Zakka Style: Crochet Grocery Bag

I had to wait until after Christmas to post this item, because my friend reads this blog every now and then. But now it's all unwrapped and reveiled so I can post away.


Quite pleased with the result.. hope Rig likes it!

I made the Zakka Style Crochet Grocery Bag from Frayed at the Edges again. This time I followed the pattern, but added four more increase rounds just before deceasing. I also added a round of tripples (see note below) in sc just before starting on the handles. The idea was to weave a ribbon through this so the bag would look cute. But when I tried it, it really did look cute, but wasn't something that would suit my friend. So I left it as a pretty border. The handles I made longer, 100 chain, and worked in the same manner as the finishing edge on the bag, with a row of tripples. Mmmm... maybe I shouldn't have said I followed the pattern, made a lot of changes. Although they are all additions, to the pattern so stricktly speaking I did follow it, just added to it too.
I'm really pleased with the result and wished I had finished my blue bag of in the same manner.


The blue bag in use, it can hold a lot!!

Tripple*
I've mentioned this stitch in my post, and it's not the proper term. As I was crocheting I tried several stitches and decided on this one. I've got no clue as to the offical name of it, so please let me know if you do. I'm sure it's an exsisting stitch. Anyway here is how it goes:

start:1 loop on hook
wrap yarn over hook (2 loops on hook)
through next stitch, wrap yarn over hook, pull yarn back through (3 loops on hook)
wrap yarn over hook and pull the loop through 1 (3 loops on hook)
wrap yarn over hook and pull the loop through 2 (2 loops on hook)
wrap yarn over hook and pull the loop through 2 (1 loop on hook)
Next stitch.


My friend Louisa made a smaller version

Louisa made a mini version I also wanted to show off. It's sooooo cute. Not much use for grocheries I guess, but great for carring cute small things. (<-you are right I have no examples just imagine something small and cute :P).

Normal Gretel

We have a normal Gretel!
I repeat...
We have a normal Gretel!
Hooray!
Rasta woman hat is no more. Gretel is nice and tidy and finished and looks smashing!!! (Looks up to the sky and says) I am ready for snow now. Let it come please.


Gretel is back to a normal size

As you may know I started making the Gretel Beret in the slouchy version, with giant consequences! So I ripped back and followed the directions to the normal version provided in Ysolda's pattern et voila! J'ai un beret tres jolie! (I have a nice beret).


It's no longer flopping down into my neck.

I'm quite happy with the result. I think the yarn is very nice and soft. The colour is nice on my hair colour, but sometimes I do think of mushrooms. hehe. If I make another Gretel I would try the slouchy beret version with a lighter weight yarn. One tip if you do make this version: use a smaller needle size voor the ribbing. I used half a size down (5 mm, rest of beret is knit in 5.5 mm), but would use an even smaller size next time (4 mm).

More posts about berets:
Big Gretel
Another Slouchy Beret
Zakka Style Crafts
Slouchy Beret

Knitted landscapes

Knitting is art! It really is. The masses don't get this, but then the masses didn't get Van Gogh for got sake. To prove that it is an art, have a look at this website called Knitted Landscape. Anyone can participate, what you need to do is knit something nature and place it in a landscape, then take a picture. And those I tell you are very arty.


One of the contributions to Knitted Landscapes...

If you look at this picture you can see a landscape, formed over millenia by the elements of nature: vulcano's, plate tectonics and less invasive ones like rain, snow and temperature changes. And there in the midst of all this empty landscape is a mountain rocks. Made by man.
Someone picked up a stone and placed it on top of another and then other people did the same.
And then the free thinkers came in the form of knitters. They knitted colourful rocks and placed them in the landscape. Joining human creativity with the forces of nature in a single project. They connect the human touch with the powers of the earth.

Perhaps this post is a tat bit over the top on my part, but I love this type of art. And it's open for anyone to join in. You can upload your own knitted landscape pic to the site. Talk about a happening!

