Three years ago when we were in the early stages of organising the very first Yarndale festival, the team had a brain storming session to decide exactly what type of event we wanted to bring to our rural Yorkshire town. Yarn, obviously, but what else? Some words kept coming up time and again, words like Community, Inspiration, Celebration, Creativity. We wanted Yarndale to be more than just a yarn-filled retail experience (although it does make for an exceedingly fab shopping weekend it has to be said).
Although I love working with yarn and crochet, I've realised in recent times that what makes me really, really happy is the way I can help to inspire creativity in others. And it's that creativity, inspiration and sense of community that I personally wanted Yarndale to be about. Hence the 2013 bunting and the 2014 mandalas - it was all about bringing people together via crochet to celebrate yarn and colour, to enable each one of us to be a part of something really big and beautiful and visually inspirational.
So one day at the start of the summer when Sheila began to talk about crocheting some flowers to raise funds for the Alzheimers Society, I suddenly thought - yes! I can help Sheila to make her ideas a reality! I felt so inspired by her enthusiasm and her vision, and I thought the Flowers for Memories project would be a great way for us to celebrate yarn and creativity at Yarndale whilst at the same time raising money and awareness for a very good cause.
Having been through the bunting and mandala madness experience, I had a fair idea that Sheila probably wouldn't be receiving just a scant handful of flowers. I had an inkling that this call-out for yarny flora would result in a whole meadow blooming on our doorstep. I began to visualise how we would display them, what a whole crochet flower meadow would look like. And I said to Sheila - we need to colour-order the blooms. Not necessarily a rainbow as such, but the display should definitely follow some sort of colour order to create maximum impact.
The above picture shows Sheila photographing the first flowers that arrived in July. We are both part of the knit and natter group where the Yarndale idea originated, and this Summer we got to meet up in the town's museum/gallery each week, becoming a living part of the exhibition (yes, really!)
Now I want to show you something.......
....the above picture shows the flowers as Sheila laid them out for her photograph....
....and here are the exact same flowers, rearranged by me.
Go on - scroll back up and look again, look at one image and then the next....the same flowers, but what a difference it makes to order them!!
See? Do you begin to see my vision??
Day after day the flowers came, arriving from all over the world. I would collect up all the packages and take them to my studio so that each Friday, Sheila and I could open them and make a note of where the flowers had come from and who had made them. There were so many beautiful cards and letters too, memories and stories of love and loss, the devastating effects of those lost to dementia. It was quite emotional at times, but beautiful too. The flowers are soooooooo beautiful!
Two weeks before Yarndale, we were looking at seven large bags full of flowers.
One week before Yarndale, we spent five hours in my studio sorting the flowers by colour and counting them.
Sheila had received just over 5,000 flowers, made by more than 400 makers, from 23 countries around the world.
On the Monday before Yarndale, Sheila and I began the lengthy process of creating the display. We bought some hessian fabric and began to pin the flowers, arranging them in dense formation according to their colour.
The hessian panels measure 6ft x 5ft and contain hundreds of flowers pinned by two pairs of hard working hands.
By the end of that first day, we had worked solidly for seven hours and had completed 1.5 panels. Only 3.5 to go.....
On the second day, we had Carole helping us with the pinning and with three of us working and chatting we made really great progress. That afternoon we were able to move everything out of my small studio space and up to the auction mart where we could spread out a bit and listen to the amazing sound of the auctioneer conducting a massive sheep sale while we pinned away in the room next door. It was fabulous to listen to the auction, but to see the pens full of hundreds of real live sheep just days before Yarndale was kind of wonderful and terrifying all at once!
On the third day, we went to collect some large display boards that we had been able to borrow from a nearby village hall. Up until then we had been working on the fabric horizontally - I have to tell you it was a very nerve racking experience lifting those panels up for the first time to see if they would look OK and if all the flowers would actually stay in place! But oh-my-goodness - when we stood back and got our first glimpse of what we had created it was truly breathtaking. We cheered! In the above picture you can see Sheila working on the final bit of the display, it was just the best feeling when we finished all that pinning.
