Friday Randomly Sharing

This week has been full of ups and downs here. I have been travelling quite a bit for work and also at weekends and it is clearly taking a toll - and I am getting emotional. Leo has been gone for 6 months this week, and these milestones remind me too painfully of how much I miss my baby. 

To make me feel better (and distract myself) I signed up for the Makelight beginner photography course. We had to make a visualisation board for our style/branding - mine is here. And it has been enlightening, now it is about to learn the skills to make it happen. I also started a new crochet project - I'd forgotten how much I loved crochet. Why did I stop? 

In other news this week... 

I will soon be sewing... 

- A free summer pattern from Liesl + Co - a linen caftan. So easy to make (it is written that it takes an hour!) and so easy to wear. 

- Lu's first pattern is released and it so clever - a really cool needle case (to get my sewing mojo back). 

- I love Rae's luna pants inspiration board - looks so comfy! The pattern is available here. 

- I really like the new Stockholm blouse by Atelier Scammit (free pattern)- especially this version.

- Kate had a great post about being a pattern and fabric hoarder - I am a pattern hoarder, but not a fabric or yarn (maybe patterns take less space?). I need to work on it, the Kondo method has not yet been applied here...  

- I love this simple tutorial on making half square triangles for quilting. I love the effect of HST, and I am hoping to show some off soon.

- I love this styling of 'winter culottes'. 

I might however go off track with other crafty projects.. 

- Sashiko 101 - this is it, I will try Sashiko and stop drooling over pictures of it. 

- I have been wanting to try weaving for a bit of time, and this free pattern from Purl Soho might my latest weaving crush. 

whilst eating.. 

- A gluten free spring roll recipe - actually forget about the spring rolls and go straight to the spicy peanut sauce. 

- When you have hardly any time to cook (like every night at the moment) but fancy something different - this 15 minute Pad Thai recipe could be for you (and definitely for me). 

- Glowing spiced lentil soup - I cannot wait to try this recipe. 

And I will definitely look after myself... 

- In Ellen's words - Less hate and more love.

- The sleep revolution is coming - according to Arianna Huffington. I love this quote: 'We take better care of our smartphones than we do ourselves.'

- with some brilliant things to do in April. 

- The newly opened Generator hotel in Amsterdam - for the next time we go to the Netherlands. 

- I have just come across the 'creating your own path' podcast - yep, a bit late, loads to catch up. You might like it too. 

- Knitted covers for paddles - so useless and looking so cool that it makes me happy!

Friday Randomly Sharing (on Saturday .. again)

It is a bit of a long post - there is probably a bit for everyone here. I think I will run this series every week now. I seem to read more and more from blogs and online magazines, but still want to keep the list readable. 

On another note, the winner of the Nessa pattern is... no 1 Eulalia.. Congratulation!

Now onto the reading..

To sew or not to sew? 

- I am sure you all have seen the new Tessuti pattern - the Demi pant - and I am not sure. They look SO comfy, but the ballooning effect on each leg, hmm.

- Rachel's off the shoulder top is so on trend. I wished there was a pattern for it (Rachel?)!

- All that vintage sewing inspiration - how beautiful are all these patterns?

- How to draft a swing tee tutorial - it makes it look SO easy!

- This tutorial to stop your machine swallowing your fabric - yes, finally! (so it is not just me and my poor skills, whoohoo!)


Behind the price of fashion 

- Here are the maths behind a £5.99 Lidl pair of jeans - and it is not magic

- There has been a lot of discussion in the UK about the gender pay gap last week - but there is even more a pink tax applied to even women's clothes (read for the same unisex clothes women pay more).

- Is social media really killing our inner self? I am not sure, I can understand but I am sure other people have found like me benefits from building a community of like-minded people and sharing projects. I do wonder what the world of Baby MiH will be like though ..

- In my dreams, I will look and wear all of this collection  and this collection - all of it - beautiful and ethical. Who said ethical fashion should be boring?

Knitting/Crocheting away

- I pinned exactly the same pictures (oh Pinterest!) when I wanted to knit Baby MiH a Gansey inspired jumper (yep, never happened) - but this could be a sign that I revisit it.

- A Granny square shrug - or the perfect way to use all these left over yarns I have..

whilst eating away...

- You have to check this recipe for an alternative (and surprising) Easter egg - a cake in a eggshell - really you have to check it, I cannot actually explain it properly.

- I am not exactly the best dinner date planner - especially when it involves one little man - but I should try harder (and use these tips), maybe even when it is just for the 3 of us.

