tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193114992024-03-14T08:30:12.877+02:00Silken threadsBlog about the small and the large things in life. As well as my crafty hobbies and books.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-77764443328380066122008-04-16T16:34:00.002+03:002008-04-16T16:39:26.090+03:00Goodbye<center><a href="http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Bon-Voyage-Waving-Goodbye-at-the-Dockside-Posters_i1877884_.htm?AID=423786166" target="_new"><img src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MEPOD/10147308.jpg" border=0 alt="Bon Voyage!, Waving Goodbye at the Dockside"><br></a></center><br /><br />I've decided to stop blogging for now. It feels I have nothing to write about lately and I just end up feeling bad and worrying about not writing. I'm still stitching and knitting and sewing and enjoying it very much, but it seems my pace has slowed down or my project have gotten more time consuming. I might take up blogging again sometime in the future, but for now I'll just enjoy reading yours (and I hope I'll be more active in commenting)!<br /><br />Thank you to all those who have visited my blog!Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-45440249005078905202008-03-10T14:13:00.012+02:002008-12-09T02:16:17.726+02:00How do you like your eggs?With intricate patterns (slightly wobbly though)?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UpdAIEWTI/AAAAAAAAAqA/4zlx06REbAo/s1600-h/IMG_3524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UpdAIEWTI/AAAAAAAAAqA/4zlx06REbAo/s400/IMG_3524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176088924959037746" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UpxAIEWUI/AAAAAAAAAqI/cwcsMXq5vBM/s1600-h/IMG_3532.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UpxAIEWUI/AAAAAAAAAqI/cwcsMXq5vBM/s400/IMG_3532.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176089268556421442" /></a><br /><br />With simplistic dots?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9Uq0QIEWVI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/gK4c_9uxRU8/s1600-h/IMG_3525.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9Uq0QIEWVI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/gK4c_9uxRU8/s400/IMG_3525.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176090423902624082" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UrDQIEWWI/AAAAAAAAAqY/cHpOR5Jbc2c/s1600-h/IMG_3531.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UrDQIEWWI/AAAAAAAAAqY/cHpOR5Jbc2c/s400/IMG_3531.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176090681600661858" /></a><br /><br />Or do you prefer flowers?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UrqQIEWaI/AAAAAAAAAq4/e-xQcinzk1Y/s1600-h/IMG_3527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UrqQIEWaI/AAAAAAAAAq4/e-xQcinzk1Y/s400/IMG_3527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176091351615560098" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UuQwIEWbI/AAAAAAAAArA/MpmkxPafkPc/s1600-h/IMG_3533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UuQwIEWbI/AAAAAAAAArA/MpmkxPafkPc/s400/IMG_3533.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176094212063779250" /></a><br /><br /><br />Or perhaps something a bit retro?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UuvAIEWcI/AAAAAAAAArI/fqv05EhD9Aw/s1600-h/IMG_3523.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R9UuvAIEWcI/AAAAAAAAArI/fqv05EhD9Aw/s400/IMG_3523.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176094731754822082" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yep, my grand aunt organized another Ukranian eggs -day! You can read more about the method and the previous day <a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/04/easter-eggs.html">here</a>.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-81985135259671816392008-03-05T14:28:00.003+02:002008-12-09T02:16:17.845+02:00I'm back<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R86SuV7EmTI/AAAAAAAAApA/D3MwfK6y24o/s1600-h/IMG_3361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R86SuV7EmTI/AAAAAAAAApA/D3MwfK6y24o/s400/IMG_3361.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174234346751826226" /></a><br />Rome was wonderful! It's crowded, it's noisy, it's a bit dirty, yes. But it's beautiful and the sights are amazing! I loved the Colosseum and the Forum, I loved the beautiful churches and the fountains that were, really, everywhere, the food was good and the wine was great, and so was the shopping :) I did even find one craft store that had both knitting and stitching stuff, but I didn't buy anything as the prices and the products were similar to what we have here. The weather wasn't great or that warm either, but it was better and warmer than here, so it was good :) <br /><br />I bought one magazine called Casamia from a newstand. It's similar to Marie Claire Idées. It's a mix between a decorating magazine and a craft magazine. Eventhough I don't speak a word of Italian, I'm sure it'll give me lots of inspiration :)Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-1672766461631592422008-02-23T20:16:00.002+02:002008-02-23T20:18:47.292+02:00Arrivederci<center><a href="http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Roma-Scooter-Posters_i1036118_.htm?AID=423786166" target="_new"><img src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/CLI/EZ2548.jpg" border=0 alt="Roma Scooter by Bruno Pozzo"><br>Roma Scooter</a></center><br /><br />I'm leaving for a much needed holiday soon. Will be back in a week :)Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-59980264944953257652008-02-20T16:46:00.002+02:002008-02-20T17:03:49.736+02:00Blogs that make my day<a href="http://mtrlgirl.blogspot.com/">Christine</a> named my blog as a blog that makes her day. Thank you, Christine! :) Now it's my turn to name 10 blogs that make my day. I naturally like all the blogs I read, but here are ten of them. I can't remember who's already been nominated, but does it matter? :)<br />I read all sorts of blogs, but these are all craft blogs.