karkovski

Matte et Mati

I just bought this FAB print from Mati's etsy shop. I am such a fan of hers, so now I will take the long trip to IKEA for another frame for my wall and oh yes there is plenty of room for more wonderful art! I just found Matte Stephens etsy shop and I truly can't decide which print to get? They're all so great! And I must say he has an impeccable interior dec style....geez....

I got these books a long time ago and they're really inspiring. I'm not the only one to think so, take a peek here and here.

 

And of course a little jeu de paume for decorating my new apartment. (Can I still call it new after 2 months?)

Plans to be made/Work to be done

To brighten up my thoughts, the book came! I was so surprised to see that my bunny made the front page!! The book will be available August 13th. I will find out where before then.

I am in such good company. I am very honored to be among such people as:

• Fiona (hopskipjump)
• Carly (neststudio)
• Myra (mylittlemochi)
• Abigail (whileshenaps)

They are just a few of the 14 designers from around the world, who have submitted patterns for this lovely book.

Take a peek inside here.

I want to thank you all, for taking the time to comment on my "troubled thoughts". I really appreciate your thoughts, suggestions and support and I know a lot of us are in the very same situation, so I wish you the best of luck as well.

I also want you to know, that we are not starving, without a roof over our heads or without clothing. The thing is that we downsized, when we chose for me to stay home with our daughter and now that we've been stretched for so long, we miss the luxuries of a car to get to visit friends and family. Finish our house, so we don't have to live in such disorder, as one does during house renovations. Travel to other countries. Go to museums, events, concerts, whatever. All this without having to "turn every penny".

As you can see, my troubles are very luxurious....

My plan is, here and now, to do various odd jobs to get us afloat.

While doing so, I will continue to craft and get my etsy shop running, for it to (later) turn into a regular on line shop, with other products than my own. I hope the new book and my participation in Plush You, will give me some notice aka more costumers ;o)

In the long run, I intend to try to do some interior styling for magazines. You see, some of the great advice I got in my last post, came from Sue:

I was totally in the same situation. Here is the advice that someone gave me. Take some time and really think back to your childhood. Start with your earliest memories and work your way through each year of your life. Remember times that made you happy. Think about what you were doing that made you happy. Keep going through the years and jot down on paper everything that made you feel glorious. There is a connection between those times.....and what inspires you today. It will come to you....it will....!

My happiest times were making houses for my Barbie dolls. I would knit, sew and collect odd things to make homes for them.

This advice will keep me thinking though....

Crafty Wishes

I thought it was time to catch up on the Danish parenting-magazine-scene. As I haven't bought these for a while, I thought I would see if they had some new designers for fun toys, interiors or funky clothes, but to my huge disappointment there was nothing new to report, apparently. Instead I enjoyed my "koldskål" with "kammerjunkere" and my daughters art.

The kids were both home today, so we had some "slow time" and a little crafting going on. My son has asked me for the longest time, to sew him something, so after he saw the Bunny Bed Bag - he was sold! That's what he wanted, except for a little twist and turn, here and there!

He surely has an opinion for everything! Of course the overall look of fabric, animal and style but also, he made it very clear, that he wanted me to use the right color thread. What type of handles the bag should have, which he thought hard about and wavered between a few options! The size of the pocket inside. The size of the beak on the penguin. The shape of the FEET of the penguin. And so forth. Phew. At one point Mommy wasn't having that much fun!

We worked around a penguin - the one to the far right - from an old MS Kids magazine and even though I had some similar fabric, the boy said "dark blue, orange beak and feet and white belly!" For the bag he was very excited to see that, I had both dark and light blue Rasmus Klump fabric. The light one went for the bag and the dark for the pillow and quilt inside.

Now he's on to fish for the penguin, but that'll be another day......they will be orange, he said....right now my husband is tucking both kids in and I like that..... 

Friday SHOPdate

Yes it's time for the Friday SHOPdate in my etsy shop!

