Crafty Creatures

Crafternoon is TOMORROW

2010-09-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

We're getting very excited about Crafternoon tomorrow. We hope you are! Remember if you are in the East London area tomorrow to pop in and say hello. We will be crafting away from 12pm in Hanbury Hall (right next to brick lane and the Duke of Uke).

Bunting

2010-08-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Crafternoon is creeping quickly up on us and in preparation for the big day (Saturday 11th September in case you had forgotten!) the Crafty Creatures thought it would be a good idea to make their own bunting - results are in the photo above.

Bunting is incredibly easy to make and looks pretty! The most time consuming part of making it is cutting out all the triangles. To make our bunting we brought 2 metres of different flowered fabric. It doesn't matter, really, what sort of fabric you use but we used a cotton mix mainly because it was cheap and the one we selected had a nice flower print on it. We also brought some dark blue cotton binding and some pinking shears. We would advise spending quite a bit on the pinking shears as they will be sharper and easier to use. The pair we used was rubbish and as a result some of the triangle weren't cut out very well. Hopefully no one will notice though.

Once all our triangles were cut out, we sensibly got out the sewing machine and started attaching the triangles to our dark blue binding. To hid the unfinished edge of the triangles you must fold the binding whilst you sew. You could pin the triangles on to the binding first if you wanted and then iron the binding so you sharp edge to it...we were lazy and failed to do this. Remember to leave a nice gap between each triangle. We left 19cms between each triangle. Once all the triangles are attached you have finished and can hang the bunting where ever takes your fancy. We even had enough triangles left to make another 10 metres of bunting!

CAKE BRITAIN

2010-08-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

Art! And Cakes!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2010/aug/27/cake-britain-mad-artists-tea-party#/?picture=366178685&index=0

This wonderful slideshow is of the 'Cake Britain' exhibition, which runs from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 August 2010, 10am - 6pm at the Future Gallery, 5 Great Newport Street, London WC2.

We can't guarantee the cakes will be quite as intricately designed at Crafternoon. But they'll probably taste better!

Drink, Shop & Do

2010-08-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Drink, Shop & Do is brand new and very fun cafe bar that has recently opened on the Caledonian Rd, Kings Cross. One Crafty Creature went there for lunch today and they serve a fine array of tea, cakes and snacks. You can also buy the chair you're sitting on if you fancy it! The owners of DSD have great things planned so keep an eye on their website for information on forthcming events.

Fiona Bevan

2010-08-10T04:30:00.001-07:00

While you're crafting away and sipping your Rosie Lee at our next Crafternoon (11th Spetember), we'll have live music from the fabulous Fiona Bevan, who has been compared to artists as seemingly diverse as Joni Mitchell, Erykah Badu and Mark Bolan! You can have a listen here: http://www.fionabevan.co.uk/

The Roving Bazaar

2010-08-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

We know this is a little late in the day to be telling readers about the The Roving Bazaar as their event in Peckham is today. However if you are at a loose end you may want to pop to the Sassoon Gallery on Blenheim Grove, Peckham, for a day of crafty goodness. They are also hosting a vintage, bric-a-brac sale and spinning some quality tunes to get you in the mood for a night of dancing (if you have such plans made).

For more info visit: www.thesassoongallery.co.uk

Crafternoon

2010-07-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

The festival season may be drawing to a close, but fear not, the Crafty Creatures are here to help combat those end-of-the-summer blues with another round of imaginative eco-friendly monster-making and cross-stitching, fuelled by a mouth-watering selection of tempting treats and a never-ending supply of tea.

The Crafty Creatures love recycling and we encourage you to bring along a much loved t-shirt, to cut up and transform into your very own cloth creature! Whether you end up producing a material manifestation of your alter-ego, or perhaps a handy voodoo doll of your boss, whilst your creative juices are flowing our lovely hosts and hostesses will be at your beck and call to guide you in your crafting as well as serve up a selection of homemade cakes and hot drinks.

