Mortar and pestle mat

I’m enjoying a cup of hot Indian chai while knitting and watching the birds on our bird feeder. I always dreamt of moments like this when we lived in our flat with balcony and no bird feeder.

I also wanted to show you this “mortar & pestle mat” that I made, (my own definition: a small mat that fits under your mortar & pestle so that your very expensive kitchen bench in oak does not get scratches while the m&p is being used) now used for my teapot.

It’s been ages since I stitched something. These last weeks the urge to stitch again became impossible to dismiss.

To obey the need for stitching I found this lovely squared Japanese fabric in my stash and some blue thread. Nothing fancy or sophisticated, just lines in different lengths, to give a different look and texture on the surface. I am pleased. I might do some more sewing and stitching this fall.

Soft landing

Here are some photos of the accomplished blanket. I struggled to find the right angle and enough light for the photos. In the end I decided to post the photos that I have just like they are, because if not this post would not have been written in yet another week. The backside of the blanket (no photo I'm afraid) is an old flannel sheet I bought in one of Oslo’s second hand markets this spring. I found three pink flannel sheets in mint condition – I love a good thrift.

blankie bear done and spring is sprouting

The blankie bear was finished in no time. Even though I ironed it yesterday it’s all curly again today because Astrid has been playing with it since she got it. I put a small bell inside the bears head (together with 100% wool filling) so every time she moves the bears it gives a light tingle. Depending on if your child is a light sleeper or not you might want to consider skipping the bell. Imagine you baby almost asleep and then because she moves the bear: “tingle, tingle”…

For anyone wondering how the tug war between winter and spring went along Rani was right; spring did win and everywhere we go we see sprouts coming out. A couple of days ago I planted different seeds in my mini greenhouse. The thyme and basil has come out with a few sprouts the chives and the flowers are taking it slow. I would tell you name of the flowers if I knew but they came mixed with no specification. The only thing I know about them is that they are supposed to attract butterflies. I can’t wait to see if they will actually attract butterflies to our terrace. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

I still need to take a photo of the give away goodies and I’ll try to have it taken by tomorrow. If you would like a chance to win just read what you need to do in my post from yesterday, nothing complicated, easy, pieasy.

More headbands & one secret birthday gift

What have you been up to this week? I made three more head bands with the “stitchery” that I did last week. Usually I don’t like to make one thing more than once, just because it bores me. I like new challenges and therefore new projects. But the headbands are fun to make because they let you try different stitch designs. So the head band is “old” but the stitching new. Since so many of you have said you love the cute stitch designs I can reveal that they all come from my new and absolutely favourite stitch book.

It is by Hiroko Isii also known as “Cahier” and it is her first “solo” book (…as far as I know). She has previously made designs for books and magazines like the Japanese Stitch idées books, where I first saw her designs and fell in love. She has just made another book which is on my list of must haves.

These photos are of a project I began this week. It is a birthday present for my friend T’s daughter. We will be going there tomorrow to have lots of delicious cakes and what ever else she has whipped up for her friends. I’ll show you the final result after we have given the present, just in case T should come by to take a sneak peek.

work in progress

Thank you for your nice comments on my last posts! This is just a quick hello to show you what I have been stitching on today. I meant to make some coasters of this pink and grey linen, but as usual by the time I began stitching another idea occurred. I'll show you what it is tomorrow as soon as I finish. Have a great day!

Welcome 2009!

We welcomed 2009 by taking a walk to the lake that is close to our house. With 10C below (14F) it was almost completely frozen. Lots of other families had come down to ice skate, play hockey or just take a walk on the ice. Even if it has been less than two weeks since the sun turned its course we can already notice that the light lingers on a bit longer. We made use of the beautiful light to take some pictures.

I also had enough light to take photos of these coasters that I made with the cotton/linen blend fabric I bought on Etsy just before Christmas.

I like how they turned out and I'm as much in love with the fabric as I were before. These are a gift to someone who loves tea and like home made gifts, but I think I will have to make another set for myself. I have some of the same fabric in pink ready to be stitched on this week end.

