Attic24

Helloooooo!

Hellooooo my lovelies! I'm so sorry I've been gone from the Attic for a few weeks, life has been demanding and my multi-tasking skills have been put to good use as I've been juggling work, home, children and myself. But I realised today that I have missed not being here and having a little chat, and that being busy wasn't a good enough reason to stay away. So here I am, yoohoooo!!! We celebrated Mothering Sunday at the weekend and the glorious pink tulips on my table are a daily reminder of how much I am enjoying my brood at the moment. They are such great Little People (even the near six foot tall Teen who can no longer be classed as Little), and I have felt a lot of pride as I've been into their respective schools these past few weeks to talk with their teachers about their progress. I am one lucky Mum.

I went up to Edinburgh a few weeks ago, it was such a wonderful weekend and I loved every minute of my time there. I uploaded a whole slew of cityscape photographs to share with you, but with one thing and another I've not managed to find the words to go with them. Hoping I can do that soon before the memories fade too much.

I'm busy working on the final part of my Hydrangea blanket, taking lots of photographs and creating both the printed pattern for the yarn packs and the full picture tutorial which will be here on my blog. It's "work" in the loosest sense of the word as I LOVE creating my tutorials, but my-oh-my it sure is time consuming. I'm preparing for what I hope will be a very lovely blankety ta-dah next week, next Friday to be precise, that's Friday 7th April. Yarn packs will be in my shop with Wool Warehouse on that day, and I'll be able to share the whole hydrangea inspired journey with you then.

I'm also in the process of making a tutorial for my Baby Bunting which I'm hoping to share with you very soon. It's a lovely little pattern, perfect for using up yarn left over from blanket making and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you, I know lots of you have been patiently waiting for it.

Right now I can hear the rain still pattering down against the windows, and I need to go and chivvy Little B up those stairs towards his bed - he would stay up until midnight if I left him to his own devices. 

Thank so much as ever for taking the time to call in to visit, I do appreciate you very, very much.

I'll be back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

New Stylecraft Special Colours

I've been soooooooooooo excited about sharing this post with you, honestly, it's been a devil of a job for me to sit on this fabulous colour news since waaay back in August last year. Yes, my silence has been required for that long, the wait has been ridiculously tough! But finally I'm allowed to unzip myself and tell you all about it, hooooray for that, I've been fit to burst!! 

So as you can see from the above photo, next month Stylecraft will be adding three new colours to their already gorgeous range of Special DK. There are currently 74 colours in the Special DK range so we are already spoilt for choice, but in my opinion there will always be room for a few more. Always.

I've been crocheting with this yarn for almost seven years now (yes, my Granny Stripe blanket will be seven years old in May!), so as you might imagine I am very familiar with the colours. I keep this bowl of Yarn Pegs on the table in my studio and find myself constantly faffing around with them. 

I tip them out, arrange them, line them up in rows, create colours wheels with them and photograph the proceedings. Almost every month my photo archives contain images of these pegs arranged to capture an idea/feeling/memory/colour story that might at some point in the future translate into a colour palette for a crochet project. It's one of my absolute favourite giddy pleasures, I can't tell you how much I love playing with these pegs! 

I thought it would be fun to chat about the three new Stylecraft colours {Buttermilk, Vintage Peach and Mushroom} and take a little look at how they fit in with the existing colours. I did this same thing a few years ago when Sage, Storm Blue and Parma Violet were newbies and I know many of you found it helpful.

First up, lets look at the Buttermilk. This is a delightful shade of soft yellow which is quite close to Lemon, although it's just a bit warmer looking (more butter and less citrus!) I'm not a huge fan of yellow and tend to keep it in very small doses in my colour palettes (if I include it at all), but I do really like the new Buttermilk colour. 

Ahhhh Vintage Peach, you are a beauty! There is a bit of a story behind this colour, as it was actually a choice that was put forward to Stylecraft by a certain Attic dwelling, crochet loving colour-junkie......know anyone who fits that description? This certain person felt that there was a gap that needed filling, a soft and gentle warmth that would sit in between the Apricot and the Shrimp. A sort of a blush, a sort of a peach, not too candy coloured, not too pastel, something slightly earthy and vintage inspired she said.

Sometimes the idea of a colour is insanely difficult to capture in real life, and between the Attic dweller and the yarn maker, there were many back and forth discussions and deliberations. In the end they managed to capture the vintage vibe of a rather  lovely old fashioned colour and bring it to life. I love the warmth of the Vintage Peach, and it really does work beautifully with a good many of the existing colours.

