…a Happy New Year, and best wishes for a healthy, prosperous and wonderful 2015!
Thank you for all the support, comments and general loveliness over the past year…
I’m looking forward to being back here in 2015.
See you soon…x
Thank you for all the support, comments and general loveliness over the past year…
I’m looking forward to being back here in 2015.
See you soon…x
Fellow blogger and friend, Lisa of Bobobun has had a similar reaction after her own tribute on Instagram and we felt there must be a way for Vanessa’s online friends to mark the day of her funeral. Lisa has made the following suggestion to everyone who would like to remember Vanessa on this sad day…
Vanessa’s funeral will be at 11am on the 30th of December. As a mark of our online friendship and out of respect for her memory I will be posting a photo at 11am that day under the heading Do You Mind if I Knit? #vanessacabban. It would be wonderful if as many of you who knew or were inspired by her joined in too. Post a picture of something you’re making, it doesn’t matter if you can’t knit. Vanessa also crocheted, made clothes, created papier-mâché sculptures, brooches, painted and illustrated books. What she did do though was make sure she had time to knit a few rows every day to set the day right. Penny @planetpenny will also be hosting the same via her blog Planet Penny.
So I hope you will join us tomorrow at 11o’clock to remember Vanessa, with a picture of something you are making. If you are on Instagram you will find me @planetpenny and Lisa @bobobun68 and when you post a picture don’t forget the heading and hashtag. If you are not on Instagram you can send your photo to me at planetpenny.co.uk(at)gmail.com and I will add them to this post.
Please feel free to share this blog post to spread the word as far as you can, it would be lovely to send this tribute across cyberspace to mark the life of a talented and inspirational lady, Vanessa Cabban.
In memory of Vanessa, her family have set up a Just Giving page where you can make a donation to the Mental Health Foundation.
…and many more on Instagram…
Here’s wishing a very, very Happy Christmas to all, but especially to the Planet Penny blog followers and everyone who has taken the trouble to pause and leave a comment. I haven’t always been able to respond, but I read and appreciate everything you say.
2014 hasn’t been the easiest year but I’ve felt supported by all my ‘virtual friends’ out there in cyberspace. There are lots of plans and ideas for Planet Penny in 2015 so I hope you will join me (and Higgins, of course!).
Thank you, and have a wonderful time, wherever you are xxx
I’m sure many of you who visit here will have come across Vanessa’s blog, where she wrote so entertainingly about her adventures with yarn, her two wire haired dachshunds, Ellie and Douglas and also about her life and the beautiful area in which she lived.
We bonded over our mutual love of dachshunds and Vanessa was a big fan of Higgins. Her colourful and funny children’s books were a big hit with my grandsons when they were small, and Vanessa’s papier mache sculptures are a joy to behold, so vibrant and full of joie de vivre.
Sadly, Vanessa’s marriage ended a couple of years ago and her work took a different direction. Still beautiful, but quiet and reflective. When we last corresponded she wrote of her determination to move on to a new era in her life, and I am so, so sad to realise that that life has now come to end.
Vanessa Cabban was hugely talented and although we never met in person she seemed a warm and lovely human being. I cannot begin to think how her family and friends are feeling, or how they will come to terms with their tragic loss, but I know they will be in the hearts of many of us in the blogging world over Christmas and beyond.
Rest in Peace, dear Vanessa x
In memory of Vanessa, her family have set up a Just Giving page where you can make a donation to the Mental Health Foundation.
Ed to add – 30/12/2014: So many people have been remembering Vanessa today, the day of her funeral. Find out about the ‘Do You Mind If I Knit?’ tributes here …
Ed – 10/05/2015: A beautiful crochet blanket made by bloggers inspired by Vanessa’s creativity has been made to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation. Follow this link to donate and be entered in the draw.
So, as I’ve always a soft spot for tiny houses, and as so much of the Christmas tradition is centred around home and family what better way to celebrate the festive season than with your own little hamlet of cosy cottages as tea light holders?
Materials
Method
Print off the PDF of the house onto the card. A whole village if you like!
Cut round the outline with scissors or craft knife. Cutting out the windows is much more easily done with the craft knife.
Cut out a rectangle in card 15cm x 9cm for the roof. Mark the central point on the long edge on both sides and very lightly score across to mark the fold line for the ridge on the roof. Fold.
Using the craft knife, very lightly score along the fold lines on the unprinted side of the card to help make the finished shape nice and crisp.
Fold along the score lines, glue the tabs and stick together and stick together into the house shape.
Then make some more!
I’ve only recently been converted to battery tea lights because I love the natural light of candles. However there is no denying the dangers of having flames all round the room especially with small children, and these little houses are great for a family crafting afternoon.
I like simple white for a touch of Nordic style, but print off a few sheets and let the children loose with paints and crayons, glue and glitter before cutting out for a riot of festive colour!
Have fun! If you’d like to show off your own version, do send in your photos and I will share then here on the blog.
Happy crafting!