Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn reviews

20 Jan 25'

Mandy Gundry reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"I attended Alison’s batik workshop on 17/1/25 and had the most amazing day. The workshop was extremely well organised, very friendly and catered for all levels of expertise from novice to those who wanted to increase their skill. We were shown different techniques with time to practice them. Alison offered advice, encouragement and her expertise which enabled us to create our own piece of art. I would definitely recommend this course. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Mandy, Thank you for your lovely feedback. It was great to meet you and I am so pleased that you enjoy the day so much. I was also delighted to receive the photo of your finished batik piece, it really looked stunning with all the beads embroidered on to it ! I hope that the day has inspired you to keep experimenting with this process at home. All the best, Alison"

19 Jan 25'

Jane Fitch reviewed: Explore drawing, print and collage

"Loved the course. Alison was a great teacher and allowed everyone to work at their own pace. A vast array of materials are there for everyone to use. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Jane, It was great to meet you and so pleased you enjoyed the day . I hope it has inspired you to continue the lovely work at home . All the best, Alison"

18 Jan 25'

Pam reviewed: Create with a Gel Printing Plate - Mono Printing Without a Press

"Thank you Alison - I had a wonderful creative day - so absorbed in what I was doing that I hardly looked up! I was really pleased with the prints I made, and came away with lots of ideas for more. You also make fab flapjacks!! Lovely friendly course, I will be back..."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Pam, It was great to meet you , you have produced some beautiful work and have really taken to this process, the results are really lovely. It is such an addictive process with so many possibilities , I look forward to seeing where it takes you . See you again soon. Best wishes Alison"

18 Jan 25'

Sarah Hyde reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"This was an excellent course. Well organised and we came away with a lovely personalised piece of batik fabric"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Sarah, It was great to meet you and thank you for taking the time to tell us about your day. You produced some lovely work and your plans to embellish your fabric piece sound really great , I look forward to seeing the outcome ! All the Best Alison"

17 Jan 25'

Judith reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"This was a fantastic course, well resourced and provided different techniques to use with batik. I would highly recommend it. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Judith, It was lovely to meet you and so pleased you enjoyed the day, hopefully you can share what you have learnt with your students and they too can enjoy this exciting process ! All the best Alison "

17 Jan 25'

Amanda reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"Absolutely brilliant course very informative and helpful was guided through all the way Alison is lovely went above and beyond to help me as I had a little disaster helped me to put it right came out great so thank you lovely refreshments too and was in a lovely farm so enjoyed my day ."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Amanda, It was lovely to meet you and work with you and I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the day. Hopefully it has inspired you to continue exploring this technique ! All the best and I hope to see you again. Alison"

2 Nov 24'

Nicola Barclay reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"My son and I had a lovely day at the Batik course. We received clear instructions at the beginning and each subsequent stage. Alison was encouraging about our work whilst also suggesting ways we could develop it further. Alison and Liz were friendly and professional and, even though it was a blustery day, the location still looked stunning. . We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a course here. My daughter and I are hoping to attend the wirework course next year (having heavily hinted to husband/dad as a Christmas present). "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Nicola , Thank you for your feedback. It was lovely to meet you both and I am so pleased that you enjoyed the day . We hope to see you again next year for Birds on a Wire ! Best wishes Alison"

25 Oct 24'

Becci reviewed: New - Fish & Feather - explore fine wire and metal foil in Hampshire.

"I really enjoyed this craft course. It was well taught, well organised and in the most beautiful setting. We were thoroughly looked after all day with teas, coffees, biscuits etc, and got to try out different techniques. It was relaxing and interesting, and run by lovely arty people. I'd go again in a flash! "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Becci, Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your day with us in the Long Barn - it’s much appreciated and we’d love to see you again. It was lovely meeting and working with you, sharing your interest exploring wire and metal foil. Your pieces were beautiful and will hopefully be decorating your home and admired by many. Best wishes and happy making. Alison"

25 Oct 24'

Melanie Rose reviewed: New - Create block printed cushions in Hampshire

"Great course. Liz and Alison are excellent teachers. A beautiful barn and lovely atmosphere. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Melanie, Good to hear from you and thank you for feedback - it’s very much appreciated. We love working with you and enjoy your positivity. Congratulations on creating such complex designs - I expect you slept very well. Any more plans for block printing projects around your home? Best wishes and happy making. Alison"

24 Oct 24'

Steph Edwards reviewed: New - Fish & Feather - explore fine wire and metal foil in Hampshire.

