My book and a giveaway

Last year, the most terrible of my life, also saw one of my life ambitions fulfilled. With ghastly irony, the offer from Harper Collins to commission my first needle felt book came just two days after Andy died, in January 2013. What should have been a joyous occasion was like ashes in my mouth. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered any more.

Yet this book was part of my future survival; I was left rudderless and precariously positioned financially. Somehow the mortgage had to be paid, the electric bill, the water rates, the council tax and now it was all down to me. So having been given a deadline extension and much sympathy from my publishers, I began designing the first patterns in March.

Believe me, when you have lived through your worst nightmare, when you have howled into the snowy night for your love to come back to you,  dreaming up cute toys seems like a monstrous irrelevance. And so the years of professional working kicked in and I immersed myself in making the best book I could, under the circumstances.  

Somehow I found the strength to get this book finished by summer last year, despite having to take a break to organise Andy's woodland burial. I worked seven days a week, 8-10 hours a day. I often found myself crying as I sat alone in my studio, just me and my felting needle. But I did it. And in the end, I rediscovered my love of toys, as I surrounded myself with more and more of them.

Most of the designs were new.

Some were old favourites, like the Roly Poly robin, who I've made many, many times.

And I was able to include a good section on techniques, including how to sew in eyes and how I get that firm, smooth finish people are always asking me about.

I also wanted to produce a book which had more challenging  patterns in - there are plenty of 'simple' needle felting books out there, and while I do have some very easy 'roll it up and stab' patterns, such as the Rainbow Mice, there are some more tricky designs for seasoned needle felters to get their teeth into. Over the space of four months, I produced a heck of a lot of creatures.

Although it is great to finally have my own needle felt book out, the person I wanted to do it for is no longer here. So these two lines are, for me,  the most precious part of it.

"This book is dedicated to the life and dear memory of Andy Macauley, 1971 - 2013. My Forever Love."

I have three signed copies of my book to give away - if you'd like to have the chance to win one, leave a comment here so that I know who you are, and I'll do the draw next week, when I return from my workshop at Oxford Fibreworks. I'll also pay the shipping costs to wherever the winners are in the world. so all you have to do is enter and keep your fingers crossed!

If you don't want to leave it to chance, then it seems to be available in major book shops all over the place, as well as  Amazon UK and Amazon.com. It's also available as a Kindle edition and iTunes. Harper books in the USA have also published it, so my American friends should have no problem in sourcing a copy. I do hope that people like it.

*GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED NOW!*

Hares and more

Back from Cinderhill Farm, having slept lots and had a really satisfying workshop. 

The lambs are popping out now, triplets and twins born last week. They've been in the warmth of the barn since birth, but were being put out to grass.

Quite wonderful to see the lambs nibbling at grass instinctively, although only a week old - and the 'mums' tucked in with relish.

The new farm shop 'The Pie House' is now open for business and extra help bought in. it is light, clean and lovely, selling local produce and the farm's own meat.

 A nice selection of cheeses too. I do like a good cheese photo.

 

A few hundred pasties were being made, all by hand, for weekend orders.

Two geese came to live at the farm (genders as yet unknown), which pleased me greatly as they are a favourite of mine. Once out of their crate, they waddled off up the hill and settled in at once. Such beauties.

I did some solitary communing with the pigs in the first real sunshine of the year. All of us grunting happily for the sheer pleasure of the warmth.

 And finally, the workshop - a small one, to open the year. Two returning people from last year, which was so nice.

I'd set a pretty demanding challenge; to make a hare - my simple moon gazing design -  within the day. 

As usual, the farm laid on three square meals. two of which consisted of home made cakes.

 

 At the end of the six hours, with lots of hard work, they had made all a gorgeous hare, each with it's own personality. So rewarding and to hear how everyone had enjoyed themselves.  And great to meet a fellow blogger, 'Compost Woman', who has done a more in-depth blog post about her day, here with lots of photos.

