Mollie Makes has teamed up with sister magazines Cross Stitcher, Cross Stitch Collection, Simply Knitting, The Knitter, Simply Crochet and Papercraft Inspirations to offer free workshops to crafters attending the show.

Come join our crafty gathering for a make and a chat at one of our make-and-take tables. Whether you’re a keen knitter or new to papercrafting, we’d like to give you your first “I-made-that” high-five of the day! Take a pew at our knitting, crochet, papercraft or cross stitch tables between 11pm and 3pm.

You can get all sorts of yummy supplies at The Knitting and Stitching Show – including lots of mouth-watering fabrics – perfect for your Quilting Day prep. What’s more, there’ll also be someone at hand if you fancy grabbing a subscription to Mollie Makes or one of our sister mags.

Come join the fun; you don’t want to miss out on this!

The Knitting and Stitching Spring Show starts today until 17th March 2013

Olympia Two and Olympia West Hall, London


Open 10.00am to 5.30pm daily, closes 5pm Sunday

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Katie's lovely book on display

Lively music and moody lighting invited us into the warmth to join the party. People were drinking, chatting, tapping their feet and personalizing the sweet ‘Just Sew Stories’ canvas totes provided on a fairy-light lit table. We indulged our love of geometric, neon and sequins with lots of PVA glue. In short, the launch was unlike any other.

Katie looking mega cute with the Mollie Makes team

Katie was having a great night with her friends and colleagues; we just about managed to grab her for a quick photie. We’re really impressed that she wore some of the crafty projects in her book like her cute skull-print bloomers and a sparkly hair accessory.

Neon felt and glue galore!

Just Sew Stories belongs on the shelf of the I-made-it-by-hand devotee. Katie Allen’s craft book is full of sewing tutorials with a lot of sparkle and gifts that we think you might struggle to part with.

For a taster of what to expect in her book, you can find her Hipster Doll project in Mollie Makes issue 19.

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September with the Mollie Makes team

[From left to right, starting in the top-left corner] Letterpress type at Presstival, Whittington. Soaking the sun beside a dreamy pool in Cyprus. Short visit to St Ives to wander the cobbled streets. Mollie Makes team visits the Renegade Craft Fair. Another little fawn to add to a growing collection. Talk of the town: a Dr Martens satchel that is most excellent. Geometric graffiti in Bristol. Someone’s a little older and we’re still eating birthday cake! Charming bunting at Katie Allen’s Just Sew Stories book launch.

Check out Mollie Makes on Instagram. Search ‘molliemakes’ to follow us and see more of our pics.

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Left to right: Leather bags and accessories, by Wolfram Lohr, vintage inspired clothing and accessories, Monica Boxley, machine embroidery by Linda Miller, cactus pincushion, Andrea Lord of &made.

Highlights of the show include the Great Northern Graduates stand, where select creative graduates from across the country will be showcasing their talent.  And for even more jaw-dropping inspiration, head for the Craft Council’s Hothouse Programme stand. The Craft Council’s Hothouse Programme is a scheme dedicated to supporing new and talented designer-makers who are in the early stages of setting up their businesses. You are in for a treat.

In total there are 150 exhibitors to see at the show, so plenty to see and do for a great crafty day out. You’ll be able to chat with designers about their inspirations and work, and even indulge in a spot of shopping.

Some rather gorgeous jewellery will be also be on display (a girl can look, can’t she?). Left to right: Earrings by Ashi Marwaham, floral necklace by Clare Knox Bentham, ring by Jennie Gill.

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2012 takes place at Spinningfields in Manchester from 4th to 7th October. For further information on ticket purchase, details of talks and happenings at the show, and how to find the venue, take a look at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair for all the details. 

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Mollie Makes teamed up with the awesome Renegade Craft Fair for its London event on 15 and 16 September. This large-scale, creative marketplace showcased lovely handmade goods from talented designers, artists and crafters from across the globe.

Over 80 stalls set up shop in Brick Lane’s Truman Brewery. The beautiful old building was the perfect backdrop for this craft-tastic event. Visitors had their pick of top-quality handmade treats, including screenprinted tote bags and tea towels, jewellery, ceramics and loads more.

[Pictured left: Sweet Trash's stall]

Amongst them were Ladybird Likes‘ delightful selection of ribbons and brooches. We also stocked up on fabric badges and earrings from Lovely Pigeon.

I am Acrylic‘s handcut plastic accessories also made an appearance. And, just in case you were wondering: yes, the lightning cloud necklaces were even more adorable in person…

…As were these little fabric robots, houses and water droplet brooches by Deb the Lady Snail.

There was also a spot of yarn spinning on Art Equals Happy‘s stand, a chance to embroider Folky’s logo, plus all-day crafting fun at The Make Lounge.

