Latest Forum Posts by: Bastelfan

Dear Marlies,

just a belated message. I’d also like to send you my belated best wishes for your birthday.
Wishing you good luck in the new year, good health, and lots of new ideas for your projects.

Warmest regards
from me 🍀🐞☕🫂

Tulips

Wishing you all a successful New Year 2024, filled with creations and inspiration—and above all, good health and respect for others. 

Thank you, dear Inge, and to all the wonderful users here as well—have a successful New Year 2024. Stay healthy, everyone.

Exactly, let’s make the best of it.
Veronika really hits the nail on the head. I wish everyone would take it to heart; then a lot of things would be more bearable (speaking from my own experience right now).

First of all, I wish everyone a healthy New Year—I hope you’ve all started 2024 healthy and happy.
I started my early shift today feeling a bit tired after only two hours of sleep, but now I get to rest for two days and sleep in.

My only wish is for the best of health for each and every one of us, and that people treat one another as equals and with respect.

Warmest New Year’s greetings
from Andrea 🐞🍀🫂♥️🕰️

Really great, Inge. By the way, how do you get the quilting to look so perfect? Is that a preset function in the program? I don’t have a sewing machine as great as yours. Is it lined?

We can still learn a lot from Inge, and also from Ina's sewing skills.

Thank you, Josefa, and Veronika and Inge too. I hope you all have a great start to the New Year.
That’s right, Inge, health is very important; without it, nothing works. After all, we want to enjoy crafting, feel well-rested, be curious about new patterns, and be there for our children and parents for as long as we can.

We don’t set ourselves any big goals anymore, more like smaller things, such as a river cruise we want to take in May/June (it’s been on our list for a while), or maybe a short city break when I have a week off in January. That’s already a highlight for us and pure relaxation.

It’s often the little things in life that can bring joy too. Just make the best of it; life is too short to spend too long thinking things over. I used to think differently about this, but now that I’m older, you should be able to do what you feel like doing and have the energy for. It could all be over tomorrow.

Lots of love from me 🍀🐞🍾🐷🫂♥️🕯️💶🕰️☘️

Well, I can’t complain either—everything’s still going well. No one had COVID, everyone’s still in good health—except for a few colds—I changed jobs (in a positive way, it’s more relaxed), and everything’s okay.

I also got to celebrate my 60th birthday with a small group; everyone I hadn’t seen in over a year was there—it was nice.

Everyone still has a job (my kids); no one was laid off. My husband is allowed to take early retirement starting March 1 of next year (the approval finally came through after a long processing period).

I’m going to keep working a bit longer (and save for retirement); if everything works out and we can make ends meet financially, then I’ll stay home too (we’ll have to figure out the health insurance).
I’m already looking forward to that. Then I can crochet to my heart’s content. Right now, I can only do it after work or on my days off.

I hope you all have a healthy start to the New Year.

We also made it through the Christmas holidays just fine. We spent the first day of the holidays at my parents’ house, the second day at our place, and then played bowling on the Xbox.
I had some cookies and homemade honey cake (in Norwegian, Krydderkake), and for dinner we had salmon with a colorful salad, herb baguette, and a lemon cream dessert.

Now I’ve caught a bad cold. I’m not quite back on my feet yet, but I got through my first day back at work after my time off with the help of medicine.
I still have five days to go. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow; otherwise, I’ll have to go to the doctor.

I also have to work on New Year’s Eve (early shift), but toward evening we’ll head over to my parents’ place to hang out a bit, since my dad’s birthday is right on January 1st. And I have an early shift the very next day. Oh dear.

So, stay healthy, everyone, and get well soon to all those down with the flu.

Lots of love from me

Petunias

Calla

Christmas cactus

Wow, you guys have such pretty little—and big—trees. It looks really cozy over there, and that nativity scene—not to mention the green tiled stove, which I’ve already admired. Christmas can definitely come now.
What are those funny little fish hanging on the tree?

My place is a little less decorated than usual. String lights, an Advent wreath, a few Christmas decorations—that’s it.
A bit sparse, so I’d rather not post a photo. Never mind. It’s still cozy.

