Friday 12 July 2019

Busy Bee...

Hello, Lovelies,

Thanks for stopping by. How are you today?
πŸ’—( I'm serious, leave a comment and let me know how YOU are )πŸ’—

To be honest, I am NOT ok. We have had three house burglaries in six weeks. Luckily we were not home at the time and LUCKILY my Yarn is all accounted for! πŸ‘ I laugh, but I am sort of crying inside. I know, I know it's all just material "things" which can be replaced. Still. Thinking back over the past six months I have to say it's been an incredibly drama-filled period and I do hope the next six months will see things looking a bit more positive. I like POSITIVE VIBES!

Anyhoooo...enough complaining! If you are making the Hibiscus Tea Extension then you will already know that it's in your Library! I am ahead of the deadline, again ( I surprise myself sometimes! ). I've kept the design super simple to offset the very busy Block and I rather like how it's looking up to this point. Part 4 ( final rounds and border ) will be available on Friday 26 July.



In between working on the Extension, I have been designing the "fillers" for the Sunday Folk Hexie. So far I have the pattern down for the Horizontal Half-Hexie. I'm hoping to release the full Sunday Folk Hexie Filler Bundle at the beginning of August. ALSO... in between finishing off the Extension AND the Half-Hexies I am making a simple top-down sweater, a scarf, and a colour-strand Beanie. I'm hoping to release all those patterns close to the Northern climes Fall/Winter. But still...I have 2 x Throws to complete so I really need to grow a few more pairs of arms, right?



I really needed some calming and soothing colours today! The Yarn is Stylecraft Special DK.


If you are a Knitter and entered our last Giveaway please do check your Ravelry Library to see if you have a little something waiting for you there!

Today our Giveaway is the gorgeous and delicate Shawl pattern called Fluttering By by Sandra Paul ( from the Cherry Heart Podcast and Website ). All you have to do is leave a comment in the comment section to tell me how you are? Don't forget to leave your Ravelry name!


On an entirely other note but related... I am thinking of opening a Patreon page. What are your thoughts on this? Unfortunately, it seems that quite a few people have been sharing Unlisted Videos for the patterns even though I do say that if you purchase a pattern the Videos are FOR YOUR EYES ONLY! 😍 I am also looking at how to embed Links into PDF's so that they cannot be shared. It's all very techy so I might have to call in the Tech Troops for help! I'm on it though. In the meantime, let me know if you had similar problems and how you solved this?

I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing and creative weekend!
If you're otherwise crafty ( other than Crochet ) I came across this video and I am SO going to make these... with my eight arms you know? 😊

πŸ’—Jen xx



40 comments:

  1. beautiful as allways <3 I have a Blast of Summer in Finland with norwegian Friends to visit us on our Farm and soon to harvest all the Vegetables for the Winter <3 Much Knitting & Crochet in Free Time . I wish you the Best and I love your Style, you are great , have a nice Summer Jen <3

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    1. Oh that sounds WONDERFUL! It's Winter here right now, so I'm looking for sun patches to sit in to stay warm. :D Wishing you a lovely Summer, it sounds amaaaazing already. xx

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  2. so sorry for your troubles hope who ever is doing this gets whats coming to them an you regain your peace.

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    1. Thank you, Penny! You know how it goes with these things, when troublw strikes it pours down! :D Hope your weekend is lovely1 xox

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  3. Dearest Jen
    You are a SuperWoman! I am absolutely in love πŸ₯° with the new designs, and cannot wait for the sweater pattern. No advice, but I absolutely support any measures you can take to protect your intellectual property πŸ‘πŸ».
    I always feel better after reading your inspiring words and seeing your awesome designs and other creative work. Sending protective vibes to Cape Town πŸ’ͺ🏻.

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    1. Aw, thanks my lovely Friend! As they say "ek is nou gatvol!". But, it's temporary. I feel a bit off centre right now, but I know a bit of crochet in the Sun will make things look much better. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Hugs!!! xxx

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  4. On a cd! Idea there. Oh Jen. Burglars. Awful. Feeling so unsafe.Not about money but about memories touched by unwanted people taking away your security. Bah. I wish all was well here. Health things caused by the hospital. You've to take legal action and it takes a long breath while you're not feeling well.But also good things oldest finished university. With honours ❤ and youngest is going to do his thesis and is in Florence with his love. Ife is all about dancing on a thin rope is it. Hugs dear and waiting for all your gorgeous designs.