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://mtrlgirl.blogspot.com/">Mtrl Girl's Material World</a><br /><a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com/">Plush</a><br /><a href="http://poshyarns.blogspot.com/">Poshyarns</a><br /><a href="http://lennuntekeleet.blogspot.com/">Lennun tekeleet</a><br /><a href="http://crossstitchobsession.blogspot.com/">Sharon's Cross Stitch Obsession</a><br /><a href="http://cozyegg.blogspot.com/">Cozy Egg</a><br /><a href="http://theneedlespromise.blogspot.com/">The Needle's Promise</a><br /><a href="http://susimac.blogspot.com/">Contemplating my needle and thread</a><br /><a href="http://cathymk.wordpress.com/">They came from the LNS</a><br /><a href="http://www.yarnstorm.blogs.com/">Yarnstorm</a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-32426703440321722132008-02-19T21:05:00.002+02:002008-12-09T02:16:18.148+02:00Woohooo!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R7sosVJyoII/AAAAAAAAAow/A-um4ysaibA/s1600-h/Titania-valmis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R7sosVJyoII/AAAAAAAAAow/A-um4ysaibA/s400/Titania-valmis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168769739395342466" /></a><br /><br />Finally, finally, finally! Titania is done. Ready. As in no more stitching or beading!! And she's pretty! And I'm way too excited to take a decent photo or wait for daylight. I want to show her off now :)<br /><br />I started her ages ago. I've lost my notes on exactly when, but it says in my stash list that I got the chart in 2003... I know I didn't start immediately, though.<br /><br />And below she's with Adia. I plan to frame them and hang them as a pair on our bedroom wall. I hope it happens soon :) Adia was, I think, my first "big" finish and she's been waiting patiently for Titania for 5 or 6 years (best not to think about it!). <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R7souVJyoJI/AAAAAAAAAo4/77Io1Q6SUPI/s1600-h/titania%26adia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R7souVJyoJI/AAAAAAAAAo4/77Io1Q6SUPI/s400/titania%26adia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168769773755080850" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://mtrlgirl.blogspot.com/">Christine</a> tagged me for a meme. I'll do that tomorrow!Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-27655515227433121592008-02-05T12:14:00.001+02:002008-12-09T02:16:18.281+02:00Confessions<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R6g3K8tlL3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/W3YmljII8l8/s1600-h/MVIII-latest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R6g3K8tlL3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/W3YmljII8l8/s400/MVIII-latest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163437634015801202" /></a><br />I don't like my stitching at the moment. There. I said it. For one thing, there's not much actual stitching to do. Just beading, beading, beading. <br />Titania is stitched and I'm in the process of putting on the beads. And there's a lot of them. I've finished the stitching on Winter's Eve, ages ago, and am in the process of putting beads on it. And there's a lot of them there, too. <br /><br />Then there's my Monday SAL, the above MVIII (Evening in the Park). And there's some beading left to do on the previous parts and the part I'm currently stitching is boring. Yes, I mean it, boring. I didn't want to say it, but I can't hide it anymore. The whole part uses just two colors. First I make the blue arrow-like things and then fill in the darker color. It looks great! But it bores me to tears. The above picture doesn't reflect the current state of the project. I've done a bit more, but still have one whole corner to do. <br /><br />There is also <a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/11/finish-and-wip.html">Taj</a> and while there would be lots of stitching to do here, there is also a bit of beading on part 1 left. And in any case, I don't feel comfortable starting a new piece or working on yet another one, when these are so close to being done... <br /><br />So I haven't done much stitching. I have been knitting quite a bit, but it doesn't look like anything yet, so there's no picture.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-87775838060044939812008-01-20T18:52:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:18.444+02:00Mittens<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R5N8uRZraYI/AAAAAAAAAog/f8yxZmHeAc8/s1600-h/tumput.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R5N8uRZraYI/AAAAAAAAAog/f8yxZmHeAc8/s400/tumput.