Speaking It Into Reality.

 Hi loves, 

Have you ever wondered why something keeps affixed to your imagination or dreams?  I have.

I've dreamt many years ago of owning my own Beauty Salon which was operated as a classy beauty salon, with an actual start and end time. This last bit (opening hours) was very important, as at that time I was working in a hair salon that did not have an end time.  I would go to work by 9am and in comes someone after 3 pm requesting to get their hair braided small (if you have ever gotten your hair braided with extensions you know it takes time).  Once my boss accepts this client it means I could be at work until after midnight and still have to be back at work by 9 am the next morning.  That was exhausting and to say the least, I wasn't getting a lot of pay.

Fast forward a couple of years I got certified in general Cosmetology but right after completing tragedy struck and I was forced to seek employment fast as the sole breadwinner at the time died and my baby was just about to turn 2 years old.  While working at my new job I continued to do natural hairstyles (my specialty).  This was my second job, my weekend job, but a little over a year I had to change department and this caused me to lose clients as  I started working on weekends.  I stayed in that job changing departments and moving up the ranks until 2017 when I got laid off.  This is when my dream of becoming my own boss came to life, though not as a salon owner.

I've always been creative at heart, whether it's creating beautiful hairstyles, crocheting/knitting, or embroidering... So it came as no surprise when I registered the business name Khenzuri's Treasures.  I was really pumped up about sewing my seeds and getting my name out there.  But it's not that easy.  

My daughter's first day of school hairstyle

A simple twist with beads

I did my own hair as well

crochet braids

crochet then twist out

I've had good days and some not-so-good days but that doesn't stop me from believing that I will succeed.  I know I will not just own a successful business where I crochet and knit other people's designs... But I will become a designer as well... 

How are you so confident you will become a designer?

I am sure because no matter what pattern I am making my mind is racing 100 miles a sec with new ideas of what to make or how to change the current pattern I am working on. I have designed things in the past it's just not written for others to remake and that is what I am working on.

For instance, I made a dress from a scarf I test knitted.  While I was knitting the scarf, the idea came to turn it into a crop halter top.  However, after starting the new project that idea shifted and became a dress. Can I tell you how this dress stayed on my mannequin for almost a year before the final touches were added?  Take a look and tell me what you think.  Did I do well? 

My design, it was birthed from a scarf I test knitted for Petra Breakstone.

The issue I have now as to why I am not actively pursuing this part of my dream is designing takes time and I am a bit stretched at the moment but the stars are being aligned as we speak so it's just a matter of time.

And you know as long as there is life a dream can still become a reality.  Come along with me on my journey.  Until next time.

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

Christening Dress

 

Hi loves,

I have wonderful news, on December 22, 2020, I welcome the newest member of my family, a sweet little bundle of joy..... Princess Ari.  I'm not sure if you guys notice whenever I do anything for babies I'm always happy and inspiration is never far (hmm.... Is this my tell-tale sign of what my true calling is?  Who knows? guess we'll just have to wait and see).

Well as I said earlier inspiration is never far...  and therefore I decided she would need a christening dress and I would love to make it for her.  I went to Youtube, browsed around, and came upon a very cute and simple design by Majovel.  I watched the video (see attached video below) and then decided to start crocheting the dress.

Princess Ari was on the smaller size but due to the fact that I wouldn't be using the same yarn or the same size needle as in the video, I decided to do the largest size.  

Let's get started shall we - I did a chain of 62 using a size 2.75 mm crochet hook and Ice Yarns Natural Cotton in white.

After 2 rounds

 Round 3 completed

5 rounds completed

Making steady progress

Stitch markers in place, let's start the body of the dress.

Dress completed as per video (thread still attached, was deciding my next move) 

After completing the dress, I was left with the decision of what embellishment to use.  I thought ribbon, so I went and purchased a pretty neon pink (the choices sadly were either neon pink or really dark pink).  I wanted rose buds but the store had none. I came home to weave the ribbon through the neck, though pretty I felt something was missing.  

I consulted my daughter Sani and she too agreed it needed something else.  It wasn't until the headband was made the finishing touches came to life.  Now, there was no need for that ribbon I bought as I crochet the band needed as well as add a little colour to the sleeves and hem of the dress.  Presto my masterpiece was finito.

Too anxious to wait until the sun was out.

Doesn't she look cute

My camera does them both no justice

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

 

Understanding the Difference

Hi Loves,

Here's a bit of reading for you.  I was casually browsing the web (you guessed it a bit bored at work with no project in hand), and I came across a post from Craftsy.  It was explaining the difference between British vs American Crochet terms (you knew there was a difference, right?) and decided to share it.

For starters...

The chain and slip stitch mean the same for both, thank goodness!!!

Now, this is where things get weird if you are not aware there was a difference....  Imagine being gifted some vintage crochet patterns, you got very excited to try a very cute pattern.  You got the required yarn, needle and with the pattern in hand started your project, only at the end or even in the middle come to realize it is not looking like the pattern somehow.  

What could be the issue? Here's your answer;

• You are accustomed to British terminology and the pattern was written in American terminology
• Or the reverse... 

Not to worry I got your back, here are the differences;

American Crochet	British Crochet
Single crochet	Double crochet
Half double crochet	Half treble crochet
Double crochet	Treble crochet
Treble crochet	Double treble crochet
Double treble crochet	Triple treble crochet
Gauge	Tension
Skip	Miss

Now that we know the differences, how do we tell the origin of a pattern?

1. Check for the term single crochet (sc). This is an indication this was written using American terms.
2. Does the pattern ask you to check your tension? If it does, it's written using  British terms.
3. Another indicator is does the pattern ask you to miss or skip stitch?

Now my loves that you are armed with the information go forth and create those masterpieces.

Thanks love for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh.. Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

Bookmarkers

In my pursuit of finding that thing, or two that will allow me to stand out and stay relevant, here I am up from the crack of dawn searching the world wide web for ideas while making different bookmakers.

Modifications made (always) to add my own touch.