Fabulous Threads

Mixed Media with Bobby Britnell

2011-07-02T09:46:00.001+02:00

The last weekend in May I went to a workshop with Bobby Britnell. The workshop was organized by Broderiforum. There are more pictures from the workshop on their blog.

The workshop was called Mixed Media Approaches to Design. We worked with wet and dry media such as gesso and graphite. We also did some monoprinting and managed to squize in some stitching as well.

We had a great time and Bobby was an excellent teacher. I hope to see her again here in Sweden or in the UK.

Photography

2011-06-25T09:28:00.001+02:00

There is something about plants that fascinates me. I have probably taken ten thousand pictures of flowers and plants. Crazy but I can't seem to get enough. I'm addicted!

Kew Gardens

2011-06-18T09:15:00.000+02:00

I went to London in the end of April and spent an entire day walking around Kew Gardens with my camera. 419 pics...

Stitching with Henriette

2011-06-11T08:52:00.001+02:00

In March I organized a two day workshop with a swedish textile artist called Henriette Ousbäck. She has a blog called Fibertiger.

We did a lot of sketching and started of three or four new embroideries.

So far I have only finished one of them.

Working with Henriette is very inspiring and I had a great time! Thanks to everyone who participated in the workshop!

Barbados

2011-06-05T08:36:00.004+02:00

In January I went to Barbados for a two week holiday. It was wonderful to swop swedish winter for this.

Hello again!

2011-06-03T11:18:00.001+02:00

It's been a year of very little stitching and even less blogging. I bought a new camera last spring and I've really enjoyed learning a bit more about how to use it.
Here's a few pics from last year.

To all of you...

2010-12-31T14:37:00.004+01:00

A Happy New Year!

May peace fill all the empty spaces around you
And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.
May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming year show you that every day is really a first day,
a new year.

Let abundance be your constant companion,
so that you have much to share.
May mirth be near you always,
like a lamp shining brightly
on the many paths you travel.
May you be true love.

Author Unknown

For those who celebrate...

2010-12-24T12:31:00.001+01:00

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation

2010-11-28T09:22:00.001+01:00

Stitching on Facebook

2010-11-21T10:17:00.005+01:00

About a month ago I started a Swedish embroidery group on Facebook. I wanted to see if I could use Fb for some kind of creative endeavour together with others.

I came up with the idea of a six week mystery embroidery group. Every Thursday I post new instructions for the group. This week is the third week. So far it's been a lot of fun.

On the picture you can see the background. It's made of silk and wool. Needlefelted.

Hello!

2010-10-15T20:00:00.000+02:00

Is anyone out there?

Still here, just going slowly that's all

This piece is a mix of crochet and hand stitching. Size 40 x 45 cm

Thanks to Billy, the Jack Russel.

Time Out

2010-05-18T09:12:00.002+02:00

I have decided to take a Time Out from blogs and blogging due to familymatters. Thanks to everyone who has left a comment on my previous post.

Lace

2010-05-07T17:47:00.004+02:00

Learning a new skill or at least a few basics.

Bobbin lace #1.

Waiting for Sara to arrive...

2010-04-05T08:54:00.000+02:00

Sara is in Sweden! She is showing her work in a Galleri called Leufsta Quilt Ateljé. The exhibition opened on Friday. On her way back to Austria she will spend a few days in Stockholm. It will be great to see Sara again!

Early spring in Stockholm

2010-04-04T13:33:00.003+02:00

This weekend brought sunshine and warm winds to Stockholm. I wanted to share some pics with you. I hope you're having a great weekend!

To those of you that celebrate...

2010-04-03T09:52:00.000+02:00

and for those of you that don't. Happy Spring!

How time flies!

2010-03-30T08:12:00.002+02:00

An old piece made thirteen years ago. I remember working a lot with paper, paint and threads, stitching and weaving.

We ordered paper and paper yarn from Japan. It costed a fortune. Back then it was all new to us and we had never seen threads like that before.

This piece is made with watercolour and linen threads though.

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

2010-03-28T16:29:00.006+02:00

For the last month or so I have spent all my spare time going through old stuff. We had a storage facility that we had to give up. Despite all the throwing and giving away there was still enough stuff left to fill up my flat to the celing. Who ever bought, made and collected all those things is a total enigma to me. LOL! Where does it come from?

Anyway, amongst other things I found a lot of old artwork and sketches. So much fun to look at! Here's a sketch I made eleven or twelve years ago.

Funny how it talks to this piece that I made last autumn.

The Sunshine Award

2010-02-06T10:16:00.005+01:00

Today must be a good day because I received a sunshine blog award from Tracy at narkeymarkey. Thank you!

The sunshine award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world.

The rules for accepting the sunshine award are:

- put the logo on your blog or within your post
- pass the award onto 12 bloggers
- link the nominees within your post
- let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
- share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award

My 12 nominees are:

Neki
Sara
Linda
Gunnel
Carolyn
Jackie
Gina
Pamela
Judy
Lani
Maya
Jude

If you prefer not to participate please feel free to ignore the rules and just enjoy the award.

