Switzerland and France - Alps

How lucky am I to be in this beautiful place! I am visiting relatives living in France. My Brother is lucky enough to live in France and work in Geneva.

A few snaps of one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen taken from the Chateau in Gruyeres..Switzerland with the Moleson Mountain in the background! http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/

View from one of the Chateau windows

We then went to find out all about Cailler chocolate...the tasting went well too. A few purchases made!

The weather was very different last year when I visited. There was a tremendous amount of fresh snow. Amaryllis and I enjoyed snowshoeing while Simon Skied. 

Jet d'Eau in Geneva last year when it was freezing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_d'Eau

Yesterday Amaryllis ran in the L'Escalade through the old parts of Geneva. http://www.escalade.ch/cms/ along with thousands of other runners...all in different groups and at different times during the day. Great   

fun.

We enjoyed watching and supporting while sipping our vin chaud!!

Until next time,

Take care,

Jane

Rugby at Radley School

On Saturday we went over to Radley to watch Hamish play Rugby. It was a good game with an unfortunate result of a loss to Abingdon. Hamish and the team put up a good fight as they performed to a large crowd. It was a great turnout even though ninety percent of the audience were supporting Radley. However, the Roper posse and I made sure, even though there weren't many of us, Hamish could hear us. After the game, we headed inside and had a nice, warm cuppa. Most of us had great fun, but I think George got a bit cold as he continuously asked to go home. 

Hamish (black stripe) as captain of his team wins the toss.

In action!?

Hamish post match

George pleased to be heading home! He did actually say he enjoyed watching the game.
Till next time,
take care,
Lucy and Jane

Crochet Ball for Baby - African Flower Pentagon

It took a little practise to learn how to make the flowers but I really enjoyed the process. I saw one of these baby balls somewhere and thought it lovely. Sorry but I can't remember where....

I used OLYMPUS CROCHET COTTON----EMMY GRANDE COLORS 

and for the border I used the white from OLYMPUS HERBS because it was a slightly softer colour.

http://www.bebebold.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=117&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=142

...........A very big thank you to Heidi from "Heidi Bears" http://www.heidibearscreative.blogspot.com/ 

for her excellent tutorial! I can highly recommend visiting her blogspot as she has many interesting projects. 

Until next time,

Take care,

Jane

Train Trip

We had a great day out on Saturday. I had a date with G who was very keen to catch a train...so we caught the bus into Oxford, walked to the train station and then took the train to Didcot were there were lots of steam trains, old carriages, train tracks and even an old station. 

 

Next time we will go to London as there were not enough stops to Didcot.

 Leaving Oxford

One of many!

We were also lucky to observe  a film crew as they prepared an old train with pretend snow for a section in a movie....I noticed that it was a Russian train because of the writing. I later discovered that it was for the latest Anna Karenina movie starring Keira Knitely.

Of course we were not allowed to take photos, sorry, as I would have loved to have shared some!!

Until next time,

Take care,

Jane

Christmas is Coming!

To celebrate Christmas this year and to brighten any room I designed the Star Wall Hanging  and the Sashiko Star Decorations using the stencilled fabric SSF-1 as found on the website. 

These stencilled fabrics are fun to play with as some of our customers would agree. Many different patterns can be achieved from the one fabric! 

These projects are fun and easy to make...and would also make a lovely gift for someone. 

I also wanted to show off our sweet new kitty cat and puppy dog pencil cases.

I love the way the zip pull is the tail! Another great gift. 

Until next time, 

Take care,

Jane 

Now in the UK!

Another Stunning Crochet Piece!

Well this beautiful scarf was made for us by Elaine.....Another big thank you! It was such a treat to open the parcel that arrived in the post...

The soft colours from the Herbs collection are a real contrast from the bright hues in the Colors collection that were used in the cushion that Dianne Pickford made...as seen in the previous post.

We are excited and getting ready, packing for the show in Brisbane (starts on the 19th) where you will be able to see these lovely pieces on display. We will also have all the beautiful threads that went into them.

http://www.craftfair.com.au/Brisbane2011/

REALLY hope to see you there!

Until next time,

Take care,

Jane

Beautiful Crochet

Isn't this cushion just so lovely, bright and pretty. 

BEAUTIFUL! Many thanks to my friend and crochet teacher Dianne. She truly did a magnificent job. Oh I'm so lucky. I love running my hands over the soft inviting flowers.

Dianne used nearly every colour crochet cotton we have from the COLORS collection. Another delight from the Olympus Thread Company. 

The flower pattern we found in the book called Beyond The Square - Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman.

Motif #114.

They flowers actually remind me of sea anemones...not sure why but they do.

Till next time,

Take care,

Jane

Sale and news

We are having a sale. In store and on line.
With 25% off all Japanese fabric, Sashiko and yarns!
Starts this Thursday 29th and ends 5pm on Sunday
9am to 5pm
I have very much enjoyed learning how to crochet. Many thanks to my friends that have been patient with me as I learn the chain, double and treble crochet stitch!! It is such a lot of Fun...I read somewhere that once you finish one flower you can't wait to start the next..... And it's so true. Now I can take sashiko and crochet with me as I travel...so good. I have included some images of my flowers and the finished pin cushion.
Until next time,
Take care
Jane

Knitting and Crochet

We have enjoyed busy times away having fun at Craft Fairs and introducing the beautiful yarns and crochet threads from Olympus to our customers. We have just added a number of Japanese knitting and crochet books to the website. They are beautiful! and make me want to really learn....I took my crochet hook and threads with me on the trip but as I am such a beginner they stayed in the bag because I needed a little more time to concentrate.

We will shortly be adding many, many more crochet threads to the website so please keep an eye out for them!

One of the books on crochet

 The lovely 3 ball scarf that Cally made from our Cocotte wools....I enjoyed adding the tassels using my crochet skills!!

A sample showing the glorious colours in the Herbs range of crochet threads. Amazing lustre and quality.

Until next time,

Take care,

Jane

Home Again

Well the trip back to Oxford was well worth it not only as my Mum is so much better but it was also great to catch up with the family. The weather was fabulous and the evenings long...a lovely time of the year.

Home now and trying to get back into the swing of things...lots to catch up on so sadly I have to miss out on being in Townsville for the Craft and Sewing show that starts today 14th -17th July....Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre...Cally and Sarah will be there and have many exciting things to show and share!

While in the UK we visited Kelmscott Manor. Country home to William and Jane Morris of Morris & Co.  A place just outside Oxford that I have always wanted to visit and one I highly recommend. I will visit again one day and make a whole day of it to take in the beautiful walks making sure to have lunch at the pub.

What a fence

Front entrance to the House 

George Jack's relief of Morris dreaming beneath a tree from the Memorial Cottages.

This is Tom in his splendid hat that he wears in the summer while he is out gardening. So easy to keep adding flowers and I love the kangaroo! Tom helps to keep Mums garden always looking so pretty.

Until next time,

Take care,

Jane