Europe is so gorgeous!

Tags

air france, amsterdam, antwerp, antwerpen, belgium, brussels, dutch airlines, Europe, holland, klm, netherlands, rotterdam, schroder, stephen and penelope, Stitching, travel, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

I have not been around here for a bit, and the good news is that I was travelling to Europe for a vacation.

It was very hot, and I got a lovely tan to show off now.  🙂  I only visited Belgium and Holland, and tried to see as much as is possible.  I absolutely loved every moment of it, and I think I left a little piece of myself behind in Rotterdam.  I fell in love with this city the moment I arrived.  Everywhere we went was stunning and gorgeous, and I did everything I could to see it all.  But in Rotterdam I had the best time.  I definitely plan to go back and spend time there again.

The first stop was Belgium, and we stayed in Brussels. I did not have any idea of where the woolshops or such was.  I did however discover these gorgeously soft yarns in the back of a huge store, and also got the sweetest little kit for a doggie to stitch.

European Vacation Shopping

European Vacation Shopping

In Rotterdam I took some time one morning and visited the store Schroder.  It was a quick walk there, and I had such a lovely time.  I spent time with the lovely ladies assisting me, and we had lots of good chats and laughs.  The choice was difficult.  🙂  I wanted it all, but had to keep in mind going home with it all.  So I settled for some Scheepjes knitting yarn, and Scheepjes crochet cottons, and of course, I could not resist a few stunning pieces of pretty blue dutch themed fabric.  I did not get around to Jawol in Rotterdam, as it was summer holidays and most stores were enjoying the holidays too.  I did go to the Markthal and was overwhelmed.  🙂  A must see to all.  And if you are not afraid of heights, Euromast!!  I went all the way to the top, and we even had lunch in the restaurant there, way up in the sky.

European Vacation Shopping

Amsterdam had to include a stop at De Bejinkorf, of course.  I checked out the routes there the evening we arrived already, so I knew where to go the next day.  🙂  And the lovely Stephen and Penelope is walking distance from there.  I am so happy I finally got around to the store, and loved the visit.  Such a lot of yarns, notions, pins, bags, needles and hooks.  I loved the yarn I got, “the Night Watch” as inspired by the famous painting.  And how cute are those little house needle size gauges.

🙂  yes I did see all the paintings and visited the museums too.

European Vacation Shopping

So worth the trip, and so worth the long haul home.  It was 37 hours from getting up the morning, last few hours before travelling later in the afternoon, layover in Paris, overnight flight, and getting back to Johannesburg the next day.  Collecting Miekie and finally home again.  I will do it again anytime.

Going home again

Thank you Air France and KLM for taking such good care of us.

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New projects and Wips’

Tags

blanket, bunny, crochet, crochet bag, crochet bags, crocheting, cross stitch, cross stitches, cross stitching, embroidery, floppy bunny, hand crochet, hand crocheted, hand stitched, handknitting, handmade, kitchen cloths, knitted blanket, knitted squares, pure cotton, stitches, Stitching

So it is already July and the middle of the year.

And with that, a lot of new small projects and new wip’s that have found their way onto my needles and hooks.

The blanket square pattern are now settled.  I am happy with the look of the pattern and will continue to knit these squares until I have used all the yarn and have enough squares for a blanket.  🙂  It is a large project that may take a bit, but in the end I will have a pretty big and cozy blanket.

Blanket squares

Then I started with some crochet.  🙂  I had been in the mood to crochet something, and small projects like these crocheted bags were just what I needed to feel very happy with taking out my hooks again.

I made a small cotton bag, and this local cotton works so well.  It is lovely and sturdy and feels good on your hands.

Crochet bag in blue

Crochet bag in blue

Crochet bag in blue

Then I also crocheted a bamboo bag.  I love bamboo yarn to crochet with, it is very smooth and easy to work with.  I added a pretty daisy that I got from a swap buddy last year.  It really adds to the bag, and makes it super cheerful.