Have a nice weekend!

Cuff

2010-01-19T20:15:00.007+01:00

I hope 2010 has been good to everyone so far. It's been very cold here in Sweden, with plenty of snow.

I made a cuff to keep myself warm. It reminds me a little bit of summer. And I love the white button!

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow...

2010-01-01T09:00:00.002+01:00

The first day of the new year. I've been thinking about what I learned during 2009 and what might be in 2010. It makes me feel very greatful and excited about being alive. Life is an amazing gift!

This is a piece I recently finished. It's called "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow..."
Size: 20 cm x 30 cm
I started this in September when I went to Austria to take a workshop for Sara together with Susan and some other friends. One of the many things I did in 2009 that I'm greatful for.

I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2010!

May you always...

2009-12-31T13:51:00.006+01:00

May you always have Angels by your side.
Watching out for you in all things you do.
Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days.
Finding ways for your dreams to come true.

May you always have Angels by your side.
Someone there to catch you when you fall.
Encouraging your dreams, inspiring your happiness.
Holding your hand and helping you through it all.

May you always have Angels by your side.
May they give you the gifts that never end.
And dreams and hopes to keep you warm.
And someone to love and be a dear friend.

Author Unknown

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

2009-12-22T21:44:00.003+01:00

To everyone who's been visiting and commenting on my blog this year, Thank You!

More Fire

2009-12-06T19:04:00.006+01:00

It has been an extremly busy autumn over here and I have hardly been able to get any stitching done at all. Here is a piece I started in September when I went to Austria to take a workshop for Sara. This week I finally managed to find some time to finish it.

This piece is called Fire.
Size: 17cm x 27cm.

Fire

2009-12-06T19:03:00.001+01:00

Marionettes

2009-12-01T10:55:00.001+01:00

Marionettes from The Marionette Museum in Cesky Krumlov.

So much to do...

2009-11-22T19:46:00.003+01:00

... and not enough time. Christmas is only a month away.
Here are some more pics from my silkpainting class.

Have a great week!

Painting silk

2009-10-24T17:41:00.003+02:00

Last weekend I took a silkpainting class. Silk is an amazing fiber.

I've tried painting on silk once or twice before and I really wanted to learn some more. I loose my sense of time and space when I paint. Very relaxing!

Have a nice weekend!

Food

2009-10-10T15:02:00.004+02:00

Pics from the Fruit & Vegetable Market in Vienna. So pretty!

More Pictures

2009-10-07T19:13:00.003+02:00

More pictures from Vienna and Cesky Krumlov.

International Day of Felt

2009-10-04T09:22:00.009+02:00

The Swedish Embroiderers' Guild in Stockholm had a meeting yesterday to celebrate The International Day of Felt. I'm sure you have all heard about FeltUnited and The International Day of Felt.
Yesterday we showed needlefelting by hand and with an embellisher. 27 ladies turned up and did a great job!

We were also able to show a collection of traditional swedish embroideries. They were made in the 18th and 19th century. The cusions covers are made in wool. Thank you HV for opening your collection for us!

I was busy teaching people how to work with the embellisher all day. So much fun! At the end of the afternoon I managed to make a few stitches on a piece of wool. When I took the workshop for Sara last week she showed us how to make faces. This is a little brooch I made.

Waiting on a Sunny day

2009-10-03T01:44:00.001+02:00

Bruce Springsteen

More Vienna...

2009-10-02T20:49:00.014+02:00

More photos...

More buildings...

Amazing buildings...

Hundertwasser

2009-10-01T21:20:00.004+02:00

I went to Austria a couple of weeks ago to spend some time with Sara, Susan and some swedish stitchers. On our first day in Vienna we went to Hundertwasser Haus and Kunsthaus Wien. Here are som pics for you. Well worth a visit if you are in Vienna.

Going, gone...

2009-09-18T09:31:00.004+02:00

I'm off to see Sara, Susan, Pian and some other friends. I will tell you more when I get back.

The red bird to the left is a new piece that I'm working on. Still a long way to go...

Have a nice weekend!

A little something...

2009-08-30T17:13:00.004+02:00

Yesterday I decided it was time to do something with the embellisher. It's been tucked away in a cupboard for far too long.

This is what I made. A little something...
Size: 15 cm x 17 cm

Challenge - Fish

2009-08-20T09:00:00.001+02:00

I belong to a local group of the Swedish Embroiderers Guild. We meet about once a month and for every time we try to come up with different challenges. We didn't jave a meeting in July because most of us were on holiday but now everyone is back again. This is the August challenge. To make a postcard with a fish on it.

I stamped that fabric with bubblewrap and a homemade stamp and the I stitched it by hand.

Challenge - Brooch

2009-08-15T10:00:00.000+02:00

I belong to a local group of the Swedish Embroiderers Guild. We meet about once a month and for every time we try to come up with different challenges.

This is the June challenge. Three of us brought small samples of materials like plastic net, cheescloth, banana fibre and paper. The challenge was to make a piece of jewelry using all the different materials. I made a brooch. If you look closely you can actually find som stitches there.

