Meet the Maker - Bella Lane

I am delighted to present highly skilled and beautiful lady Bella Lane for my next 'Meet the Maker' series of blog posts. Bella is a master Peruvian embroiderer and also Royal School of Needlework trained.

My path crossed with Bella at the Knitting & Stitching show where we were both teaching. I was very happy when she agreed to start offering her hand embroidery classes at Fabrications about a year ago. Her 2 forthcoming embroidery classes take place on Saturday May 13th - " Learn hand embroidery applique & stitch an Arpilleras of Peru " & "Learn hand embroidery & stitch an Andean rose ". A unique treat for beginners and existing embroidery enthusiasts as these mini master classes focus on Peruvian embroidery techniques, culture and history.

Tell me and the readers a little about yourself and what drew you to focus on embroidery?

My journey in embroidery started 40 years ago in the heart of the rain forest of Peru and it has been an incredible journey to reach this stage were I’m available to deeply understand the art of hand embroidery and the art of using it to express and inspire others by stitching, embroidering for professional use, fun, therapy, healing or just experimenting. I have been in the professional embroidery world for 10 years now and have worked with so many people and companies through commissions here in London which was a great springboard for pushing and extending the traditional professional training I had received for full three years. As well I have been teaching all kinds of embroidery workshops, for individuals groups her in UK and abroad, and still do this whenever I can. Stitching two pieces of cloth or stitching a single button really stops the busy world around us and really can connect us with our ancestors who at some point of their lives also stitched the same things without thinking that needles, threads and cloth will be with us forever, generation by generation.  Technology will move fast but we always will depend on the needle and threads, these items never will die as we do. This is what draws me in to the world of hand embroidery. When I'm working with needle and threads, my mind is transported to another place, a place that can be beautiful, peaceful, intense and challenging and my love for needlework and embroidery has helped me to produce magnificent pieces of embroidery, many of them were recognised with Awards.

 

You are a master Peruvian Embroiderer and also adept in English embroidery! How do the techniques compare?

Needle and thread is the common connection between English and Peruvian embroidery, I love both of them. In Europe we work with the finest threads, cloth and tools; in Peru we work with what we have. Peruvians love very bright colours, in England we like more subtle colours.  These choices are affected by our culture, history, weather, and so many other factors, even our language.  As we are in Great Britain, Peruvians are very proud of our ancient cultures. The rich textile heritage that the ancient peoples of Peru have bequeathed to us gives us so much to learn and enjoy, not just in embroidery but for all art forms. Those attributes are an invaluable contribution that Peru has to offer, not only for their own people but for everyone who is interested in textiles and art. I consider myself so fortunate to belong to both places. These days I am a British and Peruvian citizen. Always I'm delighted when people in Peru ask me teach them English embroidery techniques, and when I'm in UK I am very happy teaching Peruvain embroidery.  It is such a valuable asset to have these two cultures at once.

 

What is an 'Arpilleras of Peru’ ? 

 Arpilleras in Peru is the modern approach to textiles embellished with recycled or unwanted fabrics, stitched with bright coloured threads. In other words, it is a form of Peruvian applique. The creation of Apilleras started in 1974 in Chile, a year after Augusto Pinochet came to power.  During this time friends, brothers, husbands and other members of the family disappeared, and were never found again. The wives and dependents of the ‘disappeared’ were left in poverty, so they started to stitch poignant Arpilleras pieces in memory of their loved ones and as a silent protest against Pinochet’s government. These pieces were so beautiful and evocative that they soon became very popular, and visitors began to collect them; soon after they started to export the work to all America and Europe.  Our next class with Arpilleras will be a 'beginner Arpillera project'. Participants will learn technical stitches, design composition and execution of their own Arpillera creation. It is a great opportunity to join us and start an amazing personal journey of creating scenes from Peru or your own locale with cloth and threads with the concept of using pieces of recycled and upcycled textiles. After completion students can apply the same techniqus to their own small or large projects at home.  

 

What is the significance of the 'Andean rose’ ?  How did it come into being and how are they used?

Andean people love flowers and wild life. They stitch all year around their own costumes, and items for sale with floral and animal designs with bright colours for the Andean Festivities. Flower designs are the principal theme of the ladies' skirts and blouses called “Polleras”.

“Andean Rose” is the given name of a full day or 3 hours master class embroidery workshop. This workshop and this floral Rose design ‘kit' is the principal design for mastering and learning the art of some Peruvian Andean Embroidery techniques. After class participants can finish their pieces at home and apply and incorporate the techniques in their own work.

