Moda Fabrics

New Moda fabrics have arrived! Going up on the Laughing Hens website, will be ready to purchase tomorrow... Please see the following link to our Laughing Hens Facebook page to view all the fabrics:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.174017112704254.30422.100002878999658&type=1&l=d52e8edfe7

 

Ever felt like this?

Workshop Schedule Feb/March

Crochet Workshops (Beginners & Intermediate)

Saturday 4th February 2012
Saturday 7th April 2012

Sewing Workshops (Quilting - Hand Piecing Hexagons)
Saturday 18th February 2012
Saturday 14th April 2012

Knitting Workshops
Saturday 24th March 2012 (Refreshers)
Saturday 24th March 2012 (Fairisle/Intarsia)

Crochet Information:
Beginner's Crochet: 9.30am till 12.30pm
This will cover crochet from the very beginning and is suitable for total beginners or those wanting to practice the basic stitches. You'll learn:

How to hold the hook and yarn
Double, treble crochet, slip stitch
How to crochet in the round
Crochet a flower

Intermediate Crochet: 1.30pm till 4.30pm
You'll further practice your knowledge of basic crochet and increase your stitches and techniques. You'll be offered instruction in:

Waves & Chevrons
Clusters
Thistle stitch
Raised Flower Squares
Bobbles
Loops

If anyone from the Intermediate class has a specific technique they'd like covered, please let me know and I will schedule it in.
Each class costs £35.
Practice wools and hooks will be provided and a chance to see some work in progress from the new crochet book I'm working on.

Hand Quilting Information


Hand Piecing Hexagon Workshop
This workshop runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm
We'll cover cutting out the paper templates, fabrics and learning how to piece them together.
This is a hand sewing technique and is suitable for both beginners and intermediate sewers.

Knitting Information

Refreshers
This workshop runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm
For knitters who can already cast on, cast off, knit and purl.
If you'd like to gain some confidence and get your knitting off the ground, this is the workshop for you.
We'll learn techniques on increasing and decreasing, how to make a simple flower, make a picot edging and learn how to knit textured stitches.

Colourwork: Fairisle & Intarsia
This workshop runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm
For knitters who already have a basic knowledge of knitting and can already cast on, cast off, knit & purl.
Learn how to use colour, carry your work along the back neatly and learn the techniques for inserting a motif into your work.

Samples

Just finished some samples for a new jumper going in the new crochet book I'm writing for Cico Books and also a tea cosy for a new craft magazine. Very productive day.

Poppies

Just made some poppies for a commission for a new craft magazine coming out soon:

Will be learning these on our next Crochet workshop on Saturday 4th February. Places still available.

Crochet & Sewing Workshops

Crochet Workshop (Beginners & Intermediate) - Saturday 14th January and Saturday 4th February
Sewing Workshop (Quilting - Hand Piecing Hexagons) - Saturday 18th February

Beginner's Crochet: 9.30am till 12.30pm

This will cover crochet from the very beginning and is suitable for total beginners or those wanting to practice the basic stitches. You'll learn:

How to hold the hook and yarn
Double, treble crochet, slip stitch
How to crochet in the round
Crochet a flower

Intermediate Crochet: 1.30pm till 4.30pm

You'll further practice your knowledge of basic crochet and increase your stitches and techniques:

New stitches including:
Thistle stitch
Squares
Bobbles & Puffs

If anyone from the Intermediate class has a specific technique they'd like covered, please let me know and I will schedule it in.

Each class costs £35.

Practice wools and hooks will be provided and a chance to see some work in progress from some of my projects for the new Baby Crochet book I'm working on.

There will be a free pattern for each session included.

Hand Piecing Hexagon Workshop
This will run from 9.30 to 12.30
We'll cover cutting out the paper templates, fabrics and learning how to piece them together. It's a hand sewing technique and is suitable for both beginners and intermediate sewers.
If you'd like to book for any of these workshops, please email as soon as possible as places are limited.

I really hope you can come, it's a great opportunity to spend some time learning to crochet or sewing either with a friend or on your own with other like-minded people in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Classes will be held in Radlett, Herts.

Craftseller Projects

I will be writing for Craftseller this year and my first commission is 3 glasses cases and a bag. They will be coming out in issue 8, out on the 14th February. Here are some pics:

I'm Back

Been away from my blog for a while, but am back for New Year! Happy New Year to all who read me and I hope it's going to be a good one for you.

