Scrapbooking

Let's sketch around Kensington Palace in Hyde Park! Meet at the Statue of Queen Victoria in Hyde Park for wonderful views of Kensington Palace, another drain on the taxpayer's wallet where the Royals probably spend no time whatsoever. It's pretty though. Nearest Stations: Queensway/Notting Hill Gate/South Kensington Completely free of charge, no need to sign up, bring a friend! Feel free to drop in for the whole two hours or just short while if you'd prefer. Look for the tall ginger fella sketching away as the central meetup spot, but feel free to roam as far and wide as you like and sketch anything you damn well please! Please bring your own sketchbooks and pens/pencils. The plan will be to meet at 1pm, sketch for a couple of hours and meet back and chat at 3pm. There are plenty of places around to grab coffee or a bite to eat, hopefully the weather is good so we'll be able to sit outside but if not we could consider ducking into a cafe. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- About Sketchbook London Every week we will choose a location around the magnificent city of London and draw people, buildings, pigeons, bins, anything you want.... No payment, no pressure, no need to sign up, just show up and draw for a couple of hours. All levels, abilities and professions welcome, bring a friend! Zero pressure to interact, network, impress in any way, this is just a way to get out and about and appreciate the joy of urban sketching and all the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit this thriving metropolis. I am a storyboard artist working in animation and I am happy to discuss sketching techniques or give feedback on any work but this is by no means an exclusive event for artists, all are welcome :)

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-1-day-shelf-bracket-53/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-1-day-shelf-bracket-53/) **⋆⋆⋆** Ideal for everyone with a hankering to ‘make’ rather than ‘assemble’ something in wood with traditional hand tools. This one-day workshop is a great introduction if you lack time or commitment to take a longer course. In this safe and friendly workshop, you will learn how to plan your work, where, and how to buy suitable wood for use in making simple projects at home. You will use the tools you will need to build a basic kit and the day includes a demonstration on keeping your tools sharp. Using easy-to-follow directions in this ‘hands-on’ practical day, you will learn how to measure and cut accurately, how to use a chisel to make a classic wood joint and how to use a plane to make your wood smooth. You will drill the holes to glue and screw your work together. Everyone works with a complete set of tools and makes their own project, under the guidance of an experienced tutor. During the day you will make two ‘gallows style’ brackets and attach them with wood-plugged screws to a 50cm shelf. This is fitted with simple hardware to hang and display your work. This workshop is suitable for all ages. Small class size = plenty of attention. For those aged between 10 and 18, an older guardian can accompany them on the course if required. Please contact us if you intend to do this. If you enjoy the peace that comes with traditional skills, this day can build into a lifelong pastime. This workshop always sells out fast. All personal protection and use of tools and materials are included.

📚 Reading of Colour – Book Club Meetup Join us for this month’s Reading of Colour, a book club dedicated to exploring stories from different cultures and celebrating the diversity of voices in literature. Each month we read a book by an author from a different background and come together to share perspectives, insights, and thoughtful discussion. This month we will be reading The Enlightenment of the Greengage tree by Shokoofeh Azar is a magical realist novel about a family fleeing persecution after the Iranian Revolution and trying to rebuild their lives in a remote Iranian village, narrated by the ghost of a young girl. Whether you’ve finished the book or are still making your way through it, everyone is welcome to join the conversation. Come along to share your thoughts, hear new perspectives, and enjoy a friendly discussion with fellow readers. 📖 All are welcome—bring your curiosity and love of books!📕 We will be having drinks afterwards at a near by pub, come along 🌸

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-piped-cushion-60/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-piped-cushion-60/) **⋆⋆⋆** For everyone who would love to make their own cushions for seats and sofas. The perfect way to fit out your camper van or jazz up your shed. Whether it’s a square scatter cushion or an elegant piped boxed cushion, learn the process in our one-day weekend workshop. If you are not confident with a sewing machine, we suggest you make the square scatter cushion. During the day you will be able to sew your creation to make either a 40cm piped, square cushion or a square 3” deep 35cm piped boxed cushion to take home. An expert upholsterer will guide you through the process of cushion-making to ensure a crisp fitted result. Master the techniques of measuring, marking and cutting accurately to maximise fabric use and how to pattern match. Learn how to make piping using bias-cut strips and piping cords. We will also show you how to fit a zip along one side so you can take your cover off for washing. All materials (including hypoallergenic cushion pad or foam pad) are provided and you will be able to choose your fabric from a small selection we have at the centre. You may bring a metre of your own soft furnishing fabric if you choose. Please make sure to avoid velvets, stretch or satin as these are more suitable to an advanced learner. A linen-weight fabric is ideal. We have well-maintained domestic Janome and Bernina machines to learn on. These workshops are kept to a small number and everyone has a dedicated machine. If you would like to build up confidence with a sewing machine first, we suggest our one-day ‘[Intro to Machine Sewing](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/intro-machine-sewing/)’ workshop. Book early to ensure your space.

