July Projects: Win Motivating Titles + Spend Quality Time with Nice People

Dear users, dear designers,
June is over, but July is going to be wonderful. :- )

You can find the June awards ceremony in this thread:
Final Sprint and Awards Ceremony / June 2019 Edition

The June projects are here:
June Projects: Win Great Titles + Meet Nice People Online

You can discuss your July projects here in this thread.
The UFO week (finishing handcrafts that have been left lying around, for which you’ll then receive an award from me) starts on July 24.
Of course, in July we’ll also have all the other title highlights awarded for using up leftover yarn, a yarn diet, etc.
The awards ceremony will then take place at the beginning of August.

Have fun, everyone. I wish you a stress-free July.

I’m really happy to be joining in again and look forward to chatting here with everyone who enjoys crafting together.

Let’s see what my needles come up with in July. In any case, my carried-over UFO—my crochet skirt—will be finished this month so I can finally wear it.

My RVO jacket is coming along—current status:



Let’s see if I can finish it in July.

A new idea for a lace pattern is already slowly taking shape in the back of my mind.

I’m already looking forward to seeing your new creations.

I’m joining in again this month—I want to make more progress on my UFO. I’m not sure yet, though, if it’ll be finished by the end of the month. The yarn is thin, and I don’t want the top to turn out too short.

I’d like to build up a stash of baby booties and also get a head start on preparations for the fall market.

Marlene: the jacket already looks really good. I like the green too. I'm curious to see what it looks like when it's finished.

I have something to show today too. My herb garden grew quite a bit during my vacation, so I made some peppermint schnapps:


It still needs to steep for another 4 weeks.

And then a sage-honey cold remedy syrup


That still needs to steep for 6 weeks

And then I also crocheted a dreamcatcher for my friend in the hospital.

Luckily she's already feeling better, and she likes that kind of "knick-knack"

Thanks, Arni :)

Peppermint schnapps sounds delicious.


So far, I’d only known peppermint liqueur. She’ll surely be delighted with the dreamcatcher.

I think it’s a mix of both. The mint has been steeping in Korn for three weeks now on a sunny windowsill, and then I’ll add a little sugar and let it steep for about another week.

I’m really curious to see how it turns out. I read several recipes and then just went for it. 

Arni, peppermint schnapps sounds delicious...
And the dreamcatcher looks great, too.

What’s new with me... Okay:

I crocheted a new shopping bag with a pouch—nice and classic for the eco-conscious guy—it’s a birthday gift that we gave away filled with treats.




I’ve reworked my toilet roll cover with hamburger and fries... I really like it now. The pattern for it still isn’t finished, though...




I crocheted a mini keychain for a Star Wars fan, though I’m not quite sure what to make of it yet...



I crocheted myself a hat out of paper yarn, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time... I played around a bit with the hatband...




Here’s the final result



Yep, another month has gone by... and I’m still spending more time in real life, neglecting the virtual world a bit... but so many wonderful things are happening here, too.

We’re rearranging our apartment, getting rid of some things, and moving things around... we’ve also bought a few new things...




My ancient stereo system has found a new spot, and after many years, we took it apart and cleaned it... the dust from decades had to go.




We’re also enjoying the outdoors, like at the "Extraschicht" event or just on the balcony...

Claudia, I like your shopping net! How did you crochet the cover? And I can’t quite make out the pattern in the picture either—double crochets in chain arches? I think the color is great for a man!
You were really busy last month! I’m having trouble with the mini keychain—I can’t tell what it’s supposed to be either. I don’t know much about Star Wars anyway—it’s definitely not my thing.

You all have such great ideas,
schnapps, medicine, and beautiful creations.
That toilet roll cover looks especially great.

Today I get to shorten three pairs of pants for my son. Not really my thing, but I can manage it.

I’m much better with a crochet hook and knitting needles than with a sewing machine, but what wouldn’t you do for your grown-up kids? 😉

Right now, the yarn has to stay in the boxes—I just don’t have time. Between housework, the garden, raising the kids, and work, there’s not much left, and in the evenings I just hang out on the couch next to my husband and watch TV—if my eyes aren’t already closing. Mentally, I’m a bit all over the place right now—if everything goes well, we’ll finally have a house! We’re thrilled, but our excitement is still muted until everything is officially finalized. We’ll know more in a few weeks, but this slight uncertainty is getting to me. I’m using the waiting time to declutter everything again; if it doesn’t work out, at least I’ll have more order and more space.....

