Isn't this view divine? Dreamy? Idyllic looking? I would quite fancy waking up to a view like that. Ok, scrap that last sentence and lets say I would completely adore waking up to a view like that. There's that haziness in the sky which tells you it's going to a glorious day. There will be sunshine and heat, for dead cert. Oh what I wouldn't give for some Dead Certain Sunshine right now!
And what about this little street? Do you like the brightly painted wooden shutters, the pretty pastel coloured walls? Can you picture yourself strolling along, taking it easy, breathing it all in?
Come on, lets go wander around the local market and buy some fresh produce for our lunch! We can stop for a morning coffee and sweet pastry in a little cafe and soak up the atmosphere before heading out into the countryside.....
...oooo, this looks like a lovely place to stop for lunch....don't you think it would be amazing to picnic in the dappled shade of these olive trees? Spread out some colourful blankets or ease into a comfy chair, and have a delicious bite to eat. So relaxing. Such pleasure!
Ok, I think by now you must be thinking I have gone quite gaga, I am off in a dream world, a little detached from reality. This is most definitely not my neck o' the woods. Nah, this doesn't look like rainy, stormy Yorkshire at all! And no, I haven't managed to sneak off to somewhere hot and delicious without telling you. Not yet anyway.
So what is this all about? Where is this magical sounding place? And more importantly, WHERE IS THE SOCIABLE CROCHET I promised you?? Eh???
Well let me enlighten you. These photographs were all taken in sunny Provence, a picturesque region in the south of France. It's a beautiful area, somewhere I have long dreamed of visiting. When I think of Provence, I think of the incredible landscapes captured by Van Gogh and Cezanne who did much of their painting in the region. I think of azure blue skies, twinkling stars, fields of lavender and sunflowers. I think of bright colour and light, of tasty fresh produce, vineyards and olive groves, of beauty and warmth, relaxation and inspiration.
So what has this got to do with crochet? Well.........this coming October 2012, I'm being given a very special chance to visit Provence for a most amazing holiday there. The week long holiday will provide a chance to take a luxurious break from every day life in the most beautiful surroundings. There will be a tempting mix of local visits (cafe's, markets, picturesque villages etc), cultural visits, and time for pure relaxation. Oh, and of course there will be lots of Hooky Time, yaaaaayyyy!!! As I (a confessed hooky addict) will be there, of course there has to be plenty of time to ease back, chitter chatter and crochet, crochet, crochet. Sometimes we will be in the gorgeous villa with tea and cake, sometimes we will be out in the amazing landscape with a picnic lunch, but crochet will always be at the heart of it.
Now to say that I am "excited" by the prospect of a week full of crochet, food, friendship, landscape, beauty and relaxation, well that doesn't even begin to cover it. I am fizz-popping with joy at the very idea of it, right from the top of my ditsy head to the end of my stripy-socked toes. Every time I am reminded of it (only thirteen weeks to go!!!) I get a shiver of excitement right down my spine. It promises to be such a happy, fun experience. I am SOOOOOOooooooo looking forward to it!
Truthfully I am quite overwhelmed by this whole dreamlike opportunity, and beleive me I do know and appreicate how incredibly lucky I am. Now if you'd like to find out more, please do go and visit the website at Provence Temptations and take a look at the little Crochet Tour video. Feast your eyes on the gorgeous images and the detailed itinerary. The lovely Petah who is organising this whole incredible event will be delighted to hear from you either by contacting her on the website or via Facebook, please do feel free to get in touch with her for a friendly chat.
I feel so very lucky to have found my way into the creative world of yarn, to have found a craft that lends itself so perfectly to social situations. I feel like I've discovered something so precious, and so full of happiness, and I LOVE to be able to share this experience with others. It's bloomin' MarVelouS!!!! So if you've never had the chance to crochet/knit/craft alongside like minded people, I really hope that someday you will find a way to make it happen. It's the best thing. And if you can make it happen with the most idyllic of surroundings, well a little slice of heaven will open up on Earth for you.
Right, I'm off to go find my hook and yarn, I'm absolutely bursting with energy and excitement now and I need to go unwind myself...........
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ps the crochet element of the tour is going to be very relaxed and informal. I'm creating some special yarn packs and designing a new (colourful) project to introduce and work on during the week, but it'll be an easy going kind of approach. Just the way I like it.
http://www.provencetemptations.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ProvenceTemptations
O you lucky lady you!! Sounds heavenly...make sure you take some Pimms ;-D xx
Posted by: Amanda | July 05, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Sounds lovely - you have an amazing way of bringing pictures to life with your descriptions - I can practically smell lavender and French cheese! Sadly the trip is in term term or I'd be begging my OH to let me come along too! Bet you all have an awesome time....
