20 weeks, 20 to go!!!

This is actually the first time I made photos of my bulging belly. To celebrate half way mark. Twenty weeks to go and it will be done!!!! Well, the belly part anyway.
I realize that I went a bit nuts with post editing - backgrounds and all. But for my defense - I just felt like it!

Moroccan Organic Farm

It was a class field trip - my first one. And oh boy was it great! well, except the fact that it was deadly hot and I managed to get a sunburn. But, then again, I am in Africa after all...

Back to the farm - it was great: down to earth, functional, and great considering organic farming is a bit of a novelty in Morocco still. Maybe it is a good thing - people who are adopting the style are enthusiastic and doing it for the right reasons. My experience from the UK is rather different - I was working for the organic company for about five years. The start was similar  - team of great enthusiasts, but with time it developed into a superficial fashion thing. Appearances came first, a sad reality. 

Anyway, some photos from the trip.

New beginnings

There have been a lot of changes in my life recently - new job (great and exciting!), plus I found out that I will be a mum around February (Exciting and super scary!). The last news has turned my life upside down.  There are so many things to think about - this is all new to me! After the exhausting first trimester - think I was sleeping in average 15 hours a day, I feel great.
With the news all my crafting aspirations have  turned towards baby stuff. First on the line are baby blankets. I have finished one and am half way through the zig zag one, which I actually prefer. As the latter  one is rather thick, it will serve as a play mat.
I am thinking about knitting overalls, but so far haven't been able to get yarn from natural fibers, just acrylic. I'm not giving up and keep looking with hope....

trial

file:///Users/student/Desktop/web/Adobe%20Web%20Photo%20Gallery.html

Exotic Garden

So I have been a bit away - busy and tired. Haven't done much crafty stuff. However, here is a pic from Exotic Gardens in Rabat - really cool place, which has existed in here for a longest time, just a bit hidden in the outskirts of the city!

My first granny square

As much as I love to crochet - and i DO love to crochet, I have never made a granny square. So this week was my first. Might be the beginnings of a blanket. However, I'm not too sure how to join them - my technique doesn't look right to me. This should be the subject of some more testing.

Braided bracelets

I was asked to make some party favors for children birthday party. One of them is going to be braided bracelets. So, yesterday after six hour braiding marathon, I managed to finish 16 of them. Have to say, I really enjoy making these little things. Might make some for myself using thin leather string and pearls - seen some on sale the other day. It looks great in my mind, not sure about reality, guess we will have to see about that!

Red garden flowers

Noticed yesterday that there are three flowers up in the garden. Well, its not really a garden, not really sure what to call it - a massive dark red colored veranda with some plants in it. And sometimes, a few flowers show up.... Here is a photo of it even though the dark background is far from ideal.

Crochet project ideas.

So I am planning to move. Soon. Hopefully soon. It means that I can dream/plan all the things I will make to make my home lovely and happy. Handmade home.

One of those things would be crochet denim rug. It would give me the opportunity to recycle couple of pairs of old jeans. Plus, in my head it looks really nice. The only issue might be the amount of jeans needed to make a whole carpet - I'm worried that I might be tempted to use up all the jeans I have, leaving me with not much to wear. But, I guess I will solve that obstacle when I'll come to that. Some photos from google for ideas:

The other ideas are revolving around colorful and happy looking furniture covers. Thinking mostly chairs. A bit of a homage to Ingrid Jansen, who is making awesome crochet chair covers and other amazing things.  Here is her website:

 http://www.woodwoolstool.com 

and blog: 

http://woodwoolstool.blogspot.com/

These are wonderful, creative and super inspiring sites!

Wood & wool stool.

Curtain to be...

I am making a crochet curtain. It is a slow process. Very slow process. But think I'm almost finished. Decided to make it a bit colorful - white, lilac and blue. The problem is that I am out of all my lilac yarn and can't find more of the same color. Think I just will continue with white? Needs a bit more contemplating...

This is what I have so far. 

finished shelves and a workdesk

I finally finished painting my ugly office shelves and a desk. Have to say - pretty pleased with myself! They are still in their temporary location, hoping to move ... soon... hopefully... But in the mean time, happy with them as they are. In the new place they are subject to a further transformations. But that's another story. 

London wish list. Part 1.

I am planning a London trip around end of July - haven't been there for almost half a year! It is a long time. So, besides all the pleasant commitments that have to be made - seeing friends - yippee, I'm also planning a bit of a stock up shopping trip. Since my luggage allowance is around 23 kg, have to keep it light. And, since I like to be prepared early, will start my wish list now- two months ahead. Just things, mostly home stuff, that are worth checking out! Here is part one - Urban Outfitters and Laura Ashley.

Urban Outfitters Home

Laura Ashley Home

Shelf project.

I found it very difficult to find good looking, but reasonably priced shelves here in Morocco. Decent furniture is really overpriced over here! RRHH!!
So I ended up with the garish looking office shelves. Have to say, didn't get them myself it was a surprise from my dear other half.... Well, it was very sweet of him...
So I decided to beautify them a bit.  I started with one. Just in case. First, covered it with white paint, then with lightest blue. Brushed it over with sand paper and the end result is - beautiful!! Really happy with the end result!  Here are some pics:

With its ugly twin. 

youth centre photos

Note for the guys from youth centre: all the photos are in my facebook page. 

Pretty impressive!

I have been doing lots of work with moroccan youth recently - photos of them. Although the process is been a little like a true christening with fire(?), the really positive and inspiring side of it all as been getting to know young locals and all the impressive stuff they get up to!

Home...

some random photos of home, mostly trees, guess I miss all of it. A bit.

Blue photos

I have been thinking about my photos recently, about the whole thing in general.
And the conclusion - most of them are  a bit sad and lonely.... Don't know really why? Maybe because I do most of my photos when I'm a bit down.  It's like Antoine D'Agata (pretty sure I've made a few mistakes in the spelling??) said - he photographs only when he is miserable. Happy=no photos. That's the way things roll...

Heart cloud!!!

Sometimes it's a good thing to keep your head in the clouds! You can discover wonderful shapes - here is one - heart shape cloud - really lovely!!!

ShadowBoy dress

Lazy Wednesday morning.....
Found a boring grey dress and fabric pastels....
Decided to turn the dress a bit less boring...
Think I pulled it off, kinda like the end result - a shadow boy dress!

SpringFlowers.

It.s April already! Can't believe I have been living in Morocco for 9 months already - three quarters of a year!! Time goes so fast - too fast.....

Moroccan treasure box

I have been to the artisan quarters in Rabat before, but somehow missed the shop that sells all sorts of moroccan treasures.

Love Itself

I turns out I don't have many photos of Rabat - the city I'm living. Well, actually I have, but I don't really like many of them for one reason or other. However, I found some. Taken for the project last year called "Love Itself" inspired by Leonard Cohen's poem - sad, sad love story...
Essentially they are photos of Rabat, not very conventional ones, but that is why I actually like them.
Here is three of them: