Ravenhill

Lilac inspired

A recent rain captured in the cup-like blossoms on our lilacs.

Last week they were just coming into blossom and were a deep, rich color.

Now they have faded into an entirely lighter shade. The gorgeous colors helped me to notice I have so many dolls in my shop but none remotely resembling these beautiful colors so I was inspired to make some.

Hopefully they will be ready soon.

Lilly has been a bit under the weather the last couple of days, waking up often in the evenings so I have had little time to get my projects done. Today she came down with a fever and I hope it will pass soon. The poor dear was so sad as today was the day of her birthday party which we had to cancel.

These wee babies in a basket that I managed to finish remind me of how big my children are becoming. I guess getting sick with fevers and disappointments are all part of growing up, and sitting on our laps to snuggle and sob hopefully eases the hurts a little.

Candy colored

I am working on some candy colored knitting in bamboo yarn.

Mom gave me this fun yarn and I am doing it up in quick and easy socks for my 8 year old boy. He isn't bothered yet by the fact that there are bits of pink in the color mix and he adores bright and garish.

I have been collecting some candy colored emboridery threads too.

These ladies also happen to be in shades of cotton candy and sweet as can be! They are both new in the shop today.

Nothing like sharing a good laugh together, mother behind the camera and son in his shirt that matches this post. Our days are busy and mostly spent outdoors enjoying the fresh air and glorious sunshine, with many a good laugh.

I recently sent Judit a little package of fabric scraps and I am happy to see she is already making them into her beautiful jewelry. I would love for you to see what incredible things she does with tiny scraps of fabrics.

If you would like to win something else wonderful and handmade by another craftsperson friend of mine please look here.

Spring greens and cheerful matryoshkas

I am loving exploring the outdoors with my camera when it is so lush, warm and light.

After a rain it is particularly beautiful.

And here is Lilly in a very vintage spring green outfit made by her grandmother for my little brother in 1972! Wasn't my mom not only good at sewing but also clever to save it all those years? Thank you so very much, mom!

Please forgive me mom for not ironing it... Mom and I joke about how I iron my cloth napkins but not clothes while she irons her clothes and not her napkins. Here Lilly is rolling me a ball while I take her photo.

I was only 3 and a half when my brother wore it but I remember it well. Then my son wore it and now Lilly. I should really appliqué a few flowers and hearts on it to make it more feminine.

Besides photographing the great outdoors and my little one in her vintage duds, I have been a busy doll maker. Fru Ruud, front and center is already sold, but Fru Hansen, on the left and Fru I haven't named her yet are available.

Fru Lauritsen at the head of the line is all smiles and even has a ladybug on her backside!

 

I hope you are having a good weekend.

Floaty shawl give away

Because I am so very grateful for all the support and inspiration having a blog has given me I would like to give something back. I have been pondering this give away for awhile and this is going to be a big surprise!

No,  it isn't a doll from my shop!

It isn't anything do-it-yourself... although I am having a real love affair with threads at the moment.

This time my giveaway is something incredibly lovely to wrap up in: one nuno felt shawl worth not less than 64$ by felt designer Vilte Kazlauskaite from Lithuania. I am dying to own one of these floaty peices of wearable art myself. Her use of color, texture and pattern on each piece are so unique that the difficulty would be in selecting just one.

Vilte's shop at Etsy is called Felt Magic - pieces of wool, silk, flax and other natural materials are beautifully transformed into felt.

She uses only natural materials and works in a way that is called ethical and eco fashion and design. All her items are unique, one of a kind and completely handmade.

Indulge yourself with the sensation of pure, natural materials and flowy, airy fabrics against your skin.

You may enter to win a shawl from Vilte up to FOUR times.

For one entry, leave a comment to this post.

For a second entry please visit Vilte's shop and leave a comment to this give away post about what your first impression was on visiting her shop and seeing her shawls.

For a third entry, alter your “Status” on Facebook to mention this give away. Be sure to include the url: http://ravenhill.typepad.com/weblog/  so that your friends can visit too. Once you have done this, post another comment to this give away post telling about your facebook mention, and you receive a third entry.

For a fourth entry mention and link to this give away on Twitter. Once you have done that just let me know in the comments that you have twittered.

