Front cover of Boho Crochet book, folk style crochet in colorful patterns, Susan Carlson of Felted Button | Colorful Crochet Patterns

Honoring Wink

I've been as busy as ever behind the scenes, crocheting away on some fun little projects. But while doing so, my mind has been heavy with thoughts about the loss of a dear friend to her battle with depression a year ago.

I discovered Wink (Marinke Slump) of the popular blog A Creative Being several years before we crossed paths. After getting acquainted online and having her say the nicest things about my work, she encouraged me to join Design Wars Challenge. She believed in me when I was doubting myself, but I applied. From that experience, I have made some beautiful designs, met many amazing folks and had opportunities for growing my craft and my business in ways I couldn't have imagined. Here are a few designs that came from that fun experience...

Mariposa Throw

Ruffled Ribbons Throw

Mermaid Me Blanket

Chromatic Cobbles Blanket

Through that opportunity, I came to know her much better and what an awesomely talented and fun person she was. Then I was flattered to be invited to contribute to her first book, Boho Crochet*. We spent many hours talking, supporting each other and getting to know one another. I immediately felt a special kinship with her as we skyped and griped and cheered each other on when things with life were wonky, as they inevitably get. We dreamed. We laughed. We supported one another.

Boho Crochet by Marinke Slump of A Creative Being

We both have a love of color, mandalas, crochet, being "Dutch" and related in many personal areas of our lives, too. Then she shared with me some sneak peek pictures of her designs for her second book, Crochet Mandalas*. It was so fun to see them and hear in her beautiful voice how happy she was with her work!

And how blessed I feel to now be a part of the Scheepjes Blogger group where she contributed so much happy color and talent. She was a magical spirit and I miss her.

If you haven't heard about the Scheepjes Last Dance on the Beach Crochet-A-Long (CAL) happening in 2016 that was begun by Wink and completed by her fellow bloggers after her passing, you really should. It's such a lovely community of crocheters working together in honor of her.

Scheepjes CAL 2016 Last Dance in the Sea

You can find out details here or on any of the Scheepjes Blogger sites. And don't worry about starting late--I'm behind, too! You can see my progress on Facebook if you follow along here and Instagram (@feltedbutton) and share yours with me. The patterns for each square and all info will be available on the Scheepjes website here indefinitely.

I'm straying a bit from the 3 lovely color schemes chosen by Wink. Not because I don't LOOOVE her color sense, but because I needed some particular colors for a gift for a dear friend. Wanna see?

Scheepjes Merino Soft for CAL 2016 Last Dance on the Beach

It reminds me of colors of ice cream--or those found in a cake shop. Pretty scrumptious, I say! And the aptly named *Merino Soft is seriously a bit of heaven to work with! You can read my review of it from my Design Wars Challenge here.

Since becoming involved with Scheepjes, I've had my hooks into some pretty incredible yarn. And that always brings a flood of inspiration for me. (*Whispers: A fun free pattern using Scheepjes *Catona coming soon!)

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| On the Board | -- Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...