get lucky

NEW!!! blog name, url, and design!

2011-07-23T11:40:00.004+02:00

Hi! i have a brand new blog called Her Name Was Greta, locaded here: WWW.HERNAMEWASGRETA.COM, come check that out instead!

if you see this post in your reader, you should update the feed, you're missing out! i have tons of fun stuff planned for the coming season that i think you will love, so come visit me at my new address!

love, Stina

my new best friend

2010-11-27T19:33:00.002+01:00

or so i wish! i met the little fella a couple of weeks ago and i fell deeply in love.

FINALLY!!!

2010-11-22T20:46:00.004+01:00

i've finally published my new blog! it took a while, to say the least, but it's finally up now. go have a look, bookmark it, add it to your reader and for heaven's sake, don't forget to enter the giveaway! i plan on having a few of them in the near future, to celebrate the birth of the new blog and better my score with santa.

the new blog is in swedish, so either learn it or use google translator if you don't speak it. i have big and beautiful plans for this new blog. more crafts, more inspiration, less crap. i plan on keeping this blog but my main focus will most likely be the new one. so hop on over to stinas pysselblogg

save the drama for your mama

2010-11-04T20:14:00.003+01:00

long time no see! for the longest time (waaaay too long!) i've been trying to figure out what direction i want to take things. with my blog mainly, but also different aspects of my life in general. i've been challenged a lot lately and have had to deal with problem after problem, which has left very little energy for fun stuff, such as blogging and friends. but enough about that, a lot of things are looking a lot brighter now and i hope i will calm down and get focused soon - and on track with this blog!

i'm working on a blog in swedish. although i feel as if i can make myself understood in english, it still feels as if it limits me and i can't really show me. it's those small things that gets lost in translation that i'm missing. my plan is to keep this blog, most likely the way it is, and have a swedish one on the side, perhaps with a slightly different content. i don't know when i'll launch it, i'm having serious designing problems (lack of inspiration, skills and interest in such things) and i want to get those sorted before i show it to anyone, but i'll let you know as soon as it's something i feel proud of! i'm planning a giveaway or a few to celebrate once it's published so be sure to stay tuned!

i sign off for now with and old classic:

crochet collar

2010-10-07T15:11:00.005+02:00

i promised my sweet friend riikka i'd knit her a bolero from a vintage pattern she had picked out, but i got stuck and she's waited way too long already. as an "i'm so sorry i'm lazy" gift i crochet her this collar, which i hope will make her forgive me.

the pattern is ~~free from the ongoing project~~ EDIT: no longer available it seems, see this post for more info! the pattern was easy and fun, and i'll make many more in lots of different colours as soon as i have the time to. crochet in drops paris in black. the button is sadly not vintage but isn't it gorgeous?

pysselstafett/craft relay: body scrub

2010-09-27T21:39:00.003+02:00

my second tutorial, or recipe if you will, for Stina's craft relay is a sweet smelling body scrub.

i spent 24 hours at a spa with one of my co-workers (oh why can't every work day be spent at a spa?!) and they had the most fabulous body scrub! i fell in love with it and bought a jar to take home. i use it several times a week for wonderful smell and i was sad to see it go until i thought "hey! i can diy this!", and i thought i'd share the recipe with you.

RECIPE
1 cup sugar
olive oil to cover the sugar
a few drops of colour made for make up/bath products
a few drops of essence made for make up/bath products

i used red colour and strawberry essence to copy the scrub from the spa, but you can use any of your favourite essences and colours!

mix all ingrediences and pour in a pretty jar, and ENJOY! simple as that!

when i need to make another batch i think i'm going to use baby oil instead of olive oil although it'll probably make the scrub a bit pricier to produce. i'm not a huge fan of the smell of olive oil and i don't want to use too much essence so i think it might be a good alternative.

tomorrow there's a new tutorial up at stjernfalls blogg, don't miss it!

pysselstafett/craft relay: leg warmers

2010-09-15T23:20:00.002+02:00

when i picked up knitting after a few hundred years long break , or at least ten, i thought circular needles was heaven sent and i knit leg warmers like there was no tomorrow. i sat there in a sea of legwarmers in the cheapest acrylic yarn ever produced, that i never intended to wear, a hatred grew. for several years i thought there was no more stupid, unnecessary and uglier than legwarmers. now i've changed my mind! i realized that it's really a smart accessory, perhaps world's greatest if you dream of beautiful knitted socks but don't know how to or just can't be arsed to knit those heels. as long as you wear boots no one can tell they're not socks, right.

buy a sock yarn, preferably one with wool and polyamid and 2.5 mm double pointed needles.

BASIC PATTERN:

cast on 64 stitches for size small/medium, add a few for larger sizes
knit 2, purl 2 for 3 cm
knit for 30 cm (or as long as you want them)
knit 2, purl 2 for 3 cm
bind off

if you think dpns are fiddly see if you can knit them on circular needles or back and forth on straight needles and then sew the sides together.

you can do a billion of variations; stripes! patterns! lace! go wild!

BONUS:

1: legwarmies pattern on never not knitting | 2: limelight stirrup socks pattern on lion brand | 3: ribbed thigh highs pattern on lion brand | 4: 'mushroooooooms !!' by ravelry user CirceBellesB, with chart from Adrian Bizilia's mushroom pulse warmers | 5: some cloudy day pattern on ravelry | 6: 'fresco legwarmers' from classic elite yarn accessories book 1 | 7: 'johnny jump-up' from the stranded colorwork | 8: spiral legwarmers pattern on lilliputianstitches

pssst, if you don't know how to knit (learn it!) you can chop off the sleaves of an old sweater and add elastic at the cut edge!

tomorrow katja will have a project up!

autumn craft relay

2010-09-13T18:15:00.003+02:00

my friend Stina is organizing an autumn inspired craft relay. the first diy project was posted today on her blog and i will post not one but two projects here as a part of it, the first as soon as wednesday! the whole schedule is here, check it out and! both swedish and international bloggers will be joining in with interesting tutorials on their blogs.

knee socks

2010-09-13T17:06:00.005+02:00

while procrastinating other craft projects i tried out the Pippi Kneestockings pattern in Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook. i'm not loving the colours of the self striping yarn i used, and i'm trying to decided if i want to dye the socks or if i will be able to live with the muted colours. i finally found my craft mojo, or at least knitting mojo, and i'm very excited! i have tons of ideas and patterns i want to try out. my dream is to have a wardrobe full of clothes i've knitted, crochet and sown myself and i hope to be able to get a bit closer to that dream this autumn.

still here

2010-08-05T13:08:00.004+02:00

i'm not dead. i'm just feeling a bit lost and confused when it comes to a lot of things, mostly this little space. i don't know why i write here, i don't find it either funny or interesting, and i'm not really producing anything cute to show off here either so it feels a bit useless at the moment. i need to think about what direction i want to take things in the future. perhaps i want to start writing in swedish instead? or maybe a fresh start with a new blog would help? perhaps i just need to start doing stuff again.. well, until i either know, or have given up trying to find an answer it'll be a bit quiet around here.

to round things off:

10 things i love about my kitten mjaumjau:

- she is soft
- she eats my vegetarian burgers
- she has odd eating habits (first she wouldn't eat if we weren't in the same room, now she's preferring vegetarian food over fish, silly cat)
- she gives me kisses
- she likes to play with my hair (this is a bit annoying in the middle of the night though)
- her cute pink nose
- she makes a pigeon-like noise when she jumps
- she prefers to rest besides me rather than in my lap (very good for my allergies!)
- she's always entertaining
- she smells good (except from that time she ate garlic)

on my wishlist

2010-06-27T19:49:00.004+02:00

look at this cute concrete sailor by sandra juto:

find him here. i really need to find a good excuse to buy him, although i need to save every penny i have for the up coming move.

exhausted and overwhelmed, in a good way!

2010-06-21T14:24:00.002+02:00

i spent the weekend at sagolikt pyssel-Stina's place. it felt odd to visit the town i fled from years and years ago. it was nice going back and realizing the lost little girl i left behind all those years ago was gone.

it was an exhausting weekend! so many hours of really hard work, tons of planning and dreams, thoughts to be processed and ideas to try out. i'm so glad i have today off from ym regular job so i can let it all sink in properly. i've also join kelly rae roberts e-course flying lessons which also needs to be processed. i'm overwhelmed by the many thoughts and ideas and dreams that needs to be sorted and worked on. the class is really fantastic and i'm so happy i invested the money in it, it's worth every penny. are any of you participating in the class?

how did you spend the weekend?

ps: in a few weeks we'll be a family of four!

oh how i long to cuddle you!

Bunny Slippers

2010-06-13T20:34:00.004+02:00

I have a new pattern up! This is a step by step crochet pattern, with clear instructions and photos that will assure you a great result, even if you're a beginner. These cute bunny slippers are designed to cute up your life and put a smile on your face!

The slippers are crocheted toe up in the round, then flat to form the heel. Very little sewing is needed.

Materials:
2-3 skeins of Garnstudio’s Drops Alaska or your substitute of choice
Small amount of white and black yarn
size 5 mm hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
tapestry needle
4 buttons

Gauge:
16 stitches, 16.5 rows = 10cm/4”

This pdf pattern in English will be yours for $4 (USD):

And in Swedish for 30 kr:

You will be directed to a download page automatically after purchase.

although i seem to have disappeared from the face of earth...

2010-06-09T22:00:00.004+02:00

...i'm just busy working and stuffing my face with this:

i hope you are having the time of your life and that i'll soon have something to blog about! xo

t-shirt refashion ideas

2010-05-31T20:40:00.005+02:00

my friend stina/sagolikt pyssel came up with the brilliant idea to organize a sort of craft relay, and today it's my turn!

my sewing machine broke down completely so i wasn't able to do what i intended to, but i hope these t-shirt refashion tips will do. grab an old, boring t-shirt and turn it to something more fun for the new season!

one very simple way to cute up any shirt or cardigan is to sew on a bunch of buttons. this is one of my favourite ways to give new life to a boring t-shirt.

why not sew on a vintage doily?

but for this t-shirt i decided to embroider a peter pan collar. i free handed the collar, drawing lightly with a pencil. i think you'll be able to see it if you squint.

then embroider your collar, following the drawn line.

add a few buttons, and ta-da!

and as a bonus, here are some cute tutorials i found online:

felt and fabulous shirt adornment tutorial by blue eyed freckle.

ruffle tank top tutorial by ruffles and stuff.

bouquet t-shirt tutorial by ruffles and stuff.

check miss cutiepie's blog on wednesday for the next tutorial! and also see the list of past craft tutorials in this challenge here.

more owls!

2010-05-31T11:06:00.003+02:00

i'm happy to announce that i think i've found that love for crafting, and particulary crochet, yet again! i'm producing owl friends like there's no tomorrow, have a look:

this you've seen before

this little guy moved to jana in germany!

and this is the latest edition, a sleepy pink little missy. i love her!
today is the last day to sign up for the crochet-along so run over to itsy bitsy spider now and join the fun! classes and moral support will be provided by karla/itsy bitsy spider and becky/strumpets crumpets for amigurumi newbies so don't hesitate to join!

chocolate cupcakes

2010-05-25T09:13:00.002+02:00

me and miss shortie made cupcakes the other day, and they were delish! use your google translator and i'll give you the recipe! it's a just sliiiightly modified version of the chocolate cupcakes from Leila Lindholms "A piece of cake".

chocolate cupcakes

12 cupcakes

3 ägg
2½ dl strösocker
1 tsk vaniljsocker
50 g smör
1 dl gräddfil
2 msk kallt kaffe (jag använde vatten i stället)
3½ dl vetemjöl
2 tsk bakpulver
4 msk kakao
1 nypa salt
100 g choklad

sätt ugnen på 175 grader. vispa ägg, strösocker och vaniljsocker vitt och fluffigt. smöl smöret, häll i gräddfilen och kaffet(/vattnet) och blanda det med äggsmeten. blanda vetemjöl, bakpulver, kakao och salt och vänd försiktigt ner det i smeten. hacka chokladen och häll ner i smeten. placera ut pappersformar i en muffinsplåt och fyll formarna till 2/3 med smet. grädda i mitten av ugnen i ca 15 minuter. låt svalna.

frosting

60 g mjukt smör
5 dl floursocker
1 tsk vailjsocker
½ dl kakao
100 g philadelphiaost

rör smör, foursocker, vaniljsocker, kakao och philadelphiaost krämigt. bred eller spritsa ut frostingen på cupcakesen.

sleepy owl

2010-05-24T14:11:00.004+02:00

i couldn't keep my fingers from that hook and yarn, i just HAD to cheat and start with the owl crochet-along early! the pattern is great, easy to read and follow, i highly recommend it. i made my little fella in alpaca wool, and modified it only slightly, making sleepy eyes with long lashes. i can't wait for the crochet-along to start and see others owls, and make tons more myself!

the great owl crochet-along

2010-05-21T09:09:00.002+02:00

it was a really long time ago i made some amigurumi dolls, or crochet anything at all actually, so when i saw this cute owl amigurumi crochet along by karla/itsy bitsy spider crochet and becky/strumpets crumpets i couldn't pass it up.

find the info here and sign up you too!

one week later

2010-05-18T14:37:00.000+02:00

my teeny tiny garden is doing pretty well. the basil is growing, and if you bring out the microscope you'll see a few shy chives in the larger pot. i'm a proud mama. i want to grow more but don't know what yet, any suggestions? perhaps other herbs?

i ♥:

2010-05-17T11:39:00.004+02:00

a few days ago i saw mary & max. you should too, if you haven't already!

it's really really really great!

yesterday i...

2010-05-11T12:06:00.002+02:00

...planted some seeds. i can't wait for us to have a large balcony and the opportunity to have a little mini garden so i decided to start early. i love the small pots that i thrifted years ago. we had similar ones for sad looking cactuses when i was a kid.

weekend plans

2010-05-08T15:50:00.003+02:00

[source]
i wish i'd remembered to breathe this week. everything has felt like a burden lately, and i caught a cold and a rebellious stomach as a result. i don't know when i'll learn to not take on too much, to focus on the most important things first, and then the less important. oh well. so my plans for this weekend is to relax relax relax, and watch re-runs of teen mom. and hopefully i'll feel better soon.

if i'm feeling better tomorrow i'm going to start organizing my craft "room". i've let it down. my special place that i was so proud of and happy about has been neglected badly and is now a disaster! this picture doesn't even do the mess any justice, it's stuff all over that tiny place!

perhaps i'll find the love for crafting somewhere in the mess too, who knows.

i hope you all have a lovely weekend!
xo, stina

failed

2010-05-03T13:04:00.001+02:00

i haven't shared much knitting projects lately, and there is a reason for this. all my projects seem to fail at the moment. before xmas i promised one of my dearest friends, miss riikka, this cute little bolero:

vintage bolero pattern found at babydee.etsy.com
i started it. i had to re-calculate the whole pattern to fit the chosen yarn and (hopefully) make it fit. it was a slooow knitting process because of holidays and too much work and uni, but i was steadily getting there. UNTIL i realized me and maths are still not friends, and i had to rip it all. i was so disappointed! i'm back at square one and i feel so bad for riikka who has to wait and wait and wait for her bolero. luckily i'll have a tiny bit more time on my hands for a few weeks now since i've just started a new class (no stressful last minute manic studying before a test in sight, yet), which means i should have time to give it another go.

when i've finished riikkas bolero, and the not one but two unfinished cardigans for myself, i think i need to give this one a go:

isn't it cute? the pattern is available at the same shop as the bolero above.

i ♥ softspoken

2010-05-02T10:55:00.004+02:00

i'm just popping in to let you know that sweet Rachael of Softspoken has a sale at her etsy right now! i love her crochet items and vintage finds.

read more about the sweet deal here and go visit her shop!

happy mail

2010-04-28T15:27:00.003+02:00

i had a rather horrible day today, but when i opened my mail box and found a package from the lovely miss marti i could not continue frowning! i got this magazine:

filled with yummy looking recipes that i'm looking forward to try this weekend.

today's not looking so bad anymore. unfortunately i still have to get back to my grammar books (exam on friday, wish me luck, i neeeeeed it!)

but first i'm gonna shake my ass to this tune:

i hope you're having a great wednesday!

the last time i cried...

