Busy August month.

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

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

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

Mini Garden

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

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!!

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.  🙂

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

Have a great September all!!

 

 

 

 

 

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Stay Cosy Winter Swap

Tags

alpaca, bags, Made in Peru, Notion Bags, Peru, Peru Yarn, Pompoms, project bags, Rowan alpaca, Rowan Alpaca Colour, Sirdar Colourwheel, Sock pattern, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap, Winter swap, Yarnbling

It is winter here, and of course, time for a nice Stay Cosy Swap.  It was just a quick and comforting swap, as no knitting or crochet was needed, just the kind and warmheartedness of buddies swapping something warm and cozy, with would mean Yarn, of course, and something nice and warm to drink.  My buddy likes coffee, so I got her a lovely toffee flavoured coffee to enjoy and my favourite Dutch cookies (Koffieleutjes).  And since she has recently indulged in knitting her first pair of socks, I could not resist sharing a pretty sock pattern with her.

Winter Cozy Swap Goodies

But since I was in the yarn store to get her some Alpaca, which was on her list, and she has never knitted with it before, I could not resist bringing some lovely Alpaca home for myself as well.  These lovely neutral colours just had to be part of my stash.

Rowan Alpaca Colour

Made in Peru

Rowan Alpaca Colour

The yarn store also had some new goodies, like these super cute (fake) fur pompoms.  Not so widely available here, and I was lucky to come across these.  They also had a Sirdar Colourwheel, that I had not seen yet, and I opted for something cheerful, but not overly bright.  I think this cake will knit up pretty well into a comfy shawl for those very grey chilly winters days, when you just need to feel like Spring is around the corner.

Furry Pompoms

Colourwheel Yarn

And the lovely Sally at Yarnbling updated her store.  New Project Bags!!  The fabric of these are stunning, with butterflies and dragonflies.  I got a really huge bag this time, for those big projects.  And some notions bags to match.  She also had a few bags left in a previous range, and I ordered this stunning white bag with embroidered flowers on.  Just the right size for a lace shawl, or my sock projects.

Goodies

Project Bags and Notions Bags

Project Bags and Notions Bags

I was very pleasantly surprised when I opened the one little notions bag, and got these super cute stitch markers inside.  What a lovely surprise and way to spoil a person.  I love these small markers, they work so well on lace projects.

Stitch Markers

Finland Swap

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

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

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.

Swap update

Tags

African Expressions, bag, beads, buttons, handmade buttons, project bags, ribbons, socks, south africa, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap buddy, swap goodies, swap package, swaps, swaps2016, yarn

The package I sent to Finland, made it safely.

I am happy that the socks I knitted for her, fits just right.  Now I can reveal the goodies.

I knitted these socks for her, in one of her favourite colours. And I included a SA handmade batik project bag for small projects.  African Expressions yarn, it is lovely and soft and knits up so well. Sweets and treats that are some of my favourites, and a handful of knitting goodies and notions, including stitch markers that I made myself.

Finland Swap Package

Finland Swap Package

 

Finland Swap Package

Finland Swap Package

Finland Swap Package

 

I have been knitting on goodies for another swap, and so my sweater and blanket has been slow going.  I will show the swap gifts a bit later, it is for a local SA swap, and I should be sending out very soon.

Also working on the #stitchingsanta swap package, and until that package has arrived safely at its new home, it will have to remain a secret until Christmas.  🙂

Soon I will be back to my sweater and blanket.

I Love Bags!!

Tags

beads, crochet, handknit, handknitting, handmade, handsewing, Knitting, new project, project bag, project bags, skulls, stitch markers, stitchmarkers

I may suspect that I have recently been on a bit of a “bag loving binge”  I have been adding to my stock of Project bags recently, and these pretty ones are some of the lovely bags I got.

These bags I ordered from Gina at Natural Yarns.  The are handmade by “alovesupreme”. I loved the use of our national flower, The Protea, on the fabric.  The fabric is sturdy and the bag is fully lined.  The smaller bags have zipper closures, and the bigger bags are drawstring.  They are ideal for your notions and smaller projects.

New Project Bags

 

One bag that I have had my eyes on for a while now, was a cute bag with a “London” streetmap theme by Sally at Wooldiaries.  But I just never seemed to be able to meet up with her.  The perfect news came last week!  Sally’s online store Yarnbling is now open.  Of course, I could not resist placing the order for the London bag immediately.  And of course, a few extra.  The Skulls bag is so cute. And I love the bigger bag with the stars, it can take a nice large project.

New Project Bags

New Project Bags

New Project Bags

New Project Bags

 

Sally also spoiled me with a super cute gift.  She was in the area and dropped by the office to deliver my package, and I got the cutest notions baggie, with Stitchmarkers.  Just look at these little skulls.  I have never had little skulls.  The next lace project will see these dangling inbetween the thread.

New Project Bags