A new start...

Hi

I know it's been forever since I've posted something, but my life has changed tremendously over the past 4 years. I left the single life behind and got married, I had a little baby who is already turned into a vivacious toddler and I've actually bought a house... Who would have thought, right?

Naturally, all these changes mean that I have a lot less (sometimes no) time to use my creative skills. And when I do manage to make something, it's usually meant as a present and of course I always forget to take pictures. Silly me. So, since my creativity is at a bit of a low right now and my life has changed so much, I decided it was time to add some changes to the blog as well. You'll be seeing more of my family, the foodies I manage to put on the table, the "exotic" locations I visit when I have the time and my (often clumsy) experiments with photography (which I've always wanted to be good at). 

So, first things first, I should start by introducing the famiily. I met my husband almost 4 years ago (two guesses where a lot of the changes in my life came from) and we actually got married last summer (Yes ladies, he put a ring on it :-) ). 

Now, we did do things a bit unconventionally... We had our son first and then we got married. Since I was already 29 (I felt absolutely ancient) when I met my husband, we decided that we didn't want to wait too long to have kids. So, when he proposed to me a year later (at sunset on a beach in Greece!!! How romantic is that!?!) we decided that we should just go ahead and try to get pregnant right away. And a few months later we struck gold: I was expecting our wonderful little boy (though I have to admit, I was initially a little bit disappointed that it wasn't a girl, I wouldn't trade him for the world right now). Nine months later (to the date) we welcomed our son Luca into the world...

And I know, as his mum I'm supposed to say it, but to us he was just the most beautiful baby we had ever seen. He was just the sweetest bundle of joy: always happy and full of life. Of course, it didn't take long for him to learn to turn on his belly, crawl, stand up, walk (before his first birthday!), run and dance (I think we are at trying to jump right now). And the talking... although he isn't very vocal yet, here are some of his favourite words: mama, koe (cow), bal (ball), tut (pacifier) and koek (cookie). And of course he had to be present at the wedding (which was also his baptism) in his best little suit!

And right now, he is closing in on his second birthday... Still the happy little boy we have had since the day he was born. And still the love of my life...

Ok, this ends the little recap of what has been going on in my life. I'll make sure to post more of the events of the past years and of course some of the upcoming events in my life. 

Lots of love,

Ans

Credits for the wedding pictures + some of Luca's pictures: Kurt Vandenbosch. Great photographer who does wonders with kids (and weddings ;-) ) -->  www.kurtvandenbosch.be

I'm back...

I know, it's been ages since I've posted something... My sincerest apologies, but life has been very busy: I've moved into a new apartment (unfortunately petless, since it's no cats allowed), school work was crazy (I've still got a whole pile of exams I need to correct) and I promise I have been busy creatively, but I either forgot to take pictures or I didn't find the time to post them. Even today I'm not going to post any of my newest creations yet. Instead I'm going to show you some of the things I would like to make in the nearby future (summer holidays are coming up, after all)... So thank you pinterest for giving me these amazing ideas...

I decided to go through my many boards and pins (I think there's about a thousand by now) and show you some of the things I really love... First of all, I always seem to love Zjizjipke's work (and not just because she's my BFF ;-) ). Recently she's really into crocheting these lovely jar jackets (I actually have one in my living room right now), and I just love these...

You can find her, and her post on these jackets, right here. I'm currently actually keeping a lot of old food and drink containers so I can start making my own jackets as well... So we'll see what the future brings. I also want to make some of these coffe cup cosies...

I just need to find the perfect cups first and then I can start crocheting. And then I think my dark grey couch needs some gorgeous colours to brighten things up, so I would also like to make a few cushion covers like these...

And then a nice little tree like this to put on a small table somewhere...

Ok, I think that's enough crocheting for now... Naturally, I would also like to sew a few things (once I really get the hang of my mom's sewing machine)... Besides the little elephants I've already made, I'd also love to make this...

And this...

And a million other things...

I guess I'll just leave you with one more thing I'd love to make someday...

Now, I'll try to come back soon and give you an update of what I've actually been creating. So untill then be happy, be wonderful and be creative...

Lots of Love

Crazy Crafter xxx

The giveaway... is away...

