homemade@myplace

Here is my little contribution for you  Wink …. I've followed one of your mandala patterns ( from your book  Boho Crochet ) : the Picot-Edge Mandala and it was very easy to crochet, but not relaxing, as I was thinking of you along each round of my work.. I'm not a mandala person usually, but I hope that the colours chosen for this mandala are really right to honour you and your love for the boho style… I'm joining in the  #MandalasForMarinke  collaborative crochet art project, promoted by  Kathryn Vercillo , that accepts crochet mandalas in Wink's honour and to raise awareness about depression. Dear Wink you will be missed… Dear Kathryn thank you for your initiative …. xxxx Alessandra

…. a couple of days ago, sent me an email with a colourful attachment …. Dear Ale, As promised I would send you a picture of your Christmas tree decorations. I’ve just posted them on my blog. I hope you like them? …. Do you think I love them ???? You don't have even to ask !!!!! They are absolutely GORGEOUS !!!! I really love the colours combinations and the little buttons on some of the trees!!!!! You may have a look at Tinie's  blog post , where you can find more colourful pictures and her words about the crocheted trees…. no worries if you don't read Dutch !!!! There is a translate button just on the right side of her blog page, so no excuses !!!!! ;oD THANK YOU TINIE, you made a lovely job and you made me so happy and proud (of you and my tutorial!)!!! xxxx Alessandra you are still in time to crochet a couple of  christmas tree decorations  ….. have fun crocheting!

…. I found the parcel sent by Alison (from the far Hebrides !!!), the lovely and witty hostess of  Tweed Thoughts …  !!!!! She organised a  giveaway  on her blog on the 8th of April and informed  me  that I was the winner few days later!!!!! ;oD These are the goodies that I won …. !!!!!!! …….. !!!!!!!! ……. her first  Tweedie Egg , with a big sentimental value and handmade with lot of love !!!! a lovely "cottage keychain", cute and useful!!! a trio of covered buttons : these are really amazing !!!!! an original tweedie egg card ( with its own envelope) : I was really spoiled !!!!!! Then the nice touch of adding a handwritten note and a couple of pages from the local gazette !!!!! Alison you made my day and I'm so happy of all the presents you gave me !!! The egg is so squishy : I love it in my hands!!!! I think it may be so kind if  you have a look at Alison's shops :  here  (Big Cartel) and  here  (Etsy...

….. to you all and to me, too!!!!! Right this morning, I received a parcel from Holland (Thank you Tinie!!)…. …. because I was one of the two lucky winners of this  GIVEAWAY  !!!! I tried to open the envelope with calm, so that I could see the content of it… … there was a little fight with my curious cat, but at the end I was able to take a decent pic of my new cowl and happy card ( I love Elmer the elephant : how did you know that Tinie????)…. Then, I had to try it on ….. !!!!! …… ….but I have to keep it for next winter time! For some days this cowl will stay here, where I can see it when using my laptop (so very often!) THANK YOU  TINIE , with all my heart !!!!! xxxx Alessandra ….. Tobia and my husband gave me these at breakfast time…. …. a real good day for me !!!! So spoilt !!!!! Love you boys!!!!!

Yes, it's true!!!!! Tanya , the sweet hostess of  LITTLE THINGS BLOGGED , asked me to prepare a little crochet photo tutorial for her readers and from today you'll find it  HERE!!!!!!! Have a look and let me know if you like it!!!! Thank you Tanya for your kindness (and work!!!! ;oD) and for giving me this great opportunity !!!! Love, xxxx Alessandra You can find my revelry notes  HERE  !!!

This time was  Claudia's turn  to surprise me with her beautiful little Christmas tree decoration ….. If you go to her blog ( Linhas imagina'rias ) , you can see more pictures of her work and some useful tips!!!! Thank you Claudia for showing me such beauty!!!!! ;oD xxxx Alessandra

….of my  Christmas tree decorations  !!!!!! Do you believe that???? I'm still confused about the popularity of this pattern, but it makes me so so HAPPY!!!! This is  Debi's version  …. I love the use of colourful buttons for the centres and for the star at the top!!!! It's really fascinating to see how each crafter has personalised her own work!!!! Debi, a huge thank you from the heart for this and your lovely words !!!! I think you have to pay a visit to Debi (a prolific crocheter), who is the witty and generous ( "the guardian grandmas" project) hostess of  hooks and yarns  !!!!! Say hi from me!!! Thank you!!! xxxx Alessandra

This time from  Jenneke , who made one of my  christmas trees  differently… … on a canvas (have a proper look here ) !!!!! Her blog header has the same picture with her tree!!!! So nice!!!! Thank you Jenneke for this lovely surprise!!!!! The challenge is going on : who will be next???? ;oD xxxx Alessandra

Heather, the sweet, witty and sensitive hostess of  my little red suitcase , crocheted one of my  little christmas tree s…. and I think her decoration came out beautifully…. …..after reading her  dedicated post  (!!!!!!) I was speechless….. for me this is a sweet Christmas present for sure!!!! Thank you Heather, with all my heart! I think she deserves a nice visit from you all!!! So, don't be shy and say "Hi" to  Heather  ! Thank you! At the beginning of December, I sent a little parcel (a belated birthday gift…. shame on me!!!!!) to another bloggy friend :  Nic , the excellent photographer and witty hostess of  LUZIA PIMPINELLA  blog!!! As a gorgeous and lovely thank you, Nic made a beautiful picture of the given presents and she sent it to me (as an attachment to a nice email!)… …..speechless, AGAIN!!!!!!! Thank you ladies, you made my weekend!!!! xxxx Alessandra happy weekend!!!!

…. made by  Tammy , following my  photo tutorial  (!!!!!!!!)….. …. honestly, she made two of them!!!!! I think you can visit her blog and read  her post  !!!!! Thank you Tammy for letting me know about your lovely trees : I feel so honoured and happy about people trying my tutorial!!! YIPPIE!!! Who will be next in showing their trees here on my blog???? You are all really welcome!!!! Thank you!!!!! xxxx Alessandra

I've discovered another crafty lady ( Syl at  Zaanse Zolder  !), who made some little trees following my  photo tutorial …. ….She made quite a few of them and I like the idea to use some buttons on the top of the trees, instead of the crocheted stars!!!! Brava Syl!!!!! I love your trees !!! If you are curious to have a look at the work of Syl, just click  here  !!!! Have fun!!!! xxxx Alessandra P.S. : …..and  here  (click szydelkowa !) you can find a link to my tutorial!!!!! Thank you  Polskie Handmade  !!!!!

In this post you'll find the complete list of bloggers who participated at this glorious and colourful  Crafty Christmas Link-Up  !!! Just click on the links and you'll be sent to the selected tutorial!!!! Have fun !!!! (Links for mosaic A) Felt House Gift Tag Holder – I ManuFatti http://imanufatti.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/crafty-christmas-tutorial-link-up.html Christmas Trinket Hoop Mobile – Carina’s Craft Blog http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/2013/11/tutorial-christmas-trinket-hoop-mobile.html Felt Polar Bear Ornament – La Creature and You http://lacreatureandyou.com/2013/11/18/polar-bear-ornament-diy-tutorial/#more-2659 Christmas Hoop – Claire Payne http://clairesblog.paynedesign.co.uk/2013/11/18/tutorial-hoopy-christmas-to-you/ Embroidered Christmas Mug Rug – Button Button http://button-button.co.uk/retro-mug-rug-tutorial/ Polymer Clay Star Ornaments - Saraccino http://saraccino.blogspot.com/2013/11/catch-star-crafty-christmas-tuto...