Crafts – Oxford Phab

Celebrations and Art

Although Helen was announced as this year’s winner of the Paul Hope Award in December, as the announcement was done remotely via a video link, she could not receive the certificate which accompanies the award. This was presented to her tonight

We also had a small Coronation Party, in anticipation of tomorrows ceremonies.

Wesley Memorial Church is also a venue for Oxfordshire Art Weeks – with people who use the buildings being invited to create or submit works on a theme of ‘Special Places, Holy Spaces’. This sparked inspiration in some of our members –

It also kicked off some interesting discussion about what made Phab special to its members.

Club night with Christmas Crafts

With Christmas approaching it is useful to be able to make little personal gifts for friends or family, or to decorate our homes with festive decorations.

We also added a little to the board of memory we had made at the Phab Southeast Fun Weekend, as not all our members had gone to that.

Easter Bingo and Crafts

We have a tradition of playing Bingo in the run up to Easter, where our members bring Easter Eggs and other goodies, and then we play Bingo – the prizes being the treats that we have brought.

Once again Tom kindly volunteered to be our caller, his good humour and patience when we lose our place making the evening enjoyable for everyone.

Tom, at the controls of our Bingo machine

As if Bingo was not enough for one evening, we had a craft session too !

We were making butterflies to be used as decoration for the Purple Extravaganza – a Fun and Fundraising Ball being hosted by Harlow Phab, to raise money for the Kelly Jackson Memorial Fund. Kelly was an active member of Oxford Phab for many years, who liked purple and butterflies, and her presence is missed.

Bread Sculptures and Award nomination.

Unfortunately the Covid pandemic meant that we could not celebrate Kathryn being nominated for the Paul Hope award with trip to a ceremony in London, as we did for Simon’s nomination, but a presentation at Wesley Memorial meant that more people could enjoy the occasion, particularly Tom.

Fitting in with an activity that Wesley Memorial Church has been doing, we made sculptures of of bread dough. These could be of people we found inspiring – our ‘roll models’, or anything we liked.

It was good to get back to creative activities together.

Christmas Crafts at Wesley Memorial

Due to rising Covid numbers this was our last face-to-face meeting of the year. Members were asked to take a lateral flow test before coming, to wear masks, and socially distance from people not in the same family group.

Despite the difficult circumstances those who were able, or safe, to get to Wesley Memorial had an enjoyable evening.

Hama beads

Tonight’s craft activity was Hama beads, which allowed those of us with an artistic flair, and patience, to produce colourful pieces.

Art and Crafts activities at Hounslow

Our trusty minibus took us though the stormy weather to Houslow for an Art and Craft session. We are very fortunate to have our own transport, which not only allows us to take part in activities with other clubs – like this one, and to go on holidays and other trips, but to do a pickup on a Friday night when circumstances allow. It is five years since our very first club outing in the silver minibus, which was also to Hounslow Phab Art and Crafts day.

Hounslow Phab had organised a range of activities, such as decorating eggs, hama beads, making keyrings and pictures frames.

They also, for those who had booked this, provided tasty cheese burgers, salads etc.

Despite the pleasures of the day we were pleased to return safely to Oxford.

Christmas Crafts

As the television is now into full scale Christmas advertising mode, and has been showing Christmas Films for months, even though it is not yet Advent we are starting to get into the spirit, by making Christmas Decorations.

Amazingly one of the key components of these decorations is the humble wire coat hanger !

Christmas Crafts

A lot of work (not by me) had gone into preparing Christmas Crafts activities, and the results put in a festive mood.

Craft Night

We decorated bags, made mobiles, and decorated transparent sheets.

These butterflies will look lovely attached to a window with the sun streaming through them – if we have any sun – which seems a distant memory in this gloomy February.
What could be better than a little creative activity to raise our spirits.