Healthy Living, update 1

One of my downfalls: carrot cake...

I always thought it a chalange to start a diet and go to gym in December, but it's proven more than hard. I'm not doing too bad (read: i'm not stuffing myself on an hour to hour basis as is usual this month). But there are little chocolates and cake everywhere. Also I've been too busy to make it to the gym. And quite frankly when it is between sending of presents in time or a workout the presents win. So Instead of beating myself up about this whole issue. I'll be trying not to overdose on sugar this month and start fresh in the new year, when everyone else is too. And I will say it now: I WILL BE HEALTHY ON MY 30TH!!

Big Gretel

I have Gretel issues!
Pardon me, you say.
Yes I will pardon you, but the fact remains that I got Gretel issues... I will explain. Now it's true that the name Gretel has never stricken me as very beautiful, but who cares right. Then I found this great pattern called... you guessed it Gretel. It's a beret pattern made by Ysolda!
So I happily started knitting and three skeins later I had this huge, oh no, I should say HUGE beret. I felt like rasta woman. Here wait I'll show you:


Enough space to hide a bunch of dreads and your weekly shopping...

So I'll give you some info, perhaps you know someone who always wanted to be the mushoom head on Mario.

To make the HUGE sloucy beret:

Pattern: Gretel by Ysolda
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
Skeins: 3
Needles: 5 mm
Various: followed the Slouchy Beret version of the Gretel Pattern.


The cable turned out lovely!!

And the result isn't bad. I liked knitting the cable pattern a lot and it looks fantastic in white, the yarn is great it looks good, just too big. But again I'm lucky. The Gretel pattern comes with three variations: cap, beret, slouchy beret. So all it takes is a rip back and a reknit of the final decreases. Expect an update on that soon!


The last time I ever wear the huge beret

Christmas time

Sorry I've not been updating my blog this last week, but I've been really busy getting all the Christmas pressies off to The Netherlands in time. So besides buying and wrapping I had to find boxes and jiffy bags (envelopes). But they are all on their merry way and I hope will make it in time.


The tree is up and sparkling... all it lacks is presents

Also I've been decorating the Christmas Tree. We get a real one as it's a fantastic excuse to get a bit of nature in the living room. The lights are in and twinkling away. All I have to do now is find some wrapping paper and put our pressies under it. I has some baubles left over so I put them on a newly purchased tray with some candles. All very romantic... all that is lacking is snow outside!!!


Candles make everything cosy in winter

A Martha week

If she'd known about my endevours this week I'm sure I would have made Martha Stewart Proud. I've been crafting, decorating christmas threes and been a hostess to a birthday celebration. Also I went to a party in the street to meet all the new neighbours. This was absolutely great. They where all very nice to us newcommers and there is a great community feel in the street. Still if you, over the next comming weeks are invited to a party that you really do not want to go to, think of me and the Happy Living Blog. Because I spotted this great little tool for you online: The Holiday Party Excuse Generator from Enlighten. Don't tell me I don't think of you!!


The buffet area needed decoration

For the birthday party I used a Martha Stewart idea for a Festive Garland. As you can see it looks very much like the original. As you can see I decorated the corners with tissue pom poms! Please read my old blog post on Pom poms about this great decoration craft.


Cheer up an empty fire place

And then I thought that this corner of the house could use some Christmas decoration. So I Martha'd again and made these cute little Paper Stockings for the (sealed up) fire place. Don't you think they're nice?

