Trula

Sunday Mondays

2012-02-12T18:23:00.001+01:00

Sunny pictures but it is still absolutely freezing. Making tea and soups and warm water bottles non-stop and wearing gloves in the office. Anything to keep warm.
Wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday (with rising temperatures, please).

For big and small kids: The scale of the universe

Making Chai

2012-01-29T17:55:00.001+01:00

Winter has finally arrived in Barcelona and even though temperatures don't drop below zero, those big old flats without heating get really chilly. Heating becomes a topic of conversation. Imagine someone asking you, "Do you have heating?" somewhere in Northern Europe.

Time for beautifully fragrant, warming, homemade Chai

6 cardamom pods
4 cloves
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tsp anise seeds
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp fresh ginger
6 tbsp brown sugar
4 tbsp black tea
6 cups of water
4 cups of milk

Put all ingredients apart from the tea into a pot and bring to boil. Turn down heat, simmer for a minute or two and add the tea. Bring to boil again, then turn down the heat and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Strain.

Big Collar Vest

2012-01-24T18:54:00.002+01:00

Something for myself for a change. A big collar vest, which really is a rectangle of fabric with two openings for the arms and some cleverly positioned buttons. Well, and a lot of playing around and head scratching.

Afterwards, it always seems so easy.

Somehow, the vest goes very well with the tree. I think I've found a new favourite photo spot.

Drawing faces

2012-01-22T20:14:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Francesca I know about Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Faces. It is brilliant.
And ideal for making new handmade colouring books like these from last year.

Winter dress

2012-01-18T22:22:00.000+01:00

The other morning, I was wondering aloud, "What shall I wear today?"
Of course I didn't expect a response, but she answered with the certainty of a 2 year old, "Socks, underwear, sweater, pants!"

That's what she normally wears. But she's slowly developing a liking for dresses (not surprising really, with her sister being a princess).
So I made one especially for her. One that hasn't been worn by someone else before.

Alternative knee patch

2012-01-11T19:54:00.000+01:00

I had mended the hole twice before. It was persistent and re-appeared a third time.
She asks: 'Maybe it is meant to be there?'
Maybe not. Maybe it has to be cut out completely, I suggest.

Now she can't wait for the other knee to give in.

Sunday Mondays

2012-01-08T20:55:00.000+01:00

Wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday... and just a tiny bit of sunshine.

Happy 2012

2012-01-03T21:59:00.002+01:00

Happy New Year.
Happy noticing, appreciating, trying and making things.
As strange as it may seem, but this blog helps me to make time for that.
Thank you for inspiring and encouraging me.

Helping Santa

2011-12-19T16:36:00.001+01:00

Very busy helping Santa Claus.
Merry Christmas.

Winter coat

2011-12-06T20:03:00.001+01:00

I should really call this the yearly winter coat challenge.

After last year and the year before that I knew what to expect. And before I started I read my 'If you make another winter coat' note of advice, which made the pattern making and sewing fairly easy. Until I had to put the zipper in.
How can one zipper take up so much time? Will zippers and I ever become friends?

I don't know what it is about mittens attached to a string like that, but they always make me smile. Kids have better things to do than worry about where their mittens are.

A prince

2011-12-04T21:04:00.001+01:00

You know the princess wasn't an immediate success, but she grew on her. She hasn't mentioned Barbies for months. Instead, she's been asking for a prince. Whenever she was asked what she wanted for her birthday, for Christmas, Reyes... - 'A prince!' What else.

So I gave it a try. He was looking rather feminine - so he had to have a mustache.
And while I was making miniature clothes, the princess got a new dress, too.

In 3 days he'll make his big entrance. So we'll see whether he'll get a warm welcome... (or not).

Sunday Mondays

2011-11-27T17:42:00.001+01:00

Is it really only 4 weeks until Christmas? People are still dancing on the beach.
Wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday.

Thank you for your book suggestions. They will make great presents.

