Pondering Pots.

KNS has been like the calm before the storm of late. Beautiful peaceful pottery sessions by the wonderful Andy has bought some real sunshine into our Monday eves, and injected new soul into our small collective. Feedback from these sessions has been really good, many have asked if we will do it again, after enjoying the experience immensely. Maybe its the pagan in me but theres something spiritual about this pottery lark...

 

I also really love that Andy included us in his Pottery Socials Promo vid. Which is here, and lovely.

Pottery Socials 2013 from Andrew on Vimeo.

Andys back tonight, and I cant wait to see some finished bits, and some more creative glazing going on. Looking forward to tonight KNS fans.

Big Love and Keep Stitching
Sue xx

A little lift.

Here we are in October, preparing for all of winters snugly warm delights. KNS this week was no exception, all that knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and beautiful makes for Christmas in the footing. It was lovely to see even with the onset of dark nights the light that shines within the group is strong, along with its membership which just continues to grow and amaze us. This week we even had a curious visitor from Liverpool who decided to stop in on his way home from London after seeing us in cross stitch crazy mag. Its was lovely to meet you Frances and we loved seeing your cross stitch.  Monday will be even better with the arrival of  the awesome community minded Andrew MacDermott to do pottery with us, eat cake, and hopefully have some quite large laughs.
So where to start, how about, our beautiful brand of inclusion. Knitting is just one of the brilliant skills our numbers share, and the Juniors are currently knitting mad. Not sure who's work is on the table so many many apologies, but look in the background, junior and adult members deep in discussion, Kath with her scarf on needles in hand. LOVE this.

Christmas, yes that dreaded time is fast approaching. And as per, our Sandra is getting all over excited. Stockings and bunting tell a tale of huge talent...

Now Bunting. It appeared to be all the rage this week. Kath here displays some lovely work I do believe from Eleanor. 

There's no denying that bunting is a great way to give your house that much needed lift.... so we began to wonder.... is it possible it could lift other things as well....? ERM...



I think its a great look. So onto October and pottery greatness. Seeya Monday KNS fans.

Big Love and Keep Stitching

Sue x

Happy 2nd Birthday KNS! SANDS fundraising with a BANG

17th September 2013

Happy 2nd Birthday Knit, Natter & Stitch! I feel so proud writing this blog after such a fantastic evening celebrating and fundraising with you all. 2 years ago KNS was born from a small group of stitchers meeting at my home and now just look at you all. We really have come a long way together, meeting new friends, enjoying exciting opportunities and working together as a successful and fun community group (tissues at the ready).

Last year we celebrated our birthday with a hugely successful Craft Day event, gaining many new members and enjoying a whole day of wonderful company and stitching, whilst raising money for our local Church. This year Sue Myhill, Eleanor Cooper, Judi Gale and many others have truly surpassed this with a superb fundraiser for SANDS. Last nights Fundraising event was Awesome - well done ladies and thank you to everyone who came along, knitted, and supported the event. We are all so proud of you!

So how did we mark this truly momentous occasion? I hear you ask....
Well you can't have a KNS without Cake, cake and lots of cake, in the form of a bake sale. Last nights cakes were outstanding, Kerry's amazing raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake with beautiful baby chocolate detail on top was admired by the Sands MK team, and all our members.

Terri made a huge chocolate and cream layered delight, which was auctioned off at the end of the evening. Pauline's wonderful birthday cake above went down a treat (pic above), Judi made some pretty packaged loaves and macaroons, all wrapped beautifully, I can't mention all of the cakes but there was lots of gorgeousness on that table to devour.

Brian White, our City Mayor attended to kick off the celebrations, opening the event with a few words of thanks to all those who supported the event. He was very impressed with our community group, walking around to talk to members about their projects and how they have got involved. Brian took an interest in the group and what we get up to, even making a suggestion for next years charity fundraising.

Pauline brought along her spinning wheel and there was yet more Sands blankets being knitted during the evening.

We welcomed Jane Radice and Megan Baird from SANDS MK, who spoke about the work of Sands in Milton Keynes and how they became involved in the Charity. Jane told us about the impact the knitted items have, how they are used and the work they do supporting families through their bereavement.

Local Band, The Disciples of Gonzo http://disciplesofgonzo.com/ provided some musical entertainment for the evening, with Sands close to their hearts following a family bereavement last year. One track they played was particularly emotional for many of us touching on the loss experienced when one loses a child. The music was an enjoyed highlight to the evening, perhaps something we might like to do again.

