Hello!
I’ve taken the unusual step of making this newsletter into a post on my blog. I know, it’s been a while since you last had a newsletter from me and you might have been wondering where I’ve been. Well, it was the summer holidays, so we had the three boys home from school (which was interesting).
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- Returning Home from a Play Date With Nail Varnish On!
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- That’s NOT How You Cut Yarn for Crafting!
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- “Making Perfume for Mum”
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- Making Orange Juice
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- Expanding Our Sewing Skills
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- Learning to Sew Buttons
Then there was back to school and all the chaos that entails (who’s grown out of their shoes, where have all the school jumpers gone, who needs a new lunchbox…)!
First Day of the New School Year – This is what I get when I ask for “Best Smiles”.
And now that half-term has arrived, I have some time and, more importantly, some headspace again (if only for this week).
In the meantime, I hope you’ll have seen the new posts on my blog:
- The very beautiful Sophie in Cotton Candy Man Scheepjes Whirl by Jenny.
- The #notaCAL I hosted on Instagram – I’d love to see what you made if you followed this.
- My look back at Last Year’s Yarndale.
- The new Sophie Stool Kits that will be available in stores from the first week of November – Squee!!!
- A look at Catona Cutie Pies and the Secret Lives of Colour.
And, of course, I’ve also been busy crocheting, planning, dreaming – so over the next few months, I have some exciting things to share with you all. The photos below are all projects I am working on and/or patterns I will be releasing on the blog. I should mention that I have had 6 fairies helping me ‘make’ over the last six months. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for their help. Thank you to Lynnette, Kay, Minno, Jenny, Pat, and Melanie.
Don’t Ask! I Can’t Tell Yet!!
But first, I would like to ask for your help. I’d like to know what you like about my newsletters, what you would like to see more of/less of, and anything new I could consider adding. Also, how often would you like it to drop into your inbox and do you know where to find back issues online?
It’s easiest for me if you let me know your thoughts by commenting below. I look forward to hearing from you!
Ps. I feel a bit sheepish about mentioning this, but I feel like I should. I was runner-up (best crochet blog) and third place (best crochet book – Sophie) in the recent British Knitting and Stitching Awards 2017. When I attended the awards ceremony, I got to chat to Attic24 Lucy and her friend Yarndale Emma, as well as Verity from Truly Hooked, Janie Crow, and Stuart Hillard (author of Sew Fabulous). Lucy won A LOT of awards. You can read more about that HERE on her blog. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me (and for Sophie). You made me feel like a Princess-for-a-day.
Pps. I have just found out that I have been nominated for Designer of the Year and Blog of the Year in the British Craft Awards 2018. Yay! Scheepjes, Wool Warehouse, Janie Crow and Kirsten Ballering have also been nominated (among many others).
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Susan Jackson says
Your newsletters are lovely when and where you get to writing them – no need to do once a week, once a month or once a season is just fine.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you Susan :)
Bonnie Pfeiffer says
Hi Dedri, I must say that I am so incredibly impressed in your talents in crochet, writing, designing, parenting, and teaching so many of us around the world through your newsletter.
My only comment is to enjoy your young children as you will blink one day and find them grown and gone. Sometimes we all must review everything we do and make adjustments.
Whatever you decide is best for you and your family will the best for you.
God bless you, Dedri.
Bonnie
Dedri Uys says
Thank you very much, Bonnie. You are so right x
Rachel says
Always love hearing what you have been up to and seeing new things in the pipeline. Congratulations on the awards – much deserved!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you :)
Karen says
I think a once a month newsletter would be good. If that’s not possible then at least a quarterly one would do.
Karen from the US. Who loves Sophia.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Karen. Monthly seems to be a popular choice and one I can manage :)
Bonnnie says
Oooo I spy the single motif Starfish from Yarn, the Sea issue! I loved that square and can’t wait to see what you’re doing with it!
As for the newsletter, here are my two cents! I’m good with about once a month (or whenever you get the chance!lol) newsletter just letting us know what you’ve been up to and where you’re at with projects and such. I don’t need to hear about other designers as if I’m interested, I’ll subscribe to them as I do you. I do like hearing about what Jenny has been up to as she’s done wonders with you patterns! It’s also nice what others have done with your patterns for ideas and inspiration. I do like hearing about recommend books, hooks, accessories etc as well. Also, if you post on the blog the newsletter as a post, then we get all the same information there and negates the need for a newsletter. (maybe one less thing for you to worry about?!)
So, there’s a long jumbled list of my thoughts!! Take ’em or leave ’em!!LOL I do hope you continue to offer a newsletter, however and whenever (simple blog post?!) that may be! Cheers! Bonnie
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Bonnie. You’ve given me lots to think about. Jenny is a star and I love watching her just blossom! I am so blessed to work with her as it means we can chat about projects face to face on a daily basis. And yes, Starfishes…lots of them!
Tina Rowe says
I prefer emails, as that way I just get news from you. On the blog I get annoying ads that you cannot get rid of that stays on the page and is soooooo annoying.
Becky H says
Your patterns are so beautiful and you generously share them for free. Thank you!
As a reader I suggest you send newsletters at your own pace. It’s a delight when your newsletters arrive with new patrern ideas. You will never regret the time you spend as a busy mother raising your cute boys. My vote is for newsletters every quarter to six months. Hearing more about your crochet business and awards is valuable. Personal information would be interesting too. You be in control and my support will remain.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you very much, Becky x
Gail Dixon says
Hi, it was great to receive your newsletter and blog link. Im not sure I’m going to be too helpful to you, but I love hearing from you as and when. I appreciate as you are a busy Mum as well as being your creative self, so I’m more than happy to hear from you as and when you can fit it all in! Congratulations on receiving your awards, you are so inspirational and I just love reading about what you have been doing, they are more than deserved.