Looking forward to share 2009 with you, too see what you make, be inspired and do as much crafting as possible!

Christmas Craft Weekend

This is the last weekend I’m home before I leave for my mom’s house to celebrate Christmas. I’m planning on spending the days making gifts to my nephews, nieces and the children of some good friends. My living room looks like a mess with fabrics stashed in bundles here and there and my table covered with thread spools, buttons, trims, a rotary cutter and scissors.

I have already made placemats for two super cute girls (they don’t know about the blog so the surprise is not spoiled). Now there are four more to go before I can pack up the sewing machine and clean the table. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I have completed this years home made gifts.

I share with you this wonderful snow man that our neighbourhood kids made a couple of days ago.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Finally finished & back again

After a long unplanned blog break I’m back to blog land.

Before I continue I would like to say a big THANK YOU (!!!) to everyone who has written to me during these nine months, either to ask me how I’m doing or to tell me that they miss me. All the mails and comments have been highly appreciated. It felt good to know that you thought about me and cared enough to write some lines. Your words gave me positive energy in an otherwise tough time and it motivated me to come back… although it has taken some time; now I’m here.

In February I found out I was pregnant; the week after, I found out that my employer wasn’t going to prolong my contract…I was without a job. The following days and worries took away all my energy. I needed to use all my time in finding a new job before my belly became too obvious.

Fortunately nothing is as bad as not being good for something. The situation gave me the opportunity to experience, and be reminded of how many good friends I have and how they are there for me when most needed. A former co-worker talked with his boss and after a week and a half I got a job interview. A couple of months later I had a new job. The best part was that my new employer new I was pregnant and still wanted to hire me.

Here in Norway we have nine months of 100% paid maternity leave (or 12 months with 80% paid maternity leave). The only requirement is that you have been working six of the last ten months before the leave starts (it usually starts three weeks prior to the due date). So as you might understand, this made it even more important to find a new job as soon as possible. I am therefore tremendously grateful for my friend that reached out a helping hand.

With the pregnancy end beginning of a new job it took me longer to come back than I thought, but here I am. And the first thing I want to show you is the finished needle book that I’ve made for Laurraine. I am especially in love with this needle book because it has its origin in a flickr-comment Laurraine made on the first needle book I made. She is an angle for being so patient with me, since this is a swap that has been on for more than a year, I hope you like it Laurraine…it’s finally on its way.

Varme kirsebær - Warm cherries

Endelig ble jeg ferdig med alle pom pongene! Disse kirsebærene skal hjelpe meg å holde halsen varmen gjennom vinteren. Fant denne søte og ikke minst lette strikkeoppskriften i bladet Jaeger JB29.

Finally I finished all the pompoms! These cherries will help me keep my neck warm through the winter. I found this cute knitting pattern in the Jaeger magazine JB29.
¡Por fín terminé con todos los pompones! Estas cerezas me ayudarán a mantener el cuello calentito durante el invierno. Encontré esta monada de patrón en la revista Jaeger JB29.

Avsløringen - The revelation

Jeg er nesten ferdig med ull & apekatt prosjektet. Det eneste som gjenstår er å lære meg å sy knappehull med symaskinen min, samt finne en knapp som passer. Siden dere har ventet så tålmodig på å få vite hva det er jeg lager skal jeg ikke la dere vente lenger. Jeg har hatt lyst til å lage et Obi-skjerf helt siden jeg oppdaget bloggen til Moonstitches og skjerfet hun laget til datteren sin i januar. Senere har jeg oppdaget flere andre som alle har laget sine egne versjoner av Obi-skjerfet (slik som six and a half stitches og Black dog design). Over hos Nora’s blog kan du finne en beskrivelse av hvodan du lager skjerfet, dersom du blir fristet. Det er et lett prosjekt så hvis du ikke er like treg som meg kan du lage det i løpet av en ettermiddag.

