My memory really must be very bad indeed cos I honestly thought I had shared this with you a few weeks ago. But it turns out that no I didn't, I just imagined that I did. Dear oh dear, I do apologise. So thank you very much to those of you who gently reminded me you hadn't in fact seen inside the map-package (mentioned in this post), cos you are in for a treat.
Isn't Internet Shopping so easy these days? And such a huge temptation too! I partake in a lot of Virtual Shopping, lots of browsing and oooohing and ahhhing but on the whole I try very hard to keep my actual purchasing to a minimum. We have quite a strict Financial Control Manager here at number 24 you know. If I come across something that I really, really, really think I want/need/desire, I tend to step away from the computer, sleep on it a few days, then re-visit and test out the level of Genuine Wanties for whatever it is. I am very rarely an instantaneous buyer. Is this bonkers? Anyone else do this?
This is what happened with this particular purchase. I came across it by happy accident as I was searching for something entirely different at the time. I was on Flickr, looking for bunting inspiration. Which I found (more of that in a bit), and that then led me onwards to a new blog which happened to showcase some amazing artwork. Clickety click and I arrived at an Etsy shop where the aforementioned amazing artwork is for sale. Ooooooo, the wanties kicked in immediately. I really wanted/needed/desired this artwork in a BiG way. So I walked away from the computer, slept on it a few days, chatted to husband/friends about it, tried to gauge if these particular wanties were strong enough to give in to. Back to the computer screen, clickety-click and YeS, that overwhelming heart lurch and I was certain I had to go for it. It helped that the FC Manager had provisionally given this potential purchase The Nod.
Good-o, clickety-click then and it's done. And so I waited. I waited and waited. The Little People waited with me, for they found it incredible that a package would be arriving from the Upside-down side of the world and they were very excited at the prospect. It takes quite a few days for a package to travel from Australia to the UK, so we continued to wait, and one morning it finally arrived.
As you can see from the above picture, it arrived beautifully wrapped. We were (all three of us) very impressed by the map wrap, not to mention the delightful little paper crane. So thoughtful! So clever!
So do you want to see inside the Mappage?
Want to see what got my heart a-skipping?
OK, here it is...........................................
.........this is the sweet little card that accompanied my purchase................
.....and this is the purchase itself. What do you think? Isn't it just beeeeeaaaaauuuutiful???
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh deep sigh. I L♥VE it so much.
It's a print taken from an original artwork called "Backyard with Stars" by the super talented Loretta Grayson. What a creative whizz Rett is! Her crochet work is hugely inspiring, but it's her artwork that really blows me away. I was fascinated to read this post with step by step pictures showing how each artwork is created. It made me love my little print so much more once I got a feel for it's creation. So clever.
The colours in Rett's work are incredibly close to my own instinctive colour palette don't you think? You can see how beautifully it fits in around here...it's right at home in the Attic I can tell you.
I love seeing it propped up there on the mantel, but I do intend to have it framed soon so that I can hang it on the wall.
So if you'd like to see more of Rett's work, do pop along to her Etsy shop and be prepared for The Wanties to strike.
Anyhow, cute little Trees aside, lets talk Triangles now shall we?
The above photo shows Loretta's fabulous crochet work :: this amazing bunting is what caught my eye in the first place over in Flickrville.
You see, I decided to finally take down my Advent Star Garland in the New Year and it left behind it a big wide open empty gap. Even the Little People commented on how empty it looked without the garland there, and we decided between us that the space was in desperate need of Something Else to fill it. Triangle bunting, I thought, and off I went to Flickrville to search out some inspiration.
So I had in mind to make some crochet granny bunting (ie triangles worked in the round with holes in, as opposed to triangles worked in rows without holes)...lots of patterns around and about in Blogland for this sort of thing.
The pattern that I fell in love with is to be found on Alice's blog Crochet with Raymond. What a gem of a blog this is, do go and have a rootle around at Alice's place if you don't already know it, it's a true delight. Her granny bunting is sooooooo pretty (that's her picture above) :: the dinky little picot edging and sweet little pointy bit at the bottom really captured my heart.
She's written up a super pattern for her bunting and it is all yours for free if you should want it...go here to find it.
I started working on my own bunting way back in early January, turning to my trusty stash of Rowan Handknit cotton. I switched down to a 3.5mm hook, and have to say am very happy with the results. I've not blocked them yet so they look a little bit wibbly and roundy still, but they are very sweet indeed.
I'm making mine very slightly different to Alice's original pattern in that I'm making the picot edging round in a different colour to the last granny round and also working an extra row along the top of the triangle.
I reckon I'm going to need twenty triangles in total to fill my very wide archway......only done four so far. Cos I got sidetracked by the Japanese Flower Scarf (almost finished!!!!!!!!), and then that in turn got tossed aside for a wee while when I needed to steam ahead with the Secret Project (very finished!!!!!!!).