The Crafty Creatures fundraise for the Spitalfields Crypt Trust, a small but vital local charity that offers a range of high-quality support, rehabilitation and training services to people facing problems of homelessness, addiction or social isolation. ALL PROFITS will go to them – so while you’re crafting away you can be happy in the knowledge that you’re helping a very worthy cause.

So come along to the lovely Hanbury Hall, conveniently located just off Brick Lane and 5 minutes from Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street, for a fun afternoon of crafts, cakes and feel-good activity. Go on – let your inner Crafty Creature roar!

Date: Saturday 11 September 2010
Time: 12 - 5.30pm
Entry: £5
Hanbury Hall
22 Hanbury St
E1 6QR
Nearest Tube: Aldgate East / Liverpool St / Shoreditch High Street (London Overground)

We are back

2010-07-15T03:14:00.000-07:00

Crafty Creatures has been a way for some time now and we apologise for being rubbish. We are returning though in September. In the next couple of days there will be a blog post giving out all the details so watch this space.

Crazy Cakes

2010-01-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Are you the kind of person who likes to play about with cupcakes? Looking for inspiration when it comes to decorating your cakes? Then look no further! This crafty creature stumbled upon a very cool website that's more a game but is great fun to look at. Crazy...Creative... feels like a collective blog that make games out of jazzing up cupcakes. Why not check out their current game to see what I mean: http://www.steelheadstudio.com/100cupcakes/

Do it yourself and save

2010-01-13T03:15:00.001-08:00

In this weekend's Guardian and The Observer they are giving away a guide to getting crafty and practical. To us this sounds brilliant and a great way to kick off the new year.

Part one: Home and Garden shows you how to tackle jobs around the house from little things like fixing that broken tile (the one that's been looking at you sadly for months), to daunting tasks like mending a broken washing machine. But don't worry there are fun and creative tips too, including how to upholster a chair and grow a window box.

Part two: Grooming and Gadgets helps you rescue your wardrobe by turning pink clothes white, sew on a missing button, fix and clean precious jewellery or even trim your own fringe (and have fun doing it). What's more you could also save yourself a tidy sum in the process.

For more info click here.

Cute Pups

2009-12-18T09:38:00.000-08:00

Today seems to be the day of focusing on books! Another great book to look for is Cute Pups, which, created by Chie Hayano, gives you instructions to make a very cute puppies and some accessories for them. In the front of the book each pup has a home and its own name that make them even more irresistible. For the crafty dog lovers out there this is the prefect present.

Russian Diary

2009-12-18T06:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome in the New Year with a new diary. In the ICA bookshop they are selling some cracking diaries including this gem - the Russian Diary.

This diary is produced by Redstones who have pulled together a load of children's cartoons from Vladimir Mayakovsky, El Lissitzky, Nikolai Smirnov, Osip Mandelstam and many others. Through the 20s and 30s, in the early Soviet Union, there flowered briefly a golden age of children’s books. Great artists and writers, often prohibited from other work, created a benign and fabulous alternative world. It was a world made for children, where learning went hand-in-hand with enchantment.

Oh so pretty

2009-12-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

The Crafty Creatures love pretty things and there really isn't anything as luxurious as looking pretty in nightwear. Trailing through the internet looking for Christmas presents I stumbled upon these beautiful Kimono style dressing gowns from Caro. They come in a variety of designs and colours. My favourite is this one below!

Frock me

2009-12-13T10:55:00.000-08:00

On a chilling Sunday afternoon one Crafty Creature was stumbling down the Kings Road on an voyage to find vintage. Every other month the Chelsea town hall gets taken over by Frock Me who put on a vintage fashion fair. For four glorious pounds you get to enter what can only be described as shopping heaven bar the fact you have to pay for things. Scattered around the town hall are numerous stands selling clothes and accessories from different eras. The prices seem to vary a great deal too. One stand I visited had beautiful dresses that were relatively reasonably priced but other stands had items that cost hundreds. Its worth taking cash though as you can buy some really good quality things at Frock Me.

