Treasury Tuesday

I’m sure this will not come as a too big of a surprise: I love pink!
As far as I’m concerned, pink makes everything a bit better ;)

That’s why this week’s “Treasury Tuesday” has nothing but lovely, wonderful, pretty crochet in one of my favoritest colors.
And since I love crocheted shawls as well, these two are on top of my list this time around:

This one reminds me of Alia’s wonderful pattern – the “Monsoon Stole”, that I made last year (more on that here):
I really love the touch of grey on this triangular shawl:Have a wonderful new week – I’m looking forward to sharing my up-cycled jeans bag tutorial with you here on Friday!

Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

There’s most likely no way around it: when you’re a crocheter you accumulate not only lots (and lots) of yarn, but hooks as well.

I doubt it’s just me who started out with a simple steel crochet hook – it worked just fine at the time.
However, once it turned out crochet was not an occasional fling for me, and I was seriously hooked, I began looking for hooks that were a bit more comfortable on my hand.
Soon enough I found my very favorite: this kind, by Prym.
When I discovered Lanagrossa carried a whole set of hooks that looked and felt exactly like my favorite hooks, I invested in this beautiful bunch a few years ago: one of the best investments ever!

These hooks have a simple soft grip, just how I like it. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t hook a stitch with the more sophisticated, ergonomic hooks like “Addi Swing” or “Clover Soft Touch”, even though I know there are many fellow crocheters that swear by these.
Talented blogging friend Shelley once wrote an interesting article about her quest for the perfect crochet hook (here‘s where you’ll find it). It’s all a matter of personal preference, isn’t it?

I realize this is a rather lengthy intro to the point I’m trying to get to ;)….
I’m sure you’re all the owner of more than one, two….. ten crochet hooks, but: do you have a case/pouch/bag that keeps them nicely in one place as well?You can always try the free “Bobble Square Hook Case” pattern I shared here not to long ago (you’ll find it under “Crochet Miscellaneous”), but how about a little more crochet hook case inspiration? An all new “Treasury Tuesday” has 16 lovely alternatives!

Lover of color that I am, this week I opted for two favorites that both have more muted colors. I like the classy touch they have…..

Happy hooking!
Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

If you’ve listened to the interview that famous yarnbomber Stephen Duneier had with me last year, you may have noticed him trying to convince me to become a yarnbomber. It’s true, this is a crochet related area that I haven’t touched yet, and think I should give a go… sometime ;)
I admire a lot of yarnbombers’ work greatly; I love the fun and beautiful yarn installations that they create, and I really believe their art makes the world a little happier.
At least, that’s the effect yarnbombs have on me: they either make me smile, or sigh in admiration.
Last Saturday was International Yarnbombing Day, and I enjoyed seeing many new yarnbombs being installed all over the world (thank you social media). For instance this one, by dear ig-friend Jane: I think it’s wonderful!

The thought that crochet is an art form is not new, and I loved finding artsy crochet for this week’s “Treasury Tuesday”. I searched for “freeform crochet”, and this is the beauty I found …..

I especially adore these two:
What is your favorite, and have you ever done any freeform crocheting or yarnbombing?
I’m personally concerned I might be tad bit too ocd to do any freeform crocheting, but yarnbombing is definitely something I’ll venture out in….. eventually :)

Have a happy week,
love,
Marianne xx

PS: clicking on the images in this post, will take you to the fabulous makers

Treasury Tuesday

Some weeks seem to go even faster than others, and this past week was definitely one of those fast ones!

A week during which I have worked very hard to finish my “Rustic Lace Square”-blanket. And I díd finish it – yay, a very memorable moment, I can tell you that – but I simply haven’t had the time to take decent pictures and write a blog post about it yet.
Feeling this mahoosive blanket deserves a good old “Follow-up Friday”-post all by itself, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait just a few more days…..
However, coming Friday it’ll be “Rustic Lace Square”-blanket showtime here on the blog!Another finished job is my CraftKitchen-project for the month of June. I’ve recycled and pimped an old pair of jeans, turning it into a (beach) bag, and I love how that came out. Can’t wait to show you more than just this sneak peek!

On a personal level, we’ve been busy with all kinds of preparations regarding Carter’s upcoming high school exchange year.
He’ll be in Argentina for almost a year, living with an Argentinean family, learning Spanish, and attending school there, following in his sister’s footsteps, who was a foreign exchange student in the USA for 10 months 4 years ago.
We’re extremely happy and thankful his foot injury has healed to the extent that he’s able to pursue his dream of living abroad as a scholar, and learning a new culture, as planned.
Needless to say we will all miss him terribly, but luckily there’s social media like WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook, and Skype.

Also, last Saturday the lovely and extremely talented Saskia Laan launched her new book, and I was lucky enough to be at her party!
Be on the look out for a blog post on this happy event, as well as a book review!
OK….. back to our “Treasury Tuesday” ;)! Sticking to the lace-theme of my beloved “Rustic Lace”-blanket, I found some very pretty and lacy crochet this week.
It’s interesting how I’m not sure I would ever wear a crocheted collar myself, but at the same time really love the ones in this “Treasury Tuesday”.
Beautiful crochet work, that would look lovely on any little girl or woman that has a romantic style, I think.

