How did that happen, that the last week flew by faster than a hungry leopard? (This is Africa, okay? I’m allowed to use metaphors with wild animals in them – even if they aren’t brilliantly clever).
What happened back there? First off, Jam Tarts had a very happy day at the Kirstenbosch Market on Sunday. After weeks of fruitless foraging for a clothes rail through the junk shops of Cape Town, Rob made us one out of pvc piping. Genius! You can see it here, to the left of our tables. We weighted it down with sandbags because this is, after all, the windiest place on the entire continent sometimes. Looking at the photo now, I can see they need a bit of dolling up (pom poms, maybe?) And if you look very carefully, I think you can just see Rob sitting under the tree.
Some customers got beautiful new cotton beanies, made by the Beanie Queen, Anne!
Myself, I’m still on the search for the perfect hat pattern. I’ve just finished this one, and guess what? – it’s not it. A luta continua.
A happier outcome: Vinni’s amazing burnt orange Nikkim inspired me to make this simple cotton scarf shaped like a wide V. Loopy sort of edging in Blue Canard. Took 2 hours! Love that, love anything quick. I seem to be wearing a lot of grey and sludge green this autumn so the orange pop should be good for brightening me up.
Sheep needed something to keep warm, it’s getting pretty chilly at night here now. This was the beginning of a shawl that Anne was making and halfway though she decided she didn’t like it. I’ve been getting much better at not just losing patience and ripping things out if I don’t like them, and I’m sure when Anne sees this picture, she will see the value in Finding Another Purpose for Something that was originally meant to be Something Else.
That’s probably about it for now.
Later this morning I’m meeting someone who is redecorating her 10-yr old daughter’s bedroom and would like some crochet cushions and various trimmings to “funk” things up a bit. Her word. I don’t feel very people-persony today, but I’ll start by getting dressed and putting on some lipstick, and maybe it’ll come…
Happy weekend to you all.
Back soon. x
Nice piece of work 
Maybe you’d have felt better if you hadn’t started the day off mentioning the p-p words!
heh
Oh yes those sand bags do look very plain. Go on. Pom- poms…. Dare you :P
{sharp intake of breath} !!! You’re on :-)
Really like your market layout, Jill, well designed. Rob is definitely a ‘keeper’ with all his wonderfulness. Is that Aidan in the cute blue beanie? So glad sheep is warm for winter. xxx
Yes, it’s the sweet Aidan. That child would look good in anything :-)
Everything is lovely to look at but my favorites (today) are the Owls. Sheep looks very cosy in his new scarf. I turn “mistakes” into dog toys. Your Rob sounds very handy to have around!
Well, I’ve had him now for nearly 5 years and, I have to say it, he really is coming along nicely.
Pleased to hear it. keep up the good work! :)
Haha, I loved your wild animal metaphor! Your market stall looks great, and I love the yellow hat with the white flower – so cute! Have a lovely weekend :)
Thanks, you too :-)
Hi Jill!
I love Anne’s hats and the people wearing them look happy too. It sounds like you had a good day at the market and the weather looks like it held up too. I’m so glad Rob came up with a solution for your hanging things. And by the way the scarf is adorable hanging around your neck. Love it and you! Have a wonderful weekend and can’t wait to hear about your visit with a people-person. Tamara
Yes, we were very lucky with the weather. The next day it stormed. Just one more market at Kirstenbosch at the end of May, then it’s closed for the winter – winters here are just too temperamental (but generally torrential).
That looks like a very spacious autumnal market there. We had a very windy one here last week of which I will post soon. Love the kids hats, they look great! And you can never have too many sheep with scarves :)
Well, the grounds at the Stone Cottages at Kirstenbosch are pretty huge. They limit the number of crafters to 180, which means there’s lots of room for children and dogs and for people to just plonk themselves down on the grass if they feel like it. It really is the best monthly market in Cape Town. There’s so much more to it than my measly photos show – the food section is on the other side, and I usually stock up on cheese and fresh farm veggies. Anne goes straight for the fudge.
Your stall looks fantastic, just like a delicious sweet shop!!! Well done Rob on the McGuyver job, it’s brilliant. Did you people-persony mood improve?!!! You crack me up heheeheehee
Thanks, Maryanne, I believe it did. Clothes and make-up helped a lot. Actually had a brilliant coffee chat with her, I’m so excited about making what she wants. Will provide update :-)
I like your orange scarf, it’s my new favourite colour so I have a couple of orange projects in the pipeline.
Orange is very underrated, I think. It has massive potential! Even I am over pink.
Love the stall and your Owls; not to mention sheep and the scarf. I have lots of things that were meant to be something else . . . what fun!
the PVC pipe: what about a dark green acrylic yarnbombing? You could hang crocheted flowers, garlands or pompons at the corners. The yarn would keep the hangers from sliding in the wind (unless it’s a gale, of course!). Just a thought . . . ~ Linne
Brilliant thought, Linne, thank you! I had thought briefly about decorating it somehow, but of course the idea had left my mind shortly after I’d had it. I’m definitely going to do something with the sandbags, so I guess I should bite the bullet and plan to do the whole lot in one go. Watch this space.
I second the motion on yarnbombing the PVC…could be a great conversation starter for shoppers or simply attract their eyes to your stall.
Happy weekend !!!! Wow!! You have a lot of handmade goodies, I hope they all sell :-)
Love the metaphor and plan to use it even tho’ I live in a city and the most dangerous thing we’ve got here are the local drunken neds!
Your hats are brilliant especially the novelty ones.