Gray in Berlin

Walking down the road....

2012-01-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

As I walked down the road I snapped a few things that caught my eye... The buildings around where I live are really pretty, well, the ones that haven't been modernised too much....

Poor old Christmas trees. All gone now. I feel so sad for them.

Isn't this door GORGEOUS?

This is the church tower I can see from our window... It rings regurlarily every day so you can figure out the time, if you are running late or slept in. It reminds me of the time I spent in Italy. That was noisy!

Blurry I know... but it was peeking out from around a corner at the zoo... AH! The urge to pull one or two quickly... I am not really that mean but the temptation was there. Gorgeous!

Berlin

2012-01-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

I feel a little bit bad at posting pictures from Berlin. There is so much to see and I forget how unique and weird at times it is. This is pure Berlin!! My husband say when he was a kid he remembers when this used to be a water foutain that he and his friends splashed around in. I suppose it was just too much work to keep it running and clean. Shame.... I bet it looked great.

2012-01-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Was at the zoo again...

Aren't the statues just magnificent? I've been trying to collect all the statues... there are alot!
These two lions are not small. I love how the paw is polished from all the kids that climb over them...

Somehow the Giraffes with trees in the background is fitting to the colour of these statues....

Doesn't the fox have a great face? So happy!

This dog sits outside of the Cafe- it is very well loved and polished but the Monkey is newer and more dangerously perched with rocks about the base. I doubt it will get nearly so polished.

They are very tactile statues. Every time I see them I find an excuse to wonder up and touch them. So much detail and everytime the coolth of the metal is a surprise.

Creative Christmas

2012-01-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

I wish I had more time to do things this christmas. I had a few wishes- I wanted to sew... a wanted to make some sketch books and draw a little...

I have a feeling it is always the same every year- there is that feeling of not quite completed. This year I had an excuse but it still doesn't make me feel any better!!

Those Antlers my brother found and gave me made a great table decoration... spruced up with some tinsel and baubles.... I bet those antlers never saw that coming!!

My sister was kind enough to send me hundreds of little finger puppets for my little monster. He loves them... she also gave me the idea to use them as a mobile. I hung them on an octopus thing from Ikea (what on earth is it for? Anyone??) and used scraps of material to hang them. He just loves it and every time I hang it up on the door frame and we walk through it he bounces about and giggles. Later when he is older I can cut off the strings and he has the puppets again... and I have some odd Ikea octopus.

Poor little christmas Grinch!! I sewed a whole oufit. Not only the hat. Looks great!! I even made a little fluffly white trim on the collar. I just don't have any complete photos... rats. The outfit it actually quite snuggly warm so it wasn't just a grinch for christmas!!

2011-12-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

This tram was outisde Alexanderplatz train station. The idea was plants and nature in man made things.... It made me laugh!! It looked so good!

Owls again..

2011-12-09T03:46:00.001-08:00

AH! owls...

I saw a fantastic hat and someone had a great purse but I didn't trust myself to ask to take some pictures. I am not that bad... yet. But got two more... And seen a dozen others!

And somehow I bought into the owl craze. Still trying to figure how I got duped.

Owls

2011-12-01T10:34:00.001-08:00

Is it just me or is there an obsession with owls?? Every few years the obsessions change- one year it was butterflies.... one year it was stars.... but this year, oh boy! Owls are everywhere.

Is it just me??

I have a little challenge with a friend of mine to see who can collect the most owls as we are out and about. I thought I could share the challenge here too. Highly amusing and stupid. I can't tell you the shifty and angry looks I have collected. My husband decided to run away from me at one point as he was very embarrassed and was sure I was going to be the first person kicked off a Christmas market. That was just the begining.... and it is by no means the end!!!

I had to take a few photos on the sneak and sometimes they are a little blurry and it is hunt the owl but I promise they are all in there.

Challenge completed!!

2011-11-28T06:59:00.001-08:00

I was given a gift of a free saturday. My husband took my monster to a football game and I had five hours of uninterupted playing!!

Due to speed and fear of a crying returning baby I didn't take photos as I went along....

I decided to make a simple tote with a nice patchwork pocket. I find I need a bag for my crochet work and wools.. This bag is going to help me keep tidy! I need to learn patience while feeding my baby.. I am always on the go so sitting still for an hour is hell. Crochet is a good stress relief and I get pretty things out of it. I have already made a nice cowl to keep my neck warm!! On the back of the bag I am going to embellish it with left over wools. Just the other day I made a nice flower- I just have to stitch it on.

The pouch at the front has pockets for the hocks and I put on small loop high up to keep in control knitting needles if I decide to go back to knitting.

So I feel good I am finished. I wanted to do more and had other ideas but at the end of the day I am pleased and it will be very useful!

You know that thing about let sleeping dogs lie?

2011-11-14T02:29:00.001-08:00

Psssssssssssssst!!

If only I could sneak off like a naughty child and do some sewing.... I have a little wrap shirt to hem and some bibs to finish off... also I have a strampler pattern I really want to try... I got some great fabric at the market and I am dying to use it.

AND I am ment to be making a solids only tote. I have such a great idea. ARH!!

Tapping on this is dangerous enough.... if I gently sneak to the other room I know he will smell I am having fun.

Just as well he is so cute.

A little get away

2011-11-09T03:19:00.000-08:00

I had a short break on the Baltic coast. The weather was crazy... in that it was WARM and still for end of October begining November. I was on an amber and fossil hunt but since the weather was so good and the seas so calm there wasn't much to find!!

This one is for you, Keren!

And finally... the high rise Penguins. I have never seen penguins so happy nor have I ever seen such a great view!!

Bib tutorial. AKA slobber cloth

2011-11-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

I found a little time or should I say I tested out to see if my little guy would give me time to sew....

The materials you will need:

A really cheep towel (I got mine for 2 euros)
Bias tape

Of course you will need the usual scissors, pins, paper, pencil etc.

Ok... baby check?

Good!

This is my cheep towel--- kinda funky but I like it!

There are many styles of bib and many ways to tie a bib closed... Velcro is fantastic but the only problem is that the most available in shops is realllllllly scratchy. I prefer it but I have worked with the bias tape tie instead because it is softer... putting in velcro isn't rocket science either!

Find a bib you like and trace around it.... I traced around the half of the bib.....

Put it on the fold of the towel and cut out...

Ta-da! Already nearly done. So easy.

Then pin the bias tape on the top edge and sew it.....

Baby check... gooooood...

Ah!! Sidewise!! But just add tape tot he rest of the bib- not forgetting extra to tie it closed at the ends...

oh-oh.....

I had to take a break and calm the beast... It took a while and some food and cuddles but I did it.

When papa came home I was able to finish up the last slobber bib.

Phew!

2011-11-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

So I have taken part in a sweing challenge... I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew since I don't really get five minutes to myself. The challenge is a solid tote--- I have a nice plan and I will get in going as soon as I can get my monkey to sleep for more than five minutes at a time!!

