Those of you who who've been peeking in through my Attic window for a while may remember these dinky little crochet blankets I made for the "Red Nose Day Dollies" as part of a fund-raising initiative for UK charity Comic Relief. Do you remember them? I crocheted one using little squares, and one using mini ripples. I loved making them and the dolls proved to be a ginormous success when they were auctioned on eBay, with all monies going to help those in need. Comic Relief is a tremendously popular charity here in the UK (rightly so), raising millions of ££'s each year which is used to "tackle the root causes of poverty and social injustice in the UK and across the world".
Fast forward two years and 2015 sees the launch of The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon. It's an exciting concept dreamed up by Emma of Silverpebble, and put into action by the team at Mollie Makes. So what exactly is The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon? Weeeelllll.....it's two things actually.
Number one - it is a super-duper 132-page magazine featuring fifty handmade projects by talented crafters and designers from around the globe.
And number two - it is an invite to you (yes, you!). We would like you to gather together your friends for a fun and creative "Crafternoon" where you all get to make some lovely little handmade items, with the aim of then organising yourself a craft fair to be held on March 13th (Red Nose Day) so that you can sell your wondrous creative makes raising even more money for Comic Relief (and breeeeeeathe). That was a very long-winded sentence, but I hope you get the gist of it. In a nutshell - Make something funny/pretty/cute and sell it, then donate the proceeds to Comic Relief. Genius idea eh?
The magazine is chocka-block full of wonderful things to make, aimed at anyone who might have just an inkling of a creative itch. The two adorable felt guinea pigs above (named Ron and Audrey) are so utterly cute that they very quickly became stars of the social media scene in recent weeks. I can tell that you might already be considering the possibility of creating your very own Ron and Audrey and yes, the pattern and full instructions (created by the super-talented Jodie Carelton) will be in the magazine.
My contribution was not comical or cute really, but rather something pretty and hooky.
I designed this little Spring Posy brooch to cheer up a dull old woolly cardy or a boring old coat lapel. I don't often wear brooches but I love seeing them adorning other people and so was inspired to create my own pretty little pin-on something. I've actually worn this Spring Posy a lot since I made it, I genuinely enjoy looking down and seeing it sat on me! The projects in the magazine come with step by step photo-tutorials (my favourite kind of pattern writing) so I do hope you will be inspired to grab a copy and have a go at making yourself something lovely.
So here is the lowdown of the Big Comic Relief Crafternoon Magazine.....
- It goes on sale in Sainsbury's and online via iTunes/Google Play on 29th January (that's this coming Thursday).
- It costs £7.99 with a generous £5 going straight to Comic Relief to support their wonderful projects in the UK and Africa.
- Inside the pages there are OODLES of gorgeous tutorials from lovely crafters such as Dottie Angel, Flossie Teacakes, Jodie Carleton, Lynda Lewis from the Great British Sewing Bee, Oh No Rachio. And me.
- There is also a guide to running your own craft fair so you can make an entire troupe of felt guinea pigs/nursery full of Spring Posy brooches and sell them to make more crafty cash for Comic Relief.
As with all fund-raising efforts for Very Good Causes, it helps enormously if lots and lots and lots of people join in. It goes without saying that I would LOVE it if you could help spread the word, there is much crafty jollity going on over on Facebook and Twitter if you'd like to have a peek and share with your creative buddies.
Happy crafting my lovelies!
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ps, Emma Mitchell who is the creative force behind the whole Crafternoon idea wrote a great blog post about it here.
pps, if you a hold crafty event or run workshops/creative crafternoons to raise money for Comic Relief, there is an easy donations page set up for you to transfer your Crafty Cash, find it here. The target is set at £1000, lets see if we can make it happen!
Lucy,
I would like to make the mini ripples that you made for "comic Relief" to practice for my coastal blanket. How do I get the pattern? Your pictures are amazing (as much as your work), but as a novice, I can't wing it ... I need some guidance.
Let me know if it sells anywhere.
You are so generous with your work!!!!!
Liliana
Posted by: Liliana Carroll | April 03, 2015 at 12:33 PM
Thank you so much for your lovely posy brooch pattern I love the gypsy style and colours and am making some as mothers day gifts. But may I ask a probably really obvious question? I'm brand new to crochet (am hooked) and am teaching myself from Youtube & mags etc. I've made all the components but am a little confused about stitching the discs together. Is slipstitch seaming different to single crochet seaming? I've tried putting one set together but am making a new round. Please could you tell me if this is right or wrong?
Posted by: Rachel | March 12, 2015 at 01:53 PM
There is a huge sale going on at Wool Warehouse. I just placed an order of Drops Alaska 4 balls, Sirdar Hayfield Bonus DK Four balls, pom pom maker 4 sizes, ribbon with crocheted with love on it. If I would have stayed in there I would be broke. LOL Head on over ladies. I plan on making a poncho, granny square cushion (if I have enough)a lapghan. They think very highly of you over there at the warehouse.
Posted by: Robin Summers | February 09, 2015 at 01:13 PM
Hi Lucy do hope you are well and not too busy. I made the posy brooch for my friends birthday and she was very pleased with it.Will be making another one for my daughter . The magazine pattern was great but I am not good at counting, so for the base of the brooch I crocheted all in green the summer garden blanket flower pattern,its a perfect circle ,made two and its perfect! Love Jenny x
Posted by: Jenny | February 07, 2015 at 10:56 PM
I have a question regarding one of your projects.
have just ordered the Granny stripe kit from your wool shop. Please can you kindly list in order the colours you used? It's not easy to tell from the picture. I only learnt to crochet last year. Also if I did the alternate row stitches instead of the triple triples from the bigger blanket would this work out?