Now finally lets look at the Mushroom. This is one of those colours that is devilishly hard to photograph in that it changes a lot depending on the light and the colours you put it next to. It's very similar to Parma Violet in that respect, and it's a colour that you perhaps need to see in real life before you make your mind up about it. 

When you see Mushroom on it's own it can look rather lavender-ish, but as soon as you place it near the pale purple shades it changes completely and shows it's pretty pink side.

But really, I think this colour does best if you consider it as a very lovely warm neutral. It holds it's own amongst the warmer Stone/Parchment neutrals as well as the cooler Silver/Grey neutrals.

All three of the new colours fall into the softer, lighter part of the Stylecraft colour palette. They each have a slight "grey" element which in colour theory terms is known as a "Tonal" colour - this is often associated with vintage inspired colour palettes and makes these colours very easy on the eye. Tonal colours are different to "Tinted" colours which have white added to them - these are often referred to as pastel colours.

When I was an art student in my late teens I studied colour theory in depth, but (rather unsurprisingly) I've forgotten much of the theory and tend to rely on my instinct instead. I found a very good (and easy to grasp) explanation of basic colour theory to do with hues, tints and shades {HERE} if you are interested in colours and perhaps might like to have a bit of theory tucked under your belt.

Oh I LOVE the above collection of colours - such a pretty row of pegs!! Wouldn't they make a fabulous blanket? 

Speaking of blankets, I'm absolutely loving the stripes of my Hydrangea blanket which is flying off my hook at the moment. I've got two of the new Stylecraft colours in my Hydrangea palette....

....would you like a peek?

I'll be chatting a lot more about my Hydrangea blanket next week - the yarn pack and new blanket pattern will be available from Friday 7th April. You'll also be able to buy the three new Stylecraft Special DK shades from 7th April onwards. It's a colour date for your diaries!

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ps  just to let you know, this is not a sponsored post.

 

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Crochet, Colour and Flowers

Notes from the Studio

Colourblock Cushion :: Ta-dah!

Blogiversary Number Nine

I bought myself this gorgeous bunch of flowers yesterday as it seemed like a perfectly delicious indulgence on a rather dull, cold, grey Monday in March. They landed in the supermarket trolley in amongst the groceries, and as I wandered up and down the aisles I kept glancing down and beaming a smile at those beautiful blooms. Pale pink tulips, deep purple and pink anemones and the most ridiculously pretty ranunculus. 

Over the years that I've been writing my blog, I must have shared a tonne of flowery photographs here on this page. Flowers are a constant source of inspiration and pure delight and although I now have the Diva Kitty to contend with, it hasn't put me off having a parade of blooms in the Attic. 

I have to say these ones are particularly spectacular - it's not often that we see ranunculus as a cut flower here in the UK, but they are one of my most favourite flowers (oh do go > h e r e < and feast your eyes on a great deal of ranunculus gorgeousness!).  I love how the flowers look like they've had the edges of their petals decorated with coloured pens.

A few days ago on Sunday 12th March, my blog became nine years old. Blog Birthday's are funny things - they are a curious mix of everything and nothing, and although I feel this day quite deeply right down in the depths of my soul, I doubt it means very much to anyone else. I find myself quite emotional about the whole thing, overcome with a gratitude for this blogging malarkey that has quite literally changed the course of my life and given me so, so much. I dearly love this precious online diary I've created. I love the amazing community we are part of, the overwhelming kindness, friendship and empathy that exists between us all. Isn't it just the Very Best Thing Ever??!!

Of course, this post wasn't really meant to be about flowers, it was meant to be about gratitude and celebration. But sometimes words don't come so easy, and the feelings are just too much to capture and write about. So flowers seemed like a rather lovely visual way to say how happy my blog makes me feel.

I often get asked whether my blog ever feels like a pressure, a responsibility, and the answer is always no. No-no-no. I have discovered over the years that I need this space, and that writing my blog gives me a creative way to relieve myself of all that streams into my brain on a daily basis. The sharing process allows me to feel free, and it is a priceless feeling indeed. The fact that I can involve you (yes you!) in the process and that you do seem to like reading about my ideas, inspirations, memories, feelings and thoughts is just fabulous.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your visits here to the Attic, it means the world to me.

I wonder if you might like to know some blogging facts?

I've blogged for nine years, which is 108 months of creative blurb.

I've shared 64 crochet tutorials.

I've written 1,209 posts (just imagine the word count!!)

You have written 107,832 comments to me, and I've read and appreciated every single one of them.

So here I am, stepping delightedly into my tenth blogging year, and I am so, so happy to be here still. What a wonderful thought that is! Thank you for journeying along with me..

