After the restringing demonstration it was time for the craft workshops at the Sasha celebration. There were 3 tables (with a quick changeover after the restringing demonstration for the needle felting workshop to set up). The 3 workshops were crochet hats, needle-felted animals and little wooden trains (engine and coal tender).
I had made up 30 kits just in case every single person wanted to make one (I knew this would be unlikely but didn't want to disappoint anyone). It took a considerable amount of time for cutting and sanding all the parts (each train was made up of 6 pieces of dowel, 2 blocks, 1 base board, 1 funnel, 2 miniature hooks/eyes and 10 press-studs). I cut the funnels from lolly sticks (they had to be cut and shaped then sanded, which was fiddly). I also had to drill tiny holes in the cab block and the tender block as pilot holes for the tiny screw eyes, the screw eye in the cab block had to be opened out slightly to become a hook. All this I did at home before the event.
 |
| some of the wooden parts all cut and sanded, blocks with hooks and eyes |
 |
| the wood parts cut and sanded, with the tiny hooks and eyes inserted |
 |
| The two little trains we made in advance of the workshop - my daughter made the green train, I made the red train |
 |
| The little red train I made in advance of the workshop, showing the wheels and hook and eye connection |
In total 11 little trains were made up on the day, with some other kits and instructions handed out to those who weren't able to get to my table in the time allowed (we had a long period for crafts). I made a train for Kendal, whose fingers can operate a camera with great expertise but unfortunately no longer work well for fiddly craft work on this small scale, she requested a red and black train. My girl made up a train for Petrana who wanted her to make it on the day as she was doing other crafts, she also wanted a red train. My girl had already made a train ahead of the workshop as a test to see if she could follow the instructions and enjoyed painting it green (my prototype train was red). Most of the trains were black with one contrasting colour (blue, red, green or yellow was available), however Theresa painted hers black with yellow, red and green with an S on the back of the tender. Some people used the brass colour to add some detail to their trains.
 |
| Gluing the little trains |
 |
| Applying glue with a lolly stick |
 |
| watching my girl make a train for her |
 |
| The needle felting workshop where they made little animals and birds |
 |
| more gluing, and waiting for the glue to dry |
 |
| Having fun painting the trains |
 |
| The completed trains with their certificates |
 |
More completed trains and certificates
(the middle train will be painted at home by its maker then the press stud wheels glued in place) |
After the workshops we tidied up and had lunch. Well that was the theory - in fact some people nearly finished off their trains, ate lunch, came back to finish them and help tidy up. I was on a 'gluing on wheels' mission in between knitting a headband and painting a train for Kendal! The half press studs were glued on to the bogies with araldite which had to be mixed in small quantities and for speed I did this for every train made rather than each person mixing a tiny spot of glue. Everyone who made a train helped with tidying, but one person in particular was a complete star (Teddy) cleaning paint off the brushes and outside the green paint pot and helping bag up the half press studs which didn't get used on the train. I managed to eat some chips but was on too much of an adrenalin rush to get the knitting done to really bother with food (my girl fed me chocolates!)
Once the tables were clear of crafts everyone came back into the hall for the epic raffle. With over 100 prizes donated we were in for a marathon but what a fun one it became. My girl pulled the first winning ticket which resulted in the amazingly lucky Theresa winning another doll in a raffle (following her incredible luck at last year's Chat 'n Snap). Some people won more prizes than others and started nominating others to choose a prize instead, everyone ended up with at least 2 prizes and my girl won 8 or 9 (I still haven't counted all the outfits and accessories she was given) - everyone's generosity and kindness was lovely to see. I was pleased to win some fat quarters of fabric for sewing, which made people laugh as most people there guessed I have lots of fabric already. Throughout the raffle I was standing knitting the final headband, just at the end I sewed in the threads and we dressed our 3 girl dolls to model them at our sales table. Over £600 was raised for Save the Children - this will be sent to the Sasha Festival to add to their Children's Fund Auction total which will be match funded.
 |
| The amazement as the first prize was drawn and T won the lovely boy doll |
 |
| Lucky winner T drawing a ticket for someone else |
After the raffle the hall was cleared again as people went for cups of tea and scones while those of us with things to sell set up our sales tables. I shared a table with 3 other people and am pleased that all three girls wore their now completed outfits I had designed and made (shoes and socks not included). During the sale 2 of the 3 outfits were sold so Miranda (in the turquoise) and Laura (in the lime green) changed into one of the dresses my girl had won on the raffle and a dress which Liss bought for my girl from Petrana's table (my girl was very indulged at the Celebration weekend by lovely people).
The three outfits I had made were a dress, pants, lacy cardigan and headband, all my own design (adapted from other patterns - the lacy cardigan was a combination of 3 different patterns, the dress was a redrawn version of Ted Menten's pinafore).
 |
| Florence in the navy and turquoise outfit, Miranda in the turquoise and Laura in the lime green outfit |
 |
| 3 outfits for sale along with the boats and planes |
 |
| Close up of the lacy cardigans and dresses |
My daughter was delighted I sold 2 outfits as this counted towards her toddler fund. We didn't sell any of the toys but we bought some items from other tables (more about them in another post). We packed everything away and returned to our room to get ready for dinner.
 |
| A Sasha in her new evening dress, won at the raffle, at dinner |
 |
| Laura wearing the gorgeous bridesmaid's dress handmade by Tricia |
 |
| Lorraine and the famous well travelled Henry at dinner |
At dinner time Janet was presented with a wonderful bouquet of flowers to thank her for leading the organisation of the Sasha Celebration weekend so expertly. We all hope she wants to do another one next year.
 |
| Janet with the gorgeous thank you flowers |
It was a long, enjoyable and very packed day, however after my short night sleep on Friday I was glad to go to bed in good time. The next part is about Sunday morning and the final Sasha and Gregor gathering of the Celebration weekend.
If you've missed the five previous posts about the Sasha Celebration you can find them at:
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.JPG)