Wow, this place is bursting with pure creativity! So many beautiful new projects—just great! :)
And it’s really wonderful that you’re all participating again!

Marlene, that already looks really great—I’m also excited to see the final result.
Sandra, I think your dreamcatcher turned out especially well. It’s a lovely way to encourage your friend to get well. And on top of that, you were creative and hard at work making new treats.
Claudia, your hamburger with fries—such a creative, awesome idea! I bet no one would guess what’s hidden underneath. I also think your hats are fantastic. I imagine it’s tricky to crochet with that kind of material.

I’ll be finishing my skirt soon—definitely within the next few days. Here’s what it looks like now:



I’ll probably knit or crochet a shirt or top out of the yellow cotton to go with it. I actually prefer knitting, but I’m not quite sure yet how I want it to look.

And then this month I’ll tackle my second UFO… the leggings for Linja. All that’s left is the rest of the second leg.

Oh dear, Mel, it sounds like you really need a vacation—or at least some time to relax. That’s exactly what I wish for you.

It sounds like your dream is coming true with the house. Just enjoy it and let things unfold naturally. Maybe it’ll be easier than you think.

Wollbaerli, the net has an oval base, and after that it’s just chain stitch arches until the handle is crocheted on at the top… the wrapping was made in exactly the same way, except that the base is small and round. Finally, I simply pulled a cord through the stitches at the top and attached a cord stopper.

This keychain is a spaceship, the Millennium Falcon…. I hope the person getting it recognizes it.....

Monika, thanks for your compliment.
Yes, crocheting with paper yarn really takes a toll on your fingers—you need quite a bit of strength... and it’s pretty abrasive, too. I had to set it aside a few times for a short break...
By the way, your skirt looks really great, too!

Nadeleule, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out with the new house and nothing else goes wrong... thankfully, stressful phases like this eventually come to an end. And I think decluttering can feel really liberating... you always come face-to-face with your past and have the chance to sort through things and maybe even let go of some of them... I wish you all the best with that.

Mel: I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out with the house. It’s all very exciting.


I just raided my herb garden again and made some sage pesto and some rosemary-garlic oil. Those make great little gifts to bring when you’re invited over.

Now I just need to harvest some thyme. My husband is making his Bolognese today. ... Mmm

Sandra, that sounds delicious… rosemary-garlic oil… I’m going to try making that sometime, too. I love ideas like that. Today, I still have gooseberry jam on my to-do list. I absolutely have to use them up.

Today was cherry day—my husband pitted them all by hand, and we used some for a cake… delicious! Tomorrow, I’ll add some to my granola, and I’ll freeze the rest for the next cake.

So… now I’m facing a huge challenge. I really feel like a yarn junkie. ;-)

My favorite Drops cotton is on sale this month, and there are sooo many beautiful colors. Now I’m really curious to see if I can stick to my plan. Because I’m missing a few colors in my stash. You never know… :)  The next color sale will come around eventually, and I’ll need plenty of options then.

I’ll let you know if I stay strong enough.... If I manage that, I’ll be able to hold out even longer, because I (actually) want to stick with this for at least a year.

Monika: Good luck sticking with it.
:-)

Yes, it’s an absolute luxury that my parents and my mother-in-law live nearby. It makes work easier, but also simply makes life as a couple easier.

On Saturday, Anton is staying overnight at my parents’ place again... wonderful. 

Mel, that’s wonderful news. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you too that everything works out with the dream house.

Monika, you’ve been busy again already. Your skirt has beautiful colors and already looks good. I’m curious to see whether you can resist the yarn; it certainly won’t be easy.

Sandra and Claudia, good luck with your fantastic ideas.

I’m not really getting around to crocheting today either—the garden is calling again.
The parsley has already been cut and frozen. Now it’s the jostaberries’ turn.
They’ll be frozen too.  If the rest ripen in time, I’ll make some jam too. 
Things aren’t looking so good for my UFO right now, but the garden and the fruit just come first.

What are jostaberries, anyway? Is it really that easy to freeze parsley? A friend also has a lot of it in the garden and asked me what you can do with it. I couldn't think of anything besides parsley pesto.


My mother-in-law brought over some ancient Tupperware ice pop molds. So today I froze a yogurt-berry ice pop for Anton.

