Stitches and Thrills

A couple of years ago I bought a Logitech Headset ClearChat Style. The set was a nice little price and perfect for Skype. And after a few years the headset still works fine. However I did get a problem with the soft ear cushions falling apart. "Easy to fix" I thought, I'll just buy some new ones. Alas: these are not available! A friendly guy at the electronic shop helped me trying if other brands would fit, but we couldn't find the right ones. So I got in touch with Logitech, asking which replacement ear cushions they would advice. But they couldn't advice beyond whether or not the warranty still would apply. I knew my purchase was too long ago for that. But I didn't want to discard a complete headset, just because I couldn't find new foamy ear cushions. So it was time for a creative solution:I made my own ear cushions from organic cotton. Here is the crochet pattern for headphone ear cushions: Material: Big organic Cotton (I used Linea ...

For my birthday party with the family I made another almond flour bundt cake. This version received much praise from my nephews and niece (8, 6 & 4 yrs). Without the bananas you'll get a lighter, fluffier cake. Unlike my original recipe ( here ) I did use a bit of sugar this time. So, by popular demand, here's the recipe : Almond flour bundt cake, the summer fruits version 250 gram almond flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 0,5 table spoon cider vinegar tiny bit of salt 150 gram butter 3 table spoons agave syrup 1/2 sachet vanilla sugar 3 eggs 250 gram of mixed fruits (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries). Preferably fresh, but if it is out of season frozen will do as well. Optional garnish: whip cream (125 ml mixed with 1 or 2 tablespoons sugar) Pre heat the oven on 150 C. Mix in a large bowl: almond flour, baking soda, vanilla sugar, cider vinegar, salt, butter, agave syrup. Split the eggs one by one, while putting the egg whi...

Goji- almond flour cake 250 gram almond flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 0,5 table spoon cider vinegar tiny bit of salt 150 gram butter 3 table spoons agave syrup* 3 ripe bananas 3 eggs 75 gram goji berries 75 gram pumpkin seeds 50 gram hazelnuts 3 tablespoons peeled sesame seed Pre heat the oven on 150 C. Mix in a large bowl: almond flour, baking soda, cider vinegar, salt, butter, agave syrup. Squash and mix the bananas through the mixture. Split the eggs one by one, while putting the egg white in a separate bowl. The yolk you mix through the almond flour mixture . Beat the egg whites in the separate bowl till they are nearly stiff. Gently add them to the cake mixture (making sure you don't lose the air you just beat into it) Add goji berries, pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts. Pour the cake mixture in a greased tin and add sesame seeds on top. Bake in the pre-heated oven in 50 minutes till it's done.  Leave the mixture in the tin at first to cool of a l...

A museum visit I was really looking froward to: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk Still to visit at museum De Kunsthal (Rotterdam) until 12 May 2013. What an impressive collection. There were more as 130 designs, representing Gaultiers fashion of over 35 years. It was truly inspiring to see all the beautiful details from up close. The accompanying leaflet had for some dresses the information of how many hours it had taken to make them. Considering the amount of embroidered sequins and beads, I'd have expected some would have taken even longer. The layout of the exhibition was marvellous. The different collections were in rooms with a specific atmosphere (boudoir, catwalk etc), which presented them very well. Some of the mannequins had filmed faces projected on them which was both fascinating and a little estranging. The only minus for me is the use of fur (but I knew before that he uses that). As far as I am concerned: rather not....

 Photo impression of the Crochet and Knit Days 2013 As seen on the boots of:  http://www.devlotteknot.nl/  http://www.wolhalla.nl/  http://www.zevenkatten.nl  http://www.klazienskreatie.nl/ Photo impression of the Twined Knitting workshop by The Dutch Knitters The workshop was real fun. We learned all the basic stitches to take this technique to the next level. I also found some nice examples of Two End / Twined Knitting on Pinterest .

Yesterday I came across a fascinating art installation at the Aalmarkt in Leiden: A big red threatening button, montaged outside a former shop window, and above it a big sign saying: DO NOT PRESS! In the shop window there was a siren, a monitor, and much display of possible bells and whistles. So, what does one do when seeing a great big threatening button... Exactly!  (From: Doctor Who - The Christmas Invasion) I pressed the button, anticipating a lot of noise, lights and movement. But what happened was... nothing at all! :( Unfortunately there was not a name of an artist on the installation. Because now I am curious about his or her intentions. Was it on purpose that nothing happened, was it all about the moment of anticipation? Or did the neighbours complain? Perhaps dysfunctional due to the snow and ice? And how many passers-by did press the button despite (or because!) there were so many warning signs? - - - - - - + - - - - - - Anyway: her...

Now there was a Share & Like on facebook I liked to take part in: To win one of two Adonde Ico geometric storage baskets, made of recycled cardboard at Babongo on facebook . And I did win one, how about that! :) The basket arrived flat packed yesterday. See the cool wrapping paper? It's from Wrap magazine (also available at Babongo): a magazine of which the illustrations can be used as poster or wrapping paper. Today I had time to assemble my basket. I choose for the light blueish green/turquoise version, but it also comes in dark blue, yellow and orange. The instructions are very clear, and the result is a lovely storage for all these little things that lay scattered on your work space. I love the retro yet modern look of it. If you want to order one for yourself, you can go to Babongo .