Trying something different 

I’m always creating new things in my head, but often it doesn’t come to an actual product. Thoughts like ‘it already has been made’ or ‘no one is waiting for this’ keep me from getting further than the idea.

Every now and then I manage to start..this is one of those days.

We’ll see if it works out, at least it’s delightfully to be busy with creativity! 

 Ca(c)t(us) photobomb!

It’s been a while since I crocheted a cactus, so I had to practice a bit with creating the right shapes. 

But I think it turned out right. Well, at least the cat fell in love right away as you can see!

 

Working in a nice environment

As a few of you might know, I’m (besides a lover of vintage and cats) a huge plantlover too!

Those little green friends are a big inspiration for my embroidery and crocheted work.

…slowly the living room is becoming a small jungle!

 

 Unique present for a newborn

When a baby is born, it’s nice to give something special. 

So when I was asked to make a custom baby present, I immediately started designing.

A small personal touch for this little baby girl’s nursery room.

More Nude Dudes

Always having fun when crocheting these little naked fellows for the brand Dicks Don’t Lie!

 

Custom Baby Mobile

It was quite a challenge making this custom Baby Mobile, because these cats and dog had to be the spitting image of the client’s pets. 

Sadly, one of the cats recently passed away at the age of 28. In memory of it, I designed this mobile.

Despite the sad reason, this definitely why I love working on commission: it couldn’t be more personal and heartwarming than this! 

 

Oh, what a year!

It’s hard to believe that this year is almost over…

Well, time flies when you’re having fun with designing and making (custom) orders!

Above you see a few of the most wonderful moments at a glance.

Thanks for all your support and a Happy New Year to you all!

 

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Unfortunately this Christmas will be as small and simple as last year; due to Covid we can’t get together with all of our loved ones…

But don’t forget: stay positive and enjoy all the things we do have!

New in my Etsy Shop!

 Custom cross-stitch quotes in a handmade wooden frame. 

These little cross stitch frames are truly a nice gift for every friend or relative! 

Do you have an acquaintance that loves something in particular, a colleague that likes to tease you with a sentence over and over again or a family member that has a weird habit?

Than let me embroider a perfectly customized design for you! 

Order your own design here.

 

A collaboration with DDL!

Together with the brand Dicks Don’t Lie I designed these little Nude Dudes, aren’t they cute?!

This handmade nudamental is a tiny mini-me from the owner of the brand!

If you’re interested in owning one of these limited edition dolls, go to his website:

www.dicksdontlie.com

 

Studio days

The lovely weather of autumn is still here and those sunny days are the most precious.

Working in the warmth of the sun behind the windows of my studio is really a bless!

And little naughty kitty-cat can’t get enough of it too..

Autumn Colours

Oh, I love autumn so much!

It always reminds me of my childhood; the time of excitement up to my birthday.

Not just the colours, but also the smell and the rustling of the leaves provoke an intensely happy feeling, yet somewhat melancholic...

  

Baby Mobile Wildlife

Only just added this Australian themed gift to my Etsy shop, when it was already selected by a customer to actually be sent to…Australia!

It's quite special to know that a little baby girl is playing with this Dutch handmade mobile on the other side of the world :)

 

Happy World Animal Day

It’s te 4th of October, so spoil your little four legged hairy friend to the fullest!

 

Little Car Key Chain

Vroom vroom, this little car is going cross-country to a new home!

It was a nice surprise when I got an order on etsy from another Dutch creative; someone I also followed on instagram!

Miekesmakes bought this key ring for the keys to her car.

Thanks for your order and enjoy your little car (key chain)! 

 

Monkey Monday!

One of my favourite gifts for a little one is this baby mobile: it is easy to attach to a stroller or playpen with the Velcro straps. The toy contains a rattle for even more fun!

If you want to give a personal present, choose for the little bibbed version with the initials or name from the newborn/little one on it.

The figures are equipped with safety eyes and it is possible to wash the toy gently by hand.

 

May the Force be With You

Really enjoyed making this Star Wars themed baby mobile!

Even though I was constantly reminded by the well-known melody in my head while crocheting it.

Ah well, let's just say this: a person has to give something to achieve a desired result ;)

 

Happy International Cat Day

This little rascal is my favorite buddy while crocheting, embroidering and working in my studio. She wants to be wherever I am, as curious as she is.

She never leaves my side...and actually I’m totally fine with that!

Commissioned work

Quite often I get special requests, this quote is one of them.

Some thoughts or sayings have such a special meaning or special place in a person's heart, that he would like to make them tangible…

 

Mini cross stitch

Sometimes it’s nice to try something different, like this little cross stitch frame.