The molds are almost 40 years old. :-) But Tupperware lasts forever, after all.

Sandra, I gave these ice pop molds to my son a year ago. They’re great for the kids. He uses them to make juice pops.

We also have josta berries in the garden; we add them to our cereal every day. They’re a cross between black currants and gooseberries. Very tasty! They taste more like black currants.

Sandra, I still have those ancient Tupperware ice cream containers, too.
I used to use them all the time; I only rediscovered them recently. It’s true—Tupperware really does last a long time.

Parsley freezes really well. I pluck off all the stems, wash the rest, and let it dry. Then I put it in containers or straight into a plastic bag. You can then easily crumble it up with your hands and use it (e.g. for dumplings, soups, etc.).

Monika, thanks—I don’t need to explain anything else.

This is what they look like. I have a few shrubs in the garden.

Sandra, I dry parsley in the oven at about 120 degrees for about 2 hours until it’s really dry, then I crumble it between my fingers and put it in containers for sprinkling. This way, it keeps well and can also be used in winter for soups or similar dishes. My mom has a food dehydrator for this, but the oven works just as well. You just have to check on it every now and then to see how far along the parsley is in the drying process. You can also rub the parsley through a sieve—that makes it very fine for sprinkling.

Thanks to everyone for keeping your fingers crossed :)
Sandra, I’ve also harvested my herb spiral, but this time I tried a different preservation method for various herbs. I chopped the herbs—in my case, parsley, basil, and olive herb, among others—in a food processor and mixed them with sea salt in a 7:1 ratio. I then packed the mixture into small screw-top jars and stored them in the fridge.
  Of course, you have to be careful when seasoning because there’s already salt in there, but it looks great and keeps for 6–12 months.

Yesterday, I just couldn’t stand not crocheting any longer. I’ve now started crocheting an Edda Bag. It’s getting totally hyped online right now, so I just had to give it a try. It’s just a small project, but it’s great for using up leftover yarn :)

Just a small project in between:

"Mice" as a cash gift... (Inside the cheese stick is a large chocolate bar with the recipient's name on it:)

Sandra, your mice are so cute. What a great gift idea!

Mel, your tip about the herbs and salt is fantastic. I always freeze things like that in small jars (without salt) and then take them out when I need them. I mix the herbs with a little salt and olive oil. Once thawed, it keeps for a very long time in the fridge.

Now my skirt is finished, and I’m starting a swatch for a matching top in the yellow yarn. The skirt was actually supposed to be solid-colored, but I didn’t have enough blue yarn.

Here’s what it looks like when it’s finished:

Monika, the skirt turned out really pretty. Is that yellow? In the picture, it looks off-white.

Thanks, Ruth :)
On my computer, it’s a light yellow, just like the original.

My concrete leaf from last year was actually supposed to serve as a birdbath… but it was probably too shallow for the birds (I built a bigger one for them), and now it’s sitting in the front yard, filled with sugar water and an island in the middle, serving as a bumblebee pool. 

Today I finally get to show you something again—my “Grandma,” which I just finished, to go with “Grandpa”; both are gifts for my parents’ joint 70th birthday celebration:

Mel, that’s another great idea from you—a bumblebee pool!
As you can see, it’s been well received.

Sofie , Grandma turned out really beautiful.
Your parents will definitely be pleased with the pair.

I don’t have anything to show yet, but I’m working on my UFO on and off,

Mel, that’s a great idea with the bumblebee pool. It looks fantastic!
I just read yesterday that it’s really important for bees to have water sources to drink from when it’s hot. We’re already thinking about what to set up for them. Since we have large rocks in the middle of the birdbath, bees can be found there from time to time.

Sofi, your grandma looks absolutely adorable. That’s a very nice gift idea and is sure to be a hit.

I’ve now started on my top to match the skirt. It has a pretty lace pattern that I remember from when I first started knitting. I’ll decide exactly how it turns out as I go along.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

I wasn’t really aware that bees need to drink, too.

I finished the prince yesterday. There’s a white feather on his hat. It’s hard to make out in the photo. 

Sandra, your prince is so cute! He could be a brother to your little angel!

Sandra, I think your prince is very cute, too. However, I wouldn’t recognize him as a prince like that—he’d need a crown on his head.

