YOUR Personal Freeform CAL! - "Week" 25

You need such a visual diary blanket as well?
It's really never to late to start it!
I will always post your pictures
on my page Dada Neon Crochet & add it to our CAL photo album!
No time pressure at all!
If you wanna join this freeform adventure you can find the first project here!

♥♥♥

 Finally I'm in a better condition,

I had a bad flu & I'm a bed person when I'm ill,

no way sitting on the desktop

but you are already used to wait for my blogposts I guess! ;-)

Something has made me sooo happy before!

My Nana Julia has arrived in the USA!

Nana Catgirl wasn't amused to have a look alike

& so I've sent her to MariaElena!

 She is in loving & caring hands now

& has such good company!

MariaElena & her prince Greg

two monkeybrothers

& Baby Flower Monkeygirl!

Just in case someone of you has missed her blogpost

about how to make a fabulous yarn bowl

here you go!!!

I find it fantastic when creative persons

share their brilliant ideas

& my blog is always open for friends who wanna show their skills

but don't have their own blog!

So just tell me about your ideas!

Another wonderful guest blog has been published:

Donna (Walker's Whimsies)

has offered us a fantastic tutorial

on Marina's Snovej page!

This just rocks

& I totally celebrate the friendship & support

you give each other!

Here you find the tutorial! 

And then I have to show my new yarnpainting

because it only exists because of his CAL!

The beautiful tree in the middle is crocheted with the

Tree Mandala Pattern of Jenny!

It was her tree project & I'm so happy she wrote down the pattern!

The stained glass around is freefomed.

A disaster has happened today!

I ran out of neon yarn

& it will take some time until I can get me new one.

Damn money!

Of course I still have kilos of other yarns

but without neon it's less fun!

But I also still have some plarn,

so I can go on with my huge Nana...

And yes! It's finally spring & I can crochet outside again!

On Monday I have a job interview,

next month I continue my studies & I need a part time job

to finance it...

Less time for the pages then

but sooo important for me to get into regular structures again!

So don't wonder when less Dada Neon action will go on...

♥♥♥

Soooo, now the hello to all my lovely members!

Much love to:
 Roberta,
Jodie,
Ulrike,
Gwenda,
Sandy (Sandy's Sundries),
 Alicia (Marcalic Eve)
Marina (Freeform Crochet World, Freeform Crochet World Group,
Snovej, The Snovej Circle, Snovej Crafts & Kal's of Maine),

 Anouk (Een steekje verder), the highness MariaElena,
 Lin (Crochet in Colour)

Shawn (Dragonbird Creations) Lisbeth,
Jane,

Tracy (Eden Reborn),Jenny (Craft Cove),
 Donna (Walker's Whimsies & Freeform Crochet World Group)
 Anne,
Zelna (Zooty Owl)
 Monique (Yemanja)

   Princess Saskia ("MalleSas"),

 Cilly, 

Michi (Knittenfee),
Brenda,

Enna (Mishook aka Strikkeliese & Mishook), Nancy (Needleful Things),
 Judy,
 Nora,
 Jacqui (Hooky Delights.),
Denise (Wickedcrochet),
Alex,

Lisa (Knotty Girl Yarn Art),

 Lindy,Anne,

Marijke,

Katherine,
Cathy,
Kerry (Silver Owl Promidi),
Shelly (or Shell!)
& Anoinette (Moonbrush Wood Studios)!
Kathy

And...new members, yay!!!

Ilene has started her adventure with this first gorgeous puzzle piece!
A real colourbomb, we can expect to see her CAL grow
bright & fabulous!

And we also have Bj in our team now!
Here we can see her hand project,
a wonderful work!

 I wish you lots of fun on this adventure!

But also some more other projects have been created:

Gwenda has crocheted her favourite fairy tale:
The red shoes!
It's also connected to her favourite book,
my current read:

Women who run with the wolves
by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés!

