Lately..

There hasn't been much going on lately.. Well, some practical jokes going around the office - like the keyboard that met one of the guys when he came back from a trip..

Practical joke going around the office.. Luckily, not my keyboard.

And I got a parcel in the mail last week - some of it's content's going to my mom and Vigdis, and some of it's going to stay with me (I've got plans for how to use it.. just wait and see).

Beautiful shadings of yarn..

The full content of the parcel is pictured below - six balls of Kauni (100% wool) from To Damer. (They're incredible! The parcel arrived almost before I was able to press "submit order".. well, not exactly, but I made the order on Thursday and could pick up the parcel on Monday. Doesn't get much faster than that!)

Back left : two balls Kauni rainbow, one ball offwhite.
Front : two balls Kauni blue-to-black, one ball offwhite-to-light-brown.

The two balls of rainbow Kauni,as I mentioned, are going to Trysil to Vigdis and my mom - the offwhite one I'm thinking of combining with some rainbow that I already have in my stash, and the remaining ones (blue-to-black and offwhite-to-light-brown) I plan to use in a knitted project I'm going to start soon (just need to finish a project or two first..).


I bought a pattern/kit from Katrines when I was in Sarpsborg for the NQF-weekend. The kit included fabric for all three sizes of zipper pouches, one zipper and the pattern. Unfortunetly, the plastic for the front of the pouches was not included, so I had to buy that a while later (didn't notice it was missing until someone told me.. jeeze.. paying attention, much?). Anyway, my experience with sewing with zippers hasn't been all that good (meaning, I've avoided it up until now..) so I thought this was a good way of learning something new.

Started out with the smallest size - and had to restart, I think, four times (!) until I finally got it (more or less) right. Not quite happy with it, but it's still cute..

Tried my hand at the biggest size, and only had to redo one section (which, I guess, means that I learned something from strugglig with the first one). And the third one was a joy to make! Almost perfect, actually.



Zipper pouches! (Or zip locks..)

Unfortunetly, I'll have to take some new pictures, as these ones appear to be slightly out of focus.. not good.. :( But you can see the colours pretty well (and not all the stains on my ironing board - or just how horrible the smallest pouch really is...)

***
Until next time..

More baking from the birthday celebrations.. and knitting inspiration.

Well, there wasn't just lemon cookies served on the celebration of our birthdays, but also apple cake and cupcakes (and swedish chocolate cake, but didn't take a picture of that one this time.. there is one a bit further back on the blog, I think..).

Apple cake, served with vanilla ice cream.. 

Chocolate cup cake with a touch of butter cream
and fondant topping..

This is what a birthday boy, who completely wiped-out,
looks like when he's fallen asleep..

I've been spending some time browsing Ravelry for inspiration and patterns (knitting, mainly) and I wish I had a little less yarn then I have in my stash (easier to shop some more without having the volume of my stash hanging over me..). I even got a book of knitting patterns for my birthday - and found at least three or four items in there I'd love to knit for myself (ego-knitting) but - once again - it would mean buying more yarn. If (that's a really big if, by the way) I'm good, I ought to knit up a few balls of yarn before I start one of these projects (and buy more yarn).. I've made a small start, and knitted a baby vest (size about 0-4 months), but one ball of yarn doesn't really make much of a difference, I'm afraid.. :P

Have you ever checked out Ravelry? It's addictive..


***
I'm spending a couple of days in Trysil this week - it's my Grandfather's funeral tomorrow. It's such a beautiful and sunny late afternoon tonight, and I'm hoping the sun shines tomorrow too.

Here's to a peaceful evening and a beautiful tomorrow.

New toy!

I bought my laptop a few - well, ok, closer to 5.. - years ago, and for the past year it's been somewhat less than portable, seeing as it got overheated when the battery was in (weird..?) so it only worked with the power cable in (making it a sit on the couch-kinda computer). Well, I've been wanting a Mac ever since I went to University, and had my mind more or less set on buying one some time this year. So when hubby saw that there was a we've redecorated our shop-sale in one of the down town stores, lo and be hold a brand new MacBookPro ended up in my lap.

