CRAFT CLUB MEETINGS
Our monthly meetings are on the first Saturday of each month. We meet in Wednesbury Library 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. We don't charge for our craft group. Whilst we use the library, the drinks are provided for free. We hope you will be able to join us. Bring with you your own craft work and enjoy a couple of hours of craft and chat.
Please check this page or our Facebook page (link below) in case a meeting has to be changed or cancelled. https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovinglycrafted.stbarts
With very best wishes
Lynn and Wendy
Our monthly meetings are on the first Saturday of each month. We meet in Wednesbury Library 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. We don't charge for our craft group. Whilst we use the library, the drinks are provided for free. We hope you will be able to join us. Bring with you your own craft work and enjoy a couple of hours of craft and chat.
Please check this page or our Facebook page (link below) in case a meeting has to be changed or cancelled. https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovinglycrafted.stbarts
With very best wishes
Lynn and Wendy
The next meeting will be on Saturday 5th July 2025,
1.30-3.30 pm, in the library.
1.30-3.30 pm, in the library.
CAN YOU HELP PLEASE?
Madeline from Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery has received an email from Rebecca Fellows regarding a project that Arts Therapies UK are working on with an organisation to create as many knitted/crochet bulls as possible by 14th May. The bulls created will be donated to Birmingham Hospice who will sell these in pop up shops over the summer. If you can help with this project, please let me know so that I can co-ordinate getting them to her. (I don't have any patterns, sorry.) Send me an email if you can make some for this project. [email protected]
WEDNESBURY WORLD OF CRAFT
Some of our craft group members took part in Wednesbury World of Craft, a 2 day exhibition and workshops event on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March, at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery. It was the first event organised by Wednesbury Creative Network. It was a wonderful event and we enjoyed taking part. Photos of the event can be viewed on Wednesbury Creative Network's Facebook page, using this link. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572957143174
Some of our craft group members took part in Wednesbury World of Craft, a 2 day exhibition and workshops event on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March, at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery. It was the first event organised by Wednesbury Creative Network. It was a wonderful event and we enjoyed taking part. Photos of the event can be viewed on Wednesbury Creative Network's Facebook page, using this link. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572957143174
This lovely felt picture with knitted people was made by Lynn Castillo and is on display in church.
Thank you to everybody who came to our craft group. We were happy to welcome 4 new members - Sonia, Carol, Elaine and Jill. A few of our regular members were not able to join us. The atmosphere was lovely and we had some entertainment by Mario (singing and playing his guitar). Thank you to Carol for the photo.
Two ladies from our craft group (Gill Rea and Carol Downton), who also attend the Arts and Crafts Community of Wednesbury UK craft group, recently supported Nadia from the Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre with the Teddy Bears' Picnic on 10th July. Lots of teddies were made by members of the groups and others were donated. Thank you to everybody. The event was very well attended and enjoyed by everybody.
WEDNESBURY DAY As part of the activities going on during the day on Saturday 17th June, there was a craft exhibition in the Library. Our craft group was involved. (Thank you to Carol, Pete, Lynn, Marg, Di and Wendy for providing items to display.) It was lovely to see so many crafts created by the talented people of Wednesbury, who attend different groups in the town.
Many crafts were displayed on boards:
Other crafts were on tables:
The following image is a compilation of items made for church:
The following images show a range of crafts that Lynn, Marg and Wendy have made in the past. We were lucky on the day to have the actual peacock image.
The following images show work created by Lainey and Sandra from the Arts and Crafts Community of Wednesbury UK group, of which Wendy is also a member. Lainey had some items on display in the exhibition as well and she has recently joined our group, too.
The final image was on display at the library and is a compilation of crafted items made by several members of the group indicated:
Well done to all crafters who provided items or photos for the event.
What a lovely atmosphere at our monthly craft group on 3rd June. There were 15 people there; some were our regulars and a couple of people who hadn't been for a while. Also, we had 5 new people, so welcome to Lainey, Shan, Nat, Silvina and Gab.
Here is a free pattern for all you cat lovers. Use This LINK to download it. There are other free patterns on the page, too.