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...more little snippets from the Attic...

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Here and There

Good for the Soul

We took a journey to the west Lancashire coast on Monday, J and I, and it was absolutely b-e-a-u-tiful. 

Our original Monday morning plan had been to go for a quick coffee followed by an attempt at ticking off some mundane chores from our rather long (and rather boring) to-do list. But in a very uncharacteristic way J totally surprised me by suggesting we ditch the chores and drive to the sea instead, and I tell you my heart soared to the heavens on hearing his words. He is not a spontaneous man, and this was very unusual (but quite wonderful) behaviour. I was absolutely ecstatic.

On the way home from dropping Little B at school, we stopped to buy chocolate and some sandwiches, then called in at Coopers Cafe to pick up a couple of lattes which we decanted into flasks to take with us. 

It took 80 minutes to drive to this lovely little unspoilt part of the coast, and when we arrived at 10.30 I almost couldn't believe that it was Monday morning and we were actually beside the sea. Yipppeeeeeee for spontaneity!!!!!!! The weather was glorious - it was cold (it is still winter here), but bright, sunny and still.

We promenaded, J and I, for the absolute pleasure of slowly walking, talking, and taking it all in. The tide was right out when we arrived, but that didn't matter - we still strolled out along this funny little built up pier to go and sit on that stone bench you can see right at the far end.....

.....which was the perfect spot for elevenses. The sun warmed my face as I sat and listened to the curlews calling, breathed in the salty sea air, drank my delicious coffee and nibbled on some chocolate. 

This stretch of coast is at Heysham Village, a tiny little gem of a place which we first discovered back in 2009.

This part of the coast isn't especially scenic or remarkable, but it is beautifully tranquil with wide open skies and a large expanse of beach.

We wandered along the sand, picking up shells and relishing in the peace and quiet of a sunny Monday morning. I can't tell you how happy my heart was!

Jaunting out on a school day has it's limits as there are only six hours to play with. We reckoned we could have around three hours at Heysham before needing to make the return journey in time to collect Little B.

But that was OK, it meant that we made the most of every minute, and the day truly felt like a gift. 

We remembered a time years ago when we came here with Little B during a school day. Oddly enough, I've just looked back into my archives and it was March then too, five years ago when Little B was only two years old. I have loved reading my blog post again from that visit, oh how precious those words and pictures are.

March has become the month we visit Heysham then - I think it's because the memory of all the crocuses growing in the church yard makes me always think of this place at this time of year.

I am secretly wishing for many more spontaneous Monday jaunts as our year unfolds, it really was the very best kind of a day. A visit to see the sea is always  good for the soul, and my heart was brim full of happy.

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Keeping Track

The Comic Relief Crafternoon 2017

I was given this gorgeous collection of Stylecraft Batik yarn last Summer and it spent many months in my studio being stroked and admired. The colours are really lovely, sort of soft and vibrant all at the same time, and the yarn itself is super-soft and squishy (it's an 80% acrylic / 20% wool mix). The yarn inspired me to think about some ideas for simple scarves as it feels so good snuggled right next to the skin. There is absolutely none of the itch that you tend to think about with wool, but there is still a welcome amount of warmth.

As so often happens, these scarfy ideas jiggled around inside my Creative Mind for many, many months until one day the perfect opportunity sprang forth. I was asked to design a simple project to be included in the 2017 Comic Relief Crafternoon publication, following on from the little Spring Posy brooch I made for the same charity event in 2015. I already had a very good idea about what sort of scarf I wanted to make, but the hardest bit of all was trying to choose just five colours - uh-oh - what a tough job for someone like me who generally chooses All The Colours!

I was asked to think spring-like thoughts and come up with an appropriate soft and gentle colour palette. Ok then, I can do soft and springy, of course I can! So after much umming and ahhing and colour-filled sampling, I settled on the above selection : Stylecraft Batik DK in Biscuit, Pistachio, Heather, Sage and Coral.

I opted to make a very simple, and very long skinny scarf, using a really easy stitch to form those long, long stripy rows.

And to finish those skinny rows off, I made some neat tassels, which was a first ever thing for me, and a huge amount of fun. Who knew that making a tassel fringe could feel so satisfyingly good?!

Oh yummy, just look how pretty those colours are (very Springlike indeed, wouldn't you agree?), and how impossibly neat my fringes look. That was a Proud Tassel Moment for sure.

Did I mention that this skinny scarf is loooooooong? I made it six foot long (180cm) as I do like to feel like I can wrap a cosy scarf right around my neck a good few times and still have length enough to tie a jaunty knot.

