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

My 1st Business Birthday!

Girl On Purl Action workshops & creations is officially (in the eyes of HMRC!) a whole year old! 

Where has the time gone?!

I'm still not close to having done everything that I want but I have survived my first year in business, although tired. I still have The Duke Street Bazaar to move into, an Etsy shop to launch & my design book is now 3 books with only about 10% made! EEEKK!

I would just like to thank everyone really...

Everyone:

* who has read this blog

* who attends the craft meetings

* who has attended a workshop

* who has helped on one of the many charity drives!

* the venue's that allow me to teach in - Knit Wise in Ormskirk, The Crosby Tea Rooms, Quill's Coffee & The Rare Bear Boutique

* every craft fair that has given me a stall

* everyone who has bought something off me

* everyone who has ordered something custom

* everyone who has just admired/complimented what I do

* special shout out to Hobo Bazaar for giving me my first stall & super crazy amounts of love & support!

* Open Culture for taking a chance on me at last years Winter Arts Market - this was a big highlight for me!

* the brides (now plural!) who have had my work at their super special day!

* Rex for giving me my first shop space

* Duke Street Bazaar for loving my stuff so much they squeezed me into a full shop!

Big amazing thanks have to go to my family & friends for all their support but mainly patience at cancelled plans etc & to The Women's Organisation who enabled me to do this in the first place!

Oscar speech over & there are still so many of you to thank! It is important to realise that the support of others is vital & its always nice to be appreciated! 

Here's to another year of just moving on up!

(Tonight I'm at The Spare Rib Burlesque show & on Saturday I'm at The Woolton Village Craft fair 10-2.30 so come & say hi! Back to the Guest Bloggers on Saturday!)

Merry Christmas!

Hello all!

Just wanted to give you a quick heads up that I will be having an Etsy sale starting on the 28th in case you fancy treating yourself once Christmas is over ;)

Gift box for REX competition!

Those local to me Im also having a sale at Rex starting the 27th! Some items have up to 30% off coz Im feeling festive!

Christmas Party at REX!

I've been a bit quiet of late whilst I've been making millions of candy canes & Christmas pudding decorations & I've been up to my eyes in commissions! I've put a few pictures below but A LOT are Christmas presents so cant show too much! Some are AMAZING & I'm feeling really pleased with myself so I'll post them on Facebook & Twitter on the 26th ;)

Ben's 1st Birthday bunting commission!

Vintage style ruffle purse!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all your support since April, everyone who has attended a stitch n bitch, a workshop, bought from me from a stall, placed a commission or liked/retweeted a social media post! I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas whatever you get up too! ;)

Big thanks to Lisa Takes Pictures for this! Pudding on a tree!

I'm at the in-laws this Christmas, first one away from home!

Crochet Christmas lights!

My stocking on a Christmas Tree! 

Custom stocking colours!

Long mittens & baby hat!

Mix of REX shop, Christmas goods & commissions!

The Winter Arts Market :)