Early on Saturday morning, I prepared the studio for my second workshop. I arranged nine chairs around our table, laid out a rainbow stripe of yarn balls, printed out nine sets of patterns and gathered together nine bags of stuffing, eyes and hoops.
I laid our little blue table with a palette of gorgeous merino yarn, ready to inspire my visiting ladies.
I went to the market and bought a bunch of daffodils for my stripy jug, and I borrowed Tracy's white step ladders to make a little Bower Bird display. All was set, and I felt ready for the day. I had some flutters of nerves in my tummy, but once the Lovely Ladies began to arrive I suddenly felt at ease and surprisingly in my element. No need to be nervous! I know this pattern exceptionally well now, I am confident teaching it, I love teaching it. I love to inspire, to share, to encourage. It's fun!
The hours fly by, honestly, the clock seems to run at warp speed. The Lovely Ladies take to the project so well, they concentrate and they work hard, they count and they scribble. But also they chat and laugh, share snippets about their lives, their families, their work. It is relaxed and friendly, and I enjoy the whole experience so much.
The ladies in the café downstairs look after us very well, and we are kept supplied with drinks and platters of pastries and sweet nibbles. The crumbs mingle with the yarn ends, and slowly one by one, my Lovely Ladies sing out their Ta-dah's as their Birds hatch and stretch their wings. It is magical to witness, and with each proud Ta-dah, my heart melts.
By the end of the day, there are nine beautiful new Bower Birds in the world, and ten very happy ladies.
I feel so blessed to have this gift that I am able to share. To see my own design come to life in the hands of others is such an amazing experience, and one that gives me great pleasure.
At four o'clock we reluctantly begin to say our goodbyes. Many of the Lovely Ladies have travelled some distance to be with me, and I wish them safe journey's home again. The studio hushes, and I potter around tidying crumbs and yarn ends, smiling all over. Such a great day, so rewarding. Teaching workshops is a big learning experience for me, I am really enjoying it but I am still finding my confidence and learning to relax with it. I've got five more workshop dates running one a month through to July, all fully booked up. That's good I think?! I have become someone who teaches workshops, that still takes me by surprise!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I wish I lived closer so I could put myself on the waitlist for a workshop! Congratulations!!
Lise-Lotte from the Westcoast of Canada
partygreen.ca
Posted by: Lise-Lotte | March 14, 2014 at 09:20 PM
How funny I feel like you've been teaching me for years. One day I get to a workshop!!
Posted by: Kim Dodwell | March 14, 2014 at 08:58 PM
I too would love to be in your workshop Lucy, a long way from NZ, guess I will have to wait for the pattern. I am sure it must be such a wonderful day to meet you and all the other ladies and finish the day with a bower bird, they all look so lovely. Cheers Caro NZ
Posted by: Carolyn Jackson | March 14, 2014 at 08:03 PM
A little haven of yarn and fun!
Posted by: Amy | March 14, 2014 at 07:40 PM
Well done you. Such an achievement. I wish I still lived in Bradford so could pop into the studio. Maybe one day I'll make it to a workshop, x
Posted by: Cockney Blonde | March 14, 2014 at 07:17 PM
Fantastic Lucy, I'm pleased they have taken off for you. The birds are brilliant and such a great project. Lovely post. Karen xxx
Posted by: Karen@Mix•Ture43 | March 14, 2014 at 07:13 PM
Can you please move to the United States! I would love to attend one of your workshops. I love your blog and visit often. Your work is so beautiful. I am sure your ladies had the most wonderful time!
Posted by: Carla | March 14, 2014 at 06:16 PM
OH, how wonderful. Congratulations! :)
Posted by: Julia | March 14, 2014 at 03:48 PM
Congratulations on the rip-roaring success of your 2nd workshop. The birds are all glorious :)
Posted by: janjan | March 14, 2014 at 03:08 PM
Hi Lucy. I am so glad I have booked for a place in July. It looks really fun and professional at the same time. I expect I'll be totally nervous at the class too so don't worry you're not alone in that department. You could so make a career out of your talent for craft and writing. You must get into writing books too. I love your blog. It is always so cheery and interesting. I am so pleased for you. You will go from strength to strength I am sure. Have a wonderful, sunny weekend. Love Lesley.
