The Festivals of Love

Life has been so busy these past few months I've fallen way behind with the blog but seem to be keeping on track with everything else!

I've been busy in life. Weddings galore this year.

Only a few weeks ago I went to my friends beautiful coastal, sunflower themed wedding.

I was fortunate enough to supply my third wedding with handmade flowers. This time I made boutonnieres for all the guests in cherry & wine red. How lovely does everyone look?

A few weeks ago Octo: The Moody Octopus, said bye bye to his temporary home at Liverpool Central Library.

Deflating his 42 inch head took an age but I didn't mind looking like an idiot lying on the library floor trying to deflate him. Love how many members of the public came to see if I was ok, thinking i’d had a fall!

Octo had a fabulous time at The Library, apparently he was very much loved by the cruise ship tours. He’ll be back again next month at a new home!

I've taken a big step back on the number of craft fairs I've been doing this year so a number of reasons but I could not resist the chance to work with the folks at Capstans Bazaar again especially for such a big festival in my home town. The Liverpool Loves; The People's Festival!

It was the HOTTEST day on the water front; we had the Liver Building as a backdrop one one side & the River Mersey on the other. Live music, local independent food vendors, pop up bars, Morning Gloryville; it was spectacular!



I'm super thrilled to announce that my next fair is going to be The Winter Arts Market in the beautiful Anglican Cathedral.

Me & the boy had a little jaunt to London for a much needed mini-break. 3 whole days work free...it was heaven but I did look forward to coming home with a head full of new ideas!



I've been on a fabulous photography course with the super talented Katy Munch, don't know if you can tell by my recent product shoots but I feel I learnt a valuable lesson or two!

My full Halloween range will be up by the end of this week; weather permitting! An I'm full steam ahead into the “festive” season - this & the joy of working full time too! I'm actually early for the first time in three years!

If anyone would like a commission on the run up to the end of the year may I suggest sooner rather than later! Last year I closed my books in November...handmade with love takes time!

My First Con - Horror Con 2016

I have achieved one of my business goals - I had a stall at a con - Horror Con UK 2016.

Now this was not my idea; my lovely other half was selling his graphic novel (Bastard Son) & thought it'd be a nice way for us to spend a creative weekend together whilst splitting the costs (the joys of being small businesses!)

What we had not banked on was the sheer volume of work that goes into the preparation of a con.
I do not think I have ever spent so long a period on so little sleep since I was in my final year of University.

I finished work on the Friday evening & we went straight to Sheffield! Even in the hotel it was last minute tweaking of things before heading off, in the early morning, to The Magna Science Centre in Rottherham.

This bed was so comfy! 

It was so worth it though.... 

The Saturday night was the only real "time" we had to enjoy ourselves which resulted in a quick pizza & a very early night but the Sunday was much more relaxed all round. We had a grasp on the layout, we had had some sleep & everyone one around us was also much more relaxed. Day 1 had gone without a hitch so we could most certainly deal with day 2.

Our confidence improved as well; its hard talking to random strangers all the time, getting that right balance of personable without being odd.

My favourite cos players with my stuff of course!

We also met some great folks!

Emily & Luke - our stall buddies!

I got a free cookie! 

An a few celebrities!

Kane Hodder (Jason) & Doug Bradley (Pinhead)

Now that we are back home I've a few commission to complete & I've just completed another event with a totally different feel to it - The Liverpool Loves Festival with Capstans Bazaar on Saturday 6th August.

In the mean time though I am actually opening my Etsy stall again! The big launch has happened I just need to finish uploading everything & taking millions of pictures!I have a lot of stuff...

I know I keep talking about it but I have been working hard & although I hate admin I'm going for it!

As a big treat for you all you can get 20% off EVERYTHING in the shop till the end of August with the code OCTO16 to celebrate The Moody Octopus being displayed in Central Library.

The Liverpool MakeFest 2016

Last Saturday was The Liverpool MakeFest and the grand assembly of Octo The Moody Octopus!

It was a wonderful day! There was so much for families to get involved with all over the Library on every floor from arts & crafts to cosplay to robotics!



We where at the back on the ground floor but still clearly visible. It was a long day but a fulfilling one; we had people stopping by who could knit & crochet who wanted to add a few rows on to a leg. We had people with craft related questions, people with mental health awareness related question. People who just wanted to know what was going on & people who just wanted to congratulate us on our efforts & how fabulous it looked.



He really does look fabulous.



He even took part in the cosplay-ing! 



As well as Octo we had embroidered bookmarks hidden around the library for people to find just as a little mood pick me ups!

We where also inviting people to make them with us & Tish from Pretty Twisted had brilliant animal badges for children to make.



