Vintage D.I.Y. Craft Night... and Vintage Frolicks!!!

To coincide with the new production of "Girlfriends" a WW2 play we'll be hosting a 1940's inspired craft night!
Join us on Thursday the 9th of June at Ye Olde Rose & Crown for vintage fun and crafty frolics...

‘Make Do and Mend’
EAST LONDON CRAFT GUERRILLA will be offering a retro fascinator workshop* and there will be limited edition vintage inspired craft packs to buy and make on the night. Enjoy the company of fellow creative comrades!
*Please pre-book the fascinator workshop by emailing: munano@yahoo.com,
or for further details visit www.craftguerrilla.com

‘Beauty is your Duty’
CLAIRE HAIR will be there to transform you into a '40s starlet, with a Victory Roll or two. Have your eyes and lips made up to complement your new 'do' and complete the vintage look.
Limited spaces available so first come, first served!
Find ‘ClAIRE HAIR’ on Facebook

‘Go Through Your Wardrobe’
FRILLSEEKERS VINTAGE, Walthamstow’s specialists in wearable vintage clothing, will be tempting you ladies with a fresh collection of individually sourced day and evening wear from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.
www.frillseekersvintage.com

The Rose & Crown Theater pub presents:
Set in England during WW2, Girlfriends explores the lives of two best friends and celebrates the members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as they struggle to survive and fight to win.
Girlfriends :: 7th June – 1st July :: more info at www.allstarproductions.co.uk

Aurevoir Craft Month...

This Friday the 27th of May we'll be at Creative Biscuit in South Woodford to bid a fond good bye to our gorgeous hosts and collaborators. Without them we wouldn't had been able to host this month's CRAFTAVAGANZA!
Craft Guerrilla would also like to say THANK YOU to all the lovely tutors that shared their skills helping and teaching people make beautiful things in their workshops. We've had great feed back from bothg tutors and punters...Aw, you talented people are just too darn good!!!
So if you're feeling the LURVE just as much as we are get your pretty little self onto the Central Line and join us from 6pm for our Crafternoon party.
Tim's been baking (and I've seen his millionaire shortbread...ladies you will be wanting to snatch this man away from Karen and keep him in your kitchens!), Karen's making cocktails and we've been creating a few new craft packs for you to purchase and make!

Where?
Creative Biscuit
61 George Lane
South Woodfored, London E18 1JJ
T:020 8532 2824

When?
Friday 27th of May
6 pm to 9.30 pm

Entry?
£5.00 on the door includes tea and cake or cocktail and cake,
small charge per craft pack.

Getting there:
Central Line
W12 From Walthamstow

Forest Arts & Crafts...

Our good friends over in Chingford are planning a very busy summer! The Forest Art & Crafts group have quite a busy diary so no excuses...you really must pop in to see just what they are up to!

"A Summer of Art Exhibitions on Chingford Green
June 4, July 2, August 6,
September 3....
Between 10am and 4pm on North Chingford Green outside the Library

As well as fantastic artists we are hoping to have some of our makers and crafters along as well this Summer..........
For further information please go to www.forestartandcraftse4.blogspot.com"

I knit Guernsey Competition!

Guernsey knitting competition to revive tradition of family patterns

Visit Guernsey has joined together with knitting shop and community group I Knit London to launch the 2011 "iKnit_Guernsey competition". The winner will receive an idyllic break for two to Guernsey courtesy of Fly Guernsey, with £50 iKnit London vouchers available for four runners up. The winning pattern will also be published in a leading UK knitting magazine.

The contest seeks to revive the tradition for families on the island having their own, unique pattern for the iconic maritime sweater. Patterns that re-interpret this tradition should be submitted via pdf upload on the VisitGuernsey facebook page by July 4, 2011.

Gillian Lenfestey, costume curator for the National Trust Guernsey Folk & Costume Museum advised on the project: “The traditional guernsey has evolved from one of Europe’s oldest knitted garments, out of a community knitting tradition on the island that pre-dates the Middle Ages.