Here it is, still in it's box. 13" MacBookPro.

So far I've only had time to do some basic playing around and changing of settings, but have noticed the new keys and structures of the keyboard that I will have to learn. Lucky for me, hubby's been using a Mac for quite some years, and even uses one at work, so I've got my very own Mac-support at home. ^.^

In the crafting department, I've been working on a stitchery for Christmas, crocheting on a blanket (which is a never-ending-as-long-as-I-have-suitable-stash-&-leftovers kind of project), knitted a kitchen cloth (kopptue, in Norwegian), and sewing mug rugs. I entered a mug rug swap organized by Quilting Gallery back in January, where we received the patterns to make two mug rugs (or inspire, as the colours were to be of our own choosing). I sent my two mug rugs off to Canada in the beginning of March, and finally received mine earlier this week. (Actually, I thought the pattern was soo adorable, I decided to make two of each when I was sending them to my partner, so that I could keep one set for myself.. sneaky, I know.. but now I've got four new mug rugs to use - and I love how different they are!

The mug rugs I received from Ellen.
Don't you just love the colors?

Copies of the ones I sent to Gailene. 

Miniman turned three earlier this week, and had two celebrations that day - first in kindergarden, and then again in the afternoon when his Grandma and Emma came for dinner/a playdate. This weekend we're having a third (and hopefully final..) celebration of his birthday - throwing in a minor celebration of mine too. So tomorrow I'm putting on my apron and will spend most of the day baking. Perhaps you'd like to see the results?

Here's a sneakpeak from Wednesday evening..

Lemon-flavoured cookies.
Yes, dinosaurs, tractors and apples..

***
Until next time.. happy crafting!

Ridiculous.. *rant*

*rant*

The office where I work is just down the road from a pretty big arena (actually a football/soccer stadium, but there's been more concerts and other arrangements than football matches there since it opened) and next week there'll be a series of three concerts.. with Justin Bieber.. (I never thought I'd be writing that name on my blog, but there you have it.)

To make sure these concerts are run smoothly and prevent stupid things to happen (like, people crossing the road or causing mayhem i traffic, etc) fences will be put up along the road, the bus won't be able to stop on the usual stops and traffic will be rearranged from 9AM - and there are even shuttle buses coming in from downtown Oslo (and the surrounding area too, I think) from 12PM. (Seriously, even my office has posted a rather large notice with regards to change in security policies during these three days.)

I'm not quite sure how this will affect me, but I chose to take the more pessimistical approach - and rather be positively surpriced if things do run smoothly - rather than think that none of my business will be affected. I mean, coming to work in the morning won't be much of a problem (I might have to take the bus a couple more stops because it won't be allowed to use the usual stops) - however, I'm more concerned about going home in the afternoon..

Considering the chaos that occured last year, when he held a concert downtown in Oslo, I won't be surpriced if something happens this year too. I'm definetly not going, not for anything in the world, and I am very happy I don't have kids in the Belieber-age..

There's so much good music out there - why do they have to bring that little, annoying guy here..?

*/rant*

Happy Sunday!

From me and my little friend. ^.^

Happy Weekend!

What came first..

The chickens or the eggs?

Dear Gods of Seasons and Weather..

I think you've misunderstood something.. Where's Spring and what did you do to her?!? o.O

Exhibit in Sarpsborg / Annual meeting in NQF

Last weekend was the annual meeting & gathering in NQF (the Norwegian Quilt Association), and this year Sarpsborg was where it all happened (Quality Hotel Sarpsborg, to be precise).

I travelled down by bus Saturday morning and stayed until Sunday afternoon (the weekend kickstarts Friday afternoon and lasts until Sunday afternoon). I hadn't signed up for any courses, but had voulenteered as a Quilt Angel (helper), so spent some hours "working" (it was too much fun to call it work-work) both Saturday and Sunday. Other that that, there were shops visiting (with too many tempting kits, patterns, fabric and notions.. I have a few regrets, and a parcel coming in the mail, but am very happy with what I came home with), people to chat to, coffee to drink (consumed a few cups, yes.. even black coffee - which I normally don't drink) and an exhibit to check out and admire.

