Sunday, November 27, 2011

The Empire

I'm so excited to be running a beginner Knitting program through Spark of Brilliance! It's coming up in a few weeks and FULL!


So, since my lovely trip to upstate NY there has been a wondrous skein of yarn made by Jill Draper sitting in a place of honour on my shelf. I'm going to be crocheting an EPS sweater in tandem with my friend Jenne in San Francisco. The lovely Cal Patch has already made a sweater from Empire using the EPS in crochet and I will be emailing her and calling her for advice. I really want to make a longer sweater that is sort of "belled" from the waist with a boat neck and 3/4 bell sleeves. A cozy one! I will be using one of my lovely new magic wands (hand-turned wooden crochet hooks by Willette)!


In other news - there are lots of things brewing that I will share shortly - just not now... secrets... shhhhh.....

Also, I had a great time with a group of amazing kids at The Children's Art Factory doing a Monster Making Workshop! Here are some pictures:


Birdeye Family Programs and myself as Fibreperson will be running a few other fun programs through the Children's Art Factory in December and January! Just read these and email me if you need more info!!:

The Community Quilt Project
Hey kids, would you like to help us make a quilt? This is a creative group project that brings happiness to our community. We are calling on kids aged 7 - 12 to join us in making quilt squares. You can embroider, do appliqué, needle felt, paint - anything you want to make your square unique. Then, we will sew them together to make a quilt that will be displayed at the Children's Art Factory and other public places around Guelph! The quilt will ultimately be donated to a not-for-profit that helps children and families in our city. Participants will make two squares, one finished as a banner and ready for hanging at their home, the other will be for the Community Quilt. All materials will be provided. Ages 7 - 12. Thursday, December 29th OR Wednesday January 4th from 1-3pm. $25 per child all materials included!
Sign up by emailing: alisamcr@gmail.com
This program is co-hosted by Birdeye Family Programs and Fibreperson!


Crafternoon Tea
Are you a crafty momma? Knit-star? Is crochet your thing? Perhaps even an embroidery lover? Maybe you'd love to learn but just don't have the time?
Join us for Crafternoon Tea! A time where you can work on what ever your crafting desires may be while your tots are only steps away working on their own little projects.
Starting in January 2012, we will be offering this crafty group for tots 2 1/2 - 6 years old and their parents! The cost will be $25 which includes hands on supervision and all the crafting supplies for your little one, tea for you, and, if you need a project to work on, we will have kits available too! There will be help and instruction in knitting, crochet and embroidery available. Please keep an eye out for further information on this group, which will run bi-weekly from 1 - 3pm starting in January.
This program is co-hosted by Birdeye Family Programs and Fibreperson!


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

November (already!?) Classes....

Here are some classes I'll be teaching in November and some to look forward to....
Oh, and please use the "follow by email" feature to get all my updates!

First of all, I'm so excited to be working with The Children's Art Factory! I will be teaching classes exclusively for children! Check it out:

Monsters! Aliens! Creatures!
Can you think of a funny monster? A scary alien? Maybe a silly creature!? Come and have fun with pompoms, felt, googley eyes and other fun materials and make that monster come to life! Ages 6 and up! Sunday November 6, 12:30–2:30pm.
Just drop-in for Monster Mayhem! If you need more info please email: alisa@thechildrensartfactory.com.


Beginner Knitting for Kids
You can make all sorts of things if you know how to knit – want to try?
This class is for those of you who have never knit before and want to get started. We will learn the knit stitch, the purl stitch and how to cast-on and bind-off. Ages 7-9. This is a three-week class, the dates are Tuesday November 15, 22 and 29, 6–7:30 pm. The cost is $60, which includes all materials. Please register by emailing: alisa@thechildrensartfactory.com.


Making Yarn with a Drop Spindle!
Hey Kids! Do you want to make your own yarn! Want to learn about sheep?
Using a drop spindle, you can learn to spin your own yarns! Inexpensive to start, this is a great hobby! Ages 7-9. This is a three-week class, the dates are Wednesday November 16, 23 and 30, 6-7:30pm. The cost is $60, which includes all materials. Please register by emailing alisa@thechildrensartfactory.com.


Also, keep an eye out for these fun workshops and crafting days coming up at The Children's Art Factory:

The Community Quilt Project
Hey kids, would you like to help us make a quilt? This is a creative group project that brings happiness to our community. We are calling on kids aged 7 - 12 to join us in making quilt squares. You can embroider, do applique, needle felt, paint - anything you want to make your square unique. Then, we will sew them together to make a quilt that will be displayed at the Children's Art Factory and other public places around Guelph! The quilt will ultimately be donated to a not-for-profit that helps children and families in our city. Participants will make two squares, one finished as a banner and ready for hanging at their home, the other will be for the Community Quilt. All materials will be provided. Ages 7 - 12. Thursday, December 29th OR Wednesday January 4th from 1-3pm. $25 per child all materials included! Sign up by emailing: alisa@thechildrensartfactory.com

Crafternoon Tea
Are you a crafty momma? Knit-star? Is crochet your thing? Perhaps even an embroidery lover? Maybe you'd love to learn but just don't have the time?
Join us for Crafternoon Tea! A time where you can work on what ever your crafting desires may be while your tots are only steps away working on their own little projects.
Starting in January 2012, we will be offering this crafty group for tots 2 1/2 - 6 years old and their parents! The cost will be $25 which includes hands on supervision and all the crafting supplies for your little one, tea for you, and, if you need a project to work on, we will have kits available too! There will be help and instruction in knitting, crochet and embroidery available. Please keep an eye out for further information on this group which will run bi-weekly from 1 - 3pm starting in January.

I'm also excited to be teaching some classes at the lovely Greenwood Quiltery this month too! (click on the link to contact them for more info and to sign up):

Sock Knitting!
This is a two-part class where students will learn the basics of sock knitting. We will be working on four needles from the cuff down. Please know how to work on 4 needles, read a pattern, cast on/off and be available for both classes. Thursday November 3 AND Thursday November 17, 6 – 8 pm. $35 For both classes; materials additional.
Contact Greenwood Quiltery to register.


Drop Spindle Spinning
Entranced by handspun yarns?! Give it a “whorl”! Using the drop spindle, learn to spin your own yarns. Inexpensive to start, this is a great portable hobby!
Saturday November 5 AND Saturday November 12, 6 – 8 pm. $35 for both classes; materials additional. Contact Greenwood Quiltery to register.