Hi again,

I know I've been absent again for some time. I was actually telling the BFF yesterday that I should try to post at least once a week (my Easter resolution for this year ;-) ). Anyway, I finally finished correcting all of my exams and can now enjoy 2 weeks of Easter holidays as my reward, which means I have some time to add something to my blog. And I decided to go for the end result of the giveaway... The finalised presents. So here they are...

A little book on crocheting cute amigurumi...

A booklet with adorable pink crafting paper...

A lovely piece of Tilda fabric...

One of my cute home-sewn elephants... A blue one this time...

The promised ball of simply soft party yarn in the colour of Renske's choice (teal) with a matching hooking needle... (I was actually sad to let this go, because the teal was my favourite colour too... But winners keepers... I'll just order one for myself later on ;-) )...

And then I used some of my catania collection to make these beautiful and colourful coasters. The pattern of these coasters came to me via pinterest and can be found right here: http://crochet.about.com/od/vintage/ss/aa052606.htm They're actually really easy to make (once I had made 2 of them I didn't even need the pattern anymore ;-) ) and I think they're quite pretty when you have a lot of different colours... I so need to make them for myself as well :-)

So, these were all the giveaway presents... I put them in a big box, added some newspaper so the items wouldn't get damaged and sent it to Renske... 

I actually got an email from Renske earlier this week saying she had already received the package and was going to post the contents on her blog later on... So I suggest you all go and check it out as well ;-) And for now, I hope you'll enjoy a lovely weekend (hopefully a bit warmer than here since we're still experiencing some occasional snow) filled with crafty (and Easter) delights...

Happy Easter!!

Love,

Crazy Crafter xxx

And the winner is...

Wow... I've finally found some time to announce the winner of my giveaway... I spend a few seconds writing down the names of the contestants...

I folded all of them and put them in a bowl, ready to pick the winner when one of the kitties decided to come take a look...

And steal one of the pieces of paper...

Obviously, the kitties have decided who should be the winner...

Congratulations Renske!!! I've just placed the order at the woolly webshop and once the wool and hooking needle have arrived the presents will be coming your way. So if you could email me your address, the presents will be there shortly...

Love, 

Crazy Crafter xxx

Giveaway closed

As of Sunday evening 23.59 CET the giveaway is closed... The winner shall be identified later this week...

Love,
Crazy Crafter xxx

Sneak preview giveaway...

Hi everyone,

So I've already had some time to work (and find) some presents for my giveaway and I've decided to give you a sneak preview... First of all, it will contain a book on amigurumi, a pad with gorgeous pink paper and this piece of tilda fabric...

Other than that it will also contain something that is made with 2 of these fabrics... Still a work in progress at the moment, but I promise it will be finished in time...

Of course it will also contain a ball of simply soft party yarn of your choice with hooking needle... And, last but not least, I'm also trying to crochet something for the lucky winner...

I will also, once more, explain how you can win this package...

1. Be a member of this blog
2. Leave a comment below in which you also mention which colour of simply soft party yarn you would like to win. Just go to http://www.woolly.nl/simply-soft-party-yarn and let me know...

For now, I would like to wish all of you good luck once more... You still have time until Sunday 17 February 23:59 CET.

Lots of love...

Crazy Crafter xxx

1 Year anniversary and... a giveaway...

Hi,

I don't know if anyone noticed, but yesterday was the 1-year-anniversary for my blog. So... I decided this event needs to be celebrated with a giveaway...

I'm not exactly sure yet as to which crafty things the package will contain, but I can tell you there will be a book on amigurumi, a ball of caron simply soft party yarn with hooking needle, a paper pad, some creations of mine and perhaps some buttons and ribbons (still creating and looking for the perfect presents as we speak)...

Now, what do you need to do in order to be able to win this giveaway... 1. Be a member of my blog, 2. write a comment to this message, 3. go to http://www.woolly.nl/simply-soft-party-yarn and choose the colour of yarn you would like to receive. Just put your choice of colour in the comment...

The giveaway will close on Sunday 17 Februari at 23.59 CET. All I can do for now is wish you lots of luck and I hope to see you again soon!!

Lots of Love,

Crazy Crafter xxx