To a crafty 2012!

I hope you all had a peaceful Christmas and wish you a crafty 2012! My first goal for 2012 is to make more time for my crafts this year. That includes blogging about it!

A New Year means new things so my plan is to revamp things around here a bit and then to blog more regularly - even if I don't make anything...I certainly am adding to the stash regularly, so I will have something to share!

We spent a few days in the southern Drakensberg area in KwaZulu Natal, near a pretty town called Nottingham Road. The weather did not support much else than trout or bass fishing though. We were home to spent Xmas with the family and then left again on Boxing Day for Mosselbay. We spent a glorious 10 days there with friends. My DH and youngest son did some scary stuff like bungy jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge (that is a 216m drop!) and scuba diving (in a cage of some sort) with great white sharks! I decided to join the shark diving expedition at the last moment, but it was fully booked. Bummer.

I spent lots of time doing girly things like getting my hair done, having tea with the girls at a charming tea garden, and lots of shopping of course. Then one day, my friend dropped me off at this crappy shopping mall and I made the biggest fabric find EVER at a small little shop inside! I will share some pictures in my next post, if I survive the spring cleaning faze at my house!

I cannot wait to share what I found in Mosselbay. Let me go find my camera...

Parcel in the Post

My apologies for being absent so long. This flu is really nasty and took hold of me for two weeks straight! Things are hectic at work so no chance of even taking a day or so off, so I suppose that's why it took so long to shake it. I was cheered up no end when I received a parcel from my friend http://sewkalico.blogspot.com/ on the farm a few days ago!

Inside, the most delicious goodies! Some stunning wool yarn, a sewing magazine, a gorgeous crochet pattern for a bag, hat and scarf and two bag handles! I had to laugh when I saw the empty easter egg wrapper inside! Thank you so much Karol-Ann for all the lovely goodies! I cannot wait to use the yarn and handles.

I will be doing the rounds to see what all of my favorite blog friends have been up to the last two weeks and to say hello. In the next few days I will share the few projects I have been busy with lately. Not much, but I hope productivity will improve!

Zero productivity!

Productivity in my craft room has been zero the last ten days....

Unfortunately I picked up a horrible sinus-related flu two weekends ago and even if I wanted to, I could not even try to make anything. Between using tissues to wipe my nose every 2 seconds and then my runny eyes every 3 seconds, I did not have enough hands to sew or crochet! I am feeling a lot better this week and I am slowly getting back to creativity and productivity. I hope to share some new projects with you soon! Hope you are all having a great week so far.

A New Year!

Happy New Year! I am still shocked that time flies like it does and I feel like I am not getting nearly enough done in my Craft Room as I want to. My apologies for the long silence on my blog. Things were rather hectic at work and once I went on holiday it was the usual rush to buy Xmas presents, etc.

I did complete a few things the last two weeks though. I also received some lovely gift vouchers to spend on crafty stuff, so will be shopping soon! I will post some of my completed items in the next few days.

Hope you all have a craftastic 2010!

Happy Birthday!

To me! A bit late in posting, but yes, last week on the 3rd of December was my birthday and I am only blogging about this because I received lots of vouchers to use for stash!

Which voucher did I use first? Of course, the book voucher! This is what I bought. A lovely book with lots of great knitted bag patterns in. I am so behind with book review that I would rather not promise one again! The rest of my vouchers I am spending slowly...to make it last longer!

Giveaway results - 100th post

Thank you for participating in my 100th post celebration! I put all the names in a hat and got a colleague to draw the names.

The winner of the bag made by Pinktulip is Jacqueline! Congratulations, Jacqueline! Thanks for your inspirational comments and visiting so often. I will be in contact to get your details and start making your bag soonest!

As promised, there were two other prizes of a local craft magazine and some African fabric as well. Although the intention was to just draw two other names, for some reason Lola's name card kept attaching itself to the names being drawn! Talk about persistance to win!

So, we now have THREE other winners: Gingini, MilliMollyMandy and LOLA! Congratulations! I will be in contact to get your postage details.

100 posts and a Giveaway!

It is time to celebrate!

Pinktulip is celebrating it's 100th post today! As is tradition in blogland, I will celebrate this with you, my blogfriends that visit, comment, inspire and encourage me. As I mentioned before, there will be three prizes:

FIRST PRIZE:

Will be a handmade bag, made by Pinktulip, just for you!

SECOND PRIZE:

The latest copy of my favorite local craft magazine. Ideas covers handmade projects, home decor, fashion and style as well as food recipes. Really nice issue too! My favorite article inside this issue is how to create a specific theme in an unused corner of your house. Featured is a reading area, yoga area or a craft area.

THIRD PRIZE:

A copy of another of my favorite local craft magazines, Stictches 'n Bears. (Excuse the crappy photo!) Several easy bag projects inside this issue, embroidery and knitting patterns.

In addition, I will throw in some yummy, colourful African cotton fabric with each of the prizes! Here is a sneak peak of the fabrics up for grabs:

I will draw three names on Monday, June 1, 2009. All you need to do is leave a comment on this specific post by midnight Sunday, 31 May 2009. Just in case you are the winner of the handmade handbag, please tell me what colours you really like in a bag, also maybe what size bag you like. Good luck!

