Hello Monday (hello sunshine)

58 pictures
2 car rides
1 birthday party
3 text messages
8 new acquaintances
19 stripes knitted

—how was your weekend?

I find Mia Nolting's work stunning! via sia·grafica
Tim C. — Superior

(thank you for sharing your Easter traditions:-)

as in Easter-Soon-To-Come

Do you have any favorite Easter trads?
Royal Cph easter eggs. Hungarian eggs. And a wee bit o Martha-eggs.

Reasons

Brick by carefully handpicked brick, I am building this new company of mine, and one brick has been making a website portfolio. I didn't know how to build websites, and with reference to the watercolour buttons, it's fair to say I broke several on this one.
I has taken me a while, evenings, weekends and nights, so it wouldn't interfere with my "day-time" job ;-)
Which is also the reason I have been a less active blogger than I like to be. I miss blogging, when I can't. Miss visiting, miss chatting, seeing, experiencing. And that reminds me of how thankful I am, to have all this within my grasp. Thank you.
If you'd like to see the portfolio, please click the image — it should take you straight there :o)

Find(s)

We welcomed this little table into the family this weekend. Alas—found in a container—cold and a little damp, but perfect! none·the·less. I love her little feet, and the wavy curve of her legs. We tried on different flowers today. And a pair of buttons:-)

Found Moonstitches and was very inspired. She has such a delicate, simple and pure style. Def. worth paying a visit:) Via Slagt en hellig ko.

Greetings to all tables out there. And a Happy Tuesday.

Meeouw ...

I have said it before–and I'll say it again. And again. And again. I Love The World Wide Web. And I love blogging. Last week I found these at Bakeralla. (Mine aren't as perfect in shape nor in color, but the birthday girl was thrilled - and that was the aim.) I ended up spending the whole evening with Bakerella–she makes the cooooolest cakes and candies.
I didn't follow the recipe, but found some kittyface-shaped candies at the store.
Another Grrreat reason for raving over this thing we're doing, is this: GoodReads. I leaned about it via wonderful Gracia.
Have a lovely weekend :)

Afternoon quiet

This new life as a freelancer opens possibilities to push boundries. Business is slowly growing, and I try to keep up. I'm privileged, and greatful.
Happy weekend to you.

Please visit Singlecrochet to see her cameras. And the beauuutiful shoes at Machado Handmade.

... as in Doily

More doilies.
Inspiring watercolour travel journals from Stefano Faravelli. And his Moleskine on film.

Late IF

Thank you for sharing your views on taking chances. I seem to be asking myself that question these days, and your input was helpful:)
I missed last weeks's Illustration Friday. It was Celebrate. Weeks just go by so quickly—I look up, and it's Saturday again! Camilla has an explanation.
Have a wonderful weekend. (I went tobogganing today—what are you up to?)

Lovely Salvia

Making macarons and asking questions ...

Light as an angels' breath, these sweet little treats. With a little inspiration originally from La Durée, and fellow bloggers Cannelle and UseRealButter, I added some, took some out and ended up with my own. ( I let them sit too long in the oven, though, so they got a slight tan from the oven heat + the batter was aliiittle too thick—but other than that ... ;-) I will know this till next batch (and there will be a next batch. And a next. And a next :-)

I have a question today: Can you take the chance of a lifetime, and still play it safe ...?

B as in ...

BOY! This was a challenge. There was light there was dark — circles — perspective ... I swear I broke a sweat! :-) It's been ages since I watercoloured. But I like a good challenge, and I'm quite excited about this little reunion with my ol' WN box :-) (I will take its picture tomorrow—it's pitch black out now.

I fell in love yesterday, browsing though Anahata's shop PaPaYa!. Wauw. And take a look at where she lives. I mean this is everyday view for that gal. AMAzing :-)
Anahata linked to this puppy. Ohoh. How does a Scandinavian get her eager hands on that!, I ask you? :-)) (Seriously—I'd like to know)
:-) Happy Friday tomorrow — have a neat one.

As in ...

So. »Did you feeeel like the Aubergine?
»... no
»Have you ever ... felt! ... like one
... »uhmn ... sorry whatwas the question again?
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
I like talk radio. Today there was a program about a mental institution in Denmark, with stories of both the buildings and its inhabitants from 1915 to today. An architect spoke for preservation of the area, and former caretakers, doctors and scientists were interviewed, and they spoke of the place and the residents with so much warmth and love, a sense of understanding and down-to-earth compassion. It was an interesting, unsentimental picture of a world I am in very limited contact with. Talk radio does that—open my eyes to worlds I know little or nothing of.
There was a little story-in-the-story about a painter, a schizophrenic, who lived at the institution decades ago, and a historian spoke of the views on artists in those days; the connection—or fine line—that was said to be between crazy and genius. He spoke of flow, of that complete devotion to the moment it was, when these "crazy" artists lost themselves in the artistic process, completely unaware of the world around them ...
...
okay ... show of hands, now—
how many here have tried that ...??? (I know I have :-)
Crazy.

