HARDCOVER BOOK

HARDCOVER BOOK, originally uploaded by Lisa Margreet.

I love this book SO MUCH! I think it's one of my favourite things that I've ever made. I used an old road map of Sussex which used to belong to my Grandfather.

I learnt how to make the hardcover book at the workshop we ran at The Create Place. Suzanne Cowan is a fantastic tutor and I urge you to check out her classes! Her website is: www.suzannemcowan.com.

THE FEMPIRE WRITES BACK

At the end of my lunchbreak, two male colleagues came over to ask if they could use my table. I said sure, adding that I was nearly finished. They apologised for disturbing me then with a nod to my laptop said that I was “probably doing domestic stuff”. I replied that actually I was working on an essay about Katherine Mansfield.

As they sat down they started asking about my novel which I recently completed and asked what genre it was. “Hmmm” I said, unwilling to say retro-hipster-bonkbuster, “its contemporary modern…” “Chicklit” said one, “Sex, shopping and chocolate” said the other.

I’m reticent to use the term “chicklit” to describe my book (although I’m sure that it will be called that by the uninspired) as the term is now almost universally used derogatively towards any book which is written by women that is aimed at women. I do write predominantly for women and I don’t see that there is anything wrong with that – there are loads of books that are written by men for men. Why don’t we call every one of those that comes out “dicklit”? When I put this to them (without the dicklit part) one replied “It’s all part of our conspiracy to keep you in your place.” Was that an ironic barbed comment or an understanding nod towards the complexity of a contemporary woman’s place in a patriarchy?

I narrowed my eyes and gave them the literature speak “I guess you could say that it has some almost Chekhovian sensibilities, although I really see it as an observation on how in contemporary society the more technologically advanced we become the more our haptic need increases.” They looked blank. “Don’t say all of that” one of them said “or they won’t publish it.”

KNITTING & STITCHING SHOW LONDON IS HERE!

So finally after months of planning, designing and nail-biting decisions the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace is here. Starting next week on Thursday 7 October until Sunday 10 October from 10AM until 5.30PM (apart from Sunday when it ends at 5PM) there's a huge pile of crafty goodness available for you to peruse, try and buy!

Shop
As you may remember, earlier this year Craft Guerrilla offered the opportunity for six designer makers to exhibit at the Knitting and Stitching shows in London, Dublin and Harrogate. We are very excited to reveal to you now the six London designers who will be showcasing their items and selling their wares to you next week at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace.


Peppermint Twist - Ariane Dreysse










PEPPERMINT TWIST handcrafts quirky purses and bags in soft nappa leathers and fabrics. All are designed and meticulously made in London, in limited runs.

DESIGNS are whimsical, playful, a little vintage-inspired, yet practical. Common elements are appliqués of horses, ponies, hearts and doves, star-shaped cut-outs, punched motifs, and studded decorations.

Polka Dot Sundays - Jaina Kuntawala













PolkaDotSundays is the power of one woman on a mission, to make the world a more colourful place. After graduating from Kingston University with a BA in Fine Art (2003), she worked as a prop artist on the childrens television art show, Art Attack. It was here that she discovered the magical possibilities of newspaper.

Now, most of her personal works are made from the humble Sunday paper, transformed and recycled into polka dotted friends.

Boobou Designs - Lindsey Kealey













Boobou Designs create unique soft jewellery and accessories - every design is original and feels as good as it looks! Boobou regularly sell at craft fayres and events in the north London area. We highly recommend you come and see us as the luxury of a Boobou design cannot be fully appreciated without touching one!

Rosalind Price-Cousins













Rosalind creates innovative knitted garments and accessories. Using a variety of unusual yarns, within a combination of complex hand and machine knitting techniques; each unique piece has a surreal edge and has been created to evoke notions of fantasy and escapism.

Like delving into a dressing-up box, these pieces are made to provide enjoyment for decades, and to be loved, worn, and looked after for generations to come.

Forgotten Stitches - Rebekah McMullen










Forgotten Stitches is inspired by crafts from bygone eras and is dedicated to keeping these arts alive. Rebecca sells her items at vintage fairs and Portobello market. Her larger pieces focus homewards but she has recently been concentrating on producing a range of accessories as a result of several commissions.

Sarah Kerry









Sarah's work comes out of a Contemporary Crafts degree from Falmouth. She knits by a seventies hand-powered machine and uses a quilting technique to create her work. Her work is which is well-made, fun and playful - giant biscuits and such like.


