Scrapbooking

Have you ever wanted to be that person who sketches in a gallery but you're too nervous to have people look over your shoulder? Yea, I've been there. It's intimidating. You feel like you're in the room naked. I've also been the person to sit and sketch and it's one of the most rewarding activities you can do. Just you, the artwork, and a bunch of people wishing they could do the same. Come and join me on the first Friday of the month and let's go to a gallery. These will be small groups and free of charge. We'll visit a new gallery each month, hopefully free ones and we'll do an hour or so of sketching, followed by a cuppa tea afterwards. Make sure you register so I can send you all the information a few days before the event.

We start at The Photographers’ Gallery to immerse ourselves in the **FREE** Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2026 exhibition. From the raw documentary power of Jane Evelyn Atwood to the surrealist interventions of Weronika Gęsicka, we’ll look at this year's entries and how they portray their subjects. After soaking up the inspiration, we hit the streets of Soho. We’ll add tips and techniques for street photography and take some of the techniques we’ve just seen and apply them to the vibrant and cinematic streets of Soho. GALLERY TICKETS * Tickets are free * Please book your ticket in advance here: * https://accessvam.accessacloud.com/PhotographersGalleryBookings/BookTickets.aspx?eid=0693&spg=Date * Choose Late Friday's Free option at the bottom of the list EXPERIENCE Any level of experience is welcome EQUIPMENT: * Any camera * A 50mm lens is recommended * Any lens with a wide aperture (f1.8/f2.8, etc) OTHER ESSENTIALS * A fun and experimental attitude! PAYMENT OPTIONS * PayPal via RSVP - Meetup transaction fee will be added. and you'll automatically be added to attend * Send £25 via PayPal to \*\*[creativebeansproductions@gmail.com**](http://creativebeansproductions@gmail.com%2A%2A/) with no extra fee. * Text Alex on 07956264049 and we will add you to the event attendee list. TRAVEL As usual check TFL website for any issues that may delay your journey. CONTACT Alex 07956 264049 VENICE PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND - Oct 2026 [https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/313109100/](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/313109100/) UPCOMING EVENTS [www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events](http://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events) Photo ©Jane Evelyn Atwood

Picture - Public domain Meet by Edith Cavell memorial statue on St Martin's Place, close to the church of St Martin in the Fields @ 11-11.10 - closest stations Charing X and Leicester Sq. Fee £15 **Pay on the day and RSVP me please by email - on this page - or text** So many paintings so little time! But we'll do our best and i'll be covering periods from the Renaissance to the Impressionists and a host of amazing ones in between. There are some wonderful art galleries in London but to me this is and has always been at the top of the list. This will be a great way to discover a bit more about some of the greatest artists and what made them tick. Host Blue Badge guide Laurence 07889 298573

With over 40 years' experience in magic and as one of only a handful of professional card magic teachers worldwide, Justin Higham writes about the challenges magicians face in learning and performing magic through improvisation. Justin Higham is a living legend in the world of card magic. A student of the great Edward Marlo, Justin's knowledge of card magic is impossibly comprehensive. He is of a generation of inspiring practitioners who modernized the craft and changed the face of card magic forever. With over 40 years' experience in magic and as one of only a handful of professional card magic teachers worldwide, Justin is in a unique position to write about the challenges magicians face in learning and performing magic. This book offers valuable insights into why magicians find it hard to perform impromptu: why they forget their tricks and why things so often do not pan out as expected. ‘I have learned the trick, the method, the patter, the misdirection, so why is it not working for me? Drawing from over 3500 individual magic lessons given by Higham over the past 12 years, this guide will help the intermediate student reach their goal of becoming an authentic, spontaneous and confident magician. The real secret as revealed here is to master magic through improvisation.

