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A Guide to Hapa Zome

For those that love the colours of autumn, Hapa Zome is the perfect way to capture the season in time.

Using fallen leaves, the traditional Japanese technique involves hammering plants onto fabric or paper to create a wall hanging or pennant.

Here, local artist Rebecca Struthers, who is set to host Hapa Zome workshops in Chapelton on Saturday 14 October, provides a helpful guide on how to make the most of Hapa Zome this autumn. 

fall-foliage-1740841_1920-300x200 A Guide to Hapa Zome

Hapa Zome is a Japanese word meaning ‘leaf dye’ and is given to the process of transferring the natural pigments from leaves and flowers onto fabric or paper to create a botanical image. The activity is incredibly relaxing and very simple, making it of interest to people of all ages and abilities.

Step One

Choose your selection of leaves or flowers. The best floral to use are those with bright colours and juicy petals or leaves.

Next, lay a piece of fabric or cloth flat onto a surface and arrange your selection of plants into a design of your choice. Once you are happy with the design, cover it with paper or another piece of thin fabric.

Step Two

Using a hammer or a rounded pebble, bash where the plants lay. Keep hammering across your design in a methodical way to produce the best results.

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Once you’re finished, peel off the top layer. Your leaves and flowers will resemble a bit of a mushy mess but don’t worry – once you peel off the foliage your design print will be revealed. You can keep adding new leaves or petals to your image by repeating the process.

Step Three

When you’re happy with your image you can then iron the design. The steam will help set the colours and prevent them from fading.

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You can then use your fabric or paper any way you choose, either kept intact as artwork or divided to use in other craft projects.

To book your space at the Hapa Zome workshop for kids or autumnal Hapa Zome workshop, visit www.beestruthers.com 

Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall and the nights are darkening meaning that autumn is almost here.

For many this is an exciting time of year, full of nights by the fire, cups of hot chocolate and woodland walks amongst colours of burnt orange and deep red.

21731367_766398890197720_2119800023323227097_n-300x200 Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

Providing plenty of cosy inspiration is the popular Danish trend of hygge. Pronounced “hoo-guh’, the term has no direct translation into English but does derive from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term hugga which means to ‘comfort’ or to ‘console’ and is related to the English word ‘hug’.

Embracing the trend, Chapelton has provided the ultimate hygge checklist helping you to make your home cosy this autumn.

Create a Cosy Snug

One of the first rules in the Hygge book is to get cosy. Create a warm and comfortable spot in your home that can be enjoyed with family and friends, or just yourself.

This is often a corner of a living room or nook of a bedroom where layers of cushions and throws can be added to create a retreat of peace and quiet. Snuggle in with a good book, cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a little time away from everyday life.

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Light More Candles

The Danes light more candles per head than anywhere else in Europe, according to Culture Trip. The warm glow of simple candles create a cosy and intimate atmosphere that helps the eyes relax from artificial lighting and the mind switch-off.

Dim any lighting in your living room or bedroom and add plenty of white, unscented candles to your hygge snug.

Get Rid of Clutter

Organisation is a key element for feeling relaxed and banishing clutter is one of the best ways to start.

Embrace hygge by investing in clever storage solutions that hide unwanted mess such as clothing, paperwork or stationery to create a serene space that you’ll want to enjoy.

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Photo of CSG socks

The photo above shows socks which are available from https://cheapsnowgear.com/

Enjoy Treasured Memories

Hygge is all about an environment full of happiness. Add token yet creative displays of family pictures to your hygge space to remind you of happy times.

These can be small prints and paintings, photographs or memorabilia displayed in a simple yet effective way.

 

We would love to know what other tips and tricks that you would like to see on the Chapelton blog. Comment here or on the Chapelton Facebook page to tell us. 

New Calendar of Events Launches in Chapelton

A calendar of events has launched offering both Chapelton residents and those from neighbouring areas the chance to try their hand at a new activity.

Run in partnership with local businesses and themed to suit a variety of interests and ages, the first of the events include:

Hapa Zome Workshop for Kids with Bee Struthers Fine Art

Saturday 14 October, 10am – 11:30am

The Cabin, Chapelton

This is an opportunity for children to enjoy a different form of arts and crafts using the traditional Japanese technique of Hapa Zome. With the help of local artist Bee Struthers, children will be able to select their leaves before hammering onto paper or fabric to create an autumnal collage ready to take home.

All materials will be provided and children must be aged three years and above and accompanied by an adult. There are limited spaces for this event and booking in advance is recommended.

Cost: £6 per child (includes adult supervision)

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Autumnal Hapa Zome Workshop with Bee Struthers Fine Art

Saturday 14 October, 1pm – 3pm

The Cabin, Chapelton

Learn the Japanese art of Hapa Zome with artist Bee Struthers. Using fallen leaves, attendees will have the opportunity to practice the traditional Japanese technique of hammering plants onto paper or fabric to create an autumnal wall hanging or pennant ready to take home.

All materials will be provided. There are limited spaces for this event and booking in advance is recommended.

Cost: £15 per person (aged 16 or over only)

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Children’s Chocolate Creation Workshop with Cocoa Ooze

Saturday 11 November, 10:30am – 12pm

The Cabin, Chapelton

Let the little ones get messy with Chapelton’s chocolate creation workshop. Hosted in partnership with popular chocolatier Cocoa Ooze, the event will offer children the chance to make their own personalized chocolate bar, marshmallow goodies and chocolate lollipops to take home and share with friends and family.

All materials will be provided. There are limited spaces for this event and booking in advance is recommended.

