Scattercraft

Hans Wegner Chair

2010-10-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

Ah, my lovely chair. Now resplendent in it's new home in our huge bedroom in rural New Zealand. It looks out across the garden to our forest.

My blind restorer did in fact let me stay with him while he worked, 9 hours in fact. I sketched the process, he felt his way around the chair and tried to explain the process to me - a collection of the odd words (mostly danish), hand signals, his wife translating whenever she popped down with a warming cup of tea.

...making a jig for the chair, tying it to the workbench to stablise it for the weaving process

I photographed him while he worked - over 350 images capturing every step of the process. We had the odd slip up when the twine was caught or not where it should be, I had to take his hand and guide him to the trouble spot, he would humph and say "tak", then untie to the trouble spot and start again, so patient. He was such a lovely man and his wife, a wonderful warm and kind woman. Thoroughly enjoyed my day out. They were both completely surprised that I wanted to spend an entire day with them, noone had done that before.

It is a dying art and it will be a sad day when it is only in the factories they can complete this complex weave. Even sadder when the factory stops producing, although with Danish design so well respected and coveted worldwide, I can't see that happening.

I will create a photo book with my sketches for them both, (I'm embarrassed that I haven't done it yet), he will be retiring soon and while he is clinically blind, he can see things enlarged several hundred times. It is something his family can see and appreciate also. Well, I hope so anyway. He is an artisan of the old school.

Here are some photos.

...a corner detail at the start

...feeling his way along the back edge

By the time we were finished, it was a howling storm outside, pouring rain and gale winds. We had to wrap it in plastic and tie it, it was an effort against the wind to get it into the car. A mad dash to get home from Glastrup to Niva, drop off the chair then back to Billerup to pick up the boys. A bit crazy but that is my life.

A new craft

2010-08-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

I wonder if home renovation could be considered a craft in my blog category or just life experience of a homeowner. Don't know. While I decide, I have started quilting. Several years ago now, while living in the Netherlands, I learned to quilt with some friends and caught the bug. Unfortunately, the bug was pushed underground for quite some time and I have decided to dig it up.

I joined a quilting class at the Nathan Homestead here in Auckland, out of four classes, I have been to two. Apparently, renovating can be considered a craft or maybe a time diversion. Kids also can cause diversions, especially when they need surgery (twice).

With builders busily banging and sawing away downstairs, I escaped this morning and managed to get to my class. At the ripe old age of 42, I am the youngest in the class by a good measure but the women are all lovely, come with loads of interesting life experiences and stories to tell. I'm sure I won't be doing lattes at a cafe with them, but I enjoy their company all the same.

I enjoy having two hours to sit and stitch and not see any housework that needs doing, builders to manage, phone calls to make, errands to run. Just time for me. Senior twin asked me a week or so ago whether I have time to myself, to do anything that I like to do as I seem to be awfully busy. Sadly, I had to say no and vowed to change that. He's a bit miffed also as our move into home ownership after six years renting and renovating, means less time for the kids (and housework). We used to do a lot of extra things together and we don't so much now. I miss our previous life too.

My first project is to understand the basics of technique, so I am doing this flower shaped thing, have already taken it apart twice but today actually managed to create the circle templates for the centre, although will probably take it apart again as I am not totally confident on my fabric choices.

Now for the other main diversion of my day, picking up the twins from school and getting them ready for gym class with a wholesome afternoon snack and homework in between. Will leave the builders to it.

Times move along

2010-03-12T23:46:00.000-08:00

So much change in my life, it's hard for me to keep up. Now living in New Zealand, we relocated at Christmas. Still getting my head settled with the idea, there are tears and sadness but we'll get there. At least it is warm here.

Two weeks ago we moved into our new house in the countryside, south of Auckland. Twin B informs me he has counted 82 boxes still to unpack. Oh, to have some place/cupboard/room to put the contents into.

The garden is in dire need of attention, preferably from a goat or a couple of sheep - it is 5500m2 of overgrown wildness. I collected a second hand, petrol powered lawnmower on Friday - drove around Auckland on my various errands with it in the boot of the Volvo, felt high on fumes by the time I got home! I can't even clarify one thought on how to landscape this midden; it has a stream running through it, a forest of around 150 trees, including one that looks like it should be in the Berenstein Bears "spooky old tree". Mr J made a gallant effort with his new mower in attacking the metre high grass. Took him most of the day to do one small area. He has now turned his attention to buying a ride-on mower, much more sensible and less tiring.