PREVIOUS NEWS FROM THE CRAFT CLUB
CHRISTMAS 2022:
The church looked wonderful at Christmas. We thank everyone involved for making decorations and wreaths which we can use again in December 2023.
Special thanks to Gill Rea and her granddaughters, Jo Hill, Wendy Bird, Lynn Castillo, Alison O'Neill, Joan Rowley (Alison Harthshorne's mum), Pete Worton, Sharon Wright and Karen Bennett. Thank you, also, to Tony Breakwell for giving us a lot of materials to work with. (Apologies if I have forgotten anybody.)
Here are some photos of just a few of the items made.
Special thanks to Gill Rea and her granddaughters, Jo Hill, Wendy Bird, Lynn Castillo, Alison O'Neill, Joan Rowley (Alison Harthshorne's mum), Pete Worton, Sharon Wright and Karen Bennett. Thank you, also, to Tony Breakwell for giving us a lot of materials to work with. (Apologies if I have forgotten anybody.)
Here are some photos of just a few of the items made.
THANK YOU: In December 2022 I had an email from Jayne Sambrook who works on the Neonatal Ward at the Manor Hospital. She said I should get a letter from the Ward at some point but, in the meantime, she wishes to say a big ‘Thank You’ for all the hard work that goes into each and every hat made. She went on to say that they mean so much to their babies and families. On Tuesday night she was looking after a little 30 week baby who was only just 1kg in weight. He was ventilated, like many of the tiny babies, and to see them in the knitted hats was beautiful because of the love they are made with. One mum nearly cried when Jayne gave her a bonding square and explained why they use them. She wanted to wish us all a Merry Christmas.
Thank you ladies for the work you’ve done whether it has been hats, blankets or bonding squares; they are obviously grateful. She went on to tell me that the blankets seem to have dwindled down, (especially blankets for boys). So, she asked if we could possibly make more of those. I can take them to the hospital in the New Year.
Thank you ladies for the work you’ve done whether it has been hats, blankets or bonding squares; they are obviously grateful. She went on to tell me that the blankets seem to have dwindled down, (especially blankets for boys). So, she asked if we could possibly make more of those. I can take them to the hospital in the New Year.
THANK YOU: In May 2022 I have received an email from Jayne Sambrook, Neonatal Sister at Walsall Manor Hospital, thanking us for the items some of you knitted, crocheted and sewed. She said:
"We have always relied on donations of knitted items but more so in the present climate as we are unable to wash and reuse them. Therefore, we give them to the families to take home to wash and keep, which is actually lovely for our families due to the love and work that goes into making the blankets. Please pass on our warmest thanks for all the hard work done by your craft club to help keep our babies warm and cosy."
We have since received this letter from the Ward Manager, too:
"We have always relied on donations of knitted items but more so in the present climate as we are unable to wash and reuse them. Therefore, we give them to the families to take home to wash and keep, which is actually lovely for our families due to the love and work that goes into making the blankets. Please pass on our warmest thanks for all the hard work done by your craft club to help keep our babies warm and cosy."
We have since received this letter from the Ward Manager, too:
THANK YOU:
Thank you to Pete Worton for making this beautiful macramé bunting-style garland for church. It looks lovely. It now attracts people's attention to the literature at the back of the church.
CRAFT MEETING: Thank you so much to Pete Worton (standing in the photo below) for leading the macramé workshop on 2nd April. Some of us made good progress whilst others (especially me and Di ) didn't do quite so well. 😀
THANK YOU to Carol Downton, Jane Parkes and Karen Bennett for knitting/crocheting/sewing a supply of mini blankets and bonding squares for premature babies in the neonatal unit at Manor Hospital. I took them to the hospital on Tuesday 5th April.
CRAFT CLUB:
Pete Worton and his wife Yvonne regularly attend our craft club (yes, gentlemen are welcome to join us!). Pete is an accomplished maker of jewellery but since he retired he has taken up other craft pursuits too, such as basket weaving and macrame. During our meeting on 5th February he made this plant pot hanger whilst we were crafting and chatting. Here is a photo of the work he did.