-  When we go on holiday near the beach, we usually collect cockles fresh from the beach (hours of entertainment) - and here is the perfect recipe Baby MiH would love (without the wine) - cockles + peas, a winner.

- Eat your rainbow - love this recipe (remove the bee pollen for a vegan version)

- Gluten free, vegan tortilla nachos - looks amazing, and finally an idea for the chickpea flour that has been sitting in my cupboard for a while now.

- A great vegan and gluten free recipe - Soba Noodles + chickpeas & spinach with tahini miso sauce. 

... and looking at pictures (I am a multi-tasker, don't you know?)

- These pictures - you want them to move, can imagine them moving, and be like arrrghhhh!

- My brother and my parents are going to Japan this year (separately I might add, I am the only one embracing going on hols with my parents for free babysitting) - I am sending them there.

To nurture my inner peace...

- Look out for the IKEA Viktigt collection -designed by Ingegerd Råman. You may get a better idea of the collection here. 

- Twelve reasons why minimalism may be the answer to anxiety (see point 10 the concept of “only purposeful or meaningful”)

- I love the French brand A.P.C. and seeing Jean Touitou’s Parisian home, I am not surprised. 

- 90s kids bedrooms - the 90s have lot to answer for (and did nothing to my inner peace)

Dialogue with my son :: The solution seeker ::

Making sense of it all when you are 3... 

Maman, can I give a toy to Leo? Mon cheri, it is really nice of you to want to share but you know we can't, he is in the sky with the stars and the moon. Oh that's not a problem, we will build a ladder that goes up to the sky, and we will be able to give him new toys. 

And could you buy a new Leo? Euh, no, there is only one Leo and you know that although we think about him all the time, he is not with us physically. Do you miss Leo? Yes I do ... So could you buy a new baby? Mon cheri, you remember that I did not buy Leo, I was pregnant, I was huge, do you remember when I was really big? Hmm, yes, but I really think I would like a baby boy right now. And if it is a girl. No thanks, I just want a baby boy, pleeeassse. 

I took these pictures this Sunday - we had snow for one day. And well, his face says it all. He is wearing his acorn hat, as he does everyday. 

Acorn with a pompom :: Crochet ::

Hello everyone! I was really happy to work on these pictures today - it reminded me of the good times of this weekend, and that despite everything we can have some happy times still. Sadly my Grand dad passed away last Friday, exactly a month after Little Baby MiH. It was all expected, the timing is less than ideal though - and this weekend away was much needed. 

Making hats for my cheeky monkey is also making me happy - seeing him making funny faces (or licking the fence, wtf?) is uplifting. And I love this hat on him. He loves the pompom of course - he shakes his head about to make the pompom shake. Also that crochet texture is amazing - I cannot actually believe I made this! 

 Pattern: Acorn by Kat Goldin (I already posted about it here)

Crochet hook size: 5.5 mm

Yarn: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in poivre (I reviewed the ethics of the yarn here), the pompom is made out of Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in pearl
Size: I made the biggest size for him (4+ rather than toddler size)

Modification: The pattern was available in LandScape. I had to add repeats of the pattern to make the beanie hat big enough - I am not sure whether it is a problem with the printing of the pattern or because of my yarn choice. Anyway I had t make 6 repeats in the end. I also make the puffs more prominent by adding yarn overs. And of course I added the pompom. 

This hat made me realise that I actually do like to crochet, and should be doing more of it. It also opened by eyes to the texture you can achieve in crochet - amazing, who knew! There is a whole world out there of crochet texture ready to be explored me thinks!

Friday Randomly Sharing

Happy Friday everyone! Welcome to FRS where I share what has caught my eye recently - but where you could also share what has interested you - so please make full use of the comment box!

- Have you heard of the Fold Line? Finally there is a platform to share notes and pictures of patterns we use! Think Ravelry for sewist - at least that is what I understood. If you are a knitter, I am sure  you wondered like me why such a platform never existed for sewists (the Burdastyle community is really not that great - or at least I never used it as a resource). I have now registered  you can see my profile here. Please bear in mind that this is really new - I think it was launched yesterday - and therefore it will only work if we all post our makes. It will take time, but it is going to be worth the effort for this to become as good as Ravelry. 