All my creative supplies are boxed and sitting in a store room in the basement. That room will eventually become a guest room but in the meantime, I may just paint a white slurry on those dire breeze block grey walls, put some rugs down and unpack my sewing table and books - and mountains of creative supplies. Until then, for comfort I go into art supply and craft shops, just to feel near them - even if the items are technically not mine.

Creative outlet at this stage is painting and decorating and rebuilding and building and renovating this enormous 320m2 three storey house. Made a start on the master bedroom, just couldn't spend one night with the colour. Two days before the container was due to arrive, the whole family was in there painting - it was (can happily say that now), mustard yellow. In fact, the whole house is - even the kitchen cupboards. Now it is a restful pale teal/duck egg blue in 2 shades, white furniture. I bought some silk taffetta to make roman blinds for all 6 windows from a fabulous place I located in Newmarket (40 minute drive but they are good!) called Martha's. Now to find the box with the sewing machine, and I can make them up.

My newly restored (yes, finished it before we left Denmark) Hans Wegner J16 rocking chair sits proudly in the corner, looking gorgeous.

Can't wait to start decorating the next rooms, just so I can go back to Martha's. Photos to follow soon. Now, which box did I leave the cable for my camera download in?

...there is my Wegner chair in the corner. In the box (acting as a coffee table) is the cloud lampshade bought in Sweden, awaiting somewhere to go. Since this photo was taken I do have roller blinds in the windows but have yet to make the roman blinds.

More needlework, this time crochet

2009-11-10T04:02:00.001-08:00

The evenings are closing it - or really the days are closing in as it is dark by 4pm, so time to get busy. Also, there is something comforting to sit by the fire, watching the tv and doing some handcraft.

I still haven't finished the socks, yes, I know, the capellete is still a work in progress. Right now I am working on a cord with pompoms to weave through the neck as it is too stretchy. One more pompom to go. Actually, the decision to do the pompoms was to give my 6 year old something to do when he was home from school one day. The cord came about as I bought the twins one of those wooden things you make woollen cord with. Can't for the life of me remember the name of it, but you wind the wool around four hooks, and one by one, take one loop over the other, the cord grows down the centre. I'd also like to point out that to date, neither twin has produced either a pompom or a cord.

So now, I am making my way through my three boxes of DMS embroidery thread and the instructions of Debbie Stoller and making a LOT of very small and dainty crochet rounds, in multiple colours. I'm not sure what they will become - a scarf? a blanket? stitched onto a rug? The first eight were a bit rubbish but I'm getting good now.

As each one is finished, it is pinned to a large sheet of foam board. I am hoping that that will inform to tell me what it wants to become.

I can't upload any photos at the moment, the mini card for my new a700 camera is too small to fit into the slots in the computer, the mobile mate mini-card usb reader is too mini and too large. Now the usb cables for the camera are missing. Too many people messing around at my desk, grrr.

Did I mention that I am moving to New Zealand in four weeks?

Hans Wegner chair restoration project

2009-11-10T03:33:00.000-08:00

The ever thoughtful Mr J bought me an authentic Hans Wegner J16 rocking chair - needing some restoration. A little project for me. Because life is quite quiet 4 weeks before we relocate from Denmark to New Zealand, with two on/off sick children.

The little project is turning out to be a large and expensive project and one that is beyond my diy capabilities. The arms needed refixing. The previous owner decided that white would be a better colour and painted it, not very well. It needs sanding and repainting. They also spilled paint on the woven seat and didn't manage to get the marks off. The paper cord seat also needs replacing.

Despite being designed and produced for the "common man" with the intention of being mass produced and sold through supermarkets and such, these chairs are classics and insanely expensive, no matter where in the world you are. If you want a bargain, it will be a "pre-restoration" one. That is what we have. Once the restoration is complete, it will still be a bargain at 2800dkk.

So, the left arm rest was adrift, the dowel joint to the back frame had broken and each piece still lodged in the arm and back frame - this needed drilling out, sanding, new dowel and reglueing. The right arm rest was unglued at the front point, simple job for that. Mr J optimistically thought I could just take our trusty black & decker and drill it out, put a new one in and reglue. I wasn't so confident that I could do it, so a Danish friend found a furniture restorer who is a Hans Wegner specialist. He is also blind and speaks no english. He sent it to another bloke who reglued and put the chair back together.

The next issue is the paper cord seat, the J16 is a particular design and is technically complex, physically demanding and specialised - so I have come to learn. It is best undertaken by a specialist, there are no instructions on how to 'diy', this blind Danish man is one of the only specialists in this chair in this region.

