Current projects related to needles

Back in April I started to add pictures to this draft, with the intention to post an overview of my current projects related to needles (that being knitting or sewing needles). Well... it's July now.. I have no words. No excuse. But the pictures are still here - and the projects are still nice. So, let's get on with it.

Fist up is this stitchery that I actually started preparing at least three years ago. I think I bought it the last time I was at the julemesse (Christmas fair) in Lillestrøm, which would've been in 2014.

I think I kind of got tired of all the love just drawing the stitchery pattern on the fabric. But! Once I started sewing, it went along quite smoothly. It's something meditative about stitching - following the lines.. and the fewer colours the better. Doesn't demand much attention at all - just follow the lines..

Next up is a knitting project. This is my version of the pattern Leftie - but Hubby's comment ("It looks like a peacock's tail feathers) got stuck, and now it's simply known as "tail feathers". 

Both yarns were bought at The Knitting and Stitching Show in London last October. My mom and I have talked about what a great time we had, and we've more or less decided to go next year (2018) - including staying in the same hotel!

This year, however, we will return to the UK - but we'll be going to Birmingham in August instead. My first visit to The Festival of Quilts and I can hardly wait!

I wonder if anybody I know will be going there.. Will you? Perhaps we could meet up for a coffee or a cup of tea - I'd love to meet other bloggers and quilters and make new friends!

***
I'll have to do a post to update these project, seeing as they are no longer in the same state as shown in these pictures.

I'll be back!

And suddenly..

Well, on Tuesday I cast on for a new hat for hubby (after he started this unfortunate trend of losing his home knitted hats), thinking I might as well get something tossed off my to do-list for autumn as long as the temperatures were low. 

Well, the day after, I had gotten hooked on the knitting needles, and the pattern for the hat is really easy to get caught up in (it's a pattern made by Arne & Carlos, called Hat with Space Invaders Pattern). I think this is the fifth or sixth time I've knitted this pattern (may even be 8th or 9th....). It's simple, fun and can be as simple or complex as you like.

Thursday evening and all the ends were woven in. I still need to steam it, but it is finished and fits perfectly. Almost exactly identical to the one hubby lost (I'm going to put a label on the inside, with my phone number on - which is what we usually mark the kids' clothes with). Hopefully, if lost, someone will contact us - instead of adopting it (which is what I hope is what happened).

And the temperatures? Still cool, although a little warmer. It's raining today (started after we had spent about 3 hours in Tusenfryd. Needless to say, we're all a little tired now.. 

Summertime...

And the knitting is on?!

Hubby started a trend last year of losing his knitted hats during the winter. After losing three hats in about a year, it was time to knit him some new ones (which will be marked with phone numbers and name..). 

It might be summer, but the rain and cooler wind returned yesterday, so pullong out some knitting needles and a few balls of yarn seemed fitting. 

Maybe it'll be completed in time fornthe warmer winds to return?

Something new...

This bunch of stuff arrived on Friday. 

Taking up every inch of space in our living room...

And underneath all this pile of cardboard, sheets of foam and about a mile of plastic?

Our new couch! Yay!

***

...I need to make some new pillows...

Anemones

The anemones (hvitveis, as we call them in norwegian) are popping up all over the forest, along the paths and in open places. 

They're a true sign of Spring - and although we had snow just a week and a half ago, I think it might be the last sign of Winter - at least on this side of Fall. 

*fingers crossed*

We were delayed on our way home from school the othet day. This little chap was sitting in the middle of the path munching on his dinner. He didn't move even as we came closer with A's stroller, but when some kids came running and shouting through the wood, it seemed that his peaceful dinner was over. 

The Easter Bunny..

The Easter Bunny dropped by and left the kids some treats. To find them, they'll have to follow some clues and solve a puzzle. Do you think they'll find the treats?

Can you tell where the Easter Bunny has hidden his treats?

Already Easter and some small, yet major changes

First Monday of April, and I returned to my desk at the office looking like this : 

A small, yet major change in my work life has happened - I've become a permanent employee at the office, instead of a hired-in person on a limited contract. Basically, it's the same job, just more permanent, more secure.  

The firm that I was hired out from, sent me these gorgeous (and very nice-smelling) flowers as a "Thank you" for the years I've worked for them.

Easter is upon us, and we've stayed in the city this year too. It's quiet and nice - although P thinks it is completely horrible... all of his friends are away, and won' be back until tomorrow evening (Sunday).. 

I'd bought a pattern for a Easter bunny-pouch some time last year, and decided to try to make one. Well, I got hooked, completely! I ended up making 14 of them (yikes!) and am still not tired of making them. I ended up filling some of them with chocolates and giving them away. Three of them came to the office with me - and I got some nice snaps on Snapchat from a couple of the very happy girls.

