Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day with my lovely friend Christine who traveled on the train from Winwick to Atticland. We try and get together once a month, mainly for the absolute fun of it but also I guess this would be the closest either of us get to spending time with a " work colleague". Being self employed and working in a solitary way for the most part always feels one hundred percent the right thing for me as I am a natural introvert. But I am also a Libran who craves balance and I do enjoy socialising in small doses. I'm very lucky that I get to spend time with like minded souls at my twice weekly creative get-togethers at Coopers Cafe (which is where I have my studio), as well as regular meet ups with other blogging and yarny friends.
When Christine and I get together, we generally talk a lot about our respective projects - what we are currently working on, as well as our ideas and plans for future crochet/knit designs and commissions. It's like an informal mentoring session if you like, and one thing that Christine is always very good at is inspiring me to try and be more organised. She helps me unravel the jumble of thoughts and ideas that always feel like they are stuck in a tangled mess inside my Creative Mind, encouraging me to write things down and make proper, realistic to-do lists for myself. It's like having my own personal time management guru/life coach, she is so good at it! I always end the day feeling very much lighter after she helps me do a crochet "brain dump" onto paper, and the feeling of relief afterwards always amazes me.
So last night I sat and wrote out a whole big mega-list of the crochet projects I want to complete through the remainder of June, then July, August and September. And as is quite often the case, I felt like I wanted to share some of it with you as I thought you might enjoy an insight into what's happening in my creative life right now.
Top of my list this week is to create the tutorial and share the pattern for my Baby Bunting. I've been meaning to do this for such a long time (four years, seriously. Cripes, how's that for a procrastination gold star?!), so today I made it happen.
I spent a good number of hours taking all the step-by-step photographs this morning, and I'm aiming to have it all pulled together and published over the weekend. I'm so HAPPY that I'm finally on the home stretch with this, as I know so many of you have been waiting very patiently.
Late this afternoon I decided to conduct a little bit of seasonal Mantel Faffery as I wanted to photograph the bunting in situ to show you how it looks when it's hung. I packed away the bits of creative Spring and ventured into the Cupboard of Doom to find some summery bits and bobs. I had totally forgotten about these little cotton jar covers which I made last year as part of my monthly "Making the Seasons" project - you can find pattern details and read more about them ((here)). Instead of putting candles inside, I put flowers and feathers in and I love how they look - instant summer vibes right there!
The canvas on the right is by Annabel Burton and the greetings card next to it is from a painting by Natalie Rymer.
I've got the most beautiful scented candle burning on my mantel at the moment - the Ginger and Lime fragrance is so fresh and zingy and just the kind of scent that makes me feel uplifted and happy. It was a gift from Lady B, purchased with great ceremony from the very posh and expensive "The Home" inside Salts Mill. Gosh that place is full of very beautiful but scary expensive merchandise, and I am a bit in awe of having such a costly candle on my very humble mantel. It really does smell divine though.
I found my little daisy cross stitch in the cupboard (awwwwww, I do love this little make!) - you can read more about that ((here)). And for those of you who's eyes have been drawn to the super-cute little pencil house - that was made by the very talented Emma Verner Designs. Do go and take a look at her work, it really is beautiful and very unique.
Hmmm.......I seem to have gotten a bit side tracked with my mantel, sorry!!! I'll show you more of the bunting when I write up a little bit of a post for it once the pattern's ready to go.
Next on my list (next week hopefully), I am desperate to get back to my Granny Bag which I started at the beginning of last month. I've got all the squares made and the handles completed (yes, yes, this bag will have stripy crochet handles!!!) and I am really excited to carry on with this creative journey. The squares now need joining and I want to photograph the process to form part of a big granny bag tutorial, so I'll need to set time aside for that. I'll be lining this bag too, so I need to search for some suitable fabric - this isn't an easy project to pull together as there are lots of different stages which all need to be documented with photographs, but it's just the kind of thing that I love to do. It means I'll eventually be able to share a full pattern and tutorial with you, I hope you're going to love it as much as I am.