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    1. Oh dear Tineke sorry to hear that! In Afrikaans we say " elke huis het sy kruis" I think you get the meaning? Troubles touch us no matter who we are or where in the world we live and although I don't wish troubles on anyone it does make me feel better to know I am not alone! :P But, as you say, there are silver linings...your Son completing Uni HOORAY and Congratulations. I also like to balance out things by looking for the bright side. Sometimes not easy right? Wishing you a peaceful and relaxing weekend, Tineke! xox

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  5. I'm so very sorry to hear that life has been such a challenge of late.You deserve all of the good things life has to offer in return for the love and joy you share so freely.Thanks for all of your gorgeous designs and here's to hoping that the rest of your year is filled with love, joy and happiness Xx

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    1. Oh my friend, I wish that for us all! What a world! I try to think of Loius Armstrongs beautiful song "What a Wonderful World" to keep my spirits up. :D It's that or actually hitting the Spirits...LOL...JOKING! I don't drink alcohol but sometimes I wish I did! :D xox

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  6. Oh Jen, I am so sorry. For both the invasion of home and for idea theft. Sending warm hugs from Canada. Xoxo

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    1. Thanks for your positive vibes from Canada, Carolyn! I read an article recently about studies made on sending good vibes ( hugs, good wishes, prayers etc ) and how they do positively affect the recipient or recipients. So thanks again and straight back at ya! :D xx

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  7. Hi Jen. Can’t wait to see your new designs! I’m doing great today. My rav is dawnbstew

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    1. I'm so happy to hear that! Hope your weekend is fab! :D xx

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  8. So sorry to hear about your break-ins. It is truly awful when you lose that feeling of sanctuary in your home. I am so excited to start working on the Hibiscus Tea pattern, but it has to wait until I finish crocheting the prayer shawls for the girls I will be mentoring at camp in two weeks. After that the excitement can begin! Praying peace for you...PumaT

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    1. Thank you so much, Puma. Much appreciated! You mentoring camp sounds like so much fun. Happy weekend! xox

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  9. Hello dear Jen, hope you are really feeling better now. I am quite fine as Today is My last working day before My holiday. Going to Schotland hiking with hubby. Live all your patterns. My ravelry name is liahartman.

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    1. Wow, Lia that sounds like a really lovely holiday! Wishing you a wonderful time! :D xx

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  10. Feeling stressed trying to sell our house hubby is in a wheelchair due to acute transverse myelitis and the offers keep falling threw just had a very bad home inspection hoping crocheting today takes my mind off it

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    1. Oh,my dear... I really do feel for you! It seems that when clouds gather over our lives they do so in full force. Today I thanked all the powers that be that I have creative outlets in times of trouble. In this we are both so fortunate. I know it's hard...try to stay positive and visualise everything turning out the way you want it to. Just keep focusing on moving through this and arriving at a happier destination. Keep in touch! Sending lots of good vibes your way. xox

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  11. Must be awful to be burgled, so sorry it’s happened to you. I’ve only recently discovered your designs and very excited by them. so happy to find some squares I can use for cushions. Sunshine here in Oxfordshire and watching Wimbledon as I crochet your Wildflower design!

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    1. Ooo, that does sound fab! The Wildflower is such a pretty pattern...wait until you get to those corners! :D Please do join our workshop group over on FB. Very lovely bunch there, and also so helpful! xx

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  12. Hi Jen!
    Well, for what I have come to know about your personality from your videos is that you are strong. You may not think it, but you are. Troubles will always come and refuse to leave. However, I have noticed from your past experiences that you have a loving family who provide great support.
    Now, about your new designs, eekk, I can't wait to see them! I hope, and no pressure intended, that they would be available on Etsy too.
    It turns my stomach when I hear or see a copyright violation or videos shared that shouldn't be. On some purchased patterns, the videos require passwords. But even then, that could be provided when it is shared. Blasted, I have no idea. Sorry.
    It is the middle of the super HOT Summer here in the US (Southern Eastern Coast), and so very humid. But does not stop my hands from working with yarn. Right now, working on knitted winter sweaters for family that lives in the North Eastern portion of the US. But also crocheting what I like for the home at the same time. LOL. Also, harvesting, canning and cooking. Sometimes I just crash from all of it. But you have to do what you must, right?
    We send you warn (HOT) hugs from our family to yours. Chase those rays of Sunshine.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words and I know EXACTLY how you feel about the heat and humidity, Chelin! Cape Town in Summer is the same and I struggle to think straight! Winter, YAY! I could happily live in Finland or Norway. I hope you manage to stay cool...but guuuurl, all that cooking and canning? You need to get out of that hot Kitchen, find a cool pool to plonk yourself in...and crochet on! :D Sending hugs ( just quick ones ). :D xx

