Ravenhill

Gigantic Sale and Goodbye

I have been postponing this because I hate goodbyes. You might have noticed my lack of attention lately... I am sorry, but after much deliberation, hemming and hawing and indecision I have decided to end my blogging days.

I have found lately that I spent too much time tending to my blog and shop and that I would wish to be spending my time in other ways. Lately, knitting has been my favorite pastime and these photos I took at a local yarn shop.

 

What fun it was to have a blog! I have loved getting to know so many crafty people. You have all been incredibly sweet with me! Thank you ever so much for showering me with encouragement and good cheer in all of your lovely messages!

As I will be closing my Ravenhill Etsy shop on January 1st I am having a Shop Closing Sale and offering 40% off all items, excluding the cost of shipping. Last chance to purchase one of my handmade goodies ends midnight December 31st! I will refund you soon after purchase and send items off the first week of January.

 

 

Oh my!

Brrr, does it look cold? Well it IS! So I have to take you indoors once again to ZANZ, because, there is just so much to see there! First though, a surprise!

Announcing a GIANT sale! My entire Etsy shop is on sale! 25% off everything! Just in time for Christmas!

 

Prices in the shop do not reflect the sale, simply make your purchase and I will reimburse you via Paypal afterwards.

If you purchase right away your goodies should get there by Christmas!

 

I have never had such a big sale before. I think many people are trying to save money this year and that things are tight for many. I would like to do my part to make handmade affordable!

 

Even this new little hand made bird bag from my shop is on sale!

Jumped the gun...?

Perhaps it is my mother's much anticipated visit that is gettting me into the Christmas spirit so early...

Maybe it is the brutal cold and the light dusting of snow?

What ever it is, I couldn't help but go into the shops to share some Christmastime magic with you. Please don't think I have jumped the gun too much, I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet.

The decorations are being hung everywhere around Oslo and the smaller surrounding areas. The children are already clamouring to get a tree. I love the tree, the scent, bringing a bit of nature's beauty into our home, etc, but I don't like the needles all over the floor!

So we will wait a bit before we get our tree. I fancy this gorgeous sweater under it... for me! Aren't those fabulous cables? If I didn't have the huge list of knitting projects that I would like to get done before Christmas, I would be considering making a sweater something like this beauty.

Thanks so much to Zanz for letting me take photos today to my heart's content! All the photos are from this lovely interior decorating shop in Lillestrøm, right outside of Oslo.

Winter's arrival

Just recently it was looking like this outside, pretty and fall-like:

Last Friday though we were surprised to wake up to this:

(I am behind as usual in my posts!) My husband has taken some vacation time this week and it has meant lazy and cozy days... Anyway, it took awhile to get anywere last Friday morning becuase the fresh, fluffy, cold, white stuff was such a novelty!

You can't beat snow for a good time!

It packed up nicely and really stuck onto her mittens.

I have been delighting in all the cold weather by being home and doing a bit of crafting.

I made this wee mini-quilt just for fun.

And Emma, (sorry she is now on her way to one of my supportive blog readers who said she couldn't resist...) with the pretty blue eyes I made too. She is my newest addition to my shop.

I still have small bits of this wonderful minty green vintage fabric on her headpiece left and really love using it. The fabric on her body with the white background is also a vintage treasure, a Sandvika fabric, made in Norway.

 

Thank you to all the very kind friends who left me words of understanding and sympathy about my headaches. I am doing great this week with none! Happy days are here again!

Quilt night

Sorry for being gone for awhile! I have had days of headaches. I will spare you the painful details, but I thought I would share some eye candy with you today to make up for my absence! First a lovely late bloom from our back yard, and then I show you goodies from a recent quilting night.

Anne could see that I wanted this book when we were at the quilting meeting. She surprised me with it as a belated birthday gift.

I was really happy to have it as I had found Merete's talk and work most inspiring. 

It was a kick to meet her after reading her blog for many years.

She had suitcases full of her wonderful work. I have to say, seeing it in person was so much more satisfying than just seeing the photos on her blog. To fully appreciate textiles, it must be in person.

This little textile loveliness is my purchase that night at the quilting meeting. (Didn't I show enormous powers of self-restraint, just one fat quarter...?)

Aren't the colors fabulous?

Oh, wicked one!

A very nice little someone rather reluctantly agreed to put on the hat I made form myself so I could take some pictures of it.

I think she wanted to play instead.

The photo session lasted about 5 seconds and staying remotely still didn't seem to be possible.

It ended up being fun in the end. She pretended to eat the poisonous berries from the bushes and we laughed and laughed at her naughtiness. As my mother would say: "Oh, wicked one!"

I didn't use a pattern for the hat and it does seem to fit Lilly better than me.

We are sure loving what must be the most beautiful fall ever in Norway. The leaves aren't going to be hanging on much longer though. I am braced for 5 months of dark, grey and cold. Making things with my joyously colorful fabrics, your constant and delightful visits to my blog, the laughter of my children and my husband's sense of humor should help me though coming winter. Bring it on! (I have two hats ready now, so I am prepared.) I will have photos of hat number two soon I hope!

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!

Black and white

I am making another hat. It will be for me. The kids both have oodles of hats and mittens but not me. My wardrobe needs a little lift. Well, honestly, it could use a huge lift, but this hat will help me on the way to being warm.

I found three skeins of this wonderful fine wool at a flea market last spring. I am making up the pattern as I go. It is going to have a folded ribbing for extra warmth. Black seems like a good color, so simple and it goes with everythng.

I do like black and white. This black and white decorative lassie has found a spot in my shop today. As you can see my embroidery needle was busy decorating her with multiple flowers with copious knots.

I had to see how she would look with a splash of color around her. I like the contrast. I named Fru Ulsrud after a place in Oslo. I have been enjoying naming my creations after areas of my city lately.

Making Paperdolls

 

We loved the week of fall vacation! Well, except the first part where I lay in bed with a terrible migrane... after that it was really nice! After quiet a month of laziness where my shop has nearly been entirely neglected I have listed a few new buntings and have more things on the way.