Diary Drawing Club – Friday Evening at Royal Festival Hall ☕🖊️ We meet to draw quietly together, using simple prompts that I’ll share or you’re welcome to draw whatever you feel drawn to. After drawing, we’ll take some time to share and talk about the works, if you feel comfortable doing so. 🎨 Bring your own sketchbook or iPad But basic drawing materials will be provided! No experience needed. ⏰ Time: 7-9 PM 📍 Meeting Location: Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

We will be heading to the New Venue - Roxy Ball Room. Where you can pick many games to play and this time we will going with 2 unique games never organised on the group before: Crazy Pool and Shooting Pods - Gunslinger Games for a super fun night and only 24 spots **About Roxy** Roxy brings the playground to the bar, with a huge variety of games all under one roof, and massive rock and indie tunes. Whether it’s date night, mate dates, overdue catchups, work parties or just Booze and Ball Games, Roxy has you covered! Also fabulous Food and Drinks: https://roxyleisure.co.uk/menu/ **Game 1 - Crazy Pool** Crazy pool, a Roxy-exclusive game, is a fun combination of crazy golf and American pool. Aim your pool cue to navigate the crazy golf-inspired obstacles on each table. It may sound simple, but it’s definitely not easy. Can you master this mash-up and sink the ball into the holes? It’s a challenge you won’t want to miss. How to Play? Since crazy pool is a Roxy-exclusive game, and basically made up by us, there are no ‘official’ rules! However, we do have some established guidelines on how to best enjoy the course. https://roxyleisure.co.uk/activity/crazy-pool/ **Game 2 - Gunslinger Shooting Pods** Step into the wild west and test your shooting skills in our **Gunslinger Shooting Pods** A unique, interactive experience, these pods use virtual technology to bring the thrill of the shootout straight to your fingertips. Take aim at a range of moving targets, from bottles to bandits, and compete to rack up the highest score in your group. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned sharpshooters, each pod creates a fast-paced, exciting atmosphere that brings out your inner gunslinger! Whether you’re looking to have fun with friends or challenge yourself, it’s the perfect way to add a bit of excitement to your day. **Location** Roxy Ball Room London St Mary Axe 33 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8AA, United Kingdom **Schedule** 7:00pm - 7:15pm - Arrive at Roxy 7:15pm - 7:30pm - Start getting ready for Crazy Pool 7:30pm - 8:30pm- \*Crazy Pool Group 1 /Gunslinger Shooting Pods Group 2 8:30pm - 9:30pm- \*Gunslinger Shooting Pods Group 1 /Crazy Pool Group 2 9:30pm - Further Social \*Note We will need to split into 2 groups of 10 - which will allow less waiting around for both games, we will let you know your group on arrival **Cost** Total Cost for this Meetup is £33 Can pay by Paypal: https://paypal.me/MeetupSaltyYoga or Bank Transfer: Message me for my details. Let me know when payment is made. Total of 24 X Spots Available ONLY (I will let you know when all the spots are full) ChrisSO

Get ready to bring your sketchbook and art supplies for a chilled café sketching session! No matter your skill level lets grab a coffee and unleash our creativity into our sketchbooks. There's no formal guidance, you'll be free to get on with your own drawings/personal art projects while being able to connect with other local artists. You're welcome to join in on the group conversations or quietly get on with your art studies whatever your preference. A few basic drawing supplies (pencils, colouring pencils, erasers etc) will be provided but please bring your own sketchbook / tablet / paper / something to draw on! Hope to see you there (Also please feel free to join even if RSVPs are full!)

