How to crochet a heart with HappyBerry crochet..

Hello friends!!!

it's still February.. the month of Love ad hearts.. I've been wanting to write a post on crocheted hearts and I'm still on time!!... even if I think anytime is always the right time to speak about hearts... :) 

I recently found a beautiful website about knitting and crochet.. they have a BLOG, a SHOP and a you-tube channel! They are called HAPPYBERRY. Cute, eh? You need to check them out... they even have adorable free patterns! 

I'll share with you the you-tube video on how to crochet a heart. I've tried to crochet hearts before in different ways...but I think this is my favorite result! Also, the girl who teaches the technique is really sweet... not boring at all.. and has a cute British accent!! She sounds like Keira Knightly or Emma Thompson {I don't know if you a fan of English actresses like me...}...

So, what are you waiting for?? If you know how to crochet..you will learn how to make a cute heart... and if you don't know how to crochet... you will just learn!! :)

These are just 3 of my little hearts. I'm thinking to crochet a couple more and make a bunting banner.. maybe a cake-topper.. I love the yellow yarn I used.

And now... the you-tube video. Thank you Crochet Berry for allowing me to show and share your beautiful work!!! :)

Hugs and kisses to you all!! until next time!!!

xoxo,

Happy Valentine's Day!!! (and giveaway winner!)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

I wish you all a sweet day and all the love your heart desires.

 

 

{I have to have this coffee in the morning!!! :) }

 

Oh....and congratulations to NIKKI!!! The winner of my Cozy & Spoon Giveaway!!!!! :)

Hugs to you all and thanks to all those who participated!!!

xoxo,

Mug Cozy & Vintage Spoon GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi!!!

I can't believe we are already ONE week away from Valentine's Day! These last days I had a few orders from my SHOP that made me very happy and useful... I love to make something that will be gifted to someone special... :) And because of this I'm in the mood for a Giveaway!!! Who doesn't like free stuff?? Especially if the prize is beautiful! One of my dearest friends and awesome crafty-lady is joining me in this giveaway {what a blessing!}.

Are you ready??? 

I'm giving away my newest Latte Mug Cozy together with Lisa's hand-stamped "Need Coffee" vintage spoon!

Hurry up and follow all the instructions in our Rafflecopter Giveaway below the picture

{please don't cheat!! we check all the answers...} :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!!!

The winner will be announced on Feb. 15th!!!

xoxo,

Rich & Creamy Hot Chocolate {Italian style}

Hello everyone!

How many of you watched the SuperBowl yesterday??... well, I hope you were all SeaHawks' fans, because for the Bronco Fans it has not been a very good afternoon.. :(

It was so disappointing that at the end of the game I had to find a way to cheer up and the first thing that popped in my mind was the Hot Chocolate I used to drink in Italy. What's better than a dense and luscious hot chocolate?? And when I say dense I mean it! Every time I make hot chocolate for my children (the store-bought kind) it's basically a hot chocolate-milk.  The kind I used to drink is like velvet, it sticks gently to the spoon.. but it's at the same time liquid enough to drink.

If you have never had it you should try it... and the secret is very simple!

RICH & CREAMY ITALIAN STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE

• Your favorite kind of Hot Chocolate {I used the "double chocolate" Starbucks brand}
• 1 full tsp of Corn Starch each serving
• sugar {only if you need it}
• Cold Milk

Mix the cocoa powder and the corn starch together in a pot. Add as much milk as directed (usually one cup per serving). Stir on low heat... never stop stirring! Let it boil a little bit and serve hot.

 

Yesss! The corn-starch does the magic!

 

What's your favorite kind of hot-cocoa? Share your recipe... I would love to know!!!

 

xoxo,

 

 

New Year ~ New Look

First of all......

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!!!!

Who knows, maybe during this year 2014 there will be more action in this little blog of mine. I always think about things I should write but it's very hard to find the time. Well, I'm here today and I want to share with you my new studio!!! 

Yesssss... LaBelleMadeleine needed a new cute space to be able to create. It's very hard to find a place to work in peace in a small apartment with 4 little kids running around all day long {especially during school-breaks!}. :) I have to say that I found my perfect spot... in a corner of my bedroom, near the window to get some light, surrounded by all the things I need to work with. 

Here's a few pics...

What do you think?? I know it's very small... but there's all I need!! And it's a "happy place" for me, because I love doing what I do... which is mainly sewing and crocheting. And thanks to my new-awesome sewing-machine I will be able to embroider as well!!!! Get ready for some new extra items in my shop! :)

xoxo to you,

Pouches. {and a giveaway}

Who knows if there's still someone who reads my blog.... but it's ok, I write it anyway, whenever I can! :)

The little struggles of my everyday life didn't stop me from working in my little shop. I've been recently inspired by super cute fabrics and I ordered some directly from Japan! I think they have some of the cutest prints and the quality of their cotton is incredible. I have made a few pouches, all listed in my SHOP.

There will be more to come!

If you want to WIN my Ladybug Ruffled POUCH {together with other amazing prizes} you can enter the giveaway below!!

Good Luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cross-Stitch Love

First of all...thank you to all who entered my Giveaway!!! I've contacted the winner and sent her the Pumpkin Spice Cup Cozy! I can't wait to hear from her and see if she likes it.... :)

In the meantime I've been cross-stitching a lot!!! Yesssss!!! It has been such a long time... I used to cross-stitch more often when I was younger {before having sweet little babies}, it was my favorite hobby, it relaxes me and gives satisfaction once the work is done. I remember, while studying at the University, I had a little project waiting for me after every exam.. I couldn't wait to finish to study just to be able to cross-stitch without any worries! 

I would have liked to share pictures of my last work... but I'm not done!!! That's why I checked online for beautiful works made by other people.... I picked a few to share with you:

Look at this amazing girl.... isn't she so pretty???

www.crossstitchingart.com

...and Super Mario!!!!! This was the game I spent hours playing when I was little! 
www.momcents.org

This is an incredibly cute Hoop Art work.. I like the simplicity of the stitches..

www.craftsy.com

These little mice are just so adorable!!!!!

www.bolitadepapel.wordpress.com

This one also reminds me of my childhood!! Iridella {her name in Italian...}

www.rosaka.deviantart.com

I could go on and on and on... there are so many great cross-stitchers out there!!!! 

I also found many web-sites where you can buy patterns... my favorite is DANCE NEEDLE on Etsy, they have adorable kawaii style easy patterns. 

If you are looking for something FREE there's always Pinterest!! That's where I found mine... click HERE to display a lot of free patterns!

There is also another interesting web-site called MYPHOTOSTITCH.COM , where you can upload any picture {for free} and it will transform it in a cross-stitch pattern!! Isn't it cool?? 

Well, that's all I have for now!!! If you are a stitcher like me, I hope you will enjoy a nice cup of tea sitting in your favorite spot on a chilly afternoon, with in your hands your favorite work ready to be stitched.

Happy Fall to you All!!!

xoxo,