Dream in progress... part 19

OMG, I can't believe that this dream is finished!
Jip, really & totally finished. I'm so proud of you because without you guys cheering me on every time I posted about my Babette blanket, I couldn't have done it.
I can recommend anyone that starts a large crochet project, to blog about it and show processes as that's a drive to actually complete it. At least, that was what is was like for me.
I was determined to show something the next week & I often did.
I did take a few breaks from it as it does tend to get rather boring crocheting the same squares all the time. Even though the use of different colors does not make it less boring, the stitches are all the same so it's like crocheting on automatic pilot really.

So, that said, I want to share some facts with you...

• I crocheted this blanket with 2 threads of cotton 8 yarn.
• I used 23 different colors.
• The blanket weighs 1,5 kilo or 3,30 pounds.
• Each ball of yarn weighs 50g so according to the weight I used about 30 balls yarn.
• The cost is approximately 50 euro or 70 dollars.
  
• It took me about 13 weeks in total to finish it completely (it took me longer in time but I took some breaks)
  
• I did curse quite a few times - especially when sewing the blocks together.
• It measures 1,20m by 1,30m or 47,2inch by 51,2inch
  I perferred having it a bit larger but that would mean I had to make more blocks & it fitted nicely over our couch so I found the perfect excuse not to make it larger.
• 5 of my Babette images got explored on Flickr. Jippee!

And now are you ready for the result?
So now excuse me while I go relax under my blanket for the rest of the weekend! :)

Crochet school

For all those who always wanted to but never attempted in fear of failure, there is hope...

Pip from the lovely blog 'meet me at mikes' started 'a granny a day' last year and it inspired me to start my own blanket. Not a granny square one but still...
Since again I have no progress to show on my Babette blanket, I thought I'd share this with you.
It might be just the push you need to start crocheting your own blanket...She set up a crochet shool where she posts step to step video's on how to crochet a granny square. She's aiming to learn to crochet a granny square by graduation!
You can sign up to participate here!
And there is this fabulous Flickr pool called 'a granny a day' which you can browse & get inspired and happy.
Happy, that is what crochet does for me! :)

In search for fun ideas...

Two weeks from now, I'll be celebrating my birthday. Those days usually pass like any other day as every day is a celebration for me. However, I like to do something different this year. Something extra-ordinary or just something silly. But what?
I have been thinking and thinking but have not come up with anything more clever than this... (as I know it would make me extremely happy)

Just send me a note or a card (no presents!) with a suggestion what I could do the 13th of December.
Jip, via snail mail.
Because I love to open the mailbox...

In return, I'll give away this special feeling to the most awesome idea/card.So, let's go! :)
Mitsy Sleurs | Spaarzaamheidstraat 20 | 3500 Hasselt | Belgium

In between project...

Still didn't get my red yarn for finishing off my Babette Blanket and don't feel like starting my ripple blanket yet until my Babette is finished.
So I've been doing some in between projects. Last week I made and send some granny squares for the European Streetteam project-blanket initiated by Baahar.
Did you know that making granny squares is addictive? I just couldn't stop.... so I decided to make 'em until I get my red yarn. I've been wanting to make a granny square blanket for a long time so this is just a start. I'll pile 'em up and see how far I get - don't even know how many I need to make a blanket really. I only have 9 by now... not even enough to cover my feet! :)

How to make a macramé doll?

I'm sure you had a go at macramé at least one time in your life. It used to be immensely popular and owls and plant hangers were made abundantly. Among kids, macramé is used to make little friendship bracelets and the use of different colors of yarn makes it a fun activity.
This tutorial shows you how to make a macramé doll which you can use as a promotional item, add it to your giftwrapping, make a key chain from it, add it to party favor bags,...
Here is what you need:
cotton twine, tape, scissors, a waterproof liner, wooden beads
Cut a piece of twine, fold it double and tape it onto the table with the folded side on the bottom.
Cut another piece of twine and put it underneath the folded twine.
Then take the end of the twine underneath and put it on top of the folded twine.
Now take the twine on the right hand, put it underneath the folded twine and make sure you put the end of the twine through the loop you created first.
Now pull on both sides. Your first macramé knot is ready.
Repeat the above process a few times. Always put the twine over the folded thread where you see the little bump (right in this picture)
Then you go with the twine through the loop on the other side.
Make about 5 knots.
Then you pull the wooden bead through the folded part of the twine.
You see a loop on top of the head now. This might be too long so pull the little doll's legs until you think it's long enough. Leave room to make a knot too.

Then make knots on all the ends of the doll for the arms and legs.
Cut off the twine that is too much.
Draw a little happy face on the wooden bead.
The little macramé doll is ready to conquer the world now...