This evening in a fury of 'I have to do some sewing or I will explode' I made a bib. It took only 20 mins and looks great. Will take photos and make a tutorial when I have another 20 mins!! I got given a really fantastic retro bib by my husbands mother- it is almost a small shirt. I really want to see if I can make it... it looks like a fiddle to try pull the pattern out of it though....

Confession time

2011-10-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Ok... so a confession to why I just haven't been writing the last while...

I have a new baby son!

And bloody hell what a roller coaster ride but I am loving it!

It is all about the birds!

2011-09-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

These mosiacs are fantastic!!

And in the bird theme.....

Trip to the zoo

2011-08-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

And oh, did it rain!! I love this Zoo we have down the road.

I feel for the animals who are cages but this zoo is wonderful- more like a large park. Very big and Very green.... large ponds, open spaces, huge trees and lots of space.

We had an elephant who tried to walk over to us.... I was a little alarmed- one of the elephants got stuck in the ditch once.

And the statues throughout the zoo are fantastic!

I don't think they have changed the interior decor since it was built- but it looks really great!

And one wet red panda.....

Rhino snuffle tuch

2011-07-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

It really is a hunting gallery, but I am enjoying the rhino shape and design.

This is just a little walk through of my thought process on making it. I think it can be quite nicely revised but as a first it is not bad. It works and that is all that matters. There is trial and error, but every good project is like that- especially when you make it up yourself!!

The toy worked out really well but the biggest problem is that the buttons are a little dangerous for little ones who do oh so love to jam everything in their mouths. Also, the Rhino toy is soft but cuddly for bigger kids (or adults!)

I love 'snuffle tuchs'. Animal head and fabric body. I have only ever seen them here in Germany- I am sure they are available everywhere. The figures they use are really sweet but a little boring- rabbits, mice, dogs.. etc. I did see a fox that was rather sweet but my Rhino is more fun. I tried to hunt out the towelling like material but I couldn't find anything- and certainly nothing nice (horrid colours!)

Ok... so I started with a a head... the horns, stuffing and a few sketches. For the head I used one of my husbands old shirts.

I bought some velvety stretchy like material. Good green... maybe a little dinosaur like, also not a bad idea but the ears are already on.. next time. A red one... with some yellow? Hmmm. Anyway cut a length I thought was generous and centerd the head for a feeling of the toy.

Now the tricky part... how do you attatch a triangle shape head in the center of the fabric?? Keeping it 3d and not just a floppy, flat seam sewn head?

Well, sure a triangle but do you really want to cut so much material away?? Ok, start small work up. I measured the head size- length at the bottom- and cut a slit in the middle of the material. Memo, cut a little smaller, half centimeter, I did nothing wrong but since the material stretches it also rips a little. Was perfectly ok, just a memo for next time.

Pin the head and the fabric... does it work? Yup!

I had to add a little tuck at the back of the Rhino green fabric- I think that was due to the triangle shape.

Sewed around it.... its a curve. Fiddly but not impossible!

And the tuck looks good!!

Next choosing material for the underside- not really needed but adds a little something!

Yup, the lighter material. And please note my mistake here... DON'T STUFF THE HEAD!! Makes it tricky to sew. I think a revised edition would be to leave a seam open on the neck of the head for stuffing later-- better idea!

So sew the head onto the white material- Around the shape of the head with the white material underneath- in effect closing the hole where the stuffing is. My mistake- yup, stuffed head- and the double mistake was the head wasn't fully stuffed so I stopped half way, left a hole and carried on stuffing- impossible to sew the rest! I ended up sewing the head on by hand. It isn't ideal but it worked really well.

Lastly just sewing the eyes on and the little horns.

So, I hope that helped anyone else who would like to give it a go. It is not impossible but tricky!! Also the green velvety fabric was a COW to hem. I wanted to put a bias tape on it but it didn't work at all. Maybe lack of my skills but I have a sneaky feeling it was the green material- velvety and kind of 'pushed' it off. I think I tried 6 times. Lots of unpicking and bad humour!! Possibly ironing that double sided interfacing would help keep the tape in place. Grr...

In the end I folded the edge and zig zag stitched it. If I am honest not what I really wanted--- but it has something.... I rather like the feel of the zig zag and since it is for little ones I am sure they will enjoy running fingers over it.

Quite a few projects on the go!

2011-07-29T01:43:00.000-07:00

I love it when there are a few projects that are being dabbled in all at once! The only problem is that completing them takes quite a little longer- up side you don't get fraustrated and stuck in a rut.

This is something I really need to get a move on and stop just admiring my finds. I went home to scotland and I found some really lovely beach shells and stones. I would like to make a mobile with them. Toying with the idea of using an old lampshade to hang if off but I need an old lamp shade first!!

I have seen quite a few of these on various crafting sites and was really nosey to see what it would look like and how hard they woud be to do.... I am in the middle of a jersey rag rug. Nicely enough there were some old sheets that would have been thrown so I grabbed them and ripped them up. I think that was the most annoying part- it takes a while ripping it up. I was maybe toying with the idea of dyeing them...

I saw this really great quilt on 'http://www.bettycrockerass.com/2011/04/modern-log-cabin-quilting-by-susan-beal.html'. I loved the way the light came through it and thought I could maybe make a really nice curtian! I am trying out the fabrics and the colour combinations. The fabrics were hard to find- and my big mistake could be that they are not cottons... I am really taking my time with this one as I'd like to make a good job at it.... might envolve getting other material.

And lastly my hunting gallery continues. With my proto-type Rhino head I sewed it up and will mount it on the wooden board I cut out. Just a little humour for my brother... he he he!

Rhino is done!!

2011-07-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

I can't help but being horribly pleased.

I stitched up my proto-type and he has a sweet character....

This is the finished version in nice wollen cloth. I adjusted the belly, the size a little and gave this one different back feet.

As I said I am horribly pleased with myself.

Stitching a rhino

2011-07-11T01:17:00.000-07:00

I am now onto making a soft toy.

Rhino!! I made a rabbit... everyone makes a rabbit... or a bear... something else. I had some great inspiration from a friend!

I forgot how much fun they are to do. I made some really nice sensible Rhino sketches and then had a hell of a hard time figuring out how the body should look like realised into fabric with gussets and seams... Then I realised I was going about it all the wrong way and its a soft toy and ment to be a little more fun, not so realistic.

This is the head- it worked really well. An amusing side line is if you take off the horns the shape of the body looks like a hamster. I have a feel soft toy making it rather like picture cloud spotting.

Now the body and head together. Needs to be fatter.... a lot fatter. Who can boast that one?!

At this stage without his horns he looks a little like a panther or a really confused and lost cow. I know the body is quite triangular but again I think it will be ok when the legs are on. Again, I can always fatten this up!

So now... the big question... How on earth do I attatch the horns? Hand sewing sure but this should be yank proof...Poor rhino will loose his horns and I will have the WWF on me!

Baby blanket done!

2011-07-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

It is not perfect... lots of little errors but hey, if the baby can spot them I will be impressed!