"I had a fantastic day in this wonderful setting with a lovely small group of fellow craft enthusiasts. Alison was friendly and approachable and a great teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part and learning about working with wire and foil and was very happy with what I took away with me. My wire arrived today so I can explore further! "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Steph, Lovely to hear from you and we’re so pleased that you had such a great day with us - we have big smiles on our faces. Wire and metal foils are great materials to work with and it sounds like you’re ready for creative action! Happy making. Alison ( & Liz)"

22 Oct 24'

Lisa Sanders reviewed: New - Create block printed cushions in Hampshire

"I really enjoyed this one day course. Welcoming and knowledgable teachers in a beautiful old barn in the Meon Valley ran the day with lots of instruction, demonstrations and support, but left plenty of space and time to develop our ideas from small scale prints on paper to mixing ink and finally creating a cushion cover that I'm happy to throw on my sofa! I can absolutely recommend this course and school."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Lisa, Thank you for your lovely feedback and recommendation. We are so pleased you enjoyed the day so much and are particularly pleased that you are happy with the results that you achieved, it really was a lovely design that you produced and one to be very proud of. Sit back and relax and enjoy your new cushion ! Best wishes Alison and Liz"

22 Oct 24'

Emma Smith reviewed: Inspired by Bloomsbury: exploring a mixed media approach - Saturday 22nd March 2025

"Carefully structured day of learning, experimenting and developing techniques. Excellent teaching with demonstrations and advice, and beautifully prepared resources and examples of work for inspiration. A very inclusive, welcoming atmosphere - I loved everything about this course, and hope to come back to this magical venue for more!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Emma , thank you for taking the time to tell us about your day with us , it was a pleasure to meet and work with you. It was lovely to see how your work developed throughout the day and hopefully your results have inspired you to explore these processes at home . We look forward to seeing you again . Best wishes Alison "

22 Oct 24'

Shelagh B reviewed: Inspired by Bloomsbury: exploring a mixed media approach - Saturday 22nd March 2025

"Very interesting course. Combines several techniques in an incremental way over the day. Lovely barn to work in. I think everyone wanted to do further courses."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Shelagh, Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your day with us. It was lovely to work with you again. It was great to see your skills develop throughout the day, with your collage being particularly successful. These are all processes ideal for continuing to develop at home. We hope to see you again. Best wishes Alison "

21 Oct 24'

Karen from West Sussex reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"A lovely relaxed and creative workshop in a gorgeous setting, I really enjoyed the day and came away with a good knowledge of making batik on both paper and fabric. I left the session feeling sure I could do this myself at home, and excited to have a go."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Karen, Lovely to work with you again and thank you for letting us know about your day with us. We are so glad you enjoyed the process, confidently developing your skills and producing some great work. Good luck with developing your skills at home and we look forward to seeing the results. Best wishes Alison "

21 Oct 24'

Anita reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"Very interesting course, I throughly enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Have ordered my tjanting tool and paper already. Very encouraging ladies. Thoroughly recommend."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Anita, It was lovely to meet and work with you. We are really pleased that you enjoyed your day with us and your weekend in the hut ! It sounds as though you have really taken to this process and great to hear that you have already ordered your kit. We look forward to seeing you again. Best wishes Alison "

21 Oct 24'

Jane Masterman reviewed: New - Fish & Feather - explore fine wire and metal foil in Hampshire.

"I had a really lovely day with both Liz and Alison not to mention a smashing group of like minded creative folk. We were able to make several pieces that we could take home as well as the practical skills to carry on with the craft at home. I look forward to being able to do other courses in the barn"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Jane, Great to hear from you and it was lovely meeting and working with you. Wire and metal foils are such interesting materials to explore and there are so many outcomes you can create. Hope you have time to continue developing your skills over the next few months. We look forward to working with you again. Best wishes Alison & Liz "

21 Oct 24'

Shelagh B reviewed: Beautiful Batik on Paper and Fabric - Tuesday 17th June

"Very interesting course. Very supportive teacher and interesting technique."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Shelagh, It was lovely to meet and work with you and thanks so much for taking the time to let us know about your time with us in the barn. Batik is an interesting technique, with lots of possibilities for development, either on paper or fabric. Best wishes Alison "