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157603132656281986" /></a><br />I haven't yet shown you my first finish for this year. I got these mittens done almost two weeks ago now. I got the yarn from eBay <a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/09/new-knitting-projects.html">last September</a> and was going to knit long gloves from it. I didn't find any pattern that I would have been happy with, and having never knit gloves I wasn't brave enough to just wing it, so I made mittens instead. I used the flap-top mittens pattern from Handknit Holidays as my guide, but I didn't so the flap. <br />Since I'd purchased enough yarn for long gloves, but ended up doing normal mittens, I still have about 100g of the yarn left. Gotta find something to knit it into as I really like the yarn!<br /><br />As for the picture... Well, DH bought a digital systems camera a while ago and we both like to go out and practice using it whenever we can (the rainy and super-cloudy weather we've had for, um, two months now doesn't give us that many opportunities). It rained a lot yesterday, so today we drove up to the rapids near us and they were gorgeous! After watching the rapids and DH photographing them for a while, I just stuck out my hands and told him to take a picture of them :)Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-83961112855036201572008-01-12T18:13:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:18.593+02:00Knitting review<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R4jsXxZraXI/AAAAAAAAAoY/QlZxpPms5GM/s1600-h/IMG_2789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R4jsXxZraXI/AAAAAAAAAoY/QlZxpPms5GM/s400/IMG_2789.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154629666667719026" /></a><br />In 2007 I knitted the following items:<br /><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/01/moonlight.html">Moonlight cardigan</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/03/legwarmers.html">Legwarmers</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/05/grace.html">Grace sweater</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/07/summer-cardigan.html">A Bamboo cardigan</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/08/ballet-camisole.html">Ballet camisole</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/11/mysterious-knitted-roll.html">A scarf</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/12/breezy-cables.html">Breezy cables</a><br /><br />The last one is the one I am most proud of as it is the most difficult thing I've knit. Thanks to the warm winter, I've already had a chance to wear it a few times.<br /><br />It's hard to pick a favourite, though, I use them all quite often. Well, not the leg warmers that much and also the bamboo cardigan hasn't seen the light of day that often as it was sans buttons for most of the summer. I had expected to use the Ballet camisole a lot in summer, but I've actually worn it more often now during autumn and winter. It's great with a long-sleeved T-shirt or with a white dress shirt and a small silk scarf for when I need to look more put together. The Grace sweater and the Moonlight cardi are so warm and I wear them almost constantly (I'm wearing Moonlight right now).<br /><br />As with last year's cross stitch accomplishments, it's not a lot in numbers, but I'm happy with them all and I think that's enough for me :)Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-37779223637865672212008-01-06T19:00:00.001+02:002008-12-09T02:16:18.886+02:00Cross stitch review<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R4EJUBZraVI/AAAAAAAAAoI/Vj-8mgWq0is/s1600-h/07ornie4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R4EJUBZraVI/AAAAAAAAAoI/Vj-8mgWq0is/s400/07ornie4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152409688266729810" /></a><br /><br />Here's the latest, and last, ornament I finished. It's from the 2007 ornament issue. This was done a few days after Christmas, still in 2007. This brings the total of orneis I made last year to four. And none of those got finished into actual ornaments. How sad is that? <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R4EJURZraWI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/X-BuLbPwwts/s1600-h/07ornies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R4EJURZraWI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/X-BuLbPwwts/s400/07ornies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152409692561697122" /></a><br /><br />Otherwise I had a decent stitching year. I finished:<br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-done.html">Strawberry Garden</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/01/pillow.html">A small pillow</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/02/tadaa.html">Sampler Mystery II</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/02/little-and-lot.html">A card</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/11/finish-and-wip.html">An autumn needleroll</a><br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/12/almost-happy-dance.html">Winter's Eve</a> (kind of)<br /><a href="http://silkenthreads.blogspot.com/2007/12/finish.html">Wedding Sampler</a><br /><br />Plus a small exchange piece and a small Halloween ornament.