ON OUR WAY TO INTERNATIONAL CROCHET DAY 2014

LEARN MAKE SHARE CREATE

Less than 2 weeks folks- yep that's it. I have suddenly found myself child free this afternoon as they both have play dates at friends' and I am making of the most of it in a busy, sitting at the computer on a lovely sunny day kinda way!

HERE ARE THE DETAILS
Friday 12th September 2014, 11am - 3.30pm
This is our 3rd ICD Gathering thanks to our Sponsorship from the Bendigo Bank and UYCE and the support from the Shire Yarra Ranges

FREE crochet funshops, Community Crochet Blanket, Crochet Show 'n' Tell

*5000 Poppies Project - make a poppy to contribute to the Fed Square display for ANZAC day 2015

11.30 onwards- Crochet a Spring Mandala with the lovely Jenny Scammell

11.30 start- Introduction to Tunisian Crochet with the amazingly talented Shara Lambeth 

12.45 start- Beginners Crochet with Kaye Adolphson

Bring a project Bring a plate Bring a friend- kids under supervision welcome


Here's a sneak peek.........

The Internationaly recognised 5000 Poppies Project is coming to our gathering and I most excited! Founders Lynne Berry and Margaret Knight (Melbournian textile artists) will be bringing their pop up workshop to the Upper Yarra Arts Centre to celebrate with us. Bring your poppies ready made to contribute to the Fed Square display next year or come and sit with us, make a poppy and meet these 2 inspiring women. A dedication can be attached to your poppy and it will be displayed alongside your creation.
Here's some that were made at a recent workshop at the Yarra Junction Library...

Thank you to the lovely ladies that came along. It was great to meet some new faces and we hope you can come along to ICD.

Think you'd like to come but don't know how to crochet- well, that's what this day is all about - learning and sharing. Kaye Adolphson is an award winning crochet artist living in the Yarra Valley- actually all of out tutors do!! (Talented lot aren't we??!!). Kaye has very graciously saved my busy hide and is coming to teach our Beginners Funshop straight after taking a class in Olinda! Not bad hey!. You can find Kaye's website here and she is more than qualified to take this class, you are all sooo lucky!
Now this session will begin at 12.45 and may have limited places. So there is no reason NOT to come!!


 Next, I have a couple of lovely pics to share with you from Jenny Scammell who is hosting our Step into Spring Crochet Mandala funshop. Check these out-

 Aren't they GORGEOUS....... and HAPPY................. and SPRINGY................

 and FUN..................... and COLOURFUL.................... and don't they look............................

 intricate.................. and complicated.............?????????????????????

well they AREN"T!!!! Jenny will help guide you through two main patterns she has translated into aussie crochet terms for you. Basic stitch knowledge is required for this one and all the yarn will be provided. We are using Deramores Stylecraft Special DK in tonnes of colours for you to choose. And you get to take it home with you.

Here's a little bit about Jenny-

'Craft has always been part of my life since my Nan taught me to knit when I
was about 9 years old. Sewing clothes, embroidery and crocheting followed in my teenage
years. Despite my love of textiles I was told at school not to pursue the subject, as it was a
hobby and not something to make a career in. I therefore went to university and became a
secondary school teacher of history, geography and maths. I taught for two years, then my
daughter was born and I never went back. In 1988 I took my first class in patchwork and was
hooked! I went to many more classes, quilt shows and became a member of the Patchwork and
Quilters Guild of Victoria eventually becoming President and a teacher of Patchwork at several
shops. In 2005 I fulfilled a dream and graduated with a Diploma of Visual Arts Studio
Stitch
Textiles from Box Hill Tafe. In recent years I have enjoyed the revival of crocheting, with the use
of more vibrant colors to what our grandmother's used.'

Jenny has been a great support to me since Quarterly Crafternoons began and this is the second funshop Jenny has taught. I am very grateful for her involvement.

