nette

New Year's Eve Tunic

2012-01-07T14:09:00.001+01:00

Finally some new cloth!

But first of all HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody. Hopefully all of you have had a good start and hopefully all of your dreams and wishes will come true this year.

I got busy the evening before new year's eve and started this flowery mustard colored tunic.

You know, that I try to fulfill my resolution of at least one garment/ project per week! So this one was a good start, I guess.

Luckily, I was able to finish it just on the 31st. So I made it my new year's eve tunic and paired it with a simple deep blue colored cardigan and some deep blue tights.

The pattern is from a Japanese magazine called Pochee (Autumn 2011). You can see the original one on the right side with a purple colored cloth.

I have to admit, that I like the sack-style...it gives you enough room to eat as much as you want, even if you are attending a party...you can always blame your belly on the tunic! :D

Have you sewn yourself a new garment for new year's eve?
Anyway, hope you enjoyed yourself! I had lots of yummy food on mine! ;)

See you soon with a DIY gift voucher inspiration!

A belated christmas present & some 2012 wishes

2011-12-30T19:40:00.000+01:00

Belated Christmas Present

Dear lovely readers,

I hope you and your families had a wonderful christmas.

You might have wondered why there were only so few posts in the last couple of weeks?

I have to admit, that I simply lacked any creative sewing ideas or visions. I have read on other fellow sewing blogs, that they have had times like these, too and I can remember that I simply couldn't imagine that something like that might happen to me.

Now I can totally understand, though there isn't even one recognizable reason for this kind of emptiness.

Anyway, I am writing this post today because I think I am under way to get over it! :D

As I went to my favorite local fabric shop, I experienced a wonderful belated christmas! You have to know, that those women working there do know me already because I stop by at least once a week.
They have always been very nice and helpful to me.

But today was special. They were busy with an end of the year clearance and found lots of Burda magazines from 2006, 2008 and 2009! Guess who was the lucky girl allowed to carry home two big bags (26 magazines) with about 13kg!...hahaha, that was me! :D

Sometimes one is really lucky. Sometimes time and chance simply go together perfectly. With this large boost of inspirational patterns my sewing drought HAS to come to an end! I feel really good about this and it makes me looking forward to the new year.

Have you already made up your New Year's resolutions? Usually, I am not that kind of person, but this year I have some little resolutions I want to write down here in order to push myself heading for them!

Have at least one sewing project per week and publish at least one post per week.
To work out on a regular basis. I would love to loose the weight I gained this year.
To use time and effort more efficiently.
To appreciate time with family and friends more consciously.

So what about you? Do you have any resolutions you would share with me?

3. Weihnachtswichteln (secret Santa) by anmutig and sodapop - Beautiful gifts by Klee

2011-12-11T23:33:00.001+01:00

Some weeks ago I applied for taking part in the 3rd 'Weihnachtswichteln' (secret Santa) carried out by two wonderful German bloggers Caro (sodapop-design) and Nadine (anmutig) and lucky me was chosen as one of 24 bloggers to participate.

The deal was, that everyone should make something handmade and send it to one of the other chosen bloggers until the 10th of December. Nadine and Caro drew the adresses by lot and send them to the participants secretly.

So I didn't know from whom I would receive a little present, but was extremely happy, when a package from Franziska Klee arrived!!!

I have been a secret admirer of hers for a while already. She makes and sells really, really beautiful accessoires like leather bags and woolen winter accessoires and she also shares some nice tutorials (in German). She is a wonderful source for inspiration!
Anyway, I just wanted to share the gifts she sent me. A beautiful little mustard (I LOVE THIS COLOR) colored purse, a super cute owl bucket (perfect for fabric scraps!) and a lovely wooden 'Klee' brooch. These little prezzies simply made my day! Both the bucket and the purse are made of real leather.

Thank you Franzi so so much for these beautifully made items. And thanks to Caro and Nadine for having had me in this lovely secret Santa! Now I am in a christmas mood!♥

Everyone should have a Minoru Jacket!

2011-12-08T16:30:00.001+01:00

So glad to finally publish this project! I have been longing for the Minoru Jacket pattern by Sewaholic for weeks, especially, after I saw what beautiful creations Anna of Paunnet and Novita of VeryPurplePerson as pattern testers came up with!

I chose a camel beige colored linen-cotton blend for my version and am very, very happy with that.

Actually, this was the first time I tried a pattern from Sewaholic and I have to say that I am very pleased with the whole pattern and instructions. Though this jacket scared me at first (zipper on the front, zipper on the collar, hidden hood, lining, lots of topstitching, etc.) the steps were so perfectly well explained, that this jacket almost evolved on its own.

As a little eye-catcher I decided to use a floral cotton as lining fabric, but turned to normal plain lining fabric for the sleeves, in order to make them more slippery when putting the jacket on.

So if you were thinking about whether to try this pattern, too, I can only recommend it. It is definitely a lot of work, but it totally pays off.

Have a lovely day and take care everybody!

It's done! 'Autumn Love' pattern and instructions

2011-11-27T14:07:00.001+01:00

I finally made it. Sorry, for having you wait for so long, but here you are lovely readers. I can proudly present you the pattern and instructions for 'Autumn Love' dress. ♥

I have done my best to be as precise as possible with the instructions. Please keep in mind, that I am by no means a professional pattern maker. In addition I would love you to contact me, if you find any discrepancies and in case you have problems understanding either instructions or pattern.

If you want to play safe, I would recommend you to make a muslin first. This goes without saying in case you want to alter the size. It would be very disappointing to waste fabric you really love.

So get your sewing notions ready. Here are the links for instructions and pattern

Wishing everybody an amazing sunday and if possible please share with me your finished 'Autumn Love', I am dying to see what you will come up with!

P.S.: Thanks to lovely Meike and her dad for scanning the pattern! :)

Walking the pug...

2011-11-21T12:28:00.001+01:00

Just a little post to cheer up your week!

Last friday a friend of mine working in Japan was here for a short vacation and brought me one of the cutest books I have ever seen.

No doubt, I had to try one of those cute little felt animals (none of them larger than 20cm) on sunday evening. It took me about 6 hours handsewing, but today I could already walk my little pug! ;)

Seems like he loves to play in the leaves... :P

...and he is a little scared by flowers...

...no wonder, because he is still so small (7cm)...

...having a little trouble with the sidewalk...

...but never giving up, no matter how long the way is!

Some more corduroy

2011-11-16T09:38:00.001+01:00

First of all...Thank you all for the huge response and lovely feedback on my last post's corduroy dress.

Now I know that a pattern & instructions would definitely be appreciated and I can proudly tell you, that I am about to finish those. :)

Just give me one more week. I need to correct some mistakes, add some graphics and I need to find a place to get my pattern scanned.

Oh, I cannot wait to share it with you and see what you are going to come up with! :D

By the way, in case you post some questions in the comments section, I came up with a new routine. I will try to answer all of those when I am setting up a new post. So if you ask me anything, just wait for a new post to come up and go back to the comments section of the post you asked your question in. Hope this works and I can come back to all of you! :)

So I made myself some shorts last week! Rust-colored corduroy ones. Sorry, for the photos (and sorry for me wearing slippers! I totally forgot to change shoes!). I had no time for better ones during daytime and thus had to make them at home.

I like the loose and casual fit and the used flair of corduroy on these. The pattern is actually one that I simply copied from corduroy shorts I already had. I liked those so much, that I wanted to have more than one pair.

Did you ever copy a garment you bought? What is your experience with that? Do you have special tricks? Or would you like to know how I do it?

See you soon with a free pattern! Hope you will have a wonderful week ahead.

My autumn love: corduroy

2011-10-31T15:15:00.000+01:00

It is autumn dear followers! But luckily, today we are delighted with 19 degrees celsius in Germany! Yaaay! So these days I will try to wear as many of the dresses I have made, before it will turn cold again.

Anyway, here comes one of my latest projects! I fell in love with corduroy this autumn. It is soft, warm and has a shiny deep color! Perfect for a simple everyday casual dress I thought! And this is what I came up with.

It is an easy fit jumper dress with two pockets on the front and a hidden zipper on the back.

You can't see well on the photos, but this dress involved quite some hand stitching. For example, I hand-stitched the pockets in order to avoid top-stitching. I don't like the hair of the corduroy to be pressed by any seams, so the blind stitch was the only solution that came up my mind.

I also added a facing on the top part of this dress (actually, also by hand) to add a little stiffness around the bust.

What do you think of this dress? I have had this model in mind for quite some time already, but couldn't find a pattern for it. That is why I ended up making a muslin (more or less freestyle) and fit it to my body. I am just asking because, if there was a great demand, I would think about preparing a pattern for free downloading (only one size, sorry, I am still not able to grade patterns :( ).

Just let me know! :)

So let's enjoy this day and HAPPY HALLOWEEN by the way! ;)

DIY Nani Iro Muffler & some hints for the DIY braided scarf

2011-10-25T15:45:00.000+02:00

Hey everybody! As the post title already says, this is a tutorial post! I have got a new muffler DIY to share and because of the great demand, some hints for making your own braided scarf.

But let's start with my new muffler. I already told you that I had some leftovers from my last project's NaniIro fabric. This is what I came up with to get use of it.

Look at this super cute buttons! My father made them for me simply by randomly cutting some wooden board and drilling two holes into them.

It's an easypeasy muffler. All you need is a piece of fabric sized 37cm x 72cm (seam allowances included), 3 straps of lace (each about 8cm long) and 3 matching buttons (max. 3cm diameter).

First of all fold your fabric in half lengthwise (right side of the fabric inside).

After that fold your lace straps in half and place them inside (see grey straps on the right side of the above picture). Pin them with needles, so that they won't slide when you are about to sew the three open sides of your fabric. While sewing, remember to leave a little space (about 10cm) open, so that you can turn your muffler inside out.

After having sewn all three sides, turn the muffler inside out, so that the right side of the fabric and the lace flaps are on the outside. Blind stitch the seam opening. Last but not least attach your bottoms about 18cm from the end of the muffler (the side without lace flaps) and you are done! Easy, isn't it?

And I guess many of you remember this braided scarf, which I have made at the beginning of this year?! I got lots of mails and requests about which amount of fabric is needed for this one.

Luckily the viscose I used was very wide. So I cut every piece of fabric with a length of 170cm. But don't you worry, if your fabric is less wide. Just be sure, that you can still get the scarf arround your neck for two times.

So here come some measurements of my version:

1 big piece of viscose (170cm x 42cm)

+ for two braids:

3 small pieces of viscose (170cm x 3cm)

3 middle sized pieces of viscose (170cm x 6cm)

I hope this helps! If there are any further questions, please just let me know!

Have a wonderful day everybody!

Spring again...at least in my head.

2011-10-18T17:07:00.000+02:00

Lookie I have got something NEW! :) Aaah, finally a clothing project again!

I found this beautiful NaniIro fabric on sale because it was a remnant of 1.5 metre! Yay! Then, when it arrived I had to think hardly about what to do with it. I remembered that I bought one of NaniIro's books during my semester in Japan. I have never tried any of this book's projects because somehow I found those a little too loose. Anyway, it was time to make use of it and this NaniIro fabric was, of course, just perfect for it. I made the same dress as you can see on the front cover. The only thing I altered was the length.

Did you ever use NaniIro fabric? I know it is relatively expansive if purchased outside Japan. But I can really, really recommend its very high quality. This one is a double gauze, which means that two pieces of very light cotton fabric are sewn together punctually. It is so very, very soft and feels wonderful on skin. I so love this and am thinking to purchase some more meters in a different color.

Maybe you have also seen Tilly's beautiful dress made out of NaniIro Fuccra in eggplant color? If not check her wonderful version!

Anyway, luckily I had some small remnants after finishing this easy tunic. I have two easypeasy tutorials in mind. Hope to get them done soon and share them with you!

Have a wonderful day and enjoy the bright side of life!

P.S.: Of course, it is already too cold in Germany to wear a tunic like that (also the reason of inside photos ;) ), but maybe it works with a turtleneck underneath?

♥ We have a winner!

2011-10-16T15:52:00.000+02:00

Photo by Michael Scott found on Flickr

Happy sunday everybody! I am just stopping by to tell you that we have a winner for the last blogoversary giveaway! But first, thanks to all of you for your lovely congrats and good wishes! I do hope myself to stay as creative this year as I did in the last and provide you with lots of inspirational stuff.

And tadaaaa! Random.org chose lucky number 17!

Nicole Messick! Congratulations!!!

I will contact you soon by email!

Have a lovely sunday dear friends! This week I will finally present you two new sewing projects. See you!

♥ Blogoversary Giveaway ♥

2011-10-08T14:55:00.000+02:00

My dear friends! Yesterday was my very first blogoversary...AND I MISSED IT! :D

Guess, you can see by that how much seems to be going on in my life, at the moment! Anyway, I want to thank you so very, very much for having been so supportive and lovely to me for a whole year already.

When I started this blog, I didn't propose, that it might become that popular. I am still delighted whenever I see that there is a new follower and even more when I read your lovely comments! You are a great community!

So today I want to celebrate my blogoversary by giving you the chance to win this little self-made package you see on the photo! It includes a little owl, a pencil case, a bag, two coasters and as usual a cotton bag self-printed by me with a new self-made colibri stamp.