- More baking over at MiH. The Green Kitchen stories posted a new gluten free wholesome muffin recipe, I just had to try it. I made some changes so that I did not have to do more shopping: I changed roll oats for quinoa flakes, the potato starch for tapioca flour, cardamom for nutmeg; and I just made sweetened apple sauce (with coconut sugar) so I used it. It was delicious and wholesome none the less. Also I made the switch from eggs to chia seeds, and it is wonderful, who knew! I did not make a vegan version - but you easily can by replacing the dairy yoghurt by a vegan version. 

- I just pinned this lovely crochet hat - the ribbing part sounds really interesting, so one of the boys is sorted. The other one will get a knitted hat - this one specifically... At what age will they tell to go away and wear my own knits? 

- The crossroads of should and must - so inspiring. I saw the video, but this is the written script (search for Elle Luna)

- The new pattern from Aime comme Marie is called Aime comme Majestic. I think I like it -  in fact it would  be perfect for my work wardrobe - this version made me like and dislike this pattern at the same time (note she is pregnant...).

- Free acorn crochet pattern - I am in! Autumn I am coming to capture you! You could also go for a walk and get some conkers for this DIY. 

- Love this story about running a second-hand shop. 

- I love the idea of styling nature in the home - I am not sure I will send a picture to enter (I have no space for that prize), but my house could really do with a jar full of feathers. 

- I loved reading Felicia's commitment to Slow Fashion October. It totally made sense to me and my own path to sustainability. 

- I keep hearing about Periscope - here is a guide on how to use it, maybe I will try it. 

- This refashioned denim shirt - just whoah (although there is no tutorial, such a shame. But I will keep an eye out for it!)

That was my list, what has caught your eye lately? 

Doll House Bear Skin | A Finish {Knitting}

You may have already seen the picture of this little bear on IG or Facebook. I was asked which pattern I used, so I thought it might deserve its own short post. 

As you can imagine with one little boy at home, and another one on the way, making accessories for doll houses is not something I do  (or will do) often. One of my friends asked me if I could help with knitting the body of the bear as she cannot knit for a little girl's birthday, but she can crochet. And here we are, this is how one Friday night you end up knitting a bear rug. 

The pattern is available on Etsy - the crochet part does not look hard, the knitting was certainly quite quick (probably an hour). It never occurred to me to make doll houses accessories - but it is actually a pretty cool idea. Would you make one? 

Project Destash #2, My favourite doily yet | Free Pattern {Crochet}

There will not be many pictures in this post - as this is my favourite picture of the doily. I took it as soon as I had finished blocking it and immediately shared it on social media (facebook, twitter, IG - all of them, I just had to share the love). 

The free pattern is based on a pattern I found on Pinterest - and unfortunately did not pin. There were a few mistakes in the pattern, but it is pretty much the same pattern, cleaner. 

So I used a 2 mm crochet hook, and a grey sock yarn. 

The abbreviations are as follows:

Single crochet decrease (sc-dec): Pull up loop in each of next 2 sts, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Double crochet Decrease (dc-dec): (yo, pull up loop in next st, yo, pull through 2 loops) 2 times, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook

Treble Crochet Shell (tr-shell): (3 trc, ch 3, 3 trc) in sp indicated

Double Crochet Shell (dc-shell): (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in sp indicated

Picot: Ch4, sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch 1

R1: Ch 8, join to form ring, ch 3, dc in ring, ch 2, (2 dc in ring, ch 2) 7 times, join

R2: Sl st in next dc and into next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, ch 2, (4 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2) 7 times, join

R3: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next sp, ch 1, *dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1; rep from * around, join

R4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next sp, ch 2, *dc in each of next 4 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next sp, ch 2; rep from * around ending with dc in last 2 dc, join

R5: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2 , 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 2, *dc in each of next 4 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in each of 2 dc, ch 2; rep from * around ending with dc in last 2 dc, join. 

R6: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3), skip next dc, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 3, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 3, skip next dc, *dc in next 2 dc, skip next dc, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 3, dc in each of next of next 2 dc, ch 3, skip next dc; rep from * around ending with dc in last dc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-6. 

R7: Ch 6, skip next ch-3 sp, 7 trc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip next ch 3 sp, *sc-dec next 2 dc tog, ch 5, skip next ch-3 sp, 7 trc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip next ch-3 sp; rep from * around ending with sc in last dc, join with sl st in first ch of beg ch-6. 

R8: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1) each of next 6 trc, ch 1, 2 dc in next trc, ch 3, *sc in next sc-dec, ch 3, (2 dc, ch1) each of next 6 trc, ch 1, 2 dc in next trc, ch 3; rep from * around, join. 