In the digital age💻📡📱, do you still like getting a physical book to read? Where do you buy them? Amazon? Waterstone? Blackstone? How about join us for a bookshop crawl, let's try to find some hidden gems of independent bookshops. (Or just tag along for a chat😁) We will start from Tottenham Court Road, pass Russell Square and finish at King's Cross. We will do 10 bookshops📚📚📚! (So do get your comfy walking boots ready.) Don't worry, it's not a marathon, don't feel under any obligation to finish all the bookshops. The two hour time is just a guidance, some shops take longer and some are less. If you ever want to stay in one shop for longer (I know, been there, done that😂) feel free to do so, you can join us at other shops. (See itinerary below) Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the shops, so you are not obliged to buy any books, just get whatever you like. *** 📚💃🏼 📖💃🏿☕️ ITINERARY ☕️💃🏾🍷💃🏻🍴📚 We will all meet up at Tottenham Court Road, outside the Dominion Theatre. Don't worry if you are late, join us in along the walks. Then the tour shall begin! 1: Bookmarks Address: 1 Bloomsbury St, London WC1B 3QE Comment: A niche socialist bookshop for books on politics, cultural & history. 2: Oxfam Bookshop Address: 12 Bloomsbury St, London WC1B 3QA Comment: One of my favour bookshops, books are so cheap at the charity shop. (Some books are even brand new!) 3: London Review Bookshop Address: 14-16 Bury Pl, London WC1A 2JL Comment: A literary magazine-owned book store. (A 12mins walk towards Russal Square Station) 4: Skoob Books Address: 66 The Brunswick off, Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AE Comment: Another of my favourite, one of the biggest second-hand bookshop in London 5: Gay's The Word Address: 66 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AB Comment: A bookshop for books on LGBTQ topics, both fiction and non-fictions. 6: Judd Books Address: 82 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AG Comment: Book in the shelf filled to the ceiling. A lot of hardback books as well with great price. Generally we finish here, then for people who want to stay we usually find somewhere to have food and further discussions in the afternoon. *** Optional: (A 10mins walk towards King's Cross St. Pancras Station) (Feel free to leave here for public transport) 9: Hatchards St Pancras Address: Unit 7, St Pancras International Station, Euston Rd, London N1C 4QP Comment: Claims to be the oldest bookshop in the United Kingdom (Piccadilly store), though owned by Waterstone now. 10: Housmans Bookshop Address: 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DY Comment: A bookshop for new and second-hand publications on progressive politics. (A 10mins walk from King's Cross) 11: Word On the Water - The London Bookbarge Address: Regent's Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW Comment: A quirky bookstore on a canal barge, good place for a picture. (Off Angel Station ) 12: Oxfam Bookshop Address: 48 Upper St, London N1 0PN Comment: Quite a bit distance for walking, though pretty close by public transport. If you like another lucky dip into charity bookshop, why not? *** Wow, you made it, hopefully you have found some books that will make you happy🎈🎉✨. For people who likes to have more socials or talk more about books (or just to show off your purchases😆), we can find some place for a cup of coffee or a late lunch. *** Google map link for the bookshops: https://goo.gl/maps/3kENnrMv9tSoZ4xB9

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/willow-basket-making-54/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/willow-basket-making-54/) **⋆⋆⋆** A classic craft with a contemporary flair. One day willow basket-making workshop. Before the invention of the plastic bag most shopping was carried home in baskets, and in Britain willow was one of the main materials used to make them. If you have ever studied and admired work by a basket weaver, this is your chance to jump in and give your hands a treat. Over one day, experienced basket maker John Page will guide you through the stages of making a gorgeous traditional shallow basket in English Willow. This is an excellent beginner project in 'stake and strand' technique resulting in a very durable and strong structure. In this small workshop, there will be plenty of guidance and background information on this classic craft. John also repairs harps and plays the organ. He is a patient and easygoing tutor so come and join us for a creative, relaxing day. Beginners welcome. The use of all tools and basic materials is included.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/prepare-paint-206/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/prepare-paint-206/) ⋆⋆⋆ Learn to decorate in one day, 10am – 5pm. All set to decorate one room… or perhaps your entire home? Brush up your decorating techniques by messing up our workshop, instead of your living room! Painting a room is a great way to transform your home interior, without it costing the earth. But it can be a daunting task and everyone wants to have that professional-looking finish. What’s the secret to decorating success? Preparation and practice. Our Prepare & Paint workshop is a very practical class. From clearing the space to cleaning up brushes, we will take you methodically through the whole process. We will guide you through the importance and process of preparation: How to fill gaps and blemishes to make the surfaces smooth and ready for paint. You will practice using different tools and materials, experiment with different qualities of brushes, and finally learn how to apply paint to where you want and not all over yourself. In the morning, each student will have a panel of ‘wall’ and woodwork to work on. You will learn how to select the correct tools and materials and prepare a room for painting, from cleaning the paintwork to filling small and large holes in the walls and woodwork. Learn what materials to use and how to apply the filler and how to sand the surfaces in preparation for painting. We will even show you how to prepare areas that have been damaged by water stains, flaky plaster, and lost areas of wood. In the afternoon, you will learn how to select the correct paint and judge the correct situation to use primer and undercoat and how to paint ceilings, walls, and woodwork. Get to grips with how to paint edge lines that are crisp and sharp. Delight in painting without drips or masking tape and learn how to select and care for a paintbrush. We will even show you how to clean a brush and a roller so that they will give you years of service. Brush up your decorating techniques by practising under the guidance of an experienced decorator, who can answer your decorating problems as well, so bring photos of the snags in your home and take away lots of confidence to tackle the tasks at hand. All personal protection, tools, and materials are included. Suitable for absolute beginners. Enjoyable for everyone. This workshop takes place over one day.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-roman-blind-94](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-roman-blind-94) ⋆⋆⋆ Suitable for beginners. Enjoyable for everyone. One-day workshop. 10am – 5pm. Drawn to the look of fashionable roman blinds but not sure how to make them yourself? Then this one day workshop is for you. From measuring the window to fixing it to the wall, experienced tutor, Ian McQueen will guide you through the tools and techniques for making bespoke and accurately fitting blinds for any room in your house. During the day, you will master the art of producing a fabulous window treatment. You will make a sample blind using a 75cm x 1-metre drop piece of fabric. We keep our workshops very small for this discipline as you will need room to spread out when you are measuring and sewing so we aren’t able to make larger samples. You can take your professional handiwork home with pride. You will learn what to buy when shopping for cords and rings and how to select a suitable fabric to bring perfection and privacy to your decor. The Goodlife Centre has a varied selection of quality fabrics for you to use.