Lines

2009-08-08T10:35:00.002+02:00

I'm in a bit of a creative drought right now. I know the only thing to do is to work, work, work so I took a piece of white linen cloth and some black sewing thread and made some lines.

Thinking about space and rythm, light and shade. It's a bit like drawing.

From Neki

2009-08-05T10:07:00.002+02:00

This beautiful postcard is made by Neki. I received it together with some linen threads in a material swap we did. Thanks Neki!

More Inspiration...

2009-08-01T08:40:00.000+02:00

I love visiting parks and gardens. These pics and the photos in the previous post are from The Botanical Garden i Gothenburg.

Have a great weekend!

Dreams and Inspiration

2009-07-31T12:22:00.003+02:00

Done #3

2009-07-25T21:29:00.000+02:00

Another WIP... If you think that you can see a pattern here you're right. I'm trying to finish a few things before getting started on something new. I picked three UFOs that I wanted to finish from the big pile of unfinished objects. So far it's working out. This is the third and last piece.

I don't particularly like this piece but when I was stitching I came up with an idea about what to try next.

Man On The Moon

2009-07-21T10:18:00.001+02:00

Done #2

2009-07-18T09:25:00.002+02:00

Here's another WIP that I finished.

I had som much great advise from many of you about what to do with this one. Thank you! You really helped me out when I was stuck.

Rain, rain, rain...

2009-07-16T12:31:00.003+02:00

As you can see it's raining like crazy over here. I've been updating my blogroll and my blogreader. There are so many wonderful blogs and it's very inspiring to see what everyone is doing. I wish I had enough time to do all the challenges and workshops that are out there. So much to do and so little time...

Here are a few of the blogs I added to my blogroll:
Sri Threads
Jodi Ohls blog Sweet Repeats
Creative Diary by Eva-Maria Nerling
and
Chris Gray

Tiles

2009-07-14T12:30:00.002+02:00

Done #1

2009-07-11T10:22:00.000+02:00

Remember this piece?

Well, I finally finished it!
It's handpainted silk, wool and silk fiber.
Size: 42 cm x 24 cm

Birthday Card

2009-07-07T09:25:00.002+02:00

A birthday card for a friend.
Have a great week!

Day of Roses

2009-07-05T09:43:00.000+02:00

Yesterday it was the Day of Roses at the Botanical Garden. There was guided walks in the Rose Garden and lectures for everyone that is interested in gardening in general and roses in particular.

The Swedish Embroiderers Guild was invited to participate. We had a small display with embroideries with roses and some information about the guild.

Here are three pieces I made for this event. It's a bit of an experiment actually. I used paper napkins with roses on them and bondaweb. The napkins where fused on to linen fabric. Then I stitched bugs and ladybirds.

Have a great week!

Roses

2009-07-04T21:37:00.007+02:00

A few pics that I took at the Botanical Garden today.

Midsummer's Eve

2009-06-19T11:39:00.003+02:00

Friends, sunshine, strawberries and icecream.

Life is good!

Have a great weekend!

Thank you!

2009-06-15T22:12:00.004+02:00

I'm so excited! I just had a comment from Denise Felton of Needlework News @ CraftGossip. Denise has written a little bit about my last piece and put a link to my blog. Thank you Denise!

Another big Thank You to everyone that has been visiting and commenting on my blog lately. I very much appreciate all your comments.

Have a great week!

Another little thing

2009-06-14T11:35:00.003+02:00

And the rain is pouring down...

It's raining...

2009-06-13T14:01:00.003+02:00

I'm at home doing a little bit of this and that. Things are finally slowing down over here. The last year has been very busy.

Like (almost) everyone else I have a few bits and pieces that hasn't been finished. This weekend I'm trying to sort myself out a bit and get on with it. This is one of the tiny ones.

Have a great weekend!

In Stockholm this weekend

2009-06-07T19:11:00.004+02:00

Tonight...

2009-06-05T23:24:00.003+02:00

Have a great weekend!

Ship ahoy!

2009-05-17T08:38:00.010+02:00

All Aboard!

A couple of weeks ago I went on an embroidery cruise with the Swedish Embroiderers Guild. We travelled through the Swedish and Finish archipelago.

We started off with a Champagne Breakfast. I have to say that Champagne and Embroidery goes very well together ;-). After that we went upstairs for the workshop.

Everyone had a copy of the lyrics of a wellknown Swedish song called Calle Schewens vals. The lyrics describe the archipelago and we could use it for inspiration. I picked a sentence that translates something like My fairy you are dancing in listening silence.

Size 30 cm x 40 cm

The Snake and The Beast

2009-05-16T08:33:00.006+02:00

The Snake and The Beast. That would be a great name for a pub in a Harry Potter book don't you think. :-)

Well, I have finished this piece, or at least I thought so. Now when I look at the picture I feel like I need to add something more to it. More flowers perhaps and maybe a bug or two...

Jude, if you recognize any of the fabric. Yes, it's from the stuff you send me. Thank you!

