Life's Jewels on String

Oven Mitts Makeover

2021-01-31T16:32:00.005+01:00

Years have passed. I've had two kids. I started my own business (my experience curating this blog helped a lot with that). Seasons have come and gone. We're still in Delft. I've never stopped creating, making and mending. I just didn't make the time to blog the results. But I always wanted to because I never forgot this scrapbook blog. I wonder who is out there reading this now who knew used to read my posts a decade ago...

Mending is now in vogue. Sustainability is more important than ever these days. We're in the middle of a pandemic and I have projects to document. So I'm going to try and do that.

Today I finished my oven mitts project. We started with a pair of yucky 8 years old (brand new probably last time I wrote a blog post, haha!) oven mitts from Ikea that have seen extensive use. I'd previously mended them and even tried to darn them. But finally the binding was failing and I had to do something drastic or toss them.

Ok, drastic then!

I started by washing them. Then removed and discarded the old binding. I cut some stash fabric (thick cotton from Ikea) to size, a square for each side. I quilted the three layers together by hand. Finally I created some binding strips from the same Ikea fabric and sewed it on, also by hand. I used super strong Gutermann thread.

They came out so cute and a little bit rustic! I'm really pleased. Now let's use them for another decade!

Featured Etsy Stock Taker: Notional Notions

2013-08-13T22:00:00.000+02:00

Notional Notions

My name is Chelsea and I live and create in Los Olivos, California. I'm a vagabond at heart, an eccentric artist and the maker behind my Etsy shop, Notional Notions. I've been drawing and making things for as long as I can remember, but it's only recently I started channeling that work into my Etsy shop.

I've always been pretty varied with my Etsy items, because I like to make so many different things. It first started with custom made children's books, and has since evolved into pearl snap earrings, artist's books, one-of-a-kind illustrations and prints made of sketches from my travels. Although I enjoy making all of the items in my shop, I think writing and illustrating children's books is my absolute favorite. Holding a finished, hand-bound, one-of-a-kind children's book makes me so happy!

What's the Etsy Stock Take?

It was an opportunity for artisans with an Etsy shop is get more exposure that I ran on LifesJewels in 2012. I believe in buying handmade and I would like to encourage others to do so more regularly. Right now I am not posting Etsy Stock Take link ups, but who knows, maybe soon I'll bring it back. Meanwhile check out the great artisans that have shared their stories over the last months.

Are you an Etsy seller? Would you like to be featured next? Contact me and we'll set it up.

I'm back!

2013-08-05T23:30:00.000+02:00

Oh yea, funky stuff happens around here!

So... this little blogging break turned into a whole 6 months! Wow.

I've got a swish new computer that really works and so I'm motivated to get back online.

Our new life in Delft is pretty cool. We're having a fabulous summer, warm and sunny. We have settled in (more or less, still have some curtains to hang...) and I feel like I've got a nice little routine going.

And I'm making stuff again! Hurrah.

What I hope to scrapbook onto the blog in the next weeks/months:

Catch up on recording what I've made recently
Round up of my favourite corners in my garden, season by season
Get the Etsy Stock Take going again
I've got some Etsy Stock Takers ready to go!
What I've been buying handmade or vintage
The DIY I've learnt how to do

I hope I didn't lose too many people with Google retiring it's reader. Want to keep in touch? My suggestion is to do one of the following:

Put your email address in the box on the right to subscribe. Then new posts will appear in your inbox.
Follow LifesJewels on bloglovin.com.
Contact me and I'll give you a hand.

On pause...

2013-02-01T10:38:00.000+01:00

Delft Markt from my handlebars

Life's Jewels on String - Status: Paused.

Lots and lots to do. Moving house is exciting, but also a little overwhelming!

Job hunting/interviewing, buying essential furniture (and building some of it), finding our way around and battling adverse weather and sickness.

Something's gotta give and for now that is blogging. When I can do it justice again I'll be back!

