Reviews for Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn

Excellent setting for an excellent course! It’s been years since I I dabbled in the arts and crafts world. My sister and I went along to this course and Alison and Liz immediately put us at ease. The course content and explanation of steps was expertly done and I felt confident I could try and produce something incorporating my ideas. At the end of the day I had delivered three pieces of Batik on paper which are now proudly in frames hanging in our hallway. I have been bitten by the Batik bug! I would recommend this course to anybody wanting to try something new! Absolutely brilliant.

A really excellent day. The barn is in beautiful surroundings so the peaceful day starts from the moment you approach. Easy parking right by the barn. Good COVID precautions taken, e.g. spaced out tables, wear a mask when moving about, one-way system through the barn.
All you needed for the day was laid down on the table and ready as you arrived, which gave a little ripple of excitement from the beginning! Alison and Liz were very welcoming.
The teaching was clear and easy to follow, even for those completely new to the whole process and Liz and Alison shared their time between people so you never felt at a loss.
We all went home with lots of examples from the day and hopefully the confidence to start experimenting ourselves.
One tip - I had not thought properly about the venue being a big barn, with stone floors and high ceilings and had not dressed warmly enough for the day. There are heaters high in the ceiling and on the walls, which Alison put on, but if you go during colder months remember to dress warmly in layers!
Overall, a really great course in a lovely venue with very friendly tutors.

I really can't rate this workshop highly enough. Alison and Liz show you how to make beautiful pictures; everyone can do it. And - it felt like there was no limit on how many I could make. Well, that makes the workshop incredibly good value. I think part of the reason my expectations were exceeded was because sometimes I do a workshop run by someone who knows a couple of things and makes a business out of it - you know hen parties and the like. I think for 'Hampshire' I read 'sticks' and didn't expect much. But this is not what Liz and Alison provide. They are actual artists and they guide you through an artistic experience. I love coming into contact with this kind of professional. There was loads of room - I don't know if that was Coivd related but I wasn't squeezed in with people, we all had space. I came home with a portfolio stuffed with images, at least two of which I will frame for the wall and a head jammed with excitement at the prospect of doing more this weekend. Thank you so much.

I booked "Beautiful Batik" with my partner as a birthday present for him, and a date for us. We had no prior experience of this type of art. It was an amazing treat. Alison's studio is on a beautiful family farm. We got a very warm welcome and were made to feel really comfortable and welcome for the day. We were surrounded by inspiring examples of Batik that Alison had made over the course of her design career. The colour and variety was amazing. We spent the day learning techniques at our own pace and being encouraged to try new ideas and ways of working with the colours to gain different effects. We left with some beautiful, colourful and fun samples of our own. This was a bespoke and wonderful experience. Thank you Alison.

Creating a printed fabric product

What a lovely setting to work in. After a cup of coffee we began our journey to produce some printed fabric products. Liz gave us an overview of the processes involved, then guided us first to create a stamp block and then to practise with inks on card and material. Tips were given at each stage as to how best achieve our objective.
Liz and Alison were on hand to advise and encourage throughout the day.
In the afternoon we then applied what we had learned printing on tea towels, cushion cover and bags.
It was totally absorbing and it was a very enjoyable experience.

This course is a lovely way to learn how to create and then use print stamps onto a variety of fabrics. Cutting lino stamps and then learning to place them on gift tags, wrapping paper, tea towels and items of your choice. Liz and Als are both excellent at helping and guiding you through the different projects so that you get the most from your day.
The venue is beautiful and the countryside helps to inspire you along with homemade cake and mugs of tea. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

This was my first introduction to Batik. I found the initial working with the wax quite taxing. I enjoyed planning the initial designs and then applying the wax. Clear guidance was readily given at every stage. My final design did not turn out as I'd hoped but lots of suggestions and encouragement as to how to proceed was given. I loved the use of colour.
It was a very attractive environment to work in. The tutors had a very relaxed but efficient and effective approach to their teaching. It is certainly something I would like to pursue further.

A lovely day in a fabulous setting; a thatched barn beats a church or village hall hands down.

Having some experience with the Batik process was an advantage, but Alison had so much more to teach us. She was patient and supportive, allowing us time to play and think through our ideas, but never far away when a bit more information and advice was needed.

Alison also had some fabulous examples of her Batik work to inspire us, from when she was designing for fashion and children’s wear - somehow I don’t think I will ever create work to such a standard, but I spent a really enjoyable day trying too.

Thanks again.
Liz