Batmamma

Things sent, received and rated..

2011-08-20T21:46:00.000+02:00

Bookthong in a matchbox swap, did two strands on the bookthong

For the wonderful, brilliant and fun swap "Awful, terrible and crappy ATC's", sticker slappning, cheesy quotes and a horrible flower combo. 1 of 3 ATC's sent to the same swapper

ATC 2 of 3, Victoria Beckham on some horrible flimsy fabric, Lumpy glue and smeared glitter, staples, gold writing and some stickers to enhance the party theme..

It's easy to seize the day when you have a monkey and a flute. Oversized ribbon, horrible 3D-liner, left hand writing and a ripped effect. ATC 3 out of 3

Thankfully the receiver loved this awfulness :)

For a Tree ATC swap, made with watercolours and the word for tree in kanji

Blue skinny swap, watercolours. I love sending my mantra, it's always well received and appreciated. I guess more people than me need a reminder to stop and breathe and see whats around you..

ATC's sent as RAKs, watercolour

ATC's, watercolours. Sent as RAK's

Doodle ATC swap, can it get much doodlier? ;)

A WTA ATC, the winner loves rainbows and cupcakes and the WTA was in a handdrawn group

Bird inchies, I really need to start putting the cards straight in the scanner

Made with markers ATC's, a pear and a short love story. Because why not? :)

Origami ATC's, tried to keep them clean and naked. Not quite sure that they have a lot of penguins in Japan but the lady I sent to like penguins.


Pink, brown and black and/or white ATC's. I do prefer to handdraw my ATC's, not skilled enough to do James Dean as handsome so he's a cut out.

My new header

2011-08-20T21:20:00.000+02:00

Part of not blogging is because I've never felt "at home" here, I wanted a more personal design and as I have tried, with epic fail as a result, to make a header digitally I've just given up. Until tonight when I came up with the brilliant idea to actually draw a header on paper and scan it in. I scan ATC's and stuff before I put it on flickr so why not a header?

For me, I'm always far more happy with the scribbles and doodles than a finished product so that's how it's done. Me and a few of my favourite things.

And yes, I am the queen of f**king everything ;)

Those little frogs

2011-06-26T16:15:00.000+02:00

As we didn't stay to watch people jump around like frogs on Friday I searched youtube for a video and found this. This is an attempt to break the world record for most people doing this song and dance. 2000 people around the pole jumping and wiggling their hands as ears and tails is really quite hilarious.. And weirdly enough it makes me proud to be Swedish :D

Hope you emjoy it :)

Sad excuse for midsummer celebration

2011-06-25T22:53:00.000+02:00

So as in most Swedish towns there are proper celebrations of midsummer arranged. Usually with some local high flyer holding a speech that nobody listens to followed by finishing the maypole and getting it upright and sort of straight. Kind of the same problem that most of us have with our christmas trees, they always lean a bit don't they?

When the pole is in place the folk band and its dancers (average age 75) take over for a bit of a show and then the family dancing starts. That mean parents with kids age 1-5 jump around like frogs "with no ears or tails" (that's how the song goes) or dance around to childrens type summer songs. It kind of has to be seen to be appreciated. My sons have never danced around a maypole and for that I was quite grateful, I never saw the fun in it as a kid either..

When dancing has finished it's time to eat. People do that at home or at parties they have arranged. This is an outdoors kind of day but Mother Nature is usually a bit cranky so there is always a plan B. That involves moving the party indoors very fast.

On every decent midsummer table there should be new potatoes, herring, sour cream and chives. That is basic requirement. Salmon, meatballs, quiche, potatoe salad or types of bbq-food is also common. The drink is a vodka-type, drunk as shots. And for dessert strawberry cake with lots of whipped cream..

This year the arranged celebration was a huge disappointment, mainly because I wanted to take pictures to show you. My camera also decided that the batteries I had put in it was not good enough and kept turning of so these pictures are more of a I-snap-as-fast-as-I-can-and-wish-for-the-best kind of pictures..

The pole, and not a single flower on it!! There should be plenty to make it really nice and colourful..

Folk dancers in traditional outfits. Every region in Sweden has it's own outfit, sadly enough I'm to ignorant to know which one belong to my region. As a kid I knew most of the folk dances, my grandparents danced with me in their kitchen.

One of two kinds of salmon on my table..

