Sophies Universe CAL 2015

Sophies Universe took the crochet world by storm in 2015.  The design belongs to the very talented Dedri Uys.  You can find all the information you will need here 

www.lookatwhatimade.net/...cal-2015/sophies-universe-cal-2015-inform...

 

I joined the 1000's of crocheters from all over the world on this mystery CAL.  What fun we had for 18 weeks!!  Every Sunday we received a new part of the pattern.  People literally sat in front of PC's, Iphones, Cellphones and Tablets waiting for the new instalment.

 

The design is something out of this world.  The pattern is written to perfection.  Dedri spoilt us all with her attention to detail.  Well done to a lovely lady! I feel as though a gained a friend over the past 18 weeks. 

 

Please allow me to share a few photos of my own Sophie growing through the different stages. 

 

I used a local South African yarn.  African Expressions Joy.  15% Mohair 40% Wool 45% Acrylic

 

During her growing stages, Sophie boarded a plane with me and we travelled to the beach house, twice.  I took her for a photo shoot.

 

Probably one of the most photographed crochet blankets ever.

 

 

What an epic journey!  Thank you again Dedri Uys for sharing this amazing design with us.

 

 

 

 

JAWS

So..., a photo was shared on my facebook timeline.  And a request..."please can you make these. I want a pair." 

The request came from my 29 year old nephew and godchild with his no 10/11 feet.

So I jumped on Pinterest, found the pattern link, purchased the pattern, scratched through the stash and started, as any good aunt will do.

I found the pattern designed by Stacie L. Ratcliff of Stacie71 over at Etsy.

 

The pattern by was easy to follow.  I had to take a quick look at the Youtube video for the assembly, but all in all it was a fun, quick and easy project.

 

 

I convinced my husband to model the slipper sock.  It is ready to be delivered.  I can't wait to hear what my nephew has to say.

 





 



Floor cushion / Pouff

In April 2014 we made a Hexagon Pouf or floorcushion in my hooky group.  I was asked to lead the CAL and this was the result.

I bought a pouf from a retail store and made to cover to fit.  The yarn is a chunky acrylic and I used a 6mm

I made enough hexagons to cover the top of my cushion.  I used this lovely pattern

http://lavenderwildrose.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/starburst-hexagon-pattern-tutorial.html and the loast row of each hexagon was done in the ivory colour and then joined by crocheting in the back loop only.  I filled in the gaps and did one more row  in DC (double crochet) all round.

The base was done in one colour following a round in the ivory colour, also adding button holes.  www.petalstopicots.com/2011/11/how-to-crochet-button-holes-html/

 

 

The base and the hexagon cover was joined with a band made with double crochet stitches.

 

 

I also made this pouf for my sister's new house.  No pattern for this one.

 

 

 

This is a fun way to update an old and tired looking floor cushion.  PS:  I still have to make another one.

 

Heritage Blanket CAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

As lid van die facebook groep Ons Hekel was ek dadelik geinspireer deur die opdrag om 'n kombers te hekel wat deur kleur en ontwerp iets simboliseer wat vir my belangrik is.  Die collage hierbo is my inspirasie.

 

As member of the facebook group Ons Hekel, I was immediately inspired by the Heritage Blanket CAL.  The colours and design of the blanket must symbolise something that is important to me.  The collage above was the inspiration for my blanket.

 

Pringlebay......My Happy Place. 

 

Die kleure simboliseer die fynbos, sand, see en berge.  Die blokkie is die Rosy Posie patroon www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rosie-posie-grannie-square wat my laat dink aan die Koningprotea wat elke jaar in my tuin blom.

 

The colours symbolise the fynbos, sand, sea and mountains.  The square is the Rosy Posie pattern, reminding me of the King Protea that flowers in my garden every year.

 

This will become a very big King Size blanket....my mom always used to say that as long as you can cover your children with one blanket, you have very little worries.  My kids long ago outgrew one blanket....my only solution is a bigger blanket!!

