karkovski

Thrifting and Collecting

I got this dress at a flea market a while back. It's from "Finnish Exclusive" made in Finland. I don't know anything about the age or the company, but I adore the dress. The color and pattern really speak to me. Now, the only problem is that it doesn't fit me! Gotta loose them last pounds before next Summer, I guess.....

My Smurfs! I've had these since I was a kid. I remember getting my first one from my Mom, one day when she came home from work. I love(ed) Smurfs - I even had Smurf wallpaper in my first room as a child.

Plastic Fantastic

I have a thing for little plastic characters. This is from the shelves in my daughters room. Barbapapas, an M&M's girl from a pack of M&M's, a thrifted Power Puff girl and Sesame Street lunch box and thermos, bought on ebay!

Snoopy is from McDonald's. He came in 3 Happy Meals 3 or 4 years ago. As you can see, he used to stand alone on my son's desk. No bird. But just the other day, we found the bird at the local indoor flea market. I was ECSTATIC! Oh and my son was pretty thrilled too ;o) See, I think mostly the "gifts" at McDonald's are crap (luckily we don't go there often - I really don't appreciate all the clutter of tiny crap toys), but once in a while I really love it. Like these Moomin cards......I say cool!

The lion poster is from MY room. It's from a play I went to see with my son, when he was all most 3. Lovely illustration.

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.

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!

Sunday came and left....

....and my 10::10 project TWO, was no where to be found. The poor dog is still laying around in tiny pieces, waiting to be stitched up. He'll be ready for next Sunday!

Meanwhile, here's my daughters new kicks. Same as big bros.

And her thrifted clogs. Got her those last year, but they weren't a hit until now. She's practicing. They seem very hard to walk in.

When we visited Grandma, her husband had made these of the kids - aren't they cool? Seriously, the man is a true artist and such an inspiration. He will be 80 this year and he is busy. Playing music and performing, learning new instruments, painting, working on the computer - all kinds of stuff. He's the man to ask, when you have questions about anything graphic/visual. These paintings are b/w photo copies of the kids, glued to canvas, washed with watercolor and painted afterwords.

I feel so lucky!

Thrifted Goods

My daughter and I went thrifting the other day. We have 4 thrift shops in this tiny town of 15.000 inhabitants. I was looking for some storage cans for my craft room and since I already use this model, I was delighted to find some more. Of course she found some goods too and I let her pick out 2 plastic figurines, as I think they're pretty rad. One of the Power Puff Girls and Piglet.

I also found another brown bottle for my collection. Now I can put them out on display. I think they look quite good. As do Little My in my type case.

Hanging Out

My son is on winter break this week, so we just hang out with friends (lotsa coffee, knitting, talking and non-talking!) and family. We are having one of the kid's cousins here today, for a sleep over. They are keeping themselves busy!

I've been working on a giraffe Softie pattern, to match my Giraffe Collages and just remembered the whole heard of giraffes, made by Cotton Strudel. They are simply adorable! When I get my pattern right, I want to make a few in the vintage fabrics shown below.

As you can see, I have received the Boden and MiniBoden catalogs - and filled them with little post-its (from Sabine), on the pages of interesting things. As you can probably tell, I find the catalogs very interesting! I keep flipping through them....

I will definitely get the silver (Birkenstock look-a-like) sandals for my girl and the 2 t-shirts for my boy! He loves crocodiles (very Dino-like) and playing the Foosball Table at school. Couldn't be more perfect.

What to get for myself? Most likely this top, with this skirt and these sandals! I need an outfit like that, don't I? Not for kids. Can't wear white. AT ALL! Ever.

A Little Craft Corner

I have occupied a little corner of our dining room. I was tired of having my sewing machine on the dining room TABLE. Luckily this beautiful table was given to me, by my sister in laws parents. Her Mother used it as a "hair cutting table" for dogs years ago. We got a smaller one for my son, he uses it a desk in the playroom and it is terribly messy - all the time. The other day he asked me, if I couldn't have it cleaned up by the time he came back from school! Uhm....no. He made the little angel and the cones in the window. I made the mushrooms out of hobby clay.

This is Me & my Poncho. I found it at the thrift store for $ 6,- I was SO happy, because I really wanted one and had thought of knitting one myself....even though I still haven't finished the shawl I started in the Spring!

This is some W.I.P.. They are for the Christmas table, inspired by Alicia's Lucia's.

Around the House

I got my Soft Trees up, my Medusa snow globe, 7 little Babushka-like Santa's I got last year, the Rudolph I recently made and tiny candles.

Windows in the living room with fresh flowers, the "JUL" candle holders from last year, my Babushka Santa and (what looks like planted) mushrooms!

It looks like I took these during the summer, huh? Not very christmassy! And now it's raining.

The Babushka Santa.

Cards by Aunty Cookie. Vintage angels skiing. I found these thrifting last week, as I did with everything in the photo to the right - even the candle! It has little hearts on it, so I don't mind it isn't straight!

This beautiful Nativity Scene by The Toy Workshop is my Christmas purchase! I just got it today and it is absolutely wonderful. Great colors. Well made. And a whole lot LARGER than I thought! (I just saw it at Target.)

My tiny blog break has been due to some terrible stomach trouble - for me - but it seems to be gone now. It DID last a full week though. Bummer.

A New Scarf

I made me a new scarf to match my recently thrifted coat. I was inspired by Denyse Schmidt's Scrap Wrap, that Carol also made and 6,5 st.'s way of mixing fabric and knitted pieces. I love her style, it's very unique. In The Crafter's Companion she gives instructions on, how to make the cutest "Zakka Style Pouch" with the knit/fabric combo as well - as you all probably know! Very inspiring. I wish I could hold her stuff. You know. Just feel it. Have a better look ;o)

The back is flax fabric. The yarns are thrifted, as is the fabric with the pattern - an old duvet cover. I'm real happy how it turned out.

W.I.P.

I'm making one more cat. For fun. And for the love of this fabric. I thrifted it a while back. It's bed linen. I want to use it for a scarf as well. Mix it up with some thrifted yarn. Maybe in the line of this.

To wear with this coat I recently thrifted. $ 8,- I love the color. I just had to remove the shoulder pads. Maybe I'll lift the shoulder seam abit.

I also thrifted these "ZOO" pants for my son's birthday. Have to shorten them abit. I got him a black shirt to go with them. He didn't like it. Then I got this transfer from Shannon. She send me some cool fabric, that I decided would look good with the transfer. He doesn't like it.

 

My daughter loves the transfer. Will make something for her in stead.

I bought me some Christmas Cards from Shannon's Etsy Shop. Don't know if I'll send them anywhere. As you might have noticed - I LOVE HER LITTLE CREATURES!

She even sent me some extras!

Playroom

Recently my husband and I did a little thrifting, at *Sudan Genbrug* ("Sudan Re-use") shop. I found these 2 lampshades.

And LOOK: They are exactly like the one one in my favorite book! (UPDATE: ISBN4-07-250139-5)Probably IKEA or something. They're gonna hang in the new playroom - when we get to THAT part of re-decorating!

I know I have a thing for stripes, but look at the DOTS.

Loving the Tea Set. I remember seeing one at Karin's blog - can't find it again though. Does anyone know where I can buy a set?

My mind is filled with house organizing these days. Especially organizing. I think storage is key. I found *Lege og bo* ("Play and live") a while back. It's absolutely wonderful.

Very fifties and sixties. A lot of great storage solutions. They don't make classy stuff for kids like that anymore, now do they? Maybe I should take THAT up....hmmmm....*karkovski - interiors for kids*!

My oldest girlfriend, Trine - we met at daycare!!! - actually has a company, Den Eventyrlige Kommode, where she designs furniture for kids and has it made here in Denmark. It's not my style, but I appreciate the design and craftsmanship. Check it out. I took all the photographs! (Most of the props are mine as well!)

More here.

Tomorrow we're going of to visit my husband's sister and celebrate her son's "Confirmation". The party is on the 12. which is also daughter's 2. Birthday - bah...bummer! We had a small party this past Saturday. Not quite the same. Kinda weird. For me anyways ;o)

Have a great weekend everybody and thank you for cheering me on - blog wise - I REALLY appreciate all of you!

HUGS <3

Sneak Peak Boutique

Within the next few weeks, I will be opening a little shop, either in etsy or here!

I will sell Funny Ladies, animal cards and knitted dogs. I also have a small stash of vintage finds to sell.

Later on I will add some pillows and stuffed animals made of vintage fabrics!