18 Oct 24'

David Coole reviewed: Experimental printmaking in Hampshire

"Alison was very welcoming to the long barn with an interesting chat about the venue. There was a steady supply of tea and coffee as well as plenty of home made flapjack and biscuits. Liz introduced her course very clearly and was a fun and excellent teacher. We learned so much in a great environment and will definitely do other courses soon. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi David, It was great to meet you both yesterday and thank you for taking the time to tell us about your day. It was a pleasure to teach you both, watching your work and enthusiasm grow as the day progressed. Happy printing and we hope to see you again at the Long Barn. Best wishes Alison and Liz "

1 Oct 24'

Nancy Butler reviewed: Create with a Gel Printing Plate - Mono Printing Without a Press

"Alison's gelli plate workshop is brilliant. I'm not a total beginner - this workshop has taught me so many new things with texture, colours, layers - just so inspiring - I loved it. The barn is situated in beautiful countryside. I went home fired up with enthusiasm and made a print I was delighted with - I would never have made such a colourful print had I not done the workshop. Alison is a great and very patient teacher. Her knowledge and techniques are amazing. Thank you so much Alison."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Nancy, Thank you so much for your review, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the day and learnt so much. It was lovely to see your work progress throughout the day . You produced some beautiful prints which was really great to see. This is such a fun workshop and really lends itself to experimentation so enjoy exploring the process ! Best wishes Alison"

30 Sep 24'

Judith Tasker reviewed: From the garden: Still life with a mixed media approach

"Such a wonderful day. Alison was so warm and welcoming - beautiful setting! It was such a wet and windy day - tucked up painting on the lovely warm barn was such a treat! Thank you Alison for a very nice day - learnt some lovely painting techniques!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Judith, It was lovely to meet you and thank you so much for your feedback, we certainly had some lively weather that day, definitely a day to be inside the barn painting ! It was great to work with you, and I hope that the techniques we covered have inspired you to continue developing your ideas at home. Best wishes Alison"

30 Sep 24'

Hilary reviewed: From the garden: Still life with a mixed media approach

"I spent a lovely day with Alison learning new techniques and ways with colour. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the Long Barn and delicious flapjacks!!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Hilary, Thank you for taking the time to review the day. I am so pleased you enjoyed the day, and the flapjack ! Hopefully the day has inspired you to continue painting at home with some of the new techniques you have learnt . Best wishes Alison"

26 May 24'

Ann Bradford reviewed: Create with a Gel Printing Plate - Mono Printing Without a Press

"A great day. Very well organised and in beautiful surroundings. It was great fun and I was really happy with the techniques and the teaching. I would happily attend more courses here and can recommend it."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Ann, Thank you for the feedback. It’s great that you enjoyed the day. You produced some great work, some lovely finished prints as well as several pieces that you can continue to develop at home, so lots to keep you busy! I hope to see you again soon. Best wishes Alison"

24 May 24'

Mattie Silman reviewed: Create with a Gel Printing Plate - Mono Printing Without a Press

"Alison was very accommodating as I joined the course at the very last minute. It was a fun day and it gave me what I wanted to know about using the gel plate for printing. Now I have some ideas and enough to go and have a play on my own and see where it takes me. Thank you Alison."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Mattie, It was lovely to meet you yesterday and I am glad you enjoyed the day. Gel plate is a really fun experimental process, one that you can lose yourself in for hours so I hope that you get a chance to explore it and I look forward to seeing where it takes you! Good luck . Alison"

20 May 24'

Sue Broadest reviewed: From the garden: Still life with a mixed media approach

"The venue is lovely and very comfortable and fit for purpose. It’s surrounded by beautiful countryside and farmland. Alison was friendly and relaxed. She explained the tasks well and had displayed some inspirational examples of work. It was great to try out a variety of different techniques and materials experimenting with inks, pastels mark making and composition. Thank you for a lovely day !!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Sue, Thank you for your comments. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the day experimenting with new techniques and ideas and I hope it has given you some inspiration to continue your creative journey at home . Happy painting! Best wishes Alison "

18 May 24'

Lou Bamber reviewed: From the garden: Still life with a mixed media approach

"This was a really enjoyable course - Alison is relaxed and positive and makes creativity fun! There was no pressure to produce a masterpiece; the emphasis was on experimentation and being encouraged to challenge your way of working. The location is stunning - a huge barn in the middle of the countryside. I would highly recommend these courses. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Lou, Thank you for taking the time to review the workshop. It was great to work with you , you had a very busy day and produced lots of lovely work ! These workshops are a great opportunity to try new ideas and techniques and to experiment without the pressure to produce an end piece of work . I hope this has given you the inspiration to carry on at home. Happy painting ! Best wishes Alison"