Hopfaldera

Come back soon

First read this, though!
I'm busy at the moment. I'm sewing ornaments and knitting about four projects. I can't show everything yet, because some things are meant to be surprises and others have not been photographed yet (too busy and there isn't much light for nice photos). Some projects have been photographed anyway. Visit my Flickr photostream for those.

In the meantime, a peak for you in my crafting closet.


I'm actually writing this post to alert you about Give-Away Day. Be sure to visit my blog again on December 3rd! I will have a little surprise to give away to a lucky commenter on that day. Sew Mama Sew organizes the Day. Read all about it.

Okay some close-ups:




That was it for now.
Come back soon!!! And tell all your friends!

Plenty

I have some good news! It finally looks like I have been affected by the collector's gene that must have been lurking inside of me. My parents are avid collectors of many beautiful and interesting things that surrounded me while I grew up. In my son the gene is showing itself already: he brings home mainly metal pipes and wooden sticks he finds on the street and hoards them in his room.
When I was in my studio yesterday I discovered that I seem to have started collecting something too. It's not fabric; I have a lot but it is nothing compared to what I see some people on the internet have. My collection is of... Ribbons. I'll show some off here and tell you where I got them.


These four were bought at a notions shop in Leiden: Mol en de Groot. Downstairs the shop is quite plain, but when you ask if you can go upstairs (a sign permanently says upstairs is closed, just ignore that), you will find a treasure of ribbons there!


This one I bought from Rosa Pomar from Portugal. Camilla Engman from Sweden designed it.


These I found at Volksfaden and I just had to order them. I was unable to resist. When they got delivered to the student housing next door while I was away (only about "10 minutes", usually I sit on the doormat all day when I'm expecting a package, especially a lovely one like this), I got very nervous. Luckily a responsible student had answered the door and I got my package after only a little nervous breakdown. See, I'm getting collector's fever already!


And these I got at the Stoffenspektakel (Fabric Spectacle), a fabric market that travels around the country and comes to Leiden twice a year.

Now that I have discovered my passion for ribbons, I feel I should give in to it. So, I'm off to the market!

And because I have plenty and many others don't, a little update on the Caps for Cap-Haitien: These are the ones I made from Damaris' and Emil's used and well loved shirts. More info on Mama to Mama.

Share your craft

I have a fever! It's not serious, it's knitting fever. Inspired by Ravelry, an online knitting community, I have started to knit again. So far I have made a shawl, a hat, a Puff Daddy scarflet ( via SuperEggplant), a bottle warmer, started a scarf and almost finished another hat.


For whom am I knitting all that stuff? This is one of the questions to fill in when you add a new project to Ravelry. Most of the time I say 'me'. But another hat, for me? And after that, another one? I have already started to fill in '?'. I think I will start helping Sinterklaas and turn some of my projects into presents.


Another way I will be sharing my craft is by entering the great Holiday Ornament Swap by Freshly{Blended} and Cake & Pie. This is the third time they are hosting this swap, and I have already entered twice before (2007 and 2006). I have received wonderful ornaments (2007 and 2006)! I recommend this swap to everyone! It is great to receive all those packages with handmade gifts from people that have also received something from you. It really adds to the Holiday feeling! Enter here before November 10! I have entered and made a start on my ornaments by printing some linen.


And for another way of sharing, and also doing some good with your craft go to Mama to Mama. Amanda (Soulemama) explains about a way to help newborn babies in Haiti get a better start in life by using your crafting skills. You are asked to make little caps from used t-shirts. These caps will be part of Safe Birthing Kits in Haiti. My children loved the idea that their old shirts will be used for a good cause and hopefully make a difference in another child's life.

I feel I also need to say something about Barack Obama winning the Presidential Election in the United States. I think it is great! I rooted for him too (as did 80+% of the Netherlands, and the World, I think). Twenty years ago I was in the US to study there for one year. I must have been about the only person on campus to be interested in the election back then. I remember asking my roommate Donna who she was going to vote for, Bush or Dukakis. She said: 'Uhhh, I'll ask my Dad'!!! This was unbelievable to me. I'm so glad this has changed in the US. Politics is back with the people! I also have great hope that Change is going to come. I hope everyone will bear with Obama and remain hopeful and active in resolving the problems that the world is facing. The war in the Middle East will not end on January 20, as the poles will not stop melting. The Financial crisis will not miraculously resolve. I hope that the Hope, will turn into action all over the world!