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Category Archives: Beading

Busy August month.

04 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Beading, Johannesburg, Knitting, My home, My pets, on my needles, Stitch Markers, Swaps, Sweater / Cardigan, Work in progress, yarns, Yarnstash

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

art pens, beading, birds, buds, chameleon pens, display, dog naps, giraffe, giraffes, hand knitting, home, knit, knits, kntting, Little black Dog, Miekie, mini garden, mini skeins, My home, nests, potted garden, sharpie paint pens, sharpie pens, Shawl, shawlette, spring, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, sweater, sweater knitting, tree, trees, weaver birds, weavers

Even though I have not been knitting as much as I really would have wanted to, I did keep pretty busy with so much else.

I did work a little bit on my grey sweater, and the sleeves are about halfway up the arm length.  🙂  I may only wear it next year for winter, as it is to late now, and the days have turned to Spring already.

I knitted this beautiful little shawlette years ago as a test knit for Naoko in Japan, and then I gifted it for a friend in Germany.  I have loved the pattern so much, I am going to re-knit it.

Sweater sleeve progress
Sweater sleeve progress
New minis in my yarn stash
New minis in my yarn stash

Not knitting meant I finally got around to doing some things I had been meaning to do.  Like rearrange my (ever increasing) collection of giraffes.  This is just some of them, but now they look a bit more organized.  🙂 yes there is still open spaces, you never know when one follows me home.

And I got around to making some stitch markers, some of which is for a swap buddy and friend.

Giraffes

Giraffes

IMG_0828
Stitch markers in the making
Stitch markers in the making
Stitch markers in the making

Spring is definitely already here, and she arrived right on time this year.  This tree in the garden is full of tiny leaves and buds.  I got the urge to make a mini garden in a large container, and these plants look pretty happy.

Spring is here
Spring is here
Mini Garden
Mini Garden
Weaver nests
Weaver nests

The weaver birds built some nests in the big palm tree in the garden.  But it would seem they were not happy, I found two nests on the ground, and the next day the last one was totally destroyed at the end of the day when I got home.  I still see the weavers in the garden at the feeding tray, however no nests.  It may be that they do not like the stray kitty that has taken up residence in the garden too.

Something I don’t have many of is Mini Skeins.  They are becoming very popular, and proving very helpful for those colourwork items and socks.  So I splashed out and ordered some as well.  Thank you Gina at Natural Yarns for these sets of gorgeous colours from Nurturing Fibres and KarooMoon.

New minis in my yarn stash
New minis in my yarn stash
IMG_0817
IMG_0818
IMG_0819

Another thing that I am absolutely loving, is the yearly sale at the local Art Supply Store Herbert Evans.  This store is amazing, and every year during August, they have such huge discounts, I truly spoil myself.  This year I have seen stunning new art pens and paints making their debut, and I loved the discounts, as it meant I could get a few sets.  They are sold separate as well.  I also got oil paint Sharpies, as they can write on glass and ceramics.  Just what I have been looking for.

New creative ideas!!

New creative ideas!!

And through it all Miekie do not really care what all the busy-ness and fuss is about, as long as she can nap on the sofa.  🙂

Miekie

So what is all the fuss about. I just want to nap.

Have a great September all!!

 

 

 

 

 

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A little something different

25 Thursday May 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Beading, Crochet, Embroidery, Shawls, winter, Work in progress, yarns, Yarnstash

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

beads, constellations, crochet, crocheting, embroidery, gift, Gifts, greenteatipple, scheepjes, scheepjes yarn, Shawl, stars, starsigns, Stitching, stormy day shawl, stormydayshawl, yarns

What do you do or give to two young arty people, that just about has everything they need?  That was what I was thinking about when I decided to make something for my daughter and son in law’s second wedding anniversary.  And it had to be modern enough to fit into a loft apartment in the city.  🙂

This is what I finally came up with.  It is their star constellations, embroidered and embellished with beads for the stars, and sequin and beads for the bigger stars.  I chose a hoop and attached a small black leather strap, as they have a round wooden mirror that hangs from a leather strap, in the bedroom.  Perfect match.  🙂