## You may also book directly at our site here: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/collage-creative-writing-food-drinks-a-free-book-a-pub-quiz ... ## Hello there! Whoever you are, you're very welcome to join us for this fun, creative, and inspirational day of "Collage & Creative Writing". This Write & Pint workshop invites you into **an aesthetic realm, where verbal and pictorial expression collide!** Together, we’ll be: * Reading an excerpt from a piece of fiction * Reading a poem * Creating a character + character journey * Creating a collage (\*think felt tip pens, magazines, newspapers, scissors, A3 paper, moodboard-type thing) * Using our visual designs to expand our characters and character journey in writing thereafter! * A short pub quiz at the end of the day to round it all off! This is, of course, a **creative writing day**, for creative writers or anybody willing to give it a go, but it will also make use of **collage** to show you how visual media can help inform and inspire deeper connections to **charact and narrative arc.** ## What you'll need \*No experience necessary. \*No pressure to pitch or share your work in front of the group. Just bring yourself, a pen and pad (or laptop - depending how you'd like to write), and leave the rest to us. ## Schedule **11am** Arrive, order your tea or coffee, settle in, meet some friendly faces. **11am–1pm** Introductory poems, excerpts, and exercises, to help you develop your (we'll guide you through it) **1pm** Lunch break: a Finch’s pub brunch (\*included in the ticket price - as are the drinks). **2–3pm** Guided collage creation! **3pm–4pm** More writing, using your collage as inspiration. You’ll leave with new material to take home, edit, and keep. **4:00–5:00pm** 🎉 **The Write & Pint Pub Quiz** A fun, light-hearted general knowledge quiz covering culture, films, literature, history, and society, a playful way to end the day together. ... If you have any question at all, about this full day workshop or any of our other events, you're very welcome to text or WhatsApp me on +44 (0) 7534 981 636. Cheers! Sean (A Write & a Pint).

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/lino-block-printing-4/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/lino-block-printing-4/) **⋆⋆⋆** **Suitable for:** Suitable for beginners. No prior experience is required. **About:** Spend a day learning to cut a lino block, ink up and print onto fabric. On this one day workshop you will gain an introduction to the lino printing technique onto fabric. You will create your own one color lino print on fabric, an artwork ready to hang on your wall or perhaps as a gift for someone. Taking inspiration from natural objects, plants and images provided and learn to free your hand and mind with the process of mark making itself. Katharine will guide you through the process of carving your own piece of natural linoleum which you will then ink up and print onto your prepared piece of fabric multiple times using a brayer roller. You will make your own creative decisions as you go with as much or little guidance as you need, while always bearing in mind mistakes can lead to positive and new outcomes!

Hi all For those who are interested, I’ve created a separate events page for our first ever meetup: [Link to event](https://partiful.com/e/esvJPzaD0JYHKSVEdRhM?c=_I2Tdqb6) Capacity is limited so you might want to RSVP and pay to confirm ASAP! Update 1: \*\*Please note we have a new venue for the meetup!\*\* Update 2: We are full! Please add yourselves to the Partiful waitlist if you are still interested. Otherwise please feel free to give us a follow on here or on instagram to keep updated on our future events!

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-plant-holder-39/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-plant-holder-39/) ⋆⋆⋆ A good woodworker has a number of basic joints in their virtual toolbelt that they can use for any project. We have devised a lovely one-day introduction to woodwork skills which is a homage to the not-so-humble mortise and tenon joint – one of the essential joints required if you are looking to create sturdy pieces of furniture that can be fitted together like a beautiful 3D puzzle. A mortise (or mortice) and tenon joint connects two pieces of wood mainly when the adjoining pieces connect at right angles. In its most basic form, a mortise and tenon joint is both simple and strong and comprises two components, the mortise hole and the tenon tongue. The tenon, formed on the end of a piece of wood generally referred to as a rail, fits into a square or rectangular hole cut into the other, corresponding piece of wood. The tenon is cut to fit the mortise hole exactly. It usually has shoulders that seat when the joint fully enters the mortise hole. The joint may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock it in place. Over the course of this hands-on, practical day the tutor will give you careful direction in the use of using traditional tools. You will learn how to measure and cut accurately, how to use a chisel to make four ‘mortise and tenons’, how to use a plane to shape and apply a smooth finish to edges, and how to slot it all firmly together. The result will be a strong, standing plant pot holder that will proudly support a plant to brighten up a corner of any room and stand as a lasting testament to your joint making skills. An elegant 20cm white pot is included for you to take home with your new plant pot holder – we’ll leave it to you to decide how to fill it. This workshop is suitable for all ages. Small class size = plenty of attention. All personal protection and use of tools and materials are included. Suitable for beginners.