**UP** is a dynamic photography workshop designed for creatives who want to see the world differently. We’ll travel to a series of curated locations where the most compelling shots aren’t in front of you - they’re above you. From architectural lines to open sky compositions and using nature to create frames, this workshop trains your eye to look up, frame boldly, and capture the extraordinary hiding in plain sight. And then with a series of exercises we will challenge you to 'see' UP in a more creative way! WHAT YOU WILL LEARN * Using negative space * Settings for good exposure * Making and breaking composition rules EXPERIENCE * All levels welcome EQUIPMENT * Any camera * Any lens such as 18-55, 24-70mm * A wide lens if you have one * Optional 70-200 * Good walking shoes and a curious mind! TRAVEL & WEATHER * Check with TFL for any delays that might interrupt your journey * Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly CONTACT Alex 07956 264049 VENICE PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND - Oct 2026 [https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/313109100/](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events/313109100/) UPCOMING EVENTS [www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographic/events) Photo ©London Photographic

**This month’s Creativity Circle is very timely. We will be making our own craft flowers out of paper, coffee filters, popsicle sticks, sparkles, cupcake liners, pipe cleaners and more! All ages welcome, show up as you can, bring a friend or a few if you would like to! Excited to see you there! Seats Limited. Held at the Westerville Public Library Meeting Room B.**

**Our May novel is: *The Quiet Librarian* by Allen Eskens** **This month’s book is set in the 20th century and mixes historical fiction with suspense and thriller elements. It also centers on women’s stories and relationships. The novel is 368 pages in print or 8 hours and 12 minutes on audiobook.** Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head\*\*.\*\*

🌸 Mother’s Day deserves more than flowers 🌸 Join us for an elevated outdoor paint experience designed for creativity, connection, and unforgettable memories. ✨ Brushes & Brunch: Mother’s Day Garden Edition ✨ Beautiful garden vibes Brunch bites Signature refreshments Guided painting Soft music Luxury energy Whether you're celebrating your mother, your daughter, your friends, or simply honoring yourself — this experience is your invitation to slow down and create something beautiful. No painting experience needed — just bring your good energy. This is not your typical paint party. This is intentional. This is elevated. This is your moment. 🎟 Limited seating available to keep the experience intimate. Reserve your spot early https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brushes-brunch-a-curated-mothers-day-painting-experience-tickets-1987709930911

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Let's Crop!

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**