Etsy Stock Take - 2013 Week Three

2013-01-20T22:00:00.000+01:00

My favourite last week: Vintage Shell Shaped Earrings at PennySaversVinrage

Etsy Stock Take - 2013 Week Three - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

I'm dashing about like a mad lady after being immobilised by sickness for ages! I'm looking forward to seeing what you link up in the next few days. Can't stop! See you next week :)

There is a newish feature on the blog! Featured Etsy Stock Taker. Check it out, it's rather nice.

Please do get involved with promoting the Etsy Stock Take it a bit more in the coming weeks (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity. I'm sure you can appreciate I won't have much time (moving from Germany to Holland and having a bit of a holiday in between)!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

Link up your items to get more exposure for your shop. You might be featured in the Best of the Week or Best of the Month features (and then you'll be tweeted and pinned!). Vintage is welcome too!

You have 2 options:

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post so we can find your blog.

2. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:
Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big.

If you have problems with linking up, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Everyone:
It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: If you enjoyed this, please share it with your twitter followers: Tweet #etsystocktake

If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here to find the latest Etsy Stock Take...

The Madness - Part One - Delft.

2013-01-18T22:00:00.000+01:00

December was basically a pretty long road trip around Europe. Primarily it was planned to help us take care of various responsibilities we had while moving house from Hamburg, Germany to Delft, Netherlands.

Thankfully we ended up having some fun time too and I started Instragramming. I've been really looking forward to scrapbooking some of these pictures on Lifes Jewels!

We called this road trip The Madness.

The Madness, Part One, Stopping off in Delft:

Delft through the WestCord Hotel


Ikea Lamp Shades used to good effect at the WestCord Hotel, Delft

A drink under the old Delft market scales (can't remember how old they are, but we're talking hundreds of years!). Stadscafé De Waag.

Sunrise on the road, next stop Italy!

The Madness part 2 coming soon...

Featured Etsy Stock Taker: ecoPaperie.

2013-01-15T22:00:00.000+01:00

ecoPaperie

I'm Anita. I've loved stationery, PAPER!, pens, pencils, erasers and even fun bags for as long as I can remember. I saved my pennies and purchased my very first set of stationery in 2nd grade and because everything has sentimental value, I still have it....27 years later! My eye for catching all things beautiful turned into a dream hobby over a year ago. I put my creativity and attention to detail into practice after being encouraged by my good friend Ann. Eco-paperie came into existence when I rescued a pile of paper at work about to be tossed and crafted beautiful stationery and note cards that I gave away. Being an avid Etsy shopper, opening a store seemed the most natural avenue for me to join the ranks. Our on-line world definitely provides a level of ease, but I think you would agree that the art of a personal note, though almost non-existent these days, out-speaks the quick email. I know I have many things to learn in the world of hand crafting, but I love each and every one of my creations... as simplistic or articulate as they may be. Join me on my journey as I continue to grow in the world of paper, ink and eco-paperie.

I live in the burbs of Atlanta and moved here during my junior year of high school, leaving the Garden State where I spent a good portion of my life. Believe it or not, NJ was a slower pace of life than Atlanta, and although I may miss a "coffee" (spoken with the correct accent) and a bagel, Atlanta is now my home. I went to GT, studied Civil Engineering and somehow managed to graduate! My day job demands a different style of creativity, but I recharge and don't complain when my wonderful (new!) husband retreats to his game room and I escape to my world of paper. I have to give a shout to my hubsters - my biggest fan and the one I run to first with every new creation. We don't have any children (yet?), but I have two amazing nephews I'd love to claim. We enjoy traveling the world, frequenting our "hole in the walls" and attending North Point Community Church. We are grateful for good jobs, a cozy home and a family that loves us, but not in that order.

Thanks for taking a moment of your day to learn about me :-)

What's the Etsy Stock Take?

It's an opportunity for artisans with an Etsy shop is get more exposure. I believe in buying handmade and I would like to encourage others to do so more regularly. If you are looking for a great gift, the curated Best of the Month Etsy Stock Takes are a good place to start. If you are an Etsy shop owner, please get involved!

Would you like to be featured next? Contact me and we'll set it up.

