Craft Hope

In amongst all the posts for Valentines Day crafts, I stumbled across this one ...

Craft Hope is an initiative of a number of crafty women who wanted to make a difference. Sale from their etsy shop are rapidly approaching $10,000 and proceeds go towards the Doctors without Borders. If you are feeling helpless like I am, perhaps this is something you can do.

All proceeds of the Craft Hope Etsy shop will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. All items have been generously donated by the crafting community. If you'd like to donate an item please visit the Craft Hope website (www.crafthope.com).

We are humbled, overwhelmed, and grateful for everyone who has supported this shop. We will continue to accept donations through Wednesday 1/20. After that point we will take a short break to be able to get systems in order to go forward. You can read more on the Craft Hope website. The shop will remain open.

Find all of the information you need at these links:

• Craft Hope for Haiti etsy shop
• Craft Hopes main site (to donate an item)
• Doctors without Borders

The Redwork Quilt Project

Not sure if you have stumbled across "The Quilt Project" in your online travels. The site is certainly worth a few moments of your time.

For quite a few meetings, young Mel brought her block along to work on at Coffee and Craft gatherings ... her finished project is truely inspiring!

via The Quilt Project

Northside member Curlypops has also done a square!

An online community friendship quilt made up of 66 squares.

A modern twist on traditional redwork - participants were asked to "work a square in red".

After hours of handwork by each of the participants the squares were posted to Melbourne where they were photographed & assembled into a temporary quilt.

Displayed for one night the quilt squares will now be returned to their creators or swapped.

The Quilt Project is a permanent record for everyone to enjoy. Thanks for your interest.

The Quilt Project was initiated in Melbourne by Kirsty from kootoyoo.

If you are interested in similar projects , check out Block Party Blog for some inspiring ideas.

Monday 26th October - Craft and Cider at the Northcote Social

Hooray for daylight savings and a little bit of spring weather. The days are getting longer and warmer...... So what better time to host the first of our Craft and Cider evenings!

picture via Twinssoon on etsy

We would like to invite all those members that ticked "weeknights" on there forms, to a Craft and Cider, or beverage of your choice, evening at the Northcote Social club (Directions here)

Monday 26th October
Northcote Social club
301 High st,
Northcote.
7pm onwards.....

A few of us will be ordering dinner at 7 as we come straight from work. If you don't want dinner you are welcome to come just for chats and drinkies or arrive a little later, so that you're not tempted by the lovely smells.

There's lots of us now, so hopefully we all fit in!

RSVP here, so that we know who is coming and who to make room for.

We'll set up out in the back area of the Northcote Social, near the dining room.
You can order food, alcohol, cake and coffee as we chat and chew our way through crochet, embroidery or any hand held project.

It's the perfect time to share any ideas you've come up with about how you'd like to see the collective evolve.
Look forward to seeing you all there....
and don't worry if you didn't tick evenings on your form.....you're still welcome too.

Meet the Northside Crafters: Kazzal Blue

Kazzal Blue make the most gorgeous knitted finger puppets you have ever seen ... come along and check them out!

Tell us about what you sell ...
Anything baby or children oriented. For example, baby booties, singlets and baby quilts, toys for small children such as finger puppets for pretend play. Amazing what a 3 year old comes up with when he has pirate finger puppets. Other soft toys also, and colouring wallets for 2 year olds plus, that hold everything you need for drawing.

What inspires you?
I love making things. I dont really know where it all comes from, a long line of talented parents and grandparents I think. Also I love the results, when an idea works out!

What's your favorite medium to work in?
I like fabric the best but I knit a lot too.

What would you be lost without ....
My cutting board, my stash of fabric which I love to look through for motivation and ideas. Probably my twin sister who I throw ideas at and who I share some of the sites with.

What's your favourite crafty read?
Have you seen Material Obsessions. A lovely quilt book put out by two Australian ladies who had a common interest. Gorgeous pictures and lovely to just look through over and over.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?
I love the peace and quiet, which is pretty tough to come by living in a house with 6 males, so I don’t listen to anything usually. If I do I love Bryan Adams spirit of the black stallion. Great instrumental music.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....
Too many. DUST, Etsy, Madeit, I like seeing what everyone is up to and what the latest trends are.

Whats up next for you on the craft front?
I am going to try dying next I have decided.

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they?
Far too many. Quilts I was making for my boys, one for my Dad also, Toys sitting on shelves waiting for bits, Bags that are unfinished. The list really is toooo long.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?
You can find me at www.kazzalblue.etsy.com I can also be contacted through my blog at http://kraftybiz.blogspot.com/ or you can leave me a message on my email at jandklove [at] netspace.net.au