One day recently my husband took a trip across the boarder to Sweden with the kids. They did some shopping. Many Norwegians go to Sweden to shop as things are quite a bit less expensive there, especially items like alcohol, tabacco and meat. We were only interested in the last item however. 

When the kids weren't busy running around or biking outdoors in glorious autumn weather we spent some time making paperdolls. My son brought that bright idea home from school. There the are all lined up after a couple of sessions of drawing, cutting and coloring. I made the two on the outside, Sebastian made the boy and Lilly made the little one.

I hope you are having a most wonderful day! I expect to be better at blogging now again after having a little vacation last week! (Forgive me for being away so long???)

 

A winner!

There are a few roses still coming out on my bushes in these late September days, but that isn't what this post is about...

And now the winner of the fabulous La Pomme give away!

With the assistance of the ever-helpful random number generator, the lucky number is: 12! Congratulations to Amanda, who seemed to fancy the pears. (I have been wondering what the winner would select.) You might want to drop by Amanda's blog, because she is as creative and inspiring as can be. Not only that but she is having a give away herself! Ooops, I shouldn't have mentioned it. I want to win it myself...

I am actually still feeling sorry for myself that I couln't enter my own give away, because I adore La Pomme's work. So I have been keeping busy working on the back of my quilt in progress. I realized that since it should be at least 4 inches bigger all around than the quilt front that I had to add some more to it.

It is coming along well, but today I discovered I didn't have any quilting thread so I have to run out to get some. I am already dreaming of finishing this off and starting another project of some sort.

I hope you are having a wonderfully creative day yourself.
 

My assignment

When Mom left for home she left me with a little assignment.

She began this dress at the beginning of our visit.

And she knit away steadily. The bottom part was tricky and slow, but then when she got to the black it went quite quickly.

But the end of the visit just came too darned fast and when she asked me to finish the trim on the arm openings and to sew on the pretty clasps.

I enjoyed being asked to contribute! Lilly waited patiently but excitedly to try it on one of her babies.

It fit nicely.

Grandma really outdid herself, because look at these little shoes she made too!

 

You can see how pleased Lilly is with her baby's new outfit.

 

One happy little mama-in-training.

Thanks so much Mom for this marvelous gift! And there is a sweater still being knitted to match too I hear...

Today I have spent some time ironing new and freshly laundered fabrics as well as cleaning up my sewing room. That should hopefully lead to good, crafty things. A clean space is so inspiring!

Wishing you a fantastic weekend!

Wednesdays

I love Wednesdays. My little chickie is home with me all day.

She is so often running and giggling, so somehow it is easier to catch her on the camera when she is engrossed in something. Here she was helping me make our afternoon snack.

As usual she is barefoot and today she is wearing the new pants which I made her. They seem to be a favorite already. I really love the William Morris fabric. The previous pairs I made for her with the same Onion pattern she complained that the waist wasn't so comfortable. I had used 1" elastic. For these I used 1/4" elastic that is much slacker. She likes them comfy.

Good things

Ripening berries.

Even better, picking the ripe ones.

Little hands and bigger ones.

Those berry pictures were all taken on that wonderful day at Oldemor's house (my children's great-grandmothers' house).

More bounty! This is a delightful win from Grace at Whimsyloft:

I am crazy about the sparkly glass beads she sent me.

Here are all the goodies.

Besides the beads, there was flowery felt which is completely new to me, sticker tapes which my kids adore, a pretty handmade bracelet, laces and fabrics! Thank you so much!

This was the last weekend before school and nursery school starts and it was a real treat since the weather was so nice. Sebastian was dribbling his soccer ball tonight. I really have to buy him another basketball. He doesn't really care for soccer much, has 3 or 4 soccer balls, but the basketball he had was lost.

I did a bit of knitting outside in my bikini today. Does anyone else knit while they are working on their tans?
  

More fabric...

I want to thank you all for all the kindness and encouragement. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me. Reading your comments makes me smile and help me to feel like what I do matters in some small way.

Some time back I contacted Randi to ask about ordering some fabric from her Etsy shop: Freshsqueezed. We chatted a bit and we ended up agreeing on a swap. I got a marvelous stack of her gorgeous fabrics and she got a dollie from me.

We had agreed on exactly what we would send eachother, but she cheated!!! She was so generous! This stack in the front is an extra surprise she snuck into the package! Thank you ever so much for this wonderful swap!

Fru Lillevik in aqua and orange and red is my latest creation made with some of Randi's fabrics.

I haven't done much sewing this weekend, the weather has been too good for that! The glorious sunshine has been shining its late summer rays on us this lovely weekend. I have done a bit of weeding in the garden too.

I hope you are enjoying a beautiful weekend too and will be starting the week with fresh energy and enthusiasm.

They fuzzed up

Summer seems to be on the retreat here in Oslo. The warm, sunny days have become replaced by rainy cooler ones.  School and nursery school are starting in a little over a week and I am excited about the opportunity to get busy making more things and blogging more again.

I have decided that I will always show you my completed projects. You must think that I rarely actually finish anything because I never get around to snapping photos of the project when it is done?  There are many reasons for that, mainly though that the photo taking can be quite a task and I am particular about how it turns out. For instance, I finished this sweater last summer. I wasn't completely happy with the fit and hemmed and hawed trying to decide whether or not to, gulp, frog it. Come winter it got cold and I found myself needing it, gave it a try and found it wearable. I will try to post a photo sometime soon. Other projects, like this quilt, are in a stack of my Un-Finished-Objects.

Anyway, Keeping with my promise. Here is my latest completed project. They shrank, fuzzed up and they fit my son!

At 60 degrees cecius in my front load washing machine, my third attempt at felting them properly did the trick.

They turned out quite fuzzy and thick so that should keep my 9 year old, soon to be 5th grader´s, hands toasty this winter.

You can really see how soft and muted the colors are next to the vibrantly bright green summer leaves.

 
Wishing you a productive and happy weekend! You probably don't have a pile of uncompleted projects cluttering up the place like I do, do you?

Oh, what a wonderful visit it was with my mother! I made these while she was here and they were very much inspired by the visit to my husband's grandmother's and her beautiful gardens.

Everywhere you looked there was somthing magical to see.

Or something sweet.