 

Die beplanning:

 

20 x 18 blokkies  = 360 blokkies en daarna nog 'n randjie.  Vir die eerste keer gebruik ek JAYG.  attic24.typepad.com/weblog/joining-asyougo-sqaures.html

 

I am planning 20 x 18 squares = 360 and a border.  I am also making use of the Join as you go method for the first time.  See the above link to Lucy's blog.

 

130 squares done - winter is here and my Heritage blanket is keeping me warm while working on it.

 

 

 

Ek sal vordering weer post.......I'll report on my progress.

 

 

Al done and I am so happy. 
 

 

  

Simple border of 1 row sc and hdc, finishing with crabstitch.

 

New Life Chapter

Just over 2 years ago it was time for my mum to move from the family home to a retirement village.  It was months and months of uncertainty and worrying until the house was sold and she found the perfect place.  Same town, close to her friends but secure and more manageable.

Packing up a 12 room house and fitting it into a 6 room house was no easy task.  Physically and emotionally draining.  My sister and I planned and arranged everything. She being a schoolteacher with very limited time and myself living 1470 km away.

D-day came and everything went smoothly.  My mum was a little overwhelmed but today I can truly say that it was the best thing ever.

Walking with the ducks

Feeding the ducks



Saying"good morning" from top of the chimney!

 

 

I also faced three major changes in my own life, at the same time.  My youngest started University 1400km away from home.  The nest was now mostly empty, except for holidays.  And thirdly, I took up a crochet hook and yarn for the first time.  

 

This was my first big project.  A blanket for Mom's bed in her new home!

 

Happy endings to this chapter!!

 

Yarn Bomb Voortrekkermonument 2014

 

YARN BOMB!!

 

After months and months of crocheting and knitting 20 x 20 cm squares the dream became a reality.  I remember standing in front of these steps with the two people who made this possible Este Beukes and Marlene Scheepers-Fourie looking at the sea of colour and asking them if they could ever picture this in their dreams!

 

Ladies, and possibly a few men, from all over South Africa, and even from abroad, came together and started on these blocks in August 2013.  "Lets Block" get togethers were held countrywide and slowly but surely the pile of squares grew.  They needed 19050 20x20 squares and 3350 15x15 squares.  On D-day there were 27803 squares made up into 657 lovely blankets by the wonderful group of Maak-n-Verskil who will eventually be donating it to charities.

 

1 August 2014 at 08h00.  The blankets were ready and waiting.

 

We started packing

and packing

Este with the last blanket

 

We had to tie the blankets down with cable ties. It was hard work and a very hot winter's day in Pretoria.

Me resting, Anneke finding her squares and Adele showing me her lovely autumn leaves squares.




AND THEN

WOW...

I feel really, really proud to have been a part of this!

 

Taming "The Monster"

For about 25 year now we have been sharing our bedroom with "The Monster". It came with my husband and I hated it from the start.

My sister is busy settling into a new home and with it, inherited a few "monsters" of her own.  A friend introduced her to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint http://www.anniesloan.com and she transformed some of the monsters that was destined for the dump, into beautiful well loved pieces. 



My sister's monster - BEFORE

AFTER - with some distressing done and new hardware





After a visit with my sister, I was inspired to, for once and for all, try and tame "The Monster".
Through the years I often went looking for a new dresser, but could never find exactly what I needed. 

I like the size and the ample storage space, as well as the large mirror, but that's about all.  The rest I absolutely hate.  So, off to the store to buy a tin of Old White Annie Sloan Chalk paint and clear wax .  Feeling very nervous, I started on the transformation.  Messaging my sister for advice and support all he way! 




And "The Monster" is no more!



 

 



The stool also got a makeover!

 



New hardware added.

I am so pleased with the result.  What a tranformation.  My husband does not handle change very well, so no distressing yet.  But I might still do it later.  Baby Steps! He likes the new look though!!