Scrapbooking

Welcome mums to be to our weekly Present in my Pregnancy Gathering. This is a space where we pause, appreciate and remember to enjoy our pregnancy journeys together. **First up - Mum & Baby Time** * Journaling * Memory recording What to bring - a journal or phone for writing, a sketchbook or phone for recording memories (I use canva) **Second Up - Helping Each Other** * Discovery swaps - sharing ideas and tips What to bring - nothing **Third Up - Time Out** * Sharing Circle - listening to each other * Craft Activity - thank you card * One Intention What to bring - stickers, gems and anything to decorate a card. Card and coloured pens provided. I’m really excited to meet you and for this space to open up. I need it so much and hope we can support each other to make it happen 🙏🏽🤰🏾🩷. Why is this a paid event? The truth is Meet Up charge a hefty fee for setting up a group. I hope the fee is low enough to not stop anyone coming but also enough to cover the monthly organisation cost of running this lovely space. Thank you for your support 🙏🏽. Option to pay by PayPal as well.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hand-caning-furniture-96/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hand-caning-furniture-96/) **⋆⋆⋆** **Also known as Hand, Strand or Hole-to-Hole Caning.** KEY PROJECT: HAND CANED WOOD FRAME. Suitable for beginners. Enjoyable for all. One-day weekend workshop. 10am – 5pm. Ever seen a great chair in a junk shop but noticed that the caning that spans the seat is sadly coming away at the edges? Sometimes a chair that had been caned has had an unsightly slab of plywood tacked onto the broken seat. This is an opportunity to increase your upholstery know-how and bring a ‘once pretty’ seat up to scratch. Now you will be able to snap up a bargain and re-cane the seat yourself. The task is not as daunting as you think and can be done easily in a domestic setting with no specialist equipment- unless a washing-up bowl and some golf tees could be defined as such. This is a very old traditional craft, sometimes known as hand, strand or hole-to-hole caning. Specialist split cane is woven from side to side and fixed in place. During the one-day workshop, upholstery expert Netty Erw will inspire confidence while guiding you through the stages of intertwining the fine split canes. At the end of the day, you will have completed a square panel of traditional caning to take home with pride. The skills learnt during the day will enable you to embark on your own project at home. Netty has learned her skills from her clever aunt Rachael South, who in turn learned from her grandfather. We are thrilled to share in this generation's cascade of talent. All use of tools and materials supplied. We have a cane to buy after the course if you want to get started as soon as you get home. Beginners welcome. No previous experience in upholstery is required. If your chair is wobbly or scuffed – or even repainted, you can come to our ‘[Intro to Furniture Restoration](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/furniture-restoration-wood-revival/)‘ day course and learn how to make it look loved and valued again.

[Book through Website](https://www.bootsonadventures.co.uk/guided-walks/crab-and-winkle-trail/) Enjoy beautiful countryside, great company, and a rewarding journey from coast to city! Step back in time as we follow the Crab and Winkle Way, a trail that traces the route of the world’s first passenger railway. Our journey begins at Whitstable Station before heading down to the harbour, where the railway first opened in 1830 and once carried people and goods between Whitstable and Canterbury. From the harbour, the path will lead us along a tree-lined cutting and past the site of the dismantled South Street Station, an important stop on the original line. The route then opens out into fields and open countryside, offering a sense of how rural this landscape would have felt to early railway passengers. The trail continues into Clowes Wood, where we will pass Windling Pond, once used by steam engines to take on water before tackling the steep incline ahead. Beyond the woodland, the path weaves through orchards and past an old church, echoing the agricultural history of the area. A short detour from the official route brings us to the site of the world’s first railway tunnel, which ran beneath what is now the University of Kent. From here, the final stretch rewards you with sweeping views across Canterbury before the walk finishes at Canterbury West Station. Date: 14 June 2026 Meet: 09:15 \| Start: 09:30 Duration: Approx. 4.5 hours (includes lunch break Led by: Ian Henderson Start: Whitstable Train Station, CT5 1RB Finish: Canterbury West Train Station, CT2 8AN what3words: ///slimmer.shipwreck.innovate Parking: Available (charges not included) Route Details Distance: \~14 km / 8.5 miles Terrain: Mixed Walk Type: Linear Difficulty: Easy–Medium (some steep sections) Enjoy beautiful countryside, great company, and a rewarding journey from coast to city! Bus ticket back to Whitstable not included