I didn't take very many pictures of the quilts in the exhibit, but I know that there are many others who did, so if you're curious to see some of the quilts, please visit Abyquilt. She took many pictures of the diverse and wonderful quilts on display. But! I did get a few shots of my quilts (of course..). So here they are - finally - two of my little (haha..) secrets this past winter :

My version of "Tailfeathers", a pattern by
Cinderberry Stitches.

It's no secret that I absolutely adore the patterns made by the lovely Natalie Lymer/Cinderberry Stitches, so when she made Tailfeathers, I just knew I had to make it. Four (or was it five..?) years ago I finished her BOM Truly Scrumptious, and when Tailfeathers was announced the year after there was very little doubt in my mind. I think I finished most of the stitchery blocks the year before Plutt was born, but then everything went into pause mode, and stayed that way for almost two years. Last summer I finally picked up the blocks again and finished it - and my mom helped me quilt it.

You might notice that there are some parts missing? Well, the missing birds decided that they wanted to be made into a table runner, to match the quilt on the wall, and so they did (you can see a picture of the table runner a few posts down). When birds tweet you these things, you listen. ;-)

My entry in the jubilee competition
(NQF celebrates 25 years this year).

I wanted to make something simple, yet me for the competition, and ended up with a quilt consisting of four "blocks" where I tried to describe my "evolution" (you might call it) as a crafter. I remember one of the first quilts I made, which was with the little Sunbonnet Sue (who didn't start their crafting/quilting careere with SS?). After a few years of buttonhole appliqué, I started playing with hexagons and flowers (I still have a rather big quilt with about 170++ of these flowers). I know that some time after the hexagons came the big wave of stitcheries, and I got completely stuck here. Stitcheries - to me - is what makes me the most relaxed. I know that all I have to do, is follow the line. And you don't need to think. (Well, unless you're stitching with many colours, then it might be good to keep your mind on using the right colours at the right places..)
Both Leanne Beasly and Natalie Lymer are represented in my quilt, as I've been inspired and learned so much from both of them - through both their patterns and from reading their blogs.

Ready for Saturday's big dinner.

Saturday is also when the big festive dinner is held. This year I think there were about 260 of us gathered in a huge hall and being served nice food. (Yes, I did take pictures of the food.. but not sure if you're interested in seeing them.. are you?)

I'll see if I can get pictures of the treasures which followed me home from Sarpsborg.. Not much, I have to be honest, but I'm very happy.

Teambuilding with dinner

Last week the group I work with had a teambuilding (played curling - no photos, sorry but the idea of iPhone + ice didn't sound too good..) and went out for a rather nice dinner afterwards.

We went to a restaurant called Eik Annen Etage, and had a nice dinner. And, as alot of my colleagues did, I took pictures of each dish.

(I think it's a rather new trend here, where people take pictures of the food and post online - either on blogs, Instagram or Facebook. A neat way of advertising, really, and most of the restaurants welcome you to do so.)

Appetizer. Goose paté, I think? (Foie gras?)

Fish on cauliflower mash. Really really good.. (Not pictured : potatoes.)

Veal. Yum..

Cheese, crackers and yam (of passion fruit and apricot).
I'm not a big fan of these types of cheese, but the yam was nice.

Dessert - chocolate icecream with a piece of what tasted like homemade
marshmallow and white chocolate. (I LOVED the orangy-brown plates!)

I've tried curling twice before, and actually think it's rather fun (although I am a bit afraid of falling on the ice.. ice and me go waaaay back, and not in a good way..). I ended up scoring two points for my team, and we ended up on 5th place (of 6 teams..). ^.^

Bakko!

Greetings from the March guild meeting!