Octo is currently residing at Liverpool Central Library & is going on display THIS WEEK - I will let everyone know when you can go see him.

I was sent this photo from the staff on Friday, he seems to be having a wonderful time there!



I worked out a few sums about Octo;

We ended up with 74 pieces on his legs - for now.

That is the equivalent to nearly a year & a half of knitting or crochet.

Or 518 days.

2,072 rows.

62,160 stitches

That is not including his head!

I have been emotionally overwhelmed by this project so below is the mushy thank you's!

I want to thank my team for volunteering their time to help me at The MakeFest.

My Mum especially for going to my flat to pick up forgotten items!

My Sister for travelling up from London to help.

Tish Toglet for keeping the children entertained.

My best friend Michelle for the beautiful bookmarks.

Vicky from Vix The Zebra for her beautiful bookmarks.

The MakeFest team for another fantastic event.

Hobo Kiosk for accepting all my post.

The Royal Mail postman who double checked all pieces where received.

Every single one of you that emailed, posted on social media, called, offered help, wrote letters & especially those that contributed pieces.

If you contributed a piece & DID NOT  put a return address on the envelope can you PLEASE email me an address at enquiries@girlonpurlaction.co.uk 

Its not for returning pieces.

The Moody Octopus Project; The Night Before

Tomorrow is The MakeFest.

It's the final day for submitting Moody Octopus pieces as it is assembly day.

I had a goal in mind for how long I wanted each leg & I have just gone for it in the advance sewing up! 

I wanted 96 pieces in total which would be 12 pieces per leg. Realistically we are going for 8 pieces per leg which means I have 6.5 legs!

Expecting more tomorrow too!



Am I worried? 

No.

Does it matter if we make that target?

No.

The response I have gotten from this project has been outstanding. I have learnt a lot about myself through running this project & I hope you have too.

I have had such wonderful emails/letters/posts of encouragement, luck & personal reasons of why people are getting with this project.

I've had international & domestic pieces going into these legs so I hope you find the head suitable!

Its a 42" striped beach ball - special thanks to the boyfriend for blowing it up - with cream crochet over the top so the colours show through just a touch. Was a huge undertaking in itself with a total of 5 balls of yarn used by crocheting on a 10mm hook with the wool doubled.

An yes, I did crochet plate sized eyes! 

The support pack from Time To Change has arrived, my helpers are ready to go & the next blog post I will be posting (I am crazy busy this week!) will be post MakeFest but do not worry there will be A LOT of photographs.

I'll be updating my Instagram, Twitter & Facebook accounts on the day if you want to see Octo (he has a name finally!) in advance! 

Follow the hastag's #moodyoctopus & #girlonpurl

I want to wish everyone who has donated time & effort to this project!

Sincerely, it started out as something I needed to do for this event but it has grown into so much more...

If you posted an Octo piece & DID NOT put a return address on the envelop can you please email me a postal address at:

enquiries@girlonpurlaction.co.uk 

Do not worry, I am not sending the pieces back but I do need it for personal reasons.

Speak soon!

A very happy Gemma xx

I am a Mermaid!

 I have completed something very special….my very own mermaid tail blanket!

Ta-da! It matches the couch! 

This project has been all the emotions for me. After my Dad had his stroke in January & everything business related had to be put on hold my best friend/wife Chelle gifted me a pack from Black Sheep Wools.

This is a well read pattern & Tulip has eaten a bit of it!

The whole idea was that I needed me time. Drifting from work to hospital or home to support my parents to the hours spent in the phone on updates regarding progress, tests, hospital or home appointments I needed a craft project that was repetitive, simple-ish & rewarding to wind myself down. It was perfect!

Well it's not perfect, it's riddled with mistakes that my mind could not cope with fixing. After all it was only for me in my home, who else cares?!

mistake rows

I can tell you the tales behind each mistake too; being tired from not sleeping properly due to the stress of moving house, financial changes & nearly loosing my job. It took me longer to complete than it should have too; days when I couldn't face more than just crashing out in front of the TV but that's life & we are not superheroes!

The joy of the project is that it was finished 2 weeks ago, 2 days before my Dad returned to work. We are at a point now where the stress of the first 5 months are gone & we as a family have readjusted. I'm very lucky to have such a strong support group.

Sadly the mermaid tail was finished just as the weather got really hot so not much need for it at the minute! I'm sure it’ll see plenty of use this winter though. Through all the hearts of drama llamas of 2016 I managed to take half a dozen balls of wool, time & energy & create something beautiful & practical. Most importantly though I saw it through to the end, even if I did need that one extra ball!



Chelle's pups approve!

All that glistens is not gold

Chelle also made one for herself in shades of blues to match her hair! What's better though than being a ginger mermaid?!

Sparkly!