Knit & Stitch

Along with pottery painting my other main hobby is knitting when I get the time. I would also really like to learn how to crochet so I can make beautiful things like this blanket as shown in a new craft magazine called Mollie Makes. It ia a brand new lifestyle and craft magazine so go and take a look at http://www.molliemakes.com/.

I have tried to learn new hobbies from books and DVDs but there is nothing like someone actually showing you how to do it in the flesh and thanks to Sue Pritchard this will be possible. She is running a Knit and Stitch Club. in Maidstone. They meet every second Saturday of the month for lunch, chat and knitting on the top floor of Café Nero (opposite the entrance to the Chequers Mall in Maidstone town centre) between 1pm and 3pm so come along for 2 hours or pop in for ½ an hour. Bring along knitting, crochet, sewing or any textile based craft that you enjoy and share with and be inspired by other passionate crafters.

Knit n Stitch will be meeting next on Saturday, 13th August, an informal, relaxed occasion for textile crafters of all ages and abilities. The following meeting will be Saturday 10th September.

I think this is a wonderful idea so please come along if you can.

I might be able to learn to crochet after all! I will keep you updated on progress!

Summer holidays

Finally the summer holidays are here and some lovely weather. Sorry not to post for a while but I have been catching up with all the things I put off until the end of term and that was quite a bit I can tell you! Our last pottery painting event until September was at The Plantation Pub in Bearsted and we had a lovely day, the weather was great and our customers had a very relaxing afternoon painting pottery in the pub garden. The Plantation are also running a kids club on Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer holidays where the kids can play board games and have fun for free. There is also a book sale this Wednesday 10th August and a Beach Party on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August.

When we came back after the event at the Plantation I took our puppy Daisy out for a walk. It was quite late and as I was walking along I noticed quite a large hedgehog in the grass. It was a fascinating creature and the first time I have ever seen one in the wild. They are so beautiful and we managed to get quite close (I didn't have my camera so this is a picture taken from the internet!)

This inspired my daughter and her friend to have a go at making some clay hedgehogs and here is my favourite one.

So cute! This will need to dry for a week and then be bisque fired in the kiln. After that we can paint it and glaze it and refire again to have the finished piece.

Carrying on with the hedgehog theme I noticed that Shorne Woods Country Park are holding a Prickles in the Park day where you can meet some real life hedgehogs, learn about what they eat and where they live, and make your own hedgehog to take home. Details are as follows:

Prickles in the Park

Shorne Woods Country Park, Brewers Rd, Shorne, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 3HX
Date: Tue 16th Aug 11
Website: www.kent.gov.uk/kentcountryparks

This event is suitable for children under 12 years old.
Children must be accompanied by an adult (one adult per child)
Bring along suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
Booking required on 08458 247 600.

Time Two sessions: 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
Price £5 per child

Sadly, we are going to miss it as we are off to France tomorrow. I would have loved to have gone and met another real life hedgehog. Maybe next year. If anyone does go please comment and let me know if you had a good time!