Join us for a Super Duper Charity event!

March 4th is Aplastic Anaemia Awareness Day, let’s raise lots of money for the only UK charity dedicated to this very rare disease. I’m fundraising in memory of my amazing mum, Lynne Sweeney. (1938-2011)

See you there!

Claire Cross

We're so proud to be hosting a swish for our lovely friend Claire at her awesome event!

Join us on Sunday the 4th of March from 12pm to 4pm at The Trades Hall in Walthamstow.

Here's the address: 

61-63 Tower Hamlets Road, E17 4RQ Walthamstow, United Kingdom

Claire is organising a charity event in aid of the Apalstic Anaemia Trust and we're so happy to be able to give her a hand!

But the swish is only one part of it...

There will also be loads more happening like stalls selling hand made goods, second hand items, vegan food -including chocolates!- a kids craft table, a pop up hair salon run by Claire Hair (no need to book), DJ's spinning tunes (yes we expect some dancing!), a raffle, and lots more including a cheap bar!!! 

So mark it in your diary and come along to help us raise lots of cashola for this amazing charity and help us raise a glass as well to all the wonderful people & their families who's lives have been affected by aplastic anaemia.

Entry is free to this family friendly event, all welcome!

"Swish", how it works:

This swish will run from 12pm to 3pm. 

We'll be taking clothing and apparel between 12pm and 2pm.

It costs £5 to participate. Though there is no minimum amount of items there is a maximum of 6 items allowed per swish entry.

If you would like to bring more than 6 items you can though an additional £5 will be charged and you can bring up to another 6 items! FYI, you can bring as much as you like ;)

You will be given a ticket which corresponds to the type of item you have brought in to swap (ie shoes, high st clothing, vintage etc.) Please keep this ticket as you will need to show it at the end of the swish.

Just make your way to the Swish area and hand in your items to the Swish Mistress. You'll then receive a swish card with your tickets.
We'll be accepting items between 12 and 2 pm.

At 2 pm we'll open the newly filled "wardrobe" area. You'll then have an hour to browse and try anything that catches your eye!

 

And finally at 3 pm you will be able to swap your ticket for a similar type item when the swish begins!

*Please note that all items must be in a clean and wearable condition. Please wash, mend and press anything before bringing it along. 
We will not accept certain items: No fur or pelt!
At the end of the swish we ask that participants help us by taking back any of their items that weren't swapped.

Fashion, fund raising and recycling …we LOVE it!

Charity Crafternoon! Saturday 14th of May.... be there or be a granny square!

We've teamed up wit the legendary knitwear designer Debbie Bliss and event queen extraordinaire Sliz Gillard to host an amazing charity event in aid of the Refugee Community Kitchen!
This army of volunteer chefs have taken it into their own hands to feed up to 2000 people a day in the Northern French camps! Serving food from an old battered food van these amazing men and women have stepped up where our governments have failed!
Not content with serving gruel this troop has taken it on them selves to serve good, nutritious tasty food for their fellow men (and women!) to show that food is more then just sustenance but also about breaking down barriers and showing love and respect for others.

Keep your diary free and come on down to Walthamstow Village , Saturday 14th of May from 1 - 5 PM.
£4 entry which includes free yarn and knitting needles. 

We were so moved by this project and the people behind it... hearing stories from one chef in particular, Chris Gillard, who was there volunteering made us want to do something more then just be sad or worried about it... yeah, you know what it's like... so many horror stories that it's hard not to get world crisis fatigue and just curl up in a ball so we've decide that enough was enough and that action was needed so we came together to organise something which we hope you'd also like to be a part of.

You can book your tickets here or donate whatever you can via this Evenbrite© link:


If you can't make it on the day...
Use the hash tag #Knit4RCK to join in on twitter! If you'd also like to organise your own Charity Crafternoon on the 14th get in touch as we'd love to link up and make it global!!!
But if you'd like to contribute on an individual level then don't worry either...
More info will be available soon for any of you that would like to knit squares for our blankets.
We're asking knitters (or crocheters) for 10cm X 10cm squares which you can then send in for our volunteers to sew up into blankets to then be taken to the camps in Europe or where ever they are needed!





So on the 14th of May join us for an all signing all making Crafternoon!
But it's not all about the knit... even though we'll be working on blanket squares to make much needed bedding we'll also have a Tea and Cake Bar, a fully licensed bar, a crafty tombola (win hand made prizes!), live music  from the Stowicks and even a beat box workshop From Tim "Wireless" Coles for the kiddos!

It's all about being thankful, coming together and bringing awareness to one of our lifetime's greatest humanitarian crises and feeling like we're actually doing something  proactive like raising funds to help the amazing super human people who are on the ground making life a little bit easier for others who've already been through so much.