This giveaway is open internationally, of course! If you would like your chance to win this little package you can enter by commenting this post and leaving a way for me to contact you (email, etc.). This giveaway ends on 15th October at 11 p.m. CET and the winner will be announced on sunday 16th October!

Wishing everybody a wonderful weekend and hope you will enjoy this little giveaway! ♥

Owls and a Tohoku Bag

2011-10-05T10:21:00.000+02:00

Hello everybody! I know, I know this blog has been lacking sewn clothes and new tutorials. Unfortunately, I have been too busy with real life in the last few weeks, still trying to get my personal future onto the right tracks! But I promise to be back with some new clothings and DIYs as soon as everything is a little more ordered.

So today I serve you some more zakka! The nice thing about zakka seems to be that one can always find some time to do it and one does not need to concentrate hardly to accomplish!

Lookie, some owls! :)

Actually, I wanted to follow this little tutowlrial, but I just noticed a little later, that I have changed the facial expression by placing the eyes a little differently. Nevermind, they were a lot of fun to make and I made a whole flock!

You might recognize this bag pattern because it has been all over on sewing blogs for the last few weeks. Cheri from I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar was so nice to share an easy to follow tutorial for it. By they way, I got this beautiful floral canvas on Goldhawk Street, when I was on my trip to London!

So hopefully everybody of you is doing well! I will try hard to be back with something special soon!!!

Handmade Kultur & Misc V

2011-09-24T14:54:00.000+02:00

I am so excited dear readers! Yesterday the second edition of Handmade Kultur was published and it included a little article about me and my new sewing machine. Thank you very very much (again!) for having supported me in this challenge! I simply love my machine and it always reminds me on you!

Besides this I am still challenging my fabric stash! So I looked all over the blogosphere for little 'zakka' and made a list of litte useful things!

Here are some easy done zippered pen cases. I used mairuru's tutorial to make them and if you are like me with lots of little fabric strips in your cupboard, I can only advise you to turn them into these fastly done pen cases! I think they make beautiful little prezzies!

With some larger remnants I made these colorful tote bags. I really do try to be more environmentally friendly, though it is hard to act truly environmentally friendly in every single act! Anyway, this is a little contribution from my side. All these plastic bags aren't needed at all if you have such cute tote bags, right?

And last but not least I made a little kitty cat using Wee Wonderful's free Pointy Kitty Pattern! I thought it to be much harder because of all the limbs one has to turn out and stuff, but it really was very easy and nicely instructed aswell!

So this is what I have been all about this week. And somehow I feel like my remnants still do not decrease!!! Guess this challenge has to be continued next week! Have a lovely weekend everybody and see you soon!

Misc IV

2011-09-15T18:16:00.000+02:00

Hey hey! Well, you might know what's going to happen in case I do not blog anything for a while. Right! Things I have made are piling up and it is time to create a 'Misc' post! :) So here we go!!!

I have seen a wonderful dress-blouse-tunic in Lauren Moffatt's latest collection. But as I couldn't find anybody to donate me 382 US$, I had to turn into a copycat and tried to make my own version...

Ahh, I admit, the original one is more beautiful. I liked this wild silk very much in the fabric shop, but unfortunately the gold thread inbetween the stripes gathers the silk and makes it less plain. Also I don't like the length. It is too short to be a dress and too long for a blouse. I am thinking about shortening it to be paired better with jeans.

Also, there was a design contest run by the German BurdaStyle magazine. The task was to design a dress which every woman would love to wear. Fabulous idea, I would have loved to get a professional pattern for my own design. Anyway, in short, I didn't win. :(

Guess my future challenge will be to try combining several dress patterns to get it done on my own! :)

And as I have already told you, I am about to make my very first quilted patchwork blanket! It is not finished, yet, but here you can already see the front and back patchwork.

And! Last but not least I made some zakka!

Lots of little fabric pouches...trying hard to use up my fabric scraps! ;)

Find a wonderful tutorial on SeeKateSew

And little handy needle books!

Find this tutorial on My Three Sons

So that's it! Hope this post wasn't an overdose! By the way, thanks for all those lovely comments you left in the last few weeks. If I haven't answered you, yet, I am sorry. I will try to catch up! Have a wonderful day everybody!

Tulips are blue

2011-08-29T11:34:00.000+02:00

Finally a new blouse! Currently, I am trying to reduce my fabric stash. It definitely has gotten way too large!!! How do you try to manage your fabrics?! And what amount is normal and what amount shouldn't be surpassed?!...

Anyways, if you know me already a little longer you might recognize, that I made this blouse once before. Though with a huge bow (wanderlust). This time I chose to make a smaller one because I only had one yard of fabric.

If you like simple projects, I can only recommend this pattern to you. It took only about 3 hours to finnish it and no alterations were needed.

By the way, I was lucky last week and experienced a happy finding! I am going to show you that one soon! Just have to work on it a little more.

Have a good monday and a wonderful week everybody!

DIY - Memo Board

2011-08-25T16:05:00.000+02:00

I don't know whether you share the same memo paper chaos as me?! It was about time to do something against this so I decided to make a fabric covered memo board (though the one on the photo is a birthday prezzie...I will need to make another one for myself! :D). And because I am very thoughtful on all my paper chaotic fellows I documented the making process and want to share this little tutorial. By the way, I think this board is also a nice idea for a changeable mood board or photo board.

What you need:

a piece of wooden board (about 1cm thickness) in the size you want your finished memo board

some batting (size of wooden board + 4cm in lenght and 4cm in height)

some fabric (size of wooden board + about 6cm in length and 6cm in height)

a few bullen nails, some decorative ribbon and two leather strips

Tools needed: scissors, staple gun, hammer, ruler

This project is really easy-peasy and you don't need to sew anything. Start by piling fabric (right side down), batting and the wooden board as shown on the photo above. Then fold the fabric about 1-2 cm (to avoid it's fraying) and start to fix the fabric onto the wooden board in the middle of one of the length's sides with the help of your staple gun.

Do the same on the middle of the other length's side. It is important that you work parallel on both sides in order to prevent any wrinkles. Fix both lenght sides.

Fold the corners thoroughly as you would do while wrapping a gift. Fold again the fabric before using the staple gun and fixing the fabric onto the shorter sides of the wooden board.

This is what it should look like from the back after finishing all sides with the staple gun.

Turn the board arround and organize the ribbon in the way you like. Because I used some patterned fabric I didn't want too many ribbons to hide the pattern. But I think that for plain colored fabrics I would prefer to add more ribbons diametrically.

Fix the ribbons on the position you chose (e.g. with the help of needles). Then turn around the board and use your staple gun again to fix the straps on the back side of the board.

After having placed and fixed all ribbons on the back, turn the board around again and hammer the bullen nails into the ribbons. This does not only look good, but also tightens the ribbons, so that they are better prepared to hold your notes.

Last but not least I used two leather strips and fixed them (again with the staple gun) onto the top of the back. These are going to be hangers.

And tadaaa! You are done! :) Hope you like this little tutorial & have a lovely day!

A little late...but then, it was summer!

2011-08-16T13:55:00.000+02:00

Morning everybody! As promised, today comes some sewing related stuff! A summery dress!

Oh, it is my fault that I show you this dress just now when summer is almost over here. Made this dress months ago for Sarah, who unlike me has a wonderful summery complexion!

Maybe you have already seen various versions of this dress (BurdaStyle Magazine 05/11) on other sewing blogs?! I really like the versatility of this pattern. Just have a look at Mathilde's classy version and Paunnet's comfy floral version (which I definitely don't think was a failure at all!)!

I also like the way the front doesn't suppose, that the back looks that sportive. I chose this midweight cotton blend in turquoise, rose, white, brown and beige assembled in some kind of 80s retro pattern.
That's it! Have a sunny day everybody! :)

P.S.: A little hint on what I am working on at the moment! My first patchwork quilt!

by Horne

Niewo...Immerda - Haldern Pop 2011

2011-08-15T11:50:00.000+02:00

Wooohoo, came back yesterday from a wonderful festival weekend. Thanks to everybody who wished me some fun. I definitely had it! :) This post will only share some of my memories. So if you are looking for sewing related stuff don't worry, I hope to upload something tomorrow! :)

Above a collection of bands I really, really liked. From top down LaBrassBanda, AgnesObel, MissLi, SelahSue and AlexWinston. Especially LaBrassBanda was a really good surprise. This band comes from deepest Bavaria, that is in the south of Germany (also a reason why I hardly understood anything!). They simply were so so much fun and heated up the crowd in the pourring rain.

Next some impressions of the festival! A super lovely countryside festival with lots of cows and horses all arround. That is also why there was this cow sign which said: crown caps and garbage kill cows. :)

Also on top you see the 'Spiegeltent'. A tent full of mirrors and with a really nice nostalgic atmosphere. Some bands made their shows there and it was super comfortable because of its small space with not too many people in it.

I really enjoyed this festival's small size. I think they are not selling more than 6.500 tickets, though the demand is always much higher. Like this it was easy to find a place for oneself and enjoy the shows without a too crowded feeling.

Ultimately, of course it did rain! :) But nevermind, I was lucky enough to get these wonderful retro rubber boots from a friend's mother. In combination with this très chic garbage bag like cape these definitely made my day. Maybe I should really think about making a good fitting rain coat in the near future! :)

So that's it! See you tomorrow with a light summery dress post! Have a lovely beginning of the week everybody!

Preparing for my very first festival with my very first self printed shirt!

2011-08-09T18:00:00.000+02:00

Hey you! I told you that I would come up with more prints! This time my very own creation. Somehow there is already an autumn atmosphere here in Germany so I chose to make that a theme for the print. Squirrels and acorns! :) Again I made the stamps myself using linoleum and some sharp cutters.

Then I had to search for a pattern on which this print might work well and I was inspired by a blouse by Steven Alan's fall 2011 collection (blouse no. 25). I used his silhouette and changed a dress pattern from burdastyle 04/11 (no. 107) to get this overlapping front with ribbon closure.

The inner front always fell down while wearing it, so I added some transparent press buttons.

So about the title of this blog post! I am so so so excited. I am about to go to my very first festival! :) My boyfriend got us some tickets for the Haldern Pop Festival (August 11th-13th). So this shall be one of my festival outfits. ;)

See that little raspberry colored bag? I also made my smaller camera a nice bag, which can be easily carried. Like this I have it on my hands very quickly.

This bag was super simple. I used a tutorial by Pink Penguin, but did some alterations. For example I added a leather handle with the help of two button holes on top of this case. I also didn't choose to add a button, but stitched up one side and added some hook-and-loop on the other. The camera slides in just great in this way. So now you know what I will be wearing on one day of my festival tour! :)

Definitely I will be wearing the handmade friendship bracelet Paunnet gave to me. Simply a perfect accessory for it! <3

Wish me good luck with the weather! See you!!! xoxo Nette

Last but not least some bands I really look forward to:

belle in mustard

2011-08-03T10:02:00.000+02:00

You might think: "Huh?! Where did Nette get these long legs from?!"...hahaha...of course, I cannot offer you these! This is Sarah one of my best friends and she is wearing a dress made by me. She has been waiting for months until I finally found some time to make this one for her.

Isn't this mustard cotton fabric, chosen by herself, just stunning?! It's from Joel Dewberry.

The pattern is from BurdaStyle Magazine 2009/08 (no. 128). I have made this dress once before and love its simple, elegant, but also casual look. Luckily, not a lot of fitting was needed and we could go out right away to take some photos!

P.S.: Thank you girls so so much for your birthday wishes! :)

London Calling

2011-07-29T13:56:00.001+02:00

As you might know I have been in London last week! I went there together with my brother and sister-in-law who are on vacation in Germany to visit our parents and me. Because they live in Taiwan I see them only once in a year or in two years. So I was pretty excited and happy to go with them on this trip.

I just wanted to share some impressions about this eclectic city. This has been my 3rd time in London and we didn't have too much time, so we kept the sightseeing limited.

Sightseeing in London (Click to enlarge)

I guess Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Hyde Park are a MUST when visiting London! We were quite lucky, when we went to Tower Bridge on the last evening the bridge was opened for larger ships. I had never seen this before. I like the bridge better illuminated in the evening.

Camden Market

On the first day we arrived in the afternoon and had only limited time to spent, so we went to Camden Market, which was near our hotel. It is always nice to go there and have a look around. Lots of curious stuff and people. Also lots of handmade things!

Goldhawk Road

We also went to Goldhawk Road, which is famous for its lots of fabric stores, mainly run by Indian and Arab people. Waaaaah, so much fabric, it was really hard for me to choose only few. My fabric stash is currently so full, I really had to restrain myself!

