174 Night courses

This all-inclusive crochet escape will immerse you in a world that you’ll love!  Relax and enjoy a weekend of laughter, great food, and lots of crochet!

Christmas wreath making workshop delivered by Ali from Meadow Heaven at our gorgeous pottery studio in Golborne, Warrington. Phoenix Pottery and Art Studio offer a variety of art, craft and pottery classes. A regular calendar of pottery courses for beginners plus pottery studio space for experienced ceramicists to work on their own projects. From Watercolour painting classes, mixed media art, wreath making, glass fusing, to Mindfulness with clay workshops and Lots of other seasonal events. All the festive classes and workshops are available to book now. Close to Warrington, Manchester , Liverpool, Wigan, Lancs and the Northwest. With easy Motorway access

If you’re a beginner bag maker, this Retreat is perfect for you. A whole weekend to immerse yourself in fabrics, stabiliser, professional techniques and tips to boost your confidence and your skills. Hopefully, there’ll be a lot of chat and laughter too! **This retreat is a little different from many others in that making a bag isn’t the point of the weekend, although you will indeed make one. The focus is on learning new transferable techniques and skills that you will be able to use on so many bags you make in the future. We have our own ‘Retreat Suite’ of rooms, including a spacious, light and airy sewing room which is equipped with a display screen so everyone can easily see demonstrations from a working viewpoint. We also have our own bathroom and kitchen facilities. If you wish, you are free to continue work after dinner and until as late (or early!) as you like. You will need to bring your own sewing machine, fabric scissors and any other favourite sewing tools, but everything else is provided. Come and join us in the exclusive Facebook group Bag Makers Retreat at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bagmakersretreat/ for all the latest retreat info, chat, gossip and more, plus a chance to meet other like-minded folks.  If you have dietary requirements, please tell me before you book, so I can be sure we can meet your needs. All meal main courses are included in the retreat fee, as are Saturday and Sunday lunches and breakfasts. Starters, desserts and drinks with meals are not included but the meals are so huge you probably won’t want starters and desserts anyway!! Tea and coffee is available whenever you need, but you do have to make it yourself!  If you’d like to stay an extra night or two, maybe to arrive on Thursday or leave on Monday if you have a long drive, let me know and I’ll check availability with our host. If you’d prefer to travel by train, we are happy to ferry you to and from the station, just ask. Please aim to arrive no later than 2pm as we have a lot of pattern cutting and fabric choosing to get through on Friday! Friday The fun starts here as you arrive at your weekend home-from-home – a beautifully refurbished, 4-star 18th century coaching inn with all the comforts you would expect. You’ll have time to settle into your own delightfully comfortable en-suite room which has all the anticipated little luxuries, before an introductory get-together with me and your companions in the sewing room at 2pm. You’ll be given your own copy of the bag pattern, which is very beginner- and domestic machine-friendly but which will incorporate a lot of features and techniques that are also in much more complex designs, making this an excellent springboard to any bag you want to make. Then you can wallow in the plentiful stash of fabrics to choose from, including some of my exclusive feature panel prints which aren’t available anywhere else. All the materials, interfacing, stabiliser, threads and bag hardware you need are supplied. As soon as you’re ready, you can start preparing and cutting out your pattern and some of the bag pieces so we can hit the ground running in the morning. After a superbly-cooked and substantial evening meal at around 6pm or so, you are welcome to continue working in the sewing room or to simply relax and chat there before bed. Saturday After an excellent breakfast, we can really start work adding to and adapting your bag pattern. You’ll work at your own pace from around 9am with no pressure – I want your weekend to be fun and not stressful! We will walk through the techniques together and I will be there the whole time to answer questions and troubleshoot any tricky bits. You’ll also have the chance to try sewing with faux leather , if you haven’t already, and we’ll explore ways and techniques to use and apply rivets.  Refreshments are freely available all day and you can take a break whenever you wish. A light lunch (with homemade cake!!) is also provided and we’ll have a short break in the middle of the day. The rest of the day will be similar to Friday – sewing, dinner at 6ish and more sewing if you wish to before bed. Do feel free to have a walk or just sit outside for a breather if the weather is kind. Sunday How can it be Sunday already?? Breakfast over, we’ll get back to work. You will need to allow a few minutes to pack and check out of your room, as it has to be made ready for Monday’s guests. Apart from that, it’s uninterrupted sewing (with refreshments and lunch breaks!) until your bag is finished. We’ll be heading off for lunch at 12.30pm or so. We have the sewing room for the rest of the day. If you don’t quite get done, there’s absolutely no need to worry as you’ll easily be able to complete your bag at home. If you finish earlier feel free to head home whenever you’re ready. Amongst loads of other hints and tips, you’ll learn – Interfacings – what to use and not to use Using stabilisers – which is best and why How to create a zipped pocket the pro way Adding a recessed zipper main closure to almost any bag Installing hardware Incorporating a built-in key fob Installing a rectangular base Sewing the bag together and topstitching A sneaky way of getting your bag right-sides-out without ugly seams! An easy way to add a zipper pull without tools Working with different types of rivet machine Faux leather on a domestic machine You’ll have handouts on all the techniques to take home. And I hope you have a lot of fun and make new friends while you learn!!  I never abandon my students at the end of the course so if you get stuck on anything at home, you are welcome to give me a shout on Messenger and we’ll sort out your problem together. The not-so-small print Book your place using the simple booking system below – just click on your choice of dates and go from there. The full price is £395.00. The deposit of £60 is non-refundable if you cancel but can, however, be credited towards a future retreat booked within the next 6 months. It is completely refundable if I or the venue cancel. The booking page only shows the Friday, but the course is running until Sunday. The balance of £335.00 is payable by approx 6 weeks before the retreat date and payment instructions will be sent to you in good time. Cancellations 4 weeks or less before the retreat date can only be refunded if someone on the waiting list can come instead. *Don’t worry that your booking confirmation may be headed Unicorn Studios – it’s just the site that I’ve run my booking system from for years… it’s not a scam!! *