Relaxing without anything

Dear Ines,
I’m sorry, I only just read it here.
Belated happy birthday from me, and best wishes for lots of happiness and good health.
I’m glad you had a great day.

Best wishes, Andrea
and a little sunshine from today

I’m familiar with the “hanging up laundry” thing too (though I don’t remember who told me that). I also don’t hang up any laundry between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I’m not superstitious, but I still don’t do it. They say that doing so carries old or bad things over into the New Year, or supposedly someone might take their own life—which already sounds creepy. Who knows.
I’m not familiar with the other customs.

I just hope that we all stay healthy, and that in our later years we’re still able to enjoy the few dreams we have without any health issues, and that some virus doesn’t come along and ruin everything for us again. We only have this one life.

Stay healthy, everyone, and have a great start to the New Year.

Stressed? I don’t know what to call it.
Anyway, I have so much on my mind at my new job that I forgot to decorate and bake at home, and I still need to wrap the gifts for my parents.
We don’t have a “colorful platter” yet—I baked another batch of cookies and honey cake today (because the first batch was already gobbled up).
I also bought the rest of the ingredients (for the salad for Christmas dinner) today. So now I have everything I need.
I had the day off today, so I was able to meet up with my former coworker for coffee. It was good for both of us, and I also gave her the crocheted teddy bear. She thought it was so cute.
Now I’m just hanging out a bit here on the forum, and this weekend I’m back on the late shift. But I have Christmas
Day and Boxing Day off. That’s when Christmas really starts for me.

Have a wonderful Christmas weekend, everyone!

Back then, we didn’t know any different. It was normal, and I liked using them. The cloth handkerchiefs were then washed and ironed. I tended to save the crocheted handkerchiefs for “special” occasions or use them as pretty doilies. They were far too nice to blow your nose into.
Today, unfortunately, I’m also a fan of Tempo tissues. They’re so versatile (as a handkerchief, napkin, or cleaning cloth for shoes—for small dirt spots...)

glg Andrea

That’s great, Inge. It looks like cork—it must be some kind of felt, right?

Get well soon, Veronika. I’m sure you’ll be back on your feet by then.

I had the early shift, and after that I went to my afternoon dance class. Now I’m exhausted—feet up, a little time browsing the computer—then I’ll sleep well tonight. I’ve been up since 4:00 a.m.

Have a nice evening, everyone

Reading the newspaper

Wow, it’s already the third Sunday of Advent. Man, time really flies. I have to work anyway, and on Christmas too. But I’ll have Christmas Day and Boxing Day off.

Thanks, Josefa, and to everyone else, too. I’m happy to return the favor.
Have a wonderful Advent season.

Hugs, Andrea

soft massages

Get well soon, Anja. Take it easy.

Hi Inge, that’s good news.
I’m glad you’re back home—take it easy and get some rest. Your sweetheart will surely spoil you.

Wishing all of you a wonderful second weekend of Advent

This too. 
I made the little snowman on the far left myself, out of large pierced wax beads, aluminum wire, a plastic hat, and googly eyes. Only the nose is still missing.
A friend gave me the wooden decoration a while back.

 

Hi everyone,

thanks, Josefa—I wish the same for everyone else, too.
I finally got around to putting up my Christmas decorations.

  

Oh, how lovely, Inge—this sleepy little doll just begs to be hugged. I really like it.

Dear Inge, thank goodness it wasn’t a heart attack. I’m sending you my best wishes for a speedy recovery, and I hope you’ll be able to be with your family again for Christmas.

You can’t take your heart lightly—you have to be careful. I’d already been missing you here, but it’s nice to hear from you.

Warm regards,
Andrea

Hi Ruth,☕🎂🍰🫖🍾🍀🌺🐞🎈

Just a late-night note from me to send you my very best birthday wishes—may you have good luck, good health, and may all your wishes come true.
I hope you had a wonderful day with your family. It’s been lovely getting to know you here through all your creations—and please stay just the way you are.

Warmest regards
Andrea

Thank you so much, Petra 👩☕🎄🤶

Pink

Lime green

Thank you, Josefa—I wish the same for you and everyone else here.

We don’t have any plans, since I have to work anyway. I changed jobs, and today was my
first day on the job. It was very relaxed—no stress at all.

