KNIT COWL-CAPE TUTORIAL

Hello and welcome to knit ‘Cloudy Cowl’ with me! The cowl is finished and we had once again lovely day to take photos in the garden with Nero and Hanna.  Nero, you may start our tutorial …

I have used for this cowl yarn which is very light and fluffy and with this pattern it makes wonderful cowl.  I used needles size 8 (English 0) to get very loose knitting. Normally for this yarn I would have used 5 or 6 size needles. Yarn is from my ‘old store’ so unfortunately I can’t say exactly what yarn it is but you can use any yarn you like. Choose the needle size and number of loops by your yarn.

I show you how I have knitted this cowl-cape and you can very easily change the size and use any kind of yarn, as you prefer. Please, Hanna show us how this cowl can be weared …

This cape is very comfortable! There is no front or back side, use it as you like! Also you can gather it more around your neck or your can leave to cover more your shoulders. The knitting pattern I have used, is very elastic so you can give it a shape as you like.

The piece I have knitted is 14″ x 37″ = 35 x 95 cm. I have used two colours but you can choose any colours or just one as you like.  I made first 51 loops and then knitted by the following pattern.

The number of loops can be as many as you like, but if you like to have the same beginning on both sides, the number of loops should be divisible by 4 + 1. 

I made a small test piece for you so you can see the pattern well. For this piece I made 23 loops. That means {5 x 4} + 1 which you need to finish the row, and 1 + 1 for the edge loops. I make always in the beginning and at the end of every row 1 knit.

1. row: 1 knit, *3 knit, 1 purl*. Repeat from * to * till the end of the row and 2 knit.

2. row: 1 knit, *3 knit, 1 purl*. Repeat from * to * till the end of the row and 2 knit.

Just repeat these two rows till your piece is about 37 ” = 95 cm, or as long as you like. If you make your piece longer the neckline is going to be bigger and if you make it shorter it makes the neckline smaller.

This pattern is my favourite! It’s simple and quick to knit and depending of the yarn we use, the texture can change very much.

When you have knitted your piece, sew the other end on the side as you can see in the following photo …

Here you can see again where the seam is …

I’m sure this is going to be my favourite cowl for this winter and I’m already thinking what other yarn to use to make an other one! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and find it easy and helpful! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask – I am more than happy to help you!

Thank you for visiting us and joining our knitting moment! I would love to hear what you are knitting or if you knit a cowl!

TEJE, NERO AND HANNA

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KNITTING A COWL

Hi everyone! New week again – I hope great one! At least no storm or thunder and even sunshine … to wash laundry. I am knitting a cowl and I think I shall name it Cloudy Cowl because it’s bluffy and soft like beautiful clouds. But the colour is exactly the turquoise from the sea …

When visiting Finland in spring, I still found lots of yarn – from me, my sister and my mom. Only few came with me but more came with friends at the end of the summer. I had in my mind to make a crochet cowl because Avis is making a beautiful stripe blanket. But I wasn’t happy with my yarns and colours (those which were suitable for crochet). Then I saw these yarn balls and knew that they will be my new cowl. I was hoping to get two cowls, one turquoise and one light pink.

There was only one ball in both colours. I couldn’t know how far they will take me, so I just began and thought we’ll see … of course one wasn’t enough. Usually I like to match and mix colours but this time I took brave dicision and just continued with the second colour. This was also the easiest and quickest way to make the cowl. If I had started to make a plan how to mix the colours, it would have taken much time. Now in few late evenings I have knitted more than half. I am planning to write a simple tutorial at the end of the week. This is easy and quick way to make a lovely cowl and there is still time to knit it for a Christmas present!

I have been so delighted to hear that you liked my tea cosy tutorial! Thank you for your sweet words! If you subscribed to the newsletter after it was published, you can see all Cindy’s newsletters in her blog ‘Fluffy Sheep Quilting’. My tutorial is under the ‘November 2012′. And to find beautiful fabrics to make your tea cosy, go for shopping to ‘Fluffy Sheep Quilting’ fabric shop!

One day after the storm the scene over Chania was this! Like a spaceship was going to land! It looked really amazing, so strong light through the dark clouds!

Lots of rain and still warm temperature helped my poor rosies and now they are flowering.

