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• Avoid the Second Sock Dilemma- Knit Two Socks at Once

  • Start
    Sunday, March 09, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Sunday, March 23, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    3

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  Caitlin is back to teach us how to avoid the tragedy many sock makers know as the "Second Sock Dilemma". You know the one where you finish the first sock and realize you have to start over or, where your second sock is not the same size as the first sock or, where you didn't allocate enough wool to finish a second sock!  We've all been there!

  In this two phase class, students will learn how to knit two socks at same time. This method is from the toe up and uses the magic loop technique. Students will be taught a specific cast on stitch, how to increase stitches, managing two socks at the same time, short rows, patterning and more.

  Between week 1 and 2 (which is 2 weeks later), students will need to complete homework so they can finish the pair at the end of the second class.

  Now here is the good news! Once you have worn home made socks, you might never want to go back! Knitting socks is a portable project that is considered addictive (you do not need a doctor's note to attend this class). 

  NOTE: This is not a beginners class. Students must know how to knit and should have experience with Magic Loop method.

  Students are to bring to Class:

  • ·100g ball of sock yarn (this needs to be divided into two - 50g. balls)
  • ·       2.5mm circular needle 47” long
  • ·       Tapestry/darning needle

  You may enjoy purchasing your yarn at "Heaven is Handmade"; Sarnia's Dedicated yarn store.

  Members: $95

  Non Members: $105

  
  

  
  

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• New date:Water Colour Paint Class: Subject: Shasta Daisy

  • When
    Sunday, March 23, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ACAC- 160 D Main St., Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    2

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  The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is proud to welcome back Janice Hyde to share her water colour insights and techniques with our students.

  Janice specializes in detailed realism within her water colours while retaining the lovely translucence that medium students aspire to achieve.  Students have noted that Janice is knowledgeable, approachable and highly supportive. Students leave her class with a lovely water colour painting and having learned techniques they can  apply to their own practice. 

  Date: February 16, 2025

  Time: 10:00 - 4:00 pm

  Members: $75

  Non Members: $85

  Students are to bring their lunch (30 minute lunch break)*

  Students are to bring brush sizes 5,3,1,5/0

  Premium water colour paper and paints will be supplied 

  * Sandwiches and salads are available for sale at Cloverleaf Farm in Ailsa Craig or lunch can be pre-ordered at the Crown and Turtle for pick up.

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• Create your own Art Journal.

  • When
    Saturday, March 29, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    10

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  The ACAC is pleased to welcome back Darion Lajoie as she shares with us, how to create your own custom, art journal.  

  Art Journaling is a meditative practice that helps one to grow in their chosen genre.  Yet finding the perfect art journal is very difficult! Often an artist may wish to use a specific paper, colour of stock or size that is simply not available commercially. After investing in Darion's 4 hour class, you will be prepared to create whatever journal size, composition etc. that you choose. The art journals created during class will feature a gessoed cover; suitable for customization by painting.

  For efficiency, Darion, requests students bring the following to class:

  1.     The students will need to bring 25 sheets of whatever type of paper they wish to have as pages for their art journal.  These could be water colour paper, heavier grade paper, parchment paper, regular printer paper, depending on what type of art they intend to use the book for.  Paper size needs to be exactly 28cm x 19cm  (11.5in x7.5in).  They might need to use a paper cutter to trim paper, as it may not come in exact size.  They need to bring it already cut to size on the day of class as there will not be time to cut it all in class and there will not be a paper cutter available. 2.     A large-holed needle such as a tapestry or darning needle. 3.     An awl if they have one (I will have extra awls and needles to lend for those who don’t have one.) 4.     Paint and brushes (if we have time, we could paint the covers at the end of class.)

  The class fee is $45 for members and $55 for non members.*

  There is a $10 materials fee payable directly to the teacher to cover the cover cost and labour.

  We hope you will join us for this empowering class.

  Instructor's BIo:

  Darian Lajoie is an artist from London, Ontario with a very diverse background in artistic pursuits.  She works in natural fibres including wool, silk, cotton, and linen in both wet and needle felted sculptures, basketry, and framed pieces.  She also does calligraphy and illumination, paper-making, and hand-made books. She exibits in several galleries across Ontario and has sold to collectors across Canada and the U.S.  She takes her inspiration from historical artifacts, time periods, and methods of traditional artisans, and incorporates natural, found, and recycled materials in her work whenever possible.

  
  

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• Contemporary Landscape Painting with Kate Innes

  • When
    Saturday, April 26, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    0

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  The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is honoured to present Kate Innes's Contemporary Landscape with Acrylics Class on  April 26th, 2025.  Kate's bio says it all, but what it doesn't say is that despite being a highly sought after teacher and very successful commercial artist, Kate has generously offered to donate her time as a fundraiser for the ACAC! This is a very rare opportunity to elevate your acrylic painting skills and we know the class will fill up fast.