This week I've also been working on my felted basket project - this is another thing which has been simmering on the back burner for quite a while. Currently I'm on version 3.0, and have just frogged back five huge rounds as the shaping wasn't quite right. It's slow going, but I'll be getting this ready in time for Yarndale so there's still a little bit of time and space to work through the design niggles.
I ordered some of these lobster swivel clasps which arrived yesterday and I absolutely love the coppery colour. I've got a little decorative crochet project in mind which needs one of these - it'll be my contribution to this year's Yarndale brochure (I always create a small crochet pattern for the brochure each year). I'm looking forward to getting it out of my Creative Mind and into reality, it's going to be something fun and colourful :)
Talking of Yarndale, very high on my to-do list is to finalise this year's Creative Community project. Remember last year we collected a kaleidoscope of butterflies? This year is going to be a little bit different and I've still got a bit of work to do on the design aspect of the project. We're working with an amazing and very deserving charity, and I'm really looking forward to sharing it with everyone.
There are other things on my list - believe it or not, it's now time for me to start creating the palette and design for my next CAL blanket which will launch in November. Working with yarn companies means that everything has to happen waaaaaaaay in advance, and so I need to apply myself to that in a gentle, ongoing way so that important colour decisions aren't rushed. I already know what my source of colour inspiration is going to be and I am very very very excited about it..........kind of weak at the knees excited!!!!! But that's not for you to know just yet, it's my personal little secret for now. Eeeeeeppppp!!!!!
And there endeth my fairly substantial list of summer crochet projects - I feel really happy about everything on my creative plate right now and my days are just the right kind of busy.
Do tell me what you're making at the moment, and whether you make creative to-do lists for yourself? I'd love to hear what's floating your boat right now.
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Creative minds must make! I wish I were one of those organized souls that finished one project before starting another. I always have too many WIP's at any given time, with more circling in my head wanting to come out. lol I have two buntings on the go, one for another bike I've added to my garden, for you can never have too much yarn bombing action, right?! The other one is for my porch swing. I have a two round hexagon throw in the works for a gift, a stash buster of all my grey and purple yarns. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela- Southern USA | June 20, 2019 at 01:39 PM
Hi Lucy, my name is Ruth and I'm from the west of Austria, close to the border of Switzerland and Germany. I follow your blog for a while now and I want to say THANK you for all your great pictures and stories. Right now I'm making a potholder. A nice little thing to finish. Besides I'm working on the Sunny Log Cabin Blanket. It always amazes me how you created the squares and the colours. Thanks to all your tutorials and photos. They are easy to understand and follow. Even for me, that English is not my mother language. I hope, that you will keep on putting stories, pictures, tutorials and and and on your blog. It's always nice, to go on your blog an find something new from you.
Posted by: Ruth Ender | June 16, 2019 at 10:19 AM
I have waaaaay too many interests (obsessions?) to just choose one project at a time. So, I have a Dune blanket started (with a few changes to the colors), and a purse made from a Guatemalan weaving in the works, miscellaneous portrait sketches in digital and watercolor laying around unfinished, plus more stuff in my head! Additionally, we've got our house on the market and the kitchen is in the midst of a minor remodel, so I have to keep everything clean in case somebody wants a showing!!!! Whyyyy can't I stick to one thing at a time???
Posted by: Annie Chermak | June 14, 2019 at 09:19 PM
A fellow introverted Libran working alone but liking a little social interaction here as well, so I know what you mean about meeting up with people. I try and meet up with writing friends when I can and I walk every morning with a fellow self-employed friend and her dog. Otherwise I'd just be talking to the dog all day! I am trying to guess what your colour palette inspiration will be. Seaside cottages? Summer flowers? I shall look forward to finding out. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | June 14, 2019 at 04:40 PM
I just finished a baby blanket and felt inspired to get out my moorland blanket and finally finish it! I started the CAL with you but somehow life got in the way - just a couple of rounds more on the border and it will be done - hopefully this weekend - thank you so much for sharing your ideas and inspiration
Posted by: Annie | June 14, 2019 at 12:04 PM
oh and I accidently got some cotton and some sock yarn on my last wool warehouse order funny how it falls in the basket eh?
