(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.

Sunday Sounds - Nicole Croteau

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music. 

This blog post serie helps, inspires and motivates me to go and discover more and more of the Christian music scene, If I may put it that way. I mean it's not like I can find those records in my regular cd store (which is a shame sometimes). But hey, that's why there's internet. Youtube, itunes, spotify and all those internet-radio stations get me in the loop.

Spotify brought me to the music of Nicole Croteau.
The music has written folky all over. And it's beautiful. Good for the quiet moments. Good for the feel like dancing moments too. All songs are little stories, so I share with you a fitting song Storyteller from her latest release Anchors&silhouettes.

Have a happy sunny blessed sunday.

Sunday Sounds - Mandisa

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music. 

There are songs that just give you a boost. 'Good Morning' from Mandisa (ft. Toby Mac (I'll write about him some other time, because he rocks too!)) is one of those songs.

Mandisa was in the top 9 of American Idol in 2006. Now, she has four albums out. The song that got her name out to me was on her latest album 'What if we were real'. A beautiful album inspired by the struggles in life in an empowering way.


Volume open, play and there you go fire up your day (like I did):

Sunday Sounds - Lecrae

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music. 


A little while ago I stumbled up on Lecrae. Very happy to discover this artist! He brings some beats and urban sound in the mix. I share with you his honest song Just Like You. It's serious, honest and fun (referring to Jack Sparrow just made me smile).

Sunday Sounds - The Afters

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music.

Last week I was caught by music from the band The Afters. Another honest band. And, believer or not, if you read this lyric from 'Life is Beautiful' from their upcomming album, it's a truth right?


A father's love, A wedding dance, New Year's dreams, A toast with friends, A soldier coming home from war, The faith the hope of so much more, A brand new life, a mother's prayer, Shooting stars, ocean air, A lover's kiss, and hard goodbyes, Fireworks, Christmas lights


These are things that make us feel alive, These are the times that make us realize
Life is beautiful

And for the record, they're not just good writers, I assume they can make some good coffee too, since they met while working at Starbucks.

Enjoy and feel blessed!

Tuesday Tunes: Linkin Park

Ok, so I've been featuring soul-kind-of music mostly. But I like a bit of guitars too every once in a while. 

Linkin park does a good job on that for me. And I get some beats and a bit of a hip-hop flow as a bonus. I watched their live show via the livestream of Itunes-festival, last year. That convinced me to put this band on my try-to-catch-live-list.

Very happy to share with you a full-concertvideo of this world-famous (because that's a fact) band from a live concert, from the LP-blog on their website :


linkinpark_nokia_deliverable_4000k

Myspace Livestream | Myspace Video

Scrapbook Saturday: inspiration from print -Part II

Saturday is a day for creativity. Painting, craft, dance, drawing, painting, design, photography or diy projects. Last week I shared with you the first part of print-inspiration; as promised: part II.

The past week I browsed through:

• Glamour (part 2, check for international websites the footer of the webpage). 
• National Geographic (April's issue...no comment)
• National Geographic Traveler (3/2012).
  

Travel, music and even some DIY-inspiration!

1. DIY-idea taken from Glamour 2. Great artist found via Glamour: Lianne La Havas 3. Traveling by movies (from Nat. Geo Traveler) 4. L.A. is on my to-go-list thanks to this great article in Nat. Geo. Traveler 5. Word I did not exist (found in Nat. Geo. Traveler) 6. When I saw this in National Geographic magazine:  I want to receive and/or send one too some day!

Tuesday Tunes - Kyteman Orchestra

It's us as human being who put music into boxes, into genres. And it's people who take them out of these boxes too. Or at least that's what comes to mind when I listen to one of Kyteman's projects. 

First there were the Hermit sessions from Kyteman's Hip-hop orchestra, then Kytecrash with Eric Vloeimans and now there's The Kyteman Orchestra. It's an orchestra, a bunch of rappers and choir. That takes some organizing skills. The linking pin is Colin Benders (alias: Kyteman) from Utrecht (and my favorite city in The Netherlands, I admit).

