Springtime (and learning) in Wales

Springtime in Wales

Springtime in Wales

Springtime in Wales

Last week was not so great for me -  with the new kitchen refit ongoing and no school/pre-school, the combination of bad weather, bored children and the logistics of keeping them occupied and well-fed seemed a little overwhelming. Sometimes, a couple of days away is just what you need to reconnect and take stock and our planned 'road trip' turned out to be well-timed. 

For only the third or fourth time in the last 20 years, as we headed over the bridge into Wales for the weekend, we were moving towards better weather. Our extra bags of woolly layers were unnecessary as we were greeted by blue skies and sunshine. Travelling with my good friend and our four children (all under 7), this was a very welcome surprise! They got to run about, play in the park and enjoy Caerphilly Castle in the crisp Spring air and there were plenty of laughs. Great memories were made.

I didn't manage so much as a single stitch but while the children were asleep I did something I've wanted to do for some time and started an online pattern writing class. The co-incidence of the Craftsy Spring sale which ends TODAY, a few spare hours (between the children's bedtime and my own, in our dark hotel room) and the discovery of the iPad app all worked out really well.

With a husband in the Film & TV industry, I am perhaps overly critical of certain aspects of visual media, and initially the awkward changes from one camera to the other at the end of every point (pictured left) were a little off-putting, but the content of the sections I have watched so far was really very good. Class materials and resources are provided, it's possible to add your own 'notes'  throughout the videos, there are discussion boards for participants and, vitally, once purchased the course can be accessed at any time and does not expire. The presenter of my class - Edie Eckman - is someone who has written a couple of books already in my own collection, and I feel confident about her knowledge of pattern writing, if not her front-of-camera experience. This has definitely encouraged me to try more of the classes and I can understand why the popularity of this platform seems to be growing so much. An Instagram photo I posted of the class also prompted other positive feedback from crafty folk who have enjoyed different courses so I've already added more  to my wishlist and feel happy to recommend them here.

If you haven't heard about Craftsy before, there are LOTS of course offerings including some free mini-classes such as Short rowsKnow Your Wool, Bag-making basics and more. Various disciplines are covered including knitting, sewing, quilting, crochet, baking, spinning, weaving and woodwork. I've included a link below which should take you to the last day of the sale at the time of writing, but you can also use it to access the entire catalogue if you'd like to find out more after the sale ends.

Craftsy

6 comments

  1. I've done a bunch of Craftsy classes now - they tend to be pretty good. You might enjoy some of the sewing ones for your new sewing adventures :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's EXACTLY what I was thinking!!!! (Also liking the look of the jewellery classes!)
      :D

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  2. Another big fan of Craftsy classes here. I just wish I had the time to take more of them :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean! There are loads that I want to do - I might try to schedule some time in my diary each week once Little Miss is in school. It's good to keep learning new things, isn't it!

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  3. I love that door of that castle. That's all what babies need, yeah? Sun and room to run amuck? Edie is larger than life in person. I took her class at the last STITCHES West. She's fabulous.

    ReplyDelete

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