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-altering-clothes-12/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-altering-clothes-12/) ⋆⋆⋆ Learn to refashion your fashion and save it from landfill. A one-day weekend workshop learning to re-love your wardrobe. Frustrated by all those simple alterations you have to take to the dry cleaner to fix? Taking up hems? Repairing a jacket lining? No, you will soon be able to tackle those jobs yourself – even if you have never used a sewing machine. Do you have a favourite shirt with a rip in it? Do you have a skirt that doesn’t quite fit anymore? In an age that encourages us to buy less clutter, learning how to keep clothes going for longer can mean more than just a tiny spot of darning. Spend the day learning to give your clothing a new lease of life and personalising them with your individual style. Bring your outgrown but loved clothes to this beginner-friendly day workshop and re-create them into something special again. Maybe things look a bit dated and could be converted to a new style or you just want to know how to turn charity shop finds into well-fitting couture. As everyone will undoubtedly bring something different to work on, you will learn and be inspired from each other’s projects too and therefore be able to go home and refashion even more items to give them a new lease of life. Expert clothesmaker Deborah Andrews will guide this small class through the day working on your individual projects. We have easy-to-use sewing machines for everyone as well as a small selection of scrap fabrics you can use as embellishments or patches. Bring any old or new materials you want to use too. **About Deborah** Deborah graduated from Camberwell College of Arts with a BA Hons in Illustration. Over the years she has developed her own practice of drawing and illustration to combine machine embroidery with digital imagery and a bit of old-school pen and paper for good measure. Her clients include The Guardian Newspapers, The Barbican, Latitude Festival, Danny Boyle’s Shuffle Festival, Vital Arts and The Big Draw. She has been teaching drawing, fashion & clothes making, and creative textiles for over 20 years. [www.deborahandrews.co.uk](http://www.deborahandrews.co.uk/)

