Goodness me, this particular Ta-dah has been a long time coming! I had to search waaaaay back in my Drafts Folder to find these images which I uploaded a whopping eight months ago. Even though I was/am deeply in love with this particular creative endeavour of mine, I put off sharing it at the time cos I really wanted to make a pattern/tutorial to go with it. And as this is quite a complex pattern, somehow I never found a big enough time slot to make it happen. Also (as is often the case) I visualised, sampled and created the Happy Flower decoration in a complete whirlwind of excitability one weekend. So the pattern never really became a pattern as such, it was all conjured up out of thin air without a trace of evidence left behind. Not one scribbled word or number. You would think by now that I would have learnt about this sort of thing. Would have learnt to at least jot down a few pattern notes as I work. But no. I still very much go-with-the-flow when I've got an idea bursting to come out.
My Happy Flower wasn't an instant idea by any means, I chewed over the idea of it for quite some time before I actually got around to making it. When I think back to how it came about, I realise a need to credit several inspirational sources. My Creative Mind had obviously been grazing on ideas without me quite realising it. I find the whole business of designing endlessly fascinating. I love the way that my own thoughts/ideas work their way through a Journey of Inspiration before arriving at the Final Destination, and I often wish that more designer/makers would share their journeying process.
So here, if you are remotely interested, is a little bit about this particular Creative Journey of mine. Please feel free to skip over it if you wish, it's very linky I'm afraid..............
First off, I came across some beautiful crochet+fabric flowery decorations made by the talented Emma Lamb. She calls them "flower charms" which really delights me actually. Very charming indeed.
Around about the same time I also fell in love with a sweet flowery crochet picture created by Jacquie. Funny old thing, this inspiration business. Cos I've long been inspired by the fabulous work of print designer Jane Foster. And reading Jacquie's post, she used Jane's flower picture as a starting point for her crochet version, after reading about Jane's work on my blog. I then came along and picked that all up, twirled it around a bit and carried it onwards to make it my own. Around and around the inspiration goes, weaving it's creative magic spell.
One last piece of the Inspiration Puzzle was this sweet and gorgeous little hanging decoration made by the lovely Meme Rose. More twirling of the Inspiration Wheel....the Japanese Flower motif I was making at the time gave Meme Rose the inspiration to create her lovely hanging. And then in turn, I was inspired by the way she had combined her flower with hearts and beads, and that was it. I was off and running with it.
The above picture shows my first samples where I was working through my idea. I wanted to create a simple flower shape, and try out an idea for a two-colour leaf, possibly then making the leaves and stem together if I could find a way.
I went on to develop the original samples slightly, adding an extra edging row to the flower, and making the stem much longer to accommodate extra leaves (I need Orly Kiely style leaves I declared! Pairs of them in different colours! YES! I have to make it that way, nothing else will do!)
I did also work out a way to crochet the leaves and stem together as one piece which really took some doing, I flogged lots of brain cells for that one! I made the dark green inner stem first, then worked around it in pale green, branching off at intervals to create the leaf veins. The coloured leaves were then crocheted around the pale green veins, and it actually worked out way better than I had hoped. Result.
For someone who loves to embellish with buttons and beads, my personal button and bead stash is surprisingly small. I am not really a stash-builder, honest I'm not. I think I would quite like to be, but I've just not got around to it.
Luckily, my taste in beads and buttons is not at all sophisticated, and I adore those that are made for children. So when I'm in need of some beady supplies, I just opt for a little light theft and head straight for Little Lady's jewellery making set.
Aren't these weeny little plastic beads delightful? They are very small indeed, just a few millimetres across, but they're really useful for prettying things up in a weeny, colourful way.
There's something very unpretentious, sweet and nostalgic about plastic beads. I sometimes think I should really grow up a bit and get myself a selection of beautiful coloured glass beads to use in my crafting. One day maybe. But for now I'm more than happy with the cheap and cheerful option.
A little technical bit of natter now, as we need to talk about Stiffness.