Nobody told me how damn near impossible it is to actually photograph a six foot length of crochet though. I took a gazillion pictures of it draped hither and thither - folded, curled, tied, un-tied. On a table, on a hanger, on a hook, around my neck, and finally on a chair. I liked the chair picture a lot in the end.

So have you heard of the Comic Relief Crafternoon? It's a fabulous idea dreamed up by my lovely friend Emma Mitchell, and brought to life by the team at Mollie Makes. This is essentially a wonderfully creative way to raise money for a charity that does amazing things to beat poverty and help people in need in the UK and Africa. You can find out all about the Comic Relief charity and the work it does here.

This year's Crafternoon magazine is a thing of beauty and inspiration - 130 colourful pages chockablock full of creative ideas and fun makes. A whopping £5 from the sale of every magazine goes directly to the Comic Relief charity (the 2015 Crafternoon magazine raised over £60,000!!).

Shall we have a little peek at some of the pages?

Oooooooooooooo looky right there - that looks mighty familiar! I am ridiculously chuffed to see my Skinny Minnie scarf looking rather pretty and not too badly styled on that chair against my lush blue studio wall. On the next page (which I'm sorry I forgot to photograph), there is my crochet pattern, which is accompanied by a whole lot of step-by-step photos to help you along the way to skinny stripe and tassel perfection.

There are fifty (FIFTY) different creative projects included in the magazine which cover a whole host of creative disciplines. Sewing, weaving, papercrafts, embroidery, pom-poms, crochet, jewellery making etc etc, all designed by some very clever makers from around the world.

I was so happy to see this cute little crochet birdy designed by Clare of Little Conkers (remember when I made one of her robins for my Winter Wreath?). Definitely on my list of things to whip up in a spare moment or two.

Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeat.....the story of my life!

I absolutely fell head over heels in love with these Blooming Lovely flowers made by the super talented Lia Griffith. They are made from crepe paper - yes, paper!!! Oh, aren't they just rather lush?

Emma's tag line for this incredible Crafternoon endeavour is "Make your Craft Matter", which I think hits the spot rather nicely. Because as well as knowing that a whole £5 from the sale of each magazine is going to charity, there is a way we can help raise even more. Emma encourages us to think about making some beautiful little things which can be sold to friends, acquaintances and work collegues to make more crafty cash for Comic Relief. You can go the whole hog and organise a crafty coffee morning or hand made fair, or you could simply grab some yarn and make a little flower brooch, a soft skinny scarf or a pretty little birdy and ask someone lovely to buy it from you to help those in need.

Remember, every little helps, it really, really does.

Just £2.50 can buy an insecticide-treated mosquito net to protect a child in Africa from contracting deadly malaria while they sleep.

You can donate your handmade money easily and safely via the Crafternoon sponsorship page (using a credit card or Paypal) - the goal is to raise a creatively inspired £2000, so please spread the word and join in if you can.

Here is the link you need to donate your money directly >>

https://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/MollieMakesCrafternoon

I've loved seeing all the gorgeous creative makes pop up on social media since the Crafternoon magazine went on sale last month. If you are on Instagram, you can use the hashtag #molliecrafternoon to share your projects and find inspiration. The (Mini) Skinny Minnie scarves shown above were made by a lovely lady called Kay for her great nephew and niece....cute eh?

So it goes without saying that I would love it if you felt inspired to go forth and snag yourself a copy of this fab magazine. Every copy sold will help do something wonderful for those in need.

In the UK, you can find copies of The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon in the larger branches of Sainsbury's supermarkets. There is a handy list for you to check which Sainsbury's stores are participating here >> http://bitly.com/crafternoonstock.

£5 from each and every magazine goes directly to Comic Relief.

Alternatively, if you are overseas you can acquire and download yourself a digital version via these places :

Apple: http://apple.co/2lXAez6
Amazon: http://bit.ly/MollieCrafternoon
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.im.crafternoon2017
Zinio: http://bit.ly/crafternoonZinio

£4 from each and every download goes directly to Comic Relief.

And finally - here is a rather second rate selfie of yours truly to show you my Skinny Minnie scarf in action. I wish you could feel how light and soft it feels.

You can share your crafty news and makes via the Crafternoon Facebook page, the community over there is fab and there are already lots of plans afoot for Crafternoons (and mornings and whole days!) all over the country.

Comic Relief this year is on FRIDAY 24th MARCH.

Here is the link again if you would like to donate directly to Emma's fund raising page >

https://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/MollieMakesCrafternoon

Thank you so much for any support and sharing you can give to this, it is very, very much appreciated,

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