I often think about how incredibly lucky I am to be able to knit and to make a little money from it too, which means that I can do it each and every day. It's really not exagerating to say that making the toys helps keep me sane. If you live with a special needs child you'll know how little time you get to yourself and how hard it can be at times to keep positive. That's why I was so pleased to be involved in Yours magazine's article about the positive benefits of knitting. It talks a little about me and how knitting helps me cope with Toby and about another lady who has found that knitting helps alieviate her fibromyalgia pain. It also talks of Betsan Corkill and her wonderful work in promoting knitting as therapy - she has a website full of information. If you get a chance, pick up a copy - Yours magazine, issue 48 (oct 21st-Nov 3rd) page 36.
I'm chuffed to have been featured and it would be nice to think that my story might encourage someone else with stressful circumstances to take up knitting and find a bit of peace and relaxation. It's also nice to lay claim to being between the sheets with 007 Daniel Craig, though admittedly they're sheets of paper as opposed to the slippery satin kind and he is 16 pages away from me, but let's face it - that's the closest I'm going to get!
Ooh,16 pages away from Daniel Craig! Now that is exciting. Well done on the article. I will see if I can get hold of the mag for a proper read.
Posted by: Fiona | October 22, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I think you are amazingly talented! I love your creations!
Well done on being featured in the magazine!
;-)
Posted by: Sal | October 22, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Congratulation Julie!
Posted by: tania - Jet Designs | October 22, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Hey well done you! I'll have to track that magazine down...
Daniel craig eh!? I'm guessing the magazine is thin paper? so not just 16 sheets but 16 thin sheets apart. Corrrh!
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | October 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Congratulations on the article. Daniel Craig, tee hee.
Posted by: Cele | October 22, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Oooh, in the same magazine as Daniel Craig? Blimey - that's a real claim to fame.
Seriously, congratulations on being features - very deserving, I must say. I'm sure I'm not the only one who derives 'healing' from reading your blog and viewing your knitting, let alone doing some knitting!
x
Posted by: Kitty | October 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Congratulations! looks like a wonderful feature!
Posted by: Leah | October 22, 2008 at 11:40 AM
You peeked underneath those 16 sheets, right?
Posted by: trashalou | October 22, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Ooo Well done you!
April xx
Posted by: April Pardoe | October 22, 2008 at 01:07 PM
you are right. i certainly calms one down in stressy times. i don't know where i would have been without my knitting either.
Posted by: merete | October 22, 2008 at 01:20 PM
WELL DONE....again, and we get to see a picture of YOU!
P.S.
The calendars are beautiful! I'm off to buy one now.
Posted by: Shawn Mary | October 22, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Many Congratulations!
My mother passes her magazines on to me but keeps Yours magazine to herself, she won't stand a chance this time.
Daniel Craig and your feature, what more could we ask for ..... Jx
Posted by: Judy | October 22, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Well done being featured in the mag! I will have to have a sneeky look... not sure I am old enough to be officially looking at Yours! He he x
Posted by: Rosy Nancarrow | October 22, 2008 at 02:05 PM
yay, julie!
i agree that crafting is the best 'therapy'. i've made things for people before and they say something like 'i can't believe you have time for this'. i say 'no, i HAVE to make time for this!'
Posted by: kirsten | October 22, 2008 at 02:17 PM
For me, knitting and crocheting are therapy too. My husband was injured 19 years ago and is a quadriplegic. I have been his only caretaker all these years. Thank Goodness for these little blessings that keep us sane... :)
Posted by: mare | October 22, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Wot? No mention of those absolutely GORGEOUS calenders which have suddenly appeared?!! Such a great idea..... I've just ordered mine! Well done on appearing in 'Yours' - now we'll all know what you look like! 'very beautilly' as my kids say! ... you're so right about Daniel Craig - have you seen the new Emma Bridgwater tea towel? ----- It just says:
'I had a really nice dream
about Daniel Craig
last night' ...... ha ha, another very clever lady! .....
Posted by: debbie | October 22, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Congratulations on being featured Julie.