Potatoe salad, I like the ones that are not so gooey with mayo and stuff

Chopped herring and boiled potatoes rolled with creme fraiche in a tortilla kind of bread. My kids love this!!

My plate, ham four types of fish, potatoes, sour cream and chives. Will be enjoying left overs for a few days

Soon it will be raining

2011-06-09T22:46:00.000+02:00

Why?, you might ask, well tomorrow most kids in Sweden start their summer holiday from school. And that tend to bring out the rainclouds. Mine finished today and now we have ten weeks of sun, laziness, sibling fights, temper tantrums, ice cream, bbq's, and so on.
I will be parted from them for 3½ weeks when they visit their dad and his side of the family. And the things that don't kill you will make you stronger (or so the saying goes) so I imagine that we will be super heroes by mid August..

Identified non-flying object

2011-06-04T23:00:00.000+02:00

Went to the supermarket today and bought a small barberque for the summer. And in saying small then I really mean small. But it works for us, we're only three and it can be stored out of the way on our balcony when not in use. It's perfect.
And it looks like a space ship, not that I've ever seen one, but who cares about details..

Cute or what?

Had a test run today and realised that I'm very far of being dubbed bbq-queen but as practice makes perfect we'll have another go tomorrow ;)

Friday

2011-06-03T19:13:00.000+02:00

Today has been a really hot summers day here in Sweden. Clear blue sky and no cooling breeze whatsoever. Lovely is the word. :)

It's getting cloudy..

Me and the boys went to the garden centre down the road and now our balony is nice and colourful with some gorgeous plants. Zen for a worn out soul, which is exactly what I need right now.

Charlie's choice

Marcus choice

Summer must have ;)


Sad excuse for a herb garden

I have also started work on some bird inchies for a swap that's coming up, and an ATC for a group WTA winner. To be honest I drew them last night when insomnia visited me but the colouring I did today. On my balcony surronded by flowers :) Heaven.

The boys have just gone to watch a football game, as in soccer, so I have an hour or so to myself. The pitch is just outside our house, some trees in the way so I can't see the game but I can hear it.

Football game going on behind here

All in all a very nice day

Day 3

2011-06-01T19:32:00.000+02:00

One day late but I do plan to make another post after Greys anatomys season finale.
Yesterday the eldest of my 2 brilliant sons had a grading ceremony at his karate club. He is now a 9 mon.
And his mother is very proud :)

Silly as always..

Day 2

2011-05-31T13:16:00.000+02:00

Which is actually posted on day 3..

Yesterday my 8-year old sons class had an end of the school year party outdoors. We played football (soccer) girls and mums agains boys and dads. And of course the ladies won!!

We brought pic nic and played other games and some of the brave kids even had a bath in the river, that water was cold! It was a great evening, all credit to the kids who came up with the idea, and today I'm nursing a sore foot and the aching of some muscles I forgot I had ;)

Day 1

2011-05-29T23:05:00.000+02:00

So the idea is to write one post a day for a month, knowing my track record that wont be easy, but I am (almost) always up for a challenge. And here it is, first post and that was very easy indeed ;)

To celebrate I add a pic of some happy cows being let out for the summer, they were both fast and crazy and the 2000 people watching them had just as fun as the cows..

Fail with a capital F!

2011-05-06T17:03:00.000+02:00

As referring to last blogpost.

Been busy with my studies and helping my boys with their homework. And then there is the rest of the life.. Things should be calmer in a few weeks when summer comes and we can un-wind after this years stress.

New year and so on..

2011-01-17T18:53:00.000+01:00

I might probably be the worst blogger ever.

I will try to be better.

Make a few more posts than one every month.

Ok? :)

Just around the corner

2010-12-06T21:39:00.000+01:00

And with being super busy at uni I've decided to bring out the christmas stuff a little at the time, here's a little sneak peek..

Boys bedroom window

My bedroom window

I love these angels

With my velvet heart lampshade that I've had since I was 14 back in the 80's. Gives a warm red glow.

Kitchen window

Also kitchen window, my youngest brother made these when he was about 6 or 7 years old.

reminds me of my youngest son.. :D

Kitchen window

Smowmen made by my eldest when he was 8 I think..

Beaded santas, recieved in a christmas swap last year

Santas house, still waiting for snow..

