It's a ...

...book!

A book is my new project.
No, I can't believe it either.

(A book about crochet, obviously- not a 50 Shades or Harry Potter type-thing)

So, pull up a chair (yes, the squishy one over there) pour yourself a cuppa (teapot's on the table) and let me tell you a story about a book....

...For anyone who doesn't know, I haven't been crocheting long. I taught myself a few years back when I felt the grey matter ebbing away after I'd left teaching to be a full-time mummy;

I needed to learn something new.

And so I tinkered about a bit.

And crocheted.

I made some stuff. Some bad... Some really bad.

But some good.

Then I started selling the things I made. And people liked them.
I sold my crocheted wares at local events, rented a little shelf in a little shop in Arundel and online, too.

And then I thought I could design my own stuff.

So I did.

I started writing down my designs and putting them in my Etsy shop.

And people liked to buy those too.

And all along, I had this little blog. 

Where I catalogued my crochet journey (honestly, go back to the beginning and you'll find all the really bad stuff) where I tried new things and where a lovely publisher found me.

And their crafty commisioning Editor wrote to me and told me all about a book she wanted to make. 

And asked me if I would like to write it.

And I said 'Yes'.

So after much talking and discussing (and scribbling of ideas in the dead of night) I went to New York Newton Abbot in Devon for a planning meeting.

I met the fabulous gals from F&W Media and we planned the book. 

From cover to cover.

Seriously. It was a lengthy meeting. And definitely the most enjoyable meeting I've ever attended. We worked all day, without a break (none was needed- we were unstoppable).

There is a now a detailed plan about everything I need to write and design and I am raring to go.

The deadlines are ready..

My pen (laptop, actually) is poised..

I'm ready for the off. (Look! I have already made a terrible mess of my front room)

Can't wait to tell you what happens next.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sarah x

The Beginning and the End.

As with everything, nothing stays the same. Life is a continuous journey and no two days are ever the same. And so new opportunities present themselves and it becomes time to bid a reluctant farewell to many things.

I have always been very happy with my lot; I enjoy designing crochet patterns and selling a few hooky pieces in my real-life Ye Olde (shelf-in-a) Shoppe in Arundel and at a few local events too.

I am easily pleased by my family and friends and my crochet.

And then I decided I'd like to do a little more, but I didn't really know what...

Until I was asked to design for Let's Get Crafting Magazine.

Yay! 

This presented a new challenge and much excitement and definitely a new direction I wanted to explore.

So I took to work..

...I read the brief, did the research and got designing. In fact, I've just posted off my little crocheted pieces and have emailed patterns to the editor. Fingers crossed, I might be featured in the June edition (I'll keep you posted here, of course).

Add to this a big (secret) project. A really BIG project. A project of such enormitude and scale I should feel completely overwhelmed. But actually, I don't. I am in my element.

I will tell you more as soon I can, but for the moment, shhhhhhhh! It's a secret....

And so the beginning of new projects brings excitement, pressure and challenge, all of which will take up huge amounts of my time. That, and a busy family life containing a Mister who works away a lot and a pre-schooler who is not in full time education. 

The inevitable outcome is having to bid farewell to selling in Arundel. I cannot work the shifts and I have no time to make stock. Today was my last day and I felt a touch of sadness. It has been a great part of my journey and I have learnt so much.  But more importantly, it's been fun. 

I do hope you'll join me on my new journey. I look forward to telling you all about it.

Onwards I march. Hook in one hand, yarn in the other.

Sarah x