Our Junior member numbers increase again with the welcome addition of Grace, here she is with her first bit of knitting. Grace and Mum Caroline had such a good time their coming back next week!

Autumn is finally hear, and we see Katherine has got her hands on some scrumptious Halloween themed fabric. Keep your eyes peeled with what she makes with it. Over the past weeks Joy has brought in some really interesting pieces, look at this flower made of felt she was working on recently. So sweet!

Our final total at the end of our Sands fundraising evening was a whopping £145.50 raised!  After such an amazing 2nd birthday, in the words of Brian White himself " I wish this group a very happy future and hope my predecessor will attend your next birthday" and so here's to another exciting and inspiring year at KNS!

Much Love,
Sarah Gates

President.

Change in the Air....

Time to dust off the blog after a few weeks of summer holiday neglect. It's been busy in lots of ways, not just with the children. First off its time to announce that the committee has had a little revamp. The lovely Sarah who has worked exceptionally hard over the last 2 years to found the group and build it up has hung up the chairpersons hat for a bit of a break. Let me take this opportunity to thank Sarah for the hard work, love and commitment she has poured into the group. She has been the best chair the group could have asked for and new joint chair (me Sue Myhill, and Sandra Williams) have some very big boots to walk in. But, let me introduce the groups new president.... 

YES THAT'S RIGHT, SARAH!! As well as a sparkly happy president who we all love to bits, and a new joint chair who are quaking in their big boots, the fabulous crocheting superstar Terri joined the team in the role of secretary. We handed her the big folder of responsibility, and Sarah breathed a big sigh of relief. However, the committee still has a vacancy for the role of treasurer. So, if you attend the group on a very regular basis and feel you would like the challenge of this responsibility please come see me or Sandra in group time. So, bring on the next year, we hope our strong and enthusiastic new committee team will steer the group well.

So, group time. We have all been busy. Apart from me, I have mostly been eating cake and gossiping but everyone else has been busy. Firstly, I would like to welcome our new members. Yes, we have had a little influx of awesome new talent, including 2 new junior members. So, Joy, Sue, Jasmine, Rosie, Roisin, WELCOME! We hope you enjoy our group and it becomes a part of your week not to be missed. Here's Roisin and Megan braiding. The rest of you....Sarah always has that camera and you will be caught sooner or later.

As you would expect the SANDS blankets are coming along at a pace. We cant wait for our fund raising evening on 16th Sept that's shaping up to be a  brilliant event. I love how they come along so nicely from small beginning's...

Judi bought in this beautiful crochet work she has nearly finished. We all agree its stunning and have been asking for the pattern.

This beaded shawl by Maggie has a beautiful intricate design. We love this delicate work.

Joys knitting basket and the work it contains an absolute joy to behold...

Finally our juniors found some fabric samples that were perfect to create pooh bears.

So, that's what we have been doing. Just left to mention whats coming up. SANDS Big Knit Fundraiser 16th Sept come along and do some craft, or just sit and listen to the outstanding musical entertainment some lovely guys are laying on for us, eat some cake and gossip. We don't mind what you do, just come and help raise money for the awesome cause that is SANDS. Also, Andrew Macdermott pottery social!!! Excited much because we are. There still lots of time to sign up, and you are able to pay in instalments if you need to up until the first session which is Oct 7th. The cost is £20 for the experience, which includes, make a pot, Andy takes the pot and fires the pot, he then comes back, you glaze you pot and he takes the pot and he fires the pot and then he comes back and presents the pot...phew... Amazing. & hours of the mans time and expertise, its great value. Anyway, seeya Monday guys....

Big Love and Keep Stitching
Sue x












Of Cake and Kings.

CAKE!! It was the name of the game last night. CAKE!!! Came along in all its epic awesomeness, made by Terri, double chocolate fudge with chocolate ganache and chocolate. It was just so CHOCOLATE!! I ate that cake, I forgot where I was. Never have I had such cake. OH THE CAKE!! THEN, after the chocolate cake, I realised Barb had snuck in a lemon drizzle cake. Well, I did not know where to put myself. So I made a card, calmed my excitement, and then devoured lemon cake, the most beautiful lemon cake. Both my favourite cakes in one night of supermassive cakeyness!!! Somewhere in the night I managed to collect initial numbers for pottery sessions. But I'm not sure how. CAKE!
Was there anything else, well yes lots. New members, a card demo, excellent and productive group discussion, a royal baby announcement, celebratory bubbles, a group photo op and coffee to go with the CAKE! Unfortunately, somehow, the cake has not been photographed, but I assure you it was demolished by our hungry crafting massive.
Jennifer's card making demo went down a storm I thought. Personally I enjoyed it very much and I'm very very pleased with my resulting creation. Lots of us joined in slightly amazed by the different tools and techniques, and we are very grateful to Jennifer for such a well thought out demo.