<br /><br />I worked on some of my WIPs and continued to neglect others. But I won't count those now :)Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-58361279242908582392008-01-02T17:25:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:19.303+02:00The New Year<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3utVhZraSI/AAAAAAAAAnw/PPhQklJLnWo/s1600-h/uusivuosi-kukat2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3utVhZraSI/AAAAAAAAAnw/PPhQklJLnWo/s400/uusivuosi-kukat2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150901184083224866" /></a><br /><br /><br />"I couldn't think of a better way to start the new year than with flowers," said a friend as she handed me this beautiful bouquet. I agree. And am lucky to have a very special start to the new year with lots of flowers in my home at the moment.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3utWBZraUI/AAAAAAAAAoA/N1slARk-plg/s1600-h/uusivuosi-kukat3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3utWBZraUI/AAAAAAAAAoA/N1slARk-plg/s400/uusivuosi-kukat3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150901192673159490" /></a><br /><br />In addition to the bouquet and the poinsettias (white and red ones) which are still looking beautiful, this hyacint opened up on the last day of 2007 (and another one is just about to).<br />One of my orchids has started to bloom as well and it makes me very happy.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3utVxZraTI/AAAAAAAAAn4/B4W9pAF1R6E/s1600-h/uusivuosi-kukat1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3utVxZraTI/AAAAAAAAAn4/B4W9pAF1R6E/s400/uusivuosi-kukat1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150901188378192178" /></a><br /><br />I'll be posting about my knitting and stitching plans for 2008 soon and I'm also soon going to show you some ornaments I've finished.<br /><br />Happy New Year everyone!Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-84997570123155645352007-12-30T21:29:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:19.619+02:00A finishI hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was filled with food and treats :)<br />I got some nice presents, too. My mom gave me a subscription to <a href="http://www.interweave.com/needle/piecework_magazine/">Piecework</a>. I've never read it as it's not available here, but I've wanted to for a long time now as it looks really interesting. Crafts and history, what could be better? :)<br /><br />One of my gifts was this lovely ornament from <a href="http://mtrlgirl.blogspot.com/">Christine</a>. Thank you so much! It's beautiful and hanging on our tree.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3fynxZraRI/AAAAAAAAAno/WcX3RBCoBtI/s1600-h/IMG_3284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3fynxZraRI/AAAAAAAAAno/WcX3RBCoBtI/s400/IMG_3284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149851464011311378" /></a><br /><br />Here's another of the Christmas gifts I mentioned I was working on in December. It's Teresa Wentzler's Wedding Sampler. I started this before we got married and then stopped working on it for a while and this summer I decided to stitch it as a surprise for my husband. I've been working on it here and there when he hasn't been at home and quite intensively in November and December. I've left some things out and simplified the text part a bit (it does have our names but I seem to have blurred them quite thoroughly for this picture). There were two reasons for it: 1) I wouldn't have had enough time otherwise and, maybe more importantly, 2) my husband prefers simpler things. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3fyDxZraQI/AAAAAAAAAng/pWu-M0o1QC4/s1600-h/PC300194-smudge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R3fyDxZraQI/AAAAAAAAAng/pWu-M0o1QC4/s400/PC300194-smudge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149850845536020738" /></a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-25844170223798444622007-12-23T19:26:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:20.143+02:00Merry ChristmasThank you for all the lovely comments on the jacket!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bOhZraMI/AAAAAAAAAnA/01VrVNE_t0U/s1600-h/IMG_3124-p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bOhZraMI/AAAAAAAAAnA/01VrVNE_t0U/s400/IMG_3124-p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147222097917601986" /></a><br /><br />The house is cleaned and decorated, the (artificial) tree is up, treats have been baked, gifts wrapped and Christmas CDs are playing. This year's new find and favourite is Elvis's Christmas album. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bOxZraNI/AAAAAAAAAnI/DrWHkFM2JXw/s1600-h/IMG_3129-p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bOxZraNI/AAAAAAAAAnI/DrWHkFM2JXw/s400/IMG_3129-p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147222102212569298" /></a><br /><br />And this year's favourite decorations (besides the tree, of course) are these Victorian Christmas cards.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bPBZraPI/AAAAAAAAAnY/RlhjalsoKTQ/s1600-h/IMG_3147-p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bPBZraPI/AAAAAAAAAnY/RlhjalsoKTQ/s400/IMG_3147-p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147222106507536626" /></a><br /><br />It's time to quieten down and relax. Eat. Stitch. Knit. Read. Whatever one feels like doing.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bPBZraOI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/WkVhZaPU5AU/s1600-h/IMG_3139-p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R26bPBZraOI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/WkVhZaPU5AU/s400/IMG_3139-p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147222106507536610" /></a><br /><br />I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and if not a wonderful and quiet time during this darkest time of the year.