Nottinghill, Portobello Road

On saturday we went to the market in Nottinghill. It was very crowded but so so interesting. They did not only have vegetables and fruits, but also antiques and vintage stuff AND lots of good smelling food booths. We tried some Ghanaian food. It was a peanut & chicken stew. WOW, that was so delicious. I definitely have to google whether I can find a similar recipe! Also I loved the little pugs you see above. Actually, I don't know whom they belonged to because they were just tied together and had to stay together all the time...hhm, quite bad if one dislikes the other. ;)

Brick Lane in London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Then in the afternoon of our last day we went to Brick Lane. Oh, I wish we had gone there earlier. It was almost 6 p.m. and thus the shops were closing. Extremely beautiful looking vintage shops and lots of little independent designers. It was a real pity, anyway, there were lots of curious, little bars and so we spent some time in there, before getting back home with our 10 hours bus tour. :)

LOVE food! :)

P.S.: Some of the food we ate in London! I have to say that I loved their fish & chips! I was a little sceptical, at first, but it was GREAT! I could eat it far more often! :)...aswell, as the indian curry with nan next to it! Aaah, so so good...

Beautiful Day

2011-07-27T09:47:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was my birthday! I turned 27...ooh, ooh...I am getting old. Once I got up I decided to start jogging again (the last time is like more than a year ago!). I definitely need to get more in shape, you know, because I am not that young anymore! :)

Anyway, I spent the rest of the day with family and delicious food!...Well, it was my birthday! I can start eating more deliberately tomorrow! :P

Homemade chocolate cake with almond paste decoration and coconut flavor

Preparing the ingredients with my mother

Japanese Takoyaki

Japanese Okonomiyaki in Oosaka Style

Lots of salads

Some jelly with redcurrants and vanilla sauce for dessert

Super surprise by Paunnet!!! <3

And lookie what a sweet surprise I found in my mail box! My lovely friend Anna from Italy send me an awesome selfmade birthday gift!

Thank you so so much Anna! I love BOTH the pouch AND the friendship bracelet. So so cute! I will definitely wear them with pride! :D

Mille grazie!!!

Giveaway No.3 Winners

2011-07-25T20:58:00.000+02:00

Sorry, for me being a little late! I just came back from London yesterday evening. We went by bus and ferry and I was so so sleepy, I couldn't do anything after having arrived home. We had a wonderful time and were very lucky with the weather (though it was very cold). Anyway, I will do a seperate post about the trip later.

Let's announce the winners of giveaway no. 3! But first I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for joining it. Somehow I always feel a little bad when doing the raffle...so many people that cannot win. Sorry for that and I promise to do another giveaway soon!

First winner chosen by random.org is

Haruna from Canada

Second winner is

Lisa from the Netherlands

Congratulations girls! I will contact you both very soon to get your measurements for the shrugs!!!

Ahoy or jailbreaker?

2011-07-20T11:05:00.001+02:00

Finished my very first garment on the new machine just in time!!! A little summer jacket, very very necessary during this unsteady weather in Germany and perhaps even more in London where I will be travelling to tomorrow for a short trip with my brother and lovely sister in law. Oh, I am so so looking forward to this journey (especially Goldhawk Road, I have heard that there can be found lots of fabric stores side by side)!

The fabric I used is a pure linen one, which I found by chance on my latest fabric shopping trip. I love it because it is just perfectly middle-weighted, not heavy enough to sweat and not too light to freeze. In order to keep the stripes arranged I therefore looked for a pattern with less pattern pieces and darts. I went for BurdaStyle 03/2010 magazine's no. 102. The only alteration I did was to lengthen the sleeves.

I didn't want to add any lining and I didn't want any seams to show up on the outside in order to achieve a clean look, so I went for French seams on the inside and a lot of blind stitching by hand on the sleeves' hems, front facing and hemline.

I am really pleased by the result, although 'others' tell me I look like a jailbreaker! >_<
Ahhh, come on, this is more like a sailor's jacket or am I that wrong?! :)

Anyway, I will be gone for a while, but be back about the time my latest giveaway ends! If you haven't participated, yet, simply jump over and leave a comment. International participants are welcome!

Giveaway No. 3 - Summer Theme

2011-07-17T16:59:00.002+02:00

Hey everybody! Finally got finished with planning the little giveaway. Here it is! :)

This time there will be two lucky winners. I finished two little self-printed cat bags which can be easily folded and put into your handbag for any purchases you are doing on your summer trips! Let's do something for our lovely environment! ;) Down with those evil, evil plastic bags!

AND there is one more thing to win additionally to those bags! Did you see that perfect shrug pattern by ichigogirl on BurdaStyle? I found the perfect matching fabric for it! I am offering the two winners to make one for each, like the following, fitting their sizes. This little shrug is just perfect, if you have such a unsettled summer weather like we do have right now, switching warm and cold all the time.

I really, really hope you like these.

So here is the deal. Two lucky winners will be chosen and get one cat bag and a shrug each. Simply comment on this post until next Sunday (24th July) 0:00 CET and do not forget to tell me your email adress or another way to contact you! Winners will be chosen with the help of random.org.

Good luck everybody and thanks for your wonderful support! ♥

P.S.: This giveaway is open internationally! No problem where you come from, I will get it right to your place! :)

Men's stuff

2011-07-13T12:20:00.000+02:00

Today I want to show you something I have made at the end of June, but haven't been able to take photos of, yet. It was our 9th anniversary (I still can't quite believe it!!! Time passes by so fast.) on the 30th and thus I wanted to sew something for my beloved boyfriend. It's the Jason vest from BurdaStyle.

I hadn't imagine that it would turn out that good and it seems as if he liked it a lot, so I am very glad. I only had to make some changes on the back. Somehow the armholes were too big and I had to narrow from the sides.

Anyway, I can only recommend you this pattern in case you are looking for a men's vest. I wish there were far more men's pattern. Somehow they are still really rare, don't you think? Can you recommend any men's pattern? I would love to sew more men's wear.

Wooooohooooo!!!

2011-07-10T17:13:00.000+02:00

Hi hi! Let me introduce you to my lovely new friend! :) Thank you so much girls!

On friday I went to the post office to pick it up. Luckily, it was not too heavy because I had to carry it all way home. Anyway, I guess I was so full of adrenaline which made it even easier for me to carry that huge package.

Oh, it is so so nice to have one's own sewing machine! For my first project I decided to make 2 items for a giveaway and thank you. They are not ready, yet, but you can have a little peek on the photo. :)

I tried self printing fabric for the first time! I saw this sooo cute cat dress on Calivintage and had to try that myself. So I cut a cat's head into linoleum and simply started. Soo much fun indeed! There will definitely follow some other self-made prints.

Have to go back and finish the giveaways! Wishing everybody a wonderful sunday!!! :)

Guest Post at iCandy - DIY Candy Sundress

2011-07-06T09:06:00.000+02:00

Hello my dear friends! Today just a little link post for you. I was asked weeks ago by Jen of iCandy handmade to participate at a series called 'Fun in the Sun(dress)'. Amazing bloggers got together in this series like Chie from Vivat Veritas, Casey from Elegant Musings, Adey from the Sew Convert and Jessica from Happy Together. You should definitely check out their posts! I have been very excited to take part as one of them!

Anyway, it was left open to us, whether we wanted to present a dress which we had made,or some dress embellishment or other tutorials, as long as they had something in common with the series's theme.

And here comes my contribution. I made a new free pattern for a simple A-line shaped shift dress with a scalloped circle neckline and low back just for this series. That is why I called it 'Candy Sundress'.

I love this circle collar. It was quite some work to make it, but I think it is definitely worth the effort (see a closeup of it on iCandy). Hope you will enjoy this pattern. It is so simple to DIY! Just jump over to my post on iCandy and get the instructions and pattern for free over there!

Have a beautiful day everybody!!!

Three cheers on YOU!

2011-07-03T15:35:00.000+02:00

Do you know that you really, really rock?!...I couldn't quite believe it, but with the help of you, my dearest friends and lovely family, I REALLY WON MY VERY FIRST OWN SEWING MACHINE!!! ♥

Oh, I can hear it clattering and purring already! It is a computerised Brother BC2100 with 40 stitches, super easy buttonholing automatic (OH, I am so looking forward to this feature!), and...and...and...! Very, very nice indeed for a first sewing machine! :D

Dörte from handmade Kultur mailed me, that she is going to order and get it posted to me on monday. I think I still cannot believe that I actually won until it arrives!

Thank you so so much for having supported me in this challenge. I feel like this is a huge present from all of you and even if I hadn't won I would still feel so very happy for receiving so much support from all over the world. I will always appreciate this from my deepest heart!

Wishing all of you a beautiful sunday and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.: I am thinking about giving away the very first thing I sew with my own machine! So stay tuned! ;)

Pole dancing?!

2011-06-27T17:54:00.002+02:00

Wow, it has been almost a week since I turned in my diploma thesis. A very strange feeling, I can tell you. All those years I spent at university are now a part of my past...well, at least I hope so! :)

Now, new ways are turning up and I am not quite sure, yet, which one to choose. I guess I need a little more time to think over what I really wish for my future and look out for what possibilities I have, in order to feel certain.

At least I got back on track with my sewing passion! :) Here we go. It is a jumpsuit!!! I saw this pattern in a Japanese magazine and always kept this one in mind. Last week I got really lucky and found this beautiful flowery rayon fabric at our local fabric store for only 3 Euro per metre. I fell in love at once!!!

Although we had some very cold days last week (13 degrees celsius!)... today was a perfect summer day (35 degrees celsius!)!

This loose fit jumpsuit is just perfect for this weather. Feels like wearing almost nothing!

And it is definitely more convenient than a dress or a skirt for my other passion: bike riding!

I only wish I had better shoes to combine with this outfit! ;)

Have you ever made a jumpsuit? This is my first one and I was a little skeptical at the begin- ning. Do you think it would have looked better with long pants?

Wishing all of you some perfect summery days to come!

Long time no see!

2011-06-22T20:03:00.000+02:00

Oh, you wonderful people. Thank you so so much for your support! ♥...The competition is not over, yet. So it is still extremely exciting for me. But you know, even if I shouldn't win the sewing machine, I am already ultimately happy knowing that I have so much support from all over the world. Thank you so so much.

Your comments were so heart warming. And yes, indeed, I do not own a sewing machine, yet. :) Luckily, I may use my mother's machine from time to time, but because she is a passionate seamstress, too, we sometimes have to fight (in a fun way!) about who is allowed to make some stitches next! :P And I also enjoy doing hand stitching...anyway, having my very own machine would definitely help a lot. :)

So you might wonder where I have been for over a week? I finally came to finish my diploma thesis and turned it in on monday. I was so exhausted afterwards, that I took a sleep for 12 hours. I cannot imagine when it was the last time I slept so so well. Anyway, now I got sick, so I cannot take any new project photos. I have lots to show you, so please have a cup of tea and wait a little longer for 3 new dresses to come up very soon! :)

By the way, some of you asked me how to give my project a heart additionally to the facebook 'like'. It is very easy. Simply visit my project and click on the plus sign (see the blue arrow on the following image):

I am so glad having started to blog! Thank you dear readers so so much!
See you very very soon with lots of new creations! :)

Can I have your likes? ♥

2011-06-12T17:17:00.000+02:00

Today I would like to ask you a favor. I hope this does not bug you, but perhaps you remember the post I made after having participated, in lots and lots countless sewing machine raffles without winning? Then you do know, that I decided at that time to make my very own, then. Well, what can I say, you know, spring has been going on for months and summer is soon to start...and...all the snow is gone and so is my snewing machine... hihi...

Anyway, I am participating in a raffle hold by a German website called 'Handmade Kultur' and hoping desperately to win my very own first sewing machine! All one has to do, in order to win, is get as many 'hearts' and 'Facebook likes' as possible. And that is why I am refering to you. Would you bother to vote for my 'scallop button up skirt'? I would be really grateful and, you know, every little vote counts. There is no obligation or condition for voting and you do not even need to log in. Simply go onto the page of my project and click either the plus sign in the line under the big headline next to the heart symbol or/and like my project on Facebook, which you can do right under the project photo and description.

Photo by Christian Haugen via Flickr

So if you do not mind, please be so kind to give me some likes! :) Usually, I would not use the blog to make any requests...but I would just be so happy to have my very own sewing machine.

Wishing everybody a good start into a new week and thank you so much in advance!!!

Counting sheeps

2011-06-09T10:38:00.001+02:00

I don't know what it is exactly, but though I am so tired at night, I just cannot sleep very well...hmmm...guess it has something to do with my studies coming to an end very, very soon.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a little project that I spent my nights with. An organic cotton sheep mobile. I made this from a book called 'Baby Stuff' by AranziAronzo, who have some of the cutest and sweetest ideas for little things.

It is a little present for my lovely friends Aya and Hans in Tokyo, who got married in Bavaria just this year. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to their wedding, which made me really sad. So I am really looking forward to see them again some time in the future, hopefully, in Tokyo.

Anyway, congratulations Aya & Hans!!! ♥ As soon as I have finished my studies I will get in contact with you!

Wishing you, dear readers, a beautiful day and a good sleep at night (which is so so very important). :)

Ginger Party! Yeay!

2011-06-02T12:16:00.001+02:00

Finally, I can show you my finished ginger! Taking part in this sew along really was a lot of fun! And, additionally, I learnt a lot new stuff, like e.g. how to add piping accurately (if you don't know, yet, take a look at Sunni's great post!). One thing I did miss out on AGAIN was how to insert an invisible zipper with a sewing machine. Studies took plenty of my time, so that I just couldn't concentrate to really learn that lesson. That is why I had to sew it in by hand AGAIN...I will definitely, try to learn that soon...guess, once managed I could save a lot of time! :)

So here comes my part in the Ginger Party!