Magic Book Dust

2011-11-24T16:13:00.001+01:00

Their books are sacred and bed time reading non-negotiable.
'Oh, please, only a few pages...'

Ideal Christmas presents for them (and for me ;)
Any recommendations for children's books your kids/ you love?

If anyone else is looking for ideas, here are some of my kids' favourites.

English (perfect for non-native speakers)
Little Owl Lost - Chris Haughton
Wolves - Emily Gravett
The Tiger Who Came to Tea - Judith Kerr
Good night, Gorilla - Peggy Rathmann
The Gruffalo - Julia Donaldson/ Axel Scheffler

German
Henriette Bimmelbahn - James Krüss/ Lisl Stich
Gans der Bär - Katja Gehrmann
Die Glücksfee - Cornelia Funke/ Sybille Hein
Liselotte bleibt wach - Alexander Steensmeier
Mein Esel Benjamin - Hans Limmer/ Lennart Osbeck

Princess Sweater

2011-11-20T18:02:00.001+01:00

She's coming to the market with me now to buy fabric. And chooses. Purple fabric for example. And I am left wondering what on earth I am going to do with it.

Until I see it next to her family portrait of us. Purple and black and princesses actually go very well together. I am very proud of my little helper.

Well, I am the helper, really.

Eating alone

2011-11-18T21:01:00.001+01:00

This is eating. In comparison, eating at work can only be called 'refueling', really.

A while ago Caterina started a Flickr Group called 'una porción y media' (a plate and a half). With her morning being taken up by getting the kids fed and fully clothed out of the house and into school, she turned the 'simply breakfast' inspiration into peaceful lunches for 1, prepared with care and eaten with the mind and all 5 senses present.

In four weeks I have managed to create 1 of these lunches, but I keep trying.

Pink skirt

2011-11-13T20:12:00.001+01:00

It's Sunday evening and I am wondering how on earth I can get to the market this week to buy more of the checkered pink fabric. And will they still have it?

It has become clear that more little girls are in desperate need of a checkered pink skirt.
It's this skirt pattern without the button fly. And the soulmate of this sweatshirt, I think.

Making it I thought of Alessandra's new shop with handmade treasures in soft pink.

Sunday Mondays

2011-11-06T21:49:00.000+01:00

Autumn in the city is a pretty grey affair - until you go look for a spot of colour.
To a colourful week.

Tea and Rain

2011-11-04T18:05:00.000+01:00

A little silly, I know, but there you go.
A bit of wire and some soft cotton fabric: a handmade cloth tea strainer.

I blame the rainy weather.

A song to go with the tea.

Sweater present

2011-10-30T20:49:00.000+01:00

Her best friend's birthday. She's decided, as a present he needs a new sweater, like hers.... but not pink. He likes blue.

I like lable-less clothes. But for her, I always sew in a little bit of fabric and write her name. With a present like this, of course, she gets to write the name.

And make the card (the first photo).
Apparently, girls not only have longer hair but longer eyelashes, too.

Socks

2011-10-23T22:06:00.000+02:00

It's impossible to knit when it's hot and sunny outside. So part of me is thankful for a little grey and cold weather.

My first pair without having to undo and re-do great parts. Still a little wobbly in places, but I think I might just risk it and start an adult size pair.

Do you remember this and this attempt?

Making... something different

2011-10-20T20:51:00.001+02:00

Making cough medicine....

This week for the first time in probably 7 months the temperature has dropped below 20ºC. Along with the rest of Spain we are now fighting a cold. Princess included. (A family of wimps, we are :)

Glad I found this recipe for making cough syrup (original recipe in German).

250g onions (roughly chopped, with peel)
125g brown sugar
1 tbsp thyme
1 tbsp rosemary
125ml water

Bring everything to boil and let rest for 12 hours. Drain.
Take 4-5 tbsp throughout the day.

Stripy dress

2011-10-14T20:26:00.001+02:00

I almost didn't sew anything last night. All the late night sewing this week...
Well, go on then, I thought, just a little bit (KCWC working its magic). Just a simple dress.

Simple it is. But it really isn't a good idea to be matching up stripes when tired. Need to remember next time.

But! She's over the moon. What a start to the weekend - this joyful smile.

Simple Pants

2011-10-13T16:14:00.001+02:00

I get really nervous when I make a new pattern for pants. Pants are tricky. Not the pattern as such, but the tweaking. Too tight there, too bulky here. Can't move right. Too many buttons. No pants for a princess (do you remember this conversation?).... and what not.

Yesterday was a bank holiday and I felt brave enough to try a sort of wider top, slimmer leg version. It's girly enough, but has also (lucky me!) passed the dancing, playground, running, climbing and cycling tests. I've made it slightly bigger to make sure it fits next week as well ;)

Of course, it has to be worn with something pink, like this T-Shirt.

Pink sweater

2011-10-12T20:43:00.000+02:00

When I saw the purple fabric with the pink dots I immediately thought this was made for the two of us. Her kind of colour and my kind of pattern. I am sure whoever created it thought of us.

I was tempted to use just that one fabric for the sweater. But then I came across some sleeves I had cut off an old jacket of mine and added some yellow. I like the mix.

I used the same pattern as for this, which is an adaption of this.

BTW. She and her new sweater are taking the train. It needs an outing, she says.

Button Fly Skirt

2011-10-11T12:03:00.001+02:00

If she could decide, she'd be standing knee deep in the snow wearing a light summer skirt and a short sleeve T-Shirt, insisting that she really, honestly, is not cold. At all.

But I know she needs warmer clothes. Bigger, warmer clothes. Every time I turn around she's grown 2 cms.

So I am glad it's KCWC again. This is yesterday's work. An autumn button fly skirt.
With pockets to take tissues. She's very concerned about that. Someone might have a runny nose and might need one.

Handmade Pony

2011-10-05T21:55:00.000+02:00

Pink, princesses, and now .... ponies!!!

Well, if this is what she likes, I take on the challenge (as long as I can avoid buying any of these).

Her cousin loves ponies, too. And it's her birthday soon.
We tried thinking of something to make and this is the result - drawn and assembled by her. I was responsible for 'stability'.

Rather than me choosing and getting the presents for her friends I would quite like her to be involved, too. How do you get your kids involved? I imagine not all of her friends want handmade presents for their birthday.

Sunday Mondays

2011-10-02T20:25:00.000+02:00

Wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday.

Play Kitchen

2011-09-28T21:20:00.000+02:00

I don't remember where I saw this, but I instantly loved the idea of turning a chair into a play kitchen.

They don't seem to get bored of it, ever. Recently, they put in a request for new aprons, though.
Having to share (and argue over) one apron between two head chefs was no longer acceptable. On top of that, the one apron no longer covered the almost 5 year old head chef's knees.

How can you possibly prepare a nice meal under these circumstances?

Denim Skirt

2011-09-22T22:03:00.000+02:00

Her uncle's favourite pair of jeans was beyond help. Worn until they fell apart, only the bottom parts of the trouser legs were still in one (fairly intact) piece. As favourite jeans are something very special I turned them into a 'mini' denim skirt.

At the beginning it seemed impossible to fit the shape of the skirt onto the leftover pieces. Once finished, it looked as if the seams down the front and back were meant to be there right from the start.

It's become my favourite 'mini' denim skirt. One that will be handed down until it falls apart.

Sunday Mondays

2011-09-19T22:53:00.000+02:00

If the conkers hang high up in the horse-chestnut tree you throw a stick and try to hit them to make them fall down. The stick throwing requires practice and is a skill that should be passed on from generation to generation.

I am looking forward to making more 'conker creatures'.