Frosty greetings

All the trees on my way to the bus this morning had a layer of frosting on their branches - and with the foggy lights from the city it looked truly magical.

Wishing I could go home and sew.. *sigh*

When making things for others

I've not been one of the most eager to join swaps and similar things - with some exceptions, of course - but when I do, I generally try to make something I think my swap partner might like. But in some cases, you end up with a partner which is a little mysterious when it comes to what he or she likes (perhaps there are few blog posts showing what he or she has made or likes - or perhaps your partner hasn't blogged in quite a while.. maybe he or she doesn't really have a crafty blog at all!).

In most cases, selecting the project or colours for a swap can be quite easy, but when it comes to situations like the ones listed above (and similar) I've decided to simply make something I'm proud of - something I'd like to receive if it was being made for me.

What do you do when/if you find your self in such a situation?

First meeting in 2013

Lest Wednesday was this year's first meeting in Tåsen Quiltelag. It was the first time I'd have time to come since November, so I thought it was really nice to get some much needed vitamin q's and inspiration - plus meet up with a bunch of friendly and talented people. I went together with Anne Ida, and we both had a good time.

And look! There's even a couple of pictures of my things on their blog!

Candlemat, pattern/kit from Bareroots.



Leftovers from a Cinderberry Stitches-project
ended up as a tablerunner.

 I may not alway have a new, finished project when I come to these meetings, but I really like the response I get when I do.

***
I'm currently working on a bunch of secret stuff - something for a competition, something for an exhibition - and something for a swap - so it might be a little while before I can post a finished project (or one of the above items..).

Tuesday night FO

Yup, surprice! A finished object (FO) on a Tuesday night.

Bought a kit to make this candle mat (pattern by Bareroots) from Lille Stasjon when the store visited Tåsen Quiltelag a few months ago. Prepped the felt shortly after - and left it on a shelf seemingly forever.. Started working on it a couple of weeks ago - and suddenly it's done!

Now let's see what else I've got that can be finished.. Hmm..

When something deserves to be celebrated..

It calls for cake!

Swedish chocolate cake, this time as american size cupcakes.

Yum!

You know..

It's time to start dinner, when your stomach is growling louder than the sewing machine..

Threadcatcher or basket?

First finish in 2013 - a project from FQS's booklet of patterns for the mini charm packs. I love the colours - and the simplicity. Will make another one soon.

But.. Is it a basket for "stuff" or a threadcatcher..? I'm currently using it to collect leftovers and threads from my current projects - most of them a bit secret (but I might share a sneak peak of some of them soon, if you'd like to see?).

Had to share this..

Saw the picture on FaceBook.. One should follow a good advice - especially when it comes from The Avengers. ;-)

First day after Christmas and New Year..

Was spent with this little guy. The kindergarden had a planning day, so we met up with Emma and my mom, did some shopping, and enjoyed a sunny winter day.

Tomorrow's back to the office.

Happy New Year!

This is what greeted us here in Oslo on January 1st. 2013 - clear blue sky, not too cold, and most of the snow has rained away and turned into ice.

Wishing you all a creative New Year!

SSCS 2012 - What Elf Nemo sent..

Yea yea, I know.. you're probably all sick of the SSCS-posts for now, but I have one more, one final post that I need to write - and that is to show you what I sent to my "victims" this year. ;)

Once again I was lucky enough to end up with two lovely ladies to create and send parcels to. Both residents in Australia, and both very talented.

The first parcel was sent to the lovely Sue. I knitted her an ornament (Arne&Carlos' design, as usual) and made her one of my favorite Christmas stitcheries (I think I must have made this about 3-4 times now.. just can't get enough of it). It's a Nancy Halvorsen/Art to Heart-design. Also included in the parcel, was - but not pictured - some Norwegian chocolate (yum..) and a miniature calender with pictures from Norway.

Sue's main gift and ornament.

