Recycled clothes

Yesterday was the first recycled clothing workshop, and it was fab! We had out 4 sewing machines, loads of clothes, scissors thread etc and everyone just piled in and really got into it! It was so lovely to see the workshop full of happy industrious people. The second one is next sunday- all welcome- yesterday raised £41, so thank you everyone, what a brilliant day!!

sheep

Oh dear, it's been ages since I wrote the blog! I went to my friends small holding the other day, she has just opened a farm shop there, I got some lovely tomato plants and a hanging basket which has pride of place in the back garden, and detracts nicely from the 1 million bikes currently living on the patio! Anyway, Anita has pregnant sheep ready to lamb at any moment, then, at shearing time, their beautiful fleeces will be mine! They are so gorgeous, I can't wait for a day spent in the garden with a big bath tub and the fleeces washing nicely, with the sun on me and the smell of the countryside in the air! (actually I am the only one who likes the smell- the kids think it is disgusting, but what do they know?!) I am on the look out for a drum carder to prepare them too- the ones on ebay are prohibitively expensive, I am hoping Joab might make one- he does have these flashes of brilliance occaisionally.
Don't forget Ravelry day, coming up soon. I am having a stall for drop spindles, knitted stuff and also a new secret thing we're making- will be reveiled nearer the time (although probably only knitting nerds will find it as exciting as me!!) Speak soon x

WOOHOO!!!

Well, guess who is on the front page of the Coventry Observer this week?!!! They came and did a story about our up coming recycled clothing workshops which are beginning in May, and I just heard it is front page news!! I haven't seen the article yet, but am assured it is fab! I've added a page to the website, so now need all the bookings to come rolling in!

Easter

Happy Easter! We have started our easter activities now- had a busy day on Saturday decorating eggs, the workshop was full of sweets and chocolate!
The kids and I have just come back from a lovely walk in the woods to collect feathers and sticks for magic wands on Wednesday (Fairy and Wizard day). Tamsin insisted on collecting absolutely every tiny little feather she saw so I'll have to have a sort out when she's gone to bed! It does help things when the weather is nice- as soon as the sun comes out there are loads more visitors to the canal basin, fingers crossed for a nice week! The Observer photographer, Jamie, came down to do a picture for this week or next for a story about the recycled clothes workshops- I must set some dates for those to start-I am thinking a Sunday afternoon. Anyway, I better get these kiddies in their PJs and away from the easter eggs.

Herbert Art Gallery Fair's Fair

We had a table at the Fair's Fair today. Had a good day, the new part of the gallery is gorgeous. I love selling at craft fairs- it is good for the ol' self esteem having lots of people admiring your work and handing over their money for it. I was with a lovely group of girls, so had a good laugh, which was a welcome relief from the recent headaches and worry of the last week- no one should say starting a business is easy!! Anyway, have a piccy of the day. Speak soon.

projects update

Joab has been working hard to help get the projects moving along a bit. We are now going to be at the Festival of Cycling in Coventry in June- will post details as I find them out! We have several bikes with really cool stories attatched to them so will have these with us. Also we have launched another new project about recycling clothes- we are running several workshops at YouPunkeroo with fashion designers and dressmakers to help people revive old, tired clothing. We will be donating all the profits from this to Manal Timraz and her appeal for Gaza- this is not a religious or political appeal- it is humanitarian so we are behind this 100%. No rest for the wicked (or ambitious!). My gorgeous friend Jenni is now on the case for finding funding for Recycled Cycles so we can the first round of trainees started, hopefully in the next few weeks.
As a little aside, the Punkeroos are back from their world tour with a camera full of photos- here's a little sample!Joab will make an album soon. I think they want to go again, now they've got the taste for travel!

Too Busy?

I am just shattered at the moment. The Art market was great on Sunday, but was really exhausting, then tonight I started a new craft group out in a tiny village near Rugby- they'd asked me to help get them started on some different easy crafts, so I took my peg loom, some jewellery, spinning and knitting. They were a lovely group, but I've got back and can barely keep my eyes open. I haven't done any of my chores yet- I may just have to send the kids into school in wrinkly shirts, or get up earlier tomorrow and iron them! I'm looking forward to Thursday's group, just sitting, and knitting and chatting!