The Happy Hookers ROCK!

The Happy Hookers did Margaret proud! This is our band of intrepid fund raisers who walked 10K to raise funds in the memory of our of our dear friend, Margaret. Fiona T thought  the whole experience had been brilliant fun, a good laugh but sore on the ankles! Jillian saw parts of Glasgow that she had never seen before!

Norma and Caroline entered into the fun of the occasion sporting new hair styles. Norma felt the event was inspiring! Caroline wants to sign up for next years event!

Lisa brought along her own mini supporter in the shape of Miss Isabella. It is therefore not surprising that Lisa thought the event was Awesome! 

Each member of the team of Happy Hookers were presented with a goody bag created by Elaine and Dawn. It included Happy Hooker crochet hooks made especially for the day, a small ball of yellow yarn, a flower made by Caroline and an inspirational poem to set them on their way.

Each team member was encouraged to crochet a square as they went along to illustrate the fact that they did indulge in crochet and nothing else!

Fee stole the show with her eye catching socks! Lyn was ecstatic that she completed the walk without stopping.

 Norma and Susan enjoying that sense of achievement!

Some of the yellow squares that will be made up into a lap quilt for the Beatson Raffle at Christmas.
On Tuesday night the total raised so far was £1095. Congratulations to all who participated or supported the event. Happy Hookers ROCK!

Linda created this lovely lap blanket using Ice Yarn. I could easily live with these muted shades.

Izzi had completed another quilt for Nepal.

Janice made 5 bags for the Beatson. Once that woman gets going, there is no stopping her!

Morag is really getting back into knitting after a long lay off. This week she used up some old yarn that had been sitting in the house for quite some time. What a fabulous make!

Sarah is new to crochet and was delighted to complete two garnny squares. This is a brilliant start on her crafting life.

Allison brought along some examples of TWIDDLE MUFFS for us to see and feel. These are intended for dementia sufferers but their was some debate about how calming they would be for children with autism. The muffs themselves should contain a variety if yarns with different textures and a collection of adornments. Both crochet and knitting patterns for these were available. If you have any old keys, big buttons, beads, ribbons etc feel free to bring them in and our highly trained team of sewers will add them to completed muffs.

I had a message from Annee in the Management Team to say that work on the building will begin September/October. No exact date has been given. We will go with the flow and will set up a temporary camp in M & S Cafe once we know what is happening.

Next meeting will be held in M & S cafe. Pass the word.

Happy crafting!

Craft Day, 25th April 2015

Lisa gave an inspiring talk about how she juggles her day job as a graphic designer in her own company, a mum of three and  mastermind of For the Love of Yarn. It all started with a bout of repetitive strain injury while crocheting....after a little investigation Lisa fell upon the idea of customizing crochet hooks so that they were more comfortable to hold. The hooks were a big success! Then Lisa became frustrated because she was unable to find colours of yarn that inspired her. Being Lisa, she decided to dye her own yarn! The yarn 

idea flew and many crafters wanted their custom colours. Now, Lisa runs yarn clubs that are themed. the boxes include, yarn, matching hook, a pattern, and a free gift.

This is a family business. Lisa designs the hook, the dyeing of yarn, making buttons etc. Husband winds the yarn into yarn cakes etc. Everyone assists with filling the boxes. 

One day, six year old Callum told his Mum that he wanted to make pennies for the sick people. Being a talented boy he began to custom a range of hooks for sale. Lisa is allowed to place them in the oven to set. Callum has his own Face Book page and has raised £2000 for his charity, so far. Four year old, Kayla May creates buttons for Callum's fundraising. Talent clearly runs in the family. I wonder how Miss Bella will shine when she gets older? Watch this space!!!!!

Isabel agreed to organising the catering. She found this amazing table cloth at Aldi and assembled a range of nibbles and drinks. Well done that girl! The gluten free stuff went down a treat.

Izzy completed some dresses for her charity that sends cotton dresses to Africa. Anyone found sitting about doing nothing was asked to sew on some buttons. The dresses will be well appreciated.

Anthea was spinning grey yarn with a silver thread for Magda. This is a big assignment and has to be completed before we go to Garmore.

Elaine is full of good ideas. This time she gave a demonstration on how to make some face scrub which was then scented with lavender or lemon and presented inside a cute jar. Well, that's Christmas sorted!