As for the bees, they suffer especially during periods of extreme heat and drought. They need small, shallow water sources to drink from. Even a small plate on the windowsill will do. Bees are very important to our ecosystem, so it’s good that we can help them in such simple ways.

You’ve all been hard at work. But I can also tell from many of you that time for knitting or crocheting is in short supply. For me, too, the little time I have when I’m not at work is spent in the garden.

Today I tried something new on the side.

Decoupage using paper towel. Yesterday I base-painted the cans, and today I covered them. I’m very happy with the result, and it’s going to be a gift for a pug fan. 



Monika your skirt turned out great; I’m curious to see what matching shirt you’ll whip up to go with it.

My jacket is coming along—I’ve almost finished the first sleeve:



Once again, some great pieces have come together, even though I’ve only been able to go online very sporadically.

Monika: You’re not the only one who didn’t recognize the prince :-)
A friend guessed “flight attendant,” and my mom guessed “Queen of England.”

My thought was: in *3 Hazelnuts for Cinderella*, when the prince was riding his horse, he was always just wearing a hat and no crown.

Thanks so much for the tip about the bee waterer—we’ll do that too if it gets dry again.

So, Saturday is the Schlagermove. I just finished sewing the lining for the handbag.


And a headband

Petra, that looks fantastic—what you’ve created there with decoupage. :)

Marlene, your jacket looks great, too.

Sandra, you’re going to look absolutely amazing at the Schlagermove. Those are totally my colors. You’ve really pulled it off brilliantly.

My top to go with the skirt is coming along. Tomorrow I’ll take a photo of the progress so far.

A while back, I crocheted a forklift. It was supposed to be for a door wreath. Now I’ve had the idea to crochet a driver:



It’s small, but too big for the forklift… Probably just a crazy idea. Now the unicorn is being given as a gift for a child’s first day of school. After all, the door wreath doesn’t have to be finished until December. 

That unicorn looks really cool, Arni :)

That’s a great idea, Sandra. You did a really great job on the unicorn. Congratulations! :)



Sandra, your prince is great, and it’s true—in many fairy-tale movies, princes wear caps like that. The unicorn turned out really well, too :)
Monika, your skirt is also very pretty, though the style wouldn’t be my thing (but skirts and I just don’t go together in general)
Marlene, I’m already excited to see how your finished jacket turns out—it’s looking really good so far. So far, I’ve only managed to make one shopping bag (the Edda Bag), but it left the house yesterday with my mother-in-law ;) Here’s a picture anyway (of the bag, not my mother-in-law).

Mel, your shopping bag looks great! I really like it. :)

This is how far I’ve gotten with my yellow summer top—it matches the skirt. It’s coming along slowly but surely...

Monika: That top is already looking really good.
Mel: I can understand why your mother-in-law snatched the bag; it looks great.

I started an upcycling project today:

It’s supposed to be an organizer for the stroller.
I still want to sew a lining, and I’m going to attach buttons as well.
I’m not quite happy with the strap attachment yet.

Sandra, you always have such great ideas. If I were you, I’d think about writing your own patterns. :-) Your stroller bag—cool idea!

Right now I’m working on the band and the collar.
If I keep at it, the jacket should be finished this week.

Then it’s time for some fine-tuning of the pattern.

Nadeleule, your bag looks great! What yarn did you use and how many stitches did you cast on (how many arches?) I’m crocheting one right now too, but I have the feeling the thing is going to be very small.

This week, I finished my octopus for my underwater decoration and wrote the pattern for it.
[Image removed]
Now I’ve taken a creative break for the time being and have started embroidering a cross-stitch blanket for the summer (using a ready-made embroidery kit). Once I’ve made a bit more progress on it, I’ll take a photo of it.

Monika: Thanks so much for the compliment, but writing patterns isn’t my thing. I’m way too chaotic and disorganized for that. :-)

Ruth: Your decorations look absolutely beautiful again. How often do you change the decorations and themes? Wasn’t it the floral decor just recently?

I’ve crocheted a prototype for a gift bag for Anton’s birthday.  There will probably be four kids coming, and these days you need little gifts.



Now I’m wondering whether to make the same bags or different ones. The argument for making the same bags is: there won’t be any arguments, and I can make different bags next year without having to remember who got which one this year. 

@Sandra

That’s one of those dark corners in the entryway. I change the decor there every 6–8 weeks or so, depending on my mood, what I happen to have on hand, and what fits the season. My grandchildren are always excited when they discover something new.

