Scheepjes Bloggers Go to Yarndale

Recently I posted about three good things I get from crocheting and creating. One of those things is that it affords me the opportunities to connect with other creators in meaningful ways. Just over a week ago I had the chance to travel across the pond again to Skipton in Yorkshire England to attend the annual Yarndale market. The best part--I was able to meet up with my fellow tribe of Scheepjes bloggers.

This fun photo was made by the talented blogger Jellina with a couple of omissions -- Rachele Carmona of Cypress Textiles and Christa Veenstra of TheCurioCraftsRoom. From top center clockwise: 

Tatsiana of Lilla Bjorn Crochet
Maria of 50 Shades of 4 Ply
Esther of It's all in a Nutshell
Kirsten of Haak Mar Raak
Tammy of Canadutch
Nerissa of Miss Neriss
Matt of A Boy & Bunting
Carmen of New Leaf Designs
Me!!
(Another Tatsiana--hmmm ;)
Dedri of Look at What I Made
Esther of Happy in Red
Christina of A Spoonful of Yarn
Jellina of Jellina Creations

Spending time with my creative peeps is such an inspiration. I learn and study and laugh and chat. But this year's Blogger Days was a bit different because we were all invited to Yarndale. It was the first time for Scheepjes to have a stand there and what a brilliant showing!

After spending time at the stand visiting with people, playing with yarn, arranging colors, meeting many for the first time and taking it all in, we were able to wander around and see some other artisans there.

And, of course there was YARN!! Lots of yarn in every fiber, weight and color imaginable!

I was naturally drawn to the colorful stands with lots of yarn. And spent plenty of time touching and dreaming about it. It was hard to choose, but naturally settled on 2 hanks of bright "rainbowy" sock yarn from a hand-dyer named Siobhan Crafts that I plan on using to knit a scarf or shawl. One day I will try my needles at socks, though--I promise!

Isn't that simply a lovely display of happy color?! It was hard to leave it all behind, but I did need to fit all my happy finds in my suitcase!

I also picked up a small notions pouch with a whimsical mermaid on it for my daughter from Fine Fish Yarns, and a felted fairy and heart-shaped brooch from Gill Pinkney Felt. The brooch is for my dear friend, Astri, of Apple Blossom Dreams and the mermaid fairy is for me (she does have a teeny sparkly bracelet after all). 

I wanted to bring home everything from the talented Gill Pinkney stand! I mean, felt, color, buttons and whimsy! Check out other adorable things that can be custom ordered from her Etsy shop here. Can you see what I mean about feeling connected to these artists from around the world?

And then, of course, I got to spend time with the Scheepjes bloggers. This was my first chance to officially meet Matt, the man behind A Boy and Bunting who was caught trying his hand at the new skill of spinning. I've been fangirling on him since I started this yarny gig years ago. What a pleasure to spend time with him and find out how down-to-earth and fun he really is!

It was also my first chance to meet Christina of A Spoonful of Yarn. She is so talented and successful and mindful and calm. I could learn some things from her. It just felt good being around her. See her on the right below wearing her classy Spotting Clouds Top and holding her wildly popular History of Trees Shawl.

Carmen of New Leaf Designs, Tamara of  @craftyescapism, Tatsiana of Lilla Bjorn Crochet, Christina of A Spoonful of Yarn

I also had the opportunity to spend some time with Rachele Carmona of Cypress Textiles. This is a girl of mad talent, I tell ya! She is real, hard-working, honest and creative. Her math-brain is astounding, too! See her below at the head of the table...

Carmen of New Leaf Designs, Christina of A Spoonful of Yarn, Dedri of Look at What I Made, Rachele of Cypress Textiles, Kirsten of Haak Maar Raak, Tatsiana of Lilla Bjorn

 She was helping Tatsiana out with some motif-joining below, since she's also the queen of join-as-you-go techniques.

Rachele of Cypress Textiles, Tatsiana of Lilla Bjorn Crochet

Rachele has a new book coming out in November, The Art of Crochet Blankets, and I'll be the first one to get one! I was fortunate enough to sneak a peek at blogger days and it is, well, ASTOUNDING! You can preorder your copy here*. Hurry, Mr. Postman, hurry...

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my world. I've got so many things on my hook--and off my hook--but with little time to get things rolling properly. I did manage to stuff my suitcase with 24 balls of Scheepjes Namaste* before I left Yarndale and have already worked up a simple but chunky and textured motif with it in 20 colors.

I'll drop by soon to show you  more. In the meantime, be peaceful, know that you are never alone in the world, crochet as much as you like, and bless someone's life.

| On the Board | -- When doubt or difficulties come, do not be afraid to ask for help.                                                             ~~Jeffrey R. Holland

*This post contains affiliate links which if used by you cost you nothing more but provide me a small commission to help me continue blogging and designing free patterns. Thank you! xx