MandyCanUDigIt

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 13thFloor

Top of the pops on my website this week is my accidental growing of the massively poisonous and hallucinogen Datura stramonium or devil’s snare! A fascinating plant in #mythology and #folklore the world over but not one to have with a family around.

https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2021/07/20/hallucinogenic-devils-snare-or-datura-stramonium/

#gardening #poisonous #hallucinogenic #witches #voodoo #zombies #sadhus #Algonquian #Navajo #Cherokee #Luiseno #thornapple #Haiti #werewolves

Datura stramonium or devil’s snare
Datura stramonium or devil’s snare
Datura stramonium or devil’s snare

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, 9 months ago to gardening

I haven't done a tomato 'family portrait' this year as they're so late! Eleven varieties in there - stand-outs are Rosella (as always), outdoor Tigerella, new yellow Bliss. Also in there Green Zebra, Kings of Colour {Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange), Toddler, Black Moon and Al Fresco.

#gardening #gardeninguk #gyo #tomatoes #harvest #homegrown #heritage

MandyCanUDigIt, 10 months ago to mastodon

In a month, I now have over 100 followers on #Mastodon. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time and trouble to follow me. This is a wonderful, thriving community full of the interesting, intelligent and caring people I want to engage with, unlike #Twitter. I'm advising my clients to make the switch.

#introduction #gardening #climatechange #environment #cats #music #folklore #books #crochet #history #science #astronomy #travel #paleontology #archaeology #journalism #art #freelancer

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, 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, 6 months ago to gardening

And just like that... it's #winter! Very rare for us in North-East England to get autumn foliage AND snow AND sun in the same shot. Fitting for the first day of meteorological winter. Cotinus (smoke bush) and eucalyptus backed by the beech hedge and a whitebeam in snow on a sunny morning.

#gardening #gardens #plants #snow #Cotinus #Eucalyptus #whitebeam #beech #sun #coldweather #bloomscrolling #fall #autumn #northeastengland #geordies

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, 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, 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, 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, 5 months ago to gardening

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

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

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, 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

#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, 5 months ago to gardening

If your garden's been flooded or is waterlogged, here are some tips on how to allow it to recover - and prevent further damage. https://www.mandycanudigit.com/garden-problems-pests-and-diseases/flooding-and-waterlogging-in-your-garden/

#flooding #waterlogging #gardening #climatechange #floods #gardens #environment #plants #landscaping

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, 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 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, 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 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 - 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