Happy Halloween!

My blog has been neglected. Has it really been two months since I posted? At any rate...I have been busy. So I am stopping by to say Happy Halloween.

Even my garden gate is decorated for the season even if the spiders did this work instead of me. *Grins*

Last year, I had these designs to stitch and make pillow ornaments but was too busy with these so they had to wait until this year. It has been fun stitching them up. And remember when I mentioned the spray paint? It was to spray a green Christmas garland black for Halloween. Click on the photos for a closer look.

Wishing you a Boo-tiful and Happy Halloween!

Heidi

It's in the bag!

Back with another crochet finish. Some time ago, I started working on some Japanese blocks which I decided to make into a tote bag. It was a fun way to use them since I just wanted to try out some of the stitches. I have taken time making this one since I was making it with a friend and did not want to get too far ahead of her since she started after I had enough blocks for one side already. It was a fun project. We just crocheted the blocks together and then made a band of single crochet for the sides and bottom. I lined it with fabric from my quilt stash. I ran out of yarn so had to buy handles which I sewed to the lining with tabs. I added some small lace to the tabs too. Now I have a tote bag to carry my crocheting in when I take it to my friend's house...

I had made one block too many and turned it into a potholder (RAK gift) for Mieke who I crochet with regularly. It is a nice heavy design which is perfect for a potholder.

I also started a new afghan since the weather has cooled off. I am making Lion Brand's Harvest Patchwork afghan using Stylecraft DK yarn. I found out that this shop was selling it now here in Holland. What great yarn this is! Since this pattern calls for a chunky yarn, I am using a double strand to get the thickness and a 6,5mm hook. It is working up a treat and I am so looking forward to having another autumn feeling blanket to use in the coming season.

Back though to my stitching. I have another fun project in progress for Halloween. As soon as I get the spray painting part done, I will share this latest project. And yes...I did say stitching and spray painting. Intrigued? *grins*

Heidi

Cold thoughts in a warm summer.....

Months ago, I started making a Dutch crochet 'pronkrol' being created by Wieke. I loved the idea as I had often heard from two of my friends here about them making knitted ones at school as little girls. They are a long roll in which all the various stitches are practiced to learn to knit. But mine was becoming huge (choose too heavy yarn using 4mm crochet hook and wish I had bought a dainty yarn for it) and I was running out of yarn as this was leftover from this project.

My mother kept saying she thought it was a silly thing to make (see me rolling my eyes...lol) and just did not get the idea of a roll to show off your stitches. I jokingly put it around my neck as a scarf while we were talking on Skype and guess what. The idea stuck! It would make a really cute scarf. So I added a little more to get the length I wanted and added this beautiful lace edge. Now Miss Pickles has a scarf to keep her warm when the weather turns to nice crisp cold in autumn and winter.

And speaking of the weather, it has cooled off to a more normal temperatures with lots of lovely rain. The garden is happy and I am happy.

Heidi

A terrible thing has happened.....

As the temperature registered 40C/104F here in Elf Central Workshoppe, reports came in about a terrible accident with Miss Pickles the Elf...

She melted away in the heat. An SOS has been sent out to the North Pole and reports are that they are working away on restoring this elf back to health so she can be busy again soon with making gifts.

It's C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S once again!

The postman rang my doorbell today and handed me a package from Jeanne. It is Christmas in July once again today. Yippee!

When I saw the adorable paper, I hated to open it for a minute. Just a minute mind you! I had to see what was in the packages. *grins*

Jeanne made me a project bag with a beautiful vintage Christmas postcard fabric. That is going to be put to good use already as my current project is going to be held in there while I work on it. It needed ironing with the instructions Jeanne sent along to protect the vinyl front cover. Jos was working in my studio so I had to wait with the ironing.

Here is the beautiful ornament. She told me she choose this pattern with a cat on it to remind me of Dagi. Just look at Santa's scissors. I do love it and want to thank Jeanne for a fun swap. I told her this was a perfect time to do the swap with all our hot weather this summer in Holland. It is reminding me that the holidays are going to be here before we know it.

Heidi

It's C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S!

Remember that little peek at the ornament I made for a swap with a blogging friend? She emailed me that it arrived already. That went so fast and it got to her on Christmas Eve...lol. Well a girl can wish in the middle of a heat wave, can't she??? Or maybe the heat has really gone to my brain and I am hallucinating? *wink*

Anyway...my swap partner was none other than Jeanne over at WillowTreeStitcher. I wanted to make an ornament that looked European for her. The St. Nicholaas is stitched in reverse on the other side so even if it turns on the tree, it will always be facing the right side. I added a little snowflake to the bottom and all is sewn together with some of the French ribbons I bought in a needlework shop up in the north of Holland.

I also decided to use the opportunity to RAK Jeanne as well. I sent her a couple of non-stitchy things but also made a fob for a pair of embroidery scissors. It is made with silver, white and blue beads and a porcelain Delft Blauw wooden shoe with a windmill on it.

I am thrilled you got it all in time for Christmas in July (25th) Jeanne and hope you will enjoy using both items in the years to come. Just as the feeling of Christmas, I am anxiously awaiting the postman ringing my doorbell with your ornament. Can't wait........

Heidi 

Want to peek?

Here is a little peek at my surprise in an ornament swap with a blogging friend. I have been fun playing with my of my French trims and laces. I am so excited for her to receive it so I can finally share the finish. In the meantime, a little bit to wet your appetite...

Lots of projects are on the go but in the meantime, I am adding to my potholder quilt which is my quilt group's theme project for 2013. I would have been done but I changed my mind about how I was going to put it together. This means I need to come up with more ideas for the blocks. My latest ones include this one of buttons. I decided instead of simply stitching buttons that I would attach real ones...

I am adding more sayings since it is going to be a little larger than I thought. I found this saying online and loved it...love is the thread that mends worn hearts.

I made a friendship star for my next patchwork hexie. This block was chosen as the red and brown fabrics I used for it were some I swapped with a good friend for our potholder quilt. I have known Sonja for about 16+ years. I met her at my bobbinlace lessons. A couple of years ago, she wanted to learn to quilt. It was fun teaching her but also very easy to do since she has the touch when it comes to quilting. This was the first time we have been able to swap fabrics to get more of the right colors for each of our potholder quilt blocks. She has been building up a stash and it is nice to be able to raid her stash as she also does mine.

I will remember next time to show you the new set up for my potholder hexie quilt. It is really fun to make and make personal too. Our group's project was provided to us by Tammy who kindly shared it with us. Her own potholder quilt is really beatuiful.

Heidi