I think we’ve all been a bit challenged in the UK this week, by the weather! What’s it been like with you? We haven’t had huge amounts of snow here in Norfolk, but we are very exposed to the biting wind heading our way across the North Sea: it seems to have been howling down the chimney for days. It’s hard to believe it’s Easter next weekend, the poor old Easter Bunny is going to have to wear his thermals to do his chocolate egg deliveries!
My main challenge over the week was a talk I had promised to give, months ago. You know how you agree to these things and they seem so far away in the distance and then suddenly, it’s here and you are wondering why on earth you agreed to it! I headed off to Beccles, which is just over the border into Suffolk to give a talk to the Spinners and Weavers Guild about Needlefelting. I sort of had a feeling I might be teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, as the saying goes. Then I found out there might well be over 30 people there and…ooo-er…!
As it was, it was fine. After I got over my initial dry mouthed panic as I was introduced and stood there with no notes, no script but lots of props it went very well.
They were a lovely audience and very keen to set to with needles and fleece to have a go themselves after I’d finished the talk.
As they were all textile practitioners they were happy to be experimental rather than being given a project and although there wasn’t a huge amount of time – and needlefelt is very time consuming – they came up with some jolly pieces and all seemed to have fun.
However, I also had another challenge, and that was definitely down to the Easter Bunny! I’ve been feeling so bad because I have been promising to write up the pattern for the bunny I made last Easter and my goodness, haven’t I got myself in a pickle with it! And all of a sudden, there’s only a week to go! I am sorry, aren’t I rubbish? I think I’ve just been over thinking what I was doing, and seemed to spend ages ripping out and redoing the same piece. Then suddenly, it all fell into place and the pattern is finished.
I’m on the way to having a complete Bunny Brigade…
As you can see, they each have their own personality, right down to a challenger for Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer’s title! (Percy, the Pink Nosed Bunny?)
So I’m thinking of an Easter present for you. From now until after Easter the pattern will be available FREE as a downloadable PDF right HERE! (This offer has expired, but the bunny will be available soon via the Etsy Shop) There is a Planet Penny Bunny Brigade group board on Pinterest so if you would like to add your version of the bunny just let me know and I can invite you. You obviously have to be on Pinterest yourself and I have to be following at least one of your boards (but that can easily be arranged!) Although I’ve made the Bunnies using the Planet Penny Cotton, they can be made using any yarn oddments, just match your hook to the yarn. You can find out more about that in this post.
This is a limited offer, but I’d like to give my followers and customers a head start. Although there’s only a week till Easter, they only take an hour or two to make so I’m sure we could have a wonderful board full of bunnies on Pinterest very soon, let me know what you think.
Finally, for those of you who read last week’s post about delivering Clovis, the Mad French Cat to his home by the sea you might be interested in a follow up tale (tail?) from his new home. Visit Thomas’s blog to find out how he’s settling in, and have a chortle. Tom seems to think there’s not a lot of call for cat stories, so if you disagree do leave a comment with him. I need more pictures like that!
I’m joining in again with Handmade Monday over on Handmade Harbour so do pay a visit to see what’s going on…
Back soon…x
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Oooo how odd. I have just been writing about my first forays into the world of amugurami. These will be a great second project. Thanks so very much. You are very generous. Well done also on your talk. It sounds very successful. Here’s hoping that the wind will go away and take the snow with it…..
Thanks for the pattern! I might not have time before this Easter, but maybe next…
Well done on your talk, I’m sure everyone was delighted with what they made 🙂 yet agin I am wishing I could crochet! Sarah x
I love the purple bunny! Would love to try it.
Everyone looks like they are enjoying themselves at your talk. I love the bunny brigade, they are made with such lovely colour yarns.
Well done with your talk! I’d love to try needle felting as it’s one craft I haven’t tried. Thanks for the download too -will give the Bunny a go as well.
It’s funny the way time creeps along for ages then does a mad gallop just when you don’t expect it. Glad it went well for you. We had lots of snow last night (Saturday) it’s still here on the fields and in the gardens but it’s cleared on the roads, thank goodness.
Great bunnies and done in your lovely colours.
Jan x
Hi Penny! Sorry to hear about your wintery weather, I hope spring finds you soon! Perhaps you were nervous about that speaking but think how exited they were to meet you and listen to you!
Thank you for linking to Clovis’ story – that was so fun! x Teje
I bet everybody enjoyed themselves at the felting class. It’s so nice to have a new craft under your belt. The little bunnies are super cute.
Love the bunny brigade! Would happily add to your board, but I can’t knit or crochet, so I’d not be much use at all! Well done on the talk – the ladies look like they all enjoyed it immensely 🙂 Simmi x
I’m totally with you on the committing to something in advance and then wondering ‘why on earth did I sign up for this’.
Thank you for sharing the bunny pattern. I may just have to give one of these a go 🙂
Love the bunny brigade but I’m still yet to learn how to crochet 🙂
Everyone looks really interested and their felted items look great! Love your bunny brigade! 🙂
I really like the pictures of the needle felting. Very brave to give a talk with no notes.
Here on the North East coast we haven’t had any snow (yet !!!!) but it’s been very, very cold.
Glad that your talk went well. Love the Bunny Brigade. Sadly my crocheting skill is limited to granny squares only as I’d love to make my own Easter bunny.
Aww those bunnies are so cute!! I love how bright and colourful they are and how each has its own personality 🙂 x
Hi Penny, the little bunnies are adorable! I just finished a handbag made from your lovely yarn. It’s funny you mention Beccles – I’m reading an Anthony Trollope novel that is set in Norfolk and they speak of Beccles! Have a wonderful week.
Those first few moments when you look up and see all those faces concentrating on you and your every word is nerve-racking. Good fun though when you settle in. I love the bunnies – lots of gorgeous colours. Hope you have a good week.
Glad your talk went well. I still get anxious everytime I give a talk and I’ve done loads now. Thanks for the free pattern – think I might make some of these with my new cotton!
Good to hear that your talk went well. The needlefelting pieces look very good. I like the little blond head with the big moustache.
Ooh lovely! That’s just what I need… have done crochet flowers and leaves, and little baskets… Now I’m all set to go with your bunny… Thank you.
Congratulations on your talk. I have got some needles and wool ready to felt, I just need to have a go! The bunny collection is perfect for Easter.
Wendy x
Gosh it does look cold there! We had feet of snow here!!
Yet again, as I contemplate your lovely bunny pattern, I find myself wishing I could crochet!
Love your bunnies. Glad your workshop we t well
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