Thank You Bella! I am looking forward to your next workshops at Fabrications and hope dear reader you can also join! To book your place, Contact Fabrications, Hackney, East London

 

How thoughts create reality

Albert Einstein said "The world we have created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking"

I decided to stitch Confucius' wise words "A journey of a 1,000 miles starts with a single step". I am using it as a meditative reminder to help me on my personal path of growth!

This year I am thinking about my thinking and how my thoughts can impact on my actions or non actions! In January, Sarah Corbett, founder of Craftivist Collective hosted a thought provoking new year's resolution 'Craftivist footprint' workshop at Fabrications, which encouraged participants to think about their imprint on the world, what it means to be a global citizen and stitch an intention on a pre prepared foot or shoe print.

Sarah provided all the participants with their own mini tool kit including a description of what a 'good global citizen is someone who'.......
*Is aware of the wider world & has a sense of their own role as a world citizen
* Respects and values diversity
* Has an understanding of how the world works economically, politically, socially, environmentally
* Is outraged by social injustice
* Participates in and contributes to the community at a range of levels from local to global
* Is willing to act to make the world a more sustainable place
* Takes responsibility for their actions
(Source: Oxfam 1997)

As well as very interesting discussions on these points as a group, Sarah created a space of 'stitching in silence' so that individually we could really concentrate on our sewing, still our minds to really focus on our intention.

Craftivist Foot print workshop - all full house with Italian TV crew as well!

In February, I enrolled on a short course on the MIND at the New Acropolis. I feel I've discovered a bit of a secret gem (although the association has been residing in Islington for 15 years) New Acropolis is a philosophical association with a cultural and social vocation whose objective is to practise philosophy in the classical tradition, that is not merely intellectual and theoretical philosophy but philosophy for life, for a more humane and fulfilling existence. 

The NA's belief is that the mind is an important key to building a sustainable future. Many of the problems we are facing today as humanity are caused by our own actions. Their school provides a space for awakening a spirit of universal brotherhood/sisterhood through an ethical and moral approach based on the idea that it is by improving ourselves that we can improve the world.

 "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world" (Buddha)

Week 1 we looked at and discussed mindsets, assumptions, perception, mental filters  - VERY INTERESTING!
Week 2 explored concentration and inner awakening. Taking away our conceptions (ideas in our mind) to meet what IS without our filters or judgements coming in. We focused specifically on an art work drawn by Lama Blo-Bzang Don-yod in the 17th Century. The purpose of the drawing is a tool to awaken the path of the soul and to overcome the obstacles and difficulties in conquering our mind through simple daily physical and mental exercises. The New Acropolis have produced a beautiful little book called 'Concentration & Inner Awakening' containing the illustration and how to understand the symbolic elements contained within it.
This week is the final part of the course and will look at how to develop our minds creatively. Imagination and the ability to create what does not yet exist, to cultivate and further our minds.

"The real magic of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" Marcel Provost (1899)

The Upcycling Academy at this year's Knitting and Stitching show

 

 

Last month, I took my 'Upcycling Academy' experience to the Knitting and Stitching show. Now in it's third year the aim of the Upcycling Academy is to raise awareness and 'create change' to the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry through creative and thought provoking activities which can be delivered at large events or in smaller gatherings. Recently 6th form students at Woodford High school, engaged with the Upcycling Academy team on their induction day. 

 

 

As well as adding value through creativity and design, the Upcycling Academy promotes the value of working collaboratively and collectively. I approached Traid, War on Want and The Craftivist Collective to bring their perspective to the experience and give participants a well rounded picture.
 

 

Here is our 'productive line' of workshops. The spirit of The Upcycling Academy was well captured in pictures this year by Rosie Allt, who kindly offered us her photography skills.

Brother sewing UK supported the 'chop & change' upcycling of clothes area with their easy to use NV10a sewing machines, which worked like a dream in this busy area.

 

 

This was a quiet moment!! A hive of activity and discussions.

 

 

Fabrications recycled rosettes were popular again!

 

Traid's 'Sew Good' workshops appealed to all ages

 

 

Here is the lovely Sarah Corbett, founder of the 'Craftivist Collective' who joined The Upcycling Academy team for the first time this year. She created a hand stitched petition in conjunction with War on Want's 'Love Fashion Hate sweatshops' campaign.

 

Participants were invited to add their hand stitched signature to the petition. Extra fabric was needed by day 2 as the embroidered signatures over spilled the petition.