Instead of working in the usual size on this embroidery fabric, I chose to make very small crosses.

Love the way it worked out: they almost look like pixels in a photograph and the image gets a more natural look.

 

Making custom orders

If you want your quote, name or any other idea you’ve got designed in cross stitch? Don’t hesitate to contact me.

Together we can brainstorm and let magic happen!

I love to make and create new patterns.

 Don’t forget: personalized quotes are always unique and very special as a present!

Happy Easter

Time of Easter and spring is in the air! Oh, how I love this time of the year: the smell of new plants, flowers and the sound of lovely birds..

These crossstitch frames on the picture are partly made in my sunny backyard!

 

Time to vote!

Voting was a bit different this year during Covid-19; our well known ‘red pencil on a chain’ was gone for hygienic reasons. Instead, each voting citizen was given a pencil as a gift.

Every municipality had its own version. 

A special memento of an eventful year ...

 

 

Happy customer

After a post with my cross stitch frames on instagram and facebook I got a bunch of orders!

Of course this was a lovely surprise and I started immediately with embroidering. To make the little works even more unique, I desided to make the wooden frames by hand too.

 It’s always nice to see where your work goes when it’s finished, so I was very pleased to receive this picture from

Kootje Spek!

A perfect place to hang these Crazy Li’l Stitch Frames!

 

 

 

Cross-stitch

Cross stitch embroidery always had my interest, but somehow I didn't get around to it. 

I already did some freehand embroidery (without a pattern) in the past, but cross-stitch embroidery seemed like a very coarse manner of working to me.

 

But after I got the book 'Borduren voor Bitches' as a present, a new world opened up to me!

In stead of the old fashioned ‘boring and well behaved method’, I discovered a whole new dimension of cross stitch embroidery:

It’s all about the message, not just the frivolous image. 

This way I can create something personal and funny that makes other people (and myself included) laugh!

 

 Find more about the book 'Subversive Cross Stitch' 

from Julie Jackson

on this site.

 

 

 

A walk in the neighborhood

 Went out for a long walk in the regional forest today. It was really foggy, but the landscape was so scenic: drenched in mood and melancholy.

We must cherish these moments. Especially in times of uncertainty, nature can gives us strength and peace.

 

 

This holiday season is all about home

 Here is a collection of moments from this year... 

Creativity, lots of plants, my cat & my dearest ones have kept me going in times of limitations and solitude. 

Looking forward to the closing of 2020 and brighter days ahead!

 

 

 

 

Flying cow

 An otherworldly fun assignment: a customized baby mobile with a UFO, stars, clouds and the moon!

It was so much fun to make this baby mobile. 

I planned to make a design with lots of planets around the flying saucer, but the saucer became really big...

So I decided to make just a few simple shaped objects in plain colours; in the end it's all about the alien of course!

 (partly after a pattern by Lalylala)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy World Animal Day

 Look at this little cutie pie: isn't she lovely?

 Can't believe she's already 7 years with me. When I got her, she was so incredibly small, everyone was afraid to step on her. 

She's still not very big, but definitely not to be overlooked!

 

 

 

 

Baby presents

 When friends tell me they're pregnant or going to have a baby, it's quite obvious I give them a handmade present!

Most of the time I ask them to make a picture of the little one with the custom made toy, because when they are happy, I am happy!

 

 

 

 

               

 

Quarantine

 What a strange time it suddenly is! We can't go out, can't go to work and have to stay at home.

Just trying to ease into self isolation by doing things I postponed, like repairing my sneakers by embroidering them (with a surprisingly nice result)!

 

Also put a nice vintage teddy bear in front of the window; he is playing hide & seek for everyone who's wandering outside..

Stay safe everyone, we will get trough this!

 

 

Everyday photographs

 My Siamese cat Zusje (little sister in Dutch) is always very interested in all sorts of stuff lying around in the house, she is so curious! She even opens my new vintage apple basket just to see what's inside!

Unfortunately my yarns are no longer safe now...

 

 

 

The end of another year

Again, another year is over and a new one begins.

Here's to a whole new year of possibilities. I hope yours is filled with joyful moments, even ones as small as the tiny crocheted shrimp in the middle of this collage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday

 Quite often someone orders an baby present or brooch just before leaving, so even when I'm on a holiday I need to bring my yarns. But that's no problem, 'cause I love to crochet in the sun!

This picture was taken on our way to France.

Such a nice background; it looks like little tiger is taking of with his balloon!