Monday Chit Chat

First of all, THANK YOU for all the kind words and the compassion you've shown me by leaving such nice comments on my latest post. It was so heartwarming and it convinced me even more to keep on going with this blog. Thanks a bunch!!

As you know I got started on some African Flower Action and I'm totally loving it to pieces. I think this is the prettiest project I've ever started. I'm so in LOVE with it! I decided it's going to turn into a new sleeve for my Macbook, since that really needed replacement. And I also decided to make a tutorial for you on how to make one of your own.

It's definitely my happiest project ever, although I did a lot of them. It's a Color Bomb through and through!

The colors inspired me to start something else too. I'm using one of my old patterns, the Circle Granny Square (check out the tutorial). It's turning out quite lovely, if I say so myself. And our iPad needs a sleeve too, so I just keep on going while I'm at it. Some nice stuff for myself, to lift my spirits...

Oh, and tomorrow Miranda from Mier Papier is going to teach me to paper maché!! Looking forward to that!

I hope you have a happy monday!!

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Colorbombs

I've been a bit confused these last few weeks. Although I really love crochet and love the blog and all that comes with it, I've had some doubts about quitting. Sometimes it's kind of overwhelming. The blog and my shop are always on my mind... I really needed to take things slow a bit.

Naturally I get a lot of energy out of Color 'n Cream. I love to do crafts, not just crochet and I think I will be doing some more like sewing and crafting with felt or paper. I'm also a BIG button-lover... Maybe I just need a little variation. But I also need to spend time with my loved ones and really need to take better care of myself and relax more...

Having said that, I do enjoy my new crochet project a lot. I love to make a new Color Bomb and am planning to make something for myself for a change. I really need a big bag to do my grocery shopping in style!

 So, now you know why it's been so quiet around here. Hopefully the wind has changed a bit. I think it has. And the weather is really going towards autumn, which I love, for crafting is so much more fun when it's cold outside, don't you think? I will keep you posted!

Have an inspiring day!

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And The Winner Is...

Well today I will announce the 2 winners of the September Give-Away. Thanks to everyone for joining and sharing. Without further ado, the winner of the Fat Quarters and the buttons is... Ayda from Cafenohut Blog (lovely blog!!!). The winner of the Crochet Flower Coaster Pattern is... Anna Robinson. Congratulations to you both!

So, these are a few of the lovely dahlia's again... The pink one is beautiful isn't it? And the yellow-pink one is from my mom's garden. I hope to get some of them next year... 

Don't know if you remember, but some time ago I showed you some pictures of an unfinished project and asked you if you knew what it would be. One of you guessed correctly. It turned into a lampshade. I finally finished it after having it laying around for 2 months...

I like it. I made it with different yarn than I'm used to. It's all Cotton 8, from different brands though. IT's soft and lovely, but in my opinion splits easier than mercerized cotton.

I also did some crafting this weekend, with my little one. She collected some lavender and we made little scented hearts. I used the idea from the lovely book All Sewn Up, from Chloe Owens. Very inspiring book and makes you happy just to look in it! I love the scented bags and think they will make a perfect holiday gift for the ladies... What do you think? Did any of you get started on the holiday presents yet??

And this is what I'm working on now. Not sure yet what it'll turn into. Something for me! A bag maybe, or a cushion?? Any ideas??

Have a lovely day!




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Round Cushion Tutorial With Crochet Edge

 I know, it's been quiet around here. To make it up to you, a fun tutorial on how to make an easy eye catching cushion. Have fun!

First things first. What you need is:

*2 panels of fabric (the fabric in the pictures is available in the Color 'n Cream Shop)

* Scissors

* Darning and sewing needle

* Crochet Hook

* Yarn

* Pins

* Filling for the cushion

* A pair of compasses (is this the right translation??)

* 2 Big Buttons (These will also be available in the Color 'n Cream Shop)

* Pattern Drawing Paper

Now, draw a big circle on the paper and pin it to both pieces of fabric. Cut the fabric and pin together. Then sew the circle, but leave about 3 inches open, so you can fill it up later.

Cut little triangles around the edge, so the cushion will shape better when filled. You should not forget this part! Then fold two times and mark the middle of both sides with a felt pen, so you know where to put the buttons at the end.

