So here is what I figured out. I'm a Classic Doily girl... While I adore the beautiful colours one can experiment with on the modern designs, there is nothing more beautiful than a lovely Vintage Doily in the true classic style. It is a dying art, with patterns being addapted to suit more modern lifestyles.
Yet, I cannot walk past a classic pattern or yarn, let alone Doily found in a thrift shop! I literally have hundreds and cannot get myself to part with them. I understand there is place for both... but humor me today when I showcase some wonderful examples of what can be done with an old Vintage Doily... 
So the question I guess is: Modern versus Classic? What kind of a girl are you?
Paper dolls are figures cut out of paper or thin card, with separate clothes, also made of paper, that are usually held onto the dolls by paper folding tabs. They may be a figure of a person, animal or inanimate object.
Paper dolls have been inexpensive children's toys for almost two hundred years. Today, many artists are turning paper dolls into an art form.
Paper dolls have been used for advertising, appeared in magazines and newspapers, and covered a variety of subjects and time periods.
Order these special little packs and help your child develop a creative, imaginative mind with something different. They have become highly sought-after collectibles, especially as vintage paper dolls become rarer due to the limited lifespan of paper objects. Paper dolls are still being created today.
So Summer is here! That means more & more 'Braai-Fires' will be lit. A proud South African tradition... or is it? “Braai” is a word we have all come to love but what are its origins? And why is it uniquely South African? Lets see what under the coals and explore the culture behind braai." Without delving too deep into something myself already very well elaborated on, check out this very good blog: www.braaiculture.com
Other ambassadors for this traditional day is undoubtedly 'JanBraai' the television personality who single-handedly started a revolution!
Check out 'JanBraai' here on FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/janbraai/
Some great Recipe Links for your next Braai - try to experiment a bit!
http://braai.com/braai-recipes/
http://www.picknpay.co.za/braairecipes-beef
http://crushmag-online.com/best-braai-recipes/
| Waste Not - All those little pesky bits left over after projects are finished drove me up the wall. I meticulously rolled them up and landed up with hundreds of little balls just short of full rows in most larger projects. Your options are plentyfull such as Crochet Flowers or Mini Projects. I hopped online and after a walk-through to get inspiration opted for some baby bits and funky decor. This was the end-result... and I still have about another 120 little balls left! Going to turn them into Baby HeadBands and Flowers... |
 |
 |
 |
| The revolution is in full swing. No longer do they scoff at this awesome craft we call Crochet - in fact it is also a known skillset among many bearded masculine men... and it has jumped the gender boundary in huge leaps. #67Blankets for Madiba is living proof of that. The following project is not new on the block either, but I never get tired of the impact a large oversized doily rug makes. It is so satisfieng to make, with each one taking on a life of its own. The colour and type of t-shirting or cotton yarn you use will determine the outcome of the project - so don't be too set on an idea. Play around and let it flow. Again my favorite shades of Rags to Rugs has got to be the nutral earthy tones... (Dune or Sand, Grey, Light Green, Chocolate and Charcoal) Most of the balls of T-shirting comes from upcycling boffins out of CMT factories where they produce T-Shirts. These are all off-cuts... but you can also get creative and recycle used clothing, denim or cut-up old T-Shirts yourself. If you don't want to go through the process - contact me for your custom order! |
||
 |
||
 |
 |
|
 |
||
| Perfect way to start with a ring of stitches with no gap in the middle. (Applies especially to items such as cushion covers or soft toys). | |
| 1. Wrap the yarn around your index and middle fingers so that the working end of the yarn comes in front of the tail. |  |
| 2. Using your thumb to hold the wrapped yarn, hook the working yarn through the loop. |  |
| 3. Work 1 chain to secure the loop. |  |
| 4. Work the stated number of double crochets into the centre of the loop. |  |
| 5. When you have the required amount of stitches, tug the tail end of the yarn to tighten up the loop until there is no hole in the middle. |  |
|
These round pillow covers started with a magic loop. The Mandala design is attached to pre-prepped pillows. |
 |
| Steps 2 and 3 can be a bit fiddly but once you get the hang of it you'll never look back again. (Copyright North Star Yarns) |
|
 |
Even though you might be offering rustic sleep-over facilities, you might want to consider some key standards to get the balance right. * Crisp White Hotel Standard Linen * Appropriate Lighting * Enough Storage * Comfort * Privacy for your guests * Small personal touches |
|
 |
Space Saving Coffee station This lovely unit makes for a perfect foundation piece to set out your coffee station for guests in their rooms. It takes up little space, provides the basics in plain view in an interesting, practical way. |
|
 |
Private Character & Charm Without clutter you can create a practical space for guests to enjoy. Surplus supplies cleverly stored in plain view with easy access to all the essentials. Remember to leave a note about any Laundry facilities they might need. |
|
Scatter me pretty and soft... Make the room warm and calm by using these beautiful Nutral tones in scatters and throws. Dreamy! Hashtag: #BeInspired #Decor #KarooInspired |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Let's colour me Karoo... Touches that form the foundation of the Karoo style space. If you cannot find affordable fabric try to make your own template & paint or roll in the stripes! |
 |
|
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
