Millennium Cup | Vancouver 2013
| February 24, 2013 | Filled under Kids, Life |
What a long, but such exciting and lovely weekend we spent at MILLENNIUM CUP 2013 International Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational competition our daughter participated! We so enjoyed such beautiful competition venue, outstanding performances, incredibly talented and beautiful participants and atmosphere. Such memories!
Our daughter got silver in hoop routine and 4th place in free, ball routines and overall in her age and level! And our Romana Vasilega and Eugenia Prada (two another girls from IRG&B team) got gold in two routines and overall!! We are SO HAPPY and PROUND for our girls and academy!!
I always was in love with rhythmic gymnastic and skating, and I think it’s really the best and most pretty sport for girls! I am so glad that my Kristin in and truly enjoy the rhythmic gymnastic, which is all about:
My apologies for such number or pictures, I just can’t resist to share ;o)
The Winner!!
| February 22, 2013 | Filled under Giveaway |
Dear Friends,
First of all, I would like to Thanks everyone for your kind of words and such sweet comments! I’m truly happy that you enjoy everything and MUCH appreciate all your support and love! You are the Best!!
And our Winner is…
My Congratulations, May!! I’ll contact you shortly.
Happy Friday everyone!
Have a wonderful and lovely weekend!!
Alla Koval Designs
Happy Heart Day & Gift for You!!
| February 14, 2013 | Filled under Giveaway, Holidays |
From My Heart To Yours, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!! I am sending some love Your way to let You know how YOU are special
today!
Leap into Valentine Day with some special offers I have for you. First, get 50% off all patterns! Use coupon code SPREADLOVE at checkout.
This coupon is applicable to myShop, Etsy and Raverly.
Offer valid now through Monday, February 18, 2013 11:59pm PST.
If you may have any questions or issues with applying coupons – please just let me know.
![my-lcg[1]](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/my-lcg1.jpg "my-lcg[1]")
![etsy[1]](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/etsy1.jpg "etsy[1]")
![ravelry[1]](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ravelry1.jpg "ravelry[1]")
On the top of our sale, I have some Strawberry Ballcakes for you! ;o) One lucky from anywhere in the world will win a box of dozen yummy ballcakes, which are:
- 0 calories
- yummy colors
- lots of fun and possibilities
- pure pleasure to work with
- perfect for any spring/summer projects and beyond
The set includes:
- Katia Bamboo (60% bamboo, 40% cotton; 109 yd [100 m]/1.75 oz [50 g]): 2 balls of #8 light pink, 2 balls of #13 candy pink, 4 balls of #4 red
- Online Linie 163 Bingo (100% cotton; 137 yd [125 m]/1.75 oz [50 g]): 4 balls of #19 rose pink
- 12 strawberry padded appliques
- Cupcake Display Box for transport and display 12 cupcakes by Wilton
TO ENTER THE CONTEST
Just comment to this post here (on mylittlecitygirl.com) to let us know that you are IN. The only requirement is to enter this contest by February 21, 2013 midnight PST.
I’ll select the winner with random.org’s random number generator. Winner will be notified by email on Friday, February 22, 2013.
With lots of love,
Alla
My Interview for Hey Kids! Magazine
| February 8, 2013 | Filled under Featured, In The News |
What a nice surprise! Thanks a lot to Alireza for sending a paper copy of Hey Kids! magazine with my interview in and the latest issue. It’s such fun and interesting magazine!! To read the interview click pictures below to enlarge, or check it here.
A Wonderful weekend everyone!!
Alla Koval Designs
Hug of Love (EAP). Crocheted Blanket + More Pattern for Kids and Adult
| February 1, 2013 | Filled under EAP Pattern, Patterns |
Give Baby the sweetest of sleep and the best of dreams with this unbelievably soft and luxurious afghan. Delicate crochet shells come together to create billows of heavenly softness, just right for Baby’s sensitive skin. It’s a perfect gift for boys and girls alike—just trim it in blue, pink, or any color of your choice, and watch little eyes grow wide in delight before Baby snuggles into the clouds for a nap!
Looking for something fun for summer? This blanket is also can be made in yummy colors combo (instruction for both blankets are included). Looking for a quick gift for loved one? Crocheted from center, this pattern is easy adjustable to make a fun pillow or even a tablecloth – you name it!
… And as always, now is our traditional little giveaway: first 3 persons, who leave comment on this post will receive this pattern via email in PDF format for FREE!! Good luck and have a Fun!
PLEASE NOTE: This eBook is released under EAP initiative (Early Access Program, see for details here)
SIZES: 39” (99 cm). Crocheted from center, this blanket is easy adjustable.
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
YARN:
White Blanket: Sport weight (#2 Fine).
Shown: Omega Trigo (100% cotton; 295 yd [270 m]/3.5 oz [100 g]): 5 balls of #201 white.
Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
Shown: Omega Perle (100% mercerized cotton; 178 yd [163 m]/1.76 oz [50 g]): 1 ball each of #520 light pink, #518 light yellow, #528 light green.
Tutti Frutti Blanket: Sport weight (#2 Fine).
Shown: Omega Fontana (100% mercerized cotton; 219 yd [200 m]/3.5 oz [100 g]): 3 skeins of #632 salmon, 3 skeins of #683 green apple, 2 skeins of #604 canary.
* This eBook involves crochet skills ONLY.
11 pages, 3 pictures, 1 diagram, 2 schematics.
PLEASE NOTE: This eBook is released under EAP (Early Access Program, see for details here)
This EAP version of Hug of Love eBook includes:
- 1 crochet diagram and 2 schematic (final versions)
- draft photos
- written instructions – not tech edited yet.
Still need to do for official release :
- descriptions
- photos
- tech editing
This EAP eBook is available in my Shop and Etsy.
Regular price of eBook: $6.50
EAP version price: $5.53
Copyright: All rights reserved. Please be respectful of the designer’s rights to this pattern. No portion of this work may be photocopied or reproduced by any means without written authorization from My Little CityGirl. The purchaser of this pattern is granted permission to sell the finished product for profit on a limited basis. © 2012 Alla Koval Designs, Inc. .
A Wonderful and lovely weekend everyone!!
Alla Koval Designs
No Name Blanket. Pattern release update
| February 1, 2013 | Filled under Writing a book |
Looks as releasing patterns on Friday afternoon it’s a kind of new tradition here ;0)
On the other note, I was really shocked that today is Friday already… I’ve spent good amount of time to study and play with studio light, and must admit that I never felt myself such a DORK :0) Yes, I completely understand that photography is a very amazing, serious and kind of magic art and requests great knowledge, skills, practice (not to mention that talent and passion is a MUST!!) And this is why I procrastinated such a long time. But since I always (and pretty often – right now!!) need pictures of my designs (and possibly in one style for a collections or even for a book), I decided to make a try.
And you know what?! I really was so amazed by shades-world and how light “works” at all! Well, I must to say that never paid enough attention to these things. For outdoor pictures, I have a couple spots in our backyard and know that at a certain time and weather I can get not bad pictures, which will show texture and “volume” or crochet and knitted stuff perfectly. But oh my, you don’t want to know how many time was spend to do something similar in studio with strobes… Well, these pictures is what I’ve got so far. I still hate the dark shades on the floor and probably backdrop should be separated better, as well as contrast/white balance is not correct …and a composition is another thing to study.