A Moomin tote bag and the 2 Cone Cats I just got back, from their Australian photo shoot adventure. They will (along with their patterns) appear in the Australian book Softies, which will be out in September. I also submitted this bunny.

*OK, the Moomin Tote was sold before I even finished this post!

Now, I thought I would've made a few more tote bags, but I got sidetracked by Open Secrets, which kinda reminds me - scenery wise - of my favorite show at the moment: Men In Trees. The book I ordered along with this book, at my local library recently, after reading that Tracy was reading it! See I can take Tracy's word for recommending a great read, because I once saw she had listed The Time Traveler's Wife in her sidebar and I looooved it! Thanks Tracy. Oh and when I had finished Open Secrets, I dove right into Hateship, Friendship.....

Anyway, back to the update (see I do get sidetracked!!!), next update will be next Friday.

Dominique Donois

The last time we went to Paris, I bought this fabulous book about very chic boutiques in Paris. In it I found a papier maché woman (bottom left) and loved it! I really wanted to find out about this person who made it, but the book doesn't say anything about it or who made it, as it is simply a decoration from "Trèsor by Brigitte Masson."

Then a few months back someone leaves a comment in my Flickr pages and I take a peek at who it is and Voila! There she is - my papier maché woman! I also see this bunny mask and remember it! Weird I think and go and read about Dominique Donois and just have to contact her. She is SO inspiring. It turns out we already spoke before, as she left me a comment here about her show at Pomme NYC, which is why I remember that darn mask! Well I just had to share her, in case anyone was looking for her too....hope to see her the next time we do Paris....

For more of her work, visit her agent, click "portfolios des artistes" and then Dominique Donois.

And check out her Papier Maché set at Flickr.

Big Girls Needs Big Bags

When you go of to Kindergarten you need to bring a lot of stuff:

Diapers, complete set of clothes, rain boots, rain coat, rain pants, indoor shoes, extra shoes etc, etc.....

So Mama had to make a new bag! Back side. I made it out of another Moomin dishtowel and pillow cover. Now - of course - Big Brother wants one too. But not quite like it. A little cooler. Maybe more sporty and definitely other colors. Oy...

MILK magazine - a great book and some coffee in the Moomin mug, that Annu sent me as a sweet summer surprise! The sweetness of people - I'm amazed.....oh! And check out my use of the coasters that Amy sent me: Lids! To keep bugs and thirsty cats away. They WILL drink my water!

Then time for a little break in the sun, with some fab magazines - do love

I also made these 2 softies today - don't ask me why - I've had the fabric for a while and wanted to try this. They turned out OK, but the cow was sewn together with the back side fabric reversed - so me, so very typical of me! The pearl art was by the kids (of course) and the jar is a thrift find from Holmegaard.

PARIS Mon Amour!

In the past week or so my husband and I have been dreaming about Paris. A scent would hit us downtown and we both instantly said: "Ahhh...Paris...." We've been discussing whether to bring the kids or not. I argue that we have promised to bring them the next time we'd go. My husband says it would be so nice to be alone and that we spent most of the time sitting around just absorbing the place.

Then today this came in the mail. Isn't it weird? It's a book about being romantic in Paris. A sign? I think so!

The book was sent to me from my sweet friend Sabine, who did the graphic work on it - and might I add: She did a wonderful job ;o) You see Sabine sends me these lovely gifts from time to time and she always sends something that is so me! I don't know what I did to deserve such kindness and thoughtfulness and I sure don't know how to reciprocate. I'll think of something one day, but until then THANK YOU SO MUCH SABINE!

Oh and of course I've been reading the book all day - when I could finally get it out of my husbands hands - and it is really good. Lots of great things to see and do. Very inspirring. Must go to Paris rather sooner than later!

Nook Sleeping

Emma suggested that I actually SHOWED you guys the pillows already I made! SO since I made the last one today (for our bed), I thought you'd like to see a peek of our nook. I used all vintage fabrics for the front and linen for the back. I did 2 types of closures. 2 in envelope style and 1 with ribbons at the bottom. The quilt is handmade and a thrift store steal at $10,- Love the colors.

