Craft Club, September

Our next Craft Club is Tuesday 3rd September at Atlantis Books from 5.30 to 7.30pm.

This month we'll be getting knotted! Yes, that's right - we're going retro, back to the 1970s and trying our hand at macramé! We're going to make these macramé keychains - don't worry, they're suitable for beginners. If you can tie your shoelaces you can make these!



And to get you in the mood, here's a simple guide to getting knotted! (or getting started with the basics of macrame!) 


Please email lwewicraftclub@gmail.com if you plan to come, so we know to expect you; we can only fit 10 in, so need to know numbers in advance. Also email us for more information if you haven't come before and want to know more! 
As ever tea, coffee and delicious biscuits will be served.
More about Craft Club at https://lwewicraftclub.blogspot.com/

Phoenix Gardens Agricultural Show & St Giles Fayre

The Phoenix Garden annual event is drawing closer! 

Every year we have a cake stall here, and let's not make this one an exception (especially as we're on the poster!). If you can help out by baking, whether sweet or savory, or can spend some time on the stall on Saturday 7th September, please email us ASAP so we know we've got enough people to make it work!

August Monthly Meeting - Belly Dancing!

Our August monthly meeting is on Wednesday 21 July from 6.30 to 8.30pm in the Upper Vestry Hall of St George's Bloomsbury.

Elaine has been teaching belly dance for over 15 years both independently and for the local education authority and will be running a belly dancing taster session at our August meeting if you would like to try your hand (or to be precise your hips). Wear something comfortable that you can move in easily and dance in bare feet or shoes with flat non-slip soles eg plimsoles, ballet pumps, trainers – for safety reasons please do not wear socks (on their own), high heels, flip flops, mules or any shoe with a slippery sole during the session.

In the Arab world belly dance is primarily a dance by women for women, handed down from mother to daughter and danced for their own pleasure. Whenever there is a gathering of women (perhaps to celebrate a coming of age, birth of a new baby or just a coffee morning) dance is usually on the menu. The women and girls will dance informally together, maybe taking their solo turn in the centre of the circle, and the emphasis will not be on the technical skill of the dancer but on her enjoyment of the dance and a celebration of her sensuality.

Belly Dancing can be practised by students of any size or shape, it celebrates sensuality, strength and power, and encourages people to have a positive body image and to gain self confidence in a supportive environment. The dance is low impact and involves stretching, strengthening and developing the muscles, especially those in the abdomen and thorax and developing good posture. It can be as vigorous or gentle as you want to make it, so it is suitable for all age groups and physical abilities.

As ever, please bring some refreshments to share, and do email us at londonwestendwi@gmail.com if it's your first time so we know to look out for you!

July Review of the Month

July is over, and we're half way through the summer! It was a crafty month for us, with hands-on makes at both craft club and our monthly meeting. We also had our first bake sale of the season at Queen Square, and our first attempt at a summer picnic on the last Saturday of the month, although the British weather let us down after all the hot weather and gave us only rain for the picnic.

Craft Club:

At craft club, Elaine led us in making these very professional looking sinimay flowers, for use as brooches, hat decorations or fascinators - they look amazing! Next month we're going to be turning old paperback books into hedgehogs, as you do!

Monthly meeting:

At our July monthly meeting Helena led us in a session based on the geometric tiles of the Alhambra in Spain. After a short talk on the history and tiles of the Alhambra, we all had a go at creating tile patterns ourselves, based around folding, cutting and sticking squares of paper in different ways to create 3 different interlocking patterns, and amazed ourselfs with what we came up with! 

Next month we're getting active, and having a beginners belly dancing session!

Queen Square Fair:

Thank you to everyone who baked, sold or bought delicious goodies from us at the Queen Square fair in early July. We had a wonderful array of baked goods, and a very enjoyable day was had by all. Look out for us at Phoenix Garden in September next (tbc)