Yellow crochet bag

Yellow crochet bag

Yellow crochet bag

Still working with cotton, I am making a small pile of cotton kitchen cloths.  This is the first one, with a few more to follow.

for the kitchen

And thanks to all the beautiful embroidery work of so many, I could no longer keep myself in check.  I have started a cross stitch project.  I am not sure yet if I will be framing it, or using it as a tea cloth or a centrepiece for something larger.  But I love the variegated floss I got and am working on this when the light is good.  (old eyes you know 🙂 )

a bit of embroidery

Also lurking in the background is this floppy bunny.  I have cut the white fur.  🙂  and had bits of white fur and fluff all over the table and workplace in the end.  I still have to cut the grey fur, which is about twice as much.  🙂  but am still working up the courage to cut into this fluffy fur again.  It is gorgeously soft and will sew up beautifully I think.

Fluffy floppy bunny

It is of course mid winter here in Johannesburg, so lots of time to relax and craft and enjoy a sunny cozy spot in the sun.

Happy crafting all.

Keeping it going

Tags

Beanies, embroidery, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, Hats, Knitting, knitting hats, Stitching

It is very noticeable just how much you start to craft and feel like crafting once the weather turns, and you are cozy and comfy in a spot of sunlight on a chilly Fall day.

That is how is feels to me at least.  During summer I did craft, but I think a lot less.  Now I am on a roll again.

I have cast on a quick hat, I think I want this one for myself.

Cabled Beanie

And I even stitched this little kit that I had.  I had not done embroidery for a while, and loved it.  I tried to keep the black lines of the design to give it a little different look.  Normally I cover the design lines and wash them out.  But I think this works.

Embroidery kit

The crocket “Woodpecker” blanket is coming along too, I should even be using it this winter when the really colder weather arrives.

 

Finished items too

Tags

candle wicking, candlewicking, embroidery, hand knitted, hand knitting, handknit, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, Knitting, lambswool, stitches, Stitching, sweater

And since it was raining, I had the perfect time to finish my grey lambswool sweater.  I knitted a type of collar for it, that is open on the side, with buttons and buttonholes.  So I can wear it open, or with a brooch, or buttoned up to keep the wind out.

Grey Lambswool Sweater

I am very happy with the way in turned out, and I look forward to the coming winter next year so I can wear it.

Grey Lambswool Sweater

Grey Lambswool Sweater

 

I finished the candlewicking a little while ago.  It turned out pretty neat.  I do think I want to try something a bit bigger now, the stitching and embroidery was so much fun and I enjoyed it so much.

Stitching Santa

#Stitchingsanta 2017

Tags

coasters, crochet, Gifts, goodies, handknitting, handmade, Knitting, mugrugs, sewing, Stitching, stitching santa 2017, surprise, swap goodies

I am happy to say that we Finally had a rainy day.  It rained beautifully for most of the day on Saturday.  I loved the rain, as we desperately need it.

It also meant I got to get crafting and hibernate.

I worked on my #stitchingsanta2017 partner goodies.  I am not good at sewing, but gave it a try and made some mug mats.  In bright and cheerful colours.  I also made a few crocheted coasters.

Stitching Santa 2017

And I still have some goodies that is not finished yet.  More to follow soon.

Stitching Santa 2017

I did some wool shopping as well.  I may keep those as a surprise.

Progress update.

Tags

candle wicking, candlewicking, embroidery, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, konoha no shawlette, lambswool, Shawl, shawlette, Stitching, sweater, sweater knitting

It has been a lovely hot weekend, and despite the heat and warm sunny days, I even got around to some knitting and crafting.  🙂

So just a quick update this morning of my progress:

My grey lambswool sweater is now in one piece, and it is so soft and warm.  I need to knit the neck and add a few finishing touches.

Grey Lambswool sweater – Progress

Grey Lambswool sweater – Progress

Grey Lambswool sweater – Progress

Grey Lambswool sweater – Progress

The shawlette I am working on, is as good as halfway there.  One or two more pattern repeats and I can start the decrease section.  Quick and easy, and the perfect kerchief for any winter sweater.

Shawlette progress

Shawlette progress

The best part of the weekend was to embroider on the candlewicking piece I am working on.  I just loved making all the little french knots in various thickness of threads.  Mostly using shades of blue.  Now on to the other last bit of embroidery, and then into its frame and on the wall.  🙂

Candlewicking

Candlewicking

Heading for Summer

Tags

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.

International Festival

International Festival

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

Needle booklet making

Needle booklet making

Needle Book

Bottle covers

Bottle covers

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.

Old Blu Bear

Old Blu Bear

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

A little something different

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

 

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 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

It was a time for Fairies and stitching

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

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

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

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.