I'm sure many of you have already seen the finished display, either at Yarndale itself, or via the many, many photos that have been popping up all over social media. But I'm sure you won't mind if I share some more photos?
Feast your eyes....................................
........WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We created five panels in total, each one measuring 6ft x 5ft.
The scale of the whole display was just incredible, almost too much to take in really.
But there was plenty of space to get right up close to the panels and take in the beauty of the individual flowers and all that wonderful, glorious, yarny colour.
This is my favourite section, I pinned this particular bit from white, through greens and aquas to blues and had such an amazing time immersing myself in all that colour. It was like making a work of art, it was so much fun!
The most popular flower colour was pink, in all it's many forms. The strong, deep pinks we grouped with the reds, and the rest sat next to the blues and merged with the mauves and purples.
This display of colour and creativity was everything I had imagined and a whole lot more besides.
It's hard to find the words to describe - I look at these pictures and I just want to say wow. WOW!!
Visitors to Yarndale absolutely loved what we had created and the display was an incredibly popular part of the festival. And rightly so - how can you not be bowled over by this sight?!
The original idea had been to sell the flowers to raise money for the Alzheimers Society. But in the end, nobody really wanted to break up the display, it just seemed like such a shame. So Sheila decided to listen to the thousands of visitors who begged her to keep the display intact, and instead she asked for a small donation to be made in exchange for the opportunity to take photographs. This kept everyone happy (most especially Sheila who had been really fretting about how exactly to go about selling the flowers).
The total sum raised during the two days was a truly spectacular £1811.80, which has been donated directly to the Alzheimers Society.
Sheila herself is completely thrilled with the whole thing, I don't think she's come down from her rainbow cloud yet! She is now investigating ways to exhibit them at other places to raise even more money, honestly, there is no stopping this amazing lady. We love that this will be an ongoing project doing lots of good for charity as well as celebrating the talent and creativity of the yarny community.
Sheila would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to everybody who made and sent flowers for this projec. And thank you also to everyone who donated money during the Yarndale weekend, you have made us all very happy up here in Yarndale Land.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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EDIT TO ADD ::
I have already replied to many of you via email after reading though the comments here, I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding - totally my fault as I really didn't explain things properly.
It was Sheila's decision to keep the display intact during the Yarndale weekend, the decision was made in direct response to overwhelming public opinion at the time. She is already investigating ways of exhibiting the flowers at other venues to raise even more funds for the Alzheimers Society, but ultimately the original idea to sell the flowers still stands. The flowers will still be offered for sale, this has not changed. But she feels she would like to try and raise as much money and awareness as she can from exhibiting them for a while longer before selling them.
Sheila is in the process of setting up a Facebook page dedicated to Flowers for Memories so that she can keep everyone up to date on progress. She has kept all the letters and cards received and has compiled them into a Memory Book which also contains a full list of every single person who made flowers, along with where they are in the world. She is doing an amazing job of maximising the potential of this project, but please remember this is a lady in her 70's and this will be an ongoing charity project for many months to come.
I also want to make it clear that the "Flowers for Memories" project is Sheila's thing, she is now the custodian of the flowers and all decisions relating to what happens to them are hers. This is not an Attic24 thing or a Yarndale thing, we have just really enjoyed helping Sheila in her fund raising quest. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed, it is honestly very very much appreciated.
Think big! Maybe people would buy a full panel, keeping the concept and impact of the arrangement, and all money from each panel will still go to the important work of the Alzheimer's Association.