The cat is for tomorrows 10::10 project (see the back of it here). It's made of Moomin fabric from a pillow cover, that Paivi sent me, among other goodies I'll show you later.

After seeing the pillows, my son stated that he wanted pillows "with something on them!" Hmmm....no solids? So he's been browsing my fabric stash for quite a while now. Wanting a mix of EVERYTHING. Mama doesn't approve, but want the kid to express himself. I'll "guide" him a bit in the right direction though. His pillows will be up next.

Found some inspiration in an issue of selvedge, from Poppy Treffry (loving her name). Check out her shop if you are into embroidery.

LOVE these pillows!

ariadne at Home kids

Yvonne sent me the fabulous ariadne at Home kinderen, which is full of inspiring images - don't speak the language - of interior design for kids rooms. I also found a great deal of softie inspiration: Check out the dog (top right), the robot softie on the bed (top right) and those super soft looking kittens (bottom)! I'm not working on any softies right now. Well I made a cat out of some Moomin fabric (more on that in another post), for my 10::10 project to show you Sunday, but nothing else. See I'm making pillows. A LOT of pillows. I just bought 12 pillows, that I have to dress! We made a veeery long bed for our son, that I want to make 5 large pillows for. We also got ourselves a tiny alcove, where we could just barely squeeze our bed into. I thrifted me a wonderful quilt for it, but I need some pillows to lean up against, while I read. That's 3 more. Then I got 3 for my daughters newly painted, very pink bed. It used to be her big brothers bed. She sleeps in his bed though, it's long enough for both of them. That was 11 pillows. The last one is for a wooden toy box with a lid, in my sons room. We have some left over foam mattress and I never made the box seat that comfortable, so I'll be upholstering that as well. Then there is the wallpaper I never did in there. Why is that so intimidating? Geez the To-Do list is long. I did finish 2 pillows. Two. Luckily when my daughter starts Kindergarten June 1, I'll have a few hours a day to get things DONE.

All washed and ironed. Ready to sew.

Top 3 are for bedroom/alcove.

Flowers for the girl.

Solids for the boy.

Linen for the back of all of them.

Liberating Spring

I'm feeling Spring. The other day the Danish mail order catalog from Bon Aparte arrived and don't you think these fabric prints says LIBERTY OF LONDON? I think so. I LOVE Liberty prints and I'm gonna need some to decorate my daughters room. I also found this at the library last week. It features 2 of my favorite stylists Andrea Larsson and Iben Windsmose.

 

I have to go to Copenhagen to get a hold of these fabrics (or order on line). I usually stop by Skipper Stoffer, because they also have STRIPES! I'll have to check out Grønlykke.com. They have lots of prints and flowers. For a tour around some of Copenhagen's most FABULOUS shops, visit Alexa at Lille Hus (scroll down).

Liberty prints in corduroy, twill and knits with Lycra from Skipper Stoffer.

Inspiration for 2007

Browsing around galerie doux dimanche - you all know I love the books - I stumbled upon an "Exposition" page, with some amazing links to photo's of various expositions.

Check out these beauties by Mitsuko Onodera. Great gals, huh?

Birds, deer and butterflies by echino. Be sure to browse the ceramic section. Ooooohhhh....

Hilarious dolls by Naoko Yoshihara and Naomi Morikawa.

There was even a little zakka going on. I love the tree. I want to start making some paper maché figurines. I've been thinking about that for a while. Actually since I made the Pumpkin Piñata!

And somehow I was led to Kraso. It seems to be a magazine or catalog with a lot of wonderful goodies. I found a page where you can view the entire magazine/catalog. Does any of you know it?

If I only spoke Japanese.....

More links: Children's Rooms London, Paper and Print.

Lots of inspiration for the New Year! Have a wonderful 2007 everybody!

