xx
Friday, 28 June 2013
Thursday, 13 June 2013
ATM Doorways and Bikinis
Another regular item I want to introduce around these parts is an ATM. No not the hole in the wall you're thinking about, where you service all your cash needs but a "what I'm up to At The Moment" -or what I've been working on recently.
First up is a crochet garland to brighten up our apartments front door. I was inspired here through pinterest and from this lovely little lady's door.
I've been Cooking with Spargel! I actually made this mushroom and asparagus, polenta based tart from the Bojon Gourmet Blog. I made it a bit less gourmet by using button mushrooms instead of shitake and there was no truffle salt in sight, but it was still very yummy! It's the first time I've made polenta that didn't taste like meh -am I doing it wrong or is plain polenta just not nice?? (My spellcheck doesn't like polenta and wants me to change it to tadpole based tart, hmm doesn't sound as good).
The aforementioned crochet bikini. A little wonky but coming along ok! I had some problems to begin with which involved the bikini decreasing too quickly, and a lot of questions involving far too much laughter from my friends about how my itty bitty bikini was coming along! I sorted that problem out only to be stuck again at the moment, not sure if there is a mistake in the pattern or I just can't read it properly...
Would you wear a crochet bikini?
xx
First up is a crochet garland to brighten up our apartments front door. I was inspired here through pinterest and from this lovely little lady's door.
I've been Cooking with Spargel! I actually made this mushroom and asparagus, polenta based tart from the Bojon Gourmet Blog. I made it a bit less gourmet by using button mushrooms instead of shitake and there was no truffle salt in sight, but it was still very yummy! It's the first time I've made polenta that didn't taste like meh -am I doing it wrong or is plain polenta just not nice?? (My spellcheck doesn't like polenta and wants me to change it to tadpole based tart, hmm doesn't sound as good).
The aforementioned crochet bikini. A little wonky but coming along ok! I had some problems to begin with which involved the bikini decreasing too quickly, and a lot of questions involving far too much laughter from my friends about how my itty bitty bikini was coming along! I sorted that problem out only to be stuck again at the moment, not sure if there is a mistake in the pattern or I just can't read it properly...
Would you wear a crochet bikini?
xx
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Listening to now....
I'd like to start sharing here music I think is great on a regular basis. First up is a remix of a great indie folk band I recently discovered -Daughter
Youth (Love Thy Brother Remix) - Daughter from Up All Niight on Vimeo.
It made me want to go out and really live my life to the full.
What do you think?
xx
Youth (Love Thy Brother Remix) - Daughter from Up All Niight on Vimeo.
It made me want to go out and really live my life to the full.
What do you think?
xx
Monday, 10 June 2013
Shoppity Shop
Snuggly jumpers and cardigans in the shop soon!
I can just picture them over a pair of denim cut-offs can't you?
xx
I can just picture them over a pair of denim cut-offs can't you?
xx
Sunday, 2 June 2013
ATM
At the moment I am sewing a dress from a pattern for the very first time! I have sewed things in the past but never from a pattern. I'm attempting Burda pattern 7113 which is a re-release of a 60's pattern for a dress, cape and bolero (I'm just sewing the dress). I would have picked something a bit less involved than a fully lined dress however my Mum convinced me to go with this. She obviously has more faith in my abilities than me!
Apparently Burda patterns are a bit different to others in that you have to add the seam and hem allowance (they aren't included in the paper pattern). This took me soooo long, it was a real pain.
I'm also crocheting a bikini from a vintage German pattern. This is definitely diving into the deep end with my level of both German and crochet. It took me ages just to work out the diagram was in cm and not stitches... I do like a challenge though and this is definitely keeping me on my toes.
I also have some amazing pieces for the shop and am waiting and hoping for some sunshine so I can take some decent photos.
xx
Burda 7113 New Vintage Pattern
All cut out
I'm also crocheting a bikini from a vintage German pattern. This is definitely diving into the deep end with my level of both German and crochet. It took me ages just to work out the diagram was in cm and not stitches... I do like a challenge though and this is definitely keeping me on my toes.
I also have some amazing pieces for the shop and am waiting and hoping for some sunshine so I can take some decent photos.
xx
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
The Worlds Most Beautiful Spring Garden
If you didn't know, Keukenhof is a big garden (32 Hectares!!) situated in Lisse, not too far from Amsterdam in Holland. It is touted as the worlds most beautiful spring garden and after being there I believe they could be right. Holland is famous for its tulips and at Keukenhof it's all about the tulips. They do also have daffodils and hyacinths but the tulips are the main attraction. I never knew tulips grew in so many different colours, shapes and sizes!
The park itself is full of beautiful trees, water ways and meandering paths creating a perfect backdrop to the flowering bulb display. We almost went there a few months ago but were told the tulips weren't in flower and I'm glad we waited so we could see the full splendour.
The weather was overcast and threatening rain when we went, which I think was actually a blessing as the crowds didn't seem to be too thick. And then the sun came out in the afternoon.
There are also lots of flower fields in the area, where tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are grown for their bulbs. This means you can see the fields in flower. After the peak flowering, the flower heads are cut off (or vacuumed off in some cases!) so that the plants energy goes into growing more bulbs and not into seed making. The bulbs are mechanically harvested and then separated by hand. I'm sure if you know someone from Holland, they will have done this as holiday job as a kid/student or know someone who has!
If you get the chance I definitely recommend visiting Keukenhof and the surrounding fields in springtime.
xx
The park itself is full of beautiful trees, water ways and meandering paths creating a perfect backdrop to the flowering bulb display. We almost went there a few months ago but were told the tulips weren't in flower and I'm glad we waited so we could see the full splendour.
The weather was overcast and threatening rain when we went, which I think was actually a blessing as the crowds didn't seem to be too thick. And then the sun came out in the afternoon.
There are also lots of flower fields in the area, where tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are grown for their bulbs. This means you can see the fields in flower. After the peak flowering, the flower heads are cut off (or vacuumed off in some cases!) so that the plants energy goes into growing more bulbs and not into seed making. The bulbs are mechanically harvested and then separated by hand. I'm sure if you know someone from Holland, they will have done this as holiday job as a kid/student or know someone who has!
If you get the chance I definitely recommend visiting Keukenhof and the surrounding fields in springtime.
xx
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Leiden
Last weekend we went to Leiden, Holland to see the Tulips in bloom at Keukenhof. Leiden is about 25 mins away from Keukenhof by car and is connected by buses which run around every 10 mins. So it makes a perfect base to see the tulips.
Leiden itself is also really picturesque with windmills and canals aplenty, and worth visiting. It has a lovely market on Saturdays, with fresh produce, cheese, stroopwaffels, clothing and fabric (I got some pink tulle). Small enough to wander around by foot Leiden is still big enough for a nice selection of restaurants and shops. It also has a lot of museums, but we didn't get a chance to see any of them.
Close to our hotel we saw some great art installations -This one was my favourite, who could resist a big red button and "Do NOT Press" sign....
xx
Leiden itself is also really picturesque with windmills and canals aplenty, and worth visiting. It has a lovely market on Saturdays, with fresh produce, cheese, stroopwaffels, clothing and fabric (I got some pink tulle). Small enough to wander around by foot Leiden is still big enough for a nice selection of restaurants and shops. It also has a lot of museums, but we didn't get a chance to see any of them.
This was the canal we could see from our hotel room.
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| DO NOT PRESS! Installation |
xx
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