Helpers finishing of christmas presents

Santa chilling by the fire

Star in my livingroom window, that room has yet to be santa-fied

That's it for now :)

Cold and dark season

2010-11-16T16:18:00.000+01:00

And I kind of like it. Actually, I love it :)

A cup of chocolate flavoured coffee, filled to the brim


A heart thats to be filled with sweeties and yummie things


Black tea with christmas flavour and a nice spotted tin

Add some candles, a cosy blanket and something nice on the telly and life's well fine and dandy

Like mother like son

2010-11-01T20:36:00.000+01:00

I am a huge fan of Eddie Izzard, that man always make me laugh. Best depression remedy ever *s*

Now my oldest son has discovered him aswell, lego-style. This is his favourite and he knows it, using the voices and all :) he does actually go "beep" instead of swearing which is good..

Still around

2010-10-29T11:07:00.000+02:00

University has taken a lot of time lately, two exams coming up and then start of two new courses. I do like the fast pace I must admit.
So just a quickie post while I sit with my cup of chai tea having a morning break in studies. And of course sitting infront of the computer in my very own home allows me a more casual look..

Lovely and warm :)

I heart your blog - Angelbaby2

2010-10-18T21:18:00.000+02:00

The last blog to make a post about is Adventures with the Nowling family .
A family blog, and they do seem like a nice and fun family.
Pictures of days out and stories from everyday life.
Sending a thought to one of the girls who has a broken arm, I hope it heals well and that she won't be in too much discomfort.

I heart your blog

2010-10-18T10:43:00.000+02:00

I signed up for a blog swap on Swap-bot and was supposed to skip over to 7 blogs, take their blog button and feature in posts on my blog. 6 out of the 7 are done, #7 did not have a working clickable link on her profile.

This was a great swap and so much harder to actually flake on then the ones that you claim to be a follower even though you really can't be bothered. I must confess that I do follow for a while but if the blog don't hold my interest I just quit following.

Thanks to Jex for the brilliant idea, good to have a few more blogs to read now when it's cold and dark outside ;)

I heart your blog - Rock 'n Roll stops the traffic

2010-10-18T10:36:00.001+02:00

Skipping over to Italy and a blogger named Lima now.

Her button doesn't work so I had to remove it, here´s a link to her blog.

Her blog is about crafts, baking and shopping and she takes photos of the things she writes about. I like that because I almost always forget to do that.

Thoose italian meringue-type biscuits look well yummy

I heart your blog - Riechanster

2010-10-18T10:23:00.000+02:00

Turning to Belgium now for the blog Riechanster, I have to ask what that means. All the blogs in this swap are by crafty women, at least them that I was paired up with, and this is no exception. Photos, cooking, shopping.. well basically real life the way I know it :D

I'm waiting for the promised post on easy japanese cooking :)

I heart your blog - butt naked woman

2010-10-18T10:17:00.000+02:00

I tell you what, there's a lot of naked blogs out there but if you googled your way here in hope for some nudity then you will be dissappointed :D

Next up in the fab I heart your blog swap is Butt naked woman's little room of crafty wonders.

And there are some seriously cute little things on there.

Go have a look :)

I heart your blog - betterthannaked

2010-10-18T10:09:00.000+02:00

Next blog I visited for the I herat your blog swap was a scrummy vintage place called betterthannaked. And I could not agree more, vintage is better than naked. Vintage is better than a lot of things actually :) Nice pictures, features and flashbacks to when we (or at least I) was young with a big perm and even bigger sweatshirts. Thoose were the days..

Go check it out for yourselves, you'll be glad you did :)

I heart you blog - Brooklynne

2010-10-17T15:45:00.000+02:00

#2 out of 7 in the swap-bot swap features Brooklynne with the blog

(hope there is a button there now)

An inspiring blog :) I like it a lot and I'm glad to follow her.

I heart your blog - estrones

2010-10-17T15:25:00.000+02:00

I signed up for a swap om Swap-bot called I heart your blog, there´s suppose to be an actual heart there but blogger won't let me.
First stop is estrones blog a lady in Wales who has just joined the WI. I couldn't find a button on her side so will just leave that for now.

During my years in England WI always stood for blue-haired ladies making chutneys, jam and were fiercly competitive in pie baking contests at lokal markets :) Can't wait to hear estrones drama unfold, she's a good writer so I don't think I will be disappointed ;)

Nice and easy going blog.