Posted by: Jacqui | June 14, 2019 at 11:58 AM
At the moment I am trying to work on my bucket of unfinished projects that include hot water bottle covers, doll, elephants, hats, bunting, baby blanket and many more he he.
Perhaps I should write an order on what to do first?
Lovely and exciting blog thankyou
Posted by: jacqui | June 14, 2019 at 11:49 AM
Hi Lucy. This post is like old times. Like your old posts. Full of new ideas and pattern news. Loved it. I’m currently making a KNITTED rabbit from the Little Cotton Rabbits blog. Just fancied a change from crochet. `It’s coming out good (well for a first attempt I think so). I’m like you and my head is buzzing with what I should be making. I bought an actual crochet planner from Amazon and plan to do what your friend advises and write down all my project ideas and inspirations. Love the little houses on your mantel and will take a look at the shop site. Also making some table runners in Orla Kiely colours. Going to have a go at the jar covers on your mantel too. I still use the ones that I made from your jar cover patterns from ages ago. I also hope to finally master knitted socks. I get so far and then things go wrong and I give up but I have found a lady who does private tuition so will finish it off with her instruction. Have a lovely weekend and looking forward to your bunting pattern and next CAL. Could you please ask the powers that be at Stylecraft if they could branch out into some merino yarn in the Special DK colours? So on my wish list. Lesley
Posted by: Lesley | June 14, 2019 at 07:46 AM
Hi lucy, ive been following your lovely blog for years thanks to my very creative crafty sister janet. I love your seasonal photos and am in awe of your colour combos. But...im really writing about your baby bunting design, which will make an excellent crochet bikini pattern! Thank you!
Posted by: Louise Kennedy | June 14, 2019 at 01:35 AM
I'm working on my 3rd cushion cover in bright pastels to match the bright pastel lap throw I made last year. I'm also working on the harmony blanket; but it's made of solid squares. I made a cupcake lap throw & also a weekend bag of yours in the spring. I love your blog & am glad to see your inspiration firing back up!
Posted by: Donna Philpott | June 13, 2019 at 11:42 PM
I LOVE making crafty "to do" lists and usually make a few a year with the "crucial" one about September-ish so I make sure and get things done for Christmas. Crocheting, quilting and sewing are my top "crafts" so I have lists for all of those. I always have more on my lists than I can accomplish but if it's something I really want to get to it just gets added to the next set of "lists".. Right now on my crochet list I have a Harmony I need to finish joining the squares for, 2 baby size Sweet Pea's that I need to do the borders for, a C2C in Red Heart Ombre (because I love the color changes) and just started making a bunch of solid granny's with Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo in "Macaw", since it's getting warm enough that I don't want a full blown afghan on my lap all the time. I LOVE reading your blog and seeing all your pictures, and especially love seeing your mantel. Thanks so much for the ongoing inspiration you supply in abundance!
Posted by: Tammy | June 13, 2019 at 10:46 PM
Your 'Cupboard of Doom' made me chuckle. I have one of those. Ever so often, something falls out so I have to straighten it up a bit. I am currently working on your summer ripple cottage blanket. It will be for my granddaughter. The colors are wonderful. I enjoy every row.
Posted by: Bonnie | June 13, 2019 at 06:38 PM
Havenow started my dune which is also including gorse bushes!
Wasat Yarn fest in a Aberdeen last Sunday and now have a
Scheepiesfor a shawl and sock yarn to try and knit socks so have plenty o keep going just not enough time!
Posted by: Heather Coady | June 13, 2019 at 03:02 PM
I have your Dune pattern but I’m starting to translate it into American terms so I don’t get confused. I’m mainly a quilter and as usual, I have 4 quilts going at once, no, I think it’s six. But I love to knit washcloths as I watch TV. My four dogs adore me and have to sit by me, so I will have to be very careful their claws don’t get caught in the yarn when I start my Dunes top. By the way, I’m a Libra too and I’m very organized in life, my husband says : Too organized.
