Janie's Quick Hello

Quick Update

Janie here with a quick email to remind you to send in any ideas you have in regards to my new Question & Answer Newsletter Feature. We had a great response to last week's newsletter and to the quick video introduction that I filmed to accompany it, so this is definitely something I will continue to do. I know that a few of you were concerned that the videos may become a replacement for the written blog, but I can assure you that I am not planning to stop doing the newsletters via email as I know that a lot of you dip in and out of reading them and that some of you save them up to look at when you have time. The video is merely an introduction and an easier way for me to engage with those of you who do not have much time, but still want a quick update.

I am planning to film the Q&A video during the first week of September and post it on Friday 4th. So, as I said already, if you do have anything you would like included please let me know so that Sarah can add it to the list of questions that she is compiling for me. You can ask anything! You might want to know about a specific crochet technique, you might want to know about the types of crochet hooks and accessories available, or you might want to know something more relevant to me and my design for example. If you want to get in touch please email your question to: [email protected]
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Love Is Enough
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On Tuesday this week I sent out a quick email to let you know that I had revealed the new colour way for the Fruit Garden blanket and shown a sneaky peek of the 2 cushion covers I have designed to accompany the CAL project in a Youtube video. The response to the reveal of the new 'Love Is Enough' blanket and the cushions was incredible and I would like to thank all of those who made the time to get in touch - I have to say that quite a few of your responses reduced both myself and Sarah to tears, with so many of you sharing your experiences of lockdown and talking about the importance of your crochet during these times. Sarah said that the emails were 'life affirming' and I couldn't agree with her more...

I know that many of you missed out on working through the project the first-time round. In some cases this was because of not being able to source yarns, whilst for other ‘front line’ and essential workers it was a question of finding the time and not the yarn that was the challenge. The last thing we wanted was for anyone to feel disappointed to have missed or not kept up with the CAL, so we decided that we should do the whole thing all over again. I am so excited to have the chance to present you with the brand new ‘Love is Enough’ version of the project.
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I have also made two new cushion covers using the motifs from the CAL. These designs, which I have named Melsetter and Kelmscott after the houses that meant a lot to May Morris, are shown in the video and the patterns for these will be available in September.
 

Thank you all for your incredible support over the last few months - the Fruit Garden CAL has been an amazing journey and I am so excited to see all your completed projects popping up on social media. I hope that you might be inspired to come long on another crochet along trip with me in the autumn!
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Janie Crow Catalogue
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Yesterday the 'dream team' of photographer Leanne Dixon and crochet designer/stylist Claire Montgomerie got together again for another shoot - this time sorting images for my forthcoming designs, including the new version of the Fruit Garden CAL and the cushion covers. I was so pleased to be able to join them on the shoot, which we did at a nearby location here in Barnet. It was really good to get out of the studio and spend some time with the girls and it was fabulous to be in the company of creative women for a few hours, even if we couldn't all have a few group hugs! (We did have the company of a sweet little Jack Russel called Leo, so that made up for the lack of human cuddles a little bit!)

Alongside the Fruit Garden projects we also shot some of my new Festive designs, which I am hoping to share with you in November, plus a revamp of an existing motif, which we will be releasing in the New Year.

I am so happy to be in a position where I can showcase my designs by way of styled shots in great settings, so as soon as I have some images to share with you I will do so. 
 

We have had some of the new catalogues printed and have added these to the web site as a free item. If you are on the site and have other items in your cart you can add a catalogue to your existing order free of charge. If you simply want to be sent the brochure then you can add it to your cart for free, but you will need to pay a small amount to cover postage and packing.
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You can find the free download version of the catalogue here or by clicking on the images above. You can find the paper brochure here. The 40 page A5 catalogue features colourful images and a written description of all my designs from the last 5 years shown in lovely home settings. 
 

It's Nearly The Weekend!
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​We had a few requests for the link to the heart motif Granny Square pattern that Gemma included in last week's newsletter. It has been designed by Daisy Cottage Designs and you can find it by following this link or by clicking on image below. The pattern is written in US terms, so watch out for that if you are used to following UK terminology.
 

​We are having a few days off next week, so I am looking forward to another little 'staycation'! We have some plans, which include more decorating and some work in the garden, plus a few nights away in the beautiful surroundings of The New Forest. I have my fingers crossed that the weather will be kind, although sometimes a rainy day can provide the best excuse to settle down on the sofa with my crochet!
 
I hope that wherever you are and whatever you have planned for today you stay safe and keep well...
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