Episode 12

Episode 12 Show Notes

Hi guys! Today I have a not-so-funny, funny FO, my Find your Fade WIP, a design-in-progress, some gorgeous new yarns, and I show you my project journal, as well as the lovely Christmas gifts I received from the lovely Ali of the Little Drops Of Wonderful podcast!

https://youtu.be/NGMiaDUv78Y

I am on Instagram @lorrainepughdesigns
You can find me on ravelry as lorrainepugh
There is also a group on ravelry, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lorrainepughdesigns
And a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/lorrainepughdesigns/
Plus, a Facebook Group where you can share your makes and chatter with like-minded makers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707181802870447/

FO
Take a guess... what is it?!
Yarn used is Sirdar Cotton Rich Recycled Aran
Check online for your local stockist

Current Knitting WIP:
The 'Find Your Fade' Shawl designed by Andrea Mowry of Drea Renee Knits (for the love)
Link to pattern via ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/find-your-fade
Yarns in order of being shown, first-last:
'Forest' by Blueberry Barn Designs, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/BlueberryBarnDesigns
'Attention Seeker' by Hand Dyed By Kate, website linked here: http://www.handdyedbykate.com/
'Perfume' by Life In The Long Grass, search online for your nearest stockist, I purchased mine from YAK store in Brighton, England
'Sweet Treat' by Artist Palette Yarns, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/ArtistsPaletteYarns
'Mazikeen' by Third Vault Yarns, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/ThirdVaultYarns
'Peat' BFL Fingering by The Uncommon Thread, search online for your nearest stockist, I purchased mine from YAK store in Brighton, England
Stitch markers from Craft Cat Knitty Bits (please note I added the faux flowers), etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits

Yarns Acquired
'Forever Autumn' by Blueberry Barn Designs, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/BlueberryBarnDesigns
'Interstellar Dust' by Artist Palette Yarns, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/ArtistsPaletteYarns
'Mirkwood' by Viking Yarn etsy shop linked here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VikingYarns
'Mermaid Mardi Gras' by Hiraeth Yarn Company, etsy shop linked here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HiraethYarnCompany

Cow WIP made with Sirdar Snuggly Baby Cotton DK

Ali of Little Drops of Wonderful podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWQfl7WmeumzOYfKZwhT0g
She is also on Instagram as @starryeyesali

Lisa of Lisa's Pine Notes, she has a blog and a podcast, as well as an Instagram account - well worth the follow!
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AGhDDT1tEJqa6uzSaVqkQ
Instagram: @lisapinenotes

Gifted to me by the lovely Ali
Mineral Yarn was by Uniques Yarns Co., etsy shop linked here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/UniqueYarnsCo
Mini skein was Single Batch 10, by My Mama Knits, etsy shop linked here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mymamaknits

Episode 11

Episode 11 Show Notes

New beginnings in 2017

https://youtu.be/SFhJoxwrMPs

I am on Instagram @lorrainepughdesigns
You can find me on ravelry as lorrainepugh
There is also a group on ravelry, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lorrainepughdesigns
And a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/lorrainepughdesigns/
Plus, a Facebook Group where you can share your makes and chatter with like-minded makers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707181802870447/

The Breathe Journal, a 52 Week Planner, available in UK in most large supermarkets and stationers

Ceramic Sheep, hand made in Wales by Sian Davies, sianee_2000@yahoo.co.uk

YAK Yarn And Knitting in Brighton
ChiaoGoo Tunisian Crochet Hooks
'Soak' yuzu yarn wash
'Zitouni' BFL Fingering by The Uncommon Thread
'Perfume' by Life In The Long Grass
'Peat' BFL Fingering by The Uncommon Thread
'Cloudy Blue' Super Chunky Crazy Sexy Wool by Wool And The Gang

Brighton Sewing Centre

Current Knitting WIP:
The 'Find Your Fade' Shawl designed by Andrea Mowry of Drea Renee Knits (for the love)
Link to pattern via ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/find-your-fade
Yarns in order of being shown, first-last:
'Forest' by Blueberry Barn Designs, etsy hop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/BlueberryBarnDesigns
'Attention Seeker' by Hand Dyed By Kate, website linked here: http://www.handdyedbykate.com/
'Perfume' by Life In The Long Grass, search online for your nearest stockist, I purchased mine from YAK store in Brighton, England
'Sweet Treat' by Artist Palette Yarns, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/ArtistsPaletteYarns
'Mazikeen' by Third Vault Yarns, etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/ThirdVaultYarns
'Peat' BFL Fingering by The Uncommon Thread, search online for your nearest stockist, I purchased mine from YAK store in Brighton, England
Stitch markers from Craft Cat Knitty Bits (please note I added the faux flowers), etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits

Crochet WIP
'Hotel Of Bees' Crochet Shawl Pattern by Christia Hadderingh aka 'A Spoonful Of Yarn' pattern linked here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hotel-of-bees-shawl
Yarns purchased for this project are Dye For Wool's Merino Sport Weight in the following colour ways:
'Too Hard Butter Cookie', 'Burnt Cinnamon Roll' and 'Boiling Cacao Beans', etsy shop linked here: www.etsy.com/shop/Dyeforwool

Ali of Little Drops of Wonderful podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWQfl7WmeumzOYfKZwhT0g
She is also on Instagram as @starryeyesali

Lisa of Lisa's Pine Notes, she has a blog and a podcast, as well as an Instagram account - well worth the follow!
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AGhDDT1tEJqa6uzSaVqkQ
Instagram: @lisapinenotes

Amber from the Yarn Junkie Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/user/crochetjunkie6
She is also on Instagram @_yarnjunkie

Prosperity Is Within Us

Thursday 5th January 2017   22:35

I was one of the lucky ones that actually enjoyed school. Although I was definitely a bit 'weird' or 'quirky' something that unexpectedly helped me was the fact that I had a brother 6 years older than me who would tease me, in an endearing fashion (if you could call it that), so any mockery from piers seemed to fall like water off a duck's back. I had a large group of friends and my grades were quite good. I would never have thought to call myself confident, but to be honest, I must have been because I wasn't embarrassed to be alone either. Perhaps 'independent' better describes it. I think I get that from my Dad. He and I are both the kind to go for a solitary walk purely for the sake of enjoying it. I guess I always considered a confident person to be one who would regularly strike up a conversation with a stranger, something I wouldn't choose to do. But, now I've grown a fair bit, I've learned that I am self-assured, it's just not naturally in my character to go in search of small-talk.

I 'live' a lot in my head. I always have. It's like a torrent of thoughts/ideas, so when it comes to engaging in social interactions, I can't seem to just 'switch-off' what's going on 'up there'. Thus, it can become very tiring, if not overwhelming, if I attend say, a large social gathering. In my teens, I discovered something amazing that took away all my apprehensions of small-talk, and let my buzzing mind calm down; alcohol. And that, my friends, has been my key to initiating friendships... all the way until my son was born, 3years ago. Instincts kicked in (Mother nature is a powerful thing), I mostly cut out the booze, occasionally enjoying 1 pint of shandy on a sunny afternoon, but on 1st January 2016 I cut out alcohol completely. My life changed in ways I couldn't imagine.

Looking back, during the first 6 months of sobriety, I was avoiding pubs. Unfortunately it meant I saw friends less and less, initially. But one day in the latter half of the year, I realized I would genuinely crave a cup of tea or coffee over a beer. The truth is, I never realized I had a problem, until then; I had overcome something. This initiated me asking myself many more questions. I seeked spiritual and psychological insight.

This first alcohol-free year, I was beginning to realize where my passion lied. Working with hand-dyed yarn, unique works of art, into a design of my making, through the craft of crochet. I also discovered this online community of crafters, podcasters, tutorial creators, photo sharers, all of whom fueled the fire of my creativity.

Also during this year, my Mum was becoming tired with the running of her craft business, where I also worked. I had a decision to make. Do I follow where the money is and take on a very busy shop? It would mean  constant social interaction, a struggle for me, but at least we would be financially richer. Or do I pursue a dream? Go with what naturally flows for me and opt for riches in the form of fulfillment?

Fast forward to today, Thursday 5th January 2017 and the shop's VAT is due in 1 month's time. But, it is the last. Over the last couple of months, I have been shifting boxes of unsold stock, planning workshops which I intend to run from home, while designing crochet patterns. I have also been writing my experiences and learnings in which I shall share with you all on this blog. This is a very exciting, new chapter for me, for us all perhaps? Some strong friendships are already being made, beautiful project photos being shared and encouragement and guidance being given. I think this is a good moment to share a favourite quote of mine:

"When you get the environment right, humans will do remarkable things" - Simon Sinek

Well now, my environment is lacking a fresh cup of tea, and nothing remarkable will happen unless I get the kettle on! [pictured is the very tab from my cup of tea!]
So, until next time,

Take care,
Much love,
Lorraine
Xx

Creative Contentment - When Making Resolutions

Hello All,

At a time of fresh starts and new beginnings, I'm gathering a collection of ideas to help myself maintain a sense of balance and fulfillment, particularly with regard to crafting, but also within all other areas of my life.

Last year, I discovered this beautiful, online community of creative beings and as many of you offer so much in the way of friendship and guidance, I want to give a little something back. Since many of us share so much common ground, it occured to me that one, if not some of you may also find some reassurance and/or inspiration within these little ideas of mine. So, here I am, sharing them with you, on a path I will call 'Creative Contentment'...

Here is a little idea I had a few days ago;

I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year,
With lots of love,
From me, Lorraine xXx