What do we have in our pockets

This made my day better.

Directed by Goran Dukic

Etgar Keret is only one of my all time favorite authors.
I found out about him in high school, when a friend of mine told me I should come to one of his readings. I couldn't make it, but he lent me the book. I don't remember if I ever gave it back, all I know is that I have two copies... I read them both.
I got pathetic around grade 12, when I started carrying his books around everywhere in hopes I would meet him and he could sign a copy.
It never happened.
I used to be such a junkie. But seriously, his books got me through some tough times. I have so many favorite stories. I think those stories made me want to learn movie directing. My dream was to direct a short film based on one of his stories.
Imagine my happiness when I found out someone had already done that...

The story about the angel is one of my all time favorites, and it was exactly as I imagined in the movie. The story, "The Angel", is taken from his book "The bus driver who wanted to be God". 

I did however meet him years later while watching the movie Jellyfish, and he had a Q&A afterwards. He was as cool as I always expected him to be.

The movie is lovely and melancholic, about loneliness and the happiness that can be found buried underneath it all. It's painfully sad at times, and the acting is wonderful.

The movie was directed by him and his wife, Shira Geffen. She writes darling childrens books these days. When I have a little one I will most definitely read them one. Or two...

Goran Dukic also directed the movie "Wrstcutters" which is based on the slightly longer novel "Knellers Happy Campers". This story is a bit more... on the darkish side. It's definitly less funny than the rest of the stories, but the feeling are so real. There are so much you can relate to, sentences that seem like they were made for me, sentences I wish I had said first. A must read.

Now, back to business... 

I had a pretty great day until this evening. Things just got bad. Looking through our news site I came across a new short film based on a story by Etgar Keret. The film will be debuting at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. 

I like this one a lot because I too, have a lot in my pockets. And bag. I have a lot of  important stuff in my bag. I can relate. 

What's in your pockets?

Dear Creatures Spring 2013 Wishlist

Two years I got fed up with shopping. I always remembered a bit too late that I need clothes, and by then it was clearance, and no sizes left.
Even if I did remember on time, it seemed that I just didn't find anything. Too flowery, too tight, too short, way too saucy.
Let's not talk about shoes.
Last year Y caught me looking through the Dear Creatures site and told me I should buy their whole collection. I didn't of course, but it got me thinking. Two months ago I bought my first clothing on-line. I had my eye on the Dear Creatures winter line since it came out, and knew I would be sorry if I didn't try it out.
I bought The Cat's Meow in red (yellow was my first choice, but not available) from Ever + Mi Crush.
They have the most amazing customer service. Ever.
The main reason I don't buy clothing online is sizing. And fitting. The dress I bought was slightly large, so I exchanged it for a small. I was iffy about sending it back and forth, but within a week and a half I had my dress, perfect as perfect could be.
I am so happy I finally made "that step".

Have you seen Dear Creatures Spring collection? I am coveting so much of it right now.
Emerging Thoughts is having a pre-sale on the collection. Dangerous.
So, what's on my list you ask?

Both are really cute, but I have my eye on the Teal Mustard. It helps to know I look good in a wrap dress like this too.

Adorable. I'm not sure how good I look in that many stripes though.

This is even more adorable than the stripes. I'd go with the yellow, just to make my day brighter.

The contrast trim really adds to the dress. (Those blue/yellow shoes!!!)

Because cute tops are so hard to find. Love the brown grey version. This would look great with a pair of jean shorts, which I live in during the summer.

You can check out their whole Spring collection here.

All images are taken from the Dear Creatures website.

Finish it off Friday?

I wish weekends had more days. I'm so tired during the weekday evening I leave everything for the weekend.
Then I stay up way too late to finish everything, wake up Sunday morning exhausted, and the cycle just continues. I need a good nights sleep.
I started my adventures in quilting way too long ago. The reason why only now I'm finishing my second one, is because, well, weekends are too short.
This quilt is made from the lovely Birds and Berries, by Lauren and Jessi Jung for Moda. I knew I had to have this collection the second I saw it.
It is as lovely as it looks, but a bit troublesome. I bought the charm pack because I'm still terrified of anything but. It seemed there wasn't enough purple squares, or yellow. I couldn't make a simple zig-zag quilt because I didn't have enough, or had way to many of one color.

