Six Streets Yarn Bomb

We are helping to organise and promote a new Yarn Bomb in Derby as part of this years Six Streets Art Trail. Six Streets is a community group that exists to increase neighbourlyness and friendship. Information about Six Streets can be found on their website www.sixstreetsderby.org.uk.

Last year they had their first Art Trail where local people opened their homes to both local and visiting artists. The trail included painters, potters, jewellers, textile artists, printers, photographers and film makers. There was a history trail, children’s activities and pop up cafes. It was so successful that they are having another this year on the weekend of June 22nd – 23rd.

Brand new for this year though is a yarn bomb on the trees of one of Derby’s streets, Wheeldon Avenue. They are asking people to adopt one of the 19 trees and decorate it with a natural theme.I have knitted some leaves, flowers, caterpillars, butterflies and snails to put around this tree. I will probably try to hang one or two bees from the lower branches. Here are some more pictures.

One of the local residents Tina has a map of the trees and their measurements so she can advise on the size of work needed. She can be contacted at tinalhampton@ntlworld.com A tree can be adopted by an individual or a group of knitters, crocheters etc. and your name will be added to your tree. We have some free knitting patterns on the news section of the Angel Eden website but people are free to use any patterns they like as long as it goes with the natural theme.

Derby and the Comic Relief Ice-Off

Yesterday evening members of the Derby Makers group who are based at the Silk Mill Museum held an Ice-Off Competition for Comic Relief!

Contestants were given four cupcakes to ice and also asked to make a box to hold them.

Participants were given basic equipment and asked to bring along extra items to decorate the cakes on a theme of their choice.

Two eager icers Hannah and Andrea choose to sit on the other side of the room, a cynical person might assume this was to allow for secret finger licking 😛

It was wonderful to see just how enthusiastic everyone was to take part.

The contestants had forty five minutes to compete the task.  This allowed those of us who were observing to enjoy tea and homemade cakes 🙂

There were plenty of yummy treats to choose from and they were all being sold in aid of Comic Relief which is celebrating  25 years since it started.

The evening was about more than just cake with people winding wool ready for our next yarn bombing and others grappling with the 3D printer.

We even had a local newspaper turn up and insist we try out some unusual photographic poses. Here Britta is icing a lid and the photographer is taking the picture from below as I hold the flash.

He took plenty of other pictures and here are some more contestants holding their cakes up to him.

I think one person may have had some extra help with her icing! Teddy has many talents.

Once the cakes were finished everyone was asked to vote for their first, second and third choices.

These cakes were a clear winner.

These were second and the next picture shows number seven who came third.

It was not an easy choice as there were so many good ideas such as the fastest cakes on earth.

Easter cakes.

Under the sea.

And so many more.

 

The three winners were presented with knitted rosettes to remember their success.

The evening itself raised £90 and we are waiting for some more money to come in as cakes that were left over are still being sold.

Thank you to everyone who baked and took part in the evening.

 

 

 

Derby Format 13 Photography Festival

Yesterday evening I attended the opening of the sixth International Photography Festival in Derby.

Unfortunately the weather was very cold and wet but the performance by ELEMENTAL FORCE was well worth the effort.

We were treated to a spectacular outdoor show featuring film, sound, light, fire and an aerial performer plus fireworks!

The aerial performer danced high above our heads (so very brave!) and appeared to be engulfed by the beautiful fireworks towards the end of her performance.

There were also pictures projected onto a wall next to the Silk Mill Museum showing different aspects of our history.

Pictures and colours could also to be seen on the museum itself.

At the end of the evening we walked back along a path edged with fire towards Derby Cathedral.

There are more events, workshops and exhibitions due to be held in Derby up until April 6th. If you are in the area they will definitely be worth a visit.

Details can be found here www.formatfestival.com