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-41847823635134029632007-12-22T14:59:00.001+02:002008-12-09T02:16:36.437+02:00Breezy Cables<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R20Kejt7nAI/AAAAAAAAAmw/PKttB9iOntY/s1600-h/IMG_3203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R20Kejt7nAI/AAAAAAAAAmw/PKttB9iOntY/s400/IMG_3203.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146781469254589442" /></a><br /><br />It's done! This is Breezy Cables from Interweave Knits Spring 2006 issue. I left the bobbles out but otherwise followed the instructions. I used Novita Isoveli yarn and needed (almost exactly) 750g of it. This has been the most complex and time-consuming knitting project I've ever done but it was still fun to knit and I really like it. First time I've done pockets, too! It has it's share of mistakes, but nothing I can't live with.<br /><br />In the magazine they called this a jacket, but when I started knitting it, I was sure I could use it as a cardigan on cold winter days. Well, turns out that using a thick wool yarn to knit cables results in a <em>really</em> warm jacket. Even just wearing it for these photos made me hot! And I do usually wear sweaters and wool socks this time of the year. So a jacket it is. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R20Kezt7nBI/AAAAAAAAAm4/mk8qxP7OyBo/s1600-h/IMG_3205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R20Kezt7nBI/AAAAAAAAAm4/mk8qxP7OyBo/s400/IMG_3205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146781473549556754" /></a><br /><br />****<br /><br />I completely forgot to take pictures of most of the super-secret Christmas things I've been doing, but I see <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com">Nicki</a> has received hers and posted a picture on her blog.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-27819996335364419962007-12-13T20:11:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:37.317+02:00Lovely things<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F5oo4sUeI/AAAAAAAAAmI/tBRbZsXA7oA/s1600-h/IMG_3163-t%C3%A4m%C3%A4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F5oo4sUeI/AAAAAAAAAmI/tBRbZsXA7oA/s400/IMG_3163-t%C3%A4m%C3%A4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143525988510749154" /></a><br /><br />Today I received a lovely surprise from <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com">Nicki</a>. She was very generous and gave some of her charts away on her blog a while ago. I was lucky enough to get this beautiful Quaker Style Friendship Sampler by Samplers and Such. She also send me some wonderful fabric! The Silkweaver's Cashel piece would be a good size for the Quaker Sampler. Thank you so much, Nicki! What a wonderful surprise! <br /><br />****<br /><br />I recently got some new books. I liked these two so much that I wanted to show them to you. First one is a knitting book, Fitted Knits.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F4JY4sUZI/AAAAAAAAAlg/jZELRSJ6Uj8/s1600-h/IMG_3154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F4JY4sUZI/AAAAAAAAAlg/jZELRSJ6Uj8/s400/IMG_3154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143524352128209298" /></a><br /><br />Out of the 25 projects, 10 were something I'd be happy to start right away. I can't, of course, so I've had to try to prioritize. These two are the top contenders at the moment and seem like something that would be great to wear in early spring.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F4Jo4sUaI/AAAAAAAAAlo/dZ0rxW8nATM/s1600-h/IMG_3155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F4Jo4sUaI/AAAAAAAAAlo/dZ0rxW8nATM/s400/IMG_3155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143524356423176610" /></a><br /><br />This one seems like it would knit up fairly quickly, so it's a definite plus. I've been working on the cabled cardigan for soooo long, quick projects are sounding great at the moment!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F4Jo4sUbI/AAAAAAAAAlw/lzvqJlRU01o/s1600-h/IMG_3156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F4Jo4sUbI/AAAAAAAAAlw/lzvqJlRU01o/s400/IMG_3156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143524356423176626" /></a><br /><br />But this one is just so beautiful... I'm torn, but luckily I don't have to make the decision yet :)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F5oY4sUcI/AAAAAAAAAl4/PrZCDzfrJvw/s1600-h/IMG_3157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F5oY4sUcI/AAAAAAAAAl4/PrZCDzfrJvw/s400/IMG_3157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143525984215781826" /></a><br />This is the other wonderful book, Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. This is filled with simple (and not so simple) beautiful projects, arranged by the time it takes to do them. The birds shown on the cover are among my very favourites. Here's also a pic of the back cover, so you can see more of what's inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F5oo4sUdI/AAAAAAAAAmA/LoD_m7o1U48/s1600-h/IMG_3159-t%C3%A4m%C3%A4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R2F5oo4sUdI/AAAAAAAAAmA/LoD_m7o1U48/s400/IMG_3159-t%C3%A4m%C3%A4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143525988510749138" /></a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-65111837247623405772007-12-09T18:28:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:37.675+02:00Christmas<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1wYHI4sUXI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/tZS8qW21-JA/s1600-h/IMG_3138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1wYHI4sUXI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/tZS8qW21-JA/s400/IMG_3138.