Posted by: carolyn | October 22, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Hi Julie -
I haven't commented for a while but just wanted to say 'Well done'! That looks like a great piece and you should be very proud of yourself!
Posted by: Lisa | October 22, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Congratulations, how exciting to get the chance to spread the word about how brilliant knitting is. And just a few millimetres away from Daniel Craig - phwoar!!
Posted by: French Knots | October 22, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Congratulations! And if I ever find Daniel Craig lurking about my living room, I'll send him on down the road to you. See, the things I'm prepared to do for you? (He's not really my type ;-)
Posted by: dottycookie | October 22, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Wow, I saw that magazine today with the knitting bit on the front - I was going to pick it up but the little one kicked off and I had to leave the shop . Will be making sure I have a look tomorrow. Congratulations .
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | October 22, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Well done on your article Julie. I have to say you are such an inspiration to me as both a mother and a knitter. You manage to take time to knit, blog, sell, still have the time of day for all your adoring fans PLUS manage to look after your two precious children aswell. A huge thank you for all your work over the last few years.
Raynor x
Posted by: Raynor Gellatly | October 22, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I shall send my hubby out for a copy of Yours tomorrow.I had a total knee replacement operation last Friday.I took my sock knitting in with me(self striping Regia yarn)and it was so therapeutic and also attracted a lot of attention .Inow have loads of knitting time infront of me as I recuperate.barbara
Posted by: barbara | October 22, 2008 at 08:47 PM
even to be between paper sheets with Daniel Craig is H@T!!
it's funny but after my car accident last week I turned to knitting...and realized that is been a while since I knit (perhaps a year) that now I need glasses ALL the time to see my stitches.
Posted by: carolyn | October 22, 2008 at 09:37 PM
this is such great news julie!!! huge congratulations. i really need to learn how to knit!
Posted by: nathalie | October 23, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I'm a fan of Daniel Craig's, but even a bigger fan of the wonderful Julie Williams! I'm delighted your work & life has been featured in print, we all have much to learn from you & your ability to meet life's challenges head on.
Millie ^_^
Posted by: Millie | October 23, 2008 at 03:00 AM
I was just about to write a sensible, thoughtful comment about Knitting Therapy and then I got distracted by Daniel Craig. And now I can't remember what on earth I was going to say.
Posted by: AliceC | October 23, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Well done - I must look out for that mag today & have a look. I met this lady at a Stitch & Knit Show a while back & we had an interesting chat about knitting as therapy. Totally agree, without the arty-crafty side of my life I would go slowly nuts!
Posted by: Caroline B | October 23, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Well done Julie... and Daniel Craig beneath the sheets too!!! A girl can have too much excitement you know!
Posted by: Gina | October 23, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Julie you are so right. I am currently scrapbooking the year leading up to, and including, Bailey's diagnosis. I'm seeing all the good things that year, the ones good enough to take photos of. No photos of a bad day or an upsetting incident among them. It's reminding me of just how beautiful he was at that age, rather than how painful he was to live with.
Posted by: Maddy | October 23, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Congratulations! Sounds fab. I too believe knitting is therapy. It's helped me through some really tough times this year. As for the Daniel Craig reference - I think you're closer than any of us - what's a few sheets? ;)
Posted by: Gemma | October 23, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Woooooowww, this is awesome news, Julie! Congrats on being featured...and just how many others more (beyond those you already *are* inspiring) you will be able to reach, to inspire and to encourage by way of this article. Thanks for "putting yourself out there" as well as here on your blog ;o))
Your new calendars look so adorable! Keep on keepin' on! With Rustling Autumn Hugs, Nicole
Posted by: MagicRainbowDreamings | October 23, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Many congratulations, Julie!! How wonderful to be featured in such a wide-reaching magazine!! You'll now have to get those two cherubs of yours knitting, to meet the demand for your amazing little knitted animals!!! ;)
Your new calendars are so gorgeous, too. I have put one on my christmas list - here's hoping!!
x x x
Posted by: Gemma | October 23, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Many congrats on another feature .... obviously I had to pick one up when I was passing the newsagents this morning .... what a bargain! Ok, so I don't think I'm quite the target audience yet (all those stair lift ads) but £1.40? Brill! And it has a pattern for a rather nice cardi .... hmm, ok, so maybe I AM the target audience after all ....