Well, I can't knit to save my life

2010-10-15T18:49:00.000+02:00

That's why I entered this giveaway, look at that price! I just fell in love and up here in cold old Sweden that is exactly what I need :)

She has got a brilliant site with loads of goodies and inspiration :)

Some swaps

2010-10-15T18:27:00.000+02:00

That I actually remembered to get the camera out for..

P is for Poirot, in the series of alphabet ATCs

Skinnys being made, the daisy is being shown in a post further down, did it for the "Butterfly skinny" swap. The thistle was made for a "Letter T skinny" swap.

This is an ATC i made at the same time, this went to Portland where there was a big ATC-event in August. I sent 5 ATCs and this one went as a "hostess card". Features one of my favourite flowers the Linnaea borealis (latin name)

"J is for Johnny Depp" in another alphabet swap and as my swap partner who received it said "J should always be for Johhny Depp". I couln't agree more ;)

These two went to separate homes in one of the senders choice swaps in an ATC group. I really like playing around with water colour pencils
.

"U is for umbrella" sent in the "U skinny" swap

"A is for Art Deco", sent in an alphabet ATC swap. My youngest son calls it volley ball flowers ;)

"V is for vampire" featuring our own Alexander Skarsgård who's a blood sucker in True Blood. for a "V skinny" swap

Better do some blogging..

2010-10-15T17:51:00.000+02:00

With university and my two lovely boys taking up a lot of my time blogging has been put on hold. As has reading books just for fun, crocheting the wrist warmers I am in need of and generally just socialising with friends.
But as they say "that's life Jim, but not as we know it.."

my box full of memories

2010-08-30T21:12:00.000+02:00

Both my maternal grandparents passed away when I was a teenager way too long ago. Apart from fond memories I have a treasure chest as a reminder, not only of them (my grandmother at least) but also of who I was when I was a child and teenager. I take it out sometimes, open it up and well, enjoy what's in it.

Yesterday I had it out..

Not the most beautiful of chests..

Peek inside..

Like an Aladdins cave of memories and custom jewelry

Pearls that need re-threading

Brooches, some wearable some just to look at

Cufflinks, that I used as a teen and clip on earrings

Rings more suited for kiddies fingers, long time since I wore them

Earrings from the 80's. I bought the big chunky "golden" one after watching "Desperatly Seeking Susan" at the cinema mid-eighties. Felt a lot like Madonna ;)

Old bracelets that remind me of how we use to make phone calls..

And in a small tattered box, odd and favourite earrings from my childhood

When I'm done I gently put everything back in the box and stowe it away in the back of my wardrobe. Til next time :)

Owl 'ave you been?

2010-08-28T21:54:00.000+02:00

Long time no see, but now this horrible summer is over, fall is here and I can breathe easy again. (The summer's only been horrible due to some private pains and sorrows)

Made ATC's and a skinny with owls, loved it. I do think the owl with the sunglasses has got quite a John Lennon-esque feel to it ;)

The pink owl still lives with me but the other two have flow the nest to some good and loving homes :)

Been a little bit creative

2010-06-18T19:21:00.001+02:00

As I have at least 10 weeks off before uni starts I signed up for some swaps on swap bot. ATC's and Skinnys, that's my drug ;)

Have done quite a few but will only show the ones that I've sent.

For Black, Gray and White Skinny swap, this one went to Alphenstamp :)

This is a re-send for the Butterfly Skinny swap. To
the UK.

Show the rest when they have gone to their partners, feels good to create again, been through a dry spell for a while ;)

Back at last

2010-06-07T15:08:00.001+02:00

House move done, still got a few too many boxes around for my liking but there's only so many hours in a day so they will have to stick around until I have the time to sort them.

Had a absolutely fab week at school last week. Crafting all week. Me like! :)

One of the artstudios where we had a couple of hours to play on Monday..

Some of the art we created, mine is the naked tree.

We played around with beads and stuff on Tuesday and Thursday to create our own piecs of jewellery.

Clay, we did our pieces in the beginning of May, and on a warm and sunny Wednesday we went to a truly beautiful spot near a small lake to burn the things raku style.
A hot metal barrow with a gas-burner. (Gas not petroleum)

After being burned it was put into a metal basin and we chucked saw dust all over it. Hot as you can see.