Back to school shorts

2011-09-13T21:00:00.001+02:00

Buzzing with ideas but no time to work on them. First, we have to leave that back to school madness behind us. I can't wait to do some serious sewing. Soon, I hope.

These are some simple 'back to school' shorts based on this pattern. Acceptable for a princess because they are made from the same fabric as this.

▲▲▲

2011-09-09T15:42:00.001+02:00

Some more holiday pics. Invalueable tips by Schorlemädchen made my day - no, two, actually.

Sunday Mondays

2011-09-05T21:21:00.000+02:00

I am afraid it's going to be a week of Mondays. Most likely none of them a Sunday kind of Monday. But that's ok after a holiday, I guess.

Thank you for your sweet comments and e-mails. I am catching up as quickly as I can. Promise.

Simple sewing - pillowcase

2011-08-26T19:08:00.000+02:00

It wasn't easy to resist the temptation to go fabric shopping for the pillowcases I had in mind. It would have been the perfect excuse, but I am clearly (sadly) not short of fabric.
So this is the result of searching through my stash of fabrics 'I will certainly use (again) some day'.

I believe these are the simplest pillowcases there are. No buttons, no zips, just a little fold-over at the back. The olive-green one is my favourite.

Sunday Mondays

2011-08-22T20:06:00.000+02:00

A little fighting spirit never goes amiss. Especially on a Monday. Right?

Completely unrelated...

One of the things that amazes me about Barcelona is the beauty you can find in the most basic elements of the city. I love the pattern in the the bottom left photo. It's the metal floor piece at the top of a train station escalator. People were looking at me with puzzlement when I took pictures but I think whoever created it deserves appreciation.

Simple sewing - zipper pouch

2011-08-17T17:21:00.002+02:00

The sheer abundance of great ideas and inspiring work... It is so tempting to click and bookmark and pin. Images always make it appear so easy and yet, actually making time to make something is so much harder. I would love to turn my pins and bookmarks into actual projects. A simple zipper pouch is a start (useful tutorial to here, here and here). Maybe a pillow case next ☺

Anything high up on your list to make?

Flower girl dress

2011-08-12T18:07:00.000+02:00

Sometimes it's better not to know what a project actually entails.

I had imagined flower girl dresses that are comfortable, twirly and chic (but not too chic, they are kids, after all). In the end they turned out exactly the way I imagined, but how could I have thought that sewing a fully lined top could be done just like that.

I learned a lot making these. And gained even more of an appreciation for handmade clothes - the planning, thought, accuracy, craftsmanship and care that goes into them. Of course, they can't tell yet and spill cacao on them anyway, but I 'see' the hand-sewn seam of the lining when I look at them.

Sunday Mondays

2011-08-08T18:52:00.001+02:00

Wouldn't it be nice to sit there a little longer, chatting about the weekend?

Tie-dyed T-Shirt

2011-07-31T21:58:00.000+02:00

She tie-dyed this T-Shirt herself at summer camp. And she also made the necklace there. The bracelets we made at home this weekend (following this nice tutorial). Tomorrow we have to make another one for her ankle, she's decided.

I like the fact that in this day and age she thinks of making something she likes. Buying it doesn't occur to her yet. As if everyone made their own clothes and jewellery.

Imagine ;)

Sunday Mondays

2011-07-24T22:32:00.001+02:00

The summer slow down has truly started. It's weird to continue as normal when everything around us just 'oozes' holiday.

Well, I'll try to take as much of that Sunday feeling into Monday :)

Doll dressing

2011-07-17T15:39:00.001+02:00

The plan was to have some time on my own and make her a dress she can wear to a wedding.
But she wanted to help and make a dress as well - for her princess (do you remember her?). I just about managed to draft a pattern before I had to give in and concentrate on what was really important.

And we took it very seriously. The princess was measured and drawn, we made a pattern and a roughly sewn prototype. The final dress will of course have to be pink with flowers - as you see in the original design. Fabric shopping will have to be next.

