Mandalas for Wink

Hello........... After hearing the sad news about Wink last week I decided I wanted to make one of her colourful mandalas, to help celebrate her wonderful creativity,

So yesterday I dug out the Drops Paris and choose this pattern from her  'A Creative Being blog'.  I really loved how the the shells in the outer part of the pattern reminded me of clouds and blues reminded me of Summer skies, I was a little concerned about the spokes and my lack of a Tunisian crochet hook, but I was willing to give it a try.

So the colours I picked all remind me of Summertime, I had a idea to turn the centre and spokes into the sun with each ring of the mandala representing a different aspect of Summer, so first up the Sun, then grass and  summer meadows with the green, which has a lovely lovely bit of sparkle and is the only cotton used that is not Drops Paris, it's called 'Ella' by Sirdar shade 0008

Next up a Turquoise blue sky

Then grey storm clouds, just like yesterdays weather, well it wouldn't be summer here in the UK without them.

Then green again as I just love that sparkle and turquoise followed by a darker Turquoise for the Sea, now something magical happen when I added the turquoise and green as that stormy grey now appears to be lilac, it's not just a camera trick, in reality it looks that way too.

So seven rounds done following Winks wonderful tutorial.

Next up the round that really inspired me, the clouds, now I started off with white then I got a little scared, it was a bit too white !! and stark against the other rounds, so I admit to a little wobble at this point but hey its all part of the creative process. So I tried a Ecru and also a very pale ice blue. 

But it just had to be White, as what I wanted was white fluffy summer cotton wool clouds. So I was brave and just went for it with the white, eek thinking if I had too I could rip it out. 

No need for concern though as when I added the Summer sky blue, I was in love with those fluffy white clouds again.  That's not to say things went smoothly, 'where are the spokes I here you ask?' well I tried and failed, I was lacking the right sort of hook and the talent so it would seem. 

So at this point I adapted Winks pattern a little and just completed the round without adding in the Spokes.  There's no picture as I was huffy and puffy and scratching my head too much at the time to remember to take one, really must get me a Tunisian hook for the future.

I then had the idea to make some spokes for my sun rays from simple chains, but in the end decided against it.  So I apologise for adapting Winks wonderful pattern. 

As there were no spokes I was left with loops on the first round where I had only crocheted the back loops as per the pattern in the second round.

So what to do with the centre of the mandala, the loops in the yellow round we mocking me and my inability to make spokes so after a bit of pondering, I decided to add a flower, now what I should have done is make one, but as I was very tired by this point I just pinched one off my Summertime wreath.

Ta-Dah

My Summer Skies Mandala.

Depression is such a terrible illness that doesn't discriminate, it can happen to anyone at anytime and claims far to many.  Hug you loved ones real close as you never know how they are feeling and what the future may hold.

#Mandalasforwink.

I will miss Marinke's colourful blog and creativity very much, I hope she has found peace.

Clare xx

Summer Storms and Crochet

Hello........... This morning it started getting very dark here a the Summerhouse yes a storm was a coming.  Now I used to love a good thunderstorm until I got sick, but not any more

as now this happens, my blood pressure drops which means one very dizzy and ill feeling Clare, yes I'm a human barometer, for me it's seems to be a symptom of my POTS.(Postural Othostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)  At least we know what it is now for years it was known around these parts as 'Storms make Clare feel funny'  So it's good now we have a blood pressure monitor and can see what's happening.

So while this was happening outside, there was nothing else for it but to head off to bed for a while until the storm passed over.  While there I pondered how a rainy Summers day was perfect for a spot crochet, so when my blood pressure had stabilised a bit.

I set myself up on the Sofa, feet up and hook in hand I worked on a square for my icecream cushion.

Resting up as each Thunderstorm passed by, at least it gave me a bit of time to think.  Over the last few days I've been thinking a lot about making a Mandala for Wink, after hearing the sad new earlier in the week, I decided I wanted to celebrate her life and creativity my making one of her wonderful Mandala's.

Anyone who follows me on Facebook, will have seen I posted these mandala's earlier in the week linking up with the #mandalasforwink posts, my heart goes out to her family and friends at this sad time.  Such a talented lady, who brought so much creativity and colour to the world.

So I have a plan, I've decided I'm going to attempt to hook up one of Marinke's Mandala's this one to be precise. Drops Paris at the ready it was time to set too.

Working a round and resting, I'll share the mandala when it's done in a day or so.  So that sums up my Sunday a bit dizzy a bit yarny and very rainy, but at least the gardens had a good soaking.

and lookie the suns coming out again now.

