Hello friends,have you missed me?

Let me start by saying, I'm fine and well. We've had the most beautiful summer I can ever remember, and I have spent my days outside and also spent alot of time with my mom.

In addition to being my mom, she's the most humorous person I know and we've laughed alot together this summer. Now she's returned to Mallorca, Spain, where she lives most parts of the year. The photos below shows what we saw a day out by the sea.

Late summer I start preparing for winter by knitting socks and I have also been making some cute little hats and "shoes" meant for newborns. So, I have been doing something.

That's some of the things I've been doing, and now I'm back in the saddle playing with colors and papers again.

I hope to be back on my blog on a regular basis again, so I'll see you soon.

Not pleased during the process.

What do you do when you notice you're not pleased as the work grows?
I have a mandala sitting on my desk, but I can't get the good feel about it. All the painting is done, just detailing remains. I have made the decission to let it rest for some days and see if I can have some new ideas on how to complete it. In the meanwhile I found some yarn, linen, to play with. Together with a hook and a bunch of buttons it seems I've started some different mandalas.

I don't know what they will be at the end, for now I enjoy making them. Once again "Just do it" were the right word for me. Otherwise I have exciting plans for the year, I'll tell more about it if it becomes reality. Right now I'm planing a bit for the trip to Spain later this month. My mother is turning 75 and we are going to celebrate her. Not the best time of year to visit, but it's this time of year she has her birthday.
What are you up to?

Something new.

 

I bought myself a new cell phone yesterday.

 

That means alot of work to figure out how to use it and how everything works, and if I dislike anything, that's it. So to cheer myself up a bit I sat down today and made some bags to carry it in, and that's a whole different cup of tea. I love making such small things, and I love all the colors too. I asked handyman what he thought about them and all he said was: hmf...... Too much color for him.

 

 

 

I think I'll make one or two more, always fun to have something to choose from. We've had such a cold day here today so staying indoors making something fun was just the right thing for me.

 

I hope you are having a fun day too!

Still in hat mode.

I'm still making hats. 

Today I tried some new embellishment instead of flowers and I think it looks great. I'm also preparing for Christmas, so my days are rather busy. I like it though and it's easy when there are no dayjob to attend. This week I'm washing and next week I'm going to bake. After that I'll just enjoy!!

We have the most beautiful weather now, but freezing cold. Good and warm indoors though.  Well, I just wanted to show you what I'm up to and say hello.

I hope you have good days too.

Busy with all sorts of things.

This weekend Sandra is here and she will be next or the next after that too.

I've had my first sale in the new shop and that made my heart beat a little extra. I've sold a bikeseat cover, and many of you might think that I used the pattern from my earlier made cover. Well I didn't, I made a brand new pattern that fits the seat much better. Besides, if I did make a similar to the first one it would be called stealing. I can't hide though that I'm totally inspired from the first one, but I made it my own way.

This weekend I've made some hats. Sandras mum asked me to make one for her, I did and got totally inspired.  I  made the first one out of my head and experience, the second one I made in purpose to have a written pattern. After writing this post I'll start a third one, a white one. The orange one is for Sandras mum, I'm not sure she will like the band and the flower but I made them both removable. She specifickly asked for an orange one which I liked. That gave an oportunety to use the rest of the orange yarn.

As you see from the photo it has been snowing this weekend, and Sandra and I even have been rehursing all the Christmas songs. So, now we are prepared ! I almost feel like saying : Let the game begin!

I hope you've had a good weekend too.

Creative weekend.

I had alot of fun making a new product for my shop.

Even though I've made these small bags earlier, it took me alot of work to make this one. It's lined and that created some problems for me. The crocheted part is stretchy and the lining isn't. But after several tries I managed to make it as I wanted it to be. Have a look.

 The gloves and pearls are stash only, to make a sweeter photo. This particular photo isn't in use in my shop.
It was so fun making this bag, and I've used all kind of fibers. The fabric is linen and the lining is cotton.

I also got my swap-adresses this weekend, so it's time to ship my cards too. I ended up making more than needed so the ones below are the ones that will be sent.

I hope you've had a great weekend too!

Surprises.

 

Do you often look through the content in your blog? The old posts.

 

A doll need a pair of partysandals!

When I see the stats I often get surprised over which posts have been visited. Posts that I forgot about a long time ago.
The top 10 most visited posts are known to me because they show all the time, but the other ones always surprises me. My most visited post shares the name with the American defence department in it's headline and that's the main reason it has all those visits, I believe. It was never in my mind that it would have such an impact. I wrote that post in an early stage of my bloging and had no idea of how it would do. The post I wrote about the colorsystem became a hit too, even though I didn't think it would hold much interest to others.
Other times it's the photos that creates interest, the post where I tell about my newly chrochet bikeseat is a magnet too, because of the photos. One of these photos has been shared several times at pinterest.