Stitch
Craft Guerrilla will also be holding some workshops including beginners knitting, beginners crochet, upcycled t-shirt crochet fascinators (please bring along an old t-shirt to upcycle if you have one), upcycled t-shirt necklaces (again, please bring a t-shirt to upcycle) and beginners patchwork. Places are limited and advance bookings for Alexandra Palace have now sold out so please ask about places when you arrive. If you're coming to the Dublin or Harrogate shows then visit the twisted thread website to book your workshop place.


Swish
We are also very excited to be part of the swishing salon which is taking place again this year. Here's a bit of info about the Swishing Salon from the organisers:

The Swishing Salon
Back by popular demand! The Swishing Salon returns to The Knitting and Stitching Shows, and this year we're bringing it to Dublin too!

Dig out any good quality garments or accessories and bring them along to the Swishing area some time during the morning. From around 1.30pm, you can return to the area to exchange for the same number of items you donated. We ask for a small donation to Swish, but all funds raised go straight to Bliss, a charity for premature babies, so it's all for a good cause.



Even if you're short of items to exchange, the Swishing Salon will be a hive of activity with experts including Mrs Bear, Sissy Rooney, Barley Massey and Craft Guerrilla all demonstrating various customising techniques. Brother are kindly supporting the event and have provided sewing machines and Coats Crafts also have some demonstrators involved, so make sure you drop by and see what all the fuss is about!

Queenie and Ted, Karen from Creme Anglaise and Lindsey from Boobou Designs will be helping out the Craft Guerrilla team with their unique customising tips and tricks.

Watch this space for details of the Dublin and Harrogate designers coming up at the end of October and November.

Hope to see you there!

Lisa Margreet
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Support your local roller derby team - the creative way!

As you all know by now, as well as being a craft tutor I'm also a roller girl with the London Rockin' Rollers, skating under the name of Trixie Minx. If the blood, sweat and (other peoples') tears of being an actual roller girl isn't quite your thing (or if you're a boy and therefore physcially can't be a roller girl) then there is still a way that you can help out and share in the glamour of it all.

The London Rockin' Rollers are an entirely volunteer run league. Every bout that we put on in York Hall in Bethnal Green, each fundraiser we host and all the associated flyers, posters and other promotion (and much much more) is done by a team of tireless volunteers.

We are currently looking for people who might like to design our bout programmes and flyers in return for advert space in the programme and web links as well as credits, exposure and of course the undying love of 50 roller girls, which can never be a bad thing!

If you're an illustrator/graphic designer/creative artworker who knows their way around a mac and have experience of getting artwork to print on a deadline and you're interested in getting involved with the London Rockin' Rollers in this way then please contact Bloody Valentine on spittykittyuk@hotmail.com.

You can visit our website and find out more about our league and roller derby in general here: www.londonrockinrollers.co.uk.


Lisa Margreet
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RETRO ROLL RIDER

RETRO ROLL RIDER, originally uploaded by Lisa Margreet.

Look at these amazing retro roller skates that I got for £3 in the charity shop just now. They say "Roll Rider" on the toe stoppers and on the backs.

I'm now the proud owner of 4 pairs of roller skates. My husband says that's "too many". I'm still struggling to come to terms with that concept.

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A CAT IN COW CLOTHING

A CAT IN COW CLOTHING, originally uploaded by Lisa Margreet.

There are many reasons why I love my cat Lester but this is currently my favourite. He has a bit of a love/hate thing going on with Mabel our mardy moggie and he's always chasing her and jumping out on her and stuff.

Recently he's discovered this fantastic way to pounce on Mabel. He goes into my study and hides under the corner of the cow skin rug. Then when Mabel walks in he jumps out on her. She never learns that when there's a lump in the rug it means that Lester's under there.

He's patient too like a good hunter should be - I've seen him hiding under there for literally hours waiting for Mabel to come strolling in.

Oh Lester, I do love you so!

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LEAPFROG

LEAPFROG, originally uploaded by Lisa Margreet.

Today we took the His & Hers Pashley's out for a ride. We cycled down to Walthamstow Marshes then went along the canal for a bit. We then cycled into Hackney Marshes where there is this amazing huge open space ringed by really nice concrete path which is just BEGGING to be roller skated on!

All around the path are dotted these little workout stations such as the Leap frog one here. Maybe I should use it as an extreme roller derby workout area: cycle down there, chain up the bike and put on my skates, then skate around completing all the workout stations I go past - all in my roller skates!

Hell yeah!

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