wool from south africa

Although it is already a few weeks ago since I returned from the Cool Crochet workshop, I'm still standing with one foot in Marrakech.
I've told you several times what a fantastic time we had up there; great adventures with a super group, a blissful happening!

During the farewell dinner on the rooftop terrace of Chambres d'Amis on our last night in Marrakech, the crocheteers surprised Ank and me with a handmade Cool Crochet basket, made with help from Aisha in the souk. We both got a basket with embroidered text COOL CROCHET OCT 2015. There we were standing with the baskets, a little shy and with tears in our eyes, because of this super sweet gesture. Reading the beautiful black & white postcard with a personal thanks from everyone, we were getting even more emotional. Tears of joy! An amazing time, never-to-be-forgotten!

Cornel brought me a bag full of the most awesome yarns from South Africa as a surprise (understatement of the year). So I brought home a custommade basket with wool from South Africa, plus quite some wool from the souk, thereby half my suitcase was already packed with yarns...

Last weekend I was figuring out, where I should start and what I could make with the south african treats. I arranged them by color and type in the sorting cabinet on my desk. I've picked the Vinnis Colours Tori to start with, made of 50% Bamboo viscose and 50% Cotton, in beautiful hand-dyed blues. I'm making a harlequin pillow, because I know Cornel loves it.

You should have a look at her awesome blog, Hello Hart, where you also can read the wonderful reports of our first two days in and around Marrakech. Couldn't have done it better myself.

Thanks again sweeties! I'm grateful and I will bring the basket to Marrakech every time and will always remember october 2015. Xx

PS: the postcard has a special place on my desk too!

for mickey

Some weeks ago I received a romantic request from Mickey's husband.

He wanted to surprise her with a stool and he send me a photo of the stool Mickey likes so much.
It's the snow white warm & woolly stool I've made for a sweet Australian about 3 years ago.

Today is Mickey's birthday and I would love to see her face when she gets her surprise stool... (and his)

Happy birthday Mickey!

aloha elvis

 

The beautiful girl with the braids is Elvis.

Elvis got a surprise stool for her eleventh birthday.

A while ago her fabulous mom Daan

ordered a wood & wool stool for her oldest daughter.

Today Daan & Elvis had lunch at Villa Augustus and Elvis came to pick up her surprise...
She was hoping for a stool, she told me during unpacking.
The smile on her face, made ​​my day!

wood & wool lovestool

wood & wool lovestool, a photo by wood & wool stool on Flickr.

A while ago I got a truly romantic order. Rene wanted to surprise his love Linda with a stool. He told me that she loves pink and if I could make her a beautiful stool. Today they celebrate their 6-year wedding anniversary and this is Linda's stool. Cheers Linda & Rene and lots of luck together!

surprising

surprising, a photo by wood & wool stool on Flickr.

Early in the morning I got a surprise from Fermob.
A big box all the way from France.
A while ago I got an email from Emmanuelle of Fermob. Because many of my [fermob] photos were featured on their website and casting campaign, I could simply choose which color Surprising lounger I would like to have.
Well choosing a Fermob color isn't that easy ...
I decided to choose linen.
The chair is now in the living room and the kelim pillow from Marrakech has found it's perfect place.
The industrial design of the chair and the traditional woven pillow are a striking contrast.
Merci beaucoup Fermob!

dordwijk

dordwijk, a photo by wood & wool stool on Flickr.

Yesterday we were invited by Lammie.
Lammie of Lammie verkoopt.
She also makes all the bright bouquets that we sell at the Villa Augustus market.
She's living in a house, só charming. (there's so much to see, I could spend hours overthere...)
After a cup of coffee in her beautiful flower garden,
we had a walk through the woods of Dordwijk.
It's an incredibly place in the middle of Dordrecht,
but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.
Walking through the small forest,
we gathered chestnuts to feed the deer.
What a place!
It still exists, it's a kind of an enchanted forest!

suzanne with the beautiful eyes

suzanne met de mooie ogen, originally uploaded by wood & wool stool.

Last week in the shop window of OXO in Den Bosch there was this cheerful orange plant showcased. I told the saleswoman and my friend Yvonne, I remember my daddy used to call this plant 'Suzanne with the beautiful eyes'. Since then I have visited a few garden centers to buy my own Suzanne, but didn't find her anywhere. Yesterday Yvonne stood at my door with two surprising suzanne's! She made me laugh showing me the label on the pot; thunbergia alata - suzanne met de mooie ogen.

sinterklaas surprise

sinterklaas surprise, originally uploaded by wood & wool stool.

Sinterklaas is an ancient tradition in the Netherlands. We celebrate on December 5 the birthday of Sinterklaas. It's a children matter and the festivity is about Sinterklaas is showering everyone with gifts. Sint also brings a visit to all schools in our country. When children stop believing this old and holy man is bringing a steamship full of gifts from Spain, Madrid to be exact, there is an alternative way to celebrate his birthday. In primary school classmates buy presents for eachother. Determined by lot (must stay secret) they make a homemade 'surprise' with a subtle reference to the present.

My daughter Pippa made a beautiful hand mirror. She cut the shape of a mirror out of box and sticked some aluminum foil on it as reflection. For decoration she used nice pictures from fashion magazines and for the glamor effect some diamants and Romy's name in gold. She bought some eye shadow and nail polish, for make up is a magical gift when you're a 12 year old girl.