And a little close up.

Have a look at what all the other lovely participants made:

At the Ginger Party
On Flickr

Have a beautiful day everybody!

Work in Progress - Ginger - ♥ Pockets

2011-05-27T13:43:00.002+02:00

As you might know, I am taking part in Sunni's Ginger Sewalong and it really is a lot of fun to see how many variations for this simple skirt are possible.

While making my very own version, I realized, that my fabric choice really was a little too plain. So I thought about how to spice it up additionaly to the stripy bias on the waist band. Sunni made a wonderful post about how to add some pockets and that is what I went for, too.

Piped heart-shaped pockets! ... is that a little too cute?! ... I guess it is due to the color of this soft corduroy, that only cute ideas came up my mind. ;)

Anyway, I like them a lot and thought about sharing the process on how to make some yourself (if you like).

So here we go!

First of all you will need to cut a paper in heart shape, just the size you want it to be once finished. The measurements you see on the photos are in cm.

Then put your heart pattern onto the right side of the fabric of your choice. The pattern will help you to pin the piping in heart-shape onto the fabric.

Next use your zipper food in order to stitch the piping onto the fabric. Cut the fabric's seam allowance orientating on the piping's seam allowance.

Cut another heart (with seam allowance) out of some lining fabric and right sides facing pin them onto each other. In order to stitch them together, use again the conventional zipper food on your machine and stitch exactly on the seam that appeared, when you stitched the piping on the first piece of fabric. Don't forget to leave a little opening in order to turn the whole thing inside out!

But before turning the right sides outside you will need to trim the seam allowance just a little more and clip some notches, in order to get a nicely curved heart.

Turn right sides inside out through the small opening and press. Then close the opening with some hand stitching.

The last step is to simply place the hearts onto the skirt and either stitch them with your machine or with hand. I think I will try it with some invisible handstitching in order to avoid additional seams.

Finished! :) Not very functional, but indeed very sweet little pockets, which would fit many other garments, too, I think.

Hope you liked this little spontaneous tutorial! Have a wonderful weekend everybody!!!

Mom inspired Sewing

2011-05-24T19:54:00.000+02:00

Some weeks ago The Sew Weekly had the theme 'mom' going on. The task was to use an old photo as inspiration for one's creation. Unfortunately, I did not have any time to participate, but I kept the idea in mind because I simply LOVE what my mom wore when she was at my age (of course she has given away ALL the things I like and saved only very few precious items). :)

Anyway, so I flicked through her old photo albums and found this wonderful watermelon green blouse with a large bow on the front. Needless to say it is one of the beautiful pieces she gave away or lost anywhere or something. ;)

Luckily, I had some watermelon green cotton new to my fabric stash and thus was hooked immediately by this design.

Well, but to be inspired is not like to copy that exact piece, right? That wouldn't have worked, anyway, because I only had one yard to work with. ;)

That is why I opted once more for the Wenlan blouse by Twinkle, but made some changes on the collar, which is usually wrinkled. I made mine only with a width of 4 cm and also skipped the opening on the back and made one on the shoulder seam.

The bow on the front of my mom's blouse twisted to the shoulder on mine. And last but not least I also added some lace on the front as it would have been a little too green without.

So this is this week's one piece! Regulation is still up! Hope you have far more time to sew than me right now! :)

P.S.: Wish I would have had more time to take more lookalike photos...but you know, studies are still awaiting me. This will change at the latest in one month! Don't forget to keep your fingers crossed please! :D

Ginger Sewalong - Fabric Selection

2011-05-19T14:28:00.000+02:00

This is going to be a short post, only, but I just wanted to tell you, that I am going to take part in the Ginger Sewalong hosted on A Fashionable Stitch by Sunni!

I am really excited, as this is going to be my very first sew along and I don't really know, yet how it works. Anyway, I love the idea to be sewing the same project with so many other seamstresses worldwide. So I am pretty sure it is going to be lots of fun.

And here comes my fabric selection. Like so many of you, I have a huge fabric stash, too...so I decided on some fabric I already have and not to purchase more and more...I guess you can tell how hard that is! ;)

I chose this middle-weight, soft corduroy in pastel rosé. Then I thought this might be a little too boring and made up my mind how to spice it up. And tadaa, I plan on making some stripy piping in blue and white. Hopefully, that turns out as good as I imagine...

Are you taking part in this sewalong, too? Or have you already done so in the past? Let me know about your experiences!

Bye, bye and have a lovely day!

60s me doing spring cleaning

2011-05-14T16:32:00.000+02:00

After a whole week of non-blogging, I am finally back to show you what I made this week. I am so sorry, but my studies are currently that time consuming, forcing me even to impose a regulation of one project per week on myself. :(

That is quite hard, as you can imagine, but fortunately all this stress is going to have an end very soon!!! So please cross your fingers for me!

Anyway, I tried my hands on one of Colette's new patterns called Violet this week. The peter pan collar is so adorable, that I just could not resist. I already loved the version done by Sarai on her spring palette. By the way, Patty from the snug bug also posted her so cute pretty in pink version just yesterday.

For my version I chose a very lightweight blue-red floral cotton. I made a size 4, but had to do several adjustments on the bust. Also I think that maybe the shoulders are a little big, so that I want to try a size smaller next time. I can definitely recommend this pattern. The instructions are so neat and the result is just lovely.

Somehow wearing this blouse made me feel kind of vintage today. That is why I wanted to try something new with the presentation of this project. The theme is pretty clear I guess! 60s housewife doing spring cleaning! ;) ...aww, I know, kind of lame, but anyway, for a first vintage inspired shoot, these ain't sooo bad.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody!

P.S.: Thank you so much for your lovely comments on the scallop button up skirt pattern! I even got featured on BurdaStyle and that just extremely made my day! I hope you are going to enjoy sewing your own versions!!!

DIY Scallop Button Up Skirt - Pattern & How-To

2011-05-06T11:28:00.002+02:00

Et voilà! Mesdames et Messieurs, je voudrais présenter les 'Pattern and How-To' pour le 'Scallop Button Up Skirt'! Don't ask!...I just somehow wanted to write anything on French...desperately hoping I did not make any grammar or spelling mistakes in this short introduction! ;)

Anyway, first of all, I wanted to thank you, my dear readers, so much for all those lovely comments. It was a real pleasure to make a pattern and how-to for this skirt, having in mind, that some of you really asked for one.

So I did my very best to write a detailed instruction and draw a well printable pattern. Please have in mind, that this is my first time making a pattern for a garment. I think, it cannot turn out totally wrong (into some trousers or anything!), but especially, if you are about to resize it, just be careful and reflect about each step.

If there are any questions, critic or other useful or just nice feedback, please feel free to contact me! And as I am extremely curious how this pattern works for you, if you don't mind, please send me a photo! :)

Happy sewing everybody:

Click the left image for instructions and the right image for the pattern.

a little late...

2011-05-03T12:08:00.002+02:00

I totally forgot to post the dress-blouse I made for myself to wear on Easter! So here we go!

Click to enlarge

I made this dress out of super soft salmon colored flannel. I love to wear this because it is so so comfortable. It is the same fabric I used in order to make the little elephant for Chie's baby girl.

Anyway, the pattern was drafted according to a blouse of mine. I altered the neckline because I wanted a v-shaped one without collar. The lower skirt part is just a rectangle in the width of the fabric, ruffled and attached to the upper part. Easy-peasy! :D

By the way, I am about to finish the tutorial for the scallop button up skirt of my last post! Thank you everybody for your lovely comments! Oh, I am so excited to share it. I think, I can finish it by the end of this week! So stay tuned! ;)

Scallop Button Up Skirt...hihihi...

2011-04-29T14:21:00.003+02:00

Last weekend I have been so excited reading on Megan Nielsen's blog, that she was preparing a DIY for a scallop skirt! I have always wanted one, but never found a pattern for that and somehow did not even think about making one myself.

Anyway, she made a really wonderful and easy to follow tutorial for a scallop skirt with elastic waistband, which in addition to that is also reversible!

Unfortunately, what I had in my mind was a scalloped skirt with button up front!

...sigh...nevertheless, Megan's tutorial motivated me to give it a try myself. :)

I am so glad that I had the heart to draft this skirt pattern myself! It just turned out as I imagined and I couldn't stop giggling after trying it on because I was so happy.

So this is the version I was thinking of: a middle waisted and light ruffled straight skirt with button up front, side pockets and scalloped hem.

I just love it and am planning to make several versions for summer.

Also I was thinking about whether to make a free pattern & tutorial version for downloading. What do you think? Would you like to make one like this?

Update: Instructions and Pattern are now downloadable here!

Happy Easter & Misc III (Thank you!)

2011-04-24T19:48:00.009+02:00

Happy Easter everybody! I hope you are enjoying your holidays?

So far mine were quite nice and the weather was just more than perfect with around 25 degrees celsius and lots of sunshine.

Anyway, I wanted to share some of my easter presents. While looking at the next photo PLEASE don't laugh!!! I know it is far away from perfect, but honestly, for a first try of portrait embroidery, it is not that bad, right? At least I can recognize who they are! :)

This easter I gave everyone something embroidered. Here comes some of the other stuff.

And while I am already doing a post about prezzies I wanted to share with you what I got in my mail last week! First I won something on the Japan Quake Appeal raffle done by super nice Lou of Happy Serendipity. Thank you Lou so so much for this unbelievable soft and light-weight circle scarf with individualized lettering and that super cute felt and lace key pendant, which I had to use right away! By the way! Lou has an Etsy shop with lots of stuff "hand made with care and love and a little oomph". :D

And last BUT definitely not least, I just got my 'Pay it Forward' present from Shannon of the blog called MushyWear!!! It took a long, long way from Hawaii. Isn't this little bag just too cute!? I love the fabrics she used and am so impressed how professional and carefully it was made! Thank you so so much Shannon! It was such a pleasure to participate and I love the postcard and gift wrapping paper a lot, too! Hopefully, I can make it to Hawaii one day! Then we could start a sewing session on the beach together! ;)

clouds...

2011-04-21T12:13:00.007+02:00

Yesterday, I found some offwhite leather scraps in one of our boxes and I had to think of clouds right away. Momentarily the weather in Germany is far from cloudy, which I like a lot, but a few clouds here and there are lovely, too, right?

So I simply decided to make my own. I made three different sized cloud templates and copied them onto the leather. Then I cut rectangles into some of them and sewed zippers in before placing front and back side onto each other and sewing the outlines. And tadaaa little cloudy poches! :)

All items found on etsy (find the related links in the text)

I did not know that there are so many cloud related items! Look at these aren't they just adorable?

There are golden clouds, stripy pillow clouds one can take a rest on and golden clouds with pearly raindrops.

There is cloudy art reminding one to appreciate every day no matter which weather is awaiting you outside.

Then there are magnetic clouds for the refrigerator and lovely clouds on bento box bags.

Lovely art work relating clouds with Dia de los Muertos.

One of my favorites is the pearl person brooch by hairy sock. A little cute girl (at least in my imagination! :D ) standing in a cloud.

And last but not least even more cloudy art work!

Cloud stools (photo by Joon&Jung)

And then there are so extremely inspiring designteller like Joon&Jung from South Korea. They made a whole cloudy landscape with beautiful, though even functional cloud stools!

Cloud Umbrella (photo by Joon&Jung)

And have a look at this one! A cloudy umbrella for you to walk around! I would not care about rainy days at all, if I had one of these!

I would even say: "More rainy days for me please!" :D

Surprise - Jumping in for lovely Vivat Veritas

2011-04-19T09:25:00.000+02:00

Surprise, surprise...finally, as promised, I can disclose it! I am jumping in for a guest post on Chie's blog 'Vivat Veritas'.

You surely know her and if you don't, you should know her from now on! :) She makes wonderfully feminine dresses, just have a glance at her Secret Garden Lookbook!

Anyway, as she has delivered her first baby girl these days, she asked me to do a little guest post in her absence and I just LOVED to! So I made up my mind and thought about what I could actually offer.

And this is what I meant with an upcoming goodie for all the seamstresses and sewing beginners!

I drafted my very first epattern and step by step instruction for the bag, I made several versions of, for 'Pay it forward'. Just jump over to Chie's and you can get your own free downloadable pdf!

This simple bag is just full of endless possible variations and I hope you are going to enjoy making one!

♪♪ Pay it forward 2011 ♪♪

2011-04-14T09:07:00.002+02:00

I was soo looking forward to post my little prezzies for 'Pay it forward 2011', but in order to keep the participants surprised I needed to wait until all packages arrived! :)

(To Iveta from Latvia: I don't know whether your package arrived, yet, if not and you want to keep yourself surprised, then STOP reading here! :D )

So here they are! I made little pocket mirrors and embroidered the back side with each person's initial. Kimberly from the lovely blog chez sucre chez was so nice to let me use her patterns (by the way, she has a wonderful shop on etsy, which you should really stop by!).

I tried to individualize each person's gifts.