It’s orange time! Who could believe that in one month we have Christmas and the magic Christmas Eve has already passed! Clups – I should be with my sewing machine …

Jennifer from ‘Ellison Lane Quilts’ is hosting a great event ‘Deck The Halls’- every day one blog is showing one tutorial and has a give away! Ideas and inspiration for your Christmas sewings!  You find the button also from my sidelist so you can easily visit every blog-stop!

So hop hop - you and me - to make presents and cards!!! I just wish that these were fabrics … paper napkins from my Marimekko collection!

Thank you for your visit and for your always sweet comments! I enjoy so much changing thoughts and ideas with you! See you soon with the ‘Cloudy Cowl’!

TEJE

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GREEN TEA, PLEASE?

Something on a sunny Sunday – Hi everyone! Did I say something about socks last week? I had to take my cool summer dress again because it’s summer here!

Orange is good but I wanted also green. Green and turquoise are good, too! They are quite a nice couple!

Have you entered or visited ‘Blogger’s Quilt Festival’? I have seen there so many beautiful, interesting and inspiring quilts! It’s great to see quilts from friends (“ah, that I have seen, it’s hers”) and to find new blogs and talented people! I saw some quilters that I remembered they had last spring fantastic quilt and now I was happy to meet them again!

My latest project has been something related to these tea cosies, but can’t show you yet …

Nero and Hanna eat they salad every day. They enjoy having all the soft and fresh grass after those rainy days we had last week.

When ever it’s sunny, Hanna enjoyes her sun baths!

My sweet girl! She had a shampoo bath also yesterday and now she is so smooth and smelling so good!

I hope you don’t remember that one year ago I started to knit ‘Rainbow’ jacket … because I never made it. If you haven’t read that post, there is also a funny ‘scrap’ pillow that I really like. It’s in a new home … I should make a new one!

About the jacket … I was asked about the yarn and it’s from Finland. It’s from famous Finnish company NOVITA. Unfortunately their site is only in Finnish and as I saw they sell online only in Finland. Perhaps I should tell that there are many knitters who would like to order abroad?!

So I didn’t manage to knit the rainbow jacket. I started it many times but never the pattern felt right. I am also sewing so much lately that there is not much watching tv with a knitting. When I was in Finland last spring, I bought natural colour yarn for a jacket (from Novita again). Their, biggest in Northern countries, yarn factory is in my town. I sarted to knit it straight away in the spring but then it got too hot … can you imagine that I used to knit all the time? If I didn’t have planned next project when the other one was coming to an end, I got panic! Now I need fabrics and my quiet corner. But about this newest yarn … here it is …

After several tries I created this simple pattern. First sleeve is going well … my lovely project paper-bag from Novita … I think I shall spend my Sunday afternoon knitting in the garden …

My give away is still open HERE!

Thank you for your visit and for all the adorable, sweet comments you have wrote! I want to say big thank you also to all my readers and followers – you make this worth of effort! I’m so happy that you like my new ‘Butterflies’ quilt and that it has given inspiration to you!

If you see me ‘no-reply’ it’s a wordpress-blogger issue and I hope you take the time to write me an e-mail, if you have any questions or just want to say hi or what ever you have in your mind! my e-mail is nerospost(at)gmail(dot)com, it shows also in my sidelist after my photo. I love to hear from you – new and old friends and followers!

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL TIME!!!

TEJE

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RAINBOW SOCKS AND BLOGHOP

Hi everyone! After a brake it’s not so easy to jump to the train again … so I started to knit socks that I had promised to my friend last autumn! Also I’m in something new to me … English paper piecing and a Bloghop!

Last summer my Finnish friend brought me this adorable rainbow yarn for a jacket and I said when the jacket is finished, I’ll knit her socks with the left overs. No jacket yet, but at least socks I have to make now.

I just finished this sock and the second one is going on. Perfect project to start autumn!

The other exiting project I’m starting, is going to be English Paper Piecing! yes … my first ever paper piecing! My dear blog friend Laura from Quokka Quilts, invited me to join a bloghop! … my first ever bloghop, too! 