Here Lilly and Gramma were peering at some treasures.

Nothing in the garden seems left to chance, even the birds are well cared for.

 

Every year she and her gardens appear in magazines, newspapers and tv programs. Here is a spread in Hjemmet from this summer.

And the gardener herself, our beloved "Oldemor" meaning great-grandmother in Norwegian looking marveous for her age of 87. The photo above was taken by Lars Lindberg.

 

Dating

I met the most handsome man downtown...

Mom offered to babysit so my husband and I could have a date. It has been nearly a year since our last time out alone. 

We strolled around town hand in hand and ended up at Oslo's oldest restaurant, Engebret.

How lovely to sit outside with my honey to a meal that I didn't make and not think about doing the dishes.

The evening was warm and pleasant with the sun shining through the leaves.

And the food was marvelous.

The wait staff supplies were all around the old statue here which made for an interesting combination.

We got home from our date fairly early which gave me time to knit and chat with mom. And now you can see what I am doing with the green yarn. I decided to pair the pretty soft green handspun yarn that we had wound into skeins the other day with brown handspun. The yarn is very special to me. As I said it is handspun, by mom's good friend Helen who passed away some years ago. She made beautiful yarn as well as gorgeous lace shawls. When she died I think she gave her entire stash of handspun yarn to my mother and she has been so kind in sharing some with me. For too long I have just had it on the shelf, waiting for a project special enough. There probably isn't ever a project that will be special enough for this beautiful yarn, but these humble mittens that I am going to felt will have to do. I am crazy about the pale green with the brown.

Happy summer days here

Mom is here! It is wonderful to be together. The first evening of her visit mom showed me the gorgeous yarn she bought at the Fiber Frolic to make mittens for Sebastian.

The wool and alpaca yarn by Good Karma Farm of Belfast, Maine is not only pretty for the eye but soft as can be.

Whenever we get together we seem to have skeins of yarn to wind into balls and it is so cozy to do it together. Mom holds while I wind. We chatter away, occasionally pausing to oh and ah over the yarn.

One ball done, and now it is my turn. I had a few balls to wind too. Including the pretty green in the front that I got from Ballee.

Now it is time to get knitting... and visiting.

And gardening... mom helped Sebastian to dig and prepare the soil, spread out the compost we have been making all spring, and planting seeds. It is a bit late in the season but hopefully we will get enough sunshine that some seeds might grow up into plants to harvest before the cold hits.

These are happy days here!

Red, white and taupe

Why is it that a weathered park bench and fading roses look so pretty? I seem to be on color phase, please forgive me!

My dear friend Anne Katrine called me up the other night to see if she could come over and hang out! You bet! So she walked the few meters over to my place and we had a grand time chatting and working away on our projects. Just look at the dresden plates she is working on!

I just love being able to see her projects are they take shape. I have seen her sew these little peices together while we watch our children play at the playground. These rows of little squares are going to be surrounding the plates she told me.

A while back I was at Anne's house and she asked what color should be around the red and white plates. That was a good time too, trying to help her as she tried fabric after fabric from her stash, finally settling on these pretty French General taupy ones. This block above is finished and the other one is waiting to have the center sewn on.

Even the little tin holding her supplies is adorable, and perhaps a welcome break in my color themed post?

Anne seems to like this red and taupe color combination at the moment because she also showed me these socks which she purchased on her travels this summer. Having talented friends is so inspiring!

Inspiring colors

These gorgeous summer colors are inspiring me these days.

I don't have the faintest idea what these uncommonly pretty flowers are called. I am sure Mom would know. She is going to be visiting us in less than a week! After not seeing her in nearly a year, you can bet we are excited as can be!

A two week visit is going to be fantastic! Little one is counting down the days and making little presents for her very beloved gramma.

My Liberty buntings have been flying out of my shop so this weekend I had a fabulous time making a huge mess! I took out my Liberty of London fabric and found new and fabulous combinations. Oh, that was a ball. This plum pretty one is now in the shop.

Aren't these common little colorful clover exquisite?

Happy colorful day to you! I hope yours is also full of inspiration and beauty!

Wild strawberries

I know we are a bit late compared to the rest of the world, but it is still strawberry season in Norway.

Walking in the woods these days you don't have to bring a snack along.

Everywhere you turn these bright red beauties encourage you to feast.

They surround themselves with pretty friends too. Isn't it enchanting how the bright red juicy berries are interspersed with the fine Queen Anne's Lace?

I had to buy the pale seafoam green frothy lace that now adorns Fru Sommerlig when I saw it at the Quilting Annual Meeting a few months ago. Rarely do I use my new materials immediately, usually they sit around in a dark cupboard or in this case my picnic basket filled with ribbons and laces.

Today I listed several new things in my shop, besides little strawberry girl.

This little purse is for my shop, and I think I want to make one for me.

I was completely flattered when I read this feature today on CraftyCrafty. So happy to know that people appreciate the tutorial I made. I plan on doing more, but we are pretty much in summer mode here now which means not a lot of crafting is getting done. I will have to show you my summer knitting and my summer flea market finds soon though!

I also keep making new friends. PeasandPotatoes a really sweet new Etsy seller of lovely and vintage baby clothes asked me if she could list my shop on her shop announcement because she thought her friends would like my things. Wasn't that nice?

I hope you are enjoying wonderful days whatever the season in your part of the world. We are doing our best to soak up the warm sunshine while we can!

 

  
 

My happy little summer world

Everything is summery and bright and pretty in my little world these days.

The children are home with me all day long, free as birds from school and nursery school. Their joy and playfulness seems to rub off on me and my creations.  

We actually do a bit of summer school at home though. The fun part is their eagerness to sit down to our home "school". Well, my little one is actually the most eager, perhaps because she hasn't really gone to school yet?

It is so sweet though because my son will now sit down on occasion and read a book for little one. Today they played monopoly together and didn't quarrel once.

I hope you like the mushroom decorations? I had to make more when I got this delicious package from a wonderful Etsy seller: Paper and String.

As usual I had some help with opening...Rrrrrriiiiip...

Then we had to look at each and every lovely one of them! They are just so color saturated and pretty! I like the weight of them, the wool in them must make them more substantial.