Also, rather excitingly, there is a old school tea room at the back of the town hall. I managed to resist the cute cupcakes and devilish good looking chocolate cake (its was very hard) but had a lovely cup of tea from a pot and was served by a very friendly chap. On the way in to the tea room I spotted this rather fetching shrug. However I don't think I could ever wear anything with a head and its possibly a bit much for work so I didn't buy it.

Hummingbird Bakery

2009-12-10T04:07:00.001-08:00

Crafty Creatures are very excited by the opening of a new Hummingbird Bakery in Soho, which opens today. Now we can eat all those lovely, yummy cupcakes without having to trek to West London. How convenient of them. Also, if you haven't got their cook book then we heavily suggest you purchase it or ask Santa to bring it to you as a little treat.

For more info on Hummingbird Bakery visit their site: www.hummingbirdbakery.com

Bust Magazine's Christmas Craftacular

2009-12-09T09:52:00.001-08:00

Christmas appears to be the time of year in which everyone goes craft crazy. Every weekend there appears to be another craft event, not that we are complaining. We are in our element.

Bust magazine, the independently owned craft magazine that has been running for over 13 years, is hosting its Christmas craftacular this Saturday at York Hall in trendy East London. This is a craft event not to miss as York Hall is transformed into Santa's grotto as over 60 vendor's sell their hand made wares.

Even more excitingly there is going to be a Tatty Devine Christmas-Tree Tombola; tea and cake at the Lady Luck Rules OK Pop-Up Christmas Party; knitting and sttching in the DIY Den with Fabrications' recycled rosette workshop; knitting know-how with Prick Your Finger and Knit & Destory's giant knit-along Christmas decoration.

The Crafty Creatures will be there as the clock strikes 12pm (we want our free goody bag) spending lots of money, eating lots of cake and being, generally, very merry.

For more info check out the Bust magazine site: http://www.bust.com/craftacular/About-London.html

Photos from our Christmas Craft Extravaganza!

2009-12-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

Crafternoon may seem like an age away now but relive the wonderful day by checking out the photos. We, hopefully, will have more coming soon.

Craft Guerrilla "Christmas Craft Market"

2009-12-03T08:50:00.001-08:00

The lovely people at Craft Guerrilla are hosting their own Christmas Craft market this weekend.

Here is the info from them about it:

It seems to be quite fitting that we are hosting our Christmas Market in the home of the father of the Arts & Crafts movement! Situated on Forest Road the gallery is home to some stunning art work and we're very happy to be able to set up our event amongst the works of these great artists,craftsman,philosopher, socialite and all round super star!

Come spend the day browsing through contemporary craft in these beautiful surroundings. Find extraordinary one off designer gifts, view one of the richest collections of Art & Craft in the country, try your luck at the the Tombola and buy something you won't find on the High Street!

Also to be confirmed: Local Choir to perform a few seasonal tunes to get you in the festive spirit.

From 11 am to 4pm. Free entry.

Whilst the cat's away...

2009-12-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

If you can't wait for the next crafternoon (we forgive you) then you can get a craft fix at next Tuesday's Make and Do Craft Mash Up at the Hoop and Grapes Pub in Farringdon from 7pm.

Make and Do host workshops across London in cafes and bars. This is a great opportunity to make Christmas presents, to learn something new or to brush up on forgotten skills.

For more information visit their meet up page: http://www.meetup.com/Make-and-Do/

Entry costs £5 and includes refreshments. yum.

Thank you for coming

2009-11-30T14:15:00.001-08:00

Just a quick post to say a big thank you to all those lovely people who came to our Christmas extravaganza on Saturday. We raised £688.80 from all your cake eating and crafting. Well done you.

Keep an eye on our blog for pictures.

Crafternoon is tomorrow!

2009-11-27T03:35:00.000-08:00

We're excited. Are you?

After, what feels like, a long wait crafternoon is finally upon us. Starting at 1pm tomorrow (Saturday, in case you read this another day) at St Olave's Chruch Hall we will be preparing you for Christmas by creating our very own grotto. Even Santa is coming along.