 

Here I am (Barley Massey) showing people a variety of upcycled textile techniques, including 'MACRO' knitting & french knitting and peg loom weaving,

 

A beautiful atmosphere was created, with all kinds of people coming together to try new skills, share ideas, experiences and talk about the issues the Upcycling Academy provokes.

 

Some thoughts on Collectivism

These thoughts have been whirling around my mind for some time now, perhaps even most of my life, having been brought up in rural North Wales in the 70's where a sense of community and working together is embedded into the welsh culture.


Somewhere along the line, there has been a prevailing attitude of  "look out out for No 1" and not to worry about or look too deeply at the consequences of our actions on others. (positive and negative)

Recently at the Holloway Arts Festival, Rowan Arts screened Ken Loach's film "The spirit of 45" which I went along to watch. It is a powerful and rather upsetting (I cried at the end!) documentary style portrayal of the re building of Britain following the second war including the creation of social welfare, the NHS, the railways, manufacturing and employment and then the slow disassembling, erosion and privatisation under the election of Margaret Thatcher in the 80's. Ken Loach juxtaposes archive footage of soldiers and working class people declaring "We came together to fight the war, we can now come together to work for good" versus Harry Enfield's "Loadsa Money!" character.
                             

When I set up the 'Upcycling Academy' 3 years ago with the aim of raising awareness of the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, I also wanted the Upcycling Academy to promote and demonstrate the power of collaboration. To bring together different independent organisations working together to deliver a message / activities, actions in a fun, creative and informed way. So I approached Traid, who approached War on Want.

The first Upcycling Academy took place at the Knitting & Stitching shows. It was interesting to observe the overwhelming feedback we received from an older generation on how good it was to see different organisations working together in this way and how unusual it was! Has the spirit of 45 really been lost?

As Nadia Idle, outreach officer at War on Want succinctly put it in her recent post on the Craftivist Collective's blog " The value of the collective, of coming together to act. Let us reject greed and profit as a motivation and rejoice in activities that bring us together to make things better for ourselves and others"

The Upcycling Academy will be taking place once again at this year's Knitting & Stitching show at Alexander Palace. Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th October. This year the Craftivist Collective are joining forces too.
Why don't you come along too??

New Year's Revolutions!

Revolution = A dramatic and wide reaching change in conditions, attitudes or operation (Oxford Dictionary)

It’s the start of a new year again, many of us will have made resolutions, usually to give something up like smoking! Or to loose something like some weight! Or to do more of something like spending quality time with family and friends. How about directing that positive energy into making the world a better and fairer place for everyone?  Quite a tall order you may think - where would you begin?

“If you think you are too small to make a difference try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito” - African Proverb

As a designer maker I have held the belief that craft and design has an amazing potential in creating social and environmental change. It was a real inspiration to meet the like minded Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective 3 years ago and I have subsequently been participating in and supporting a number of the Craftivist Collective’s projects in exposing and tackling injustice and poverty through provocative, non-violent action.

As your 2013 resolution, I would love all you fellow crafters to get involved in the Craftivist Collective’s current project #iamapiece in conjunction with Save the Children’s ‘Race against hunger campaign’.

Sarah Corbett says: "Life is like a puzzle, it all seems a mess but when it gets finished it looks brilliant. There are some amazing small-scale successful projects happening all over the world that are tackling hunger and showing that the world doesn’t have to have malnourished children whose potential is stunted. There is no one solution to the problem of injustice but we can all play a part in a movement for change. The G8 coming back to the UK is too big an opportunity to miss so why not have your New Year’s Resolution to be part of eradicating hunger through your love of craft? That would be a pretty cool resolution right?!”

How can you get involved? You can stitch messages onto material jigsaw pieces which will be put together to make a HUGE creative, crafty installation alternative to a petition that Save the Children will show off to our Government, the public and World Leaders showing that hundreds, even thousands of us, want, with world leaders, to be a part of the solution to hunger, not the problem. You can also give a jigsaw piece to your local MP to remind them to be a part of the solution too or at least tell them about the piece you made for the installation. If you have never approached your local MP in this way before Fran Swaine has written a really good post on her Skulls and Ponies blog about how easy and useful it was to approach her local MP Caroline Lucas. You can also host your own ‘stitch-in’ event and get others inspired and involved in the project , sign the Save the Children petition here, and spread the word online through Twitter, Facebook, blogs etc using the hashtag #imapiece. The deadline to receive the jigsaw pieces is 28 February, so let's get stitching!