Now I have the colors I need to make more blossoms for the mushrooms.  I have added a few of them, some dolls, and garlands to my shop. I hope you had a happy weekend and are ready for a wonderful week ahead! I am crossing my fingers for another beautiful week and some great times at the beach.

 

An Outing! Sunday Markets in Oslo

 

Today I was at the uber hip Blå in Oslo. The cafe by Akerselva was a nice spot to sip a cold drink and have a bite to eat on this gorgeous summery day. The cafe wasn't the reason why I came though...

On Sundays Blå, which is normally a nightclub, opens its doors to crafters and vintage peddlers to sell their goods, both indoors and out. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet 3 incredibly talented fellow-sewers and bloggers from the area. The first one I happened upon was Kathrin and we had such a great chat. I really love the colors she uses, especially the heart above.

Not only are the colors she uses deligthful, but her attention to the fine details make her work so special.

Even in the beginning of summer, we are always thinking about the approach of winter here in these northern parts. These hats would really be pretty and cozy come winter. If you want to see more of her wares you might like to have a look at her Epla shop.

The next wonderful stand was retro heaven. Gunn (I just recently discovered her blog and she was what inspired my outing to Blå) has the most fabulous retro fabric stash and she comes up with incredible things with them. I am kicking myself for spending all my time chatting and no time taking photos of her stand. When I finally got around to taking a shot, the table was completely surrounded and it was impossible to take a decent photo. You will just have to drop by her blog and shop to see what she makes.

She didn't have a stand at Blå, but I also met Ida Victoria who also has an enviable supply of vintage retro fabrics. She keeps very busy keeping her Epla shop stocked as things seem to fly off the shelves!

I also took a little trip to Birkelund Sunday market.

Isn't this a beauty? I don't fancy cranking though.

I saw a lot of junk, but this sofa was my cup of tea.

Speaking of tea...

As far as textiles went this used market was a bitter disappointment. My shelves are groaning under the weight of all my current fabrics though so maybe it was best I just browsed?

Hopefully there will be other thrifty or inspiring outings again soon. Thank you so much for coming along!
  

Sewing for little one

Oh, the weekend whizzed by and so did our first week of summer vacation!

My favorite daughter got a new top.

She clammours for new clothes all the time and I really should pick up the pace a bit. She can really think me a bore that I am so slow about it.

I had thought it would leave the top just "plain" with no added embellishment, she however, thought a bit of fancying up was called for. So I made a wee, little ragged edged rose. It turned out that she was right, this was just what the top needed. I like the subtlety of it.

Then it needed a tag inside, this she also insists upon. Funny, the store tags I am asked to cut off, they irritate her sensitive skin. However, she would like her handmade garments to have tags to help to show where the back and front are. It is fun to make them actually.

Whenever I take photos with her we end up in stiches. Sometimes the camera shakes as much as she does while we giggle together.   

Before I run off to enjoy the rest of what has been an incredibly lovely sunny weekend I have to tell you about how Jacquie shows off how she has done up some wonderful flowers with pretty leaves and shows some great ways to use them. She made them using my Cute as a Button Flower Tutorial.

Lazy summer days and knitting

 
You won't find me slaving away at the stove. I am not busy organizing the closets or sitting at the computer.

No, on these bright, sunny, blue-sky days I am outside, with a bit of knitting or sewing. The kids play in the sprinkler or at the playground. Today I got to chat with friends and work on this knitting while the kids played. This is going to be a pair of mittens for someone near and dear, and it is a traditional Norwgian pattern from a near-vintage well used pattern book.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Designer Knitting in my mailbox today. I cancelled my subscription over a year ago I thought in an effort to reduce my, ahem, creative expenditures. It is such an inspiring knitting magazine so I was delighted to have some reading to do in the sun.

I hope you have a sunny and creative weekend! I will be heading to a flea market tomorrow and hopefully have some wonderful finds to show you later.

Playing tourist and hexagon heaven

Please don't forget me, I know I have been on vacation for too long! The visit with my Dad really was wonderful and I just didn't find time to blog.

Mostly we just had a good time enjoying time together, but we did play tourist a bit in Oslo. The photo above is Oslo City Hall.

I had to take Dad to Vigeland Park as he had never been before. You see, on his previous visits he had been so sweet to come in the winter months, and the cold and darkness during those months make staying indoors much more inviting than going out to do touristy things. So he hadn't ever seen much of our city.

The sculptures are slightly larger than life and so very life-like they are.

It was a lovely day and we nearly had the park to ourselves.

While many of the sculptures seem happy or serene, this one seems disturbing.

Now we are back downtown again, getting around by foot and public transport as I usually do. This dome-topped building is the National Theater.

The waterfront was a great place for a little rest and a bit to eat.

While he was visiting I didn't spend as much time sewing or knitting as usual. I guess I really did have a vacation from my usual handwork. This is what I started on after our tearful farewell. I am going to make a hexagon pillow. This is English paper piecing. It is so much fun. I have been stitching on the sofa, in my sewing room and sometimes out in the sunshine.

I tried not stitching through the hexagon papers, but the fabric seems to sit better when I stitch right through the papers and it appears that the papers can still be used again and again despite the pin holes. I just cut off the threads holding the papers down as soon as the hexagon is completely surrounded.

I promise to be around more! I have much to show and a give away coming very soon!

  

Cherry Blossoms

Inspired by the cherry blossoms in our backyard.

I made Fru Stemland, who is in the shop.

May you too have a beautiful weekend!
 

Happy 17th of May to Norway!

Hipp Hipp Horrah!

I had to give you a taste of the gorgeous handwork that was on display on Norway's National Day, the 17th of May.

This handsome couple was seen among the crowds at the castle. Many of the men were even decked out from head to toe in hand made finery. I think the woolen cabled socks are wonderful, and I am sure he was glad it was a cool day.

You can just imagine the hours of stitching that went into each of these pretty garments.

   

Such inspiration for those of us who enjoy needlework! A big thanks to my father for these photos, he was the photographer for this post.
 

Spring has really come and soon so will a visitor!

