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bear, bears, candle wicking, candlewicking, crochet, dog, festival, grey sweater, hand crocheted, handknit, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, handmade bear, Handmade Bears, handsewing, international, international festival, Knitting, Little black Dog, love summer, Miekie, miniature bear, needle booklet, sewing, Stitching, summer, sweater, vintage look bear
October is coming to a close already. How very quickly this Spring season has passed. It is warm and sunny here in Johannesburg, and we had good rain on the weekend.
We were really fortunately to have stunning weather during the annual International Festival at work. Each year we host a festival for all the students from outside South Africa that study here. They then cook a meal from their country and share with us. The food is amazing. Each flag represents the students from that country.
With the warmer weather, I have been knitting a bit less on my grey sweater. I did still get the sleeves long enough and am now ready to get to joining them all together. Still not being able to just not be busy, I have knitted a few dishcloths, decided to try my hand at making a small needle book, (it needed to have the corners starched to stay flat), and sorted my mini skeins into large jars. Each jar got a crocheted doily for its lid.
Sweater progress
And since I am still in the mood to stitch, I cut out the next mini bear. Old Blu is already cut and ready for stitching.
Something I have not done for a very long time, is “candlewicking” It is a type of embroidery. I have opted to use a bit of colour, in shades if blue, and not stick to the traditional unbleached creamy colours.
Some stitching ideas being planned
And of course, despite all the busy crafty hustle and bustle Miekie is just relaxing and enjoying the sunny mornings in my bed. That look simply says it all.
Miekie
littleblackdogsa 
Love all of your projects! You have been very busy. Perhaps a response to the lovely Spring? I am curious as to where you find your mini bear patterns/kits. Thank you for sharing.
🙂 Thank you so much.
Indeed, must be the weather and Spring feeling. Such a lovely time of the year, one wants to try everything.
There is a lady here from Johannesburg “Honeydew Bears” that puts the kits together and puts all the bits and pieces in the kit. She is amazingly talented. 🙂 I actually just ordered 2 kits from her, and will visit her next weekend to pick them up.
https://www.honeydewbears.co.za/index.php
Feel free to check out her website on the above link. She has the cutest X Mas kits in stock now. And she ships internationally as well.
Have a fabulous week and weekend. 🙂
Lovely you have been busy 🦉🦋🐶😀🐌🌺💐🕊
Thank you. 🙂
The candlewicking looks interesting – I don’t really know what it is so look forward to following your progress.
🙂 Thank you. I have not done candlewicking for so long. It used to be popular many many years ago. It is probably not done much anymore these days, I just feel like doing it again. Will keep you posted. 🙂
Aw! What a lovely picture of Miekie. Give her a hug from me. Love your little needle book. I’ve never done candlewicking – will have to investigate at some point, meantime I look forward to seeing yours develop. What a lovely idea about the students cooking! Hope you’re having a fab week xx
Hi and thank you. I will pass on the hug.
I did candlewicking so many years ago, it was pretty popular here. I am not sure if its done much nowadays, I just feel like doing it again. 🙂 It is pretty easy and fast to create a little gift or two even.
We love our students, they are always fun and so very interesting.
I am having a good week, and enjoying the lovely weather. Hope your weather is good to, and not to cold just yet.
Enjoy the week, and coming weekend. 🙂
Candelwicking sounds as if it should be something from the past – although that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t make a comeback. Been misty and warm the last two days, but sunny and warm for time of year today 🙂 xx
🙂 Candlewicking is pretty much from the past. I just feel like doing it again, as I used to really enjoy it many many years ago. Simple and uncomplicated.
Your weather sounds great, enjoy. It is overcast here today, and we would appreciate the rain too. 🙂
Will blow the clouds your way next time we have them 🙂
🙂
Looks like you are going to be busy
🙂 For sure. The lovely Spring weather makes one feel so full of energy.
Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. I just love the little jars filled with little yarn skeins. How sweet! And the crocheted toppers are just so perfect. I think I tried candlewicking a very long time ago. If I remember correctly, it is all french knots? I am so terrible at those, and never did get far into that project before giving it away. I can’t wait to see your project in all of those pretty blue threads! Enjoy your summer. I am so jealous as we are heading into our winter season (my least favorite season)
Hi there, so nice to hear from you. Thank you for all your lovely comments. Indeed, candlewicking is pretty old. I just have an urge to do it again. Lots of french knots, but that makes it goes quickly. 🙂
I trust the weather is still treating you kindly and it is still pretty cozy and mild. We had a chilly weekend but today is all sunny again. 🙂 Soon it will be just hot summers days, and I will long for our winter again. 🙂
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