I’d also make a whole bunch of matching bags. You could make it a little "giraffe birthday" theme. There are some really cute decorations for that.
Another fun game is to draw a giraffe (without a head) on a poster, and then have the kids try to put the head in the right spot while blindfolded. It always causes a lot of laughter when the head ends up, say, on the butt.

Just finished my jacket.

Now it’s time to put the finishing touches on the pattern:

Marlene, that turned out really chic! It looks very elegant.

Wow, Ruth, your underwater landscape looks great!

Sandra—like I said, you make such amazing things that I’m sure lots of others will want to make them too. :)
Your bag turned out great once again. That’s a fantastic idea and is sure to be a hit. Yeah, I’d say make them all the same, too. Somehow, each one is still one-of-a-kind anyway.

Marlene, I really like your jacket, too. It’s not exactly my color, but I think the cut and the color combination are great.

Thanks Ruth and Moni :)

You’ve all been so busy again this week.
There are so many projects, so I’ll just group them all together - I like them all very much, great ideas.

Not much happened for me this week. Our son’s dog was staying with us. Unfortunately, he got sick and had to go to the vet several times. He’s already doing a bit better now, but because of that I had almost no time to crochet.

I managed to finish this little pouch.


I wish you all a lovely weekend.

@Wollbaerli
I used acrylic yarn (100 m/100 g, NS 5–6) and crocheted it with a size 4.5 hook. I chained 116 stitches. Since it’s a mesh pattern, it stretches. It seemed small to me at first, too, but the result is a “normal”-sized bag. If it were any bigger, it would stretch too much once filled with contents.

Thanks, Nadeleule! My yarn was thinner, 100m/50g. I had to get creative with the gathering—I didn’t like it at all with just 1 single crochet per arch. I want to try something new, but for now I’m working on a different net, since I’m reluctant to crochet with Cotton Light again—even though I still have two skeins left. (Maybe I’ll knit them into dishcloths someday, since knitting works better than crocheting.)

Over the weekend, I made more progress on my cross-stitch blanket:

It’s also fun not to have to fiddle around for a change, but just to follow the pattern.

The next two bags for the kids’ birthday party are done. Now just three more to go. 

Marion, your bag is great and practical!
Ruth, your embroidery turned out very pretty. Yes, every now and then I also like to make something without having to design it myself.
And Sandra, your bags for the kids’ birthday party turned out super cute.

I’m still working on my top to go with the skirt. Unfortunately, I had to unravel half of the back yesterday (grrr...) because there was a mistake I just couldn’t leave in there. Oh well, I learned something new. ;-)

Let’s see if I can finish it by the end of the month...

Thanks, Monika. I’ll definitely crochet another 1 or 2 of those.

Ruth, your blanket is already looking great—I really like the motifs.
Sandra, your little bags are very pretty; have fun finishing the rest.

I’m going to unravel my UFO top again—I just didn’t use the right yarn. I need to find something more suitable, because I actually really like it. But not right away.

Yesterday I completely unraveled another sweater. Now I’ve already crocheted a bit more on it. It’s going to be totally different—new shape, new pattern—and I already like it a lot.

I’m crocheting another bag too, this time a bit more “opaque”  with double stitches in the lower section. 
I haven’t gotten very far yet, but I’m glad I’m managing to get anything done at all right now... I’m off to work again in a moment.

Marion, we’re going to get the title “Queen of Unraveling” or something like that this month. ;-)
I also had to partially unravel the front piece today, because the decreases at the armholes were wrong on both pieces.

Now the finish line is in sight. I also still have a WIP that I want to finish this month—the leggings for Linja.

Somehow I’m falling a little behind on everything this month because there’s so much else to do. For example, I’ve processed a lot of berries and made tons of jam. For the first time, I have 7 different varieties on hand.

I already have some new ideas, too, but I just don’t have the time for them. Hopefully things will get better by fall at the latest.

Mel, I can’t wait to see your bag! Let’s just ask the universe for a sackful of time... :-)

You’ve made some lovely things...
Marlene, by the way, I think your jacket is especially beautiful.

I really didn’t get much finished, just these two bags... I’m really enjoying just crocheting away, not writing anything down, and using up my yarn stash.





We spent a week at the beach in Holland and had a lovely time, went on long walks along the beach, and enjoyed our time together.









