Early on Saturday morning, I prepared the studio for my second workshop. I arranged nine chairs around our table, laid out a rainbow stripe of yarn balls, printed out nine sets of patterns and gathered together nine bags of stuffing, eyes and hoops.
I laid our little blue table with a palette of gorgeous merino yarn, ready to inspire my visiting ladies.
I went to the market and bought a bunch of daffodils for my stripy jug, and I borrowed Tracy's white step ladders to make a little Bower Bird display. All was set, and I felt ready for the day. I had some flutters of nerves in my tummy, but once the Lovely Ladies began to arrive I suddenly felt at ease and surprisingly in my element. No need to be nervous! I know this pattern exceptionally well now, I am confident teaching it, I love teaching it. I love to inspire, to share, to encourage. It's fun!
The hours fly by, honestly, the clock seems to run at warp speed. The Lovely Ladies take to the project so well, they concentrate and they work hard, they count and they scribble. But also they chat and laugh, share snippets about their lives, their families, their work. It is relaxed and friendly, and I enjoy the whole experience so much.
The ladies in the café downstairs look after us very well, and we are kept supplied with drinks and platters of pastries and sweet nibbles. The crumbs mingle with the yarn ends, and slowly one by one, my Lovely Ladies sing out their Ta-dah's as their Birds hatch and stretch their wings. It is magical to witness, and with each proud Ta-dah, my heart melts.
By the end of the day, there are nine beautiful new Bower Birds in the world, and ten very happy ladies.
I feel so blessed to have this gift that I am able to share. To see my own design come to life in the hands of others is such an amazing experience, and one that gives me great pleasure.
At four o'clock we reluctantly begin to say our goodbyes. Many of the Lovely Ladies have travelled some distance to be with me, and I wish them safe journey's home again. The studio hushes, and I potter around tidying crumbs and yarn ends, smiling all over. Such a great day, so rewarding. Teaching workshops is a big learning experience for me, I am really enjoying it but I am still finding my confidence and learning to relax with it. I've got five more workshop dates running one a month through to July, all fully booked up. That's good I think?! I have become someone who teaches workshops, that still takes me by surprise!
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