All in all, the Renegade Craft Fair was an amazing and inspiring event to visit. It was a pleasure to chat to so many lovely designer-makers and fellow attendees there.

For more shots from the Renegade Craft Fair, check out Mollie Makes on Instagram.   

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[From left to right, starting in the top-left corner] Stunning fabric creations on display at the Festival of Quilts 2012. Rainbow + cake = awesome snacks for the Mollie Makes team. Festie fun at the amazing Strummer of Love. Crafting supplies at the ready! Stopping by Jazz Domino Holly‘s Handmade Hangout. Discovering vintage treasures at a local car boot sale. Making presents for friends… and ourselves Hot air balloons in the night sky. Rainbows brightening up a grey day in Bath.

Check out Mollie Makes on Instagram. Search for ‘molliemakes’ to follow us and see more of our pics.

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The Renegade Craft Fair is a large-scale, creative marketplace with a difference. It showcases lovely paper goods, homewares, clothing and accessories from talented designers, artists and crafters from across the globe.

The 8th and 9th of September sees Chicago play host to the Tenth Annual Renegade Craft Fair. This large, creative event features lots of cool designers selling their original, handcrafted wares. There’s also the chance to take part in craft workshops, listen to live music and eat delicious food.

What’s more, if you’re based in the UK, you’re in luck! The Renegade Craft Fair is coming to London‘s Old Truman Brewery. Head to the capital on 15th and 16th of September to seek out inspiration, stock up on handmade treats and craft with the best of them.

Visitors to the London event can expect to find craft workshops from Folksy, The Make Lounge and Craft Central. Mollie Makes and The Simple Things will also be making an appearance.

For more information on the London-based Renegade Craft Fair, visit the official website.

Find out more about the Chicago event

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Mollie Makes has teamed up with sister magazines The Simple Things and CrossStitcher to offer free project cards and exclusive subs offers to crafters attending the show.

This year’s Festival of Quilts takes up not one, but two of the NEC Arena’s massive exhibition halls. The rooms are packed full of fabric, threads, buttons and other crafty kit.

In addition to the veritable feast of haberdashery treats on offer (including the gorgeous supplies from The Eternal Maker, pictured above), there are also workshops and masterclasses running over the four days. It’s great for brushing up on your skills or testing out new bits of kit.

Our favourite things (apart from checking out the many incredible quilts on display, of course) included checking out the beautiful array of buttons from The Button Company (we recommend buying the mixed bag of buttons for a fiver… sooo many lovely ones in there!) and the gorgeous fabric from Amy Butler and her husband David.

Something else you can’t afford to miss is the graduate showcase [top-right image]. The exhibition is packed full of top talent and fantastic pieces.

The Festival of Quilts is on at Birmingham’s NEC until 19 August 2012. For information on tickets and more, check out the official website.

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There’s no doubt that social-networking sites are amazing for keeping in touch with everyone and everything; however, they will never replace the physical. The feeling of flicking through a photo album, finding an old cinema ticket in a vintage bag, or getting letters (that aren’t bills, natch) through the post.

Real hoped to capture these feelings in its exhibition: “We’re here to celebrate the real things; the things you can touch, smell and taste.”

Real’s Physical Network started back in June and has produced some fantastically interesting results from its participants since launch. People from far and wide have sent their ephemera and random keepsakes in to their plots – including Mollie Makes‘ very own Lara Watson!

Pictured above Lara’s collection of temporary treasures

What’s more, since many of Mollie Makes‘ values match those of Real‘s, the organisers very kindly invited us to submit a quote for its exhibition wall.

Pictured above Acting Ed Lara (left) and Digital Ed Sarah posing next to Mollie Makes‘ quote at Real

If all this has inspired you to get involved, plots are still available! Submit your request online to get started. To find out more about the exhibition’s new location and opening times, check out Real‘s website.

Pictured above Real plots by illustrator Philipa Rice (left) and Folksy‘s Emily Barnes (right)

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[Images clockwise from left] Mollie Makes The mag gals pose for a piccie outside Oxfam Fashion‘s festival store. Go team! Wristbands and friendship bracelets aplenty. Flag fest Pretty fabric blowin’ in the wind 

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the world music festival, Womad. Tens of thousands of people flocked to the beautiful Charlton Park Estate in Wiltshire to enjoy the event’s fantastic selection of world music, great food, activities, and laidback atmosphere.

We were nestled in the very lovely Oxfam Fashion festival store offering free crafting tuition to the many lovely festival-goers. Activities on offer included friendship bracelets, hair braids and fabric buttons. We also transformed old t-shirts into tassled scarves with beautiful beads too.

For the full festival report, don’t miss issue 18 of Mollie Makes – on sale 31 August 2012.

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