Color 'n Cream Crochet 2014

I wanted to take some time to look back at my great year of 2014 already. Oh, what a lovely year it was!!!

I have only warm memories of all the nice people I met, through my blog and my visit to Sweden. All of you who left me those nice comments to make me feel better and inspired. I really LOVE this place! THANK YOU for giving me so much good vibrations! I appreciate it very much!

I hope to have brought some happy moments to you with my colorful happy work and I wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and an even HAPPIER 2015! (I know it's early, but because I'm not sure if I am able to post before the end of the year, I just wanted to have said it!)




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Book of Inspiration

As some of you know, I have a book of inspiration. It's starting to become quite full...

Interior styling is a big passion of mine and I love to go through my old magazines and cut everything lovely out and put it in my book of love...

And then, every time I get stuck or feel unhappy I just get my book and go through it from the first to the last page. As you can see, the colors would make anybody happy. And I get filled with inspiration to make new things.

I encourage you all to make your own book of Inspiration, for it's a real happy maker and it's a nice way of taking some time to yourself. Have fun!!




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Mier Papier And The September Give-Aways

I already told you I was going to introduce you to a wonderful crafter I met at the Almhult Market in Sweden. This is Miranda from Mier Papier! Oh how I love her work.

She makes the prettiest little paper mache figures. And as you can see, we like the same colors... I couldn't resist and bought one of her lovely pieces, a music box tree with a pretty bird on one of the branches.

Here it is still standing on her market stand, but that didn't last long. As you can see in the next picture, it's now showing in my colorful home. It makes me happy every time I see it! And lucky me; she lives close to me and is going to teach me her methods!! I can't wait!

But also, as promised, here are the  September Give-Away. It isn't really crochet related, although it would be perfect to use as a backing for my Crochet Cushion Pattern.

It's 4 fat quarters of this pretty fabric (there will be some more available in the Color 'n Cream Shop) and some colorful rainbow buttons in 3 different sizes.

All you have to do is leave a comment below and make sure it's possible for me to reach you. If you leave your email address do it like this: jenn at colorncream dot com, so you won't be spammed out of your mind later.

The winner will be announced on monday the 22nd. Have a pleasant day!





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Monday Chit Chat

Just a monday 'Hello!' from me to you and some eye-candy to brighten up your day. Do you see the lovely scissors with the little geisha on it? In pink and yellow no less, my favorite colors. This was a present from my man (he is starting to really know me!!) and I think it might be the best gift he EVER got me. Don't you love it?? Now I can cut my loose ends in style!

And I just HAD to share these gorgeous Dahlia's with you. They are my favorite garden flower and mine (and my mom's) is full of them. The beauty of it is, I can just plant them again next year, with even better results, and I will get more new ones too, so my garden will be even fuller of this floral abundance. I cut them every day (the more you cut, the more you get) and have little vases with fresh lovelies everywhere!

And these are some new potholders I designed to take with me to the Crafty Almhult Market. I will take lots of goodies with me. Not only crochet, but also fat quarters, beads, buttons... Only 4 more days...

Well, that's it for me today. What are your favorite summer flowers??

Have a flowery day!



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July Give-Away

Did I almost forget the promised monthly Give-Away!!! Couldn't allow that to happen. So, this month, the Give-Away is kind of obvious. It's the Granny Square Scraps Blanket Tutorial! YEAH! Leave a comment below and win this fun project!

Talking about 'giving', all of you know by now that was my new year's resolution. I announced I would be donating 10% of every dollar spent in the Color 'n Cream Shop to Microckrediet voor Moeders, an organization that lends microcredit to (single) mothers in Asia to help them provide for their families. I love this cause, because it's a gift that keeps on giving. The loan will be paid back, and the donated money can be used again for someone else. Anywho, I did my first donation yesterday, and MAN did that feel GOOD!!

 This is what I've been doing these last 2 days. What will it be?? I'm about 99% sure you will not get he right answer... It's a surprise and something I've been planning to do for ages.

These are my Edition Paumes books. I'm sure most of you know them. They are the BEST books for inspiration EVER. I love to just go through them over and over and be inspired by all the colorful and original interior ideas. I have only 4 now, but am planning to get them all. Maybe for christmas...

The rain has cleared and it's the sunniest day today. I just walked my dog and enjoyed the sun after all that water pouring out of the air. The plants really loved it though and I didn't have to water them. 

Thanks for the nice responds to my latest pattern! I hope you have a colorful day!

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Piles Of Lovely Crochet

I've been preparing for the Sunday Market this week, as most of you probably remember and that's why I needed to do some inventory. I always love the way that looks, don't you? All those piles of lovely...

I hope it's going to be a busy day, next sunday. And that it's going to be lovely weather like today. The predictions aren't great, I think, but since they are never right, I figure it'll be ok!

