A clean slate

In the last couple of months, I've had trouble finding motivation to blog.. I didn't know what to write, or how to write it. I think it's because I had high expectations of myself, and my blog. Setting expectations too high just sets you up for failure. I was thinking too much.. It wasn't fun anymore.

So I'm going to start 2015 with a clean slate. I'm going to delete all my posts and start fresh. I've thought about deleting the blog all together, but that also didn't feel right. I want to blog.. I want to be able to post about crafty creations, my happy thoughts, my random thought and my inspirations..

I'm excited to start over. I'm excited to see what 2015 will bring. See you there!

Needle Felting Workshop

Hey all! As you might know I took a needle felting workshop a while ago. What's needle felting you ask? Needle felting is the process of felting/tangling one piece of wool to another using barbed needles. The needles take the wool fibers from one piece and drag them through the other piece where they tangle and attach the two pieces.

So first they advised to make a penguin using an example.. First you make all the basic shapes seperately. Here's my felting needle, the white body and two feet.. The black in the corner is black felt I'll be using to make the penguin's coat and eyes!

DIY Tuesday: Arm Knitting

Hi you guys! Last week I showed you my arm knitted infinity scarves that were so easy and quick to make.. I definitely recommend you making at least one this winter! Now there are a lot of great videos on youtube, but I wanted to share my favourite with you. So here it is! Grab some yarn, sit back, relax, and go armknit!

Finally.. A YoP Update!

I know I know.. I have been so quiet.. No YoP posts for .. a looooong time! Our little Kitty cat Nala has also been on intensive care (in our home) for the last couple of weeks... (here's the reason why by the way) so things have been a bit 'out of whack at home..

But today I am posting a YoP update! Yay!

Because of Nala I couldn't focus on patterns, so Ive been mainly working with my felt plushies and knitting-wise I've done a lot of 'instant gratification' projects.. Lots of comfy scarves being armknitted at the moment! You can find a few posted in this FO Friday post, and I even put three up for sale in my Lily Razz Shop! These two are my favourite ^_^

PinkRibbon Donation

As you might know October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I'm lucky that I myself, nor someone close to me, have not been diagnosed with breastcancer, but I do think it's important to support this cause. 

 

At the beginning of "Pinktober" I decided to donate $1.00 of every sale I made with my Etsy Shop during October, to PinkRibbon.nl. With 9 sales this month it may not be a whole lot of money, but together with a bit of my own funds... every little bit helps, right?

Supporting the fighters, Admiring the survivors, Honoring the taken, and never giving up hope!

FO Friday: Instant gratification

Happy Friday everyone!

Don't you love instant gratification projects? I do! And with the weather turning colder, I've been whipping up scarves like crazy!

 

Big, Comfy, Warm Infinity Scarves! And the best part? Major stash buster! ;-) wink wink!

 

These were all arm knitted infinity scarves. If you've never tried it, please do! It's such an easy, quick and fun project!

 

 

I really loved making these. I was done in about 20min per scarf! And I love that you can wear these scarves in various ways... Yep, I'm happy :)

Our Nala

Hi you guys..

I know I've been a bit absent lately.. But our kitty cat Nala fell off our balcony, breaking her tiny pelvis/hip joint.. It's so sad.. Since she's one year old the doctors think she will recover completely by resting and that she won't need surgery (knocking on wood).

She now has to stay in a cage for 6weeks so that she won't jump or run, aggravating her bones. And she can't have any pain medication, she needs to feel when she's putting to much of a burden on her bones..

 

Poor little thing.. I try to make things as comfortable for her as possible, making her breakfast in bed every day, talking to her and petting her, and letting her sleep as much as possible..

But boy did she give her mommy and daddy a scare! How she did it and what she did exactly, we'll never know, but luckily we've all survived the first week since her accident. She's still in pain and can't walk very well, but her naughty eyes have returned, she's grooming herself and purrrrs like crazy.

So now you know why I've not been here.. Our crazy cat Nala..

Rembrandtpark Festival, Amsterdam

Hi you! Did you miss me? I'm sorry I've been AWOL for the last two weeks, but here I am again! Time can fly when you're busy, right? Let me show you what I've been up to!