I put a really simple top stitch pattern on it so that it would keep a softer and 'ploffy' look and feel to it. This is the first time I cheated and used bought binding tape- normally I make my own but I have to be honest and say my patience was wearing thin at this point. The weather is hot and sticky... just the thought of cutting the fabric down and ironing it makes me break out in a sweat!!

Sewing frenzy!

2011-06-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Not finished the quilt but damn pleased how it is turning out.

The bag worket really well but I messed up the handle.... the rivets on the one side were not so even. It was really tricky as it was so deep down the bag... but I am quite pleased over all. The fabric was some left overs that my mother in law gave me.. I have a feeling from the material and the odd hooks on it that it was a cutain (eek!)

Wrap dress

2011-06-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

I saw a pattern in Burda magazine for a wrap shirt... It looked a little like a jacket/shirt. I really liked the design but it had a collar I had no idea how to tackle so I made a mandarin collar and lengthened the style to make a dress. I love it!!

It turned out really well. I am still pondering where to put some buttons to hold it closed on the chest area- I still need to walk around the flat trying it out before it is viewed in public!!!

Printers Tray

2011-06-15T02:18:00.000-07:00

I bought this printers tray at a flea market and I love it. My sister had one when I was a child. I constantly misheard the 'Printers' part and heard only 'Princess'. Inside she would put all her little figures that she had been given over the years.. it looked great. As I grew older and started printmaking did I realise the huge error of misunderstanding as I was introduced into the dark arts of printing!! No princess there, but there was something fitting by calling it a 'princess' tray in any case.

So, when I saw one for sale I just jumped on it.

I ripped off the back as it was beyond help, saftely and repair. I don't put princess things in it... I never got around to putting a back on it but it is handy for storing all those little annyoing things that clutter up tables that you don't want to loose but wish to look at.

But I have noticed that when the door in the bathroom is closed a little tooooo firmly (like the wind catching it) things have a habit to leap out of the tray.... Can't win it all!

triangles....

2011-06-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

Fighting with triangles.

I knew it would be tricky but I am wondering if I tackled it from the wrong angle. Would it be easier if I had made squares with the triangles instead of more triangles? I had to figure out the seam allowance on the triangles- trial and error!! AH! I don't think I have unpicked so much before but it will be worth it (isn't that just a sewing chant??!) and I am past, I hope, the hardest part.

So, some of the stages...

From my scrap nightmare (or dream?) little wonky squares...

Trimming and making triangles.... I love my rotary cutter. Am I alone in the fact you try to get everything accurate and still it ends up short or slightly wonky?

Annoying.

Lots of trimming...

Then finally a little fun of placing the white with the coloured middle... (see, triangle with triangle... tricky tricky!)

So, now the arrangement of colours and placement. The back I fancy busting more of my scraps by just randomly sewing the large scraps together so its a little colour bomb... we will see how much patience I have for that!

I see the end in sight!!

Home raid!!

2011-06-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

I work in a German kindergarten and we sorely needed more English books but they are so expensive! So I went to charity shops when I was back home- I don't just mean one or two but LOTS! It was actually quite a lot of fun walking out of the charity shops with a whole kids section! It was just a bargin- books from 10 pence to 2.50 (pounds) but after I was getting chunks of 30 pence books I was getting snotty at the 2.50 ones!! Probably just as well!!

There are also other lovely things that just don't tast the same..... the simple things that make you happy on a basic level. These things are important when you live far from home.

What else would someone else from the UK want??

TEA!!

Then my brother gave me a lovely little present. He goes walking in the highlands quite often and look what he found and gave me...

My lovely brother thought that I could use it as a coat hook. Have to say the idea appeals to me deeply- Just have to figure out a way of putting them on the wall so they look good. And, no, before anyone asks and is worried the Stags loose thier antlers naturally. Weird isn't it?

New beginnings!

2011-06-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

I saw a great quilt idea on 'Crazy mom quilts' and she shows a really great tutorial. I have to say it is really good at eating the scraps you can't part with (who doesn't collect a little?!) but I think my quilt idea might even need some new fabric to help push out some of the colours I am working with. But I am digging my heels in as the whole idea is to work with the hoarded scraps!

This is the idea of the colour pattern with the pieces I had- I originally thought light on inside and dark outside and then vice verca. But now I have arranged it so that there is only colour in the inside and white/s on the outside.

So working from how I did it: It was suggested using paper... I thought I would prefer to use stabalising fabric as some of the materials I am using fray nastily and I hope over all it makes the quilt little more secure since there are thousands of little seams!!!

So I also decided to make just squares as the triangles were madly fiddly BUT I will use it when my scraps get nastily small.

SCRAP BOMB! I think my poor little sewing machine is drowing!! Have you ever noticed how you really favour one or two colours? Blue is absolutley one I love but strangely I adore green but its hard to find!! I have a few odd scraps in green but blue, oceans of blue!

So this is how the squares look- although I got creative sewing smaller pieces into strips.

Then I cut them into triangles....

Lots of little triangles!!!

But a long way to go!!

A little bit more than just embarrassed!

2011-05-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

Where does time go??

So... I see I have some nice winter photos still up and I can quite plainly see the sun shining outside and it is warm. There are a couple of magpies who are raiding the bird feeder from left over winter goodies... threre are some large and stupid wood pigeions nesting in the tree just outside our window and finally I see that the swifts and swallows are back. I feel happy and full of all the green that surrounds me. Winter just has to be the worst season. I get so sad!

Just got back from a nice holiday at home so I think it is about time I posted some recent photos!

I never knew toads wore watches....

oops...

2011-02-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

I think I was a tad bit lazy.

Life just got in the way.... and in my defence it's winter and I hate winter. I feel like everything stagnates. It's dark and cold. Did I mention I am not a huge winter fan??

But on the up side last week for my birthday I was away in Malta. Oh, lucky me!! It wasn't toasty warm but the most important thing is that there was some sun. Oh, sun I love you. I was a little foolish as I didn't cream my face and end result got a little burnt. But I had so much fun... just soooo good to get away.

I made most of my photos on my manual camera and a few on my mobile so I can share the few I have to share!

When we arrived it was quite late- we took a large stroll and I snapped a few things.

What a combination- 'Born to shop' beside 'Start a party'!!

This was one of the nicest shots. This old fisher man trying his luck on a beautiful day. A cat curled up to his side juat waiting for the catch of the day. It was so peaceful we sat and enjoyed the sun.

This was Maltas idea of disney land. When we were there there was about 5 classes- needless to say we didn't go down. This is apparently where they made a fake village for 'Popeye' the film. It is known as the popeye village. It was so lovely there. What struck me most and made me most sad is that in Malta there are not so many shelterd coves where the fishermen can have their boats. This must have been once quite important...

However, you couldn't help but just want to jump in. I really wanted to swim but the wind was a little fresh and there was also a huge amount of Jelly fish... I don't trust them not to sting!

