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Saturday, 17 January 2015

Wee of the Never Never


I can finally show you a project that I have been itching to talk about for almost a year. My first published collection of patterns in a magazine. Last Spring I was commissioned by Homespun, Australia's number one craft magazine, to design some tiny knitted Aussie animals made to be worn as pendants. They would be published to coincide with Australia Day. And finally here they are: Kangaroo, Koala, Kookaburra and Wombat.
 

I am so pleased with how they have been presented. The title Wee of the Never Never confused me at first, until they explained that it refers to a book called We of The Never Never by Jeannie Gunn, and would be instantly understood by Australian readers. Homespun is packed full of articles and patterns, not just knitting but quilting, crochet and sewing. Printed on lush thick paper, and containing a removal section of pattern pieces, it is the sort of magazine that I would keep and refer to for many years. Available downunder Homespun does annual subscriptions and mails internationally.


Thank you to some of my more experienced Handmade Monday friends who gave me some valuable advice before I went ahead with this project. The staff at Homespun were really a dream to deal with. Completely friendly, fair, straightforward and efficient. (Not naming anyone in particular, but I have found the exact opposite with some UK magazines.) What I did discover is that I work much better with a deadline to aim towards. Although the patterns are only available in Homespun at present, in time the copyright will revert to me, and I will make them available online.


So there I am, looking at myself from my own coffee table. I do realise most of my friends will not recognise me. This photo took a trip to the hairdressers, make-up!!!, and then selection from about a hundred shots, before I finally felt happy with sending it and the personal profile off to the magazine.


I am linking to Planet Penny Happy Friday, and although I'm not sure that I am completely in the rules,  the arrival of my pattern did make me smile.
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47 comments:

  1. Janet17 January 2015 at 02:53

    Well Done. It looks like a lovely magazine to be featured in.

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  2. Laurel-Rain Snow17 January 2015 at 08:33

    Congrats! And we all do that...pick a special photo and have hair and makeup done before any event. LOL

    Lovely spread...enjoy the kudos.

    Here's my SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  3. Sandra Nachlinger17 January 2015 at 10:27

    Congratulations on having your clever and original work recognized and featured in this high-quality magazine. What a thrill! Your designs are delightful, and I'm sure many people will reproduce them after seeing your instructions in the article.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG.

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  4. westmetromommy17 January 2015 at 11:02

    How exciting! What a great honor for you!

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  5. steph17 January 2015 at 19:18

    very exciting news....congrats!

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  6. Miriam18 January 2015 at 01:31

    Congratulations that is just wonderful! You are so clever, it's neat to see you getting such lovely recognition xx

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  7. Louise18 January 2015 at 04:21

    We of the Never Never is indeed immediately obvious to an Australian (especially those of us of a certain age, I certainly remember reading it as a child, although I think it's fallen a bit out of favour). I was confused by the authors name, she published under Mrs Aeneas Gunn, which sounds oddly quaint these days. Well done with your creations- inventive as always. I was interested to see that they photographed them on Snugglepot and Cuddlepie text rather than the more obvious We of the Never Never.

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  8. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)18 January 2015 at 09:23

    Those are simply adorable! And congrats on being published.

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  9. Myth Illogical18 January 2015 at 10:07

    Congratulations! What a wonderful feature and I adore your teeny wombat!

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  10. Gertie18 January 2015 at 10:15

    Many congratulations !!!!! I'm sure they will be so popular as they are gorgeous.

    Good luck with the bloggers award. Already voted.... xx

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  11. Free Spirit Designs18 January 2015 at 10:20

    Oh these are adorable! Congratulations on the feature, it looks like one to treasure :) x

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  12. Lucy Blossom18 January 2015 at 11:10

    How exciting for you. Huge congratulations, I always love seeing the things you've created.

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  13. Penny18 January 2015 at 11:16

    Such cute designs, I particularly love the wombat!
    Penny (Planet Penny)

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  14. Fiddly Fingers18 January 2015 at 11:17

    A great achievement and I bet you are so pleased to be able to share your excitement after keeping quiet for so long. I'm sure these cute little animals will be a huge success.

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  15. Sum of their Stories18 January 2015 at 12:25

    Looks fab! Well done and very cute little animals too.