Posted by: Bonnie | October 12, 2015 at 05:23 PM
Do any of you people complaining know and understand how much work is involved in doing something like this? The charity work I mean? It's full on, relentless and exhausting to put something like this together. Well, until you do, it is perhaps best not to squabble and criticise and lend a sour taste to the proceedings and hard work of others. How very petty it seems as the price of your making some flowers! Giving should be done in a good spirit, should it not? I wonder how Sheila is feeling reading some of these things. I am embarrassed that she has to do so.
So, you don't like the minutiae of this money raising charitable exercise. This is fund raising for charity (by those giving freely of their time) so for goodness sake be a little bit more charitable. There is obviously nothing underhand, no personal gain. In fact more self-less work involving many more hours of given up time from Sheila in support of such a worthwhile cause. Why criticise for that? It is so frustrating seeing this. What did you do to make such a big difference, to help others?
Many people quite happily let one person get on with things, staying in the wings while they do all the very many hours of work without expecting (or often getting) any thanks. Contrast the few hours of making flowers with the exhausting tens, probably hundreds of hours from Sheila. People who think they can do better, tend not to but criticise just the same.
The whole point of this exercise was to raise money and awareness. It has done both. It will continue to do both. So, plans were changed but the key elements are still there. So really people is there any need to feel personally offended or slighted? I don't think so. That is not to say procedure is not ever important, but still, the reviewed end goal here has so much potential this way, surely that is what is important? I'm sure lessons will be learnt re all the protocol. That's for another time.
Sheila was responding to people and listening to what they told her, not acting against them. Too bad that you can't please all of the people all of the time.
Thank you Sheila. This is a cause that is near to very many of us.
Posted by: Simone | October 12, 2015 at 03:26 PM
People, ARE you not reading that these flowers WILL eventually be sold. They WILL be making MORE MONEY for Alzheimer's than if they were sold outright and left with nothing. Let them go on tour collecting donations and then be sold which will double or triple or quadruple the original donation amount. I for one think that is the most profitable idea for the Alzheimer's charity.
Posted by: Penny | October 12, 2015 at 01:42 PM
As a flower donator and a 2015 Yarndale visitor I can only say what I saw and experienced. I spent a few minutes speaking with Sheila and she is obviously a warm and genuine person. Finding some of my flowers on the display was incredibly exciting and I happily contributed money to photograph the display. In total, myself and my friends sent in 66 handmade flowers with 5 ladies from our craft group visiting Yarndale. It was truly a superb day out, full of like minded people and fabulous wares. During my chat with Sheila, the decision to keep the display in tact was mentioned; yes, I realised this was not quite what I understood the original plan to be. Did I think it was the best decision- absolutely. The display was fabulous- so much hard work in pinning those flowers. There was an abundance of flowers to be bought from baskets and bags so no one could say flowers were not being sold.
Sheila deserves to be praised for her selflessness. What a wonderful lady. Neither Sheila or Lucy should be upset by a handful of negative comments. The flower display made my visit extra special- viewing my flowers with everyone else's handiwork gave a a warm fuzzy feeling. To think it raised money at the event is super. Should Sheila manage to raise more it will be a greater triumph. What a wonderful project. Sheila you are a wonderful lady xx
Posted by: Wendy | October 12, 2015 at 01:29 PM
I think even with the edit, this is unacceptable. Sorry, but that's the truth. When you solicit donations for a cause, you have a duty to carry out that cause, not change your minds at the last minute and turn them into a travelling exhibition (which may or may not make money). Yes, they are terribly pretty on the boards, but people donated them to be sold for charity, not as decoration for a profit-making enterprise. Yes, they made money but not as much as if they'd been sold for even 50p each! Not acceptable!
Posted by: IsobelA | October 12, 2015 at 01:16 PM
These flowers are completely amazing!!! You and Sheila have done a fantastic job, so hugely time consuming. The boards as a whole have such a fantastic impact. I would have loved to have seen them in real life, but getting to Yarndale is tricky (I have a 17 year old daughter with autism and severe learning difficulties so upping sticks for the weekend is tricky). Maybe one day.