I think it's fun to see all the other posts that are being visited, once in a while I have to re read the post myself because I don't remember it. Do you often get surprised?
I can't see any pattern on what people mostly like to read, and I don't think much about what I'm writing. For me it's more like documenting what I'm doing at the moment.

Are you good at planning your posts? Do you consider the SEO's and all that stuff? I don't. Some might think that it's bad not to, but I think we're all different and not all of us try to make money from our blogs. When I first started this blog I made a decission NOT to allow adverticing what so ever. Mostly because I don't like it. What others do is for them to decide. And, I don't think it's wrong to make money from ones blog if that's what the blogowner wants.

Ready for party?

Have a wonderful day everyone.

How do you feel about selling your art?

 

I knew from the beginning this one would be great.

The new doll I made is so cute I will have trouble selling her. I've often heard that painters have trouble selling their paintings and I never understood it. Now I know the feeling. It's almost like selling a part of myself. But, I can't keep them all. The first one I made I have to keep because I don't remember how well I secured every bit and part. The other ones are very well made so I'm sure they hold high standards.

Yesterday I had so much fun photographing the dolls, I must have hundreds of photos. I would really love to be able to make a little movie with them acting. Wouldn't that be fun?

I'll show you three photos and add some text I imagine they are saying. Here we go.

Viva, standing on the floor, says :

 Oh, are you my new sister?

No name yet, saying:

I'm sad, I wish I had long white hair too!

The two on the floor :

Don't be sad. You're special too, now you're the one sitting in the chair.

I'm laughing, can you tell I'm having fun? Handyman is laughing too when I show him all the fun photos.
The other day I was looking through my stash and found a shawl I made way back. That shawl had fringes of the "white hair" yarn. I had forgotten all about it and was more than happy to find it. The new doll got similar hair as Viva but it's mixed with another one too.

The new one has shoes and handcuffs and I sewed some small goldbeads onto them. I know I shouldn't have but couldn't resist. They are well secured but I'll have to tell the buyer to check on it every now and then. When it comes to the short haired one, I'm very tempted to replace her hair. But I have decide to jazz up her clothes a bit and see if that will do.

Just for fun I've noticed their "birthdays" so I'm planning on making them birth-certificates. That way a new owner will know their birthdays. If the buyers will let me know their adresses I was thinking of sending a birthdaycard for each doll and perhaps a little surprise too.

As you understand I've had a good weekend, I hope yours were good too.

Teatime.

 

Yesterday I was browsing the internet and found some great inspiration.

Want to share a cup of tea?
I didn't mean to make this post before next week but I couldn't resist. The cupcakes are so easy to make and I believe they can be made in a thousand different ways. I saw some cakes on this blog, and got so inspired that I had to try it myself. Aren't they fun?

I've made these three so far and I'll make a lot more, but not at the moment. I was in the middle of making a doll when I did this so I'll have to finish the doll first.
I just wanted to offer you all a cup of tea and wish you a nice weekend!

Right now......

 

Since I'm out of ordinary work, I'm concidering to start as a shoemaker.

But I love my present customers, they are greatful for whatever I make. They don't speak and have no wishes. I bet you've guessed what I'm talking about. Doll shoes. The red pair in front are made in fabric, I intend to make a pair in shiny offwhite too ( balerina shoes) I have this white leather to use as soles.

 I've had some difficulties to find buttons for the eyes, but yesterday I found some that I believe can work well. So today I'm going to make another doll. I found some other stuff too, and now I have great plans of what to  make. Isn't that strange, each time I visit a store of this kind I could have baught half the store!

 But, I have too much in my stash to buy much. Some small details are ok though. See the little bird buttons? They're so cute I couldn't leave them behind.
Now, I'll have to start the new doll so this is it for today. Best wishes for all of you.

Quite pleased

 

I didn't reach my goal for the week.

 

I made the coat but the balerina outfit has to wait. I'm not as pleased as I want to be with the tomboy doll. To make her a bit more girly I made her a dress and a west, and the coat. I had much fun making the coat, using all my dressmaker skills. I doubt it will make a differens but I hope that the child who is going to play with this doll will learn something about quality and how things should be made.

It looks like there is a stain on the coat but there isn't. I dwelt a long time before making the pockets, after all they won't be needed but then again they do belong there.

It's quite fun when she holds her hands in the pockets. I know it's not a good habit but.........
She had to get some boots too. A hat of some kind is a must so I'll have to figure out some ideas.

Here she didn't bother to close the coat. Doesn't she look fun? I have to smile when seeing her. Yesterday Sandra and I went on a research for what to use for hair on future dolls. I found some good replacements for the white hair I used on Viva. Viva's hair is so soft that it bows down even when I put it in high standing pigtails.