Embroidery - Wedding day Anniversary

Embroidery – Wedding day Anniversary

Embroidery - Wedding day Anniversary
Embroidery – Wedding day Anniversary
Embroidery - Wedding day Anniversary
Embroidery – Wedding day Anniversary

 

I ordered this stunning Scheepjes Yarn (Whirl) from BeInspired, as I simply loved it the moment I saw it.  This is Green Tea Tipple, not blue, but close.  🙂

Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple
Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple
Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple
Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple
Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple and Stormy Day Shawl

Scheepjes Green Tea Tipple and Stormy Day Shawl

I had to wrap my head around crocheting UK stitches / pattern, since I normally crochet and read patterns USA stitches when working on crochet items.  I am already getting the hang, and although progress is a bit slow, the darker colour is not to easy on the eyes when working at night, I am looking forward to moving into the lighter shades, and making faster progress.  I love this yarn, it is super soft, very light, and I am sure it will wear beautifully and be lovely and warm.

Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl
Stormy Day Shawl

Finland Swap

30 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by littleblackdogsa in 2016 Swaps, Beading, festive season, Happy Holidays, Knitting, Socks, Stitch Markers, Swaps

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

chocolates, fingerless mittens, finland, mittens, Moomin, needle case, socks, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016, treats, yarn

Earlier in the year, I got the opportunity to swap with a buddy all the way in stunning Finland.  And what a super swap it was.

My package quickly made its way to Birgit in Finland.  I made socks for her, and they were the perfect fit.

Then the wait began.  By now you all know that my post here can be slow at times, and once again it seems to have been the case.  The darling Birgit was really worried, but I assured her all the time not to worry, it will arrive eventually.

And it did.  Unfortunately by the time the package arrived, Birgit had already sent a second package and they both arrived at the same time.

I was so very happy to receive these stunning gifts and goodies.  Gorgeous socks, my favourite yellow mittens, and a stunning pair of fingerless mittens, with beads and lace detail.  So pretty, I am looking forward to winter to show them all off.

Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland

I got yarn, that I have already caked, stitch markers, a Moomin tin, chocolates, stationery and a notebook, the cutest needle holder, so much to mention.

Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland
Love from Finland

Yes, I have already caked the yarn and will be looking for a pretty idea soon to knit myself a pretty something with real handdyed yarn from Finland.

It was a time for Fairies and stitching

16 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Beading, Cross Stitch, Embroidery, Stitching

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

cross stitches, cross stitching, embroidery, fairies, fairy, framed, handmade, Handmake, stitches, Stitching

After receiving this very pretty Fairy cross stitch kit in a swap, quite some time ago, I prepared the floss and was indeed looking forward to starting on them. However it did not happen as soon as I had hoped.

But thanks to the lovely Ginny at My Time Stitching, her beautiful Mermaids and her inspiration, I got totally inspired to start stitching these pretty little Fairies.

It was a rather unusual kit, as the instructions indicated that you only “highlight” some of the areas on the printed fabric with cross stitches, and the diagrams indicated some areas as a suggestion only.  The floss was only for “highlighting” as it was by far not enough to cover the whole fabric.

Fairy Cross Stitch Work
Fairy Cross Stitch Work
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies

You are advised to use your own initiative as you go ahead and stitch areas that you want to bring out and accentuate. So that is exactly what I did.  But I got carried away when it came to the wings, thanks to Ginny and her beadwork on her Mermaids, and I added some beads to the wings as well.  Thanks Ginny.

Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies

As soon as I had completed them, I immediately got them framed in a little frame and hung them above my crafting table.

Cross Stitch Fairies
Cross Stitch Fairies

Now I am itching to stitch more.  Our summer is around the corner, and I only have one or two more winter projects to finish off, then I can start working on “summer projects” which may very well include some stitching.

 

Beading time

20 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Beading, General, Jewellery, Knitting

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

autumn, beaded items, beading, bugs, fall, festive, festive season, flowers, handmade, Handmake, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, stitch markers, teddies, teddy

It was time to make some stitch markers, one can just never have enough.  I simply adored these autumn colours and made rather a few.

Stitch Markers

Of course, I also had to make some for the Festive season, and I simply loved the “bugs and flowers”!  So cute and colourful.

Stitch Markers
Stitch Markers
Stitch Markers

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