Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Christmas workshop

The festive season will be here sooner than we think, so this seems the perfect time to announce my upcoming Christmas workshop (a regular blog post will follow soon).

My past workshops (olive and lavender-themed) have been wonderful experiences; there is nothing more fun than spending a day in a small group baking or cooking, decorating, sharing a meal, exploring scarf-tying and learning new skills.

The picture gallery and program below gives you an idea of what to expect (you can choose the class with or without the napkin embroidery module).

Travel tip: We are less than three hours away from Paris by train; why not combine a trip to the City of Lights with a visit to the South of France?

For more information and how to book, please click here. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. 

Looking forward to spending a day filled with activity, creativity, and fun with you! 

xxx








My grandmother Else (below with my dad and his sister) taught my mother the Christmas cookie recipe, which my mother taught me in turn. 


 Here's the original recipe in her cookbook, which she credits to her aunt Anna. The date is December 29, 1912. They probably saw each other at or after Christmas that year, and Else must have asked Anna for the recipe:







The Program

We start the day at 9:30 am with coffee and tea and then make my favourite Christmas cookies. 

Once we finish baking, we'll explore gift wrapping. I'll show you how to make perfect bows and share my tips on creating extra special and beautiful wrapping. 

After the gift wrapping, we have soup, homemade quiche with salad, baguette, cheese, and a glass of local wine for lunch.

Next, we create a festive tablescape using natural materials, candles, and seasonal decorations.

Then we practice scarf tying. You can bring a couple of your scarves so we can explore various ways to wear them and showcase specific parts of their design. You can also ask for how-tos on specific knots.

The class ends around 4pm (unless you booked the embroidery module).

In case your booking includes the embroidery module:

After the scarf class, we have a tea/coffee break and taste our freshly baked Christmas cookies. 

Then, I show you how to embroider a decorative and festive wreath onto a linen or cotton dinner-size napkin. The embroidery stitch is quick and easy to learn and adapted for beginners. If you need more time to complete your creation, you'll be given all the necessary materials to finish your napkin at home. 

The class ends around 5:30 pm.


16 comments:

  1. Sounds like creative fun.

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    1. Thanks so much! I love the Christmas theme; it will be so festive and fun 🎄

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  2. Your site inspires me to beautify my modest home. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. That is wonderful to know. Home improvements are so happy making; have fun!

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  3. Dear Tai
    how is it possible that you only have one comment for the magnificent photos of your creations, of your settings? The embroideries are very elegant !! I could do some if I were more courageous

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    1. Dear Lili, - I've been asking myself the same question. It has been quite disappointing to be honest. Maybe people don't like that I've ventured away from the original content of my blog, or perhaps they can't be bothered to comment. Either way, it makes me wonder if it's worth to keep it up. Your kind words are therefor all the more appreciated. The embroidery above is super easy; even as a beginner you can learn it in no time.

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  4. I live in Australia, so it's too far for me sadly, but it looks so beautiful and inspiring!

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind comment; it's so nice to know that you like the look of it!

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  5. Aww ... many thanks Darling Trudye for the lovely comment and good wishes! I think this is my favorite workshop yet ... nothing better than baking and decor

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  6. Dearest Tai,
    I only saw this post now. I don’t remember having received an e-mail as I usually do. Hence my late comment. I’m very sorry about that.
    Love your Christmas posts. Have always done! Your photographs are so pretty!
    Your Christmas cookies look delicious and your embroidered Christmas too.
    I hope you are well and continue to post. Love your blog! Much love, Manuela xx

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    1. Dearest Manuela, - thanks so much for your lovely comment. I'm not sure what happened to the distribution of this post; I heard the same from others. I'm so happy that you continue to enjoy the blog; it's been a few years! Much love, Tai xx

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    2. Indeed it is. Time flies…. xxx

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    3. Only two months until Christmas Eve xxx

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  7. * I meant your embroidered Christmas napkins too. Sorry.

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  8. I really would love to join you all but I live in New York and will be unable to attend this year. Enjoy!

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    1. Perhaps another time? It's so much fun, I hope you can join one day!

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