My only dissapointment is the fact that I couldn't find the ingredients to my mothers most famous and beloved Tiramisu. It's in Dutch (my mom is Dutch my father is Italian, they live in The Netherlands) so I will translate and then will post it on my blog for you to try out.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I'm wishing for snow! As I might have mentioned before I'm very partial to the stuff.
Perhaps not as much as Lorelai, but then who is. I've been watching rather a lot of Gilmore Girls of late. Louisa lend me the first season on dvd and it's great. I'm as big a fan of snow as I am of Lorelai. I'm not exactly sure what it is exactly, probably a combo of her goofiness, her positive attitude, the clothes and the love for snow. I remeber the episode I saw where she goes out for a walk in the snow wearing a blue scarf. Nothing I wanted more in the next weeks than a blue scarf (and snow ofcourse). This was before my knitting days and I did find a very nice blue scarf that I still wear ocassionally. And when I see it I think of... snow.


Lorelai and blue scarf...

Ofcourse there is the normal way to get inspired by snow which has nothing to do with a make up character in an American tv-series: beautiful photography. I've spotted a new site, Morris Photographics, that has some great great pictures. Some people really know how to work a camera (jelous! I'm really crap.. seriously). Anyway here is a sample of the gorgeous artwork on Morris. Be sure to drop by and see the rest.


pictures from Morris Photographics

Staying warm this winter

I removed the Innocent Big Knit counter from the menu bar at the right. This because we, us knitters, have done well this year. The goal was 400.000 hats and we managed to reach this goal. So the virtual bottle meter was filled and 200.000 pounds (US$400.000) will be raised for Age Concern. Hooray! Lots of people will stay warm this winter because of us. Not only that! The world will have less scraps of leftover yarn just hanging around in stashes. So a big thumbs up and keep those stashes save: save left overs and keep them ready for next years BIG KNIT!!!

For inspiration take a look at all these cool hats on Flickr! And see if you can spot yours!

Innocent hats from others

First of all: good news! Innocent have hauled a staggering 400.000+ hats to adorn their bottles of juice for The Big Knit Charity event. Each bottle sold will earn 50p for charity. That means over£200.000 pounds! Well done knitters!!!

Last week I went out to the local Sainsbury's to pick up two small bottles of Innocent. MMMmmmmm... I went out especially to buy the special hat version and picked out two from the whole range available. They where so manny nice knitted hats that it was hard to choose, but I managed. I picked this really nice off white with the cutest little pompom which I found very delicate. It now adorns my Robinson's squash bottle. The second hat I picked it a yellow and lime hat that now is being used as a hat for my water bottle at work.


My new Innocent hats!!

To the persons who knitted these two hats: thank you very much! They are now being used every day to decorate my bottles and they look lovely. :D In short they found a good home... aaaaahhhhh!

Sad news

photo from Riley Photography

Today I had bad news at work. My dear colleague Charlotte and her husband Mohammed lost their baby this morning. Mira was just over a week old. I don't know how it happend but somehow it doesn't really matter just at the moment. This is very sad news and there are no words that express my sorrow. I wish there was something I could do, but I really don't know what, except feel compassion. I'm still a bit at a loss as to what to do or how to act...

Face Training

I'm very much into my DS and I can't wait for Nintendo to release their face training here in Europe. Face Training on a DS? Isn't that a kiddies handheld computer console you ask. Well, yes and no. Nintendo are releasing more and more 'games' that are targeted to the aldult market. Things like Brain Training, Suduko and a new release Sight Training. This last 'game' helps you improve your eyesight (or so I'm told).


Train your face...

And now you can train your face, well if you're Japanese. They get all the super cool new stuff. The idea is that you insert the camera that comes with the 'game' into the DS and switch it on. You can then rest it on it's stand (also in the 'game' pack) and start making funny faces that get displayed on the screen. This should make your face less wrinkly and more fresh looking. I'm all for silly gadgets and crazy new (non operative) beauty tricks, so I can't wait till it's available here. I know, I know... why spend money on such things but I like them and I can't help it. I'm a gadget freak. :D

Have a look at the Japanese Face Training site.

