Finland part 1

Blogland is a very international community which I enjoy wholeheartedly. I find it very easy to get inspired by stuff from far away exotic places. So I have challenged myself to dig where I stand and make a few things that are based om typical Finnish symbols. So first out is a pouch with the Finnish lion (suomileijona), which is the official Coat of Arms of Finland and also the name of the Finnish hockeyteam. Ice hockey is a really big thing over here (not in my house, but in the rest of the country...). I think you have to be a Finn to understand that the look of my lion says that Finland got silver in the World championship... Before I make a fool out of myself I will stop talking about sports.

Pretty/Modest has featured me over at her blog, thank you very much. My circus cat is so proud to be in such good company ;-)

The birds are still flying around in my craft room, here is one and two new additions. Enjoy the weekend and stay tuned for more thrilling facts about Finland!

Tagged

No craft news from here today, except this mini quilt I made a while ago and forgot to show you. Been back at my old workplace lecturing two days which has disturbed my production line... I have a huge pile of zip pouches on the go.

I've been tagged by Julie so I'll try my best to reveal some juicy facts about myself today :)

The rules:
• Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself
• People who are tagged have to write their 7 things on their blog
• Then choose another 7 people to get tagged and list their names

1. I talk a lot, laugh a lot and make bad jokes all the time
2. I am 30 and I think this is the best period of my life until now
3. I am broke. Last night I dreamed I had 118 000 euros on my bank account
4. I used to be a post grad student at the university, I quit to become a full-time crafter. I am too restless to sit by a desk all day.
5. I am very tired of writing analytic texts, which is why my blog is about crafting and cleaning (haha)
6. I have a sign above my door that says My house was clean last week. Sorry you missed it! If you ever come to visit me I will probably say something like that. Seriously. I got the sign from my mum. She knows me very well.
7. I never thought having a blog would be this great and that I would meet such wonderful people out there that share my passion for fabric and thread. Among other things.

I try to tag the seven girls that made the first comments on my last post, sorry: Di, Mirre, Anina, Kirsty, Amandajean, Krista, Kristin


*edit* That quilt is supposed to reflect my current situation... *

Concrete

I thought my first two houses became so picturesque that I decided to let the concrete bloom in house number three. Happiness can live in an ugly house too! I'm working on house number 4 now, it will have something to do with Finnish Summer...

When we moved we moved away from a great backyard (with possibilities to become a garden), now we just have a small patio. But my garden dreams are as crazy as they were last year. Planning the ultimate flowers for the little spot I have makes it hard to sleep at night. I'm sure it will be great, I just wish Spring would come a little faster, the wind has been so cold the last weeks I haven't been in the mood to go out at all. = Crafting time! Little E has a fever so I guess there will be more of it tomorrow. In between doing this.

Diet

I did not think it would take this long for me to be back in business with my sewing. Now I'm finally getting there. I just can't work if my space and my stuff is not in order. I googled clean desk and found out I'm not alone... You wouldn't believe this if you saw my home. Really.

Little E and I built the new ikea shelf together, he gave me one screw at a time :)
I had to take a smaller shelf than planned, our car has its limitations. I'm quite happy with it anyway. AND I got to spend a whole day in Helsinki with my best friend (and no kids), trying out wedding dresses for her. We had a wonderful time!

I'm on a diet, not because I have a weight problem but because I want to get rid of my rash. I want to get well NOW! No grain, no sugar, no milk. I've made it two days and it feels better already! My kids love the smoothies I make to get something sweet an healthy. This is frozen strawberries, 1 banana, 1 apple, some almonds and rice milk. Served in a thrifted strawberry bowl.

Optimistic red

is the colour of the day.

Todays News:
1. I have been featured on the optimist blog!
2. I work on the flickr embroidery blog on Fridays.
3. Little E is 1½ today. He is great.

Yellow new home

It's great to be back here after a long period of packing and unpacking and then a short period of living without an Internet connection (1½ weeks that felt like a million years... I know I'm a spoilt kid). However I feel a little empty since I haven't had the opportunity to do anything crafty in our new home yet, except a few chicks for Easter. Everything else is nearly in order here, but my favourite part is still very unorganised. I'm waiting for time and money to go and get myself a new shelf. So since I haven't got anything crafty to show you I decided to go look for some yellow. I'd like to call my photo "how to justify a yellow ashtray". Thank you Stephanie and Julie for the inspiration!
AND you can see a hint of a very typical house in the area we live in. There was a time when I was convinced I would never live happily in the suburb. Here I am, three bedrooms (rented though), two kids, one partner, one car, no dog ;-)

I don't want to forget to thank you all for your very kind comments on my last post! You are great!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

*oh, and it's not me that smokes...*

House projects

I've started a new project. As I usually do. Since we're moving to a new house I thought houses would be a suitable theme. It's an idea I've had bubbling in my head for a while now (it's kinda crowded in there...). One block will move to this wonderful little shop, sometime this Spring. Take a look at Catherine's own houses, they are adorable! I got a fun idea for numbering my house quilts. This first quilt will be house number one obviously. It's still missing in the picture. Number two will be ready soon. Stay tuned if you want a house with your number (I'm not sure how far my inspiration will take me...) or contact me (kajsa dot wikman at gmail dot com) if you want one in your favourite colours!

Yesterday there was an interesting add in the paper - there will be a craft exhibition in my hometown this Summer, applications should be handed next Friday. Should I try my luck and get something done until Friday? It would be great if they'd pick one of my pieces, but the time schedule is a little... tight. I was thinking about a large version of this, any opinions?

Talking about numbers I just noticed this will be post number 52 on this blog. I was quite surprised, didn't think I posted that often and I've only been here since last Summer. Anyway, thanks so much to all of you for your kind comments and encouragement, it means a lot to me!!!

Sunny Spring days to all of you!