Those days were really lovely.

We wanted to celebrate my husband’s birthday right afterwards, went shopping, chopped things up and did some cooking the evening before, and even set the table already - and then I woke up on the morning of the celebration with chills and had to throw up... that was super timing once again.

So we canceled everything and froze it all...

The week then continued in exactly the same way: screws were removed from my sister’s arm - and then my niece ended up in the same hospital on the same ward after a motorcycle accident with 2 pelvic fractures, a broken wrist, and cracked ribs.

Good thing it’s nothing worse, it will all heal again!
Now taking care of everyone is first on my agenda...

At some point we’ll celebrate my husband’s birthday after all.
That’s real life with all its different twists and turns.

Oh Claudia, that really sounds like a packed schedule. Otherwise, it would probably get boring... ;-)
In any case, I hope everyone who’s injured heals quickly.

You’ve crocheted some really beautiful bags. The photos really have that vacation vibe.

I enjoy the garden every day and then unwind from a day at work by knitting. Somehow this month feels strange—it’s been a long time since I’ve knitted so little.

So, I’ve finally managed to finish a little something again!
I wanted to try cross-stitch on double crochet stitches, so I crocheted a little bag that’s perfect for taking to work. Since everything in the food service industry always smells like a deep fryer, I don’t like using a handbag there. But I can quickly wash this little bag whenever I need to, and it fits my keys, wallet, small items, and cell phone.
My “embroidery style” definitely has room for improvement, but I think it turned out pretty okay for a first try.

The bag turned out really pretty!

Mel, the bag turned out beautifully and is sure to be practical.
The design isn’t really my style, but you did a great job with it.

Mel, I really like your bag! I’m not really a bag person myself—I prefer backpacks—but you did a really great job on this one. Did you design the snail yourself?

I’m going to finish knitting my top today. To be honest, I’m finally ready to work on something else. But I’m looking forward to finally wearing it with the skirt. By the way, it fits perfectly.

I’ll post a photo once it’s finished. Then it’s time to tackle that UFO—Linja’s leggings. All that’s left is one leg and the elastic at the top—well, and weaving in the ends, too.

Thanks, Monika

Thanks, Ruth, Marion, and Monika! I found the design on Pinterest; I was looking for something simple to practice with. 

Finally, I have something to show again.

I was almost done, but then I had to unravel a large section all the way up to the armholes because it didn’t fit.

But now I’m happy with the shape and everything fits.
Here’s what my new shirt looks like.

UFO Week starts tomorrow.
Are you ready?

I can’t get online at home right now.
I’ve knitted a few pairs of socks in the meantime.
The pattern is also finished.
Unfortunately, I can’t upload it yet.
A photo will follow soon. 

Marion your shirt looks great. I really love natural colors like that. 

We've had so much going on with birthdays here at the moment that I feel like I'm going through craft withdrawal. For days I haven't had a knitting needle or crochet hook in my hand because of all the preparations and guests.

And as of today, I'm back at work. I hope I can always get out on time at lunchtime, then maybe things will work out again with me and my yarn. 

I did a little painting. old terracotta planters got a coat of paint so the terrace looks nice when guests come. I hope it holds up a bit in the rain.

Thanks, Petra.

I think the idea of painting pots is great. Did you use acrylic paints for that?
Your “Gugelhupf” looks good, too.

I used colored paint from the discount store. It’s suitable for both interior and exterior use. Now I just hope it can withstand the rain. 

Marion, I think your shirt is really pretty, too.
Petra, I’ll keep the idea of painting the flowerpot in mind...

I finally have something to show again. The top that matches my skirt is actually finished. It looks great!

Here are the photos:



And yesterday I started crocheting a doorstop. I realized I really need something useful like this so the doors don’t keep swinging shut all the time. I’m not going to reveal what it’s going to be just yet. ;-) Here’s what it looks like so far:

Now I can show you a photo of a sock:



Your top is a versatile color, Marion—I think it goes with a lot of things.

I like your skirt-and-top combo, Moni.

Monika, your top goes really well with the skirt—I like the cut.

Marlene, the color of my shirt is a bit yellowish, but it really goes with a lot of things.

Yesterday I also crocheted a bag.

You’ve all made some great things again.

Mel: How sturdy is the bag with the double stitches?

It looks really good.

Monika: Your outfit looks great. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of compliments.