It's time to get out in nature and enjoy the beauty of the bluebell woods. It's been a long winter so lets embrace spring and capture these gorgeous flowers. We’ll look at camera settings to use to ensure you get the best photos of bluebells. We'll give you loads of tips to help you capture classic and creative bluebell shots. We'll have some optional exercises to help you get the best of your afternoon shooting bluebells. EQUIPMENT * Any camera including smartphones * Kit lens such as 18-55, 24-70mm lens * 50mm or macro lens (if you have one) OTHER ESSENTIALS * Check the weather and wear appropriate clothes and shoes TRAVEL * As usual check the TFL website for disruptions that might delay your journey * We'll have a 1 km gentle walk to the bluebell woods * If you drive we will meet you by the park IMPORTANT INFO * Bluebells are protected under UK law so it is advisable to stay on the footpaths provided 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)

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-french-mattress-cushion-16/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-french-mattress-cushion-16/) **⋆⋆⋆** **How to make a French ‘Mattress’ cushion** Have you admired the latest hand-sewn cushions that are featured in a lot of Interior decor magazines? In this 1 day weekend course, you will create a 50cm x 55cm x 12cm sample French cushion using materials from sustainable resources. You will be introduced to the necessary materials and techniques needed to make this type of cushion, including choosing the right fabric, measuring and cutting, sewing techniques, and stuffing methods. The workshop will teach you step-by-step how to create your own, including how to identify the different types of materials that can be used to make one. You will learn how to select the right fabric, including considerations such as texture, weight, and durability. Next, you will be introduced to the techniques involved in measuring and cutting the fabric, including how to create a pattern, and how to ensure that the cushion will be the right size and shape. You will also learn how to sew the pieces together, using traditional upholstery techniques. This project crosses the techniques of home furnishings and upholstery By the end of the weekend, you will have gained an understanding of the materials and techniques involved in making a beautiful and comfortable French cushion. You will have the skills and knowledge needed to create a unique and personalized cushion that will add elegance and charm to any room

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-drills-346/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-drills-346/) **⋆⋆⋆** Learn the basics at this fast-paced but relaxed one-day workshop. A perfect starter for all those annoying jobs around the house that you feel you should be able to tackle…if only you knew how. We know it’s frustrating to wait for it to be done and then get charged for it and we understand it can be a bit daunting to head into a wall with a power drill. Pick up the skills to hang curtains, blinds, and simple shelves on any wall. Learn to drill into wood, brick, tiles, or hollow walls with confidence. We will show you how to judge what is behind the walls before you drill. An enjoyable ‘ hands-on’ one-day workshop that covers many of the common aspects of basic DIY. If you have just bought your home and have realized it didn’t include a landlord to fix stuff, or just don’t want to rely on someone else, this day is for you. There is plenty of time to practice on several exercises over the day. The workshop also covers hanging pictures and heavier objects like mirrors, cupboards, and flat-screen TVs. You will learn how to hang a hook, fix a baton, and then a pair of level shelf brackets. Finish off the day learning how to fit shelves into awkward alcoves – a handy skill you can use to fit work surfaces too. Learn how to select the correct drill bit, wall fixing, and screw to secure things confidently. The day will also include a chance to fill small and medium holes in wood and walls to prepare your surfaces for painting. Along the way, we show you how to remove old wall fixings and what to do with the ones you can’t. This a fun fast day with plenty of tools to try and lots of advice on which tools to have in a basic toolkit. If you are thinking of upgrading your drill, you can test all of the ones we use and feel more knowledgeable about what you want to buy. This course is especially suitable if you are not handy or if you are able, but not that confident, about tackling small but important tasks in your home. We will also suggest how to tell if a task is appropriate for DIY or GSI (Get Someone In). You will take home a set of skills that will last a lifetime. All tools and materials included. Perfect for beginners.

We're meeting at 5pm local to read from and discuss Normal People by Sally Rooney. Read what you can beforehand and bring your thoughts, favorite moments, and questions. New members are very welcome.

Let's Crop!

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**

**This month’s Creativity Circle is very timely. We will be making our own craft snowflakes out of paper, coffee filters, popsicle sticks, sparkles and more! Bring the snowy season inside without the wet and cold. 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.**

It feels like we just saw each other 🤷. Join members of the local design and UX community for our monthly breakfast. For May we’re stopping in for Rooh’s popup breakfast/cafe concept. You know someone is getting the lobster yuzu croissant, and that’s not even the prettiest thing on the menu!.