Schooooool’s Out!!

It’s the last day of school here and while the streets are filled with excited, sugar-filled children shrieking with joy, there are a few who have shed a few tears. (Not me of course. Nope!) The end of the year is a bit magical: the days are long, uniforms are beginning to look shabby and too small, and everyone seems to be itching to get out into the sunshine (when we have sunshine!). I get it. But for parents it often also marks a milestone of sorts. It’s a physical signifier of the marking of time, a tangible snapshot in the endless days of parenthood where we notice just how much our kids have grown in the last year. Teachers notice this too, and so I understand when a few of them get a little weepy watching their small charges charge into the distance while they wave at a receding backside.

With this moment in mind, I try every year to come up with some sort of gift that symbolises just how much we appreciate their effort, dedication, and patience. In the past I’ve made tote bags, imagining the teachers using them to throw in their lunch and maybe a book or two along with their keys, phone, wallet, etc. Another year I made notebook covers with embroidered drawings my son made. This year I settled on a similar theme, because I love the look and feel of linen and handmade just seems so much more special to me somehow. But I didn’t have time to embroider detailed pictures for seven teachers (including assistants), so I went for a simpler option. And I’m so delighted with the outcome that I want ones for myself next!

This year I had the kids draw directly on the linen with fabric pens, then I framed the pieces of fabric. On the back of each frame is a note to the teacher, expressing our thanks, along with a description of the picture.

A flower and a bee

Hearts and cherries

A cat, a cucumber and a ball. Well, why not?

A kitty cat

A spider in a web

Flowers

 

So, school is out and the summer is HERE! Have a great summer, everyone!

WWKIP Day 2016!

It’s that time of year again, when we grab our balls, sharpen our needles, and – wait, what did you think I was talking about? I’m talking about World Wide Knitting in Public Day!

This year we joined up with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on the 18th of June and hosted a brilliant day of knitting, crochet, spinning, yarn dyeing, weaving, and all sorts. The Ulster Guild of Spinner, Weavers and Dyers were there, as well as a few of the museum’s other talented craftspeople, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful mock village of Ballycultra.

Our group arrived early to set up: we knit and crocheted several wee things to hide amongst the bushes and trees for the kids to find, and then we positioned ourselves scattered throughout so that people ran into us everywhere. It was like a knit attack!

 

We made several new friends, and many more from our Facebook group joined us. The Top Floor Art Craft Circle were there, and Pamela from NI Big Sock even joined us for a few rows despite being up to her ears in patchwork hexagons! (Thanks, Pamela!) And some of us were just excited just to get out for the day.

In addition to free entry to the museum if you brought your knitting, The Wool Shop in Bangor was kind enough to donate 50 free goody bags for the first 50 knitters/crocheters in the door! We got a sneak peak at what was inside:

        

 

The museum’s willow weaver also made a special display, just for the occasion! (This proved to be quite popular, as you can, um, see. Ahem.)

All in all it was a brilliant day. Nikki made us knitting bingo worksheets and a knitting related word search, in case we needed something besides out current wip to pass the time! There was plenty to keep us busy though. We watched Kay dyeing some gorgeous yarn specimens, and the Guild of Machine Knitters were there too offering a demo. Amazing stuff!

We had great weather for it, and had a picnic in the sun for lunch so we could all meet up and chat, because knitting in our respective places (The Bank House, the school, the cottage on Tea Lane, the draper’s, and the Ballydugan house) was hungry work!

 

So there you have it. I tell ya, when we plan something, we don’t do it by halves. Nikki, my partner in crime, and I are dangerous when we put our minds to it! And of course I had help from my wee fella too! Much thanks to them both, for without them this wouldn’t have been half as fun! And huge thanks to everyone who knit/crocheted wee animals for hiding and who came out to join us for the day!

 

Happy crafting!

Happy Monday

Ok, so it’s Tuesday. But I finished this project in the early hours of Monday morning and it made me smile all day, so I’m presenting it to y’all to brighten your week. Here’s a teaser:

I do sell these, by the way. Prices vary according to the project, but I think they’re pretty reasonable and the materials are top notch (linen, silk, cotton, wood, etc.). You’ll also have a choice of presentation style: in the hoop or framed. The best way to contact me is through my Facebook page, A Million Paper Stars, or through Instagram (same name) or Twitter (@Patchworkninja1). And of course I’m always delighted to take commissions. Just ask! 🙂

 

Enjoy your week!

New Scarf Pattern – the ZigZag Scowl

I designed this scarf with my mother in mind, but it turned out she wanted something a bit plainer. Like garter stitch. Snore. Anyway, I think it turned out pretty cool anyway. Guess I’ll be keeping it for myself!

 

It will be up on Ravelry soon, just keep an eye out for the ZigZag Scowl! (It’s called a scowl because I couldn’t decide whether I wanted a scarf or a cowl, so I leave that decision up to the knitter!) It’s best knit with aran/worsted weight or chunky/bulky weight yarn, and can be knit up with as little as 160m of yarn (less if you want a cowl that’s worn close to the neck!).

 

Happy knitting!