Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Mixed bon bons

I hope that the new year to come, will be as wonderful as a bag of mixed bon bons for each and every one of you.

With lots of sweet, funny and colourful things in your life and of course most of the very best kind.
May you all be loved to bits by your loved ones and acchieve the goals you set for yourself....
Thank you so much for stopping by in 2008.....it really made me happy!

Monday, December 29, 2008

I knew it

Along with the sun came my sudden urge for things in soft pastel colours....and the need for hiding away Christmas stuff.

I pretend that spring is just around the corner, even though I know in my heart of hearts, that it will not show it's beauty for at least 3 months! But if the waiting becomes snowy, frosty and sunny I will not complain.....

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Finally done!

It has taken me quite a while to finish this grown-up "Mini-like" cardigan. Actually it has been lying in my knitting basket far too long, but whenever I saw it I didn't feel like working on it.

BUT now it's done and I think that I will be happy about it in the future. Anne-Sophie loved this one too, so yesterday we bought yarn for a "Mini-like" cardigan for her in the most adorable bluish colour....

It's going to be knitted by me, so I hope it will be a bit faster to work on the 2nd time....

Friday, December 26, 2008

A Christmas walk

A wonderful walk at the fiord nearby, was excactly what we needed....

Otto - the courageous dog - decided to go winterbathing. He absolutly adored it and ran through the cold water as fast as a lightning. Good thing that we had a warm and fluffy towel in the boot!

Laid back knitting

The last week before Christmas eve I have finally been able to make a bit creative stuff....all though I had to lie down half of the time while knitting! But now I know that it's possible...

I had started this sweater for my sister in November. It was meant to be a Christmas present for her.

The pattern is from Hjertegarn and the yarn is soft wool - Lima. I didn't want some itchy yarn for my sister ;0)

But when I all of a sudden had to go to hospital in the beginning of December, I thought to myself that my sister would have to settle for a sweater without sleeves for a while!

Home from hospital I didn't feel fit to knit, but at the same time I really needed to make something with my hands......and I thought that it was so annoying that I couldn't finish the present in time for Christmas. All I had to do was let time pass by.

Luckily it all got a bit better later on and I started working on the sweater. Due to the big needles it didn't take that long to get it done.

Then I only had to wait and see if she liked it and whether it would fit? I did however have some secret conversations with my brother in law, where he told me the measurements of my sister's arms. (Secretly taken from an old sweater of hers).

She liked it!! And now Anne-Sophie would love one too.....

Thursday, December 25, 2008

From my son

From my son, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

I got this for Christmas from my son and I ABSOLUTELY adore it.....

Monday, December 22, 2008

I never ever heard about it!!!

But it looks so interesting and tasty, that we have to make some one of these days.....

This is how it's made if you want to have a go at it as well!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

A heart with hearts

The last 4 Sundays I have been so excited to open my advent presents from my sister...well, actually I have been looking forward to that several days before Sunday.

Every single one of the presents have been perfect! My sister knows just what I like...

Today was no exception. When I opened the beautifully wrapped gift, this darling little angel was what I saw!! She's simply adorable - and she holds a heart with hearts!!

I adore the Medusa figurines for their naive expression - and some how the company keeps finding new and fine personalities for their figurines...That suits me well ;0)

I found the right spot for my new angel. Knowing what might happen to figurines in this house made me pick out a safe place in the window ceiling. So there she is protected by glass....holding her hearty heart, which will remind me of my dear sister when ever I see it....

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Sound of angels

Late this afternoon I heard the most beautiful concert performed by the youth choir at Viborg Cathedral.

My dear niece Ida sings in the choir and I had looked so much forward to hearing her sing some wonderful Christmas hymns....I love to hear children and young people sing and the fact that the concert was in the breathtaking cathedral, also put a special feeling to it all.

I was NOT disappointed - it was SO beautiful and solemn. Every time I looked at Ida I felt so touched meanwhile the gorgeous sounds filled my ears and heart.

Thank you so much dear Ida for the beautiful experience....

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Postman

This wonderful illustration borrowed from Pia Olsen's website puts it very well, who Anne-Sophie and I are waiting for these days.
We have both ordered things we would like to recieve before Christmas - but for different reasons.
I'm waiting for the last part of my mother's gift to come....
Today I got another Christmas gift in the mail - it was the one for my father...or a bit of it.
And I even got a few things for myself as well.....

I can't wait to see that book!!!!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

I do.......

...find it rather sad that Små Tekstiler is closing by the end of this year.

It will definitely be a huge loss for all of us, who love great quality, perfect service and amazing fabrics.

I just bought these wonderful fabrics the other day, and I hope to take another look (read: buy some more) on the treasures at Små Tekstiler before it's too late......

I think you should have a look too while you still can - there's lots of gorgeous things.

