Post-raphaelite by Helene

As a member of the Burdastyle community I have the unique opportunity of meeting people from the whole world, exchanging ideas and experience and get inspiration.

One of my favourite members there and the never-ending source of inspiration- the magnificent Helene (a.k.a. carottesauvage) is the mastermind behind this gorgeous blouse.

I think the name of the project captures the essence of this creation. The wonderfully and meticulously pleated front, together with the bishop sleeves make this blouse remarkable and one of a kind.

Helene is this week's featured member (which should have happened long time ago) and she completely deserves it!

By the way, as the starting point she used Burdastyle's Jeniffer

pattern, which is a free download so all you enthusiastic sewers have an opportunity to grab it and make some unforgettable blouses yourselves!

Reversable wrap

When I saw Lia's fabulous reversible cape I knew I had to make one.

This cute thing offers so many versatile looks and is so easy to make it - it is incredible!
Must admit that I had trouble choosing the fabric (Lia's is to die for) because I had nothing good to match, so eventually I chose linen to pair it with soft and patterned cotton. For the buttons I chose to cover them with the flower(y) fabric.

I made mine a bit longer than Lia's and not so wide. But if I make another one, I will certainly make it shorter and wider. And with more expressive fabric, mind you!

I played with it, wrapped it around, combined buttoning it in different ways, and I love how I could gain so much with so little. From all the looks I was seduced by the "cropped jacket" look and the "waist coat" look!
Thank you Lia for this wonderful pattern!

Update: You should visit my friend's Nat post and see her wrap. It is absolutely gorgeous! And I was right! She used a stunning piece of fabric.

Moss stitch blue knit wrist warmers

This is a pattern for lovely knit warmers. I found this pattern on the Internet about 2-3 years ago. They are short in length, but because of the chunky wool and decorative stitch these warmers are really warm and beautiful.

The Moss Stitch pattern:
Cast on 38 stitches

Ribbing = 8 rows: K2P2 right side / P2K2 the opposite)
Row 9 starts the double moss stitch: K2,then P1, K1(repeat this to the end)
Row 10 = P1, K1, (repeat this to the last 2 sts) then P2
Row 11 = K1, P1 (*repeat this to the last 2 sts.) then K2
Row 12= P2,then K1,P1 to the end.
Repeat rows 9-12 until the desired length is achieved.

Next row - ribbing for 6 rows. Bind off.

Repeat these 4 rows until the desired length is achieved (I repeated these 4 rows for 8 times which totals 32 rows of double moss stitch without the ribbing!)
Next start the ribbing again (as explained above) and knit it for 6 rows. Bind off!

Note: Please note that I cast 38 sts because I have fairly tiny wrists . If you have longer/bigger arms/wrists cast more sts. than suggested here. Remember that you have to have an even number of stitches.

This is also a quick project and you may use it to make some last minute gifts!

Happy knitting!

Transform socks into warmers

When I saw these beige - gray speckled socks I knew I had to have them. They are kids' size but that was exactly what I needed for this project.

This is a simple tutorial how to transform socks into wrist-warmers.

You need a pair of socks.

Cut off the toes part.

Turn the sock with the heel part upwards.
Gather the part where the heel is, pin it and hand stitch it.

Add a decorative button.

Add some lace or ribbon.

This is important.

You have to insert a tailor's ham inside before you stitch the lace.

If you don't have a tailor's ham insert another pair of socks or a small pillow.

Something that will expand the sock. Then (hand) stitch the lace.

Your new, fabulous wrist warmers.

These also make a nice last minute gift and you can make them in less than 15 minutes.

Tomorrow I am going to share a knit warmers pattern.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Sea horse brooch

If you see a seahorse

Be sure to say hello.

Just smile and say a bright ‘good day’ -

They’re most polite you know!

(Poem by Julie Murphy)

Meet the Frosts - a tutorial

The Frosts

I immensely enjoyed making this lovely family of Frosts with my kids and they are proudly displayed in our living room. Not the kids - the snowman's family ;)

I documented the process as we went along, so here is an easy way to make yourself some decoration in an hour!

What you need:
- Styrofoam craft balls (we used 6 for the heads and bodies)
- tooth picks (3-4)
- fabric scraps
- a marker
- modeling clay
- and glue

First stick the head and the body on the toothpick to make the snowman.

Next, with the marker, draw the eyes, mouth and body buttons.

With the scraps make Mr.Frost a scarf, mittens and a top hat.

With modeling clay make him a nose and stick it.
Tie the scarf and glue the mittens.

Mr. Frost is a very health-conscious snowman.
He knows smoking is bad and that is why he
doesn't have a pipe. He's got a toothpick in his mouth.

Mrs. Frost.
She is one very fashionable lady.
We made her a hat out of modeling clay and decorated it with a jewel (ahem..bead).
She wears a ruffled scarf and elegant red mittens. Her body buttons are bling.

Baby Frost.
His hat is a cut-off thumb from old mittens.
His scarf is the ribbed part of an old sock.

We hope you like them!

Greetings from our family to yours!
***Happy holidays!***

Jellyfish necklace

Yesterday I got wonderful news of my deadline being prolonged and guess what I did.
I did everything my heart desired. Including embroidery. I worked late into the night and finished a couple of things - mostly fabric jewelry.

This is my favourite. A jellyfish pendant.

These days expect a lot more sea creatures turning into wearables.

Wooden ornaments

Bought myself a box of wooden ornaments. A set of twenty in lovely colors and postures. Most of them are angels and snowmen but I don't really mind.

They are tiny and gorgeous. I have always been crazy about wooden miniatures.
The kids hanged them on the tree and I enjoy looking at them. They make me calm and peaceful after an exhausting day.

This Christmas I wanted to make a lot of things, you should see my list, but have been severely interrupted in making anything Christmas-y. That's life.

I hope you all have lovely new ornaments to hang on your trees!

Notification

Dear (blog) friends and family,

Currently I am maintaining a low profile due to transliteration related activities. The left hemisphere of my brain is heavily harnessed and being strained to the extremes, but do not assume that the right hemisphere is idle. I have many new things to show you. Lovelies for the eye and soul.

TheBlueEggNest

Until then, you just sit back and enjoy the weekend!
Yours truly,
M.