Reduce, reuse and recycle

I found this idea for reusable make-up remover pads on Crochetme. Depending on the kind of yarn, you can crochet two, three or four rows. I did three to get a reasonable sized pad. I didn't try them yet, because I want to wash them first (thrifted yarn). Not into crochet? Make fabric reusable pads.

Dump!

One of the nice things of having a blog is that people know what you are doing. I am asked many times if I could use peoples crafting books, yarns, fabric etc. I hardly ever say no! I am very happy to receive those wonderful gifts. Same with fruits and vegetables. Gerrie gave me these plums. Thanks! I made spicy plum jam. For a sandwich but it goes well with meat too.

Found

Don't you love the colours of these yarns and books? Picked up in the secondhand store. I can't stay away from that shop. Many times I find nothing. But this time I was lucky again. The books are about drawing gardens, fine snacks and two about baking bread. Especially the last ones made me happy. I want to know more about baking bread. Because in a while I will have the opportunity to bake in my uncles antique woodfired bread oven.

Hide!

Something new for J. Yesterday we bought her a hockeystick. And one for her sister too. J. is going to start hockey-training after summer vacation. But they already like to play a game on the artificial turf on the playground in front of our house.

Between the tomatoes

The bag is finished. A lovely market bag. I always find bags particularly hard to photograph. Probably because the pictures for my blog have to be 'landscape'. And 'portrait' would fit an object like a bag better. The picture you see here was taken in our 'potager'. Where we were harvesting our first french beans.

Lessons from Madam Elastic

Crochet is my thing at the moment. Especially the smaller projects. A dishcloth this time. In a waffle-stitch that brings me back to needlework-lessons at primary school. I had to crochet potholders like these. And believe it or not, I was the worst needleworker. Irregular crocheter, a very, very tight knitter with missed stitches every needle and a lazy embroiderer. But later I picked up an interest anyway. That's why I chose the motto for my book to be 'making beautiful things is not about talent, but about enthusiasm and just doing it'.

Two shades of green

I love gooseberry's! Yesterday my dad brought 2 kilo's from their garden. To make jam. I used half a kilo special jam sugar on one kilo of fruit, because I like the sourness of the fruit. It's a pity the berry's loose their beautiful green colour when cooked. It took me just five minutes to cut a gooseberry-stamp out of an eraser for the labels. Half of the jars will go back to my dad. The other ones are for presents and our own breakfast table.

All went well!

Thanks for your comforting comments on my last post. Although in daily life our little one is easily hurt, yesterday she was very tough. Nervous but no tears and laughing about the doctors jokes while getting anaesthetics. Half an hour after surgery she was already eating an icecream and watching tv! Unbelievable, considering she was operated on both her eyes. In the meantime her mother crocheted her fears away. You can find the tutorial for the bag here on Ravelry (you have to sign up first). I'll show you the finished result later.

Will you think of her on monday?

Or maybe light a candle? Our little one has to have surgery to her eyes, again. Next monday. She's is quite 'cool' about it. But I'm nervous. More than the first time. I have to keep myself busy. So I sewed this dog carrier for the (ugly) chihuahua she chose as the one to accompany her to the hospital.

Into fashion

And how to get through those rainy days? J. came up with this fantastic idea: drawing and making your own dolls clothes. And that is what we did yesterday. They designed, chose fabric and I was their obediant seamstress. Like real designers the girls knew exactly what they wanted and were very impatient. We all liked the result. But you should see my atelier...

Who wants more?

Today is a rainy day. Like yesterday. But two days ago the weather was great for a lunch under the blue sky and pear trees. Our neighbourhood has several perfect picknick spots. We felt like we were in paradise, enjoying croissants, scones with raspberry jam, fruit- and pasta salade, bread with tuna or goat-cheese, ice-tea and more. While the kids were swapping animal-cards and playing football.

Rhythmic gymnastics

I saw this on dutch blog maarnietvangrijs and it brought back memories. Tie a piece of cord to the coiled spin of a clothes pin, cut two 1 inch/2,5cm wide strips of crepe paper and clamp both strips between the clothes pin. Guaranteed hours of fun for the kids during their summer holidays. It also makes a perfect birthday-treat.

Swap

It took her a while, but finally she wiggled out her first milktooth. And mom had to make a little box to keep this tooth and all following. Made one for her sister too. A small jam jar decorated with printed fabric tape with punched out origami paper on top.

Jewels

Two cute little bracelets. Another wonderful idea of Pascal from between de lines. I was lazy and I made the childrens option (without sewing the fabric). Some old french buttons did the rest. I really liked the result! They were meant for the kids, but I wore them today...

Multi purpose

Since we have a separate vegetable garden, there is more room for flowers in our backyard. I sowed some packages of mixed flowers in spring and just waited what would happen. Today our diner table was decorated with a freshly picked bouquet. And our favourite dish 'parmigina di melanzane' (in dutch) was accompanied with bread and flowerbutter (butter mixed with edible flowers and some salt and pepper). I so agree with the statement of Dries van Noten, that I found on the blog of my favourite shop Yoth in favourite city Den Bosch.

Famous family

I had been interviewed for a local newspaper. So I knew a piece about me and my book would be published this weekend. But to our surprise we saw a picture of our youngest in the same issue! About the balletperformance a few weeks ago. What a coincidence!

For Maud

Oh, oh, too late. Her 10th birthday was last sunday. But somehow I think a late present won't be returned for that reason. We send her a hanger to match her birthdaydress and a colouring poster from Rosie Flo. We hope she will like it.

Congratulations, girl!

My friend MJ didn't want any presents for her birthday. But I think everyone throwing a party deserves to get something (next to the company) in return. So I made her this hanger. A handmade present is a good compromise, I think.

Red

Ever since my first pair of clogs I'm addicted. So I was waiting for the Hasbeens designed for H&M. And yet I was almost too late. But lucky to order from the last batch. I had to wait a month! A few weeks ago they arrived. Yesterday I wanted to wear them to the beach and needed something to match colour and style. Searching the crafty internet I came across the pattern for this crocheted grocery tote. Perfect, don't you think?

Bloemendaal

My friend MJ celebrated her birthday on the beach. The weather forecasts were not good, but it became a wonderful sunny afternoon. A small vacation. We went early to let the girls play around and collect shells. Later the party took place at lounge beachclub 'de Republiek'. N. escaped the company and had some conversations with her new quiet friend.

21 days till...

I've mentioned the curiosity group before, but feel the need to do so again. Every month they have another cut-and-fold calender. Very easy and very funny! You automatically smile when you look at these calenders standing on your desk, dreaming about the last or next holiday...