2014 is the year of World Travel!

Hello 2014! I hope you had a good time celebrating the holidays! Now, why has it been so quiet on my blog? Well, I'm busy preparing for the trip of my life....

Since last year, inbetween the cooking, crochet and the short weekendtrips (like London, Paris and Stockholm), I've been saving my money carefully. And now I can share with you that, I'll be travelling the world in 2014! I'm in for some longterm travelling, starting in May for at least for 5 months (although, I still have an open-end-ticket).
 I started a bilingual travelblog(Dutch and English), first of all for family and friends, but of course if interested: you're more than welcome to follow along and share your own travel stories and tips.  I've already started my weekly posts (count on weekend days). 
Also, If you are on Twitter, you can follow me @roosroundtworld. 

Now, I need to find a new balance to manage both of my blogs... wish me luck!

(almost) a year of crochet!

You know how, when you think you get the hang of something, you lose it? Right. That's where I got with blogging. Consistancy, I'm working on it, really. 

In the mean time I kept on working some crochet projects. I decided to use my instagram to share some real time progress, so if interested, see you there! Although not everything I try actually turns out as pretty and beautiful as in my mind. Thanks to my not so advanced crochet skills (working on that too). Thankfully, other projects do. Like these yummy looking cupcakes.

They both need some improvement though, so I hope to come up with a pattern some time later. 

It's crazy to think that I learned crochet less than a year ago! I finished my very first crochet project ever 19th of September to be precise!

I thought it would be fun to share what I've finished along the way (as much as possible). 

It all started with, the black hole cowl pattern of Elletrain knits. Although I made it with chuncky brown and white yarn and left out the button hole (way too advanced at that point). 

It was scarf mania after that

This was my own 'design' using the Easy shell stitch I had just learned then via New stitch a day (great website for the very basics of knitting and crochet!). I added a picot stitch crochet trim pattern by My two butterflies.  (scroll halfway the page for the written pattern).

Next, the Elise Shawl designed by Evan Plevinski (via ravelry) I'd been eying on Pinterest a while, by now I dared to give it a go.

Although my thread was a little thinner and my blocking did not work so well ( I tried!), Still one of my favorites.

Next another big scarf. The idea was to work on this project on a 24+ hour bus trip to Rome. But I finished it just a few days before leaving. So, this baby kept  me warm in Italy and celebrated new year with me! I'm working on another one right now (as a commission). It's the  Chevron lave wrap pattern by Mooglyblog. Although, I substracted by 20 stitches. It's a favorite, nice and warm for the cold Winters.

Next up, my very first Amigurumi project I wrote about earlier! The cutie was a birthday gift for my little niece (on the other side of the world, so this babe made a long trip). 

She was in the very good company of five different amigurumi's. 

Then there's the bag I also wrote about earlier. 

Made a second one now, slightly different, for my aunt.

The little bunny I also posted about.

And my very first patterned Summer Cactus.

And I made two cuties (another rabbit, and a cRoly Poly cat by Nina Shimizu via Ravelry) for my little nieces who came for a sleep over. Of course it took too long to make according to the girls. But what a joy to see them running around with their new friends!

For just the evening hours and some weekends, that's quite a lot I think...

Leaving you with a link to song that's makes me smile everytime it shows up on shuffle playlist.

Seeing Stars a free download by La Honda. A band with lead vocal by the great British artist Rumer. La Honda was the first band she was in Rumer writes on her facebook. Their CD will be released soon.

Let's talk bags

Some women like shoes, some like clothes and if you know me, you'd now I like bags. A lot. Maybe a bit too much. Since I have so many, I decided I'd swop the bags I already have a little more often... Somehow I managed to get myself two new bags this week...Now, let me explain this to you.

Impulse buy

I went out for my lunch break this week and I could not resist this off white bag from Sacha.I have to admit, the price tag of over 50% discount helped with that. In my defense I also like to mention this was a complete impulse buy. I actually went in search of a pair of ballerina flats (I left a worn out pair in London) that I did not find.

Ok, that's the part I spent money. The second bag did not come with such ease. I worked for that one. I crochet one. After I completely unraveled this first bag I made (it was too small, bulky and not really what I expected) ...

I came up with this bag: 

I would give you the advice, if in doubt on a chrochet project, let it sit for a few days or so and if you're still not sure, unravel. You might get something better back for it. I'd say I did for sure. I love this bag already.

Materials used:

• red/cream striped zpagetti/textile yarn from Hoooked. 
• grey Zpagetti/textile yarn I picked up at Blokker a while ago
• two belts I bought on sale at V&D
• four rings I cut off an old bag that I threw out, because it was old and broken. 
• old scarf I never wear anyway

I did not follow a pattern really. I wrote just wrote along the first four rows. Which were not really rows, but rounds really. But at least I can give you the starting chain and help start off, because once you've got yourself a bottom, it's fairly simple.

