Perfect Patchwork !!

I would love to you some amazing patchwork blankets I had the good fortune of seeing at an exhibition I went to a few weeks ago in Sale, Manchester. On display were the most amazing blankets, wall hangings, cushions that were machine and hand sewn. It got me inspired and wanting to get on with my patchwork.

 They are amazing aren't they !!

Anyway, moving on, I have started going to patchwork group myself, with lovely ladies that I have met through my craft group. We started with a small project, hexagons to make a pin cushion .

 The finished pin cushion, just a button to be added to the centre.

 Michelle's millions of hexagons to make her blanket. 
(and also Happy Birthday to Michelle this week as its a very special birthday x)

Here are Tilly and Marion who join us every week to sew (Tilly doesn't do much)!!
Tilly even got hold of my pin cushion as I dropped it on the floor and ran like hell out of the dog flap into the garden, it was like a comedy scene off the TV trying to get it back.

I have now purchased some lovely fabrics to make a circle cushion with diamond shapes. I will let you know how it goes.

Sarah and I are looking forward to our first workshop together this weekend, a small group of ladies are joining us for our Beginners Crochet course we are really looking forward to it. It is so much fun to learn a new craft alongside other like minded people and Sarah and I love sharing our skills too. We will post some pictures of their day soon.

Sarah has also signed up for a weekend upholstery course at the Ministry of upholstery http://www.ministryofupholstery.co.uk/  we can't wait to see her finished project and will definitely share some pictures with you

Whatever needle crafts you are doing, enjoy and have a good weekend 
love 
Helen and Sarah xx

Learn to crochet Workshop

Join Helen and Sarah on a   

Learn To Crochet Course
       

A simple zig zag stitch

working in the round

When?

Saturday 5th March 2016

Where?

Holy Angels Church Hall, Salford 
(we can provide a map but its only 5 minutes away from Hope/Salford hospital )

What time?

10am to 4pm

How much?

£35.00 per person

       Come along and learn a new skill, it can be addictive !!

You will learn all the basic stitches from chain, double crochet to trebles and half trebles. We will make sure you are confident enough to start your first project.

Your Tutors will be Helen Ardley and Sarah Daly 

All materials will be provided but a 4mm hook is required. A light lunch and refreshments throughout the day are provided.

To book a place or for any further information please contact Helen on 07885728425 
or email 
hankandskein@gmail.com 
h.ardley@ sky .com

places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Love is in the air

Well, we could not let Valentines day go past without a mention and a few knitted or crocheted ideas to go with it, we start with the lovely crocheted heart coaster from the fabulous red heart site just click on the link for the fabulous pattern, what could be nicer to put your champagne or brown ale glass on! http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/valentine-heart-coaster

Even my lunchtime slimfast shake looks
good next to these two

One Made but it looks so lonely

Looking even better with the crystal &
Prosecco 

As crafters there is nothing that shows your love more than a handmade gift and in this very commercial world it is sometimes nice to give a gift made by you for that someone special, even if it is just a coaster to decorate your table setting it always appreciated because you have taken the effort to make it yourself.

If you are more of a knitter then Red Heart have a fabulous cushion pattern by Michele Wilcox on ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-pillows-2  if these aren't your thing then head over to Ravelry where you will find lots of fabulous heart patterns in every shape and size to knit.

A fabulous heart cushion pattern by Michele Wilcox on Ravelry
See Link above.

Why do we use the heart on Valentines?

A heart (red or pink) with an arrow piercing through it is the most common shape depicted for a Valentines. The heart is a symbol both of love and also vulnerability.When you send someone a Valentine, you take a risk of being rejected and your feelings hurt. So a piercing arrow is a symbol of death and the vulnerability of love.

So have a very Happy Valentines day and we hope your tokens are accepted and your hearts do not get pierced! Also if you would rather not get caught up in the whole Valentine thing then have a fabulous weekend too!!

January Bits and Bobs !!

January is a dull and cold month for me, I never seem to have any energy, but as soon as I see daffodils in the shops I have to buy them. They were my mums favourite flowers so they always make me feel better. I have been knitting for a few magazines this month and this one is coming soon. I love knitting cables and texture, I never get bored with it.

If you don't already know I run the kids arts and crafts in our local community building in Victoria park. Last year I painted a tree for all the kids to make leaves and flowers on throughout the seasons. This year Lucy at Attic 24 with her patchwork heart flowers have inspired me to create a wall at the community building, using knitted, crocheted and even paper flowers. It will be Victoria Parks community wall of flowers and hopefully have it looking something like this.

                                                         Attic 24 flowers

The patchwork hearts flowers

I have painted the wall in preparation for the flowers

I was sad to paint over the tree from last year

.

This week I have also been busy knitting with King Cole Raffia. At first it was strange to knit with but the results were beautiful. I can see myself knitting a bag for summer in this.

And lastly, myself and Sarah's crochet scarves went all the way to Scotland. A friend bought one for his wife for Xmas to keep her warm up north, so here is Liz modelling our beautiful scarf.

Until next time Ta ta !! Helen & Sarah xx

Happy New Year!! (At last we hear you cry!)

I know it is half way through January already... how did that happen?....but Helen and I would like to wish you a heart felt 'Happy New Year for 2016'

I have been thinking about this blog post over the last week or so, in the same way that I have also been thinking about getting back into my Gym Routine! Well I hit the gym this morning and now remember why I enjoy going so much, it fills me with energy and make me feel better and I think I can say the same for our blog too! Being faced with the empty screen sometimes feels daunting, but not today I have lots to chat about......so let's get on with it.

My Christmas & New Year reading so far, well my 'Real Books'

My hubby has suggested a holiday in March to get away from the cold British weather. My first thoughts were what knitting/crochet I will take and then which books? I don't know about you but I love to read on holiday and can usually read 3/4 books in a week, now I do love the feel of a book in my hands but I have come to love my kindle too because it means I can pack shoes and all the books I want as well. Now being a crafter I don't really like the commercial faux leather covers which protect many kindles I prefer to feel some yarn around my precious device.....

My original kindle cover made for a holiday getaway

And what could be nicer than cotton when you are in a hot country, it feels lovely and looks even better. When I make these I add wadding into the cavity between the knitted outer and the cotton inner lining which protects your device whilst in your beach bag handbag or suitcase. They are completely machine washable so those sun cream hands or ice-cream drips are not the end of the world! In fact if you rinse the cover when you get home from the beach it is ready for use the next day.

We sell a kit which includes cotton to line wadding to protect
and the yarn and pattern to make up the kindle cover.

If you love the pictures then why not invest in a kit to make your own at a cost of  £8.00 this includes the yarn, wadding inner cotton lining and pattern (a bargain). Just message us on Facebook or email us at hankandskein@gmail.com for more details and colours available.
Look out on instagram (Click on the link on the left) Hank_Skein for pictures of what we are creating and on FB for other updates.

Take a look on FB and Instagram this week to find out where my selfie was taken and why I was in Arctic conditions on a Saturday morning in January just to look at a train going by.

Braving the cold

These ducks have my respect
in that freezing water

This is was it was all about!!
Where am I??

Until next time thanks for taking the time to read our blog and please keep in touch!!

Sarah & Helen xx