And don't forget even if you're not in London don't worry as we'll be live on periscope (look for Craft Guerrilla)... so please do join us at the #Knit4RCK Charity Crafternoon event and lets make for change!!!

P.S.
We'd love to hear from any designer makers who'd like to donate a prize for the tombola too so... email us for further details please.

X
Debbie Daniel & Debbie Bliss

Knit an Ice Cream for Bag Books!

We all love knitting, charity projects and ice cream so this is the perfect project which encompasses all of the above and more as it's also a quick make!
We're asking people to make these beauties for multi sensory stories for use by a charity called Bag Books. To find out more about them please visit their website: www.bagbooks.org

I absolutely love using craft in a therapeutic way and how it can provide comfort, joy and happiness not only to the recepients but also to the people making them.
I really hope this is something you might enjoy making and heck... I'm even going to sit down and try to conquer my fear of knitting patterns...though I may have to ask someone to wipe my brow hold my hand while I learn to decipher the code!

Plus as it's not real ice cream that means ZERO calories so no worrying about the hips but it will in fact provide a warm fussy feeling and that goes straight to the heart!

©ilikelemons

You can find the pattern via:

i-like-lemons.blogspot.co.uk

Please send your makes to: Bag Books 1 Stewart's Court, 218-220 Stewart's Road, London SW8 4UB

Knit some Christmas cheer...

The good people of the Waltham Forest Adopt team have come up with a very crafty bit of campaigning... "Close Knit Family" is part of the very clever campaign to bring awareness to adoption.
So if you can knit and fancy doing your bit then get making! We love this project and we'll be clacking our needles to make a few too... though I think we definitely need a pet dog and a cat to finish off the family!

"As part of  the campaign we are asking people to get involved and raise awareness of the importance of adoption by knitting dolls that we will distribute to local children."

To make the dolls please follow the guide pattern:

Please have your dolls ready by Friday December the 13th and hand in or post to:

FREEPOST RRGL-ZXTL-GZXZ
Close Knit Family
Waltham Forest Strategy and Communications
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF

For further info, to down load the pattern and/or if you're interested in adoption then please visit the Borough Of Waltham Forest web site...

 

And the winners are...

Drum roll please...
and  the winners are...
3rd place: Mary Mcdermott
2nd place: Katie Moss
and 1st place winner...Sevren Halsey!

Lets not just single out these gorgeous people though lady luck definitely pointed her finger at them but lets also look at the other winners...
we think the kittens (and a few dogs and bunnies) have also lucked out too! Thank you to all our friends who donated a shed load of beautiful hand made goodies for the TOMBOLA prizes and also to all the lovely people who helped spread the word and purchased tickets. You are all awesome!!!
We didn't manage to raise a small fortunate but all in all £90 goes a long way especially when the charity in question depends so much on donations like this one. So it's with a happy, warm and slightly furry heart that we donate all proceeds raised by our little competition to the Celia Hammond Animal Trust.
If you'd like to donate to the charity please visit their website and contact them directly.
Again, thank you all so much!!!

Tombola for a good cause!

As previously mentioned we are raising funds for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust!
Due to the major influx of abandoned animals this London Charity is having a difficult time looking after everyone and so we though we'd do something about it. In the grand scheme of things it's a very small gesture but we like to be actively helpful and if we can help raise a few pounds plus raise awerness then that's a step in the right direction!

So are you feeling lucky?
All you need to do is purchase a £1. TOMBOLA ticket which you can do by clicking on the pay pal button on the top right hand side of this blog page.

On offer we have 3 prize packages which consist of a selection of hand made goodies donated by a few of our designer maker friends. Below are a few snaps of the beautiful bounty you could win...plus more to be added as they arrive!

Check out the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes...

Fascinator by La Dame au berét, Fedulab bag,paw pin and Cat phone case, knitted digestive cushion by Sarah Kerry, cat pin by Bel's world, cuff by Predominately print, pretty cat by Girl industries and hunny bunny by munano.

Sleep set by Sannapanda, Cat phone case and I love my cat & paw pin by Fedulab, illustrated bear pin by Bel's Art world, Tote by Vicky's world and a few haberdashery bits and a kit from us!

Panda tote by Sannapanda, Fascinator kit by Miss Millinery, pin by Bel's world, I love my cat brooch by Fedulab, haberdashery bits and two craft kits from us!

Designer makers include:
FEDuLAB
Predominately Print
La Dame au berét
münano
Sarah Kerry
Sannapanda
Bel's Art World
Girl Industries
Miss Millinery
Vicky's World
Katie's Bead Boutique
Just Can't Help it 
MunkiMake
and more tba


Tell all your friends and help a really good charity which does a fantastic service to many animals in need! We need to raise as much as we can!!!
Also if you can give a home to a gorgeous kit kat then maybe you can think about adopting one from the C.H.A.T.
There are quite a few lovely little chaps and chapettes awaiting a new home.