Another Slouchy beret

You may have seen my blog post on Le Slouch, a slouchy beret designed by Wendy Bernard. That one is free and quite simple as it's a moss stitch. The one I'm making at the moment is a £2 ($4) pattern from Ysolda. It's called Gretel and it has absolutly fantastic cabeling in it. I'm making the slouchy version, but the pattern also allows you to make a cap or normal beret version.


a slouchy beret in the making..

I'm using 3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in creamy white (colour 300001)which I got on discount at John Lewis for £1.95 each. So this beret will cost me £6. Not bad and it's sooo nice and wintery thick. Last week when it was so cold I wished it was already done....

I came across one problem in the pattern so far. There is a round where they say pbf, without it being in the key and as I'm still a novice and not having done that before I didn't realise it was an increase. Two rounds on it didn't make sense the way the pattern worked and I discovered it. Then I went online and realised what pfb was. Purl in front (don't let the original stitch slip off, but hold it on the left needle) and then purl in back. You let the original stitch slip off and you have two stitches on your right needle. An nice increase. Anyway now I know and you might think it stupid I didn't look it up before, but I was on the train and wanted to knit. Now I know as I've learned from it :D hehe.

Am currently making the crown and hope to wear it sometimes next week and will post a nice finished pic then. Then I might do it all over again as it's a great project for a Christmas gift. My friend Marjolein wouldn't mind a beret, but I don't think a slouchy one would look on here, so I might try the normal version then.

Jelly Beanies again

Babies are being born left right and center. So I've been knitting baby hats again.



Jelly Beanie no. 4

This first one is for my boyfriends friend who has just become a daddy of a nice little girl. I don't know her name, but that didn't stop me from picking up the needles and knitting a Jelly Beanie (pattern from Rowan). See Ravelry for details (my Rav-name is Suhail). Be sure to drop me a line or add me to Friends :D.



And Jelly Beanie no5

The second hat is for Charlotte's new baby girl Mira. Mira's daddy is from Egypt and so I knitted 90% of the hat on Holiday. Hopefully it will bless Mira with the love from her father's land :D.

Check out an earlier Jelly Beanie post...

Ben & Jerry's lip balm

Mmmmmmmm...

Hooray! Even though I'm on a diet I can have as much Ben & Jerry's as I could ever wish for. Because.. they now got lip balms!!! Isn't that fantastic. They are four Pounds ($8), so that's not bad either. Bet they last a little bit longer than the ice cream version.

The smell of snow!

What would make my Christmas? Or anyone’s Christmas I hope? That one thing we hardly ever get: Snow! A white Christmas is fantastic!! I love snow and everything about it. The way it looks.. the sound when you walk over it, the feel of it, etc, etc. And also the smell. Although come to think of it I can’t remember what that smell is. So I’m quite intrigued by this little find: A Snow Perfume.


Snow in April, Photo from Vanguardist.org

The description on the shops website says: The Library of Fragrance were able to capture the essence of Snow in a scent; chilling, cool, clean and fresh, with a touch of dust (necessary to form flakes) and earth (upon which to rest). Wow that is quite a feat! It’s from a line of perfumes with all sorts of odd scents. From Hot Fudge Sundae, Baby Powder, Clean Windows, Dirt and Earl Grey Tea to Gin & Tonic, Grass, Holy Water, Glue and Play-Doh, they’ve got it. I wouldn't mind trying Rain, Thunderstorm or Wet Garden. Althought the idea of perfume de Lettuce makes me wriggle my nose. Who would like to smell like that?? Dirt I understand if you got a 8 year old. They would love that smell. :D But I can't think of any situation when Lettuce appeals.

And all these weird smells are not that expensive either for 12 Pounds ($24) for 30 ml or 6 Pounds ($12) for 15 ml the smell of Snow can be yours to sniff at whenever you feel like it. I'm tempted to get some just to try. If I do I'll let you know what it's like to sniff snow.