2010-04-24T15:20:00.010+02:00

...was when i saw an episode of my second favourite show on MTV: MADE (rob and big is my no 1!). it was episode 29 of season 9 and first i thought "on no, not another misfit to homecoming queen show" but i was soon proven wrong. the plot is just like every other show, zombie lover andrea wants to be made into homecoming queen to prove her friends, family and school wrong, yadda yadda, but what makes it so great is the beautiful friendship between her and her coach, burlesque dancer veronica varlow. there is no yelling and very little "though love" compared to other episodes which is nice for a change, and they seem to have a true connection. it touched some soft spot in me and i was teary eyed during the whole episode through. what also made it great was that i fell head over heels in love with veronica varlow's wardrobe. i especially love this cute dress:

and this one (which she also wore on the show):

second and third image from veronica varlow's online shop danger dame.
watch the episode streamed here, i highly recommend it for overly emotional days when you just want to be embraced by something cute and loving! the life after made show is great too, and really funny!

'pretty' felt sunglasses case

2010-04-21T15:51:00.003+02:00

i was a good girl today and got 3 boring but utterly nessesary calls done today and to treat myself i decided to do something i'd been putting off for ages. a year after red velvet art's 'pretty' class ended i made my first project! it's a felt sunglasses case and it was an easy and fun project. now i just need to buy a pair of sunglasses to go with it!

mr fox

2010-04-20T10:10:00.006+02:00

we saw fantastic mr. fox yesterday at the movies and i liked it very much. i esp. liked the scene with the wolf. magical! have you seen it? what did you think of it?

not totally un-related story: one winter when i was about 17 there was a sick and most likely dying fox lurking around in our neighbourhood. i saw it once, it starred at me and it all felt a bit surreal. i think it's easy to forget that the wilderness is all around us and not just at the zoo.

i put together some foxy cuteness here, enjoy!

all images can be found through we heart it when searched for "fox"

have a lovely tuesday!

mr kitty

2010-04-18T13:17:00.004+02:00

i got this wooden cat piggy bank a decade or more ago from my mum. the paint has faded, and to be honest i never really loved it (please don't tell my mum!) and it's been tucked away for years. the reason why i haven't put it to sleep is because i always knew it could be reincarnated, somehow, one day. yesterday it finally happened! while trying hard to find my creativity and love for crafts i decided to try small projects that are a bit out of my comfort zone, something i don't normally do. my theory was that if i made something i don't quite master, without thinking, without any real intention to make something awesome, then maybe i'd find that passion again.

so mr kitty got a new shiny coat of paint and a new tail. and i am actually very pleased with the result, and i think mr kitty is too! he's looking pretty handsome, isn't he?!

i also splashed on some colour to these wooden boxes. now i just need to figure out what to put in them.

while waiting...

2010-04-14T16:15:00.002+02:00

while waiting for inspiration i'm collecting craft material. hmm, what to do..?

5 things i did today

2010-04-14T00:09:00.002+02:00

today i took the day off from just about everything. today i:

♥ tried hard to find my creative mojo, where did it go?
♥ watched silly daytime tv
♥ peeled potatoes
♥ dreamt about lazy summer days, dresses and a new apartment
♥ watched 'the king of kong' and listened to my boyfriend working on his music in the back

what did you do, darling?

happy easter!

2010-04-03T18:04:00.000+02:00

my latest project

2010-03-24T12:18:00.003+01:00

i haven't gotten much crafting done lately and it's making me feel bad. i have a lot of knitting that needs to get done for others and i have a few half done projects for myself that i would love to get off my in progress-list. i feel overwhelmed and it's not productive at all. to ease my productivity stress and get started i made these arm warmers for stina.

my hands are posing with a cup of water as i was too lazy to put the kettle on just to make the photo look slightly more authentic, haha!

i need a pair myself but i can't decide what colour(s) to use so i bet that will be a project for next winter.

list of knitting project to finish:
- vintage bolero for riikka
- socks for jenny
- petrol cardigan for me
- light blue cardigan for me

list of projects to start when list above has been taken care of:
- sew skirts and dresses for summer
- knit something cute and summery

i ♥ pickles

2010-03-18T16:51:00.000+01:00

if i had a few hours to spare, and a bit of cash to spend on yarn, i'd make this dressy sweater by pickles. the pattern for the sweater in size medium is free here and size small, large and extra large is available for just $2 here. i love the pickles designs and i'm looking forward the day i'll be able to start some of the projects i have in my to knit queue. i have to many patterns and ideas i want to try out but way too little time, but hopefully one day!

what's on your to craft lists?

i ♥ the black apple

2010-03-11T22:37:00.003+01:00

i wished for this the little enid print from the black apple for xmas, and got it! (thanks mum and dad!) i still need to find the perfect frame for it and the perfect place for it in the apartment though. ooh, i wonder which of my boyfriend's metal poster to hide and replace with miss enid, mwahahaha!

and just a few seconds ago i couldn't help but taking the opportunity to get her some friends when i saw that emily has a spring sale (ends today so hurry up if you're interested in the buy one get one for free print deal!):

blog and business workshop at marta writes

2010-03-04T13:19:00.000+01:00

i know a lot of you have signed up for the indie business class by LA, jill and elsie, i haven't and i'm a little bit jealous of you. BUT there is soo much out there for us, the less fortunate ones, and the indie business students too of course!

a few days ago i came across a GREAT blog and business workshop at marta writes:

it's free, and the articles i've read so far are well written and in all ways great, imo. there are lot of really great information, advice and inspiration all over the internet and it's good to try to soak it all up if you're intersted in starting an online business or etsy shop, for fun or for pay. take a look at the workshop agenda for more detalis!

finally easter class + GIVEAWAY!

2010-03-02T19:23:00.002+01:00

Stina of sagolikt pyssel and I have had a few request to do an English version of our Swedish Easter class we're currently teaching, and of course we will! Your wish is our demand!

This English class, FINALLY EASTER!, is a 2 week class filled with lots of inspiration and 7 cute projects! Stina and I are teaching this class together, and the lovely Karli of The Gnome Hut contributes with a super cute digital kit and project especially made for this (and our Swedish Easter class).

The class will begin March 20th and end the 1st of April. The projects included are our favourite ones from the Swedish class, AND 2 brand new projects that we have created especially for this English version.

This class is hosted on a private blog that you will have access too as soon as you register and will include PDFs for the projects with patterns, as well as a digital kit by Karli/The Gnome Hut. If there is any interest we'll host a chat at the end of the class.

Please note:

This class is not a kit (with the exception of Karli's project, which includes digital material but nothing else). The supply list will be posted on the blog well before the class begins and includes inexpensive supplies, and many that you may already own.

Project list:

Bunny slippers - to keep you company as well as your toes cozy!
Hoppy Easter-banner / Karli - welcome the new season and holiday with a cute banner!
Placemat - make a festive table with a sewn placemat
Easter bunny - sew your own Easter bunny
A festive headband - spice up your holiday outfit with a fun headband
Something edible - a girl gotta eat, esp. yummy treats!
Napkin ring - add a special touch to your Easter table with sweet napkin rings

We are really looking forward to this little class and we hope you are too!

If you have any questions, please e-mail either me (stina.berggren @ gmail.com) or Stina (stina @ sagolikt.se)

We are also having a giveaway! You have the chance to win a free spot in this class! All you have to do is hop over to Stinas blog and comment in her post, and blog about this class. Simple as that! Hop hop away!

The winner will be announced on sunday (3/7) after noon, central european time.

crazy hats

2010-02-26T12:00:00.001+01:00

when i visited the library recently i found a knitting book that had some of the ugliest hats i've ever seen ina long time. i had to take photos and show you:

they crack me up.

the hats are from nicky epstein's knitting a kiss in every stitch, please don't make them!.

baby found a new home!

2010-02-25T08:38:00.003+01:00

Meet Jiji!, originally uploaded by kittypinkstars.

miss kitty pinkstars just emailed me this photo and it could not have been a better start of the day! i made what felt like a billion too many to sell in the cherry cherry shop and felt burned out, but seeing this little guy (named jiji) in such a lovely home makes me question my kitty making retirement.

and you should really take a look at kittys fantastic felt guys! i LOVE them and think you will too! visit www.kittypinkstars.etsy.com.

words cannot describe how happy this made me feel!

baby i'm bored

2010-02-22T09:55:00.005+01:00

i'm not gonna go on and on about the weather. about how sick i am of the snow storms and how much i long for that warm summer breeze, no i'm gonna address something else for once. i feel like starting all over, with my blog, and definitely with my google reader. i want to start all over once a month or so and normally i fight those feelings and carry on, but this time it's different. this time i'm not only bored, i also don't have the time for anything but the best. i want to be the best that i can, and i want to read the best blogs. so...

my blog plan:
- more crafting
- more tutorials
- more inspiration
- new, less cluttered layout

my google reader plan:
- delete it and start all over?

i'm sick and tired of all the "fluff". with school and work and life in general i don't feel like i have the time to read about someones cat or what they ate for breakfast. i spend hours reading blogs that don't really give me anything, instead of doing the things i love. i want to get inspired and i want to do stuff. i want to finish those knitted cardigans, i want to sew more and i want to make this apartment pretty (well, as pretty as i'm allowed to! unfortunately i have to compromise in this relationship, sigh!). so now i'm looking for new exciting blogs. tell me your favourite craft blogs! which blogs are your must reads? and which blogs do you think i can't miss?

och vinnaren av kursplatsen är...

2010-02-14T21:33:00.004+01:00

tävlingen är nu avslutad och även om jag hade hoppats på fler tävlanden så har en vinnare blivit utsedd: LINDA!!! grattis! jag hoppas att du kommer gilla kursen! jag tog hjälp av random.org för att dra vinnaren.

colette patterns bloomers

2010-02-12T13:36:00.003+01:00

i love colette patterns and these bloomers are no exception! look how cute they are!

download the free pattern at cloettepatterns.com. once i get my sewing machine sorted out i'm gonna make me a pair of these, are you?

i'm so excited, and i just can't hide it!

2010-02-10T22:27:00.004+01:00

this is one of my favourite projects made by stina/sagolikt pyssel from our online class. i'm so excited for it to start in just a few weeks and see all the great projects by stina, karli and pernilla! i wish you could all learn swedish fast and join us! perhaps another time, huh?! :)

see the whole project list over at stina's blog (in swedish)! och glöm nu inte att ta chansen att tävla om en plats här och här!

blog buttons

2010-02-10T15:08:00.002+01:00

i'm finally offering two blog buttons for anyone who would like to link to me. simply copy and paste the text in the box. let me know if you link to me so i can add your blog to my list! thank you!!

valentine's heart ornament tutorial

2010-02-10T11:19:00.003+01:00

here's a simple little valentine's ornament tutorial i made for you this morning.

you'll need:
felt
embroidery thread
poly fill
scissors
sewing needle
strawberry scent (optional!)

cut out two hearts (use a heart shaped cookie cutter if you don't feel like do it free hand!) out of felt

sew around, leaving one inch at the side

fill with poly fill (i scented mine with strawberry scent, it smells sooo good!) and sew shut

add a little bow, and it's ready to pretty up your home, office or car!

new craft space in the making

2010-02-06T16:47:00.007+01:00

i recently moved in with my boyfriend and his daughter in their tiny apartment, my furniture are still in my old apartment and i have no idea how i/we will be able to 1) make room for them and 2) combine our two very different home decor styles and likes. however, the most important is that i get my craft space set up asap! the reason i agreed to move in before we found a larger apartment was the promise of one of the closets to use was i pleased. it's a little over one square meter but should be just large enough to fit my sewing (once computer) table and a chair. at least it'll be MY space. a room with a door that i can shut, a room where i can be creative, a room where i can breathe when the family life is too much to handle, i can't wait!

this is what i have:

you can't see much, because there's not much to see. and i'm not going to apologize for the bad quality of the photo, because no light and camera in the world would have made it any prettier.

and this is what i want:

art as life's closet studio

decor8

PS:

glöm inte att tävla om en gratis plats i vår pysselkurs!

i need some recreation time!

2010-02-06T14:56:00.004+01:00

I've had a few low days lately. after a few tears over problems that don't exist i realized the reason i've lost myself is because i really haven't had any me-time lately. i don't function well unless i set aside a few hours a week for crafting, and i don't know why i thought i could make other priorities all of a sudden. i need that recreation time. from now on i will set my priorities straight again and get my craft closet set up asap and start creating.

this threadbanger project from last year inspires me!

but until my new craft space is functional i'll have to settle with a gossip and a beer or two with my bff.

vinn en kursplats!

2010-02-02T21:50:00.005+01:00

vi vill ge en läsare chansen att vinna en plats i vår kurs så vi anordnar en tävling. så här gör du:

- lämna en kommentar till det här inlägget, där du skriver vad du tycker är det bästa med påsken! så lätt är det!

vill du ha extra lotter i dragningen kan du:

- följa min blogg.

- blogga om kursen och använda bilden ovan.

- twittra eller skriv på facebook om vår kurs.

skriv i kommentaren om du gör något av ovanstående, så att jag vet!

gå även in på Stinas blogg och var med i hennes tävling också! vi lottar ut en plats var så du kan få dubbel chans att vinna!

du har till och med den 14/2 på dig att vara med!

i ♥ happy mail!

2010-02-02T20:02:00.004+01:00

i finally got around photographing the fantastic happy mail i've recieved lately! i lovelovelove everything!

all this i got from the lovely jaqueline ~~(oh no, i don't remember your blog name and i have the post card in my old apartment! you will be properly credited once i get a hold of it or if you comment here!)~~. a billion little heart confetti fell on my floor when i opened it, and i LOVED it!

now tilt your head and let me hear you saw "aaaawwwwww"! a little beanie baby fawn. she'll keep me company in my craft ~~room~~ closet once it's all set up. the sweet bekah sent me this along with lots of swedish fish that my boyfriend and i fought over.

melanie treated me with french vintage doilies, sweets, cute jewellery and three great photos that, too, will decorate my craft space.

i feel SO spoiled and thankful, and opening the mail box has never been so much fun. thank you ladies! xo

ÄNTLIGEN PÅSK! kursinformation

2010-02-02T15:54:00.003+01:00

Visst är det en speciell känsla att ha skapat något själv? Att få vara kreativ och sedan ha ett resultat som går att ta på. Vi hjälper dig att plocka fram din kreativa sida och att skapa efter just dina förutsättningar!

Vi – Stina Berggren och Stina Glaas - presenterar nu stolt vår onlinekurs ”Äntligen Påsk”!! Under sex veckor kommer du få beskrivningar på 13 roliga pysselprojekt, där vi blandar påskpyssel och pyssel som lätt kan göras mer ”påskiga” om man vill.

