Mother’s Day

I received these beautiful Proteas (our national flower) on Mothers day from my daughter.

I think they are so pretty, they will last for weeks on end, as they have hardy stems they do not rot in the water.  Later I will dry them and keep them, as they dry very well.

Giraffe

This was one of the many gifts I received for Mothers Day.  I adore Giraffes, and have a whole collection already.  This one I received from my daughter, it is about a metre high, and made from wire and glass beads.  Quite heavy!

It got a very special little place in the dining room!

 

Wool for winter knitting

My recent wool shopping spree finds.  The grey wool on the top is imported, and so very very soft.  It has a gradient from very light to a deep and rich dark grey.  Cannot wait to knit with it.

Some more of the wool I bought for the winter knitting.  The red is going to be new fingerless mittens!!

Sock wool

I am planning to knit socks with these lovely ones.  The light blue / turqoise is my favs!  I hope to knit and  swop internationally.

African Bronze

Some time ago my daughter bought me these two gorgeous bronze “African symbols”.  Both were just attached to a black cord, so wearing them was not always feasible, as they did not quite suit my style.  I loved them, and did not put them away, they sat on my dressing table looking pretty.

So I decided to redo them, in something more my style, easy to wear, and not to flashy, but still pretty.

As I have boxes and boxes of beads, I decided to see what would match and work.  It was not hard to find the right matching colours and sizes and shapes.  I tend to buy beads every opportunity I get, so I have more than enough when I want to work with them.  All I had to do, was go shopping for a nice bronze chain, which I found easily, and I think it just fits perfectly.  The one piece is a very everyday piece, with its round pendant like look.  The colour of the bronze chain and beads I think compliments each other just as well.  This is a perfect piece to wear during autumn and winter, it goes with just about any outfit and winter sweater.

The second piece I based on the idea I had of a more religious piece, and a bit more elegant, small beads, with gold to compliment the bronze, giving it a more expensive and luxurious look.

I am very happy with both pieces, and now I no longer have to just have them sit on my dressing table, looking pretty, but I can grab them and wear them any time.  With the winter on its way, they are just what I need to wear.  And the very best part, I already have bronze earrings and a bracelet to wear with them.

So now for the next piece or two, or maybe I should get out the wool and knitting, I love knitting in winter, especially large pieces, as I can keep it on my lap and keep nice and warm.  Or else, just a few pairs of socks, just for the fun of it!

Grandma’s locket

This was my Grandmothers locket.  She gave it to me many years ago, still with the original little photographs inside.  It is now nearly ten years since she had passed away.

I have been trying many ways to wear it, but always undid my work.  Satin ribbons, velvet ribbons, organza ribbons, gold chain, nothing really seemed to work!  I would wear it a few times, and then decide that the piece is just not right or is just not working.  It is not doing justice to my Grandmothers locket.  So every time I would change my mind and change the jewellery piece.  This was at least for a couple of years.

But then I came up with the idea that I should not just try and do justice to the locket, but actually make it my own.  That is why my Grandmother gave it to me anyway.  So I incorporated it into my own style of jewellery pieces, matching and complimenting it with other favourites.  Pretty charms, lace and pearls.  And not the modern blingy gold either.  And finally, it all came together.  Soft, romantic and mysterious, yet simply and elegant.

I am really very happy with the final results.  I have worn this jewellery piece quite a few times now, and every time I have received many compliments.  I now know this piece is working for me, and it just feels good to wear it.

Trial, tried and tested.  This time I am sure that I will not be changing my design again.

Hello world!

This is what started it all.

I call it: “The Gray Blanket” project.  My daughter persuaded me in 2011 to knit a double bed blanket for a friend of hers, and since it was winter here in South Africa, that is exactly what I did.  I have been knitting for nearly as long as I can remember, but little did I know then that it would be the start of a whole new world.

I was lucky to be on Winter Vacation at the University, and I was very fortunate to find super (imported from ISTANBUL) wool that knitted like a dream.  And so I knitted the blanket during the winter months, it was so cosy and warm, I spent hours knitting, watching movies and series.  It almost felt like I was hibernating!!

The blanket was loved by its new owner, and I only got the most wonderful feedback.  So I decided to send some of my pictures to a local magazine.  They also loved my letter and pictures, and published it in there Jan 2012 magazine.

And that is what made me decide to blog and share!