How sweet is that? Annemie sent me a pattern I would really like to sew.

Her sister's dress

2011-07-10T18:54:00.000+02:00

2 years ago I made this dress for her sister. Now she's wearing it. Proudly.

Re-using old clothes made me think of mending. Do people still mend?

I have to admit, I am more likely to sew a new dress than repairing one that's been waiting patiently on the 'to mend' pile (which just keeps on growing and growing...)

However, I've been mending quite a bit recently and really enjoyed it. Not as fancy as recycling or up-cycling but very rewarding to see that with a little bit of care something can get used again.

Oh, I've been guest posting here

Sunday Mondays

2011-07-03T23:44:00.000+02:00

Discovering the unfamiliar in the familiar. Well worth a closer look.
As always, I am wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday.

5 minute skirt

2011-06-29T22:23:00.001+02:00

A full time dedication to water and mud games requires numerous changes of clothes. While princesses (I am told) do play with mud and sand and water, they apparently don't wear dirty clothes.

This is the easiest, quickest skirt I know. Basically a long strip of fabric attached to an elastic waistband. Done. Like this and this skirt.

Sewing the 2m(!) bottom seam I thought, this is what sewing curtains must be like.

The shirt is part of my triangle shirt experiment, a close friend of this one.

Sunday Mondays

2011-06-26T20:18:00.000+02:00

City feet should walk through country rivers more often.
Wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday.

Sun cap for boys

2011-06-21T22:54:00.001+02:00

I could almost start a little production of these sun hats or caps. I've been making so many since I first made these. There seems to be great demand for 'HelloKitty'-less or 'SpongeBob'-less headgear :)

I've tried to make every single one a little different. This one was made for Peer.
I've also made many versions of this top with the fold over hood. But the one she's wearing is still my favourite.

Costura

2011-06-17T23:14:00.002+02:00

'Costura', a mixture of haberdashery, sewing workshop and shop celebrated its opening yesterday. Such a nice idea just has to be supported.

We couldn't stay very long, unfortunately, as my kids were about to take the shop apart on its first day. But I'll definitely pass by some other time - alone.

Pouch

2011-06-14T16:03:00.027+02:00

This was incredibly quick and easy to sew. A simple felt iPhone pouch. I would like to try with some better quality felt of leather maybe. Or add an extra pocket?

The fabric strip of course, is made with left overs from this :)

Learning ✭ joy ✭

2011-06-08T11:35:00.000+02:00

Another thing I am learning from my kids - the pursuit of joy.

Kids know so well what they enjoy. And they let themselves be guided by it. They seem to pursue joy without looking for meaning or purpose.

A happy day is one which involves time on the swing. As much time on the swing as possible.
So I stand there pushing them for what seems like hours. Quite happily, actually.

Sunday Mondays

2011-06-05T22:17:00.000+02:00

At some point, it would be nice to move my studio out of the bedroom. In the meantime I enjoy visiting the studio of a friend. I was a little scared at first, but in the end made friends with an industrial Brother sewing machine.

Little book of ♥ books

2011-06-02T20:12:00.000+02:00

A present for an avid reader. A little book of books - 10 of my favourite books. It was so difficult to choose and describe each one on 1 page.

Do you know which book would definitely be on your list of 10?

Sunday Mondays

2011-05-30T15:33:00.000+02:00

I can't wait to see which one she'll choose for the diptych this week. Any favourites?
Wishing you all a nice week. (I'll have to work on my sack racing skills before the next kids birthday party)

Making jam

2011-05-26T16:05:00.000+02:00

It's still some time till we can go blackberry picking.

So in the meantime, we made cherry and strawberry jam. We were lucky to count on the help of 2 jam eating fanatics and jam making experts.

Washing the fruit, taking out the cherry stones (where did it land?) and most importantly endlessly testing and re-testing to make sure it was just perfect.

Not to forget, choosing glasses, making labels and ...