Posted by: One-oh-four | July 05, 2012 at 08:31 PM
Sounds fab, going to check it out now x
Posted by: Jo | July 05, 2012 at 08:35 PM
I saw this on the I Love Lucy Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I am so excited for you, and those who are going!
Posted by: Eve | July 05, 2012 at 08:41 PM
It sounds uttery fabulous! I hope you enjoy....
Lx
Posted by: lydia @ Twelve | July 05, 2012 at 08:48 PM
WoW! I wish I could be there.....
Posted by: Jeanet | July 05, 2012 at 08:57 PM
Sounds fab. A wee bit expensive for my pocket but looks so relaxing.
Posted by: Kerry | July 05, 2012 at 08:58 PM
It looks absolutely fabulous and I just wish I had 2,782.46 euro to spare.....
Posted by: Penny Peberdy | July 05, 2012 at 09:04 PM
Looks lovely Lucy! Ada:)
Posted by: Ada | July 05, 2012 at 09:11 PM
Lucy, This sounds wonderful but sooooooooooooooooo expensive!!! I hope you have takers because you are so nice and everything you do is great!!!
Posted by: PamelaT | July 05, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Saw this on Ravelry. Sounds divine, but out of my price range. But I'll be able to enjoy it all via your blog posts ... you will be posting from there won't you?
Posted by: Crafty Gardener | July 05, 2012 at 09:17 PM
Wow, you must be thrilled. I just saw the video and it looks really exciting. I can imagine you can't wait to get going.
Groetjes, Monique
Posted by: Monique | July 05, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Lucy, the only thing I would like to say is: this is so you and your excitement is very contagious! I can't wait to hear all about your trip in 13 weeks (which will have passed before you know it).
Posted by: R. | July 05, 2012 at 09:23 PM
OMG! what a fantastic holiday, I'm putting it on my bucket list. enjoy and take lots of photos.
Posted by: Emily Carter | July 05, 2012 at 09:26 PM
Sounds perfect you lucky lady!
Posted by: Eloise | July 05, 2012 at 09:28 PM
That sounds ideal! I wish I was closer :( But I get to chit and chat tonight with lots of hooky involved!
Posted by: Barbara | July 05, 2012 at 09:28 PM
Would sooooo love to come. Pity it's in term time for me and the budget would never stretch that far anyway. One can only dream... Hope you have a wonderful time and look forward to reading all about it on your blog.
Posted by: Grace in France | July 05, 2012 at 09:30 PM
What a fabulous idea, and an amazing place to go! You are going to LOVE it. We'll have to make do with some fantastic pictures! Good times, Sarah x hometoroostblog.blogpost.co.uk
Posted by: Sarah | July 05, 2012 at 09:39 PM
Oh gosh. Wow! That is so exciting and wonderful. What a great thing to look forward to. I've nearly finished my ekka blanky. I'll get a pic to you for sure, it has given me the panics as its due next week.
K
Posted by: Kim | July 05, 2012 at 09:42 PM
Oh you lucky lucky lovely girl, how utterly exciting and wonderful for you, I'm tinged with lots of little bits of green! It sounds like the most idyllic kids of crochet ever - move over yoga retreats, bring on more crochet retreats!
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Posted by: eskimo*rose | July 05, 2012 at 09:43 PM
Wonderful! Looks like you will eat very well and have lots of fun.
Posted by: Fran | July 05, 2012 at 09:44 PM
Looks lovely, actually did a fair bit of hooky round that end of the woods last year so know the stunning surroundings. Have to add that it is way out of my budget as well, sadly. So enjoy yourself and keep us posted.
Posted by: Dream-girl | July 05, 2012 at 09:49 PM
It looks amazing! Can't wait to see the pix.
I'd LOVE to go, but I can't make it this time.
Will there be other times and places? PLEASE say yes. The idea of restful crochet with Lucy in a fabulous location is almost beyond imagining.
And as a fellow mother of three, I know you're gonna need another one of these trips soon.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 05, 2012 at 09:50 PM
How very exciting!! Your posts today and yesterday are making me realise how sun-starved I am. x
Posted by: Gillian | July 05, 2012 at 10:01 PM
13 weeks willbe gone in the blink of an eye if the first half of this year is anything to go by. What fun you'll all have, so exiting.
Posted by: Julie | July 05, 2012 at 10:16 PM