And another awesome fairy tale has been created:

Here we can see Saskia's ("MalleSas") favourite one,

"The lion & the mouse":

 Some more progress pics of Denise (Wickedcrochet)!

Such beautiful works,

first her gorgeous recreation:

Then her happy & friendly

"Sunny days" puzzle piece:

 And here her CAL in progress!!!

I love it!

 Haha & our Lisbeth has progressed again, too!
Her great friendship symbol:

Her happy Nana in the sun!
What a joyful picture!

 ...and also a CAL progress pic, yay!

Awesome!

Antoinette (Moonbrush Wood Studios) has also created 

wonderful & unique works again,

here we can see her house (with pond, yay!):

Her beautiful, beautiful eye project:

...and her favourite song:
Shining light by Ash!

And here we can see this fabulous tapestry work
by Monique (Yemanja),
it's her favourite poem!

And here we can see her favourite movie...
Hmmm, could it be...
Life of Pi, yay!!!
I think I'm right! ;-)

Thank you so much for presenting me your works,

means so much to me to see it grow!

 ♥♥♥

Sooo: Time to present our topic for "week" 25, haha!

 It's getting sooo hard to find new topics!

I've consulted Sandy & she had some really good ideas

but the one I wanna realize is really challenging,

so it needs more time

& will be the next puzzle piece.

And my last one to add to my blanket.

I wanna freeform a border

& with 2 more puzzle pieces

it has the perfect shape...

You can still give me ideas to realize

but maybe it's also time to

create the REAL personal puzzle pieces for yourself.

Things that only mean to you but wouldn't fit in a general topic.

Saskia has rescued me with an idea,

of course we need an artist signature

on our work: 

Our given or chosen names!

And I can present you more than one inspiration...

Gwenda did it months ago!

And what a brilliant way to do so!

I LOVE her name & this is so fantastic!

I don't know if she will use for her CAL

but she really could! 

 And here we have Saskia's version,

she has crocheted her artist name "MalleSas"

in such a special way!

And here you can see two more versions,

I've made a crochet version

based on a cross stitch generator

& I still have to freeform around it actually.

OR I totally make a new one.

Just wanted to show another option,

I think I will need a more crazier signature...

And Alex has also crocheted his

name in this psychedelic way! So cool!

Thank you so much for the inspirations

Gwenda & Saskia!

 Let it grow

& give me some ideas, haha!

I don't want to complete this CAL somehow... :-(

♥♥♥

Stay awesome my princesses & princes,

 your friend Dada (or Julia)!!!

♥♥♥

Let me see your art in Marina's & Donna's Freeform Crochet World Group, on Dada Neon Crochet or Ravelry!

Yarn Bowl Tutorial! - By Malena Casey

What a wonderful idea!

My friend Malena (MariaElena)

 has made this gorgeous Yarn Bowl

& she was so lovely to write down a tutorial!

 It's such a good thing to have

- no yarn mess anymore

while we are crocheting!

(And also a good way to rescue

our yarn from playing dogs & cats!)

So here it comes:

MariaElena's first tutorial, yay! ;-)

♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥

YOU WILL NEED:

A round Paper Mache Box

 

&

a pencil

a cardboard knife

sandpaper

white glue

all purpose sealer

water based Latex (mate)

some yarn & a hook

acrylic colors

Acrylic sealer/Finisher

 

First you draw with a pencil the shape of the cut you want 

and then cut it out with exacto or cardboard knife 

or anything else that will work for your box. 

Then you sand the opening edges with fine sandpaper 

until even and smooth and brush them with white glue. 

When it's dry run your finger through the edge 

to see if it needs more sanding. 

Apply a second coat of white glue and let it dry.
Now you apply a coat of all purpose sealer to the whole box, 

let dry and apply a second coat, 

sanding with a very fine sand paper in between.


 

Paint the box with water based Latex (mate), 

2 coats, sanding lightly in between. 