Alison was crocheting squares together to make a blanket.

Paula was working on these amazing granny squares. I can't wait to see the completed garment!

Donna was working on a sewing kit that was from a Kath Kidson book. She also brought in a quilt she has been working on for her niece.

Janice started the baby bag for her daughter-in-law. Look at the picture! The girl loves Spiderman!

Linda was knitting a baby blanket using Sirdar Squiggle super chunky.

Morag was working on a baby shawl using yarn from poundland.

Jillian was working on her first quilt. The design is taken from a book on Jelly Roll Quilts. I was really taken with the colours.

Caroline has been experimenting with crocheting flowers.

Isabel brought some fabric to be made into a table mat. This is one of her adventures in retirement!

Elaine was working on a knitted corner to corner shawl.

Lisa started a skirt for Kayla May.

Dawn was in the process of doing a blanket.

Patsy was being tutored by Izzy to create this fab quilt top.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and made the day a success.

Gartmore 17th and 18th May 2014

A big Thank You to Ginnie Willis who first suggested the idea of a crafting weekend, many years ago. This was our fifth visit to Gatmore Hosue and I'm delighted to say that this event is eagerly awaited by one and all. The great Scottish weather did its usual.......RAIN! But many of our group were too busy to notice or care. Elaine organised the event and we really appreciated the time and effort that she employed to make this event a success. Thanks, Elaine. We are already looking forward to 2015!

The crafting weekend is an opportunity to try out or experience new crafts that you had never considered before. Paula was kind enough to give us a taster of Origami Paper Folding. You may have seen Paula before Christmas working on her Christmas Wreath and wondered what she was doing. The completed Christmas decoration was spectacular.

Paula had kits ready for us all and she was very encouraging. As you can see in the pictures we had to really concentrate to complete the task. There were moments of anguish! However, the decorative balls were a vision to behold!

Yvonne brought a selection of hats and gave a master class on How To Wear a Hat! As you can see, Magda,  has found a new vocation in life! I wonder what style of hat she will wear to the next group meeting!

Elaine brought an emergency supply of cupcakes for us to decorate using a button mould from Lakeland and fondant icing. We are just like big kids playing with pretty colours and making buttons to personalise our cupcakes. There were more cupcakes but some of them evaporated! Elaine has very good toys!

Isabel demonstrated How To Make a Flower with some fondant icing. She saw this idea on the internet and dazzled us with her brilliance!

Magda completed her crocheted poncho during the weekend and was delighted to model this stunning garment. This could be a new fashion trend at the group. Quite a few people expressed an interest in attempting to make a poncho. Someone was willing to let Magda make one for her.......guess who!

The chat was great and we had many a laugh during our stay but everyone managed to continue with some personal crafting projects. Norma , was particularly industrious and managed to complete a very fetching hat with a pink bauble.

This child's poncho was also completed by Norma. The white edging and pompoms just finish the garment off beautifully.

 Just to prove that we were actually in the countryside, this was the view from my bedroom window on the Sunday morning.

Some brave souls participated in my Sashiko class. This was a bit more taxing and someone almost had a tantrum..... but isabel promised to finish her needle case at home. I wonder if she will rope in her husband to help her!

I was so busy watching Lyn demonstrating the Big Shot Die Cut machine that I forgot to take some photographs. Sorry, Lyn. Norma was captivated by the magic of the machine and instantly thought of many crafting projects that she could create with it. I can't wait to see some of her ideas put into practice.

Roberta caused a stir while she worked on assembling her Christmas Penguins. She plans to display them at the bottom of the Christmas tree.

Yvonne was busy with her sewing machine quilting this baby cot cover. She brought the panel back from New Zealand and always intending doing something with it. What a wonderful gift idea!

Roberta had made lots of granny squares and used her time at Gartmore to learn how to join the squares using a raised join. A beautiful baby gift.

Caroline completed this stunning rainbow baby blanket just before we left for home. She found this pattern on the internet and created this glorious blanket for a friend who is about to become a Granny. I just love this blanket! Wow!

I may have missed out incidents and laughs If you would like to join us next year start saving. Elaine is looking at possible dates for 2015. This is an event to be experienced. Pure indulgence. Crafting. Good company. Meals and no dishes to do. What more could you ask for?