Our boss was responsible for the Friday cake (cake, ice cream, or something to make Friday afternoon a little more cozy) the last Friday before Easter week started, and he ventured out and bought back a whole pile of candy. No-one protested, I mean, who says "no" to candy? *yum*

I'm currently working on a couple of projects - three knitting (one that is an everlasting one, but without a deadline - and one that might end up frogged... still doing a bit of consideration about it, though), a stitchery - and a secret one. Which will probably not be revealed until some time in August. *grins*

The mailman delivered two Homespun magazines to me last week. I thought it had been a while since I last received an issue, but it didn't occur to me that I had missed an issue until it arrived. Oh well, more to read and look at. :) 

***

I was thinking of doing a give-away soon, but am not quite sure if I have many (any?) readers left. Are there any readers left in the blogiverse these days or have everyone moved over to Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? I dabble a little over at Instagram, and have a list or two at Pinterest, but blogging is what I'd like to do - more of and better. 

Lavendel satchels

Last summer we planted some lavender (both from seed and from the flower shop) in our garden, and when the autumn came I cut off the flowers and dried them inside. And, since things to tend to take some time, in January I finally took the time to sew up some lavender-filled satchels.

I had a mini-charmpack of fabric with a lavender/flower theme, and when I first saw it, I knew it would be a perfect match for our lavender. 

Two of these were given away to a college of mine, as a late Christmas-early birthday present.

Little miss A was very happy the other day, when we walked to the store and bought "crocodiles" (a bag of dried fruit - with a dinosaur on the front). She walked all the way there and back again by herself - wearing her brother's old wooly pants (they're almost 7 years old now) and her cousin's ond strawberry knitted hat (I knitted it for E when she was 1, which is about 7 years ago too). Inheriting and reusing is a good thing when they're this small. 

***

Have a good and crafty week!

January 1st

The first day of January came and went two weeks ago, but the day will be remembered in these pictures.

January 1st was spent outside in glorious sunshine (and a somewhat biting chill that snuck up on you when you entered the shades). 

Hubby, P, my sister and E went iceskating while mom and I took the little ones (A and F) for a stroll so that they could nap. (F fell asleep quite fast, but A stayed awake until we ventured back to the iceskaters an hour later.. then she fell asleep...)

We joined the flood of tourists and other norwegians out enjoying the sun, and walked around Aker brygge. 

At the end of the pier (brygge) there was a lovely view out to the fjord, with the low sun shining brightly.

And turning around, we had a good view to Akershus festing (to the right) and the Oslo rådhus (to the left).

So far 2017 has been a mix of sunny, almost Easter-y days and very foggy or rainy days. Not much snow, and the snow that has come has either rained away shortly after falling - or frozen to ice..

Entering the new with the last of the old.

My crafting corner and I are entering the new year, by showing the final completed project of the old year here on the blog. 

May the new year bring goodness, kindness, happiness, time to craft, laugh and smile - to you and your family!

Happ New Year 2017!

SSCS 2016 - 10th anniversary parcel opened

I know I've probably said this every year, but it's the truth non the less. I feel so spoiled by my Secret Santa, just look at this adorable stitchery wallhanging that was wrapped up under the tree - for me!

Michelle, my Secret Santa, made these adorable stitcheries, and included some extra treats too. She's a very talented designer, and if I'm not completely wrong, I think some of her designs have been wrapped up and sent all over the world over the past 10 years of the SSCS. I highly recommend a visit to her blog to see her designs and work!

In the parcel was also a very cute birdhouse scissor fob, one of her own patterns (the snowmen are so cute!) and embroidery thread in the most gorgeous shades of red. It just screams "make something christmassy with me!".

I'll leave you with another photo of the ornament from Michelle - and my wishes to you for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The 4th Sunday of Advent

Some days sparkle all by themselves - and others need a little help.

***

Lucky, lucky me! I got a copy of the gorgeous redwork-book Simply redwork by Mandy Shaw. I can't wait to choose and start my first project!

***

Almost Christmas now.. only a couple more days to go.

The 3rd Sunday of Advent

A time to make - and a time to take a break..

Lucky me - two new skeins of thread (in new to me-colours) and a mini craft cutter! 

Santa's sleigh has arrived!

And look at the adorable ornaments Michelle sent me!

An ornament with a kangaru - so adorable! And the tiny stocking too.

The main parcel is safely stored with the rest of the wrapped gifts, ready for Christmas. 

Only 13 more days... time flies!

***

This post is a little overdue - thanks to a nasty stomach bug.. the whole familt went under - first A, and when she was back on her feet, the rest of us dropped like flies during one short evening.. 

2nd Sunday of Advent

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, and it is a day for marking. According to mom's Advent Sunday Calendar, anyway. 

What my parcel contained? Well, you'll just have to wait a little while longer. There's a busy day on our schedule..

Or! You can look here :

New mittens! 

1st Sunday of Advent

A time for remembering.. that's what mom's parcel reads this 1st Sunday of Advent. 