I really admire what you and Sheila have done with these beautiful flowers and I wish you both well in taking it forward; it must have taken and be taking a hugh amount of energy! I have complete faith in your intentions.
Perhaps Sheila could consider setting up e.g. a justgiving link to her facebook page and then those of us who couldn't get to Yarndale could make a contribution that way?
Thank you Lucy for your beautiful and inspiring posts and for sharing your ideas so freely. You have inspired me to start crocheting, to make one of your lovely ripple bankets and to start designing my own things (in a very small way!). It's so rewarding and helps me relax when things are tricky with my daughter. I look forward to reading many more of your brilliant posts.
Posted by: Jessica | October 12, 2015 at 11:48 AM
Beautiful xx
Posted by: Michelle Gladwish | October 12, 2015 at 10:16 AM
I think that display of flowers is absolutely beautiful. It must have been a huge undertaking and a complete labour of love. Whatever you chose to do with the display, I hope Shelia manages to raise as much money as possible (which I am sure is her intention).
Posted by: Wendy | October 12, 2015 at 08:59 AM
gorgeous!
Posted by: joanlvh | October 12, 2015 at 02:44 AM
Wow!! All those crocheted flowers!! And for such a worthwhile cause! This is truly inspiring work. Just wish I could have seen them for real! Must put a visit to Yarndale on my to-do list for next year :)
Posted by: Eleonora from Coastal Crochet | October 11, 2015 at 09:50 PM
Thank you for the edit. I'd like to apologise to you and Sheila if what I wrote caused you any upset. I can only say that I think the tears in my eyes blurred my vision so much that I didn't read your post properly. I never doubted that Sheila wanted to maximise the money raised. I wasn't able to get to Yarndale to see the panels in all their yarny glory, but if they ever make it to my neck of the woods (here's hoping), I'll be there, fat purse in hand! Maybe the Alzheimer's Society would like to use some of the images for cards etc as someone mentioned. I truly hope that the woolly goodness goes on to raise a gazillion pounds!
Posted by: Kath | October 11, 2015 at 06:58 PM
If you ever doubt for even one second of time that you are doing something worthwhile and important in this world...look at all the photos from the Yarndale events. Just think how far your blog has come and the joy that is spread each day by a bit of yarn and a hook or sticks! This matters in this life..it really does.
Thank you for opening up a world of lovely to me! I really appreciate all you have done.
Posted by: Sue. | October 10, 2015 at 11:59 PM
Every little flower is an individual work of art and it was genius to put them together as you have done....it was a wonderful combined work of art.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Joyce Stewart | October 10, 2015 at 10:19 PM
Wow the display looks absolutely stunning and for such a great cause too!
Posted by: Katie | October 10, 2015 at 10:05 PM
Verry glorious and beautiful.
Greetings from Germany
Ute / UTEnsilien :-)
Posted by: ute Greiner | October 10, 2015 at 08:32 PM
Very glorious an beautiful
Greetings from Germany
Ute
Posted by: ute Greiner | October 10, 2015 at 08:29 PM
I've in the middle of writing my own blog post to share Sheila and Lucy's "Flowers for Memories" and came back to read Lucy's words again. I'd left my own comment this morning already. Then I read some of the other comments. I wish I hadn't and I hope Sheila and Lucy don't take them to heart.
As I mentioned in my previous comment, I never managed to make any flowers but even if I had, I really wouldn't have a problem at all with them not being sold after all. With the best of intentions, sometimes things do change as they happen. As other people have said, the flowers themselves could only be sold the once. Hopefully though, the flowers will go on display elsewhere, and if they ever make it to my part of the world I would gladly pay to see them.
In the meantime, I will make some flowers as brooches and give to family and friends and I will be making a donation to Alzheimers too.
Well done ladies, you should feel nothing but PRIDE for what you have achieved - and I will be joining in next year and I don't mind at all if you change your mind on what will happen afterwards with what I make.
