We are in Zlatibor - Serbia!

And it feels as if we are in heaven!

The green pastures stretch out as an endless ocean. It's green everywhere you look and even beyond that and you cannot get enough of it!

 

The scenery is magnificent: slopes cradle scattered cabins and cottages on flowery carpets with  ethereal and dreamy quality that make you question your reality. We've made a ton of pictures to show what we mean and how it felt.

 

We've been here for 2 days and we are hopelessly in love with it! Our agenda has been packed tight so there is absolutely no time for me to sit down and actually write about this journey. I will need time to settle down,  harness all emotions and experiences and  give them words to tell our story. I will share that story - our travelogue next week.

 

Have a fantastic weekend! I am signing off.

P.S. Last but certainly not the least and very seriously dealt with - the GDPR! Four dreaded letters that seem to throw the internet world into a frenzy.
I wanted to let you know that my privacy policies are all updated for your reading  pleasure and can be found just bellow the blog's banner.

DIY a Victorian Inspired Cuff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to a crafty Wednesday! Today I am showing you how to make an easy-breezy cuff. If you are not into cuffs you can use this idea to make a corsage. 

 

What you need:

(vintage) fabric, crochet (velvet, fabric) flowers, beads and ribbon (sateen or velvet). Fabric glue, sewing needle and thread.

 

Cut 15 cm rectangle piece. You can leave it as a rectangle. I like to gradually narrow it at the end for effect. My fabric is synthetic so I singed the edges to stop fraying.

 

Next, some light sewing. Put the fabric under the foot and push it as you sew to get the ruffles. Cut ribbon that would be sufficient to tie it around the wrist. Glue the ribbon over the ruffled piece.

I wanted to use a velvet ribbon but had none in any of the colors of the fabric so I used sateen and added / glued a sequin ribbon at the sides to make it sparkly a little bit.

Position the flowers on the cuff and sew them nicely.

Cut a strip of fabric and glue it at the back to hide the machine stitching (of the whole cuff) and hand stitching (of the flowers).

 

It cannot be easier than this.

 

 

 

I made this cuff for myself and used a piece of my grandma's dress. I saved many of my grans' dresses and love to use them in my projects. I hope you liked this one.

Autumnal Sunset - A choker and cuff

 

 

Hello and Happy Monday to you all!

 

This whole week is going to be slightly different on the blog, so we are skipping the instagram inspiration Mondays which has been the practice here for quite a long time.

 

Instead I want to prolong the promotion of my Victoriana collection that went live on Friday.

 

For those of you who missed it, here's what it is all about.

 

The Victoriana Collection aims to accentuate femininity through mixed media designs that create an edgy and modern look embracing a vintage feel and adding the right touch of drama.

  

I called this set Autumnal Sunset and the name is pretty explanatory itself. I used a lovingly preserved vintage fabric onto which I sewed  a velvet ribbon and built the small flower ensemble on top of it all.

 

A tutorial how to make one yourself if coming up on Wednesday, so I hope you drop us a visit then :)

  



The Victoriana Collection

 

 

 

 



The Victoriana collection inspired by the Victorian era as the name suggests, aims to accentuate femininity through mixed media designs that embrace velvet and jacquard ribbons, vintage fabric, lace, soft pearls and cotton yarn.

 

The focus on the collection is on necklaces, chokers accompanied with cuffs and brooches and they all offer a luxurious and regal look. The designs can be worn with both formal and casual outfits to create an edgy and modern look with the right touch of drama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lookbook.
The collection is available here.

Artful Blogging Feature

 

 

In the infant years of my blog I got acquainted with Stampington Company and their mesmerizing magazines! My heart tied fast and strong around Artful Blogging Magazine. A magazine that satisfies my cravings for visually enchanting and mesmerizing photos accompanied with heartfelt, warm and inspiring stories.

 

I think every artful bloggers' dream is to be featured in this magazine. This year my dream came  true and I cannot possibly describe the excitement, fulfillment and pure joy that I am constantly wrapped up  in ever since I  was first contacted about this several months ago, until I finally had a copy in my hands!

