In the meantime

While I'm working on the book and the kitchen this blog is (and will be) a bit neglected. Fortunately I can post about the 'sinterklaas'-swap that Hetty and I agreed on. We're making a package for our eldest daughters. I started with the fabric button-hairties she asked for. I wrapped them in a semi-transparant paper on which a picture of the buttons is printed.

Just playing

When I made this I realized that it has been a really long time since I was drawing something just for fun, without any purpose. As a youngster I was drawing all the time. But never cartoons or something like that. These big manga-eyes were intriguing to me and I decided to give it a try. The girl lacks the dynamic aspect of manga-drawing, but still I was rather satisfied with the result. I looked at this, this and this tutorial.

Far from perfect, but cute

Our livingroom is not very cosy in the evening at the moment. No curtains and most of the furniture is covered with sheets. So, I have a good excuse to spend time in my studio. Yesterday evening I made this needle book from a vintage piece of embroidery. I got my inspiration over here. The colours of my needle book make me think of new blog Lightbluegray. My friend, former neighbour, former collegue, interior designer Hetty makes the most wonderful things. She's a perfectionist and that shows in her work.

About stamps

A little boy that is still in his mummy's tummy and a big boy that just has been born. They were both long, long wished for, so the parents must be very happy. These little presents went their way. Talking about stamps, the shop will close permanently. But I will take orders for february and march 2011. This because I know some of you have been waiting for a long time... You can enlist now.

Surprises

Another sunny sunday morning. Another walk in the woods. J. keeps collecting chestnuts. Although none of us actually likes the taste. N. collects ladybugs. A few days ago I went to her room to see if she was sleeping and next to her bed I discovered a dead ladybug, neatly tucked in with a piece of felt.

No way back

Wondering why it is a little quiet over here? Well, here you see one of the reasons. We're getting a new kitchen. But first the old one had to be removed. This revealed the seventies soul of our house. The girls were really excited, because they thought the beautiful flowery tiles were part of our new kitchen. We had to disappoint them.

Always multi-tasking

I do like to watch tv. But I always want to do something else at the same time. Sometimes the obligatory ironing, but more often something creative. Yesterday these envelopes were made. I used this template from Crafting a Green World. It comes with a piece for decorating the inside flap. It is not difficult to construct it, but it is so nice when people do the math for you. I used pages from a magazine for the outside, the inside flaps are made from thin origami paper.

My beauties

Next weekend we will be removing our old kitchen, a piece of wall and the kitchen-floor. Since it's an open kitchen, directly next to the dining area, I'll have to remove my beloved pieces of art to protect them from the dust. Took some pictures to make sure that I can hang them exactly like this afterwards. I'll miss them. Envious? Check out the sites of the makers: 1. Be Happy Now, 2. Cathy Cullis, 3. Camilla Engman, 4. Fleurografie, 5. Fric de Mentol, 6. Ellen Heck, 7. Tush Tush, 8. made by me after a drawing of my daugher, 9. a portret of J. made by my father in law. I forgot to give the work next to the Camilla Engman a number. It is made by Ana Ventura

It's getting colder

Yesterday I had dinner with my good friend A. We should see each other more often, because I really enjoy her company. I made her this scarf. Size 12 crochet-hook and thick yarn makes this a quick and easy project. Instructions how to make a scarf like this will be in my book 'het grote zelfmaakboek voor meisjes' that will be in the shops in april next year.

Flexibel luck

A few days ago this wonderful package arrived in the mail. It is made by Yvette and is part of her art-project Ministry of Atonishment. It is all about accelerating a positive movement. You can subscribe and receive a package like this twice a year. I love it. And I decided to join her union of compliments, by giving a sincere compliment to someone every day (next to the many compliments I daily give my girls).

For Noa

One of my daughter's classmates is going to move. Today is her last day in school. We made her a present. A fabric covered poetry-album, for her new friends to write in. We wish her, her mother and sister all the luck in their new home.

