SewCal Craft Studio Weekly Recap #4
- Jaimee Gerard
- Nov 30
- 5 min read
Written: November 30th, 2025
Well December has arrived! We really missed everyone while we were closed last week and look forward to resuming crafting tomorrow. We hope you had a wonderful time with family and friends. Here is a recap from before we went on Thanksgiving break.
Penny Club Penny the Crow
This week at SewCal Craft Studio, we gathered for another heartwarming session of Penny Club, featuring one of our most charming folk-art projects: Penny the Crow. Led by the wonderful and ever-inspiring Pam, this penny-rug embroidery class brought together texture, tradition, and creativity in the coziest way.
Open stitch with Mama Lohde
She’s Here— And We’re So Happy!
A couple weeks ago marked a very special moment at SewCal Craft Studio — the 1st class with beloved teacher Hanne “Mama” Lohde for our very first Open Stitch With Mama Lohde session. And what a beautiful, joy-filled gathering it was!
Students enjoyed her warmth, humor, gentle teaching style, and deep love for all things wool. Her one of a kind wool applique, embroidery and quilting projects are irresistible. Having her in the studio made the whole space feel a little cozier, a little brighter, and a whole lot more creative.
If you missed the first class — don’t worry! Mama Lohde is returning for another Open Stitch With Mama Lohde session on:
Thursday, December 18th
sign up early as her class is very popular!
You Can Rent a Room at SewCal Craft Studio!
Did you know SewCal Craft Studio offers room rentals for groups, clubs, and special occasions? Whether you need a creative space once a week or a comfortable spot for a one-time gathering, our studio is the perfect place to meet.
Our rooms are great for: Sewing groups & quilt guild circles, Knitting and Crochet groups, Craft clubs & stitching meetups, Birthday crafting parties, Small workshops, Team-building sessions, Creative celebrations and more.
You’ll have access to bright, spacious classrooms with tables, chairs, cutting surfaces, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for creativity and connection. Complementary coffee and tea are always available.
If your group needs a regular meeting place or you’re planning a special event, we’d love to host you at SewCal Craft Studio in Huntington Beach.
Torn Paper Penguin with Elizabeth Butterfield
A huge thank-you to Elizabeth and all our incredibly creative students who joined us. Your penguins were full of charm, color, and personality, and we loved every moment spent crafting with you. Torn-paper art is wonderfully freeing — no scissors, no perfect lines, just intuitive creating with layered textures and colors. Join Elizabeth this month for another torn paper art class featuring a winter mountain scene. This class will be offered on Thursday December 18th from 1:30-4. This will be added to the class schedule by end of day tomorrow. Also join Elizabeth this month for her live wreath class on the 15th.
Monthly Watercolor Class
Our monthly watercolor class with Elizabeth Butterfield was an absolute delight! This session was all about exploring playful, experimental techniques — and students had so much fun seeing the magic unfold on their paper.
This month, Elizabeth taught us:
how salt creates beautiful crystalline textures in watercolor
how alcohol drips react with pigment to form unexpected, organic patterns
creating a painting using only one color
layering washes for soft backgrounds
adding fine details like line drawing to bring our subjects to life
With these techniques, everyone created the sweetest watercolor bird cards, each one full of charm and personality.
Christmas Felt Ornaments with Jaimee
Our studio kicked off the holiday season with one of our coziest, happiest workshops of the year — Christmas Felt Embroidery Ornaments with Jaimee! Students stitched, layered, and embellished charming felt ornaments perfect for gift-giving, decorating, or adding a handmade touch to the tree.
Everyone created adorable keepsake ornaments using simple hand-embroidery techniques, colorful felt, beads, and festive details. The room was filled with creativity, conversation, and that warm holiday buzz we love this time of year.
Missed it? Good news... This class is repeating this Wednesday December 3rd. Some come spend the day with us and embroider some fun wool ornaments.
Ribbon Wreath with Jaimee
Our studio was bursting with holiday spirit during our Grinch-Themed Ribbon Wreath Class with Jaimee! Students layered ribbons, added pops of whimsical green and red, and created playful Grinch-inspired designs that were equal parts festive and fabulously mischievous.
The classroom was full of laughter, creativity, and “ooh, that’s so cute!” moments as each wreath took on its own personality. From curly ribbons to cheeky embellishments, every student left with a holiday showstopper worthy of their front door.
Missed the Class? We’ve Got You!
If you weren’t able to join us, limited kits are available for purchase so you can make your own Grinch wreath at home!
Grinch Ribbon Wreath Kit – $55
Alcohol Ink Painting with Danna
Our studio was glowing with color as students joined Danna for a vibrant and expressive Alcohol Ink Painting Workshop. This class was all about bold movement, flowing pigments, and the joy of watching beautiful patterns emerge right before your eyes.
Danna guided everyone through blending techniques, color layering, and creating dreamy, abstract compositions. Students experimented with how alcohol interacts with ink—pushing, blooming, feathering, and swirling across the surface. The results were stunning!
f you missed this class (or if you’re now officially obsessed with alcohol ink!), you’re in luck! Danna is returning with another gorgeous holiday-themed workshop.
Alcohol Ink Ornaments or Alcohol Ink Coasters
Saturday, December 6th 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Part 2 of Needle Felted and Polymer Clay Moose and Deer
Part 2 of our adorable Needle-Felted Moose and Deer Workshop with the incredibly talented Kathy Davis, and what a magical finish it was! We even had one in a cozy sweater. We can't wait to revisit this holiday favorite next year.
Kathy will be back in December with 2 different class options
Two-Part Needle-Felted Mouse Workshop
Create a sweet little mouse full of charm, perfect for a holiday display or gift. Kathy will guide you through armature building, shaping, felting, and finishing fine details over two sessions.
Needle-Felted Landscape in a Teacup Pincushion
A magical miniature scene nestled inside a teacup!Students will create a tiny landscape — snowy option included! — and finish it as a functional and beautiful pincushion.
Both classes are cozy, creative, and perfect for winter crafting.
Are you a member yet?
Membership to the studio is limited. Once we sell out that will be it. Join one of our membership plans for some amazing benefits.
Ready to create more, stress less, and make our studio your creative home? Our memberships are the perfect way to enjoy unlimited access, inspiration, and community all month long.
Unlimited Membership — $150/month
Enjoy unlimited open-studio time 6 days a week during business hours and full access to our tools, machines, and creative spaces. Come as often as you like and work on anything you dream up! Discounts and priority is always given to members with the unlimited membership
Half-Day Membership — $75/month
Prefer a more flexible option? Choose Monday–Friday mornings (9:30–1:00) or Monday–Friday afternoons (1:00–4:30) for the perfect half-day creative pass.
Other perks include: Members-Only Events — Just for You!
Unlimited Members get exclusive invitations to special monthly gatherings designed to build connection, spark creativity, and celebrate the joy of making.
These events include: craft nights, themed project nights, movie nights, social hangouts, and seasonal celebrations
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