The prize draw will take place on the 31st of March!
For further info on this charity and their work please visit.... Celia Hammond Animal Trust.

Please note that the Celia Hammond Trust are no way involved in this fundraiser...we, Craft Guerrilla, are running it to present a donation to them after the draw.

Lets use the power of craft and help make the world a better place!
 
P.S. They also need cat toys for their guests so if you can use your crafty genius maybe you could make a few fabric mice?
Please send these or any cat toys, cat beds, pet food...or any other donation to the Celia Hammond Trust directly. Their address and details are available on their website. Thank you!

Calling all animal loving designer makers!

We love Celia Hammond and that's not just because she is a fashion icon of the 1960's!
Celia has been a staunch animal activist since her early days when she was a super model. Horrified by the seal cull in Canada she vowed to never wear fur again and so her campaign work began.
We love kind people and we think that we can all make a difference hence why we are talking about Celia and her organisation.

She's an inspiration and after reading posts on the Celia Hammond Animal Trust Face Book page we were moved by stories of how they are dealing with huge numbers of abandoned animals in their London centres.
Since Christmas there has been a massive influx and they are having trouble dealing with all the new residents. Mainly these pets have been felines and some dogs too but mainly cats.
For what ever reason people have for giving up their pets it's not up to us to judge we are just happy to be able to put an idea forward to help this amazing charity!
AND so we've come up with the idea of doing an online TOMBOLA. Each ticket will cost £1 and all funds will go to the trust. We will have a first, second and third prize and every single item will be hand made because that's our other LOVE.
So if you fancy donating a hand made item then please get in touch. We'll add your link to the Tombola post as a thank you and if you can please add a link back to the TOMBOLA post that would be dandy too because we want to raise as much money as possible!!!

However if you are not able to donate an actual item to the tombola then maybe you can use your craft work. The Trust has requested toys for their animals like simple catnip mice.
A simple and soft catnip mouse for playful but shy cats might just be what they require to help them get back into tip top shape. Play is fun and we think these little kitties need some too!
Here's an easy pattern and when you're finished please send to the main centre in East London. Address details and other info available here.... Celia Hammond Animal Trust.
BUT if you can help even further then they are also looking for foster homes so get in touch with the trust if you are able and willing to take a little ball of fur into your home while he or she awaits a new loving family!
Also there's a handy list of items you can buy which is delivered directly to the trust via Amazon...

Deadline for receipt of donated items: Saturday the 9th of February. Please email us for our postal address via email craftguerrilla@yahoo.com

The Celia Hammond fund raiser Tombola will then be receiving donations by way of ticket sales from the 11th of February until the prize draw which will be on the 31st of March!

Please note that the Celia Hammond Trust are no way involved in this fundraiser...we, Craft Guerrilla, are running it to present a donation to them after the draw.

Lets use the power of craft and help make the world a better place!

Knitting for a good cause...

*Click on image for full knitting instructions

KNITTING FOR WARMING WINTER NIGHTS
Innocent drinks and Age Concern Fight the Freeze this winter

While it is the summer now, much chillier winter weather is only a few months away. Age Concern Waltham Forest is looking for volunteer knitters to create little hats that will help raise vital funds for to help local older people fight the freeze this winter.

Mini hats for innocent drinks’ bottles will be knitted by local older people and each one sold will raise 25p for Age Concern.

The hats will keep the bottles warm in chilly refrigerated cabinets and will remind people of the difficulties older people face when the temperature drops. More than 30,000 older people in England and Wales died of cold-related illnesses last winter. Some cannot afford to heat their homes as they are living on a low, fixed income.

Age Concern Waltham Forest need help to knit 8000 little hats – why not have a go? You might find one of your little hats on a bottle of Innocent Smoothies in your local Sainsbury store!

Attached is a copy of the simple pattern, should you wish to take part.

All completed hats should be received by 1st October 2010, please send them to Emma Tozer:
Peterhouse Centre
122 Forest Rise
Upper Walthamstow
London E17 3PW

T 020 8558 5512
F 020 8558 0383
E infor@ageconcernwf.org.uk

www.ageconcernwf.org.uk

Walthamstow Toy Library Craft Market...

We get contacted a lot to help advertise and to find designer makers for several charity events.
This one has been going for quite a while now and we think it's pretty good! So if you fancy selling your hand made wares please read on.
This event is independently run for a charitable cause and not by us so if you need more info please ask the organizer Liz Mason.

Here's the info:

Charity: Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre
Venue Address: Comely Bank Community Clinic , Ravenswood Rd, London E17 9LY
Date: Sunday 16th May 2010
Stall rate: £20
Time: 11am-2pm

"We aim for our advertising/programme to include stall holders and sponsors details and stall holders are welcome to hand out their own advertising material.