I feel quite naughty. We were in the catacombs and I used my phone to see what was in one of the large empty crypts. I wanted to see how dep it was and before I realised it 'flash and snap!' I wasn't to use flash...I didn't mean to!! But luckily I wasn't caught so it was ok.

This was wonderful. It was a bird cage in this oasis of flowers and pots.... and the cage was interlinked into the house. There were several loud birds flittering back and forth. Really lovely.

Sometimes the shops really reminded me of Egypt. I can't put my finger on it... but this amused me.. Sheets, towels, curtains. Do you think the owner can really find it all??

Valletta was definately a small city to keep you fit. But I loved the prospectives of up hill and down hill and all the ways the light fell, or didn't!

What a good break. A little heck-tick. Southern countries normally are but the sun was so needed. Winter really stinks.

Catch up!

2011-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

I've been a little lazy last month, I think. I was also busy, but then who isn't around Christmas?? I always think it is highly unfair to work right up to the last minute (christmas eve) since there is no time to buy or just relax. But enough of the moan!

Christmas was wonderful.... we got our new table (hurrah!) just in time (christmas eve!!) and had a nice meal with the whole family. Space for all and a few decorations inbetween. Large tables are really just the best. Don't you hate it when you are elbow to elbow and food is just not getting in you mouth??

(my husband always makes wobbly photos!)

I always look like such a pixi! Lurking at the end of the table. Good place to be!

We had a small robust, nosey creature holiday with us....

I reorganised my art room but it is still not quite right. The table is moved to another wall... it feels somehow better but still not right!! Annoying. But I still love my printers tray with my threads and bits.... great storage!

And for hogmanay? (New year) We had a good time!

Best wishes for the new year!

Cold days... warm tea!

2010-12-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

Spent another day wondering around a Christmas market. It was fun but some how I have the feeling that it is the same every year. Mulled wine stands, Bratwurst, the sugar raosted almonds, Candle holders... Maybe I just didn't drink enough.

Home now, thawing out and drinking some nice hot tea. Jasmine tea. It's about 2 years old but still tastes good!!

Some amusing sights I have snapped....

Such love for such nice flowers. 'Chuck 'em in a bucket' (better watch out WHAT bucket is taken)

Ok, ok... crass but funny.

Winter is here

2010-12-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

This is what we are seeing outside our windows at the moment. The snow is quite heavy out there, but Berlin being Berlin nothing shuts down. Tough luck.... I envy all my British friends and their free days as everything can't cope with the snow or cold. I love the church tower- it reminds me of my time in Italy.

So we wondered around some Christmas markets today. A little disappointing but the food and drinks are always good! Yummy pig on a spit. The plastic knives and forks might as well been a spoon for all the use they were.

I love the fairy lights everywhere.

The ceramic stands are always great. I really like looking and admiring but the problem is that what on earth would you do with half of it if you bought it? My husband calls them 'dust catchers'. I think he might be right but it never stops me looking.

This was the sorriest excuse for a Christmas market, not even one decent craft stall worth drooling over. I felt sorry for the horses but they looked very well looked after. But, the mulled wine stall here was superb. Quite a few sorts- with rum, amerreto etc. mmmm!

In the middle of november we had soem freaky waarm weather- it got up to about 16 degrees! Quite alot of flowers and plants started flowering. This is one of the poor victims.

After we went for a small stroll on the water as the sun started setting.

2010-11-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

Just a few pictures of my new home... still lots to do but coming together nicely!

My play room... needs a little more organising...

I got a printers tray- ripped off the back and have hung it on the wall. I have stored my threads and other small things in there. I really like being able to see quickly what colours I have. Was thinking about painting the wall behind it a slate grey... hmm.

Its a safe place to put them ontop of the door frame. I think it is a good spot.

A small library. (corner!)

2010-11-27T03:09:00.000-08:00

I never did show the rabit when it was finished.... I think I would like to make all the joints movable in my next animal. The bottom legs were a little stiff but it works! I also make a little dress for the rabbit so it wasn't so bare!

2010-11-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

Back to what I was up to!!

Check out my Tim Burton style blanket.... has anyone noticed how creative things take always a path of their own?? I was trying to be girly... hmmm. Hope the parents don't mind. Personally I love it!!

Front side.... circles and swirls. (got to grips with the free hand foot. Did you know one way the circles have awful tension?? Thought I was going to tear my hair out but then I tried the other direction and it come out so nicely. Weird.)

Front corner over back.... I did a nice job on the pink edge and on the back you can see the pink I used on the black.... Two different colours for the spool and the top thread... ha ha!!

Detail of the spiral on the back- I varied a little pink and the rest were in black soyou can't really see them. Feels good though.

Detail of edge on back...

Front detail. I know it is not perfect... but it was fun and I got it!!

Just have to sew the edging on and I am done.

Phew, that took some time inbetween moving.

Yeeeeeeeha!! internet!!

2010-11-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

I was getting a little fed up! That was FAR longer than expected to get the internet. My husband had to have firm words with the service people on the line-I know they are going through a list of things but at the end of the day being asked once a week if your plugs are plugged in gets on your nerves!!

So.. a photo run down....

God I love it here. You should see it in the Autumn when the leaves make the trees look on fire... or in the summer when the grass is slightly longer and all the wild flowers. Ahhh.....

Blasted dog ruined my fantastic reflections picture. Oh, well. At least the dog was having fun.

Sorry guys... no bread!

Day trip to Sancoussi. I love that place. It is a huge place and gardens... or several palaces and a very large park. It is so elegant and open with gorgeous buildings and wonderful landscaping. I love the fact it is free to get in and you can just gently loose an afternoon sauntering about.

My lovely miri on the way to the team trip (I will just say nice idea- but that trip SUCKED! It was like being stuck in a holiday hell with no way out. I tried to run but there WERE NO BUSES!!! Huge hotel, all you could do was eat and get drunk. My life revolves around more than that. Really, it does. So four of us locked ourselfves away with bottles of wine and cleverly thefted tea- it was all inclusive.)

Run all you want... IT WONT GET YOU ANYWHERE!!

I hope that was only the wheel rims from those that fell off and not the ones from the tourists they hacked to death. But then we had no car.

Village people. Um.

Pretty cool derelect barn. Yup, not above a little trespassing.

I think thats enough. Too hard up loading, computer is playing silly buggers and I can't see what I upload. Technical faults because of a month of neglect. Will get it sorted and show then rest!

Poop to interent connection.

2010-11-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

I would love to share some photos and my adventures but the technology here in Berlin is not as advanced as everyone might believe. I wont get any internet for two weeks maybe. It hurts. Sneakily writing stuff on the computer after work and hoping there are no viruses.... I have concidered trading a cup of sugar for a cup of interent with my neighbours but I dont think they will go for that. I have also had a naughty look to see if any wifi's were unlocked but, nope.

