Mandalas

DearA sent Me a gift. It was Mandala Tote Bag Crochet Kit designed by WoollyChic. I have crochet a lot before but never a kit! So, it was quite exciting see it and realize it included it all. I just had to sit down and do it.

I love the fact that it all was in a fabric back which I can re-use when doing shopping. I  like about the idea that the bag has actually crochet design print. It is fun and reminds you to buy some more wool to do it again!

The kit had quite much wool to crochet. If you are a beginner and mess around, you don't need to worry at all. Just start it all over again. When I finished the 1st mandala there was a lot of wool left.

So, I decided to crochet another mandala. It turn out as pretty as the 1st one. After finishing the second one I wondered if there was still enough wool left for the 3rd one...

And there was! But that definitely was all. No more mandalas from this kit. Now I had three mandalas. I wondered what I should do with them...

Ta-dah!!! I made a table cloth for MyChestTable. And right now I realized -after going through all the blog post- that I have never ever introduced you MyChestTable despite it is on the background of several pics in this blog!!! I must show you the pics... I have them all...

BlanketNo6 (rose)

Do you remember my own design BlanketNo6? Now I've I crocheted similar but rose. They are like twins but the shade difference makes them look different.

Also for this blanket I used Schachenmayr's  KidLight yarn (38% nylon, 32% polyacryl and 30% mohair) (100g = 600m).

JukoBag

Last May I finished CardWeavingKit designed by Juko. Now I have finally sew it to the desired form. I must confess it is a nice little bag.

I made the lining to protect the woven outfit better. When you put things in and take out; during the time it begins to be seen in the woven fabric.

I designed the straps for the bag. This took quite long. I have been thinking what kind of they should be. I made the bag for use. That's why the straps should also bear the time. At the end I sew the straps from the lining fabric and decorated them by zigzag to fasten the loose end yarns!

At the end, I personalized it by a badge I bought from Prague last Christmas. Now it is perfect and every time I carry it I remember DearA. and Prague.

CreteDream (part18)

On 2017 I told you about a local Tavern Zorbas in Pigi. Now, after two years, we went back and I was happy to see there was two new taverns nearby. These two taverns are worth of visiting also from far. Of course all the portions are not gluten free but coeliacs won't stay hungry nor be turn away.

I absolutely fell in love with The Leaky Cauldron tavern. The staff speaks good English. The best thing is that the chef is professional and he understood the meaning of coeliac disease and gluten free diet when I shoved him the info leaflet about it. I didn't need to explain or excuse. I didn't feel like being a trouble but I felt like being a customer! We had dinner there for many times during our holiday.

Another good experience was Paprika.  This was another perfect tavern to eat well and gluten free. I have nothing but good to say about this place either.

PS. Crete is well known about its healthy diet and a bit obsessed people to its food. My travels on the island have only proved, that they are not negatively obsessed on their food. If you have a special diet, they all are only happy to find something you can eat. Coeliac disease is quite unknown in Greece and Crete. When I show my info leaflet translated to Greek and explain I am sick, not a picky one, they are very friendly and understand how important thing it is to avoid gluten. Even in Scandinavia I am sometimes turned away from the restaurants and cafes. But in Crete, in family taverns, they even invite me into the kitchen to show how they make my food that it is safe for me to eat. My recommendation for all travelling with coeliac disease in Crete is to favor family taverns and be honest with your trouble, they will feed you safe and sound. 💙

CreteDream (part17)

Crete is full of beaches. On some of them you can even swim with horses. You can find silent ones and full booked ones. If it is too windy to swim in the sea you can try out one of the few lakes.

We love Lake Kournas. This year the water was still on June - July much higher than usual and you could not see the sand beaches or enjoy about them in Kournas. It is because of the huge rains and floods Crete has faced on the last winter and spring season (climate change is here, use your brains to help it out). Still, there was pedal boats for rent and you could just go into the middle of the lake and start swimming there. Lake Kournas is a great place to spot some flora and fauna too. I never have pic there because we often go by horses but you do can get there by a car too.

The beach pictured on these two pics is Preveli Palm Beach known also Preveli palmgrove.  You can google it and find information about it. But, one thing internet doesn't seem to tell you is the fact that there is the 3rd way to access to Preveli Palm Beach. It is the most easiest one. Of course, then you won't see the spectacular view using the steep stairs provide you.

If you have no good legs and physical fitness... or you have a heart problem, I recommend you to avoid the stairs because at the end, you need to climb them back up when going home. If you want to see the view you can go there on early morning when the sun is not so hot yet and walk down the stairs just little bit to see it all. Mind our steps!

The most easiest way to go to Preveli Palm Beach is to go to Plakias that locates 10 km west from Preveli palmgrove. ??? !!! Yes, just go to Plakias and take a boat trip to Preveli Palm Beach!!!!! So simple is that! I know, I love you too! 😍

(It cost a bit but it saves you from the walking under the hot hot Crete Sun but still you can experience the palmgrove. I didn't take the boat trip but I bet the views from the sea are great and spectacular too. You can consider to stay a night or few in a small & cosy Plakias and use one day for a trip to see Preveli Palm Beach.)

No matter which country or beach you visit or do you just stay home, remember the nature. If you want to participate on practical work take a look at Archelon. Easiest way is -of course- to pay attention on your own action AND donate some money for the society via internet. On Crete Archelon has stands all over the island, just keep your eyes open. They share the information, sell few items and have a money donation box there. If you see a volunteer going a round in the blue T-shirt you can always go to talk with them.