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  13. Hi Jen! I'm new around here - a friend sent me a link to one of your ravelery pages a few months ago, and I've just been drooling over all the wonderful patterns. I'm *really* trying to resist going out and buying yarn for one of your projects - I'm in 'idle' mode with both crocheting and knitting and it would be just like me to go out and spend a lot of money on yarn then leave it in the closet for a decade or two! But that wisteria-inspired Stylecraft yarn just might push me over the edge!

    I'm sorry to hear about your burglaries and do hope things even out for you soon. Best regards.

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    1. Just buy the Yarn, ok? :D So you have pattern commitment issues? I can talk you through it. :D I know the feeling though and the best way to get going is to just begin...anything. Even if it's a simple granny square. Keep me posted! xox

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  14. So sorry about your burglaries! My summer has been much more relaxing. My ravelry name is AbigailJohnson

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    1. I'm so happy to hear someone is having a better time of things. It keeps me hopeful! xx

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  15. So sad that some people have no respect for their fellow humans , maybe you can pal up with your noisy neighbour and he may scare the baddies away.We are having a weird winter here in my little patch of Aus above average one day and below the next, but variety is the spice of life they say. Love all your beautiful patterns they keep my 70 something brain alive and use up some of my stash.Keep up the super work

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    1. No respect for other people is definitely trending in South Africa right now. We are all just doing our best and getting on with things and helping others where we can but the challenges are pretty stark! I hope your weather settles down soon but it does seem that "odd" weather is the norm these days. :D I'm glad we all have Yarn and Patterns to keep our minds engaged, otherwise we'd be Politicians! :D Happy weekend! xox

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  16. Hey Jen, I love this mood board it is so peaceful! The first 6 months of 2019 have been a doozy shoooo. We will come out stronger on the other side - it is well with my soul!! Have a fabulous weekend, love and hugs to you xxx

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    1. Wise words and very true philosophically speaking. We should not avoid these bumps and potholes. Working through them, especially when we feel like running away and hiding in a cave somewhere remote, doesn't help us grow in wisdom. Albert Camus writes beautifully about this in Lyrical and Critical Essays about strength and character in times of trouble as does Pem Chodron in When Things Fall Apart. Sending love and hugs. xox.

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  17. Jodi89, I am new to your page and would love doing everyone. I feel great and feel greater crocheting. Thank you for your dedication makes me step out of my box.

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    1. That's great, Jodi! Nothing like stepping out of your comfort zone...at least once! :D xx

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  18. My gosh! Three burglaries in six weeks! I completely understand how you feel.
    We've had one a couple of years ago and what a mess they left - I cursed to heavens and back and couldn't get the place in order for days.
    I hope you feel better and safe!

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    1. Thanks, Maya! It's such a horrible and frustrated feeling. It's wasted time and money and it definitely throws you right off centre. I think it's a " gang" operating in the area who spotted that our two closest neighbours have moved and their properties where now temporarily empty. Oh, well...hopefully this is now history! :) xox

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  19. I am so sorry to hear about the theft not only with your home but your beautiful patterns. I have never understood stealing and never will. And through all of this you have still been providing pattern updates. May you be a bird that finds many french fries. :)

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    1. Aww, thank you for that image! :D Birds and french friess. I LOVE it! xx

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  20. So sorry to hear about your theft. Although I haven't experienced a break in at my home, I can imagine the feeling must have been dreadful.

    I am feeling so excited to have found your beautiful crochet blog and patterns on Ravelry. My Ravelry name is khite56.

    My crochet teacher introduced me to your wonderful creations and I am attempting to create your Sunday Folk Hexie. Along with your excellent instructions and her patience, I will endeavour to complete the project.

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