CHESTER CATHEDRAL EXHIBITION:
‘Threads Through Creation’ is an exhibition of 12 silk panels reimagining the story of Creation. The artist, Jacqui Parkinson, took 3 years to complete the work (8,000,000 stitches!). For information use this link. The following set of photographs are ones I took when I went there earlier this year. You can hover over the images to see an explanation about each panel. If you click on the caption you can see the image and caption at the same time. You might need to click on each photo to see the full image, in which case, if you hover over the photo, you can use the arrow to move on to the next photo.
‘Threads Through Creation’ is an exhibition of 12 silk panels reimagining the story of Creation. The artist, Jacqui Parkinson, took 3 years to complete the work (8,000,000 stitches!). For information use this link. The following set of photographs are ones I took when I went there earlier this year. You can hover over the images to see an explanation about each panel. If you click on the caption you can see the image and caption at the same time. You might need to click on each photo to see the full image, in which case, if you hover over the photo, you can use the arrow to move on to the next photo.
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We were able to decorate one of the porch gates at church last year. Thank you to those of you who have knitted or crocheted the poppies. If you still have poppies, please pass them on to Wendy and she will use them to add to the display next year. A special thank you to Lynn Castillo who made the lovely poppy wreath which is on the church door.
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Over the last 12/18 months, some members of the group have knitted or crocheted flowers and a few ladies have used felt to make them. Thank you to all of you. They have now been sewn onto a frame, creating a butterfly, which is now in the porch as you enter church. Previously, a heart and a cross were created, using some of the flowers (see a previous post lower down). There are still some flowers left so another 'picture' will be created from them. The next project is to sew some poppies onto camouflage netting to adorn the gate at the entrance to the church ready for Remembrance Sunday.
FLOWER DECORATIONS IN THE PORCH:
Thank you to some of the Craft Club ladies especially Lynn, Carol, Jo and Wendy, for creating a lovely heart and cross to decorate the notice board in the porch. There are, also, some butterflies and bees. There are still quite a few crocheted and knitted flowers left as well as a knitted snail and Carol is knitting more flowers, so we aim to brighten up the rest of the porch soon.
Are you a 'Line of Duty' fan? If you are you will love these knitted characters. These amazing figures were created by Knitsonstix.
Dr Lucy Worsley OBE is a British historian, author, curator, and television presenter. She is Joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces but is best known as a presenter of the BBC Television series on historical topics. On 16th April, on her Facebook page, she wrote: "After a rare but welcome trip to Kensington Palace this week I can report that THE CROWN JEWELS ARE SAFE. Well, the knitted ones at least and they're waiting patiently in the learning centre for our young visitors to be able to come back and play with them."
Aren't they fabulous?
Sedgley Evening Townswomen’s Guild Crafts shared this pattern and image. It was made as a present for a friend. The pattern is free by Hooks and Dragons. Use this link to access the pattern.
Thank you to those of you who have knitted or crocheted key worker dolls for one of the stations in the Nativity Trail which we hope to open to the public in December. More news to follow (refer to the Christmas page for details of that event).
UPDATE ON POPPY TRAIL
Ladies from Victory Belles (WI) displayed poppies when it was not possible to have a parade.
Ladies from Victory Belles (WI) displayed poppies when it was not possible to have a parade.
How amazing is this? Laura Chaisty says her mum suffers with anxiety and has really struggled during this lockdown. Making this quilt has kept her busy and eased her mind. It’s now on show outside her house for people to see whilst on their daily walks. ‘Our world 2020.’ Well done to Trish Chaisty; you have created a wonderful message for these times.
For any of you who are struggling with isolation or are anxious, if you are able to make something similar it might help you to cope with the isolation and the worries we all have at this time. How about making something yourself that relates to the current situation? It could be created using knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, painting, paper craft, wood craft, resin, glass engraving, pebble craft, etc. All the best.
Thank you to Trish and Laura for allowing me to share this.
For any of you who are struggling with isolation or are anxious, if you are able to make something similar it might help you to cope with the isolation and the worries we all have at this time. How about making something yourself that relates to the current situation? It could be created using knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, painting, paper craft, wood craft, resin, glass engraving, pebble craft, etc. All the best.
Thank you to Trish and Laura for allowing me to share this.