“Originally, each Guernsey family had is own distinctive pattern variation which would also indicate which parish they were from. The designs were passed down through the generations orally," Gillian explains.

During the German occupation of the Second World War the community on Guernsey suffered huge upheaval, and even once the younger generation of evacuees returned, many local traditions - such as the local Guernsey-French patois language and the family knitting patterns - were affected: "The guernsey pattern was saved and written down by the Federation of Guernsey Women’s institutes in 1945,” explains Gillian.

According to guernsey manufacturer Guernsey Woollens, patterns on the traditional guernsey, which developed as practical work wear for sailors, are significant: The rib at the top of the sleeve represents a sailing ship’s rope ladder in the rigging, the raised seam across the shoulder a rope, and the garter stitch panel; waves breaking upon the beach.

Those entering the competition are encouraged to creatively re-interpret the original garment, imagining how the family patterns might have looked, or would look today if the tradition had continued and evolved. However, to maintain the guernsey tradition they should attempt to incorporate the following features:
• Inclusion of the traditional box shape
• Using British [or Guernsey!] wool with four or five ply
• Pattern designs for size 10-12

The competition first prize is only available to knitters and designers able to travel from UK daily departure points to Guernsey, however anyone inspired by the idea is welcome to take part on a non-competitive basis.

Gerard Allt owner of I Knit London said:
“The fact that these jumpers went on to influence traditional “Gansy” designs all round the UK coastline is fascinating. We also loved the fact that the guernsey comes from a culture of community based knitting, which is the very thing that we are nurturing with our iknit links local knitting groups initiative.”


Competition guidelines:

The competition will be judged in two rounds. Round one will comprise a paper pattern design and accompanying notes via pdf file upload. Those taking part will need to enter via the VisitGuernsey Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/VisitGuernsey. The deadline for first round entry is July 4, 2011.

Five finalists will then be selected to knit their designs by a panel of experts including Gerard Allt of I Knit London, historian Gillian Lenfestey, Arthur Eldridge co-owner of Guernsey Wollens, and Guernsey knitter, craft teacher and iMake blogger Martine Ellis.

The final garments will be judged during UK national knitting week and announced on October 10, 2011.

What makes a guernsey a guernsey?
• Guernseys are made of single colour worsted yarn, usually four or five ply, tightly knit using fine needles [as small as size 13 or 14].
• The guernsey was originally knitted in the round, with a purl stitch to mark the side seam.
• Patterns are made up of simple knit/ purl combinations, the most elaborate of which would have covered the top half of the body and arms. Patterns on Tudor knitted stockings produced in Guernsey had names such as Turk’s Head, and Peacock’s Tail, which may have also been used on jumper designs.
• Jumpers have a boxy shape which means that they can be worn both ways; front and back (originally to prolong life-span).
• Other common features include a funnel neck, triangular inserts under the arms and at the neck edge, and side splits in the hem for ease of movement.

Crafting it the vintage way!

As you know we love making,crafting,creating,wearing and salvaging vintage clothing,vintage style,snazzy hair do's and doing lots of general girlie things! OK but not sickly, pink hued, flowery infused type of girlie things...Not that there's anything wrong with that but it's just not us!
And lets not be sexist neither,all the above are not exclusively for girls we welcome blokes with a dapper sense of style and appreciation for good old fashioned crafty fun plus we love guys who can use their hands! (now,now ladies!)
And so we thought:"Hum, JUNE, lots of summer weddings coming up, festivals, pic nics, parties...What can we do to mark the beginning of the warm,sunny season and the launch of the play "girlfriend" at the rose & crown theater pub (our lovely host venue)?"
Alas the idea of doing a 1940's VINTAGE INSPIRED D.I.Y. CRAFT NIGHT was born!
We'll have a selection of very lovely guests Frill Seekers Vintage and Claire Hair to help us host this event plus you'll be able to make a lovely vintage inspired fascinator in our mini workshop. Keep those peepers pealed as we'll be announcing details very soon.