Friday, December 12, 2008

A pixie stopped by

This WONDERFUL woman knows her way around pixies....I even suspect her of having one of her own!!! Because there he was all of a sudden, the little fellow - standing on my doorstep with a big envelope on his back. Cold and tired from the long journey, but determined to give me the package, which he carefully reached me with his little pixie arms. "I come from the most cozy village in Denmark!", he said while taking of his clogs. Of course he had to get a refreshment and something hot for his throat, and a decent pixie never keeps his clogs on in new homes... "You are very welcome" I said to the post pixie, and was keen on seing what was inside of the envelope. I carefully opened it and this is the treasure which was revealed from the fragile, golden paper it was wrapped in:

"Ohhhhh!!!" was the only thing I could say, when I saw the contence of the gift. And I felt a big smile inside of my body. Never had I seen Christmas ornaments like these - BEAUTIFUL!!! "Have you read the card??" the pixie asked me, while he was sipping his warm beer. "I always start by looking at the card", I ensured him.....hoping that pixies are unable to see tears in the eyes of soft women. Surely the giver of this amazing gift was a woman with a splendid sense for beauty, and a woman with a very warm and caring heart. "Well, I had better be off" the pixie said to me in a very pixie-like way. "Do remember to send my best wishes and loving thanks to the gorgeous woman, in the most cozy village" I told the pixie.....but he was no longer in my house. His tiny footprints in my hall were the only signs of him ever being there..... Hopefully he has allready returned to the house of the sweet woman in the most cozy village. I'm so happy and grateful that Anne made him come my way........ :0)))

Should I worry about a teasing pixie in my house??

...or a clumpsy husband ;0))

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Thank God for wonderful movies

Lots of resting calls for wonderful movies.....

If you haven't seen this amazing movie yet, I can highly recommend it!
I must see it again one of these days!

And this afternoon Anne-Sophie had bought this one:

I really like the older version of "Pride and Prejudice" which once has been transmitted on our national tv channel TV2.

Enough to see for a while....

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Days went by

Well, a few days of this December passed by, without any of us using the advent candle at our house. It's still December the 1st.

I went to hospital all of a sudden to have an operation for - yet another (which actually is the 4th) - slipped disc. Not planned at all....!!

Once again, I felt the much appriciated love and warm care from my beloved husband & children, my dear family and my wonderful best friend.

Everything went well, and now I'm facing some weeks with a minimum of physical activity. I'm tired in my back and in my mind - BUT I'm together with my loved ones.

Monday, December 01, 2008

A really fine day

My wonderful sister brought me these gorgeous gifts yesterday - it's an adventcalender which is beautifully wrapped and it's for me!!

I haven't had an adventcalender for many years. I guess the last one I got, was way back in 1990 when I lived in London and was missing my family badly! At that time it was from my sweet sister as well....

Luckily I could open a bit of this one right away - even though I did all the boring things before opening it, to make the pleasure longer!!

Inside the shiny black wrapping paper I found 2 pairs of Noa Noa socks. I LOVE Noa Noa socks, and my sister knows that! Having cold feet is definitely not an option in my life...

My brother in law gave me this beautiful wreath to hang on our frontdoor. I just find it very cozy when our guests, through December, are met by a wreath at our door.

In the afternoon we decorated our house for Christmas. It's always a moment of joy and a source of great pleasure to see our box of Christmas ornaments again. So many funny and wonderful things, which we almost forgot we had....

Of course we have lots and lots of candles at this time of year too. Candles - among many other things and feelings - are a perfect example of the cozyness I associate with Christmas.

Our pixies were put in good places, hearts were hung in our windows and these figurines look at us when ever we pass their way.

On his way to bed Emil peeked through the window, which we have between our kitchen and our livingroom....he also had a great day.

Lying in my bed I couldn't help smiling in the dark and feeling very blessed to have a family like mine.

I truely think that each one of them enrich my life immensely by being the persons they are.....to me that will always be the very best part of Christmas...

Saturday, November 29, 2008

A Saturday in November

A day can very easily be described in only 4 parts:

  • I finished embroidering the bouncing footballs.

  • Anne-Sophie delivered her adventcalender to her boyfriend (the little notes are hints on what to expect in the gift of the day)

  • A kit for a stripy zebra-ko (zebra cow!!) went home with me from a local knitting market.

  • Christmas came into our house - the poor candle almost crumbled (around December 22th, 23rd and 24th!) as I was trying to make it stand....

And tomorrow comes a new day with other things to do...can you tell that I was SO tired while I was writing?? ;0)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Ehhhhmm - where??

A couple of weeks ago I was looking through some knitting shops on the internet.

This model came to my attention. It is a pattern from Marianne Isager - at least that's what I remember from the text below the photo....and it's a sweater for children.

I think it would be great for Emil. Maybe he would love to have one in green colours...?

Now my problem is that I can't remember where I saw this beauty!!! Have you come around it on your shop surfing here in cyberland?

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

UPDATE

Ta-dah!!! I have found the pattern!!!

The most embarassing part of it all is, that it was in a shop which link I have on my blog!!