I never enjoyed using a glue gun as I got in so much of a mess. However, I've come to love it recently when I made 2 fairy log houses and some fairy doors for the small fairy garden under a Forsythia tree. I needed something stronger to glue lots of bits and bobs onto the logs and fairy doors. After sealing everything with varnish I have now put them in the garden. I present Wendy's Craft Cottage and Dotty Cottage as well as one of the small fairy doors. I have included special references to our daughters and grandchildren. You may need to click on each photo to see full detail. Wendy
We are happy to advise you about Saxon Hill Craft Barn. The Craft Barn is a non-profit and charitable organisation at Chasewater. It is a resource and recycling centre, providing work based learning opportunities for young people and adults with physical and learning difficulties. It really is an Aladdin’s Cave of creativity and everything is sold at a low cost. They are open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm. It’s well worth a visit and afterwards you can use the cafe in the Innovation Centre or sit outside by the pool. There is also a tea room at the Station. There are play areas for children too so it makes a nice day out.
Check them out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saxonhillcraftbarn/
Check them out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saxonhillcraftbarn/
On Sunday 23rd February we presented to the church the banner we have been working on (about God's natural world). It looks beautiful. Thank you to those of you who have created some of the sections. Special thanks to Lynn Castillo and Marg Wood who planned and completed the banner. (You may need to click on the main photograph to see all of the banner.). It is now hanging on a pillar for everybody to see.
CHARITY FOCUS 2019
Our charity focus started when the Food Bank in Wednesbury received a donation of mini knitted hats. After that some of our crafters and people from church knitted or crocheted more hats. Thank you to all of you. (See the photo above showing what we have been able to donate to the ‘Innocent smoothies Big Knit project’. http://www.thebigknit.co.uk
The Big Knit started back in 2003 with an idea. They asked people to knit little woolly hats, then they put them on their smoothies. For each smoothie sold with a hat, they gave 25p to Age UK. Since then, 7.5 million hats have been knit and donated. Nearly £2.5 million has been raised for Age UK so far (that figure includes other donations).
What a fabulous idea!
If you want more information (and knitting patterns) please look at their website. If you are able to knit a few hats for us to donate to this cause in the future, can you pass them on to somebody who is a member of the Craft Club or who goes to St Bartholomew’s Church please otherwise pop them into Wednesbury’s Food Bank and they will pass them on to us. Alternatively, you can donate them individually yourself. Thank you.
Please note: We have already passed on this year's donation of hats as Innocent Smoothies needed them early July.
Our charity focus started when the Food Bank in Wednesbury received a donation of mini knitted hats. After that some of our crafters and people from church knitted or crocheted more hats. Thank you to all of you. (See the photo above showing what we have been able to donate to the ‘Innocent smoothies Big Knit project’. http://www.thebigknit.co.uk
The Big Knit started back in 2003 with an idea. They asked people to knit little woolly hats, then they put them on their smoothies. For each smoothie sold with a hat, they gave 25p to Age UK. Since then, 7.5 million hats have been knit and donated. Nearly £2.5 million has been raised for Age UK so far (that figure includes other donations).
What a fabulous idea!
If you want more information (and knitting patterns) please look at their website. If you are able to knit a few hats for us to donate to this cause in the future, can you pass them on to somebody who is a member of the Craft Club or who goes to St Bartholomew’s Church please otherwise pop them into Wednesbury’s Food Bank and they will pass them on to us. Alternatively, you can donate them individually yourself. Thank you.
Please note: We have already passed on this year's donation of hats as Innocent Smoothies needed them early July.
Below is a slideshow of our Christmas Craft Fayre 2018. It was a fabulous afternoon:
All profits made from our craft fayres are saved for a project in Church or the church hall. In the past we used some of the money and gifted a new Common Worship Book (Presidents edition) to the Church which was blessed by the Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Revd Clive Gregory (and Lynn made a beautiful bookmark to be used in the book). This photo doesn't do it justice.
Take a look in the slideshow below at some items our members have made:
We shared a stall with 'Wednesbury Churches Together' at Wednesbury Carnival in July 2018. It was a lovely sunny day and we had a great afternoon.