To be honest with you, I can't chose which project I like most. I let you make your own choice by giving you a listen to some music from all three projects:

The most famous one (in The Netherlands, at least) by Kyteman's Hip-hop Orchestra from The Hermit Sessions: Sorry

From the collaboration Kytecrash with Eric Vloeimans: Tribute to the mighty 6

And the latest project: The Kyteman Orchestra this is their first single off their latest album. Listen to other songs off this album via their website.

Sunday Sounds - Casting Crowns

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music.


Last week I went to a big Christian youth event: EO-youthday. I'm not a fan of big events. BUT, when I found out that Casting Crowns played that day, I completely ignored the fact that there would be about 20000 other people at this event. I just discovered their music this year, really. I like the honesty in the songs. 


The straight forward texts come from the fact that all bandmembers are youth workers at their home churches in the USA. Don't talk 'round the point, just say it straight out. Also the doubts and the questions. I like that.


I'd like to share the performance of the song Glorious Day that they gave last week. I love the song, and it's pretty much a summary of the new testament. All in less than 4 minutes. Enjoy!

Tuesday Tunes - Clarence Milton Bekker

You have those moments that you stop what you're doing, listen and wait until you know who's making that awesome sound on the radio? I had a moment like that last Friday.

A warm sound, soulful voice, then the beats start rollin' and I'm stuck in my move (that was doing the dishes at that moment): Who's this? A whopping version of Otis Redding's Try a Little Tenderness later I know it is Clarence Milton Bekker. He's the one from the 90's hit Send Me an Angel. Things have changed, from the what you could call dance sound via street musician in Barcelona to what I heard on the radio last Friday.

Now, if you also want to know what I'm talking about, it's better to listen yourself:

Tuesday Tunes - Priscilla Ahn

A Summer evening in July two years ago. A park in Amsterdam filled with beautiful live music. It's right at that moment I discovered Priscilla Ahn. Perfect music for the first day of Spring!

She was one of the support acts of headliner Joss Stone (and also, Jason Mraz gave a great show). The reason I bought a ticket was Stone, Mraz was a very good extra and I'm always in for some new artist. That was the unknown Priscilla Ahn.
It's sweet, dreamy, up-beat and has a wonderful spring-summer-vibe. Exactly what I need right now ;)

Side project: Sweet Hearts.
Photo by Lauren Ward (go check her work, it's beautiful!)

Last year she released her second solo album and just a few weeks ago I got some new ear-candy with her free download EP side project Sweet Hearts, a collab with Charlie Wadhams. Sweet and from the heart indeed. So, I leave you to dream away with one of my favorite Priscilla songs:

Sunday Sounds - Matthew West

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music. 

Matthew West's latest album is called The Story of Your Life. He put his idea of writing an album inspired by other people's stories then his own, on facebook and twitter: If you want to send me your story, send me your story.Then (thousands and thousands of) stories came in from all over the world.
On the album that released in 2010 there are songs on very real life topics. Most of the time not the happiest things in life, but there's hope in those songs.

The project also inspired West to write a song on his own experience: My Own Little World, which I think is quite an inspiration too. So, that's the one I would like to share with you.

Sunday Sounds - Laura Story

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music.

She won a Grammy this year, Laura Story (now that it's sunday anyway: confession from me to admit: love the name) with the song Blessings. And it is that song that touched me earlier this week. Or better said: it gave me a different look on things. Now, to be honest, I'm feeling good, not going through hard times or something. But (as everybody else) I've had my moments. And at some points, this song hits just the right strings for me.

Just give it a listen and bless you! 

The video is recored at K-love, new add to the list of online radiostations I like to listen to.

Sunday Sounds - Tenth Avenue North

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe–a harmonic connection between all living beings; every where; even the stars.” ~Wizard (character from the movie August Rush). When I found this quote, I thought: that's a truth.  This feature is my little reminder that it's not only organ and choir music in a chuch. I hope you get inspired or if faith isn't really your thing, I hope you just enjoy the music.

I would like to share with you a band called Tenth Avenue North. These guys are an inspiration for me. Their lyrics are very direct and honest. Like: "Break Me Down" is a call to say, "Look God, you need to change my heart because I've tried and I can't." (Commentary from Mike).


