In search of Arcadia.

Dearest Lovelies, hope you are all well and staying safe and sane in Crochetland?

I'm typing this from my little studio as icy rain lashes the garden, windows rattle and gusty gale-force wind apparently wants to pry the roof off the cottage! I've been awake since midnight unable to settle down with car alarms being set off and strange thumps and bangings going on outside. I'm dreading going out into my garden later! The kitties and I have been cowering under the warm bedclothes while Mr HooksnTales took to the spare bedroom room with two very nervous doggies ( our bed is not big enough for the six of us! ). You know I bow to the mighty Stormbringer. I'm a Pluviophile through and through. But this is unnerving! I think we're all a little unnerved these days, right? Dramatic weather or not.

THANKFULLY, in all sincerity, so very thankful that we who craft have a creative outlet to help us process and traverse these very troubled times. We can make all. the. things while the sun doesn't figuratively shine. We can create silver linings around dark clouds with actual silver thread. We can construct where there is destruction and I'm reminded once again how creative souls continue to create, in myriad ways, through the worst of times. We create our own Arcadian idyl if we can. Oh, look at me going all mushy on you all! But you get my drift?

It's still dark outside but I can imagine for now that all the flowering plants and bushes have been stripped of their winter blooms. The garden will look as if a stormy wedding party whirled by shredding every blossom and leaf for confetti. There is some terrible beauty in that too. Anyhoooooooo...before I make you all cry into your chilled Chardonnay or steaming hot chocolate ( depending on which hemisphere you call home ) let me take a jump to the left and announce ARCADIAAAAA ( drum roll ). So, it seems Helen Shrimpton also released an "Arcadia " pattern but honestly, I live under a rock and had no idea until Noelene told me after the fact! I'm going to stick with the name because now more than ever I want to imagine that sometime in our near future we can enjoy a more arcadian reality. Let's raise our glasses to that!

 But hang on...there's more!😸

I think it's time for another GIVEAWAY from another Designer! I fell head over heels for the adorable Jasmine Sweater by Ana D Designs. Leave a comment below and don't forget to add your Ravelry name.

Until next time Lovelies...stay calm, stay safe and take good care of yourselves!
💜 Jen

PS: the furballs made me laugh! Miss Nisha-Li completely unaware that she's sitting next to her doppelganger! 😹

And sulking in the pot plant because I'm sitting on HER cushion.