Well, I’m off to my comfort zone for awhile to make last touches and polish blankets patterns (a second blanket is this sneak peek). I’ll do my best to release EAP version this afternoon, but if you will not hear back from me today – make sure I’m taking picture of second blanket ;o)))
BTW, this blanket has No name so far… Do you think we may have a contest?! ;0)
*** UPDATE I think I’ve got the name idea! :0) What do you think about this one:
Sakura Crocheted Blanket
Give Baby the sweetest of sleep and the best of dreams with this soft as sakura petals and unbelievably luxurious afghan. Delicate crochet shells come together to create billows of heavenly softness, just right for Baby’s delicate skin. It’s a perfect gift for boys and girls alike — just trim it in blue, pink, or any color of your choice, and watch little eyes grow wide in delight before Baby snuggles into the clouds for a nap!
Happy Friday everyone!!
Alla Koval Designs
Tutti Frutti (EAP). Crocheted Shawl & Scarf Pattern for Kids and Adult
| January 25, 2013 | Filled under EAP Pattern, Patterns |
Simplicity and sweetness come together in this yummy collection, sure to brighten the wearer’s day.
Give your special girl the perfect gift with this scarf, in a delicious blend of dessert colors! Crochet it in finger weight or sport weight yarn – cotton for spring/summer, or wool for cooler days. This scarf will draw admiring looks wherever she goes – to a party, the park, the mall, or even on a road trip!
Keeping warm, looking cool – function and fashion come together in ruffles shawl, which can be made in plain color or any color combination. Opt for wool or mohair yarn to make a scarf suitable for colder weather.
Not only that – these pieces would also be a wonderful gift idea for your family and friends! You can even make your own variations for each person. Whichever you choose, it will always be just perfect!
… And as always, now is our traditional little giveaway: first 3 persons, who leave comment on this post will receive this pattern via email in PDF format for FREE!! Good luck and have a Fun!
PLEASE NOTE: This eBook is released under EAP initiative (Early Access Program, see for details here)
SIZES: Small/child (Medium/youth, Large/adult)
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
YARN:
Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
Shawl: Omega Perle (100% mercerized cotton; 178 yd [163 m]/1.76 oz [50 g]): 2 (3, 5) balls of #528 light green, 1 (2, 3) balls of #518 light yellow.
Sport weight (#2 Fine).
Scarf: Omega Sinfonia (100% mercerized cotton; 232 yd [212 m]/3.52 oz [100 g]): 1 (1, 2) ball(s) of #882 salmon (MC), 1 ball of #835 green citrus
* This eBook involves crochet skills ONLY.
17 pages, 3 pictures, 2 diagrams, 3 schematics.
PLEASE NOTE: This eBook is released under EAP initiative (Early Access Program, see for details here)
This EAP version of Tutti Frutti eBook includes:
- 2 crochet diagram and 3 schematic (final versions)
- draft photos
- written instructions – not tech edited yet.
Still need to do for official release :
- descriptions
- photos
- tech editing
This EAP eBook is available in my Shop and Etsy.
Regular price of eBook: $6.95
EAP version price: $5.90
Copyright: All rights reserved. Please be respectful of the designer’s rights to this pattern. No portion of this work may be photocopied or reproduced by any means without written authorization from My Little CityGirl. The purchaser of this pattern is granted permission to sell the finished product for profit on a limited basis. © 2012 Alla Koval Designs, Inc. .
Tutti Frutti Blanket patterns will be released right after I take pictures (hopefully in a couple days 🙂
A Wonderful and lovely weekend everyone!!
Tutti Frutti. Update
| January 25, 2013 | Filled under Announcements |
Gosh, I’ve spend almost all morning in my studio trying to take pictures, but with no luck so far (poor and exhausted me ;)… Well, thanks to Seattle for a little rain-break and ability to take outside photo of scarf at least.
The good news is that EAP version of scarf and shawl will be released just in hour or so.
Thank you so much for waiting and your patience with me!!
Writing a Book. Unexpected Tasks, Growing Skills + MORE :)
| January 21, 2013 | Filled under My Book, Writing a book |
If I knew that just in an hour after my last post, I’ll be a crazy-happy owner of this lens for my new Nikon D600, I would probably wait to play with the camera and lights in my studio (more details below).
