The yarn that broke the camel's back

What was I thinking crocheting like a lunatic! I do love the tangible, colourful result though.

A big

and a small basket for myself

and one in Easter colours for a friend.

I was at the doctor’s yesterday and came home with a 30 days’ supply of anti-inflammatory drugs and this device on my hand

which is the most comfortable it has been in weeks. I’m not allowed to use it all the time but with this on I might be able to just a little of this and that. Stay tuned for more upcoming one-and-a-handful-wonders…

Two baskets

The second crocheted basket is also living at my daughter’s house.

Even though I love the solid-ish effect of using two strands of the same yarn, I had to try two shades of pink together.

I had my doubts about the result, my daughter did not.

After it was finished, I decided to add one more row of light pink to tie the mix together.

It looks huge from this angle, but it’s not.

I had a lovely weekend spending a lot of non-scheduled time with my daughter and grandsons; cuddling, feeding and burping (baby), puzzling, painting and eating pancakes (big brother), talking, laughing and playing DrawSomething (daughter) and going for a Sunday stroll (all of the above). Resting is not all bad:)

One basket

I was so happy with this first crocheted basket that the needle won’t be retired any time soon. It is a slow sport, I’d say, taking many evenings to finish one basket using 2 strands of (Mandarin Petit) cotton yarn and a 4mm needle.

It can be used at full height

or folded down to more of a bowl shape

It has bulls’ eye bottom

and a wonky little finishing bump.

It’s useful because it will hold a small collection of cars – and can be tossed into the washer or dryer if dirty.

I wasn’t quite sure it would fit daughter’s taste with all the different colours, but she loves it and wants many more. I have to say I love this appreciating-everything-handmade-trend we have going and hope it will last for many, many years. Do you have the same trend where you live? Anyway, as a handmade-obsessive I love it and I’m a big time supplier of handmade goodies to my family.

More baskets to follow.

Still here...

I’m still here although I have been absent from the blog world lately including my own blog. Finishing up the book has taken more time than anticipated, the publishing date has been moved more than a month and we are all quite squeezed on time. 144 pages to proof, illustrations to audit, chop, chop, chop to make more room, pictures that needs resizing, replacing, re-anything. Seriously, how much can your brain even process at the same time? Mine is in overdrive, but the good thing is that it will all be over soon.


Up until lately my focus has been more on the fact that I won the contract, the creativity involved, and the intellectual part of actually writing a book more than what it means to have a book published. It’s a bit scary, I’d say.


I’m spending yet another day in front of the computer screen, working on streamlining a few patterns for printing. It took me 3 hours to order the pictures. 3 hours! Enough boring work already; I cannot wait to get back to my sewing machine. I do however wind down in the evenings. The crochet project is moving on very nicely.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Tuesday morning

Life is back to normal after the rush of joy welcoming a new loved one into our lives. I’ve had my share of baby cuddle time. Pure joy in a small package. Now the young ones have gone home, the house is empty, I have tons to do but I cannot seem to focus on anything. So what do I do? Chrochet. Yup. It has been ages since I used a hook, but I have been drooling over this basket for ages so grandson and I took a short road trip to the yarn factory outlet to stock up on cotton yarn.


No matter which angle I look at them

they look gorgeous

reminding me of spring.

I’m working the tried and true Goldilocks style; the first base was to curved, the second too wavy around the edges and the third one just perfect.

I’ll get my book back later this week for another proof reading which means it’s getting closer. The cover is done, the much dreaded foreword written, the projects picked, pictures chosen, the designer is putting the final touches on the layout, and all I have left to write is what goes on the back of the book.

All right; enough procrastination; off to work…

Happy Tuesday!