Slow progress

2009-05-02T17:38:00.006+02:00

Yesterday was a public holiday here in Sweden. That means we have three days off this weekend. So far I spent most of my time in the kitchen. Yesterday I made foccacia and bananabread. Today I made a veggie lasagna and a quiche. I love to cook when I have plenty of time for it. Not much fun cooking when you get home from work and you just want someting to eat as quickly as possible.

I'm still working on the Beauty and the Beast piece. But something is happening to it. All of a sudden there was a snake...

I can't do scary

2009-04-18T09:28:00.006+02:00

For those of you who thought my beast was cute... You are absolutely right. Here´s a pic of a monster I made for Halloween last year. Not very scary is it? I seem to have a problem with scary stuff. I just can't do it! Does anyone know if there is a class somewhere?

Have a great weekend!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T12:41:00.004+02:00

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Spring has finally reached Stockholm. Sunshine and a day off. Just a perfect day!

Actually I had the last week off from work. I went to the UK to see my friends for a few days. Always lovely! Thank you M!

I brought some threads and fabric with me and started working on a new piece. The idea was to do someting about The Beauty and The Beast. Here is the first part with the Beast.

To be continued...

Lemonade Award

2009-03-29T10:13:00.002+02:00

I have been given a Lemonade Award by Deborah Younglao and Meera of Patterned and Textured! Thanks Deborah and Meera!

A Lemonade Award is given to bloggers that you feel show a positive attitude and/or gratitude. Here's how it works:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

And the awards go to:

Fibercopia
Creative Meanderings
Textile Art Showcase
Love Fibre
Genies Art World
Travel, Fibre and Thread
Fan My Flame
...knit and crochet...
JUDY SCOTT- KINROSS SCOTLAND- Mixed Media and Textile Art
Kate´s Quilting
Creative Every Day
Q-Linda
The Beauty of Life
Z quilts
Art by Natalya
Art in Stitches
The Fabric of Meditation
Au Fil du Jardin
Miss-frugality
Spirit Cloth
Dog-Daisy Chains
The Magic Armchair Traveller

and many more...

Frosty and White

2009-03-15T11:41:00.004+01:00

Frosty and White describes the weather in Stockholm for the last week but it is also the name of the workshop I took yesterday. First we were tought how to make origami boxes out of paper and then we made a tiny embroidery to decorate the top of the box.

This is my little piece. Not sure I'll but it on a box. Maybe I'll save it until later and use it for something else.

Size: 6cm x 6cm

Spring

2009-03-01T11:14:00.004+01:00

I am taking a class at Joggles for Pamela Hastings. The class is called Transformative Doll Making.

Even though we are on week 4 I'm still working on the first lesson. I know I'm slow but I figure it's better than nothing...

This fabric icon is my the first fiber piece. I named it Spring. Since it's an online class I don't want to share much about the thoughts behind it. It's an excellent class. Pamelas is very generous and shares her work and her thoughts with the group. A lot of food for thought which I really appreciate.

Heavenly Day

2009-02-22T23:10:00.001+01:00

Have a great week!

My funny Valentine...

2009-02-15T10:56:00.005+01:00

...Yet you're my favorite work of art.

Maybe not my favorite work of art but nevermind. I went to a Guild meeting yesterday. Since it was Valentine's Day we made heart shaped broches in traditional swedish style. As you all know I don't really do traditional embroidery but I love looking at it. I find it very inspiring. For the stitching I used variegated cotton thread but in traditional work you use wool and flax thread.

Me and Myself

2009-02-13T19:21:00.004+01:00

Transformative Doll Making class at Joggles.

Have a nice weekend!

Journal

2009-02-08T20:14:00.005+01:00

I am taking a class at Joggles for Pamela Hastings. The class is called Transformative Doll Making.

The first thing we are making is a Transformative Journal. Of course this was an irresistable opportunity for me to go shopping. I bought a journal, some new brushes, gouache paint and acrylic medium gloss. This is what I have done so far. More to come...

Helping Hand Award

2009-02-08T15:11:00.004+01:00

I got this lovely award from Vero! Thanks for thinking of me!

This award is meant to encourage and uplift others in the blogging world.
Here is how it works;
select 10 bloggers,
5 you consider your Helping Hand
and then Pay it Forward to 5 additional new bloggers, in support and encouragement for their efforts.
My helping hands would be:
Wanda, Neki, Susan, Sara and Lynda
My Pay Forward would be:
Pamela, Karin, Michele and Sandie O. Karin, Michele and Sandie are taking Pamelas Transformative Dollmaking Class together with me on Joggles.

Long time...

2009-02-07T15:54:00.006+01:00

This is my first post in almost three weeks. Haven't done any stitching for three weeks ither... Life is just happening I guess. Anyway, I wanted to share the beautiful ATCs I recieved from The Cyber Fyber ATC Swap.

The red card on top is made by Chérie in Australia. The blue card with the red flower is made by Cheryl in Oklahoma. Finally, the purple card is made by Doreen in Australia. Thank you ladies!