Giveaway at Pinktulip!

I am fast nearing my 100th post on this blog and I have been thinking about a giveaway, as is customary in blogland. Since this post will happen this week, I have to come up with ideas very fast!

I have decided to give away three prizes - some African fabric and beads, a local crafty magazine and a craft book.

Watch out for my post this week to stand a chance of winning!

Facelift for Pinktulip!

A change is as good as a holiday, they say...Pinktulip has had a facelift. In view of the new interest in sewing clothing as well as bags and everything else, I think the new look fits perfectly.

Amy Butler is a genius!

I am an Amy Butler fan! Confirmed. Love her fabric. Love her projects. Love her patterns. So I was really excited when I saw she has a new product launching in June 2009. http://www.trueup.net recently reported that Amy Butler has teamed up with Electric Quilt to launch Amy Butler Softwares. This is a new way to purchase Amy's projects in electronic format. Trueup shares this link http://www.doyoueq.com/amybutlersoftwaresprojects/slide.htm where you can see a preview of the gorgeous new projects that will be available in June 2009 for purchase.

This makes me especially happy as I can purchase, download and use. No postage fees and no waiting! If you are an Amy Butler fan, go check the above link out.

Merry Christmas!

A merry Christmas to all! Hope you have a wonderful festive season!

My first Blog Award!

My friend Hannah over at http://www.hannahmshaw.com/ gave me a blog award! I am really excited as this is my first ever blog award!

“This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

I am supposed to pass this award onto 8 wonderful people, but in the spirit of the award I have only selected 6 people that have been very supportive and kind to me and saved me from talking to cyberspace! This award is passed on to:

1. http://madebylova.wordpress.com/

2. http://zenforyou.dalefg.net/

3. http://appelligartafamily.blogspot.com/

4. http://sewkalico.blogspot.com/

5. http://theindecisivepinay.wordpress.com/

6. http://majik078.blogspot.com/

Ladies, you all deserve this award for being considered blog friends and leaving kind comments! Pass this award on to other blogger friends!

Birthday fun!

I had a great birthday yesterday! Spoiled by the men in my life with fabulous presents. We had a few family members over for tea and visited until late. On the weekend I was trying to finish a few projects to show off at my birthday. I only managed to complete one item though. Here is a picture of my new tray cloth complementing my new set of yellow mugs with ladybugs on them.

I found a tutorial on the internet to crochet the edge of your tray cloth or it can be used for placemats and napkins as well. Not very clear on the photo but I embroidered the edge with a blanket stitch in yellow embroidery thread and used a stiff interfacing inside. I found this fabulous yellow fabric last weekend at my favorite habberdashery shop.

I have also cut out placemats, coasters and a stunning tablecloth with a frilled edge from this fabric but did not finish it. I cannot decide on the embellishments...

I also bought foam to make some cushions for our lapa (outside entertainment area). The other night I found this small piece of home dec fabric in my stash that was ideal for the cushions. This was a quick, fun project to make.

This is an oilcloth tablecloth I am busy with for the outside table. I am busy sewing the hem with some cute light blue embroidered lace I bought. I will post a photo of the completed project soon.

The cutest pink flowers from a colleague at work and chocolates from a client for my birthday!

It's my birthday today!

I have not posted for a few days and feel really guilty about it! Although I have been crafting a little bit, I have not taken any photos yet. I have spent some time on making some stuff for our entertainment area since we are getting a few people over for supper tonight to celebrate my birthday. My husband and the boys woke me up at 6am this morning to give me my presents! All craft-related. Lovely! I will share some photos later this week.

Great Give-away at Lola's!

I am such a fan of Lola's! I have been visiting (stalking) her blog for several months, made bags with her beautiful free patterns, but only recently stopped lurking and introduced myself. Lola is celebrating her 300th post and starting next Monday, November 17th, she will be giving away some awesome prizes! Some are projects that she made herself and other are items from her stash. They are ALL worth having though! All you have to do is leave a comment. (Actually, I would rather you don't go there as it makes my chances of winning better if you don't!) If you are crazy about sewing like me though, you need to visit Lola's blog at http://lolaagain.blogspot.com as soon as possible. Congratulations, Lola! Thanks for all the inspiration you have given me!

I am on The Big List of Sewing Blogs!

I received word from Suzi that I have been on The Big List of Sewing Blogs for a few weeks already. I just did not know it! I am number 393 on the list. If you have not been on this list, you should go there now. I am working may way through the list and have found great sites and inspiration.

I won pretty earrings!

A few weeks ago I left a comment on Maricris' website http://zenforyou.dalefg.net/ for a chance to win a stunning pair of her handmade earrings. I then completely forgot about it until I received an e-mail from her pronouncing me the winner! Today I received the parcel in the post.





I am thrilled! Maricris makes the most beautiful jewelry and you can buy from her Etsy shop http://www.goldenflowercreations.etsy.com/ Thank you, Maricris! And thank you to the lovely future mom blogger for picking me!

New home for Pinktulip!

As of today, this is the new home of Pinktulip. I feel at home already! Watch this space as I migrate older posts from http://www.pinktulip.co.za/ and post some new sewing adventures.