  Registrants should bring an easle if possible. 

  Artist's Statement:

  In this one day workshop I will be reviewing the basics and also introducing some new techniques beyond the brush. In addition I will review the various tools of the trade and talk about subject composition, the importance of colour value theory and how to create depth in your painting. We will apply these principals in creating your own unique contemporary landscape.

  In our exploration of colour, we will focus on the the three primary colours and blending them to create an exciting collection of brights and neutrals and the magic of juxtaposing them in new and creative ways. This workshop will focus less on creating a literal translation of the landscape and more on capturing the light and mood of the image that we wish to recreate.

  I will bring some samples and photographs for inspiration. You are welcome to bring your own images as well.

  This will be a fun day of experimentation and exploration.

  Clink the link below for the art supply list.

  Ailsa Craig supply list.doc
  

  Kate Innes is a Woodstock artist who has been working with acrylics for the past ten years. She has attended workshops in Canada and New York and loves to share her love of painting through classes such as these.

  Kate’s creative paint application techniques and dynamic use of colour has made her work popular with a growing number of collector’s throughout North America. Her work was featured this summer at Cloud Gallery in Orillia and several of her pieces have been licensed for mass production and sold through Home Goods in the U.S.

  You can see examples of her work on Instagram : kinnesart

  and Facebook : Kate Innes Contemporary Acrylics.

  
  

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• Learn to Weave with Marsha McIntyre Davidson

  • Start
    Sunday, April 27, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, May 10, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Learn to Weave with Marsha McIntryre Davidson

  NEW Dates April 27, May 4, May 10th

  During this three-day course participants will learn the basic skills required for weaving by designing, measuring the warp, reading the weaving draft, dressing the loom, and finally weaving on a four-shaft table loom. By the end of the three days each participant will have created a handwoven piece measuring approximately 9 inches wide and 24 to 40 inches long.  Your handwoven piece can have a wide variety of uses; perhaps it will line your bread basket, or be featured on your table as a runner or made into napkins, that will be up to you. Each participant will have the opportunity to choose their own colours of cotton yarn and you will be provided with a table loom for the duration of the course. Learning how to read and understand the weaving draft provided will be a key component of the course. If you have ever had the desire to learn the craft of hand weaving this is your chance to try it out.  

  
  

  Program Outline

  Day 1

  • ·       Overview of program
  • ·       Discuss parts of the loom and other weaving accessories and how they work
  • ·       Discuss yarn and choose your colours
  • ·       Determine ends per inch for project
  • ·       Review the different components
  • ·       Measure warp
  • ·       Start dressing the loom

  Day 2

  • ·       Finish dressing the loom
  • ·       Choose weft colours
  • ·       Wind the bobbins for the shuttles
  • ·       Start weaving following the draft
  • ·       Hemstitch the beginning edge of the runner

  Day 3

  • ·       Finish weaving
  • ·       Hemstitch the edge
  • ·       Take your handwoven piece off the loom
  • ·       Learn how to finish the edges with a fringe or a hem
  • ·       Overall discussion of weaving covering the opportunities for joining local guilds, where to buy equipment and yarn, good resource books

  What to Bring

  Each participant will need to bring the following:

  • ·       Your own lunch for the day, or you can purchase something in Ailsa Craig across the street from the Centre
  • ·       Scissors
  • ·       Measuring tape
  • ·       Pen and paper for notes

  What Will Be Provided

  • ·       Four shaft table loom for the duration of the course
  • ·       Detailed draft
  • ·       A wide selection of coloured yarn
  • ·       Shuttles and Bobbins
  • ·       Bodkins for hemstitching

  Members: $200

  Non Members: $225

  Marsha McIntryre Davidson is a warm and experienced weaver and teacher.  This is a wonderful way to learn if weaving is for you and to create something beautiful while you explore this lovely old craft.

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• Friendship Star Mug Rugs with Rebecca Bender

  • When
    Sunday, April 27, 2025
  •  
    12:30 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main St., Ailsa Craig, Ont
  • Spaces left
    6

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  Smaller than a quilt and bigger than a coaster, mug rugs make great gifts or a practical addition to your own home.
  

  Mug Rugs offer the perfect forum to practise making Half Square Triangles; a foundational skill for many piecing projects. Further direction will be provided on squaring up and piecing your “quilts”.

  Students to supply: 

  - sewing machine and thread in good working order

  -3 or 4 fat quarters of 100% cotton in light, medium and dark values

  - if you have a rotary cutter and mat, please bring. It’s nice to use but not essential.

  - cutting scissors

  April 27, 2025.   12:30- 4:00 pm

  Members: $ 40.00.  Non Members: $45.00

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