Friday 13, whooooooooo!

Hello, Yaranarinas and Happy Friday 13!

It's also a full moon, so whoooooooooooooooo! That's me doing a very quiet wolf howl seeing as everyone in my neighbourhood is still in dreamland!

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I've been awake since the "witching hour" ( there is speculation on whether that's 3am or 4am ), woken suddenly by an incredible downpour...no warning beforehand like a bit of wind or rumbles in the distance, just a short, but very intense cloudburst that had the Cats instantly awake and jumping out the window onto the verandah so they can "observe". Weird Cats who love the rain! You wouldn't think anything had happened because it's all sunlight, innocent blue skies and chirpy birds this morning. At 5am I recorded this....

Listening to that it's hard to imagine I live in a very urban neighbourhood where during the day you're more likely to hear construction work, ambulance, fire truck or police sirens ( sometimes there are gunshots at night! ), commuter trains whishing by every fifteen minutes, people yelling, dogs barking and of course Mr Noisy Neighbour on his motorbike! These early morning Chirpers mean more to me than I can express. They inspire me every day, without fail. When I'm ready to pack up and head for the hills I think of these feathered Earthlings, who, even with wings to fly off anywhere they want to, choose to stay. Sometimes, when I feel overwhelmed, I allow a thought to pass... they are all here for me, my inspiration, my allies, my little friends, my consolation prize. Life is made up of small pleasures, tiny moments like these. It's all good.

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So, today is the release of PART 2-Golden Tea Floral Block. Next Friday ( 20 September ) is the FINAL PART! The 3 x Parts are not released as separate Files. I've added each Part to the original pattern file so you should have only one file for the entire Block. Keep an eye open for your email or Ravelry message update. I've been very two minded about this whole design but then I start getting all excited about the Extension! I'm not exactly privy to what the bigger picture looks like but it somehow FEELS as if it's all going to work out. I'm reminded again of how crochet really is a material expression of our lives, in so many ways and there isn't a day that goes by when I don't thank my lucky stars for the coincidental meeting between student and teacher. Do you believe in Fate? I do!

I thought I'd answer this question next. Many of you ask where I get my inspiration from and if I am perfectly honest, and not trying to present an Instagrammable Life that looks idyllic from the outside...for me... it's a manifestation of my restrictive circumstances. Some of you may be aware of what's happening in South Africa at the moment and it's very disturbing, unsettling and frightening to say the very least. Daily ( sometimes hourly! ) I remind myself that so much good comes from challenging situations. Each day I see this manifesting itself in my immediate neighbourhood and farther afield. Local art, literature and theatre are flourishing! Communities are creatively expressing their frustration, sadness and anger too, but also pulling together. People are reaching out to each other as people do in uncertain times. Kindness, caring and support is everywhere in abundance. It's within this worrying undefinable atmosphere that I pick up hook and yarn and allow it to lead me where it will. It's strange, isn't it, how always in these spaces between tension, fear and angst that those of us who express ourselves, through Craft, Art or Music, Dance or Literature, find inspiration but also, solace. Whatever challenging situation we may face within ourselves or our outer worlds we can always count on our Craft to get us through it all.

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Today's colour mood is ( maybe predictably ) called "Optimism".
YARN:
Scheepjes Catona in Mercury, Champagne, Forst Green, Apple Green, Primrose and Candle Light.

Now, onto some GIFTING! HOORAY!
If you left a comment last week then you stood a chance in three of winning the lovely Gaudi Sidewalk Blanket by Briana K Designs. Congratulations, please do check your Ravelry Libraries!

Today's Giveaway is the gorgeous Spica Bag pattern by the awesomely talented Natalia Kononova!

Again, all you need to do to stand a chance of winning this luscious embossed bag by a super talented designer is....leave a comment and your Ravelry name! Voila, it's that easy!

I wish you all a very happy weekend wherever you are on this small blue planet.
See you in Crochetland,
💗 Jen xx