Hot and smoky. Things coming out of the sawdust to cool off.

Hot and sooty, when cooled we gave them a wash to bring out the colours.

Turned out something like this..

Waiting.
In between burning and cooling we found the perfect place to sit and wait. Water was cold if anyone wonders :)

Our beadwork and our clay stuff displayed for all to see.

A fab week :)

Coming up for air..

2010-05-03T19:42:00.002+02:00

Between school, housework, being a mum and packing my life away in boxes for the move there's not much time for blogging.
But I'm alive. :)
Just letting you know..

Think we need to change our routines

2010-04-25T22:34:00.000+02:00

Another Sunday with horses, can't help it, we love them and they are within walking distance.

Brought my camera that I'm still learning how to use and took a few photos..

"Blåsippa" Hepatica Nobilis
You're not allowed to pick these, not many left here in Scandinavia

"Vitsippa" Anemone Nemorosa
These however you can pick, they are usually white but I liked this pink one :)

Downhill skiers finally had to put their gear away, not much snow left. Thankfully.

swap-bot followers..

2010-04-22T20:37:00.000+02:00

Hello and welcome :)

Nice to see you here, I will check my followers and your comments to rate you, just a bit short of time tonight, will have time tomorrow, please be patient ;)

It's getting to be a habit this

2010-04-18T21:55:00.001+02:00

Sunday is apparantely "horse day" in our family, today we went to the other riding school here in town and the boys had a go at horseback riding for the first time. And since they are my boys they fell in love with it.

Just the "minor detail" that's called money then..

Marcus on Capri..

Charlie on Nilla..

We had a lovely time :-)

A Sunny Sunday in April

2010-04-11T18:18:00.000+02:00

Well, in times it was sunny, when the clouds weren't in the way. We went for a walk (me) / bikeride (boys) to catch some fresh air, eat som ice cream and to stroke a horse or two.

Marcus with the ice cream Charlie didn't want to finish.

Charlie and his big love, his new bike.

Friendly horse - respectful boys

Spring..

Play til you drop..

2010-04-10T18:55:00.000+02:00

Yesterday me and the most fab sons in the universe travelled on trains and buses for a day out that icluded the largest playland in Europe and a visit to Burger King. We don't have a BK in our hometown (yet) so that alone was an adventure.

Charlie the pirate shooter..

The pirate ship

Marcus before he got shot in the eye..

Volcanic slide, Charlie ready to go..

Big blow up dinosaur slide. Can give friction burns.

Best sons in the whole wide endless universe :)

Not what I expected

2010-03-21T14:27:00.001+01:00

Yeah, so yesterday was the official first day of spring.

Today it´s snowing.

It should be expected, it can still snow for another 6-8 weeks but.. no.. don´t want more snow this winter. Or should I say spring..

The snow did however that two deer was munching on some sticks outside our window about half an hour ago, I like to have nature on the door step, thats quite a luxury in the year 2010 even in Sweden.

Patience (and nagging) pays off

2010-03-19T20:00:00.000+01:00

We live in an apartment in a block with another 19 apartments and yes, most of the neighbours are nice but there are som really loud and destructive ones aswell.
I have complained.
Nothing has been done.
Boys afraid to go out, what if the teenagers are downstairs near the entrance?
Been stressfull to say the least, but Wednesday in school my mobile rang and yes!!, we are moving.
In May.
To an area full of old people lol.
Well, at least there should not be a lot of loud music and partying through the nights.
I hope..

Snow update

2010-03-11T17:32:00.000+01:00

Coming to the end of the day of 11th of March and yes, we still have snow. A lot. Knee deep actually.

What I really would like to see now is some of this..

And this..

Ah well, at least it´s spring in my heart ;)

not much for watching tv

2010-03-11T17:12:00.000+01:00

There are however a few things I watch..
Greys Anatomy every Wednesday (episode yesterday; Izzie came back and Alex told her to leave)
Lets Dance, (Swedish version of Dancing with the Stars) on Fridays
and this coming Saturday I will be watching the Swedish final of the Eurovision Song Contest.

This young man is my favourite to win and represent us in Norway sometime at the end of May :)

1st of March on Monday

2010-02-22T20:04:00.005+01:00

Quite hard to belive

There is a park bench under there..