A New Beginning

2009-01-18T16:27:00.004+01:00

Here's a little sneak peak of someting that I'm working on right now. It's a silk and wool background. I just started adding stitches to it.

I was reading Mornas blog earlier today and I found a link to an artist I have never heard of before. Maybe you all know of Anna Torma but she is a new aquaintence to me. Her work is stunning!

Have a nice week!

Cyber Fyber!

2009-01-08T00:01:00.001+01:00

Today is the Day, as in the Day of the Opening of Cyber Fyber. If you haven't found your way over there you'll find all the links to the left. You can easily spend an entire day going through the ATCs and Postcards. I have been admiering art and following links to blogs that are new to me. So much fun! :-)

Last summer when Susan visited Sweden she invited me to be a part of The Invitational Art Exhibition. I am very excited to be part of this great event! Thank you Susan for the invite and for all the work you have done to make this happen. You are a star!

I have two pieces of work in the show. This is the first one, called "Looking Closely".

This is the second piece, called "Far Away".

Both of them are made of silkfabric that I handpainted and neddlefelted with wool. All the stitching is made by hand. Size: 35 x 25 cm or 14 x 10 inches.

Flow

2009-01-04T15:17:00.008+01:00

I have been inspired by Christine Kane to choose a Word of the Year.

My word for 2009 is FLOW.

I will try to be present in the moment rather then be thinking about things I need to do.

I will try to go with the flow and allow things to happen.

I will try to increase the creative flow by being Creative Every Day.

I also would like to show you two beautiful ATCs that i got in the mail the last week. The first one is from Corryna and the second one is from Sue. They are both absolutely lovely. Thank you ladies!

So here we are...

2008-12-31T11:28:00.012+01:00

So here we are... The last day in 2008. It's been a great year but also a very busy one. Work and studies has unfortunately taken a lot of time from art and stitching. Still I managed to get a few things done.

I enjoyed Sharons Take It Further Challenge even though I didn't compleat every Challenge. I have also been happy to be a part of Leahs Creative Every Day Challenge 2008. I am planing to do the CED 2009 as well. This year Leah will post a monthly theme. The theme for January is already up.

I have put in a lot of work in my local group this year. I started a stitchgroup and organized an exhibition. I gave workshops and wrote a small piece for the Swedish Embroiderers Guilds' magazine. It was the first time I wrote something that was going to be published so I was a bit nervous about it.

In February I took a workshop to learn a little about Sashiko. I love looking at traditional japanese sashiko. Perfect little stitches on indigo cloth. Yummy! I'm not much of a sashiko stitcher though. I haven't done any sashiko since the workshop.

The second workshop I took this year was for Tilleke Schwarz at the International Embroidery Symposium. Susan came all the way from South Carolina for the Symposium and Sara gave a wonderful talk about her work. Saras workshop was also very much appreciated.

After the Sympoisum Susan and Sara came with me back to Stockholm. We had a few amazing days together and I can not even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed their company. I hope to see both of them again in 2009.

Susan is doing a wonderful job with Cyber Fyber right now. It opens on Thursday next week and you can read more about it here. I had an e-mail from Susan yesterday saying that my two pieces for the Exhibition had arrived. I'm very excited to be part of this great event! Thank you Susan for inviting me!

Finally a big Thank You to everyone that visited my blog in 2008! I'm so happy to be a part of this community! All you wonderful, generous, gifted people out there Thank You for Sharing your work and your thoughts! You make me smile, laugh, sometimes cry and always think. You inspire me! Thank You!

I wish everyone A Happy, Healthy and Creative 2009!

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-21T16:28:00.002+01:00

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hi, Hello!

2008-12-14T13:30:00.006+01:00

Still here... but a bit exhausted I have to admit. The last month or so has not been a smooth ride. My mother is still in hospital, slowly recovering from her accident. She won't be able to come home for Christmas though so we will spend a lot of time at the hospital over the holidays.

I would like to send a big thank you to everyone who has left a comment over the last weeks. Your kind words has meant a great deal to me and my mother is very happy about all the Getting Well wishes she has received. Thank you!

Also a big thank you to Sara who send me a copy of her book Faces. If you are a fan of Sara's work you should definitely treat yourself to this book. So many lovely pictures and loads of inspiration. Sara you are a star! I look forward to seeing you again next year!

I have finished my two pieces for the Cyber Fyber Exhibition that opens on January 8. They are on their way Susan! I hope they make it on time. There is still time to join the International Random ATC Swap. Don't miss it!

I have been swaping some ATCs lately. This is two ATCs that I have received.

The first on is from Colette and the second one from Judy. Thank you ladies!

Have a great week!

November this and that

2008-11-23T10:40:00.007+01:00

This weekend - Mother in hospital.
Last weekend - Drove 850 kilometres to see my sister and her family. Was in an accident, another car drove into me. No injuries just a few scratches.
Weekend before that - The stitching show.

I always though of November as a rather grey and dull month. Nothing particular going on and everyone is waiting for December and all the Christmas stuff. This year everything is just going crazy!

The Mother in hospital story isn't really bad but bad enough... We have had a lot of snow and cold this week and my Mother managed to slip and fall on an icey spot. Now she's in hospital with a hip fracture. The fracture is complicated and she's going through her second surgery tomorrow. Please send her some happy, healing thoughts!

The good news this week has been all the beautiful postcards that has arrived in the mail. I swaped some of the cards I made for the stitching show and this is what these lovely ladies send me.

From Linda in Australia.

From Genie in England.

From Corryna in the Netherlands.

From Robin in Australia.

From Lorenza in Italy.

From Lise in Norway.

Swaping is so much fun! Thank you!

Have a great week!

Julia Caprara

2008-10-28T19:35:00.005+01:00

Most of you have probably already heard the sad news that Julia Caprara passed away Friday morning. Julia was an amazing artist and a wonderful teacher. I am been very happy to have had the opportunity to meet Julia and Alex Caprara twice. The first time for a one day workshop in London two years ago and the second time was here in Sweden in June last year. Julia was a generous and inspiring lady who will be missed by many.

The Condolences to Alex and the family.

Postcards

2008-10-25T09:48:00.003+02:00

I promised to show some stitching in my next post and here it is. Three more postcards for the show. I've made 16 postcards all together. I punched wool and scraps of fabric on to cotton velvet and stitched by hand.

I'd would like to swap my Postcards but I can't send them until after the show two weeks from now. If you're interested in making a swap and don't mind waiting just leave a comment. I'll get back to you if I have access to your e-mail.

I have a few more postcards that are available. You can see them here (scroll down a bit) and here.

Have a great weekend!

7 random facts about me

2008-10-19T17:18:00.012+02:00

I've been tagged by Jackie to write 7 random facts about myself and tag 6 other blogs. I'll skip the tagging part, if you'd like to join in please do, but I'll play along with the first bit and tell you 7 random things about myself.

So here we go. Five books that I have next to my bed for the moment. I'm sure most of you have at least one of them, maybe all five.

No six. This is what, or rather who, I listen to right now.

Great music!

No seven. This is what I'm eating right now.

Here's a clue. It's got apples in it.

Have a nice week! Next time I'll show you some stitching. Promise.

Sunday Morning

2008-10-12T09:37:00.004+02:00

Good Morning! I'm sitting here with my morning coffee looking out at a perfect bright blue sky. It's amazing to see all the colours.

I'm working on a piece that is going to be in the Cyber Fyber Exhibition in January. Can't show you yet... I'm very happy to be part of this wonderful event.

The TIF Challenge this month is to show what our working space looks like. I did that a few weeks ago. It still looks the same, just a little bit more messy, so I won't post any more pics.

Time to get a refill and get some stitching done. The days are getting shorter and I find it hard to work at night even though I have a great lamp. The colours looks different and I'm thinking maybe I should have my eyes checked.

Have a great week!

Blog Award

2008-10-04T19:38:00.003+02:00

Vero has been kind enough to give me this blog award. Thank you Vero!

I pass this award on to my five scandinavian blogfriends
Gunnel
Ewa-Christine
Jeanette
Eva
Lise

You're the best! :-)

TIF September

2008-09-27T13:51:00.004+02:00

The September TIF challenge was lists. This is what my lists look like. I write things down on Post-it Notes and put them all over the place.

September...

2008-09-27T10:38:00.005+02:00

Outside my window... Waiting for more wind, maybe a storm. Right now it's peaceful, restful. I love the autumn. It's such a good time for thinking, dreaming and stitching.

More postcards.

Have a great weekend!

Almost done now!

2008-09-20T17:03:00.007+02:00

Pack, carry (=backpain), clean, drive, carry (third floor, no lift), saying words I don't want to write here... unpack, clean... go to IKEA, carry (trust me you don't want to know what I said...) drive, carry some more (the stairs remember), unpack, put together bookcases, clean... Almost done now! This is what my new workroom/artroom/sewingroom looks like so far.

My cold is gone and I have had time to do some stitching. The Swedish Embroiderers Guild is going to show stitched postcards at the equivalent to The Knitting and Stiching show that is taking place here in Stockholm in November. I have made 14 postcards and no 15 is on it's way. Here are three of them.

Thank you!

2008-09-01T21:11:00.001+02:00

I am greatful for all my wonderful blogfriends who don't give up on me even though I haven't written a decent post for ages. Thank you!

I am grateful for all the lovely comments I recieve. You make me very happy! Thank you!

I am grateful for good friends that helped me move this weekend. Thank you!

I am grateful for the two blog awards I recieved lately.

Dale Anne gave me the I love your blog award. Thank you! Here are the rules:

1) The winner can put the logo on their blog.
(2) Link the person you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated.

From CJ I recieved the Kreative Blogger Award. Thank you!

1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3. Nominate 5 blogs
4. Put links to the blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

I am greatful for every person that stop by and spend some time here. Thank you!

I am very greatful for all the generous, talented and wonderful people that are a part of the sharing and giving that is taking place in the blogworld. Thank you! You are all nominated to both these awards.

However I am not so grateful about the cold I have right now...

Moving...