1. Chain 28

2. Double Crochet (US term) in the 4th chain from the hook. Double Crochet in every chain, 4 DCs in the last chain. Proceed on the other side of the chain and three DCs in the last chain. Slip stitch in the top three chain.

4. repeat two rows with Single Crochet and don't forget to decrease in at the last four stiches.

5. Switch to the main colour of the bag and DC around.

I'm not exactly sure of this description though. But my mom asked me to make one for her too, so I hope to come up with a proper pattern in time...

Lining the bag was quite a challenge and all thanks go to my mom and her sewing machine. I'm new to machine sewing. As in, I had my first try on one side of sewing the lining for this bag. The scarf fabric was not the best material to start of with though...

After a little inside bag was made, I pinned and hand stitched it to the bag. 

Attaching the belts was fun. I tried different ways and ended up with this, more or less by accident.

Lots of space inside.

Take care and have a wonderful week!

Blog update: Time for a change..

It's been a while, hasn't it? It feels like that's the ever returning sentence the last few months. Hope you don't mind though. You might have read, that I've been busy living real life. Which is a great thing (you should try it too ;)).

I've picked up my Pinterestaccount again. It's been sitting and waiting for me a while and just when I was about to throw out the account, I decided to give it one more try. It's actually quite fun. To be honest it has taught me a five things about myself:

• You can learn something from zero to something. I learned crochet via the tutorials on pinterest. I'm  kicking out scarf after scarf since. Tell you more about that another time.
• I like lists and getting organized (i'm always trying something). There are numerous great tips and tricks I did not know about. I'm testing a bunch of them right now...Like the filofax planner. 
• I do like having girl time every once in a while more than I thought. Playing clothes, bags (many bags) and a tidy bit of make-up.
• I actually found my current haircut inspiration on Pinterest.

But most of all, pinterest led me to many, many inspirational blogs. And that's when I realized. I like my blog, but it's stuck in a scedule that is unrealistic to say, posting everyday. I'm not feeling foodie every friday you know?! Less topic-crampy. That's how it felt sometimes the last few months. Not good. 

So, I decided to change some things over the next few weeks. More personal, less topic tight.

I need a plan.

Will be working on that and see you all bright and sparkling in 2013!

Rosanne

Thankful Thursday

It doesn't hurt anyone to remind yourself of how lucky you are and to be thankful for that. So, here's a little list that puts a smile on my face.

• I'm thankful for being able to learn new things (chrochet!). It makes life fun.
• And I'm thankful for the fact people invite me their home. In addition to that, I'm thankful for being able to bring a gift. 
• People bring conversations, most of the time. Which I'm also thankful for, because they give me a chance to learn, laugh and be inspired. 
• It's World animal day. And I have two sweet rabbits that I'm thankful for. They make me smile when i look outside. Of course they got a treat today, they earned it. 
• I had a I-feel-so-blessed-moment about a week ago when catching this rainbow (actually it's two):

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

Thankful Thursday

Time flies when life is happening. Let's press hold for a moment and be thankful.

• Being able to travel is a luxury I'm thankful for. It opens my eyes and at the same time reminds me of all the things and people, possibilities I have at home.
• I'm thankful for the moments that I can laugh at moments that could be bad (like being splashed in the rain by a passing car when you're on your bicycle...). Just because you're feeling good. Must be in a very good mood.
• Being able to vote. I'm very thankful for that! Even when it's a little struggle to make your choice. Having a choice in the first place is a gift.
• Being able to run in the open air and breath in fresh air and cathcing sunlight early morning.
• Meeting new people is fun and always something to be thankful for.

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

Thankful Thursday

It doesn't hurt anyone to remind yourself of how lucky you are and to be thankful for that. Here's my share of thankfulness.

Thanks for being healthy. I've been a little sick last week and it was such a good reminder (did I mention reminders hurt sometimes?).

Thankful for the sweet and lovely people I may call my friends and family: they're a gift. And they're so big, that it's impossible to wrap in fancy paper (that's why we forget they're a gift sometimes).

Is it a bad thing if I say I'm thankful for earning enough money to buy myself a ticket to a country on the other side of the planet? At least I worked for it ^_^

Which means having a job (especially right now) is a privilage, which make me feel thankful for being able to work.

Thanks for people who say sorry when they run into you ( I know, I'm not tall and easily overlooked) or just hit you (I assume by accident).

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

Thankful Thursday

It doesn't hurt anyone to remind yourself of how lucky you are and to be thankful for that.I had a bunch of thankful moments I'd like to share with you this week.