As with all their projects, the Craftivist Collective have created really excellent tools to help and support you to get involved! Download the jigsaw piece pattern and instructions here, see some of the stitched jigsaw pieces created by fellow crafters here and a collection of Vlogs, posts and online streaming about #imapiece here

“What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is in the end of little consequence; the only consequence is what we do.” John Ruskin

MARCH - workshops

This month's workshops focus on different hand sewing methods. I'm really excited about this month's activities as we are introducing some new classes and textile teachers to Fabrications fold!
Starting with this Sunday 4th March, Katherine May fresh from her popular classes at the V+ A this week is running a quilting class. For those of you unfamiliar with the technique, quilting is the decorative sewing through of your patchwork fabric or whole cloth and wadding to create designs and texture. Katherine wanted to do a class that focuses on quilting as she found that it tended to get rushed at the end of her patchwork classes as students get engrossed in the patchwork part. She also wanted to highlight historical and contemporary examples and show the variety of applications for the technique.


On Saturday 17th March, local textile artist Jessie Chorley is running her full day special workshop 'embroidered memory books and pages'. Once you've booked on, Jessie will send you a materials list and encourages you to bring along special fabrics and mementos so you create something truly unique to you. Before you get going with learning the embroidery and applique methods that Jessie uses, she will talk about the inspiration behind her own narrative textile works and take you on a visit to her shop on nearby Columbia Road. The full day will give the space to really get into the making process.


On Sunday 18th March, Sarah Corbett will be running her Craftivism workshop - making mini protest banners. For regular followers of my blog, I have written about a number of Craftivist projects that Sarah has initiated. Sarah set up the Craftivist Collective and is seen as one of the leading spokespeople for the global craftivist movement. During the workshop she will talk about how the movement started and the benefits of using craft as a beautiful, non threatening and thought provoking method to activism. It will also be very creative and hands on, where you will learn how to interpret design and text into cross stitch or embroidery and create your very own mini protest banner, which hopefully you will want to hang out in the street after the workshop as other craftivists do!

On Sunday 25th March, I will be running an introduction to weaving workshop. During the class I explain how to create your 'warp' and 'weft' looking at colour, design and material choices. I will show 3 different weaving techniques - flat board weaving, a technique I developed for my woven upcycled inner tubes, 'tube matting and cushions'. Peg loom weaving on wool-n-dance peg looms. Both these methods are very low tech and a quick method to create fabric. Then there will be opportunity to have a go on my antique foot peddled loom. - a slower process but more intricate. You will create a series of samples to take away.

Lets hijack valentines!

A giant love letter has elegantly floated into Fabrications window this month in time for Valentines day. It is stopping passers by in their tracks, my favorite reaction was 2 small boys who stood, pointed and smiled lots. They ran off and brought back their parents to read it - brilliant! Keep recruiting boys!!

Originally created by Sarah Corbett (founder of the Craftivist Colective) for a public craftivism workshop during Tracy Emin's 'Love is what you want' show at the Hayward Gallery last summer. The letter and workshop urged participants to "show their love through action to their global neighbour struggling in this unjust world". Participants pledged different acts of love they would carry out locally or globally by writing down their action on a luggage label.
This giant letter has become a chain letter, having recently travelled back from independent bookshop's window 'News from Nowhere' window in Liverpool and now is at Fabrications urging passers by to stop, think and act!

It has also been a great display that promotes 2 special craftivism events, we are hosting here:

This Thursday 9th February, 6 - 9pm:
Open studio and 'Hijacking valentines preparation session'.
All are welcome to join the London craftivists in this fun and friendly session in creating valentine's cards and crafted gifts which will be left out in the street in various nooks and crannies to be found by unsuspecting members of the public, beautiful and gentle reminders to 'show some love'. You don't need to be in a relationship to receive one of these!

Image courtesy of Sarah Corbett

During the evening you will also be able to meet Sarah Corbett, a real inspiration and a very friendly lady! She is running a
'mini protest banner making' workshop at Fabrications on
Sunday 19th March, 2 - 4.30pm which focuses on the history of craftivism, it's benefits and how it can create change through thought provoking, non threatening, crafty action. She will also be teaching practical skills in how to interpret text and design in cross stitch and embroidery to create slogans with impact. If you're interested in attending please contact us to book in!

Image courtesy of Sarah Corbett

Adding Value(s) at the Upcycling Academy

Earlier this year I was approached by ‘Twisted Thread’, the team behind Europe’s largest textile event ‘The Knitting and Stitching Shows’ to develop a new feature area at the show.