This red combination was for Oona from NY! I love this energetic red and thought this should suit perfectly to her because I think she has such a vital and fun personality.

This spring onion is, actually, one of my favorite fabrics. Paunnet told me that her favorite color is black and that she loves laces. So I tried to involve these into the pocket mirror.

This classy and cute combination goes to Natty Jane. She uses classy colors for her own creations most of the time, so I thought this would suit her well.

A fun and colorful combination for Iveta from Latvia! Perfect for the hopefully soon coming summer! :)

And last but not least a feminine, simple, yet cute combination for Chie from Japan. She is having her first little baby soon, so I simply had to make her baby girl a little companion to welcome her! :)

This 'Pay it forward' has been soo much fun! I can only recommend you to participate, if you get the chance to! Have a lovely day everybody!!!

Bastelwunder - Handicraft Wonder :)

2011-04-13T12:38:00.001+02:00

Oh, this day started quite nicely! I got mail from German 'Bastelwunder' (a wonderful blog, which collects lots of beautiful and inspiring handicraft blogs)! They were so lovely to tell me that they featured my blog. AND, indeed, they wrote very, very nice things about me and my blog, so I got blushed immediately! :)

Nette on Bastelwunder

I don't know whether you are really interested in me translating this short intro-duction...I just wanted to share with you because it made me so happy today! ;)

Anyway, though almost all blogs featured on Bastel-wunder are in German, you should stop by their blog roll. There are lots of beautiful and inspiring blogs featured there and even though you might not understand a word, just looking at the photos is very nice, too!

Have a lovely day everybody! I will be back tomorrow showing you what I made for my dear 'Pay it Forward 2011' participants!

Addictive³

2011-04-07T13:11:00.001+02:00

So sorry, for the lack of posts these days. But, finally, I am back on track. I was busy finishing all my little 'Pay it forward 2011' gifts and took them to the post office last saturday! I would love to show you those, but you will have to wait a little, because I want the participants to have a little surprise, as they do not know, yet, what I made for them. :)

Meanwhile I took my hands on grainline's Tiny Pocket Tank. Wow, I love this pattern! It is such a simple and casual style and it made me quite addictive! So I ended up with three versions! :D

It is still a little too cold in Germany to wear tank tops, but I love their loose fit and they look great with a cardi or blazer. So if you like simple and easy projects, this one really should be on your list! I will definitely make some more in the future!

By the way, I am currently preparing a little surprise for all you seamstresses and sewing beginners. I cannot tell you about it, yet, but it will be disclosed in about two weeks!

Wishing everybody a sunny thursday! ♥

Lucky discovery - BurdaModen 1971 May

2011-03-30T14:40:00.000+02:00

Look what I found in our basement, which is definitely full of surprises and little treasuries! :)

Burda Moden from May 1971!

I don't know where this one comes from, as my mother did not live in Germany at that time. Maybe it has been a giveaway by another seamstress or something like that.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some really cute outfits from this vintage issue.

I mean just look at this cover! This outfit is just so much fun with the huge glasses and the checked two-piece.

I love this simple dress made out of lace-like fabric. How cute is that little heart detail on the pocket?! But I guess, I would use less buttons. That is only until the skirt part starts. I am just not that much into making button holes. ;)

This dress is for the 'mature lady'. Come on!? I like it, am I really that old?! Did you know, that the old Burda issues did only prepare each pattern for one or two sizes? Most of them are relatively big, so if I would like to use them I will have to make a lot of alterations.

I adore the fabric they used for these two combinable pieces so much! Maybe I will try the left outfit, but that might depend on whether I will go on holiday this year or not. :)

So what do you think? Are the seventies wearable again or not so much, yet?

Japan Quake Appeal Winner

2011-03-27T12:39:00.000+02:00

So we managed to raise $140! This isn't bad at all, right? Thank you so much for participating, donating and sharing this post.

Now let's head to the lucky winner!

It is No.2 who happens to be

Morgan a.k.a. Daruma san!

Congrats! I will contact you soon to get your adress.

Thank you to every single other donator. I really deeply appreciate your generous participation and I wish I could give something to all of you. Wishing everybody a beautiful sunday!

Black vs. White: Me, myself &...where is the 'I'???

2011-03-24T14:24:00.000+01:00

Today I woke up and somehow felt like this is going to be a good day...(though, I am still worried about the situation in Japan). Initially, I was in the mood to take photos of my latest sewing projects. As you see, I had the same printed fabric in converse colors. While the black one is more stiff, the white one is a light-weight elastic cotton. I made up two completely different styles. Here they are:

This is the first time I tried myself some photo editing! I have no idea how it really works, but I like the results. Looks like a photo story. Black dress girl saying: "Ooh, I think I got something on my blouse!"...White top girl jumping over while answering: "No prob! I will get you some cleaning tissues!" :)...haha...I know this is a lame story...

Isn't it funny, how the same person can look like two totally different personalities on photos? While the black dress girl seems to be more the uptight or reserved kind of girl, the white top girl looks definitely more fun!

Anyway, back to the projects. Following you can see some more details. I fell in love with this fabric as soon as I saw it and lucky me got it for only 3 Euro, because it was a leftover piece. I like the printed lace on the bottom. This is something I rarely find in my hometown fabric stores. The collar lace has been in my sewing cupboard for months already. I thought that it would match well with this design.

Second top is a twisted racerback loose fitting one. This pattern was very easy to draft on my own. Though I wish I would have made the bottom more loose. I saw the twisted back in an online shop and thought it to be very interesting.

Last but not least I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everybody who joined my or our fellow bloggers 'Japan relief' raffles. And, of course, also to all the people who donated somewhere else. My raffle is still on, so there is still some time for you to join in! I wish I could give this blouse to all of you, but unfortunately there can be only one winner, who will be chosen by random.org and announced on sunday.

I am also looking forward to make all those little presents for those who joined 'Pay it forward'...as soon as I finish them, I will get to those who participated and ask for your adresses.

Have a beautiful day girls and let us hope for the best. ♥

Something for the heart: Pay it Forward 2011

2011-03-20T15:27:00.000+01:00

After all the worries of the last few days I just stumbled across a lovely post from MushyWear. She is taking part in 'Pay it Forward 2011', which is just a wonderful idea about friendship and sharing. And isn't that what life should be all about? :)

background from lost&taken

This is how it works:

The first five people who comment on this blog post will receive a handmade gift from me.

The only requirement in return, you must FIRST write a blog post explaining 'Pay It Forward 2011'.
Then, about the most exciting part, make and send a handmade gift to the first 5 visitors who comment and commit to do the same.
Don't worry about time. You don't need to send them all today or tomorrow.
Gifts from the heart take time and are worth waiting for them!

And like Shannon a.k.a. Mushy says:

"It's not the size of the gift that matters, but the spirit of paying it forward."

1,000 Origami Cranes

2011-03-17T12:24:00.002+01:00

Sorry, for the lack of posts these days. But like many of you I have been too distracted by the situation in Japan.

While all my thoughts go to Japan and its people, the legend and meaning of origami cranes came to my mind. As far as I know those who are able to fold 1,000 are granted a wish by a crane.

I can only begin with this very first one to show, at least, my deepest solidarity to the Japanese people.

Click to enlarge

I have made a step by step photo instruction for this fabric crane, which you can enlarge by clicking on the collage. It can be easily done with a few hand stitches.

If you would like to make one, too, it would be nice, if you could send me a photo of your finished crane. I am thinking about uploading them onto my blog as some sign of worldwide mental encouragement for Japan.

Please send them to:

nettevivante 'at' hotmail 'dot' de

And in case you haven't noticed, yet. Like some other bloggers worldwide, I am holding a raffle in order to collect donations for 'Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund'.

Please check out mine and those of our fellow bloggers:

Molly-Made

VeryPurplePerson

iroiroCrafts
happyserendipity

And in addition to this Kayo from Crochetie is planning on opening a used book store online. Donations will be made by her sale. So keep on checking her blog.

頑張って日本！

Japan Quake Appeal - Raffle (please share)

2011-03-14T14:14:00.001+01:00

My dear friends,

Like many of you I have been nervously following the news from Japan since that disastrous earthquake, followed by a tsunami and now the nerve-wracking state with the nuclear plants.

Anyway, instead of just sitting here and doing nothing, but watching or reading news, I really wanted to do something, that could be at least a tiny little help.

So I sat down and sewed this lovely blouse in order to take part in Jojo's 'Japan Quake Appeal'.

So here is the deal. I am holding a tombola and you can win this blouse. All you have to do in order to take part in this tombola is to donate US$10 (which is about only 7€) to 'Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund' organized by 'global giving'. Please scroll down to the end of the post to get more information about how to participate and please share this post, if you do not mind!

So here comes some information about the prize! The fabric I used is some kind of light weight satin, which feels unbelievable good. You can see that it has light brown and purple colored flowers on a chocolate brown background with white polka dots.

The pattern I used for this blouse is from a Japanese book. I love the ruffled cupcake shaped sleeves and the wraped looking front. I used bias binding to finish the neckline and the sleeves.

Click to enlarge

The size is M and maybe a little L might also fit. I made it a little bigger so that as many people as possible can participate in this tombola. As you can see, it also fits a size S because I have added straps on the back, which is ruffled, anyway, and looks cute with a little bow.

These are the actual sizes of the blouse:

bust: 98cm / 38.5 inch
waist: 96cm / 37.8 inch
length from shoulder: 70cm / 27.6 inch

Even if it might not fit you or just is not to your taste, I would like to encourage you to take part, perhaps, for someone you know. Like your friend, your cousin or your niece...this tombola is for a good cause and I believe most of us can spare $10.

Click to enlarge

Details about participation:

Each raffle entry must be a donation of $10. To enter, go to 'global giving' and make a $10 donation, when you have done it, come back to this post and leave a comment with your reciept number and you must also leave a valid email address, you can write the address in the format of mymailname 'at' hotmail 'dot' com. You may enter as many times as you like, but each time you need a new receipt number.

For help with the donation you can refer to this post.

Raffle closes at 12.00pm CET 26th March.
If you make a mistake or forget to add your email address please delete the first comment and re-write it.
Winner will be drawn by 'random.org'.

The raffle is being held on this blog, in cooperation with A Bit of This and a Bit of That.
We are in no way affiliated with global giving, that's just our chosen method of getting funds safely to the affected area.

一人でも多くの方のご無事を心から祈ります。

2011-03-12T10:01:00.003+01:00

It is a long time ago, but seeing those frightening news from Japan I started to pray again. I hope from the deepest of my heart that the situation can be handled very, very soon.

So far the people I know are all fine, but the situation with the Fukushima nuclear power plant seems to be getting worse. All my thoughts go to Japan and its people right now.

Let us all hope for the best.

7 facts about me & some childhood photos

2011-03-10T09:20:00.000+01:00

Oh, I have been rewarded twice with the 'stylish blogger' and once with the 'versatile blogger' award in the last days. I feel really flattered! Thank you Carly, Ophelia and Oonaballoona (who all have wonderfully inspiring blogs, too! So please have a look!!!) for having chosen me.♥
The rules of these awards are to write 7 interesting facts about oneself and choose seven blogs, which should receive this award in my opinion.

1. On the left you see what I looked like a long, long time ago. :)

2. I cannot lick the wooden stick of an ice cream...

3. I have been together with my boyfriend for almost nine years.

4. I cannot choose only one style of fashion. Is that bad? I mean, often you read, that one should stick to one style. I just cannot choose.

5. I am in bad temper the days before full moon (then I have that critical facial expression like in the 2nd photo all the time).

6. I love riding my bike.

7. Nobody understands, but I love watching Columbo, starring Peter Falk as Lieutenant always wearing that rumpled, dirty coat & talking about his beloved wife (that no one ever sees). He is a genius! ;)

Here are the seven blogs, I would award (though I could write down plenty of blogs!):

Tilly and the buttons
Molly made
Vivat Veritas
MeikeStartsToSew
iroiro - a bit of this and that
Tea Rose Home
sodapop design

Joining Oonaballoona and Jorth I want to share some more photos of my childhood. :D

Big, clean and content.


Want your kids to keep calm? - Put them in front of the television. ;)

The king and his jester.

The three investigators on a difficult mission. - No, of course they can swim, the swim rings are just part of their secret weapons...

Yaaaay,...PINK!

So how about yours? I am curious to see more childhood photos!

Misc II

2011-03-07T12:26:00.000+01:00

Monday again! Unbelievable how time goes by...hope you all had a nice weekend. So today's post is again about misc stuff I have been or am currently working on.

First of all, spring is still keeping us waiting...though sun is shining it is still so very, very cold. Maybe we should try to convince spring to come sooner with some dedicated projects? I have tried my part with this 'spring onion' inspired little casual bag.

left photo by robbplusjessie on flickr

Shiny Lemon vs. Warm Curry

I am also currently working on a spring jacket. This time a more colorful one, than my last grey boxy jacket. I bought a shiny lemon colored cotton, but as soon as part of the jacket was finished I realized, that a shiny lemon color really is not made for me (in addition to this, it really reminded me of the clothes German mailmen wear).