Magazines and other things Galore

Look at the wonderful magazines, my sweet friend Tracy sent me! I am so lucky. I have been swooning over the atomic ranch magazine, since she posted about it. Haven't had a MS Kids in my hands FOREVER. Never had either Ready Made or Real Simple Family - so I am REAL happy! Thank you Tracy.

Oh....and she also sent all kinds of goodies for the kids (and adults alike), the Kids CD Swap - a-hem....swap goes way back ;o) - and of course the GORGEOUS paper, that started the whole dang thing!

Fantastic, huh? Must do paper cuts tonight!

Other things fantastic are these paintings by Jeanette Uldall.

I love the colors. She will be at the Freestyle Factory Bazaar this weekend. I hope I can go. I wish I was a part of it. Maybe next time?

There will be all kinds of good stuff, like clothing for all ages and genders, bags, hats, jewelry, felt things, ceramics, lamps etc. by 40 different designers! Geeezzzz...I gotta go. Must take lotsa photo's to share, right?

Magazine Swap 2+3

My Magazine Frenzy is (sadly) over. My last bash was from Alexa of Lille Hus - an on-line shop, selling great Scandinavian stuff, like this little pot and stainless steel kitchen unit. Which - by the way - is VERY popular around these parts of the world!

Check out how cute she looks too ;o) And I'll meet her! Early next year she's coming to Denmark to shop for her shop!

Anyway....she send me *Blueprint* + *Domino* and *Real Simple* and I just love all of them!

In return I send her Isabellas, Boligmagasinet and Boligliv. The same package will go to Annu (DO NOT scroll down to see photo of me looking VERY pregnant, when we met in August - y'all know I'm not pregnant) in Finland, who ALSO has an on-line shop + real life shop, selling Scandinavian stuff! Here she is (to the right) with her sweet sister Liinu.

OK...so in return she is sending me these.....need I say more?

Check them all out here. Maybe I'll show MY collection soon?

Magazine Swap # ONE

I'm in the middle of a Magazine Swap Frenzy! A few weeks ago, Yvonne and I decided to do a magazine swap, since I took her up on her suggestion. And look what lovelies I got:

• Ariadne at Home
• Ariadne at Home Kinderen - kids
• vtwonen
• kek - kids

All interior decorating - All GREAT.

These photos are all from Ariadne at Home Kinderen - very inspiring, huh?

I love all the cool ways they've used wallpaper. Check out the *Retro House.* (Below)

I think these pillows (below) are real sweet - and quite easy to copy!

Well...all this inspiration comes in quite handy, because we have decided that we want the kids out of our bedroom and in to a (new) bedroom of their own. We have the (almost) done playroom downstairs and a family bedroom upstairs. That will be the Kids bedroom and our "closet room" will be our new Parent bedroom - sigh - closets will go downstairs in mud/washroom. This is a huge project, but I hope we will be done before 2007! 

More Magazine Swaps to come.....

Paris Part Two

::BOOKS & MAGAZINES::

Well I did buy me a little something in Paris. I have *a thing* for books and magazines, as you might have noticed..hm hm....I went to a few bookstores and especially loved this one:

I got "Paris chic & trendy" which shows pics from all the cool shops, including Vanessa Bruno, Paul & Joe, Isabel Marant and Les Prairies de Paris.

Of course I got me a few copies of Milk magazine and I SERIOUSLY intend to subscribe! (Even though I CAN buy it in Copenhagen.) 

I found two wonderfully illustrated books by Beatrice Alemagna: "Un lion á Paris" and "Mon Amour." Absolutely LOVELY illustrations.

Finally I got me a calender by Wolf Erlbruch who also did "The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business", which is called: " The story of the mole who wanted to know who made a shit on his head" in Danish! I loved that book and I love this calender. This is my month ;o)

For more pics go to Flickr.

Paris Part Three: Shop Windows, kids shops and stuffies a la French!