Spring life

8:19 a.m. 

We had a wonderful swim at high tide with beautiful big waves splashing over the wall! 

I love swimming at high tide! 

14.9 degrees sea temperature :-)) definitely warming up .... 

Quote I'm pondering: " The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. " 

 - Henry David Thoreau 

Crochet time

Crochet time ..... is the time of the day when I am taking the girls to their dancing and gymnastic lessons and I while I wait .... I crochet! 

This diamond cushion cover I made I used Moya yarn in the colours Ice Blue and Snowdrops. 

I decided to hand sew them together and I am so happy with the end result.

I  love the simplicity of this diamond design and I really want to make a blanket now! 

This little sheep I made for Yarndale 2016. Hes really tiny and cute and a very easy, quick project.

I have just finished my Spring Flower cushion and one of my favourite stitches I have learnt to crochet is the Popcorn stitch! 

I used the Moya yarn in Charcoal and Rose Quartz.I just love the Charcoal! 

I followed a great tutorial/ blog for this flower cushion called http://dada4you.blogspot.com/

This blog has beautiful designs and patterns which are so inspiring. 

Popcorn love! 

For the border I decided to use the Dandy Border pattern from my favourite crochet designer Haafner Linssen from her book called "Hooked on Mandalas " 

The completed cushion with 16 squares all  crocheted together. 

Time for coffee and onto my new crochet project!! 

Have a happy week! 

Shirley xx 

Hello November....

 It is hard to believe its already November and nearly Christmas! All the Christmas decorations are in the stores and the busyness of end of the year has begun.  It has been a very busy week and my husband was also  away on business.  We spent a much needed relaxing weekend  at my nieces apartment in Camps Bay while she is way overseas. There is something so  simple and beautiful about this seaside little bay near Cape Town city centre. We took a long walk along the coastal road and stopped at a favourite coffee shop "Baked". Delicious cinnamon croissants and the much needed strong cappacino! 

 I never get tired of watching the sunset with my man! 

Sunday morning we ventured back to our coffee shop for  almond croissants! I think this could become a Sunday morning tradition! Just like every morning in Paris! 

I could not resist this pattern when I saw it on one of my favourite crochet blogs -  http://byhaafner.blogspot.co.za/! The first square of a new blanket! I am using MoYa yarn in a gorgeous  - Lilac colour. This pattern is using a new stitch I learnt - the Popcorn stitch! I love the way it "pops" out! 

I started joining the little hexagons  together for the little baby blanket for my niece. Slowly making progress.  

My first large granny square blanket is now all finished and being put to good use! Magazine, coffee and chocolate break! 

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                    I am so excited my MoYa yarn order arrived! So many beautiful colours!  

A friends yarn order is all packaged and ready to deliver! She chose a lovely cream -" Sand" and is making a beautiful skirt. I will post pictures when she is finished. 

I am now a MoYa yarn supplier - so if you are interested in ordering please send me an email and I will send you my catalogue of colours. 

This week I plan to start a few gifts for Christmas presents and a new little Christmas cross stitch! 

What are your Christmas plans? 

Happy creating xx 

Shirley 

Paris is always a good idea!

Leaving Cape Town for Paris! I was so excited - my dream becomes a reality! "Travel broadens our perspectives.Suddenly, the palette with which we paint the story of our lives has more colours." - Rick Stevens 

Dubai airport at 3 a.m. ready to board plane to Paris! 

Catching a taxi to our hotel and trying to speak French to the driver! At last I spot the Arc de Triomphe in the distance! 

Our lovely hotel is just a few steps away from the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe and shops! " 

Electric cars! 

Having our first French meal  and a view of Paris streets and life! 

Walking and taking the Metro's became our daily life. Such fun and so many adventures. 

Walking through the tunnel to get up close and personal with the magnificent - Arc de Triomphe! 

Shopping, boutiques and the most incredible stores I have ever seen! 

" There is no cure for Paris" !!

                                   Our very little lift in out hotel in Paris! Only space for the two of us!

Navigating our way around the Metro's! Everyday Paris life!

Gallery Lafayette is a huge department store with so much to look at! The glass dome is so beautiful and you can have a "cafe au lait"( coffee with milk) at the top restaurant which has a glorious view over Paris! 

Daily Metro life! Such fun! 

" Respirer paris, cela conserve l'ame. " - Victor Hugo ( Breathe Paris in , it nourishes the soul.)

Just one of my favourite buildings and patisseries/ restaurants! 

 The magestic Eiffel Tower!! 

 Taking the lift to the TOP! 

 

Half way - spectacular Paris views!

Taking it all in - having a baguette and cafe au lait for lunch next to the Seine! 

One of my favourite things we did in Paris was take a boat cruise on the river Seine! Magical!! 

 

Just the two of us and the Eiffel Tower - of course!! 

 Sightseeing with lots of other tourists! Sacre Couer and the town of Montmartre. 

Always time for a cafe au lait and the french pronounce my name as - "Julie" - I love it! 

The Louvre showing off on the most beautiful Paris day! 

 Getting lost in the Louvre and eventually finding the Mona Lisa! 

 " There is but one Paris, the French air clears up the brain and does good... a world of good." 

- Vincent Van Gough 

One of the highlights for me was  meeting up with my nieces French friend  Noelie! She took us to my favourite spot now - Le Marais. We expereinced unique French shopping,beautiful  boutiques and food. 

" La vie est belle ." - Life is beautiful! 

Love lock bridges over the Seine! Yes we put our lock on! 

 My favourite artist and one of my favourite paintings of his - Monet's Water Lillies!! Absolutely beautiful!! 

 We could never get enough of the Eiffel Tower! 

 

My favourite building - Saint Chapelle! Absolutely spectacular! 

 Magnificent!! 

 My husband ate snails  - of course! 

Leaving Paris for Provence and the french countryside for a few days. My first time on a fast train! So  exciting! 

"We'll always have Paris." - Casablanca