Here's a link for some more mandala inspiration- MANDALA MANDALA MANDALA

At 11.30 the Introduction to Tunisian Crochet will begin with prolific crafter Shara Lambeth. I am thirlled to be able to have Shara come and teach because she is SO AMAZING!! With her own Etsy shop, Ravelry site and blog, this woman is busy, busy!! Look up those links to see what she's about. She's always posting something gorgeous on facebook too. whether it be a skein of just dyed yarn or a jumper that took 3 days to make!

With a finished texture a bit more like knitting, you will find this technique really interesting as it uses elements from both crochet and knitting. Shara is going to show you right from the beginning and to ensure you take a little something home, she will guide you through making a little lavender sachet or an open pouch with a handle for little treasures. Wanna look at them????   ........ Ok then....................

Aren't they just darling?? We've made them quite small so you can get them finished in time but this technique will take you in many directions. Oooooo, can't wait for this one. hope there's space for me!!

Phew well I think that's it. Now I'm going to enjoy a cup of tea in the sunshine before my babies come home and the mummy madness starts again.
Thanks for listening and look forward to seeing you all soon.
x Le x

Quarterly Crafternoons June Gathering 2014

On a cold, windy wintery day, we were warm and cozy (and busy!) inside the Upper Yarra Arts Centre for our June gathering of Quarterly Crafternoons. I tell you I'm glad it's only once a quarter because it comes around waaayyyy too quickly and I find my self scrambling to get the last mintue things organised literally at the last minute. Thank fully the wonderful women who lead the workshops are organised and ready to go.

PAPERCRAFT AND CARD MAKING

This month saw Amanda Davern, a Stampin' Up demonstrator run a cardmaking plus much more funshop. Amanda was very organised and had spent hours preparing the kits to ensure the 4 hours of folding, stamping, blending and tying were a breeze for everyone and we all left with gorgeous sets of notecards and tags embellished with sponged and blended colour, bunting, flowers, buttons and twine.

tags and a boxed set of notecards made with beautiful papers and card embellished with hand-coloured flowers

a small selection of tags used to stick onto the notecards. eceryones created something quite different using similar embellishments

with the right equipment we were able to master the techniques very quickly

one of our many Ta-Dah moments!! Sue even won a Stampin' Up stamp pack! Good on ya Sue

COZY EAR WARMER AND HEADBAND
The lovely the Melinda Duncan, my crafty right hand gal, had us re-purposing pre-loved t-shirts into cozy ear warmers. Surprisingly quick, surprisingly easy (even for the self-professed non-sewer Raelene!), these little numbers saw t-shirts and buttons being rummaged through to find just the right combination. With very little sewing to be done and all that in straight lines, a bit of cutting, some ruffled flowers, some button stitching and much trying on there were endless combinations created.

oh Raelene you are crack up!!

there was consultation about colour combinations

much satisfaction with completed projects (please notice Kylie sporting her crocheted doiley earrings from a quarterly crafternoon long ago)

this was a lesson in more is definately more!!

And if you drop into the op shop in Warby on a friday you may just see Melinda with warm ears under another handmade cozy- they are a bit addictive!!

BEADED EARRINGS

Christine Kay has a long association with beaded jewellery making. Her talent displayed beautifully in her colourful range of very fine beaded earrings that were on show.

these must have taken her hours!

Christine's helping hand was much appreciated by Julie

as you can see this is very fine work with the tiniest seed beads being threaded onto fine waxed cotton thread using a fine beading needle. everything is small, small, small!!

and we went from this..........................

to this, well done Julie! I hope to see them dangling off your ears sometime soon!

We are so lucky to have the support of the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Banks which without their sponsorship we not be able to provide such a range of crafts and therefore the wonderful leading crafters who are able host each workshop. And a big Thank you to the Yarra Ranges Council who provide the beautiful Mechanics Hall at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre free of charge for our venue each time.
I am so grateful that my vision for a free, inclusive crafting event is supported by this community. Thank you to everyone who comes and enjoys this space. You are all wonderful.

Now we have our annual International Crochet Day gathering to look forward too. More on that later. Now I'm off to enjoy the gorgeous winter sunshine that has grace our pressence today.
x Le x