Bookmarks & Bookends.
A ‘Pay it Forward’ idea is born when Oggy makes a visit to one very special character.
Bookmarks & Book Ends - the Story: One cloudy afternoon in November, just as Remembrance Day had passed and everything had turned a little quiet, Oggy's thoughts turned to one of his best friends - Pearly Pink. He was a little worried that he had not heard from her in a while. She had been suffering with a bit of a head cold, so armed with his beloved puppy Bran tucked under his arm, he carried him over to Pearly Pink's place. Oggy didn't have far to travel because she lived quite near. So he tramped through soggy leaves that had turned into every lovely autumnal colour imaginable. Bran didn't like the cold much, so he huddled behind Oggy's coat with a giant scarf wrapped around his neck to keep him warm. When Oggy arrived, he knocked politely on Pearly Pink's door and called out: 'Coo-ey.. Pearly - are you home?' He heard a faint 'Come in,' but he hesitated, as usually her voice was... well... a bit loud. However, there she was, sat beside her beautiful fire beavering away making something that looked remarkably like... 'Well I never!' Oggy said amazed as he realised what it was she was making. 'Why, Pearly, these are absolutely wonderful!' She squeaked 'Sorry Oggy, I have lost my voice a bit. Would you like a cup of tea?' Oggy offered to make tea instead and gave her Bran to look after. She loved making a fuss of him and laughed when he got himself tangled up in her yarn basket.She noticed that they were both wearing the acorn jumpers she had made them last year which pleased her very much. She decided there and then that they must have matching scarves soon too. Oggy came out of the kitchen with a teapot tray and placed it carefully beside her. 'It's so lovely to see you both,' she smiled warmly at them, ruffling Bran's scruffy neck. He thumped his leg in delight at the tickles and immediately lay on his back for some extra scratches. 'My... Pearly.. You have been busy!' Oggy grinned at his friend as he looked inquisitively at the delightful hand crocheted items before him. "Why! - they are just like us!'
Pearly Pink smiled appreciatively. 'I am so happy you like them Oggy. I have been trying to master the art of crochet. I have always knitted everything before and wanted to learn a new skill.' 'Perhaps we should start a little group?' Oggy offered, 'I am sure that you could show the others how to crochet, once you are better, and everyone could make a bookmark or book end for each member of our little gang... like it is a little 'pay it forward' project.' 'Why Oggy,' Pearly exclaimed, clapping in excitement. 'What an absolutely wonderful idea!'
So, before you know it, Pearly had written a note to every friend, inviting them to visit a week on Saturday, for a 'Very Special Creativity Project,' and asked Oggy to deliver them. As the friends sat, warming by the fire, they talked about all of their friends, and their new super idea. Pearly asked for each friend: One to gather yarn, One to gather buttons, One to gather beads, One to provide paper for packaging, One to bring extra crochet needles, One to bring thread One to bring Autumnal items to decorate boxes. They all dutifully gathered the following Saturday, chattering away among themselves, each curious to know what Pearly and Oggy had in mind. The warmth of their presence and the welcome they each received made Pearly realise that she had some very special friends indeed. When she told them of their idea, the friends all thought it was a great one. So they sat beside the fire, and giggled as they practised making their little character faces. Each of them turned to the other to compare their creations as their own faces appeared before them. Some were rather wonky, others had a ear missing or the nose was in the wrong place. But that made them laugh all the more.
'This project isn't about perfection you see,' Oggy explained. 'It's about sharing and having fun, while creating something special for everyone. Hedge: 'We should make an extra bookmark for Hild and send it to her.' Pearly: 'Oh Hedge! That would be rather special, just imagine her using it at the abbey!' Lach: 'I know that Aidan would love one too.' Fenn: 'Perhaps send them one of each other?' he giggled. Oggy: 'That's a rather brilliant idea Fenn.' Fenn: 'Who is going to make those naughty little Story Sprouts?' Uddin: 'Not just in green, mind you. In lots of lovely bright colours. They are rascals after all.' Pearly: 'Let's make a plan for everyone to make one each next weekend, if we are all free?' The friends chorused in unison that they were. Someone else in the gang said that the little fabric bookends would make the perfect finishing touch to their project idea. So that task was added to their list. Suddenly Pearly realised that what began as her own little hobby project and Oggy's lovely idea to involve all their friends had become something rather special.
Epilogue: By the following weekend, Pearly's little workshop was once again full of activity. There were bookmarks of every shape and colour, little characters peeping out from parcels, and even a few rather splendid bookends taking shape. Everyone had made something for someone else, and everyone had a little parcel to take home. Oggy looked around at his friends and smiled. "Do you know what I think, everyone? We've made rather more than bookmarks and bookends today. We've made a little happiness to share."Pearly Pink beamed. "And that's the loveliest thing of all," she said. As the friends gathered their parcels and prepared to leave, she looked towards her little fire, her baskets of yarn and the happy faces all around her. What had started as a quiet afternoon making something for herself had become a very special adventure indeed. And somewhere, in homes and libraries and little corners of Oggy's World, a few new treasures were about to find their way into the hands of someone special. After all, the nicest things are often the ones we make and give away. For the pattern: (courtesy of Olha Designs, which has been adapted and reinterpreted for Oggy.press) Three_Tiny_Tales_Mouse_Bookmark_Trio_Crochet_Pattern-1
Pearly Pink’s Little Workshop
Would you like to make something too?
Pearly Pink thinks everyone has a little creative magic inside them. You don't need to be an expert knitter or crocheter, and you certainly don't need fancy materials! You could: Draw your favourite Oggy's World character and turn it into a paper bookmark. Decorate a bookmark with autumn leaves, little stars, buttons or colourful patterns. Make a little character from wool, felt, fabric or whatever you have to hand. Create a pair of bookends to keep your favourite stories company. But Pearly has one very special request... Don't just make something for yourself. Choose someone you'd like to surprise with your creation! It could be a friend, a brother or sister, a grandparent, a teacher or someone who might enjoy a little unexpected kindness. Give your creation to them, with a little message to say it was made especially for them. And perhaps they'll be inspired to make something for someone else! That's how a little kindness travels.
Happy making, everyone!
Love from Pearly Pink xxx
🧶💖🪡🧵💖🐭🧶💖
Bookmark Pattern coming soon!
Book of the Month:
Bran & the Great Sock Heist (story)
A little handmade treasure – of Bran
Meet Bran, one of Oggy’s very special friends, and discover the adventure behind this month’s handmade character bookmark.
A story, a character and a little handmade treasure.