This hanging decoration does need to be made with a fairly robust yarn, something that's not floppy when crocheted up. I always opt for my favourite Rowan Handknit Cotton for this type of project, it's perfect when you want good colour, good neat stitches and a little bit of stiffness. For added measure, I pinned out my flower when it was made (wrong side uppermost) and brushed it very carefully with some white PVA glue. I was careful to keep the glue sitting lightly on the reverse side and not to let any seep through the holes to the front. I left it to dry for 24hrs, by which time it had turned hard and crusty and stiff on the wrong side. It meant the leaves stayed sticking out flat and didn't flop forward or droop downwards. It was a pretty important part of making this decoration I'd say.
Pulling the whole thing together was heaps of fun, I had such a great time doing it. I made a little crochet circle and one of my teeny tiny hearts (with an extra edging colour worked in back loops only). I also added a few pretty little plastic buttons here and there, then strung everything together with thread and beads.
There............that's it, all put together.
Hanging loop, flower, stem+leaves, beads, circle, beads, heart, beads.
A long string of colourful hooky, beady loveliness.
Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (had to say it!)
I was/am rather smitten with my Happy Flower.
I love the slightly childish element of it. I love that it's so useless. I love that it makes me smile every time I clap eyes on it, even eight months down the line. It really is a Happy Thing.
I knew straight away where I wanted to hang it. There is a piece of wall just inside the door to the living room that has one of my most-favourite pictures hanging on it. Its a textile picture that was given to me for my thirtieth Birthday. The work of a very dear and talented friend who I studied art/textiles with at college in the late 1980's. I thought my Happy Flower would be very happy indeed hanging underneath my Charlotte picture. They sit together beautifully.
Now then my lovely Hooky peeps......I know (cos you keep gently reminding me) that this sweet little project is something that many of you would like to try making for yourselves. I hear you. You know I get huge thrills out of inspiring, sharing and enabling anything of a decorative, frivolous hooky nature, and it'll be a pleasure to get this pattern/tutorial made for you. But it is quite a complex project. Not so much the flower, but the stem/leaf construction might take a bit of explaining. I will do my level best to un-complexify it for you.
So here's the plan :: next week, the kiddiwinks are on half term hols so they'll be home, along with J. I anticipate that it'll take me a whole day to create the tutorial, so I'm thinking I could smile sweetly at my gorgeous hubby and request some time out of Mummy-duties for a day. Sit myself in the Big Chair in the light of the bay window to hook, photograph and write. I promise you I will try very hard to make it happen. Promise ♥
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it looks ubsolutely amazing!!!!! really like your work, your photos...your colours!!!
Posted by: Eleftheria | March 04, 2012 at 10:09 PM
I saw Sarah Youde's version and immediately popped over to see yours, they are both fab, I wish I could crochet like that... I've only ever done a bag...using sirdar calico yarn but Its mine and I made so I use it lol
Thanks for sharing all your fab work
Lisa
x
Posted by: Lisa Ransom | February 29, 2012 at 10:41 AM
it's gorgeous lucy.. what type of yarn that u used....? where can i get it?
Posted by: Sanchai | February 29, 2012 at 07:11 AM
Your adorable little Happy Flower has taking over my whole week!! Seaching out buttons, and little jewel balls, and of course, YARN YARN and more YARN!! Over the years my decorating has become very bland.....and discovering YOU has sparked color in my life!! Thank you so much for awesome work!! You are a gem in a bland old womans life!! Lol!
Posted by: Jan Rogers | February 25, 2012 at 06:36 PM
It's been several days since this blog and I have not seen a tutorial for the flower. Did I miss something or are we still waiting? Thanks, Lucy.
Posted by: Gail Carroll | February 23, 2012 at 07:45 PM
Utterly beautiful, as always. I always come to your blog when I need some colour therapy, love it!! Just wish I could crochet! But a question, my daughter is getting married later in the year and has just had some funky crochet sandals made for her (soft vintagey beigey colour) and her 2 flower girls (aqua) to wear, and Nana here is going to bling them up a bit!! Have you ever used sequins or pearls or such like to embellish, just hoping to see something embellished (basically, to copy!!)
Posted by: Lyn | February 22, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Please can you tell me where you buy your rowen wool as been searching and its quite expensive take me ages to collect the colours needed. cheapest I have found is £3.55 is that about the price
Posted by: June Cornish | February 21, 2012 at 08:58 PM
this is just so lovely it cheers mre up when I look through all the stuff you have made , the most beautiful colours you use brighten my day. I am going to have a go at the flower when I can get some wool together . Keep up the good work.