So on the funny side, since I am at my work computer... this is Ellie. I love her to pieces. Every morning I give her something to eat and this day the food slipped out of my hand and went all over the floor. I could see the wonderment on her face, or she was screaming 'EEEEEE, not my food!!' Took me ages to pick it up- not like you can chuck the stuff away. Expensive!! But she had her fun and enjoyed my attention as I gave her nibbles from my hand.

No internet!!

2010-10-22T04:24:00.001-07:00

Moving Day

2010-10-16T01:42:00.000-07:00

Flat moving today. My husbands friends have shifted all the large furniture and half the boxes in about an hour. I am so impressed!! The are all huge and strong.

I feel like a dwarf.... I have also been hiding guiltily in the kitchen as I haven't been able to lift anything.

But I am making rools for the troops and coffee.

The boys are at the new flat so I figure I have a good hour of hiding since they now have to carry everything UP stairs- we have really nice friends. Then again I think I have given everyone a quilt for thier kids so I shouldn't feel too bad.

So I am playing on the computer while I still have the internet... only for today and then I will have to slink to internet cafes. AgH!

Nearly done!!

2010-10-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

It was so dark I had to take photos and look for bits that my husband had missed!!!

Rabbit!!

2010-10-03T00:59:00.000-07:00

So completed the rabbit in the dress.... I think I will change my mind and stick with button moving legs. I found that in my first test rabbit the movement was better. The kids at work got the prototype and its really sweet. The rabbit in a dress has moveable arms but the legs are really solid!!

My favourite part is the nose. It just works so well. I think I want to hunt out some velvet for future noses.

2010-09-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

I bought this last year when I was on one of my favorite Berlin flea markets. I love flea markets!!

I just realised today that I should now start making this since I have a dress manikin and no more excuses!! The instructions are in German but I think I can figure it out. I know that in the pattern it doesn't use the buttons on the front- they are all fake and instead it has a zipper at the back of the neck- I think I can change that.

2010-09-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

This is Rabbit #2- The nose is really good- hard to see!! It has a really rabbity look to it.

The body is good... but the bottom half flunked out a bit. I have to work on the legs and the lower body. Back to the drawing board!! This rabbit gets a dress to hide it. Maybe some nice bloomers too.

My next rabbit will have the arms sewn in the seams so the are a little tougher. Sewing on seperate arms adds a weak zone. Kids can be kind of hard on toys. Haven't sewn the arms on yet- looking really odd.

This was my sketch idea for lower half... still got to work on it.

I was furniture shoping the other week with my huband and he lured me to these- I think he did it deliberately knowing I'd fall in love with it. Each drawer is a letter. I am in love. He says its going to be a cow to dust.... I don't care. Now I just have to find a way to justify buying it. I need to learn the Alphabet? That will maybe not work. Maybe a long list on reasons why I should have it. At the top of my list ' I love it'.

2010-09-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Ok... so top layer now done. I have sewn on the light pink as shown here and I think I will use the black as the binding. For the back I have some fantastic pinky purple fabric with stars- It will look great! Now I need a quilting foot.... I don't have one and all the quilts I have done before haven't been machine sewn ontop- lets try something new!!

With the quilt so nearly at the final stages my fingers got itchy and I decided I wanted to make a rabbit. A normal 2D rabit is easy but I really want to make a nice fat 3D one... here is how it went.

When I first got my sewing maching I made this little guy- I drew a sea horse on paper, cut it out and stuck it togther. Then when I was happy with the shapes I unstuck it and make it from cloth. Very squint and hard sewing but this one is a keeper.

And here is how it goes so far with the rabbit...

Paper sketches for ideas on how the head would be 3D. What zone I wanted to try and enlarge. Then making a small prototype from Fabric. I will give this to the kids at work if I don't like it too much but its coming along nicely- and it was fast to do. 2 hours I think. The body and arms I have sewn too but I need to buy filling.

Nose needs stabiliser- folds in with the triangle zone. Waiting for the wadding to see final product.
Ears could be a fraction bigger.
Eyes? Tail? Hmmm.

2010-09-16T02:42:00.000-07:00

My little guy is sick again! He had a huge and nasty swollen eye and was in so much pain. The vet took it out (ouch and eek) yesterday and he is now doing much, much better. The vet thought maybe he had a tumour. Poor little guy. Towels again until all healed. But lucky little guy has been eating worms and chicken and a little scrambled egg.

2010-09-16T02:34:00.000-07:00

Boring update on the flat- well, boring to anyone else!! But I am so excited...

So door closed...

ah, blurry. But new door!! Its like a little cubby hole door way- room for books in there. Secretly I want to get rid of that horrible built in wardrobe-the red thing in the background (HATE IT!) and make the wardrobe in this entrance room.... ah, but for now its a great space for books. I have enough!! =)

Also this room will be my sewing and craft room. oh joy!! A table to bookbind and craft on. A wall I can put pictures up on and a space that I can leave messy and not have to worry. Aaaaa, dreams are made here.

Long hallway with a door way now- breaks the lines and I like it! Before it felt a little too long- I am sure if you were humerous you could put some sort of Alic and wonderland optical illusion and make it really long.

That will be the kitchen and those doors still to be put in.

All tiles are out... radiator to be put on the wall where the window is.... wooden floors to be laid. (this will be the bedroom, was the kitchen!)

Ah... holes need to be filled. Oh, look how big the bedroom door is- makes me laugh. Obviously was because it was the kitchen. Funds don't stretch to make the door smaller so I will carry on laughing. Good thing- over the door large glass pane... ok, ok, not so good but i have my hopes on a nice stain glass window. I saw a lovely one one year with birds and blossom (it was really lovely) in a market and hoping to find something like that. Might have to tack up some fabric till then.

Ahhhhh- a hole in our floor!!!

So you can see the will be bedroom with the huge door (and glass window!), the edges of the kitchen, and the balcony. Fab huh?

Only ONLY Germans would wear sandles to work in. And I bet with socks. I felt like leaving a helpful note on them but I thought I would like my flat to look nice so I laughed and took a picture instead.

2010-09-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

I have a nasty cold (Darn those sick kids at work. How they love to share) and had trouble sleeping so I woke up really early this morning. I am naturally an early bird and I love the mornings but this was really early- especially for a saturday!! 7.30am. It is quite honestly wrong.

But on the up side I caught some beautiful glimpses of early morning mist.

2010-09-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my husband came home from a boys weekend camping. He surprised me by giving me this gorgeous flower. Sadly its not really come out at all but I think it might sit on the side board in plain proud view until it disintergrates with age. Heis not really a flower man so it makes it all the more special!

We also took a great walk around on of Berlins wonderful lakes. There were these trees that looked like they were about to run off.

2010-09-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

I hate ironing.... which makes me wonder why on earth I quilt?

Thats just the half of those little squares... it seemed like such a good idea at the time.

2010-09-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you can make this out... but I just had to share it. I made a dinosaur/dragon over the summer break and just finished it. I wanted to take a photo of love the kids show my toys and this stole my heart! It is nap time and obviously cuddly toys should be wrapped up too.

aaaaaAaaAAa!!