The other day I was tagged by Mansuetude (thank you:) for a special line, or words that ring important inside. A mere matter of hours before I read the tag, I'd heard Kirtana's Train Song, about knowing ourselves from the thoughts we think we are. I find it profoundly beautiful.

»Just because the tracks are laid...
or just because your ticket's paid for...
and some crazed conductor
keeps on calling out your name,
you don't need to board the train.

Trains of thought will come and go,
but you are not your thoughts, you know—
so why get all caught up in where they lead?

You are who these thoughts
are passing through

Complete lyrics here.

I, too, find it difficult to pass on awards—to mention some and not others seem so unfair. I follow so many, discover new ones - and you should all get awards. So there'ya go. Please take it ... go-on. And with it, wishes for the best weekend :-))

Please listen (you may close your eyes—it is such a sweet version)
,look (and don't miss »the mutations«)
and breathe (via dsharp)

Happy weekend:)

Of Music and Colour

I bought music today. An oldie I have been meaning to buy for ages, and an album I look so much forward to get to know properly. I linked to a crazy, amazing video with her (and "Buttons") about a year ago (I think by reference of Mansuetude, actually) and now she has an album out. What an album. (What a lady.) I love the album already—and we only just met. The video, unfortunately, is not availible on YouTube anymore (It was the one with the rubberband, the plastic, the clothes-pegs). I hope you came across it. Anyhoo; Sia. And her website. And a festival interview. (A while after posting, I found the video here :-) Yay)
3. L'homme est un île
4. Abyss

Of Word and Colour

While leaving word with my fellow bloggers, I enjoy the word verifications. The computer who generates them comes up with great words, like califlat and terrer, and I always fantasize that one day I will get a word that means something and is completely suitable for that very moment! :-) Has it happened to you?
1. hello
2. I seem to hear you
Anna Emilia Laitinen via Eddy and Edwina
small magazine – so much inspiration (so many bloggers)
Have yourself a peaceful weekend.

Are we there yet??

I tried to think it differently this year ("'Tis winter, and will be for a few months more"), but it caught up on me. The urge for Spring! Usually it hits me around January 2nd-January 3rd, so perhaps I should be proud that I made it all the way to the 21st this time. From now on, and to the first warm sunbeams make me hesitate with the double-double wollen sweaters, I'm all "Issit warm yet?—issit spring yet?—arethe flowers up yet?". Well—Can't help it. Can't wait!

In Black & White

I'm working on some ink illus for a project these days. I can't show you yet, but I want to show you one in the same style, that I did for a book cover last year. It's H.C Andersen—do you know him? He's our countrys National Poet (or one of them :-)
The cover turned out completely different. So now this is a drawing-in-a-drawer. (I bet there are a lot of those world-wide. I have a few myself :-).
A gem of a book. And super-cool posters.

"So this ..." part II

Have a sweet weekend :-)

* i n t e r m i s s i o n *

Music by Arielle Dombasle · Movie by me
(Technical reasons for illu not being posted as promised. Won't bore anyone with details.)

So this is what it feels like ...

to be selfemployed, I mean. It's nice. Great, actually! I've been busy these first two weeks. I feel so grateful.

Alas—the light is gone. So workspace now -- illu tomorrow. (False light is weird).
Check out Kristin Cammermeyers wonderful work (the whole thing is in Flash—you can go to portfolio). Via My Love For You.
Oh! And is this ever a treat! WAUW!
Last— well, I know it's not nice to laugh at people, but I couldn't help myself. (I don't even think they were kidding:-)
See you tomorrow.

Music and Sweet Cardamom Coffee, to stay pls.

Grinding coffee beans for a huge glass of coffee with hot milk (and—I confess—a spoon fulla sugar), I threw in 3 cardamom pods with the beans. Yum.
...
The day before New Years, I came across Analogik's not-so-new album Søens Folk (roughly translates to Men of the sea). Wow. Couldn't get over it. Here's a track from the album; God Russik (~Good Russin (yes)). Analogiks website. And MySpace. Yum.
Flora Douville linked to another great artist: Emilíana Torrini. Top right on her site, you can listen to a number of tracks. Umn-Yum.
If you're up for it, please check these two Danish electronics: Hej Matematik and Spleen United.
I'm all music'ed out now:)

Good Morning '09

*H A P P Y · N E W · Y E A R*
I wish everyone a wonderful happy 2009. May you have what you wish for.

Cozy

This one snug in (whatcan you do?!)

And I have begun a vest, inspired by the "Fri hækling"-books. The book says: "Draw and cut a shape" (in my case a vest), "And make sure your design stays within the edges of this". That's it! It's a wonderful project.
Lovely collection. And here.
Rex Ray on rediscovering creative freedom.