So, now I have a naked frame (the lovely blind Danish restorer considerately removed the cord seat for me), ready for painting. I am to use a particular paint called "Ladies", in a particular colour. My chair is white, although they were never originally produced in this colour, only natural soap lacquer finish and black. It can't be stripped back without damaging all the glue joints, so I must repaint it white. That's fine, it matches our other furniture.

I'm hoping to convince the blind Danish restorer to let me stay while he works and photograph him while he does it. Hmm. Two important words spring to mind; hindsight, research.

Pandora Hobby

2009-06-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

I'm off to my favourite time waster in a few minutes, Panduro Hobby in Hillerod. As I was driving around the town trying to find the castle last week, I drove past the shop - I had no idea there was one so close. Well actually, it is pretty much the same distance away from home as the other store in Lyngby but it looks bigger.

I need some jewellery bits and pieces, a bag clip to clip on the green item I am making and an extra double pointed needle, as knitting in the round with 4 needles, just isn't working for me. I can't believe how slow I am getting these socks done. I am not even out of the ribbing of the first sock - ie, the haven't covered 20 rows yet, or 2 inches, whichever.

A new craft

2009-05-27T02:33:00.000-07:00

Now the wedding is over, I am scratching around to find a new routine for myself. As my title suggests, I am interested in many crafts and activities and want to try them all simultaneously. I am trying to have a bit more discipline in my life by not starting one project before finishing one. I really think this is just not possible! I haven't really settled into a routine yet, despite being in Denmark for 10 months. In my defense, I have moved countries, unpacked the house, got the garden in order, organised a wedding, then re-organised said wedding at my house, had a honeymoon and a few other travels, in between.

Now is the first time really in the last 10 months (or 16 for that matter), that I truly have "time". I attended a jewellery workshop by my friend Amla, while I was living in Rotterdam, where I learned to bead a necklace. It came out looking like a simple grade 1 project (I have subsequently taken it apart), but I enjoyed the process. I just have not had the time to undertake a new skill. I also didn't want to start and not have the headspace to create something I would wear. After this workshop was christmas, 3 months in New Zealand helping mother, 6 weeks back in Rotterdam packing up our lives, then moving to Denmark and the above. So, fair's fair.

Jewellery time. While I was out in New Zealand, I bought jewellery supplies - tools, necklace guides and a couple of magazines. They have sat on my shelves since then.

Hurrah! I have now made 3 pairs of earings, 1 bracelet (to match earings) 1 necklace (which will be changed) and today am making a dangly thing for my bag. Bit of an experiement as am teaching myself how to do things as I go.

Most of my bead collection comes from old necklaces and bracelets that have either fallen apart, or been taken apart when I didn't like it anymore. Over the last 15 months or so, I have stashed away these beads (I am a magpie, did I mention that?), in boxes - now neatly arranged in partitioned boxes. I found a great store in Copenhagen and made the trip in last week to stock up on those useful things - spacers, connecters, earing bits and pieces, came out 450kr lighter. Perfect place for a magpie to be.

Even the children are getting involved and creating their own necklaces - for me, of course. O made several bracelets and gave them to various girls.

More about birds

2009-05-27T02:06:00.000-07:00

Looking out the kitchen window this morning, a blackbird swooped down with a very large chunk of bread in it's beak towards my garden bed. I had thrown a large chunk of bread out on the lawn earlier this morning.

This side of the garden is a semi circular bed, with a small norfolk pine and two small weeping willows. This intrepid blackbird trotted in behind the norfolk pine and spent the next minute or two peering out to scan for any competition. These birds can be quite testy over my bread (I make it with linseed and sunflower seeds).

Once she was sure there was no other competition coming, she broke off pieces of the bread, dug a hole and buried each chunk. Each time, kicking over the soil and covering it up her booty. Then she would pick up a couple choice bits of twig or leaf and cover it all over. A quick check of her handiwork and she was onto the next piece.

Work done, she spent a few more moments running back and forth, scanning, then flew off.

I'd love to know if she is planning to come back at any point to get them out. I thought only dogs buried their bones. This garden bed is quite a popular worm gathering spot.

Stitch n Bitch DK

2009-05-26T14:13:00.001-07:00

Just home from the inaugural Stitch'n'bitch DK. And, I actually knitted a few rows on these darned socks. Haven't picked up the needles since the last post (yes, I know). Couldn't remember what to do but muddled along.

Our inaugural meetup was only two people, myself and Jenn but got to start somewhere!