Laura has so great ideas – last autumn she invited me to join a blog party to make a mug rug which has something to do with my country. I had to decide which country and I chose Finland and finally I made two mug rugs … and they became a little bit bigger … more like place mats because I wanted to make pictures …   ‘Summer in Finland’ and  ’Autumn in Finland’! This is autumn in Greece – olive trees full of little olives (every day bigger and bigger) and white clouds on a blue sky!

Laura had again just perfect timing because I didn’t know exactly how to start to sew again and also because for me autumn is  always the best season for new beginnings and to start new things! First I thought oh, how on earth I’ll manage to start paper piecing, but after searching a little bit around the links she gave, I started to be really exited! Now even at night I think pieces of papers and what fabrics to choose!

Laura and Katy are hosting ‘The Travelling PicStitch Bloghop’. Their idea is that we choose photo (perhaps from the place we live) and make a colour palette from that. Then we pick fabrics with those colours. With EPP = english paper piecing method we shall make a rose/star block. I have already made lots of colour palettes and can’t choose which one to use! You can make colour palettes for example here.

Visit Laura’s blog to find more details, inspiration, helpful links how to make blocks by English paper piecing, how to make colour palettes and to see what amazing presents there are waiting for us! If you would like to join the bloghop, please contact Laura and ask if there are still available dates.  My date is in November … I thought I need lots of time for this … but guess what … I have already made my first templates! I’m not sure yet if that is going to be my final block – I’ll see how it goes when I start to sew. I thought it’s better to make templates first with hard paper and later if I get hooked with this, I can order good plastic templates.

Jessica from ‘Life Under Quilts’ has made really good, easy and fun video how to make English paper piecing.

Today I happened to see a fantastic puzzle quilt and thought you would like to see it, too. I love puzzles and I think this would be great way to make one! Visit ‘Helping Little Hands’ to see how great and easy idea Polly had to make a Jigsaw Puzzle baby quilt!

We had first rain two days ago! as you see earlier, but now it’s summer again! Perhaps some clouds but they look also amazing with the sunset!

Thank you for joining me today and also my warmest thanks for all your comments! They have been so important to me these last days and I’m so happy to know that You are there! I wish you already wonderful weekend and hope to see you very soon!

TEJE

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KNITTING DOLLY

Hello my Dear Friends! We have had few days spring and today it’s almost summer! In the shadow  +20 and in  the sun perhaps +26 or even more! But I want to tell you about yesterday … also the most beautiful and warm day … with a present travelling from far away! My I show you my new Knitting Dolly …

Have you seen these or perhaps had one when you were a child? I had never seen these dolls (I don’t think that I could have forgot it so totally if I had) … till my dear friend Lori had them in her blog a while ago.

Lori is writing a beautiful blog with amazing photos ‘lori times five’! I really love her photos, stories, knittings and crafts! She is also the most sweet person – I couldn’t believe when she wrote to me and said that she wants to send me a knitting doll!

But here it is and in the sweet packet followed by this beautiful card!

I love that box – to keep me busy …

Lori wrote in her card that she have add something else in the box. Can you see something wrapped in the flower paper? What it could be … sea glass!!! I have never found or had sea glass and I was so thrilled! My first sea glass and from California! Thank you so much Lori!!!

They are just so beautiful as this unique card with the most sweet message!

So about the knitting doll … but first I like to show you who helpped me to open the envelope. I new that my cute friend would love to help! And today she led me to a treasure! But that’s an other story and have to wait till next time …

Because I had never knitting doll, I had to look the tutorial how to knit with it. Lori had a link to good video how to use knitting doll in her post.

If you are a knitter, I’m sure you would like to see Lori’s great tutorial how to make a pocket to your knitted jacket (after you have finished the jacket/sweater or to an old one)!

Something I managed to do, even my helper tried to fix it, too.

This is really fun and I believe also good way to relax. If you are like me that you need to do something all the time, you can just sit, play with your doll and yarn and let your thoughts fly.

Nero had his opinion … don’t play only with that doll …

It is so nice outside that I think I go to play with Nero!

Thank you for stopping by, for your wonderful messages and I was so happy to hear that you liked my ‘Parasols’ mini quilt! Enjoy the spring and take care that you have always pockets for treasures! ?! If you are wondering why, please read the most sweet and best ‘pocket story’ by Lori!