Upon arrival you will have the choice of making your own advent calendar, creating your own Christmas baubles, designing wrapping paper and crafting a Christmas cross stitch. Also, on hand to teach you to knit and supply you with Christmas knitting patterns are our friend Purl Stitch. Experience knitters are also welcome!

All this crafty mayhem will be sound tracked by the lovely RDA who, as well as performing their own material, will be knocking out a Christmas number.

As Marie Antoinette said: Let them eat cake! And, yes, we plan to eat lots of it.

Crafternoon finishes at 5pm so come early to make the most of the day. The area will, also, be sign posted so you can't possibly get lost.

See you all tomorrow!
Crafty Creatures x

Easy mince pies

2009-11-26T12:19:00.000-08:00

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Yay, Christmas is coming and that means its time to stuff our faces with yummy mince pies. To do this you don't have to always pop to the shops and buy pre-packaged mince pies. You can easily make your own and we are going to guide you through it.

The first step is to buy ready made puff pastry and ready made filling. So may say this is cheating but others, the sensible people, say that you can buy very tasty fillings now so why not. Plus is you buy a jar you can have many, many more mince pies and who really wants to fart about making pastry?!

Once you have your puff pastry, defrost, let it sit for a while (time for a cup of tea and don't forget to preheat the oven at 200C!) and then roll out so that its a couple of millimetres thick. When you're ready take a biscuit cutter and cut out and many rounds as possibly, re-rolling the pastry cut offs. Lay out a baking tray with a grease proof paper, place half the rounds on the tray, fill with the mince meat filling and brush with a milk and egg mixture, which will stick the bottom of the pie to the top. Once you have done this brush the top, make a couple of holes in the lid and sprinkle with sugar so that when they are cooked they have a crunchy top.

Cook the mince pies for 25 minutes (this will vary due to the thickness of your pies so you might as well have another cup of tea or read a magazine). Then you done and eat mince pies until you feel a little ill.

Vintage Vogue patterns

2009-11-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

After seeing in Vogue a feature on DIY fashion and how certain editors had recreate their favourite design one crafty creature was inspired to try and create her own vintage inspired garment.

Available in most haberdasheries the vintage Vogue patterns are incredibly cool and come in a variety of different levels of expertise. You can, also, shop for them online: www.voguepatterns.com.

This crafty creature is attempting to make this pattern. Fingers crossed it goes ok and looks better then the woman modelling it! Will keep you posted.

King of Cakes

2009-11-24T06:20:00.000-08:00

Finding gems in unusual places is always great especially when you love cakes. Kings Cross has never been a mecca of great cafes or interesting shops but with all the regeneration planned for the area things seem to be improving.

On my lunch break today this Crafty Creature went to a really rather lovely cafe called Simmons on the Caledonian Road. It sells a variety of sandwiches, biscuits, snacks, cakes and drinks but the best thing has to be their cupcakes. Also, when you order tea it comes in a pot with beautiful vintage cup. It made for a very dignified lunch.

Jingle Balls

2009-11-22T10:23:00.000-08:00

With Crafternoon a week away, (yes a week away now...actually, I lie, 6 days away) us Crafty Creatures decided to make some Christmassy baubles like the ones you can make at crafternoon. They are pretty simple and quick to make and look fantastic.

The first thing to do is to get a polystyrene ball (available from ebay) and wrap it up in wool, material or paint it so that the base is a nice texture and colour. See us the lovely ladies below doing this.
Once they are completely covered we then stuck colourful pins into them, beads and attached ribbon to form a bow which can use to hang them to a tree...a voila:

You could always turn then into an accessory if you fancy. Crafty Julia took this to a completely new level to show how versatile they can be

Monster Mash

2009-11-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is our own monster after doing the Make Your Own Monster kit. Say hello to snappy.

Crafternoon Christmas Flyer!

2009-11-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

Hurrah - a new batch of Crafternoon flyers have arrived! We'll be dropping these into the grimiest pubs and the loveliest craft shops all round London (well, mostly South London where the Crafty Creatures live).