Please pass on my details to your members who are welcome to contact me with questions."
For more info contact: lizzy@elitels.com

Crafty Creatures are back!

On the 6th June the Crafty Creatures return, with a second Crafternoon extravaganza at St George the Martyr, Borough High Street (opposite Borough Tube!). The first Crafternoon was held at Easter, and was such a massive success that the ladies have expanded to a bigger, better venue with more room for crafty fun.


"This time the theme is ‘DIY accessories’ and we’re trying our hands at magnificent monster brooches, pretty pom-poms, and recycled plastic purses. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, our crafty ladies will help you whip up some saucy cross-stitch or (for the younger crafter) finger puppet critters, while plying you with the finest array of hot drinks and home-made cakes. All you need to bring is an old t-shirt and an appetite for crafting and cupcakes."


Fabulous raffle prizes will also be on offer and live bands will strum acoustic music for your listening pleasure. With a venue that is opposite Borough tube station and a stones throw from London Bridge, a fun afternoon of craft and cake couldn’t be more convenient.


The Crafty Creatures fundraise for the charity FairPensions, who campaign for your pension to be invested responsibly and ethically. All profits will go to them – so while you’re stitching your brooch you can be happy in the knowledge you’re helping to make the world a better place. So come on down to Borough and let out your inner crafty creature!


for more info visit: www.thecraftycreatures.blogspot.com

Charity Crafternoon " Fair Pensions" aid!

Here's another great Craft event by our crafty mates...Crafty Creatures!

CRAFTY CREATURES PRESENTS AN AFTERNOON OF CRAFT, MUSIC AND CAKES
ENTRY: £5
ADDRESS: ST PANCRAS CHURCH HALL 1 LANCING STREET CAMDEN
DATE: SATURDAY 18TH APRIL
TIME: 2PM – 5PM
WEB ADDRESS: http://thecraftycreatures.blogspot.com / http://www.fairpensions.org.uk/

On the 18th April Crafty Creatures launches its very first "crafternoon" extravaganza at the St Pancras Church Hall.
This is your chance to create your very own T Shirt Dog, pig out on the finest range of homemade cakes, drink tea until you turn into a tea bag and listen to some very fine music. What more could you want? Roller skating hostesses... ok then.

Crafty Creatures is the clever guise of the charity FairPensions (full notes on charity below) and the all profits will go directly to them.  This event also aims to raise the profile of FairPensions, who campaign for the money you invest in your pension to be invested responsibly and ethically. Keeping in line with the ethical ethos of FairPensions we will be encouraging attendees to bring their oldest, most loved but well worn T shirt - which they don’t mind cutting up and transforming into a stuffed dog - to this event.  Whilst your creative juices are flowing our lovely hostesses will be at your beck and call serving up homemade cakes and a wide selection of hot drinks. If you love winning prizes (and let’s face it who doesn’t?) then our raffle will tickle your fancy.  Take pleasure in knowing that you are helping to save the planet whilst creating your very own piece of dog shaped art. 

This is a fun filled day that will leave your heart and mind feeling satisfied and your stomach filled to the brim. Come along to St Pancras Church Hall and let out your inner crafty creature.

For any media enquiries please contact – ccrowther84@googlemail.com
For enquiries on Fair Pensions please contact – Ben.watson@fairpensions.org.uk


FairPensions is supported by some of the UK’s leading charities (including ActionAid, Oxfam and WWF), the largest trade unions in the country (CWU, GMB, Unite and UNISON) as well as thousands of individuals.  FairPensions is the operating name of Fairshare Educational Foundation, which is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 05013662) and a registered charity (number 1117244).

Swap shop...

If only she had gone to a cloths swap!

Bored of your old wardrobe ladies? Had enough of crocheted hand me downs? Fancy swapping your old clothes for new? Bring along any unwanted apparel and get your lovely mitts on someone else's clobber!

Join us at 'the horse' pub* for drinks, cakes and a new frock or two.
Cover charge five pounds per person. Invite your friends. Especially any that have clothing you covet...I'm sure with a little bit of gentle persuasion that you can get them to part with THAT dress you've been secretly admiring!

All proceeds go towards helping fund development work in Africa: fair trade fashion and construction projects (See website for more details www.aaco.org.uk).
Please bring at least one item of clothing. Accessories and shoes welcome. (Must be clean and in good condition)

*the horse pub 122-124 Westmister Bridge Road.
Lambeth North tube station
Saturday 21st March
3-6pm

Is there a better way to spend a Saturday night? Drinks, cakes and fashion!Hooray,my idea of heaven.
Hope to see you there!