Every Days a Gift

Janie's Quick Update

I hope this email finds you well and that you are looking forward to the weekend....

We have had some exciting news here this week as I have been informed that I have been nominated in the Craft Influencer of the Year category in the British Craft Awards. I am extremely chuffed about this, especially as I am the only 'yarn' crafter to have been nominated - my fellow nominees are all from other craft areas such as card making, patchwork and quilting and DIY/Lifestyle, so it is a real honour to have the chance for crochet to be recognised within this category for the first time.
 

If you have a spare minute or two I would love it if you would vote for me. The link to the poll is here. You can skip any of the categories if you are unsure of your favourite choice within them.
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Bohemian Blooms - Two New Versions

The colour sub documents for the two new versions of my Bohemian Blooms Blanket are now available to download for free from the Janie Crow web site. You can find them by following this link.
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One of the new versions of the blanket that I have named 'Bloomsbury Gardens' has been designed in a simpler layout than the original and features the square flower and butterfly blocks as the focus. The blanket has been made using Stylecraft Life DK, Life Changes, Bellissima and Batik, all of which are DK weight yarns. Yarn packs for this version of the blanket are available via the Just Knots web site.
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The second new version is a recolouring of the original layout by Emma May of Pippin Poppycock. To make 'Sussex Gardens' Emma has used a lovely pink, cream and mocha palette using Stylecraft Special DK. Yarn packs for this project are also available from Just Knots and I am hoping that other stockists will follow suit soon.

All yarn kits include the colour substitution documents, but, if you do not have the original Bohemian Blooms pattern book already you will need to purchase that too. Just Knots have the book at a slightly reduced rate if you buy a kit. If you want to make the blanket using alternative yarns from your stash, then you can order the book from Janie Crow and use the colour sub documents to help you choose a new palette. As always I would love to see what you choose - I love seeing my designs in alternative colours and yarn choices.

It may not look like a lot, but reworking patterns takes quite a lot more work than you would imagine, so I would like to thank my ace crocheter Mary Schwarz for making the new 'Bloomsbury Gardens' version of this blanket and for all her expert help with the revised pattern. I would also like to thank Emma May at Pippin Poppycock for allowing me to share her alternative yarn choice. Luise has also done a fabulous job laying out the colour sub documents and creating new charts too!

We had a great time at Yarndale over the weekend, despite the torrential rain and we are looking forward to exhibiting at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace here in North London next week. We have a couple of complimentary tickets for the show, so if you want one, let us know by clicking reply. We will allocate the tickets on a first come first served basis and we can only donate one ticket per person. If you want to come on Saturday you will need to pay a £5 entry cost even with the complimentary ticket.
 

'I know every day is a gift but where are the receipts for Mondays? I want to return it for another Friday.'
(Unknown)

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We are looking forward to a weekend at home. I am hoping to have a practice run at making a cake for Summer and Chris's engagement party in a few weeks time. I have never iced a large cake before, so it remains to be seen how this is going to turn out. I will let you know!
 
Whatever you are doing, I hope you have a great weekend. As always, if you have anything you want to share with us please let us know.

Yarny love and crochet kisses...