Fancy a ride on the swings? No?..

A rubbish bin hidden under the snow, well that´s just rubbish.

This bit of ice wont fit in any drink

If I didn´t know what snow looked like before I sure do it now..

At least I have some bright yellow tulips in my kitchen :-)

I heart 3D liner

2010-02-20T16:23:00.003+01:00

Managed to get three ATC´s done today, one for a swap and two out of sheer pleasure :-)

They all have some kind of 3D liner on them cause at the moment I love it so much I could marry it. Sort of.

The Book thong I made for a swap is ready to go, will post tomorrow but not sure if post will be collected due to terrible weather. I can honestly say that I´m sick of all this snow now.. Bring on spring with loads of green buds and pollen and runny eyes and noses.

Think I´ve o.d-ed on liner

Can´t remember when..

2010-02-15T19:17:00.002+01:00

A bouquet of tulips
A candle-lit dinner for two with a glass of wine
Greys Anatomy
A lazy morning
Floor space that´s totally free from lego for 24 hours
Chocolate cake (without guilt)
Sound of someones heartbeat (as in someone special)
Singing birds of spring
More energy
Laughing my head off at Eddie Izzard
Pic nic in the woods
Streets free from ice
A long hot un-interrupted bubble bath

Just a few little things that would brighten my day right now..

bad blogger

2010-01-20T19:55:00.002+01:00

I know I am just now, terrible but time is just not on my side at the moment.
Will be back soon.
Promise.

Using the spare tank of adrenaline..

2010-01-11T19:14:00.003+01:00

There is nothing like a son on a major whinge and whine to get the adrenaline going. So much actually that I´ve cleaned half the house.
And made an ATC that actually turned out really really well. Think it will be perfect for the person I´m sending it to :-)

Have two left to go but as I´ve lost my brilliant Billy bookshelf that held my craft stuff all the bits are now piled on to my craft table. So I can either run back and forth between stuff and kitchen table or make ATC´s on my bed.

Hmm..

Be my follower on Blogger..

2010-01-10T09:19:00.000+01:00

If you haven´t already done it please leave a comment with your swap-bot name so I can rate without misunderstandings :-)

Thanks.

My swedish title didn´t work in english..

2010-01-08T16:38:00.002+01:00

I spend quite a few hours a day infront of the computer, surfing, reading blogs and facebook but also in relation to my school work, all this leaves my hands cold, stiff and aching. So the other night i dug out som yarn and a crochet needle and set to work and voilá..

Nice and cosy.
And also a bit itchy since the red is wool..

Shuffling the stuff around

2010-01-03T18:31:00.008+01:00

When I cleand out christmas I took the opportunity to re-arrange the furniture in our livingroom. Not that I need any excuses, our furniture gets shuffled about quite a few times in a year.. I like a change.

This used to be where I had the computer, now it´s quite cosy.

This is where telly used to be and while sat down I noticed a draft from under the window, have to call landlord to get it fixed.

Pets corner, our little lizzards seem quite happy here, especially the male one he´s been rushing around like a maniac today. In a happy way.
A happy maniac.

Left some angels because I love angels and they don´t just surround us at christmas :-)

These where a christmas present from my boys..

This is part of a set of four that I bought in England in -96..

Guess we´ll just have to wait and see how long this arrangement will last for ;-)

Please don´t take note of the mess it´s normally tidier

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T09:51:00.000+01:00

Hopefully 2010 will be a year where I do actually write things in my blog..

Oh Yes!

2009-08-14T13:33:00.002+02:00

It´s here.

Off to dream land for a bit.

*Happy*

Dotee doll #3

2009-08-13T10:28:00.004+02:00

Can´t and won´t show you dolly no 2 as she´s going to be sent of in a swap but here´s one I made earlier. Marcus wanted it and so I gave it him.
When asking Charlie if he wanted one he just laughed.
Hmm.

As for now sha has not got a name..

Also sent some tea swaps the other day, this one to Poland

and this to USA..

I like to send swedish teas when I can :)

Morning at the museum

2009-08-13T10:15:00.007+02:00

Me and the boys had a morning out yesterday, Charlie wanted to go to the museum and Marcus to the indoor sports arena, so of we trotted..
We had a very nice time, sun was out and there is a festival going on right now, but mainly in the later hours of the day.
There are a lot (seriously, a LOT!!) of fountains and statues in my hometown, very nice ones, this is one of my favourites, its just outside the main library.