2008-08-24T15:10:00.005+02:00

I'm moving again. I found a place that is three times bigger then where I'm living right now. And most important of all I WILL HAVE A SEWINGROOM!!!!! I'm so excited!

So just give me a couple of weeks or so and I'll be back blogging again. Did I mention I WILL HAVE A SEWINGROOM!!!!!

Here are two lovely ATCs I got from Gunnel and Winifred in Australia. (I don't think Winifred has a blog.) Gunnels card is the one with the green button. Thank you very much!

This is the ATCs I send to Gunnel and Winifred. I hope they like them.

Sorry...

2008-08-20T07:03:00.003+02:00

... for being somewhere else, doing something else. I guess it's called life. I'll be back soon.

About the TIF challenge this month. What is balance to you? Do you maintain a balanced life? How do you balance aspects of your life? That is the challenge this month - balance. That is the challenge of the month for me - Balance. LOL! Don't think I'll have the time stitching it though, to busy living it.

The Symposium

2008-08-10T17:59:00.016+02:00

I don't know how to begin writing this post. Let me start by saying that this has been an amazing week! The Symposium was great and meeting Sara and Susan was absolutely fabulous! To spend a week together with these two talented ladies was a treat. Both of them have a great sense of humour and knows how to tell a good story. I laught so hard that I could hardly breath. Sara and Susan, I hope you'll come back soon!

Here are a few pics from the symposium. These where three teatchers at the symposium. Dorothy Tucker, Sara Lechner and Tilleke Schwarz. The second lady from the left is Pian Bates.

Susan and I took a workshop for Tilleke called "Telling your own story". We did mainly painting and drawing. This is one of the assignments. First we were to draw ten creatures, real ones or fantasy creatures. Then we picked one and enlarged it.

On Tuesday night we took a guided tour at a garden called Wij. It was very beautiful.

For the second day we should bring a few things from nature. Based on that we drew 16 patterns. Then we picked one pattern and stitched it in black and white. This is Susan working on the final stitching assignment.

My piece looked like this.

Of course we had to take a sneak peak at Saras' class. She was teaching people how to use the embellisher. On Wednesday morning Sara showed pictures and talked about her art. Everyone was very impressed and excited about her work.

On Thursday morning Sara, Susan and I went to Stockholm for three days of sightseeing, museums and shopping. So much fun! Thank you Sara and Susan for a great week!

Symposium here I come!

2008-08-04T08:04:00.000+02:00

I'm off! Symposium here I come!
Susan will be here in three hours. I'm so excited about meeting her and Sara. My bags are packed. I've made sure I got all I need. Wine, chocolate and artsupplies...

Thanks to everyone how left a comment on my previous posts. I appreciate all your kind words and birthday wishes. Two of my blogfriends turned 40 at about the same time as I did. I made them a birthday postcard each. For Julia and Paula!

TIF July

2008-08-01T11:25:00.003+02:00

This is my piece for the July TIF Challenge. The Challenge for July was What is it to be at the half way mark?

In June I turned 40. It's been great so far but I do feel like I'm at a half way mark. Not that you can ever know about these things but statistically... Anyway, to celebrate I went away for a few days. I have already shown you a lot of pics from the trip in previous posts. One of the many beautiful things I saw was poppy fields. That's the inspiration for this embroidery.

Size 28cm x 32cm

I'm getting ready for the Symposium. It starts on Tuesday next week. There will be plenty of pics. Promise!

Have a great weekend!

Right here, right now

2008-07-24T14:36:00.004+02:00

Today this little beauty turned up in my mailbox. Isn't it gorgeous? It's from Gina. The colours reminds me of the beach and the texture is amazing. Thank you Gina!

I'm working on a few things right now but I don't have anything to show you yet. The TIF piece is about my trip to Gotland that I've been telling you about. I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but the reson for the trip was to celebrate my birthday. I turned 40 while I was there. That's a halfway mark in it's self don't you think.

I'm also making some ATCs that I'm going to bring to The Embroidery Symposium that I'm going to the week after next. Hopefully I'll find someone there who is willing to swap with me. I'm very excited about The Symposium. I'm going to take a workshop for Tilleke Schwarz and meet up with a Susan and Sara. WoHoo!

Something old and something new...

2008-07-19T15:06:00.007+02:00

Sue asked me about the sheep on Gotland. There was sheep everywhere! No pics though. Sorry! There is more information about the Gute Sheep here.

Vero asked if I've been to Öland. That is the second largest island in the Baltic Sea. I was there two years ago. The northern part of Gotland reminded me very much of Öland. Here are some photos from my holiday two years ago. Enjoy!

Yesterday I said that I was going to show you what I'm working on right now. Here it is. I'm crocheting a shawl. The pattern is here.

Have a nice weekend!