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  16. Unknown18 January 2015 at 13:41

    Congratulations. This is such an amazing achievement. I hope you celebrated in style! x

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  17. Lilly's Mom18 January 2015 at 14:18

    How nice to be featured in this Wonderful magazine. Congratulations. Your little designs are so cute.

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  18. vicky myers18 January 2015 at 23:17

    It looks great, love your last image showing them on the White background:) thanks for all the comments through handmade harbour over the last couple of years:)

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  19. Sam19 January 2015 at 07:23

    Congratulations! These are adorable wee knits. How fun to be published in this magazine.

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  20. JENNY19 January 2015 at 08:04

    They are adorable!!! Congratulations! xxx

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  21. Carol19 January 2015 at 08:33

    Congrats!! Those are so cute.

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  22. Ali19 January 2015 at 09:04

    Congratulations on being published and all the way on the other side of the world. It's wonderful.
    Ali xx

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  23. Jan19 January 2015 at 12:51

    How cute are these, I love the way they have been photographed too.
    Good luck with Blogger Award :).... I've popped over and voted :)
    Jan x

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  24. Barbara20 January 2015 at 04:55

    Cute critters, kudos to you!

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  25. Tiny Toadstool Cottage20 January 2015 at 05:40

    They are gorgeous! From an Aussie, I think they perfectly represent our animals. I also loved We of the Never Never, although as it was published in 1908 has to be read in reference to the times.

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  26. Christine20 January 2015 at 08:12

    Those are super cute! Congrats on making it to print! How exciting!!

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  27. Vermont Grand View Farm20 January 2015 at 08:40

    Congratulations! This patterns are adorable!

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  28. Natalie20 January 2015 at 09:04

    That is amazing! Good for you! Congratulations.

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  29. This little life20 January 2015 at 13:18

    These are super cute!

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  30. Lucy Bowen20 January 2015 at 13:43

    Congratulations, the animals are lovely, you have done really well.

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  31. Tracey ~ Clover21 January 2015 at 06:33

    They are so sweet, congratulations. You are so very talented.

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  32. Emily21 January 2015 at 06:37

    This is my first visit to your blog, and it is amazing! Congrats on the publication--it is well deserved!

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  33. angelina21 January 2015 at 06:38

    congrats , love the aussie animals :))))
    HOMESPUN !!

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  34. Anonymous21 January 2015 at 06:43

    Congratulations, so well deserved! I am happy for you!!!

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  35. EMMA21 January 2015 at 07:33

    Well done, they are amazing. You must be so proud!

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  36. Darcel {MahoganyWayMama}21 January 2015 at 07:42

    This is my first time by your blog and I am really enjoying it. Your knit animals are absolutely adorable! Congratulations on the feature in Homespun magazine! How surreal it must be to look at yourself in a magazine.

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  37. Paula21 January 2015 at 09:36

    First time visitor who is a fan of teeny little critters. Yours are wonderful. Congratulations on having them published.

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  38. Gracey is not my name....21 January 2015 at 10:12

    Congratulations! They are adorable! I have read about some difficulties that designers have had with some UK magazines...glad this was such a great experience....

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  39. CathieJ22 January 2015 at 15:45

    Congratulations! Those little creatures are adorable. I am so glad you had an easy experience with this magazine.

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  40. Kathryn Senior23 January 2015 at 03:38

    Congratulations for being featured and for making such lovely little animals. Popping over from Planet Penny's Linky party to say hello xx

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  41. Sam Findlay23 January 2015 at 04:11

    These are so cute, well done!

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  42. Unknown23 January 2015 at 09:15

    That is such exciting news - congrats! They are too too cute. You are very talented.

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  43. VeggieMummy23 January 2015 at 09:38

    Wow - congratulations! I love all your Aussie animals but I think the kangaroo is my favourite; so cute. Have a lovely weekend. x

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  44. Unknown23 January 2015 at 12:19

    The are soo cute!! Congratulations! What an accomplishment.

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  45. Rachel @ The Philosophers Wife23 January 2015 at 13:58

    Congratulations! That is so exciting! The kangaroo is awesome! (Well, they all are, but that one is my favorite!) :-)

    Thank you for sharing at this week's Yarn Fanatic Party! I hope to "see" you there again!

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  46. Mel at Adventures of Mel27 January 2015 at 14:37

    Congratulations, Ginny! This is so exciting. Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week's issue.

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  47. Babajeza1 February 2015 at 06:38

    They are adorable. Congrautlations!

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