*“I don't wait for inspiration. I'm not, in fact, quite sure what inspiration is, but I'm sure that if it is going to turn up, my having started work is the precondition of its arrival.”* - Quentin Blake **Join us at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration on Sunday 14th June!** Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s only permanent place for illustration, opening Friday 5th June 2026. When it opens in Clerkenwell, London, the three galleries in a former waterworks will showcase the breadth and dynamism of illustration through regularly changing exhibitions. Visitors can explore their free spaces, including public gardens, displays and an illustration library. A café serving fresh food in historic surroundings will also be on offer as well as a shop stocked with unique illustration gifts. **Read more here:** [Museum website ](https://qbcentre.org.uk) **MEET DETAILS FOR SUNDAY 14 JUNE:** **FROM 1:15pm: MEET AT QUENTIN BLAKE CAFÉ (optional)** Address: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, 1 Myddelton Passage, London EC1R 1AG **2PM: ENTER THE MUSEUM** Address: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, 1 Myddelton Passage, London EC1R 1AG **4:30PM-Late: PUB SOCIAL AT THE GEORGE AND MONKEY (optional)** We'll head to a local pub for a social chit chat over drinks. Address: 68 Amwell St, London EC1R 1UU **TICKETS:** **You will need to purchase your own ticket for this event.** **Please book Sunday 14th June** [HERE](https://tickets.qbcentre.org.uk/events/21c73b1e-3dc3-71fa-0513-4dbe1c8a6d43?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio) and choose the 2pm slot (or thereabouts). If you don’t want to donate, scroll down on the booking page to find the non-donation ticket options. Ticket: £15 Ticket with Art Pass: £7.50 Museum Association Members: £6 **GETTING THERE:** [Visit us museum page](https://qbcentre.org.uk/your-visit) **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:** Please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be posted in the Event Comments 48 hours before the event, for those on the confirmed going list. *NB* *Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.* **PLEASE READ:** LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, **otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'.** We remove members from the group who: * repeatedly sign up for events then 'no show'. * repeatedly change their RSVP to 'No'. * are on the event waitlist or have not RSVPd but turn up anyway. Please see the [About Us section](https://www.meetup.com/london-museums-a-z-for-30s-40s/) for more information about the group and how it works. **Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.** 📸 Follow LoMAZ on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/londonmuseumsatoz/) Image credit: "Matilda" by moedermens is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-plumbing-165/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-plumbing-165/) ⋆⋆⋆ Learn how to tackle some basic plumbing tasks around the home in this practical, hands-on workshop. During this one-day weekend workshop, our experienced tutor will walk you through some ‘dry’ exercises to top up your skills in the ‘wet arts’ of your home. Plumbing = Water in and water out. There will be plenty of time to learn how to isolate the water supply, fix a leaky tap, rescue something from a U bend and unclog a blocked sink. All the basic essentials that you need to be able to do yourself without the expense of calling someone in. Learn the principles of replacing a tap, if the replacement washer didn’t do the trick, or if you are just a fashionista that wants the latest design. Get the know-how of how to fit a washing machine and a dishwasher to the ‘loo’, where you will learn how to replace any non-working part in your cistern. Warm up your knowledge of your heating system – how it works and how and when to bleed a radiator or adjust the pressure on your boiler. You will also practice how to remove and replace silicone sealant around the bath and shower. So you can go home and give your bathroom a mini-makeover, without spending a fortune. All of our courses take place in a safe environment. There is no use of blow torch or welding equipment and no running water systems. Every exercise is done on dry disconnected examples but with enough detail to add confidence to any learner. This course is created to add to any homeowner’s proficiency and sense of self-sufficiency. It will also benefit housing landlords who want to take on minor repairs in their properties. Leave with the confidence to tackle some basic plumbing jobs around the house and gain some independence. All personal protection, tools and materials are included. Beginners welcome.

**Join us for a Wild Sketch with printmaker, botanical artist and London Drawing tutor Sisetta Zappone!** We will be taking our workshop into the wild as we explore the beautiful Camley Street urban nature reserve, located in the heart of Kings Cross. Camley Street Park has a wealth of environments to explore- The woodland, grassland and wetland habitats include ponds, reedbed and marshy areas which provide a rich habitat for birds, butterflies, amphibians and plant life. There is also plenty of under cover space to shelter from what ever weather is happening! Shade and shelter – lovely cool and shady areas with tables and spaces for quiet drawing exploration. We will be exploring the environments in the park and using simple materials to explore the microcosoms of plant, flowers and insects we come across. Working in graphite, coloured pencils and watercolours Sisetta will lead the group through simple exercises and then focus on individual tuition as you come across plants and spaces you would like to explore- helping you to create lush and in depth drawings and paintings. About Camley Park: The site was once a coal drop for the railways into nearby King’s Cross Railway Station, which was demolished in the 1960s. It had been colonised by nature so the London Wildlife Trust ran a campaign to save the site from development and instead create a nature reserve; Camley Street Natural Park opening in 1985. Multi-functional floating reedbeds have been placed in the water’s edge along this area of the Regent’s Canal. They incorporate habitats for birds to nest in, invertebrates to live in, fish to spawn and shelter from predators in. The reedbeds also provide a range of ecosystem functions, including the absorption of excess nutrients from the water, mitigating canal pollution. This nature reserve is a fantastic oasis right in the heart of Kings Cross- and an absolute gem – a wonderful place to Wild Sketch! Join us for a real drawing adventure! **Sunday 14 June** **1.30-5pm** **£45** **A donation from your ticket will go to Camley Street Nature Park** **basic materials included- you may also bring your own materials if you have things you would like to try** [MORE INFO & BOOKING](https://londondrawing.com/product/wild-sketch-botanical-drawing-workshop-with-sisetta-zappone-sunday-14-june-2/) **Location:** **12 Camley Street, London N1C 4PW** **[Camley Street on the map](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Camley+Street+Natural+Park,+London+Wildlife+Trust/@51.5350415,-0.1299739,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x48761b3d6934eb0d:0xddc55ba33cba1312!8m2!3d51.5350415!4d-0.1273936!16zL20vMGI2N2Yy?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)**

