Mummycat Mandala Madness

 http://yarndale.co.uk/ 

Are you coming to Yarndale?  Please come along!  It would be so nice this year to know more of the faces and share a cuppa or two chatting about wonderful woolly work! Yes, I am over excited again but I sometimes feel like I live in on a tiny crafty island away from the general population.  So it's kind of like finding my own tribe- The Woolites-and knowing all the ceremonial dances....
Ahem, a bit strange even for me.  Let me get on to the Mandalas.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2014/05/mandalas-for-yarndale.html 

Lucy at Attic24 has requested Mandalas for a vibrant display after the success of the crochet bunting.  Now, I didn't believe Lucy when she said that these circles were addictive but, of course, she was right.  The changes in stitches and colours means that you never seem to want to stop.  Once I made (and loved) one mandala, I was torn between keeping it or sending on to Lucy as planned.  This prompted the second (now I couldn't choose between them) and a third.  So that's one for Lucy, one for me and one for....Hmm, I haven't made anything for my sisters in a while, on to Mandala number four.
So, now I have the final dilemma.  Which one for which person?  Ok sisters, it's time to put in your requests.  I hope you don't both want the same one and NO saying that any would be lovely, thank you VERY much. X

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PS The photo above is one of my favourite ones showing big brother on the left, Liz with purple bear next, Jess with the fab fringe and me at the end (why am I wearing a polo neck?).  It's the first family shot where we all pretty much look the same now.  Ok there may be a few differences but that's mainly big brother's hair style...

Why Yarndale was the best day ever.

Oh Yarndale, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. Crocheting all the way from Kent to Manchester.
2. First time going away on my own since my first little one came along (almost 8 years ago).
3. Staying with my sister and the family.
4. Having a steady stream of cups of tea- it always tastes better from a sister.

 

5. Making crochet bunting months ahead to send over to the lovely Lucy.

6. Reading all the Attic24 blog posts in anticipation.

7. Not taking any work away with me....okay now I'm just boring myself. 

 Let me just say that I am not a strange, middle aged lady who gets excited about wool.  I am one of many!  I was far too excited, bounced up and down all the way there and caused much annoyance as I screamed at first sight of the bunting.  I just didn't care.  I embarrassed myself as often as possible and indulged every woolly whim.  I did not rush around stalls, I did touch everything, go back to first stalls, chat to everyone and yes, even insisted on a photo with Lucy (poor woman).  I didn't even notice the lovely Heather from tiny tin bird until later as her blog page has only a partial face shot! 

We sat from the opening hours until well after lunch engrossed in learning how to knit tarantula style with six pointy needles.  I loved it so much that I wouldn't leave the table until absolutely desperate for the ladies and when my back started to seize. 

We loved it so much that on returning late that evening, Sis and I continued to knit with a large glass of wine until after 11pm.  I came home feeling at one with woolly urges and realised that I had only bought a Yarndale tote bag for myself.  This was shocking as I had come away ready to spend, spend, spend.  I think that, when every yearning was met, there was no need to even try and buy.  It was the best rest and reconnect with my lovely sister.  So, I don't care that this is 9 months ago.  Look at this and be inspired to come along to Yarndale 2014!  I can't wait and look forward to sharing all the Mandala Madness that's being going on ready for my new Yarndale contribution.

"I wish I had time to do crafty stuff."

I am sitting here sifting through the camera again and have finally found some missing pictures!  I wanted to share these because, honestly, I just want to show off and take a moment to remember that work doesn't take over every spare minute.  I am always surprised by how many times I hear the phrase, "Where do you find the time?" or "I wish I had time to do crafty stuff." It does sometimes sound a little critical as if I should feel lucky to have sooo much spare time that I can just pootle around indulging a hobby.  The truth is, as all crafters know,  we all get the same time in a day and I choose being active over sitting for hours watching tv every evening.  I think most crafters are noctural as we seem to come alive during those twilight hours!  A friend of mine who whips up the most amazing dresses, always seems to want to start a  new project around about 9pm!  So this post is to remind me that those stolen hours before bed (and even before the family awakes) mounts up those little projects pretty quickly.
So, did  I tell you about the Christmas Bazaar?  This year, instead of making a ton of Christmas presents, I decided to make a bundle of goodies for the Church Bazaar.  I started whilst on the long train journey to my sister's for our Yarndale experience.  I crocheted mini stockings, felty garlands and stockings, pot holders, felty baubles, sweetie cones and loads of hair clips.  I loved it!  I was given a little parcel of cheap fabric and did a bit of a "Mocholate" with it.  If you know your "Friends" you will know that a  small amount of mocholate (chocolate substitute) was mixed with much nicer ingredients.  So I happily took small amounts of the bundle to mix with my own stash of felts, ribbons and trims (ahem).  As is always the case, the small, quick projects sold out and the pot holders- which took forever- didn't move.  Never mind eh!  The only real downer was I wasn't able to man the stall as at the last moments, the face painting lady didn't show up.  So I sat and painted tigers, butterflies (and even one dad as batman) for the entire day.

    

Never mind,, as I got  stuck by these two fabby friends who made me laugh the whole time!
I will  post soon on how I made the bow clips as I have now made so many (with two girls- how could I escape it)