So, sorry if this isn’t too helpful! But, for me, you carry on being you and fit us in when you can! If you wanted a bit of direction from us, a monthly catch up would be fab with links to what else you havebeen up to.
Thank you again x
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Gail. I think I will go for monthly newsletters :) And thank you for your continued support x
Debbie Schisler says
Just keep being you! Once a month newsletters would be fine. That would give you more time to Crochet your projects you share. What ever you decide will be perfect.
Remember your boys will grow up soon enough, I believe you should be with them and their activities as much as you can. Thank you for all you share with us. Enjoy the journey!!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Debbie. You are so right. I always tell people to enjoy the journey, but I let myself get so busy that I forget my own advice. Thank you for the reminder :)
Carol says
I’m not fussy. Ill take whatever you want to write about.
Dena says
You’re family comes first! I would like to see this continue only if it fits your timeline and doesn’t interfere with family time. And congrats on your nominations! You deserve it.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you Dena :)
Susan Smith says
It was ‘Sophie’ and your Amish puzzle balls which inspired me to return to crochet. Thank you. So please keep the inspiring patterns coming but not at the expense of your boys. These are such precious years.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Susan. I’m delighted to hear that!
patty marsh says
To me there is nothing more important then your family those boy’s are beautiful I love the 1st one on the left’s hair lol I’m a hairdresser so that’s the 1st thing I notice lol…. so keep up what you do and make sure those boys come 1st they grow up and leave the nest way to fast……..
Dedri Uys says
Patty, you have just made Jaco’s year! I wish you could have seen his face when I let him read your comment. He is always styling his hair and is very particular about it. He once insisted on being called ‘Spike’ for a week because his hair was spiky. Thank you for giving me that lovely moment of joy.
patty marsh says
I’m glad I made Jaco’s year…. It reminds me of when my now 24 year old grandson was 4 and they bought a baby hedgehog he wanted to now if I knew how to do those hedgehog hair cuts so I cut his hair all spiky he love it wore it that way for years and if it didn’t stand stright up in the air he would call me and ask if I knew how to do those hedgehog haircuts… thanks’ for the memoirs like I said they grow up way to fast, he’s a dad now and a great one…. So continue to make your memories with your boys…..
Dedri Uys says
Oh bless. Those are the moments we cherish, aren’t they?
Evelyn Streifer says
Hi Dedri,
I love your newsletter in each and every way I can get it.
For me there is no need to change it. I like best that I never know what I will find when I start reading it, so please don’t change to much.
As for how often I would like to find a new one in my mailbox, that‘s a difficult question…. I would imagine writing a newsletter each week takes some time, so I wouldn’t want to pressure you into it. One or two times a month perhaps, and when there is a new crochet project like Sophie, maybe once a week.?! Would that be possible to do without to much stress?
So that was me, adding my two pennies,
Thanks for giving us so many good ideas, and please keep it up,
Eve
Dedri Uys says
Hi Eve. Thank you :) I am leaning towards once a month, but was thinking the same thing as you: weekly when there’s a CAL or something. Have a wonderful evening x
Astrid der Kinderen says
I really like to read the newsletter. About your designs, the boys and whatever you like to share. The way you write is very entertaining and always brings a smile to my face.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Astrid!
Furrzanah Bassa says
Hi Dedri
Its really awesome getting newsletters from you and would be nice if you wanted to share advice about hooks or books or tell us about home life as well. If you couldnt manage a weekly newsletter maybe just once a month would be good. I love to hear about what you’re upto. Keeps me motivated I guess. I do admire all that you do especially being a working mum and designing amazing stuff for the rest of us who arent so talented. Not bigging you up here. Just being honest. I really love the way you design and write your patterns. So if you want to talk about your design process too tgat would be great. Tjis is looking more like an essay instead of a comment. So thats all. Thank you.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Furrzanah. How are you? Thank you for taking the time to write your ‘essay’ :) I appreciate your advice x
Sue says
Love your work, and designs, and especially the wonderfully detailed instructions that help me actually achieve happy results and improve my skills. If the newsletter only popped in occasionally just to remind me to check out new patterns or postings. I’d still be a very happy camper. Congrats on the well deserved awards and nominations!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Sue. Your first sentence made me very happy. That is the reason I write in paragraphs rather than abbreviations. I want people to feel a sense of achievement when they do something they thought might be too complex, because once they have that happy buzz, they realize that every pattern, no matter how complicated, is ‘just a bunch of stitches’ and they can do it! Have a lovely evening.
Helen says
I love reading your newsletter, all of it: crochet, family, travel, thoughts, but especially crochet. I know that it’s a lot of time and effort on top of work, family and life. If it’s too hard to get a newsletter out regularly, I’d still appreciate reading it whenever you have time to write. Thank you for the inspiration.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Helen. Thank you :)
Debbie says
I love as you ‘muddle’ through. Don’t want to crash your family time; that is most important.
Katy M says
I think there’s a balance to life that’s different for everyone. Your kids come first, no question. After that it’s up to you. Are newsletters more time consuming than just a link to your blog? What part do you enjoy most? As for sharing other’s patterns, again, up to you. Do one thing each week, change the newsletter to every two weeks but, above all ENJOY what you choose to do.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Katy. They are more time-consuming, but they are also a chance for me to chat – and I love to chat! I’m leaning towards monthly…