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-step-up-low-wood-stool-2-sundays-12/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-step-up-low-wood-stool-2-sundays-12/) ⋆⋆⋆ **Course:** Make a Step Up Stool **About:** Learn how to measure and mark timber accurately, use a chisel and a vintage ‘Granny’s tooth’ hand router to cut out grooves to house the legs into the sides of the stool. This course is another charming project from our a cherished Edwardian instructional woodwork manual, ‘Carpentry for Beginners’. The projects in the book are perfect for learning basic woodwork skills and we have refined the instructions to incorporate a modern craft construction. This classic ‘child’s stool’ is a handy ‘hop up’ you can use if you have shelves you can’t reach at home and small ones can reach the sink by standing on it. It measures 40cm x 22cm x 26cm high. We use a redwood pine wood that releases a heady and uplifting scent when cut, chiseled and planed. Even if you have never used any tools, a professional cabinet maker will teach you the processes you will need to take home a future heirloom along with a very special sense of satisfaction that comes with crafting by hand. You will learn how to measure and mark timber accurately, use a chisel and a vintage ‘Granny’s tooth’ hand router to cut out grooves to house the legs into the sides of the stool. By the time you have finished your useful step up stool, you will have become familiar with many of the basic woodworking hand tools and increased your confidence to go on and do more general woodwork at home.

Fancy a fun social **archaeological** adventure into the **Egyptian** temple? An expedition venturing into history, myth, and discovery at the Museum’s Egyptian galleries. We'll step into a world of monumental statues, hieroglyphs, and sarcophagi so **extraordinary** that even the most famous archaeologist of them all **-** Indiana Jones himself - might hesitate to enter! But no need for Indi - we'll become direct **raiders of knowledge**, uncovering the secrets of Egypt’s most extraordinary artifacts — no Lucas props, just authentic treasures that have captivated explorers, scholars, and adventurers for centuries. Yep - for thousands of years, Ancient Egypt bestowed extraordinary knowledge and innovation on the world - easily giving the big greek philosophers a run for their money! From **mathematics** to building those monumental structures and advanced **astronomy** to create calendars, they practiced **medicine** and mummification with remarkable skill. Their wisdom, traditions and emphasis on cosmic order influenced civilizations far beyond the Nile, leaving a legacy that still shapes how we understand science, culture, and history today We'll step into the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery and encounter monumental statues of pharaohs, sarcophagi, and hieroglyph‑covered stelae. Texts will help guide us through their hidden stories — from the Rosetta Stone to colossal busts of Ramesses II — revealing the real history behind treasures that could easily rival Dr Jones’s greatest finds. 🗝️ Lost Treasures Trail Following a themed trail through the galleries, we'll piece together clues among mummies, tomb goods, and temple carvings. Inspired by Indy’s relic hunts, this puzzle challenge is grounded in authentic archaeology, encouraging you to see the magnificent collections with your own eyes 🎩 Explorer’s Flair And to infuse some lighthearted fun into the journey - *Indiana Jones* style fedora hats and satchels are welcome! Feel free to strike a pose beside towering statues or ancient sarcophagi for **photo opportunities** blending cinematic fun with the awe of Egyptian relics. Impersonations of Indy welcome too - if yours is better than mine I buy you a drink! ☕🥂🍻 After we survive the ancient curses and colossal statues with our discoveries intact, we’ll continue the expedition at a nearby pub — a chance to debrief like real archaeologists, swap theories, compare clues, and enjoy a well‑earned drink getting to know your fellow explorers Lucas Stone Unmummified