Over the last couple of years ‘upcycling’ has become a bit of a buzzword, but many people are still unsure what it means or misappropriate the word. The term was popularised by the 2002 book ‘Cradle to Cradle’ ‘Remaking the way we make things’ by William Mc Donough and Michael Braungart. The book identified how materials being recycled actually downgrade and use more resources whereas materials being upcycled gain quality and value and impact less on the environment.

I have been a professional upcycler for over 12 years. I introduced the term upcycling into my vocabulary after being invited to make a presentation of my textile practise at the ‘Upcycling – adding value through design’ symposium organised by TED – Textile Environment Design at Chelsea college of Art + Design. For me upcycling is not only the process of transforming, giving new life, stories and meanings to waste materials but I see this resourceful approach as a framework to do more with less and to action positive social and environmental changes within ourselves, locally and globally.

‘The Upcycling Academy’ aims to pass on these values and skills and wants YOU! To join our creative and dedicated team at the shows. So what’s happening? This first Upcycling Academy presents an alternative and ethical fashion production line. Check into the utopian factory’s ‘Consumption and Waste’ reception hosted by Traid and pick up an old t-shirt for a donation of £3 or bring your own. While there learn how growing clothes consumption and waste is impacting on our environment. Take your t-shirt and rotate around a series of experimental, re processing, craft based workshops on ‘The Productive Line’. Stitch, Slash, Print, Accessorise, Knit, Weave or mix n match techniques with our upcycling design team including Barley Massey, Sue Russell, Sissy Rooney. Alongside, exercise your values in the Gaming and Action area hosted by War on Want - Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops campaign and Traid. Participatory activities include ‘Who’s responsible?’ and ‘Be the change’. War on Want will also be linking with Sissy Rooney’s workshop in creating action slogans for t-shirts. The final link in the chain is the ‘Virtual Catwalk’ where you can strut your stuff, show off your creations, put an action on a mini placard and have your picture taken by the photo booth and share it on Facebook. You can also print out your image for a donation of £2; proceeds will go to one of War on Wants current human right’s campaigns – lobbying for better working conditions for Bangladesh garment workers.

Are you ready to join the industrious re – evolution?

For further information on The Upcycling Academy, a free down loadable resource pack for teachers, how to buy tickets and directions for the show visit the Twisted Thread website

Competition time!

To win 2 tickets to the show (you can choose Ally Pally, Dublin or Harrogate) answer the following question: What does upcycling mean to you?

Be spontaneous as we need to receive your response before Sunday 2nd October so we have enough time to post out the tickets! The most thought provoking and creative answer posted on either Fabrications Facebook page or the comment box on THIS POST wins! Good Luck!

Power Up People...

This is one of my favorite pieces of street art at the moment, located on Hackney Road. if you're coming out of the overland Hoxton Station, keep left and you get a great view of it! It was created by Ben Eine following the purchase of a piece of his graffiti art '21st Century City' by Samantha Cameron, which she and her husband then gave as a gift to Barack Obama. Having a bit of knowledge of Ben's background (I used to see him and his wife most mornings on Broadway Market before getting priced out of the area) I can appreciate that it was 'the strangest week' for him and that this piece was an outlet for his amazement. However I am fascinated by his use of the words 'Power Up' in iconic smiley faces and been indulging in - terpretation pie.
The Smiley face symbol has been smiling back at us and making us happy since the 60's summer of love. It became an icon of the subculture rave scene of the late 80's. There's a great article about the history of the Smiley Face here.

I think Ben Eine is calling all us people at street level to get active, use our energies and love in a positive way to challenge societies power structures.

Small individual actions can create larger social changes.....

Join us Craftivists in stitching a giant love letter in response to Tracy Emin's retrospective at the Hayward Gallery this Thursday 25th August, 7 - 9pm at the Hayward Gallery

Emin’s exhibition ‘Love Is What You Want’ explores the theme of love through her personal experiences of abortion, relationships, and sex, and her provocative personality and strong political views.

The Craftivist Collective have been invited by the Hayward Gallery to lead a free craftivism workshop (activism through craft) inspired by Emin's exhibition. The Craftivist Collective are asking the public to stitch their signature onto their giant embroidered love letter and attach a handwritten tag with a description of how they will be showing their love and commitment this summer to other members of society.

The Craftivist Collective have been inspired but also challenged by this exhibition. Emin's art, political views and the current political climate are hard to ignore but we want to use this invitation from the Hayward as an opportunity of showing love to our global neighbours through the power of craft and public art.