I have also joined Plush You II, which is later this year and I'm REALLY exited about it! Hope to make *tons* of stuffies, before I have to submit my 3 for the show, so I'm in real good shape ;o)

Oh....another thing I'm *doing* is Blair's *Computer Free Days*! Man I sucked this Friday!!! I turned my computer on at 11:45, after a whole day without it! Well I'm still in this week anyway - I HAVE to do better!

Lovely book

I just found this lovely book at the library. It's called: "Strikkede dyr" (knitted animals) and it's absolutely wonderful.

Today I have to share a link! It's this super cool vintage shop called Retro Wardrobe. They have lovely dresses, shoes, awesome decor and even wedding dresses ;o)

I just think they're sooo cool....I could get married in one of those :o) Honey???

MORE mail!!!

The lovely postcards from Ana came this morning - I'm so exited by her Paper Scrap Dolls.

I've been inspired to do some of my own and I have plenty of other ideas, that I wanna try out for Christmas presents!

I think making them is a really great process because it gets the creativity going. I love it when one project just turns into another and everything gets mixed up, but still has something in common - do you know what I mean?

I guess that's crafting, huh?

And creativity!

                                                                                                                           

Today some of our friends are coming over for a little Mexican dinner and an evening out with the kids:

We're going down to the town square, to see Santa light up the big Christmas tree...yippie...and have glögg (warm red wine with aquavit, cinnamon, raisins and almonds) and aebleskiver (which are like waffles formed as tennis balls)! Yummy...

Last year somebody from the local newspaper, took a photo of my son sitting on his Dad's shoulders and this year it's in the paper - cool.

I bought some ribbon today and when I came home, I noticed how it matched this dishtowel, that I got at the local Red Cross store, a little while back. It has the same cool colors. I really love that dishtowel, with the little fruits and the bike and the "Grocery" sign and all.

The 1982 cloth calender is also a find from that day - dancing girls - so cute...

Oh...and this is for you Rosa!

Well...I also missed having him here...

Busy, busy, busy!

I've got quite a few projects to finish, before I start my x-mas job, which starts December 1.:

1. Paint our kitchen. (My boyfriend did this!)
2. Paint our staircase. (Still not done...)
3. Wash our windows. (Boyfriend did this too!!!)
4. Make advent ornament.
5. Make scrapbook for my daughter's Nursery.
6. Take both kids to the Doctor, for their check ups. (Oooops....)
7. Visit my pregnant sister in law. (Yay, my baby brother's having a baby in June!) (Hmmm...)
8. (Make time for) craft projects. (Getting better?)

I'm so glad that I've got plenty of time!?

Gee...and all I can think of, is when am I gonna have time for my crafting? I've got tons of things I wanna make.

Do you remember these?

I found them, at the local thrift store. Somehow the green monkey reminds me of my childhood.

Oooohhhh....and to match Jackie's PINK theme; I just got my new glasses:

They're by Dior and they're PINK. The colors on the photo's, are not as pink as in real life - sorry.

I love'em!

Thank you for commenting my blog.

Yay...thanks for my first comments, I was sooo surprised!

I've tried to  leave comments for all of you: Blair, Lynn and Risa but they won't be posted, so that'll be some other time, when I've found out what's wrong.

Anyway...not only am I throwing myself into the weblogging world; I'm also experimenting with softies:

I bought this fine book from 1969 from an antique shop.

                                                                                                 

I've started with a cat and he is, for now, Freaky Freddie! He looks a bit weird, so I'll have to experiment a little with the pattern, to get it right. You see, this book just gives suggestions to how it can be done and tips on various techniques but it doesn't say exactly how to do it!

Well later on in the book are patterns for Winnie the pooh and the Piglet, but I'm not there yet!

They're actually quite cool, it's the original characters.

Photos of my "cat project" to be posted later and hopefully I'll finish my daughter's skirt soon.

Thrifting.

This is some new furniture for our living room, that I bought at the Red Cross shop for $40,- including delivery! Love that place...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The t-shirt is my sons, that he got for his birthday. He will not wear it and his Mommy just loves it, so it hangs in our dining room for me to enjoy ;o) It's danish and made by katvig who makes really cool clothes for kids.

                                                                                                                                                                                     

               

Inside was these incredible pieces of paper, lining the shelves, that I carefully "operated" out of there!