Monday, March 30, 2009

Cinnamon pasties


I finished baking cinnamon pasties. They look a bit clumsy, but taste so juicy and soft. Here is a piece for every European friend, at least virtually!

As you can understand, baking is my other obsession. I'm probably the worst cook in the world, but I absolutely love baking. My sister made pasties two days ago and has been talking about it since then. I had no other way than try myself too.

Oliver is sick again and I spend all week home, so I have a lot of time to experiment.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Something small, something special


Today I decided to crochet something small. To get the feeling back and use cotton leftovers that I have tons in different places.

The small purse can be used in different ways: as eye glasses case, gift bag, coin purse or something else.
Measurements are 10x18 cm.

To be honest, I like more practical things, but somethings handicraft can be just beautiful. And special.

But taking the photos took more time than crocheting. Having no natural light is real pain and I had to use 3 different lamps. The result was still bad, photo with lots of shades, but I used Photoshop ad removed most of mistakes.

Polish pancakes

Polish pancakes

4 eggs
200 g wheat flour
60 g sugar
0,1 l milk
sour cream, about 2 spoonful
1/2 teaspoonful baking powder
1/2 teaspoonful vanilla sugar

Beat up egg yolks with sugar and add flour, sour cream, baking powder and vanilla sugar. I added some milk too, because the batter looked too thick, but it's just my recommendation. Finally add whipped egg whites and it's ready!
Bake pancakes and enjoy your fantastic weekend!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Green and white

Some things just wait for their right time. Like the green motifs I crocheted 2 years ago. I was twiddling them every day, but there was no great idea what to do with them.

I'm not sure if the latest idea was the best, but I made a blouse. It looks similar to summer blouses I've crocheted before, but the top part is a bit different.
First I didn't like the combination of white and green, but having just a white blouse would be boring, right?

The blouse is not finished yet, still some borders to crochet and I need to do something with this V-neck. Maybe a button helps?


And something funny too. Yesterday I knitted a bow-tie, but I'm still not sure what I should do with it. Use as some kind of accessory? Make a scarf from it? Or maybe it can be a belt. Best suggestion wins a bow-tie :)

Creative Estonia: Kihnu island

Photographer Urmas Luik, Original photo location

Kihnu is a small Estonian island situated not far from the place I live. Its population is approximately 500 and there are only 4 villages.

What makes the place so unique is their old culture and traditions kept alive for centuries. It’s a place where women wear folk costumes daily, people often sing folk songs while walking and unique handicraft is highly honored. The main attraction is the island itself, with scenery, people and way of life.
















The men of the Kihnu community have taken to sea to hunt seals and fish, while the women have remained on the islands to farm and to maintain the household. Kihnu women thus have become the principal custodians of the cultural traditions embodied in numerous songs, games, dances, wedding ceremonies and handicrafts.



The most visible emblem of Kihnu culture remains the woolen handicrafts worn by the women of the community. Working in their homes using traditional looms and local wool, the women weave and knit mittens, stockings, skirts and blouses, which often feature bright colors, vivid stripes and intricate embroidery. Many of the symbolic forms and colors adorning these striking garments are rooted in ancient legends.

Original photo location

Kihnu island is a part of UNESCO Intangible Heritage Lists.

I believe their handicrafts makes everyone jealous. Not many people can knit like women living in Kihnu. Enjoy the photos and search more from Google if interested!

SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE

Friday, March 20, 2009

Color therapy: green

I'm starting new series about colors and feature some of my favorite products on Etsy too.
Spring is coming and everything turns green around us. It's one of my favorite colors at the moment with it's thousands of different shades.

The word green is closely related to the Old English verb growan, 'to grow'. It is used to describe plants or the ocean.

Green is the color of the heart chakra. Green is the color of nature. Green is the most predominant color on the planet. It balances our energies, and it can be used to increase our sensitivity and compassion.
It represents purity and harmony. It has a calming effect, especially in inflamed conditions of the body. It is soothing to the nervous system. It is a great healer. It builds muscles, bones and other tissue cells. Its complement is magenta.

Featuring baby items this time is not coincidental. My brother and her wife are expecting their third child who will be with us in next few weeks :) And.... She is a girl!

nellybeanco, DebiBirkinDesigns, GraciousMary, littledaisydesigns, daisybows, RaspberryBaby, beeskneestudio, handmadebyjules, ahyingmui.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Shop Loca @Etsy: Europe






Sunday, March 15, 2009

Knits 2009: IN or OUT?

The world's best designers are prepared for fall 2009 and presented their ready-to-wear collections at Paris and Milan Fashion Week.
Bad news is that most of them don't have any knits, so knits seems to be OUT this fall! Wear something else, if you wish to be fashionable!
But...
Chanel has pink and green cardigans and those funky knitted hats! And Chanel is always IN! Here are some examples from www.style.com: Chanel fall 2009 ready-to-wear collection!



Spring is coming, I'm back!


Happy new year! First time to post here after months and I haven't wished a happy new year yet... Shame on me!

It won't be a long post, but spring is already here and Ann is hopefully back again. Last months have been hard, even very hard, but most problems are solved now, but I still have long way to go... But I'm knitting again and I can't wait sharing it with you.

I just finished a summer top, it's suitable for size XS/S. Knitted in cotton yarn.
I started it last year and it took "only" 3,5 months to complete the challenge!