Hey guys, just touching blog base quickly with John’s birthday present – one of those manly beanies with a beard and moustache attached.
He was laughing so much I couldn’t get a good picture, as you see. I have wanted to try one of these for ages, but was concerned that if I gave it to the obvious choice (Rob), he might actually wear it in public. With me.
Free pattern for das beard beanie found here.
Happy birthday, John. 49 today :-)
Busy weekend over here. On Saturday Rob and I traded at the Trenchtown market in Obs, which is a fantastic venue with a super cool vibe, but I have to say the Jam Tarts stuff didn’t make a great impression on the majority of the patrons. To be expected, I think. Crocheted newsboys and floral infinity scarves probably aren’t the items of choice for a younger, more – shall we say? – tattooed crowd. We were the only two people there who hadn’t gone for the inked and/or studded look, and we felt rather naked in comparison. And, not to say, quite old and fuddy duddy, too!
[[Market Trading 101 – make sure your products appeal to the sector that patronises the market. By all means give a new market a try but, if you’re a huge flop, don’t try and flog a dead horse.]]
Sunday was Kirstenbosch, being the last Sunday of the month. It was, as ever, GREAT. Here are some pics of people who make it feel like family:
Janet, my nextdoor neighbour, with stunning vintage clothes bargains to be had
The lovely jewellery lady, Sarah, on the other side of us, with a darling puppy from the Animal Rescue guys.
Steven Belknap of Whimsical Woodworks, who made my hat stands for me.
Renee Dorrington, the lady with the magic hands, offering reflexology and massage
Debbie and Rob, probably our two oldest market friends, from way back at the Porter Estate market in Tokai. They always have broad smiles and lekker food.
Yesterday, Monday 27th, was a day off for us ! Yay! (No sewing, no admin, no markets). We visited the Decorex exhibition (Decorex Cape Town) at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, courtesy of free tickets from Inspired Living SA (thanks so much, Fiona, we loved it!) — I think this was the best ever exhibition since it started.
I was particularly pleased to see that the Cape Craft and Design Institute had selected products by Baillie and Kovar Design. Malcolm and Michelle are a crafty couple who manage to incorporate a very ‘now’ look with functional value, from recycled materials. This is their kind of style, which speaks volumes about South African design and talent.
And then it was lunchtime…. my friend Shona, whom I’ve known for nearly 30 years, hosted a lunch at the Forresters Arms in Newlands. Gotta love a pub lunch, and I’m happy to say the Irish coffees are just as good as they ever were….
Back soon x
Shona’s birthday was way back in April, but we finally managed to meet up yesterday and have lunch at the Queen of Tarts in Obs.
She didn’t even take them off when our grub arrived.
Back soon x
I’ve been busy with fingerless handwarmers lately. Doreen had given me another pair of legwarmers, which have now been repurposed for man paws:
because Rob says he also gets cold in winter…
Following on the success of Nicola’s cowl last week, I made another one with matching fingerless mitts** and added a bit of furry yarn top and bottom. I posted this on the Jam Tarts facebook page and had a buyer within 15 minutes. Thanks, Mr Zuckerberg.
And how’s this weather!? This pic was taken two days ago – Alex was in a bikini lying on the grass in the sun when I asked her to model up. It’s supposed to be WINTER here, hello!!!
Today a few of us gathered at Mama Roma in Newlands to celebrate Gwen’s birthday (although any excuse for a grub-fest will do). She’s still doing the early-morning school run, so I made her some mitts** in shocking pink to keep her hands warm on the steering wheel. Everyone thought they were cute (but not as cute as Gwen herself!)
** My “pattern” for these mitts: with dk yarn and a 5mm hook, ch 31. Work 18 rows in htr. Fold in half and stitch the seam, leaving a short gap for your thumb. Optional – work 1 or 2 rows of dc top and/or bottom in a contrasting yarn.
Back soon x
I seem to remember doing a hell of a lot of moaning and groaning about the impossibly hot weather we had at the end of summer, so now that it’s autumn and perfect and sunny yet mild and the leaves are all copper, I’m making a point of noticing and saying so.
Here’s the view from my lounge, 5 minutes ago:
and I realise there isn’t much copper, so I walked further down the garden and found this:
See? – copper!
Okay, enough of the nature stuff. On Friday I met up with the woman who is doing up her daughter’s bedroom, her colours are aubergine and lime (yep, purple and green!)
With the help of Edie Eckman’s wonderful book of crochet edgings,
and the flower aghan in Simply Crochet Issue 3,
I’ve already finished the two strips (each 2.30 metres long) that will be used to edge two purple aubergine cushions, and have a nice lilac flower on a slate grey background to start off the third cushion.
I don’t usually buy crochet magazines but the cover of this one caught my eye recently (as one reader will know all too well). I’m making the bolero on the front, in camel cotton with a 4mm hook. I’ve just got to the arm shaping bit, but it’s been a lovely easy pattern so far. Size medium. I figure that since I’m still following the Weigh-Less diet, I might not always have to make the very biggest size in everything from now on.
Time will tell, I suppose. Yesterday I went to Lyndall’s 23rd birthday tea where it would simply have been unforgivably rude of me not to join in the feast (devil’s on horseback, nutella muffins, lemon meringue).
I have to run some errands later. Perhaps the exercise will help burn off the extra kilojoules (get it?) (sorry!)
Back soon x
Nice piece of work 