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142011385473683826" /></a><br /><br />It's that time of year again when blogging becomes very difficult, because nearly everything I do is meant to be a secret from someone. I am keeping myself busy by knitting and sewing and stitching and decorating and baking and relaxing. It was Finland's Independence Day on Thursday and DH was home from work on Friday as well, so I've also tried to have a bit of a holiday. We watched some movies and I've read books and magazines. We had friends over on Thursday and we played some board games with them. That's always fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1wYG44sUWI/AAAAAAAAAlI/Y4XJl0iuHsU/s1600-h/IMG_3121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1wYG44sUWI/AAAAAAAAAlI/Y4XJl0iuHsU/s400/IMG_3121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142011381178716514" /></a><br /><br />Here's something I can show you, since these are just for me. I made these small patchworks starts after seeing a photo of similar ones in the latest Marie Claire Idées. The photos are awful, but the days are so lightless here now that I can't help it. Should have taken one by a window before I hung them up..<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1wYHI4sUYI/AAAAAAAAAlY/J4TvCtxunpA/s1600-h/IMG_3148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1wYHI4sUYI/AAAAAAAAAlY/J4TvCtxunpA/s400/IMG_3148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142011385473683842" /></a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-4572836032586133952007-12-05T21:43:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:38.042+02:00Almost a happy dance<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1b_wI4sUTI/AAAAAAAAAkw/S-9sVjdDtUc/s1600-h/IMG_3101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1b_wI4sUTI/AAAAAAAAAkw/S-9sVjdDtUc/s400/IMG_3101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140577227174072626" /></a><br /><br />I finished the stitching on Winter's Eve on Monday! I've still got some of the beading to do, though, so my happy dance isn't as grand as it could be :) Above you see a close-up of part 6 and below is what the bellpull in it's entirety. I think the white berries are my favourite bit!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1b_v44sUSI/AAAAAAAAAko/67aJY6AX24g/s1600-h/IMG_3100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1b_v44sUSI/AAAAAAAAAko/67aJY6AX24g/s400/IMG_3100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140577222879105314" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1b_wI4sUUI/AAAAAAAAAk4/i-gdY_OZWXc/s1600-h/IMG_3102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R1b_wI4sUUI/AAAAAAAAAk4/i-gdY_OZWXc/s400/IMG_3102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140577227174072642" /></a><br /><br />I really enjoyed stitching on Taj as well during the past few weeks, but I didn't get that much done. This week I'm going to do some ornies and then finish Titania. I hope to do so before the end of the year, but if it doesn't happen, it's no big deal. On Mondays I'll be stitching on Evening in the Park (Mystery VIII) from now on.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-86305060896675760402007-11-27T18:41:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:38.148+02:00Winter's Eve<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0xJBjbBSLI/AAAAAAAAAkg/qnAhn-jYfP0/s1600-h/IMG_3087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0xJBjbBSLI/AAAAAAAAAkg/qnAhn-jYfP0/s400/IMG_3087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137561565960161458" /></a><br /><br />Almost there! I think I can get it done next Monday. How about you, <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com">Nicki</a>? Or did you alrady finish yours?Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-87105805595222384842007-11-24T12:49:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:38.661+02:00A finish and a WIP<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0gCijbBSII/AAAAAAAAAkI/rQFsr5DXUl4/s1600-h/IMG_3080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0gCijbBSII/AAAAAAAAAkI/rQFsr5DXUl4/s400/IMG_3080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136358167663429762" /></a><br /><br />I finally got this autumn needleroll done last Friday. I still need to sew it up into a needleroll, though. The pattern is by San-Man Originals, a freebie I found years ago, so I don't know if it's still available or not. I used the Six Strand Sweets threads it called for. But I did skip some of the backstitching.