Fabric buttons

The girls were complaining that they did not have nice hair-ties like their friends. Yesterday-evening I made these ones using some fabric scraps. I hope they will like them. They're not pink and glittery, so I'm not sure... Otherwise the hairties would make nice presents.

October

A day like this is a gift. The weather-forecasts were good, so we planned a visit to the beach. Something we promised the girls for summer-vacation already. It was even better than expected. No wind, clear blue skies, sunshine, pancakes and 'poffertjes', a lot of sea-shells and happy faces.

Iphone navigation holder tutorial

My new phone came with a free navigation-download. This comes in really handy, because my almost oldtimer Twingo had no such thing. But where to put this navigation? To solve this problem I made myself a felt holder. Ready in 20 minutes. Since it turned out rather nicely and there probably are more people who have this luxury-problem I made this tutorial.

Pippi Longstocking

And here they are. The socks made in the museum. Rather boring colours, but perfect with my daughters new, very blue, skirt.

The day after

It was a wonderful day in the Textielmuseum. Instead of being a lonely :-D blogger in my studio, it was good to meet fellow bloggers Helmi and Berthi and readers of my blog. For the occasion I made some business-cards for promoting my blog and book. I printed the information on ready-made business-card sheets (from Hema) and removed the corners afterwards with a corner-cutter. The candy-tin appeared to be the perfect container for the cards. I am rather content with the result.

Textielmuseum VII

I couldn't stop myself from buying this wonderful object in the 'textielshop'. It's is part of a unique set of 50 pins, made from recycled glas and yarn. Designed by Willemijn de Greef. I fell in love with this piece.

Textielmuseum VI

Not all the walk-in workshops are easy to walk in. You have to be early to register for a place. We even had to draw straws for this sock-workshop on the knittingmachine. I was so lucky to pick the right straw and later this day I will a pick a pattern and 4 colours and the machine will knit 'my socks'.

Textielmuseum V

The shop of the museum is like a candystore. I can't go there without buying something. This time a bought a present for my brother. A recycled scarf made out of mens clothes is perfect for him, because he's all about sustainability. It is designed by Anne van Dijk. On her site you'll find more re-use-inspiration. I love this belt made out of a neck-tie.

Textielmuseum IV

Another walk-in workshop. Old handkerchiefs printed with a drawing you select in the colour you like. The drawings are intuitive drawings of Chantal Rens. She told me that these drawings are often made with closed eyes. Sometimes they are figurative, but more often not.

Textielweekend III

During the textile-weekend there are several walk-in workshops. A brief way to get to know the various machines that are being used for making fabrics. And to see what kind of techniques have what kind of effect with a certain type of yarn. The two ladies of 'Made by Rens' organized a workshop for making your own scarf with a dishcloth kind of fabric. You have to check out their site to see these wonderful cups/objects.

Textielmuseum II

Recently I have been inspired by the dying-with-plants-experiments of Cathy Cullis. And now I see similar natural dying proofs in the exhibition 'Re-think', about sustainable ways for producing fabrics and related products. It is time for me do some dying in the near future myself. I already found this fantastic list of plants that in some way can be used to colour fabrics.

Textielmuseum I

I've visited the textielmuseum (textile museum) several times, but never the library. Jantiene the librarian, who invited me, told that it was not strange, because the library was situated in a rather impassible place. Recently it has moved to a perfect and modern setting. And what a collection! I like these old craft books a lot. I would love to make a copy of the girls' apron you see above. The library is open to everyone, so pay a visit when you happen to pass by.

For Anne-Marie

Our daughters' teacher is very ill. She's in the hospital with meningitis. We wanted to send her something to cheer her up a bit. The girls made her a drawing and I made a felt pin. We just put it in the mail. Let's hope she will get well soon!

Lampion doll tutorial

Yes, another tutorial. A lot like the last one, but with a felt hat. Get the tutorial here. Also from last year is this bunting with felt autumn leaves. Just cut leaves out of autumn-coloured felt and slide under the sewing needle one after another.