**A gem of a life drawing session in our secret hideaway - a good vibes intimate sit down drawing session with wonderful models and lighting** Vaulty Towers really is a very special venue with a wonderful atmosphere- walk through the main bar with its glittery décor and down the little staircase into the twinkly hideaway downstairs where the life drawing magic happens! As with all our drop in classes- expect professional tutors and models in an inspiring and unique space. With poses from 30 seconds to one hour- there is something for everyone. This is a general life drawing class with tuition for beginners and advice for those who are more experienced, all designed to encourage you to develop your own style and approach. **Please don’t come to class if you feel ill- you can rebook to another date- just email info@londondrawing.com** Materials available to buy, or bring your own- Paper 20p per sheet, charcoal 25p per stick **Sunday Secret Sketch** **Every Sunday** **3.30-5.30pm** **£15 / £10 students and under 25's** **We also run [Saturday Secret Sketch session](https://londondrawing.com/buy-tickets-for-saturday-secret-sketch-including-session-information/)** **11-1pm Every Saturday** **And a second Sunday Secret Sketch** **1-3pm every Sunday** **Drop in and pay cash or paypal on the door** **PayPal link:** **[PayPal.Me](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LondonDrawing)** Or buy tickets here: [BUY TICKETS HERE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunday-secret-sketch-weekly-drop-in-life-drawing-waterloo-tickets-426778555147) **Venue:** **Vaulty Towers** **34 Lower Marsh** **London** **SE1 7RG**

Join us for a relaxed sketching session from 2–4pm on Sundays followed by a warm drink and a chat in a nearby café. 😊 We usually meet at the V&A Museum or outside in a local park when the weather allows. Please check the location listed in the event details each week, as it may change depending on rain, sun, or gallery access. This is a calm, informal, free meetup — you're welcome to draw at your own pace, chat a little, or just get into the flow. It’s open to all levels, from total beginners to experienced artists. 🖍️ Art materials: In museums/galleries, we can only use dry, non-messy materials: pens, biros, colour pencils, markers, and fine liners (no paint, pastel, or charcoal). In parks or outdoor spaces, feel free to bring paints, pastels, or whatever you like! Bring your own sketchbook and materials, and come just as you are. We’d love to draw with you. ✨✏️☕

**Join us for an afternoon of community art and craft time!** Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you. 🧵 **What to Bring** Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think: * **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending. * **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling. * **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design. * *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!* **📍 Where to Find Us** * We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Hilltop Branch** in **Meeting Room 4**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.** **⏱️ Timeline** * **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on. * **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas. **⚠️ A Note on RSVPs** The RSVP count for this event is strictly limited to 10 spots. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. Please try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel, allowing folks on the waitlist time to check their schedule. *** **We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**

**Our June novel is: *The Eights* by Joanna Miller** **This month’s novel is set during World War I. It’s a 20th-century historical fiction story about friendship and war, with coming-of-age elements and a slightly haunted tone. The book is 384 pages in print and 10 hours and 9 minutes on audiobook.** Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its one-thousand-year history, Oxford University officially admits female students. Burning with dreams of equality, four young women move into neighboring rooms in Corridor 8. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto—collectively known as The Eights—come from all walks of life, each driven by their own motives, each holding tight to their secrets, and are thrown into an unlikely, unshakable friendship. Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed. Among the historic spires, and in the long shadow of the Great War, the four women must navigate and support one another in a turbulent world in which misogyny is rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War don’t always remain dead.

Grab a drink or some food and get to know each other. This is our first event and we can take it slow. I’d love to meet everyone and hear if there’s anything you like to get out of the group. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. 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 **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

Join us for our June Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss [The Queer Principles of Kit Webb](https://catsebastian.com/the-queer-principles-of-kit-webb/) by Cat Sebastian in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet 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!**