Paul Martins Handmade Revolution will start on BBC2 tomorrow at 3.45. It is a 10 part series shown daily so I will be glued to the TV for the 10 days it’s on! With any luck you may see either me or my giant pumpkin in the title sequences. I have been told I shall be appearing in the 17th October show. I must have been in the background when Paul was chatting to Denise about knitting and crochet.
The giant pumpkin is ready to be adopted, he is fed up living in a barn! he has some smaller friends too!
October 7, 2012
Paul Martins Handmade Revolution
September 23, 2012
Brighton Mini Maker Faire 2012
Still reeling from the amazing event, this year over 7000 people made their way through the Corn Exchange to investigate all the fantastic goings on.
Last year I set up a make a ball event which was amazing, thinking I’d like let more visitors have a chance of learning to needlefelt I made over 100 balls thinking it would be fun (and quick) just to decorate the balls. Super Hero’s seemed like a good theme and thanks to my son the table looked amazing, covered in super hero posters there was lots to inspire everyone. I had made a few samples too.
With 3 volunteers we used up all the balls by the end of the day and had inspired many youngsters as well as quite a few not so young! I couldn’t have done it alone, my volunteers were literally thrown in at the deep end as I wasn’t quite myself having had a melanoma removed from my face just 2 days before! I was supposed to be resting!
I was staying in a little B & B in Kemp Town so had to get a taxi to take my huge box and just as big suitcase to the Corn Exchange where helpful volunteers were ready and waiting. All through the day we were plied with fresh water and a well received lunch.
Once again there was no let up, people just kept on coming! Needles kept on breaking, a few injuries were sustained (some from my helpers?) but the fun kept on happening!
Too pooped for the after party I caught the bus back to the B & B and ate my breakfast cereal before collapsing in a heap!
Thoughts for next year on a postcard please……
August 5, 2012
Filming Handmade Revolution at Amberley Heritage Museum
I auditioned for the programme at the end June but was informed I didn’t make the final, I was however invited to the filming and asked to bring George the giant pumpkin too.
The Craft Club contacted me to see if I was willing to help run a knitting workshop throughout the day so more fun to be had. Sheena and family accompanied me and upon arrival we were shown the table under a tree where the yarn & needles waited for us. Denise arrived and after quick intro’s we set to work on knitting squares. Before too long I was asked to join the other makers for some filming. Paul Martin looked quite relaxed as he went over his lines but it took quite a few takes before the producer was happy. Thankfully it wasn’t raining! We had time to chat to other makers and moved around a bit to get the ‘introduction’ shots done.
Meanwhile Sheena and Denise were busy recruiting volunteers to knit or crochet a square or two. Grafitti knitters had decorated some lampposts and trees with bunting and pom poms and stalls were set up with demonstrations of wet felting, soap making and wood-turning. Denise showed me how to arm knit, fabulous when you’ve no needles!
By the end of the day we must have had over 30 squares all crocheted together.
I think the show will air in the Autumn, should be interesting! Look out for George in the introductions!
July 29, 2012
Weald and Downland open air museum photographic challenge
On Thursday Sheena & her boys came with me to the W.D.O.A.M. Sheena & I were to steward the amazing exhibition of the National Guild Weavers,Spinners & dyers so it looked like a long day for the boys- 11 and 14. I came up with a challenge, find and photograph ten items. Something brown, something flying, part of a building,part of a shepherd’s hut, grass,tree,sky,something with 4 legs, wood & stone. The youngest one was up for the challenge so off he went with my camera and about an hour later I saw the amazing results! I have put my ten favourites on flickr for all the world to see! These are my favourites
July 20, 2012
My entry for the Rare Breed show on Sunday
Finished in record time, I’m usually still knitting the night before the show. I spun up and plied 108m of Jacob wool into a DK weight yarn for the basket of this tea cosy and odds ‘n’ ends of dyed Wensleydale for the crocheted flowers. Sewing the 30 or so flowers on was time consuming but then when you spin the yarn to make something it does take time! I have many vintage knitting patterns and this was really appealing, I changed it slightly and crocheted the flowers rather than make them with the tool it recommended. Voila, one very sweet tea cosy for a little tea pot! Guaranteed to keep the tea hot!
July 19, 2012
Uckfield Art Trail 21st July
Workshop will cost £3.00 to cover materials and of course you get to take your creation home!
If you’d like to take part in workshop contact me direct or just come along on Saturday 21st July
Free entry to Art trail, meet the artists in one venue, no traipsing round the town this year!
For more info check out http://www.uckfieldarttrail.co.uk
June 10, 2012
South of England Show 2012
Friday saw me trudging through the mud in my wellies to the Plumpton College Farmyard marquee, mud, mud glorious mud, well at least the pigs were happy! We had a few issues with college staff opening the side of the marquee which meant the spinners and weavers were in a gale force wind but after the students moved us to other end of tent we were a lot happier for a while…..
Above us a section of the roof had come unlaced and now we had a gale blowing down our necks….
The weather hadn’t put off the visitors, I’ve never seen so many varieties of welly boots in one place-my peg loom rug was growing apace and looking rather smart. The cheviot fleece I’d bought at Heathfield show from the Sheep Show folk is rather gorgeous, money well spent for sure. The shearing team had managed to keep the sheep dry so the shearing demontrations could go ahead, led by Phil Hart they were shearing some lovely Northern mule lambs so the fleece were rather nice and 2 managed to find their way into my car???
The spinners battled on regardless of the wind howling around us and clanging metal on metal, it was deafening making conversation almost impossible. We were risk assessed later on in the afternoon and the part of the tent I had issues with was then laced back up and a little later I realised there was a man on the roof!
Saturday was a much drier and less windy day so I set off in my winter Crocs to the WI tent to do my stints at stewarding there. The ladies were all so friendly and made me feel welcome (only been a member for 3 months). The tea tent next door was busy too and frankly the least expensive cuppa to be found!
I caught up with my good friend Pat for a quick bite to eat before she had to don her pinny and get back to tea tent. I had a bit of a mooch before I resumed stewarding and taking in the entries before me. The work involved in the entries was amazing and I only hope I can reach the standards I saw in that marquee.
Shifts over Pat & I had another look around, picked up a few bargains in flower tent before wending our way home, weary, worn out but happy. Hearing all the comments about my octopus was worth all the knitting!
September 2, 2011
Brighton Mini Maker Faire Sept 3rd
Almost packed, yarn, dyed wools, felting needles,Jacko the pumpkin and foam mats. Just got to iron a few clothes then I can put my feet up for an hour or two.
August 31, 2011
Brighton Mini Maker Faire Sept 3rd
Friday is set up day for the Brighton Mini Maker Faire at the Dome. I’m really excited about this as visitors will be able to interact with the makers and learn new skills. I have enlisted the help of Sarah, one of our knitting group from Lewes so that will be helpful if I’m inundated with people wanting to make balls.
Follow the Brighton Mini Maker Faire on twitter #bmmf
and my progress #knitwit54
sample balls
August 11, 2011
Brighton Mini Makers Fair Sept 3rd 2011
Will be heading for the coast on Friday 2nd to set up my ball making workshop at the Dome in Brighton. I will be demonstrating how to make an easy jingly ball and a ball from a pom pom. Frantic ball making ongoing in between natural dyeing session.