 

Last week I had a craft fair in Rembrandtpark.

 

We were so lucky with the weather, as it had been postponed one week due to the rain.. Can you see the sun shining while I'm setting up?

 

So..

So.. after a week of not knitting and preparing for the craft fair, I got a text message yesterday that the fair was postponed to next week because of the bad weather! I'm still a bit perplexed by it, and I'm wondering how many people will show up today, not having heard about the postponement.

Anyhoo, I did put my items up on our cupboard for the time being.. Looks like a happy bunch, right?

Treasury Tuesday

Bonjour! How are you? How was your Monday? And your Tuesday?

Yesterday was a fun day for me because I had been chosen to be featured in the treasury making of SELF TAUGHT ARTISTS TEAM members! Over twenty treasuries were made! So I'm dubbing today's post Treasury Tuesday, to showcase some of the wonderful treasuries made!

• Alive & Outside by April Kitcho-Lucero from DreamAlchemies

YoP Update

* moshi moshi! * How are you today?

We have had such a busy week, we're still moving and decorating and I've been putting all my craft supplies into our new cabinet.. I'm not yet finished, but I'm definitely doing a post this week showing you my craft supply organization so far! Today's post is about the crafting ^_^

Last week I started on the little knitted gift bags, and here they are now:

 

WIP Wednesday - Knitting and Sewing

Happy WIP Wednesday everyone! How's your week so far?

 

I have been knitting, trying to finish my first YoP project little knitted gift bag. I decided to change colors in between which required a bit of improvising since I forgot how to do that, but I think it went okay. I only need to make the drawstring and maybe put some embellishments on the baggy. And I started a second one!

 

Fairy Pink Monday

Hello you. Today's weather has been awful. Just.. grey and windy, and the rain came pouring down. I hope your weather has been a bit better. If so, could you please send some sunshine our way?

I needed a pick-me-up when coming home, and this treasury made by Zehra from boutiqueseragun did just that! It's called Fairy Pink, and my newly listed Pink & White Cloud Garland was featured in it!

YoP - Getting Started with my DPNs

Hello and a happy Sunday to you!

A big thanks to everyone who's been so friendly to welcome me on board of YoP and even giving me advice how and where to begin on my knitting adventure! Is it bad that I want to add all your suggested projects to my list? Uh-oh.. It's been one week, and the adding to the list has started already..

I haven't been able to do a lot of knitting at all. I don't know if you've seen my post that we were selling our couch and buying a new one, but I'm beginning to think we've kind of spun out of control a little bit.. In a few weeks time we have bought new chairs, a bench a new couch & loveseat, a daybed, two little tables and two new cupboards/cabinets. Both cabinets had to be put together, and we're sore from all the lifting!

Flower Rattle Crochet Pattern

Hi you guys!

Is it Tuesday evening already? I have the feeling this week's gonna whizz by.
Today I'm releasing my flower rattle pattern. Or better yet, I just finished publishing it on Ravelry and Etsy!

 

A Yes to YoP

Happy Sunday everyone! I am very happy to say it's a yes for me to YoP!

I have decided to follow your advice and stick to a small list of small knitting projects! And I want to try socks this year! I got so excited making my list! Wanna see it? Here goes!

Neutrals and Naturals

Hey you. How was your weekend?

Fiané and me decided we needed new dining room chairs, as our old ones are 10years old and definitely showing their age! We then decided we want a new couch too, so we're selling our current couch.

As you can see, we like our neutrals. No, we LOVE our neutrals! Scroll down for some more great neutrals finds!

To YoP or not to YoP

Hi everyone!

"To YoP or not to YoP" that is the question. I know I really want to join year 4, and I was planning to, but for the last couple of weeks I've been having a bit of a setback with regards to my right hand/wrist. Yep, that's my crochet wrist. The days after I've been crocheting, my wrist feels achy and painful. (very sad face!) So I haven't been able to crochet very much..

So that's the reason I haven't joined in again..

