Lost in the Wood

Crochet Anatomical Hearts by Lost In The Wood February has been set aside for a much needed catch up with the paperwork (dull but essential), a move into my new cute little studio (exciting), finishing commissions (overdue) and an exhibition piece (satisfying). However, I was a very busy little bee in January, working on some new anatomical designs (which will be a key focus for my work this year). I've started with hearts, the most appropriate bodily organ for this time of year and one of the most interesting to crochet with all it's ventricles, veins and arteries. I'm not claiming these are anatomically correct (no student of biology/ physiology should look to these as learning aids or we're all done for) but they make a reasonable attempt. Intended as large wall pieces, hang them as statement art works or nestle a smaller one under a bell jar and let them be brazen about their well crafted weirdness! They have been hanging splendidly in the Lotti & W...

Crochet & Needle Felted BB8 (by Laura Cameron) My unintentionally shambolic approach to work and life means I don't manage to make presents for family and friends as often as I'd like to. It always seems a little indulgent when there are looming deadlines on the horizon and not enough back-stock of work, to go about crazily making things which aren't for sale. Occasionally though, I can still get my act together in time to make a special birthday or Christmas present. Here's a little bit about my recent two efforts. This week my marvellous friend Paul had this birthday surprise droid delivery. While I'm pretty sure he would have preferred a real, full sized, fully functioning one, to help with all those dull household tasks and to set off on intrepid adventures with, he heroically hid his disappointment. Previously the recipient of one splendid but decidedly wobbly crocheted Tardis (not life sized), Paul once more warmly welcomed a sci-fi themed crochete...

Welcome in 2016 with a Crocheted Cocktail Happy New Year! Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and adventure-filled 2016. I'm most pleased that my first new make of 2016 is a crocheted cocktail, start as you mean to go on I say...!  I love the start of January with all it's forward looking optimism, the potential to get new things moving after Christmas, and the cheerfully naive hopes bound up with resolutions. It's a refreshing and invigorating time, ripe for planning and scheming. 2015 generally and especially the run up to Christmas seemed to hurtle past in a bit of a blur, with a sense of chasing deadlines which were either looming or whizzing past. This year, I'm aiming for a bit more control over everything and time to explore new ideas and work. Change is in the air: I move studios this month, I'm starting to work on new art pieces for open exhibitions and there's lots of plans buzzing around my head. Dishearteningly, I also have a riotous chaos o...

Ar Y Gweill, Successful 1st Meeting, 6th May 15 Gerry: Apple Tart (her words) Excitingly, May has seen the debut of a new knitting & crochet club in Caernarfon! 'Ar y Gweill' (literally meaning 'on the needle' in Welsh) is a weekly group to knit/ crochet, chat and eat cake together, 5.30-6.30pm, at Palas Print bookshop. The intention is to create a relaxing and sociable environment to support and inspire each other. For more news/ pics/ our ongoing adventures please follow: Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Ar Y Gweill Tumbler Blog . It's important to get off on the right foot so the first meeting dealt with the important issue of cake. Part icebreaker, part genuine scientific (ok, cakey) research, everyone was required to state their first name and favourite type of cake. Lemon drizzle cake and coffee cake (with the strident caveat of 'no walnuts') emerged as favourites although clearly the best answer was 'large cakes' (unanimous agr...

My, oh my, exciting things are afoot, I'm delighted (and greatly amused) by the forthcoming WORLD PREMIERE which will be taking place at the craft fair at Galeri, Caernarfon this Saturday, July 6th!!! Here will be unveiled the world premiere of the unique and totally new concept of YARN-POOTLING! You are cordially invited to marvel at the way Lost in the Wood Designs and collaborator/ partner in crime  Little Miss Jones http://littlemissjones.co.uk/ take the concept of yarn bombing, dilute it and make it all squishy like the cakes we enjoy eating. Little Miss Jones defines it best as "a gentler, more relaxed form of yarn-bombing" (see her very funny blog http://littlemissjones33.blogspot.co.uk/ ). So, it's a no thank you to going on dawn raids on town centres to spread our woolly treasures, instead we'll knit & crochet at a temperate pace, more than likely sitting in a garden with cats, cakes (well, me certainly) and a nice glass of something chilled or i...

The next craft fair that me and my collection of curious creatures, cakes & felty bugs will be attending is in Galeri (Caernarfon) on Saturday 1st June. It'd be lovely to have as many people as possible to come along to browse and support this new venture as all the stalls feature talented, local contemporary crafters/artists. I'm very happy to have recently joined this talented and friendly group 'Crefft Cyfoes Caernarfon', have a look at the facebook page for more about each of the artists & pics of the last fair  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crefft-Cyfoes-Caernarfon If you like, you can also follow the group on Twitter https://twitter.com/CrefftCyfoes , we'd be delighted if you do. The Rivals The troublesome cake-devouring mice will be sitting this one out as they're holidaying in Lotti & Wren's tea-party inspired window (and loving the attention, very vain mice) (Lotti&Wren ) so instead some crochet squirre...

  Last week saw a box over-brimming with Summer goodness being merrily taken off to my favourite boutique shop Lotti & Wren https://www.facebook.com/lottiandwren . The parcel of wonders included crochet strawberry brooches with needle felted ladybird detail, mini needle felted strawberries, ladybird and bee brooches and three mounted crocheted bunny heads. All are now nestled in amongst the general loveliness of the shop. The windows have been given a tea party theme with little china cups suspended from the ceiling and my troublesome mice flaunting themselves in the window devouring their crocheted cakes. If you're a Caernarfon local or visit occasionally, you'll have noticed that Palace Street is blooming in a mini 'Columbia Road' style way. Joining the brilliant independent bookshop Palas Print and Lotti & Wren is a splendid chocolate shop, Ty Siocled, YPL haberdashery (a place of wonders) and the new addition of a very delectable a...