Snow in a bottle... tempting

At the product description they mentioned the different words for snow the Inuit have. Here is the list mentioned:

• Anniu - Falling Snow
• Api - Ground Snow
• Siqoq - Smoky, Drifting Snow
• Upsik - Wind-Beaten Snow
• Kimoaqtruk - Snow Drift
• Salumaroaq - Smooth Snowy Surface of Fine Particles
• Natatgonaq - Rough Snowy Surface of Large Particles

See how inspired you can get from snow. Lets all hope we'll get a nice fair pack around Christmas :D

Russian dolls

Cute Russian make-up dolls from Pupa

I bumped into these super cute make-up kits on the Kiss and Make up Blog. Aren’t they georgeous. They are made by Pupa, a brand known for it’s cute make-up. I would buy them if I wasn’t already feeling bad for the amount of make-up I’ve got. If you want them they are for sale on the Spoiled Brat website. Odd name as it’s not really positive feeling now is it to buy from a store with a name like that.. might be me? Anyway I think they would make great, no lets rephrase, fantastic gifts for Christmas. What girl age 15 and up would like one of these???


Dior Detective Chic Eye Palette

The reason I feel bad about my make-up is that I bought more on holiday. On the way back I was tempted into buying this Dior Detective case. Isn’t it nice. The colours are perfect for autumn and winter. Couldn’t resist.

Innocent hats five and six

I finished these innocent hats at the beginning of October and then send them off to Innocent. Tomorrow I'll have a peek in Sainsbury's to check out if there are any for sale :). Anyway I just wanted to show off my last two hats here:


Hat five and six

And ofcourse a picture of all the little hats. :) I hope that Innocent will have the same Big Knit next year so I can use up some more of my left over yarn.


All the hats together

Lines

Friday Saffy and I where talking about rhymes. Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa Claus) has arrived in The Netherlands and so the whole bloody country is rhyming like mad. Talking absolute nonsense we found ourselves inventing one line poetry we are now calling LINES. So if I come up with one or two I shall post them on my blog from now on. My first was in Dutch so I'll put a translation underneath, although it won't carry the same feeling.



De dag die lacht vrolijk aan het eind van de nacht!

The day who laughs happily at the end of the night!

... And where back!

Did you miss me? I missed you, well a little. I shall be uploading some Egypt pictures later in the week, when I get my routine back a bit. Which after two weeks of doing nothing, and I mean NOTHING (except two dives in the Red Sea) is not easy. More on Egypt later.


Italians got style...

I've got two things on my mind at the moment. The first is Fitness and style. At the hotel where a lot of Italians and my my my did they look stylish. I felt I have forgotten these last few years how fantastic it can be to be stylish. And I want to feel that again. So I'm going to focus on being stylish this winter season. Unfortunately I will not have the budget for any investments in clothes until at least april, but I'm sure I will manage with some improvisation. Also these Italians where very fit and so I've decided to give myself the best present ever for my birthday in September: a fit body and a healthy weight. So from now you will see regular updates about my journey to achieve this. I decided to start now and not tomorrow or next week or even the 1st of January. I want to reach my goal by September 24th and so I better start moving.


Getting ready for the season of lights

Second thing on my mind is Christmas. Being in cosy lovely warm and sunny Egypt it felt more like summer than November. I loved it but thought how awfull it would be to spend Christmas somewhere not cold. The holiday season should be dark with twinkling lights, hot cups of chocolate or spiced tea, people being generous and in good spirits, etc. When we arrived at Gatwick there where two big Christmas trees in the arrivals hall. Granted it was cold enough for it, but personally I think it's a bit early. No decoration for Christmas until December. But as a knitter this is exactly the time I'm thinking of making presents. So again in the next few weeks expect lots about getting ready for Christmas :).

See ya soon!

To Egypt

Right guys I'm off to Egypt for two weeks. See you all when I get back....



Ahhhh!!!!