Why Choose V-Ray for Rhino Essentials Training? Master photorealistic rendering in Rhino with our intensive V-Ray training. Led by certified experts, learn lighting, material manipulation, rendering configurations, textures, and global illumination.  Check our Website Training Duration: 10 hours Approach: 1-on-1, in-Person and Live online and Customized Content.   Flexibility: 1-on-1 sessions scheduled at your convenience, from Mon to Sat between 9 am and 7 pm. Vray for Rhino Essentials - 10 Hours Course Session 1: Introduction to Vray and Rhino Integration Overview of Vray: Understanding its importance in architectural and product visualization. Setting up Vray in Rhino: Installation, basic configurations, and interface exploration. Understanding the Rhino-Vray workflow: Navigating between Rhino and Vray seamlessly. Session 2: Basic Lighting Techniques Exploring different light sources: Domes, spotlights, and area lights. Adjusting light intensity and color temperature for realistic ambiance. Creating natural lighting scenarios: Daylight, twilight, and night scenes. Session 3: Mastering Material Creation Introduction to Vray materials: Diffuse, reflection, refraction, and bump maps. Crafting realistic materials: Wood, glass, metal, and fabrics. Utilizing the material editor efficiently for precise adjustments. Session 4: Advanced Rendering Configurations Global Illumination: Understanding photon mapping and irradiance mapping. Fine-tuning render settings: Quality vs. speed, resolution, and anti-aliasing. Exploring Vray frame buffer: Post-processing and image enhancement. Session 5: Texture Manipulation and Mapping Understanding UV mapping: Unwrapping complex geometries for accurate textures. Applying textures in Vray: Diffuse, bump, displacement, and normal maps. Realistic texture manipulation: Scaling, rotation, and blending textures seamlessly. Session 6: Camera Settings and Scene Composition Camera configurations: Focal length, depth of field, and exposure settings. Composing visually appealing scenes: Rule of thirds, focal points, and balance. Rendering interior and exterior scenes: Managing lighting challenges and reflections. Session 7: Real-Time Feedback and Interactive Rendering Introduction to Vray interactive rendering: Real-time feedback for quick adjustments. Utilizing Vray's denoiser for noise reduction in interactive mode. Enhancing productivity with interactive rendering: Modifying materials and lighting on the fly. Session 8: Optimizing Render Times Efficient render optimization techniques: Reducing noise and enhancing quality. Distributed rendering: Utilizing multiple machines for faster rendering. Troubleshooting common rendering issues: Flickering, artifacts, and texture problems. Session 9: Post-Processing and Presentation Post-production in Photoshop: Enhancing renders, adding depth, and adjusting colors. Creating compelling visual narratives: Adding people, context, and atmosphere. Designing professional presentation boards: Layout, annotations, and graphic elements. Session 10: Final Project and Portfolio Review Participants showcase their final Vray-rendered projects. Instructor-led critique and feedback session. Tips for building a strong portfolio: Choosing the best renderings and presenting your work effectively. By the end of this 10-hour course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of Vray for Rhino, enabling them to create photorealistic renderings and significantly enhance their design visualization skills. Upon completing the Vray for Rhino Essentials course, participants will: Master Lighting Techniques: Expertly utilize various light sources. Create realistic lighting scenarios for diverse scenes. Advanced Material Proficiency: Manipulate complex materials and textures for lifelike renders. Understand reflective surfaces and material interaction. Optimize Rendering Settings: Fine-tune render configurations for optimal quality and speed. Implement noise reduction techniques for cleaner renders. Texture Mapping Mastery: Perfect UV mapping methods for accurate texture application. Seamlessly blend textures for realistic surface mapping. Effective Camera Use and Composition: Configure camera settings, depth of field, and exposure. Compose visually appealing scenes for impactful renders. Real-Time Rendering Skills: Utilize interactive rendering for immediate feedback and adjustments. Enhance scenes in real time for efficient workflow. Post-Processing Expertise: Enhance renders in post-production using software tools. Add depth, adjust colors, and create visually compelling final images. Professional Presentation Techniques: Design layouts, annotations, and context to create impactful visual narratives. Curate a strong portfolio with the best-rendered projects. By honing these skills, participants will produce photorealistic renders and significantly enhance their architectural and product visualization capabilities. Skills You'll Gain: Master lighting techniques for realistic visualization. Learn material manipulation and texture enhancement in Vray. Understand advanced rendering configurations for high-quality results. Explore global illumination concepts for lifelike scenes. Career Opportunities: Upon completing Vray for Rhino Essentials, you'll be well-equipped for various roles in the design and visualization industry, including: Architectural Visualizer: Create stunning architectural visualizations for presentations and client approvals. Product Designer: Enhance product design by creating photorealistic prototypes and visualizations. Interior Designer: Craft immersive interior spaces with realistic lighting and material textures. 3D Visualization Artist: Work in animation studios, gaming companies, or marketing agencies, producing high-quality 3D visualizations. Freelance Rendering Specialist: Offer your skills on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, providing rendering services to clients worldwide. Course Highlights: Acquire fundamental skills in V-Ray for Rhino, covering lighting, materials, and rendering setups. Explore advanced techniques for lifelike textures, reflections, and global illumination effects. Master the workflow for crafting architectural renderings, both interior and exterior. Harness the power of V-Ray features like proxies, fur, and particle systems for dynamic visuals. Optimize render times and quality using efficient techniques and expert tips. Validate your expertise with a Certificate of Completion, showcasing your V-Ray proficiency. Access recorded lessons for future reference, enabling self-paced learning and continuous improvement. Professional Guidance: Learn from certified tutors and industry experts with extensive practical experience. Gain valuable insights and personalized feedback as you progress through the course, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of V-Ray for Rhino.