So I bought some curry colored pigment and just hoped that it might work out. I am really relieved. I would have never worn this jacket before, but now I can imagine, that the final jacket will turn out ok.

project is based on burda style 03/2011 no. 115

This is the project in process. The dying is a little unbalanced, but I do like it this way, because it gives the jacket some kind of used look. I am still looking for some lining, so it will still take some time until it is finished.

Here are some of my latest fabric findings!

Clockwise: A soft floral knitted fabric, which I am not sure whether to turn into a dress or a cardigan.

A middle weight flannel in a warm rosé color.

A b & w jersey with a nice bordure, which I got at the very nice price of 3 Euro. I have this one in contrary colors, too. I am going to show it to you soon, because I have already turned it into a little dress (but it is just too cold outside).

And mustard colored silk which I found in my mother's fabric stash (and grasped for myself..hihi).

And last but not least I am also working on another wooden project. I bought this vintage printer's drawer. It was once used for printing letters and it is definitely correspondingly dirty. My idea is to turn it into a jewelry 'wardrobe' and to hang it on the wall.

That is why I am sanding the whole thing at nights, to make it kind of new again. I also exchanged the back wall because that one was made of press board only and was beyond remedy.

Top photo: before vs. Bottom photo: after

Wow, seems like I have had a lot to share today! Now, I will have to go back to my studies!

Wish you all a nice day! ♪♪

Levitating Natsumi - Fascinating dreamy state

2011-03-02T17:30:00.003+01:00

Oh, a friend of mine showed me something truly wonderful and inspiring that I absolutely want to share with you! Floating Natsumi! She is a Japanese girl living in Tokyo and taking photos of herself floating through daily life. Please have a look at her diary!
I just love her photos and they make me remember and miss my nine months stay in Tokyo in 2007.

by 'yowayowa camera woman', http://yowayowacamera.com/

Weekend Project -Tailored Camera Bag

2011-02-28T12:35:00.003+01:00

I love my camera and though I have it for almost 5 years, already, I somehow did not make it to sew a proper bag! I even have had a file folder for a long time already, in which I, now and then, saved camera bag pictures, that I liked and found on the internet.

So this weekend I spend my time looking at those and made up my mind, which kind of bag I liked best. And tadaaa here it is!

The idea for this camera bag is from a blog I found not long ago. Unfortunately, I cannot remember which blog it was (a point to save pictures with html sources!). So if anybody would like to be linked properly, please let me know!

There were no instructions, but I think that a pattern has to be customized, anyway, due to varying camera measurements. I loved how cute it looked and used a Kokka fabric, that I have had in my stash for a long time. It opens on the back and can be closed by using two buttons on the sides and two pushbuttons on the top.

P.S.: Found the inspiration source! Thanks Renaade for your help and inspiration! :D

'877' in my mailbox

2011-02-25T10:46:00.000+01:00

Wooohooo! :) Yesterday, a little small package made my day! I won a giveaway on sodapop.

The giveaway was a custom made leather bracelet with a mauve colored enamel copper button by a German design team called 877! Actually, a very perfect statement piece for seamstresses!

They (Sylvia & Daniel) have their studio in Hamburg, that is in northern Germany. They are into old handicraft techniques like enamel coating and use them in their modern designs. They also have a shop on Etsy, which you should definitely stop by! Sylvia is such a wonderful contact and you can have your very own custom made combination bracelet. It was very hard for me to decide, but I ended up with a brown leather bracelet and the mauve colored button. I love it and the leather is incredibly soft. Thank you so much Caro from sodapop and Sylvia from 877!

Wishing everybody a wonderful and creative weekend!!! ♥

Inspired by la môme caoutchouc

2011-02-23T09:52:00.000+01:00

I guess most of you know the movie 'Amélie' by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I loved it, well actually, I still love it though I have seen it already too many times. I was a little surprised as I just noticed that it is from 2001. Time really passes by so fast...!

Anyway, I got Jeunet's new movie 'Micmacs' as a christmas present from one of my best friends. I can only recommend this one to you. If you already liked the fabulous pictures, sceneries and music in 'Amélie', you will definitely love this one, too (see the trailer at the end of this post for more information about the story).

Inspired by the fantastical môme caoutchouc, that is the elastic woman (Julie Ferrier) in 'Micmacs', I made these high waisted black velvet shorts with suspenders. I loved how cute they looked, though I definitely cannot twist my body in that way (that is also why I did not need to use elastic fabric)! :)

Ok, I have to admit, that all I need now is an occasion to wear this outfit. Any suggestions? :)

Micmacs
from vincenttorquato on Vimeo.

And the winners are...drum roll

2011-02-22T00:20:00.004+01:00

Ophelia.K from Japan for the pretzel,

Nlitvak from Canada for the terrier

& Paunnet from Italy for the doily flower!

photo by Jakob Esben H.

Congratulations to the winners! I will try to contact you via mail asap to get your brooches on the way!

Thank you so much everybody for having entered. I wish I could send all of you a little giveaway. It seems as most of you liked the doily flower brooch. I will definitely keep that in mind for another giveaway in the future! :) So come back now and then and try your luck again.

Have a lovely day! ♥

DIY Owl Pin Cushion

2011-02-16T09:48:00.000+01:00

So, as already mentioned in my last post DIY Lace Bowls & Giveaway No.2 today I want to share a DIY. Just another idea I got when using that modelling clay. It is an Owl Pin Cushion!

I used some of the material to form the outer shape of an owl and simply added a hand-sewn pin cushion as the owl's belly.

Prepare the outer shape of the owl with modelling clay. I made it about 1.5cm thick. Then carve out the owl's belly and form the outer edge until it is smooth. Let it air-dry at least 2 days. You can already prepare the pin cushion in the mean time. For that you cut some stiff paper in the size that it fits easily into the belly. Cut another round piece of fabric which diameter is a little bigger than the one of the paper.
Now hand sew around the edge of the fabric all around, but before pulling the thread tight make sure to put your paper piece inside. Now pull the thread, so that the fabric encloses the paper and make a knot.
So we have already prepared the base of the pincushion (it is the right round piece on the photo). Now you will need a far bigger round piece of fabric (see the relations on the photo) and some cotton batting to fill the pin cushion. Next, hand sew around the edge of the big round piece of fabric all around and before pulling the thread tight you fill in the cotton batting. If you then pull the thread tight, you will have a nice little ball.
You will now have to sew the ball onto the pin cushion's base.
Here you see the pin cushion's bottom, that is its base. The seams of the ball will disappear under the base. Make a knot to finish the pin cushion.
And here you go. Simply put the pin cushion into the owl and design a face in the way you like.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I did.

And in case you did not notice, yet, I have a little giveaway going on. Simply leave a comment under this earlier post, if you would like to win one of the presented brooches.

DIY Lace Bowls & Giveaway No.2

2011-02-14T22:20:00.000+01:00

I found a wonderfully inspiring blog two weeks ago. This time it is a German one, so unfortunately, it is in German only.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you a DIY I found on Caro's blog, that is pretty easy to understand by looking at her photos! Make yourself a DIY Doily-Bowl.

All you need is some modelling clay that does not have to be burned, but is able to air-dry. I did not know about this material before. It is similar to china clay.

So you simply roll the material with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 3-4 mm. Then you take some laces or doilies and push their pattern onto the material with that rolling pin. It is so easy and turns into a wonderful result. All you have to do then, is to make the bowl round and put it into another bowl to give it that bowl shape (take a look at Caro's photos).

After 2 days of drying in room temperature they were ready to be finished with some sandpaper and acrylic paint.

I love how they turned out and am definitely going to do it again!

I made 3 bowls, but had lots of material left, so I decided to make some brooches! I am not so sure about the stability of this material, so they might have to be handled with care. Well, this was my first try, so we will see how they survive everyday life! :)

As you can see on the left, I made pretzels, scottish terriers (for which I used a cookie cutter) and some doily flower brooches (same procedure as with the bowls).

And as a little belated Valentine's gift I would love to run a giveaway for you!
I will giveaway one of each type of brooch to three lucky readers (each reader one brooch).

Simply comment on this post until Tuesday (22nd February) and tell me which brooch (A, B, C) you would like. Do not forget to tell me your email adress.Winners will be chosen with the help of random.org.

Good luck everybody and thank you for always leaving such nice feedback! ♥

P.S.: I also made something nice for seamstresses! I am going to post that one in the upcoming days as a special little DIY.

Little feature on Tali from Tel Aviv

2011-02-13T19:49:00.000+01:00

Oh, it is sunday evening again and the next week already waits to get started. Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Today I would like to share with you a wonderful shop that I found on etsy. Its name is Tush Tush Shop and it is run by lovely and super nice Tali, who is a recent graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Art & Design.

I have had some of her pastel works listed under my 'favorites' for a long time already, but it was just this week that I decided, why not ask her to portrait me? Maybe it is a little strange to let someone portrait oneself, but I thought the portrait might also be nice to use as an icon for all those online social communities.

And voilà! Here it is already! She really worked very fast and I love the outcome. She used pastels on packaging paper. You might recognize that the photo, I send her, was the one from the last post. I thought it to be nice because I have my grandma's fabric on it.

Anyway, I think her work also makes very nice presents for special occasions. She makes private portraits of more than one person, too.

See some of her works that I liked best and have a good start into a new week!

Sarah by tushtush

The Dancer by tushtush

Seaman by tushtush

Life by tushtush

Feeling nostalgic ♥

2011-02-09T12:06:00.000+01:00

The last few days I was feeling very nostalgic. I found this wonderful dotted light weight fabric in my mother's fabric stash and got to know, that it was once bought by my beloved Taiwanese grandmother who died some years ago.

I fell in love with it at once and knew immediately, that it would become a simple loose blouse. I only added some ruffles on the front and cuffs on the sleeves. I love that wearing it feels like having gotten a belated present from my grandmother.

But I have to admit, that I haven't had so much fear for making mistakes while cutting or sewing, ever (knowing I would not have the chance to buy some more). This fabric was only about 70cm wide, but fortunately about 2.2 m long.

Click to enlarge

I think this blouse can be well combined with my self-made pantalon alfred. This might be my first self-made outfit! :)

Anyway, to get back to my Taiwanese grandmother. Actually, my mother and I owe to her all our passion and knowledge about sewing. She was a really hard working wife and mother of 7 children.

As I was able to return to Taiwan every summer vacation, I got to see her, at least once a year. We could not talk to each other because she only spoke Taiwanese dialect (in her childhood girls did not enter school) and I am only able to speak Mandarin, but somehow we were always able to communicate.

She used to call me Aneto...hahaha...I will never forget that and she always wanted me to eat more of her delicious food! Oh, I miss her...

Hope this was not too much nostalgia, but I just wanted to write down some of my memories. Thanks for reading them. ♥

P.S.: And thanks for those lots of tea suggestions!!!

Dedicated to my beloved grandmother

Confession of a tea addict

2011-02-05T12:30:00.000+01:00

silver tea cups from 1910, made in Seattle, by Foxtongue

Today I would like to post about one of my greatest addiction being tea!

I admit, that I drink about 1 litre of Taiwanese Oolong, 2 cups of Lemon Verbena and 2 cups of Ceylon Tea, when I am studying at home.

Kind of unbelievable, but I just love tea!

Anyway, I got to know that I might not be the only tea addict and found lots of wonderful tea-related things on the internet, that I wanted to share.

And besides, if you do not mind, I would like to know what your favorite tea is? Maybe I should give a try for a new one!

I found this wonderful ring of ASOS looking like a real tea cup! Isn't it adorable, to say the least! All the details in gold and pastel rose make me love it. I am really thinking about getting one for myself.

Then, of course you can find those 'Keep Calm and...' posters everywhere like in this etsy shop. I think this might become my mantra in times studying becomes kind of hard. A cup of tea always lifts me up.

Then a really good song about tea by Kula Shaker. I love it and the whole story it tells. The video is just so much fun.

And last but not least a DIY Teacup Pincushion by BurdaStyle member marykej. If I wouldn't have too many pincushions, I would definitely make one, too. Maybe I will make one anyway! ;)

Now, have nice cup of tea! Wishing everybody a wonderful and creative weekend!

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-02T10:30:00.000+01:00

Thinking about tomorrow being Chinese New Year (year of the rabbit), I was in the mood of handsewing a little rabbit doll. I did not use a pattern and just cut the pieces from scratch. Then I felt that rabbit to be a little naked and that is why I added this vintage looking silk dress and then I just got crazy all over...added a mustard cape and made a little felt bag with some goodies inside...

I guess this is going to be a very fashionable year of the rabbit! ♥

Making of House Sewing Box! - Finished!

2011-01-27T14:43:00.001+01:00

Finally, I found some time to finish my little dream house! I love it and wanted to share with you its evolution! So enjoy the video below and I hope you like it!

Now I have a little place where I can store all my fabric remnants, that I just cannot throw away, thinking I could need them one day. :)

Scarf Scenes by Anthropologie

2011-01-22T09:27:00.002+01:00

I already told you about my love for scarves. Found this amazing video, yesterday, and just wanted to share with you and wish you all a wonderful and creative weekend!

Anthropologie "Scarf Scenes" from Tatiana Arocha on Vimeo.

