Powertex Garden Party - Day 1

Here is a glimpse from one of our attendees to the garden party Powertex UK held recently at Tracey's studio at the Secret Art Loft. Everyone had an amazing time and it was such as success we are doing it all again next year. Book your place now, as spaces are filling up fast! Thank you Sam for such beautiful words and photos and for letting us share them here with everyone. Sam has a fab blog should you wish to follow her directly. Part 2 coming soon. Toodles Anna xXx

When we arrived there was a goodie bag on every chair. There was a number on one side of the bag and two raffle tickets on the other side of the bag. Inside the bag were loads of goodies.

Here we all are delving into the goodies for our first project and opening the canvas and bag of bits that went with it.

Tracey explaining what we were going to be doing.

Anna on hand to help out.

The sides of the tent came off as it was sooooo warm.

Tea, coffee and water available as and when you wanted it.

I went for a walk around the gardens and came across this fabulous pair made by Patricia and David Williams, Powertex tutors. They've made them for an exhibition, but 'lent' them to Tracey for the garden party. I've seen photos of them, but they are so much better in the flesh.

More makes by other Powertex tutors dotted all around the grounds.

I just love this dog, he may be my next project!!

This piece was taken to shows for people to add bits to.

She has the most fabulous eyes!!!

This was the eating area set up next to the house, but with yet more exhibits scattered around for us to see.

I love this table, and I've just made some fossils out of moulds!!

Now remember the number that was on our bags, well we had to find everyone else with the same number and then go into the dressing up booth and have a photo taken. I did do it but haven't got a photo of it yet!! I think Michelle took one though.

Found it, here we go. This one is actually of our table!

Back to the tent and to the canvas to add 3d flex to get some crackles going on.

Tracey giving us a demo of what to do with it after creating our mucky mess and slapping that on the canvas too, along with some clay made with sand.

There was also Hayley who was giving fabulous hand massages. This is Jan having one, I had one later in the afternoon after we'd been reviving clay!

There was also a hammock swing attached to a tree.

And this is inside the wigwam tent. I'll get a photo of the outside of it tomorrow.

There is also a totem type pole for everyone who visits to add something too. When it's all covered and finished Tracey said they would possibly donate it to a local school. So of course, I added my pieces to that too.

Here we are just helping the 3d flex to start to crack by using the hairdryer on them.

After they'd started to crack we left them outside in the sun whilst we all went off for a lovely buffet lunch and sat in the area next to the house that I showed you earlier with the blue marquee.

After lunch our project was a horse. We covered it in clay over the masking tape and stamped into it as we were going along.

Making clay shapes from the moulds to put on the horses. Unfortunately they were all flower related apart from the small fossil, so mine ended up quite bare compared to everyone elses!!

This one is mine, and now having seen the photo I have realised that I've put his eyes way too high, but hey ho, it's too late now, they will be rock solid by tomorrow morning!!

These are the creations of the ladies on the table opposite us.

This is Tracey's finished one which we should end up with tomorrow, once its been dry brushed.

After we'd finished we all went back down to the house for a glass of bubbly served in our very own unique handmade glass. 

Anyone for another.................

And then back to the hotel, for a shower and evening meal.