Newsletter – February 2022

January Craft Packs and Exhibitions

Thank you to everyone who collected one of our Promise Box craft packs or added to our Promise Wall throughout January – our craft packs will still be available from our shop throughout February, pop into our shop during opening times (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 12pm-4pm) and pick one up!

Our craft packs are free, but donations are always appreciated.

Mrs Smith’s Cottage, East Road, Navenby, Lincoln. Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for North Kesteven District Council Date: August 18, 2021

If you missed our winter exhibition ‘Life on the Land’, don’t worry! We have all of our previous exhibitions on our website, click here to have a look. While you’re there, don’t forget to look at the ‘exhibitions’ section to catch up on the ones you might have missed!

Embroidery Craft Packs

Our artist-in-residence, Nicki Jarvis, is transforming a wing-back armchair into a celebration of Mrs Smith’s community. The names of almost 200 of her most frequently-mentioned friends are to be embroidered onto patchwork squares, before being made into a chair cover with upholsterer Hannah Weston Smith from Hannah & Nails in Folkingham.

You are welcome to pick up an embroidery pack any time the museum is open. This contains four prepared squares, embroidery threads and a needle, plus guidelines on what to do.

Coming up in February

There’s lots to look forward to at the cottage in February; why not pop along to one of our fabulous family activities below? If you’d like to pop along for a tour of the cottage, don’t forget the best way to avoid disappointment is by booking your visit through our website.

  • On Saturday 5th February, create your own unique and beautiful book with artist Nadya Monfrinoli. Explore different paper folding and simple book-binding techniques to make a book that is an artwork in itself. All materials are provided, and children must be accompanied by a helpful adult.
  • Friday 11th is our next Navenbees group session, and this month we’ll be making friendship cards!
  • We’ll be celebrating Half Term Week with Rag Rug workshops and online Nest Box activities: book your visit on Monday 14th or Friday 18th to join us and learn a range of rag rug making skills, experimenting with different forms and techniques to create a colourful decorative work to take home with you. Pop along to the cottage shop during opening times to collect a Bird Box instruction sheet and create your own work of art using recycled materials.

Our Shop

We have a beautiful retail area at the cottage, stocked with lovely gifts and unique items made by local artists. Here’s our Heritage Assistant Andrea giving a tour around the shop!

Are you looking for a space to hire in Navenby?

The learning space at the cottage is available for hire for £10 an hour. Ideal for craft groups, team meetings, play groups or even a friendship club. For more information, or to book, simply get in touch with us.

Email: [email protected]

Learning at Mrs Smith’s Cottage

Bring our exciting learning programme into your school by booking a loan box, full of objects and resources to use in class! Don’t forget you can also book a group to visit the cottage, or we can come to you!

Click here to find out more about our learning offer.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news and information on upcoming projects!