Autumn Feeling

Hello dear friends! I believe that the place we were born in and belonged to once always leaves a life-long impression on our body and mind. Even though it is hot and humid in India, and it seems that the summer will never end, my whole inner world has tuned into Autumn. I just feel it so much everywhere I go. I think of making some Autumn projects so that little A can be involved in them. His preschool is going to celebrate Halloween, and this is such a happy thought for me because in India  many schools don't do this. I am thinking of designing a really easy costume for him, and the main challenge is to make a cape. I thought of dressing little A up as a wizard or a superhero. I am going to use this Tutorial: DIY Superhero Capes.
What concerns my ongoing projects, I do have one. Perhaps it also appeared because of all the autumnal longing for cozy stuff. I have been very inspired till now. Once again, after having a long crochet-block I told myself that if I don't start crocheting again I will never start it. And I felt very sad and lost. Hence I searched for some eye-candy projects on the net, sucked in all the colors and patterns I saw, and thought of making something for myself like this Movie Night Cocoon Cardi. I liked its' cozy name, and considered it would be indeed great if went out for a movie soon, and me flaunting this handmade shrug. Alas! I never made it, and instead...

I have made 9 squares so far, and planning to make total of 25. If the  pace is the same as now the blanket shall be ready by mid October :) I must say that feeling yarn and a hook in my hands again gave me so much energy and positiveness! This time I haven't bought any special stash but combined and used the skeins left from the previous blankets. Somehow I am very pleased with the color combinations this time. I also did a BIG step in crocheting - I started crocheting in front of little A :) I had some kind of fear before he would start asking for the hooks and yarn, he does of course, so I give him another ones (which I am not using) and he plays with yarn as with a ball :) Hence I can spare a few minutes of crochet this way, without waiting when the night falls.

To bring on more Autumn feel, here are the photos sent by my parents. Autumn flowers blooming at dacha.

 Canna flower started blooming quite late because the summer was rainy and cold.

 Typical dacha style snack -  fried zuccini circles with tomato and garlic. It is so delicious! I wish oh so much to be there again! One month of trip home was not enough.

Have a wonderful week ahead, keep on crafting!

Color on Tuesday - Blanket and Nail Art

Tomorrow, when I am supposed to do blanket progress update post, never comes, hence let's grab today and live today. As you all well know, I have been crocheting a big blanket for the past few months, and I haven't finished it yet, lol. To disappoint you - no Ta-dah news today, but  a glimpse (or two or three) of the  process. 

One achievement I can be certainly proud of is that I have started joining the blocks! You can see a pile of them, which makes already 3 rows of 8 blocks in each (total 24 blocks). However they have been attached only length wise, width wise will come afterwards, when I have all 8 rows together. I had a chance to experience how much warm the blanket is, as part of it was lying on my laps while I joined the other blocks. Believe me, it IS warm, just like real wool, and also soft. 

I like the view from this angle, the repetition of the pattern in different colors, the way the blocks' edges are attached kind of makes me happy :) Probably it is madness, or excitement, or I simply love the colors of this yarn.

Imagining this blanket spread on the bed, and making our room bright at once! My husband likes it too, already. Lately he asked why didn't I do yarn shopping for so long, it somehow worried him (hehe). Last weekend I bought 4 colors which didn't seem suffice to finish the blanket purely for the purpose of removing all the worries from his head. I am relieved now, my D too I bet.

For those who might be interested I am using slip stitch joining method for blocks, and very happy with how it turned out - it is a neat and strong join I believe. You can notice the crimson line of stitches between yellow and lilac. 

Next  is just an abandoned hobby of mine - nail art. I am in a long nails phase now, and I have some pretty nail polishes which make up a great duet (though it is not that you cannot do nail art when having short nails of course). Some doodling with nail polish few days ago - nothing special, but made me immensely proud of my nails look. I used dotting technique tool - a ball pen, for making of the design. 

I became a little lazy with taking of the photos of our weekends and so, but we have an interesting event coming up this week - an International Coffee Festival! So apparently, I will be there for... a cup of the brew of Gods. Otherwise, the yearly Hindu festival hustle is more than a month away, so I am enjoying the cooling off of the weather, and quiet days, and of course getting ready for Autumn and Halloween.