• Thanks for food. I know, it's a cliche. But I've been going out for diner a lot last week (and there's one more food-date tomorrow). It certainly is a luxury, and a blessing to my life it really is.
• Thanks for memories. They're there to hang on to at some moments.
• Surprises are always worth a thank you (espescially when they come from the other side of the world, by the good old mail).
• It's been Summer all the way this week. And although it's sticky and hot, I'm thankful for it. At least there is a summer :D
• I had this moment this week. I heard this song on my ipod (for the X-time) but it just hit me right there. I was like: it's so true what's being said here. It was Come to the well by Casting Crowns. I wrote about this great band a few weeks ago.
• I'm also very thankful that I took some me-time. It sounds very selfish, but you can't run for others all the time...

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

Thankful Thursday

It's been a long while since my last blog a few months ago (I can't believe it either), but I'm back and what's a better way to return with a bunch of thank yous!

• I've had plenty of moments the past few weeks that I felt a huge lack of time (sometimes 24 hours just isn't enough). But looking back: I'm thankful for those moments, because it means that I'm alive, on the move, growing, learning and discovering.
• Thanks also for honest people and good talks (I've had a bunch while I was bloff (means: no blog posts (off my blog)).
• Thanks for the birth of my healthy cousin (on the other side of the world).
• A little thanks for my new buddy: my new mobile phone, just because it's a new toy with new technologies that make me smile.
• I'm thankful for being healthy and being able to run, just because I feel like it. Even early in the morning.
• Thanks for the great, funny, sweet, crazy family moments (whole bunch of them!).
• You may have noticed I'm a Christian and because of that I'm thankful to know that God's always there for and with me.

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

Thankful Thursday

It doesn't hurt anyone to remind yourself of how lucky you are and to be thankful for that. It's been a little while, my last Thankful post is about a month ago...good time for a wrap-up reminder of thankfulness!

• Besides neglecting my blog for a bit, I haven't been online (as in: social media) so much. Surprisingly: I'm very thankful for that! Because it means I've been busy living my life in the real world and I'm more than thankful for that (having a life in the first place). 
• On the other hand, I've had some thankful moments for living in the facebook, skype and sharing-era (I mean, let's be honest it does make connecting and working together easier!).
• Yesterday I had a happy-in-the-rain-moment: thankful for that of course!
• Thankful for my (mobile) phone: I've used the thing a lot last month, having good conversations.
• K-Love is my new radio-station (only able to listen to it through my computer or ipod-app, though because I live in The Netherlands (read: miles away from their homeland USA). Thankful!
• The beautiful sunny day we have today (and the last few weeks or so) really got me into spring-mood).
• My mother has reorganized the attic: finding memories is a fun thing (and I'm thankful for my mum to keep stuff).
• The luxury of a (very well) filled closet of clothes is also something to be thankful for.

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely.

(B)Log #2:

In my (B)Log posts I share my experience of blogging with you every once in a while. Because blogging is a new thing, it has to find a place in my life. 

I found out that I have a favorite feature: Wisdom on Wednesday. It's so much fun to put that post together! But, the writing wasn't easy this week. The thing is: I only hit the pubish button if I like what I read. I think that's important, post and write about the things you would like to read. A half written post is not good enough. And also, I like to come up with my own photos or at least ask properly before using. I had a plan for the saturday from yestday, but it requiers some asking and emailing (maybe next week!). So, that was a bit of my struggle on blogging. But it is for the good because it will be good for the quality of my blogposts. Well, that's what I hope for.

So, if you read this and you're a blogger too, what's your stuggle with blogging?  
Let's take off to a new week!

Thankful Thursday

It doesn't hurt anyone to remind yourself of how lucky you are and to be thankful for that. So, I try to keep that up for myself by writing a post like this every week.

I missed out on last week although there were a lot of things to be thankful for. Like: a weekend full of sweet and lovely people and receiving mail from Taiwan (the real mail, with an envelope and post stamps, you know?).

Seven thankful moments this week:

• The beautiful (blue skies and some sunshine) real winter, including snow and freezing temperatures (-8 or more at some nights).
•  Have a (new!) coat to keep me warm for this winter weather.
• Being able to learn from other cultures. I visited the Chinese New Year Celebration in The Hague this year. Loud and fun.
• Having a brother and sister to have a laugh with.
• And to stick with the family thing: parents that care about me so much
• Photo memories (It was funny to see myself as a slightly chubby kid in the snow).
• The book Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark. It is such a help by starting up a new project and a lot of fun to read too.

Inspired by the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely

(B)log #1

Happy one week aniversity to The Bright Side of Life! 
I decided to share with you my experience of blogging every once in a while. Because blogging is a new thing, it has to find a place in my life.