2010-09-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

Getting so excited and thinking 'AAAH!' when I see this! No, more like aaaAAAaaaaAAAaaaAA?!!??

This was the kitchen and will be our bedroom (aren't they doing a good job?? Germans are so neat)

This will be the kitchen living room... again.... neat and tidy... (good job boys, so far)

Door taken out here and wall sealed... (ahhhh)

Door taken out here and wall extended for other room. Ah, nail biting, nail biting. Just want to move in.

2010-09-05T02:29:00.000-07:00

Summer rain!

Although I don't suppose it is really summer anymore as it is slowly heading to Autumn. The sight of full sun and rain was quite lovely and really odd, warm rain! What I love the best is the smell. My poor balcony is not looking so great at the moment- it that hanging phase between moving into a new flat.

Last weekend we went to a forest to look for mushrooms. I was suspicious that it might have been a little early but the warm weather and the rain worked a treat. I was silly enough not to snap all the mushrooms we found... and I wanted to try take photos of the mushrooms I didn't know but the mosquitoes was quite evil and I spent most of the time fighting them off!!

2010-08-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

This has to be the best belt I have found!!! I found it in a Danish Charity shop for about 3 euros. Bargin!! There was some also quite odd looking metal contraptions which I regret not buying as I realise slowly they were bag clasps, old style. Oh, well, next time!

2010-08-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

Working on my circle quilt a little more. Could swing easily to a girl quilt or boy quilt... its not very childish but in a way I like that. I will try to make sure I put something in for a child- maybe a butterfly or something small that they have to find.

I was very worried about the colour choices but actually its working out really well. I am not sure if I want to cut the circles down... of course I could just test a couple of squares out to see it I like it.

And then I have material like this- fantastic sparkly material but there is not way I can put a circle on it so maybe it will have to have some non circle patches on it too! Hmmmm... on going.

2010-08-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Wow... another friend is having a baby.. quilt time! I saw this really great quilt on 'cluck cluck sew' and realy want to try it out.

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/12/raw-edge-circle-quilt-tutorial.html

So today I was at the market that sells fabric really cheep and hit the first big dilema- what bloody colours? I bought one flowery pattern and it seemed to have a good colour palette in it already and will try to keep to it as much as possible.... but oh, how I love colours!!

I got stung in the market by a wasp which put me off from buying more fabric- could have been a good thing. Was sure it was amusing, one moment to the next flapping my wrist and yelling 'you little bugger' in a Turkish market will get you some odd looks.

This is the first stage of my lovingingly called 'hit and run' blanket... I haven't really planned to sit down and plan it too much- the circle quilt looks really quite straight forward. Maybe when I am down to sorting the colours out I will get more methodical. Until then its just as it happens.

2010-08-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

I got a little obsessed with bird footprints. I don't know why, but something just appealed to me. I loved the way each bird had it's own pattern. Do you think they avoid stepping on stones and sea weed or walk around things? Those great big webby feet ought to occiasonally flick stones about...

2010-08-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

This is recent sketchbook work from the holiday.

I tried some abstract painting on one of those many flat stones that were kicking about. Not sure I like it.

I used my watercolours on some white fabric and sewed some of the image to make it more tactile. Needs some work, not finished.

Chicken gods, chicken gods. Trying out plating, crocheting and threading. Found fishing rope on the beach. Surprisingly hard to work with but not giving up.

Ahhh, thats where I hid my shells. Also another drawing project... inspiring shapes, patterns and colours.

Back!!

2010-08-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, so two weeks holiday in Denmark was great. I can't tell everything- I feel it would be rather boring to anyone not there... but a short run down....

The view from the living room... sneakily in first day planted art materials on table....

My friend Miri Late night sketching and my brother in the background.

Stones!!! It was a stony beach and lots of fun collecting and building with stones...

On the hunt for Amber and fossils.... (no, there really wasn't anything here. Found that later)

The stones with the holes in it are called (tanslated) 'Chicken gods'. They used to collect them for luck, and put them in the hen house to encourage them to lay more eggs. Like a fertility symbol. I found hundreds of them and played around with view points. I think they are still quite prized as lucky symbols.

EVERYONE had a treasure nest of stones. This was mine at the begining- I had to put many back as I collected more. My brother had a habit of licking the stones to find out the colour as the colours are stronger when wet. (urk) Although they would make the most amazing shower tiles. Hmmmm.

This is the beach where the fishing boats come in. They are towed up onto shore by tractors. No harbour here.

This was outside an art Gallery come tea shop. I likes the contrast of the fishing floats and the windows..

Bunker Museum at Hansholm. Not my thing at all but it was interesting enough. It is just so depressing and sad.

Hansholm again... the harbour where the fishing fleet is. The boys stopped to fish off the harbour and Miri and I drew boats.

Chicken god, chicken god....

Beach fun.

First time I have seen rain, sun, lightening all at once. I didn't know if I should swim or run for cover. So I sat with my brother, had a beer and watched it all go crazy.

It was a dark stormy night.... no, actually sunny stormy day and the boys had a sauna and a swim in the sea. Crazy crazy.

Myself and my husband.

We took a trip to this wondering sand dune. It swallowed a lighthouse and a village.

Night walks along the beach.

Long walks on the beach...

The boys enjoyed the sun sets with a drink.

Ahhhh, treasure hunting!!

My brother and I.

The morning we left I woke up at 5.30am. I just couldn't sleep... What I saw when I looked out of the window was fanstastic.... The mist was sitting on the dunes and the sun was just begining to rise. It was so beautiful.

Lets see what two weeks of sea inspiration can bring.

2010-07-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

So here is a picture or two of my crochet cat... he has a very long neck and I needed to support it with some leather- cat collar! I was pleased with the hands.... three fingers... ok, so not a real paw but amusing.

And a small look into my croceht creation box- I think the next one might be a dinosaur.

Looking at the cat I think I might need to re-work the back legs... they look a little odd- then again they are only for sitting on. Hmmmm.

2010-07-23T03:05:00.000-07:00

You want to see my sewing space? It is very compact and a little messy but it does it's job!! My creative books, knitting needles, pens, paintbrushes, rulers, fabric, threads, buttons... all in one ikea unit!! Also I have my book binding tools and leather in one of the black store boxes.

What drives me nuts is when I want to draw or get creative because there is no space and what space I make I have to clean away at the end of the day. It distroys all creative flow!!

And the floor space is my table!

2010-07-21T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ha!! My spikey little friend- busted in your sand dish!

I know he has towels in his cage- he had a mite infection which ment we had to be able to wash everything really regularily.... poor little guy!

2010-07-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

New flat!! Unfortunately it will take a few month before we can move in... but I love how green the surronding is.

Of course the best thing is that I get my art room!!

2010-07-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

I was walking down the road from my work... and there was this most wodnerful shirt display haning on the window of a shop. I just love the colours and all the patterns... they are all so bright and cheerful. Do men really wear shirts that bright?

2010-06-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

Nap time at work leaves free time for my fingers to be kept busy! I started crocheting again as I was digging around my art materials and found my hook. I decided to play around and see what I could do. I suddenly found these animals were appearing on my hook!!

The sizes of these creations are small because I wasn't so sure how they would turn out but they look ok. They are about the size of an orange, maybe a little smaller. I wanted to add something to the elephant so I sewed on some scrap fabric to his ears. He looks a little like a mouse and very surprised.

The octopus was quite easy- I wanted to originally make french knots for the suckers on the tenticles but I decided that would maybe be too much. Maybe beads? Hmm, could work on that. Also not thrilled with the eyes but will work on that too.

Just for fun I played about with some on the thread and made a flower... I added some thread and beads to hightlight the flower some more. Now all I need to make is a chain or sew on a piece of eleatic. I think maybe more swayed with the chain. The kids love to dress up.

2010-06-26T02:45:00.000-07:00

Some summer Berlin graffiti I snapped on my way home.

I love the flower box. It was put up on every street sign on a junction. Some flowers were more in bloom than the others- this one was the safest to take photos of! I have to say I rather like this graffiti and hope that it doesn't come down any time soon. So random what people get up to.

Alexander platz- the water fountain. I love the sparrows that dip in and out.

2010-06-26T02:35:00.000-07:00

Got the pockets on....put the trouser pieces together and sewed the waist band bits together- now I just have to do the zip. *sigh* I did find a reasonably good zip tutorial on line....

The material is a little odd. In retrospect maybe I should have gone for something different. I can't iron the material- that is how weird it is!

2010-06-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I work with kids. The weather over this past week was wonderful. Was.

Now its nasty and I wonder if the summer came in went!

I have a class of almost ankle snappers and quite honestly shocked at how many parents forgot hats! Are they crazy?? So I ran up the road and bought some very VERY expensive material and got the nice useless man to cut (aaaaaah) nice 50x50cm squares and quickly tied them on the heads of the kids.

So here is how the strawberry pirate head scarfs are made. It is not rocket science!! Someone asked me for a pattern and I kept telling them there is no pattern!! It is easy as pie I just hope I explain it well. I also don't have any of my little pirates to hand to model for me so I hope it is obvious the elastic is around the BACK of the head and not the front!!

Buy some nice and expensive material or use left overs.... This square is roughly 50x50.

Then simply make two triangles out of the square

Use that fantastic, and at times fraustrating, roll and pin to hem the edges- or you can use bias tape which would look great.

When you get to one of the two narrower corners- flip the corner in and manipulate the roll and pin method on it.

Once you have finished pining the scarf sew it. You have finished a basic pirate style head scarf! Easy!

.........................................................................

You don't have to do this part but it adds a nice touch to the scarf and stops it from falling off. Cut 10x5cm from a scrap of fabric and about 5 cm long elastic (I made this one too big, blast!)

Fold the 5cm edge and pin the elastic to it- I made this up as I went along and it worked out really well.

Use the roll and pin method- I know sounds weird but it works!! and pin the edges of the 10cm together. It is a little fiddly but not impossible! Sew it shut.

Next you want to mark where to put the elastic strip on the head band. I tied the pirate head scarf on the kids head to find where the creases where and worked it out from there. As I found out this can fit small kids as well as big kids (3 years to 8 years and probably older!)

Flip the point of the triangle up to the top edge and mark with your nail, pin etc about 15 to 16 cm in. It's not rocket science it doesn't have to be perfect!

Do the same for the other corner and mark it.. (can you see the pin?)

Pin the elastic strip down and sew it. The left over material that hangs down when the scarf is on can be tucked under the leastic. You can also still tie a little knot with the ouside edges, or leave it... as you wish.

Done!

I really need a pirate model.

2010-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

I ripped a hold in my jeans the other week and was really upset. I hate shopping for jeans!! So I thoguht why not make a nice pair of trousers? This bright thought might be my last in the 'lets try and make it yourself' thoughts. I went to the Turkish fabric market and bought 3 meters of nice black material and 3 meters of this great blue material. Both on later inspection maybe a little heavy weight for summer trousers! I was thinking the black might be good for a jacket (I know, I'm laughing at this thought myself) and the blue will do for a trial pair of trousers. The material cost only 2 euros a meter so its not a great loss. I also will have plenty of left overs for other projects. Always good.

This is the start of my trouser project... I got the copying and cutting out the pattern done, sewed the darts, and then I got stuck on the blasted pockets. I feel as if there is a fault in the instructions or the cutting out instructions but I can't say as this is my first pair of trousers.

I have completely run out of steam to carry on!! I did look at some other blog sites for some help- maybe I can find some somewhere!! The other part I am not looking forward to is the zip...

hmmm, buying a pair looks oh so attractive now.

2010-06-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

The symbol of Berlin is a Bear. There are two bears who live here. It is outside a really fantastic museum and I have to admit is is really random to find this outside. The bears sadly don't have so much space to stroll about but the keepers really love the bears and the bears are very well looked after.

2010-06-02T11:36:00.001-07:00

Found this cheeky chap- rather like him!

Quilt

2010-06-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Done it!!

2010-05-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

Walking around the area I live and found some abandoned buildings. The area I am in had quite a high military occupation... The area the buildings cover is huge. It has grown all wild and the space is so green. I don't actually think you are really allowed to walk around the area but since the wall is down and the paths are very clear I see no harm.

In another area close to where I live there is a university. Next to the uni there are some more empty buildings. I can't quite figure out that they used to be- maybe a part of them? Accommodation? In a way I really like that they are empty and of course it is sad to see such great buildings going to waste but there is a beauty there all the same.

2010-05-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

I found a fantastic market with fresh fruit and veg.... and FABRIC!!

All these fabrics were 2 euros a meter... what a deal!! A lot of the fabrics had small flaws in them but when bought with a little awareness then it is ok... it makes the fabric more original. Just have to find the right patterns that are sympathetic to the patterns and flaws.

2010-05-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

A trip to the zoo is a hard days work!!

From the city center.....

Through Berlin by underground......

Through the maze of Alexander Platz....

Into the zoo.... It is so lovely there. More like a park.

2010-05-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

A day wondering through the pretty parts in Berlin....

Beer factory!

Mansion.... from across the water....

Ahhh, water!!

How the Germans Enjoy a day out...

From the boat yard..

The mansion from close up. Gorgeous.. and needs work!! And pitty about the beer garden in its garden.

2010-05-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Went to a flea market and came out with a printers draw... I think they are so fantastic. I have some fun ideas about what to do with it but first I had to rip the back off it.

Some smart arse had decided to take off the original back and put thick paper in there.... it was obviously stored somewhere damp and the paper had buckeld. I first tried to cut the pieces out before I realised how stupid it was so ripping off the back was really the only option!!

The wood on the back was a bit flaky and nasty with rusty nails.... so it was just as well!!

Without a back it looks really great and now I am deciding if I really want to put a back on and... actually maybe I could do something interesting with it. Options are now open!