Now you can sponge a contrasting color, 

or paint whatever you would like, 

or maybe do some decoupage.... its your choice! 

I used a sea sponge and crafts acrylic paint 

and just dabbed some on the box. 

I painted a a border at the bottom and the edges on top, 

including the opening.

When you are satisfied with your decorations, 

apply 2 more coats of sealer. 

When the sealer was  totally dry, 

I rubbed the whole thing with a gel stain, 

very lightly and cleaning immediately, to give it an aged patina.  

I also made a crochet chain with matching cotton yarn 

and glued it to the upper border and opening. 

You can also use a glue gun.
Now you can spray your pretty bowl with an acrylic sealer/finisher 

and let dry overnight. 

Enjoy!! ❤️❤️❤️

♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ 

 Malena (MariaElena) & Dada are curious persons,

so if you have made your own Yarn Bowl

please post a picture

to Dada Neon Crochet! ;-)

I will add your work to this blogpost as well!

 You have a fantastic idea,

written down a wonderful pattern

but you don't have a blog or webpage?

Don't be shy, we are all here to inspire us

& I will happily share your unique ideas here!

YOUR Personal Freeform CAL! - Week 24

You want a freeformed visual diary blanket, too?
It's never to late to start it!
I will always post your pictures
on my page Dada Neon Crochet & add it to our CAL photo album!
No time pressure at all!
If you wanna join this freeform adventure you can find the first project here!

♥♥♥

Haha, finally the next CAL blogpost!

I'm working on many projects again...

Yes, this will be my biggest Nana so far!

I'm using my 20 mm hook

& I can't wait to go on with my huge Lady!

Plastic yarn is great for such big projects

& Dedri (Lookatwhatimade) has also

told me the right word for plastic yarn:

Plarn! So cool!

Donna wants to crochet a tiny Nana,

I bet they would look awesome together!

I just love it how hook sizes can make a difference!

I also have to go on with my coat,

growing the sleeves & adding some hearts & stuff like that! ;-)

It's a wonderful thing to do,

german speakers can get the current "Häkeln 4 You" magazine,

the pattern is in there! ;-)

I guess Wollfactory is thinking about an english translation,

would be great!

We have some more beautiful works for Prudence Mapstone's

Flower-Power-Project:

Monique & Marijke have worked together for this

fabulous creation!

And sooo wonderful:

Kerry has crocheted a pretty Nana!

Such a brilliant idea to crochet a Nana

for the wallhanging,

can't wait to see the first picture

when Prudence has attached it! :-)

Marina has also sent some beautiful pieces

to Prudence, you can see them & read about it

in this post!

♥♥♥

Soooo, now the hello to all my lovely members!

Much love to:
 Roberta,
Jodie,
Ulrike,
Gwenda,
Sandy (Sandy's Sundries),
 Alicia (Marcalic Eve)
Marina (Freeform Crochet World, Freeform Crochet World Group,
Snovej, The Snovej Circle, Snovej Crafts & Kal's of Maine),

 Anouk (Een steekje verder), the highness MariaElena,
 Lin (Crochet in Colour)

Shawn (Dragonbird Creations) Lisbeth,
Jane,

Tracy (Eden Reborn),Jenny (Craft Cove),
 Donna (Walker's Whimsies & Freeform Crochet World Group)
 Anne,
Zelna (Zooty Owl)
 Monique (Yemanja)

   Princess Saskia ("MalleSas"),

 Cilly, 

Michi (Knittenfee),
Brenda,

Enna (Mishook aka Strikkeliese & Mishook), Nancy (Needleful Things),
 Judy,
 Nora,
 Jacqui (Hooky Delights.),
Denise (Wickedcrochet),
Alex,

Lisa (Knotty Girl Yarn Art),

 Lindy,Anne,

Marijke,

Katherine,
Cathy,
Kerry,
Shelly (or Shell!)
& Anoinette (Moonbrush Wood Studios)!