<br /><br />There's a SAL going on at the <a href="http://chatelainedesigns.yuku.com/directory">Chatelaine BB</a> and I'm participating by stitching on my long neglected Taj Mahal Mandala. This is truly one of my favourite designs by Martina. I often find my self just staring at it instead of stitching :) <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0gCizbBSJI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/w65pk5SQX0E/s1600-h/IMG_3082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0gCizbBSJI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/w65pk5SQX0E/s400/IMG_3082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136358171958397074" /></a><br /><br />I'm currently working on parts 4,5 and 6 simultaneously. Here's the area I'm working on now.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0gCjDbBSKI/AAAAAAAAAkY/oS_jBuq_q1Y/s1600-h/IMG_3083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0gCjDbBSKI/AAAAAAAAAkY/oS_jBuq_q1Y/s400/IMG_3083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136358176253364386" /></a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-15974077523055713262007-11-22T17:15:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:38.973+02:00The mysterious knitted roll<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0WdXDbBSGI/AAAAAAAAAj4/SiLZ3fPWkuQ/s1600-h/IMG_3075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0WdXDbBSGI/AAAAAAAAAj4/SiLZ3fPWkuQ/s400/IMG_3075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135683969467107426" /></a><br /><br />The mysterious knitted roll is nothing exciting, just a plain scarf. But I like it :)And I still can't believe how quickly I did it! A bit on Saturday evening and a lot on Sunday and that was it. I had about 150g of the yarn and used 7mm needles. The yarn is Finnish and from <a href="http://www.kolumbus.fi/pirtin.kehraamo/">this firm</a>. The colors are a bit off in the photos because it was so dark. The actual color of the scarf is a very light grey. As I understood it this yarn has not been colored, so it's the natural color of the wool.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0WdXTbBSHI/AAAAAAAAAkA/KLvdxKgg_fs/s1600-h/IMG_3077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0WdXTbBSHI/AAAAAAAAAkA/KLvdxKgg_fs/s400/IMG_3077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135683973762074738" /></a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-50782089089314259512007-11-20T16:29:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:39.171+02:00Craft fairThis past weekend I went to Tampere to visit a friend and a craft fair. It was so much fun! As always. We've been going there for years now.<br /><br />No photographs from the actual fair, but it was packed full of people. And there's always so much to see and do. Glean new ideas, get to know new crafts, admire the products of the artisans selling their stuff there (and buy some), browse new books and, of course, shop for craft supplies. This year my loot wasn't that sizeable, but I'm very happy with it :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0Lv4jbBSEI/AAAAAAAAAjo/QXlYs9T3BRc/s1600-h/IMG_3071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0Lv4jbBSEI/AAAAAAAAAjo/QXlYs9T3BRc/s400/IMG_3071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134930280016070722" /></a><br /><br />I got this French cross stitch mag from <a href="http://www.violarium.com/index.php?main_page=index&language=fi">my favourite Finnish online cross stitch store</a>. I was hoping to meet the owner, <a href="http://lennuntekeleet.blogspot.com/">Lennu</a>, who is a fellow blogger, but unfortunately she was having her lunch at the time I was in that area. I did meet her mom, though :) <br /><br />I also got a bit of felting fleece. I saw these cute heart-shaped ornaments there and thought I'd give them a try. I've only felted once before and that was years and years ago in junior high. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0LwLDbBSFI/AAAAAAAAAjw/L63cuLZg_ro/s1600-h/IMG_3074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/R0LwLDbBSFI/AAAAAAAAAjw/L63cuLZg_ro/s400/IMG_3074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134930597843650642" /></a><br /><br />I also got this. Or rather, the big skein of Finnish wool from which I knit this during Saturday evening and Sunday. I still need to steam it before I can show it to you properly.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-59321199146931326742007-11-13T14:58:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:39.429+02:00WInter's Eve progressSorry, I seem to have disappeared! First there was the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7084045.stm">unfortunate incident at the school in Jokela</a>. It didn't touch me personally, but I did spend a couple of evenings just watching the news and reading about it online and talking about it. Then my mother came for a visit. And this weekend I was on a cruise to Stockholm with my friends. We had such a great time! We don't see each other that often since we live in different cities, so it was great to get to spend some time together.<br /><br />Here's where I got to on Winter's Eve on Monday last week:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RzmghiScS2I/AAAAAAAAAjU/vzZ9n0Tdp4Q/s1600-h/IMG_3044p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RzmghiScS2I/AAAAAAAAAjU/vzZ9n0Tdp4Q/s400/IMG_3044p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132309748365675362" /></a><br /><br />And here's where I am now:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RzmgiCScS3I/AAAAAAAAAjc/oc4eibTSoN8/s1600-h/IMG_3070p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RzmgiCScS3I/AAAAAAAAAjc/oc4eibTSoN8/s400/IMG_3070p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132309756955609970" /></a><br /><br />I've also started doing the beading and worked on part 1 on both Mondays.