If you want to bag-make with genuine leather but are nervous of trying it, this weekend is ideal for you. It will give you the confidence to make your own leather bags at home and you’ll make some fab friends along the way! VERY IMPORTANT! Before booking, please check that your machine can cope with sewing at least 6 layers of faux leather or vinyl. Flat sewing is fine – if the machine can do that, we can manage lumps and bumps! **This retreat is a little different from many others in that making a bag isn’t the point of the weekend, although you will indeed make one. The focus is on learning new transferable techniques and skills that you will be able to use on so many bags you make in the future. We have our own ‘Retreat Suite’ of rooms, including a spacious, light and airy sewing room which is equipped with a display screen so everyone can easily see demonstrations from a working viewpoint. We also have our own bathroom and kitchen facilities. If you wish, you are free to continue work after dinner and until as late (or early!) as you like. You will need to bring your own sewing machine, fabric scissors and any other favourite sewing tools, but everything else is provided. We’ll have a good selection of fabrics, vinyls and leather for you to browse and purchase if you wish, at retreat-only prices.  Come and join us in the exclusive Facebook group Bag Makers Retreat at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bagmakersretreat/ for all the latest retreat info, chat, gossip and more, plus a chance to meet other like-minded folks.  If you have dietary requirements, please tell me before you book, so I can be sure we can meet your needs. All meal main courses are included in the retreat fee, as are Saturday and Sunday lunches and breakfasts. Starters, desserts and drinks with meals are not included but the meals are so huge you probably won’t want starters and desserts anyway!! Tea and coffee is available whenever you need, but you do have to make it yourself!  If you’d like to stay an extra night or two, maybe to arrive on Thursday or leave on Monday if you have a long drive, let me know and I’ll check availability with our host. If you’d prefer to travel by train, we are happy to ferry you to and from the station, just ask. Please aim to arrive no later than 2pm as we have a lot of pattern cutting and fabric choosing to get through on Friday! Friday The fun starts here as you arrive at your weekend home-from-home – a beautifully refurbished, 4-star 18th century coaching inn with all the comforts you would expect. You’ll have time to settle into your own delightfully comfortable en-suite room which has all the anticipated little luxuries, before an introductory get-together with me and your companions in the sewing room at 2pm. You’ll be given your own copy of the bag pattern, which is very beginner- and strong domestic machine-friendly (see note in bold at the top of the page), but which will incorporate a lot of features and techniques that are also in much more complex designs, making this an excellent springboard to any leather or other bag you want to make. Then you can wallow in the plentiful stash of leathers and fabrics to choose from. All the leather, fabrics, interfacing, stabiliser, threads and bag hardware you need are supplied. As soon as you’re ready, you can start preparing and cutting out your pattern and some of the bag pieces so we can hit the ground running in the morning. After a superbly-cooked and substantial evening meal at around 6pm or so, you are welcome to continue working in the sewing room or to simply relax and chat there before bed. Saturday After an excellent breakfast, we can really start work learning some new skills and beginning work on construction. You’ll work at your own pace from around 9am with no pressure – I want your weekend to be fun and not stressful! We will walk through the techniques together and I will be there the whole time to answer questions and troubleshoot any tricky bits. You’ll also have the chance to try sewing with faux leather , if you haven’t already, and we’ll explore ways and techniques to use and apply rivets.  Refreshments are freely available all day and you can take a break whenever you wish. A light lunch (with homemade cake!!) is also provided and we’ll have a short break in the middle of the day. The rest of the day will be similar to Friday – sewing, dinner at 6ish and more sewing if you wish to before bed. Do feel free to have a walk or just sit outside for a breather if the weather is kind. Sunday How can it be Sunday already?? Breakfast over, we’ll get back to work. You will need to allow a few minutes to pack and check out of your room, as it has to be made ready for Monday’s guests. Apart from that, it’s uninterrupted sewing (with refreshments and lunch breaks!) until your bag is finished. We’ll be heading off for a lightish lunch at 12.30pm or so. We have the sewing room for the rest of the day. If you don’t quite get done, there’s absolutely no need to worry as you’ll easily be able to complete your bag at home. If you finish earlier feel free to head home whenever you’re ready. Amongst loads of other hints and tips, you’ll learn – Choosing and handling leather How to make professional quality rolled handles Creating and applying custom bag feet How to create a zipped pocket the pro way How to use edge paint and get a professional finish with it Sewing the bag together and topstitching Reducing bulk with leather A sneaky way of getting your bag right-sides-out without ugly seams! An easy way to add a zipper pull without tools Working with different types of rivet machine and loads more. You’ll have an exclusive pattern, created just for the Retreats, which includes comprehensive mini-tutorials and full instructions. And I hope you have a lot of fun and make new friends while you learn!!  I never abandon my students at the end of the course so if you get stuck on anything at home, you are welcome to give me a shout on Messenger and we’ll sort out your problem together. The not-so-small print Book your place using the simple booking system below – just click on your choice of dates and go from there. The full price is £465.00. The deposit of £65 is non-refundable if you cancel but can, however, be credited towards a future retreat booked within the next 6 months. It is completely refundable if I or the venue cancel. The booking page only shows the Friday, but the course is running until Sunday. The balance of £400.00 is payable by approx 6 weeks before the retreat date and payment instructions will be sent to you in good time. Cancellations 4 weeks or less before the retreat date can only be refunded if someone on the waiting list can come instead. If you book, pay and attend without pre-checking that your machine can sew the required thicknesses, as detailed in the note at the top of the page, I’m afraid no refunds will be given if it proves that your machine can’t cope during the Retreat. I may have a machine available to lend, but can’t promise one. *Don’t worry that your booking confirmation may be headed Unicorn Studios – it’s just the site that I’ve run my booking system from for years… it’s not a scam!! *