Kursen vänder sig till dig som pysslat och sytt lite efter att du lämnade syslöjden bakom dig. Flera av projekten kan dock förenklas och fungera bra för nybörjare, likväl göras mer avancerade för den som vill utmanas. Genom att visa olika förslag på hur projekten kan utföras eller varieras hoppas vi kunna inspirera och locka fram din kreativitet!

Du får 13 roliga projekt, däribland:
• Virka kanintofflor
• Sy en liten påskhare
• Sy en enkel och praktisk väska
• Piffa en loppisfyndad möbel med Pernilla/Persiljas hus
• Gör en ”Hoppy Easter”-girlang med Karli Plant/The Gnome Hut

Dessutom ingår ett digitalt påskkit, som är specialdesignat för just den här kursen av The Gnome Hut/Karli Plant. Kitet består av bakgrundspapper och bilder. Det kan användas till digital scrapbooking, men kan även skrivas ut och användas till en mängd olika pyssel.

Du får även rabatt på digitalt scrapbookingmaterial hos både The Gnome Hut och A Print A Day!

Såhär fungerar det
Kursen kommer att hållas på en låst kursblogg där du loggar in med ditt googlekonto. (Om du saknar sådant är det lätt att skapa.) Efter att du anmält dig får du en inbjudan till kursbloggen. Logga in och bekanta dig med sidan.

Materiallista och kursschema kommer att presenteras i bloggen i början av februari, och även att mailas till deltagarna. Man har då gott om tid att skaffa material till att kursen börjar. Då var och en skaffar sitt eget material, kan du göra projekten mer personliga genom att använda de färger, mönster etc som du själv tycker bäst om. Du kan även välja om du vill köpa allt nytt, eller använda dig av material du redan har hemma!

Kursuppgifterna kommer sedan att presenteras i blogginlägg enligt schemat och vi lägger upp två nya projekt på bloggen per vecka. Projekten presenteras i separata blogginlägg och varje blogginlägg innehåller materiallista, foton på det färdiga resultatet, detaljerad beskrivning i text och bild.

Frågor och funderingar lämnas som kommentarer till inläggen, eller mailas till Stina eller Stina. Så även om detta är en onlinekurs, finns det bra möjligheter till personlig hjälp!

Några av fördelarna med den här typen av kurs:
• Du kan göra uppgifterna när du vill och i din egen takt, vilket gör det lättare att få in kursen i din vardag
• I bloggen kommer du förutom oss bakom kursen, även träffa dina kurskamrater, och kunna lära känna personer som du kanske aldrig skulle träffat annars. Det blir en kreativsamlingspunkt där vi alla kan inspirera varandra!
• Du kommer att ha till gång till bloggen i tre månader efter att kursen avslutats, så du behöver inte hinna göra alla projekt innan kursens slut.

Har du en pysslig vän? Detta är en perfekt present!

För dig som anmäler dig tidigt väntar en bonusuppgift som läggs upp under februari. Innan kursen kör igång kommer vi även tävla ut ett litet kit med pysselmaterial.

Lite om oss
”Vi” är Stina Berggren och Stina Glaas. Vi har även förmånen att ha med oss två fantastiskt duktiga gästpysslare som bidrar med projekt och specialdesignat material till kursen.

Stina Berggren /Get Lucky Designs
Har bloggat i cirka 3 år men pysslat desto längre! Utbildar sig nu till förskollärare/lärare för tidigare åldrar och försöker hinna med så mycket handarbete som möjligt mellan föreläsningar och tentor.
Blogg Flickr

Stina Glaas /Sagolikt Pyssel
En av två pysslare som är knuten till A Print A Day. Även knuten till Miss CutiePie. Har varit medlem i Kitschy Digitals Creative Team, men avslutade mitt uppdrag där för att få mer tid till kurser och annat skapande. Fd lärare. Pysslar nu på heltid i mitt eget företag.
Blogg Flickr

Karli Plant /The Gnome Hut
En av Kitschy Digitals mest färgstarka teammedlemmar, som även designar egna digitala scrapbooking-kit.
Karli har designat ett digitalt påskkit speciellt för den här kursen. Bilderna kan användas till digital scrapbooking, men som projekten kommer att visa, till så mycket annat.
Blogg Flickr Shop

Pernilla Andersson /Persiljas Hus
Kreativ och färgstark pysslare som bloggar om sitt liv och sitt hem (och dess förvandlingar) på Sköna Hems hemsida.
Blogg Flickr

what i've been working at lately

2010-01-28T19:21:00.002+01:00

i am so proud and excited to announce that the lovely Stina (yup we share the same name) of sagolikt pyssel and i have decided to team up and have an online easter craft class! it'll be in swedish, but hold your tears non-swedes! we are thinking about having a class in english soon! so this is the project i've been working at lately that has kept me from blogging. it's been so much fun planning for this and i hope, and think, it'll be even more fun to teach it!

more info on monday!

2010, i'm finally ready for you!

2010-01-21T17:19:00.004+01:00

i'm really picky when it comes to planners and diaries, and every year i settle for something that doesn't really work for me but this year should be different i said! for a while i was tempted to order the RVA planner but i was on a tight budget, and then sold out, so i spread lots of paper, glue gun, scissors, yarn, felt and glue all over my floor and did one myself! i've been working on it over a few days, because oh my it was a lot of work! i hand cut every sheet and that is something i don't recommend, it's torture and it's impossible to cut 100% even pages which really annoy me. the end result is something i'm rather proud of though so i had to share it with you:

there is still lots of room for pimping but i'll get to that later, right now i need to take a break from it.

AND: hi & welcome to my new followers! i'm so happy you found me and i hope you'll enjoy this little blog! <3! and if there's something you want to know, any of you, i have jumped on the bandwagon and added a formspring box to the left.

now why didn't i think of that?

2010-01-18T13:55:00.002+01:00

i LOVE these cardboard furniture! (via craft magazine.) i usually move at least once a year and i have always a few boxes that i never unpack, i should solve the problem by copying this idea! brilliant!

octopus obsession

2010-01-13T10:38:00.003+01:00

the owl obsession is soooo '00, let's make the octopus the new cool thing!

all images found through an 'octopus' search @ we heart it

busy busy

2010-01-12T22:55:00.002+01:00

via we heart it

stina of sagolikt pyssel and i are working on a projekt together and it's kept my little brain soo busy lately. i'll answer comments and emails soon, i promise! and i'll also reveal this mystery project to you soon as well. exciting, huh?

craft for good, not evil

2010-01-07T19:22:00.003+01:00

i came across stickhjälpen a while ago, some blog i follow must have written about it, and i thought it sounded like a great idea. through them you can donate handmade (or bought) items to needing families and orphans in latvia. i had a lot of knitted items that just collected dust, there was absolutely nothing wrong with them so i didn't want to rip or throw them away, and i had no idea what to do with them until found out about this organisation. unfortunately i was a lazy ass and never got around sending my box before xmas, but i'm making it my goal for this year to get it done and give more! i often get obsessed with making one type of items which leaves me drowning in hats or mittens or slippers, and i'm thinking this is a great way to do some good.

are you involved with any charity work?

stickhjälpen is a swedish organisation but i'm sure there are tons out there. if you know of any, please comment with the info here so others can find it!

my xmas project:

2009-12-19T17:41:00.003+01:00

i've finally decided, drops cardigan in alpaca will be my xmas knit project. i wanted to knit a cardigan in alpaca and i was so happy to find this. the pattern seems easy and cute, and all finished cardigans from it looks gorgeous so i'm pretty confident it'll be a success.

here are my two favourites from ravelry, aren't they beautiful?!

by sarastus

by jepy

i fell in love

2009-12-14T13:18:00.002+01:00

i saw the cat in the hat for the first time yesterday, can you believe it? i'm obviously missing out on a lot of good stuff, i guess that's what happens when one neither has kids nor a solid interest in movies. it has to change. if you think i might have missed something else pretty: please enlighten me! i'll love you forever.