Send your friends the link to this blog so they can see how much fun we're going to have!

The event is taking place in St Olave's Church Hall, which is near to Fenchurch St (Rail), Tower Hill (Tube) and Monument (tube) You can see a Google Map here:
http://tinyurl.com/ybzom9n
...and there is a more exact map on the flyer below.

Come along and try your hand at an advent calendar that will last a lifetime (and you can put chocolates in), homemade baubles, hand-printed wrapping paper and present tags and Christmas cross-stitch!

Remember to bring £5 for entry, pocket money for cakes and mulled wine and a spare t-shirt (or other fabric you have lying around). We'd love to see you there!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing...

Make your own monster

2009-11-19T02:55:00.000-08:00

At crafty creatures HQ we love crafts, as you would have guessed. Sometimes, though, we don't always have the time to create things from scratch. If you have a problem finding time for crafting too then look no further then Donna Wilson's make your own monster kits. They're scarily good.

One crafty creature purchased one from Magma in Covent Garden for £15. We believe they are available from other shops too.

The kit comes with everything you need to create a small, unusual monster. There are a number of different shapes but they all come with a pre-sown body shape, stuffing, cut out shapes and a step by step instruction guide.

Donna Wilson, also, makes a load of other really cool things. You can find them all on her website: www.donnawilson.com

The Independent

2009-11-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

The Independent have kindly feature us in their christmas gift guide. This is mega exciting!

Ideas for the weekend...

2009-11-12T02:30:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for something to do over the weekend look no further as we suggest some fab things for you to do.

Tart...
No, we are not calling you a tart but if you like tarts (the sweet kind that you eat) then this might be the event for you. This afternoon enables you to let out your inner lady, a don your most prettiest dress and stuff your face with cakes in the quaint setting of east London's boutique hotel, 40 Winks.

Starting at 2pm on Saturday 14th November, this event will set you back £60, which may seem like a lot but you do get lots of treats included for that amount.

Oxfam Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Who isn't a fan of Alice in Wonderland? Or the idea of dressing up like some bizarre extra from the film? Oxfam brings, for your pleasure, to Circle Bar, Clapham, a nocturnal mad hatter's tea party to remember. With live music from Othay and Wilderness and Jonny Clark powering the wheels of steel expect a night of beautiful hats, Cheshire cats and tea martinis! Sounds great to us.

Tickets must be brought in advance through: http://madhatterteapartylondon.eventbrite.com/

Grind A Go-Go
The 1960s return to Bethnal Green this Saturday as the working man's club is turned into a den of go-go dancers making moves to the sultry delights of girl group vocals, Mersey beats and psychedelic sounds.

For more info visit their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/grindagogo

Potty for Teapots

2009-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Interestingly radio 4 have a new series on teapots, which starts this afternoon. Now this may seems like a very dull prospect but the series is narrated by Spitting Image's Roger Law so should be a light hearted and funny listen.

For more info visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00npf9t

Knitting...

2009-11-09T07:26:00.001-08:00

Hello all,

At our christmas crafternoon on Saturday 28th November we will have a special team headed up by our friend Martin on hand to teach people how to make knitted christmas treats.

Looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of weeks.
Crafty Creatures x

Work Bake Off

2009-11-01T13:32:00.001-08:00

One little Crafty Creature made her work do a charity bake off and here is some of the results.

Crafternoon - 28th November

2009-10-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

Crafty Creature’s Christmas Extravaganza

ENTRY: £5

ADDRESS: St Olave’s Church Hall

TIME: 1 – 5pm

http://www.fairpensions.org.uk/

On the 28^th November the Crafty Creatures return with an all day Christmas craftathon at St Olave’s church hall, East London.

With Christmas in the air and the mulled wine bubbling on the stove we will be turning our hand to making material advent calendars that can be used for many festive seasons to come. There will be the opportunity to whip up your own Christmas decorations and wrapping paper so that when it comes to turning your home into a Christmas grotto you are fully prepared. Our saucy cross stitch team will also be providing jolly designs to get crafty with.