Should I enter YoP4? If so, should I make a list with only knitting projects? I would love to boost my knitting skills, but won't I strain my wrist in the same way as with crochet?

I would love some feedback on my dilemma! I would also like to remind everyone: do your wrist exercises! Find a link to some useful tips here!

DIY Tuesday - 10 Wine Cork Crafts

Hello! How are you this fine Tuesday? If you're like me, you also 'collect' or save wine corks for possible future craft projects.. Here's my stash at the moment..

 

As you can see I don't have that much.. And it isn't growing as fast as I had thought! But I'm very positive that one day I'll have a lot! And so I've already checked out some wine cork projects for that crafty day!

Mood Board Monday - A rainy day

Hello you! Here in Amsterdam, the weather has been great (meaning lovely sunny and warm) for the last couple of weeks.. So it was a surprise to wake up this morning to a dark, gloomy, rainy day..

Here's a picture taken just a few streets from my house today! Yep.. That's usally the road!

how about taking things positively ^_^

Year of Project 3 - Wrap Up

Yes, I know.. I'm very very late... But I wanted to do a wrap up of YOP3 before starting on year 4.. Even if it's only for me..

I started with YoP3 very late too! The year always starts in July, but I joined in October (do we see a pattern here people?) I had so much fun putting together a list, trying to follow my list, and of course starting LOTS of projects that were not on my list.. A quick looksie into my finished projects:

Stash Additons!

Hello there! As you know I've been on vacation, and I have stashed up on supplies over there!!!!

Now in the Netherlands, supermarkets only mostly sell foodstuffs and toiletries.. So can you imagine my amazement when I walked into Walmart and saw a whole aisle of yarn! I think I shrieked of excitement! And I know fiancé went "oh this is bad" in his head.

So lemme show you what this girl bought!

Back from Vacation!

Hello Bonjour!

How have you been? I have been on vacation the last couple of weeks! Where to do you ask? To visit my parents in Calgary, Canada; then roadtripping Canada and North America! And I have to tell you, it was awesome! And today I'm sharing some of the amazing things we've seen :)

So this is the route we took. We drove a lot of miles, but it was less than our last route66 roadtrip, two years ago. We just love roadtripping!

Here's a view just along the highway beautiful Canada. I can't tell you how much picture-perfect views we've seen in our first week!

Featured!

Hi guys!

As you know I'm on holiday, at the moment, but I just got an email from homespun magazine australia with  their June issue including my feature!  This is the first day we have internet connection, and I just couldn't resist posting a short message!

Somehow I cannot post pictures on this device, so I posted some pictures on my facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lily-Razz/728366390547637)


I am so honored to be featured! I'm doing a happy dance right now!

I won't be able to come online much for the next couple of weeks, but I'll talk to you when I get back!
Have a great day!

Going on a Road Trip!

Hi you! How has your week been so far? Mine was kind of hectic, since we have been preparing for a road trip! 

 

Sweet like Chocolate

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Mine was lovely!

It's Mood Board Monday again, and today's post was inspired by my latest creations, Sweet Chocolate Cupcakes!

Homespun Magazine Australia!

Hi guys!

I didn't want to say anything yet, but my Fish Candy Crochet Pattern will be featured in next month's issue of Australia's Homespun Magazine! ** excited jumps **

My treasury was featured on this blog!

Hello you!

We've had some real Spring weather this week here in Amsterdam. Sunny days with showers of rain.

I'm trying to embrace the rain since it makes the plants grow real nice.

That was the inspiration behind my 'Secret Garden' Treasury on Etsy:

DIY Tuesday - Pattern Testers Needed!

Hello you and how is your week so far? Mine's going ok. I finally seem to have my bug under control and the weather has been lovely!

And!    ......    

I'm in need of some pattern testers! I'd love to publish my crochet pattern of flower baby rattles, but I need some testers first! :)

Here's how they look:

Mood Board Monday : Sunny Days!

Here comes the sun... da da da da ♫

 

Don't you just love feeling of sunlight touching your face? Warm breezes, long days, icecream?

A spilled drink is all I need

Hi guys!

So I was working on the amigurumi bubble monster, with my juice at my side..