And the second parcel was sent to the talented (and funny - your posts about Peg and Dale made me laugh!) Patricia. Once again, a knitted ornament (I saw on your blog that you had some similar ornaments already on your tree, and figured one more couldn't hurt), and a Christmas stitchery designed by Gail Pan. Also included in the parcel, was - but not pictured - a few pieces of Norwegian chocolate and a miniature calender with pictures from Norway.

Patricia's main gift and ornament.

And to Chookyblue - it cannot be said often enough, or with deeper feelings of happiness and joy - thank you, Thank You, thankyouthankyouthankyou for hosting yet another wonderful and fun swap! It wouldn't be Christmas without it or you!


Signing off (for this year),
Elf Nemo.

SSCS parcel from Santa Deb

This is what Santa Deb sent me, as part of Chookyblue's SSCS2012, haven't I been spoilt?

A gorgeous notions roll - I absolutely adore the colours! - and cute DMC threads (I think I have the perfect pattern from Cinderberry Stitches where these would be just right. (Hmm.. I think I need to pull out my box of patterns and background fabrics soon..)

This will be perfect to carry and keep my sewing stuff together for when I'm going to my mom's house in a little while.

Thank you so much, Deb - and thank you, Chookyblue, for another wonderful swap!

SSCS parcel from Santa Lynda

This is what the wonderful Santa Lynda sent me as part of Chookyblue's SSCS2012 :

A hexagon-tablecloth with adorable stitcheries from the Moomin-world, a small pouch, some gorgeous embrodery thread, the cutest ribbon and a cute little kangaroo (and as you can see, there was a little guy who was very interested in the kangaroo, and could barely keep his fingers away long enough for me to take the picture... ;) ). Lynda also included a stickerbook and some stickers from Australia.

Thank you so much, Lynda - and Chookyblue!

SSCS2012 - parcels

I've been very spoilt by my Secret Santas this year, and I will post pictures either later tonight or tomorrow. Right now I've got an apartment which has been empty for 5 days, with the heaters turned low.. It's freezing inside..

SSCS2012 - Parcel 2 arrived

Look what Lynda B. sent me - isn't it gorgeous?

The tree's decorated - and our bedroom's full of parcels. Only a few more sleeps left..

*counting down*

It's beginning to look a lot like..

Christmas!

Last night - and the whole day today - it's been snowing. Sitting inside, we can hear the trucks and tractors removing the snow from the roads and sidewalks. Going to the post office this morning was not very much fun - there was just too much snow to manage the stroller, so Peder stayed at home with his dad while I ran some earrands and mailed the Christmas cards. It's still snowing, pretty to look at, but I'm glad to be inside now.

Tomorrow's the third Sunday in Advent. Only a week left..

SSCS2012 - Parcel arrived!

A parcel arrived the other day, from Deb R.

Look at the gorgeous ornaments!
(Don't worry, the other parcel is safely hidden away..)

*phew*

Hubby & son have gone to a Christmas fair - and I've got Christmas music on Spotify and the Aurora humming. Actually tried freemotion-quilting for the first time. Jeeze.. fun! But it's killing my shoulders..

What are you doing this Sunday?

Friday's music

Just remembered this song by Spin Doctors. I really loved it when I was younger. I still do.

Enjoy! And happy Friday!

Still hooked..

Adding the 18th colour now.

In other news, completed the SSCS-parcels, just need to take a few pictures and wrap them in.

Winter's come - the first snow came, and rained away. Managed to take a picture the other day. It's been a quiet stay-at-home week for Plutt - he's got the chicken pox. Seeing the end of them now, but he's still got some spots left.

It's fall..

The lights are turned off, the candles are lit.. And suddently, the whole world seems a little more distant and quiet (well, except for the noisy neighbours, of course.. they're still around..).

Next week is Halloween, and I think it's about time to watch one of my favourite movies again (I watch this one about once a year) ; A Nightmare before Christmas.

Enjoy the song!

Hmm..

I bet you all know how it is.. you've got stuff to do, things to make - a deadline (sort of) hanging over you. And then.. you get hooked (quite literally).