Now, fill the cushion and close the whole by sewing it as shown in the pictures. (This is a great tutorial on how to close a cushion, picture 12). See how easy this project is? You're half way already!
Now use the same yarn as you want to use for the crochet edging. Do a blanket (Dutch Feston Steek) stitch all around the cushion. Make sure your piece of yarn is long enough. I use at least 3 times the outline of the cushion.

Pictures 17 and 18 show you what to do if your yarn isn't long enough. Don't worry about the knot, you are going to crochet around it anyway. Then, make 3 single crochets in each stitch (if your stitches aren't that wide, make 2sc, no problem!). Join with a slip stitch.

And now, *skip 1 stitch, 4 double crochets (US terms), skip 1 stitch, 1single crochet*.

 Just repeat *to* all around and join with another ss. You are almost done now... Just sew on the button.

Since you've marked the middle of the cushion, it's very easy to put the button in place and VOILA! You are done!!

How easy was that. This is a real instant rewarding project. I'm thinking, a lovely (holiday) gift as well...

And if you use different fabrics, You just flip it to get another look.

I hope you'll have fun with this. And just so you know, the Give-Away is open until monday. The winners will be announced than!

Have a happy late summer day!





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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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Hip Hip HURRAY!!!

Let me start this post with a very happy announcement: My first little nephew was born on the 2nd of september, Benjamin. Oh, how I love that name. He was 5 and a half weeks early but is doing very well. I didn't meet him yet, since I'm in bed with the flue, but I will soon. So exciting!

But I also wanted to show you some of the goodies I brought with me from Sweden and Copenhagen today. I discovered a very very cool shop Søstrene Grene in Copenhagen. I understand they sell all over the world and even in the Netherlands... They sell lots of lovely and also cheap stuff! Look at my pretty mugs and the lovely house boxes. I actually bought those from a new friend I made in Sweden. It's Tina from Blume & Jensen. She is also a crochet (and knit) designer and was very friendly. She even sold me the boxes!!

The drawing pad was also bought there, and the pretty ballerina skewers. As you can see, the rainbow raindrops were made into a little garland. How happy, don't you think?

I also bought lots and lots of interior and craft magazines these last few days. I can't wait to start cutting and pasting the inspirational images in my big inspiration book. And I made another rainbow garland. A granny garland, which was very simple and a quick project.

These are the fat quarters that are left over from the market. They will be for sale shortly in the Color 'n Cream shop and I think they will be part of the Give Away this month... I really got some great fabrics to share!

I will tell you more about the lovely bird-in-a-tree soon. It was made by a lovely girl who I met in Sweden and happens to live very nearby me. I will love to share her work with you...

Have a bright and colorful day!




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Crochet Flower Garland Tutorial

My first tutorial for the Heart Handmade Uk blog got published! If you'd like to make this garland, rush over to the Crochet Flower Garland Tutorial and enjoy!!

Have a sunny tuesday!




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Crafty Almhult Market

As most of you know, I've been to the lovely Almhult in Sweden to attend the Crafty Almhult Market at last... Well, it's over already and I had a fabulous time! I just came home yesterday evening, so I'm still unpacking and checking out what I brought home with me... Yes, Scandinavia is a nice place for shopping...

We started of sunny the first morning, but sadly, the sun left us after only a few hours. The weather stayed grey for the rest of the day and the next, but still the atmosphere was happy and fun. There were lots of other Dutch people (even more then Swedish) attending the market and lots of lovely products were sold. I must confess; I didn't take a lot of pictures (as always...), but I will share one of the lovely crafters in a post later this week that really blew my mind for it's loveliness.

I really love this fabric from IKEA. It makes my colors pop out even more. I got lots of responses how my work was making people happy, like you guys always tell me and it was heart warming.

The trip to Almhult went very well, even though I was a little nervous, for it was my first time traveling abroad all on my own. People in Copenhagen and Sweden were very helpful and public transportation was so well organized. The only thing was, my suitcase was heavier than heavy with all that cotton 'candy' inside.

The landscape was unbelievably beautiful and I saw a fox and a deer on the first day. I love to see 'wild life', since in Holland it's very uncommon, at least where I live. I heard a moose too, but didn't get to find it. That would have been awesome!

And naturally I did some crocheting. I designed a little rainbow raindrop garland. Specifics on that will follow sometime in the future...

I wanted to thank you all for your support on the blog and on facebook. You made my trip so much more fun with all your encouragement.


Have a yellow monday!!


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