Have a blissful day and be safe wherever you are!

Do What Makes You Happy - Friday Garden

Hello, dears! Yes, I know, I didn't make my weekly blanket post. There were few reasons, one of them was (is) the absence of the internet connection at home which issue will be fixed soon hopefully. Today I invented to upload pictures from camera on USB and then copy to my office computer. I decided though to show blanket progress next week and today carry on with Friday Garden. There hasn't been happening much in here, but still I have found few interesting things.

Few months ago we noticed some plant growing in our garden - it was a self-sowed spinach. These days it has become a big bush with numerous seeds, which I'd like to collect and plant again - isn't this nature's miracle?

The same way this lonely marigold has grown under the citrus tree, you can see the dry leaves underneath. I remember planting orange marigolds, but definitely not in this place, so another independently sowed member of our garden. 

The lettuce of which I was so proud back in March has produced little yellow flowers, and it means I'll be able to seed more of my Russian leafy veggies later on. 

Oh well, here is again that same story as with a crochet heart - have no idea how the hanging pockets actually hang on the trees! Though I don't think this was the best place for them to be so I took them to my room. Okay, enough of flirting with my crochet projects - yes this is the one I was asking you to guess what it was. Aishwarya was right. The idea of hanging organizers was not mine, I got inspired by a glimpse of it on Pinterest and HAD to try it out! The pattern Crochet Wall Pockets  is sold on Ravelry ... but I was able to figure out how to make them myself (come on, I've been into this hobby for more than a year now! hehe). The only thing I'd like to change is a stick on which the pockets are buttoned. I have to search for a suitable tree branch today.

I took many pictures not because I so adored what I've made, but because light didn't allow me to reveal true colors. But I think that this picture is the closest to the original. I used one of my favorite yarn - Millenuim acrylic yarn by Vardhman. I'm planning to do yarn shopping next week, as I have no patience to be busy with the same project all the time and plan to make some winter clothing item for myself.

I've linked the Crochet Wall Pockets to Creative Everyday Challenge Color theme of the month . 

We might go for a wedding this weekend, but I don't really feel like and will be more than happy to stay home (if possible) and do my favorite things. Yea, I know it is selfish and all ... but when your heart doesn't want something, how can you force yourself?

Have a nice day and a great weekend ahead! "Do what makes you happy" (if possible).

Summer Blanket and Something New - Wednesday Update

There is not even a single day without us hearing that some tragedy has happened.Yes, I am talking about the attack in Boston, the earthquake in Iran... the waves of the latter we felt even here, in Chandigarh. All the news channels concentrate on these two "events", creating more anxiety and hopelessness. I am really grateful that me and my family are able to start this day and enjoy its beauty. But I wish we all could...I wish we could live without fear being attacked or killed or hurt...

But as we are here now, we keep on living and dreaming... and blogging. We have to bring more happiness in the world. And many of us do. With the idea of 52 weeks of Happy for example, or by posting nice pictures and saying kind words to each other. I really feel that the blogger community can make the world better, let's think how.

Day before yesterday I was sitting in my room in the evening and heard a strong deep meow at our backyard... I smiled. It meant that some cat came to us. I rushed there and saw a grey furry creature standing on the wall and looking right back at me. I hurried back to pick my camera and took few snaps. Here in India people usually don't keep cats as pets, so you would generally see pet dogs, but cats.. they just come and go. Last year there was another cat who used to come to us and we used to feed it, but then she disappeared... For me, a cat lover, meeting a half wild cat, and moreover, almost in our house, is such a treat!

Oh yea, you must have recognized this already. It has started having a more blanket-y look. I feel it is going to be a great result  thanks to all of you who made me believe in this. If I continue working in this tempo, I'll 

Here is how many more squares have come up and need to be stitched together soon. This way I'd have 23 blocks. I got a little bored with blanket crocheting and decided to make some little side project.

Here are three squares I crocheted yesterday evening. There will be only three of them. So could you guess what is it going to be?:) I will give a link to the square pattern later, when I find it in my laptop.

