Coasters !!!!

A couple of days ago, I started to crochet some little things....
....to be more precise, 6 little things.....with some colourful cotton and a little hook (2,5mm)....

....I decided to add a simple border, to better define them all...

....their purpose???? Look at the next pictures....

What do you think??? :oD

These are the balls of cotton I've used to crochet the happy coasters .....

xxxx Alessandra

Today links : Link Your Stuff! and Craft Schooling Sunday! !!!

Some HUGE "THANK YOU"s....

....One to my husband for bringing us all to Bali for one entire week!!!!!
More photos and details in "very soon" posts.....

....Another one to Ellen, the colourful hostess of ELLEBEL!!!!
While in Bali, I found a comment on one of my posts, in which she was telling me that I won (with other 2 lucky ladies!) her giveaway (here and here)!!!!! Thank you so much Ellen!!

Then a big one to Debi, the unstoppable crocheter at Dly's Hooks and Yarns....
Why????
Have a look and tell me....

....a parcel full of colourful buttons and a ribbon reel all for me!!!!
To say thank you because I visit her blog.....how thoughtful is all that????
Debi, you really made my day!!! Thank you to be so dear with me!!! xxxxxx

And now the biggest thank you to all my Followers !!!!
I never stop to write some lines all for you...sorry for that! What I think of you all???
You really make me happy and give a sense to all this blogging!!!! Thank you for being out there!!!!


Last thing, but not less important :

HAPPY EASTER/ BUONA PASQUA TO YOU ALL WITH ALL MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!!

xxxx Alessandra

Last attempt before the real one!!!!!

As you know, I've crocheted some table runners during the last month ( here, here, here, here and here !!!), just to be ready for this important occasion (please, check Grande Project-3 at crejjtion!!!).....

Maaike gave me a kind advice about my table runners attempts : to avoid the curling (and so the blocking process!), I had to put less stitches (and less increasings) on both sides of my table runner...
I've followed the clever suggestion, so that I did a new one!!!

I found some cotton balls I bought when I was still in Egypt (Rozetti Naturel Cotton) and with a 5mm hook I tried again....

Some photos, please....

No more curling!!!!! I was happy, so happy!!! It's a pleasure to learn always some little tricks, that simplify your crocheting lifestyle!!!! ;oD

After this good job, I think I deserved my cup of herbal tea with some balinese sweets.....yummy!!!

The official table runner, made with the cotton "Catania Grande"(here) is on the hook right now.....
I'll post some pictures of it very soon...Stay tuned!!!!

xxxx Alessandra

Today link : Creative Friday !!!

Craft-A-Day: Egg Week!!!!

...yesterday a chick.....today the egg!!!!!

On Sarah's book ( Craft A Day) we find different suggestions....

• a 3-D Egg Ornament

• a Felt Egg Ornament
• a Cracked Egg Card
• an Egg Garland

• a Felt Egg Card
• an Egg Gift Tag 
• an Egg Card

I love eggs!!! Especially the chocolate ones!!!!!

If you love to join me in this adventure, please do it and remember that you are really welcome, anytime!!!
If you want to read more about this crafty journey, please read this post or just scroll to the top and click on Craft-A-Day Year Project tab (just under my blog title&description on the right!)! Thank you !!!

xxxx Alessandra

Chick Week : my crafts !!!

....even if we are in Bali (!!!!!) for this week, I did my homework!!!!!
Infact, I brought with me some felt, a needle, some cotton threads (even baker twines!!!), a pair of scissors, some little buttons and the tracing paper...so no excuses to not accomplish the task!!!

Follow the pictures ....

....but I needed a tassel!!!! no problems at all : tea bags are good even for that!!!! ....

My link is HERE !!!!

xxxx Alessandra

....a Totoro hat!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, my sister Varinia (I've talked about her right here  ) asked me to crochet a Totoro hat for my niece...she sent me a picture with a related link and so ...I did it!!

I needed my living model to fix the ears in the right place...

....and then to give you the idea of the hat done!!!! ;oD....

..... Cara Mara (brief message written in Italian for my niece!) spero tanto che il berretto ti piaccia! Io mi sono divertita molto nel farlo e sono soddisfatta del risultato! Tuo cugino si e' divertito molto a fare da modello e vorrebbe tenersi Totoro per se'..... con <3 zia Ale

To crochet this hat I followed this pattern and links :

Free crochet pattern : monkey hat (adult size) found at mamachee
Totoro Hat Medium by Silver88 on ravelry
and for the ears just follow : Crochet Bunny Hat Patern by Repeat Crafter Me
Thank you all for your help in this "Totoro hat adventure"!!!!

My personal touches:

•  the eyes (hook 5) : with black yarn, chain 4, close the ring with a slip stitch, chain 3, 11 double crochet, slip stitch in the 3rd stitch of the first "chain 3"(12 stitches); for the second round, use white yarn and 2 double crochet in each stitch (24 stitches). Slip stitch in the first double crochet. done! (I use american crochet terms!)

the Dust Sprites hanging from the ear flaps : with white yarn (and 5mm hook), chain 25 stitches from each ear flap and bind off. With black yarn and a pom pom maker (mine is one from Clover, small size), make 2 pom poms and attach them to the cords with some knots!!

xxxx Alessandra

Today link : Link Your Stuff! and Craft Schooling Sunday !!!