R9: Sl st in next 3 chs and into next dc, ch 2 , dc in next dc, ch 3, (dc-dec next 2 dc tog, ch 3) 5 times, dc-dec next 2 dc tog, ch 1 * (dc-dec next 2 dc tog, ch 3) 6 times, dc-dec next 2 dc tog, ch 1; rep from * around, join sl st in first dc. 

R10: Sl st into next sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, ch 2, (4 dc in next sp, ch 2) 4 times, 4 dc in next sp, *4 dc in next sp, ch 2, (4 dc in next sp, ch 2) 4 times, 4 dc in next sp; rep from * around, join. 

R11: Sl st in next 3 dc and in next sp, ch 4, (2 trc, ch 3, 3trc) in same sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 3, tr-shell in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 3, tr-shell in next sp, * (tr-shell in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 3) 2 times, tr-shell in next sp; rep from * around, join. 

R12: Sl st to next sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, picot, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, dc-shell in next tr-shell, *dc-shell in next tr-shell, ch 3, sc in bext ch-3 loop, puicot, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 36, tr-shell in tr-shell, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, picot, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, dc-shell in next tr-shell; rep from * around, join. 

R13: Sl st to next sp, ch 1, (2 sc, ch 3 , 2 sc) in same sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, picot, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, (4 trc, ch 5, sl st in 4 th ch from hook, ch 2, 4 trc) in next tr-shell, ch 3, sc in next next 3-ch loop, picot, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in next dc-shell, ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, *(2sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in next dc-shell, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, puicot, sc in next ch-3 loop, picot, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 63, (4 trc, ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, 4 trc) in next tr-shell, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, picot, sc iun next ch-3 loop, ch 3, (2sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in next dc-shell, ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook, ch 2; rep from * around, join and fasten off. 

And now enjoy the blocking process - I love blocking lace projects, the lace just totally comes alive. I am on my second one now... I think I might be addicted... 

Linking up to Ginny's today - to show all the other yarn-related finishes and WIPs click here. 

And as always let me know if you have used the pattern, and show me your versions! 

Project Destash #2 | Doily {Crochet}

I mentioned on Monday that I was making a doily out of a free pattern I found through Pinterest (but did not actually pin it) and it turned out that the pattern had a few issues. I am now at my third attempt at making it - no, I will not give up! At the same time I was looking at ways to show you doilies and how to display them. And I came across a genius idea which I am hoping to repeat in Baby MiH's room for him so that it can have his own wall art. 

This has been frogged again since the picture was taken

So I am de-stashing yarn as well as fabric, and making doilies is a great way to do this - as I can adapt the size of the doily to the yarn I have left and add more rounds to the doily if I feel I want something bigger. Also doilies are great portable projects! 

from the Socialite Family

And you know when you have this idea in your head, and the same day something appears in your blog feed with exactly what you were looking for - but you did not know you were looking for it (am I making even sense here?). This is what happened with this wall art made of doilies, it is a great to use vintage (or your grandma's) doilies and add new ones to the mix. To make the shape I found this tutorial - using some Stiffy (who thought of that name, seriously). I have also seen this inspiration picture, and wondering whether I could recreate that crochet pattern - anyone has any ideas? 

Last minute Father's Day Card | Le Challenge {Crochet}

This month's le challenge theme was charity... and I made a Father's Day card - on behalf of Baby MiH, of course. Right now, you are probably wondering how I went from charity to a handmade card, where is the link? Well, it is all in the structure I used - it is made of a bangle I got from a charity shop.. Ahhhh, I hear you say. 

This is not my idea - it is based on Lova Nova crochet flower ring tutorial and can be adapted to whatever you want to frame.

And all you need is yarn, a crochet hook, a bangle of some description and washi tape if you are going to stick the frame to a background. 

The card and washi tape are from Paperchase; the hook is a 4mm; and the yarn is Rowan Creative Focus Worsted (in Delft).

I chose a colour scheme that I hope Mr MiH will like - although it may be closer to my own taste, but it is something he may not expect so I am sure I will be able to get away with that one.

As for the font, I was inspired by this fake calligraphy post, although it worked much better with my black profipen 0.5 than the white pen. Now I know...  

So here you are, it is Saturday and here is a way to make a very quick, and unusual, card for tomorrow! 

For all other Charity entries, check out Le Challenge here, and get a chance to enter our FQS giveaway.

