Meet the Photographer - Anne Geddes' Meningoccal Campaign

Long before I was lucky enough to work with some talented photographers taking amazing images of newborns in my hats, I had seen and loved Anne Geddes' work with babies.  

She recently began a project featuring survivors of Meningococcal disease and having seen some of the images I just had to share them with you.

The campaign will see Anne partner with meningococcal disease support groups from around the world, photographing 10–15 families across three continents who have experienced the impact of meningococcal disease.   The pictures will be published on 24th April which is World Meningitis Awareness Day. 

The aim is to educate parents about the threat of meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention and vaccinations.  

At the same time the stunning images celebrate the survivors and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.

Anne hopes the campaign will inspire parents to do what they can to protect their children against this terrible disease.

“You just need to look at one of these children and you’ll understand the impact of this devastating disease. I’ve never met a parent who doesn’t want to protect their child, and as a mother it really would be your worst nightmare to see your child go through such an ordeal. We need to empower parents to understand meningococcal disease, to and know their options to help protect their children.It is my goal that these images will capture the inspiration and strength of these survivors, and at the same time I want their own parents to look at the images and think their children have never looked so beautiful.”
To learn more:  http://protectingourtomorrows.tumblr.com  and www.comomeningitis.org

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Book worm - Soup for Every Day - 365 recipes!

We have a fussy dog - Tyler.  Well, I'm not convinced he's that fussy but my husband thinks he has a short life and should be fed well so he gets fresh chicken every week. And if he doesn't, he sulks!

Problem is that it leaves us with a carcass every time.  However, we came up with a solution - make our own chicken stock. This presented another question - what to do with it?  Answer - soup.  And thankfully my sister-in-law suggested a great book so I have lots of fresh ideas.

Just been making roasted pepper, sweetcorn and chilli soup which tasted absolutely delicious, so I thought I'd share the book suggestion.  I was lucky enough to get it for a fiver from Amazon but it doesn't seem to be that price at the moment although the Book People do it for roughly the same price and you can order it online.

And of course, I can't resist a tenuous link.  How can I make a link to one of my hats? Sweetcorn, of course.  

Do you have a favourite soup?  Let us know.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - Twitching

I'm not a real bird watcher but, having moved, I'm now lucky enough to witness a daily display of murmurating starlings  over my house.  It must be one of the most magical wildlife spectacles we are fortunate enough to see in Britain during the winter months.   As each bird strives to fly as close to its neighbours as possible, its tiny deviations are magnified and distorted by those surrounding it to create rippling, swirling patterns.

The logic behind this spectacular behaviour is simple: survival. Starlings are tasty morsels for peregrines, merlins and sparrowhawks. The answer is to seek safety in numbers, gathering in flocks and with every bird trying to avoid the edge where adept predators can sometimes snatch a victim.

Until recently such sights were common over London. Indeed, in 1949 so many roosted on the hands of Big Ben that they stopped the clock. Sadly, such invasions are a thing of the past, but Rome is currently subject to a vast influx of several million birds each winter. This produces spectacular swarms, but the problems associated with the roosts are not so wondrous. 

There are, of course, downsides to this amazing phenomenon.  Starling droppings are extremely acidic and can damage paintwork on car.  In Rome car owners have to pay out millions of euros for resprays! 

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - Winter Olympics and the Ravellenic Games 2014

Don't know about you, but although I've tried my hand at skiing and skating, that's about it when it comes to Winter Sports.  But I will be watching the Olympics and enjoying the spectacle that comes with it.

If, like me, you're more of a spectator fan and a knitter you can combine your pastimes by entering the Ravellenic Games.  Run by the website Ravelry, it challenges knitters to start and finish a project during the Winter Olympics, using a new technique, attempting a massive project, something delicate or anything else that will expand your knitting or crocheting horizons.

There will be a mass cast-on during the opening ceremonies and you past the finish line dependent on which event you have chosen to follow. 

There are even medals you can post on your blog or ravelry profile. 

You can find out more from their website and the following links.  Events 2014   And if you've got any questions about the events, you can check out their FAQ!

Personally, I'll probably be busy with my own projects - making up stripy hats for my niece and nephew to take with them skiing.  If you want to stay warm this winter, why not invest in one of our stripy hats too.  Check them out here 

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Days Out - Whitland Produce Market

Getting ready for our first market in Wales having been asked to hold a stall at the Whitland Produce and Craft Market.

As it's nearly Valentine's Day the theme is about all things heart shaped, so we've been busy making vintage inspired hearts with pastel button detail.  I think I've probably made enough for everyone in Whitland!  They'll be on sale for £2 each.

  

With St David's Day just around the corner I thought I should make some signature red dragon hats, bodysuits, T-shirts and aprons which will all be on sale and to order too.

And we mustn't forget Mother's Day.  You will be able to order a personalised apron at the market ready for collection the following month and in time for Mother's Day.  What would you choose to say?  SUPER MUMMY, MUMS ROCK, WORLD'S BEST MUM or MOTHER KNOWS BEST perhaps?  And of course, you can order online too.

If you're in the area do come and say hello.  We'd love to meet you.  For more details about the market, click here.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk 

Meet the maker - Helen Round, Printmaker

In my never ending search for new projects to try, I was lucky to happen upon this website about printmaker Helen Round. With passion for print and a life time love of beautiful fabrics, not only does she design and create beautiful prints but she also offers workshops so that others can have a go themselves.

She uses traditional screen printing methods and prints her unique, hand drawn designs onto the highest quality linen, combining state of the art digital printing with traditional hand printing techniques such as monoprint and screen print.. 

Everything in her work is carefully considered and all designs begin life as beautiful hand drawings inspired by the Cornish countryside, where she lives and from where she takes much of her inspiration. Living close to the sea she says, 'Her work is a celebration of all that is Cornwall.'

As she says herself 'Everyone Needs a Creative Day' and you can join Helen in her studio for an opportunity to experiment, learn a new skill and feed your creativity. 

Workshops held in her studio and are limited to six people ensuring plenty of 1:1 support. They are very reasonably priced and full day workshops include a delicious home cooked lunch and 'plenty of tea and cake'. 

Here students are printing their own designs and making books. But there are other courses available too and if you find yourself in Cornwall, I urge you to book yourself in and have a go. But if you can't, then do see if you can find something similar nearer to home.

You can buy mugs, bags, coasters, cushions and aprons from her website and don't forget we sell aprons too. You could even get one personalised with 'printmaker' once you've tried it out for yourself.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Play Days and Day Trips - Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival

Possibly best known for it's famous Gold Hill, there's something else brewing in Shaftesbury this half term.

And despite moving away, it's lovely to have an ongoing connection with Dorset. So as you can imagine we were thrilled to be asked by the organisers of the Shaftesbury Snowdrops to supply some of our gorgeous hats and clothing for their festival this year.

You may have seen them on The One Show a couple of years ago when they asked for help with their challenge to plant thousands of bulbs.  To date they have now planted over 120,000!

Their aim is to create Britain’s first ‘Snowdrop Town’ with a series of free and accessible Snowdrop walks within the publicly open spaces and along the pathways throughout the town. 

Making snowdrop lanterns for the festival

And to celebrate, each year they hold a festival in February, details of which you can find here.  As well as a free trail through Shaftesbury, there is a host of other activities taking place: talks, films and workshops including wood turning, calligraphy, floral design and scrap booking.

And of course, don't forget to pop in to their pop up shop where you'll be able to buy all things snowdrop related, including our hats, T-shirts and aprons.

And if you can't make it, you can always buy something from the snowdrop range online from our website.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk