Stylish cardigan for toddlers

It's weekend, but seems like nature had something else on its mind and didn't want us to enjoy our day out. It started with a few raindrops on Friday night and was followed by their fierce friends that try to flood our streets. We had to go to a tea party with our relatives, but was raining cats and dogs and everyone in the streets were trying to find to find a shelter as we watched from our window. The rain was really heavy that it could still soak us even with our umbrellas open till we got into the car that was a few steps away from the building. Anyway we went to the cousin's house and had a few hours that we enjoyed with our relatives. As we had delicious pastry, cookies and cakes besides our tea and coffee I've started to knit a baby cardigan of pink yarn for baby girls. I'm sure it will be beautiful, but sure it will take a bit long for me to complete it, because on Monday I'll go and buy some yarn for the colorful blanket; throw that I plan to crochet so I'll suspend knitting the cardigan. Sure there are many baby cardigans listed in my shop so need to worry if one more comes a bit late :) Tonight I'll share one of these baby cardigans that I've knitted of creme yarn and with brown narrow stripes it look so chic that proves even a toddler can be stylish :) I hope you all will like it...

Colorful & Cheerful...

It's been a day of relief after I've send the pack to my last customer, writing a notification message and getting the warm reply from her telling that she'd love to visit my country some day and would love to drop by and meet me also on her trip's Bursa leg. Sure this will be in the future we both don't know the exact time, but as I've wrote here a few times while talking on sales; sure this is a business I want it to flourish, but also a way of making friends all over the world so such conversations with customers make me really happy, because this is a way that show me not only my items are being liked, but also my attitude is appreciated which a firm would call 'customer service' :) After some shopping I came home and did the daily chores until it was evening when I usually start to work online. I do them step by step which gives me the advantage of getting used to the things to be done so I can work faster as days go by. First I work on groups on Facebook, favorites on Etsy, communities on google+ and at last I proceed to writing my blog. In a few weeks; I'll start to give instructions of the items you see on photos and comments on the items I pick to use on the treasuries I make and post here, because I start to use time efficiently than I used to when I started this blog. Today I'll share 16 beautiful items from fellow Etsians' shops in a treasury I named 'Colorful & Cheerful'. I hope you all will like them.

Kids' cardigan...

It was a day I've spent all my time till evening by knitting. The tank top that's of creme cotton yarn as a custom order's completed at the end and I guess it's been beautiful, but sure what counts is how my customer will feel when she wears it and I really hope that she'll like it. On the knitter's end, everything ends when the last loop is knitted and then you change your position to the shop owner, pack the item and dispatch it to the recipient. It normally takes a week for the pack to be delivered to the European countries when sent from Turkey and all these days you wait in excitement, because I want the items I've knitted to draw a big smile on the face of its buyer and this time will not be an exception also after sending the pack tomorrow. Around 5 pm I could have some time to work on the favorites on Etsy, because I think doing this daily makes one's shop and items more relevant on search results besides all one does to promote his shop online. When I logged in Etsy I saw that I've got one more review for a sale I've done months ago; I guess my customer just logged in to search something she wanted to buy and wrote it. She said she was really loved her scarf (https://www.etsy.com/listing/182849705/scarf-ethnic-scarf-with-wooden-beads-on?ref=shop_home_active_4) and she got many compliments for it. Such comments make my day and give me the courage and support to work harder on the items that I'll list on my lil shop. When I've started this shop, it wasn't clear for me on which path I should walk on; whether to knit for babies and kids, but now I know the best is to have items for all ages and for home and I know my shop will be as I want it to be soon. Today I want share a cardigan I've knitted for kids of 2 to 4 ages in creme, red and dark blue. It's more comfortable for your child with the zipper and is great for Spring nights and Fall besides the cold days of winter. I hope you all will like it...

Caramel & Brown

After a two days' trip to history on my blog, I just could find some time to work on my shop, because I have a custom order to complete (https://www.etsy.com/listing/154645398/tank-top-made-of-cotton-yarn-cream?ref=shop_home_active_24) and post to my sweet customer that has been so kind as she ordered the item. I've been knitting nearly all day since I've found the cotton yarn after coming back home. It's about to finish, but on custom orders I try to be more careful so it takes longer for me to complete the items than they normally do. I plan to dispatch it on Friday so she will not have to wait for her tank top so long and can wear it sooner than she expects. Just after dinner I could check my inbox, work on communities on google + and login Etsy to make a treasury so I can share awesome items of my fellow Etsians here on my blog as I've done for a few times. This gives me the chance to share 16 items from different shops which is great and I think it's really hard to find a better instrument to do this. I've picked Caramel & Brown as the name for today's treasury on which you'll see awesome gifts ideas. I hope you all will like it...

Süleymaniye Mosque...

There are thousands of historic buildings all around Turkey and İstanbul is especially important in history of being the capital of two big empires. The strait in between the two sides of the city makes it the one and only city that sit between the two continents connecting them together. Just because of being on one of the most important water ways of the world, many nations and states wanted to have the city and during the long sieges they built many buildings that we now are lucky to have the chance to see them. On my previous post I've written on Great Bazaar that was the symbol of being the headquarters of the trade in the region and today I'll write on the Süleymaniye Mosque that is one of the most important symbols of the Ottoman Empire's architecture. It was built on the order of Sultan Süleyman (Süleyman the Magnificent) by the genious architect Mimar Sinan. The construction started in 1550 and the mosque was completed in 1558. The building's been ordered to be enormously big, to be seen from every part of the city and also by the see by being placed on one of the highest kills of the capital. The maximum height of the dome is 53 mteres (174 feet), the dome's diameter is 26 m. (85 feet) and both these were to represent the power, glory, prosperity and wealth of the Sultan who considered himself as the ruler of the world as being the ruler of the biggest empire of his time. With this big mosque he aimed to surpass both Solomon and the Dome of the Rock and Justinan and the Hagia Sophia that were the buildings that had the biggest domes known that were ever built. Anyone interested should google 'Süleymaniye Mosque' and will find vast information on the building. I'll share some photos of the mosque here, some I've shot and some I've found on net to show it on the landscape of the city. I hope you all will like them...

Grand Bazaar, İstanbul.

As I've been talking on it on my previous posts, the Grand Bazaar of İstanbul is marvelous with the touch of history that grasp you just as you take your first step from one of its gates. The roof is also a masterpiece with the painted embellishments just as the arched architecture of the corridors. While most of the marketplaces around the world were in open air with benches on the solid ground the covered bazaar was really an exception and privilege for the merchandisers. It's located in the city walls of the old city; in the district of Fatih (the district named after the conqueror of the city Mehmet the 2nd.) on the Historical Peninsula. It stretches between Bayezid and Nuruosmaniye mosques. The construction of it started in 1455; shortly after the Ottoman conquest. Year after year all sultans added new buildings and parts to it that sell specified goods like textile, apparel, shoes, golden jewelry, spice and luxury goods. It was the mirro of the power of the empire in trade for years showing the glory, splendor and magnificence of the 'Sultan' and prosperity and wealth of the Empire. As you'll see on the photos; one should spare a few hours minimum to see it thoroughly. For more information you can google; Grand Bazzar, İstanbul, where you'll find enough links. I hope you all will like it...

Lavender blouse...

I guess I was a bit tired and the memory of the moment of the earth shaking us was still on my mind so I couldn't sleep well last night. It was early in the morning when I woke up and mom was up also hanging out laundry. She tries to look not affected and scared, but I guess she also still feels the earthquake. We had breakfast and sat in the couch in balcony having our tea and chatting with Sugar. The phone started to ring and didn't stop all day since it was a holy day and such days we all visit and call the relatives and friends. In the afternoon mom, brother and I went out walking and shopping. When we got back home; I turned the lappy and worked on the favorites in my shop that I couldn't do much while I was in istanbul. It was after dinner I could find some time for google + and for my blog, but nearly four months passed since I started blogging so from now on I'll be more concentrated and focused on this and you'll see more interesting posts here. Till the 5th months starts I still have a few more items to share here from my shop and today it's a cotton blouse I've knitted of lavender yarn and embellished it with a bow of the same yarn on the v-neck. I hope you all will like it...

Back home early...

I woke up to a beautiful day, but sure we can never know what the new day holds and today it was not good. After breakfast and a morning walk with our team we came back home to get dressed for our little tour around the city. We sat for a while to have some coffee and as we chatted we started to sway and swing on the couch. The ground was shaking to one side to the other and we realized it was an earthquake. It lasted around a minute till the first shock had passed and then we could get up and leave the house and went down the stairs to reach the garden. Having the memories of August 1999 earthquake in Turkey we were really terrified so as all the residents of the blocks. Everyone was in panic and worry as we reached te cafe and started to watch the news. WE learned the epicenter was in Aegean Sea; like 150 - 200 kilometres far from where we were. It's really good that it was under the sea, because otherwise it would destroy many buildings and there would be thousands of casualties. Thank God there isn't any damage. We spent a few hours down in the garden and then went back home, but deep inside my cousin and I felt to be out and I was thinking I woulnd't sleep there. Both of us were effected bad so I thought we'd return home with the first bus, she understood and didn't insist for us to stay some more as we planned. Reached home after 5 hour's trip and I still feel bad so I'll just turn the lappy off just after this post. I'll share a crochet shawl today. I've crocheted it in black wool with a chic pattern and in rectangle shape. I hope you all will like it...

