Thursday, December 31, 2009

See you....

See you...., originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

In my family we never say "goodbye" when we part.

Ever since my mother had a very serious stroke 9 years ago, we began to skip "goodbye", and started to say "see you"...

I really like the thought of "see you". It's such a positive statement, which sends the message that we will meet again very soon.

And there was a great deal of hope in those 2 words 9 years back.

So, I leave you with a very happy "see you" and the wish of a loving, beautiful, exciting 2010. I would be so thrilled to "see" you again...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The very last mosaic of the year....

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

For the very 1st time....

...my sister and I are not going to spend New Years eve with our big daughters. Anne-Sophie is going to be here - in London - with her sweet boyfriend Tim. A gorgeous Christmas present he gave her...
And my niece Ida is already here - in the Faroe Islands - with her boyfriend Runi....

It's so wonderful for both of the girls. My sister and I totally agree on that. But...

...it's going to be strange and maybe even a bit sad to celebrate the evening without them. But I assure you that the cell phones will be red hot, when the new year has begun at 12 o'clock.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Capricious or what!!!

For years and years - at least it fells like that! - I have heard Christian speak about a very special sweater. A brown one, which seems to be knitted and felted. During spring it's on the telly once a week in a program, which has been sent for lots of years. It's a garden program - Søren Ryge præsenterer - hosted by a man called Søren Ryge, for those of you that don't watch Danish TV.

The sweater in question looks like this and Christian adores it:

Nevertheless, a new sweater has been very relevant in Christian's mind lately, and the brown Søren Ryge one has been temporarely forgotten. For many months even.

This beautiful (and I bet extremely funny to knit one) has thrilled him:

Well, that's what I thought!!!

Because when Christian and I sat down to pick out yarn and pattern for the new sweater I wanted to make for him, as a part of his Christmas gift, something unexpected happened.

The gorgoeus Lopi pattern was no longer on his mind. Need I say which one he all of a sudden remembered???

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Now.....

....all I have left to do before starting all the preparations, is to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

The old angel is from my grandparents' home, and I have loved it all my life. Now, it reminds me of lots of love and the people I think we all miss on a day like this....but it also reminds me of the wonderful and lovely people we are so lucky to have in our lives today.

I hope you get to spend this very special day with the ones you love. Have a wonderful time....I certainly will.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Pyhhhh!

I got it done in time for Christmas.....

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A Molly Monkey in progress

Remember when I made the Baby Binky Bunny for our little nice Sara in Copenhagen?

She got very happy about it, and then I thought that it was time to make the bunny a friend for Christmas.

I have been making this monkey for quite a while now, because - as usual - my back isn't that good these days. But it's a lovely pattern, and cozy to work with so slow working is okay...

Once more I'm using a wonderful pattern made by Larissa. It's called Molly Monkey - and can you believe that it can be downloaded for free at Larissa's blog?

However, it's possible to donate an amount of money for Larissa if you like, and that is what I'm going to do when the monkey is done. It must have been a huge job to make such a fine pattern.

As you can see, the monkey has very thin arms at the moment and a bit of a problem on one of the legs! But nothing some stuffing and handsewing can't deal with...

A monkey skirt and a monkey bow is needed too, and then perhaps a matching skirt for Sara - if my back will work with me.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

If only I could read Icelandic

Then I would buy this book, which contains 17 patterns on baby blankets knitted and crocheted by 15 different women.

The book is published by Nalin. And all the blankets are knitted in yarn from the shop.

If only you could see the things made by Helga, who is one of the owners of the shop and the mother of Svanberg, an Icelandic friend of Emil's. I really admire her work. She made fabulos things for herself and her family.

She is a brilliant knitter and I just adore her embroidery too. Helga used to go to Skals Håndarbejdsskole and attended the collage of education in the same field. During that period of time the entire family lived in our town and that is why I know her.

Soon Nalin will open an online shop. I'm thrilled about that - and hope that it will send stuff to Denmark as well....

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

As usual....

Dots & stripes, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

....I got tempted by haberdashery. Stripes and dots - I will never be cured for my love of those patterns.