Charm pack was purchased from Designs By Donelle 

I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to matching colors, and I was really bummed about it. Especially because the purples were so pretty.
I ended up arranging it in an altered zig zag fashion. sort of zig zag, but not quite.

I bought the backing from the same collection, a very light mint with tiny white dots. The binding is also from the same collection, it looks like peacocks. The birds are all over this fabric. Sort of like "Where's Waldo". I think I read in their blog that there are more than 40 different birds in this line. That's a lot of birds.

Backing and binding was purchased from Lily Rose Quilts

Last Friday I bought the filling for this, and my plan is to try and quilt it tomorrow. I'm going with simple straight-ish lines along the zig zags. I like the clean look of it. If all goes well, tomorrow evening I start binding. Throughout the week I should be able to sneak in some hand sewing to get it done by next- Finish it up Friday.

I think there should also be a "Start it Saturday" (Or Sunday). Last week I also bought the fabric for my very own weekender bag. Just looking at the directions scare me, but I've read plenty of good tips, and have a bookmark called "weekender bag help", so I know I'm not alone. I cannot wait to make the cording, and well, actually finish it. I know it will be super useful, and hopefully not that hard as it seems.

But, more on that when I actually begin!

2013, Lets do this

I wanted to write about my New Years resolutions.
I always want a list. THE list. What I need to do before I'm 30. What I need to see before this and that.
I think my lists only got up to #5. And it was tough getting there. This year I decided to be a bit more realistic than "Travel to China".

1. Clean the house
My house is clean, but I want to be the queen of clean. Spotless clean. I used to be like that, but then I moved into a teeny tiny house and things started to pile up. This August we're supposed to be moving into a new house, and I plan on keeping it spick-and-span. AKA, shoes off at the door!

2. Get a Cat
Or a rabbit. Y is OK for either. Or both. That will happen in the new house as well.

3. Cut the sugar
Almost three years ago I went on a Candida diet. It lasted for almost 5 months until I broke down and ate a piece of chocolate. Since then I've only felt guilty every time I eat junk food of chocolate. Both Y and myself plan on eating healthier, less fat, sugar, meat. Tons more veggies and grains.
Make more food at home to take to work, freeze in advance. It's possible, I did it before, I can do it again.

Lululemon, Runder Under Pant

4. Fitness
Tomorrow I'm in the gym. I'm not a bum, but I need to work out more. Besides, I need an excuse for new running gear :) AKA, I need to loose 3 kg.

5. Read more
I used to love reading, and I still do, but it seems I don't have any time. A newspaper just isn't enough. 10 minutes before I go to bed is a good start.

This is getting harder...

6. Read more design magazines
Actually READ them. Cut out the pictures I like and want for inspiration, and do it. It's really not that hard. Just a matter of doing.

Agas & Tamar, Gold Studded Earrings

7. Buy myself jewelry
Because I deserve it.

8. Sew more
Even if it's late at night and just for 15 minutes. I know I'm pushing everything until our new house, but once we move, we'll finally have room for an actual studio, and it will make things easier. These days I need to pull out the ironing board on the kitchen counter, clear off the table for my cutting board... It wi;; be easier once everything is already OUT.

9. Be a better person
Be more polite. Say good morning to more people. Talk less behind people backs. Offer to help, don't turn people down. Be more patient. Keep my voice down. Stress less. Don't take my work home, don't bring my personal life to work. Bake more for co-workers. Smile more.
Mostly, think before talking/doing.

A Beautiful Mess, Elsie's Mojito Recipe

10. Drink more wine
And learn how to make cocktails. Every now and then a Mojito is nice to drink.

11. Try new things
Be open to new ideas. Change is not always bad.

12.
#12 is reserved for something private. But it's there and happening. Hopefully it's something that I'll be able to have accomplished by 2014 :)

OK 2013, I'm ready Let's do this!

Marc Johns

Inspiration is everywhere: Tiles

I've definitely been interested in tiles lately, the different colors, shapes and sizes.
I've been getting a lot of inspiration from them, be it for the color palettes, or finished pattern. I love how you can use a simple shape and turn it this way and that, change the color, and get something amazing.
I hope to get better at quilting to actually use some of this inspiration for quilt patterns.
Soon, very soon...

