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).
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Katy W says
I don’t mind getting only an occasional newsletter. Life is busy especially during the school year and around the holidays.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you :)
Jenn says
I love reading your newsletters. I subscribe to a few designers’ newsletters but I have to say yours are my favourites. The photos are always so inspiring. However, I know what it is like to feel limited in time to do things (I too have 3 kids though mine are a little younger than yours) so I’m perfectly happy if you have to do them less frequently. I always love seeing your new designs even if I never quite get round to making them all.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you Jenn. How old are yours?
Jenn says
My kids are 5, 3 and 1
Dedri Uys says
Mine are 9, 7, and 5. We have the same kind of spacing :)
Lynne Strike says
Like many other responses, the spasmodic email suits me to a “T”. I always seem to be on the run, not with young children too often now but do totally understand the amount of time you need to devote to them. Love when I get mail and the fantastic projects you give us to get our heads around. Keep up the good work all around and very grateful for all you share. Much Love to you and your family.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you Lynne :) I shall continue on sporadically x
Arna says
You are a very talented woman..I loved my Sophie…I enjoy your newsletter but are you ever a busy woman…your family comes first as they grow so fastI know because now I’m a grandma to 8…it was awesome to see and catch up on all you do and it is ok to write newsletters when you have time. Thank you for all you do
Dedri Uys says
Thank you Arna :)
Carrie says
I have so much respect for those people who send regular blogs. Tried, couldn’t. And I think most of us are not great readers. I know I love to read fiction or crochet directions, but other than that, not so much.
Send your newsletter as you have the time and other crochet info as possible. Love to see what you and others have done. Keep the needles and hooks flying…….
Dedri Uys says
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Carrie :)
Tricia says
While I love the idea of newsletters, I rarely have the time to read them. So I can imagine how busy you are and how hard it must be to write them. I think blog posts would be fine, and keep designing of course! I prefer a CAL to an article. Hope that helps you decide. :)
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Tricia.
Meme Smith says
I love reading all about you and your life too. Love the smiles on your lovely little/big men. Brings back memories as I had 3 girls and they smile bit was very similar. As they got older they would just turn away or say No Photos. I did get some good ones when they weren’t really watching and distracted. I love to crochet and your patterns are great. Thanks again.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Meme. I guess I have that to look forward to :)
Jane Steffens says
I actually think less is more special. It’s a red letter day when I check my email, and there you are. You are so talented, I never know what’s coming next. Your kiddo’s are adorable too.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Jane :)
Carole says
Me too! Whenever they come, I’m thrilled
. Thank you.
Amelia Vincent says
Your newsletter nudges me to follow the links. I liked the “nostalgia” section this time, because it led me to things I hadn’t noticed before.
That said, I think you should write your blog when you can. Perhaps send a monthly newsletter like some blogs I have seen that have:
Title
Paragraph/Picture
Continue Reading…. link
A plus for me is the reminder that I need to start crocheting again.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Amelia. How have you been?
NOELENE SAMPEY says
Dedri,your newsletters are a breath of fresh air whenever or however they arrive. I love to read about your projects,family and successes.Any topic you want to talk about is always of interest,but don’t forget that your family comes first,spend as much time as you can with your adorable boys.Looking forward to hearing about your next adventure in life,whatever it is ❤❤
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Noelene :)
Yetta O'Shea says
Congratulations on your recent awards! Well earned! I agree with the others that it is not necessary to have a weekly newsletter. You need time for your life. What you have been doing is just fine. The boys are adorable! Your youngest looks like he has a healthy love of living life to the fullest. look forward to seeing your newest creations!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Yetta :)
Jo says
I really look forward to your newsletters. They help me unwind after a busy day. I love to crochet and enjoy seeing all the interesting patterns you post. I understand being busy and looking for ways to create more time in an already full day. Doing weekly emails would be an acceptable alternative. I just don’t want to lose your newsletter!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Jo :)
Adrienne Schmidt says
Dedri, Sophie was the first mandala blanket I attempted. I enjoyed the process (and learned a lot) and the result so much that I made another almost as soon as I was done. Both have been given to granddaughters …. one on Vancouver Island, and one in Ottawa. Keep the newsletters coming, but put your family first. As and when you find time to write, that’s great.
Congratulations for the awards and nominations.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Adrienne. I’m so glad you enjoyed Sophie x
Becky Bivens says
I like the newsletters, but just a notification that they are on your blog is great too! Life is busy !
Bela de Melo says
Hello Dedri
I love the casual approach you have to your newsletters – a little of this, a little of that, credits to fellow crocheters, favourite yarns, chit chat about life, and most importantly you always have a gorgeous crochet pattern that keeps the twinkle in your crochet followers’ eyes. I am happy to receive your newsletter once a month or quarterly and do think that a weekly newsletter will be overkill. I hope you can find the perfect balance for yourself, your family and your crochet followers.
Thank you for all your contributions to our wonderful world of crochet.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Bela. I’m glad you enjoy them :)
Anne says
Hi Dedri
I love your patterns especially Sophie and your newsletter when ever you send them
Patty Love says
Dedri, I will take any newsletters you want to send, as often (or not) as you want to send them, talking about whatever you want to talk about. :-)
Leslie says
You have a family that needs you! I believe that most of us relate. Please don’t feel obligated to a weekly newsletter(though I do enjoy them), write when you can and rest in the fact that you are truly blessed!
Carol Salisbury says
Dear Dedri, my vote is that you make your life as easy on yourself as possible! I love seeing what you are up to in any form. By the way, what cute children you have! Congrats on all your awards… you certainly deserve them!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Carol :)