I did manage to make some mittens too, of course she needs to have mittens during winter. I didn't make the thumb though, that would have been almost impossible to make and even more difficult to use. Her west was ment to be a jacket but sleeves over sleeves isn't that smart, I think, so it became a west instead. Her dress is made of  40 year old bedlinen. I remember my Grandma had some similar to this. By the way her coat is made from the finest wool fabric. I had a suit jacket made in The US back in the 1930's, some time ago I threw it away but kept the back piece because it was such a nice fabric.

I'm excited to see if they will sell. Will people see the differens and does it matter? Time will show.

I hope you've had a good time too.

We wish you a nice weekend!

Just a quick hello to wish you all a nice weekend.

Viva and I have had such a lovely week, but now we have to break untill next week. I'm beeing busy the whole weekend. Next week I'll make a winter coat and a balerina outfit for her. At my workdesk right now are a pair of summer shoes made in fabric (stretchy) It will cost me alot more work than I thought of from the beginning. They will be part of the red dress outfit.

Below is a photo showing the aprondress from the backside. In fact I had to make her a new aprondress, the first one was a bit too wide. This new one fits much better.

The aprondress outfit almost done. I'm thinking of making a couple of ribbons, so that she can wear pigtails once in awhile. The blue shoes are made of cotton yarn, the soles are made of wool though. Summershoes I think.

Viva says: SEE YA!!

I'm going to party all weekend. Tomorrow night a huge birthday party and Sunday guests of my own.
Untill next week.

BE WELL!!

Meet Raggedy Ann.

I've started something that grows in mind.

First of all I had to make her some underwear. I didn't think, just made. It became old fashion like. Have a close look at her back. Even the buttonholes are handsewn. The lace is made directly onto the garment so it works as the final finish. Notice her waistline, dosen't she have an elegant figure?

The neckline has a laceborder too.

 And so does the sleeve edge and the bottom line of her pants. I have to make her another set of underwear, she has to have some in silks I think, and the pants need to be shorter

Her boots was made with winter in mind, and they are part of a complete outfit.

She is a little shy, and asked me to be quick with my camera.

 It's almost like she's blushing.

Here she's got her hat on. It had to be quite large because of all her hair. I'm planning to make her a coat to fit with her shoes and hat. Perhaps something fun for her hands too.

Look at this face, can you see her expectations? Well, that's the way I feel it anyway.

I believe I would have loved a doll like this one when I was a child. All her clothes are going to be real. No cheating in making. I know very well how to make "real" clothes, and I think it's much more fun when it feels correct. Right now I'm making a dress, testdress. I have to make the patterns as good as possible so that takes quite some time. But it will be much more easy if I make anotherone. Besides it's fun to make the patterns too.

Always new surprises.

Are you good at following your plans? I'm not.

My plan was to finish a painted/embroidered piece that have been around for awhile. With my fourth pillow done I should finish off my piece. BUT........... while I was weaving in the ends I came to think about a rag doll I made some time ago. What if I made something special for her.
Somehow my last ideas always wins, so now I'm "playing the doll". In the photo you see a normal sized granny square and the ones I make at the moment. Excactly what I'm making I'm not sure of myself, but I'll show you when done. My ragdoll has this very fun face and when she sits on the table looking at me, I get the feeling that she expect something very special from me.

If I can make something special, my thought is to bring her to the Christmas market.  Right now I enjoy making these tiny granny squares and we'll see what it becomes in the end.

Have a beautiful day!

A quick HELLO from a yarnpile.

One more to go.

I have lived in a yarnpile the last week and today it's time to look around to see what happens in the world. I've had lots of fun making these pillows, the process of choosing the next color is so satisfying. Most of the yarn is from the lot that was given to me, but I bought some to make it even more colorful. In the one below I bought the turquoise and I feel it added just what I was aiming for. This pillow has a summery feel to it I think.

Next photo shows the reverse side.   

Here are the three I've made so far.  I'm going to make one more like the smallest one. In that one I added the offwhite color and am happy on how it worked out. These colors are not my favs, but I have alot of them so I have to try using them. It might well be someone elses favs.

Last photo shows the reverse of the smallest one.

This afternoon I'm going to visit my Moster, it's her Birthday today. And coming Saturday my mom is leaving for Mallorca again, so I'll have to spend some time with her as well. Otherwise my life is good and I so much appreciate the freedom to do whatever I want to.

I hope life smiles to you too!!

Colors, colors, colors.

I was in such need of colors that I forgot to post about what I'm doing.

It went well last Sunday sharing the family story and after that I've been crocheting. It's such a reliefe to just create without any specific goal in mind. The big piece in the photo will end as a pillowcase. I'll probably make another one where I'll plan a bit more.
It's so fun making this with all the colors involved. Stripes of different designs, trying out things I can in a new way. I have several kinds of effect yarn which I'll use in my next one. It might become something useful.

