May 2011 | Himiko No Sekkai

I am thinking ' What should we eat for dinner this evening?'

And 'I wonder if the hairdresser will use that wonderfully fragrant shampoo on the daughter this afternoon?'

And 'Wouldn't there be any possibility to slow down time at all?'

And also 'Out of all those possibilities what to make with these hexagons?'

hexagons detail

Hexagons full view

The options are endless. My mind overflows. Perhaps I should just let the ideas grow in the back of my mind for the time being. And file these flowery starts into the hexagon holder pouch.

hexagon pouch

pouch inside

Perhaps that would be for the best... But don't get too comfortable in there, I shall return... Needle and thread in hand!

The pile of little cardigans for our little dolls is not so little anymore. It's growing steadily and I should probably watch out for a doll-cardigan-knitting-addiction that's lurking around the corner.

cardigan pile

Some of you may recognize the mini version of the 'Kina' cardigan by Kids Tricot. The doll pattern is available through their site. I've made some adjustments in size though. Particularly around the sleeves and the the bottom of the cardigan. All does depend on the precise size of your doll and the look you're after.

But it's an easy and seamless cardigan to knit and using different yarn -the 2 top ones are done in a shiny cotton, the 2 others in a soft wool- result in very different looking cardigans.

And the best bit? Choosing some cute buttons to finish them off!

cardigan pile up close

A couple of weeks ago when the little people were enjoying a spring holiday and the weather was mildly warm, we ventured outside with a bunch of felting wool and some bowls of soapy water.

The aim was to make some felt beads in order to make a chain.

After about 2 minutes rolling a shapeless fluff of wet wool in my hands I thought to myself "I'd be surprised if the ladies will even make it to the end of their first bead. And I won't blame them cause it is a rather monotonous job..."

But I clearly underestimated their determination.

felt beads

An entire chain of felt beads has now been added to their collection of dress up gear.

Just before the sun decided to shine down on us big time, I managed to finish a special request.

A potholder made up of self edges destined to travel the big ocean. It came together really smoothly which is always a joy. It's cheerful and soft and will hopefully brighten up a table far far away...

self edge potholder

potholder detail

self edge potholder back

We were taking a swim.

One lazy, hot weekend afternoon.

swimming pool

Just us, the hot sun and lots of refreshing water.

No crafts?

Nope.

None at all?

No. Well, nearly not anyway. This is as far as crafts went this weekend:

flower bracelet

And if summer is going to be anything like spring has been so far I foresee a whole lot of craftless days ahead. Because I don't know about you, but as soon as the atmosphere goes into 30°C my system goes into a spontaneous meltdown and refuses to do anything beyond dragging itself into the shade.

Craftless days.

Our household is home to many girls. Of the flesh and blood type and the cuddly toy type.

Two of these girls, a couple of gentle friends, were in need of a wardrobe expansion. And even though that expansion is not complete yet, there are a couple of outfits to boost about. In secret. Because the girly owners do not know about the expansion yet. So hush, hush it is!

Meet River and Meadow, Waldorf type dolls made by Bamboletta... all the way in Canada and rehomed by us a couple of years ago.

river and meadow

River is being looked after by my youngest offspring and she desperately needed a new cardigan. Because, nobody should have to live with just the one cardigan. Wisdom from the mouth of a 3 year old.

So I dove into the yarn leftover stash and knitted up a cardigan in a lime greenish color.

cardigan detail

The cardigan came with a sundress as summer is approaching fast. And surely we cannot let River sweat to death. Again, wisdom from the 3 year old.

summer dress detail

Yes all in all I think that this fair girl looks pretty as a picture.

river full view

All that remains is to duplicate the outfit in a pink color scheme for doll number two, sweet Meadow. Because all the above wisdom also applies to her. Of course. After all the two dolls are best friends. I'd better not forget that... and that was a warning from the wise 3 year old.

In the mean time she is sporting a knitted dress in the color that her owner connects to all things sweet these days.

knitted dress detail

meadow full view

Suits her to the core!

So, still on the list: one sundress outfit in pink colors, one knitted dress in mint green. And then, who knows... Perhaps an embroidered skirt? A headband? A small vest?

What might these girls be pining for?

These days my girls dine from rather stylish p lacemats. In comparison the ones that the husband and I use are... well uhm... not so stylish to say the least. They're worn out, floppy and covered in the remnants of stains that even the washing powders promising to remove all but stains from outer space can't seem to take care off.

Time for some good housekeeping!

Oh yes, this looks a whole lot more fresh, crisp, firm and clean.

placemat

placemat detail

stitching detail

The repro prints of the 1930's combine well with the white patches in between.

Uhm, white.... I know. That white won't stay white for very long underneath the plate of the husband. No offense husband, but we should face facts here. But no worries. I'm not in the habit of leaving the poor man out to dry. I''ve got another placemat, very much not white, up my sleeve.

Tadaah:

placemat sashiko

Blue! That should camouflage most stains rather well.

sashiko detail

And that's right, the connaisseurs might recognize this as sashiko embroidery. A typical Japanese embroidery style marked by a simple repetitive geometric pattern. This design is called 'Seikaiha' and it's so charming. The backing is the same fine blue cotton and it's binded off with a bubbles print that I had left in my stash.

So there you are, some sparkling new table ware. It certainly makes our dinner time table look much better. I wonder if dinner from now on will also taste much better?

This weekend in between the rays of sunshine I finally got round to finish of the quilting on my puzzle quilt.

For now it will remain on my working table, neatly folded and patiently awaiting a pretty binding. It'll be dotted and I think blue but the final choice hasn't been made so far. I'll think it over a little while longer.

It's important to get it right as the binding will frame the quilt but shouldn't take the eye away from its center.

quilt oliver and s

And oh boy, does this quilt center give me a summery feeling or what. I feel like it's the middle of July already.

I am thinking

Soft addiction

Felt beads

Special Request

Splish Splash

Girls and their clothes

Enjoying dinner

Summery feeling