Whilst you get stuck into Yuletide crafting Santa’s little helpers will serve up a selection of cakes (including mince pies), savouries and drinks, and our house band will treat you to your favourite Christmassy carols. All you need to bring is a hungry belly, a well loved t shirt – that you don’t mind cutting up and recycling – and a generous dollop of Christmas cheer.

We have an extra special guest at this crafternoon to make the festive proceedings official. Santa will be dropping by (minus his reindeers) to grant Christmas wishes and hand out presents to those who have been well behaved this year. With a venue that is situated close to Liverpool Street and Tower 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 advent calendar you can be happy in the knowledge you’re helping to make the world a better place. So come on down to crafternoon and let out your inner crafty creature!

Advent Calendar

2009-10-28T03:20:00.000-07:00

With crafternoon approaching we thought we'd turn our hand to making an advent calendar, which is the main craft for the forthcoming crafternoon on the 28th November. As you can see our is not the most christmassy but, hey, we're open to all kinds of interpretations on the advent calendar.

On the day we will be handing out most of the necessary components for anyone to be able to make a advent calendar. It would be great if anyone has any christmassy fabric, be that t- shirts or PJs, at home that they want to get rid of they could bring it along.

More info about crafternoon is coming soon. See you on the 28th November.

Next Crafternoon

2009-10-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

A date has been confirmed for the next Crafternoon and it is going to be on....drum roll...Saturday 28th November at St Olave's Church Hall, Hart St, EC3R 7NB.

More info to follow shortly.

Alternative Village Fete

2009-09-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

So the weekend is rapidly approaching and I am sure you are looking for things to do. If you are not thinking of going to Hunga Munga and if the day is prefect for strolling along The Thames you might want to pop along to the Alternative Village Fete, which is happening outside the National Theatre over the weekend.

For more info visit their website here:
http://www.homeliveart.com/current-projects/11-the-alternative-village-fete

Hunga Munga Festival

2009-09-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

After, what feels like, a long time off for the summer Crafty Creature are back in business and returning with the next crafternoon in November. Be sure to keep checking our blog and fan page for updates.

If you are hungry for craft this weekend then you should go to this weekend extravaganza put on by Hunga Munga:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=231294595229&ref=mf

Here is whats planned:
The Gallery Cafe and St Margarets House are extremely excited to be hosting one half of this years Hunga Munga Festival.
acts so far confirmed are:

Saturday 26th September
an arty garden party, art bazaar and live music til midnight
at The Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green
with
Tallulah Rendall
The Bobby McGees
Tabloid
Lail Arad
Tristram
Thee Intolerable Kidd
Emil and the Dogtooth
Lulu and the Lampshades
Jess Bryant
Jim'll's Brain
Mariam
Lora Linhazes-Marx
Aliyah Keshani

Sunday 27th September
an indoor festival with arts and crafts, bands, gameshows,
burlesque, dancing and comedy
at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club

with
Alessi's Ark
Gabby Young and Other Animals
Dark Captain Light Captain
Yearner Babies
David Cronenberg's Wife
Off Ground Touch
Caroline Doyle
Antony Elvin
Local Girl Saves Planet
Olly The Octopus
Gabriel Kain and the Ables
and more tbc

comedy line-up for Sunday to be confirmed...

Tickets are now on sale from Moondog Loves you...
http://moondoglovesyou.ning.com/page/the-hungamunga-festival-2009

Kniting in Camberwell

2009-06-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Some of you maybe aware that an arts festival is happening in Camberwell this weekend. Yes? Good. If not then a number of venues around Camberwell are taking part in a open house style event and showcasing the cultural diversity of the area.

Crafty Creatures just stumblde upon this treat that may interest our South East London crew. At the Sun and Doves on Coldhabour lane there will be a massive stitch and bitch and knit fest on 25th June!

