packing mode

Tomorrow I'm flying to Morocco again.
After our family and friends trip a few weeks ago, I'm happy to return to the Red City.

On Wednesday we will kick off with a new Cool Crochet workshop in Marrakech and a week later the first Green Gardens workshop is on the program.

Can't wait to start with the preparation (some serious wool shopping in the souk) and meet everyone at Chambres d'Amis.

and today... I'm packing my suitcase for the journey.

nothing beats handmade

A small selection of my handmade products, you can find in my E T S Y - S H O P.

Most items are related to interior; 'crochet beyond the granny square'.
I've been best friends with my hook for more than 10 years and I still love to crochet and design new items and patterns, after all those years.
It's a passion, a way to express my creativity and a way to relax.

Nothing beats handmade...

You can also find plenty of patterns in my handmade WOODWOOLSTOOL shop, if you prefer to make something yourself. (feel free to look around)

el fenn - a feast for the eyes

El Fenn is a restored riad, tucked away down a quiet street in the Medina.

Vanessa Branson, owner of colorful Riad El Fenn, launched the Marrakech Biennale in 2009 and has filled the riad with select pieces from her private art collection.

Drenched in all colours of the souk. Bedrooms overlook a courtyard shaded by orange trees, while the rooftop restaurant, where the two of us had a delicious and romantic lunch, has a panoramic view of the city.

palais bahia

On the last day of our family & friends trip to Marrakech, we visited Palais Bahia.

Bahia Palace is a palace with lush walled gardens and pavilions, located in the medina of Marrakesh.

It was built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time.
The name means "brilliance" and was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style.
Painted wooden doors and ceilings and beautiful tiles everywhere.
One of the best elements of the Bahia Palace is the large courtyard, tiled with white marble and zellige tiles.

The oldest part of the palace (Dar Si Moussa) is my favorite, with a courtyard and a central garden with several fountains and cypress, orange, jasmine and banana trees. You should smell the orange blossom...

bab ourika

Getting to the Ourika river from the city takes about an hour by taxi.
From there to exquisite Kasbah Bab Ourika, through Berber villages and along bumby mountain roads is a spellbinding journey.
The road ends on the top of the hill with an amazing view on the Ourika valley at the foot of the High Atlas mountains.
Behind the high fortress wall, you find paradise.
An amazing hotel and restaurant around two courtyards. On the tables you will find fresh flowers from the garden.
The terraces offer great views of the valley and the snow-capped mountains.
When you walk to the end of the garden, you end up in the vegetable garden, it's stunning!
Every time I visit this place, I feel so happy. This time it was even more special, because I brought my family and friends.

We had a wonderful day.