Studio Fludd

Marrakech Desgin

IXXI

In Bits Mosaics

Lunba Chowdhary

Baby it's cold outside

Winter is finally here. The other day we dusted off our heater and plugged it in. I dug out my slippers and hot water bottle. My fingers are always freezing cold, and our showers are super short because we never have enough hot water.
But for some strange reason, I keep looking at people all bundled up in sweaters and think to myself, "but it's till too early for bulky sweaters!"  I think I only admit it's winter in about February. Then, it's already too late. It's almost spring!
Time flies.
I know I need to start my winter knitting/sewing early, but I'm always late. Right now I want to knit another blanket. or, in other words, a fat warmer. But it'll only get used next year. Until I get around to it.

My dream living room has a big round wicker basket, filler with hand knit blankets. Colorful and chunky. And they will always be folded neatly inside. Each family member will have their favorite fat warmer to cuddle up in and fall asleep with.
Sounds lovely.

Anne Hanson, one of my favorite designers has lovely blanket patterns. I've knit Honey Baby (gifted) and the Hourglass Throw. Both were a pleasure to knit, as are all of her patterns.

Our Fat Warmer

Another blanket I knit was from Madelinetosh, Heirloom. I loved knitting it, and think I will gift it to a co-worker who is expecting her first child any day now.

Heirloom, but I call it "The Big Green"

But the first blanket I ever tried knitting crocheting was the Babette Blanket. What a pattern! I started back in 2009, and laughed when I read that it took some 9 months to complete it. Boy, was I a beginner.

I completed most of it right away, but then things got slow. I got bored. I really should have used more than 4 colors. 

To this day it's still missing the last panel, but it's big enough to wrap up in. The yarn is pretty heavy so it's super warm. Since I hate weaving the ends in, (and I can also use the excuse that it's still not finished!) there are loose ends all over the place. Oops.

 But Y loves that old blanket. He uses it every day, and claimed it his. I have a plan to finish it and surprise him with it, maybe next year...

If I had enough patience I'd knit him a brand new one, but I think some patterns are only made to be knit once. That's how they become special ♥

A blanket for the Bub

Hope everyone has a warm weekend! 

Stay home snuggled under the covers with someone you love (Let them bring you the hot chocolate!)

In a rut

A little while back I ordered my first Fat Quarters. Margurite, but Stitch studios for Riley Blake.
On the screen it looked lovely, vintage and sweet.
In reality, it's pretty, but not what I expected. The pattern I had planed for it- was out. Some of the prints were much larger than I had expected.
As much as I find fabric hunting hard, pattern hunting is even harder. I've spent the last 2 days searching the internet for that one pattern that said "Me, ME, PICK me!"
It isn't there. I've searched.
I'm still not 100% sure what I'm going to make from it. I wanted to make a baby blanket, but Swoon (Camille Roskelley) is looking awfully nice right now.
I have come across a TON of gorgeous blankets I do plan on making. Some day.

Here are some of my favorite inspirations:

Plum & Bow Blossom Patchwork quilt from Urban Outfitters ($169-$189 here) Isn't it gorgeous?
This got me thinking about the beautiful Indie line by Art Gallery.

Star Light Star Bright, by Jocelyn Ueng. Available in QUILT Magazine, December/January 2013 issue.
I NEED this magazine! ASAP please.

The next one isn't a quilt, but something I've had my eyes on for a while-

This lovely scarf/wrap/stole is from Plumo. I have this "thing" with triangles lately, and this just takes my breath away. I feel calm and happy just looking at it. Imagine how I would feel with it wrapped around my neck. Ah, pure bliss.
I desperately want to make this into a quilt (seems simple enough), but I need to get my hands on a color card first. I want solids, and the right way to get there might just be to dye my own fabric. That could be an adventure.

This isn't a quilt either, but it gets me thinking. Mostly how I need more scraps ;) But also about the use of Neutrals, and how simple can turn stunning.

You can read about the idea behind this beautiful piece over at Wit & Whistle.


Don't forget, you have a 15% discount on everything in the shop! Good until December 3rd, using the code HOLIDAY12 at checkout!