And to help that (the giving blogging a place in my life), this week I've had fun comming up with features, linked to the days of the week. You've seen a few already: Wisdom on Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Food adventures on Friday and Scrapbook Saturday. This week I will introduce you to my Monday, Tuesday and Sunday features. I tied these names to topics that are important and fun to me. And with these features, it will be easier to plan ahead a little. That's what I will try to do today. Make a plan. Sort of (meaning: wish me luck ^_^).

One of the things I bummed into this week is whether it's ok to not post one day? I couldn't find the time on tuesday to post. Then I thought, this is my blog. I set the rules, right? Maybe guidelines is a better word. But it's good to have them writen down. So, I set up five guidelines for this blog:

• Post the things I really like.
• Use my own photos/art if possible...
• ...in all other cases: properly give credit (and send an email) to the original blogger/photographer/... (Very important!).
• It's not a crime to skip a day.
• Have fun (very important too)

Have a lovely week!
Rosanne

Thankful Thursday

It doesn't hurt anyone to remind yourself of how lucky you are and to be thankful for that. So, when I stumbled up on the blog of Julie of Perfectly Imperfect (please go visit her inspirational blog, it's lovely), reading her 7 things posts; I thought that's a great idea to try, just to remind myself of how lucky I am.

So, here are seven things I'm thankful for this week:

• The changing of seasons. This week we finally got some (slightly) freezing temperatures and with that I finally believed winter arrived. I felt like we've been stuck in Autumn for a long time now. And, as cold as it can be, I like the change.
• Beautiful clear blue and starry skies that  came with those freezy nights.
• Free knowledge. The Wikipedia blackout (and also others) reminded me and maybe you also, of how big the role of the internetconnection is to us in this age. I joke around sometimes saying: "if I don't know, Google knows." That's a kind of freedom that not everybody in this world has, so we better be thankful for that.
• Baking apple chips yesterday and watching them dry out in the oven (like a kid watching the laundry going round in the machine). I found the recipe on the Joli Gâteau blog (it's in Dutch). I will have to practise a little with the recipe, but the ones that came out really dry were yummy.
• Having a mother and daughter day at the Ikea store.
• Discover a bottle of honey in our kitchencabinet. Yum.
• Being surprised by two very sweet facebook messages, from sweet people.

How about you? What are you thankful for this week? Leave a reply and let me know!

Bloglovin'

Since I follow so many blogs (and the number is growing rapidly), I like Bloglovin' to keep track of all the new posts. If you like too: simply add me on your Bloglovin' profile.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Sunset

This view from my window is a must share.

                                                                                                                 

Beautiful Blue Monday

To brighten up the most depressing day of the year, I put together pictures of items that are beautiful, blue and make me smile.

clockwise: some 'blue books', a bracelet (bought in Romania some years ago), small wallet (bought in Taiwan last year), (part of) a dress (bought in Rome two years ago), Jeans ( that I'm wearing right now), three T-shirts.

Or maybe not so blue?
I'm part of the whole Blue Monday hype now. Hype, not an actual thing. I discovered some interesting things when I wanted to know who came up with the date. In 2005 a Cliff Arnal came up with a formula which had calculated the most depressing day on the monday in the last full week of January. But actually it was all PR for a traveling compagny (for the very obvious reason: sell (sunny, happy vacations). Very smart.

Want to know more about the story? Ben Goldacre, writer for The Guardian wrote a lengthy article on his blog in 2009 and a shorter article about this hype on The Guardian about a year ago.

The Bright side of Life (?)

There are many, many beautiful, funny, good and amazing things in life. I want to share some the small wonders of this world I found on the web with you every week or month or so. Just to let you know that the world is a beautiful place.

Those are the words that started a note on my facebook: #1. The bright side of life in April 2010. A short post in which I wrote about three things I found on the internet that I thought were worth sharing.

I posted a total of six of these kind of notes, once a month (sort of). The most recent post is from about a year ago. For those who are interested, you can find them on the tab The facebook notes. Then I switched to the microblog website Tumblr in May of 2011 (but keeping the title, The bright side of life). Loving the medium for the fact that I could also collect all the interesting, fun and inspiring things I found along the way. But now I feel like Tumblr is not giving me enough room to write. For me Tumblr is a visual thing, more than a text thing.

And now, there is the Bright side of Life-blog! This blog will continue the subjects I started with on my very first posts: music, travel, food, art and fun and inspiring things I find on the internet (such as DIY-projects that I did or put on my to-do-list).

I'm jumping into the world of blogging from today on.
Enjoy reading and wish me a little bit of luck!

Lots of love,
Rosanne