100th Post

In celebration of my 100th post, I would like to reflect on a few posts. But, firstly I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying this journey. I look forward to writing posts and the whole blogging process has been greatly beneficial.

1. My a-block-a-week project has been put on hold, due to us moving to the UK and wanting to take a little as possible with us, but as soon as we are settled I will be back to my obsessive knitting habits…
2. In June I made some birthday resolutions and this is how I have been doing…

• I have not been going to yoga and I feel terrible about it! I know that I should have been more strict on myself with this one… In England I will make a conserted effort to get back on track.
• I did not enrol in the magazine journalism course for a few reasons, but I will be doing a freelance writing course in London from 10 January 2009.
• I have dramatically increased my water intake and this was confirmed yesterday by my homeopath.
• I have worked on my Orangebloom brand as promised and plan to start a handmade range once settled in England.

So all in all I didn’t do very well, but at least it’s on my radar and I have a plan to get back on track.

3. My sewing machine is now fixed, I am giving it to my sister, as it is not practical to take it with me to.

4. Pay it forward, I still have 8 months to complete this task, so watch this space…

5. Handmade network – I did a few chalenges and then stopped, it wasn’t for me, I didn’t enjoy it…

• Photography – even though I have a keen interest and my Dad is a photographer, I just can’t seem to get my shots perfect. I have built a light box (note to self: do a post on this) and have really been trying!
• Etsy Shop – I would love to have a beautiful and successful Etsy shop. I have done some planning, but when we are settled in England, this will become a main focus area.

I have acheived quite a bit with this blog, but I have some big plans for the future, thank you for reading my ramblings…

Ps. I love to hear from you, so leave a comment, if you’d like…

Beetroot dye

I have been eating much healthier and on the weekend I cooked organic Beetroot. I have seen others dye wool with natural ingredients, such as tumeric, and thouth that the water that the beetroot was cooked in would make a delightful dye, so I popped in some Elle Homespun wool and let it soke over night.

Well, the colour that appeared was delightful! I love It.

My camera’s battery is flat, but once I have bought a new one I will take a photo of the ball of wool. The pink is so unique.

I will be knitting a beanie (click here for the pattern) with this wool, especially for our mover to Surrey in England. We will be arriving there on 3 November 2008, from a hot South African Summer into a cold England Winter…

When life gives you lemons…

I recently found this lovely networking blog – Handmade Network.

Every week  they have a new challenge. Last week was ‘when life gives you lemons’. So I created a yellow knitted flower brooch.

I did not formally enter the competition, but instead did it as a challenge for myself. I am not confident to enter, yet, but will do the weekly challenge.

Let me know what you think…

PS. I desperately need to up my photography skills. I plan to build a light box soon…

Why Blog

This question has been on my mind for a while now…

I Googled this question and quite a few (70,200,000 to be exact) results came back. But only I can answer this question for myself…

• Firstly, it makes me dig deep and think about what I am posting for all the world to see.
• I have always wanted to write, even if I’m not very good at it, I find it a form of expression. Blogging gives you the freedom to write what you feel like writing. No one will judge you and you can publish it for the world to see without costing a cent.
• It is a creative outlet, I can post my creations here, whenever I feel like it.
• It is a kind of journal, I can write down my thoughts, and at the same time have a record of what is happening in my life.

Why do I want to continue to blog?

This is the all important question…

I want to teach others; yes, that is the main goal for Orangebloom.

*Teach*

Blog Goals:

• To blog at least one craft project a week
• Start a monthly newsletter, where subsribers will receive special offers and valuable information on all things crafty.

So, now it is set in stone for all to view. They do say that once you write your goals down you are more likely to achieve them.

Stash Pack

How I longed to find a company in South Africa that sends out Stash Packs…

I have seen the lovely stash packs that others have recieved in the USA and the UK and longed to receive such a beautiful package.

I have recently started sewing and have become interested in quilting. And thought that stash packs would be a great way to learn about fabrics and decide what patterns and colours I like.

I eventually found a company in Durban that sells stash packs. Cotton Tail – When it arrived in the post I was so so excited!

When I opened it, I was a little disappointed…

But, I suppose its better than nothing and a good start. I will continue my search to find a great fabric shop, that satisfies my desire for what I see overseas.

PS> This weekend is the Creative Arts and Crafts Expo on at Emperor’s Palace. I will take some photos and post this weekend… Hope I find some great treasures!

PPS> I wish my photos were better – working on it…

Glove Bunny

I saw this delightful idea on Martha Stewart’s show – Glove Animals.

So, I thought I would give it a go, as I had a few pairs of gloves that I don’t use anymore. Well, I managed to sew a finger to the hand of the glove – don’t ask me how I did that?

But I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am going to make one for my sister.

I didn’t follow the pattern 100%, but it still come out ok, the next one will be better…

I knitted him a winter scarf, to keep him warm.

Things I have learnt while making this craft:

• use my sewing machine, hand sewing is not my strong point
• not following the pattern 100% is okay, it makes the outcome more unique
• I can easily laugh at myself when I make silly mistakes

This bunny needs a name…

Any thoughts or suggestions?

New Header

Well, eventually I have created a new header. It is really simple and just an interim design.

My sister, Joy, is returning home on Saturday, she has been living in Australia for a while now. Joy has been working on some designs for my blog. So, I am really looking forward to seeing what she has created, as she has been keeping it hush-hush and I have no clue what her extremely create brain has concocted.

Skinny laMinx

Heather Moore, aka Skinny laMinx, is an illustrator, designer and writer in Cape Town, South Africa. I caught a glimpse of her designer plates on her blog and knew that she would be a part of the South African House exhibit, i-lunch at Rooms on View. Laureen Roussouw is the curator.

I managed to sneak a few photos, they don’t do her work justice, but you will have an idea…

Day Off

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to get the day off. I work for HOMEMAKERSonline, which I thoroughly enjoy. Besides going to the dentist to get a crown (am I now a princess? – hehehehe), I got stuck into our spare room and started to create a craft room for myself.

I was slightly annoyed with the retailer where I bought my wood for my table, as they cut the piece that was supposed to be the table top, too small. But that will give me an excuse to get another piece and use this piece to create an ottoman.

I sorted out all my ribbon and paper, which felt good. David will put shelves up for me on the weekend. I hung other curtains up, which immediately made a huge difference. I will make a tie-back this evening.

As I go along, I will post some photos. I’m so excited to finally have my own space to work in…

Learning Curve

I love to learn. And I plan to keep learning for the rest of my life. The most important thing I learnt last night, before my laptop’s battery went flat, is that I don’t have to be a qualified artist to create. While reading Heidi’s Blog two kitties I had this huge ‘ah ha’ moment. She explains that you really don’t need to have a formal qualification to be artistic. Thank you Heidi you have renewed my interest in creating. The other blogs that I have placed under my links page are blogs that inspire me, these women have immence talent and I hope to learn from them all. I look forward to finding more inspirational blogs…

Which brings me to my next point, I have been dabbling with the concept of OrangeBloom for a few years now, but was not sure of the direction. I think this blog will help me to focus on what I really want to do with OrangeBloom and I look forward to growing with it.

Make it a great day…