Witch Krafting with Kat

May 👑 Queen Wishing you all a wonder May Day.  Maypole in Padstow. Picture from Wikipedia. There is such a rich history  surrounding May Day festivals from the tradition of May Queens, the joviality of Morris Dancing,  the slightly scary but wondrous Obby Oss, atmospheric torch ceremonies sometimes including the burning of Wicker men! Local fairs burst into colour with flags, flowers where you will often see both children and adults Maypole dancing. Please visit these links for interesting and informative articles about Beltane and May Day festivals in Britain. https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/May-Day-Celebrations/ https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/forestipedia/everything-you-need-to-know-about-may-day/   https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/the-history-of-may-day Obby Oss Festival Cornwall. May Pole dancers. Because some folklore stories can be quite scary and disturbing with some adult content I would always advise visiting, reading and viewing li...

During the reign of Elizabeth I about 30 'witches' were tried at the Surrey Assizes. These included Eden Worsley, a spinster of Ewell, who was charged that on 4 July 1564 she murdered by witchcraft Elizabeth, the daughter of Robert Bybye. She was the only one sentenced to hang; the majority were found not guilty. Mother Ludlam's Cave, also known as Mother Ludlum's Cave or Mother Ludlum's Hole, is a small cave in the sandstone cliff of the Wey Valley at Moor Park, near Farnham in Surrey in England. The cave is the subject of a number of local legends. Info from Wikipedia. An artist's impression of Joan Butts, the Ewell woman believed to be a witch - we're told the dog-hunting man in the image is not connected to her story (Image: Bourne Hall Museum) Please visit these links for articles on the Surrey Witches.  Surrey Witches! https://the-past.com/feature/the-reigate-witch-bottle/ https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/mystifying-legend-surrey...

  Frosty Fly by tutorial by Kat Hazelton  MDF shapes from Calico Craft Parts  https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/ Paint is Pebeo acrylic. Embossing powders are from Cosmic Shimmer.  https://www.creative-expressions.uk.com/product-category/brands/cosmic-shimmer/embossing-powders-cosmic-shimmer/ Threads from my friend Suzanne. Charms from my own craft stash.  Well I hope you enjoyed my tutorial, I hope it inspires you to have a go at creating. If you have any questions please get in touch via here or my Instagram page I am always happy to help if I can.  More 'Kat Makes' and spooky postings coming soon.👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

This is an early modern woodcut that depicts a witch sailing on a wooden plank, on the River Newbury. It is taken from the front page of a pamphlet that contained within it the sensational story of this witch, intended to entertain a wide readership with its strange tale. Anon.1643. From The National Archive. Witch woodcut. Catalogue ref: E69.(9)   © The British Library Board   Please visit this link to hear the story.    https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/early-modern-witch-trials/witch-story/

 

As a child I used to love visiting the Hellfire caves at West Wycombe. As a teenager I used to cycle and spend the whole day there venturing around the caves and picnicking on the grassy slope which has an amazing view along a straight road towards High Wycombe. I was always told this was originally a Roman road but I need to clarify that bit of information.  The beautiful village of West Wycombe has an rich history, stories of witchcraft ghost and mysterious goings on especially connected to The Hellfire Club Caves!  Description from Wikipedia. The historic village is largely National Trust property and receives a large annual influx of tourists – being the site of West Wycombe Park, Caves and the Mausoleum on top of West Wycombe Hill. The Mausoleum and Golden Ball above West Wycombe village are impressive local landmarks, visually dominating the village and local landscape for miles surrounding. West Wycombe Park, Caves, Mausoleum and St Lawrence's C...

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the caldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. By William Shakespeare, Macbeth. Poster advertising Viola Tree's Company performing 'The Tempest' by William Shakespeare at the Aldwych Theatre, London - Charles A Buchel (1872-1950) - Designed in 1904, Printed in 1921. Creatures such as frogs, lizards and bats are often featured in stories associated with witches, Vampires and fairy folk. Please visit these fab links below for interesting articles that explore the reasons why bats are so woven into Witchcraft and folklore. And also how we can help to take care of these misunderstood beautiful creatures! https://www.astonishinglegends.com/astonishing-legends/2019/7/15/bats-amp-witches https://www.ba...

 

 The Winsor Witches.......... On the 28th of February 1579 four elderly women from Winsor were hanged at Abingdon accused as Witches ..  The above image of a witch, probably Elizabeth Stile, and her familiar spirit, including a cat, rat and toad! As taken from the publication 'A rehearsall both straung and true, of hainous and horrible actes committed by Elizabeth Stile, alias Rockingham, Mother Dutten, Mother Deuell, Mother Margaret, Fower ( meaning four) notorious witches'  Published in 1579 Please also visit this link for a informative posting about Elizabeth and her familiars! http://britishfolklore.com/windsor Because some folklore stories can be quite scary and disturbing with some adult content I would always advise visiting, reading and viewing links before showing or reading to younger children.