Been a bit quiet here the last 2 weeks. I'm taking it a bit slow at the moment. My little girl is home a lot and some other things ask for my attention. I also decided to take about 4 weeks of vaca-time of the blog while the kids enjoy their holiday. We go on lots of pick-nicks and little adventures, since the summer is so generous with lovely weather this year. Don't you love being outside?

Anyway, just some eye candy today. And an invitation to my Dutch readers: Komen jullie ook zondag??

Have a lovely beachy weekend!



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Inspiration

I was spoiled last week at Sinterklaas. I asked for the Haken en Kleur book and got it! Yes! I was extra excited, 'cause I'm going to the book signing next saturday at Echtstudio. 

The writers of the book, Saskia and Claire, work with just as many colors as I do, so the book is very inspiring. The pictures show you some of the patterns I really like. I'm sure I'm going to make the yellow shawl, and I love the colorful flower tote... 

Got another lovely present. A big wallet from Santoro. Last week when we were in Antwerpen at Akotee, I was checking this out, not noticing my man keeping an eye on me. I was totally surprised he got this for me. It makes me instantly happy just looking at it. (Even if it's empty...)

And this is what I'm working on now. Still finishing the coasters. I think this pattern is going to be in my shop, as are the coasters themselves. Can anyone tell me, how do you make a pdf pattern. Do you make a chart or a description? Is it possible to just draw a cart and make a picture, or does it have to be digital?

Anywho, am also (finally!) finishing the granny baby blanket and loving it to pieces. 

Have a pinkish monday!

PS. Does anybody have suggestions for crochet drawing software for Mac??

Christmas Presents Inspiration I

I know it's earl, but when you plan on making some of your christmas presents, now would be the time to start, if you ask me. I don't like rushing everything at the last minute. This year I'm making coasters. They are useful to anyone and also easy to make. On top of it all, there are a million different patterns to find on both the internet as in books. 

This pattern is to be found here, on the blog Karin aan den haak. You will be finished quite fast and it's fun experimenting with color. I made a pastel rainbow version. (Everybody knows how I love rainbows...). Was done in about one and a half hours.

This pattern I got from this book (for Dutch readers this book). There are lots of nice patterns in this book. I got it in the Japanese version when I lived in Thailand a few years ago. I love it when I suddenly think of a pattern from an 'old' book and get inspired all over again! 

This is a very simple granny square coaster. I used this pattern (my own) for the edge. You can see that the colors of most of the coasters are kind of plain and boring compared to my usual work. That's because most people in my environment can't handle the normal amount of color I use... I totally restrained myself... Well, a little at least.

Although I haven't made these (yet) I wanted to share this pattern with you. I found it on Pinterest. You can find it here. I love it. It looks so sunny and delicious!

And last but not least, I found this pattern. It's from Anabelia. I changed it a little bit, 'cause mine were getting a bit big, probably because of my choice of yarn or hook. So they look a little different from the ones you will find on her blog. I really like them anyways... Do you?

This whole week is going to be about crocheted christmas presents. Hopefully I'll find some other fun small projects. Do you have other ideas for simple christmas presents? And have you started yet??

Have an anything but blue monday!

Flower Extravagance

So as promised I'll give you the sources of the flowers I made last week. Do you have that sometimes, you just feel like crocheting some flowers? I do, although I almost never know what to do with them. I just love to make them and look at them. Just look at this sunny colorful picture above, doesn't it instantly make you happy??

The flower in the left upper corner and the one in the right lower corner are from the Mollie Makes Crochet Book. I especially like the Folk Daisy pattern (lower right). It's very simple and looks so pretty! These patterns are designed by Emma Lamb. All the patterns come with a written description (there are no charts though...).

I have had this book for about 4 years and must admit, don't use it often. But since my crochet skills improved I thought I'd give it another go. 

There are so many patterns in this book. To everyones taste there are different flowers. And not only does it contain crochet patterns, you could also get your knit groove on.

This flower is my favorite. I think it looks sooo pretty. I'm gonna try and make a six petal version too.

This flower is one of my all time favorites. I made a tote with this pattern once (something old perhaps...). It's from the lovely blog Colour In a Simple Life and you'll find very clear instructions to try it yourself. I made a petal shaped hexagon behind it.

But I must say, this pattern is the most fun. Sooooo easy and instantly rewarding. For the people that don't read charts a quick explanation.

Make a magic circle (or chain 4, ss). 12 single crochet in the loop, ss. Change color. *ch 1, 3 double crochet into the next stitch, ss into the next stitch*. Just repeat *to* all around, to make 6 petals.

This one is also easy. I made a chart for you to read. (Sorry, chart illiterates, no written explanation...) The second round (the double crochets) is optional. I actually like them with and without. 

Now there's only one problem left. What to do with this lovely bunch of flowers? I figured I might decorate my christmas gifts with them. Or the tree in my little ones' room... Do you have any ideas for me??

Hope to have inspired you! Happy wednesday!