Miniature Paper Band Boxes Thursday, February 9th, 2023

8:30-10:30 am Please register here to attend the event Sign in at the Hartsbrook Hall Main Entrance upon arrival

Event Location: South Mod (enter the building from the ramp along the side of Piening Hall, the High School)

Description: Join Hartsbrook grandmother and alumni parent Kathleen Smith, as she guides us through this charming paper craft, just in time for Valentine’s Day! These miniature band boxes are just the right size to house a few sweet treats or perhaps a little note to someone special. No previous crafting experience is necessary! A $5 donation towards supplies is appreciated.

Look for our table at Friday Coffee Hour to preview the crafts! (The workshop is capped at 12 people) Questions? Contact Rachel Beaupré (1st and 4th grade parent) at rgbeaupre@gmail.com or Karen Lavallee-Tente (4th grade parent) 413-210-8012 (text)

 

These are a Few of My Favorite Things... To Read!

Some of us spent a peaceful, snowy morning last Thursday, happily mending our jeans with simple sashiko stitches and thumbing through my borrowed mini library of books. There are so many beauties out there! Here is a short reading list of some of my favorites. You can request them from your library (yes, you can find them on Amazon), or you can follow my links and check out a some online resources that I thought you might find useful. I hope they will get you inspired to dive into making and mending!

Susan Briscoe, The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook 
Nina and Sonya Montenegro, Mending Life: A Handbook for Repairing Clothes and Hearts
Nihon Vogue, Sashiko: Classic Japanese Embroidery Made Easy

Saki Iiduka, Sashiko for Making and Mending by Saki Iiduka

Jessica Marquez, Make and Mend
Katrina Rodabaugh, Mending Matters

Many of my sashiko needles and threads came from this great Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimonomomo

Remember, though, that this tradition is rooted in its history of necessity--of making do with what materials were available as a means of survival. It has certainly turned to a craft and fashion trend, but it does not require fancy pre-printed patterns and disappearing ink markers to make sashiko stitches. Any long needle will due (crewel embroidery or sharp darners are great), and cotton embroidery floss is a fine substitution, though might ultimately fray with wear. I can't wait to see what you make! 

Mending and the Japanese Tradition of Sashiko

Thursday, January 12th, 2023 8:30-10:30 am Please register here to attend the event Sign in at the Hartsbrook Hall Main Entrance upon arrival

Event Location: South Mod (enter the building from the ramp along the side of Piening Hall, the High School)

Description: Winter is a great time of year to work on that pile of clothes you’ve been wanting to patch. In this workshop, we’ll explore creative solutions for repairing different types of materials from wovens to knits. We’ll also take a closer look at the Japanese tradition of sashiko embroidery. This centuries-old technique has evolved from its early roots as a practical mending method used out of necessity by farming and working classes to one highly praised in fashion for its decorative style. We’ll provide fabric swatches, embroidery floss, design inspiration, and needles. Bring something to repair (old jeans are perfect!) or try stitching a sashiko patch just for fun. No previous crafting experience is necessary! A $2 donation towards supplies is appreciated.

Look for our table at Friday Coffee Hour to preview the crafts! (The workshop is capped at 12 people) Questions? Contact Rachel Beaupré (1st and 4th grade parent) at rgbeaupre@gmail.com or Karen Lavallee-Tente (4th grade parent) 413-210-8012 (text)

Luminaries Thursday, December 8th, 2022 8:30-10:30 am Please register here to attend the event Sign in at the Hartsbrook Hall Main Entrance upon arrival

Event Location: South Mod (enter the building from the ramp along the side of Piening Hall, the High School)

Description: As the darkness of winter falls upon us, we will fold paper lanterns to hold our enduring light. During this workshop, we will create two different types of paper luminaries: one for table top use and another for carrying aloft. No experience necessary! Through a simple process of measuring, folding, and gluing, we can all create these beautiful functional items. This workshop is free. Do you have some watercolor paper you’d like to donate? We’re collecting colored or blank, THIN watercolor sheets to prepare in advance of the workshop.

Look for our table at Friday Coffee Hour to preview the crafts! (The workshop is capped at 12 people) Questions? Contact Rachel Beaupré (1st and 4th grade parent) at rgbeaupre@gmail.com or Karen Lavallee-Tente (4th grade parent) 413-210-8012 (text)

Small Holiday Fair Crafts Thursday, November 10th, 2022 8:30-10:30 am Please register here to attend the event Sign in at the Hartsbrook Hall Main Entrance upon arrival

Event Location: South Mod (enter the building from the ramp along the side of Piening Hall, the High School)

Description: Join in the holiday fair preparations and help to craft small treasures that will delight our little ones! Each year, the early childhood families hold a tradition of making small items for the children to take home from the fair, whether something to be dug out of the haystack, lovingly selected from Papa’s House, or received from the magical Pocket Person. This Community Crafting session is designed to support caregivers who are looking for guidance or simply want to craft in the company of others. We will have a few small projects to choose from, ranging from simple paper creations to easy sewing or gluing crafts. You’re also welcome to bring your own project! No experience necessary. A $2 donation towards supplies is appreciated.

Look for our table at Friday Coffee Hour to preview the crafts! (The workshop is capped at 12 people) Questions? Contact Rachel Beaupré (1st and 4th grade parent) at rgbeaupre@gmail.com or Karen Lavalle-Tente (4th grade parent) 413-210-8012 (text)

October 13th, 2022 Workshop: Autumn Nature Table Crafts

Autumn Nature Table Crafts Thursday, October 13th, 2022 8:30-10:30 am Please register here to attend the event Sign in at the Hartsbrook Hall Main Entrance

Event Location: South Mod (enter the building from the ramp along the side of Piening Hall, the High School)

Description: Join Hartsbrook parents Rachel Beaupré and Karen Lavallee-Tente and create some soft fiber sculptures that will bring a bit of autumn into your home. We'll make simple hand-sewn pumpkins and needle-felted acorns. No previous crafting experience is necessary! All materials will be provided.

A $5-7 donation towards supplies is appreciated.

Look for our table at Friday Coffee Hour to preview the crafts!

Questions? Contact Rachel Beaupré (1st and 4th grade parent) at rgbeaupre@gmail.com or Karen Lavalle-Tente (4th grade parent) 413-210-8012 (text)

Hartsbrook Community Crafting is back!

About Community Crafting:

Share in the joy of making among friends! Community Crafting is a parent-led group offering monthly workshops in a range of practical and decorative arts. Try your hand at paper crafts, wet and needle felting, hand and machine sewing, basket weaving and more, and experience some of the skills our children develop in their classwork. All members of our school community are welcome. No previous crafting experience is necessary! 

This group is supported by the Family Association. Please email fta@hartsbrook.org with any questions.