I think it's refressing.

Now, you can make your choice. I leave you with two videos, one that is a bit serious, but it inspired me. The other will kick-start your day with an energy boost. So, go with your own flow ^_^

Happy Sunday !

Tuesday Tunes - Ben Harper

I don't get it, why have I not heard of this man before? That was the first thought when I heard the music of Ben Harper. Good reason to share with you on this Valentine's day.

It really did surprise me that I hadn't heard of this great artist before. Especially because his style of music fits my cd collection. And he has a total of twelve albums under his belt. Spanning a time from 1994 (I was just 4 then...little wow) to 2011. And that's just the albums, leaving out dvds, eps and his contributions on compilation albums.

And as many albums Harper has, as diverse his style is. From calm and relax to swinging and pumpin' to rockin' almost. The instrument for Harper is the slide guitar (you can read exactly which ones on his website) along with the (lead) vocals. And he doesn't make music alone, he has quite a band with him, cheers for them too.

I leave you with the video for the song Don't Give Up On Me Now. The title single from his 2011 album. Don't forget to listen to the wise words between these fine notes and learn a bit from them.

Happy Valentine's Day!



 

Tuesday Tunes - Pete Philly

I like going to concerts, buy cds (prefer disks over downloads) and look for new tunes and artists on the internet. Every once in a while you need some beats to keep you going. So, I would like to share with you the music of Dutch artist Pete Philly.

What I love about this artist is that he seems to have a vision on all things he creates. Best shown in his latest video for his single One (see below).

Also, his lyrics are strong (even used in my very first Wisdom on Wednesday post) and it's not straight out hip-hop (that is as far as I know hip-hop and I admit, that is limited).
I found Pete Philly though his Open Loops Project: an outlet for his musical inspiration using social media and the latest design, to produce an digital mixtape. He started that after the collaboration with Perquisite stopped at the peak of their succes as Pete Philly & Perquisite.

Now, about two years later, he has a debut album as a solo-artist: One. And it's high my list of cds to buy, because great artists deserve some support.

Hope you enjoy and follow the beat this tuesday!

Tuesday Tunes: Leela James

I like going to concerts, buy cds (prefer disks over downloads) and look for new tunes and artists on the internet. This week I would like to share with you an artist that I think deserves a bigger spotlight: Leela James.
The music comming from my speakers is rich in nice beats, has a funky rytmn and is completed with a soulful voice. That voice belongs to L.A. born Leela James (1983). I first heard her via her hitsingle Don't Speak' (that is a No Doubt cover indeed). I was taken away by the soulful rendition of the song. I didn't get her album though. Until I think a few years ago. It took a little while, but everytime when I heard one of her songs, I caught myself checking on the screen: who's this? It's the voice and the nice beats that get to me time after time.

Leela James released her third album in 2010 (I know, I know that's already two years ago): My Soul. I've been listening and loved it. It's a more grown and it has an even more soulful (is that possible, yes apparently) sound than her debut from 2005.

I leave you with a chance to listen to this soulfun woman at a live performance at Anthology (San Diego) in 2010.

Tuesday Tunes: Wouter Hamel

I like going to concerts, buy cds (prefer disks over downloads) and look for new tunes and artists on the internet. Just before the weekend I treated myself with a new cd that I would like to share with you. After a little hard time to chose (I have a little wish-list for cds), I went for the album: Lohengrin by Wouter Hamel.

He is a musician making pop-jazz-just call-it-nice music, from The Netherlands. And Lohengrin is his third record (the first he produced by himself). I could try write about him, but he can do that way better on his website.

Also I know from experience, it's great fun to see Wouter and his band (Rory Ronde, Sven Happel, Jasper van Hulten and Gijs Anders van Straalen) play live.

Cover photo by Pablo Delfos, Check his photography. I think it's beautiful.

The album is happy, sad and a little nostalgic. But what I liked most of it, was listening to all the different sounds and instruments that are used in the songs. Listen to this live session of the song Zhavaronki by Wouter Hamel and his band.

Enjoy Tuesday!