Happy 2018
Is it really the 23rd of January already? Gosh, this is a late message, but a very Happy 2018 to all of you. Prior to the December vacation, I made loads of plans for projects, some very old WIPs (Work in Progress) to be completed, some re-organising and de-stashing of crafts and an overall clean-up of not just my craft space, but my home in general. Unfortunately, my Dad passed away at the very beginning of the holiday, literally a month ago yesterday and interestingly the last time I posted on my blog. Literally everything came to a grinding halt. Nothing has been really done – even the nursery is not yet ready for the arrival of our baby. The scheduled date at present is 2 March, but she is super active and all the aches and pains and uncomfortable nights have started and it feels like it could be sooner. Needless to say I am a bit panicked – yes I realise that it doesn’t have to be all ready before she arrives, but it would be nice. It’s very exciting though looking at baby goodies in shades of pinks and lilac – all very new to me, but it is such fun.
I have been doing some crafting, but must admit it’s not really been a creative month for me. During my two week stay in Durban at my parents’ home, I crocheted a special square using the Sophie’s Garden pattern (i.e. Parts 1 to 4 of the Sophie’s Universe CAL) as the centre, which was used to cover a photograph of my Dad. It was my first time working with thread and a 1.5mm hook, but it was a rewarding project, because it had such a special purpose. You can read more about that and see a pic on my Facebook page here. You can find the pattern for Sophie’s Garden here.
I’ve picked up my cross stitch project again, as the nights are just far too hot to be working with yarn or really anything that has to lie over your lap. It’s a lazy stitch as it’s a silhouette that requires no colour changes – it is still very rewarding though to see the picture appear as you work those tiny crosses. I will post WIP pics on my Facebook page. I haven’t given up on my love for all things yarn – I have been planning a project that I hope to share with you in the coming months. I’ve ordered some really yummy eco-fusion from Nurturing Fibres in pretty ice-cream shades and cannot wait to make my special project in it….no guesses there about why it’s special or that it’s in ice-cream shades…yes I am terrible at keeping you in suspense.
So what am I going to be working on over the next couple of weeks – friends are expecting their very first baby in about 4 weeks and I really want to make rather than buy a gift, they chose an animal blanket and I am quite excited to get stuck into. The pattern is printed and the yarn (about 20 different shades) has been purchased.
So with the renewed interest in cross stitch, I bought my very first “gorjuss” kit and for Matthew a dinosaur fun kit. My first time working with a kit from Bothy Threads and it was such a relief to see that there are no fractional stitches. I will over the next few months share progress pictures…yes I am rather optimistic about what I will be able to accomplish during my four-month maternity leave. But how gorgeous is this gorjuss?
So yes, about buying more kits….I know I did say de-stashing is great for the soul, but really now…isn’t it really more about getting rid of one item to make space for 10 new ones…I’m sure this is common for anyone who crafts. Anyway….
Until next time…Create, Craft and Inspire…
Best wishes
Kogi