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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The Joy of Winter :)

Tags

Bee Eater, box project bag, box project bags, cables, celtic cable, cheerful, grey, handknit, handmade, Johannesburg, johannesburg mornings, johannesburg weather, Kingfisher, knit, Knitting, linda's treehouse, project bag, project bags, sheep, south african yarn, stash, Sunshine Grows, sweater, travel, wool, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

I find winter in Johannesburg very pleasant and a joy.  It is not extremely cold, and the sun is pleasant and comforting.  I would not mind very much if we had our fair share of snow, since I do love snow.

But in Johannesburg we make the most of the pleasant winters days.  Like spending a glorious sunny cozy morning, having a cup of coffee and enjoying the stunning view of the country clubs’ lawns.  I bit dry in patches, which is to be expected in mid winter.

Winter Mornings in Johannesburg

I have been patiently knitting away at my grey sweater.  I have already reached the under the arm length, and have now cast on for the sleeves.  The progress is steady, and I am loving the way the cable insert is turning out.  I have no pattern for this, so I will need to look at the top construction as soon as the sleeves are long enough.

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

And I spoiled myself with a little bit of happy mail.  Stunning bright, cheerful yarns from Linda’s Treehouse, in Kingfisher.  I chose Bee Eater and Sunshine Grows.  I think these would be great summer wear items.  🙂  Or winter, as they are so cheerful.

New Stash Yarn

My latest find in project  bags are these Box Project bags.  They are square and deep with a zipper.  If you open them all the way, you can fold the top back and they double as a portable fabric yarn bowl.  The cute sheepies print on these were just irresistible.  I got two sizes, one for sock size projects and one for shawl size projects.

Box Project Bags

Box Project Bags

Box Project Bags

Rainy weekend.

Tags

chilly weather, cold weather, Johannesburg, johannesburg weather, jozi, rain, rainy weather, travel, winter, winter is here

It has been a rainy weekend here.  I spent the time hibernating and knitting.  It was excellent weather to stay indoors and craft and create.  Not good light though for taking many photos of my knitting, but the wrap is receiving lots of love and attention.  I have ordered yarn for a crochet project, and it should be arriving today.  Yay.

So this is how it started on Friday afternoon, the rain and cold winds rolled in just as I arrived at the stores for delicious weekend goodies and warm snacks.

Big storms rolling in.

And on Sunday I spend a large part of the day having a Mother’s Day breakfast and shopping with my daughter.  The weather turned icy cold just as we arrived and it then rained some more, after raining the whole of Saturday as well. We spend the time well, shopping for winter beanies and warmers.  Breakfast was delicious and warm, and included lots and lots of very good coffee.

The mall is stunning, and I can never get enough of the architecture and beauty of the design.

Still wet and chilly.

Cold and wet and grey out there.  It is definitely winter here now, and I am very happy with the colder weather. The trees are turning colour, and soon everything will be covered with a blanket of leaves.  I love this time of the year.

 

A busy crafty weekend

Tags

bear, bear fur, bears, birgit freyer, blanket, ceramic, ceramics, crochet blanket, granny squares, granny squares blanket, handknit, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, Handmade Bears, hartlam, hartlam yarns, Knitting, magazines, mongoose, Shawl, shetlace yarn, travel, undercoverotter, visits, weekend, yarn, yarncakes, yarns

It has been a lovely and busy crafty long weekend, and I am extremely happy with the time I could enjoy at home and out and about, still enjoying the last warm weather, as Fall has not arrived just yet and the days are still warm and so comfortable to be outside.  While visiting a friend in the countryside, these two came to visit and loved the fruits we shared with them.

Mother and Baby

 

Of course, I made the most of the time and cakes some yarns, cut the fabulous fur that I got from my sister for my next bear project and knitted on my Tanis Triangular Shawl.  The bear is slightly bigger than those I usually make, and I am so loving this fur.  My shawl is growing so fast, I am already at the lacy edge.