Etsy Stock Take - 2013 Week Two

2013-01-13T19:45:00.000+01:00

A recent favourite: Baby Sloth Necklace at FlowerLandShop

Etsy Stock Take - 2013 Week Two - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

I'm sick. So although I have loads of great travelling and craft notes to blog about, I'm not gonna bother... I'm sorry that I do not have the brain power to do a best of December as is usual, but I think things are going to be very fuzzy around here as we set ourselves up in Delft and move from temporary accommodation to something more permanent.

Also the Etsy Stock Take zoned out for week 52 and week 1 due to unexpected non-connectivity. Whoops! C'est la vie.

Still, I reckon I'll be brighter in a few days and then things will get cooking. Meanwhile I'm doing a little bit of knitting, a lot of napping and I'm rather loving having duvet days!

There is a newish feature on the blog! Featured Etsy Stock Taker. Check it out, it's rather nice.

Please do get involved with promoting the Etsy Stock Take it a bit more in the coming weeks (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity. I'm sure you can appreciate I won't have much time (moving from Germany to Holland and having a bit of a holiday in between)!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

We've arrived in Delft!

2013-01-08T22:00:00.000+01:00

Yep, that's a canal!

We've arrived in Delft in the Netherlands! The madness is over.

During the last weeks we've been on an epic journey through Europe, closing up a flat in Hamburg and another one in Geneva and now we have finally landed in Delft. We plan to stay put here for a few years, phew :)

I would love to have some great and exciting new year updates ready to go for LifesJewels, but after the recent madness, I realise that I need to take things slow. I think I will ease into the new year gently here on the blog.

2013 Blog Ideas:
-Post some photos from the madness (European road trip)
-Continue Etsy Stock Take
-Promote Featured Etsy Stock Takers
-Prepare project notes for a couple of sewing projects from last year that never got written up
-Catch up with my blogger friends and hopefully take part in some crafty/bloggy collaborations
-Freshen up the design of LifesJewels
-Showcase Delft

Wow, that's actually a lot of fun stuff to keep me busy. In real life I will be looking for work and a permanent place to live as well as other important stuff. Oh, and I'd love to get my Etsy shop up and running again.

Oh!

I can hear loud scary sirens, like the police or ambulance x 10 and I'm getting a bit worried.

Right...

I just did a web search and it turns out that every Monday at 12pm the Delft University of Technology test all their sirens.

Lots of new things to get used to!!!

Etsy Stock Take - Week Fifty-one.

2012-12-23T12:52:00.000+01:00

My favourite last week: Bracelet with woodland animals and pearls at hARTjewelry

Etsy Stock Take - Week Fifty-one - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

The mountains were amazing! Now we're in Geneva, Switzerland for the rest of the year. Lot's of moving around of furniture and cleaning to do, but we'll surely find time for a bit of fun as well. I've made some progress with my knitted waistcoat. Can't wait to wear it :)

There is a new feature on the blog! Featured Etsy Stock Taker. Check it out, it's rather nice :)

Please do get involved with promoting the Etsy Stock Take it a bit more in the coming weeks (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity. I'm sure you can appreciate I won't have much time (moving from Germany to Holland and having a bit of a holiday in between)!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Etsy Stock Take - Week Fifty.

2012-12-17T17:15:00.000+01:00

Etsy Stock Take - Week Fifty - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

We're in Flaine in the French Alps. Little bit of a skiing break. Not much to say, I'll have more time for chat in a couple of weeks ;)

There is a new feature on the blog! Featured Etsy Stock Taker. Check it out, it's rather nice :)

Please do get involved with promoting the Etsy Stock Take it a bit more in the coming weeks (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity. I'm sure you can appreciate I won't have much time (moving from Germany to Holland and having a bit of a holiday in between)!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

I wanna make that! Jewels in Knitting.

2012-12-12T09:53:00.001+01:00

This is the coolest detail ever. I saw this in Esprit some weeks ago in Hamburg before we left. I would love to knit jewels into my pieces.

I think the way to do it is to thread a whole load of beads onto the yarn before you commence knitting and then pull them down once in a while, into a stitch. I will have to try it out. Anyone got tips for me?

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Featured Etsy Stock Taker: LikeFreja.

