Vintage Santa and Sleigh

I got this cutie last year but it didn't arrive until after christmas. i love him.  i remember my grandmommy having one that she would put chocolates in his santa sack.  he'll need some TLC soon as the base got a bit damaged while it was being stored......

Christmas Decorations

I've truly been looking forward to decorating for Christmas this year. We were away for x-mas last year to spend the holidays with my family in Tennessee.  We didn't really bother with the tree and all the trimmings.  I opened each box with delight today remembering some some of the things I made year before last.  One of my favorites is this recycled Christmas card wreath......

It's very easy to make, if you would like to have a go.  I always save my cards and had quite a pile.  I bought a styrofoam (might undo all the good of re-using the cards but ha-ho) and traced a holy shape onto each one.

After cutting out enough to give me a hand cramp.... I hot glued each one to a cocktail (toothpick) stick and stuck it into the styrofoam.  bingo bango, your done.  Here's a picture from the side angle to show you how I've stuck them in.

Ministry of Craft Pix and Mix Day

This past Saturday was a creative-palooza: full of cupcakes, sewing, craft gifts and fabric.  Ministry of Craft had a crafty pix and mix event where people could have a go sewing tote bags and/or gift sacks.  I was invited to have a fabric stall......

And saw the amazing wears Alison made with some of my fabrics.  They are examples for upcoming course at the Ministry of Craft for making cushions, totes and skirts.  Isn't she talented. 

There were plenty of people making lovely gift bags and totes

 

I had some lovely cupcakes

And other craft stalls

Screen printing by Nell (whose course you can book on)

And beautiful slippers made by Handmade Souls.... Sam who teaches "conquering your sewing machine" and "free style machine embroidery".

Fabric Delivery

I've had four bolts delivered today!  They are beauties.  I've listed them in my ebay shop and am waiting to hear back from folksy to see how to listed them now that they have changed the website.... here they are.....

Beads for Team Building Day

Next week I'm teaching a jewellery making class with some of the staff at the UCAN centre in Farnworth making necklaces and bracelets.  Here's a sneak peek at the beads.  I think I'll pick up some pearls and some silver spacer beads to go with them

Ministry of Craft Pick and Mix.....

Crafty Pick n Mix

Come along to Ministry of Craft’s CRAFTY PICK N MIX where there’s a whole selection box of treats on offer!

On Saturday 26th November we thought you’d enjoy having a look round our classrooms, meeting some of our tutors, chatting about our courses, and get an exclusive preview of our 2012 course programme

Crafty Taster sessions
Pre book on either of our sewing taster sessions - Pretty in Pink tote bag or Vintage style present sack and get a FREE £5 course discount voucher to use on the day against a course of your choice.

Children’s activities
Children’s Christmas themed mini-workshops – including Pretty felt bunting cards and Lino printed christmas decorations and cards, with a chance to use a sewing machine for the older children

Also amongst our crafty treats are:

Buying your Christmas gifts from our makers stalls

A range of gorgeous fabrics to buy from Stitch Me Lane

Test Drive one of our Janome Sewing Machines

Exclusive preview of Ministry of Craft’s 2012 course programme with on the day booking discount

Delicious cupcakes from Little Paper Cakes and FREE tea & coffee

 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Johny Depp

A couple of weeks ago we had several celebrity visitors to the UCAN Knit and Natter.  They were invited/made by the talented Josie.  She brought several other examples but I didn't manage a picture of them.  May I introduce Johny Depp from Alice in Wonderland

And Johny Depp Pirate of the Carribean

X-mas hankies

I got a lovely email and pictures from Helen O'brien of some hankies she has made out of one of the fabrics she bought from my shop.  They are a x-mas present so....shshshshhhhhhhhh don't tell anyone.

Lo-fi

This tuesday Nico's organized a crafty Christmas decoration lo-fi evening.  Several of us are demonstrating how to make different ornaments. Here's the flyer... come and join us.

November Lo-fi DIY

Making things happen!

On Tuesday 1st of November 6 till 9 at Common (Edge St, Northern Quarter)

It’s Christmas……! Ooh I’m sorry, I know it’s too early, but if we’re gonna hand make all our decorations then we need to get started……

This month we have a variety of activities for you;

♡ Nerissa will show us how to make beautiful snowflake decorations or brooches

♡ With Jen we will be building birds for our trees

♡ I will be sharing my shrunken woollen stash to make some wreaths

♡ And Anna will be showing us how make our own gift boxes. (If you’re able please bring some thin card / thick paper for this. Calendars and magazine covers are good apparently).

All other equipment and materials will be provided, a small donation with be required to cover the cost.

Anything you’ve made recently please bring it along for show and tell, we’d love to see. Any finished bra bags?

Common will take orders for our tea or whatever drinks and nibbles make take your fancy?

See http://www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk/food   

To let us know you’re coming email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

(Acceptance of your invitation helps with numbers for food if you plan on eating? And also for the demo and materials so please do try to let me know if possible?)

Here are a few pics from the night

 

Lo Fi DIY is brought to you in association with Manchester Craft Mafia, a friendly bunch!

Breightmet Community Projects

I'm currently working on two creative community projects with Bolton at Home and they are well on their way.  The first one (which has been going since October of last year) is with the Breightmet Knit and Natter group at the UCAN centre on New Lane.  We meet ever other Wed. from 1:30-3:30 the first and third Wed of the month.  We are knitting squares to be sewn together into a blanket which will be raffled off for the charity Help for Heroes.  Squares are starting to roll in and they are a colourful bunch!  If you would like to contribute we are looking for squares about 4x4 inch in size.

The second project will be starting next week. A new crafty group will be meeting at the Leverhulme Children's Centre ever Friday from 1-3pm in the cafe.  There will be a cheap lunch from noon.  Our first meeting will be on November 4th!  Next week I will be sneaking round the area doing some yarn bombing... knit graffiti to advertise the group.  There will be free yarn to get everyone started, cool badges and free magazines. Not a knitter?  No problem.  You can bring along any sort of craft.  We will be working on a knitted flower garden which will be on display.  Here is a little taster.........



Cheshire Food Festival

This past weekend Craft Mafia organized a craft fair during Cheshire's Food festival.  The weather was a bit hit and miss but it was a lovely event and which was well attended.  We did face painting and held several workshops.  I taught a wire wrapped ring one on the Sunday and met some lovely people.  (I unfortunately didn't get any pics of it)

There were loads of lovely stall holders.  Here are some pics......

Up and Coming Fabrics

I've just ordered some new fabric.  I'm so excited!  I have 13 new prints on their way which will be here in about 6 weeks time.  They are all a little quirky, very modern and well suited for dress making, quilting, craft and home decorating projects..... so, with out further ado, here they are.

And here are a few more