Downshifting Week began 7 years ago and this year takes place between Saturday 23rd and Friday 29th April. Downshifting is about finding a better work / life balance, slowing down the consuming and embracing living with a little less. I think we could all do with a bit of that.

Anyway, this year’s featured activity is the Community Blankets Project – getting together with a group of knitters or crocheters and making patchwork blankets for vulnerable people in our community. I know us crafters are quite a thrifty bunch already but to make these blankets as sustainable as possible, the idea is to source the yarn from your unused stash or local charity shops or anywhere that otherwise it would have gone to waste.  Then get along the local press to raise awareness about downshifting, supporting each other and crafts. Sounds like a good idea doesn’t it?

Well, if you’re up for a bit of community crafting, pop over to Tracey’s InterNational Downshifting Week website to find out more. She wants to know what you’re doing and to be in touch with your group. She might even come to visit you!

Here’s a video Tracey made to tell you all about it:

A piccie of my first crochet square is above if anyone would like to join me in making a community blanket here in Nottingham.

The workshops aim to provide drop-in centre visitors with a new and creative interest and help them learn new skills. The Art and Design Group is on Mondays 2 – 3.30pm and the Womens’ Group is on Fridays 2-3.30pm.

Volunteers will be supported by paid staff and travel costs reimbursed. Training opportunities may also be available. Emmanuel House will be grateful of any time volunteers can spare so if you’d like to get involved please contact Vicky Warren on 0115 950 7140 or email vwarrenemhouse@yahoo.co.uk.

Please do not contact the Stitched-Up group.

Some of the other stall holders were moaning that there wasn’t much trade, and that the Beeston fair the week before was much better. All I can say is, it’s made a nice dent in the honeymoon fund, so I am happy enough really. I did, however realise that it really takes it’s toll on you being really nice to people who are picking your stuff over (some with an expression as if to say “you should be paying me to take your stuff”…) all day long. On the flip side, I met some really lovely people (mainly the other stall holders) and chewed the fat with them. I met a lovely old dear, who must have been almost 80 telling me how she used Camay soap as she’d seen an advert when she was younger with Katie Boyle (if you don’t know who she is – Google it!) and she’s used the soap ever since after she saw my make up bags with vintage adverts on them. The next fair I am at I will be theming it a bit – “Domestic goddess” – aprons and stuff for the woman in the home (tongue in cheek of course!) and the rest of the stuff I am going to stick on Etsy at some point. When I get round to it! Anyway, here’s a couple of pics for you – definately looked better the second day!

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So put on your posh frock or shirt and pop along between 10am and 4pm. Bring your own home make cake to share too.

Contact Susie or Karen at The Textile Workshop to find out more on
0115 960 3337.

This is the blog part of the Nottingham craft group ‘Stitched Up’ website.

Here we’ll post about our projects and the things we’ve been making at our craft group. We’ll also keep you up to date with any news or changes to our meeting time or place – so watch this space!

Stitched Up meets every Wednesday and you can find out more about where and when on our ‘About’ page.

If you’d like to join us then do come along. We’re a friendly bunch and really want to welcome new members to the group. It doesn’t matter how much craft experience you have or what your favourite type of craft is.

Get in touch with us if you’d like to know more.

We’ll look forward to hearing from you!