Bag for daily use...

It's been a busy day with our team !!! mom, cousin and niece. We went to another famous architectural building; hundrends of years' mosque and surroundings after visiting my cıusin's mother in law living in the same part of the city. When I say city; I should also tell you that it's more crowded than some countries of the world and lies in a huge area tied together with wide roads. Heavy traffic and tarffic jam has become the part of citizens' life and I have to admit sometimes it may get unbearable to drive while people are racing all through the way to reach their destination as soon as possible. On my way I've searched for shops that sell yarn, but in spite of being the heart of Turkish economy which is based on textile and apparel, it seemed like all wool and yarn sellers were hiding from me. I guess I need to suspend my search till I go back home next week since I have enough time to ship the item even I'd love to do it tomorrow :) Today I want to share a bag I've knitted for my shop. It's of green and creme yarn and completely handmade as all others in my shop. I hope you all will like it...

Handknit tank top...

It was an awesome day out with my cousin and mom. We went to the old part of İstanbul where there are buildings and relics from Byzantium and Ottoman empires. We went to Süleymaniye Mosque which was ordered to be built to Sinan (very famous architect of Ottoman Empire) by Süleyman the Magnificent. The famous covered bazaar is also nearby so we went in and walked and looked at the showcases of the shops. Anyone who had ever visited İstanbul would remember the old bazaar, because every tour operator puts it to his route on the sight seeing tours. I sure will share some photos when I go back home and you all will see how amazing historical buildings would be if you protect them from the effects of time. I have to admit we should have done better on this, but I'm sure we'll learn to save world's cultural heritage :) We're still lucky to have the chance to see them in a region that has been hit by earthquakes many times in the past. On our little trip to history :) I've also tried to find a shop selling the yarn I'll need to knit my latest custom order, but there were no stores around selling yarn or wool, because they were selling souvenir for tourists, carpets and jewelry (actually it's hard to gather the rent if you don't sell things expensive enough :)). Tomorrow I'll buy it from a mall close to my cousin's house and start to knit the tank top for my lovely customer from Italy. It's a tank top I've knitted of cotton yarn in creme color which I thought would be a great outfit for Spring and was really happy to see somebody sharing my feelings and want to have it. I hope you all will like it...

Grey Gifts...

It's awesome to spend your time with your loved ones. I woke up to a wonderful new day, had our breakfast with cousin anmd mom; nieces both left earlier than we woke up for school. After breakfast we chatted over our coffees and waited for my niece to come back from school in the afternoon so we all could leave the house for a walk. My brother called and we laughed some on phone and asked how dad and him were doing even we talk so often and it's just one day since we left :) Just half an hour ago I had time to check my shop and made a treasury after I replied to a lovely lady from ıtaly asking for a custom order :) Everyone's waiting for me so I'll end this post by sending my sincere thanks to all in this treasury below that inspired me. I loved each item and many others from all the shops I've included to this treasury and I deeply recommend you to check. I'm sure you'll find many lovely gifts for your loved ones. About the treasury I'll share today; all I hope is you all to like it...

Handknit set...

I woke up around 8 o'clock in the morning, because mom woke earlier. She always has things on her mind that are really good reason to get excited :) and she hardly sleep on such nights before our trips. We had our breakfast and sat a few hours watching the streets from our window till it was time for us to leave for the bus station. Our tickets were for 12:30 and it departed on time and arrived earlier than I assumed. It was awesome to meet my cousin and her family as it had always been and we enjoyed every minute of the first day and I just had to sneak to the computer to write a few words :) Just thinking what we'd been doing before these gadgets came into our lives and enslaved us all :) Sorry for the irrelevant post, but I guess I'm a bit tired so I can't focus on writing, but as I said before if I stop for a day, I may not turn back to my blog so I'll try to write even a sentence and share a few photos even on busiest days. Today I want to share another set of smartphone and ipad cases from my shop, because I guess we'd talk too mmuch on technologic gadgets so they had to be covered somehow :) I hope you all will like them...

May 19th.

