Spotted

A quick Spotted to round off the week.

I love seeing traditional-type crafts redone all modern-like and I have to say, I'm a little fascinated by cross stitch too, only because I never have the time to sit down and do one and for me it seems like such a romantic past-time (the days when you played gin rummy, or just had gin...oh wait, that's still the same today!).

But having said all that, here's a collection from the Spanish rug company, Gan-Rugs.

Happy Weekend.

quick pic

Have to admit, I've never been that organised enough to post two updates on one day, but what with flying out down south tomorrow for Christams, thought I'd get one more update done.  Spent a lovely day today at the Jolly Hobbies Market in my Crouch End neck of the woods.  First time I have done this market and it's probably one of the nicest markets I've done in a while (and not because it's only a bus ride away...).  

I was sat next to London Clay Birds and The Quiet Revolution who are always entertaining ( ;-) ) - so here the pics instead.....

I know, sorry about the camera angle....can't help myself.

These little textile frames were absolutely beautiful!

Um, there was food....

There were mushrooms.....

And generally really gorgeous things.  There'll be more markets in the New Year.

last fair of the year

It's the last fair of the year for Strikk - we'll be down all local in Crouch End as part of the Jolly Hobbies Market - looking forward to this, have to admit.
If you're around, come down and say "hi" - all our stock is greatly reduced.

Winter's covered...results

I have to admit to being very nervous to do my own little blog give-away, but have found it to be quite fun.  Thank you for all the lovely comments and winter survival tips, they were great.

So after having said I'd draw the names from a hat, realised that I don't actually own a hat, so had to raid the kitchen cupboard instead, and here we go....

I know, the suspense is killing me too.....! (ah, and I see my windowsill's a little dusty too.)

And the winner is......

Yay! Thank you so much for taking part.  Congratulations Mojca, I'll drop you a line to get your details.

the craft trail at the thames festival

exhausting doesn't begin to describe this past weekend, but my goodness, what an incredible experience!  

this last weekend was the thames festival - a traditional, free celebration hosted by the mayor of london to bring summer (yes, really, there was summer) to a close in the uk.  this year was the first year that the craft trail participated, and judging by the massive response, it was a great success - and i cannot tell you how proud i am to have been a part - even if the weather was a little rubbish at times.

the craft trail bit was organised by my very talented friend Sanna of Sannapanda - myself and Maya (you know, the owner of the best little wool shop in london - Knit with Attitude) shared a stall and here are some of the pics.

i must tell you that Maya has the most incredible yarn - sourced from all over the world, but my favourite had to be the norwegian alpaca - absolutely sumptuous and gorgeous (am actually going to treat myself to a decent alpaca scarf this winter).

we had some stylish visitors to our little stall - including this beauty who happens to be for sale (may just have to treat myself)

saturday was tango all day - lucky for us we were right next to the tango stage, so not only was there incredible music all day, but it was just so divine to see people just randomly start dancing around the area - loved it!

now you can't tell me that's not a great view for a craft festival.  

see y'all next year.

weekend crafty stuff

just quickly to let you know, in case you don't, but its the Thames Festival this weekend (a huge, massive, outdoor festival all along the Thames - probably explains the name then) and we are part of the Craft Trail bit - yay! 

here's the handy map (handily).

keep an eye out for us at the Sannapanda bit - we've teamed up with the lovely Maya owner of the best little wool shop in town - Knit with Attitude. 

so come down and say "hi" - its this weekend, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September - 12 to 10pm - and best of all, it's free!

champagne and craft

i have a very clever friend, Joanne, who sews and documents her sewing over at the hilariously written stitch and witter - yesterday we thought we'd do a mini-crafting afternoon (well, its an excuse to drink champagne if you ask me) in preparation for her upcoming crafting afternoon next weekend (more to follow on that).  turned out to be a great afternoon (and a very sore head this morning!).
i was happy to see my first ever etsy purchase was being put to good use.

um, about that champagne.

i love the little tops Joanne made from her original zara purchase (she speaks about the whole behind the scenes process here - and now you wonder why i don't sew then) - but i think it looks gorgeous. very clever.

and this is me in action - its nice to knit with larger needles for a change - get to knit a little faster than usual.