Charlie driving a proper digger. But the wheels are gone and you can really only use the lifting arm to move some rocks about. But the kids (of all ages) are happy anyway

Loads of old machines as I live in an industrial town, used to be big on steel.

A Saddletank engine, just like Percy in Thomas and Friends, I have no idea who the woman in pic is lol

My Charlie in front of a "locomobile", guess it´s a cross between a locomotive and a car..

All in all a nice day.

my best crafty friend..

2009-08-07T19:37:00.005+02:00

Done a few ATC´s today and I tell you people, I could not do them without my trusty old friend here..

Now you might ask "how can the family health encyclopedia be the trusted friend?? Does she eye up disgusting pictures of throat infections and scabs for inspiration??"

Ahh.. no. Not that morbid. It´s just heavy and the spread of pages 818-819 is just the perfect place to put just-glued-things to make them stick together.

See?

It´s however not so nice when it slips out of your hands and lands on your toes, but I won´t bore you with such a story.

Punky Peaches..

2009-08-06T19:42:00.003+02:00

Made my very first dotee doll last night, quite fun actually. Also noticed a few things that I will do different when I make my next one.

She´s quite like me with her blue eyes, red lips and freckles actually, gosh I´m such a narcissist ;)

I dont however have rainbow coloured hair, mine´s boring brown..

Awake awake creative spirit!!

2009-08-04T19:59:00.005+02:00

There is nothing like a nice swap in the letterbox to get the creativity back on track. Today I received from ManitoulinGirl in Canada this lovely lovely tea wallet complete with teabags. I fell totally in love straight away. Unfortunately you´re gonna have to tilt your head cause I have no idea how to turn the next two pics, but see it as part of your exercise, important when sat in front of computer for lenght of time.

And pardon my Bridget Jones-esque writing..

..the outside *lovelovelove*

I got so inspired that I made two tea wallets myself, out of scrap fabric as usual. Heres the outside..

..and on the inside..

And also some bookmarks not quite finished at the bottom yet :)

All in all a productive few hours :)

Patiently waiting..

2009-07-31T19:05:00.002+02:00

Early August is when intelligent and experienced postmen (and postwomen) take their holiday.

Why I hear you say, well let me tell you, early August is when the new IKEA catalogue comes out and all the mail-carrying poor souls have to deliver them to every houshold.
Not only is it heavy and backbreaking, but a lot of people, like myself, eagerly awaits that delivery and lurk just behind the door when they hear tired postal workers footsteps, ready to snatch the loveliness as soon as it peeps through the letterbox.

Common curtesy then is of course to open the door and blame the non-existent dog for post-delivery-persons sore and bleeding fingers due to mentioned snatching.
Or one can just tip toe away from the door and pretend not being at home.

Unfortunatly the delivery of the flat pack bible doesn´t happen on the same day in the whole country, oh no cause that would just be fair, so there is also a certain prestige to be the first blogger to write "I´VE GOT THE BRAND NEW IKEA-CATALOUGE TODAY" as a headline, and for the rest of us to pretend that we couldn´t care less..

But we are crying inside.

As August starts tomorrow I just thought I´d share that little bit of swedish tradition with you. Cause I´m kind like that ;D

Hmmpfh..

2009-07-31T16:14:00.000+02:00

(That´s the sound of displeasure according to many comic books)

Trying to pimp and update my blog and am a wee bit peeved that only blogs from blogger show up in the blogs-I-read-update-list-thingy..
It might be that I´m not doing it totally right so I will faff about with it a bit more.
In a bit.
Now tea..

Always time for tea

2009-07-31T15:59:00.003+02:00

I love tea. I drink alot of tea, not so much in the summer as when it´s cold or chilly outside and the nights are dark, but a cup of tea is never wrong in my humble opinion.

I also like to take part in tea swaps on Swap-bot, it´s so great to get to try different teas from all over the world. But I do think I need a bigger tin for my teas, this one is not just shiny and reflectnig my oilcloth on kitchen table, but also full to the brim.
This my friends is swap-tea, received from many places in the world. And yes, I have used up quite a few bags aswell :D

Think it´s time to put the kettle on..