And my parcel?

Mine gave off a fascinating rattling noise when the kids shook it. And inside?

Two boxes of my favorite french treats - anis candy! - and a pouch to keep cards and other necessities when travelling. 

I love my parcel! 

Knitting for a cause

On November 1st for the past few years a group of volenteers and Kirkens Bymisjon went around several cities in Norway, hanging up bright orange knitted scarves. It is done to raise attention to the many people who - due to different reasons - aren't looking forward to the Christmas season. Many of the scarves are marked with labels reading Gled en som gruer seg til jul. There are about 10 000 scarves made and left hanging in trees, on benches and poles all over several Norwegian cities.

I brought yarn and knitting needles with me to London, and had a scarf approximately 2,5 - 3 meters long ready when I came back home again. And on November 1st I brought my scarf with me on my way to work, and found a nice place to hang it. 

It was gone by the time I went home that afternoon. I hope that whoever found it, got to feel a little warmer, knowing that someone's thinking about them. 

What happened to the last four weeks?

It's strange, how time flies. Tempus fugit. It seems like a dream, that weekend in the beginning of October, and yet I know it was real!

My mom and I flew to London on Friday October 7th, and our main goal was this : 

The Knitting and Stitching Show! 

And boy, did we have a wonderful time! Two whole days (Saturday and Sunday) spent in the glorious Alexandra Palace (it truly is a wonder, the design, the statues, the history..) with thousands of other visitors, over 400 shops, a wonderful exhibition, and so much inspiration I think we both went completely into a mental emptiness after that first day..

I remember thinking that first day that all i could see were knitting and yarn shops.. but on Sunday, all I could see were fabric and sewing shops. Strange.. 

After these few weeks, everything seems like a dream. And it was not until I sat down and really looked at all the things I managed to bring home with me that I really felt like it was not a dream - but a trip of dreams!

Just look at all these pieces of fabric! Some are fat quarters, some are strips of panels, and some came from show books. All of them were just right for me - for us, as we did share most of the fabric, one way or another.

And I just had to nerd out a little bit - stumbling over several shops carrying Doctor Who-fabric. *yay!*

Some strips of Liberty-fabric - I actually have a plan for these, believe it or not! It includes some half linen in grey tones..

Of course, I had to bring some yarn home. These skeins will become something just for me (and for the price I paid, there's no chance in the universe I'll let anyone else get their hands on these babies...). I've started knitting of the skein to the far right, enjoying the colours and the glitter, and looking forward to being able to wear the finished project.

Notions.. I'm very weak when it comes to notions.. Understandably from looking at the picture above. Thread, needles, new blades for my rotary cutter, hand coloured felted wool, knitting needles (some new ones to me, and some old favourites), a pair of scissors from Liberty - and in the back, a pack of about 100 squares of fabric from The Victoria and Albert Museum (I'd love to spend a few days there...). I have a plan for those squares - I'm thinking of following my mom's idea and make my own.. well, you'll just have to wait and see.. :-)

***

While we were in London, The Great Elf-Mother notified us about getting the partner information sent out some time that weekend. Well, we begged and pleaded to get the info early, as we wanted to find something just perfect while we were at the the show - and I think we did! I can't wait to see if my recipient will like the project I'm sending him/her, but you'll all have to wait until Christmas... Only a few weeks left until THE GREAT WEEK OF SHIPPING.

Are you ready? 

Strawberries?

Strawberries in October? Yup.. 

Very strange..

Oh dear..

Time sure is flying!

I'm sewing up a storm of secrets - and I need to blog about London. It seems like a dream - until I check my bank account.. 

Almost everything falls in the category of secrets - but some things do not. 

I'll be back when the storm of secrets settles to a breeze (shouldn't be long now..). 

Some more finishes

This summer, during our stay in Trysil, my mom and I worked on a kit from Anni Downs called Village Sewing Trio, consisting of a scissor keep, needle book and pincusion. When we went home, I only had a little work left on the pincushion (filling it, and sewing the decorative stitches around the edges). The set came together swift and easily - what took the longest time, I think, was to cut and prepare all the little bits and pieces.

My apologies for the dark picture..

After seeing the tutorial for the Simple Zipper Pouch at the Fat Quarter Shop's blog, I got hooked on making them. I've now completed four of them - two I've shown earlier, and here are the final two. 

Yellow and gray is a nice combination of colours.

The same goes for aqua and lime.

The pattern is so very easy, and it's easy to make little changes to make your own variations. (In these two, I've skipped the top edge above the zipper - I didn't like how it turned out on my first two, all bulky and weird..) I've used mini-charm packs for the front, and a plain or contrasting colour on the back. Lucky for me (? haha) I have about a hundred of these mini-charm packs.. Lots and lots of colours to play with!

The yellow-gray one is currently in my bag, containing my hand sewing project for a trip that's happening this very weekend. (I'm very excited!)