Stitchy Fingers

This Sunday I'm going to fetch an old embroidery machine (Singer) - a manual one. She's still in a perfect condition and is even sold with the original guarantee (although I've got the slight idea that this one won't be valid anymore since she's from the 1920/1930's ;-) and lots of mysterious "thingies" according to the lady that sells it. I wanted one that still works. Although it will be purely for decoration, you never know! LOL!!! I don't have pictures yet, but plan to share soon!

Lots of beautifull things come from Japan ... think of embroidery, quilts, kimono's, crochet, ... But the following thing really is a labor of love! A paper castle !!! Mr. Wataru Itou spent 4 years of his life working on this piece. It even includes a moving train entirely made of paper! WOW!!! I just let the pictures speak for themselves ... but WOW what a patient man! ;-)

In march 2010 there was an article on the Needleprint blog about the Sophie Digard scarves. I must admit that I fell in love with them but unfortunatelly those lovely scarves, jewels and bags are not in my price range (around 300 USD for one scarve :-( ouch! Because it's cold here (-10°C even during the day), I'm getting tempted on crocheting one myself and using her creations as inspiration. I'm not going to copy them, since I have respect for the copyright! Think that the Japanese Noro yarns are perfect for it (especially the Cashmere flavor and Flower Bed range)! There's also a great UK French alternative that I got to know during the last Aiguille en Fête (2011) in Paris but which I can't remember for the moment! Edited to add ... found the shop: Elle Tricote Here are some images ... enjoy! Aww... to have such a lovely around your neck! Winter wouldn't be so hard! LOL!

Sadly enough I didn't even touch my needles this weekend! :-( On Saturday we invited 6 children to my eldest daughter's birthday party. In total this meant entertaining 8 children. Luckily this wasn't at my place but at a covered "play area" where there were lots of different things for them. This included a pancake lunch/dinner as well :-) Sunday came and went by with house chores and other small things ... Kind of a day where you've done everything and nothing ... I've made a "Gâteau au flan" ;-) Have a good (and not too cold) week!

Our previous record dates from the 10th of February 2010 when we had 948km (590 miles) of traffic congestions because of snow (on a normal and average working day this is around 220km). Sadly enough we've beaten our own record today ... 1.275 km (793 miles) of traffic jams in total - 4.083 km  (2.537 miles) including secondary and smaller roads!!! When you consider that Belgium is only 30.528 km² (11.786 square miles), you know that we had our fair share today! For me it took an extra hour to get home, but I was one of the lucky ones ... On lots of places traffic was totally blocked!!! For almost a week now, temperatures are cold ... -10°C (14F). And next week will be as cold as this one! I can only hope that we won't have new snowfall! Our northern neighbours (Holland) are experiencing the same problems = lots of snow and traffic totally blocked. But there they are starting to dream because of all that freezing cold ... they hope on having another "Eleven citie...

Now you're certainly going to wonder "what the hell is she talking about?" :-) Well, one of my favourite designers has released a beautifull cross stitched mandala in African style . Martina (Rosenberg from Châtelaine Designs) has - once again - outdone herself this time! It's still in the works with start date March 2012, but you already get a good impression! ;-) Normally I'm not into African themed things, but it has two things that appeal to me: 1st - It has the same design size and border as one of my other favourite designs : St. Petersburg mandala 2nd - It's more in the nature, animals theme, which I adore (my hubby has a lion as astrological sign :-) So here's what I'm talking about: I adore all those warm, rich, glowing and "spicey" colours!!! And look at that intricate border! Martina specially adapted it on order to reflect the African theme! Here's a picture of St. Petersburg Garden: I'm really tempt...

My oldest daughter Laura is turning 6 today! An important milestone, since she'll be going to the "big school" this September! I wish you a bright future and hope you'll achieve everything you put your mind to! Love mom, dad and little sister! xxx