I've been doing lots of crochet

I've been doing lots of crochet these past few weeks, getting ready for Creations at Talana Museum in October. I've already started pricing and listing the things I have made, and here are a few of them:

 

 

 

I have made several crochet-and-bead necklaces, all mounted on chains. I think this red one looks rather classy, with all those lovely red dangling beads. I showed it before, but not mounted in its presentation box.

This pink one has the beads worked into the crochet. I used pink pearl beads for this one.

 

I have made several pen pots, covered in crochet and trimmed with buttons and flowers.

I've had the yellow buttons that I put on the brown pot for ages, and have been looking for the opportunity to use them on something. I think they look rather smart.

 

More button-trimmed pen pots.

 

      I have made several sets of little crochet nesting trinket bowls.

I make them in sets of three, each a different colour.

              These ones are the smaller size, and measure about 5cm across the largest of the three.

These are bracelets, all trimmed with pretty beads, and of a size that would fit little girls. I've shown some of these before, but they look rather good when opened out.

 

 

This is a rainbow purse. Its about 17cm across the bottom. It is lined in blue felt and is closed with a purple zip to  match the outside colour of the rainbow. It could be used as a small  clutch bag.

Back to the crochet hooks and yarn!

Winter flowers and goodies for Creations

I have some pretty pansies in my garden that have put a little colour into the winter garden.

 

These little violas go on flowering for ages.

                          I have a lot of these miniature irises in my garden, the flowers are very "shy"
                                                           and hide among the foliage.

I have made these little bangles for Creations at Talana in October. I like making things for little girls, who can be very persuasive when they see pretty things that they like. Here's hoping the mums (and dads) will buy them for their darlings!

For the adults, I have made these necklaces. The blue one has already been sold!

 

 

Then I made this collection of four crochet coasters.

I have a green set as well, but they are not quite finished.

 

I think they look special tied with the pink raffia.

Lemons and Limes

Some years ago we planted a West Indian Lime tree, to accompany the lemon tree and the two orange trees that we have.
This year, we had a fair crop of limes, and to my amazement, a crop of lemons on the same tree! I can only assume that the lime was grafted into a lemon stock, and the lemon sent out shoots.
As the lemon tree has not a single fruit on it this year, these lemons are really welcome.

This lime will soon be ready to pick.

 

A couple of the lemons on the "lime" tree.

 



More lemons.

 

I found a wonderful recipe for "Lemon Meringue Pudding" in Julie Goodwin's book. The recipe was from her mother in law, and is simply a lemon meringue pie without the pastry.

 

 '
I admit I would never have thought of that! I now make this regularly, as it is so quick. There is no need to make and bake a pasty case, just a lemon custard topped with meringue.



 

 

The is the cover of Julie's book. It's full of wonderful family-style recipes.

 

 

I like to make lime ice cream. I add the rind and zest of three limes to my usual ice cream mix of a can of condensed milk, 1/2 litre cream, and 1/2 litre ready-made custard. Mix well, and churn in an ice cream maker until thick. It has a subtle, sweet-sour taste and has become one of our favourite ice cream flavours.

If you don't have an ice cream maker, it's worth the investment (about R500). You will find that home made ice cream is really delicious, plus you know exactly what went into it!

 

 

 

I have this bowl of lemons and limes in my kitchen, just waiting for me to make some goodies!

 

Talana Live!

Talana Live! will be held on 18-19-20 October 2013. It's going to be a tremendous event!

 

 

Hats for winter, and a cactus garden!

 

With the weather being so cold, I decided to make some warm hats. I hope to be able to sell these at the Flea Market to be held at "Munchies" in Glencoe on Monday next. Red is such a lovely colour for winter, just looking at it makes me feel warm.

 

 

Don't you like my model? She is my god-daughter Shanay. I love this purple, another warm colour.

 

Beige is not so warm, but then not every one likes bright colours.

 

I posted a picture of the first few cactus plants that I had crocheted, now I have made a whole garden of them! These are for Creations at Talana in October.

 



 

Back to the crochet hook!

 

 

Cactus and headbands

This week I have been making 'cactus' plants and headbands.

These are the cactus plants. There are eight so far, and if the inspiration takes me I may make more! I am hoping to sell these at Creations at Talana Museum in October. At least they will not die from too much or too little water!

For a change, I decorated some headbands, also for Creations. I hope that little girls will love them!

 

 I put beads in the centre of each flower; the beads in the blue flowers are shaped like butterflies.

I try to match or contrast the colour of the flowers to the colour od the band.

 

So what do you think of these?

 

Back to the crochet hooks!

 

Final handbag, and new uses for Easter Bunnies

I finished the last handbag, this time in shades of green and beige. It is now for sale on Woolhogs.

 \

I like the colour combination, I think it has a fresh look. Great for spring!

Remember these bunnies: I made them before Easter, and I posted this picture then.

There were a number left over, so I have made them into garlands.

Each garland is about 65cm long

 



I hung them on my mantelshelf to show them off/

 



This one has an arrangement of three different colours.

 

The rest have more random colours

Don't they look pretty?