We met at Rungsted Kro in Rungsted Kyst, the wobbliest restaurant you could find. But lovely old world danish atmosphere, we had a corner in the bar, with a pot of tea and gorgeous infinitely fattening, cake. Jenn had to put hers in a box and take it home. Bless.

Off to bed, happy.

Sock knitting

2009-03-15T07:56:00.001-07:00

I decided, to spur my knitting along and meet some people, to attend a knitting workshop at the local material shop. What a lovely day it turned out to be. I probably shouldn't have but didn't know the plans when I signed up and paid for it weeks before. We had friends arriving from the Netherlands at dinner time that same day. Still I went, 4 hours of peace away from housework, preparation for the 5 houseguests happened the day before. Beds were already made up, so I felt a deserved break. Met some lovely Danish ladies.

It was such fun, although all I managed was a paltry 5 rows. Couldn't believe it! I learned that the Danes do not stitch like the English or the method I learned at my mother's knee. So had to relearn a new technique for both knit and purl. What a deal. The knit part was fine and I prefer it as a technique, so will adopt it but the purl, a whole other deal. You have to wind the wool away from you over the right needle, then bring the needle forward under the left loop, then wind away from yourself again, then bring the stitch back and through. It took me ages to get it right but I was determined! I had a copy of the pattern in English for me and a copy in Danish for the instructor as the terms are so different, still we managed.

I had never knitted socks before and chose a patten with cables,

the intention being that I learned to cable while at the workshop. As it turned out, I had to relearn to cast on, using 4 needles, which I had never used before. Oh dear!

I haven't done a stitch since. The next day we went to Sweden for a week skiing with our friends - 4 adults and 5 children in a 3 bedroom house. No, not stressful at all. Luckily, we spent the whole day on the slopes and the kids (well, ours were) were so exhausted and were in bed by 6.30pm purring away. I got the overall impression that it would be unwise to take my knitting. Oh well, opportunity lost.

So, my daytime schedule this week will be finishing cushions for the sofa as soon as I get off this computer, I'll make a start, finishing a poncho for a friend - almost done, just have to stitch the crochet circles on and crochet edge finish, then can do the socks.

Easier said than done really. Trying to whip myself into shape for upcoming wedding, 34 days away...Monday Pilates and LPG endermology body treatment, Tuesday fitness coach coming to the house, Thursday morning, dog walking and movie in the evening, Friday morning, wellness session in Vaerlose and chiropractor appt. Interspersed with cleaning, laundry, groceries, school run and wedding preps. Fat chance for knitting I think!

Still covering the sofa

2009-03-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I never thought that the sofa I bought back in 2003, would still be in its raw state in 2009. It has looked so forlorn and unloved, just waiting for it's transformation into the princess it deserves to be. Well, finally it is well on it's way, although work seems to have ground to all halt due to wedding preparation, but this week we'll be back into it. All I have to do now are the cushion covers. What a process it has been, I've had to learn and make up things all along the way but was quite pleased when one of the twins' friends said as she was jumping and rolling on it, "this is a very comfortable sofa". High praise indeed from a 6 year old!

It has given the the shove to get it finished once and for all, it is so close.

The seat and back cushions I had made weren't such a good idea, the foam was very thick and dense, I ended up having to cut them down, add more fill to the tops, then still not happy with the result, I cut up a duvet and made a case wrapping it completely. Now, it is good, firm but soft and comfortable. The back cushions were a disaster. I ended up not using them at all. Instead I cut out a new template based on several days of standing staring at the sofa and trying all sorts of sizes against the back, and cut a wrap/case out of a duvet and layered and layered the polyfibre fill from the old cushions. My sons were so proud, recycling and reusing - in line with their latest unit at school.They could report to their teacher that things did happen at home!

This is phase I, fitting the top cover. Once this was done, I could work on the back piece. It was all put together as a slip cover, then because it was on an angle, I had to slip stitch the final line in situ by hand.

So, seat and back cushions complete, all handstitched together, new lining cases made and now they are enclosed. This week onto the final covers as well as two scatter cushions. Then I can get back to wedding preps again..and two knitting projects that really need finishing before winter finishes - oh, it has. Well, it still feels like winter as we had a day of snow 3 days ago and it is just grey and cold today.

It's a bit bumpy in places, the inside fill has slipped with all the climbing on it by the boys, but it is all stapled and fixed underneath. If it gets to a point that I can't stand it, I'll just unpick the staples and take it all off again, reshuffle the stuffing and recover again. The smaller back cushions will be covered in the same linen but will be buttoned across the back, purely decorative and I hate zips, with a large cream bone button decorating the front corners.