The patches with the round shapes within I found via internet and had to try if I could do them. I could! This weekend Sandra is coming and we have to finish her poster. In Octobre she is going to exhibit all her products and that will be fun to see. I'll photograph it all and share her results.
Right now I'm eager to start crocheting again so I'll leave for that.

Have a joyful day everyone.

In the middle of mess.

I have changed my doings to crocheting. Needed a break from painting and I always seem to crochet during summer. Much more easy to carry with me wherever I go or sit. Right now this is my workingspace.

The photo dosen't show the whole truth. It's quite messy around me when I work with crocheting, at least when I'm going to experiment.  I started these handcuffs today. Perhaps not the best colourmix but these are just a test. I had to try out the pattern.  By the way, do you like my turtle pinholder ? I made it many years ago and have been using it since then.

Below the cuffs on my arm. It's this Christmas marked I'm thinking of. Well, I'll have to see if I want them to come. These days I'm on the yearly biking week. My friend is back home and we start each day by biking for an hour or so. Depends on how much we pause.
 

What are you up to, enjoying the summer?

Have some beautiful days anyway!

A painting and a tablecloth.

Are you all enjoying your Sunday?

I have kept painting faces, and one should think I improved in doing it but, each face is a new one with different ways of doing it. For me it's impossible to decide to make, lets say, a sad face and then do it. I have seen some you-tube films doing it and I'm so impressed. What I do notice though is that practising every day make my drawing moves more confident. One week away from it and it feels like starting all over.

The last face I did was a copy from a small image I saw in a magazine. I wanted to try making the clear differens between light and shadow. I should perhaps have done it on ordinary paper but then again it's quite interesting  with that uneven result. I did some small changes on my drawing compared to the original.  It was fun to see how the light changed the painting as I worked on it. Just to avoid any misunderstanding I chose to glue my inspiration image at the back of my painting. As you see I added some more colour .

Below is the original. It's quite small but big enough to see what I needed to see.

My version. It's painted with watersoluble crayons and a black pen. I'm sure I will experiment a lot more with light and shadow. It's very facinating.

Yesterday I got a phonecall from my friend telling me that the tablecloth had arrived in her mailbox. I didn't want to show it off here before she saw it in person.(She reads my blog from time to time.) She was so pleased and it fitted her table perfect. The most difficult task when making it is to join the fabric and the crocheted parts. It's very easy to get that wrong so that the fabric will always wrinkle in the joints. As promised, here is a photo of the piece. Can you see the beautiful shine in the fabric? As I was working on it I thought of doing one with much smaller squares. That could give a very different result I believe. I have this fabric with Lily of the vally design on it (all white) and that would be suitable for smaller squares. Perhaps I should think a bit more of that.

We have a beautiful day here, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. I love Sundays!!
Best wishes to you all.

Busy, busy, busy.

Easter, lots of painting, biking with my friend, a birthday to celebrate and Sandras project.

This has been kind of busy. I have been painting a lot lately and it seems I've started my own version of facebook. (painting faces) It's so much fun and I've seen some youtube films and tried some new things too.
The weather has been excellent lately, frost at nights and bright sunny days.

Sandras project this weekend has been to make her personal project book in which she will describe how she is doing all her different projects. I had to help her of course, but the writing and decorating she is doing herself.

 At the front cover she has added the logo of the organisation she is a member of and which this whole project is organiced within. When the book was done she was very proud and wanted to start writing in it at once. As you probably remember her first try was to make a friendship bracelet. That whole process is now well documented and today she will write about making her book.
I showed her a tecnique to use in her art journal and she loved it, so she has been journaling too.

My journal holds two new faces too. The first one I made I tried to make a face with my own twist and I like it. These downpointing eyes suited me well and the rest was not planned at all. The next became an odd person too but I like her too. The text made me laugh, I didn't plan it but these two seem to be quite opposite of each other. I'm not frightend of hights. I guess it was the high house that made me choose that word. I used acrylics and soluble crayons. The other one is made with crayons only. I was thinking of a thin layer (with lots of water) on top of her to make it look more like a bubble, but I'm afraid of smearing it into a mess. Perhaps I'll try to spray it on.

A birthday to celebrate.
My youngest brother turned 50 this week and we had to pay him a visit. My siblings and I bought him a present and in addition to that I had to make him a bird.
My brother is a dedicated musician and he plays a cornet. Every May 17. he marches in front of the parades playing his cornet,
The bird I made for him of course had to be a cornet tail.

 I suggested to him to use the bird as a mascot hanging on his cornet which created a huge laughter from some of his musician friends.

I hope you have a lovely time as well.