Protect and Perfect

Two magic words: Protect and Perfect. That and a scientist that said: this works! Also magic words I guess. And a craze was born. And now I've finally gone and joined the No. 7 fanclub. I came across an old blog post about how Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect serum actually works and though that I might give it a go. As a new import and not one for hypes it might be a good idea to actually use something that might work :). I'll keep you posted on how I find the stuff.

Click here to read about the shopping frenzy it created.

A horrible dinner?!?

On Saturday October 22nd we had our first dinner guests over in the new house. We moved in June and have been working on the new house, which is an old house (get it). So now we had my boyfriends sister, Nicola, over for dinner with her husband Phil and daughter Bethany. Phil helped us move house back in June and we didn’t have a chance yet to thank him.

We started with planning the dinner, which wasn’t easy. Or I should say it was, as Phil only eats peas and corn when it comes to vegetables. So with choice limited to these two we didn’t really had to worry about what to cook. I picked peas and thought of a Beef Wellington to go with it for a while. But the thought of beef with a jacket of pasty didn’t appeal as it is costumary to put a layer of mushrooms between the two. This was too exotic. So we decided on a roast as it was well known that they all liked that.


This was how I felt. Pic from Allposters

Now I don’t mind if people are a bit picky and I think our idea to provide our guests with things they liked wasn’t a bad one, but it somehow backfired a bit. We called Kevin’s parents to get the low down on what they liked and before we knew it we had a long long list. With instructions and brands and this and that and the other. Here I remember thinking: this might not have been the best of idea’s. However it was too late we wanted to please so off we went to do the shopping.

We got the crisps they liked, Pepsi Max because Phil doesn’t drink anything else, fruit shoots for Bethany and white wine for Nicola. And that was just the beginning. So we went home with bags full with odd groceries. Let me cut in that both me and Kevin are part-time health freaks. We usualy don’t buy anything like crisps, cakes or cola. I say part-time because we are not against these things every now and then, we just don’t buy them on a weekly basis. Anyway we got home and forgot the bloody peas!

Then we found out that we got the wrong Fruit Shoots. We got the purple with blue tops and we needed the ones with the green tops (or the other way around I forgot). And that was the moment I had enough. I’m not very dramatic in general but I wanted to scream: they will eat and drink what we’ll put in front of them or they can p*** off!


The pumpkins, Mr. Scary and Mr. Traditional

Clearly a case of pre-dinner stress. But honestly I’ve never in my life heard of so many people (not just my guests but friends, etc) that are so picky when it comes to food. I find I have a hard time coping with this English? mentality. My Dutch side rebels because (as our saying goes) ‘act normal then you act funny enough’ which is applied to everything in daily life and in the case of food it means: you will eat what is in front of you and you won’t make a fuss. My Italian side rebels because food is meant to be enjoyed. People that only eat peas make me confused. I think this comes mainly from the fact that I just don’t understand that.

Right so I had my little rant and am fine now. As was the dinner in the end. It was a great succes and to jazz things up we carved two pumpkins of which you see two pictures with this post.

I always thought that carving pumpkins would be really hard, but it really easy. We bought this mini carving kit at the supermarket for next to nothing (read two pounds) and started working. I used a template that came with the kit and Kevin decided on a more traditional scary pumpkin of his own design.


The pumpkins in the dark!

We started with cutting of the top and scooping out the flesh and seeds. The kit has a handy plastic scoop that did it’s job well and easy. With the little crayon we traced the outline of the eyes and mouth (and in my case hands and eyebrows). There was a puncture tool in the kit. This was great to make a hole in the pumpkin in which we could insert the mini saws (one course, one fine). Then it was just a question of sawing over the lines. It was great fun! Even Kevin, who isn’t usually a very creative person, found it heaps of fun. We where very proud of the results and I’m sure that next year we might throw an actual halloween party. But for now I’ve had enough family fun until Christmas.

