Here's a sneaky....

A sneaky look at whats in store for EP

All Quiet on the Blog Front

I have made loads of stuff for the Electric Picnic and am dying to upload photos and patterns, but there just isn't the time!!

I'm finalising my display items, adding a bit here and there. I was hoping to do a big display on using recycled materials with crochet, but alas, TIME as usual, I have only a few samples. But I hope they're enough to give you ideas, on the possibilities and fun you can have using everyday Found objects.

I plan to take a total break from making anything in September, and concentrate on writing up patterns, and catching up on the neglected housework. Even to the point I have decided not to take part in Hat Attack (...I was very torn turning that down...)


But, one thing I'm very pleased about, it the Crochet Liberation Front have finally finished the First Ever Book, and I'm happy and proud to be promoting it at the Festival. Its due out in September, and when I have further details, I'll post them (dates, ISBN etc...)

So, enough chat, back to work....

Electric Picnic

Stitchlily's Woolly Emporium

at the Electric Picnic

Where
I think we're in the walled garden, see map below...

Opening Times
We're open roughly from 11am to 6pm. But if the chat if flowing, we wont stop...


Demonstrations
Demos on crochet and weaving will be done continuously throughout the day. Everyone is welcome to have a go. Why not make something to add to the Reef??

Workshops
There are two workshops on inkle-loom weaving per day with a max of 6 people per class. The workshop will last 2 and a half hours but most people get a crios woven in less that an 2 hours. I've added the extra half hour just so you can relax and enjoy the weaving, or rush off to see a particular band...

Bookings for the workshops will be taken on the Friday or in the morning. As places are very limited I would advise anyone interested to call in on the Friday, and if you're really keen, you can always email me now and book a place!!

The workshops will cost €20- this includes all the materials and worksheets you need to make a beautiful Irish crios. The inkle looms themselves are very easy to make, and if anyone is interested, I will provide all the details necessary to make one of your own.




Times of the Workshops are:

Fri: 3-4.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11-1.30 & 2-4.30pm



Up to date News

Just over a week to go, and theres still so much work to be done!! The Coral Reef is almost finished, just a few threads to sort out, the inkle looms have done a detour to Galway, but will meet me in Stradbally, and the rest of the display work is just about, well thought off, to be honest. Its all hands on threads this week to get the finished display I want. Here's a sneak look...



I managed to tie most of my events in the Ravelympics up with the EP, so any Ravellers out there, you'll see my finished pieces on display. I'm currently awaiting my final drugs test before being able to step up to the Podium and claim prizes for Team Ireland. More on that later...

So, I think we're in the walled garden if anyone is looking for us. Here's a map I copied off the website, but its a bit hard to read.

More on the Gathering

I've been trying and trying to get my thoughts into some sort of shape, but its just not working, so forget sentences here's what I was happy about...

Friendly helpers
no phone it get run over on arrival and it was actually nice to not be contactable for a few days, but a bit nerve-wracking while driving home late with very little petrol)
the Lentil Disorder stand veggie breakfast wraps hand cut chips and ooh those falafal wraps
Irish Cider was very very agreeable
the incense that kept the wasps away
the coffee lattes and other caffeinated drinks
bringing my wellies
tent not leaking
over-packing clothes
catching up with friends and family
the beautiful setting
the chat
the atmosphere
the choice of music
the kids yoga was fun wet but fun
my toddler dancing with all his might
the smoothies on the double-decker bus
the interesting stands
the funny camel costume
the fresh air

Irish Green Gathering

A week later and I still haven't recovered from the Irish Green Gathering. I'm still in a muddy daze. It'll be a while before I can gather my thoughts on it I'm so busy with other stuff, but all I can say was I had a fantastic time.

What a great festival!

A bit too hippy dippy in parts for me, but overall a great place, atmosphere, and time for both adults and children. It was my first time camping with Toddler, and it was tough coping with the rain, but as long as you had your wellies, you were grand... Apologies to anyone who was expecting me to be man-ing my little stand, but due to toddler impatience, I had to keep moving. I'd love to have been more active, so if theres a next year, I plan on either not bringing toddler or bringing a babysitter. Well done to all the organisers, all you're hard work paid off...

I didn't take as many photos as usual, but here are a few snaps of things I liked...

Wire and mud sculpture

Grotto walk

You cant see it very well, but this camel was amazing

A big THANK YOU

Its very hard to sit alone in an attic room, and work away every night, making things you're not sure anyone else will like, love, even get. So, when a friend came down for a night, and chatted and chatted, it was heaven. Although I get reassurance from seeing the amazing creations online, being part of online textile communities, such as Ravelry, and occasionally getting to go to the odd exhibition, you cant beat plain old fashioned chat. Chat about crochet, quilts, books on techniques, etc. It warms the blood, and gets the old brain cells going.

You know who you are, and have nothing better to do in work than read this. So, stop reading and start writing. There's a book just waiting to come out of you.!!

Anyway, Thank you, come again soon!!!

Sock Puppet

Please Note: Any resemblance to any real or fictional characters is purely coincidental

Recently an English woman, had to remove several knitting patterns from her blog because a certain English TV Channel, said she was in breach of copyright. She made scarfs, and things from her favourite TV show, and put the patterns she designed on her blog for free, but the BB..oops, un-named English TV Channel, said she was infringing their copyright.

So, to make sure I don't infringe any copyrights, here is a sock puppet I made that does not resemble any fictional well-known puppet..... I had to make it for my toddlers Baby Boogie class. Of course he had no interest what so ever in it, but I got some complements from the other mum's.

Sock Puppet and Cat

Its all in the Eyes

As I'm up to my ears still, making stuff for the Electric Picnic, I will post the pattern, and any other patterns I have promised to post in September. I'm sure you can hang on till then.

Catch a Sailors Fancy

When Jellyfish goes Couture

Here it is....My Mad Hat!

This is my entry to the Catch a Sailors Fancy, Mad Hat Competition, organised by the Sailors Society and the Knitting and Stitching Show. I think all the entries will be on display at the Knit and Stitch in the UK, but don't know if it is coming to Ireland.

I based the design on a Jellyfish, and just used colours I had in my wool stash. The criteria for the competition was to design a hat that a sailor wouldn't be seen dead in. I think I safely covered it.

I was in a rush to post it, so didn't have time to have as much fun photographing it as I normally would.