I could not help myself, and simply had to pick the one item that is technically not really a collar, but hey, it goes around the neck, AND has roses, so yes, absolutely one of my favorites!
My second choice was an easy one too: I so admire the crochet here, I think it’s gorgeous!
I’m quite curious to know whether you would wear crochet pieces like these, and which one would be your favorite?

Have a happy week everyone!
Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

With the summer vacation period almost being upon us (us in the Northern hemisphere, that is ….), and because I thought it was about time to feed our yearning for cute crochet stuff again, I’ve collected camper vans for this week’s “Treasury Tuesday”.
How adorable are these all?

There’s a growing interest in VW camper vans, I’ve noticed (how about this tent? don’t you just love it?), and crocheters – being the trendy people that they are – have apparently picked up on this immediately!

Very hard to pick just two favorites from this “Treasury Tuesday” – happens every week -, but here they are:I adore the details on this VW van: the spare tire, the surf board …… so delightful!
My second favorite is this big tire cushion: I love it because it’s different (always like that), but also because it’s beautifully made!
Have a great new week, everyone!
Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

Just when I think I’m running out of themes for my weekly “Treasury Tuesdays”, I come across at least 4 topics I’ve never covered here whilst I was searching for some lovely crochet for this week’s feature, hurray!

No leitmotif was followed collecting the 16 beautiful crochet projects for this particular “Treasury Tuesday”, other than pretty crochet, and pretty colors ……

Colorwise I think this gorgeous photo fits right in (and I forgot to show it to you in my last post). It’s the picture Lisanne took of the deer bunting I made for her. I love the way it blends in with the dots and plus-shaped-knob on her wall!My two “Treasury Tuesday” favorites today are good old Charlie Brown; first, because he’s a cute character, and second, because this crocheted Charlie is perfectly made. Chapeau to the designer!

My second choice: these rings – to me they prove that pretty doesn’t necessarily mean complicated. Plus, this shop sells kits as well, so you can crochet your own. I like that too.

Wishing you a fun and creative week,
Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

One of the things I so like about crochet – or anything hand/homemade for that matter – is how versatile it is. By simply choosing different kinds of yarn and colors, even the same pattern gives a totally altered outcome.
It’s one of the reasons why I love Lisanne’s book “Haak je Happy” as much as I do, since she’s done just that: one pattern, several versions/colors, all in all very inspiring!

As I said before, I’m working like a madwoman on my “Rustic Lace Square”-blanket. Even though I really like picking out the ‘perfect’ five colors for each square, I’m also looking forward to crocheting something with just one (variegated, maybe) color, and I’m thinking: a shawl.

The ones in this “Treasury Tuesday” I found all very inspirational! However, when trying to pick two favorites from these 16 beauties, I had to laugh at myself: color is clearly, and apparently inevitably, in my genes. You see, the multicolored shawls, joined with black are the ones shouting out to me: “crochet me, crochet me”!

But, this ombré one in off-white and grey is gorgeous as well, don’t you agree?

Have a happy&creative new week!
Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

Right after the “Kingsday” celebrations, there’s another set of holidays being observed here in The Netherlands. First the solemn, and always impressive May 4th “Dodenherdenking”/“Remembrance of the Dead”, and then the joyous “Bevrijdingsdag”/“Liberation Day” festivities on May 5th.

The weather being rather joyous as well, Lex and I decided to play tourist in our own country, and went to Lisse (home of the “Keukenhof”), where we knew the tulip fields would be in full bloom. Ah….. the beauty! We so loved driving through endless fields of fabulous colors!

A couple of lazy days were spent at “Tuin11” too, our little cabin alongside one of Amsterdam’s canals. Lots of prettiness to be seen in the adjacent park over there as well – I love this time of year!

It must not come as a surprise I hunted for “tulips” for this week’s “Treasury Tuesday”, all very pretty also, don’t you think?

My “Tulip Top Two”:

Have a great week!
Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

It’s a bit too chilly to crochet outside, but the sun is shining, I’m in my studio, a lovely Spotify playlist is on (“Soul ‘n the City”), Mila the Wonderdog is laying right at my feet – happily chewing on a bone – and I’ve decided my main “to do”-things this afternoon will be crocheting and crafting: bliss!

Coming Sunday we celebrate “Mother’s Day” here in The Netherlands.
I’m working on yarn related little “Mother’s Day” presents – brooches – and I thought it would be fun to see what crochet brooches I could find for this week’s “Treasury Tuesday”.

Since I already collected crochet flower brooches in a “Treasury Tuesday” a couple of months ago, I tried my best to find different kinds this time around.
Again, I’m amazed at people’s creativity and craftmanship – I love these newly found so much!

One of my favorites has to be this beautifully made lion; the talented maker has many, many more fabulous projects in her Etsy-shop, and each one of them has the wow-factor.I absolutely had to include this one flower brooch – it’s just too gorgeous not to…..Wishing you all a wonderful, blissful week,
love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

Warning …… cuteness overload!

One of our fantastic vet’s assistants recently had a sweet baby boy, so a little – handmade with love – present seemed in place.
What better excuse to start browsing Etsy for a new “Treasury Tuesday”?
Given the 273,068 hits, when typing “crochet baby”, I quickly decided I needed to be more specific in my search criteria.
So, “crochet baby mobile” it was, and gosh, I found so many adorable, adorable projects! I could have easily filled three 16-image-collages……

It was a tough choice picking just two projects, let alone choosing the project I’m going to crochet for wee Olaf – will keep you posted!

Have a great week!
Love,
Marianne xx