We are in the throes of excitement here as we await a visitor from far off. My dad is hopping on the plane tomorrow to visit us! Yippee!

So I have tried to get some goodies into my shop beforehand!

As usual I have had a ball playing around with different fabrics: colors and patterns.

I just had to show you how incredibly fast Norway has burst into spring! 

Color has once again returned in full spectrum, the greys, taupes and other dull colors are being taken over by vibrant greens and dotted with lovely blossoms here and there.

Delicate wildflowers just budding can be seen underfoot in the woods and when I relax in the sunshine in my backyard I breathe in the sweet smell of violets that are all around in my flower beds. My little one is keeping the vases full of the prettiest blossoms.  

I combined several very special vintage fabrics on Fru Holmedal as well as some of my hand embroidery, and she is available in my shop (Sorry, she has already sold). 

 

Unbelievable!

This is what we woke to this morning. I think mother nature forgot to look at the date. It is actually May and our tulips are already starting to bloom. The one plus inch of snow that came down hard and fast this morning was really an unnecessary prolonging of a lovely season that already takes up more than it's fair share of the year.

It is good that I am knitting heaps of hats, mittens and socks. My husband misplaces them, the kids grow out of them, and winter just keeps right on month after month. I had already put away the winter gear prematurely it seems!

Sebastian was very sweet and agreed to let me photograph him wearing my latest hand-knits. Here you see the Noro socks I was working on are finished.  

They are not super matchy, but I love them and hope he will wear them at least a few times next winter, but if not I will be happy to inhert them. They fit both my 9 year old and I to a T.

These mittens I whipped up using the leftover Noro yarn for the dots and stripes. The other was a wool that I scored at a recent flea market. 

Britt, you really have provided me with a great deal of knitting fun, not to mention that they have been transformed into useful warm gear for the family!

I am hoping that today's surprise storm will be the last of the snow for at least a few months. I am working on such fun, colorful and sunny projects now which are keeping in what should be the season!

A "new" frock

My little one has a new top.

I used an old top that had gotten snug and short. I just chopped it off right under the arms.

I gathered the thrifted plaid fabric and sewed it to the bodice.

I cut up the left over lower piece of the top to make the flowers and decorations.

The extra prettiness is actually a nice cover up for the stains on the top.

This felt good, finding a way to use an old top. Not only recyclying but also UP-cycling. She just loves it.

She's off to the woods to pick more wildflowers. I wish you a lovely weekend!
   

Just can't stop

The flea market season has really gotten me into vintage fabrics. I drew in a little gasp when I spotted this sweet print and piled it and another just like it up on my growing stack of fabrics. I promise that my arms were aching later in the day after carrying around so much fabric as I was looking for even more.

After washing and ironing the fabrics I was ready to dive into my fabrics to find some good matches. I also dug out my laces and it was so much fun.

This new vintage fabric find reminded me about some previous vintage fabric treasures and so of course I made some more. Doll making is like eating chocolates for me once I get started I just can't stop!

They are now all now in my shop! Happy spring!!! 
 

 

Spring in bloom

When the weather turns nice outdoors it suddenly seems so silly to spend time inside on the computer; so forgive me please for my absence. I have missed you, but it is entirely too lovely here in Norway these days to spend much time inside.

Outdoors now, there are so many things to discover, like the incredible perfection of my hellebore after a refreshing shower. How lovely to have so many months of sunshine and warm weather ahead of us!

Lilly and her friend picked these anemonies in the woods on the way home from nursery school today. I adore these flowers, but even more delightful was watching their pleasure in finding and gathering their bouquets!

After making the dress for Lilly I wanted to make use of extra peices of fabric left over so I made this zippered pouch. It is in my Epla shop.  

I hope that you too are enjoying beautiful days and happy times!

Spring sewing and learning something new

Spring is here and it is wonderful! No way to express it really, the immense joy of it! I try here to capture some of its beauty.

Blossoms are turning up here and there!

The surge of energy of the spring air must have encouraged me to tackle my first buttonhole. I found myself making this dress for Lilly with three buttons and that meant I had to get over my fear of learning how to do the button holes. I got out a sewing book, my sewing machine instructions, and the funny button hole foot. I used a scrap and made a few practice ones. There were a few setbacks at the beginning but I kept at it and before long I dared to do the real thing on her dress.

Here she is wearing it. The fit of the dress isn't the best, but that isn't due to my sewing skills.

She was patient and played happily with her bunnies while I took photos. As you might have noticed, they are smooching.

Outdoors we are now on our way to nursery school.

Early morning walks are always a joy, full of song, skipping and discoveries.

  

Lady Luck again

When I entered Mai's contest awhile ago I didn't think I had much of a chance to win, not due to her lack of prizes, she was so sweet to pick 14 winners! The reason I didn't hold my breath to win was that she had nearly 300 entries! Lady luck was with me though and I was the final winner and how fun because Mai is a friend of mine!

The packages she sends are delightful!

Even the envelope she mailed this in was unique and wonderful, she simply taped together some magazine pages.

She has the nicest taste in fabrics! Mai, thank you! I adore them all.

I haven't had a chance to play with them yet, there are just so many projects underway at the moment. Here's one completed one. First a peek inside the totebag I made.

The large floral print on the outer fabric was a marvelous find on one of my thrifting adventures last year. It is a decorator weight fabric and although I have some yardage of it with the selvages it doesn't say who made it. I am dying of curiosity so if anyone recognizes it I would love to know who made it and any guess to how old it is.

I felt very brave to finally cut into it. It just seems so special and I worry I won't do it justice. This time I was fortunate and am so pleased with how it turned out! The bag is now in my shop. I think I will have to make another one for me though because I love it so. I based this bag on one I made for myself a few years ago and have used constantly to the point of being quite worn out. I find the size and shape perfect for my sock or mitten knitting project, with enough extra space for my cell phone, keys and my wallet too. 

Mushroom love and painting

 

Here's me having fun goofing around with more cuteness. I couldn't help it. I love the little mushroom shape and wanted to make something new.

 

I like how they look with flowers and can't wait to make them in more colors and maybe play around with the flowers a bit too.

Mushroom Love 1 and Mushroom Love 2 are in my shop. 