Marion: Your top is beautiful; from the photo, I would’ve guessed earth tones too. :-)
The bag looks great too.

Marlene: The colors of that sock are really cheerful.

I hope I didn’t miss anyone.

I have something to show too:


Now all 6 bags for the birthday are finished 

Wow—how lovely!

Marlene, your socks have a pretty pattern. I really like them.
Marion, I think your bag is really great, too.

And Sandra, you’ve been super busy! The kids are going to be thrilled with them. They look so wonderfully cuddly.

Have a wonderful day, everyone, with a cool breeze.

To me, the top looks more like light brown—it’s definitely pretty in yellow, too.

Thanks, Arni and Moni :)
The second sock starts with a different color.
I think that’s really handy—that way I know which one goes on the left foot and which on the right.

Your giraffes are just a hit, Arni.

I crocheted a guardian angel as a farewell gift for a colleague 

The little guardian angel turned out so cute. 

Oh my goodness, your guardian angel is so cute, Sandra! :) I’d be happy about that, too.

I’d love to join in, Sandra.
Your angel is just sooo cute!!!

A really cheeky little angel/rascal!

July is almost over already... 

You’ve made some wonderful things again, and everything is so completely different... nobody can really claim that needlework is boring.

My sick family members I’ve been caring for are back home again, but my niece still has to spend a few more weeks in a wheelchair - she mustn’t put any weight on her hip, which is broken in two places, and with her broken wrist she can’t use crutches. She’s pretty annoyed right now because her two little ones are running rings around her and she simply can’t keep up with them at the moment... her partner has taken some vacation time for now and is helping out. 

I also tried something new, namely fabric stiffener. I’d had it in the house for a while without being able to think of a useful use for it... and then pictures of lanterns were being posted everywhere. That’s when I got my idea.....









I think it shows off pretty patterns beautifully that otherwise just wouldn’t be stable enough hanging on their own... I’m pleasantly surprised. My fabric stiffener is empty now, and next I want to test whether weatherproof wood glue might work too... so I’ll have to have another go at it... :)


I’ve also started a new sofa blanket in a waffle stitch, which I’ll keep crocheting on now and then in between...

Stoff-Steif sounds interesting. I’ve never heard of it before...
What you’ve made with it looks really pretty, Claudia.

Now that the temperatures are back to a point where I can handle warm merino wool without soaking it through, I’ll see how far I can get with my UFO. Linja’s leggings just need the second leg finished all the way to the bottom, then they’ll be as good as done.

My doorstop is coming along too, but I still need to work on the design a bit. I’m still missing that brilliant idea for the finishing touch.

@Claudia, what is “Stoff-Steif” and where can you get it?

Thanks, Monika—and yes, I’m really enjoying the cooler temperatures here, too...

Stoff-Steif is a kind of thick glue that dries weatherproof—I ordered it online.
You “bathe” your piece in it and then squeeze it out a little. I then pulled my lanterns over a suitably sized drainpipe to dry.

The fabric is still somewhat flexible, but firm enough to hold its shape on a mobile cross, for example.
The consistency and smell somehow reminded me of diluted wood glue, so I’m going to try it with that as well—there are also varieties that dry clear and are weatherproof for outdoor use...

Claudia, I’ve learned quite a bit from you again. I didn’t know any of that yet.
I’m sure I can use this fabric stiffener sometime. Great!

Be sure to let me know how it goes with the wood glue. I find that interesting too.

I could also see using the fabric stiffener to reinforce the bottom of my Puky bag. It just shouldn’t wash out.

My last July project is finished. I got to test-crochet a balance bike bag for Monika.

It turned out great:

Sandra, you did a great job on your bag. It looks especially great with the stuffed animal inside. With your help, I was able to finish the pattern in July.

Unfortunately, I haven’t finished my UFO—the leggings—yet, so I’ll probably carry it over into August. Here’s what they look like now:

Monika, that was new and exciting for me too... I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve tested it with wood glue.
Let’s see when I’ll get around to trying it out; first I still have to crochet a lantern.
Whether it’ll survive a wash, though... no idea...
By the way, I really like your leggings.

Continue here with the August projects:
August Projects: Have fun crafting and enjoy a nice chat (No advertising)

The awards ceremony will take place in this thread:
Final sprint and awards ceremony / July edition 2019 (No advertising)