More of Scarves and Secrets coming soon I promise. Although do feel free to (gently) remind me if I forget to remember to show you. You know, if I imagine that I did but in reality forget completely. Thank you. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Posted by: Kerry | November 19, 2013 at 08:05 PM
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Posted by: fostering agencies London | March 21, 2013 at 09:43 AM
I am looking forward to reading your article Trees and Triangles and read other posts soon.
Posted by: click here | December 27, 2012 at 05:54 AM
Woah!
I know, this posting is more than six months old (incredible who fast the time goes ...) - but this. is. sooo. beautiful ... I'll definitely do them for my niece as a room decoration!
THANK YOU so much for sharing this instruction - I also added the other blog and REALLY look forward to it. ;)
Posted by: Julia M. | October 09, 2011 at 09:59 PM
See, its good to finally see somebody applying some reasonable logic to this. Thanks.
Posted by: stephanie | September 21, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Your beautiful crochet work has inspired me to take up crochet again! I love your color palette, and the creative endevours you follow. :-) This all makes me smile so much!
Posted by: Victoria Cattaneo | September 02, 2011 at 06:00 PM
If I have time, I'll make sure I'll make one. This is really nice!
Posted by: plumbing | June 09, 2011 at 08:15 AM
OMG how small the internet world is - I first "met" Loretta when I was a scrapbooker way back when and we worked for the same company she is amazing to say the least and I have adored her ever since - I have been following you for ages too as I love to crochet :) Small world in fact you are both in my "place to go " links on my blog :)
Posted by: Amber-Jane | June 03, 2011 at 12:07 AM
These are wonderful crafts made by you it looks so fabulous.I am so glad to see this.It is adorable creativity and art.
Posted by: garden décor | April 19, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Good for sharing all your amazing finds. So many wonderful places to explore today and your little attic was the perfect place to start it off.
Posted by: store display | March 15, 2011 at 11:29 AM
This makes me soóóóó happy!
Seeing all those colours together, beautiful @ Lucy!
From an overseas Netherlands.
Posted by: Dieuwke Bijlsma | March 13, 2011 at 05:35 PM
I'm so glad you have caught the bunting bug!! I love that it serves no purpose other than to look pretty!
Posted by: Hayley | March 12, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Thanks for the triangle tip and that blog is beautiful too. Cannot wait to get started.
Posted by: Typy | March 12, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Oh my! You have buches of yarn....how long did it take you to get such a collection??:)
Posted by: Katheryn | March 12, 2011 at 02:59 AM
You and Rett do have an uncannily similar palette and approach - I think you could crochet that print, especially as it seems to be almost "pieced".
I so much enjoy your blog. The other day at work I was bored and annoyed in a meeting, and I just let myself float off into images from Attic 24! Thanks for all that you generously share with us.
Posted by: Christine Laennec | March 11, 2011 at 05:30 PM
What does "block it" mean?
Posted by: Jessica Thomson | March 11, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Dear Lucy,
I started to read your blog last week, and I HAD to keep reading to the very fist post. I'm so happy to virtually meet you!
Your pictures are so inspiring, the gorgeous way you use the colors, all those flowers... Now I really want to have some of this multicolored style in my bedroom (I've showed some of your pictures to my husband, he liked it very much). When I finish my little makeover, I'll be happy to include some pictures in the flickr group.
Cheers,
Sonia
pd. You are my style hero!
Posted by: Sonia | March 11, 2011 at 01:16 PM
I want to do these bunts too but am having trouble converting the crochet terms; I know that the sc is UK double and dc is UK treble but if hdc is half-treble, what is htr? Confused!!!! I KNOW you can give me the answers.
Posted by: greedy nan | March 11, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Lucy I am so jealous, cos I had been drooling over Lorettas work for AGES unfortunatly my FM said no(for the moment):o(. So all I can do is look on my computer and drool, but i really, really, really want one!!!! Yours will look gorgeous hanging in the attic.
Oh and the bunting, am just about to start an April garland and guess what it's going to be made of gorgeous little triangles, I'm thinking of hanging little beads or flowers off the bottom of each point! Ooo too exciting. have a happy Friday. ♥
Posted by: sue | March 11, 2011 at 08:22 AM
I spent all day making 10 colorful triangles and hung them up for my son's birthday party next week!!
Posted by: April | March 10, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Hi Lucy, have just discovered my own love of crochet and googling for bunting led me to your blog and the bathroom bunting you made some time ago, which has inspired my own creation. Just love your new bunting too but my new project is going be attempting a blanket as yours look amazing together in your new post.
Posted by: Katie | March 10, 2011 at 10:00 PM
So inspiring artwork, colours and crochet....
Posted by: Karin | March 10, 2011 at 08:15 PM
Love it! I hope you're going to teach us how to make the tassels on the end, too! I haven't the foggiest idea how to tassel. I must be taught.
Posted by: tizabell | March 10, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Love the colors.Nice.... Heléne from Sweden
Posted by: Heléne | March 10, 2011 at 07:04 PM
What I know now after reading your post: I'm in desperate need of a garland. :-)
Posted by: Regula | March 10, 2011 at 06:52 PM