Today the kids and a little friend did some painting.

If that isn't fun?

Mixing colors is definitely the best part. Who needs paper? Just swirl it up!

  

Shopping spree anyone?

I couldn't not take you to the fabric shops for a little look around!

Saturday morning the shops opened and we tried our best to make our way to the fabrics through the crowds.

I think I will just let you enjoy browsing around. I hope that you find something that catches your eye.

 

 

 

 

 
I loved this dress so much that I had to ask the shop keeper if I might take a photo of her. She made it herself. I so like the clever way she has recycled the vintage embroidery.

I hope you have had fun on this virtual shopping tour, it does tend to be easier on the pocketbook.
 

 

Ooooh, this was fun!

After a pleasant train jouney with my good friend and neighbor we arrived in Stokke. The view from our patio on Friday at Brunstad Conferanse Center, in Vestfold, Norway, between Stokke and Tønsberg. Our appartment overlooked some of the row house apartments of the complex.

We had a little time to settle in before heading up to our much anticipated class with the incredible Yoko Saito. Upon our arrival we found a delightful pack at each spot filled with gorgeous taupe fabrics, a photo of our project and the pattern. Most of us ripped into these goodies immediately and with much delight explored the many fabrics.

Here is Yoko Saito explaining that the three hour course is far too little time to start and complete the bag. That much I had gathered immediately upon seeing the photo of our project, and think it will likely take me weeks.

There were about 20 of us eager to learn any little quilting finesse we could. We took turns gathering around to soak up her knowledge. You can see how we squeezed in around her table, hovering over her, watching those lightening quick fingers as they demonstrated.

While the other half of the class was engrossed over Yokos magical hands, we were put to task: cut uneven strips of fabric from our lovely new stash. The pretty wooden tool was a gift from Yoko. It is a very handy Alex Andersen 4 in 1 tool. The facing end that you see in the photo is what you use to press the fabric instead of using an iron and board.

This is my first wonky log cabin block. We each made two during class, while the remainder of the time we were watching Yoko and learning. I don't think Yoko was impressed with our speed at hand sewing. After we had been stitching for a very short time she seemed to wonder if we were finished and then asked if we mostly used the sewing machine. That did seem to be the case for most everyone.

We learned we would only need 25 blocks to make the bag. When we are done with them we are to use turned edge appliqué to sew the blocks together in a haphazard fashion slightly larger then the pattern.

To arrange the blocks she told us to pin them in place onto the paper initially, when they are in the desired position we are then to pin the blocks to eacheother removing the pins from the paper.

She showed us what to wear on our fingers to protect our fingers and make it easier to push the needle through the layers.

The metal gear on her left thumb is a thread cutter. That really must make it quicker than locating the pair of scissors to cut the thread. I think I might get one of these. I must say the speed of her tiny perfect stiches was quite phenomenal.

I think this will take some practice.

 

Yoko and her assistant also went around the room checking to see what needle size we were using. I didn't have the correct size at all, mine were far too big! She suggests size 12 for sewing the fabrics together. This is a petit needle with a very small eye. If you look on the table you can just see her orange plastic needle threader. This might also be a good investment. I am sure that in another decade or two I will be thinking these clip on magnifying glasses will be just the thing too.

Yoko must have the worlds most extensive collection of quilted items. This seemed to be her sewing bag.

Here Yoko illustrates how we to baste the bag before quilting. I am now thinking this will take months not weeks.

Here we learn how to put the parts of the bag together. Meanwhile the translator is having trouble remembering that she is supposed to speak Norwgian to us, not Japanese. It is comical and we all get a bit confused.

The straps you slide inside here like this. I adore the lining fabric she used with the leaves and berries.

I thought you might enjoy a few close ups of Yoko's bag.

The handles are so pretty with the cotton trim.

I really hope I remember all that I learned.

When I arrived home my family met me half way, dear husband helped me with my luggage. I don't think I have ever seen my daughter any happier. She was like a little puppy, bouncing around me and nearly knocking me over with all her hugs and kisses. It was nice to be missed. There is way more to tell, but I will have to wait for another day. For now here is the progress on tmy bag:

12 squares are done, 1 more nearly completed, leaving me with 12 left to go.

I hope you too have had a most satisfying weekend? 
 

 

Going away for a sewing weekend!

Well, I found out on my last post that when it comes to sunshine and spring weather, there aren't too many who are willing to share. I grudgingly have to admit I understand. I had a ball reading all the funny comments, thanks so much for making these chilly days more fun!

I am going away tomorrow for a sewing course and weekend!

I am practically giddy and don't know if I will be able to sleep tonight. My husband said at dinner: "Well, it has only been a decade since you have gone off on your own for a night away from the family." He is nice to encourage me to enjoy myself. I hope he is still just as supportive when I arrive home on Saturday evening after leaving him alone with the children for nearly two days and he sees me laden down with bags and bags of fabrics.

I finally opened an on-line shop in Norway! It was something I have considered for ages but just got around to it now. My shop there is called Ravenhill, I know, really original. The site is called Epla, meaning apple. I think it might be fun for my non-Norwegian readers to see what creative people are making in Norway.

Should you ever want anything from my Epla shop don't hesitate to ask me, I can easily transfer it to Etsy instead.

While I am gone you might enjoy this fabulous blog I recently found and fell in love with.

Flea markets here we come!

This upcoming weekend is the start to the flea market season in Norway. Here you can check out where the upcoming flea markets are in Norway.

I made this sweater many years ago when I first came to Norway. At that time this lusekofte was very popular. I actually made a couple of them for myself then. I really should make one for each of the children. Unfortunately though, they have taken such a liking to fleece and aren't too keen on wool. Another dear member of the family has requested knitted items for Christmas, preferably in cashmere. No, wool would be too unpleasant. I am one of the few remaining who likes wool, although cashmere is lovely...

One does need to dress warmly here in these icy parts of the world. I was hoping to entice someone into a swap, ice, snow and cold for a bit of spring?

Any takers?