So once again I'm over the moon about some ribbons - these woven ones are from Maileg. And I could have brought home lots more, but...

Besides that I'm busing painting the last pictures for my friend. She came with 11 canvases, which she is going to give her colleagues for Christmas, and I promised to fill them out.

It has taken loads of time, but now I'm finally getting there. I still have 3 left, but hope to finish them this week....if my ideas keep coming. I'm not sure! It feels like they have been used up for a while...

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Hearts, apple and pig

Of course I had to see what Klippan had made to make our everyday life beautiful at Christmas time.
Once again it's Lotta Glave who has made some fabulous things....

Words are never necessary with their elegant and inventive design....so no more from my side.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Knitting + ceramic

Knitted vases and bowls - it sounds rather strange if you ask me. But just have a look at the beautiful work from Annette Bugansky and see how elegantly she combined knitting and ceramics.

Annette Bugansky is a former textile and costume designer, who has now become a very talented ceramicist.
How she makes those beautiful knitting patterns appear on her art, is a mystery to me. But somehow that's also the part I love about it.

I for one wouldn't mind putting one of her vases on my Christmas wishlist. Or maybe just a tealight?

You can see more of her work here at loop (which by the way is a fabulos yarn shop).

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

December at my house

December at my house, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

It was such an extremely beautiful morning today. After weeks of grey and rainy weather, the sun broke through the skies. Oh, that's lovely! I love the light, but who doesn't?

So, I took a few photos of our house and garden - dressed for December...

And as I promised you, kaylovesvintage, here are a few shots from the book JULEBOGEN.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Hip, hip, hooray!!!

I'm so thrilled to have won this fantastic giveaway at Tasha's blog!! In 86 comments mine was the lucky one, who got picked by the number generator. Such a surprise makes my day....

I decided to get the Little Red Riding Hood in both embroidery pattern and fabric...and I can hardly wait. And while you are at the blog, I strongly recommend a view at Tasha's etsy shop. Just click on the picture of Tasha's beautiful Little Red Riding Hood fabric below, and you will be there in no time!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Definitely December books

I know for sure that there are 2 books I'm going to get for December. The first one has to be JULEBOGEN (the Christmas book) written and illustrated by Theresa Maria Jessing.

I you watch Bonderøven on DR2 ýou might already know who she is. Frank's beautiful - and talented - wife.

To me the book sounds very interesting and I know that I'm going to enjoy reading it. Hopefully I will be able to add my own notes in the book, and get new ideas and stories about Christmas.

And if I manage to write down as the years - and Christmases- pass by, more and more of my little family's Christmas traditions will be saved in JULEBOGEN.

(By the way, did you know that Theresa Maria Jessing designs knitting patterns? Lovely things indeed - see for yourself on her website.)

The other book which we will purchase, is for Emil and me.

We always read a book in the Christmas month (and in other months too!) and it has to be divided into 24 chapters. One chapter for each day...

This year it will be IQBAL FAROOQ OG JULESVINERIET. It's a book written by the Danish politician Manu Sareen. He has written several books about Iqbal Farooq and his family, and Emil and I have enjoyed every single one.

It's the kind of book, which is perfect if your child appriciates humour. We sure have high hopes for loads of laughs in this one too....

Now all we have to do, is to go out and buy them both. But not tomorrow. That day will be all about family and relaxing...

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Well, okay then...

....I will take him!! (or buy him from Knock Knocking if you like).
Isn't he wonderful? He is one of the many tiny parts, which makes Christmas what it is....and of course he has his heart in the right place.
So has his fellow nutcracker friends....

Monday, November 23, 2009

I just had to have this wrapping paper

And you know what? It only cost me about 2 dollars each. That's a bargain. I get so exited when little things like these can make my day.

I haven't removed the shiny cellophane from the rolls yet - I can't get myself to do that, because I know that it will be gone all too soon then.

How crazy is that? I bought it for that purpose!

If some of you Danes would like to buy a few rolls of the sweet Gingerbread wrapping paper, then try have a look at Rema 1000. They might just have some left...

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Yippeeee!!

Soon I can buy my new 2010 sample of this fantastic calender:

It's a pleasure to look through it and see all the many ideas from Skals Håndarbejsskole. I just love that place...but you know that by now, don't you?

And take a look at my birthday month May. Embroidered buttons. Simply perfect!!

I'm lucky to live close by the school, so it's easy for me to get a calender. But you don't have to worry if you want one. You can buy your copy right here....

Friday, November 20, 2009

Glimpses of a Friday

Sitting at our kitchen table, I can see loads of things. Lovely Hyacinths in glasses next to a little candle.

Lots of my paint and crayons haven recently been taken out from their hideaway. I used to paint and draw so much, but the last 3 years those things haven't been a major part of my life.

When I look into our livingroom I see the little red suitcase in which I have my knittingneedles - and for the time being - it contains a new striped hat for Red Barnet.

Sadly the blue hat went to the bin the other day. I sewed it together in the wrong way (which I always do with Djævlehuer) and while unravelling I accidently cut over a stitch!!

But never mind...I will make another.

I hope you all enjoy the weekend with your loved ones - I certainly will.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

A "I-can-see-that-Christmas-is sneaking-up-on-me" favorite mosaic

Friday, November 13, 2009

Did you know...

...that a majority of newborn African babies die from pneumonia due to the very cold evenings and nights in Africa?

Click on the photo to see more....

I didn't know, but became aware of it when I read more about the project "Knit a hat and save a child" initiated by the Danish organisation Red Barnet.

I saw an add for it a while ago, but didn't get to do anything about it rather than think that I would love to knit some tiny hats. But when I found a link for the project at Hendes Verden I saw it as a clue to get started. Here you can read more about the project and even find a few patterns for hats, if you don't have any.

So now the first tiny hat is done and a red one is about to be knitted. I'm using cotton as recommend by Red Barnet.

I hope that I will send off more than two hats very soon.....

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"Lilleput" by Lenealve

seedling , originally uploaded by lenealve.

You have to see this wonderful pattern, which I bought last night. Isn't it just gorgeous? I sure think so...

I'm so into details and this cardigan has loads of stunning details. Especially the embroidery and the fabric covered buttons under the sleeves.

It's designed by Lene - a Finnish woman with an amazing talent if you ask me.

But I think that you had better take a closer look at the pattern at Lene's blog. There you can read much more about it, and see several more beautiful pictures of "Lilleput".

If you get tempted as much as I did, you can buy the pattern here on ravelry.

Monday, November 09, 2009

She is done!

Fiona is done, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

...now "Fiona" only needs 2 buttons and some blocking.

So, it was time to pull out the good old knitting: "Ansigter". Oh, I forgot how s l o w l y that project is! But I will carry on (and maybe hide and "forget" it once more...in a little while).

Friday, November 06, 2009

A happy dog...


Otto in the woods, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Numbers for the "pakkekalender"

For the "pakkekalender", originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

...or in our case the adventcalender!

I just had to show these fabulous number bears which I bought from Minimega. If you want to make the little calender presents for the kids a bit more beautiful and jolly, then you better have a look at Minimega and Sara's fantastic PDF downloads. The numbers go from 1 to 24 - not a surprise to you, I guess....

I'm so thrilled about mine and can't wait to attach them to Emil's and Anne-Sophie's (yes, you can have a adventcalender at 17 - even at 38) presents.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Just another skirt....


A little autumn skirt, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

...for a little friend of mine, who just became a bigsister.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Did anyone say Donuts??

Having lived in London with a Dunkin' Donuts nearby, I have grown fond of these round cakes. Not so much in the "eating them way" - had too much of them in London!! - but more in the "love the shape and colors way".

So when I saw this fabulous fabric from Michael Miller here, there was no hesitation from my side. This I had to have.....

So, now it has arrived - I have so many ideas for what to make out of it. Maybe something round with a hole in the middle...

Monday, October 26, 2009

Fiona.....like the rest of you

Fiona, originally uploaded by lille-ursus.

I'm not making this beautiful pattern by Rasmilla for anyone. I simply had to try it out in a little size 2. I bought the pattern ages ago, and has been trying to find an excuse to knit it. But now I don't need one....

When will I ever learn not to start a zillion projects?