Posted by: Hedy | June 13, 2019 at 01:53 PM
I have to do lists. I currently have socks for Christine on my needles. A cross stitch that should have been ready by April for the other halfs 50th birthday is still on the hoop but hopefully not much longer and there is a granny blanket on the hook that may be for the daughters boyfriend for Christmas or for a friends birthday in July depending how long it takes me to get to it and finish it. I have just completed blankets for twins so I haven't been sat idle but sometimes get a little overwhelmed as to what to do next or what to complete first.
Mitzi
Posted by: Mitzi | June 13, 2019 at 12:57 PM
I've just found this blog and am so happy to find such skilled and lovely fellow crafty people :)
Posted by: Anna | June 13, 2019 at 11:48 AM
Good afternoon. I am from Russia. I read your blog for a long time, thanks for the inspiration!Now I continue to improve my knowledge of the English language - reading your posts and translating them as well. After reading about your desire to be more organized in knitting plans I also finally decided to make a list of my knitting plans, and that, too, in my head is a mess - I want everything at once. (Sorry, if not very competent. I am still learning)
Posted by: Ylia | June 13, 2019 at 08:46 AM
Just finished a bag in the Dune pattern but my all time favourite is the Summer Garden Granny square. I have these little squares at the side of my chair and do one when I have 5 minutes. Theres a dozen at the mo. Don't know what they will be yet.
Posted by: carol partridge | June 13, 2019 at 08:20 AM
There’s a whole ‘atmosphere’, a relaxing creative vibe around your work and your Attic. It makes me feel calm and inspired.
Rather than make lists on paper, I have a book for ideas and inspiration, where lots of creative juices can run into one another. It’s very satisfying to look back over it after I have made things, and to be re-inspired by the Ones That Got Away x
Posted by: Sal | June 13, 2019 at 07:29 AM
I have had 12 weeks off and am crocheting up a storm. I have done three baby blankets and several small pieces like a little evening purse and a couple of glass covers that sop up the condensation. I am working on another baby blanket to enter in the local fair. I also have made several scarfs for co-workers for Christmas. I knit also and love my book Knit Loves Crochet. I should make a tea cosy for my new pot. Love your blog.
Posted by: Tamra Knox | June 13, 2019 at 02:51 AM
I am very happy to be making a table runner using #10 crochet thread. The part that makes me really happy is the fact that my 45 year old son chisr the pattern and asked me to make it for his family. He grew up watching me crochet.
Posted by: Kathryn Ashe | June 13, 2019 at 02:28 AM
I've got a chevron blanket on the go at the moment from a book my sister got me, it'll be a while yet until it's finished (I'm not the quickest hooker!) but hopefully it'll be alright. The pattern doesn't mention a border so I'm not sure what to do at that stage yet.
Have you ever thought about taking part in a local Open Studios scheme? Artists an crafts-people often use these as a way to meet people and interact with other artists, to break away from the solitude and occasional loneliness of their work.
Posted by: Simon | June 13, 2019 at 01:45 AM
Joining my Woodland Harmony at the moment.
At least once a year I try to make a Crochet/knitting to-do list for the upcoming year. It usually gets interrupted many times by sudden urges to do something completely off track; however, when I look back over the list I am amazed at how much I actually accomplished!
Looking forward to another trip to the UK next year!
Posted by: Sheryl French | June 13, 2019 at 12:34 AM
Your mantel is so pretty! It’s great to have a friend that can help motivate you in your creations and work. I have a crocheted granny square blanket to put together that is four years old. Actually I learned to crochet from your blog Lucy, and the Garden Granny square evolved and became a different bigger square in my blanket. I must finish it! Here’s to making to-do lists to help beat the procrastination and get some project goals kicked.
Posted by: Megan - Blue Skies and Apple Pie Blog | June 12, 2019 at 11:39 PM
I finished my Dune Blanket and I’m not working on anything!! My fingers are getting antsy, longing for a project!!!! Can’t wait for the bunting pattern. I can use up my leftover yarn!! Thanks for your wonderful work that you share with us.
Posted by: Linda from Boston | June 12, 2019 at 11:31 PM