i fell in love with the colours and sally's (dakota fanning) outfit. i love that light greet bolero and i think i'll make it my next project to knit something like it.

images from lovely dakota & imdb

things i ♥:

2009-12-13T10:22:00.000+01:00

here are a few images of cute projects i've saved to my cute projects file over the week. don't you love them?!

this cute sleepy owls pillow by krakracraft.

this puff granny's baby by pickles. i want to make this!

these holiday lables by orange you lucky

this zebra pillow from Vogue Knitting's Quick Gifts. find a pattern for an almost equally cute goat version for $4 at vogueknitting.com

these toddler moccasines by hook candy

makes me happy

2009-12-11T13:09:00.001+01:00

nothing makes me as happy as to hear someone love something i've made! this is the cute miss kirsten of knitting a love song that was the winner in one of my giveaways. i loved the beret that she chose and now i almost regret parting with it, but it's in a good home now.

i threw in some extras that i hoped she would like as well, and it turned out i was right. the llittle owl ornament was a big hit. are you jealous? i would be.

both images borrowed from knitting a love song.

handmade gift ideas: knitting

2009-12-09T21:40:00.004+01:00

this is the last gift guide i've planned for this year, but if i find more fantastic free patterns that i think would be great xmas gifts i won't keep them to myself. the reason i've chosen free patterns is not because i'm cheap, i want to pay for great patterns and tutorials, i think artists are as a rule way underpaid, but in times like this one might want to have a free choice as well. handmade gifts are so much more personal and special and i advice everyone to, if not only give handmade, at least give a few. so, here are some amazing knitted items:

this is such a great last SECOND gift, find the pattern at ravelry (you need to be a member).

coraline mittens by ravelry user brella. download the pattern at ravelry.

pauline the bonnet, find the pattern on knitting ninja's pattern page.

pattern for these legwarmers for the little ones can be found at nevernotknitting.blogspot.com.

adorable elephant here.

i love this shrug! it's on my 'to knit list'. find the pattern at knitty.

see more gift ideas:
* how to make cute clocks, a rug, rose petal applique etc.
* crochet gifts
* sown gifts

the perfect smas jumper

2009-12-09T21:31:00.003+01:00

isn't this the perfect christmas jumper? it is it's name so i must be right on this. more here, and on ravelry here. if only i had the time to make it before xmas!

handmade gift ideas: sewing

2009-12-04T12:08:00.000+01:00

in my last post i showed off my favourite crochet gift ideas, for this one i wanted to show you my favourite sewing projects. this post is smaller but just as cute, don't you think?

a cute lavender teabag by lupin. find more of her tutorials here.

anna panda plushie, more great tutorials at mollychicken.blogs.com.

this is an oldie but a goodie: a tutorial for how to make a black apple doll.

see more:
* how to make cute clocks, a rug, rose petal applique etc.
* crochet gifts

hurry hurry!

2009-11-29T14:20:00.006+01:00

1. maedchenmitherz has a cute giveaway here, hurry up and enter because it ends later today!

2. sass and craft has a really cute giveaway too. find it here.

3. and while you're at it, enter mine as well! you have another 34 hours to enter!

GIVEAWAY #2

2009-11-25T16:20:00.003+01:00

i was so excited to see so many participants in my last giveaway so i decided to make this one extra juicy. this time around you'll have the chance to win a cute ear flap hat, a bow head band, a flower headband, a pair of arm warmers, two demo cds from the band sad monkeys and an adorable own ornament! pretty sweet huh?! share with your friend or keep it all for yourself, it's your call!

here's how to enter:

- comment here and let me know what you want to see more of in either my etsy shop or on my blog!

for additional entries:

- for an extra chance to win you can follow this blog and leave a comment here to tell me that you do. if you already follow this blog that's great, just let me know!

- for another extra entry you can tweet on twitter about this giveaway with a link to this page, comment to tell me you have done so with the link to your twitter.

- for yet another entry, blog about this, comment here with the link to the post. please use the giveaway photo in your blog entry.

good luck!!!

last day to enter is november 30th, and the giveaway winner will be announced december 3rd!

style school online class

2009-11-18T12:24:00.001+01:00

i'm excited about leigh-ann and elsie's upcoming online class, this is what leigh-ann writes: "Elsie and I are excited to introduce Style School, our new online class focusing on discovering your personal style in your home, wardrobe, art and life! We'll share tons of our own style secrets though out the 30 amazing class projects, be joined with bonuses from our 10 most stylish friends, and everyone gets to create a Style File book that helps document, develop and express their style journey through the class and share it with others!" sounds fun, doesn't it!

handmade gift ideas: crochet style!

2009-11-18T12:08:00.000+01:00

there is nothing better than handmade gifts but sometimes it can be hard to think of something to make. don't worry, i'm here to point you in the direction of some really cute ideas. my last post on the subject included lots of different types of crafts but in afterthought i thought it'd be better to make separate posts for different crafts. this post is for all the crocheters. these are some of my very favourite patterns. some i've tried, some i'm dying to try out once i can convince myself i have the time. i hope you'll find something you'll like to try out!

i love ana paula's amigurumi patterns, they're well written and the toys made by them come out so cute. you have my word on that. she shares the pattern to this cute bear and pot of honey and many more at her blog. at her etsy you'll find lots of very affordable patterns and toys.

i saw this crochet coin purse at craftster a couple of years ago and fell deeply in love. sadly i have not come around making one for myself yet. find the pattern here.

this is not so old, but it's been around a while, and it's cute. crochet hat by maedchenmitherz. see her other tutorials here.

crochet imonkey tutorial found at craftster.

tutorial on how to crochet a ball. makes cute tree ornaments or toys for children and pets.

2009-11-17T12:51:00.001+01:00

via we heart it

3 things i ♥:

2009-11-12T23:23:00.006+01:00

i wanted to do a "real" post today but after accidentally turning on the tv in the middle of a rape scene from 'a clockwork orange' (which was mighty disturbing, and still i used to love that film when i was younger) i got off track, so a simple 3 things i ♥ post will have to do for now.

cute advent calendar tutorial by pickles.

tiny woodland terrarium mushroom and monarch butterfly necklace by the sparrow's nest.

inspiring challenge at dottie angel. (and what a lovely blog!)

and the winner is...

2009-11-11T14:13:00.004+01:00

via we heart it

it's time to announce the WINNER in my giveaway! yay!

are you ready for it?

*drum roll*

congratulations to miss KRISTEN!!!

the winner was drawn randomly and will be contacted by moi and sent their beret of choice asap. thank you so so much to all who participated! and to those of you who didn't win, i wish you better luck next time! i'm already planning for a new giveaway so stay tuned for another chance.

monday

2009-11-09T12:39:00.001+01:00

via we heart it
it's also your last chance to enter the draw in my beret/hat giveaway!

great and beautiful gift ideas

2009-11-08T17:26:00.007+01:00

as i've already bragged about i'm already done with 99% of the xmas gifts for this year but it occurred to me that maaaybe not everyone has magically got theirs done, or even yet started, and perhaps there are some of you that haven't even started to think about the holidays yet? if there is i think it's my duty to share the ideas i have, and the great tutorials and ideas i find. i don't want you to have to sit there clueless and stressed out a week before the big gift giving day, like i have every single year before this. here are some of my favourite tutorials and free downloads, from some of my favourite blogs, that they've shared recently:

* how to use a lightbox and photo editing software to make beautiful photographs from life, craftiness and everything else. why not make one for a friend with interest in photography, or make one for yourself and print the photos you make and give those away?

* the fabled needle has two lovely recipe cards for download. and what a beautiful kitchen!

* a print a day offers a cute bunny notepad download.

* prudent baby has a lot of nice tutorials and craft ideas, and i esp. love this embroidered clock tutorial.

* the storque shares a cute rose petal applique tutorial.

