Izlog u radu - Work in progress

Svi koji me iole poznaju znaju da ja nisam osoba koja skače sa projekta na projekat i koja ostavlja stvari nedovršenima. Međutim, ovo leto me je promenilo.

Počela sam da pletem ovaj džemper od prediva koje mi je stiglo iz Norveške, ali je ovo leto bilo toliko vruće (i još uvek je) da jednostavno nisam mogla da smislim dodir alpake.

Pa sam prešla na jedan drugi projekat. Pletem ćebe. U početku je bilo zamišljeno kao ćebence za moju ćerku, ali mi se čini da ću joj moći to spakovati i u miraz.

Kom tipu pletilja vi pripadate? Onima sa više započetih projekata ili onima što dosledno završe sve što započnu, pre nego što pređu na nešto drugo?

All of you who know me are aware of the fact that I am not a person who jumps from one project to another and leaves things unfinished. However, this summer has changed me.

I started knitting this top using the yarn I got from Norway, but this summer was (and still is) so hot that I just couldn't imagine the touch of alpaca.

So I switched to another project. I am knitting a blanket. In the beginning it was supposed to be a baby blanket for my daughter, but it has grown, so it looks like I'll be able to save it for her dowry.

What type of a knitter are you? The one with a lot of works in  progress or the one that always finishes all that she begins, before moving on to another project?

Slagalice u domaćoj izvedbi - Home made puzzles

Ema je trenutno oduševljena sa nekoliko stvari. Prvo sa Timijem (odn. Me, kako ga ona zove), Pepom Prase (što već znamo) i najnovije sa Benom i Holi. Druga velika zanimacija nam je slaganje slagalica. Kraćim obilaskom prodavnica došla sam do zaključka da su slagalice prilično skupe, a naročito one sa likom i delom gore pomenutih junaka.

I tako sam došla na ideju da napravim svoje slagalice. Sasvim sam sigurna da nisam izmislila rupu na saksiji, ali rekoh, ipak da podelim sa vama. Početna ideja je bila da slike (skinute sa Neta) odštampam u fotokopirnici (budući da nemam štampač u boji), zalepim na karton i onda isečem. Međutim, pretpostavljala sam da neću uspeti tako lepo da zalepim a da se ne odlepljuju krajevi. Druga ideja je bila da u fotokopirnici umesto redovnog papira štampaju na samolepljivom, pa onda da to zalepim na karton. Međutim, veoma ljubazna devojka u kopirnici, puna razumevanja za moje dileme, ponudila mi je opciju da mi slike odštampa na najdebljem papiru koji imaju, što se pokazalo kao dobro rešenje.

I, evo kako to izgleda:

Potreban materijal:

1. Odgovarajuće slike (šta god da je aktuelno kod vaše dece)

2. Skalpel ili makaze

3. Hamer ili samolepljivi papir i karton

4. Kolor štampač ili predusretljiva teta u fotokopirnici

Prednosti domaćih slagalica:

1. Daleko su jeftinije

2. Možete sami birati slike

3. Možete sami seći slike, tako da delovi predstavljaju smislene celine (što nije uvek slučaj kod kupovnih slagalica)

4. Možete biti ponosni na sebe i svoje delo

Nedostaci:

1. Delovi se ne uklapaju baš najbolje, nego se moraju približiti jedan drugom, pa često klize (preporučujem platneni stolnjak na radnoj površini)

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At the moment Ema is captivated by two things. Firstly with Timmy (Me, as she calls him), Peppa the Pig (which you already know), and lately with Ben and Holly. Her other great fascination are puzzles. A short trip around the toy stores lead me to a conclusion that puzzles are quite expensive, especially those depicting the above mentioned characters.

So I came to the idea to make my own puzzles. I am quite aware that I didn't invent anything new, but I still wanted to share this idea with you. The initial thought was to print out the pictures (downloaded from the Internet) at the photocopier's (I don't have a colour printer at home), glue them onto a cardboard and cut them out. However, I decided against it, since I believed I couldn't paste the picture in a way that it wouldn't come up at the edges. The second idea was to use the self adhesive paper for printing at the photocopier's and paste that on the cardboard. However, the very helpful lady at the photocopier's, who showed incredible understanding for my dilemmas, offered me the option to print the pictures on the thickest paper they have.

So, here it is.