I made another full circle.

 

 



 

 

My article called "Capturing Memories" appears in their Summer 2018 edition and tells the story of using my blog as an online journal to capture beautiful creative moments of time spent in artful bliss.

 

I just got the copy a few days ago and yearning to prolong this feeling of excitement I have been slowly going through it, soaking up story by story, picture after picture, one at a time.

 

They had a small surprise for me I was unaware of. They chose my banner  to be featured in the "Banners We Love" section and it really felt like a cherry on the top of a cake, when I discovered it!

I must say a huge and warm "Thank You!" to my editor Danielle Williams who worked with me, wonderfully guiding me through the process sharing valuable advice.

 

My deep bow to you dear lady!

 

You can order the magazine online or buy your copy at your nearest newsagent.

 

 



 

 

Insta feel - Lead a Colorful Life

kikalite  amyflyingakite leannemarshallofficial  artesanato_pontosdeamor  coco.crochet.lee  crochetgirl99  anzelikaart  ltblogged   forestchorusstudio

Mini Doily Brooch - weekend project

 

 

It's the weekend guys!

I couldn't wait for the work day to finish so that we can really get into that weekend groove! And I have the perfect weekend project for you. Back on Wednesday I showed you how to crochet this lovely doily and said that I will show you the brooch I actually made with it.

 

However, I was itching to try making it with a thinner size of thread and more or less got to it. I used ecru, but doubled the thread so it wasn't too thin nor was it as thick as the thread for the white brooch and I tell you... this one is a bit bigger than a thumb but totally adorable and perfect for a mini brooch. I actually like it more than the original one.

 

I am quite happy how it turned out. Truth be told, you cannot see it because I used it as a foundation onto which I built the flowers and it is just peeking from the sides; but anyways - it is love-ly!

 

 

 

And... no drum rolls sadly.... here's the original.

 

 

Luckily, I have a coral red cardi so when I put this on it gave it the right pop and was quite effective. So my collection of brooches now has two new members.

With this, I close this post, wave you goodbye and I will see you guys on Monday!

 

Crochet Doily - free pattern

 

 

I have saved this tiny doily sampler from my gran's stash of samplers and have been holding onto it dearly, planning to make something with it so that it stays with me forever.

 

Note that that day has not yet come, but you'll be duly notified :)

 

Toying with it I decided to make it with a way thicker cotton thread, because it is almost impossible to make it with a 0.something hook - I wonder if this was spider web she used as thread to make it. I modified it a bit, but stuck to the general pattern. And I forgot to place a real object next to it to show its real size, but it is as big as a thumb. Take my word for it.

 

I made it with a 20 size of cotton thread and used a 1 mm metal hook.

 

Pattern:

 

Ch 7 and join to make a ring.

Rnd 1: Dc 15 in ring. sl st in 1st dc to join.

Rnd 2: sc 2 in each st (30)

Rnd 3: sc1, sc2 (46)

 

 

Rnd 4: hdc3tog, ch6, sk1, repeat from beginning. You will have to sk 2 at the end and sl st to end the round.

Rnd 5: sc3 on chain, ch 3 and make a picot, sc3 more in the same chain, move onto the next chain and repeat filling pattern.

 

 

 

 

I used this doily as the foundation for a brooch, but it can also serve as a pendant. Come on Friday to see it!

Insta feel - inspiration in the small things

Fuel up your inspiration!

 

1.crochet_butik

2.ceramictales 3. selvedgemagazine 4.  mintlemonadescookies

5. sarahmatthews 6. acurrentaffair 7. anthropologie 8. weare365 9. looplondonloves

What I Have Pinned Lately #10

Happy Sunday!

I have seen so many beautiful things shared recently my head is actually spinning. Many are for inspiration only; however lots of incredibly talented people have shared their projects for free, so here's my selection this time.

The above Dutch Rose Blanket which I fell in love instantly - both the pattern and the color combinations are awesome!

This amazing Dahlia Flower Pillow by My Crochetory, and

these gorgeous poppies by Picot pals.

Enjoy!