Like christmas in July

2009-07-30T18:38:00.006+02:00

Picked up the parcel containing my saturdaynight-shopping yesterday :)

It was just like christmas, loads of stuff that shines and stick and requieres holes and a big pile of (half price) scrap paper :) Unfortunately my mobile didn´t do the papers any justice so no pic but they are really gorgeous.

It´s almost like an act of crime to put scissors to them ;D

Fine flowery brads..

Christmas brads and angels. I love angels :)

Scrap set, not quite sure if it´s a bit too flowery for me..

Shiny shiny things. That usually get stuck on my nail or sleeve :P

But I am happy :)

Out with the plain..

2009-07-30T11:02:00.001+02:00

and in with a new background..

Now I just have to find a way to do something with the header ;)

The dangers of a lonely saturday-night

2009-07-25T23:30:00.002+02:00

With my boys on holiday in England with their dad and his family and my man working night I have been bored out of my head tonight. As we all know there is nothing on telly on a summernight so being stuck in front of the computer, I just could not help myself, I have ordered lots of scrappy crafty stuff on the net..

Mind you, there was a sale on so lots of stuff where half price. And I only *cross my heart* ordered stuff I will use. Nearly wrote need but I wont tell such an obvious lie ;)

And it still was cheaper than a girls night out :D

Doodle-ing away

2009-07-25T12:11:00.002+02:00

Realised I could make atc´s from the doodles I "create" while on the phone. Anyone else doing art that way??

York - Yorkshire

2009-07-25T11:41:00.007+02:00

On my most recent (last weekend) trip to England my sweet friends showed me York. Guess mostly because I´m swedish and York was once Jorvik and infested, sorry invaded by vikings.
I can now honestly say that I love York. All the history and impressions and the beauty of it really filled my soul. Sorry if I´m going a bit hippie-ish on you. Excuse photos, they are taken on mobile as camera decided to play dead that day :/

From York Designer outlet, apparantly I was not the first scandinavian in that building ;)

There had been some rain before we got there..

Restaurant that we found just after we´ve eaten somewhere else

Where many different kinds of people gone for shelter..

Old Merchant hall

Truly a lovely place and if you ever go you will fall in love just like I did.
But Chester is still my no 1 ;)

Tea wallets

2009-07-12T22:12:00.006+02:00

Experimenting with fabrics from my stash to make the ultimate tea wallet.. So far this design is in the lead..

This is just too bulky but it´s small enough to fit in your back pocket..

Perfection

2009-07-12T22:01:00.002+02:00

What you see is perfection.
My boys made chocolate balls the other night during a thunderstorm and I just left them to it. Can it get any better than this? A size for everyone.. :)

Scottie dog atc swap

2009-07-11T18:28:00.002+02:00

This is the atc i made for the Scottie dog atc swap on swap-bot, went to a good home in Missouri ;)

Personalise your wrappingpaper

2009-07-10T23:24:00.005+02:00

My best friend and her family recently bought a house and of course we had to get them some goodiea as a housewarming gift. I put together a "Starters box for house owners", a bottle of nice wine, some utensils I knew they were going to buy, a receipe folder with a twist and some little bits for their kids.

I did not want to use boring old wrappingpaper so me and my boys made our own. A personal gift that was very appreciated :)

going japanese..

2009-07-10T23:14:00.005+02:00

A recent atc swap opened my eyes for japanese art, sure I´ve seen it before but never paid much attention to it. I figured I´d give it a go since I prefer to do my atc´s in water colour.

A few brushstrokes and an origami site later I had a few atc´s I was very pleased with.

Nothing but paperwork

2009-07-05T09:04:00.002+02:00

Having only the youngest son at home this morning there was a lot of talking about paper planes.
He wanted some.
So we have spent this morning in front of the computer on a origami site and we´ve been folding planes. And turtles.
Don´t really mind it to be honest, am in an atc swap, senders choice, and my swap partner likes things japanese and origami. Figure I might just give it a go :)

Mainly for Swap-bot

2009-07-04T22:30:00.000+02:00

I already have a blog but in swedish and since I guess that most of you reading this here and now have another main language I´ll just be a sell out and write in english ;)

At the moment I´m not the most efficient blogger, real life is kind of a priority, but please have hope and patience, I will blog. Because I love it lol.

First entry almost done and now I´m going to pimp the layout a bit.