For more detail visit the camberwell arts festival website:
http://www.camberwellarts.org.uk/

Craft corner

2009-06-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

For all of you that miss crafternoon check out the Guardian's craft page. Its filled to the brim of handy hints and tints. Everything from making your own beads to guerrilla knitting.

here is a link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/craft

Photos from Saturday

2009-06-10T15:00:00.001-07:00

Time Out

2009-06-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

The kind people at Time Out have listed our event, which is great but they got the address wrong. boo. Please note that St George the Marytr is in Borough - across the road from the tube station - and NOT in Holborn.

Closer got it right though! we love them.

Pom poms!

2009-05-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

We've been practising our pom pom making - check it out! Accessorise your shoes, hairbands, earrings...

Inspiration

2009-05-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

If you're getting as excited as we are about the saucy cross-stitch at the next Crafternoon, then have a little look at these for some inspiration. They're probably a bit complicated for one afternoon's work, but some are very saucy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5980448

Our new favourite DJ, Kidda, even cross-stitched the artwork for his album cover:
http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/5261031/-/EnlargedImage.html
I have no idea what the music's like, but I love him already.

Crafternoon returns on Saturday 6th June from 12 to 5.30pm, at St George the Martyr, Borough High Street (opposite Borough Tube). See you saucy minxes there!

Skinny Lister

2009-05-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased to say that Skinny Lister are playing for us at Crafternoon!
Check them out here:
www.myspace.com/skinnylister

Crafty Creatures return, with an afternoon of accessory making, live music and cake!

2009-05-13T03:08:00.000-07:00

On the 6^th 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!

About the charity we're supporting...

FairPensions campaigns for UK pension funds and fund managers to adopt responsible investment practices; calling for them to engage with multinational corporations on issues including human rights abuses, climate change and access to medicines in the developing world.

http://www.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).

Monkeying around with the Craft Guerillas

2009-05-07T03:24:00.000-07:00

Its has come to our craftention (can we milk this pun anymore...yes!) that the amazing guys and girls at Craft Guerilla are hosting a Crafternoon on the 9th May at the Old Queens Head.

For more info visit: http://www.craftguerrilla.com/page5.htm

It looks super awesome.

Pictures of Crafternoon

2009-04-24T05:22:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone,

Photos of Crafternoon! Enjoy, and hope to see you at the next one!

Love,

The Crafty Creatures

Thanks for coming!

2009-04-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

Hello to all you Crafty Creatures out there,

Thanks for joining us on Saturday afternoon - we hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did! There will be photos of the Crafternoon winging their way towards this blog (and Facebook) over the next few days so make sure you stay tuned - also listen out for news of our next event which we will definately be organising over the next couple of months.

See you (and your sock monkeys/t-shirt dogs) very soon! xxx

Spaghetti Anywhere

2009-03-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

Spaghetti Anywhere have been added to our wonderful crafternoon and will provide the musical backdrop whilst we munch on cakes!

Check them out on Myspace: www.myspace.com/spaghettianywhere

Shake it, Bake it, Cake it

2009-03-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Crafty Creatures hostesses will be baking a mountain of cakes before the big day! If you are lucky these cakes may feature at our crafternoon...if we don't eat them all.

Creating Crafty Creatures

2009-03-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

So, in preparation of the big day we thought it would be best to test out the instructions for making a 'cloth creatures'. The pictures show how we got on throughout the day.

Crafty Creatures Presents... CRAFTERNOON!!

2009-03-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

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 cloth creature, pig out on the finest range of home made cakes, drink tea until you turn into a tea bag and listen to some very fine music.

Crafty Creatures is the clever guise of the charity FairPensions and all the 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 cloth creature - to this event. Whilst your creative juices are flowing our lovely hostesses will be at your beck and call serving up home made cakes and a wide selection of hot drinks. If you love winning prizes (and lets 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 animal shaped art.

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

ENTRY: £5
ADDRESS: ST PANCRAS CHURCH HALL 1 LANCING STREET CAMDEN NW1 1NA
TIME: 1PM – 5PM

Keep checking the blog to follow the progress of the Crafty Creatures as we attempt to bake the world's finest cakes and try our hands at a selection of arts and crafts all in preparation for this VERY special day!!!