We were very pleased to have some new members tonight and they bought some very lovely projects. Pam delighted us all with these brilliant Mr Men cross stitch pieces.

Another new member Joy turned out to be a multitude of talents. Painting, sculpting, embroidering, knitting... I do believe this list goes on. We really loved her detailed hand painted ceramic buttons..

And beautifully detailed 18th century pocket embroidery design.

Maggie Cooper bought along  well behaved and completely delightful frog and owl.

These little toys seem perfect for a new baby. During the course of the evening a future king was born and announced. So of course we made an impromptu run to grab some bubbles and toast his future which we hope to be joyful and full of love. Welcome to the world little one, we all send much Love and Light to you.

Big Love and Keep Stitching
Sue x

Andrew Macdermott Pottery Social.

YEP!! It's, booked, its happening, and we are so excited. The Superb Andrew Macdermott will be attending in October for his outstanding pottery social. Starting on 7th October Andrew will be on hand to help all who wish to make a beautiful pot from clay, he will then be returning after firing your pot for another session so you may glaze it, he will then take and fire it, and then return again, YES AGAIN, to present to you your unique handmade master piece. He will do all this for the very reasonable price of £20 per person. After already attending his sessions with women and work, I can assure you it is fun, relaxed, very non prescriptive, nothing like school pottery, and ever so slightly addictive...
So whats the crack? This is October you say, why on earth do we need to know now? Well, Numbers, pure and simple. We need to know how many would like to take part in these sessions. Andrew is comfortable with 12 in a sitting, and we already have expressed interest from 9 of you good KNS fans. However, if our numbers exceed 9 hugely Andrew is very happy to do us in two groups. This will be a demo not to be missed and a real treat for that dead time between summer and Christmas. If you would like to take part in Andrews sessions please let either me or sarah know, at group, on facebook, or by emailing us at our website.
A slide show of one of the pottery socials may be viewed here woughton-w-i-pottery-social.

Big Love and Keep Stitching
Sue x

Sharing Love, Sharing Skills.

As the feeling of summer love sweeps through KNS, we are inspired to share it far and wide. Most notably for SANDS. Yes, our charity knit is going so well we have decided to let it culminate in a big fund raising night to coincide with the clubs second birthday. So, on the 16th September, the Mayor will be in attendance, some beautiful live acoustic music from the Gonzo Street Ministry and Chris and I will be in attendance, there will be a cake sale, hopefully a raffle, a in memory balloon release, craft related activity, AND YOU!! YES YOU!! We need you to come along and make this a roaring success for the amazing and completely humbling cause that is SANDS. We will keep you updated on the blog and of course you may confirm attendance on our facebook event page. However, if you cant make it but would still like to contribute you may do so at our Just Giving Page.
 Our needles have been busy and our hearts have been full, so I think its time to move onto what on earth have we been doing for the last couple of weeks. ...
As usual our Juniors are beavering away... Kath has been skill sharing and starting younger Melodie of on her knitting...

Jazz has been story sharing with older (but sadley not junior, as much as she would love to be) Barb, about happy school days whilst whipping up some nifty friendship bracelets...

 

 

Barb is mending, a great demo of why these life skills are so important. We love this....

Pat is busy on her sands blankets and innocent smoothie charity hats. This lady is a one women knitting factory and we love her for it.

 

Deborah is making this beautiful crochet blanket. I love how snugly it already looks.

Bonnie and Jennifer are beading fantastic....

Sandra....yep....still doing Christmas with this beautiful cross stitch pattern.

I am in between projects, so decided to play at paper bead making. Please excuse my chipped nails, I promise you I chip the nail varnish from to much crafting lol!! (well its certainly not housework....)

Now, we all agreed this week the star of the show is Terri. At the end of the session she pulled out a amazing crochet bag she has started. We are all very very impressed, especially as Terri learned to crochet with us, through our nifty and free community skill share initiative when she joined a couple of months back. We loved this, and it definitely deserved the ooooing and ahhing it got. As Jazz said, we all like something sparkly.

So, if you want to learn some new things, be inspired, or just eat cake, why not pop out and see us one Mon, you know it makes sense.

Big Love and Keep Stitching.
Sue x