Posted by: Lesley | March 14, 2014 at 02:41 PM
Your post makes me smile. I'm so happy for you that you can teach and so many others like to come to you for the workshops. I didn't have a doubt at all. Your tutorials are so good and clear and your stories at your weblog are always interesting and written in a good atmosphere.
I wish you good workshops to come in the upcoming months.
Groetjes
Annemieke
Posted by: annemieke | March 14, 2014 at 02:16 PM
Lucy I want to let you know that you are on my 'Bucket List'! When I get to England, one of the things I would like to do is take one of your classes! It would be so amazing to meet you and crochet with you! I hope you are have spring weather. We still have cold and snow, but spring is always close by when you have beautiful colours to crochet with!
Have a lovely weekend!
Hugs...
Posted by: Debbie P. | March 14, 2014 at 01:49 PM
The blog, study, Yarndale, the column in Simply Crochet, workshops ... you realize? You've become a PROFESSIONAL with all the letters! For when a retrospective? Something like "There was once a happily married housewife with three young children who lived in an old Victorian house .." etc., in the style of "A Coat Story" (December 2013, remember?). Maybe for the next anniversary of Attic 24 ...? Again, congratulations on your accomplishments, and a big hug from this corner of the world. VERA (Buenos Aires)
Posted by: Vera | March 14, 2014 at 01:22 PM
I don't crochet...I'm a knitter...but know a little crochet....and I sure wish that I lived "across the pond" so that I could take your workshop!! Isn't it wonderful to spend time with others who are passionate about the same things that you are!!!
Posted by: Susan M | March 14, 2014 at 12:40 PM
Looks like a wonderful day of hooky goodness, so pleased it's going well and you are enjoying it so much, I love those little birdies
Clare xx
Posted by: Clare | March 14, 2014 at 12:31 PM
I wish I could follow this workshop, but I live in the Netherlands. I'm crocheting your granny stripe blanket at the moment.It's lovely to see how all the colours match together. Thank you for your inspiring blog. Do you think you will put the tutorial of this bird on your blog? I have also some plans to make your flower heart published in Simply Crochet. Thanks again an good luck! Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | March 14, 2014 at 09:40 AM
It sounds awesome !
Posted by: bluettine | March 14, 2014 at 09:26 AM
Lucy, If I didn't live on the other side of the world (Melbourne, Australia) I would be at your workshop in a heartbeat! I am not the least bit surprised that you are a sell out success! I am a beginner crocheter and learned of you through a newsletter I subscribe to called "tangled yarns" (www.tangledyarns.com.au)
You have caused me to fall in love with crochet. Your blog and patterns are beautiful and inspiring and the way you write so warm and engaging.
Visiting your site and checking out what you're up to are special things I do for myself when i need to be "lifted" out of my day for a few moments :)
And I'm so glad you had fun doing it!
Posted by: Kellie | March 14, 2014 at 09:25 AM
Oh isn't it the BEST feeling? When the teaching and making is also accompanied with cackling (and cake) it's as good as intravenous chocolate. HUrrah for holding workshops Lucy xx
Posted by: Emma | March 14, 2014 at 08:47 AM
I wish I still lived in Skipton, your workshops sound like fun
Posted by: Jill | March 14, 2014 at 07:40 AM
Makes a world laboratory Lucy, to gather from around the world!!
Posted by: Mitsa Xida | March 14, 2014 at 06:53 AM
Lucy, you make a grey day colourful.
And sometimes i wish i still lived there.
Thankyou.
Posted by: Sarah | March 14, 2014 at 06:50 AM
Brilliant to inspire others! You have inspired me to encourage my Friends of the Park Group to yarn bomb! I have just made my first pompom!!
Posted by: irene donovan | March 14, 2014 at 06:42 AM
I ment that you find me in fb by my name > private mail that way please. Another thought: where can I find information about your workshops? Could be nice to visit you on my holiday next summer. Merja Laine
Posted by: Merja Laine | March 14, 2014 at 05:58 AM
Beautiful birds everyone created. Great workshop you had. love Annette
Posted by: Annette - CaliforniaStitcher | March 14, 2014 at 05:53 AM