Material needed:

1. Pictures according to your wishes (whatever your child is into these days)

2. A scalpel or scissors

3. Thin cardboard or a self adhesive paper and cardboard

4. A colour printer or a forthcoming lady at the photocopier's

Advantages of home made puzzles:

1. They are less expensive by far

2. You can choose the picures

3. You can cut the pictures yourselves, so that the pieces are meaningful (which is not always the case with ready made puzzles)

4. You get to be proud of yourselves and your work

Disadvantages:

1. The pieces do not fit into each other, but have to be put close to one another, so they tend to move around (I recommend using a tablecloth when playing with the puzzle)

Godišnji odmor u Krašićima - A summer holiday in Krašići (Montenegro)

Proveli smo deset fantastičnih dana na crnogorskom primorju, u Krašićima, kao gosti naših dragih prijatelja Miroslava i Helene. 

Krašići su jedno malo mesto smešteno u Bokokotorski zaliv. 

Ukoliko ste željni ludog provoda do sitnih sati, onda ono verovatno i nije stvoreno za vas, ali ukoliko volite miran godišnji odmor sa puno sunca i lepih plaža, nemojte ga propustiti. A evo i zašto.

Šta se može raditi u Krašićima?

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We spent ten wonderful days on the Montenegrin seaside, in Krašići, as house guests of our dear friends Miroslav and Helena.

Krašići is a small town situated in the Boka Kotorska bay.

If you are looking for a wild time till the early morning, this probably isn't the best place for it, but if you prefer a peaceful holiday filled with nice beaches and sunshine, don't miss it. And here is why.

What can you do in Krašići?

Kupati se u bistroj i čistoj vodi. 

You can swim in a clear blue water.

Ako imate decu učiti ih da plivaju na lepo prilagođenim plažama za klince.

If you have small children, you can teach them how to swim on beaches appropriate for their age.

Dobro klopati posle iscrpljujućeg kupanja.

You can have a nice meal after an exhausting round of swimming.

Popiti pićence u hladovini Zanzibara, tik pokraj plaže.

You can have a drink in the shade of the Zanzibar cafe, right on the beach.

Baviti se ručnim radom.

You can do handwork.

I uživati u fantastičnom pogledu.

And you can enjoy the fantastic view over the bay.

Kivi devojčica iliti Napad panike (My kiwi girl or A Panic Attack)

Znate li onaj osećaj kad vam se jedan projekat približava kraju, a vi uviđate da nemate isplaniran naredni? Ona pitanja u glavi - Šta ako ovaj projekat završim večeras? Šta ću ujutru da štrikam? Ili - Sutra je nedelja, a prodavnice sa predivom ne rade! Šta ću da radim do ponedeljka?

E pa, ova kivi haljinica je rezultat tog napada panike. Jednog petka popodne, navrat-nanos, Ema i ja smo otišle u St. George da izaberemo predivo. Na brzinu. Bez razmišljanja. I kupile St. George Una 23. Kao što sam mogla i očekivati predivo se rasteže i pušta boju (vrhovi bambusovih igala su mi kivi boje). Ali, kol'ko para tol'ko muzike. Dobra stvar je što će, s obzirom na stepen rastezanja prediva, Ema moći da nosi haljinicu još godinama.

Mustru sam takođe odabrala na brzinu, mada se tu nisam pokajala. Moram da priznam da mi je odlučujući faktor bila jednostavnost mustre i preslatka devojčica na slici.

* * * * *

Do you know that feeling when your project is getting near the end and you slowly realize that you haven't planned another one? Those questions in your head - 'What if I finish this project tonight? What am I to knit in the morning? Or - It's Sunday tomorrow and all the yarn shops will be closed! What am I to do till Monday?

Well, this kiwi wonder is the result of such a panic attack. On a Friday afternoon Ema and I hurried to St. George yarn shop to pick some yarn. In a rush. With no thinking. And we bought St. George Una 23. And, as expected, it stretches and the colour runs (the tips of my bamboo needles are now kiwi coloured). But, you get what you pay for. The good news is that, having in mind how much the yarn stretches, Ema will be able to wear the dress for years to come.

I chose the pattern in a hurry, as well, but I have no regrets about it. Although I have to confess that the deciding factor was the simplicity of the pattern and the cutest girl in the photo.

Vidi šta sam dobila! -- Look what I got!

Pre nekoliko dana mi se muž vratio iz Norveške gde je proveo mesec ipo dana. Kako bi mi nadoknadio vreme provedeno van toplog doma ponudio se da mi donese neko lepo predivo. I ja sam birala i birala i izabrala Garnstudio Drops Alpaca predivo. Petrolej i roze boje. Po sastavu je 100% alpaka, a na dodir 100% milina. Jedva čekam da počnem da ga koristim.

