made up of 1 colour or multi-coloured. Each square was then crocheted together to make a lovely blanket. 3^rd place! Woohoo! This blanket would not have happened if it hadn't been the good community spirit and members of my chat and crochet group and it is all thanks to them too in achieving this.

Oscar is a lovely little boy who has touched many hearts in the community. His Mummy and Daddy, Chantil and Andrew work really really hard in fundraising money to help Oscar receive treatment enabling him to reach his potential and to live a full and happy life. Oscar suffered complications when he was born and was starved of oxygen. This starvation left Oscar with cerebral palsy and he is unable to walk, talk or do most things for himself. He receives specialist physio and speech therapy care at Bobath Centre. Bobath centre is based in London and helps children like Oscar. These sessions were paid for by the NHS but due to government spending cuts this has stopped. Each session costs £6,500, Oscar has 1 session a year.

In the end, we raffled this blanket and managed to raise £70. We as Marie’s Tea room and supporters hope we have helped towards Oscar’s treatment this year.  We, I think, may have raised about £800 in total with bingo nights and selling little happy bags. I have had permission from Chantil to write a little summary of Oscar and his treatment. I feel I have raised people’s awareness a little bit more in Chapeltown via the tea room and hope it continues. Oscar is a lovely little boy and so his his family. I hope I can continue to support Oscar in the future. 

Hot water bottle cover

Whilst I am sat here typing my fingers are feeling very cold. I was thinking about my hot water bottle. My hot water bottle does not have a cover for it and it gets frustratingly hot at first. As I was scouring the internet I found a free hot water bottle cover tutorial. These would make great Christmas pressies! So I thought I would share it with you!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/thrifty-ideas-how-sew-your-6493150