In this picture, you can also see my younger daughter’s newest Roselette, and a matryoshka skirt I made her some time ago. Their friend is also wearing a brand new t-shirt-upcycled-into-nightgown we made her with my friend. First sewing lesson… It seems she’s ready to give in and buy a sewing machine now. yeah ! More crafting together :-D

.. Good point though is that my third submission has good chances to make it into the book. :-D

I have now finished the apricot colored Roselette, and nearly done the turquoise one (in size 8). Sizing seems all good for those new added sizes (up to 10 year old) and I should be updating the pattern next week. If you want to buy a copy, do it now before the price rises to $6 ! (and if you bought it previously either from ChezPlum or Ravelry, you should receive an automatic update :-D)

And now, let’s cast on for another Roselette (I had to order more yarn as the plum colored one was too dark for good photos)… for a very exciting project !! :-D

I’m now VERY happy to introduce the long-awaited pattern for my Jehanne cardigan, which as I have just learned, features a “liripipe“, long medieval-looking hood. So glad I learned a new word today, and all the more as the more I look at pictures of liripipes and medieval reanactments, the more I see my Jehanne hooded cardigan and Jehanne capelet (the perfect “Chaperon with liripipe” !!) would fit perfectly in medieval festivals !! That makes me happy as I love those middle-ages costumes… :-D

But let’s get back to the pattern: the Jehanne cardigan is available so far in 4 sizes, going from XS to L.
An XL size will be added asap. ( all those who purchased the pattern via ChezPlum or Ravelry will receive the updated pattern then).
It’s meant to be worn very fitted, with a body-hugging silhouette that’s very feminine and flattering.

As usual, my pattern is very detailed, with lots of step by step pictures so that you will visually see where you’re going and what is the next step. I personally hate to crochet in the blind without “seing” what I’m meant to do, guess I’m a visual person.

Jehanne hooded cardigan – $6 –

One last thing: this pattern is also included in my “Around the granny square” ebook, which now includes TEN patterns for under $20. Quite a deal I’d say, and you’ll have all three liripipe designs: Jehanne capelet, Jehanne hooded cardigan and Ermeline. :-)

“Around the granny square” ebook – $19.95 –

ETA: I have just sent an exclusive coupon code for 20% off this design and my ebook to people already in my Newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for it yet, do it now to be notified when I release new patterns… and get exclusive discounts ! :-)

Yesterday night I experimented and made a spindle with Fimo. My very first spindle (there will be lots more I’m sure) is all but perfect with unbalanced uneven thickness around shaft and it has a bent nail instead of the hook (couldn’t fit it in, and no patience to wait for a more competent person)

Yet, you know what ? It spins perfectly !!!!!! About as efficient as my Ashford student spindle, it spins effortlessly and for a really long time. I had always wanted to try a square spindle too, and am not disapointed. So very pretty.

Now that I know it’s totally worth it, I’ll pay extra attention next time to make them nearly-perfect. Look-out, we’re going to make spindles !!

After a couple quiet hours this afternoon (thanks L. for taking the girls out!), it’s now become a pretty and funky new nightgown, which will still fit her for a year or two: 3/4 sleeves are great for a nightgown ! :-)

I made so many of those for the girls (and a friend too), and tried so many different options, & a’m really happy with the way I make them now. I took in-progress photos this time, and am hoping to write down a tutorial, including the elasticized bias around the cut collar.
Isn’t it the pretties thing ?!! I love that whenever I make a new one, I just can’t stop looking at i: I love this dotted fabric, love the collar and the bottom appliqué… oh and I love how it looks on her !! :-D

Some of my recent crafting experiments: Dying some white sweaters with food dyes, and a butterfly panel skirt made for a little friend. No 3D appliqué this time, but Plume added glitter paint on the butterflies: very cute !

Finally, I added more menstrual cloth pads to my second store ChezPlumThings on Etsy: new prints, now with added matryoshka flavor !! :-)

And don’t forget: you can purchase the pattern to sew your own menstrual cloth pads !! :-)

Then my sil asked if I could make her one. Of course, I love hints on what they’d like for Xmas. :-)

During our little shopping outing earlier this week, I saw a Phildar store in Grand’Place, and of course “had to look”. Bought some cheap acrylic in a nice pink shade for a Roselette for a niece (yes acrylic does have a few good sides for kids garments that need to be washed easily). And got 2 differents kinds of grey yarn with this slouchy hat in mind.

Now I have just finished it (took me only a few hours really, and I had to rip and restart a few times) and am in love. I may even have to make another one for myself !!!
The intial pattern is the flower center slouch hat, which I heavily modified to suit both the yarns I used and the look I wanted.
I’ll most probably post my mods either here or on Ravelry soon.

Oh, and we babysat the recipient of the little elf hat yesterday, and I sneaked a bad picture of her wearing it. Shh, I hope they don’t come and see my blog ! :-P

Which makes me realise I need proper labels for my next ones.
Also, I’ll try to finalise a tutorial on how to line your purse very soon ! :-)

I’m also nearly done with my Iro sweater. Will finish the second sleeve tonight and hope to share pics of that pretty sometime this week. I can’t wait to wear it too :-D

I hoped more people would try to win a copy of my newest pattern for the Baby Babouches, but I guess it didn’t raise much interest… :-/ Anyhow, out of the 2 people who entered, Congrats to Akua !! I will send your pattern in a minute :-)

I also have TONS of other things to share, will try to find some time this week :-)

We had talks with laurent about calling it the boobs/hawaian-bikini bag, ..but I thought Camelia may sound better ;-)

The pattern is now being tested and I’m hoping to release it sometime by next week. Will try to take better outdoor pics too… :-)

Yesterday was my MIL’s birthday, and she invited us all to the restaurant. We had a very lovely evening, always great to see all the family together.

Earlier that day I decided I wanted to sew her a pleated cosmetic bag. There are some very pretty patterns on Etsy, but I didn’t have time to wait for the pattern… Plus I felt like I didn’t have time to follow a pattern either (which is probably a wrong idea, as following precise directions means less trial and error.. but I don’t like following patterns much)

Anyways, after sewing most of the afternoon, here are hastily taken pics of the little bag I came up with just minutes before leaving for the restaurant. Far from perfect, especially for the format (next time, I’ll make it wider!) but other than that it looks pretty good. Pleats on the main panel, nice flashy pink lycra shiny fabric on the sides, pretty flowery plum ribbon for decoration and a side mini-handle..
I used very pretty silk for the lining, and added a little pocket for her lipstick or whatever.

I think she liked it. :-)

We also made a fabric heart with the girls (to use as a kee ring) but I forgot to take pics. Next time..

After finishing it, I was afraid it made too many dots altogether (I kind of grabbed this purple fabric at random, just looking at the colors). But from looking at the pictures tonight, it looks ok so I’ll probably keep it instead of redoing it completely. What do you think ?

I’m still ultra-happy with it. It’s amazingly comfortable, and even more now that the waist is lower. The green dotted fabric is knits fabric, so it’s very soft and stretchy, perfect for a skirt.

Now I’m looking for another pair of jeans to cut… :-P