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-29622181676935807562007-11-03T10:51:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:39.616+02:00Winter's Eve<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryw20b_xObI/AAAAAAAAAjM/H9KsBaz1pHU/s1600-h/IMG_3020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryw20b_xObI/AAAAAAAAAjM/H9KsBaz1pHU/s400/IMG_3020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128534350164474290" /></a><br />I finished part 5 of Winter's Eve on Monday! Shall we start we part 6 next Monday, <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com">Nicki</a>?Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-69698123470504103752007-10-30T20:11:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:40.910+02:00Here's what I didI'll start with an action shot :) Me in our kitchen cutting pine twigs. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0E7_xOZI/AAAAAAAAAi8/H_qPygGWuWU/s1600-h/tuotokset4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0E7_xOZI/AAAAAAAAAi8/H_qPygGWuWU/s400/tuotokset4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127194328958056850" /></a><br /><br />Here are the results. I made pine twig balls and hung them on our balcony. I poked the twigs into the green thing you see hanging in the first picture (it's a thing you use to make floral arrangements with, in Finnish we call it "oasis brick"). The thing you see hanging on the wall (below) was inspired by <a href="http://frugalhacks.com/?p=169">this post</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0Er_xOXI/AAAAAAAAAis/P98yyZyKt7M/s1600-h/tuotokset2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0Er_xOXI/AAAAAAAAAis/P98yyZyKt7M/s400/tuotokset2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127194324663089522" /></a><br /><br />I had extra twigs left over, so I covered a small table we have on our balcony with them and put pots of moss on it. This was inspired by someone's blog, but I can't remember whose. If you know, let me know too so I can give credit to the right place.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0Er_xOYI/AAAAAAAAAi0/eZ1WAynAlmQ/s1600-h/tuotokset3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0Er_xOYI/AAAAAAAAAi0/eZ1WAynAlmQ/s400/tuotokset3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127194324663089538" /></a><br /><br />I also tied up a bunch of the reeds and other twigs, some with tiny cones, to make up an autumnal bouquet. I'm so happy to have gotten our balcony decorated for the autumn and winter with no money at all!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0D7_xOWI/AAAAAAAAAik/uUgTbpYxfck/s1600-h/tuotokset1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0D7_xOWI/AAAAAAAAAik/uUgTbpYxfck/s400/tuotokset1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127194311778187618" /></a> <br /><br />The final thing I did, was to put the pine cones into a jar. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0gL_xOaI/AAAAAAAAAjE/HvIQ-7ecynQ/s1600-h/tuotokset5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/Ryd0gL_xOaI/AAAAAAAAAjE/HvIQ-7ecynQ/s400/tuotokset5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127194797109492130" /></a>Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19311499.post-90278741708844353432007-10-29T17:09:00.000+02:002008-12-09T02:16:41.281+02:00City dwellers in the forestThis Saturday DH and I drove to the west coast of Finland to help his parents clear their little plot of wilderness. They are thinking of building a summer cottage there. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RyX6Tr_xOTI/AAAAAAAAAiM/DDZ6fUjUujA/s1600-h/mets%C3%A41.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RyX6Tr_xOTI/AAAAAAAAAiM/DDZ6fUjUujA/s400/mets%C3%A41.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126778966965827890" /></a><br /><br />The day was grey and dark, but luckily it didn't really rain. I walked and enjoyed the scenery. And admired the contrast between the rough stones and freshly cut trunks and branches and these willowy and soft reeds. I was told someone had recently seen a seal in the bay. I didn't see it but I did hear and see a big splash. I like to think it was the seal.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RyX6Yb_xOUI/AAAAAAAAAiU/ppTpeumZXXI/s1600-h/mets%C3%A42.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RyX6Yb_xOUI/AAAAAAAAAiU/ppTpeumZXXI/s400/mets%C3%A42.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126779048570206530" /></a><br /><br />While I was going about enjoying the fresh air and the nature around me and taking lots of pictures, DH was busy actually doing something. He said he really enjoyed hacking away with the clearing saw. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RyX6eb_xOVI/AAAAAAAAAic/FPp353n3arQ/s1600-h/mets%C3%A43.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Dvh8QjBCfEI/RyX6eb_xOVI/AAAAAAAAAic/FPp353n3arQ/s400/mets%C3%A43.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126779151649421650" /></a><br /><br />Well, I did do something else besides just loitering around. I filled our trunk with pine twigs and all sorts of branches and reeds and pine cones. I'll show you tomorrow what I did with all of them.Toukan äitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12241241669594406485noreply@blogger.com0