Today I was lucky to have my jacket and pockets, even it was so warm – only my pockets were not enough!?!

See you next time on the beach!

TEJE

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SCRAP AND CROCHET FLOWERS!

Hello everyone! I hope you are and not feeling as cold as we are! It’s about +3 degrees and if it’s not raining it’s hailing! So what can we do … stay inside and sew and crochet! I happened to make flowers – with fabric and with yarn!

This is my latest work with scraps from my fabric stash. I tried not to have any orange this time … but I guess that’s not possible for me!

My first idea when starting this, was to make it circle and frame it like the ‘Sunshine’ circle. But during the work I realized that this didn’t like to stay around and the size for that frame so I changed my plan.

I wanted to make a frame with dark blue fabric to add some stronger colour and then I attached my ‘fabric painting’ to a painting canvas with wooden frame.

And here you are … my fabric painting. Maybe I start to miss painting because lately pictures are so often in my mind! If you like to see how I made a scrap flower for a notebook, click HERE.

I am linking with my friend Kati at ‘From the Blue Chair’! She has a wonderful link party engouraging us to use our fabric stash! And she makes fantastic quilts with amazing colours!Also I am linking with my friends Megan and Heather’s ‘Fabric Tuesday’ at ‘Quilt Story’!

The light is absolutely not enough to take photos, because our weather is really really cold and rainy. Today it was even hailing a little bit.

 I do hope we get some sunlight soon, so that I can have decent photos for my shop.

Just for a while it was not raining and I asked nicely if Nero would like to be a model. I’m happy he agreed to wear this girlish flower scarf …

Fortunately I found a little bit purple yarn which is the same as this green. With the purple yarn I fixed my old knitted jacket if you remember – some grannies and crochet lines to the sleeves. I love these colours!

I would like to tell you that my friend Kelly from ‘The Blue Bird Sews’, is having a great link party! The subject is our online shops – talking about everything about selling our crafts, where, how, inspirations etc. etc.

And because after a while I have some knitting and crochetin here, I’m happy to link with Andrea, Linda and Beth!

 With this bucket of flowers and leaves I leave you to dream about spring! I hope you have something beautiful and warm to cheer you up during these cold days! Thank You again for your wonderful comments! It’s always enjoy to read them!

Hugs and Kisses!

TEJE & NERO

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Olive colour knitting and baby art?!

Hello my Dear Friends! I hope you are fine and enjoying your weekend! We have the most cold and rainy time here in Crete and I’m so happy to have my new scarf almost finished …

I just loooooove this colour mix! In live they are a little bit more green colours – like olives and olive oil. I had olives and their oval shape in my mind when I was thinking how to knit a scarf. I started perhaps 6 times again and again, till I finally continued with this version.

When I have made the last finishing, I will show this scarf better … there are leaves and every second leave is with ‘right’ side and every second with ‘wrong’ side.

You may remember the fingerless hand warmess I made a while ago. They have been very usefull!

I have been quite busy lately and I want to apologize my dear friend Benta, that I haven’t showed her beautiful present earlier.  I received this beautiful, surprise bag from Benta for a while ago! Thank you so much Benta! I found Benta from the Blogger’s Quilt Festival about 2 years ago and since then we have been keeping in touch! Benta has a great blog ‘SLIK STITCHES’ with beautiful quilts and other sewings! I love also this fabric she has used!

Today has been a sad day with tears loosing our old friend but also a day with smiles meeting my new friend and her cute dog. Perhaps it’s the right time to introduce to you my new golden friend …

I went to meet her mom today and this sweet darling were waiting me on the door! She is just so lovable girl and she helped me to forget the sad things!

Baby art? I couldn’t find an other way to name something really beautiful I saw today …

I was trying to write a post for few days, but couldn’t find ‘the right’ moment. Today I thought that perhaps it was ment to be like that because today I saw something really wonderful in the internet which I know you love to see! I met (her blog) ADELE EMERSON from Finland! She makes adorable, un expected baby art?! This link will take you to the ‘about’ page in her blog and there you can see small video showing her art! You will love this!!! She has also a new book! Please go to see that because it is really something lovely with a baby, fabrics and beautiful imagination!!!