Serra Vista Studios...

Calling all hep cats, dolly rockers and all good old rocking rollers...If you're wanting to record your album in the gorgeous sunshine then really you need to visit Lyn and Boz at the Serra Vista Studios up in the Monchique mountains in the Algarve.
Nestled up in the hills this fab music studio has played host to the likes of Murdering Tripping Blues, Richard Dutton and other talented musicians!
For further info take a peep at the Serra Vista Studios blog.

May is Craft Month!!!

As we get closer to the end of month we look forward to the lovely,shiny and very creative new month that is MAY!
After the very rowcus and festivias shinnanigans of April we think that this is positively the best wedding/Bank Holiday(s) hangover cure...

Printing card and fabric work shop
5th of May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
To kick it all off we have a fab workshop featuring the splendidly talented Sarah Butler.
A 2 hour introduction to relief printmaking, learn to make your own unique stamp to be printed on card and fabrics. A skill you can continue at home!
Number of places available: 12
Cost: £15 [includes all tools and materials and you can make two stamps, two cards and some fabric prints to take home with you] Pre-booking advisable.

Felted Flowers work shop
13th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Ever fancied trying your hand at needle felting? I can honestly say, needle on heart, that it is so very addictive! Here's your chance to get started with a fab workshop by Gai. Make your own needle felted Flower Brooch/Pin in this fun and creative workshop. She's an amazing needle felting artist and she'll have you hooked in no time. Because May is Craft Month Craft Guerrilla have teamed up with our lovely friends at Creative Biscuit and so get on down and make something!
Learn easy one step free form needle felting. No applique moulds used to create your very own original piece of wearable art.
If you have never tried needle felting this is a good workshop to get started. Your kit will contain everything you need, foam pad to work on, instructions, wool, needles etc.
Number of places available: 12
Cost: £15 [includes all tools and materials and two cards to take home with you]
Pre booking advised.

Make your own owl work shop
19th May 7.30pm-9.30pm
We're very pleased to announce that Zeena Shah is hosting a very special and very cute workshop for craft month! I absolutely love her textile designs and here's your chance to make a gorgeous little owl to take home with you!
Print your owl, stitch & stuff and hey presto you now have your very own little plushie!
Number of places available: 10
Cost: £18 [includes all tools and materials and a very cute hand sewn owl to take home with you]

Jewellery Making/Wire Wrap work shop
26th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
This is the last Craft Month work shop but it's a good one.
Learn a new skill or brush up on your technique at this fun and
very useful workshop with Jeweller extraordinaire Ellen Jones!
Students will learn the basic technique of wire-wrapping for jewellery making as well as an introduction to the tools and their usage.
The wire and components used will be either silver-plated or gunmetal, and there will be a variety of crystals, pearls etc. freely available to create your own personal piece of jewellery. By learning the wire-wrapping technique, students will be able to make charm drops and continuous chains.
All abilities welcome!
Number of places available: 10
Cost: £28 [includes all tools and materials and at least one piece of jewellery to take home with you]

East London Craft Guerrilla Crafternoon!
27th May 6pm - 9.30pm
Come celebrate the end of Craft Month with a fabulous "Craftea Party". As we bid a fond farewell to our lovely hosts Creative Biscuit we definitely leave with a full heart and so we'd like you to come and share the LOVE!
We'll be offering a selection of quirky and cool Craft Guerrilla signature craft packs which can all be done quickly and easily. Or you can take them home to do in your own time. In house tutors will be on hand should you need some help or some crafty tips.
It's what it says in the title: Craft,Tea and Party with a cocktail thrown in into the mix! There's a great selection of tea, coffee and delicious cake.
Cost: £5 - includes tea and cake
Small charge per craft pack.

The Venue:
Creative Biscuit
61 George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1JJ

Please contact and book your place on the workshop with Creative Biscuit directly on: 020 8532 2824