All participants will have an opportunity to learn knitting by making a winter hat out of yarn. Knitting is believed to have originated in the Middle East in the 5th century and traveled to Europe with wool traders soon afterwards. We will cast on, knit, knit two together, bind off and hand sew. All yarn materials are provided including instructions. All participants need to purchase a set of size US11 knitting needles. Let’s stay warm and Create for Useful’s Sake!

BIO: As a retired educator with a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Bette Kersting Bell now teaches creative activities that have useful outcomes. These experiential workshops happen at schools, libraries, community settings or conferences. Wherever learning takes place, it will always be fun, hands-on, and have a useful product. She can be reached at francescalucia.com@gmail.com or 205-420-8938.

All participants will have an opportunity to make a  heart, a flower or a fish. Cross-stitch is a form of sewing  and a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in  which X-shaped stitches in a tiled pattern are used to  form a picture. Bringing your personal scissors may be  preferred. Instructions and materials will be provided.  Let’s Create for Useful’s Sake! 

INSTRUCTOR: Bette Kersting Bell 

Participants will have an opportunity to learn 9 to 12 Tangle designs which can be incorporated into a drawn design. Tangles are typically black ink on white background. The designs look like doodles, but they are typically detailed and specific. They are fun and can be quietly meditative. All materials provided including instructions.

Take time and get lost in the world of basic watercolor skills. We will paint with watercolors that will be attached to note cards for your correspondence pleasure. We will be able to make 4 to 5 cards and maybe more, time permitting. Come not knowing anything and leave having had a new learning experience. All materials and instruction provided. Let’s Create for Useful’s Sake!

 Let’s Create for Useful’s Sake! Instructor - Bette Kersting Bell

In this class you will make 3 cards. The first will use “wet” embossing to create a shadow effect of the stamped image.  The second will show you how to add color to your embossed image. The third will show you how to create empty  space within the embossing to stamp (or write) a personal message. All materials will be provided. 

INSTRUCTOR: FAITH GARNETT has been teaching card making for more than 10 years and sells her cards on line and at craft fairs

Participants will make a 6 inch square napkin basket with reed splint to hold your everyday napkins. The student will have a choice of colors to accent the basket. Student will learn how to weave a base, “upset” the sides and rimming the basket. This is a good project for those who have never made a basket, or want to learn more about basket weaving. Please bring: Pencil, Scissor, Awl, Tape measure, 6 Spring clothes pins, bowl & towel.

INSTRUCTOR: Kathryn Polletto is a self taught basket weaver and lives in Kennebunk, Maine. She began weaving more than 40 years ago. She was a resident Basket Maker of the Sandy Spring Museum in Maryland. She has been juried into the Directory of Traditional American Crafts, sponsored be Early American Life Magazine. She has also been juried into well-known Craft Fairs. 

In this class, you will make a Halloween waterfall card, a harvest box card and a Thanksgiving easel card.  All materials and instructions will be provided.

INSTRUCTOR: FAITH GARNETT has been teaching card making for more than 10 years and sells her cards on line and at craft fairs

Learn and practice a variety of techniques and approaches  specific to watercolor painting. Whether a beginner or experienced, enjoy a relaxing and supportive environment to  paint from references, still life objects and observation. You  will receive feedback and see what others are working on.  Bring ideas for projects to class for instruction tailored to  your needs, or participate in guided exercises to gain a deeper  understanding of this medium. You may bring your own  supplies, if you prefer to purchase your own supplies, please  request a materials list at registration. 

INSTRUCTOR: Russel Whitten