But, first of all, my apologies for this little escape and keeping you without any updates… I was just extremely busy working on a new spring mini collection, which will be released this week for sure.
Yes, not a single pattern as I planned, but mini collection.
Well, a sneak peek I’ve showed in this post is a blanket for an absolutely precious newborn girl of our friends I just can’t resist to make (but who does?!). Then I‘ve got an idea that in some juicy and fun colors the blanket will looks not bad too, so here is how second blanket was born (see second sneak peek below) …Then I found that this blanket pattern (both versions are done) is pretty easy to turn into shawl and just can’t resist to make one (see picture below – it’s not finished shawl yet, but just to give you an idea). And last piece of this collection is going to be a skinny ruffle scarf – not only because a scarf if always good idea, but since I’ve received several requests for ruffle scarf and sure I’m so happy to play with (as well as with couple more Ruffles designs, but they are under “secret book projects” so far ;o)
And as I promised, below are details of my very first photo studio, which includes:
- The AllienBees B400 Flash Unit – 3 units (one for background separation).
- 48-inch Translucent White Umbrella with removable black cover for bounce use – 2
- 10-foot general purpose light stand – 2
- Backlight Stand – 1
- White Shovel Background Reflector (lights background space for subject/background separation)
- Telescopic Stand (backdrop support system)
- Wireless Flash Trigger
MANY MANY THANKS to all my wonderful friends who helped me to pick up right stuff, their unvalued help, advice, tips and sharing experience!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Sure, I still have to learn tons things about studio photography first of all (and I definitely hooked!), but if you are thinking about own studio and looking “where to start”, first – I would highly recommend Beyond Snapshots: How to Take That Fancy DSLR Camera Off “Auto” and Photograph Your Life like a Pro book. Beyond Snapshots is actually a great intro/refresher for shooting manual and you will find some great inspiration in the photos in the book. Perfect book even for beginners (as me!).
Also, thanks a lot to Denis for the advice to check videos by ProPhotoLife. I really like Jim Talkington’s style of transferring knowledge and how he present everything step by step so that I can see what each light does. And plus, each episode is no longer than 3-7 min. Well, you know that I’m not a big fan of videos with lots blala and longer then 10-15 min (probably because I am visual person and rather prefer to see once).
If you curious, below is a picture of my mini studio with “one strobe set up” fro shawl shot:
And below is my very first “handmade” photo prop. I call it “a new life of old tripod” ;o)
Well, I like a little fresh accent in the pictures, and one of my favorites are leaves and flowers. Yesterday I grafted one of my favorite home plant, and while it will have roots, I placed it in a tiny (4.5”) vase (filled with water of course) and attached to a tripod. This my “photo prop” allows me easily adjust height if needed, put any other plans, or flowers …or let me see what else lol
Oh, and my favorite place to buy backdrops is LemonDrop Stop. Their poly paper backdrops are really great, plus amazing customer service and ability to order any custom backdrop.
Well, that’s all. ;o)
I’ll be back just in a few days with new patterns release! See you then!
Alla Koval Designs
Friday Photo Bliss & Sneak Peek
| January 11, 2013 | Filled under Thursday's Moments |
Today was pretty unusual and totally different day for me. I didn’t even have to open InDesign or Illustrator, but had a blast in my very first own mini studio to experiment with light and play with my new camera (more details later). Oh yeah, here are tons of things to learn, but I’m definitely hooked… and now able to shot in manual mode (finally!! ;o) The current book I read is “Understanding RAW Photography”. If you know me, you know that photography is more than a challenge for me, but I still have a hope lol
So, below (and above) are some sneak peeks of my latest project (pattern is almost done too and will be released next week)
Well, Kristin and Pixie can’t resist to join too… And below are couple sots of my beautiful
… and silly girls ;o)
A wonderful and lovely weekend everyone!!
Alla Koval Designs
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