Founder Sarah Corbett says "We don’t just want to talk about love or show it to a select few. We encourage everyone to show their love to the most vulnerable people in the world through action. Please join us and show your commitment to love others by lovingly stitching your signature onto our giant love letter, attaching a tag with a description of how you are going to show your love this summer."

Mad in England

Good Morning! I've Been enjoying my morning cuppa even more since I received one of Carrie Reichardt special anarchy heirloom cups (manufactured in Stoke on Trent) - Thanks for the tip off Betsy!

In the lead up to the Royal Wedding frenzy, UK Renegrade potter Carrie Reichardt brought a twist to all things British at Ink_d Gallery by subverting many British establishment icons including Union Jacks, Royalty, quaint English Tea sets and dusty customs to reveal the Great British Empire as 'Cruel Britannia'.
Thank goodness someone did! Hopefully you enjoyed seeing her host an anarchist's street party, which got televised on Channel 4's 'The Unofficial Royal Wedding' which also featured the director of a street theatre company who got arrested for carrying a cardboard guillotine and a woman from Newcastle that had camped out for 2 days who turned more and more a shade of red, white and blue as the event got closer. We are a nation of extremes.
For some the wedding may have been a distraction to our current social and economic situation but I'm joining Carrie on her thought provoking 'Mad in England' productive line.

Fair Fares Now! - a Railway Adventure

The Craftivist Collective have teamed up with Climate Rush to support them in delivering their latest high profile campaign "A Railway Adventure" protesting against the governments plans to increase train fares by 31% over the next 4 years. Train fares are already really expensive and this move will only encourage people to jump in their cars or catch a cheap flight to travel the UK.
Come and join them on a stitch in at your nearest train station, next Sunday (10th April) at 1pm. Bring along a needle, thread and some fabric to create a carriage to be included in the longest train petition bunting! Don't worry if you havn't got the materials or done any embroidery before, there will be many friendly hands around to help you get involved!
This is a national campaign, with groups participating all around the country from Bangor to Brighton! Join one and all!
As usual both activist's groups aims are to raise awareness in a positive, social and creative way - so get on board!

Heartfelt Haberdashery

We believe in having a good stock of quality love tokens (conditions may apply) all year around but we do have a few recommendations for Valentines...

Our Heartfelt Haberdashery cards imbued with magic, 100% Guaranteed.

Crochet hearts in a lovely presentation box by Monstify
(who created Fabrications fantastic Halloween Window)

Alternatively, why not hijack valentines day to love the world?

Many people will receive an unexpected Valentine this year, courtesy of crafty activist group Craftivist Collective, who aim to hijack Valentines Day. For the third year running, the collective will be hiding alternative Valentines letters and gifts in public across the UK including London, waiting to be found by unsuspecting members of the public and provoking them to think about the effects climate change is having on our global neighbours on this special day.

You can get involved too! Visit their website to download an alternative valentines letter template, there is also a hearty keyring design by Tatty Devine with a scroll onto which you can write "Love the earth" or "show your love" which you can include with the letter.

And Sew To Bed Project

Today is World Aids Day and the Craftivist Collective are having a bed-In replicating John Lennon + Yoko Ono's Bed- In (and celebrating Jon Lennon's 70th birthday) under their colourful peace + equality quilt at the Blue Coat Gallery in Liverpool.

The quilt has been slowly growing with contributions from other craftivists from all over the world. To see the patches in more detail visit the Craftivist collectives flicker pages. The purple spaces allow for visitors to the Blue Coat gallery and the West Everton community to contribute as well. Each patch addressing a local or global issue and aiming to raise awareness of national and international inequality and demand change. As always the Craftivists collective's protest is peaceful, engaging people in crafty action.

This is my contribution. I became aware of the Saharawis protest in an article by New Internationalist magazine via a friends link on facebook. I was really struck by the image, the taped up mouths and the way the young men have linked arms indicating a peace V with their hands. With every stitch I completed, I thought about their silent protest and how it spoke for so many other people also facing repression.

As one of the protesters stated in the article "Our silence said so much. Our silence was an eloquent denunciation of the repression to which we are subjected, our lack of freedom and the violation of our rights"

Tommy inspects the patches at Fabrications during laying out in preparation for assembling.

Undercover stitching!

Boris loves to knit

News just in! In the early hours of this morning Boris bikes in Soho have been knit bombed!

With nifty recycled yarn and messages for travellers and passers by .....