...and: I can introduce a new CAL member!!! :-)

Kathy has just joined our adventure!
And here ist her very first puzzle piece:

I bet Kathy's CAL will be bright & colourful, great!
Happy to have you in our team now! ;-)

And we have some awesome new progress pics...

I'm starting with Antoinette's works -
she is progressing sooo fast
& her works are all adorable!
Her "Starry Night" project:

Antoinette's beloved "grumpy" cat:

...looks wonderful together!

And yesterday she has posted this awesome tree! Wow!

 Our CAL friend Monique (Yemanja)
has crocheted two wonderful new works!
Her friendship puzzle piece is such a beauty!

...and I can totally imagine why THIS

is her favourite place to stay!

Have to go to Greece!

Here you can see Gwenda's Sunny Days puzzle piece!

What a wonderful work,

the sunflower, all the sweet little flowers

next to the water...

Love it!

Our CAL friend Cilly has yarnpainted such a gorgeous sea world picture!
Looks awesome with this wooden frame!

 And MariaElena has crocheted this brilliant sea painting!
Her fish is inspired by Laurel Burch,
so wonderful!
Lools like the seahorse wants to kiss the fish! ;-)

And here is Saskia's ("MalleSas") fabulous sunny days project!

What a wonderful butterfly,

can't wait for warmer days when I look at it! 

 ♥♥♥

So: but here is our topic for "week" 24!

 MariaElena has suggested it could be great

to crochet our favourite fairy tales,

legends or myths!

As we all come from different countries

it must be really interesting!

A great idea!

I was thinking about it...

Children love to listen to the same stories

again & again...

What was my favourite fairy tale?!

Rapunzel? Cinderella?

Hansel & Gretel?

I'm living in the area where

the Brothers Grimm grew up

but it's not only because of this reason

that I'm choosing one of their fairy tales.

I guess everyone who has spent

a childhood in Germany knows all these Grimm fairy tales!

I can remember that my brother Claus & me

always wanted my mother to sing us the same song

again & again:

Hansel & Gretel.

This song is telling the story

& actually it's quite creepy,

here is a link to an english translation of this song. ;-)

I'm studying educational sciences

& many educationalists think that the creepy stories

in fairy tales & myths are too rough for children.

I disagree.

I don't know if anyone has ever heard of Bruno Bettelheim.

He has survived two concentration camps

during the second world war

& emigrated to the US afterwards.

He was a great scientist

& wrote books about nazi Germany,

autism, psychoanalysis & education.

In his opinion children need fairy tales.

In our early childhood we are learning

to develop our moral sense & empathy.

The good & evil patterns help us to learn what's good or bad.

And so it's totally fine I guess

that my favourite fairy tale contains cannibalism, haha!

Bruno Bettelheim thought Hansel & Gretel

shows common fears of children:

Losing parents & the shelter of a home,

being without food,

meeting evil persons.

I didn't want to yarnpaint a grim witch

but I thought the witch house could represent this fairy tale best!

I've started a first version this way:

Crocheting little squares...

I wasn't very happy because it costs lots of time!

Then I remembered a tutorial of Atty's

I always wanted to try this Stool cover tutorial!

I had a look at the photos & crocheted stripes

suitable for the size of my witch house:

Then I've crocheted more stripes to weave them in:

And here is my Hansel & Gretel witch house!

I really like it & could totally imagine living in it! ;-)

THANK YOU so much for your gorgeous idea, MariaElena!

Sooo, what is your favourite fairy tale, legend or myth?

Can't wait to see your works!

I will attach the last puzzle pieces in the following days -

I guess my blanket will be completed soon!

But as long as you give me your ideas

I will just go on creating new puzzle pieces.

I can just produce jackets, bags or stuff like that with them! ;-)

♥♥♥

Stay awesome my princesses & princes,

 your friend Dada (or Julia)!!!

♥♥♥

Let me see your art in Marina's Freeform Crochet World Group, on Dada Neon Crochet or Ravelry!