Once it is all done, I can clean up the fabric dump that has become this corner of the living room.

Oh! kids incoming...ooh, kids left to neighbours place, time to do some sewing before moving onto apple crumble and cottage pie for dinner. It just never ends.

Decorations

2008-12-19T01:29:00.000-08:00

Denmark seems to be having a positive effect on me, this year I actually put up the tree in the first week of December and put decorations up throughout the rest of the house. Maybe it's because the boys are older and less likely to knock it over or tear it down now. I couldn't find my xmas wreath in time to decorate it so my tin Santa graced the front door. I bought a christmas red and natural linen table cloth at the Copenhagen antique fair for the table.

Over the last couple of years, I have bought some lovely decorations that get lost on the tree but look lovely hanging from a curly willow branch "as the Danes do". I spent a stupid amount of money on this branch (160dkk) and chopped it up to fit in a vase on my windowsill in the dining nook. I had to confess to S that I actually bought it at a florist rather than nicking it off a tree while out walking. Oh well. It sure looks pretty!

I added to my collection of lovely decorations by a trip to see Jette Frolich's exhibition at the Holtegaard in Holte. Could have easily spent an enormous amount of money there, everything was stunning, laid out around the rooms of Holtegaard on tables and hanging from branches. I have to say I was very restrained and bought a set of 6 snowflakes for my collection. Adding them to the 6 fine wooden snowflakes from Germany and the silver filigree leaves from Netherlands.

While Rachel and I walked around Holtegaard, we noticed that as packed as it was there were absolutely no men and we were about the youngest there. However, we walked into yet another room that had come to a standstill. Some poor old bloke was left stranded in his wheelchair in the middle of the room, while his helper had wandered off to look at a display. He was getting quite worked up as he was stuck as two other ladies had wandered in with their zimmer frames as a couple of others were trying to leave. We had to scuttle out rather than laugh out loud. The only man we see was there because he couldn't escape! Poor man. The old dears were on a day trip out, we noticed their mini van was parked out front as we left.

Santa sacks

2008-12-19T00:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I made it, well them, actually. I put aside the cleaning and made christmas sacks for each of the lads. I didn't need to buy any materials as just used what I had to hand, although the linen supply I bought to cover the sofa is getting smaller and smaller as time (and projects) go by.

Still, they are basic and not sparkly, furry, bells and whistles christmas jobs but functional.

Blue drawstring tie for Benjamin and red (of course) for Oliver.

Now all I need to do is to drive up to Helsingor to pick up the new seat and back cushions for the sofa, get the suitcase out of the loft, hem Stuart's trousers, wrap remaining christmas presents and get clothes and various bits and pieces for the 10 day trip. Oh, and I have to be at school in 20 minutes for christmas break out morning tea, only 1.5 hours of free time this morning. We leave for for the 10 hour drive to Holland at 7am tomorrow morning.

No pressure.

It's almost Christmas

2008-12-12T01:31:00.001-08:00

Well, Christmas is almost here and I am only half way though those christmas craft projects I wanted to complete, or start. I didn't finish the table runner, in fact never got it out..saving it for my 2009 resolution project.

I wanted to make a santa sack for each of the boys, not as elaborate as the christmas stockings but like the christmas pillow slip that we all had in New Zealand growing up. A stocking isn't very useful for the big pressies.

I did make some christmas kitchen towels for friends and family, I was going to do more but after the first 8 I stopped in order to have some chance for people to receive them for Christmas. But in my haste to get them to the postman, I wrapped each one of them up and sent them off without photographing. I made one for my future mother-in-law, so when she opens hers up at christmas, I'll see if I can photograph it.

I am quite pleased with it but another (well meaning I'm sure) friend suggested that no-one will want to actually do the dishes with it. Maybe so but I hope they do.

It took me a day to measure, cut out and press the seams on the eight cloths (with linen bought at IKEA), a couple of hours to stitch them all up, then another day to come up with the design. My first draft was extremely ambitious and daft and brought up a whole other method of transferring the design on that I just didn't have time for (screenprinting). In the end I found some transfer paper to make a light trace then drew over in pencil as I couldn't see the transfer (yellow on white). So, I had to edit and distill the design down to one agapanthus bloom stitched in periwinkel blue chain stitch with cherry red berries at the end of each frond.

Each was finished off with a matching periwinkel hanging loop.

Hope they like them...and use them!

But where are the sleeves?

2008-11-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen, what is it for?", he says. "But where are the sleeves?". And so it went. I thought it was a good compromise between a full jumper and a 70's poncho. I'm talking about a capellete I finished just before the wrap project. The wool is beautiful and soft, feels gorgeous against the skin. It is actually a great item of clothing on the bike, when it is a bit chilly but not so much as to need a full jacket. To prove my point, I wore it when we rode to Louisiana one afternoon with the kids.

I bought the wool and pattern while in New Zealand earlier this year, thinking it would be something relaxing for me to do in the evenings. As it turned out, I was so exhausted in the evenings I had double vision and no concentration. So, with only 5 rows completed of the first half, it got packed into the suitcase and came back to Holland with me. It stayed wrapped up until we arrived in Denmark, there are definite pluses for not knowing a soul, you can get all sorts of things done!

I was on the final stretch of knitting and five rows before the end, when I ran out of wool. Downside was I was now in Holland but thanks to the internet and the postal service, my problem was sorted within a day plus the time in transit to Denmark. I finished up as soon as the new ball arrived and then decorated it with a double flower out of Nikki Epstein's book. The flower in the centre is enjoying it's second life after it fell off a hairclip I had. I'm not sure if the garment needs more embellishment?

It's a wrap

2008-11-16T05:47:00.000-08:00

Finally. I started this project (shamefully) 3 winters ago. Even by my standards that is a long time. It is a pattern from Nikki Epstein's "Knitted Flowers" and is very pretty, soft, fluffy and warm. I have diligently sat each evening since arriving in Denmark and done a little bit more and finally today, finished it. Such a relief. Quite pleased with it as it was my first full blown knitting project since I was 20 or so.

I had another childless day on Friday so made the trip into Copenhagen to a knitting store (Sommerfuglen) to buy an extra ball of wool to do a crocheted edge, not called for in the pattern. In the pattern there are additional flowers around the cuff but I decided not to include them and just have the hem ones. The flowers were not the ones in the pattern, I found those ones tricky to knit up so chose another design also in the book 'Lady's Lace Flower' instead, by flower number 24, I was getting quite good at it. I was given a burred needle last year, so attempted to needle felt some flowers. Terrible results, in hindsight I don't think that kid mohair is a great fibre to needle felt with. Also, stabbed my fingers one too many times. Obviously need to work on the technique.

While in Sommerfuglen, I saw a beautiful collection of tortoiseshell clasps and bought 2, this one is a heart with a stick through to hold it all together.

I'm having a few issues with the auto focus on my camera. There is a macro setting which this one to the right was taken with but it hard to maintain the focus when on auto, below. There is a manual focus setting but cannot figure it out. So your eyes are fine.

Couldn't resist buying a lovely Rowan book with a variety of patterns for littlies ("Rowan Junior", with designs from Kim Hargreaves), whilst picking out some yarn for a poncho and pointy hat for another friend's daughter. I have promised her that it will be finished before the winter is out.

Addictions

2008-11-13T04:32:00.001-08:00

I've discovered that productivity can be addictive. Does that mean I have an addictive personality? Slightly obsessive maybe, some questions are better not asked. Anyway, my latest excitement is the completion on a linen valance/skirt for our bed that we bought over a year ago. We needed to upgrade our bed and went for the 'european way', that is big double box spring base with a futon like 'mattress pad' (or in Holland where we bought it; dekmatrassen).

We bought two 90cm box spring bases and have the 180cm mattress pad on top. So, unless you have a bed cover that goes to the floor, you see the join in the beds and thanks to one of our bases being in the 'koopjeshoek' in IKEA, it has KH in big red letters across both ends. Yukky.

So, I reused one of our old bedsheets for the internal cover and cut natural coloured linen for the skirt part. Thanks to a record nine hours without children yesterday, I was able to measure, draw up a pattern, cut it out, sew it up and bind the seams before they came home. What a blissful day! Today I just hemmed it and put it on the bed. Here is where my obsessive behaviour comes in, looks much tidier! I'm sure MrJ won't notice the difference. You can see the still unhung pictures to the left of this picture below.

Next bed project is a headboard; I am thinking a velvet covered one. All I need is a carpenter to cut the template...