I wanted to go to another flea market but we miss judged the times and missed it. Instead we went and had a nice beer in a small bar on the water. There were some gutsy ducks and some really sweet baby ducklings.

2010-05-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Helping my friend move into her new flat...

Through Banana boxes and Ikea it was managed!

2010-05-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Wondering around Berlin. So happy everything is more green!

Snapped some graffiti as I walked through the streets.

Left-overs from the May day riots... wrap everything up!! In the train station too... all pillars wrapped up 'safely'!!

2010-05-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with such a longing to be by the sea. I have found myself over the last few months dreaming of the Faroe Islands. Every time I wake up, just before I get out of the dreaming phase, I feel I am still there. That feeling haunts me for the rest of the day. It is strange to have eccos of the Faroes follow you in the city. The rush of the cars and mass of people turn from a blink of a second to large mountains with dancing clouds, gulls diving and empty landscapes.

2010-04-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

So the other side of my quilt... and it didn't match at all to the front due to some technical problems (ARSE!) so I came to the conclusion with the help of a friend to make two quilts and not just one.

Fantastic.... I feel like a quilt factory but it is ok if the quilts are liked.

2010-04-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

Trying to compose a visual diary of a day as I see it... its not quite finished but I can put up a few of what I am trying to do...

2010-04-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Quilt update... fighting it and snarling at it alllll the time but it is coming along slowly, and oh my! Slow, slow slow!!

Stralsund

2010-04-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

Had a really lovely weekend in Stralsund.... I think the pictures say more than anything. I was just os happy to get out of Berlin and find myself on the sea... and to boot most of the houses were medevil or older. We took a day trip to Rugen along the chalk cliffs and walked along the stony beaches.... Everyone was looking for Amber but I was actually looking for Fossils. We found ourselves Knee deep in a mud slide along the beach with no way round, a muddy way back and I found a sea urchin!! It is so weid seeing something I know to be so fragile in stone.

We also went to an Easter Bonfire- so pagan it was wonderful!! The only problem is the weather was against the whole event and the fire had to be put out. Everyone was not sooo happy. I wish it wasn't put out- it was right by the sea on the beach and there was beer and sausages- it would have been a good party!!

It was such a pleasure I really want to go back.

2010-03-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

The weather has been doing its usual spring thing... but look how wonderful it is??

I was so pleased to capture it beside my orchids. Are they not lovely? I am not really an orchid lover- they were both given to me and I struggle with them all the time. Pesky little beautiful things- they have far too much say. But I have to grudgingly admit I am fond of them....

2010-03-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

City farm chickens... I was worried I only saw 2 of them but I figured out that the rest decided to get on the underground and catch the train back to the country.

2010-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

This is Elli- she is our long suffering tortoise at work! She loves the kids and I simply adore her.

2010-03-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

This was a piece of 'sticker' art graffiti.... it was one that make you touch it as it looked like it had some texture. I wonder if there are more? Sometimes you get trails of them... although where the trails lead I haven't quite figured that out!!

2010-03-21T02:09:00.000-07:00

I am making a quilt for my husbands parents- it is their 40th wedding anniversary! This pattern I found on the Purl Bee for making pin cusions. It is called 'Stacking Pennies'. The name just stuck with me. I thought the tones of red and yellow were really warm and eye catching. Now all I have to figure out is what to fill inbetween the patches... solid colours- but what?, and do I want more patchowork or just large solid squares? Oh, I have some work to do yet!!

2010-03-21T02:06:00.000-07:00

I bought these tulips and wow, are they not gorgeous?? I could see that when they were closed it would be pretty when they opened but not like this!! I have to dig about and see if I can find out what they are called. Also the best thing is they smell!! Just like honey. I am in love!!

2010-03-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

A nice little birthday pot from my friends! Love it!!

2010-03-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

My arty bag where I can stash all my current play things! I made a small elastic band inside so that I could put my paintbrushes away without fear of damaging them. The design is from Heather Ross 'weekend sewing'. It is a seriously large little bag. I found the corners a pain in the ass to sew but once it was done it looks great! I also love the material which is from Ikea. I only wish they made it in slightly lighter material as I would have loved to make something to wear from it.

2010-03-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Aha!!

Finished!! A few points that I would change the next time....

2010-03-13T04:52:00.001-08:00

In the middle of working on this shirt. I really like it but it needs some tweeking. Today I hope to sew on the sleeves and put on the buttons. Ha, lets see how well that goes!

2010-03-13T04:50:00.001-08:00

Was in a cafe with my friend Miri. We noticed that the lights on the ceiling reflected really nicely onto the table. I took this shot and was surprised to see how well it worked out.

2010-03-13T04:45:00.000-08:00

2010-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

I had some luck today- the sun was shining and it made my wind chime look quite lovely... I pulled out a brush and dusted it down.

This piece of quartz came from a Glacier in Norway.

This is a wind chime I made a few years ago.... I used all sea materials apart from some pices of 'china' I bought in a ceramic fair. The black grey pieces sound wonderful with the shells... I also pushed beach stones and ceramics into a piece of beach wood

I wanted a strong piece of drift wood but it was quite weak. Too much salt water and sun! If I remember correctly I found the wood in Lapland, the shells are from scotland, the stones from a place in Italy. The grey coloured pieces of ceramic were a special Japanese form of baking ceramic- they heat it to a really hot temperature so that it almost burns the clay. I loved the imprinted images- It made me think about all the lovely peices of pottery I found on the beaches in scotland as a child.

2010-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Seaweed scarf!! Haha!
Its not quite finished- I am working on it but the idea appeals to me some how.

2010-02-21T09:52:00.001-08:00

Some fabrics from my stash... I can't quite decide what to do with them... I have a couple of shirts I really want to make but then if I save the fabrics maybe I could make a nice dress or two for the summer. Hmmm...... I need to buy from plain cotton colours so I can mix and match the pattern against a solid colour. Next weeks game!!

2010-02-13T04:11:00.000-08:00

Went for a sunday wonder along frozen water ways- in Berlin. The swans and ducks were 'lurking' on the banks and came quite blazenly up to all walking and slipping around. What surprised me was how big those beasts were! I got a little nervous when one came up- I have heard stories of swans breaking peoples legs and now I see how- they are HUGE! Not to mention that frankly evil orange beek and intelligent beedy black eyes. But in saying all that I had to grip my hands tightly onto my bag because I so wanted to stroke the head and neck- it looked so white and soft!

I think some how I prefer them gliding gracefully on the water at a good distance!

2010-02-12T03:55:00.000-08:00

It is a little hard to see but it is a panther! This amused me greatly seeing it snarling out of the snow.

2010-02-07T03:15:00.000-08:00

I saw some daffodils for sale in the flower shop in the underground- I didn't buy any because they were so tightly closed that I don't actually beleive they will open. Still getting excited- I love daffodils! When I was studying in Aberdeen the city had planted daffodils in all available green banks so that when spring came all of it was a small sea of yellow.