Charity | Le Challenge

This month's theme is 'Charity', and I have been thinking charity shops, upcycling, cutting, painting, etc (more on this on le Challenge blog)... and came up with this obscure project.. 

More on Saturday... 

Meet Desmond the Dragon | A finish {crochet}

He is cute, he is green, he is a dragon - let me introduce to Desmond (not my choice). If I am honest, I still cannot believe I have finished it. I do not crochet as much as knit, and thought that might be actually above my skills level. But look, I made him - with my little hands, on my own, no help! And he does actually look like the pattern - I know, amazing!

He is MUCH bigger than the pattern suggested - which may be why Baby MiH is not that keen on him (basically he is a big as he is when baby MiH sits).

In other things I am proud of having made are the eyes (well one of them, the other one is a bit wonky - did you notice the editing of the left eye). I could not find any, and then I thought of that fimo clay I had, 30 minutes in the oven, a bit of clear nail varnish (essential DIY tool) - et voila!

Then there is the clever bit about the spikes, so clever! You make a backbone chain, and then make the spikes! The back of the head is not the easiest of bit, but it is still very clever!

The ears are probably the cutest bits. Again it took me a while to understand - and a lot of Ravelry stalking to make sure I understood what I was supposed to do - I think I managed it ok.

 

Here is the back, it is a bit wonky, totally my fault - it happened when I pieced together the head to the body..

 

Pattern: "DIRK" - lalylala crochet pattern N° VI - Dragon, Dinosaur (available here)

Yarn:  Artenaso Definition sock yarn in Crocodile and Drops Karisma in Forest Green
(the white and orange yarn are leftovers from the fox hats, and the fabric from the Botanics collection)

Hook size: 4mm 

Modification: none only mistakes (except the size)
  Filling: Soft toy filling found here

There are many other great patterns by Lydia, I love the afro on Loni the Lion ... which one is your favourite?

The unusual WIP {Crochet}

I have some many WIPs at the moment, it is getting out of control - but of course in a good way! It also means that at some point there may a few finished projects to share. Sometimes I really wished I was a one-at-a-time-project kind of girl - but let's face it your are either one or you are not. And I am definitely not. I have currently 3 knitting projects (one is the follow your arrow kal though, so not exactly a typical WIP), a crochet project, and 3 sewing projects I should be getting on with... And many many more in my head! 

So the issue is really which one to share here. I decided to go for the crochet one because 1) I have not crochet in a while, and I forgot how much I enjoyed it!, 2) because it is the most unusual project out of my current WIP, and will get you guessing, and 3) it is the one I am most likely to finish. 

So he is a HE ...

So he has legs, and thanks to his Mum (yours truly) he has one shorter than the other, oops...

 A head (sort of)...

he has  a long body... 

he is made of Artenaso Definition sock yarn in Crocodile and Drops Karisma in Forest Green (both already in my stash whoohoo- so I really got an interesting green. The white and burnt orange yarns are leftovers from the fox hats.   

Oh and he has one arm (so far)..

And he is about to become Baby MiH's best mate - and new dribbling pillow... I hope to properly introduce him to you very soon. 

A Precious year | Le Challenge {Crochet}

I am so excited! He is ONE!! Can you believe it? I can't... But yes Baby MiH is ONE today.. 

Le Challenge's theme for this month is 'precious'. And It was always going to be something for Baby MiH or in relation to his birthday - after all he is the first thing I thought about for precious . I had many ideas, both quick and time-consuming, but it was not really what I had in mind for today... And then came the idea of the bauble - one bauble every year for his birthday...  I do like Xmas traditions, and I thought that could be ours from now on. And yes it was a very quick project... 

 Pattern: Free on this blog (already made some here)

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed Chunky in Mahogany (unfortunately discontinued)
 - I used nearly one ball of it. 

Hook size: 5mm 

Modification:  Added a couple of rows in the middle to make the bauble bigger

Bauble filling: Soft toy filling found here

Cross-stitching:  Anchor Artiste Metallic ball - 
4 strands of thread held together

It is an easy '1' cross-stitching pattern to follow. The hardest is actually to try to find the cross-stitching 'grid' as the bauble is shaped using increases and decreases. 

On another note I 'baked' some Christmas ornaments (around the bauble and on the presents) - but more on this later on the blog. As for us, there is cake to eat, cuddles to give and precious time to spend. 

For all the other precious entry, go over to le challenge. Do join the fun for a chance to win a $25 at the Fat Quarter Shop (open until December 16 at 11am UK time). 

one of our first pics together