 

Knitting magazine to pour over

This Designer Knitting Spring/Summer 2010 issue arrived in the mailbox today and I flopped down on the bed to page through it during a blissful moment of quiet in the house. It seemed a bit early for this type of skimpy fashion considering our current weather which you will understand as you read more below. All those airy holes don't have any appeal at the moment.

Aren't these light and airy? At the snail-paced slowness that summer is approaching I figure I would likely get two weeks to wear one of these sweaters before autumn arrives. If I am lucky.

These sweaters both look like a fun challenge, but what I really would like to make next is a sweater for Lilly.

I am slowly working on making some double pointed needle holders with handy slots that are labeled with sizes so you can just grab the ones you need and get knitting, no more need to find the right size by guesswork or measuring them. As long as they are in the right slot it is easy as pie.

Speaking of pies, here is one little cutie-pie outside making some snow pies. Now I am seriously starting to wonder if the snow will be completely gone by May? It is still knee-deep. I love winter, really, it is a nice time of year, but it seems to be hogging most of the year. I don't think it is fair to spring, summer and fall. Don't these seasons deserve some time too? I am partial to spring.

Old man winter has definitely outstayed his welcome this time. 

Wishing you a most happy weekend and please send us some melting rays of beautiful sunshine! 

Something new, but will they like it?

Luckily I know how to blur out the untidy house in the background. Macro is so handy for poor housekeepers like me.

Having a pretty bouquet on the table is really all you notice, not the clutter around. Does wonders. Stacks of fabric have almost the same effect too, right?

The reason I am a poor housekeeper is quite simple, I spend quite a bit of time catering to my children's every whim. They probably wouldn't see it quite that way, but they do seem to have urgent needs for so much of my attention. The other reason the house isn't likely even remotely likely to be featured in Better Homes is that I am usually dreaming up new things to sew and surrounding myself and the rooms with my supplies in a mad creative frenzy. So these birds are my latest mess-producing idea.

I must admit that every time I am going to show something new I get nervous, will they like it I wonder? I fret that the birds might look silly. In any case, I have made a few for the shop and a few for gifts. Some have loops for hanging and others have brooch backs for pinning on.

My children are my biggest supporters, they always smile with delight when I make something new. They also want to keep them all. Today though they fought about who was going to help me put the orders together for mailing off. They are a tremendous help after the quarreling is sorted out and they can settle down to business. I hope I won't get in trouble with the children's labour laws...  

Ravenhill seems to be enjoying a bit of time in the limelight lately. I really want to thank Rosemary for featuring my doll in a matryoshka post. My needlebook also got noticed on Joy Ever After. Finally Camilla also featured my creations on her colorful and inspiring Danish blog. Thank you all!

If looking at Emmiline's blog gave you a taste for Norwegian interior decoration blogs you might enjoy this blog too.

New fabrics, pouches and a new blog crush

 

Saturday I went shopping with my Christmas gift card from my husband and came home with a nice little stack of fabrics.

I went looking for aquas and turquoises but there really wasn't much to find in those colors, but I had much luck in the pinks, yellows, reds and oranges.

The white polkadots on the sunny yellow seemed just right to line this pouch that I made.

This floral fabric is a heavier weight, with a linen feel but I think it is a vintage cotton. It has been in my stash for awhile and it is one of my favorites. I used a bit of vintage trim for the side tab and really like how it looks.

These new pouches are now in my shop where it is looking so sunny and bright. Norway is brightening up these days but we still have piles of snow, absolutely no sign of bare ground, and some mornings it is bitterly cold and frosty.

Mornings like this I am so glad to be able to return to my warm house to de-thaw my fingers which have turned numb from the photo session outdoors.

Before I go and make my son his afternoon snack (well, it is more like a huge meal, he eats so much...)I wanted to show you a most wonderful blog.

Emmiline did an amazing and entirely wonderful feature about my dolls yesterday. Anyone who regularly reads my blog has likely had it up to here with my dolls, I just don't seem to be able to stop making them... but I thought you might enjoy her blog because it gives the most marvelous glimpses of her lovely Norwegian home. Just take a look, you will see!

 

Shades of blue

I am in a fine mood, jolly good, never better. You see the sun has been shining on us daily and it acutally warms. Everywhere you go outdoors, you hear a drip, drip, drip. I am now hopeful that we will see bare ground sometime before May. Ohhhhh, if you haven't lived though one of these loooooooong winters than you do not have any comprehension of the sheer JOY to feel the warmth of the sun again.

So the color theme on today's post in no way reflects my mood, no I am SUNNY. However, the blues are the color of the big cloudless sky and it is so beautiful! So to celebrate the blue skies...

I was in such gleeful spirits after the freckle-inducing session in the sun. I sat in the backyard, decked out in my snowsuit, sitting on the lawn chair, knitting away. Afterwards I wanted to make something special and I once again cut into my cherished vintage pansy fabric. 

I like the shape of the pouch, it is the same curved bottom that I have so often used for my drawstring bags but this time it is on a zippered pouch. I think the zipper might be vintage too. It has a sweet drop pull.

Having accomplished something today other than sunning myself I thought it time for a cup of tea, but then the ble teapot and Lilly's rose cup remined me of a doll I wanted to make... so it was off to the sewing room for me again! Fru Himmel (Fru Heaven) is a corny name but that is what she is called, and it suits her perfectly. My dear daughter has even more whimsical names for her dolls, like: Emily Rainbow Lilly. Yes, all one name.

You can find the pouch and Fru Himmel in my shop. Oh, my goodness, I will have to make more pouches this pansy one is already sold.

I hope you are having a happy, sunny weekend!!!

 

Douple pointed organization

Somehow during Winter break last week I got out of my blogging routine, and I have missed you all! Now we are happily back to our regular daily routines after a lovely week of holiday, and I promise to be around more. I just dropped Lilly off at nursery school where she will play, sing, eat and play outdoors for 4 hours.

She was jolly as can be as you can see and walked the entire way herself. (She is still fond of sitting in the stroller, but promises that when she turns 5 she will no longer use it.)

Before I scurry off to photograph some new dolls and other things, I have to show what I recently sent to my mother. She had been saying how much she needed an organizer for her double pointed knitting needles and so I surprised her with one!

