Resolutions

First of all I wish you all a very happy and colorful New Year!! I hope you had fun during the holidays and maybe was spoiled a little?? I was.

As you already know I made a lot of coasters for presents. I think everybody was happy with them. It's always kind of scary to give someone something homemade, but they were well received. Funny enough, both my sisters had homemade presents too. They were the edible kind... Yummy! The picture above shows another set of coasters I made and although these aren't my usual colors, I still like them very much. If you like my coasters, they will be for sale at the end of the month in my Etsy shop in various color schemes.

Even though you haven't heard from me for three weeks, I didn't sit still. I finished my Scraps Color Bomb Project and, again, gave it away. My friend Mirjam told me, when I was working on it at one of our crochet nights, that it made her instantly happy. So I couldn't think of a better recipient than her. She looked at it, totally in love, all new years eve... Do you like the fabric I chose for the back??

But, I also wanted to tell you about my resolutions. Or at least one of them. I normally don't really care about resolutions, 'cause they mostly don't really mean anything, but in december I started cleaning out my house and I was startled by my own greed. I have so much stuff I don't use, some of it still brand new in it's packing! I decided this year is going to be about GIVING. So that's my resolution. I already started by giving presents at christmas, which I normally don't. But it's also going to reflect in my actions. I want to look around me and see what I have to offer to those in need. And of course, it's also going to show here... There's going to be a give away each month.

Now this cushion is finished, I can make you guys the tutorial! That's also gonna be published this month. My gift to you.

Having a little time apart from my blog inspired me to do something else too. I'm making a mobile of paper circles and I love it! It's always nice to diversify a little...

Have a cozy thursday! See you next week!

Merry Christmas

 

What a year it's been. I had a bumpy start, but it luckily only got better. Oh, how I love this place and how much it has helped me ahead. It's great to experience what color and some stimulating comments can do in ones' life.

This is some the stuff that came out of my hands and head these last twelve months. It makes me so happy to see all this color!

Before I take my loooong vacation, I wanted to take the time to thank you all for visiting me. For the compliments, the support and the inspiration you gave me. I loved doing it and hope to have inspired some of you.

And for now I will wish you all a very merry christmas and a festive new year! May it be colorful and happy and may we see each other then!

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??

Crocheters Block

I've never experienced this before. I feel a bit flustered... I don't know what to crochet these days. I start all kinds of patterns, but don't fall in love like I'm used to. My Etsy shop is in my mind all day and I wonder what to sell, and if my work is good enough. I'm afraid the yarn ends will come loose, or it deforms after washing or stuff like that. I know, I'm a bit of a wimp!

I've been postponing this moment for over a year now. It makes me kind of nervous. It's quite a commitment, if you ask me. Well, others might disagree... It's just an online shop. But I have to make sure my work is high quality. And I have to send it on time. And on top of it all, I will have to learn how to work with Paypal... Been postponing that too.

I feel like such a nerd. What's the big deal? I can just open up the shop, see if anyone would like to buy my stuff, and make a little money during the process. No big deal. If no one wants to buy it, I just close the shop, right? Or wait a bit longer (patience is not my strong point). I know, I KNOW! I just have to JUMP. Gonna make the pic's next week. And the text too.

I did find a lovely color combination yesterday. And am trying to make a new pattern for some coasters. Yes I know, AGAIN... I just love them so much! What d'you think?

One more note. I came across this post at Dada's Place. She used my pattern and I'm in love with the result. It's so much fun to see how others use your pattern. I also like the change of the center. Works perfectly. Oh, and I absolutely LOVE her colors! Go over there and check it out.

Anywho, this was an extra post. I will see you all on monday!

Have an uproarious day! (I could have said stormy, but liked this translation better... It's gonna be a stormy day here in Holland).




Nog een opmerking voor mijn Nederlandse lezers: Op 14 december aanstaande is er een signeersessie van Claire en Saskia en hun boek Haken en Kleur, bij Echtstudio in Alphen aan den Rijn. Ik ben erbij. Kom jij ook?

Yarn Talk

The last few weeks I got several questions about the yarn I use. I thought I'd answer you all in a post about it. I use a lot of different brands, because I need the colors to be just right, and haven't found a brand yet that has all the colors I love. They are all (more or less) the same quality and thickness.

For cushion covers, coasters, potholders and other small projects I use about 5 brands of the same type yarn. I use Schachenmayr SMC Catania, Phil Coton 3, Rio (this one is significantly cheaper), Katia Capri and Cotton Quick. The last one I only discovered recently (I don't have a picture of the label... I'm not so organized with yarn). This shop sells 4 of these brands. Because you all come from different countries I'm not sure which ones can be ordered or bought in you country. Just look for the brands on the internet and I'm sure you'll find something. It's all mercerized cotton and I use a 3,5 mm hook. There are other brands too that have the same quality.

For blankets I use a thicker yarn. I use 3 different brands and just mix them, the same as I do with my other yarn. I use Creative Cotton, Drops Paris and the yellow I use is Catania Grande (I don't like the other colors of this brand). The last brand is mercerized, that's why I only use it for the center of squares or circles,  otherwise it would be noticeable it's a different yarn. (The first 2 brands aren't mercerized). Some people don't like the first 2 brands, 'cause it splits easily, but I really don't mind that so much. You need to use a smooth high quality hook and than you'll be fine. I really like the softness of this yarn and the great great colors! And on top of all that, it's really inexpensive!

I did only a little crochet this last week. Still busy designing and making coasters. I've always loved the African Flower Hexagon, but never used it before. I thought they might make some nice happy coasters... And they did!! I used Pigtails' tutorial. (Thank you Magda!).

There's also some unfinished business I'm transforming into something else. Started it ages ago and don't like the color combination anymore. So it's going to be something else...

A last remark on the yarn: Echtstudio is a great yarn shop. It's in the town where I live, so I'm very lucky, but it's also possible to order. (I'm not sure if you can order from abroad though...)

Hope this was helpful. Enjoy your day!