2012-12-10T10:03:00.000+01:00

LikeFreja

My name is Lora aka Freja Moon, and I live in a Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Most of my life I had very urban and very technical focus but since my boy have been born I returned to my artistic and crafty core.

It happens that I found I am strongly attracted to fashion knitting and crocheting and fiber arts in general. So I have started a shop, called LikeFreja where I can share the love of hand knitting and crocheting with others around the globe. My knowledge is based on my grand mums lessons and my passion to read and experiment with the needles and the hooks.

My favorite part of the work is choosing the right yarn for a project. It should be a premium quality and with a trendy appearance. Very often my designs come as a consequence of the material I am in love with. So I assume I am a yarn-o-cholic :)

Come and see my shop where you can appreciate my work and I am sure, you will feel special and connected. Thank you!

What's the Etsy Stock Take?

It's an opportunity for artisans with an Etsy shop is get more exposure. I believe in buying handmade and I would like to encourage others to do so more regularly. If you are looking for a great gift, the curated Best of the Month Etsy Stock Takes are a good place to start. If you are an Etsy shop owner, please get involved!

Would you like to be featured next? Contact me and we'll set it up (it's free!).

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-nine

2012-12-09T17:29:00.000+01:00

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-nine - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

Loving Italy. We've been horse riding, hill walking, hot chocolate (so think your spoon stands up in it) drinking, mooching around getting our energy back and hanging out with family. I've also been working A LOT on my Italian of course. Not much crafting to report...

There is a new feature on the blog though! Featured Etsy Stock Taker. Check it out, it's rather nice :)

Please do get involved with promoting the Etsy Stock Take it a bit more in the coming weeks (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity. I'm sure you can appreciate I won't have much time!

Want more exposure?
I would like to start a new feature where I introduce some of you Etsy Stock Takers personally. You might have already read about this in the regular email. This might be especially good for non-bloggers. Just send me a nice photo and a paragraph about you and your process. See who's already been featured.. If you are interested in getting involved or being featured, please drop me a line.

I hope you have had a lot of crafty sales this week. Please show us what you have in your shops!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-eight - Best of November.

2012-12-03T09:40:00.000+01:00

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-eight - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

We're in Italy! We've just arrived in Liguria. It's a very good feeling to be with family (that's not even mentioning the food or the wine, or even the sunshine and sea... haha!).

We basically spent the last two days in the car. But that meant knitting progress as I like knitting on a long journey. It makes the time go that much faster. I've started a biscuit coloured waistcoat for myself. It's quite yummy.

What have you been up to? Here is the best of November!

Week Forty-four:

Solid Lotion at DelicateByNature

Week Forty-five:

Snowflake Decoration at artsyants

Week Forty-six:

Vintage Jewellery Box at junquegypsy

Week Forty-seven:

Quartz and aquamarine gemstone necklace at magsbeadscreation

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Want more exposure?
I would like to start a new feature where I introduce some of you Etsy Stock Takers personally. You might have already read about this in the regular email. I already have a couple of takers. This might be especially good for non-bloggers. Just send me a nice photo and a paragraph about you and your process. If you are interested in getting involved or being featured, please drop me a line.

I hope you have had a lot of crafty sales this week. Please show us what you have in your shops!

How to: Winter's Coming Lip Scrub.

2012-11-27T14:09:00.002+01:00

I have always suffered with chapped lips in the winter. This year I decided to try and do something about it. I had seen a few sugar lip scrubs being advertised (like this one at Lush). So I made lip scrub!

Ingredients:

I wanted to find a way to make a sugar scrub with ingredients I already have in my store cupboard. I did some digging around online and came up with a list of things that I could use...

My first try recipe:

I mixed the following ingredients together with a fork:

3 teaspoon (tsp) white caster sugar
1 tsp coconut oil

This was a bit too dry and crumbly so I added the following:

1 tsp solid honey
1 tsp olive oil (But read to the end...)

How to use:

Rub a little on to your lips in a circular motion. Then lick it off! Follow up with a good rich moisturising cream. I use the hand and lip cream I made not too long ago...

