Afternoon tea with Kirstie Allsopp

Posted on July 24, 2014

Yesterday afternoon I was delighted to be invited to have afternoon tea with Kirstie Allsopp (and 49 other crafty ladies) at the V&A. I’m sure you’ve heard of The Handmade Fair which is taking place this Autumn at Hampton Court Palace. As a Super Pinner (are you following me on Pinterest?) I was able to spend a really fun couple of hours enjoying an afternoon of tea, cake and crafting.

I love paper cutting but so far I haven’t been very adventurous. I was excited to learn how to create beautiful paper cut-out bunting with the help from artist Poppy Chancellor. She was lovely and shared her three top tips with us before we got started:

Always use a sharp blade
Always cut towards yourself
Cut the small details first

We were provided with cutting mats, super sharp blades and pretty designs to cut out. The room was silent as everyone was concentrating so hard. I started off with the simple design and as my confidence increased, was able to tackle the more intricate designs. It was so much fun and I loved the result. I really wanted to take the finished ones home with me!

Before very long people started finishing their cut outs and there was enough to form a beautiful group display. It would be super cute to make your own for your wedding or party and my mind is ticking with ideas!

It was a lovely way to spend a few hours and I’m really looking forward to attending The Handmade Fair later this year. I’ve only ever been to the Knitting & Stitching Show but this is slightly different. The ticket price includes a Skill Workshop of your choice (Textiles & Yarning, Cake Decoration, Papercraft, Upcycling, Jewellery or Seasonal), a Super Theatre Session (featuring Kaffe Fassett, Annie Sloan, Cath Kidston, Sue Timney, Mollie Makes, Paul A. Young, Pinterest, V&A, Etsy), and a Grand Make with 250 fellow crafters.

The idea behind The Handmade Fair is that everyone has a craft they can do. If our creative crafty afternoon was anything to go by then it’s easy to see how much fun you can have with a bunch of women you’ve never met, the chance to create and learn something new! Tickets are on sale now and you can find out more here.

The Grim's Dyke Hotel afternoon tea

crafts days out handmade

jenny

25 Comments

Bek

July 24, 2014 at 3:12 pm

That sounds like a great day! Fab tips, especially about cutting the small details first, that makes a lot of sense. Very pretty 🙂

Em @ snowingindoors

July 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm

I’d love to try paper cutting, it always looks so beautiful, and I love the idea of making bunting with it.

Hannah Staveley

July 24, 2014 at 4:49 pm

love her she is fab, always good tips from her .x

Jen aka The Mad House

July 24, 2014 at 5:05 pm

I am blooming green with envy. I have decided that I can not longer talk to you!

Healthier Mummy

July 24, 2014 at 5:09 pm

I love the sound of paper cutting, but not sure I’d be any good at it. Did you get to talk to Kirsty??

Amy Squires

July 24, 2014 at 9:23 pm

I’m very jealous! This looked like an amazing day, looks like such pretty patterns!

You Baby Me Mummy

July 24, 2014 at 9:59 pm

That looks like such a fun event x

Joanna Sormunen

July 24, 2014 at 10:02 pm

This is a fantastic idea for a craft or decoration! I will pin this for later on!

Polly

July 24, 2014 at 10:12 pm

they look great! something I’ve always wanted to try x

Actually Mummy...

July 24, 2014 at 11:24 pm

I am in awe of how detailed, and how neat these all are! I’m terrible at any kind of craft and paper cutting isn’t even on my radar. I know my daughter will be the exact opposite though, judging by her love of anything creative.

Sarah Bailey

July 25, 2014 at 1:59 am

Oh wow what an amazing sounding time, how detailed is your crafting! I would make a right mess of that 🙂 x

Model mummy

July 25, 2014 at 10:25 am

Great post – what a fun day. I have followed some of your boards on pinterest. Going to give the bunting a go x

Zena's Suitcase

July 25, 2014 at 2:42 pm

Sounds like you had a great time, I’d love to go to something like this

Al Ferguson

July 25, 2014 at 7:49 pm

Just don’t trust that Kirsty… she’s a crafty one!

😉

http://www.thedadnetwork.co.uk

Adele @ Circus Queen

July 25, 2014 at 11:46 pm

What a fab experience and at the V&A too! I’ve never tried my hand at paper cutting. Maybe for Christmas…

Shell Louise

July 26, 2014 at 12:42 am

Very jealous! Looks like a great way to spend an afternoon. Enjoy the Handmade Fair 🙂

Liska @NewMumOnline

July 27, 2014 at 9:24 am

When you said the room was silent as everyone was concentrating so hard it put a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat as I once went to an event with Linda Barker and Multiple Mummy. We had to make a t-shirt and Kerry was silent for about an hour. I only got to talk to her on the way home. This brought me right back.
This sort of day out must have been a dream come true for you.
I had no idea you were/are a Super Pinner. Well done
xx

Donna Navarro

July 27, 2014 at 10:42 am

What a lovely way to spend a day! Sounds like a great event and I would love to meet Kirsty Allsop!

Globalmouse

July 27, 2014 at 8:22 pm

Oh what a lovely afternoon. Paper cutting always produces such beautiful results.

ninjacat

July 28, 2014 at 1:00 pm

OOOH I LOVE bunting it excites me so very much

Laura

July 29, 2014 at 6:37 am

They’re lovely paper designs and would make fab bunting. I’d love to have a go, but it’s one of those things that I’m always a bit hesitant to do. I worry that I’d just make a complete mess of it. Maybe I’ll go to the Handmade Fair for some inspiration.