... ... ... ... ... ...

... I'm not even sure how it happened..

.................

I spilled juice all over my crochet work! Boo! It was ruined.. Boo twice!

I threw it all away. I'm pretty bummed out. I guess that's it for my YoP update this week.

Will you come by later this week? I'll be looking for pattern testers, to test my crochet pattern.

Untill next time!

Making Birds with Sand and Stones

Hello you.

I took this class a while ago, making birds with sand and stones!

 

So.. the ideas was to find a bird cutout that spoke to you., and fill it with colorful sand and stones.

 

 

DIY Tuesday

Hi you! So.. it´s DIY Tuesday again, and I´d love to share this online magazine reading one of my favourite blogs, Heart Handmade.

So Much To See!

So little time!

So much to do! I'm writing this post to you from my comfy bed, since I'm feeling a bit under the weather.. Ah Choo! (sneezing noise)

I've been sleeping A LOT the last couple of days which didn't give me a lot of time to do.. anything really. Including crafting. So other than the pincushions I already showed last Friday, I don't have a lot to show you!

FO Friday

Hi you! I didn't think I'd post today but surprisingly, here I am! ^_^

Remember I made this pincushion? I truly loved making it, and I love using it! So I decided to spoil myself with making a few more of these pretties...

WIP Wednesday and FO Friday Combined!

Hello you! I thought that for once I'd combine my WIP Wednesday post (which I missed yesterday) and my FO Friday post, and put them in one Thursday post! Lazy, much? ;-)

So here's the status on my WIPs for today! I have a big pile of granny triangles waiting to be made into something!

 

Can you see the pile growing?

DIY Tuesday

Hello and how are you today? Today's my first DIY Tuesday post!

It's a DIY Instagram Photo Display by BlessThisMessPlease. I love how she turned an old door into this:

Mood Board Monday

Hi you!

Today's the first day I do a Mood Board Monday post.. As with every new thing there might be some tweaking in the future.. But here's my first mood board:

Today I feel.. Dreamy

 

Random Happy Colors

Hello and a happy Sunday to you!

This will be a short update since I've had a bit of a busy week with appointments and meeting up with people.. There's been a bit less crocheting than I had planned.. (sad face)

I did start on the Amigurumi Bubble Toy as I had promised myself! Unfortunately there's not that much progress, so I didn't bother to take pictures yet..

 

I do however have a few sneak-peek pictures of some other random things I'm making!

 

Random, yes?

Let's go this way!

I've been blogging for a few years now, mainly because I needed a place to vent, and to jot down random ideas to make some room in my head.. And I have to say, I loved the randomness!

..But lately, I feel I'm a bit lost blogging.. And I think some of the randomness has to make room for a bit of structure..

So I've decided. I want to have a plan. I want to have some sort of structure with my blogging. I think I can.. I think I can, so let's go this way!

Back to Business!

Hi guys! I've missed 2 or 3 weeks of a YoP update.. Mainly because I was busy with starting up my Etsy shop, and time just flew by!

So what do I have to show for in the crochet area? I came up with a flower rattle pattern, and here are the FO's from that pattern so far:

 

My Etsy Adventure

Hi guys! As you might know, I started up my Etsy store 'for realsy' a few weeks ago. And I have to tell you, it was falling down a rabbit hole!

So.. what happened?

Hello Again!

Hello Again! Have you missed me? It's been a while since I checked in, and I have no great excuses for that.. Life just got in the way I guess. And I think opening up my Etsy shop also had something to do with it.. like falling down a rabbit hole! But more on that tomorrow..

Today I wanna tell you about my Easter.. It was a lovely one..

A hooded baby blanket

Hello you. I'm actually a day late since it's Saturday and not FO Friday, but I'm still proud that I've put my first crocheted item up for sale on Etsy.. Up 'till now I've only put a felt items up for sale, but not anymore!

So here it is.. A hooded baby blanket!

 

I'm not sure whether it will sell since the colors are not 'classic' baby, and the weather just started getting warmer.. But who knows? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.. Right?

 

Have a lovely weekend!