Dance With Me

Thanks Kate, for sharing this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQZPozjCX8

Knit 1 TV

I've been on TV! Ok, don't get too excited, it's only a knitting channel. I did all my swearing before they filmed me to try and get it out of my system and besides nearly seeing my knickers the interview doesn't look too bad:

http://www.knit1.tv/player.asp?id=2798&chan=199&dk=1&q=2&seriesid=

I think you can see a preview for free, or subscribe to the knitting channel for £2.50. Just type 'Nicki Trench' into the search and the programme comes up.

Watch this space, as they've asked me to go back - tips most welcome....

Kelly Swallow Chairs

Up early and doing some research and came across these fabulous chairs. Any fan of quilting will love these big comfortable chairs that are full of colour and unique pieces of art. I think an eye catching and brave way of upholstering. Even though she uses vintage pieces of fabric for upholstering this furniture looks contemporary and fun. http://www.kellyswallow.co.uk/ - based near Hertford.

Life can be so exciting!

I went around the Brick Lane area of East London at the weekend - it's easy to get stuck in your own small existence and I had such a great time soaking up all the energy of this place. I only had my iphone so the pictures aren't that good but I thought I'd give you a little taster. The best shop by far was called The Shop in Cheshire Street, E2 6ED. A vintage shop with so many textiles and fantastic things - I could have spent all day in there. The lady who runs it has been there fore 16 years and is a former window dresser and you can really tell - she has displayed everything perfectly. It's worth visiting this area just for this shop alone, but there are dozens like it. Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 9.30am to 5pm. 0207 7395631.

Here are a few pics of my afternoon...

Fixie Bikes...I want one!

Old maps were everywhere, seem very popular ...

Lovely fabrics and styling ...

Vintage aprons...

Vintage everything else...

My poor friends waiting patiently for me to come out of yet another shop!

Happy, drinking a Moroccan coffee ...

Turbans seem everywhere ...

Fabric For Sale

I'm having an Open Afternoon this Saturday from 1.30 till 4.30pm in Radlett, Herts, to sell fabric that's on sale on the Laughing Hens website. We have Feedsacks, Amy Butler, Tanya Whelan, Kaffe Fassett. If you'd like to come and have a browse, let me know and I'll send you the address.

Inspiration

Trying to get some inspiration for exciting new book project and coming across some great fashion websites. Here's a pic I like... Candy floss hair... Lu Flux designs. See http://www.hippyshopper.com/ for more details.

Bonfire Night Toffee Apples

They may look a little odd, but I've tried to make bite size toffee apples so we can take them to a firework display tonight. If you pop one of these in your mouth you can't talk for 10 minutes and they pull all your fillings out. 

Made a visit to the Hunterian Museum yesterday. It has a massive collection of specimens from tiny insects to huge giants, includes elephants, crocodiles, extinct species and humans.

It's full of huge labelled jars over two floors. Interesting, loved it.....

Painting of a soldier hand piecing a quilt while recovering:



Front Covers

The new front covers have arrived....

A little taster ...

I know it's not coming out until the Spring, but I can't resist giving you a little taster of my new quilting book.....

Happy Halloween

Thinking of Christmas yet?

Free pattern up on the Laughing Hens website today, click here to download pattern:

My Mother Stole My Artichoke

This is so typical! I have spent months growing 6 artichoke plants in my front garden and only one artichoke grew. I have been watching it grow daily and was about to pick and cook it this weekend. I had a lovely recipe ready to show it how much I appreciated it. Then my mother comes along and stole it - without telling me! She just snapped it off and walked out with it!

RIP my artichoke....

Lovely recipes

Want to see some delicious recipes from  my book Sweet Temptation: http://www.wealdentimes.co.uk/food&drink/recipes/wt85-marshmallows.asp

Free Quilt Pattern

I've just made a beautiful quilt out of fat quarters with the Laughing Hens fabrics. I wanted to see how easy it was and also to make something with big blocks rather than small ones, which is what I tend to do. The result is stunning. The fabrics are so beautiful. I have this pattern on a pdf if anyone would like it. Please email me on nicki@laughinghens.com or it will be on the Laughing Hens website later today and you'll be able to download it from there and buy the fabrics I used.

Invitation

I'm having an Open Afternoon on Saturday 12th November from 1.30pm to 4.30pm

This is a great opportunity to pop along and buy the fabrics that are now for sale on the Laughing Hens website.

There are Rowan Fabrics, Bluehill Feedsacks and a 30s retro range: Antique Treasures. There are florals, dots, abstracts and all sorts!

I really hope you can come, please could you rsvp and let me know if you're thinking of coming: nicki@nickitrench.com

Fabrics

Just finished loading the fabrics onto the Laughing Hens website: