MandyCanUDigIt

MandyCanUDigIt, 6 months ago to gardening

Welcome to MandyCanUDigIt's new site sponsors Grazers and Green Matters from Grazers. If you don't know them, check them out - the last word in #gardeningforwildlife and sustainability!

#gardening #environment #Grazers #GreenMattersfromGrazers #gardens #gardenbirds #recycling

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2023/11/30/site-sponsors-grazers-and-green-matters-welcome/

Green Matters from Grazers nest box made from recycled plastic

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to Travel

Have your #travel plans changed since #COVID? Ours have - when we have gone on holiday, we've stayed in the UK and explored our own islands. The result - discovering my ancestral home of #Skye, the prehistoric wonders of #Derbyshire, the beauty of #Cornwall and the delights of #NorthWales.

#slowtravel #holidays #uk #archaeology #folklore #history

MandyCanUDigIt, 5 months ago to crochet

First sleeve completed apart from a bit of surface work. A lot of Georgia O'Keeffe-type spirals. Big shout out to all the independent dyers and spinners this yarn came from. When it's finished, I'll post links to them.

#crochet #freeform #freeformcrochet #fibreart #fiberart #yarn #yarnuary #wool #textiles #textileart #textileartist

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to crochet

Second arm finished...I'm calling it 'heart on my sleeve' as I've managed to incorporate an anatomical heart and a swirly one. There's a brain at the top...

#freeform #freeformcrochet #crochet #yarn #wool #fiberart #fibreart #textiles #textileart #spirals #hearts #red #grey #textileartist

Freeform crochet sleeve with eye and lungs

MandyCanUDigIt, 2 months ago to crochet

Finally finished... the Georgia O'Keeffe/organs jacket. Mostly merino/nylon from independent dyers. Spot the eyes, lungs, brain and hearts. The Georgia O'Keeffe references include the goat skull/flower, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, grey charcoal spirals and abstract flower close-ups (that's what I'm calling them).

#crochet #freeformcrochet #freeformcrochetworld #freeformcrocheting #yarnart #textileart #wool #independentdyers #alternativecrochet #altcrochet #georgiaokeeffe #crochetworld #slowfashion

Red and grey freeform crochet jacket inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe and body parts. Made mostly of merino wool/nylon from independent dyers.
Red and grey freeform crochet jacket inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe and body parts. Made mostly of merino wool/nylon from independent dyers.
Red and grey freeform crochet jacket inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe and body parts. Made mostly of merino wool/nylon from independent dyers.

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to books

It's my #birthday! Snow forecast, as usual. Here is my book haul so far...

#books #aliceroberts #thecelts #crochet #arthistory #artemesiagentileschi #love #edwardbrookehitching #reading #bookworm #booklovers #snow #winterbaby

Love book by Edward Brooke-Hitching
The Celts by Alice Roberts
The Artemisia Files book

MandyCanUDigIt, 7 months ago to crochet

Exactly a year after learning to crochet, my first major freeform piece - a Halloween jumper! Freeform has no pattern, fabric is made up of small random or figurative 'scrumbles' and joining them together. About £90 of yarn in it - wool, premium acrylic/cotton, recycled sari silk, chenille, felt bobbles and beads. I'm fascinated by eyes. My OH says it's 'the product of a disturbed mind'.

#crochet #freeformcrochet #Halloween #jumper #yarn #crafts #gothic

Freeform crochet Halloween jumper
Freeform crochet Halloween jumper
Freeform crochet Halloween jumper

MandyCanUDigIt, 8 months ago to Women

Had to have #Bjork! Was going to have #ViolentlyHappy but the video's a bit disturbing. Instead, I'll have #ArmyofMe. Actually, that's really disturbing too. Not for those who don't like the dentist...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPeheoBa2_Y

#musicwomenwednesday #women #strongwomen #music #womenrolemodels #Iceland #alternative

MandyCanUDigIt, 27 days ago to Bloomscrolling

It's #RHSChelsea press day - Balcony and Container Gardens. See the full line-up in the link below...

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/01/04/chelsea-flower-show-2024-sustainability-is-key/

#bloomscrolling #chelsea #chelseaflowershow #showgardens

Water-Saving Garden
The Ecotherapy Garden
Anywhere Courtyard

MandyCanUDigIt, 26 days ago to Bloomscrolling

The #RHSChelsea medals are out - here are the gold medal winners in the Balcony/Container gardens. Do you agree?

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/01/04/chelsea-flower-show-2024-sustainability-is-key/

#Chelsea #Chelseaflowershow #showgardens #bloomscrolling #medals #medalwinners

Changing Tides Garden
Sanctum Garden
The Ecotherapy Garden

MandyCanUDigIt, 5 months ago to crochet

#Yarnuary - my favourite yarns generally are Superwash Merino/nylon blends by independent dyers. This lot are all 4-ply (fingering) weight. The intense red is called 'Furnace' by @mothyandthesquid. Also love anything tactile and soft!

#yarn #crochet #freeform #freeformcrochet #wool #fibreart #fiberart #textiles #textileart #textileartist

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to gardening

The Money-Saving Gardener by Anya Lautenbach book review...

#gardening #books #budget #slowgardening #organic #environment #AnyaLautenbach #bookreview

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/02/12/the-money-saving-gardener-by-anya-lautenbach-book-review/

MandyCanUDigIt, 5 months ago to gardening

Viburnum bodnantense x Dawn still strutting her stuff. Also good for any pollinators that happen to be about on milder days.

#gardening #gardens #bloomscrolling #winter #winterflowers #pollinators #environment #uk #shrubs

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to gardening

A dusting of icing sugar this morning and a balmy -3C. Better this than the gales and lashing rain forecast from the weekend. The raised pond made of recycled materials in a paisley shape looks great in white! Orange interior of summerhouse reflects the 'everbrown' of the beech hedge.

#gardening #snow #frost #winter #wintersun #summerhouse #pond #palm #raisedbeds #recycling

Winter sun on snow covered small garden in NE England with raised beds and palm

MandyCanUDigIt, 27 days ago to Bloomscrolling

It's #RHSChelsea press day - more Balcony and Container Gardens. See the full line-up in the link below...

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/01/04/chelsea-flower-show-2024-sustainability-is-key/

#bloomscrolling #chelsea #chelseaflowershow #showgardens

Raines Repurposed Garden
La Mia Venezia Garden
Sanctum Garden

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to crochet

Finally, my best #Yarnuary tip. If you're lucky enough to be bought an adjustable tailor's dummy for Christmas, make sure you take your measurements like I did, early on Boxing Day. You may be horrified at the time but now I feel smug knocking off a few centimetres without suffering too much dieting hell.

#dressmaking #crochet #freeformcrochet #textiles #yarnart #fibreart #fiberart #lifestyletips #diets #queenofdenial #tailorsdummy #mannequin #adjustaform #wip #workinprogress #yarn #wool

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to gardening

My seed trials for 2024 from Suttons - here are the varieties and prices in more detail. I couldn't help but post the picture of George as he played ball for once!

#gardening #gardens #gyo #bees #pollinators #vegetables #flowers #bloomscrolling #caturday

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/01/19/gardening-seed-trials-meet-suttons-new-veg-and-flowers/

MandyCanUDigIt, 27 days ago to Bloomscrolling

It's #RHSChelsea press day - now the smaller Sanctuary Gardens. See the full line-up in the link below...

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/01/04/chelsea-flower-show-2024-sustainability-is-key/

#bloomscrolling #chelsea #chelseaflowershow #showgardens

The Bridgerton Garden
The Burma Skincare Garden
The Flood Resilient Garden

MandyCanUDigIt, 5 months ago to gardening

Top flower for #BlueMonday - Meconopsis Lingholm - the Himalayan Poppy.

#gardens #gardening #bloomscrolling #blue #flowers #blooms

MandyCanUDigIt, 1 month ago to gardening

After a scare, here's our little hedgehog friend free and tucking into cat biscuits and a dish of water - make your garden a safer place for hedgehogs. Watch the video in the link to fully appreciate what a noisy eater the little soul is!

#hedgehogs #gardening #gardeningfornature #mammals #rats #hedgehog #animalsafety #britishmammals

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/04/22/making-a-garden-safe-for-hedgehogs/

MandyCanUDigIt, 27 days ago to Plants

Plant of the Year winners at #RHSChelsea - first Prunus Starlight; second Cosmos Cherry Chocolate and third (my favourite) Mangave Praying Hands. Read more about the plants and others shortlisted in the link.

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/05/16/rhs-chelsea-plant-of-the-year-2024/

#Chelsea #chelseaflowershow #Plantoftheyear #Prunus #ornamentalcherry #cosmos #chocolateflower #mangave #prayinghands #plants #cherrychocolate #bloomscrolling

Prunus Starlight
Mangave Praying Hands

MandyCanUDigIt, 4 months ago to gardening

My #intro. Gardening writer, DigIt Media owner, mind behind website & blog www.mandycanudigit.com. Garden Media Guild/NUJ. #NEEngland. #Geordie of #Scottish ancestry. #gardening #climatechange #environment #cats #music #alternative #folklore #books #crochet #freeformcrochet #exoticplants #starwars #tolkien #history #science #astronomy #travel #paleontology #archaeology #journalism #art #lessable #heds #as #mentalhealth #freelancer #editor #mythology #equality

MandyCanUDigIt, 5 months ago to crochet

One yarn I can't get away with is cotton. I had to really force myself to finish this evil eye granny square blanket. It was from Hobbii and 70% off! Was making 2 freeform cushions with leftovers but have hidden them under the bed. I like a bit of give in yarns. Also a super chunky premium acrylic which crocheted up like a board. Never again.

#Yarnuary #yarns #wool #textiles #fiberart #fibreart #crochet #freeformcrochet #freeform #cotton #acrylic #jumpers #grannysquares #evileye #blanket

Freeform crochet cushion cover in cotton which will never be finished!
Super chunky peacock premium acrylic yarn
Close-up of super chunky peacock premium acrylic jumper

MandyCanUDigIt, 3 months ago to gardening

New study reveals counting butterflies reduces anxiety - plant now for this year's Big Butterfly Count.

#gardening #butterflies #moths #BigButterflyCount #anxiety #bloomscrolling #plants #pollinators #nature #wellbeing

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2024/03/05/counting-butterflies-reduces-anxiety-the-big-butterfly-count-2024/