A Few More Pics from Gotland

2008-07-18T14:41:00.007+02:00

These photos are for you Vero. Just to make sure you will come to Sweden next year! :-)

This is where I'll be tonight. Tomorrow I might show you what I'm working on right now. You can never guess :-)

Out with the old, in with the new

2008-07-15T13:05:00.003+02:00

Yesterday this blog had a make-over. I've used a yellow background since I started blogging. It was time for a change. New background, new header and a new icon. What do you think? I also updated my blogroll. There are so many lovely blogs out there. I haven't been able to read blogs and participate as much as I'd liked the last months. To tell the truth I haven't done a lot of stitching either.

However I have noticed all the lovely work that is being done with embellishers lately. To get some inspiration I joined the Embellisher Network. Then I found two more ning groups focusing on feltmaking and embellishers, Machine Felting Arts and Embellish Stitch Enrich. Is it greedy to join all three? There is great people and wonderful work being done in all three groups.

Anyway, today I took my embellisher out and had a go. This is what I've done so far. Now it's time to add some stitches. It feels great to spend an entire day not having to think about anything but fabric, wool, colour and texture!

Free at last!

2008-07-13T09:42:00.008+02:00

My holiday has started! Four long weeks ahead of me and no plans what so ever. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do for a living. But the last months has been rough and I need a good rest.

One of the best things about living in Sweden is that we get a lot of time off. Everyone has five weeks payed holiday every year. Since I'm employed by the county and turned 40 a few weeks ago I get an extra week and a half per year. Much appreciated, thank you!

Earlier this week Paula tagged me for a meme. I'm supposed to answer the following five questions.

1. What was I doing ten years ago?
Ten years ago I was a student preparing for my last year in collage. I majored in handweaving and thought that I would spend the rest of my life next to a loom. The truth is that I haven't done any weaving in six years.

2. Five things on my To Do list today
Finish my breakfast. Go to IKEA. Make dinner. Phone my mother. Work on my TIF challenge piece for July.

3. Snacks that I enjoy
Fruit! Right now my favorites are strawberries and watermelon. Olives! Smoothies! Icecream!

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire
Share my wealth with my family and friends. Travel, travel, travel!

5. Places I’ve lived
I have lived in eight different places in Sweden and in London UK. Now I'm planing to move again but I'll stay in the same area this time. I went to see my new flat yesterday. It's three times bigger then where I live right now and I will have a sewing/art room. The room is really tiny so it seems a bit ambitious to call it a studio but never the less I'm very excited about it.

Paula also nominated me for an award. Thank you Paula! I'm very flattered.

The rules for receiving this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated.

I'm taking the easy way out and nominate every blog on my blogroll for the award. Feel free to join in on the meme too if you like!

The photos are from my trip to Gotland in June. Read more about it here.

TIF June

2008-06-29T13:54:00.005+02:00

The TIF challenge this month was to think about stories that are and stories that are possible.

Sharone wrote Or it is possibly more correct to say that stashes are full of stories. The interesting thing for textile practitoners is that these materials can take on another story. They can be made into something new and take on other meanings in someones life.

In the beginning of this month I got a wonderful gift from Jude. Thanks Jude!:-) After reading what Sharon wrote I decided to use some of the scraps Jude send me for this months challenge.

In the swedish language the word for story is the same as the word for history. I started browsing sites about historical buildings etc for inspiration. Those of you that read Judes blog knows that she has a lot of lions on her quilts. I took a closer look at the lions on the Coat of Arms of Sweden. I found an old Coat of Arms that looked like this. A yellow lion on a blue background with diagonal stripes.

Below you can see my interpretation.

Have a great Sunday!

Hi!

2008-06-28T23:17:00.006+02:00

I am back from my holiday. We spend some lovely days on Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. Here are a few pictures.

When I got back I found these lovely ATCs in the mail. The first one is from Julia. I love it! Thank you!

The next card is from Janine who doesn't have a blog. It's beautiful! Thank you!

Fabulous Threads

Mixed Media with Bobby Britnell

Photography

Kew Gardens

Stitching with Henriette

Barbados

Hello again!

To all of you...

For those who celebrate...

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation

Stitching on Facebook

Hello!

Time Out

Lace

Waiting for Sara to arrive...

Early spring in Stockholm

To those of you that celebrate...

How time flies!

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

The Sunshine Award

Cuff

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow...

May you always...

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

More Fire

Fire

Marionettes

So much to do...

Painting silk

Food

More Pictures

International Day of Felt

Waiting on a Sunny day

More Vienna...

Hundertwasser

Going, gone...

A little something...

Challenge - Fish

Challenge - Brooch

Lines

From Neki

More Inspiration...

Dreams and Inspiration

Done #3

Man On The Moon

Done #2

Rain, rain, rain...

Tiles

Done #1

Birthday Card

Day of Roses

Roses

Midsummer's Eve

Thank you!

Another little thing

It's raining...

In Stockholm this weekend

Tonight...

Ship ahoy!

The Snake and The Beast

Slow progress

I can't do scary

Happy Easter!

Lemonade Award

Frosty and White

Spring

Heavenly Day

My funny Valentine...

Me and Myself

Journal

Helping Hand Award

Long time...

A New Beginning

Cyber Fyber!

Flow

So here we are...

Happy Christmas!

Hi, Hello!

November this and that

More Postcards