postponed

Otherwise I would now have been busy packing my suitcase to leave for Marrakech next Monday.

I'm gonna miss the Red City, medina life, the Atlas Mountains, the Agafay desert, the gardens, the adventures with the group, the cosy dinners on the roof terrace at Chambres d'Amis, the blissful breakfasts on the roof terrace at Chambres d'Amis, the lovely and caring staff, the sound of the prayers, the hustle and bustle of the city, the harira soup on the Jemaa el Fna and Cafe des Epices, being in a completely different world for some weeks. Well actually, i'm gonna miss everything that makes this trip so special and unforgettable...

Already in August we decided to cancel the planned Marvelous Marrakech workshop from the 7th - 13th of October.

For a long time it still seemed possible to travel to Morocco, October sounded far away and we remained optimistic.

Unfortunately we have to accept that traveling to Morocco is really not an option for the time being. And it remains difficult for everyone because there is no perspective.

Therefore we have decided to cancel the Marvelous Marrakech retreat in October 2020, but to postpone it to 2021.

Of course it's very unpleasant and a disappointment for the 14 participants, Chambres d'Amis, Ank and me, but for the people in Morocco is much worse. The inhabitants in the medina generally have no income and the majority depend on tourism.

The artisans we work with during the workshops, such as Aisha who normally sells her handmade items on the Place des Epices, now have no income at all. This year we cannot sponsor Aisha in the way we normally do.

I still have some of her handmade beanies from last year and they are now for sale in my Etsy shop and I will make sure all proceeds go directly to Aisha.

So no reunion with all dear folks in October, but we have to stay positive and hope for a vaccine soon.

I will miss Marrakech, everything and everyone enormously and keep my fingers crossed we will be able to travel to Marrakech in a safe and responsible way next year...

handmade harlequin pillow in moroccan hues

New handmade harlequin pillow in my Etsy shop.

A moroccan inspired version of the pillows I made before.

The basic color is moroccan pink, almost the same shade as the panelled wall in our bedroom, combined with bright and spicy colors which are completely common in Marrakech.

I started this harlequin pillow project on one of the last days on the ferry to Ilha do Farol, so also a tiny portuguese touch. (when I bring my hook and yarn on holiday, I hardly ever touch it, but if I don't, I always miss it haha...)

I recently finished the pillow and it turned out surprisingly warm, due to the use of characteristic colors.

This week I sold two(!) of my handmade pillows on Etsy, one of which goes all the way to Australia. Do you know i still make a dance of joy when i wake up in the morning and discover, someone on the other side of the world bought one of my handmade items overnight?

Since autumn has made its entrance here, I'm working on all kinds of crochet projects again. I wonder if you guys also get straightaway back into crochet mode in September?

Well, if you want to make your own harlequin pillow, you can download this pillow pattern from my Etsy shop. You can use yarn leftovers and for the base a fresh ball of yarn in your favorite color.

new stuff

New stuff in my ETSY SHOP.

Twin harlequin pillows.

The pillows are offered per piece, but you obviously can also order both. And you can make them yourself as the pattern is available in my Etsy shop.

ilha do farol

Sunday 6th of September

The last afternoon of our september summer holiday, we wanted to spend on our favorite island of Ria Formosa, one more time slow island life on Ilha do Farol.

What a holiday! Our last minute trip to Portugal couldn't be better...

olhão

Saturday 5th of September

Breakfast under the lemon tree.

Train trip to Olhão.

Hang out in the hidden streets with tiled houses in Olhão, azulejos paradise. (Eu amo isso!)

So surprising facades, many varieties, so many colors, so many styles, so many decades.

This year I fell in love with the seventies tiles.

Saturday market, packed with organic vegetables, plants and food.

The outdoor saturday market on the quay of the Ria Formosa is a feast for the eyes. Market with a view.

We bought some fresh backed portuguese cakes, to eat during the ferry crossing to Ilha do Farol.

A few hours of siesta on the island of Farol.

Ferry back to Faro. (haha, smart idea of mine, to take the ferry instead of traveling back by train, with an island as a stopover)

Once back on the mainland, we had some drinks at our favorite cafe around the corner, before we went back to the Lemon Tree hotel.

Que dia lindo...