I used a William Morris fabric, which I knew mom with adore too. The most challenging part was these little balls on the ends of the ribbons. My first attempt was near perfect, very round, but the second ball, was alas a bit oblong. I guess that is charm of handmade?

I made a slot for each set of needles, labeling with both millimeters and the American sizes. I just love my own needlecase where I have done this. I wasn't completely happy with the rather primitive patches that I hand stitched in place. I plan on making some dp knitting needle rolls for my shop, but I have another idea for the needle sizes.

The funny thing is that my dad was nearly as pleased by this gift as mom was, because he won't have to listen to mom spending an eternity trying to dig through her bag of needles anymore. Her knitting needles are now all in their propler slot, ready for action.

Knitting on the journey

We just arrived home this evening, 4 weary travelers after a little trip to Belgium! I don't know what happens but both times we have taken this journey we have forgotten to bring the camera along, and I had been so determined to remember it this time! I did snap this photo of my knitting project before our trip and it is what I brought along to keep me busy when not coloring or playing cards with the family on the journey.

I am making socks, once again with another recycled cashmere that I purchased on ebay. The yarn isn't very kinky despite it's past life and it is so soft. My black pants did get a bit furry looking though after the plane ride.

Lately I make two socks pretty much simulaneously, it seems to go faster that way. I take the yarn for one sock from the center of the ball and yarn from the outside of the ball for the other. I do the casting on and the ribbing on one, then the other. Then I get down to the heel on one, put that aside until I get to the same place on the other. When I do it this way I can easily ensure that I have done the same number of rows on each one, and that they will be just the same size. I find it easier to see that then when I did one sock at a time. I am still not sure if these are going to be a gift of for me. They are really looking like just what I need...

Back to our trip, and the never-ending topic of the weather... When we left Oslo it was -17 C and it was +10 C in Belgium! Wow, that was a delightful change for us! It certainly felt like spring with the soft rain that fell most of our visit. Upon our return the newspapers here tell us that we can expect 3 more weeks of bitter cold! I guess I should keep on knitting! 

A nice day in Norway

Wednesday's there is no nursery school. It is lovely to not have to go at by a certain time and to have one less lunch to pack. Today was especially nice because we had another little friend over for lunch and lots of playtime.

In between loads of laundry, helping with snowsuits and boots on and off, a game of cards, etc. I have been organizing my ribbons. Some have been looking very pretty in glass jars on my shelf. Others have been stored in a pretty wooden picnic basket. Every time I went to find a ribbon I had to paw through the worst tangle.

All I did was cut rectangular peices of cardboard and then I cut several slots on the sides for the ribbons to be wound around. After winding them on I pin them in place.

Both my 9 year old and my 4 year old were able to help with the ribbon winding. It took Lilly awhile to get the hang of it, but she tried again and again until she managed. We all just love working on little projects together.

Poking around

Now that it is warmer outside I hoped you might enjoy a trip out with me?

We can take the tram to a delightful shop called Purpur.

I love how these have handknit trim on the hood and sleeves.

I could spend the day here.

Are you tired after poking around? Perhaps it is time to sit down. The turquise bench was once a church pew and will be perfect. The patchwork pillow on it is so pretty, and I would so like to make some similar for my sofa.

Thank you so much for coming along and I hope that you will enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Black and White at the Folk Museum

Once again I must take you back to the Norske Folkemuseum's annual Christmas market.

I loved these heart baskets in the traditional red and white and these in black and white were also beautiful.

A wreath made out of lichen, simple.

Another one in a heart shape.

This one really took my breath away. Those leaves must be lambs ear. I would love to make one this myself.

I had to show you a bit more of the textile work at the market. Perhaps they will inspire someone for the upcoming Valentine's Day?

Little slippers

Today a few of my newest matryoshkas were featured on Cuteable! Fru Stabekk wasn't featured but she is one of my newest creations in my shop.

The icy air doesn't seem to want to let up and as I have mentioned before is giving me a wonderful excuse to stay indoors and keep warm at my sewing machine. What is the point of going outside actually when it is -20 Celcius? So I made these slippers for little one to keep her small toes warm on our now chilly hard-wood floors.

I used this Japanese book for the pattern. Here is the link to it on Amazon.jp:

The slippers make the second project I have completed in this book and so far so good. I have enjoyed both immensly and they have both turned out as I had hoped. I blogged previously about another Japanese book and my projects here and here.

The bottoms are three layers, with the bottom two quilted together as you see above. I used the same fabric for the insole and underside, and for batting I used a vintage wool blanket. The thick blanket and quilting give good structure to the slippers and warmth as well.

I dug into my mother-of-pearl button jars to find a couple of matching buttons to add as decoration on the straps. I have used snaps for closure. I still (sheepishly) haven't learned how to make button holes. Maybe Mom will teach me on our next visit? I selected Jennifer Pagnelli's wonderful fabric from the line Dance with Me for the outer fabric.

And here we were today playing concentration and little one is wearing her new slippers.

She still doesn't even know all the numbers or letters on the cards but she can match them! Getting a photo is hard work too when they are moving around as much as this little energetic one does. It is a good thing I have learned how to lose with grace because it happens alot when I play cards with my kids.

I hope you will have a lovely weekend!

Carved out

Christmas is over, but some of us still have a few decorations up and I never had time to show you these amazing carvings that I saw at the Norske Folkemuseum's annual Christmas market. They ones above are wine corks and they are just filled with character.

And what a great amount of time it must have taken the artist to not only carve but paint the tiny details onto her.

This little gnome also has the most beautiful details, like the walking stick, lantern and pocket knife.

These are busy little gnomes, here is an elderly granny, knitting away. When I tire of knitting and sewing I think I will take up wood carving and make my own wooden figures. I am certain they would get on well with all my matryoskas!

At the moment though I am immersed in sewing, knitting and a bit of embroidery. (Not to mention, cooking, cleaning, reading aloud, playing cards and games, etc.) I finished up these drawstring bags today and they are in the shop.

The beige fabric is a linen and cotton blend which I adore. Anyone who has read my blog for awhile knows how fond I am of Liberty of London fabric, which I used for the hearts and the drawstring casings to add a bit of color to the tops of the bags.