Just lately I've been thinking a lot about the space that I occupy online and the way that I share and communicate with you all. Just to reassure you, it's a good kind of thinking as I'm feeling very positive and also very inspired right now and I want to make sure that I'm using all this creative energy in the best way possible.
I'm trying to get the balance right so that I can allow myself the chance to be creatively spontaneous and go with the flow, while at the same time being mindful of the fact that I have deadlines to work to at times. I also want to try much harder to make the timing of things work better as it's something I seem to be especially terrible at! I feel like sometimes I disappoint you all when I share my ideas for something and set out with great excitement on the design/making journey, and then run out of time to actually finish (I'm thinking of my Yuletide Garland for example, which I wasn't able to finish in time for Christmas).
Anyhow....I need to gather my thoughts together a bit better before I talk any more about all this, but it's all good stuff. Today I want to share with you what's occupying me right now so that you can see what's been on my mind, and on my hook. I LOVE to share my creative process here on my blog and I hope it's something that interests you too, well it would be a bit rubbish if I started to bore the pants off you, wouldn't it?!
I've got a vase of the most beautifully scented narcissus on my mantel at the moment, a surprise gift from a friend when we had coffee together last week. They really are the sweetest things, the flowers are ever so pretty and I love how dinky they are compared to daffodils. It probably won't surprise you to know that these flowers sent a message directly to my Creative Mind and in no uncertain terms told me that I HAD to try and crochet them. I mentioned it in my last blog post - I was supposed to be crocheting bits and bobs for a winter garland (frosty leaves and the such like) but all of a sudden there was cream yarn in my hand and a little narcissus flower flying off my hook.......
.......well I never. How did that happen?!
I went diving into my stash to pull out some additional colours and three more narcissus flowers bloomed before my eyes.
Then came this little viola, the sweetest little flower that I didn't even know I wanted to make until it was forming in my hands. I guess I was thinking about garden flowers that bloom now in February - narcissus, violas, cyclamen and polyanthus. I see them in pots at the supermarket looking so cheery and colourful, a little promise that Spring is on it's way.
When I shared these violas on social media a few days ago they caught a huge amount of interest and I had so, so many requests for the pattern. I did have the good sense to write up the first draft of the pattern as soon as I'd finished making these two flowers so that I wouldn't forget what I had done, but I would still consider these as samples. Before I publish a pattern I like to be 110% sure of it and know that I've done my very best to make it easy to understand and reproduce. It takes time, and patience.
The other thing to mention is that I do have a particular future project in mind for these flowers, and I'm still in the early stages of planning it. So I hope you understand when I say that I'm not quite ready to share the patterns just yet, but I still really enjoy sharing my creativity in real time as and when it's happening. It just feels better that way for me, I am one of life's natural sharers that's for sure.
I'm trying to properly re-focus now on the season we're in, and get my head back into thinking winter thoughts because I reeeeeeeally want to make my winter garland before Spring arrives. The above photo shows my deconstructed Winter Wreath, and gives you a general idea of the colours I'm thinking about for my garland.
I'm thinking about the frosty winter meadow....
....with it's icy, muted colours and the soft glow of a low winter sun.
I'm thinking about ice-edged leaves.....
....snowberries....
....winter cherry blossom....
.....and snowdrops.
I had a frustrating time at the weekend trying to come up with an easy snowdrop design, and the above blob is attempt number six that went in the bin then got pulled back out again. I'm pretty sure I can make a really great little flower if I keep on trying, especially as I don't think a Winter Garland would be complete without snowdrops.
I've picked out ten shades of Stylecraft Special DK for my Winter Garland :
Pale Rose : Powder Pink : Pistachio : Meadow : Lincoln
Duck Egg : Parma Violet : Hint of Silver : Cream : White
I think it's going to end up being a winter-spring creation, but I'm absolutely OK with that. Spring doesn't properly arrive here in my patch until well into April so we do end up with quite a long winter-spring season. I've made 18 little blossom flowers so far, although I'm mindful that I'm still working on my Harbour blankets as the CAL is still ongoing. It's a seasonal juggling act, one that I'm very, very happy to be doing.
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Is it possible to purchase your viola pattern?
Thank you.
Patricia
Posted by: Patricia | September 11, 2023 at 10:02 PM
Dearest Lucy, you just continue to do what you do, the way you so it, when you do it, as your muse leads you. Yours is a special, and I'm discovering, rare blog -- much like you. Your whole being is a gift. Gifts cannot, by definition, be demanded. So those few "gimme" people, who show up in your comments section on occasion, can take a hike. The rest of us will continue to be grateful for the gifts you offer us when you offer them. Just sayin'
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 26, 2022 at 03:16 PM
Would you have a pattern for the beautiful blossom on the end of the above post please?