Best wishes, Tina xXx
Posted by: Tina | October 10, 2015 at 08:23 PM
Wow wow wow!!!!! What an amazing sight to behold! I am so proud to have been part of this wonderful display♥
Posted by: Pat | October 10, 2015 at 04:18 PM
Wow!!
Posted by: Siri | October 10, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Wowzer.feel inspired to defo do some crochet😊
Posted by: Susan | October 10, 2015 at 12:10 PM
As Jayne said, Sheila WAS selling many of the donated flowers. She was also being asked not to dismantle the display boards and this was requested by makers, as well as admirers. She must have found it very difficult to make a decision about retaining the display boards, but she was probably convinced by the enthusiastic responses that she had a very powerful voice for Alzheimers fundraising, which could be marketed far more effectively than if everything had been dismantled.
We need to remember it is only two weeks since these fabulous flowers were first seen. Yes, they did generate a very handsome return over the Yarndale weekend. Yes, they could have generated more and any leftovers could have been dismantled and shared out to fundraising groups elsewhere but the impact would have been lost, thus the potential to do a far greater good would have vanished.
As one of the many who made flowers for Sheila's appeal, one of the people who can see at least two of her dozen flowers very clearly in the wonderful photos shown by Lucy and many other bloggers I am delighted Sheila has changed her mind, albeit only a little. She always said they were to raise funds and that remains her focus. She cannot have realised the overwhelming response she would generate I (like the majority , no doubt, of the makers)have great faith in her intentions. I also have faith in the general public. Someone out there will pick up on this beautiful display and help Sheila to develop it to its fullest potential. I wish it could be me, but I just crochet, and sometimes am prompted to join in with praise where it is due so good luck to Sheila and the future of the flowers and thanks to Lucy and her team (it is a team) for being the first step in what should be a truly amazing outcome.
Posted by: Gingercats mum | October 10, 2015 at 11:04 AM
Oh wow! I love it! So beautiful!
Posted by: Christine Westerhof | October 10, 2015 at 09:38 AM
On the Sunday at Yarndale I bought several flowers. Sheila had lots of flowers that had arrived after too late to add to the wall on a table next to the display. She was intending to sell the ones from the wall after the ones from the table had sold. She was getting such an emotional reaction from people that saw the display & had spoken many flower makers to hear their thoughts & said her wish was for as many people to see it & raise as much as she could before selling the flowers. I totally understand how people feel that there lovely creations didn't get sold to raise funds but I think Sheila is trying to make sure those powerful little flowers get seen by as many as possible, raising as much as they can. I wish all the makers could have felt the emotion in the air. You all did an amazing thing.X
Posted by: Jayne | October 10, 2015 at 09:27 AM
WOW!! That looks simply amazing Lucy!
My mother died of Alzheimers, so I've been following Flowers for Memories. To my shame, I never quite got round to making any flowers, although I wanted to.
I'm so glad Sheila managed to raise so much for them on the day and I'm sure the donations will continue to come in.
I hope you don't mind but I'd like to mention it on my blog and add a link back to you. Your photos and story are just too good not to share!!
Keep up the good work!!
Kindest regards
Tina xXx
Posted by: Tina | October 10, 2015 at 09:16 AM
People keep talking about displaying them in public places but where and who is going to do all this extra work ? How will they make money. Who will get involved with card printing and moving that huge piece of artwork?
When I sent in my flowers I expected them to sell as in any charity shop...you buy a pin on the counter for a pound. This project was about money. There was a potential for £5,000 to be made there,with ready and willing customers ( thousands) all at Yarndale. I feel that has now been lost. I fear as someone else said ,they will be mothballed till the next Yarndale. I sent a mandala last year and the flowers for this but I won't be doing any more. Yarndale organisers don't keep their word and that is the most important thing to me. That's my last word on this subject.
Posted by: carol partridge | October 10, 2015 at 08:40 AM