Habits of a Crafter

Only ten more sleeps until the Scheepjes Hygge Cal begins and I'm so excited for it to start. I even purchased some new scissors and two new hooks. A Tulip Etimo Rose hook and a Tulip Etimo Gold Softgrip hook. I just couldn't decide which one to buy, so, I bought both. Eeekkk!

Last week I showed off the Pastel Scheepjes Hygge box. I have to confess that I bought this box because I couldn't get my hands on the Rainbow one,  and I so desperately wanted to start when everyone else did. Well, someone put a post up on Facebook that Deramores were selling the kit and look what jumped into my shopping cart. Yip the Rainbow kit. Ooopps! But, just look at the lovely squishy colours. I know! I know! There is just no hope for me.  It is beautiful, though!

Anyway, let's move swiftly along.

Last week I announced that I was going to open the second box of sewing bits.  This is the second vintage box purchase I've made since January 2017 (see the previous post). This tin isn't as varied as the last one, but the contents are still good. The overall condition of the tin is good, the metal has no rust, but it does feel flimsier than the last tin.  Let's do the Amelie thing, shall we?

So what did I find inside? The inside of the tin lid shows that it was originally used for shortbread before being turned into a sewing box. On opening the box and viewing the contents, I was faced with some Newey (great piece of history within the link) rust proof snap fasteners which had a handwritten price of 32 pence.

Underneath the snap fasteners are various spools of the thread. My favourites are the Swan tacking threads in green, blue, black and red.  I can't get enough of this thread (I have red, black and white in my own kit) being taught how to sew at school in the 1970's,  we always used to tack (baste) hems or seams in place using this thread before sewing the garment on the machine. This is something that I still do today, especially if a material is proving difficult to handle and pins are just complicating it more.

There is also one reel of elastic; Paul says "they use that in the top of your wool socks!!!!" I've never used it in a pair of socks I've made. Lol!

The other spools of thread are Sylko, Trylko and another called Molnlycke Goliath.

In keeping with the Vintage theme, I have one more box to show you next week, and this one is a biggie.

 Bye for now 

xoxo xoxo

Hygge Trends for 2017

Being resourceful or too lazy to use a cable needle

Last weekend I got a copy of  The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well, which explains the Danish concept of 'hygge'. Denmark is often said to be the happiest country in the world and they say that's down to one thing: 'hygge'. You see since going back to work I've been thinking 'Oh, I blinked, and Christmas was gone. Where did the day go? It just wasn't looooooong enough'.

It took me four days to properly unwind from work and for my brain to realise I was on holiday and during this time sleep eluded me. By Christmas Eve I was like a walking zombie...sigh! I just wish I could go back and celebrate it all over again (without the insomnia) but I can't. Therefore 2017 is going to be entirely different; stress about my mum's health and my own, fretting about work and endless worrying about Paul's unemployment are being given the heave-ho for hygge (pronounced hue-gah).

So what is 'hygge?' The Danes describe it as a word that is a feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or unique. How do the Danes create hygge and what makes them happy? The author Wiking mentions many factors, such as cosy homes, togetherness, board games, inviting friends over to enjoy food and drink. Candles are imperative - 85% Danes connect candles and the correct lighting with hygge.  For days and days, I've been poring over this book and talking the ears off Paul about how I would like 2017 to go. Now, this isn't me making New Year Resolutions, this is my attempt at surrounding myself with safeness, comfort and taking care of my mental health; to put it bluntly giving my mind and body a break.   So, what will mine look like?

• Sofa slumping when I get home from work. Change: 20 minutes of yoga.
• I watch way too much T.V. Change: Listen to more music, read a book or complete a jigsaw.✔
• I always take showers for quickness. Change: Take more relaxing baths with candlelight.
• Minimalist beauty routine. Change: Pamper sessions a couple of times a week, even if it's just a face mask or manicure.
• Always in a hurry and go for the quick snack option which is usually loaded with nasties. Change: To eat more fruit and vegetables, drink more water every day. ✔
• I hibernate in the winter months. Change: Take more exercise outside; walks with the dog.  
• I focus too much on the negative things around me. Change: Start keeping an active thought jar. 
• To make time for more crafting. ✔
• To join more swaps online (current one: Mad About Bags) ✔
  

These are just a few of the changes I want to make at the moment.  I'm not going to stress out if I don't achieve them all each week, even one or two would be enough. The tick marks mean I've completed four this week...yeah! 

Recently I managed to resurrect some old WIP's (work in progress). The ancient WIP is a pair of mittens called Birchwood by Eskimimi. I bought this pattern way back in 2003 no 2013, and I made the first mitt then put the project away. I don't know why because at the time of making the left mitt I was enjoying the pattern and the wool; Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Basil colour wave. So it's partner was completed last weekend. 

Another finish was my Opal Advent Calendar V-Stitch Blanket* I set myself the target of New Years Day for completing it, but I didn't meet that deadline. I think it was completed four days after this, which is cool. It felt special making it, and I didn't want to rush it or make a mistake, the border gave me the biggest headache because I knew it had to be just right.  I even used maths to ensure the border finished evenly,  and it worked!  The last blanket photo shows my thumb near the starting stitch and my index finger with the last stitch. It was just meant to be, it was fate!  Yes, out of all the crochet projects I've taken on board, this one is my favourite. It was just the best, best, best project ever. I don't know if it was the yarn colour changes or the excitement of making something beautiful just for me, I just don't know.  But do you know what? I think it could be described as a hyggeligt moment (cosy moment) for me to enjoy and enjoy I will!

xoxo xoxo

 

* Yarn used Opal (advent calendar yarn) and Adriafil Dolcezza Merino Baby.