Happy Crafting.

Clare xx

Happy New Home card

Hello........ I've been paper crafting again, this time it was a new home card for a friend.

I had some pretty new home themed papers that had come with a magazine which were just perfect for the card, I also raided the Summerhouse stash for a card blank, some sparkles, ribbon and white card.

First up I cut out a simple house shape from white card and drew on windows and a door, I wanted the door to open so I cut along one side and the top, I then scored along the remaining part of the door on the reverse side of the card so the door would hinge and open.

Then it was decision time the cute little house paper which I love (but might be a bit too much for the card) or the pretty coloured Keys.

In the end I opted for the Keys which I cut and glued to the card blank.

I then cut two rectangles of paper in Teal and Pink Gingham and put them together like so.

I also loved, these cute little scrabble tiles, that came with the papers, so I cut out a 'New Home' to go along the top of the card, but when I put it up against the Key paper it looked a bit lost........ (so I had to have a think about that one)

Then it was time to put the card together, I glued the paper rectangles to the card, then added the cute little cardboard house, I also added a blue ribbon across the top.

which I think really lifted the scrabble tile greeting.

For the final touch I added a little sparkle to the front door.

Ta-Dah

A Happy New Home card.

Happy Crafting

Clare xx

Open Garden

Hello... Last week we went to visit a wonderful wildlife garden,  not too far from the Summerhouse

Some friends have been opening up there Studio and garden to raise funds for Cancer research over the past few weeks and my, the visitors to the garden have been in for a real treat. The garden is set out with lovely mown walkways, perfect to amble around on a Summers day.

With a beautiful wildflower meadow to one side of the garden.

Everywhere you looked was just picture perfect.

With wonderful art to look at in the Studio, music and poetry, I even took my guitar along and played a few songs, while enjoying a nice cuppa, yes there were refreshment too.

There were lots of places to sit in the garden, so it was perfect for me, as I could rest for a while.

With intriguing archways leading through to yet more wonderful planting, wild flowers and summer fruits. So much colour.

Just stunning

such a feast for the eyes.

I dread to think how much work this amount of wonderment takes, it for sure puts the Summerhouse garden to shame.

So pretty and wildlife must love it, a paradise for bee's and they for sure need all the help they can get these days.

Back on the patio surrounded by a huge variety of container veg and these wonderful hanging strawberries, there was just enough time for a few more songs and a lovely piece of chocolate cake, (which turned out to be dairy free, so perfect for me) before it was time to head home.

Music, Art, Poetry and a Wildlife garden what more could you want on a Summers afternoon.

Clare xx

Lately

Hello......... Today I thought I'd do a bit of a catch up post, of the last few weeks so .......

Lately there have been birthdays, this was a white chocolate and strawberry cake to celebrate my sister's birthday a couple of weekend ago, I just love the rice paper butterflies, we ordered a whole load of them for the cup cakes at my Birthday party, but sadly I didn't get a photo.

Lately....... I been working my way through this Audrey Hepburn box set, I'm really enjoyed watching these old movies.

Lately.... there was a magical star tomato here at the Summerhouse.

Thankfully Lately I seem to be coming out of relapse, so I've been trying to build up my yoga a bit, while trying to avoid over doing things and causing a set back it's a bit of a balancing act, even more so with my POTS diagnosis, if I'm standing my heart tends to be tachycardic, so I'm doing 3 minutes of very gentle yoga then resting flat for 5 minutes until my heart rate drops back down again, before doing another 3 minutes, in time I hope to build things up slowly.

 I'm still trying to sort out the Summerhouse and Lately it's been the turn of the yarn, I'd love to be able to display it out on shelves,

but seeing as the summerhouse is in the garden and basically just a big shed, there are way to many spiders, so I've opted for these plastic crates, that stack into draws.

There is even a new draw for all the sparkly yarn, love a bit of sparkle.

Lately........ we went on a trip to see a beautiful wildlife garden, created by some friends who've  opened up for a open garden/studio event, to raise funds for Cancer Research, there was music in the garden too and I took my guitar along and played a few tunes.

Lately......... We have had a poorly fellow here at the Summerhouse, Dylan's not doing so well and is getting so very thin, but we are loving him while he's still with us, he loves to snuggle up on the arms of Sofa and have a snooze and cuddle.

Lately as always there has been crochet, wishing you a wonderful week.

Happy Crafting

Clare xx