I am using DK acrylic yarn of Indian brand Vardhman. I like its colors and texture reminds wool a lot. I think of making a throw out of this yarn later on. There are lovely patterns on the Red Heart website which I pinned in my Crochet patterns. I like this one and this one the most, but others are also so pretty, aren't they?

Well, let's first rest our fingers and finish this small something. I am sure it'll be a useful thing in my room. Okay, enough hints for you now. I am off to do my job and look forward being back home and crocheting. Also I didn't forget about a promised giveaway on achieving 100 followers, so it'll happen soon.

Wish you to have a peaceful day, be safe and happy! 

Blanket is Growing..Slowly - Wednesday Update

I know, it is already evening (here) and I am a little late with Wednesday crochet blanket update. I didn't have time to take pics in the morning, so did it just now. Hence you have an incredible opportunity to witness awesomely fresh photos of my Summer blanket! Yey!

Okay, there is not much reason for happiness, because I am almost at the same point where I was last week.

Today I'd like to show the manner in which I'm going to sew the blocks. Here is a plan of  actions...hmmm...in Russian, as I think much better in my native language.

Okay, whatever I plan, I think I'm going to change it anyway. But the main thought is to alternate blocks for outer row/round, and so on. Better see the picture.

I also managed to make few more squares for the next lot of the blocks. I do like yellow squares a lot, and thinking of putting them in the middle of the blanket.

 Finally almost all the yarn from the first stash has finished, and I have  started using a second one. I have two more stored, and hope that it'll be enough for the whole project, otherwise I might not get exact colors in the market now.

That's what I have achieved in a week's time. Not so much but not so bad, considering that I was busy in the office, and we had a great party on Saturday, which means that that day was absolutely crochet-free. While making of this blanket I also made a note for future to use less number of colors for a big project. This one really has given me trouble with color match and now - arrangement of the squares. But this is a part of a learning process, and I am happy to learn!
Have an awesome day, and I hope the Spring has touched your part of the world! Or if you have Autumn now - it is also a good time of the year :))

Giving Time to Myself

As was precisely noticed by some of my fellow bloggers, I can have a little time to myself while my D is in the trip... So I kind of trying to do this, though also have been having cold for the past three days and not enjoying my condition at all. However, I gave time to myself. I made a little treat of fried chicken wings with Russian salad for yesterday dinner. It was delicious (not boasting about my cooking skills)! Besides, it was just a right thing for making myself feel good (physically and mentally).

 Another thing I can't stay without these days is crochet. It certainly requires some time consumption of which I am very glad :) I tried awesome Wagon Wheel Square pattern and now planning to make a pillow cover. I have done 5 squares so far, 4 more to go. I find this pattern to be suitable for winter time stuff, may be the colors I chose speak for this. Hey, my phone's camera isn't that bad at times.

I would also like to thank all who left so encouraging comments on the previous post, and those who considered my blog to be of any interest to them and joined it :) 

My browser has been behaving strangely these days, and sometimes I am not able to load my own blog page or your blog pages. I saw that you were posting so beautiful things, but I can't actually check and comment! So hopefully it will work fine tomorrow. 

Have a lovely day ahead and keep warm! Blessings to all!

Back to granny square - a doily:)

         Nearly one month back  I got some yarn with me from India keeping in mind that I would want to make a few stitches some day. And this day has come :) Today I'd like to present a dacha inspired and dacha made crochet work - a granny square doily with flower decoration.

        This is not a step by step tutorial, however might be giving some ideas on how to use granny square pattern for a nice decoration of your room.

       First I simply started making a sunny granny square using basic single and double crochet stitches.

 When 6 rows were completed, I changed color to blue and made 3 more rows to "frame" a crochet piece. 

Then I decided that the flower details and leaves, which can be arranged in a variety of ways, would be the best to make a doily look summery!

In order to keep the middle of the doily free for putting a vase or a photo frame on to it, the flowers were placed on the corner. I stitched the details to the doily from the back side.

                           

I gifted this granny square doily to my parents so that the memory about this summer would be with them always :)