Thursday, 10 April 2014

Mand-A-Long inspiration



Today I’m inspired by the pink and green loveliness found outside my back door...







...I’m inspired by lazy holiday mornings, allowing me to quietly enjoy the garden in the shiny-bright morning sunshine...



...I’m inspired by you! All of you lovelies who have linked up, emailed, shared your mandalas and their myriad uses, including these gems:

* Jane at Flowerhouse made the prettiest mandala to use as a bowl cover. I envisage a set to take along on a picnic!

* The Snail Garden created a mandala using Anchor 8 Cotton Perle in bright pastels and a 1.75mm hook, which she is making into a piece of jewellery. Genius!

* Helena’s Creative Maven hooked up three different patterns, but used the same colour palette for each, resulting in a coordinated trio she mounted on the wall.

* Shari at A Stitched Pattern simply used a mandala to get her mojo back! Woo hoo!

Now adjust your reading spectacles, because you have to peer closely at the next few photos – I've added a circle to highlight the area - the birds have discovered the nesting materials the girls draped over the border shrubs and tucked into an empty feeder:



Yarn ends and some spare toy stuffing from the April Fool’s prank made this little blue tit very happy indeed! He sat on the branch for a few minutes tugging away to get just the right amount; I grabbed my camera and hoped that I might get some half-decent images through the glass kitchen door.


One last thing – have you entered my giveaway yet? If not, pop over here and leave a comment, I’ll be choosing random winner on Saturday!

Thank you everyone for joining in our crazy Mand-A-Long. Link up your latest makes and ideas below!

Chrissie x

36 comments:

  1. How lovely Chrissie!!! my favorite colors!
    xx Shari

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  2. Pink and green are my favorite combination. This is such a pretty mandala. I love the bird photos, isn't it funny what they'll collect for themselves? It must be nice and cushy and warm in that nest. :)

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  3. YOur colours are so beautiful they remind me of spring. I am a bit late on the journey but I am finally joining in with this :-) x

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  4. What beautiful colours in your mandala! The garden is a great source of inspiration! I love your pink tulips - a treat for the eyes! Anna x

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  5. I love all your pink and green photos, such a pretty mandala too! How sweet the blue tit is collecting nesting material.....must put some of my crafty left overs outside too!
    Helen xox

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  6. Loving the colours you chose for this mandala and how clever is that blue tit, stunning photo btw. Sending much love xoxo

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  7. Chrissie that so pretty...I love that little bird they are so adorable...you will have lots of baby tits soon...ahhhh
    xxx

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  8. Pink and green make such a pretty combination and there's nothing like nature for colour inspiration. Your latest mandala is lovely as are those tulips. Thanks Chrissie to you and Daisy for the Mand-a-long, it's been a lot of fun. Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Jane x

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  9. It's gorgeous, just perfect spring colours.

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  10. Anonymous5:38 pm BST

    I see what you mean about the pink and green now! It's a lovely colour combination - very pretty. Great photos of your blue tit.

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  11. Gorgeous colors and pictures !!!
    I have an award for you on my blog !
    Anna

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  12. What gorgeous colours and how lovely that the bird is using the spare materials.

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  13. Love all those soft colours... Your mandala looks so pretty!

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  14. I love pinks and greens too, your pretty pink tulips are wonderful!! Loving your latest mandala. Enjoy your week Chrissie, Sam xx

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  15. Oh Chrissie that is so pretty...with your help, I'm linking up with my first ever Mandala xo

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  16. Really, really pretty Chrissie.
    Kate x

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  17. Gorgeous colours - reminds me of those yummy candy coated almonds!

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  18. Gorgeous spring colours really pretty.

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  19. I think you and I might be kindred spirits!

    I love your mandala and delight in that strong citrus green you've chosen with the pastel pinks - just gorgeous.

    I have so made a note to self to pop some toy stuffing on the bird table in the morning! Aren't blue tits the dearest little things?

    Have a super weekend.

    Heather xx

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  20. I love the colours you chose for this mandala - so pretty. Don't they look so different in different colourways - mine is the same pattern. Beautiful tulips too. x

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  21. Such pretty colours! If only I could crochet ... sigh.

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  22. What a gorgeous post my friend, all the pinks are absolutely wonderful, I LOVE them! Your mandala is so pretty and I love the addition of the green contrast with the pink! How about those sweet bluetits and how lovely for your girls to place the nest-making fodder in there for them!
    I thought I was 'over' mandalas but with all these beauties I'm seeing I think I may just manage another, haha, so thanks once again for the opportunity to add to your link-up! Have a great weekend Chrissie, love, Joy xo

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  23. Such pretty colours youare using, subtle and calming. I have never made a mandela I might just have to get my butt in gear and make one.

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  24. Love the colours you have chosen, that green makes it sing!

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  25. I am not a mandalonger but I am admiring those that are. Aren't they beautiful? Jo x

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  26. I'm sucumbed to the lure of the mandala at last, your one is so very pretty, I've been get inspriration for mine from the garden to.
    Clare x

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  27. What beautiful inspiration for your mandala! xx

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  28. Beautiful post! I love your crochet colours! Nature is always the best inspiration! Sweet little bird!
    Have a fabulous weekend!
    Greetings from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  29. I'm loving all these mandala's, I hope to pick up my hook soon and join you. Have a great weekend. X

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  30. Gorgeous post Chrissie. I adore pink and green together such a pretty combination. Your mandala is stunning as are your pretty garden tulips. Wishing you a lovely weekend!
    Marianne x

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  31. Nothing sums up spring more than pink and green, I think. The mandala is so pretty and the pics of the blue tit are so lovely. XX

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  32. PS. Loving your new look blog!

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  33. Oh I love all these mandalas. I so wish I could have joined but a bum hand means no crocheting for me. Your pink and green is so very pretty.

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  34. I love it when the seasons influence our creativity like this, those pinks and greens are so soft and calming. How wonderful that you caught that blue tit gathering your yarn scraps for it's nest!

    (We're half way through season two of House of Cards - oh my word! I remember you said it was good. That bit in the first episode with the train!!! John is limiting me to two episode a night. I am half in love with the Underwoods, half disgusted with them. Brilliant!) xx

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  35. What a wonderful mandala, Chrissie! ♥ Just my favorite color combination :-). And thanks for the great mand-a-long!! ♥ Unfortunately I'm too late for the link-up but enjoyed making a rainbow mandala pattern :-). Greetings, Nata

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  36. These are just lovely! And I love the colors! I am inspired:-) So glad to have found you. Your newest follower....Terri

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