Anne
Posted by: Anne McDonagh | March 02, 2022 at 01:14 PM
I love your little spring flowers! Do you have any patterns for them? Wendy
Posted by: Wendy Hill | February 26, 2022 at 04:53 PM
You never disappoint me Lucy! I love reading your blog and seeing what you are up to. I love seeing your creations, you are such an inspiration, and I also love seeing photos of your environment where you live. Your blog makes my heart sing! 💖
Posted by: Lindyloufromoz | February 19, 2022 at 10:03 PM
Have you ever thought of publishing your old blogs as a book? I love reading them. ❤
Posted by: Tracy Wheeler | February 19, 2022 at 07:57 PM
Hi Lucy I always so enjoy your blog, the beautiful photos and the wonderful crochet projects. I check the Attic several times to see if you have posted, cos I need my Lucy Fix. I can hardly wait for the how-to on this wintery wreath. The violas are the sweetest things ever! Take Care. Hugs, MO
Posted by: Marylin Ollivier | February 19, 2022 at 07:00 PM
I absolutely love what you have done with the flowers. The wreath is gorgeous. I can't wait for the patterns so I can make them. Keep me posted. Very excited! Thank you so much for your inspirations.
Posted by: Ann O'Hern | February 19, 2022 at 03:51 PM
You just gave me a new fact I wasn't aware of! Narcissus = Daffodil & Jonquil! I thought it was a completely different flower ... 🤦🏻♀️
Love your tiny creations! Hugs Lucy 🤗 🫂
Posted by: Kristine | February 19, 2022 at 12:25 AM
Those violas are beautiful! Thank you for sharing, I love reading about your creative process and seeing the gorgeous photos. Please don't be thinking you disappoint by not producing the finished article right away - the ideas and colours are so inspiring! Thanks for all that you do, and I'm happy that you're feeling positive x
PS I also think the winter garland palette is beautiful and would make a lovely soft blanket...
Posted by: Sarah | February 18, 2022 at 07:36 PM
Now I'm sure that I want to make a crochet garland. Thank you for your inspiration, sharing your thoughts and life and your beautiful pictures. Love to read your blogs. It's like chatting with a friend!
Posted by: Elsbeth | February 18, 2022 at 06:56 PM
I love how you described that feeling of flowers sending a message to your Creative Mind that you had to capture them *now*. I get that with drawing and painting, but thought it was just me. Thank you.
Posted by: Clare | February 18, 2022 at 04:12 PM
Your creative musings and gorgeous photos are my morning treat in bed with a cup of Earl Grey tea before the work day starts (& with my own peach melba hydrangea stitch blanket cosied up!!
Posted by: ChrisG | February 18, 2022 at 08:35 AM
I love reading your blogs with a cup of tea in my hand. It doesn't matter what's going on in this crazy world around me as I always get a sense of calm. Your photos are beautiful. Thankyou xxx
Posted by: Gill | February 18, 2022 at 07:43 AM
I love these little crocheted flowers! Your blog inspires me every time.
Posted by: Eleanor MacLean | February 17, 2022 at 10:02 PM
Oh wow, all so pretty. I love how you just come up with all of these things and put them all together, it's just amazing. And the deconstructed winter wreath is a thing of beauty. All just gorgeous. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | February 17, 2022 at 09:46 PM
Thank you for all the beauty you share especially in the art of crochet.
I would make your precious flowers year round - they are beautiful:)
Posted by: Elizabeth Caro | February 17, 2022 at 09:38 PM
OMG............you are amazingly talented & those little flowers are just gorgeous. I'm loving your winter wreath too with those subtle colours all blending together gently. Look forward to seeing it come together & may even attempt some of your flowers myself. Do it all in your own time & enjoy the process. Take care & hugs.
Posted by: Susan | February 17, 2022 at 08:59 PM
I absolutely love the colors for the winter garland AND the spring flowers. Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Dawn DeMulling | February 17, 2022 at 07:53 PM
Your blog posts are charming and I love your honesty, your wonderful colours always cheer me up, thank you!
Posted by: Irene | February 17, 2022 at 06:22 PM
Your winter garland see ounds like it will be veryspecial, I have only made a CV ouple of your blankets but I am very new to crochet and I do have one more pack left in my cupboard that I need to get started on. I don't feel good enough at crochet yet to join in in on your CAL but maybe after a CV bit more practice I will feel more confident
Posted by: Barbara Douglas | February 17, 2022 at 06:06 PM
OMG I love,love your creative process and showing what inspires your colors and then how you pick them out. I want to own all the DK colors so when you show us something new I can dive right in! I really love viola/pansies and can’t wait till you share that pattern. Thank you for sharing your life with us and some day I wish I could have coffee with you and your friends.❤️
Posted by: Cindy Conaty | February 17, 2022 at 05:22 PM
I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy your postings. I don't crochet; I make hand crafted alll-occasion cards. I understand about trying to do things "in the season" but never get it finished. Sooooo, because I didn't make the deadline in December for all of the cards I wanted to send, I determined to make 2022 cards in Jan. and Feb. It is so hard to be inspired to create "out of season" when I really wanted to be making Valentine's cards which I didn't do. That is life. You inspire us!!
Posted by: Merry Lee Barfield | February 17, 2022 at 04:14 PM
I would still like to see a Yule tide garland no matter what time of the year. I crochet for Christmas all year round and put them away till it's time. Don't feel bad about a "late" release. It's never to late for me!!😊
Posted by: Sheri | February 17, 2022 at 03:07 PM
Your color choices are so lovely and soothing. I’m glad to follow along on your crochet journey!
Posted by: Laura | February 17, 2022 at 02:06 PM