We hope with Nero that the wind brings to us some better days, warmer weather, lots of sunshine and soon spring!

Thank you for your visit and all your lovely comments! Hugs and Kisses!

TEJE & NERO 

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NERO’S POST: BAGS AND SOCKS

Vof – I told you today it’s my turn and I’m so happy to welcome you to spend a moment with me here at ‘Nero’s (that’s me) Post!

There is something in the air … do you know the saying: ‘new winds are blowing’? It means that some changes are happening and that’s true …

After our last post we have finished a bag and a pouch! … and only one pair of socks even we should have done several more already!

This bright bag got a name: ‘Sunny Circle’. And it has a small zipper pouch to make a nice, practical set! This bag reminds us about Greece: the sea, blue sky, sun and delicious oranges! But there is also something that brings to our mind Lappland in north Finland! …  is it just because it’s on the sheep fleece?!

… from inside … and where else than in the garden …

They are nice couple! A bag needs a pouch – so there is a pouch also for the bag ‘Monday in Town’ …

Because this is my ‘Post’, I should tell you our exited news: we have moved … more exactly our shop ‘TEJESARITA’ has a new address in etsy! Thank you so much our dear friends who already welcomed us to join the etsy team! It is a great feeling to be with friends!

So you may have guessed that we have bags in our small shop! and some pillows! and some tiny quilts! … but now we need to knit, knit, knit …

… ‘first pair out from the woods’ …

… even cold and cloudy day – this pair of orange wool – can keep your feet and mind warm!

I think someone had too many other projects in her mind and  was planning sewings because this pair didn’t come out so easily as it should have. It’s quite easy pattern, only needs a little bit counting and concentration. And the next pair of socks seems to take even more time … she has started them now three times and didn’t like the colour combinations?! But those socks are secret and we can’t show them yet!

I am very good in concenrating … even Teje wants me to look to the camera, I concentrate to the smell that comes from north …

… like to see how Nelli spends her winter?

… I’m wondering if she is really a cat or a cat/dog or just would like to be a little bit dog or just likes our company now when it’s cold outside?! What I mean – if you know Nelli you know that she is not much with us dogs. She is affraid, worried and mostly she is alone outside or in her space where we don’t reach. But now – she is sleeping in my bed, she drinks from my water and eats from my plate! What ever I eat (dog food – even that dry food, yoghurt, cheese, spaghetti) she wants also and she wants to be the first to eat!

Here she is on the stairs to attic – where unfortunately I’m not able to go.

Because I have that stupid arthritis, I shouldn’t walk too much and  now I go for a drive by car! Yesterday I saw something interesting … in one field near to our home there was a lovely couple: peacock and peahen!  Also ther were gooses and chickens. When I was told that they were chickens I looked quite surprised because I know chicken is something delicous on my plate! I was just staring them and didn’t know what to say. Tomorrow we go again and I shall take photos to you!

Now I think I have to go. I save my other stories for the next time. Thanks for keeping me company – it’s always so great to have you here! I wish I could make a big Christmas party and invite all of you! Hope to see you soon again! Hugs and kisses from

NERO

We are joining again Megan’s {Sew} Modern Monday link party and Quilt Story’s ‘Fabric Tuesday’!

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COLOURS ON MY NEEDLES

Hello my Dear Friends! Welcome to my fiber Friday!

 I have beautiful new colours in my knitting basket! Half wool – half acrylic and really soft yarn! Enjoy to knit for my friends!

This lovely, curly sheep fleece is from my cousin, who has sheeps, horses, ponies, chickens, dogs, cats…  I got this fleece once when I was lucky to visit her amazing farm in Finland. I have to show you who else found it soft and warm …

No way I could have even the smallest chair just for myself! I had put this stool under the table to take it next to my armchair when I knit.

As you know I love colours and often I enjoy arranging things by colour. I made these ‘still life’ just for you …

Local pomegranates in delicious autumn colours. Pomegranate is also very famous theme for many kind of creations to bring good luck for the New Year! You can find them made for example with silver, ceramic and glass.

And local bananas from my hb:s cousin! They are really delicious and have so strong aroma!

Now I’m knitting socks to my friend’s daughter and I think they will be fantastic with this bright orange! The colour is her choice and I don’t complain to knit whit this energy colour!

