My goal is reached!

Thanks to craft sales, cat sitting, folding what seems like 100s of cranes, generous donations from family and sponsorship from Bakewell & Calver District Guiding I have reached my fundraising target! 

I have to say I've really enjoyed the fundraising, particularly standing on the craft stalls and talking to people about the guide experience and what a Jamboree in Japan might be like. I was touched when some people gave me a donation and didn't even buy any craft.

It's made me aware of the effort of the guiding community to raise funds for many activities that young women can benefit from. I was happy to donate some of my Christmas money to a young guide in M&S bag packing, they were raising money for camping equipment.

The journey so far with my new unit has been amazing. Getting to know new people and learning new skills has been great. For practicing going to Tokyo we went on a fantastic trip to London. It was a great way to bond as a patrol and we met Paddington.  I'm so excited to be going to Japan!

Totes Amaze Bags with 1st Curbar Guide Unit

As part of my fundraising, me and my Mum did a fundraising tote bag printing evening with my guide unit. We limited the colours to four, distributed bags and sticky backed foam and after a brief demonstration the guides set to making their own printing block. We had some pre cut blocks and letters for them to use. I was impressed with the creativity and excellent sharing of the materials. Everyone was completely focussed on making bags and I don't think there was much ink on the carpet at the end of the evening. We charged £3 for materials and fundraising and it was an excellent evening. Some lovely bags made.

focussed on the task

looking a little messy at this stage

A vey neat spotty bag

love the winter theme with the snowman

FUNdraising projects

Today has been about building up stock for Christmas Stalls. Last year I did a couple and they were very good. We made felt Christmas decorations, bath bombs and cards. Time to stock up.

We got some canvas bags, and at a couple of stalls we have sold quite a few of them. The bonus is they are great fun to make. Today I was playing around with words and some block my Mum made.

I enjoy being on a stall as you can talk to people about the Jamboree. I'm always amazed and very grateful for how generous people are

Cranes take flight

Last weekend I took some cranes to the local primary school as they were having an art fair. It was such lovely weather me and my mum set up a table outside to make cranes. We thought we would sell them for 50p, but the stings we had made were the most popular. We ended up selling these for £1.


There was a bit of interest from the children at the fair so we decided to teach a few how to make them. They enjoyed it very much but it took quite a while as their folds weren't that accurate! I was proud that they came out with something that resembled a crane at the end.


We showed some adults and they weren't much better! We made cranes on demand with people choosing their own colours. Quite a few people had walked there and we showed them how to fold up the crane for safe transport home.

Under Construction

This weekend I will be making origami cranes for a 50p donation at Curbar Primary School. They are having an Art Show and are happy for me to set up a stall.

CURBAR ART SHOW 2014 is held at

Curbar Primary School, Calver, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S32 3XA

The show is open from 10.30 - 16.30 Saturday and Sunday 17 & 18 May.

Getting selected

Hi I'm Maisie and I have been selected to go to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan 2015!

I went to a selection day in Belper which involved many team exercises including having an egg as a passport! Now, with the help of my Guide unit - 1st Curbar Guides, I need to raise the money to go.

So far I've been making a load of crafts and looking after neighbours cats! I'll be thinking of other fundraising ideas...so watch this space!

“WA: a Spirit of Unity” is the theme for the Jamboree. The Kanji Character “和” (WA) embraces many meanings such as unity, harmony, cooperation,friendship and peace. WA also represents Japan and its culture.

You can find more about the Jamboree here: 23WSJ