Thanks so much.
Posted by: Sarah | February 06, 2015 at 10:02 AM
I love the magazine! Congratulations abs big thank you hugs to all involved! I'm looking forward to the BTHQ Red Nose Day Crafternoon - crafting, cake and most importantly great friends, can't wait!
Posted by: Miriam | February 06, 2015 at 07:26 AM
It's a brilliant idea, went to Sainsbury's today but without success. I'm hoping to get a digital version if one exists.
Posted by: josiekitten | February 05, 2015 at 01:59 PM
Hello Lucy
i wanted to make my mandala bigger,but now it is curling up.
What do I wrong??
Can you explain to me??
Thanks
Coby
Posted by: coby jansen | February 02, 2015 at 06:15 PM
Hi Lucy. I bought the magazine (had to get our local Sainsburys to unload their crates so I could buy one) and I made the posy yesterday evening after finishing my Cosy blanket. As usual all very clear and easy to follow instructions, I just need to sew it together now. Thanks!
Posted by: Jane Hunt | February 01, 2015 at 01:25 AM
Fab idea! I have nominated you for the Premio Dardos Award :)
Posted by: Lynn Hamps | January 31, 2015 at 10:52 PM
The magazine is fab! Can't wait to get cracking :)
Posted by: Sarah Steer | January 31, 2015 at 10:09 AM
Lucy, you bring back so many memories to me. I found out about Comic Relief when I was in England as a student and I really loved it! (Actually I have a recipe book!) And now I have just bought the magazine through Google play. Thank you for letting us know! It's good to know that our love for crafting has helped other people! Well done to those who have contributed with their ideas!
Posted by: Evanthia | January 31, 2015 at 08:43 AM
Just had a cosy afternoon browsing through my copy. Need to decide what I can make. Those guinea pigs are so tempting, even for a crochet addict!
Posted by: Sue | January 29, 2015 at 05:17 PM
Hi Lucy me again ,got it ! Had a Happy time browsing all the ideas now where do I start ? so many interesting projects , planning making the posy for a friend's birthday, lovely resource book encouraging others to have a go love Jenny x
Posted by: Jenny | January 29, 2015 at 04:06 PM
Morning Lucy off to get my copy today ! See you later love Jenny x
Posted by: Jenny | January 29, 2015 at 09:15 AM
Hi Lucy, I live in Australia and have been following your blog and got hooked on crochet for awhile now. Will have to check out mag when I come to England. Just wondering how far you are from Moortown, Leeds as I will be there from June 11 till either 15 or 16 and just wondering if you will be doing any classes or get togethers as would love to come if it is not too far away from where we are. Friend and I are making as a crochet along together your Christmas wreath. I look forward to hearing from you and so love your blog. Many thanks Yvonne, Balhannah, South Australia.
Posted by: Yvonne Cain | January 29, 2015 at 02:03 AM
Do you know if it will it be released in Australia, it sounds like a perfect magazine to keep & thumb thru frequently. We are just 'one' of millions who have reason to support this worthy cause, I will keep an eye out for it @ our local newsagency with fingers xed, thank you for sharing this info, & I love the blog - I rarely comment, BUT, I always look to see what you are up too. Your photos are great, I find myself 'wowing', & wanting to see more, It is a beautiful part of the world you live in, your 'attic window' has the best views, Deb M
Posted by: Deb Major | January 28, 2015 at 10:29 PM
It s very good all you do for charity!!!
Posted by: gabriella adano | January 28, 2015 at 08:33 PM
I just love your blog, site etc. Browsing I found a bit on Japanese books and found something you will love. Check out on Amazon "Crochet with Color" by Kazuko Ryokai. It is on your wish list. Blessings!
Posted by: Jan Griffey | January 28, 2015 at 07:23 PM
That is such a good idea. I will try and come up with some crafty plan. Thanks for sharing! Marie xx
Posted by: Marie | January 28, 2015 at 06:06 PM
I shall pick my copy up in Sainsburys too xx lovely brooch xx
Posted by: Michelle | January 28, 2015 at 05:24 PM
A message for Ann, two comments back. Here are a huge array of projects in the UK and Africa and many hundreds of adults and orphaned youngsters alike who have benefitted from the work that is directly supported by donations to Comic Relief.
Here is the Team Honk website - http://teamhonk.org/ they're a group of parent bloggers who have raised over £35,000 for Comic Relief and have been to Kenya in the last week to see for lasting change and benefits for themselves. Scroll down on their homepage - you can see the truly wonderful work that is being done.
In the front few pages of The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon there are examples of how the money is put to truly excellent use on the UK and Africa. These are the stories of just a handful of people though. Many many thousands of people benefit from the money raised.
The £5 from one single copy of our magazine can buy a mosquito net Ann. Beneath that mosquito/malaria net several children can sleep unaffected by malaria which in Africa is a deadly killer. Here is a film to show this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5J72xdavT4
Posted by: Emma | January 28, 2015 at 02:00 PM
I love the little blankies for the red nose dollies. They are super cute. I made a lapel corsage last week. I got lots of compliments on it. I live in the States so I won't be able to be present but I look forward to seeing all the awesome pics.
Posted by: Robin Summers | January 28, 2015 at 01:47 PM
meant to say 'see' not so
sorry
Posted by: ann | January 28, 2015 at 12:09 PM
so much money is donated every year
yet you never really so any improvement anywere do you, anyone know what the money is spent on?
Posted by: ann | January 28, 2015 at 12:06 PM