What I learnt:

Don't bother making this with brown sugar, it dissolves! Goodness knows what they do to make sugar white and non-dissolving...
It would have been better if I had left out the olive oil. When I wanted to use my scrub the next day the olive oil had separated and was sitting on top of the rest of the mix. I just poured it off. Also the olivey taste doesn't go all that well with the coconut and honey.

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-seven.

2012-11-25T11:37:00.000+01:00

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-seven - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

This week I cast off a pair of socks. Two at a time toe up no less! Also started packing for our new life in Delft, South Holland. Then some travelling, this time next week we'll be in Italy :)

Please do get involved with promoting the Etsy Stock Take it a bit more in the coming weeks (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity. I'm sure you can appreciate I won't have much time!

Want more exposure?
I would like to start a new feature where I introduce some of you Etsy Stock Takers personally. You might have already read about this in the regular email. I already have a couple of takers. This might be especially good for non-bloggers. Just send me a nice photo and a paragraph about you and your process. If you are interested in getting involved or being featured, please drop me a line.

I hope you have had a lot of crafty sales this week. Please show us what you have in your shops!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Spiral Granny Square Blanket - Tah dah!

2012-11-24T09:48:00.000+01:00

My spiral granny square blanket is finished :) I really enjoyed this project and it was a very good stash buster, 6 and a half balls of yarn out the basket and into useful occupation. I like that!

Front

Back

Find out more about this project on Ravelry. Also on LifesJewels.

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-six

2012-11-19T13:48:00.000+01:00

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-six - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

We're moving! We're moving house! Off we go to Delft in South Holland. Ohhh, lots of new adventures await us.

This does mean that blogging might have to take a back seat in the next weeks. I will try and keep up with the Etsy Stock Take, but I'll be promoting it less. That means that you linker-uppers might wanna promote it a bit more (pinning, tweeting, blogging, Etsy teams, you know the deal...) so that you get the best out of this exposure opportunity.

Also I would like to start a new feature where I introduce some of you Etsy Stock Takers personally. You might have already read about this in the regular email. I already have a couple of takers. If you are interested in getting involved or being featured, please drop me a line.

I hope you have had a lot of crafty sales this week. Please show us what you have in your shops!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Halloween and Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-five.

2012-11-18T11:22:00.000+01:00

Most clicked on last week: Water Statement Bib Necklace from JasminBlancBoutique

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-five - Sunday Linky Party

Hi guys,

What have you been up to this week? I finished my granny square blanket. It's a sweetie :)

I thought I would take a knitting/crochet break and do some reading, but my yarn is calling out to me so I might be casting on again sooner than planned.

I hope you have had a lot of crafty sales this week. Please show us what you have in your shops!

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:
Please, no holiday items, let's keep this a Halloween and Christmas free zone!

1. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button above).

Moving to Delft, Holland.

2012-11-15T14:47:00.000+01:00

Deflt's East Gate. The only surviving ancient gate, built around 1400.

That's right, LifesJewels is on the move. My family is re-locating west and a little more south to Delft in South Holland.

We are looking forward to saying hello to the land of canals (and living under sea level!), big yellow cheese and clogs! Ok, that's about all I know of the Netherlands, but I can't wait to discover it all.

Over the next weeks I will be saying goodbye to Hamburg, packing for the move and then enjoying a little bit of madness.

The madness = a month's tour around Europe getting ourselves sorted out and enjoying a bit of family time, skiing and friends in Italy and Switzerland.

Things will be a bit squiffy around here until we are settled in our new home. I will endeavour to keep up with the Etsy Stock Take, but forgive me if things are rather less organised than normal...

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Hamburg Park Graffiti.

2012-11-07T21:06:00.000+01:00

Every city has a story to tell. We can read the story in history books, hear it from the residents or see it on the streets. Hamburg is no different. I enjoy looking about me as I walk along and I often notice interesting details.

Graffiti is something that continually interests me. I'm not really into the big tags and scribbly stuff, but there is a type of graffiti that draws me in. Last year I got pulled into a 'secret code' in the centre of the Hamburg. Last week I was walking through my nearest park and I saw this 'craft/art' graffiti!

Leaf stenciled graffiti!

