10.10.13

Squirrels at the Queen's Head



My second workshop last month was a smaller all day session at the Queen's Head, Eynsham - one of my previous students returned, which was very nice. And rather wonderfully, a blog friend, Vikki Rose, whom I have never met but have *known* for several years. She reminded me that she had  bought 'Minxie', my devilish little cat from my first year of needle felting (2008). Anyhow, settled down with home made shortbread (thanks Vikki!) and tea, they got started and worked hard all morning, earning a delicious lunch made, as usual, by Jackie the landlady.


Salmon en Croute, pesto mange tout and new potatoes. Followed by sticky toffee pudding and caramel ice cream. Or melon for the virtuous.



Then, somewhat stuffed, we returned to needle felting. It was a big ask, to get them to attempt an entire squirrel in five hours.



Another tea break was needed, with Jackie's home made scones, clotted cream and jam.



Despite all this feasting, by the end of the day, they had made amazing progress and two squirrels were even finished. Three of my students had never tried needle felting before, which makes the results even more impressive.


And Vikki Rose made the day even more special by bringing me some of her 'girls' eggs and one of her sweet care-chickens. She also wrote a super write up of the day on her blog, 'Back to the Castle' which includes a photo of me on a bad hair day and showing most of my tattoos. Irresistible!



If you'd like to be participate in the next workshop at the Queen's Head, sample Jackie's lovely food and see my tattoos,  drop me an email and I'll contact you when the date is confirmed. Next one is scheduled for some time in February or March 2014. Price for the whole day, including all food, is £55. Bit of a bargain, really.

10 comments:

rossichka said...

Another workshop in a friendly, quiet and creative atmosphere, at a cosy place with a kind hostess!Skilful and inspired pupils with a talented, charming teacher! The result is visible for all of us - those lovely fluffy squirrels!:))
Have a wonderful autumn, Gretel!xx

Soozcat said...

Oh, wonderful! "Squirrely-boys," as Captain Midnight likes to say. (Only Miss V is the squirrely-girl in his mind.) This entry brought to mind a room filled with chatting, the scent of sticky toffee pudding and the soft "stff-stff-stff-stff" sound of many felting needles stabbing away at roving (and, occasionally, thumbs).

Jinksy said...

I love the colour of those eggs-in-the-box, as well as the bright squirrels...

Gill Edwards said...

you must be a great teacher they have done so well in a short time. I would have been sound asleep after all that gorgeous food.

Gill x

Frances said...

Gretel, from the land of grey squirrels, I do want to compliment you and your fabulous students on the ability (mid-amazing refreshments) to make roving into...wonderful red squirrels. I hope that each of those squirrels got a name from its creator.

All in one day? Wow!

I will have to have a look at my 2014 calendar. xo

Twiglet said...

What a clever bunch they were to produce such brilliant little squirrels - and that food sounds amazing too!! x Jo

Vikki said...

Aww thanks Gretel, I think this lot have nailed it, AMAZING teacher helped heaps & heaps. Please do keep Tracey and I posted about the next workshop, we've love to another 'supervised' go at something else (I've just started the cockrel, I'll keep you posted on progress!) Vikki & the girls x

the woolly dog said...

I think it must have been the fact you were obviously a really good teacher that the finished squirrels were so good! You're right, that's a helluva day for the price. Those tattoos were a surprise, in the time I've followed your blog your photos have mostly looked like the photo of you with your little elephant. I'm now waiting for some great photos of you astride your harley... (just joking) xx

Acornmoon said...

Your students made great progress, you must have kept them hard at it Gretel. The food looks delicious too.

BumbleVee said...

I'm always amazed by the creations in your classes Gretel! I haven't done any felting for so long I probably totally forget how to ... and how I wish I could come to such a fun day...... sigh............