Creatures

Whistle stop blog post, as I am up to my neck in *stuff*. My polar bear pattern in 'Mollie Makes Weddings' - on Amazon UK here and Amazon USA here.

My kitten pattern in the latest issue (37)  of 'Mollie Makes'. Available as a 'real' magazine here or as a digital download here.

Off  to Cinderhill Farm soon to do the first workshop of the year on March 8th - there are two places left, if anyone fancies it, details are here . I can count on one hand the amount of times I've been anywhere since November last year, so I am very much looking forward to my adventure. Not to mention seeing my dear friends, meeting my workshop students and cooing over the newborn lambs. 

I'll also be launching my first kits, 'Slinky Fox' at the workshops. It's been a long process, but I will soon be bringing out kits on a regular basis. I will return with photos of lambs. And chickens. and more pigs. And goats.

Around the Wrekin

Having been cooped up working for several weeks, enduring the UK storms, I was driven to go rambling yesterday, when the sun came out and the temperature rose. I explored a lane a mile away, to see if I could do a circular walk. The Wrekin popped up round every corner; there it is nestling under the clouds.

  

So long since I wandered down a quiet lane for a proper walk, my legs a bit wobbly from lack of exercise.

I haven't taken so many photos since Andy went - oh I've gone through the motions, but without the enthusiasm of old. What quiet joy to find myself immersed in snapping the countryside.

Something round every corner, and finding the most delightful little scenic bridge.

There's the Wrekin again, popping it's head up.

 

Lots of trees down, fallen giants succumbing to the recent high winds. I walked all afternoon, using the Wrekin and the Long Mynd as my landmarks. I underestimated the distance though and it was a long trek without a map.

For the first time since moving to Shropshire nearly two years ago, I felt a real connection with the landscape and I cannot adequately express what relief and hope it has given me. Even though six miles was somewhat too far for an out of practise wanderer.

Needle felt workshops

It's going to be another busy year with workshops - the first one of 2014 commences with one of my favourites, at Cinderhill Farm in the beautiful Forest of Dean on Saturday March the 8th. We will be making moon gazing hares.  Last time there was morning coffee and homemade baked stuff, a hot lunch with the farm's own free range pork and the speciality of the farm, Deb's high tea. Which last year looked like this...

It's an all day class, with all materials, use of tools and all food included in the price of £60 per person. Vegetarian/allergy  options can be provided.  This year the farm shop, the Pie House, is open, with local  produce. the farm pies and gift wares on sale. There are only eight places available and we are half booked now, so if you want to secure a place, please contact Debs directly via the farm contact form.

Then there are several four hour workshops at Chipping Norton Fibreworks and Oxford Fibreworks throughout the months, making a variety of things depending on the time of year. Candy Buns are the spring design.

And a new venue for me, the Buckinghamshire Summer School, where I will be teaching larger classes for two days. August the  7th is beginners and August the 8th is intermediate, with a discount for anyone booking both classes.

On the 7th the design is little chickens and on the 8th you can make a slinky fox. All materials and use of tools included.

Later in the year, I'm thrilled to be making a repeat visit to the glorious 'Hope and Elvis' studios, in Nottinghamshire, making the perennial favourites, Acorns and Toadstools', in October. Last year's two days were fantastic experiences for me and we had lovely feedback. The studios are situated in the stunning Welbeck Estate (think Downton Abbey, but more so). Apart  from the workshops, there are simply gorgeous shops, a gallery and I can personally vouch for the food at the Limehouse Cafe.

These are the confirmed workshops, but there are more in the pipeline. All details of these can be found on my workshops page, where you can visit the various websites and contact the organisers to book directly. Hope to see some of you there, it's always great to meet up with blog readers face to face.

Woolly scrimshaw

Some of the new designs I worked on over the Christmas period, looking at antique scrimshaw folk art and converting the style into my own versions.