A rainy Sunday afternoon

2008-11-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

What to do on a rainy and blustery afternoon with two six year olds? Spread as much flour and mess around the place as humanly possible of course. Years ago I bought a book on making pasta by Guiliano Hazan, "Classic Pasta Cookbook", which features beautiful pictures of all the varieties of pasta along with illustrated instructions on making the dough and sauces to match each pasta type. The twins love to cook and making pastry is their all time favourite, so roll over Jamie Oliver it's pasta time at our place. It is a brilliant and constructive way to amuse them with the added bonus of them preparing their own dinner. Added motivation for them also; making it appetising enough to eat.

They are a bit wimpy about getting their hands messy in the initial stages but more than happy to measure out the ingredients from the recipe book after collecting them all up. They give me loads of instruction and encouragement along the way, the rolling out initially is a bit tough for them but with the machine, they are pros.

All the tools were out this time around and they rolled, shaped, and constructed for around 3 hours, it was the most peace I have had in days. The tortelloni shaper came out and they made their own filling - goat cheese and HP sauce. Benjamin turned out to be quite a good tortelloni maker, neatly wetting the edges and pinching them in like a pro.

Oliver made an original "HP bowl", which translates into a bowl made of fettucine strips and filled with HP sauce, was completely inedible (yes, we cooked it) but he enjoyed creating it.

We then made 'butterflies', 'garganelli' (tubes) and our own version of 'cavatappi' (corkscrews).

Oliver even created some spring like pieces out of his fettucine pieces.

A bag for mini Mona

2008-11-07T00:41:00.000-08:00

Little Eva has a favourite doll that travels everywhere, unfortunately for mum, it is large. I managed to find a smaller, handbag sized version but then thought that every girl needs a handbag of her own. I know she was only 2 but have to start somewhere. So, I bought the mini Mona and designed a handbag for her to travel in. I drew a pattern or design ahead of time, but most of it I made up as I went along. I made it from worsted wool in a soft rose colour and top stitched with a darker shade of embroidery thread and cute buttons.

Although it says on the plan to line with gingham, I didn't as it was perfectly alright without and it would have made it too bulky. So quick and simple to make.

Hoping for mummy's sake that this doesn't start a handbag obsession in later life, we all know where that will lead.

It's almost Christmas, again

2008-11-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

It is almost that time again, when a fresh wave of creativity washes over, where I'm filled with good intent to make the house a Christmas delight, fresh out of a Scandinavian magazine. Never quite manage it however. I have resigned myself to the fact that my Christmas tree will not be picture perfect for another couple of years thanks to the twins and their exuberant love of colour and decoration. I've also resigned myself to the fact that I won't get around to making those beautiful feather baubles tied with ribbon for the tree, the exquisite wreath for the front door - or is this year my year?

Last year, I decided that the twins needed handmade christmas stockings and
I actually made them; drew the pattern up, made them, went to a Christmas
market in Germany with the girls and bought lots of lovely handmade stocking fillers and hung them on their bedposts on Christmas eve at Granny & Opa's in England. I plan for these to be a family heirloom, something that will come out every year, get soft and worn and floppy. Each stocking has a southern cross on the toe, so they know where they were born, the blue and white tape is typically dutch, so they know where they spent the first few years of their lives, the bells so I know if they are getting into them prematurely and lastly, the colours; blue because that is one of Benjamin's favourites (his favourite is actually orange - so Dutch!) and red because that is Oliver's favourite. Most of the detail was machine stitched on but the blanket stitch edging was hand done. I'm really pleased with how they turned out, except that the toe was a bit narrow for bulky toys.
Wonder what this year's christmas project will be? Where is that wreath I saw, it just might make it to the front door this year.

Paris, a cow and the moon

2008-11-06T06:48:00.001-08:00

As a surprise for my 40th birthday and a treat for having survived 3 months in New Zealand, MrJ arranged a weekend in Paris. After a short drive from Rotterdam, we spent the day visiting the Eiffel tower, walking around and having a quiet dinner at a sidestreet Bistro. The next day he collected my friend, Christine who he had arranged to come from the UK for the weekend, then left us to it for the next 3 days. We walked and looked around and shopped and visited galleries and museums and had a ball. No kids to worry about, we could go back to the hotel and rest and read a magazine to 7pm and then go out to dinner! Such a treat. To anyone without children, this is normality but us mums...well.

It was spring time and the weather was warm, dry and just perfect. MrJ had found a gorgeous boutique hotel within sight of the Eiffel Tower, kitted out in voluptuous Versace. Small but sumptuous and perfectly appointed. Thankfully also, the beds were extremely comfortable. A mix-up with the booking meant we were upgraded to the penthouse suite, with a window looking at the point of the mighty Eiffel.