* when my doormat dies (which unfortunately doesn't seem to happen anytime soon) i'm definitely giving elsie's woodgrain rug tutorial a go! i love it!

* i've talked about ruffles and stuff before and i'm so amazed at all the beautiful (though a bit too romantic for me personally a lot of times, but perfect nonetheless) projects this lady shares. if you want to give your loved ones handmade gifts for xmas but don't know what exactly, go to ruffles and stuff! you'll find tutorials to everything from simple but cute pillow ideas to how to turn an old book to a clock and how to make a blair waldorf inspired capelet.

let me know if there is any specific type of crafts (knitting, crochet, sewing etc) you would like to see more projects of. i'm gonna try to make at least a few of these posts up until xmas. i have collected at least a billion patterns and ideas that are either collecting dust in maps on my shelves or on my computer, and i would love to share them with you.

online classes

2009-11-07T19:41:00.003+01:00

i love red velvet art's craft classes and even though their autumn class hasn't ended yet i can't wait to see what elsie will come up with in her winter class. i must admit i'm slightly obsessed and just want moremoremore! another online class that looks very promising is maedchenmitherz's coming heavenly cute online class. seems like i'll continue spending all my pocket money on cute crafts, which is fine by me!

today i thrifted a craft book from 1978

2009-11-04T16:38:00.005+01:00

i went on a hunt for crochet hooks today but came home with a beautiful craft book from 1978 instead. i love craft books from the '70s, there's so much colour and so many ugly/fun projects.

sorry about the blurry photo!

i just LOVE knitted kids dresses! i hope to one day have a baby girl of my own to make tons of these for. so cute.

these little dolls are so funny. if you talk swedish and want to make some i took a photo of the pattern, which you can find here. if there is any interest i could translate it to english, just ask!

owls on my brain

2009-11-03T13:46:00.004+01:00

when windowshopping a few weeks ago we all fell deeply in love with some owl printed cushions from lagerhaus, but i thought they were a bit pricey, esp. when i figured i could just buy a pillowcase in the same print and make my own. yesterday evening i got to it and this is the result. pretty, huh?

i'm so sad to have to leave them at my boyfriend's and not being able to pet them on a daily basis until we move in together.

BUT, there was a tiny bit fabric left that i have big plans for. one of the owls got a new home at a plain white tshirt:

what else i have in mind for these you'll have to wait and see!

and thank you so much for entering my little giveaway! if you haven't entered yet, do so!

GIVEAWAY

2009-11-02T12:12:00.002+01:00

i'm planning to do a few giveaways during november and this first one is for one beret of your choice from my etsy. there are 7 to choose from and you'll get to pick your favourite! it'd be a nice early xmas gift to yourself, or see it as one less gift to fight for in the mall! (and may i say one less mass produced, generic gift?! handmade rules!)

here's how to enter:

- visit my shop and let me know which beret you would like to win in a comment here.

for additional entries:

- for an extra chance to win you can follow this blog and leave a comment here to tell me that you do. if you already follow this blog that's great, just let me know!

- for another extra entry you can tweet on twitter about this giveaway with a link to this page, comment to tell me you have done so with the link to your twitter.

- for yet another entry, blog about this, comment here with the link to the post. please use the giveawayphoto in your blog entry.

good luck!!!

last day to enter is november 9th, and the giveaway winner will be announced november 13th!

things i ♥:

2009-10-30T13:17:00.005+01:00

i'm in a bit of a bad mood today (hello lady time) so this things i ♥ list is next to non existing, but i can't help but loving these little ghosts made by some little ones i know. what makes you smile today?

i also wanted to tell you that i'm thinking about throwing a giveaway soon, possibly as soon as next week, what do you think? i've got most of my planned xmas gifts done already and i still have a billion ideas and projects i would like to make but don't know for who if not you! i'll let you know the details soon!

plans for the weekend:
- write a letter
- turn things around
- wrap all xmas gifts
- try to be lovely
- bake cinnamon rolls!!!

what are your plans?

what i borrowed at the library:

2009-10-27T15:10:00.000+01:00

i borrowed 'softies only a mother could love' by jess redman and meg leder at the library the other day. i've never been a fan of softies but there are A LOT of adorable projects in this book that i might have to make.

here are a few of my favourites, aren't they cute?

every time i think of you

2009-10-27T10:35:00.000+01:00

source

how to make a cute sewing machine cover

2009-10-26T15:38:00.005+01:00

i made a new cover for my sewing machine today and thought i'd share it with you. i made a little tutorial in case any of you would want to make one too.

the original cover was boring and broken and it was simple too ugly to be seen in public.

cut out two squares, 35x57 cm (14x22½ inches), out of a cotton fabric.

zigzag the edges and sew one long side and the two short sides together.

fold the fabric in the two corners as shown above, make sure the seams are on top of each other, otherwise you'll end up with something less neat. pin down the fabric. you want your seam to be approx 12 cm (a little less than 5 inches), draw a line where that is on your fabric and sew.

cut off the excess fabric and zigzag the edge.

hem the bottom edge.

draw a sewing machine and cut out from felt. i used an embroidery pattern that was included in red velvet art's 'pretty' online class as a template since i claim i can't draw to save my life.

embroider on your machine of leave it blank.

pin it to your cover and sew it on. use A LOT of pins so that your sewing machine doesn't move around while sewing it on to the cotton fabric. sew on the buttons.

iron it poorly and cover your machine. et voila!

let me know if you have any questions!

new project in the making

2009-10-24T18:47:00.004+02:00

i'm feeling sooo productive, inspired and crafty at the moment. i have a billion projects lined up that i just can't wait to get started at, one that is inspired by this red velvet art 'pretty' online class project:

this made by the lovely hollysarah.
am i going to make a sewing machine plushie? nope. what is it then? well, you'll have to wait until there's better light!

3 things i ♥:

2009-10-20T18:26:00.009+02:00

this weeks favourites are all pink and are projects that i am inpired by and want in my own home.

this recycled fabric rug from roses & pearls' flickr is amazing. i wish my mum hadn't gotten rid of all her fabric (already cut and rolled up to balls ready to be used for rugs) already, i could really use those to make one of these for myself.

at first i didn't get all the hype around wreaths, but when i saw this crochet wreath by prudent baby my heart melted. it would look great in my little pink sewing corner.

a little cat lives in a bowl on the wall in my sewing corner and i think it needs a friend, and what would be better than a cupcake? nothing. this sweetie is made by lovely little deer. i have a cupcake embroidery pattern by elsie that i plan to use for mine.

what inspires you at the moment? what do you love?

my latest creations

2009-10-20T14:25:00.000+02:00

i've blogged about this piece before but i never showed you any photos of it finished. i was hoping my sister, who i made it for, would send over some photos of it in action, but i just can't wait any longer so a photo of it laying flat will have to do. it was my first time using drops 100% merino extra fine wool and i immediately fell in love, hard! it's a more expensive yarn than i usually use, but oh my it was definitely worth it. each stitch looks perfect and it's sooo soft! yum! i think i'm gonna have to knit one for myself as well, i just can't decide in which colour.

words cannot describe how much i love my new mittens! the yarn is softer than baby cheeks and i just cant stop smiling when i look at them on my frozen hands. knitted from my own pattern in drops 100% merino extra fine wool.

i had some cheap acrylic yarn in my stash and made these socks to match the mittens, just for fun. after just a few day's wear they're looking a bit less pretty and i know it'll go downhill from here, but i don't care. i plan to knit a few more this season, i was about to say one pair to match each outfit but then realized i only wear black, haha!

3 x pretty ruffles

2009-10-19T12:21:00.006+02:00

look at this sweet top made out of pj's. great for kids, and great for me! i'm loving the ruffles. you will find a tutorial at the ruffles and stuff blog, along with lots of other ruffled projects. thank you craft magazine for giving me a new favourite blog to add to my reader, i love you craft magazine!

i love these two dresses from cutiemus, esp. the plaid one. i want i want i want!

this ruffled carrysmall by hillary lang of wee wonderfuls is adorable.

please come back later

2009-10-11T13:06:00.000+02:00

i'm tweaking my blog design, excuse the mess!