House Sewing Box - Sneak Preview

2011-01-20T22:39:00.003+01:00

At the moment I am working on my House Sewing Box. Maybe you have seen my little sketch in one of the earlier posts. When I saw Cath Kidston's Town House Sewing Box on Tilly's blog I could not resist and immediately wanted to make me one on my own. I didn't think that it would be so much fun. It is not finished, yet, but I would like to show you a little sneak preview!

These are the exterior embellishments for the facade. I got some inspiration for the windows and the door from a book called 'Faciful Felties'. I tried to embroider them by hand and machine.

The apple tree is similar to the one on the original box. I added a dog and its kennel, a clothesline with cloths, many colorful flowers and some ivy, which I want to stick on the walls of my house.

But, of course, first of all I had to build the exterior. I didn't use nails, as my wood was too thin, so I used some wooden sticks and glued the whole exterior construction.

After that I glued red felt on the walls and bright beige felt (which I first embroidered with red stitches to give it some kind of wooden touch) on the roof. Maybe you can see the embroidery by clicking the photo.

I am looking forward to get it all together, soon. Unfortunately, that will still have to wait a little...too many ideas and not enough time!

P.S.: Welcome to all new followers and readers! Thank you for all those lovely comments! ♥♥♥

Braided Layered Scarf with Lace Neck

2011-01-15T14:18:00.000+01:00

First of all thank you everybody so, so much for your huge response on my jacket! I was quite overwhelmed by all those lovely comments and am sorry, that I cannot get back to all of you individually. Anyway, I owe it to you, that I can wear that jacket with confidence now!

Today's post is about a scarf I finished in about 1 hour. I always wanted to try braiding fabric like American Apparel's fine jersey braided belts. But to give the scarf also functionality I wanted to add a simple wide stripe of fabric to keep my neck warm.You surely have seen similar scarves on the internet, everywhere, and I know that it is no new invention at all. Nevertheless, I just wanted to share with you the simplicity to make one on your own.

I have to admit, that I am a total scarf fanatic. No matter what time of the year it will be seldom for anybody to see me without. I guess I am like that for more than 10 years now. And if I do not wear a scarf or some other lighter cravat, I feel like getting a sore throat very quickly. It is odd, I know! :)

I used some light weight viscose and cut against the straight grain. It rolls up very nicely, so I can really recommend viscose.

Cut as many stripes as you like and braid as many ropes as you like. Then hand sew each rope's ends together.

Do the same with some wider stripe of fabric, which you might also gather a little, as it will be on the back of your neck.

Take some broad lace and pin it onto the seams. Hand sew the lace on all parts of the scarf.

And that's it!

For more details on how to make this scarf click here

Next, I am surely going to try the lovely winter warmer cowl by Colette.

P.S.: Did you see those lovely blue earrings I wear proudly on the photos? I finally won something!!! Thank you Laura so much. I just love them! Besides Laura has a wonderful blog, too. And you can get hands on her handmade jewelry in her Etsy shop.

Wishing everybody a wonderful weekend!

Ruche Boxy Jacket (Coco meets Anthropologie)

2011-01-11T08:37:00.000+01:00

Remember my post about that Coco Chanel inspired boxy jacket? I really wanted to make one for myself. Unfortunately, I was not able to find bouclé fabric that I really liked. Even not in black...

Anyway, I ended up with a woolen fabric, which color is a little hard to explain...sometimes it seems dark beige-brown and sometimes more grey...

For a plain boxy jacket this fabric might have looked too conservative, so I made up my mind, used the pattern for the jacket as a basis and combined it with a ruche front, which I have once seen on a jacket by Anthropologie (I guess autumn season).

Besides, it took me great effort to get these 3 photos yesterday! I wanted to take advantage of the blue sky (which is seldom in Germany, at the moment). So I went by bike to find a nice place for photos. The good weather made me believe I would not need a scarve. That was no good at all. I had to look for a good place for about 25 minutes and it was freezing 3 degrees cold! When I finally found one, it was already sunset AND I had the chance to take only 3 photos, then the battery ran down. Afterwards, of course, I had to ride my bike home again for about half an hour...

So I hope you do not mind the photos' bad quality. I had to brighten them up quite a bit.

That's why I decided to take some additional photos in my room. One showing the jacket closed and one open.

This jacket's ruching were a lot of hand sewing work. As you can see on the photos above I created a hand rolled hem on the outer edges of the ruchings. I had to do this as the wool would have been too thick just to turn it inside and sew it with a machine. In addition to this I also sewed the ruching punctually onto the jackets front, so that they lie flat to each side.

I, especially, like the lining fabric. It gives the whole jacket that little 'something'.

So what do you think? Frankly speaking, I am not quite sure whether this jacket is really wearable or whether the ruching is just too much. Maybe I am just not used to them. I am curious to read what you think about it!

Bye bye! ♥

Misc

2011-01-05T12:57:00.000+01:00

I was really flattered by the huge response on my father's sewing closet! Thanks to all of you for sharing my luck with me. I have told my father all of your compliments and though he does not show it, I know he feels very proud! :)

Anyway, he is also relieved that he does no longer have to work on it...hihi...

So today's post is a litte miscellaneous. I have so many things to share, so I decided to put them all into this post. I even have some other finished sewing projects, that I haven't posted, yet. Unfortunately, you will have to wait to see them because I had no time to take any more photos, yet.

This is a blouse I finished arround christmas. I used very soft and warm flannel for it. This definitely can keep one warm in the winter. I had some problems with matching the checks on the front and had to recut one side of it to make it work. Luckily, I still had some fabric left. I like the casual woodchopper look of it. A simple everyday wearable blouse.

On the left you see another christmas present of mine. One of my best friends knitted them especially for me! It was her first try on mittens and they came up beautifully!
They are warm and cozy and I love that mustard colored yarn.

On the right you find my little earrings frame.

DIY instructions for this kind of projects can be found all over the internet at the moment. I liked the idea and it was a quick and fun project. All I needed was a frame, some laces, some wool for the hanger and a good strong staple gun.

Luckily, I do not have so many hanging earrings, so I could go with this small frame.

And here a little sneak peek on what I am working on, at the moment. Inspired by all that wood crafting done by my father I wanted to work with wood, too. We had wood construction lessons in school and it was pretty fun.

Then I found a wonderful wood and fabric combining project on Tilly's blog.

A house sewing box! Perfect for all those fabric scraps lying messy all around!

Left you see my construction plan. I am now working on the wood to built the house's base.

Hope, this post was not too miscellaneous, but I really needed to update! Have a wonderful day and take care.

I am so happy...

2011-01-03T23:25:00.000+01:00

Finally it is done! I am so happy and proud to show you what a wonderful sewing closet my father has made for me!!!

So this is the front! Isn't it just awesome?! I cannot say anything else about it. It is even more beautiful than I have ever imagined. I love that the structure of the wood is so vivid and those colorful knobs just pop out perfectly!

Do you perhaps know 'Pippi Longstocking'? A very naughty, but dearest little girl with red braids created by Astrid Lindgren. I think I remember her having a closet in which she had many surprises and little gifts for her friends Annika and Thomas. This sewing closet definitely reminds me on that. Finally, I can organize all my favorite tools and crafty stuff. A closet full of surprises! :)

Oh, I am extremely thankful. This is one of the most precious gifts I ever got. I have seen how much effort and time my father put into this project and it took him about 2 months to finish it (of course not twentyfourseven!). This is a gift for a lifetime. I am always going to appreciate it! Danke liebster Papa!!!

A happy, happy new year!

2011-01-01T20:12:00.000+01:00

With new year already here I would love to say thank you for taking time to read my blog and for sharing your lovely thoughts.

I have been blogging for 3 months, only, and did never think that it would be so much fun! I am also grateful for getting to know so many people all around the world, who share the same passion and are a wonderful creative inspiration for me. Thank you girls so much.

I wish you all a wonderful year with many beautiful projects, memorable moments with your family and loved ones, lots of success in whatever you are doing and, of course, health!

The day after...

2010-12-27T10:31:00.000+01:00

Hey girls!

I hope you had wonderful christmas holidays! Mine were just perfect with family, games and lots of fabulous food, which I just could not get enough of!

So today I am going to do a little showcase of my presents. My parents got me the following two books, which I wanted to have for some time already.

Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life

Of course, I haven't read the whole book, yet. But even just the photos, illustrations and graphics are worth having it. This woman has just been so amazing and I cannot wait to get to know her better.

Boutique Knits: 20 +

I am a total knitting newbie, but this book is just so inspiring, that I am willing to go through this torture of learning how to knit. I hope that I can understand those instructions soon. Does anybody has some advice on how to learn knitting best? Another book or website?

My boyfriend got me an half year subscription of BurdaStyle and in addition these ergonomically designed Prym sewing tools!

Hopefully these will put an end to my tortured hands. :)

And last but not least I got this chic Fifi Lapin brooch. Do you know her? The most fashionable bunny worldwide?

Hihi, I just love her!

I am so into brooches, anyway, these days. How come they have been neglected as jewellery for such a long time?

And here comes one more christmas present I made for my boyfriend. A striped, color blocked sweater. Which is just as comfy as it looks! Luckily, I did not have to do any changes and he could wear it immediately. :)

Maybe you remember my wish for a sewing closet? My father has been working hard on it for about 2 months already! I would have never imagined, that it would take so much time and effort to build it! Unfortunately, he was not able to finish it for Christmas Eve. But that just ain't no problem! I can wait and am looking forward to finally get my hands on and my sewing stuff into that closet! :)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T10:15:00.000+01:00

Thank you my dear followers for sharing that queerish moment with me in my last post. I am so glad, that it made some of you smile and that, definitely, made me smile myself! Thank you so much for your nice, nice, nice comments. It is always a big pleasure for me to read a new comment.

So, it is already that day! ♥

I don't know how it is celebrated in your country, but in Germany today is that special night! I will have a wonderful dinner (prepared by my father) with my family (unfortunately not all of them) and afterwards it will be gift giving time.

So I will have to leave you now to get dressed and ready for this day!

I wish you all a merry, merry christmas and a wonderful time with your loved ones! ♥

Better make it yourself!

2010-12-21T18:26:00.000+01:00

I do not think that I will ever win a sewing machine, no matter in how many giveaways I participate! So today I decided to better make it myself, then relying on luck and fate, only.

Tadaaaa! And here it is, my very own sewing machine! ;)

Ok, you got me. It is not the most professional one, but I like its aerodynamic look...haha...

Unfortunately, the control knobs fall of very often and I have to admit, that it does not have any variety of different stitches...also it does not survive any room temperature...sigh...

P.S.:

It has been snowing here in Germany for weeks already. Somehow this weather makes me a little queerish...So forgive me for this post. :)

Anyway, this was a lot of fun and if I could have made you smile, just a little, I will be highly delighted!

Christmas is coming to town... Part. I

2010-12-19T10:47:00.000+01:00

I was finally able to finish all my self-made christmas presents, yesterday! Yeaheee! No more stress for me! :)

So today I would like to share two of them. I can only show you these before christmas because I am pretty sure that both presentees will not come on my blog to have a look.

So this little birdcage ornament with a flying bird inside is for my boyfriend's grandmother. She is always such a kind person and I really hope she will like it!

I made this ornament with the help of a tutorial by 'Pretty Ditty'. She shares wonderful and inspirational things on her blog and also has a very nice online shop.

I, especially, love her pegdolls, they are just too beautiful. I have to admit, that I once tried my hand on one of these and it was no problem to make the doll's cloth...but I cannot show you my pegdoll because I was just nooo good at painting her face. :)

Second present I would like to share is a leathern case for keys. I tried to keep it simple as it is for men. But to make it a little more personalized I stamped and sewed on the presentees initials.

So what about you? I am really curious to see what other people have made. Have you finished all your christmas presents, yet? What did you make?

♥ Coeur de pirate ♥

2010-12-16T12:16:00.000+01:00

Oh, I really want to share this discovery with you. My boyfriend was so kind to find it for me.

I simply love this song, as well as the French language. I wish I was still able to play the piano like I used to when I was in my teens... ♥

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do and have a lovely day! ♥

"Stricklieseln?!"

2010-12-15T16:29:00.000+01:00

Sorry, for not having posted for some time. I have been very busy with 'real' life, but in the end everything turned out just fine and here I am back posting my latest little projects.

I have tried my hand on some knitted wintery accessories that I saw in a German magazine called 'CUT'. The first one is my favorite. It is a flower brooch and was very, very easy to make. I just needed some knitted strings. Then I rolled them to be flowers and hand sew them on a feltbase combined with a safety pin.

The second accessory is this bracelet.

I used the same knitted strings as for the brooch.

This is made by braiding four strings and connect both ends.

And last but not least the most easiest of all three is this necklace with 3 knitted strings in different length.

Somehow I do love this red and white color combination. It is wintery and has a christmas holiday touch.

Maybe I will try to make more accessories like these, as I still have some of this wool left.

So you might wonder how I made those strings? In German this tool you see on the last picture is called 'Strickliesel'. 'Strick' means 'knitting' and 'liesel' is an old German name for a girl. Can anybody tell me what this is called in English? I wonder if this tool is known all around the world?

People told me that many Germans used to play with it in their childhood. Well, I am a little late having found out about this 'Strickliesel' just about a month ago! ;)

Old school embroidered pillow cases...