One of my favourite colours for a long time has been olive green, ‘oil’ like they say in Greek. And even better if it’s like watercoloured as this yarn is …

This yarn is the same I used for the ‘Rainbow’ cowl and it has really beautiful colours! I’m knitting ‘fingerless’ for my self. I have so often cold hands and in winter especially when writing on the computer or knitting I need these. In fact this is my first try to make these even during the years I have knitted countless pairs of gloves and mittens.

I have made these last days many times applepie because my dear friend brought to me lots of sweet apples from her farm! Thank you!

When I passed the beach few days ago, I thought that perhaps you would like to see how it looks this time of the year. For a while beaches have been already empty – only perhaps someone ‘winter swimmer’ may be there running on the beach and having a swim. But for me it’s absolutely too cold this time.

This is the beach of Kalathas, about 5 minutes drive from our home. It is on my way to ‘Maherida’ our Holiday Homes. I never get tired to see the sea, which is every day different and usually has amazing turquoise and blue colours!

I want to thank you for your company today and for all your sweet messages! It was so great to hear that you liked my Suprise Christmas quilt! I wish you wonderful weekend, good weather and hope to see you soon! I’m waiting exited to see what you have been knitting and sewing, knowing that you are busy with your Christmas crafts! Still I hope you have time to share them with us!

I leave you with my favourite sheep!

TEJE

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NERO’S POST & FOXY’S SWEATER

Vof vof vof!!!  It’s me Nero here! Great to see you! You can’t imagine how nice weather we have today – like summer but not too hot! ‘Calm before the storm’ like they say because for the weekend we are waiting cold, rain and storm. I hope that it won’t come to my island and I can still enjoy my days in the sunny garden!

Even the days are still warm (when it’s sunny), nights are colder and my darling Foxy needed a new pullover. The other one with the crochet flowers is too big. It is made with baby yarn and didn’t like all that streching and somersaults that Foxy is doing!

We took some yarn from our ‘Rainbow Jacket’ project which is still without sleeves?! Now Foxy is sleeping like a baby and not feeling cold with her new, warm sweater. She is just so sweet – she would make a great model on a fashion sunway … I mean runway! I want to tell you how much Foxy has energy – she is now 15 years and especially in the afternoon and the evening she is running around,  jumping around and over us, asking goodies – sometimes she drives us a little bit grazy being so much in our feets! But we are so happy to see how she enjoys her life!

Yesterday we had a photo session. We took photos from our tiny, Christmas quilts and then went down to the garden to photograph Foxy wearing her sweater. But on my way I saw something … there in my B.B.Q. place was a not-invited guest  -  a strange cat! I had to run so quickly that I ran over Foxy and she screamed to me and Hanna was following me …

… but the cat was quick enough to pass the fence. Lucky her because I would have said few strong words to her! Strange cats come to my garden and then they like to fight with Nelli and that’s not fare! Everyone needs to feel safety on their own home.

Look Hanna, here is the place where she passed … Yes Nero, but how I get down from here? These rocks are not good … I may brake my nail here …

Hanna was right, that wasn’t the best place to run around. It’s the last corner in our garden … not even garden because it’s left wild. There are rocks and bushes with thorns … and one bad thorn went to my toe! Auchssss! I couldn’t step at all with my left back feet. There was like a small piece of wood and it had stucked so much that I needed pincers to take it out and then there was a big hole in my toe! We put some medicine and after a while it was fine and no hole any more!

After all that action we needed to have a relaxing moment. We made some coffee and took few spinach pies and enjoyed our sunny picnik!

You can guess that all this huzzeling, running and hurting my toe, made me tired and in the afternoon I was so ready for a good sleep …

This is great … I think someone needs new bed! Not me – I’m fine here!

I’m so happy you came for a visit and I hope you enjoyed my garden news! Thank you for writing so lovely and happy messages to me! I send you lots of furry hugs and sunny kisses! I hope you have as great and comfortable bed as we do with Hanna!

PS. Girls … they need white sheets for their princess dreams!

I’m linking at ‘Wisdom begins in wonder’, ‘Creative Friday’ , ‘Fibers on Friday’ and Annemarie’s Crochet blog!

NERO

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