In Between

I love inbetweens. The space in which nothing is thought, nothing is spoken and every possible possibility stand vibrant and open. Not being defined. Being only InBetween. A mere glimpse in ones consciousness; focus on it—and it'll be gone.
A similar, but different InBetween is the inbetween of projects. On the satisfaction of having concluded something, comes an ever so silent holding of breath, before deciding what to make next. It is empty and endless in the best way. Followed inevidably by a roaring river of defining new projects. Awesome!
So. The Sweater:
And the perhaps-new stuff:

Elsebeth gave me these two books (Thank you, dear friend;). I looove them. They're completely 70s-groovy. No rules or patterns—"just-crochet-away-and-see-what-happens". Great!

Composing A Day by Knick Knack.
Mac-Love this :-)

Have a sweet day

There!

Very Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you and your families will have wonderful relaxing days with love and togetherness.
It has been so long since I have posted, and since I have skip-hopped along those tangled paths of blogger-world, and I miss it so so much. But between sorting out my head, my feelings, and the sweater (haha—I am now half a sleeve and one neck short of being done), I just couldn't oversee it. Now, finally, thoughts are beginning to quiet down, and I feel almost ... myself again:)

January 1st, I am starting my own business. *Yay*. I am happy and excited and a little bit nervous. I mean —I'm on my own now. No safe pay check by the end of the month, no pension, no insurance. But it feels right! Like there is no other way. And I am experiencing so much luck. I'm being helped in every possible (and impossible) way. Syncronicity. In all its beauty. I am deeply thankful.

It's probably a small thing for Mankind, but a huuuuuge deal for me, so please forgive the drama and secretiveness:))) But there it is. The beans, I mean ;-))

Thank you for commenting—even though I was absent. See you soon. I wish you the best of the best of the best of Christmases, along with peace and calm. Happy Holidays.

Change is coming

I haven't been very busy here lately—my mind has been preoccupied. In a huge way. Change is coming; it's exciting and breathtaking. And it is going to be wonderful. I'm sure of it. —not going to spill the beans just yet, but it won't be long:)
...
Made a misteltoe. From felting-wool, scraps af yarn and wooden beads.

I wish you a wonderful weekend. Please pay a visit to Amy Atlas. Sugar Art—yum. And to Victor Dubrovski (and animals). Via Slowprogress.

Hello Ms Moon

Thank you so much for your sweet comments on the previous post. Votes for the dear deer were in favour of No 2—eight to four:))
Don't you just love these crisp mornings? I can't help taking pictures of the sky—and I'm in awe how it changes by the second. (So I run from window to window, shooting pictures - waayyy to cold outside for me to place my bare feet on the balcony ;-))

Btw -- My house-wife-account is filling up very nicely these days. I'm knitting a sweater for my husband. And it is taking me forever. I'm quite slow at it. Enjoying though:)
What are you up to?

~>O<~ (I have asked Santa for her textile print book for Christmas. Do you think I will gettit?)

Seasonal suggestions

A little happy holiday sketching. I have difficulties choosing.

Which do you prefer?

Wonderful links today: Keri Smith, Antónios drawings (and awesome webdesign), french happy store Pylones. Cool knitwear (and generousity) at Made By Myself. Last; wauw . Have a sweet Tuesday ;-)

Betsy Walton

I received this beauty in the mail yesterday. Ouuuhh, I feel so happy looking at it. I fell in love on Etsy, and now it is here, even prettier than I had hoped. The colours more vibrant, and the texture of the paper more perfect than I had dreamed. THANK YOU, Betsy Walton, for being such a stunning, talented artist. Now I will go find a good frame for my pretty print:)
Betsy also make an animation; Paper Airplane.

Fragile

One breath, and the light is gone. I chose to set all else aside this afternoon after work, grab the cam, and go for a walk. I am deeply thankful that I did.
Super cool website designers: Also. A treasure chest of cool websites—e.g. Charmingwall. Bonus: Less. Please listen #3—I want to know you.
Wauw. Lovelovelove blogging. Talent all over.
Take care. Wish you a curious Wednesday ;)

Busybusybusy

Haha. Sometimes I feel like I'm waaayy ahead of me, and I runrunrun to catch up. But I can't help laughing at it, 'cause I know it's only my ambitions running up there, turning it's head every two seconds, going C'mon, you slow twit, get moving. And I just laugh harder.
Anyhoo--feeling utterly uninspired, I took a few lazy evenings on the couch last week, and then -BAM!- was hit by a zillion ideas on Monday. (Runrunrun -- haha:-D) A few of them are here (below) and in the shop. More to come.

Very beautiful, spiritual post from Superhero Journal
Cool Castle T from Resurrection Fern (note also the awesome pillow ;-)
"I love green" Collection from Resurrection Fern's Flick'r
Great Stockholm Talents

and three little wishes for Xmas ;-)

Electronic

- urge to make a small, quick -not-much-thought-behind- electronic illo. Phew! Feel better now. Happy Monday to you.