2010-12-08T15:16:00.000+01:00

Today I would like to show you a little "side"project of mine. My boyfriend was in desperate need of new pillowcases. So I made him the following two with checkered woolen scrap fabric. But somehow they were kind of boring.

Then I found this amazing and pretty cool book called 'Embroidered Effects' and tried to jazz them up a little. I made two patches. After stitching I sewed them on felt so that they won't fray. This was a pretty easy and fun project!

The first one reminds me of those old sailor jerry tattoos and the second is a colorful skull inspired by 'Día de los Muertos'. Think I am going to embroider more in the future!

Little big hedgehog poche & a little surprise

2010-12-04T19:55:00.000+01:00

Oh, I have been a total copycat this time. I am so sorry, but I just had to try this sweet hedgehog bag myself! And aren't people saying that to copy is the highest form of flattery?

I have seen this kind of animal bags on etsy some time ago. Then, some weeks ago got reminded about them by a post from crochetie on facebook. They are too cute, but they were also unaffordable for me, so I simply had to make it myself.

I used some soft and thin leather for the body. I wasn't so sure, whether my sewing machine would be able to sew leather, but with a leather needle it was no problem at all.

It is not really a bag and can carry only little things, but that is enough for some money, cards and my mobile phone.

P.S.: I got a little parcel, yesterday! I was so surprised and delighted!!! One of my very best friends, Meike, send me some goodies along with this lovely black leather flower brooch, which she made herself! Oh, I love self-made presents!!! ♥

Nut Roll - My favorite Winter Recipe

2010-12-01T12:49:00.000+01:00

Today I would like to share another one of my favorite recipes. This time it is a cake! I love baking and the flavor of fresh baked cakes and cookies (but who does not!). This is a delicious, easy and quickly made cake.

What you need:

For the dough:

150g curd, 6 tablespoons milk, 6 tablespoons oil, 25g baking powder, a pinch of salt, 300g flour, 10g vanilla sugar, 75g sugar

For the filling:

100g sugar, 200g powdered hazelnut, 1/2 egg yolk, 1 egg white, 5 tablespoons water

What to do:

Mix all the ingredients for the dough, until you have a nice and sleak dough.
Mix all the ingredients for the filling in another bowl.
Roll the dough on your table until you receive a nice rectangle.
Then use a spoon or a knife to apply the filling all over it.
Roll the whole rectangle into a nice roll and press it a little, so that it won't open in the oven.
Cut the upper side several times.
Apply a mixture of the remaining egg yolk and some milk on the roll, so that it will get this shiny golden surface.
Bake it for about 35-40 minutes in 175 degress celsius.
Enjoy this delicious nut roll!!!

Casual Maritime

2010-11-28T14:29:00.000+01:00

It has been getting very cold here in Germany, but at least the weather is fine today! So, finally, I had the chance to take some photos again. This is a "sweater dress" I finished already 2 weeks ago. I like my clothes to be comfy, yet not looking too comfortable!

I did not use a pattern for this dress. The skirt is made out of two large rectangles and the upper part is a copy of one of my simpler shirts. To give it something special I divided the yoke and decided to use two different fabrics.

I used two different sweatshirt fabrics. One is a dark blue and the other one is a maritime looking light grey one with blue stripes.

At first I wanted to add different golden buttons, but somehow they would have made the whole style less casual and did not really match the sweatshirt fabric. That is why I went for these heart-shaped buttons made out of shell which match well with the light grey.

Anyway, wish you all a relaxed sunday and a good start into tomorrow's week!!!

Better together...

2010-11-23T10:24:00.000+01:00

Bagbag for Frederik

2010-11-21T13:51:00.001+01:00

Last week on the 13th was my boyfriend's birthday. Yes, he is a 13th born!...kind of creepy...hihi...Luckily, I am not superstitious. :)

Anyway, I made him this bag. I used canvas for the outside and the inside and put some interface inbetween to give it more shape. The brown handles, the bottom and the outside pocket are made out of leather.

As the leather was very thick I had to do a lot of handstitching. I worked on it for hours! And there is still some horny skin on the tips of my fingers.

At first I wanted to buy some handles, but I simply could not find matching ones. So in the end I tried to make them myself! It was not quite that difficult.

You won't ever guess what is inside them! I used old cables to give them more grip. :)

In addition I added a shoulder strap, which is removable. So he can use this bag in two different ways.

But the best part of this bag is, that he likes it a lot!

Well, that is at least what he told me! ;)...if he did not meant it, he surely deserves an Oscar Award!

Yesterday, we went to eat some simple Japanese food. Yakitori-Don! Oh, I so miss Japanese food. One of my favorites has always been Okonomiyaki! I just found out, that there is a restaurant in a neighbouring city, which is specialized on that dish! Definitely have to try that one soon!

Wish you all a nice and relaxing sunday and have a good start in tomorrow's new week!

Faux Fur Collars

2010-11-18T10:22:00.001+01:00

You might have noticed, too, that this autumn/winter season seems to be all about faux fur! I always wonder how those trends evolve unnoticed. People, including me, tend to think that they come up with something, like in this case the detachable faux fur collar, but in the end we are all just unintentionally following some trends, which are impossible to relate to one origin.

I think this case of 'faux fur collars' is a great example. I had the idea in my mind at the beginning of autumn. Then, maybe about 1 week later I found Ophelia from Crochetie had made some beautiful fur collars for her shop (you should really stop by her blog to look at them or even purchase one).

Her collars finally encouraged me to really try my own one. Though all of these are faux fur collars, there seem to be boundless possibilities to make endless variations. You can play with the size, the pattern and the different kinds of furs.

Then, just 2 days earlier Colette patterns made a fantastic tutorial on a removable custom faux fur collar for coats.

And finally, yesterday, Elegant Musings added 2 other wonderful vintage patterns for detachable fur collars, which you can download as pdf on her blog. She also made a detailed step-by-step instruction on how to work with fur.

Isn't this amazing?! Unrelated people from all over the world come up with similar ideas at the same time and the origin of these simply remain unidentifiable. How can you explain this?

So what do you think of these detachable fur collars? Do you like them, or did you even had the same idea in this season?

Anyway, if you are into them, here comes a little hint! Elegant Musings is having a giveaway for one beautiful fur collar. Simply leave her a comment on what your favorite wintertime accessory is and how you like to wear it.

Good luck girls and have a nice day!

Me encanta tú blog!

2010-11-16T11:35:00.000+01:00

I feel so flattered! Lovely Jelena has given me this sweet blog award! Spongebob in a vogue like pose. Hihihi, I love this one! :)

Anyway, with this award come some questions she poses. I tried to answer them as good as I can.

Why did you create your blog?
I started this blog because I want to share my passion for sewing and creating with as many people as possible all around the world. I have seen so many beautiful blogs and wondered whether I could do something like that, too. And here I am trying! ;)

What kind of blogs do you read?
I read all kind of blogs about crafts, but also fashion in order to get inspired in several ways.

What is your favorite decorative cosmetics brand?
I like all kind of natural cosmetics. I do not really have a favorite brand.

What is your favorite clothes brand?

I love clothes from Anthropologie! But actually, they are too expensive for my little purse and that is why I have not purchased anything there, yet. Anyway, their clothes are a great inspiration for me.

Which product of decorative cosmetics is the most important to you?

Definitely rouge (I am using Benefit's Coralista, at the moment) and concealer (Artdeco's Perfect Teint Illuminator). They are essential for me because they make me look fresher!...I always look a little weiry.

What is your favorite color?
I love all natural colors. I guess, at the moment my favorite color might be beige - camel.

What is your favorite perfume?
My favorite perfume at the moment is Jil Sander's 'Jil'.

What is your favorite movie?

My one and only favorite movie is 'Garden State' with Zach Braff and Natalie Portman. I can only advise you to watch it, if you haven't yet! It is wonderful and I love the message behind it.

Which countries do you wish to visit and why?

I would love to travel everywhere! hihihi...but my favorite is still Japan. I have been there 2007 for about 10 months to study Japanese and to complete an internship. It was one of my happiest times and I really miss them! In addition, I would also love to travel to Korea (they have really, really good food), to Hawaii (who does not want to go to Hawaii?!) and to Russia (that would be something different to what I have seen, yet).

Thank you Jelena! And thank you, who have been interested in reading my answers! ♥

Matryoshka

2010-11-14T16:24:00.000+01:00

I love old and traditional things from all around the world. Getting to know about other cultures is one of my favorite pleasures. Luckily, I had the chance to travel a lot, though I am still quite young. I am very grateful for that.

Anyway, I have never been to Russia, yet! That is definitely one more country I would love to see. Traveling with the Transibirian Train would be a great experience, I think.

Well, that journey will have to wait. But it inspired me to do this lovely looking matryoshka pin cushion!

I feel a little sorry, whenever I put a needle in it! ;)

Curiously, I found the pattern on a Japanese website called Tezukuri Town, which means somethings as Handmade Town. It was my first try in embroidery. It was great fun! If you would like to try it, aswell, you can find the pattern here.

DIY: Vintage Sewing Spool Charm

2010-11-12T14:40:00.003+01:00

Some weeks ago I bought a set of 12 vintage wooden sewing spools. They looked so nice with their neat graphics and I thought they might be useful to hold my laces. Another idea of mine was to use them for a knob rack. I am still into the idea of a knob rack, but actually, I would have no use for it at the moment. So that is definitely an idea for the future.

Then I had the idea for a charm. Definitely a charm for seamstresses! I looked up several sailor's knots and ended up with the 'monkey fist' which seemed to be a nice ending for this charm.

For those of you, who like it, too (and did not win the giveaway) here comes my first DIY tutorial.

Materials: about 20 inch of twine, a wooden sewing spool, some glue and yarn in your prefered color

Leave one end of the twine shorter and wrap it 3 times. The longer end you take to the right.
Then wrap the longer ending 3 times counterclockwise around the first 3 rings.

Wrap the long end 3 times around the 3 rings you have just made.
Now comes the "hardest" part. Be partient and find out which parts you have to pull in order to get the knot neat.

Make another simple knot into the twine (about the length you prefer your monkey fist pendant).
Bond the longer end of the twine to the shorter one. Then pull the twine through your sewing spool.

Make another simple knot at the other end of the spool in order to fix it.
Use some glue on your spool and wind up a yarn with your preferred color.

Finished!

nette

New Year's Eve Tunic

A belated christmas present & some 2012 wishes

3. Weihnachtswichteln (secret Santa) by anmutig and sodapop - Beautiful gifts by Klee

Everyone should have a Minoru Jacket!

It's done! 'Autumn Love' pattern and instructions

Walking the pug...

Some more corduroy

My autumn love: corduroy

DIY Nani Iro Muffler & some hints for the DIY braided scarf

Spring again...at least in my head.

♥ We have a winner!

♥ Blogoversary Giveaway ♥

Owls and a Tohoku Bag

Handmade Kultur & Misc V

Misc IV

Tulips are blue

DIY - Memo Board

A little late...but then, it was summer!

Niewo...Immerda - Haldern Pop 2011

Preparing for my very first festival with my very first self printed shirt!

belle in mustard

London Calling

Beautiful Day

Giveaway No.3 Winners

Ahoy or jailbreaker?

Giveaway No. 3 - Summer Theme

Men's stuff

Wooooohooooo!!!

Guest Post at iCandy - DIY Candy Sundress

Three cheers on YOU!

Pole dancing?!

Long time no see!

Can I have your likes? ♥

Counting sheeps

Ginger Party! Yeay!

Work in Progress - Ginger - ♥ Pockets

Mom inspired Sewing

Ginger Sewalong - Fabric Selection

60s me doing spring cleaning

DIY Scallop Button Up Skirt - Pattern & How-To

a little late...

Scallop Button Up Skirt...hihihi...

Happy Easter & Misc III (Thank you!)

clouds...

Surprise - Jumping in for lovely Vivat Veritas

♪♪ Pay it forward 2011 ♪♪

Bastelwunder - Handicraft Wonder :)

Addictive³

Lucky discovery - BurdaModen 1971 May

Japan Quake Appeal Winner

Black vs. White: Me, myself &...where is the 'I'???

Something for the heart: Pay it Forward 2011

1,000 Origami Cranes

Japan Quake Appeal - Raffle (please share)

一人でも多くの方のご無事を心から祈ります。

7 facts about me & some childhood photos

Misc II

Levitating Natsumi - Fascinating dreamy state

Weekend Project -Tailored Camera Bag

'877' in my mailbox

Inspired by la môme caoutchouc

And the winners are...*drum roll*

DIY Owl Pin Cushion

DIY Lace Bowls & Giveaway No.2

Little feature on Tali from Tel Aviv

Feeling nostalgic ♥

Confession of a tea addict

Happy Chinese New Year!

Making of House Sewing Box! - Finished!

Scarf Scenes by Anthropologie

House Sewing Box - Sneak Preview

Braided Layered Scarf with Lace Neck

Ruche Boxy Jacket (Coco meets Anthropologie)

Misc

I am so happy...

A happy, happy new year!

The day after...

Merry Christmas!

Better make it yourself!

And the winners are...drum roll