I have almost finished the wool & monkey project. I only need to learn how to make a button whole with my sewing machine and find a button that fits the project. Since you have been waiting so patiently to find out what it will be I will not keep you waiting any longer. I have wanted to make an Obi-scarf all since I first discovered Moonstitches blog and the scarf she made for her daughter back in January. Later on I have discovered several other crafters (like six and a half stitches and black dog design) with their versions of the Obi scarf. Over at Nora’s blog you can find a tutorial if you get tempted. It is an easy project and if you are not a slow crafter like me you can make one in no time.

Sting for sting - Stitch by stitch

Jeg fikk endelig litt tid til å holde på med hånarbeid i helgen. Det gjør virkelig godt å kunne sette seg ned å sy litt innimellom all utpakkingen. Det er meldt -1 grad i morgen tidlig og kaldere skal det bli utover høsten og vinteren. Da passer det bra at jeg snart er ferdig med ull & apekatt prosjektet…

This weekend I finally had some time to do some crafting. It feels so good to be able to sit down and stitch a bit in between all the unpacking. It has been forecasted – 1 degree (Celsius) tomorrow morning and it will become colder throughout this fall and winter. It suits me well then that I am soon finished with the wool & monkey project…

Feriesting - Vacation stitching

Som dere sikkert har skjønt fikk jeg ikke gjort så mye håndarbeid mens jeg var på ferie. Jeg hadde med meg flere prosjekt som jeg planla å gjøre ferdig, men isteden begynte jeg på et helt nytt prosjekt påvirket av en plutselig ide jeg fikk da vi var i Girona. Oppe på soverommet som kjæresten min og jeg skulle sove i var det plassert et glass og en vannflaske på en papirserviett. Jeg syntes det var en kjempekoselig detalj av vår vert, og det ga meg ideen om å lage en vannflaske- og glassbrikke. Jeg hadde ikke symaskinen min for hånden (naturlig nok) så brikken er hundre prosent håndlaget. Den var så gøy å lage at så snart møblene våre er på plass i den nye leiligheten, og jeg har et bord til symaskinen skal jeg sy mange flere av disse.

As you might have figured out I didn’t get to do much crafting while on vacation. I had brought with me several projects that I planned to finish, but instead I began a whole new project inspired by an idea I got while in Girona. In the bedroom that my boyfriend and I were going to sleep in, our hosts had put a glass and a bottle of water on a paper napkin. I thought this was such a touching detail and it gave me the idea to make a water bottle and glass coaster. I didn’t’ have my sewing machine at hand (of course) so the coaster is 100% handmade. It was so much fun making it so as soon as we get our furniture to the new apartment, and I have a table to set the sewing machine on I will make a lot more of these.

Venner og symaskiner - Friends & Sewing Machines

Denne helgen har jeg sydd på lånt symaskin. Takk og lov for gode venner. Jeg har funnet ut at jeg fint kan klare meg uten symaskin, men aldri uten gode venner. Og når jeg er så heldig å ha gode venner med symaskin er lykken komplett.

Helt siden jeg kom hjem fra Gøteborg har jeg klødd i fingrene etter å bruke stoffene jeg kjøpte der. Selv om jeg er veldig glad i rosa har jeg aldri være en roseperson, men dette rosestoffet falt i smak. Fikk laget to bordbrikker. På forsiden har jeg brukt rosestoffet, som jeg har sydd kontursting på enkelte steder for å fremheve mønteret. På baksiden har jeg brukt det hvite bomullsstoffet med rutete struktur. Nå kan jeg kose meg med engelsk frokostte å føle meg riktig så sofistikert.

This weekend I have been sewing on a borrowed machine. Thank God for good friends. I have found out that I can live without sewing machines but never without friends. And when I am as fortunate as to have good friends with sewing machines the happiness is complete.

Since I came home from Gothenburg my fingers have been itching to use the fabrics I bought there. Even if I love pink I have never been a rose-person. However, this rose fabric I fell in love with and ended up making two coasters with it. I hand sew some simple stitches following the pattern to emphasize it. On the back I used the white cotton fabric with squared texure. Now I can enjoy my english breakfast tea quite sophistically.