All of a sudden I thought that I could have a little look at the list, which shows all the webpages we have visited days or weeks ago....Oh, so many webpage adresses - but finally at the bottom of the list - under the letter "T" - I found the shop Tante Hanne.

So here you go: where to buy the pattern made by Charlotte Tøndering for Marianne Isager! :0))

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I feel so lucky...

I feel so lucky..., originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

...to have received this wonderful Christmas ornament from the sweet, sweet Amy, who lives in the USA and whom I have gotten to know through flickr. (I have already written a mail to thank her a million times, but she still deserves a hug and loads of "thank yous")

All of a sudden it was delivered by our postman yesterday - it completely took me by surprise! And what a gorgeous surprise... It really made me happy, that she wanted to give me a gift - and every time I see the strawberry I will think about Amy.

I have never ever seen Christmas ornaments like this before and I know for sure, that I will be the one who decides where to hang it on our Christmas tree ;0)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

I just joined a wonderful flickr group with a very obvious name.... Mosaic Monday

I know for sure that it will introduce me to lots of inspirering people!

Sewing by hand

I'm doing work by hand these days....it suits me very well to do it this way.
I sew a bit and then leave it all for a good while.
I'm embroidering footballs on a little boys' blouse in flax.

Giving felt cakes lots of sprinkles.....

....in new colours.

And finishing trims on a Christmas dress.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Tournesol

Back in October our very dear friends Håkan and Lotte invited us out.... We were not to know what it was all about. That was a surprise. Christian and I spent many hours pondering about the surprise. What could it be?? Various proposals were tossed in the air, but none of them came close to the actual event. Finally the day arrived....we were going to a concert!! Christian and I both love music, and especially live. Sadly Liselotte was taken ill and couldn't go with the rest of us.

These fellows were the ones which we were going to see and hear in concert....

Neither Christian nor I had heard about this band before, but now we will never forget them. Actually we hear their songs rather frequently - and loud - at the moment (Anne-Sophie and Emil have even gotten to know the lyrics and sing along).

We were not many people at the concert, but placed in a fairly small room with round tables and chairs, we atttended the best intimate and personal concert ever.

The music was simply brilliant and the band was amazing. Two guitars and a singer...you wouldn't believe how well they performed.

I can only give Tournesol my best recommandations and you should really go to their website and listen to "Weekend Superman"...Or even better attend a concert of theirs!

I do however think that the best part of all this is, that we fell so lucky in our little family to have friends like Liselotte and Håkan and their children. It's so fantastic and heartwarming that they wanted to give us such a wonderful evening.....I hope we will be able to surprise them in the future!

Friday, November 21, 2008

PDF what???

Well, this might not come as a surprise to any of you - and you might even laugh at me - but I think that I have found a super smart way of buying written stuff, which I knew absolutly nothing about a few months ago: the PDF file!!

The other day I bought these fine little tags at Maria Lunate - and even though I usually am a very patient person by nature, I always like to get things I buy or order fast...very fast.

That's excactly what happens when you buy something as a PDF file...no posting tiny parcels from some where in the world - in this case Argentina - and receiving it 10 or 14 days later. No, I only waited a few hours for the sweet tags to arrive in my email. And I can print it out as many times as I like....isn't that just fabulous??

This lovely hat is another PDF file I bought a while ago at Mkccarroll. I can just imagine how wonderful this hat will be.....I might add a little something to it to give it a personal touch. But the pattern is so elegant that it can easily stand alone.

In the foresee-able future we are all going to replace our old 2008 calenders with new 2009 ones.....I will buy this one

that's for sure - but I think that this one

will be my next PDF purchase. The smart thing about this one from A little Hut is that you can choose your own background on the big letters....

What will be your first - or more likely - next PDF purchase??

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hyacinths

Finally it was time to bring out my glasses for Hyacinths...

Every morning I'm met by the wonderful scent which these flowers send into our livingroom....

I have 2 Hyacinths at the moment, but I know I will get many more to decorate my window-sills.

This or that?

If I could decide - and didn't have to take any notice of Christmas wish lists what so ever - then I would buy most of my presents on gorgeous etsy....

This wonderful birthday set made by Middleburg would make a mom of small children happy.

A bird mug would be a perfect gift for a grandmother, who loves coffee. This one is made by Catherine Reece.

The superhero bag from Helisengezer would be just fine for a sister's purse and other handy items.

A little cousin would enjoy pulling the flowery elephant from Matsutake up and down the living room floor.

This amazing ring would charm any girlfriend - and if you want it then go have a look at Touchthedutch's etsy shop.

A dad could very easily keep his change in a nice little tin like the one you can find at Silverymoonart. Eventhough I wouldn't advice him to carry it around - what a noise that would make!

If any of the receivers didn't like their gifts, it wouldn't be a problem at all - I would gladly take the gifts back and keep it all myself!

Luckily I am not to decide what my family write on their wish lists. How boring and impersonal it would be, if I was to choose all the presents without thinking of their wishes.....