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My husband has recently returned from Norway where he spent a month and a half. In order to make up for the time away from home he offered to bring me back some yarn. So I chose Garnstudio Drops Alpaca yarn, petroleum and pink. It's 100% alpaca and 100% joy. I can't wait to start knitting.

Pepa Prase u domaćoj izvedbi - A homemade Peppa

Pošto Ema ima dve godinice i u fazonu je Pepe Praseta, mama se potrudila da pronađe amigurumi koji će odgovarati željama njenog prvenčeta. Kraće surfovanje internetom dovelo je do recepta Debbi Birkin, objavljenog u časopisu Woman's Weekly Magazine, u novembru prošle godine. Recept je veoma jednostavan i pravo ga je zadovoljstvo plesti. Ukoliko niste iskusna pletilja, ova mustra vam neće predstavljati veći problem. Jedino što je ušivanje raznoraznih delova i njihovo punjenje dosta velika gnjavaža.

Za izradu Pepe sam koristila St. Georgeov Tango (svetlo rozi, tamno rozi, crveni, plavi i beli) i igle br. 4. 

Princeza je oduševljena, Pepa je već i večerala s nama, obišla bakino dvorište, rekla svim ukućanima laku noć i sada mirno spava. Uživancija!

ù  ù  ù  ù  ù

Since Ema is two years old she is all about Peppa Pig, so mommy did her best to find an amigurumi that would fit fulfill the wishes of her first born. After a short surf on the Internet I came across the pattern by Debbi Birkin, published in Woman's Weekly Magazine last November. The pattern is very simple and is a joy to knit. If you are not an experienced knitter, this pattern will not give you a lot of trouble. The only trouble is that sewing up all the numerous parts and stuffing them is quite boring.

For making Peppa I used St. George's Tango yarn (light pink, dark pink, red, blue and white) and needles no. 4. 

The princess is overjoyed. Peppa has already had dinner with us, was shown around grandma's garden, wished all the members of the family a good night and is now sound asleep. Joy!

Na ovaj sam izuzetno ponosna iliti šta je zeka doneo baki

Moja mama je jedna od onih žena koje kada naiđu na udoban komad garderobe nose ga do iznemoglosti. Tako ona ima jedan svetlo sivi prsluk koji nosi po kući i to već tridesetak godina. Zato je meni palo na pamet da je obradujem jednim novim "pokućnim" prslukom. Listala sam jedno starije izdanje Knit Simple magazina i ugledala ovaj model. A kako se Uskrs približavao, odluka je pala. Imajući negativna iskustva sa jeftinijim predivima, odlučila sam se za Vlnapov Exclusive. Izbor boja nije bio naročito velik, ali s obzirom da je tražila neku neutralniju boju, a stari prsluk je bio svetlo sive boje, izabrala sam ovu tamno sivu. Nazvala sam je telefonom i tražila da mi pošalje svoje dimenzije, otvorila Knit Simple i počela da pletem. Pomalo sam strepela što je u pitanju predivo sa kojim nemam iskustva, što su igle malo deblje, što nemam nju ispred sebe pa da naslonim rad na nju i vidim kako napredujem, ali zagrizla sam i rekla sebi biće kako bude. I bilo je super! Prezadovoljna sam i sa receptom i sa predivom i sa krajnjim rezultatom.

Pošto je i ona izuzetno zadovoljna sa prslukom, došla je do zaključka da ne može u njemu da dinsta luk, već da će ga koristiti za izlaske. I opet nosi stari svetlo sivi prsluk...

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My mum is one of those women who upon finding a comfortable piece of clothing will wear it forever. She has a light gray vest that she has been wearing around the house for about thirty years. So, I had an idea to surprise her with a new "homewear" vest. I was looking through an older edition of Knit Simple magazine and came across this model. And, as Easter was fast approaching, the decision was made. Having had unpleasant experiences with cheaper yarn, I opted for Vlnap Exclusive. The choice of colours was limited, but since she wanted a more neutral colour, and the old vest was light gray, I opted for dark gray. I phoned her to send me her measurements, opened Knit Simple magazine and started knitted. I was a bit apprehensive about using a yarn I had no previous experience with, the needles being a bit too thick, not having my mum around to put my knitting in front of her and see how I'm doing, but I told myself - be as it may! And it was great! I am extremely satisfied with both the pattern and the final result.

And, since my mother is also very happy with the vest, she concluded that she cannot fry onion wearing it, and that she would wear it when going out. So, she's back to wearing her old light gray vest...