Julie Brocklehurst is the designer and maker behind the local brand, Logy Made. Celebrating the rich tradition of crocheting that has engrossed and occupied generations of Newfoundlanders, Julie makes traditional granny square blankets from her cozy home in Logy Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. Her designs are minimal and modern, with a nod to the past. All items are handmade with love and careful attention to detail. Julie takes pride in creating custom pieces and heirloom quality modern crochet goods. I remember my grandmother teaching me to crochet when I was just a little girl - using cotton thread and a too small for my hand metal crochet hook. My Nan was an avid crocheter, making many tablecloths, doilies, and granny square blankets over the span of her beautiful 94 years. She was amazing. While I didn't stick with the hobby all those years ago, I revisited it again many years later and it felt right. When my first blanket was completed, I knew - this is it. This makes me happy. This feels like home. Years ago, before I was making my own items, I started collecting vintage and thrifted granny square blankets. Each one carries a story with them, and that is exactly what inspires me. The time that goes into creating these unique pieces is worth more than any price tag could reflect. My business has evolved in a very organic, spontaneous and natural way. Since the beginning of the pandemic and after months of time spent at home, people have come to value the comforts of a cozy space more than ever. They turned to me to create special comfort items - blankets that evoke warm memories of childhood and of visits to Nanny and Poppy's house. I love that my pieces stir up such fond feelings of simpler days. In turn, I have also come to appreciate the practice of slow living - taking a calmer and more balanced approach to life. Being intentional with my time allows me to be most productive and curate a more meaningful and conscious lifestyle that's in line with what I value most in life. I am a mother of two children who have significant medical needs, and caring for them is my first priority. Most days, my time is consumed with caregiving, and while my hands and my heart are full, I am thankful for this creative outlet. Being able to work from my home, close to the ocean, surrounded by nature has become increasingly important to me. It helps keep me grounded, allows me to relax and puts things into perspective. I have made many meaningful pieces over the years, but some stand out over the others - A blanket made from squares that a grandmother started but didn't get to finish before she passed. Repairing a lap blanket that had been in a family for generations and was showing a few too many signs of wear. A new blanket made out of balls of yarn discovered in a late mother's possessions. It has become apparent to me that many of us want these same things - we want one more hug with our grandma who is no longer with us, we want our kids to tell us they remember the memories we made for them, and we want our loved ones to know that they are just that - loved. Each granny square blanket is made with love, and is an art piece in its own right, however, I believe that my greatest work of art is continuously being created - not out of yarn, but in the beautiful truth of living a life well-lived.   Submitted By: NULL