3 things i ♥:

2009-10-08T12:48:00.001+02:00

these belonged to my grandmother. they were the only things i requested from her belongings when she passed away, them and a green lamp i have borrowed from my parents that i hope is considered mine. i also have 4 potholders from hers that i really love as well. i think i was 17 when she passed away and i remember the day like it was last week, not yesterday but last week. i don't remember what i had for breakfast that day or what clothes i was wearing, but i remember that my right arm went completely numb and cold, it felt as if it had died with her, and that it stayed that way for hours and hours and hours.

when i was asked if i wanted something to remember her by i mentally went through her apartment, wandered around, looking at every little thing that my brain had made an entry of during the billion times i'd been there. nothing felt meaningful but those little beat up fridge magnets. they make my heart warm and are as a collective one of my most priced possessions.

what do you love?

a cropped cardigan in the making

2009-10-07T12:20:00.003+02:00

i cast on for what will become a cropped cardigan for my sister yesterday at my knitting group meeting and i'm loving the result so far. when i didn't find the colour i wanted in the yarn i was planning to use i caved in and went for a merino wool. i'm a budget knitter and usually go for the cheapest possible, but this yarn have really won me over! i can't believe the difference! not only is it super soft and lovely, all my stitches are all of a sudden PERFECT. i am a pretty neat knitter, but not as perfect as this yarn makes me. from now on i might have to increase my yarn budget, because how can i ever go back from this?

projects i'm working on at the moment:
-my sister's cardigan (above)
-a pair of mittens for myself
-a pair of socks for a friend

what are you working on?

my new crochet hook case

2009-10-06T11:22:00.004+02:00

yesterday i promised to show you my latest favourite project, and here it is with a tutorial.

elsie and rachel's autumn online class has inspired me quite a bit lately. i've felt more creative than i've felt in a loooong time, and most important, i've not only been sitting on my butt feeling inspired, i've put in the time and actually made things. yay me! this crochet hook case is my favourite project so far. i dreamed about it for a few days before i was able to make it and i'm happy to say it turned out even cuter than i imagined.

i bought two sheets of felt, 20x30 cm, in my new fave colour combo pink and orange. folded one of them, making a pocket big enough for the hooks to peek out from. i made the fold 11 cm.

i stitched vertical lines, wide enough to fit my hooks, on the folded, inner fabric. i made one larger pocket for scissors. i used pins to guide me while stitching.

then i rounded the top corners on the outer fabric and stitched around it all to fasten the outer fabric to the inner.

look, there's a little pocket for your favourite pattern (here modelled by a knitting pattern).

fold over the flap, wrap some thread or yarn around, make a bow, and ta-da!

i hope you'll like it!

varg by vanja burden

2009-10-06T09:17:00.003+02:00

my talented friend vanja made a short film about friendship, it's called 'varg' which is swedish for wolf. have a look!

VARG from Vanja Burden on Vimeo.

sneak peek

2009-10-05T13:41:00.004+02:00

i've been working on this project today but you'll have to wait for tomorrow to see what it is and how to make it. stay tuned for a how-to tomorrow! i have to make sandwiches and head to work.

i hope you're having a lovely monday!

xo,
stina

our little soap factory

2009-10-04T18:01:00.003+02:00

a few years ago i gave my mum hand made soap for xmas and i thought i'd give it a go this year as well. me and my little helper for the day got started and made a whole bunch. i'm so happy i've started producing gifts this early, perhaps this year i'll have them all done before xmas? i've got my hopes up!

soap + cinnamon melting

the soaps i plan on giving my mum in their molds. chocolate soap and cinnamon soap. they smell delicious!

most of the soaps we made.

how i survive the darker days: i nest / things i ♥:

2009-09-24T14:00:00.002+02:00

as a part of my need to organize when i feel low i also make an effort to take better care of my home. a new home decor project or just looking at pretty picture of cute homes and dream of something equally cute makes me feel hopeful and happy. here are some of my favourite photos i've collected in my home decor inspiration map:

rachel has a really cute home, and this idea is great in my opinion. a tray to stick your recipe on while cooking.

simple and cute wall art from the purl bee.

lots of pillows and blankets from toast.

felt leaf garland by elsie. i can't decide where i would hang one...

how i survive the darker days: i make gifts for others

2009-09-23T14:00:00.001+02:00

to make something for someone i care about gives me great joy. both making something with someone else in mind, and make someone happy makes me feel really good about myself, which is something i feels is a great way to fight those black couds above my head. i recently made this hat for my boyfriend's daughter which i hope she will wear at least once this winter. :) i'm really happy with the result and it looked very cute on her.

to knit or crochet also helps me relax and not think about troubles so i tend to make a lot of knit/crochet gifts. i think it's best to choose something you're either really excited about learning or something you think you already master if you wanna give gift giving a try when the sad trombone is around the corner, because you want to eliminate the risk of feeling like a failure if your project won't come out as you imagined or if you're afraid the recipient won't like it.

giving gifts to myself is something i really need to get better at! for me gifts is an "i love you" and i want to get better at saying that to myself. we all do, don't we?

have you made something for someone recently? have you given yourself a gift lately?

things i ♥:

2009-09-17T19:17:00.004+02:00

slowly starting to love the idea of xmas with this video:

via a GREAT blog called handmade success which offers a lot of business tips for etsy shop owners. check it out!

this cutie by fuzzy mitten. go here for patterns (some free, some affordable).

this felt owl pillow by life in stitches. i'm very inspired to make something similar, my bed/couch/craft place/office/whatever would definitely look cuter with a new pillow.

what do you love today?

my first socks

2009-09-16T12:00:00.003+02:00

i have never been interested in knitting socks. i think it's been a combination of fear and a "everyone else is doing it so why should i?" thinking, but when a friend of mine requested that i'd knit her a pair i decided to take the bull by it's horns and give it a go. can one even call themselves a knitter without having knit one single sock? probably not. i'm using ~~this pattern~~ edit:this pattern as a sort of guide and hoping my first pair of socks will be a success. i have one pair of knit socks that either my grandma or her sister knit and they're starting to fall apart, since neither of them are alive and i'm the only passionate knitter left in the family i can only turn to myself for a new pair.

have you knit socks? what are your favourite beginners patterns?

if i was a rich girl

2009-09-15T11:00:00.003+02:00

for the longest time i've refused to type in that url that seems so sweet and innocent but is evilevilevil: fredflare.com. my sister has been babbling on and on about a thousand different cute things she covets from the site that i just HAVE to check out, i've been able to restrain myself because i know it won't do me any good. that was until yesterday. from the first glance at the first page i was hooked again. it's worse than crack, heroin and meth all together, it must be. so now i'm convinced i can't live without a panda pan, cake erasers, cup cake cake mold, a ridiculous cat lamp and to don't notes. damn you fred flare!

my kitchen needs these:

and my "office" needs these:

all items can be found at fred flare at the 'at home' department.

things i ♥:

2009-09-10T12:06:00.004+02:00

today i love smoothies, knitting custom orders, planning for next year, the pink cardigan i'm wearing, bones, the smell of my clean apartment, hama mini beads, planning new projects & pie.

what do you love?

2009-09-08T10:19:00.002+02:00

i just wanted to take some time to say hi, and thank you! to any new visitors. yesterday i had a billion new visitors (not really but almost) which made me really happy. don't be afraid to say hi, i love getting to know new people!

have a lovely day and i hope to see you again!

my dream shop

2009-09-05T10:51:00.003+02:00

when i thought i couldn't be more amazed, inspired and despreate to go to usa, RVA did it again, just by re-decorating their shop. i want to live there! badly!

see more lovely photos at a beautiful mess.