Update

Yesterday I woke up to a winter wonderland and tried to capture it for you.

I've been a busy bee (that's why it's been so quiet here), anticipating every ray of light to make product pictures for the little shop (I finally decided to go with Etsy), trying to grow an avocado (it hasn't worked so far, and I've gone through a lot of tutorials to get it right this time), and drooling over my new polaroid cam which I purchased second hand (and which was of course a lot lot cheaper than the polaroid pictures I would have to load it with).

Next weekend I'll be going to Amsterdam for a one day trip only. So if you have any recommendations on what I should definitely see/try/taste/buy, I'd be so grateful if you left me a message.

I hope you're enjoying this late winter. We're having nearly -15°C here, but as long as the sun is shining and you've got a good cup of tea waiting for you, it's bearable.

More wrist warmers and shoppe thoughts

Cozy wristwarmers (and a matching loop scarf) for my friends. Mum's friend already ordered a couple of these, and I've been hoarding more and more fabrics for future combinations.

I still have problems deciding whether I would feel more comfortable with Etsy or DaWanda to open a little shop. DaWanda is still the first choice for handmade things around here, but I haven't warmed up to its layout yet.

What's your first choice when looking for handmade treasures?

Belated early Christmas

Every time a get a parcel from this lovely lady my day is definitely made already. In stressful times like these having a penpal really is something rare. We're both aware of the patience and discipline this passion demands, and so there are never any hard feelings if Christmas parcels tumble in around August or later. In fact, it seems to be even more joy to get to open all the little gifts on no special occasion. It's like you put a hold on Christmas, or just prepone it to your liking!

This parcel was a mixture of thoughtful supplies for my crafts, selfmade treasures from herself and other inspiring peeps, and something for my sweet tooth of course. See those lovely earrings? I favoured them ages ago on etsy, even forgot about it in the meantime, and she remembered. They're so lovely, and if you haven't already, you should definitely take a little side trip to her shop (she'll be back from holidays soon!).

It's been my day off today, and Mada is best at showing how I spent it. Mostly in bed watching awesome series like Downton Abbey (I am so addicted), enjoying some cocoa and simple pasta. Hope you were having a wonderful day?

Belated Cotton Love

I had this post prepared such a long time ago. It was even before my harddisk died on me, and I am glad I had already uploaded this picture. I didn't want to post it too early, since I had planned to make one of these tote bags for my friend Syl for belayed Christmas (a habit we still pursue very much), and I wanted it to be a total surprise.

This bag is now about half a year old and my substitute for any handbag I had before. It's so practical, and always fits more than you think, without becoming a burden to your shoulders and back. I've been dreaming about making a few more of this style and open a little etsy shop. To share the love over handmade uniqueness.

So here's the original post:
"I'm a big fan of cotton tote bags. Not only does it keep my wastage of plastic bags to a minimum, it also adds to my individual style. After having tried out a few prototypes, I finally finished my first very own cotton bag.

Since the sourcing of darker shaded heavy cotton seems to be more difficult than I thought, I had to dye some beige cotton to get this brown color. I'm rather dissatisfied with the result, as it is quite blotchy. Hopefully I'll find a supplier of darker cotton or linen soon. Sadly Etsy is not the answer yet.

What I love most is the floral lining, which only peeks out a little if you're rummaging around for your things. I decided to go with the darker old rose ribbon, since it suits my scarf so well. But I'm planning to combine it with all kinds of colors, depending on the wearer and its wardrobe."

I've already made two more of these bags, always one of a kind. In the meantime I found a very solid brighter linen, substituting well for the brown shade. But I'm still hunting for a similar quality with darker shades since, well, these bags do live. And they will become a little blotchy and messy as you carry them around lovingly. But they'll always be unique.

Come rain or come shine

In tough times like these you really know who your true friends are. I haven't had the chance to be in contact with as many people as I wish lately, and there have been too many things occupying my mind. Yet it feels good if you know there won't be any doors shut even though days and weeks and sometimes even months without words may have passed.

A friend I consider one of my closest put a smile on my lips with my delayed birthday present. It's becoming a trademark, she wrote, and I so agree (her Christmas present is right next to me, and aaaalmost ready to go... just a little ribbon here and some lines there...).

There are so many little bits and pieces I couldn't wait to get my hands on. I even unwrapped half of the package minutes before I had to rush to work and was a little late, too, but with new jewelry. Look at those lovely tulip earrings, the colors are simply perfect for my wardrobe. 

When I got back from my shift I discovered the rest of her lovingly wrapped gifts. Between some adorable candy I found a cute necklace (Yes, I do love that one, you really did meet my taste!) and a beautifully illustrated notebook for my own recipes. I know already what's gonna go in there. Some secret scribbles about the ingredients of my apple pie. I imagine how my grandchildren might find this little book one day in some dusty box up on the attic, and will start baking and filling their kitchen with the delicious smell of maple syr... uh oh... pretend you didn't read this.

Now don't forget to have a look at my friend's little etsy shop if you liked these earrings and the necklace just as much as I did. There's so much love in those, it will always push your mood right up the moment you put them on.

I will cherish these very much. Thank you again for a sunny day, even though it did not stop raining. <3

Lovely Substitutes

 

It's been such a busy week, and so unexpected. I was supposed to enjoy some sunny days in Spain, and even celebrate my birthday there. But Eyjafjallajökull had its own plans I guess, who could blame it. So against expectations I spent the whole week dealing with various plan B's. And there were plenty of little substitutes to choose from, who would've thought.

The weekend was so sunny I even got freckled cheeks and a sunburn on my knees while knitting all afternoon or painting my pale toes for an imaginary Spanish flair. I believe nature had a bit of a guilty conscience and compensated us with the brightest rays of sunlight for two days. I could finally get on with my little project and make use of those adorable buttons I ordered from Etsy.

Sadly my birthday was rather rainy, but the lovely flowers out of my mom's garden made up for all the clouds and grumpy faces on the street. And of course these delicious shoes I simply had to get my hands on helped as well. I am constantly losing myself in thoughts about how to combine them with my entire wardrobe.

It's curious though, even though I feel I am quite good with choosing my own clothes when out shopping, my mom always picks those kind of things I can wear for years and which I can combine with so many things I already own. She has that talent to spot timeless classics, and even though we've been caught up in endless discussions about how this or that might not actually fit to me or my style, she was always right in the end. I just needed a lot longer to see it. 

Maybe this is something I will only be able to learn with age. Too often I am tempted to buy things that look awesome right this moment, and make me roll my eyes in a year from now. And those things can be heavy on your wallet, I can tell you.

Dear Mr. Postman

Why, oh why will you not ring my doorbell but rummage around for your pen instead, spending a couple of minutes to leave a note in my postbox, on a Saturday of the Easter weekend, knowing I won't be able to pick it up until Tuesday?
I was here all morning, wearing my pretty summer dress and would even have offered you a piece of my delicious chocolate cake in return for your ordinary services, because... hey, are you listening? I am waiting for an Etsy delivery! And this would just have made my weekend.

I ordered the most delicious buttons for a little project that has occupied my mind for some time now, and they are coming all the way from Asia. I can't wait for them to get here! Well, there's one good thing about the late delivery. Hubby will return on Tuesday too, and he's bringing the fancy camera, so I can at least take some pretty pictures of my loot.

But mind you, Mr. Postman, I will tell on you at the Post Office on Tuesday. No chocolate cake for you.