Scrapbooking weekend

We escaped the city for the long weekend in June, and headed out to Zaagkuilsdrift Lodge.  After settling in on Friday morning, we got down to scrapbooking. 

 

 

 The reception area was turned into our scrap room for the weekend

 

Lynn's husband Richard joined us on Saturday afternoon 

Leonie & Rika 

Sunset drive on the farm - Jaco is one of the Lodge owners 

We saw 3 Marsh Owls just before sunset -  it was a very special moment for all of us

On Sunday, Gerrie (the other Lodge owner) made gorgeous cupcakes for us

 

I love visiting Zaagkuil and I love scrapbooking so it was a weekend of total joy for me.  I will be back, hopefully soon.

 

The Rhythm of the Needles

 

Our regular crocheting and knitting group gathered at Urban Angel in Boskruin recently for a beautiful afternoon of crocheting and knitting and good food and lots of laughs.  We meet every 2 months for a few hours of crocheting and knitting, but also sharing ideas and inspiration.

 

Frances and her granddaughter Gabi

Lynn is knitting a beautiful baby blanket 

Anne and Anne 

Anne is super-talented at knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking....

Nicky and her daughter Gabi

My poncho is almost done, just another 15 squares to finish 

Pat has made a beautiful poncho that we all want to have  

My sister Caron popped in for a visit 

 

The ladies donated 10 crocheted blankets for the township animals who are supported through Animal Allies - thank you!!  In total, we donated 15 blankets and several bags of pet food to them on Monday. 

 

It was a totally gorgeous afternoon with special ladies, this day made me very very happy.  Can't wait for the next one in August.

 

Kitchen renovation

I have hated my kitchen ever since I bought my home several years ago.  The previous owners 'renovated' the kitchen (seriously - what were they thinking?!) and the result was brown walls, brown cupboards and a brown floor. 

 

 

I didn't want to do a total renovation of the kitchen as this would be over-capitalizing on the property, but I've decided to stay in my home for a few more years, so I needed to at least 'disguise' the horrible brownness (yes - that's the technical term for butt-ugly coloured kitchens!). 

 

Renato from Ned and Nancy's repainted the existing cabinets and wall tiles 'Paris Grey' using Annie Sloan chalk paint, and I'm loving the result. 

 

 

Renato has a great team that finished the job in 2 half days and 1 full day.  It's taking a while longer to unpack each cupboard, wash out the shelves and contents, and I'm uncluttering as I go.  I'm a happy bunny in the kitchen now.

 

 

Crochet blanket

Tadaaaa!  I have finally finished my little ripple blanket.  I started it late last year when Leonie and I visited the BeInspired studio in Durban, and it's taken a while to finish.  It's meant to be a little knee blanket, and it's totally gorgeous! 

 

 

Thank you to Chantal Whiteford from BeInspired for teaching Leonie and I to ripple, and for the recommendations on the Scheepjes wool colours!

 

Crochet project

Hello June.  Hello winter.

 

I support Animal Allies, which is a non-profit organisation that does sterilisations and provides medical care for township animals.  Malaika was a township kitty before coming to live with Ruby and I.

 

Every month, Malaika and I make a donation to Animal Allies.  I've also been collecting bags of kitty food to donate to them.  I recently used up some scrap wool to crochet a little blanket to donate to one of the township kitties.