and the end result.  cute little basketweave baby blankets.

available at strikk big cartel and notonthehighstreet.com

summer boutiques and things

the we make london summer boutique is happening right now - for the week until 9 July 2011 - and believe you me, if you're in london, its worth stopping in for a look, a browse and a purchase (and no, i'm not saying this because i'm part of it.....well, maybe just a bit).

we popped round last night for the launch party and it was so lovely to see so many talented sellers in one go - have to say a big "well done" to Mary and her helpers from we make london - i dropped off stock early in the morning - there was nothing in the shop except a massive unsightly table, but they turned it around into something gorgeous.

it was also wonderful to meet some other inspiring sellers - lovely gorgeous things (besides being absolutely hilarious, she also is a deft hand at scrumptious skincare products), and the dreamy creations of tara winona (um, just check out her studio please...so going round there for tea!) and last, but not least, Chloe of hatastic - one gorgeous, classy lady!

so, if this isn't enough reason to get down to we make summer boutique this week, then i've failed or you live in another country :-)

methinks hampstead is a very pretty part of london - just saying.

upcoming events : tea and make

i'm excited and terrified in equal measure about this.  the excited bit is that strikk is taking part in this year's fabulous tea and make pop up shop from saturday 27 november to saturday 11 december at 3 lewisham way SE14 6PP.

i'm terrified because i've never taken part in a pop up shop before and there is much knitting to be done.  at the moment strikk hq looks a bit upside down - needles and wool everywhere (yip, we're off to muji this weekend to get trendy wendy storage containers to contain the wool spillage).

but in light of the terror, i'm very honoured to be among some fabulous sellers - each seller is currently being featured on the tea and make blog here (ahem - and strikk is there already)!

as a bit of background info, tea and make was established in 2009 by stylist Sally Curtis and artist Esther Yarnold in order to manage events celebrating regionally-made products and creative businesses.  Sally and Esther met in 2007 through their mutual love of bunnies, greyhounds and all things beautiful!

the prettiest fair in the land...

very happy to have been part of last saturday's east london craft guerrilla's unfortunately final fair *sniff* for the summer season.  i cannot tell you lovely it was - sitting in the garden, lovely sellers, lovely champagne cocktails (very important) and of course, every fair should have a fair kitty.

some photos i managed to do before the camera died on me!

thank you so much for a wonderful time D. xx
if you're around on the 10th september, pop along to the Craftivista Social Club - our tombola raised enough money to pay for the rawkus rockabilly band the obscuritones - yay!

upcoming events : craft guerrilla, this saturday.

very excited to be taking part in this saturday's (that's the 28th) craft guerrilla sew long, fair well, good buy craft market.  i hear there's cake (yum!) and cocktails (yay!) - not sure if there is any other reason you need to come one down. 

although, possibly to take part in the tombola - i'll be donating one of my handknitted cosies - yay!

i hear saturday's weather is going to be fab.  possibly the last we'll see of fab weather for a while (best have that cocktail now then....)

we're on tour

and when i say "we", of course i'm referring to The Dropped Stitches knitting club - the knitting club is on tour again, this time we're craft fairing at the made in the shade springtime jamboree in edinburgh and its this weekend!

if you're in the area, please pop down and say hello.  i think this one is going to be pretty cool.  you can read more about the vendors here - including a little blurb about the dropped stitches.

check back next week when we'll show you all the photies.

fair feedback

about two weeks ago (um, goodness, already...) i did the we make fair in the chelsea town hall.

it was great fun and a great success - absolutely loved doing it - not only because i got to sell with some of my talented friends, but i also got to spend time in the most amazing hall.

hey, i even had queen elizabeth I looking down on me....thanks liz, you made it all pretty special.

i'm in cape town at the moment, enjoying a bit of sun and spending time with family for christmas - oh, and knitting away whilst i sit on the beach - there's new things being made and will be posted up pretty soon.

new on strikk

i've been wanting to make something glistening and glittery for the festive season and eventually settled on handknit tealight cozies.

unfortunately my photos haven't quite done them justice as they are really really pretty when they're lit - give the room a really warm glow (i'm one of those people that light candles every single night!)

i'll have a few at my we make stall this weekend, or they're in my etsy shop as well.