The Blue Belles met this month to help celebrate the raised rainbow flag at Cambridge’s Guildhall, marking LGBT History Month, with a do and dabble evening of skills swapping of huge proportions!

From Flickr – the rainbow pride flag flies high about the Guildhall in Cambridge every February

Greg from the Encompass Network came along to tell us all about the fabulous work that the non-profit group do to support and bring together the LGBTQI community in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. From films to information sessions and gatherings, this month sees a wide variety of events happening to celebrate all of those who identity with this very diverse and gorgeous group of people – check out the complete Programme here – we’ll be going along to the Women Composer’s Night at Hot Numbers Cafe on 21st Feb – come along and celebrate fellow inspiring women musicians!

Once we’d all had a try of the fabulous homemade cake delights baked by fellow Belles (including Jane’s delicious modern chocolate and peppermint cake – a recipe from the latest WI Life!), we all got stuck in to three fabulous workstations all hosting the chance for us to try to tap into different craft/cookery skills.

The Sushi Rolling station was alive with laughs & giggles as we learned it wasn’t as tricky as we’d once thought!

Sophie & Helen show off their first attempt at sushi rolling – tres profesional!

Lucy cuts her first sushi roll – complete with tofu, cucumber & pickled turnips

Kara carefully placing her sushi out after its first wrap and chop!

Each Belle was allotted 20 minutes to give printmaking, sushi rolling and clay broach/badge/button making a go.

New member Anyesa and Mel, Sophie & Jo draw out their printmaking preference

Jane takes on printing something Liberty inspired

Helen printed a unicorn and top hatted dancing banana

As colourful as the Belles themselves, all prints were just perfect!

Our meeting venue was aglow with enthusiasm and laughter – and each Belle took something fabulous away from the night in the form of delicious food, somewhere to wear and a delightful print to hang proudly on their wall!

Abi who works at the Rowan Trust, hosted the clay button/badge/broach workshop

Gorgeous heart shaped buttons – loving made by a Belle!

A special thank you to members Emily for the sharing of her FAB printmaking skills and Abigail, who works at the Rowan Trust, the charity that ‘brings artists and learning-disabled people together in the production of fine artwork and crafts; while providing opportunities for self-expression and creative exploration’ – we couldn’t be more thankful for all they do in the community and with us Belles, too!