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28/02/2015

The Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycraft's Show - Craft Heaven!

I was asked a few weeks ago to help out at The Manchester Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycraft's Show ICHF expo at The Event City Centre for The UK Hand Knitting Association.



It was a fantastic day! The trip there was eventful, since I don't own a car, so a train to Urmston & a 40 minute walk it was! Luckily I didn't have to take anything with me as it was all provided as Google maps seem to think that the hard shoulder of a motorway is a footpath! I must have looked hilarious climbing through shrubbery to get through the last leg of the journey but I had no other options!

The event itself was massive. Stalks from all over the country selling everything craft related you could imagine & loads of demonstrations & workshops! It would have been so easy to be drawn into a new craft if I had the day to explore!

Extreme knitting needles

Extreme knitted rugs!


Even the costumes from the ITV series Mr Selfridge where there in all their finery!

Mr. Selfridge's costumes
On our stand we where getting people involved in the UKHKA's Guinness World Record attempt to create the longest link of knitted/crochet chains whilst showing people the basics of knitting & crocheting.



Already have 1 Guinness World Record...



It was great to see so many people from such different backgrounds getting involved or wanting to learn a new skill & the project is not far off its goal of a mile!

Chains still to be sewn together!
These giant balls where only the tip of the iceberg as if all of the project was placed it would have taken up the whole stand!


I got a chance to explore & managed to restrain myself quite a bit only buying some fabric & some t-shirt yarn which I've not had an opportunity to try out yet.

I didn't buy my dream storage unit - it closes into a wardrobe!

I just bought this.
ICHF events are fabulous & it was a pleasure to help out on a project that aims to pass down crafty skills to future generations.




In the beginning...

22/02/2015

Quick Crafty Catch-up!

Sorry I've been so quiet of late! I've been mad designing & getting stock ready for Valentine's Day then I was struck down by a virus! Took me about a week to recover properly & I couldn't afford any time off from the day job so spent my evenings in the foetal position on the couch an then I had a birthday which took up quite a few days! But I'm back now!

Just uploaded lots of new workshop dates including at the new venues Knit Wise in Ormskirk & The Rare Bear Boutique on Allerton Road!

The Rare Bear Boutique
The first workshop at Knit Wise was amazing! The ladies where just a dream to teach & Myra really took care of us even though she was unwell herself! We covered so much before lunch & everyone went home with their own hand knitted item. It's so nice to teach in such a traditional knitting shop! There are so few left now & it's so inspiring being surrounded by all that wool!


Next one at Knit Wise, Ormskirk is this coming Saturday & there is one on Sunday at Quill's Coffee in Liverpool City Centre!


The Rare Bear Boutique is owned by expect sewing teacher Emma & if you have any occasion, event, or child of all ages in your life, this is the place to shop! Just off Allerton Road in South Liverpool, it is a beautiful shop & I'm so lucky that she wanted to stock my baby comforter blankets there!

Oh hey guys!


Monday was another craft meet at The Everyman Theatre, thEATre! They are free to pop along! Just bring whatever you are working on, knitting, crochet, sewing, spinning, weaving, whatever & have a cuppa or a glass of wine. A reward for surviving another Monday!


Craftiness is happiness!

I've been researching & reading up loads on the real health benefits, both psychological (my degree is in Psychology so big area of interest for me! & physical. Absolutely fascinating! I was at Edge Hill University on Wednesday running a stall for their mental health awareness & it was fabulous! I'll be doing a blog post on my finds next week.
  

I'm back at Edge Hill University, Monday 23rd for their "Give It A Go" week doing an hours knitting demonstration so if you are there come say hi!

Oh I was also at the Manchester Sticking, Sewing & Hobbycraft Show volunteering for the UK Hand Knitting Association which was a very interesting day but I'll do a whole blog on that later in the week!


Spent a week(!) coding & redesigning the website & I'm 90% happy with it but I've spent too long away from my crafting & there's big events to be planning for Mothers Day sneaking up soon! I'm trying to get a real, fully stocked Etsy shop on the go too so watch this space! 

If you have not noticed I've now put in an option to sign up for our newsletter! It will give you a heads up on what's new events wise, new product designs & offers! I'm aiming to send 2 a month so you wont be inundated with emails!

Speak soon!

Love Gemma x