Sparkling display from Watch Us Grow group

Their all-female Crafty Friday group enables them to unleash their creative side as these impressive giant paintings, pictured above, prove. And it would also appear that their ‘girlier’ side is on show too!

When the News and Chronicle paid a call to their first ever exhibition which is now under way at Cumbernauld Library, we could not ignore the fact that the participants have a bit of a ‘thing’ for Japanese cartoon feline Hello Kitty in their craftwork – and like piling the glitter on too!

There were Hello Kitty bags, cushions and hot water bottle covers and we noticed that a number of their creations were positively encrusted with the sparkly stuff.

The group – drawn from adults with a learning disability – gathers together at the end of the week at their relaxing Palacerigg headquarters.

If the weather is good, they’ll wander out into the garden with their materials but no-one will be surprised to learn that HASN’T happened of late!

Participant Emma McNicol (41) from Park Way finds time to attend despite having a job at Watch Us Grow’s Nursery Needs shop in Kilsyth. “It’s good - I like making things,’’ she said.

Her colleague Rachel Seggie (20) from Birch Road added. “I enjoy it. I like sewing and meeting up with everyone.’’

Watch Us Grow director Ann McCulloch said: “Everyone really enjoys the class but it’s also a bit of respite for the families and gets their weekend off to a good start.

“I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Cumbernauld Library for allowing us to display our work here. We just asked, they said yes and we are delighted. Hopefully this will give everyone an idea about what we are doing,” she said.

And with that, the group turned their attention away from their artistic endeavours – and were off on an urgent mission to do their Christmas shopping!

The goods on display are on show until the end of the week.