.... building jam towers.
The leaning jam towers of Barcelona.

Sunday Mondays

2011-05-22T20:53:00.000+02:00

I recently read the word 'wanderluster' for the first time. Not traveling the world, but going for a little wander.

Pink Summer Dress

2011-05-16T16:19:00.000+02:00

I surrendered. If it has to be a pink dress, it has to be a pink dress.

And she likes it so much she thinks her friend needs one, too.
But just to make sure I understood her right.

This one is hers. We can't give her pink dress to her friend.
I have to make her a new one exactly like it. Asap!

Triangle Shirt

2011-05-15T15:58:00.000+02:00

I am not sure whether or when Blogger will put back the posts and all your comments it has 'eaten'.
Anyway...

She did allow me to take pictures of her 'flying hair' experiment... and the triangle T-shirt I made. Do you remember my printing experiments here and here? Well, this is the result.

I am tempted to print triangles everywhere now. How many triangle shirts do you think a girl needs in her summer wardrobe?

Summer jacket

2011-05-12T12:46:00.000+02:00

Day 3 of KCWC - a simple hooded summer jacket.

We have an important appointment with the playground this afternoon. So under no circumstances will there be any time to model today :)

Maybe again tomorrow.... if I manage to sew something tonight that will get the model's approval.

Sun hats

2011-05-10T18:36:00.000+02:00

The Kids Clothes Week rhythm ... sewing at night and trying to find a moment to take pictures during the day.

So day one of KCWC : Sun hats or caps, actually.

They were priority number 1 on my list of things to sew.

It's hard work keeping those little pale noses from being burnt.

I wouldn't have added anything to the cap, but she demanded a pink flower.

The pink flower somehow ;) didn't work, so I tried the wooden beads instead.

Lucky me. She likes them.

Great Expectations

2011-05-04T16:45:00.001+02:00

I am really looking forward to KCWC starting next week and have been working on new patterns and ideas. But not alone. She's got very clear ideas.

It's a collaboration, one which I very much enjoy - her version of my version or the other way around.
I wish I could draw like her - I am ready to throw my drawings away the minute I see hers. And she asks... 'I copy you, ok?'

When it comes to clothes it's a bit more difficult....
..........

> 'Mum, with these jeans you are not beautiful. You are not a princess.'
- 'I am. I am a modern princess.'
> 'I don't want to be a modern princess. I want to be normal princess.'

Sunday Mondays

2011-05-01T18:23:00.000+02:00

A bit of a funny mixture of pictures.

I got told off for taking the picture of the launderette. Now looking at the image on my computer I can see the sign 'no fotos', too. Hadn't noticed it before.

Those bags remind me of the laundry still waiting here at home. Well, there are more important things to do on a sunny weekend like this...

Stones

2011-04-25T17:34:00.000+02:00

After a big storm the beach is full of little treasures. Hope you had a nice Easter.

Hand-me-down

2011-04-19T21:02:00.000+02:00

This is one of my favourites.

Originally, a very long time ago, it was a beautiful cashmere cardigan of my friend's grandmother.

She inherited it.
At some point, sadly, it shrunk in the wash.
So my friend turned it into a hooded jacket/vest for her daughter.
Her daughter grew out of it.
Now my daughter can wear it (hopefully, for quite a bit).

And I already know who's next in line...

Going out?

2011-04-15T22:08:00.001+02:00

I see images people take of bars and restaurants they go to, the food they eat and I start dreaming. Such calm atmosphere.

Well, going out with kids... is madness. Everything is a potential hazard/ nuisance to others. And then out of the blue, a french waiter lifts one kid onto a bar stool, a bar keeper mesmerizes with his tricks and the little one is fully occupied with 'our' cheese platter.

Bliss. For a moment.

Wishing everyone a happy weekend.

Sunday Mondays

2011-04-10T21:46:00.000+02:00

We seem to have skipped spring. What happened? We are not ready for summer yet.