Today is really and important day for my country even the governments of the last decade formed by the same political party try to make our people forget where they've came from by keeping them in poverty and uneducated. This the day the founder of our republic left istanbul on 15th. of May with the thought of starting Turkish Independence war and arriving Samsun on 19th. All my prayers and respect are for him and his friends walked on that hard path till the end. For me it's the last night before I leave for İstanbul with mom. My cousin and nephews are waiting with excitement for our arrival and I know we'll enjoy our time so much, because our feelings of love are mutual. İstanbul; the pearl of Eurasia; sure it could have been more beautiful if governments and municipal authorities took their filthy hands of it, but it's still one of the most beautiful and charming cities of the entire world with the strait in between two sides of the city. There are thousands of historical and cultural assets and properties for a visitor or tourist to see that I'll share here on my blog by time; actually when I feel more experienced in blogging :) Bursa; the city I live is also a historic city, older than İstanbul and I sure will share posts about it too. I sure will continue writing my blog while I'm at cousin's place and will take some photos in every place I visit to post here when I come back home. Today I want to share a chic crochet cushion cover set from my shop, I hope you all will like it...

Patchwork cushion cover

It's been a hectic day packing up our suitcases for our trip to cousin's house in İstanbul and I'm sure even after double checking every single thing there will be some we'll realize we forgot when we are there. In the afternoon; mom and brother went to get the tickets and I stayed home and knitted the baby cardigan and opend the cupboard to take a ball of yarn to take with me on my trip so I can knit a few baby neckwarmers for winter to list on my shop. In the evening I've turned the computer on to work on google + and to share my items on the communities I had to sign in Etys also where I saw they changed the template again making a test. They did this a few months ago and people all wrote negative comments on blogs (sure this how I put it with some decent words, because people weren't that kind regarding the change; even I wrote a few words showing my frustration). I hope them to stop the test and leave the template on its own and work on how they can increase the page's traffic instead of spending their time on such pointless things. Sure there were beautiful comments there on my treasury and sharing it here which conradict with the work of Etsy admin :) Such warm, kind and friendly comments encourage me for the next treasury and I thank everyone who inspired me for the last one. Today I want to share a big size patchwork cushion cover that I've sewn before I've opened my shop Woolopia. I really don't know if I can make its pair someday, but even one will look great in your living room. I hope you all will like it...

Shades of Purple...

It was a day I've spent by knitting a baby cardigan, trying to decide the colors I'll use on the blanket I'll start to crochet soon, working online to promote my shop and then in the evening I had some time to pick items from the shops that had made treasuries that my items were included. It's like a way of showing your appreciation and I'd love to take this one more step forward so I share the treasuries I make here on my blog, my facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Woolopia/134055843464961 and on all the possible media I can promote them. Today as you can see on the headline I've picked some purple items from fellows' shops. I always get an impression of elegance and grace. Maybe our genes are encoded this way after the Tyrian Purple that Phoenicians has used as the sign of their prosperity and wealth. The color was really hard to produce, because it could only be provided from a species of sea snail after a long and hard process. Just to get a few grams of paint they needed to gather more than 200.000 of them, boil them that spreaded a very bad odor. Being so rare made it the color of Royals, because only they could obtain it by having enough subjects to do all the work. Here on this treasury, I just tried to bring you some purple items we all can afford :) I hope you all will like them...

A Casual Spring Combo

I know it's really hard to accept, but I guess the old saying is really right; life goes on. Here we experienced one of the worst tragedies in history caused by greed and corruption and our days turned normal even we have big rage and anger deep inside. There's a Turkish motto that I can translate like; 'The fire burns only where the flame fell'. I guess this is so true; just two days after we all left sorrow, sadness and tears to the families of the lost miners and continued our daily routine. Sure we all will keep supporting them every way we can, will feel sorry when we see the photos and videos of the disaster, maybe we'll cry when we see their devastated families and relatives, but we have to admit we will never understand exactly how they feel and how they suffer. Investigations will be done to cover and hide the ones who are responsible just as it has always been in this country and our people will live happily with all the insult, deceive and lies around them. I believe the change will start from the minds of our citizens which seems so far away. Like I said as days goes by the discussions on social media lessen, the news on tv and papers will become shorter and gradually only the families of miners will remember the miners that we lost. These sentences will be carved to the dark tunnels of history awaiting for somebody opening the cover and read them. Once again I want to say; all our respect and prayers are with them. Despite all the sorrow that darken our days; Spring showed its warm face with the Sun shining bright in the sky so today I want to share a combo for these warm days. It consists ahandknit dress in purple and pink, a ruffled scarf in the same colors and a tote bag of purple yarn that's hand knitted also. I hope you all will like it...