Sociable Crochet :: Part II

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...........

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[orangecannelle]

Hi Lucy.
Hi from Manchester. We're going to the lake district and will be in a farm near INgleton for the next 2 days. So you've got your holidays planned in France, in provence and I'm here in England for my holidays. I love it so much here . I'm as happy and excited as you are about going to provence.
XXX Nicole

[Nata]

Oh Lucy, what a wonderful project! Crochet must be something special in this beautiful area, I'm sure you will have lots of fun :-)

[patonslake]

Will you be doing a tour in
england??? Please??

[Bonnie]

What a lucky gal! Cannot wait to see your pics from that trip!

[Carole]

Fantastic Lucy, you lucky thing and the other ladies who will be meeting you.
I managed to get hold of the Simply Crochet Mag yesterday from a WH Smith`s near Leeds. I almost skipped out of the shop, but it`s abit difficult with a walking stick lol! My daughter and her boyfriend were in the car and my hubby, i ripped open the bag and found your feature. I`m saying to the family " look this is Lucy, isn`t she clever ". It`s a lovely magazine and i like some of new the granny squares!
I am soo pleased for you and i know you will enjoy your trip in October, well done.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxx

[Nikki]

Thats pictures looks realy awesome...

[Lisa]

Wow.
If it were within our budget I'd definitely be signing up!
How about offering a weekend in the uk to make it cheaper? There'd be tonnes of us fighting over places!

[Ruthie]

Gosh! Sounds lovely but that is seriously, seriously expensive. It must be a really lux place so enjoy it.

[Ali Dufty]

How exciting !!!
It's certainly a region that will re-charge your batteries ! thoroughly picturesque and dreamy :)
October will be good time of year to go too, it's very hot at the mo.
I've just done a double -take on your most recent post ! ha! I have just returned from this area . Although we stay slighly North of Gordes , more in the foothills of Mt Ventoux ( in your first pic)in a beautiful place called Bedoin . I've left hubby there for a further week to get his cycling fix !
If you are staying in Gordes itself, you are very lucky, it's home to the rich and the famous ! ha!
There's no need for me to say 'enjoy yourself', its inevitable :))

[Pati from London]

Looks lovely Lucy, I am sure you'll have a fabulous time! It'd be easier and less costly if it was over a weekend, I suppose...
I would find difficult to justify spending that much money on myself and leave my three little ones during term time at home whilst the hubby has to take time off work to look after them.
Enjoy this wonderful opportunity, Pati x

[Sonia Petitpoint]

Hello from France Lucy ! I'm very happy to know that you'll be here soon : you're very appreciated over here !

[Michelle]

Oh now that sounds wonderful! A tad out of my price range at the moment or I'd be all over it. Gratz Lucy and to all those who are able to go!

[Jo]

Wow! Looks wonderful!

[Sara Jenkins]

Looks wonderful - but quite a bit out of my budget! Have fun.

[dine]

hello, i'm in love with your blog, all you're doing and your house
i see you're in holidays not far from my home : i live in cavaillon
have good time, the sun is shinning and the weather is very hot
go to avignon, there's the biggest festival of theater
kisses
dine

[Sue]

What an amazing holiday! I can't think of anything better than staying in Provence and crocheting with you Lucy. I hope it goes well and that you enjoy yourself with a crowd of your followers. Your blog is inspirational and never fails to cheer me up.

[sue]

I wouldn't mind a trip to your area. My family roots come from Hastings/London and Northumberland/Lancashire and I've never been to the UK. What a trip that would make!! Going to France is lovely but can't swing that one.

[Christina Wall]

Oooo sounds lovely! But any time you need some "sun therapy" feel free to hop on over the the Midwest USA - we've got lots of it! I'm dreaming of rain right now! Ah, well, such is life! Can't wait to read about your travels!

[Beate]

Oh, it would have been so great to go on the trip, but I will nevertheless look forward to hearing about it. Hope you have a good day!

[Donna]

Oh wow!! Incredible!!

But I looked in my pocketbook and only found lint. Sure wish I could go. Would love to met you.

Have a great time.

[Crafty mermaid]

I hope you have a wonderful time and I'd love to go but I'm all the way in New Zealand. I hope you all have a sun fueled crochet time and you easily get all the takers you need.

[val]

This sounds lovely, I do hope you have a wonderful time. Looking forward to lots of beautiful photos. Val x

[Kathy]

It's just what I need - my hubby's going through chemo at he moment and this would be just the ticket - but it's hellishly expensive!! I live in France and it's expensive for me even and I don't have a flight to include!! but good luck anyway I'm sure it will be lovely for those who can go!!

[Debbie S]

Hello, I wrote once before with a link, and now I've come across another! I have a beautiful embroidered wall hanging that I brought back from Nepal, and I've finally gotten around to stitching a dowel rod along the top in order to hang it. I fancy getting some decorative ceramic door knobs to use as finials to disguise the rough edges of the dowel, and while looking I spotted these wonderful multi-coloured button ones! They look such fun and seem very 'you', so I hope you like!
Debbie x
http://www.bombayduck.com/homeware/knobs/spotty-buttons-round-ball-knob-multicolour.html

[WoollyBudgie]

That looks like the perfect holiday! If only I had some spare funds available! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it though. Rachel x