Pilgrim Jewelry

Have you heard of Pilgrim yet? It’s a fantasic brand that makes jewelry. And nice it is too. It has the typical clean look of scandinavian design and Liv Tyler as their model (Arwen from Lord of the Rings). She makes a good job of it I think, presenting a sophisticated look, serene beauty, timeless. No frilly bit here.


The ever gorgeous Liv

The inspiration for their latest collection comes from Modern buildings and ancient forests. A great combo if you ask me. There are many pieces I like, some I’m not so keen on, but that is only from a ‘it wouldn’t look good on me’ point of view.

Imagine my surpise when on my birthday in September my boyfriend gave me this necklace and earrings as a gift. I had pointed them out weeks before and completely forgot them, but he remembered. And every time I wear it I feel special. Sigh.


It's even nicer in reality

The design I liked because of the leaves and the colours of the stones. It reminds me of a forrest on a misty spring morning. The leaves are fresh and new, but you can’t see the bright colours because of the mist. Perhaps a bit far fetched, but I can’t help it. I’m like that. Hihi.


Beautiful earrings

One last note of this great brand. Pilgrim also makes special edition jewelry. If you buy these pieces they donate money to charity. They have info on the Pilgrim website about this globe, but I’ve also seen a pair of sunglasses and a keychain that was a special charity edition. So keep your eye out for them. They make great gifts too!!!

Autumn make-up looks

I love make-up. The stuff is fantastic in my opinion. Although i'm not an addict, sometimes I go days without any make-up at all, I do have a soft spot for it. For fresh inspiration I check the big brands every now and then to see what is new. This time I came across this fantastic look on Dior's website. Monica Bellucci is a very beautifull woman, this make-up I think is very wearable for every day use.



Another great source for the latest make-up looks is Neiman Marcus. This American store has a handsome collection to pick from and all come with an explanation on how to get such a look.

The London Sites, part 3: the Center of Town

This is the third part about the London Sites, don't forget to check out Part 1: City Walk and Part 2: A Bit of Culture. Ofcourse my parents wanted to see some of London's most famous landmarks. And so today our trip takes up to the center of London.

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The Center of Town
Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery and Covent Garden

For this trip we took the train to Charing Cross station in Central London. Central being te correct word here as the station lies very close to the Offical Centre Of London. Just outside the station you will find a small tower. It's very ornate and gotic looking. This is one of Eleanor's Crosses, or rather it's a Victorian Replica. After her death in 1290 King Edward mourned his wife, Queen Eleanor by placing a Cross at every location her funeral procession stopped. They paused twelf times at: Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Geddington, Hardingstone, Stony Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St. Albans, Waltham, Cheapside (West Cheap) and Charing Cross. The original was placed on what now is called Trafalgar Square, but the Victorians replaced the cross and moved it to the entrance of Charing Cross station. All the measurements to other locations are done from this Center Of London point.

When you turn left you will find yourself on Trafalgar Square. Named after the famous Battle of Trafalgar in which Nelson lost his life but gained eternal fame. You can see him looking over London from the top of his column. Also not to be missed are the fountains sparkling in the sun. They are fantastic and every grand city should have some in my opinion. Click here for a Panoramic view of Trafalgar Square!

London highlights

My parents and I then went to the National Gallery. Here we had time only for a brief visit, but saw many masterpieces. From Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Da Vinci... the list is endless. however there is so much too see, and we just wandered in. Not a good plan as we missed so much. So do yourself a favour. Before you go there look at the NG website and decide in advance what you want to see. It is soooo big that you will have to make choices. But hey look at the bright side: enough to come back for!

Finally a short walk along the Strand until you see signs telling you to go left, will get you to Covent Garden. If you have seen the film My Fair Lady you will know that this used to be a Market. A proper market, at one point the most important in England, where fruit and vegetables where sold. The market was moved to a more convenient location in modern times where lorries could get to it and Covent Garden became a shopping area. It's a very nice place to visit. There is the Jubilee Market to one side with great finds, the transport musem and the shops in the center. There are street entertainers and market stalls with handmade gift items. Great to get presents for the folks back home.