Cost: £15 per child

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Festive Wreath Decorating with Kim Dalglish

Saturday 02 December, 2pm – 4pm

ZeroC Showhome, Chapelton

Get in the festive spirit with this wreath decorating class with popular florist Kim Dalglish. Whether you’re a beginner or a horticulture expert, the workshop will offer the chance to make the perfect hanging wreath which can be taken home to fill your house with Christmas cheer.

All materials will be provided including a pre-made wreath which can be decorated with festive accessories.

Cost: £30 per person

Visit the Chapelton Facebook page for more information about how to book your space at one of the events.

Chapelton Bike Ride Success

The Chapelton Bike Ride returned for its second year on Sunday 3rd September and was a great success raising over £6,300 of much needed funds for local charity North East Sensory Services (NESS).

More than 250 people completed the bike ride and walking challenges with many others joining the celebrations of the events. Participants also enjoyed plenty of great food, art and craft stalls and live entertainment.

The teams at Chapelton and NESS would like to thank everyone who took part, volunteered or donated and we look forward to welcoming you all again for another great event next year.

Meet the Resident: Rebecca Struthers, ZeroC Property Owner

Photo-25-08-2016-14-19-45-1-e1503571980588-103x150 Meet the Resident: Rebecca Struthers, ZeroC Property Owner

Rebecca moved to Chapelton in 2015 along with her husband Alastair. The couple now lives in a four bedroom ZeroC property with their young son.

Tell us why you decided to move to Chapelton

We were really keen to enjoy both a city and country lifestyle and being set in Howe of Mearns yet within close distance to the centre of Aberdeen Chapelton seemed the perfect place.

What is your favourite thing about your new home?

That’s a difficult one but it may just have to be the garden. It’s the perfect size for us and we love spending time looking after it. We’ve even managed to grow vegetables and love having friends and family over to enjoy BBQs.

And do you have a favourite thing about Chapelton?

We really like the traditional theme that flows throughout Chapelton, it’s so different to other places that I’ve visited. From our wood burning stove to the community events that take place and community Facebook page which acts almost like a local newsletter, it does have a slightly old yet new feel to it.

Do you have any hobbies?

What was once a hobby has now turned into a business – my art company, Bee Struthers Fine Art. I create a series of paintings, textiles, accessories and homeware items which have recently been showcased in Union Square and in popular shop Curated Stories.

How do you like to spend your time in Chapelton?

We spend a lot of time with our friends and family but also with the other people that live in Chapelton. The community element of the town was a huge selling point to us and we love that we know our neighbours. Everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming and that’s incredibly important to use as a family.

Recipe: Teacake’s Mint Chocolate Cake

Chapelton’s popular Teacake is the perfect place to relax, catch up with friends and enjoy a sweet treat or two.

Offering a selection of hot and cold drinks, fresh soup and sandwiches and of course plenty of cake, the tea room is known for its home baking carefully created by owner Anita Collin and her hard-working team.

Here, Anita reveals one of her most popular cakes and shares its secret recipe.

Try out this recipe for Teacake’s mint chocolate cake yourself and make sure to share your pictures on both the Chapelton and Teacake Facebook pages.

Bike-Ride_04-300x200 Recipe: Teacake's Mint Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

  • 130ml olive oil, plus a little extra for greasing
  • 200g dark soft brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 30g cocoa powder
  • 100g mint dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
  • 140ml boiling water
  • 10 fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 125g ground almonds
  • 25g plain flour
  • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 100g white chocolate to decorate

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C fan. Lightly grease a 25cm springform cake tin and line with greaseproof paper.

Put the oil, sugar and eggs in the bowl of a free-standing electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on a medium speed for about three minutes until pale and fluffy.

Combine the cocoa powder, mint chocolate and boiling water in a bowl or jug and stir until the chocolate melts. Mix in the mint.

Whisking the eggs and sugar mix on a low speed, slowly pour in the chocolate mixture in a steady stream. Keep whisking until combined. Add the ground almonds, flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt and mix in with a spatula. The mix will be very runny.

Pour the mixture into the tin. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out with just a few sticky crumbs adhering. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin.

Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake to decorate.

Teacake in Chapelton is open Wednesday to Sunday. To find out more visit www.facebook.com/teacake.chapelton

The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

Set to take place on Sunday 3rd September in the heart of the town, we’ll be welcoming people of all ages to enjoy this fun-filled day and raise much-needed funds for local charity, North East Sensory Services.

Here are some helpful tips to bring you up-to-speed on everything there is to know about the event. We can’t wait to see you all there.

Bike-Ride_32-300x200 The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

The Routes

  • The Bike Ride will begin at 10:30am with the 42 mile route taking in Chapelton, Durris Forest and the village of Stonehaven
  • A shorter 12 mile route will start at 12pm with participants cycling in and around Chapelton’s roads and pathways
  • A 5km Chapelton Trail walk will begin shortly after 12pm offering those keen to take part in a less strenuous challenge stretch their legs and also provide younger children with an activity through the grounds of nearby Elsick House

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Food, Drink and Entertainment

  • The cycling and walking activities will be followed by live music, a selection of stalls selling local produce and entertainment from Northsound’s Michael Macdermid
  • Stall holders include: The Bay Fish and Chips, jewellery company Stella & Dot, artist Bee Struthers and The Aurora Juice Company

Bike-Ride_04-300x200 The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

Entry Fees

  • Individual registration costs £15 for the 42 mile route per person or £5 per person for the 12 mile route
  • Team entry for four people is available at a reduced rate of £50 for the longer route and £15 for the 12 mile route
  • All pre-registered riders will receive a free T-shirt and goodie bag
  • An additional fee of £5 will be applied to those registering on the day. Registration closes on Thursday 31st August
  • The Chapelton Trail walk is free for all participants

For more information or to register for the Chapelton Bike Ride, visit www.chapeltonbikeride.co.uk