.... now, which page did you say Daniel Craig was on ....?
:)
Posted by: monkee maker | October 23, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Many congrats on another feature - obviously I had to pick one up as I was passing the newsagents this morning, and what a bargain! Ok, so I don't think I'm quite the target audience yet (all those stairlift ads), but £1.40? Brill! And there's even a pattern for a rather lovely cardi in it! .... hmm, ok, so maybe I AM actually the target audience ....
.... now which page did you say DC was on??
:)
Posted by: monkee maker | October 23, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Oops ... sorry - didn't think the first one went!
;)
Posted by: monkee maker | October 23, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Well done Julie - I went out and bought the mag - although I swore I would never buy this magazine (!) but I'm getting close to the big 50 so, I guess I should give in. I agree, lots of stair lift ads but your piece was lovely. Also some lovely old photos of the 60s are now creeping in to this mag.
Posted by: Zoe | October 23, 2008 at 04:13 PM
*Congratulations* Julie!
Ooohhh and well done on being so close to Daniel Craig too! Swoon!
Love
Alison
x
Posted by: Alison | October 23, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Daniel Graig... I had to google him;-)
Your calenders are great!!!
And Tallie and Crispin have a new friend;-) You will see him soon on my page with Crispin and Tallie ofcourse;-)
Posted by: Martine | October 23, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Well done - you deserves some recognition.
Thanks for the patterns too.
Posted by: Mary Whitehouse | October 23, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I had to google Daniel Craig too! Glad I did though! As soon as I saw the picture is said to myself 'Oooohh, right right right'. Congratulations on the story. Nice to see a little picture of you having a little knit! I love those calenders. I had a quick squizz last night but it was too late to makd such decisions. I'm off to have another look now. Jen
Posted by: frazzy dazzles | October 24, 2008 at 01:44 AM
I'll fight you for Daniel ;-) I find knitting such relaxing therapy ... I find it a wonderful way to find peace, relaxation and enjoyment. Congratulations on the article - I know you are an inspiration to many. I got my first magazine article recently - I was SO excited. Unfortunately it wasn't about my knitted bunnies - but I guess we all start somewhere ;-)
Posted by: Rachael Rabbit | October 24, 2008 at 01:46 AM
At the risk of getting lynched I'm not so bothered about Daniel Craig - but well done on the mention, it's fantastic to have your work and skills recognised in print!
Posted by: dottyspots | October 24, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Love your knitted work, especially the animals and the elephant! The cupcakes are gorgeous too. Well done for becoming one of the published few.
Best Wishes
Posted by: CreativeCrafterUK | October 24, 2008 at 08:25 PM
16 pages is barely a milimeter! Great that they found you for the article! Great stuff! t.x
Posted by: kitschen pink | October 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Congratulations on your feature. I took up knitting again after a break of many years to ease the early arthritis that was making my thumbs painful - it did the trick and 5 or 6 years later, I'm pain free. Plus I know the benefits of knitting as an escape too.
And it would be rude not to be envious of you and Daniel Craig between the sheets...
Posted by: Dragonfly | October 25, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Brought the magazine when I did my shopping -I didn't know it was for older people until I saw all the ad's!! I'm in my 30's so got some odd looks. Nice to see a picture of you. I love your knitting, sometimes I get bored of knitting but when that happens I shall visit your blog to inspire me :) x
Posted by: josie-mary | October 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
What an inspiration you are to so many!
Posted by: Frugal Trenches | October 25, 2008 at 07:00 PM
I decided to learn how to knit after the death of my 7 year old son last year. It is definitely therapeutic.
I have admired your creations for some time now. They are so beautiful.
Posted by: Jenny | October 26, 2008 at 01:58 AM
How exciting! Maybe Mr. 007 will call you for advice on knitting? Seriously, I know what you mean about it helping your sanity. Doing crafty things DOES keep me sane, I am sure of it. It puts your head in a totally different place for awhile, like a mental vacation.
Posted by: Jane | October 27, 2008 at 02:19 AM