Yellow Mood

temperatures are rising in Toronto this week, and I try to get my share of sunlight through these pictures of my newest crochet project. it all started with the poster by Sycamore Street Press that I found at The Paper Place. there are gray skies printed behind the text 'you make me happy when skies are gray' but I realize it's hard to see them in the pictures. I plan to hang this poster in our bedroom and slightly decorate the room according to the white-yellow-gray color scheme. starting with a cushion cover, crocheted in bright yellow shades made by combining double threads of Catania yarn. the light gray polka-dot fabric will be the backing of the cushion. a few more ends to weave in and I am ready to hand sew the crochet front to the fabric cover. I don't know how it happened, but all of a sudden I am quite into yellow. must be the sunny Spring time!

Amsterdam

early last week: prep work for create 'n date, coffee with a dear friend in Canada. end of last week: more prep work, tulips and coffee with the husband in the Netherlands. hello from Amsterdam this sunny morning!

we are enjoying a lovely sunny week with family and friends, drinks and good food, celebrating parties and newborn babies, it is busy but perfect. I will upload some posts this week about projects that are in the making, and of course about create 'n date. only five more days to go!

Beautiful Long Weekend

we did a good job on making wonderful memories with our friends last weekend. on the beautiful sunny Sunday we went up the CN Tower in Toronto and enjoyed the view. we went to the harbor festival and came home to barbecue in our backyard. the children made the flower arrangements for their kids table, while we enjoyed our homemade caesar salad and other foods and drinks. it was one of those days that seemed to last forever...

Bright and Sunny

playing with lovely Spring pastel colors. flowers, food, yarn, the outdoors... it was a good week for sure. create 'n date went live, sold practically out and preparations are in full swing. I can't wait to show you more images, meet all the ladies who are joining us, and see them all crafting and laughing together on June 2nd.

for now: happy long weekend if you're celebrating!

Spring Colors

while the magnolia is quickly losing her pretty flowers, the crab apple has just started to open up her endless little blossoms. oh the joy of Spring when you are surrounded by mature trees...

in the mean time I put together a yarn package for a dear customer who requested the Miami City crochet kit in more girly colors. I think she made an excellent match combining these tones. I love making up a little color story with yarn, pens for the design and tape to wrap the order.

this weekend I will be busy doing prep work for create 'n date on June 2nd in Amsterdam. are you joining us for a creative and inspiring morning and lunch?

happy weekend

Last Tickets!

a little overwhelmed but mostly super excited and happy ~ that's me right now. due to your amazing feedback, sweet personal messages and thoughtful heartfelt e-mails about create 'n date. I have guests coming from the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, ladies bringing their best friends and sisters, and tickets are almost sold out already. there are literally just a handful left. so here I am, sitting in the lovely Spring sun, writing official invitations to my guests on June 2nd and smiling. you rock my world ladies!

if you plan to come, please send an e-mail to info@createndate.com to get information on how to secure your spot. read more about the details here in Dutch and here in English

yep, I am still smiling

Thank You

just some random feel good pictures, to thank you for your enthusiastic replies to create 'n date. many thanks to you who already signed up for the event, I can't wait to meet you!

to answer a few questions: yes, I will be in Amsterdam myself on June 2nd and can't wait to get inspired by you, chat with you, laugh with you, and share creative adventures with you.

Claire, Sakia and Annemarie are full speed working on their ideas for the event, creative juices are definitely flowing back and forth, haha. I am so lucky to have them as my guests of honor on this special day.

stay tuned for more updates on create 'n date on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too and use #createndate

Big and Exciting News!

this post is all about what has kept me busy the past few weeks and what will keep me busy for another three weeks. on June 2nd a big dream is coming true for me. I am organizing a blogging/ instagram event for crafty people. create 'n date is all about meeting the wonderful people behind your favorite craft and crochet blogs, being inspired by each other, it is about enjoying good food and laughter, having a great time and feeding your creative minds.

this first event will take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and I am absolutely honored to be able to offer workshops by Annemarie, Claire and Saskia from the amazing blogs annemarie's haakblog, haken en meer, saar en mien. three ladies I admire for their crochet and craft work, photography, color matching skills and their (upcoming) books. on top of that, they are such lovely women and I am sure I am not the only one who can't wait to meet them and learn from them in real life!

if you're just as excited as I am about this wonderful opportunity for a lovely Sunday morning and a delicious lunch, please send an email to info@createndate.com and you will receive all details you need to know to save your spot. to be able to keep things personal and cozy, space is limited so please be quick and sign up before they are gone.

phew, it feels good and exciting to finally have this news out and about, and be able to share more of it with you. of course I hope to see you and your creative friends on June 2nd in Amsterdam!

Last Week

well hello, did you have a good Mothers Day celebration? my mom is with my brother in Sweden, so he took over for me. I enjoyed more flowers last week, inside as well as outside. I worked on a new color design for a dear customer for the Joppe blanket, has some shopping success and thrifted this large set of crochet and knitting needles in a vintage case.

and, do you remember I teased you with an announcement last week? well, that big news is posted here on the blog later today. stay tuned....!

wishing you a lovely week

Knitting Blossoms

today. I got my 'big' camera out once again. and by out I mean literally out. the blossoming treas in our new neighborhood are so beautiful, it's a challenge to picture their beauty. there is something majestic about grown trees, don't you think? 

framed knitted samples for a dear customer who ordered the Joppe blanket knitting kit, but wanted to get it in a different and gender neutral color combination. which one would you pick?