We started classes in November 2013 with only 2 members The numbers slowly increased over the months and we now have 8 members I had decided that 6 members in a class would be enough for me to cope with and so started a second class with 2 of these members and now looking to fill this class
Our aim is to make sure that all the members receive as much help as they need. Some people have problems with there hands,some are colour blind and others hand shake at times or cant sit for too long to due back pain .This is sometimes a permanent problem but some members feel a bit anxious and I assure them they have nothing to worry about suggest they try and relax and enjoy the company. I have a radio in the studio which I often play relaxing background music which helps to create a sense of calm I have become aware of each members difficulties and when they need help I step in. Andrew also helps.
Non of the present members have done any paper crafting before although they have in the past been able to knit or crochet, paint, make jewelry and various other crafts.
We have one member named Alison and I'm sure she wont mind me mentioning her here.
In 2010 Alison was struck down by double pneumonia and was seriously ill It was touch and go whether she would pull through and thankfully she did. It has been a long slow road to recovery as she had to learn to walk and talk again, This illness has left her with many difficulties but she is doing what she can to help herself improve although one really bad side effect is that she is loosing her sight and still has difficulty walking. She also has fybromyalgia.
Before her illness Alison was a very accomplished artist and won many awards for her work. It has been years now since she painted however one week we were decorating a small canvas and I suggested they bring a photo to put on the board.. Alison brought a photo of her husband and son and took to this with great enthusiasm. She first covered the board with a blue patterned paper which complimented the colours her son was wearing. She used an assortment of buttons and odds and ends from craft bits n pieces box and at the end she had made a small piece of art that she was delighted with.
She commented that she couldn't believe she had made this, I was so happy for her and was going to make sure she had the opportunity to do some similar type of projects
![]()
Last week I handed Alison A large canvas, paint and brushes. I asked her if she would like to paint a simple collage for the studio. I provided her with a variety of paints and embellishments for her to use and this is the results. We all love whats she done and here is a photo with Alison and her guide dog Bear who has stolen the hearts of all the other members. He's so cute but we cant spoil him as he's a working dog and sits by Alisons side throughout the class.
I have agreed with Alison to bring Bear with her to class providing no members have any objections or allergies to dog hairs etc. The present members have no problem with this but Alison is aware that the situation could change with any new members.
Alison is the very kind of people Craft2Distract has been created for and I am so happy for her to have been able to do some painting although she probably thinks its nothing compared to her high standard of past work its a start and she's enjoying it, and we have the pleasure of admiring it when I put it up on the studio wall
Take a look at what Craft2Distract means to Alison in the following letter she has written
To Whom It May Concern, 21/06/2014
=================================
“If you can’t run, you walk. If you can’t walk, you crawl. If you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you.”
Our aim is to make sure that all the members receive as much help as they need. Some people have problems with there hands,some are colour blind and others hand shake at times or cant sit for too long to due back pain .This is sometimes a permanent problem but some members feel a bit anxious and I assure them they have nothing to worry about suggest they try and relax and enjoy the company. I have a radio in the studio which I often play relaxing background music which helps to create a sense of calm I have become aware of each members difficulties and when they need help I step in. Andrew also helps.
Non of the present members have done any paper crafting before although they have in the past been able to knit or crochet, paint, make jewelry and various other crafts.
We have one member named Alison and I'm sure she wont mind me mentioning her here.
In 2010 Alison was struck down by double pneumonia and was seriously ill It was touch and go whether she would pull through and thankfully she did. It has been a long slow road to recovery as she had to learn to walk and talk again, This illness has left her with many difficulties but she is doing what she can to help herself improve although one really bad side effect is that she is loosing her sight and still has difficulty walking. She also has fybromyalgia.
Before her illness Alison was a very accomplished artist and won many awards for her work. It has been years now since she painted however one week we were decorating a small canvas and I suggested they bring a photo to put on the board.. Alison brought a photo of her husband and son and took to this with great enthusiasm. She first covered the board with a blue patterned paper which complimented the colours her son was wearing. She used an assortment of buttons and odds and ends from craft bits n pieces box and at the end she had made a small piece of art that she was delighted with.
She commented that she couldn't believe she had made this, I was so happy for her and was going to make sure she had the opportunity to do some similar type of projects
The following weeks we concentrated on cards and gift boxes then I decided it was time for another project.
I got some mirror boards from IKEA which is a board about 10"by10" with a small mirror in the centre.
The ladies all chose different styles and colours and patterns for their board and again Alison was in her element.
She wanted to create a waterside theme and I was delighted that I had a good selection of papers for her to choose from. She choose a blueish grey paper that had a crane standing in long grass and she put it to one side of the board. She very carefully choose a selection of embellishments to adorn her board and was again really proud and rightly so of her completed board.
I got some mirror boards from IKEA which is a board about 10"by10" with a small mirror in the centre.
The ladies all chose different styles and colours and patterns for their board and again Alison was in her element.
She wanted to create a waterside theme and I was delighted that I had a good selection of papers for her to choose from. She choose a blueish grey paper that had a crane standing in long grass and she put it to one side of the board. She very carefully choose a selection of embellishments to adorn her board and was again really proud and rightly so of her completed board.
Last week I handed Alison A large canvas, paint and brushes. I asked her if she would like to paint a simple collage for the studio. I provided her with a variety of paints and embellishments for her to use and this is the results. We all love whats she done and here is a photo with Alison and her guide dog Bear who has stolen the hearts of all the other members. He's so cute but we cant spoil him as he's a working dog and sits by Alisons side throughout the class.
I have agreed with Alison to bring Bear with her to class providing no members have any objections or allergies to dog hairs etc. The present members have no problem with this but Alison is aware that the situation could change with any new members.
Take a look at what Craft2Distract means to Alison in the following letter she has written
To Whom It May Concern, 21/06/2014
I have been to 5 classes with Craft2Distact. Its been a great experience for me. I spend a lot of time isolated in my house due to numerous health conditions. I have a lot of pain and recently I have started to loose my sight. Going to Craft2Distract has helped me become part of a social circle of people. I have quickly made friends and it is a great distraction from my physical problems. It is wonderful to be able to create things since I was an artist before my health got so bad. I didn't think I was able to do it anymore.
Lillian and Andrew help us with some of the planning of projects and the mechanical bits needed. Lillian has some craft projects where she shows us what she did and gives us all the parts to do it like her's or to do our own thing. There is always extra supplies for our imaginations to go wild.
Then there are free imagination classes. Last week we made beautiful mirrors. There were three ladies there and each of us chose different papers and different decorations for our mirrors. Lillian and Andrew would help us visualize what theme's we planned to use as well as helped with any bits we had trouble with (like for me it was the cutting).
A few weeks ago I made a canvas of my son and husband at one of these classes.
I guess I will conclude by saying that I find going to these crafting sessions extremely rewarding on many levels and plan to continue going for as long as they are offered.
Thanks for everything,
.Alison Skillin
thewindrose@hotmail.com
=================================
“If you can’t run, you walk. If you can’t walk, you crawl. If you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you.”
Thank You Alison we are very happy that Craft2Distract has given you the opportunity to revamp your fondness of painting and we have a beautiful canvas for all to admire. Keep up the good work.
Lilian x
