Sugar & Spice Advent Box
(A Live Kit-Based Class)

A house of stitches, secrets, and wonder — where every drawer holds a moment of magic.

The Gingerbread House Advent Calendar is an extraordinary year-long project that brings together the full breadth of embroidered box-making and surface decoration, guiding you step by step through the creation of a richly constructed textile house with twenty-five individual drawers and compartments. Throughout the course, you will learn all the major box-making techniques, alongside an extensive repertoire of embroidery including appliqué, goldwork, stumpwork, surface stitches, beading, and additional mixed media elements. The house itself is designed to open at the front, revealing its inner drawers, while the roof lifts away to expose further hidden spaces — including secret drawers and concealed compartments waiting to be discovered. Mounted upon its own embroidered platform and accompanied by two moveable trees, this heirloom piece is both an architectural and embroidered achievement: a celebration of craftsmanship, storytelling, and the timeless joy of Christmas — a piece to bring out year after year, becoming part of family traditions and treasured seasonal rituals.

(Above image is partially AI generated. Actual complete project photograph pending.)

Kelley Aldridge

Details…

aimed at:

BEGINNERS

This course is ideal for complete beginners to hand embroidery, as well as those who’ve only stitched from cross-stitch kits, and want to explore a wide variety of traditional stitches—and discover how to use them in creative, inspiring ways.

EXPERIENCED STITCHERS

This course is perfect for experienced stitchers who want to refresh their skills, stretch their creativity, and combine a wide variety of techniques in ways they may not have done before.

course at-a-glance:

GROUND & FIRST FLOOR

Basic Box Construction
Appliqué, Goldwork, Thread Painting, Surface Stitches

TOP FLOOR

Intermediate Box Construction
Fabric Manipulation, Stumpwork, Surface Stitches

ATTIC & ROOF

Advanced Box Construction
Mixed Media Techniques

OUTER CASING, PLATFORM
& TREES

Assembling and Finishing Touches

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 2027
7.00-9.30PM (UK)

January 6, 20
February 3, 17
March 3, 17
April 7, 21
May 5, 19
June 2, 16
July 7, 21
September 1, 15
October 6, 20
November 3, 17
December 1, 15

dates/times:

requirements:

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Embroidery Scissors,, Embroidery Practice Hoop, Large Square Frame, Magnifier (optional), Thimbles (optional)

SPECIFIC MATERIALS

A full kit including pre-cut and numbered card pieces is included in the cost of the course.

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Students are saying…

Excellent Artist and Teacher

Kelley’s classes are the best. I’ve taken two classes from her over two years. Her demonstrations are clear and easy to follow. She has perfected her on-line teaching style. I’ve found her to be kind and patient and she frequently throws in a little example or historic fact to keep things interesting. My fellow students have ranged from beginners to advanced stitchers and I believe everyone has been happy with the instructions we’ve received.
Sherry S
Wonderful Goldwork

I took Kelleys Goldwork sampler course which covered all aspects of Goldwork and a few extras such as how to mount your work. A well designed course, very well delivered and a lot of fun. It has definitely improved my Goldwork skills! Kelley is enthusiastic and very helpful.
Barbara
What a Brilliant Experience!

I've just finished the class portion of Kelley's Goldwork Sampler and I'm really sad it's over. I have done a number of 2 day classes in this technique over the last few years, but I found working in this manner (Zoom classes at fortnightly intervals over nearly a year, with video clips of the techniques available through the portal) meant that if you found there was something that didn't make sense later, you could check back, or more importantly, ask a question at the next lesson. I've picked up on a lot of tiny things that have led to some very satisfying improvements in the quality of my work, learned some really useful techniques, and got links to sources of otherwise hard to find equipment. (Especially useful as I'm located down under in New Zealand.) Thank you Kelly for a wonderful experience - I had a blast!
Betty S