Christine and I changed rooms to the one shown here, still a gorgeous room, and so peaceful. We walked and walked and walked. By day three, our legs were dead but on we went, negotiating the Paris subway system. It was a blast and will always remember it and the sheer amount of trouble MrJ went to for organising it. Well done him!

We went into Zara Home at one point and saw these beautiful appliqued cushions in the childrens' furnishings. Pricey at 60euro (or possibly more, can't remember) it was perfect for Eva. Thinking of the reaction of hubby at home, I photographed it and said I would make it for her 3rd birthday. So, sorry Zara Home, I made my own version of this cushion. It took much longer than the apron project as each small piece had to drawn and measured to scale in keeping with the whole picture. Every element was pieced together then hand stitched. I had some lilac gingham left over from when I made baby changing mats, which I used on the back, found some lovely lilac buttons to close and blanket stitched around the edge in soft blue to finish off. The entire front picture and base fabric is felt. Very pleased with the end result. It bears a resemblance (ok, more than a bit) to the original but we like it!

Other jobs first, classic 50s apron

2008-11-06T02:04:00.000-08:00

I seem to have a problem saying 'No', I don't know how it came about, MrJ thinks I say no all the time. When it comes to making things I just can't seem to say no. I look at beautiful things around me but think "I can do that", friends look at beautiful things and before I know where I am I say "I can make that for you". What am I thinking!

So before I could get my project list underway, I needed to complete the things I had suggested I do..an appliqued cushion for a friends 3 year old daughter, a Betty Crocker 50's apron for another friend's birthday (missed that deadline), halloween costumes (had planned to buy them but was not so impressed with the quality and couldn't find the right size for one of the twins).

The 50's apron was for Miss Tina, a friend with money and Mexicans at her disposal. Although now living in Holland with no Mexicans to be seen and without the benefit of cheap American shopping, is where I come in. I suggested I make her heart's desire, a classic housewife 50's apron. I said I'd do it for her birthday.

Her birthday came and went and the material lay neatly folded up in my sewing box. When I got to it, I was embarrassed and how quickly I made it from start to finish - designing and cutting the pattern, cutting the fabric and assembling with some handmade touches - a day and an evening. The 'next one' will be much quicker as I have a pattern now and a system to make it.

The mannequin was my leaving gift when we moved from Holland, Miss Tina had kindly remembered my desire for one and suggested to the girls that it really was what I wanted, really. They thought she was a bit crazy, didn't I want something beautiful and Dutch - blue porcelain for example? Nope, perfect. So, it seems fitting that the first garment made is an apron for her. I am quite pleased how it turned out. Almost tempted to make one for myself but a bit longer, but seeing what my current apron looks like after a cooking session, I'm a bit hesitant. I think she needs some rubber gloves trimmed with sequins and feathers now... christmas is coming!

Here I go

2008-11-06T01:39:00.000-08:00

I have so much time on my hands and spend my days just staring out the window or watching telly eating ice-cream...not really, I have started this blog to add another layer of complexity to my life, something else to do. I don't know how regular I am going to be but here I go! I'm going to track my creative endeavours, this blog will hopefully inspire me to finish a project that I start, within a decent timeframe, ie. within a 12 month period .. or less.

Now I have a dedicated workroom that looks out over the garden and is filled with light, I have no choice but to get making. In our last house in Holland, my table was tucked in behind the wardrobes under the eaves of our loft bedroom. Complete darkness and no room as I shared it with the laundry. No inspiration at all to be creative, can't create in a dark hole!

I stood my ground when we moved into this house in Denmark - there was a huge bright, light and sunny room off the main living area, perfect for a workroom. My 6 year old twins nearly laid claim to it for a play room, until I pointed out they had 4 rooms upstairs to mess up. This one is at the end of the main living area of the downstairs - no more toys! Toys are banished from my visual landscape. Ha! MrJ sadly lost out his 'man space' request, his plaintive cries of "what about me" were met with a frown.

To get me focussed, I jotted down my projects on the go, some small repairs (hem some leggings, stictch together toys, repair backpacs, stringing up pictures ready to hang), some finishing off projects that I started over a year ago and never finished for whatever reason (wrap around top, wool skirt) and some new ones that are not exactly crafty but are make life a bit nicer at home, (making library folders for the boys, fitted linen skirt for our new bed, recovering an old sofa) and lovely things (linen table runner, felted scarf, knitted wrap, knitted shrug, knitted scarf) and more.

I am actually managing to get through this list but other jobs cropped up on the way...