I'm not sure if the Hamburg park authorities will appreciate this graffiti, it will probably be a pain to clean up. But I like it. Especially the colour choice! I'm going to go back and see if they are still there later this week.

Spray painted leaf

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-four - Best of October

2012-11-05T10:30:00.000+01:00

Etsy Stock Take - Week Forty-four - Sunday Linky Party - Best of October

I've got one more round to work on my Spiral Granny Square blanket border and then it's finished! Yay!

We just got back from a smashing weekend in Berlin. Lot's of interesting and impressive sights, good friends and great food. What more can you want?

What have you been up to lovely creative people? Please tell all... and link up your treasures below as normal.

And... don't you know this is the Etsy Stock Take - Best of October, get ready to gush!

Week Forty-one:

Sweet Orange and Chilli Pepper Scented Candle at curiouscarrie

Week Forty-two:

Original Abstract Floral Art Canvas at artsyants

Week Forty-three:

Hand Knit Lace Shawl from SewEcological

Shoppers of handmade stuff:

Scroll down for some more beautiful products made by some of my readers. Please visit their shops on Etsy and consider buying something! You'll be glad you did :)

Etsy Sellers:

1. Link up directly to your Etsy shop:

Post a link that goes directly to your new items in Etsy using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. You can put up as many as you want and we will see your images nice and big :)

2. Bloggers:

Write a new post on your blog (telling us about your new items), mention the Etsy Stock Take and link back here so your readers get a chance to find the link up list (or add the button in the right side bar).

Then link up using the Linky widget (where it says 'click here to enter') at the bottom of this post. Then we can find your blog :)

It'd be lovely if you took a moment to go and check out some stuff that others post below - go shopping!

It seems that there have been some difficulties with the Linky widget. If you have problems, please let me know and I will give you a hand (my email).

Let's show our support for each other craftwise! I hope the Etsy Stock Take will be a powerful motivator and a source of exposure for us all.

Ciao!

Katz :)

PS: Do you tweet tweet? Tweet #etsystocktake

If the list at the bottom of this post is closed, link up with a live list anytime, click here and choose the latest Etsy Stock Take...

Hello Winter Clothes Colour Blocking.

2012-11-02T15:44:00.002+01:00

Polo neck: La redoute. Scarf: eBay. Leather skirt: F.Kids

So, it's official, I have unpacked my winter wardrobe and my summer lovelies are all snuggled away until the temperatures rise again next year.

I'm quite good at wearing colour through the winter, I can't bear all over black and I find happiness in the pop of colours. What I am not so good at, but would like to explore more is wearing patterns and prints. Here I am trying out a stripy scarf. Stripes seem a good place to start with patterns! Not too loud and rather classic. I am liking them layered up on the turquoise.

How do you wear patterns? Are you as excited as me to have a 'new' wardrobe when the season changes?

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)

Spiral Granny Square Blanket Progress.

2012-10-31T15:56:00.000+01:00

So I've made all my little granny squares and I am now in the process of crocheting them together into a spiral. They are super cute!

What I've learnt so far:

I weaved in the ends for about an inch and then trimmed off the excess. Then they were blocked individually before I started to join them together. Next time I think I will weave in the ends and not cut off the extra until after blocking the squares as some of them are already working their way loose and I'm a little bit worried about the integrity of one or two once the blanket is in use... oh uh!

I like the joining up method suggested by the queen of colourful granny squares, Lucy at Attic24. It's very rhythmic and the joining up stitches don't show on the front.

I took a picture of the squares laid out on the floor in the right pattern and referred to this when joining them up row by row. This helped with the confusion of working a spiral in straight lines (not easy for the brain I discovered!)

The little squares didn't all turn out the same size after blocking which is a bit strange and creates bumps, but I'm sure once I've blocked the complete blanket things will sit nice and smooth.

Blocking makes little baby curly squares all grown up and smooth! More on the ins and outs of blocking knitting and crochet here, where I blocked Marmee's waistcoat.

More on this project in Ravelry.

PS. Are you into buying handmade? Yes? Then you should check out the amazing stuff in the Etsy Stock Take. If you sell your craft on Etsy, please come and join in :)