Private painting and wine class with Edinburgh artist Suzanne Kemplay at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh's historic New Town city centre.

Join Wildside London in the creative studio at West 16th for a Christmas Wreath workshop on Thursday 12th December at 7pm.  Kick off the festive season by learning to create a gorgeous wreath with an array of seasonal florals. Our workshops are fun, immersive and relaxed and we provide all the materials and instruction to enable you to design and build a fabulous wreath. The evening provides an opportunity to plan a creative Christmas get together that will put you right into the Christmas spirit. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served alongside the wreath making tutorial, or book a table in the restaurant for dinner before and make a night it it.

Arguably one of the most important skills for any skipper is berthing the vessel and leaving the berth in any conditions and lowered visibility. Join us on unique course focused on pontoon and mooring practices led by one of our most experienced senior instructors. All your questions will be answered during the course and you will get the opportunity of extremely extensive training and practise of handling the vessel in any conditions. Take stress away from those approaches in harsh conditions or night time. During the weekend we will focus on: Weather conditions and forecast; Correct use of lines and fenders; Coming alongside; Crew management; Setting the appropriate lines; Turning in tight spaces. This course starts on Friday evening at 6.30 and finishes around 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

Landscape photography workshop in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Focus on cityscapes, architecture and blue hour. Open to photographers of all abilities.

Mints Whats app dating support during the date Shower Gel Dating Tips Toothbrush Tooth Paste Information Pack Mouthwash 3×20 mins Phone Calls Anti-Perspirant Moisturiser Dating advice for singles