JJ Bolero

Started 5/27/11; Completed 6/21/11.

My sister loves my black bolero and tried unsuccessfully to take it from me. Don't take her side!!!! I was lucky enough to get away with some clothes. Besides she took all my summer sandals so I am left with the odd colored and rugged ones :( ...sigh!!

Anyway I found a great bolero knitting pattern (designed by Kelly Maher) and decided to knit one for her in her favorite color - purple.

6/4/11 - This is an easy knit and definitely a great project for a beginner knitter to advance their skills a little more if they want to. I love the lace pattern and the fact that minimal seaming is needed. Here is a great video on how to seam using the mattress stitch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvAS-HCWk9I

6/12/11 - C'est fini!!! I think it turned out pretty well. The pictures below show the bolero before blocking.

Baby boy Diaper Cake

Usually I like to have time to come up with my creations but this weekend I only had a few hours to make this diaper cake and cook the assigned dish for a baby shower. Let's just say it was a hectic Saturday morning running around trying to come up with a theme for the cake but I made it. Phew!!!

Contact me for your own custom-made diaper cake.

Once I figured out what colors I wanted in the cake, it was a breeze finding what to put in it despite the limit in colors available for baby boys.

The top tier had rose sock cupcakes that were laced with mitten frosting on the side. 

The cake topper held messages for the lovely couple.

The cake center was decorated with blueberry burp cloths and chocolate ribbon lacing for an additional tantalizing effect.

The bottom tier was made from buttercream diapers, chocolate ribbon lacing, and teething ring frosting.

It was a delicious cake....YUMMY!!!! ;-) 

Get your own socks!!!

Started 4/19/11, Completed 4/30/11

Below is a picture of my once beautiful crochet socks.

To prevent further damage to my socks, I just had to knit a pair for my boyfriend so that he could stop destroying my socks.

Now his feet can stay warm and cozy and I can have some warm socks for myself :) I better knit more!!

Culture, History, Beauty

It is ironic how I did not appreciate what my country had to offer in terms of culture, history, and beauty. Now that I have lived abroad for so many years, my eyes and heart have been opened to what my country has to offer. Last week my family and I traveled to Mombasa which is in the eastern coast of the country. On the trip, I took pictures of the changing landscape, the hardworking farmers selling their produce, some wildlife, and of course the beautiful beaches.

 

 

 

I wish I could wake up to this every day.

Once again I was inspired by what I saw around me. The patterns on the native fabrics and the crafts sold at the Maasai Market are amazing!! It's not like this is my first trip home, but for some reason this trip is different.

I only have a few more days to enjoy the sunshine before going back to the rain and cold in the USA. Sigh!!!

Coming home

Having battled cold, hail and rain at the Cherry Blossoms festival this year, the warmth and heat of Nairobi city is a welcoming relief. Like every visit, I am hit by the overwhelming development of the city I once was so familiar with. Construction of apartment building dots every neighborhood and the congestion of cars edging to and from downtown is a sign of an every growing city.

This morning, I had a hearty breakfast of Farmer's Choice sausages. I savored every bite and was disappointed when they were all gone. But that was quickly replaced with the satisfaction of eating chapati (like naan) and ndegu (split peas), nduma (a type of yam), and fruit salad with mango, banana, passion fruit, pineapple, and pawpaw. YUMMY!!!!

 

What is great is the inspiration that is everywhere - from the beautiful flowers and trees, to the fabrics, metalwork, woodwork and beadwork made by local artisans. The colors, textures, lines all blend in wonderfully to create a picture words cannot explain. The picture below is one of the several African set ups my mom has around the house. This one is of 3 gourds and a sisal basket holding dried flowers. I love the patterns on the gourds and the texture in the basket.

I took some pictures of various flowers and trees. The beautiful nature in this country is wonderful. God is such an amazing creator.

 

 

 

From all this I am getting so many ideas for various projects I could work on. Its like my mind is being opened to see things as I would never see them before. It's both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time.

My layaway on this trip was in Istanbul, Turkey. I am disappointed in myself for not taking more pictures but I will do so on my way back to USA. I was so impressed with the decor of some of the restaurants in the airport. If the airport is just a taste of the country and culture then Turkey is definitely a place to visit. I thought it was ironic though to have the English telephone booth.