Posted by: June Cornish | February 21, 2012 at 08:41 PM
Thankyou for the tutorials Lucy. Have just finished the lovely flower decoration, feeling pretty pleased with the result too. Also put finishing touches to the ripple blanket I started just before Christmas. Wish I had a smart phone and knew how to upload photos of them...Have been a bit backward in this area, will take the plunge soon.
Lesley.
Posted by: Lesley Price | February 21, 2012 at 08:40 AM
This is absolutely the reason I want to learn to crochet :) beautiful things to put in my house to make me smile, and your description of your feelings towards the childish charms of plastic beads made me smile and nod my head in agreement - embrace the inner child - I look forward to the tutorial and will no doubt battle with it until I achieve something nearly as lovely!
Posted by: Emma | February 18, 2012 at 10:27 PM
this is beautiful! i must try making this one day. i love all your hooky creations! i wish i was as good as you!!
Posted by: kirsty | February 16, 2012 at 10:09 PM
GREAT!! I can hardly wait for the tutorial, this is such a pretty gift I want to make somebody...!
Posted by: kabeltrui | February 16, 2012 at 11:48 AM
I LOVE your blog, it never fails to cheer me up and inspire me. Your tutorials are fabulous and perfect for those who are relearning to crochet and also great for teaching older children how to crochet. Your blog is a ray of sunshine in the blogosphere. Keep up the brilliant blogging! :) x
Posted by: Michelle Rice | February 16, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Hello Lucy, I have started crochet for the first time ever and its a great hobby. I have seen all of your wonderful crochet and its amazing and you are my role model. I would love to meet you (if you meet people) I am 12 and you have exspired me very much and made me more into chrocheting xxxx
Love from Leah xxx I hope to get a reply x
Posted by: Leah Barnes | February 15, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Hello
I soo happy to see your block.
Grannys are very beautiful.
Have a good day
Karoboutsdechiffons
Posted by: karo | February 15, 2012 at 06:51 PM
It's beautifull!!!
Posted by: wen370 | February 15, 2012 at 03:20 PM
Absolutely CUTE!!
Posted by: Esther | February 15, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Oh Yes, can't wait to try the Happy Flower. But getting to see Little B's fingers and toes makes me warm inside. Thank you for the photos. My son is in Scotland and seeing your outdoor photography helps me feel closer to him.
Posted by: Carol | February 15, 2012 at 09:08 AM
Lucy, I, too, am ready and waiting for the tutorial for Happy Flower!
I also want to tell you that you inspired me to start a granny stripe blanket as my very first crochet project. I took a 2-hour class on crochet basics and started browsing Ravelry for projects for beginners and found your tutorial. Your instructions are very good and clear and so easy to follow with the photos that I couldn't help myself. THANK YOU!
I also love the colors you use. They make me happy.
Posted by: UF | February 14, 2012 at 08:58 PM
Hello Lucy:
I am writing since Caracas, Venezuela. My English is very bad. The flower is very beautiful. Please, please y need the tutorial when you have a chance.
God bless you.
Alba Howard
¡Paz y bien!
Posted by: alba howard | February 14, 2012 at 06:29 PM
Hi Lucy,
what do you think about arranging a Lucy's Pack with Rowan Cotton? In Italy is quite common to find thin cotton but not thick one and is impossibile to choose colours through internet
Thank you!!
Posted by: silvia | February 14, 2012 at 01:32 PM
Love this flower, it truly is a "Happy Flower" this is Definately going on my "To Do" list !!! As always you make the most beautiful & Interesting things !!
Posted by: Lynn | February 13, 2012 at 09:06 PM
Thank you so much Lucy for offering us a tutorial for the happy flowers. They truly look very happy and so will I when I make some! Looking forward to your tutorial and thanks again! Greeting from Germany
Posted by: Claudia | February 13, 2012 at 05:08 PM
Can't wait!! I love this so much.. Just looking at all of your beautiful projects is so relaxing..
Posted by: Brenda B. | February 13, 2012 at 12:40 AM
How utterly charming this is!
Posted by: Karen | February 12, 2012 at 08:17 PM