The winner of the shawl will be announced Monday, June 1st. Please visit me then to see if you are the winner and to discover another new giveaway that I have in the works.

Sorry, but comments are now closed.

Favorite fabric and freckles

My husband is in line for the computer so I have to make this brief. Yes, we only have one computer.

I just really wanted to show you... I finally cut into my favorite Liberty fabric.

They are all so pretty, but the one on the top is today's favorite anyway. I bought a couple of meters of it since I like it so much.

I am so happy that I finally broke down and made the purchase because I love using it.

It reminds me of chocolate and cream...

I made the bag with two drawstings because I like the way the bag closes with two instead of just one. This birdie bag is in my shop.

I saved the best for last today: Lilly has tiny freckles! (And a dirty mouth from slurping her bowl of homemade soup.)

Threads

My threads have a new home.

I have been wanting one of these vintage cubby hole wooden shelves for some time. My husband scored this for me at a recent flea market.

I think they look quite cozy in their new home and it is so handy on the wall over my sewing machine.

Other threads: I thought you might like to see a couple of my new flosses. I also purchased some very small embroidery hoops which are very useful.

Putting my threads to good use: I've been wanting to make a table runner combining vintage doilies with Liberty fabrics and hand embroiderery for awhile now and finally found the time to do it.

I guess I just need an excuse to embroider as I really enjoy it.

I have it in my shop now.

Forgive me in my lack of conversation today. I am still in pain from my trip to the dentist.

The beauty of everyday

Last fall with the start of the financial crisis I began to think about what other things I wanted to make for my shop. I found out that I would like to try making practical things that could be used daily. I certainly appreciate having hand made things to use in daily life, like appliquéd napkins, hand-rolled handkercheifs, and gift bags.

I made a some new draw-string bags which I hope  will be put into use to carry a special project or perhaps some lovely treasures. I am finding all sorts of uses for mine and those that I have made for the children. Some house marbles and others store sewing supplies. Another is carried around daily by my little one with an ever changing array of contents, like doll clothes, trinkets, shells, buttons, etc.

 

I tried a couple of my own species of mushrooms.

Both the red and brown variety are now in my shop.

Speaking of useful handmade objects, Di sent me this doll blanket which she designed and made herself. I won it on her blog and am so happy to have it for Lilly to play with. I love it that she is surrounded by lovingly handmade things made by family and friends.

 

These poppies are so beautifully raised off the woolie white background making a delicious texture for the eyes and hands.

 

Here is the sunshine she so prettily handstitched in place.

 

I am completely enchanted by Di's Little Red Riding Hood with the curvy edges and ever-so-soft wool.

There is even a loop to hang it up with in case we prefer having it as a wall decoration instead of a blanket for Lilly's babies. Thank you Di!

Before I go off to enjoy my quiet evening alone (the children are asleep and my husband is teaching a course in digital photography tonight) I want to share my children's exhuberance over the fine spring weather!

This young man presented me with this bouquet which he picked on his way home from school.

 

And this little one got us all giggly at the playground with her clown antics.

I am planning a give away. A happy spring celebration! I will reveal more soon. I hope you are having a good day yourself. Meanwhile if you like fabric you would do well to head over to Jennifer's...

Simple

This little three day weekend holiday that we are treated to in Norway went by licky split. Friday was May 1st and that means everything shuts down in celebration of Labor Day. It is an official flag day, there are parades and speeches and the day off.

It is a great day for a family walk in the park and my children shared a nice moment in Frognerparken.

Everywhere we look we are greeted now with the sweetness of spring. After the long winter I can still hardly believe our good fortune that the blossoms, long days and warm sun are finally here!

 

And as I mentioned earlier, these good spring things mean extra energy for sewing! My friend Amanda and I went fabric browsing the other day and she told me about how a friend had made her a face cloth out of some waffle fabric and I got some to try it myself. It was quite simple.

I decided the wash cloths would be pretty in a matching bag with soap.

I was tickled to find one of my matryoshkas turn up on this blog (which I am fairly ga-ga over!) I also want to thank Christina for including Ravenhill on her list of favorite blogs. A huge thank you to Katarina for awarding the Adorable Blog Award to me!

It is nice to feel appreciated. Especially since I have been such a lazy blogger lately. This is going to help me get motivated!