New Yarn

New Yarn

New Yarn

New Yarn

New Yarn

New Yarn

Becky Bear

Blue Shawl Progress

 

Sitting still and knitting and crafting was not all I did.  Having bought pretty little ceramic pieces and tiles over the last few months, it was time to get these into good use. A colleague (who knows me way to well) gave me two precious little wooden boxes, and I decorated them for use in my guest room / craft corner.  And as I love drinking tea, I made a stand for my teapot and another for my mugs.  (the last one still needs to dry a little longer before I dust off the grout)

Storage Boxes

Storage Boxes

Ceramics

 

And all my magazines got sorted and stored properly.  This little shelf is a self assembly project, and took a little work, but the holes were all pre-drilled and it was not to difficult in the end, with a little help of course.

Storage of Magazines

 

The granny square blanket is my daughter’s blanket, made for her more than twenty plus years ago, by my Grandmother, my daughters’ great-grandmother.  It is still in use and now have a precious place in my reading corner, along with my little porcelain doll that is more than 30 years old already.

Adding to my “collection” of needles

Tags

amsterdam, berlin, die wolllust, Gifts, goodies, knitpro, Knitting, knitting needles, stephen and penelope, travel

Following on my previous post, I want to share with you the beautiful knitting needles I ordered from Die WollLust in Berlin.  I placed the order online from Johannesburg, and my daughter were so kind to collect the needles for me when they visited Berlin. The lovely Birgit Freyer helped me online via emails and assisted me with my order.  I could send the money with my daughter to pay upon collection.

The first set is Knit Pro Melodies of Life.  It is beautifully boxed with 8 sets of needles, 6 cords, extension pieces, stoppers, and all the bits you will need, including a sweet little poach to keep all the bits in.  Also in the box is a set of stitch holders, in pretty and cheerful shiny colours, and two beautiful sets of handmade earrings.

I love this boxed set.

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

 

I also included a range of Knit Pro Royale needles.  I decided to get 12 sets, ranging from 3.0 mm to 8.0 mm and a few connector cables.  These will be so handy and will go a very long way towards expanding my current range of needles.

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

Since I started using these needles, I have slowly but certainly been adding to the needles I could buy here.  I still love and use straights, but enjoy working with these much more, as I feel my hands are not strained so much.

My daughter and son in law also went shopping while they were in Holland, and surprised my with this soft and squishy package.

It is an early birthday gift, but I am being good and not opening it just yet.  My birthday is only next month.  🙂  I am going to try and wait.

It is from Stephen and Penelope Fine Yarns in Amsterdam.

Happy Birthday from Amsterdam

 

World traveler. ;)

Tags

4 seasons, alphonse mucha, bear, berlin, berlin bear, biscuits, brooch, chocolate, dolls, Europe, Gifts, giraffe, giraffes, goodies, matryosha dolls, miffie, miffy, nesting dolls, painted egg, prague, Printers, puzzle, shoppers, shopping bags, snowglobe, spekulaas biscuits, spekulaas tea, tea, toblerone, travel

I have never left South Africa, nor (yet) visited Europe, but I feel like a world traveler.  All thanks to my daughter and son in law, and the beautiful gifts and goodies they bring home with them each time they get to visit Europe.

This year they visited Belgium, (son in law is Belgian) and they also got to visit Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam.

These are some of the goodies they brought home.

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

The cutest Matryoshka dolls, a gorgeous hand painted egg, and a brooch with little dolls on.

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

Treats!!  My favourite biscuits for my coffee in the mornings, Spekulaas Tea, (which smells divine, and delicious chocolates.  And bags!  I love a good shopping bag, and these I can use often and over and over.  No wasteful plastics.

A super little big bag, that I can carry in my handbag.  Stitch holders.  A bear from Berlin, he is just to cute for words, and of course, I must have Miffy!  Here the little cutie is with my favourite Giraffes, how awesome is that.

Love my gifts

Love my gifts

I love snow globes, and these two all the way from Prague and Berlin made their way to Johannesburg to join my collection.

And no trip would be complete without an item featuring my favourite painter and artist Alphonse Mucha.  This is a puzzle, featuring “The Four Seasons”  I like to build puzzles, and this one will be on the top of my list.

There is more, and I will show and tell in the next post.