From here you may continue your walk to other famous sites like Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus and Oxford street. In the fourth and last part of The London Sites we will visit Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and we'll taste some wine at Vinopolis.

Mirte's Tree

As you might know from the Big Knit banner on the right, I'm a big fan of Innocent Smoothies. Today I bought a pack and it was a special Buy One Get One Tree action pack. Yes! You read that right. It's a Tree you get not one Free.

For all of you who don't know. Here in the UK there are a lot of supermarket promo's bordering on gluttony. They are Buy One Get One Free. Usually this is not fresh veggies or any healthy food, but burgers, processed meats and chocolat bars. I wouldn't mind if it was Leeks, real good quality chocolat or fair trade tea/coffee. But that it seems is impossible in this world of Greed. Anyway back to the tree!


Mirte's virtual Tree stands tall and proud until the real one gets planted!

So Innocent don't give away more smoothies, nooooo! They give away to a project to people less fortunte then us. So I drink my fruit and people in India get a tree... which make the smoothie a very happy drink.

However I gave mine away. The smoothie?? you ask! No, the tree. In honer of Mirte, Rigtje's new girl, this tree will be planted. They may not know it but in her name the people in rural India will be paid ten years to take care of the tree. So for the first Ten years of her life a few people will have a better life because Mirte exsists. Well, I hope that anyway because if I'm honest I think it's a beautiful idea. So all I can say is drink Innocent and get that Free Tree! Or find another way to celebrate your friends and family with gifts like that.

Afterthought:
This giving to charity or good project out of people's names I think is fantastic. Maybe also something we might consider this Christmas. We here in the West have a lot and ofcourse that is something to enjoy and not feel bad about. However Christmas, especially here in the UK (compared to NL) is quite a greedy business, so a bit of reality isn't a bad thing. Please consider this if you choose your gifts this year. Even if you suport one good project in the name of your family, it's probably the best gift.

Porcelina

My friend Louisa got a card for her birthday that was soooo nice. She has it on a ledge behind her computer so she can see it all day. What a smart girl! To surround yourself with beautiful things is one of life's greatest pleasures. Anyway I drift of topic. This card, I can describe it for you, but it was so nice that I looked up the artist. And so I found the actual picture.


The card Louisa got for her birthday

It is a print from the Porcelina series and it is made by Stephen Mackey. When you visit his site you can get linked through to his Buy Stephen Mackey site where you will find plenty of other goreous prints like the ones below.


Another one of the cards I liked

They also do prints in different sizes. Many of them have fairies on them and are fantastic for childrens rooms, etc. I am seriously thinking of buying the one with the deer on it. It is 12 x 16 inch (approx. 30 x 40 cm). So nice!


Deer, moon and Stars. What more could you wish for?

And finally I'd like to point out the original Christmas cards that are for sale. I love the whole eskimo girl idea. It's all very understated, but that is the beauty of it. There's a calm and tranquil sort of beauty in these pictures.


Example of the nice christmas cards they sell

Sewing books!!

I can't really remember how I got on it, but about a week ago I ended up on Violet's Wish list on Amazon. Violet as in Lime & Violet btw. Anyway, she had this 'Sew Pretty Homestyle' sewing book on her list and I liked it straight away. When I clicked on it two other books popped up in the 'customers also bought this' line up.

The inside of Sew Pretty Homestyle!

Ofcourse I couldn't rest until I found a few inner pages of this book to see what all the fuss was about and here I must give a big old THANKS for the creation of Flickr. I typed in the title and low and behold! :) I love technology.


So I came across the other two books, but no joy there all I could find was one page for the Craft Christmas Gifts book. And one project, made by Skubach from the Crafting Springtime Gifts book. Ah well. I still want them.

I'm already thinking about Christmas and spring now!