Warm regards to everyone

So, during Advent, these are absolute must-haves: gingerbread cookies (whether homemade or store-bought), mulled wine, butter speculoos, colorful lights everywhere, candied almonds, Christmas music, and candles.
Oh, and of course, an Advent calendar (oh dear, I haven’t bought or made one yet this year).

I’ve already tried strawberry punch and blueberry mulled wine with a shot at the Christmas market (yesterday and today after work—met up with my aunt).

Have a wonderful 1st Advent, everyone!

Veronika , I usually crochet with cotton yarn (from Katja) too, because I make a lot of figures and dolls, and I want them to keep their shape. I just really like this yarn—it comes in lots of pretty colors, and it’s not too thick. It’s just right. Especially since I can buy it and feel it right here locally (at a little craft store that’s still around).

Ina , snow is something special for the kids. It’s so rare for it to stick around here. Sledding is so much fun—maybe even a snowball fight; I’d be down for that, too.
It’s still on the ground for now, and the sidewalks and streets are clear. That’s good when you have to go to work early in the morning.

glg👩

Inge, you’ve been sewing so much, so it just had to wait, and now your cardigan is finally finished—just in time for the cold season. It looks really great. All your hard work paid off.

it’s amazing what they have in the shop. Thank you, dear Ina, for the tip.

It really is quite large. Thanks, Inge. Good luck with it 😍 and take good care of your little angel

Wow, Ina, those look absolutely gorgeous. I’d snatch up the one with the rose pattern in a heartbeat. The light green goes perfectly with it. The red one is pretty, of course, too.
You really do work your magic to create such amazing things. Where do you get these gorgeous fabrics?

We’re all taking a class with Inge and Ina 👍😄

Such an enchanting angel—I’m head over heels in love with it, too. You did the right thing, Inge.
How tall is your little angel?

Wow, Veronika. You sure have a lot of yarn. If that’s just one cotton yarn box, how much is the rest?
I don’t have that much. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough space to store everything in one place. I’ve stored some in the bedroom, some in the couch compartment, and the rest in four fabric boxes. They’re also sorted into categories: yarn cakes, thin cotton crochet yarn, Katja cotton yarn, and UFOs and FOs (unfinished objects and finished objects).

I think all my yarn put together would fit into your cotton yarn box. Well, I mostly crochet small figures, so there’s room for the thinner yarn.

Inge, that sounds good about your sister. That’s nice.

To everyone: how’s the weather where you are right now? It has just started snowing here, with fine flurries coming down, and I still have to go out for the late shift later, brrrrr

Hugs from me 👩

I’m not quite in the Christmas spirit yet either. I’m sure it’ll come.
My husband already brought the decorations up from the basement today, so tomorrow I’ll start hanging the string lights in the window. Just a few Christmas decorations (we don’t have that much space, after all)—that’ll be enough. I have the day off tomorrow, anyway.

When it gets dark outside, I’ll enjoy the colorful lights in the window. I like colorful lights (not just at Christmas). Other than that, the Christmas spirit really kicks in when I open the first door on the Advent calendar—that’s when things get cozy.
I really should start baking cookies soon, too.🤔

Our Christmas market opens on Monday. Maybe I’ll get a little into the Christmas spirit there when I drink my mulled wine and eat some sautéed mushrooms. That’s a must.
Otherwise, with this stormy weather, I’ll curl up on the couch with my crochet project, a hot cappuccino, and some gingerbread. (They’ve issued a severe weather warning.)

Wishing you all a cozy afternoon/evening

Alpine white

Ultraviolet

Engel made from beads

Quince yellow

Lilac shades

Claudia, then I hope everything works out just as you imagined. That’s a very nice gesture on your part. I’d do the same.

Right now, I’m continuing to crochet my mosaic blanket as much as my limited free time allows.
I also have a crochet commission for a colleague—she’s just become a great-grandmother.
I also need to finish up a few little things for my swap group. But I have the whole weekend to myself—it’s all mine. Bring it on, whatever comes my way.


I could only keep up with the forum here on my phone or tablet because my computer had given out. Now I have a new one. Three days without my laptop was pretty weird—but all my patterns are back too. Yay 😊

Knitting gloves for winter