Searching for sun screen, not finding sun hats, quickly sewing a stripey dress and having to buy sandals with what seemed like half the people of Barcelona.

By the way - I am collecting onion peel for this

Learning ✭ simple ✭

2011-04-06T23:36:00.000+02:00

I am learning a lot from kids. One of the things is 'simple'.
... watching them spend a whole day playing on a pile of dirt of a soon to be building site.

Raglan T-Shirt

2011-04-03T12:51:00.000+02:00

Raglan sleeves are so quick to sew, but creating a seamless raglan sleeve pattern takes me ages. She's grown out of the pattern I created for the T-Shirts she's wearing here and here. Instead of resizing, I wanted to try a new one. Oliona pointed me to a ready made Raglan pattern - Nº 15 in Ottobre Kids Fashion 6/2010.

I've made quite a few. This one is my favourite - I really like the different shades and wrinkles of the hand dyed fabric.

A portrait

2011-03-29T15:50:00.000+02:00

Looking at kids drawings always makes me smile. We often draw together. She starts, asks me to add my version and then makes amends or provides guidance.

'No, this is not how you draw a princess, boat, house, pig.... etc. Mama!'

Until her little sister approaches with the big red marker and 'ruins' everything, of course.

I like her portrait of me.

Tiny Socks

2011-03-23T15:34:00.000+01:00

My sock knitting still needs quite a bit of practice. I've undone a few socks because the heel just didn't look neat enough. But I've learned my lesson and for now I am knitting tiny socks.

Can't wait to see these on the tiny feet of my niece.

Play

2011-03-19T20:30:00.000+01:00

Lately, playing around and experimenting has rarely managed to sneak passed my list of things to do. Seeing 'Juga' (Catalan for 'Play') written in big letters at this lovely shop was a secret message, I thought.

I've been thinking for a while about printing some simple t-shirts. I am not sure yet, what or how, actually. But finding out is fun.

Hope I'll find the time to play some more, soon.

How do you find the time?

Big Collar Sweater

2011-03-13T15:39:00.000+01:00

A hint of spring and she stands by the door, ready to go out in a t-shirt, skirt and sandals.

I don't blame her, I was the same as a kid and still regularly have to borrow sweaters from friends because the sun tricked me into thinking it was a lot warmer.

I understand that mentioning a jacket to a person that is as easily tricked by the sun as I am is a lost cause. So this thick, big collar sweater is my compromise.

Here comes the sun

2011-03-07T13:07:00.000+01:00

It makes such a difference when the sun is out. Hope you get some sun, too.

Pretty princess day

2011-03-05T15:42:00.000+01:00

Her friends go dressed as a pirate and a lion ( I am jealous)

For her, carnival is pretty princess week. So I stood in a very long line with many other mums to buy tulle. There was very little pink tulle left, so I guess many had received the same instructions as I had.

A princess skirt. Pink and very, very big.

Pink and big it is. She's has already informed me that it's too good to be taken off - ever.

Sunday Mondays

2011-02-27T20:46:00.000+01:00

On a treasure hunt in the woods with 4 kids. Let's see what we can find in the city this week.
Does anyone have a recipe with fresh rosemary or thyme I could try?

Thank you all for your comments and e-mails this week. They are very encouraging and will definitely help me next time I am stuck on something I just can't sew the way I imagined it.

Button fly trouser tutorial

2011-02-22T22:06:00.000+01:00

I normally have a design in mind and then just experiment until it ends up looking like I imagined (which sometimes, it never does ;) You could probably call it freestyle sewing.

Online tutorials are a huge help to me and I am very thankful to the people who take the time to share their knowledge that way.

When Rae asked me to take part in 'Celebrate the Boy' I wanted to take it as an opportunity to repay the favour. I was also glad to escape the oh so popular dress-skirt-pink theme and make some boys clothes.

Button flies are just those kind of interesting details of simple designs I really like. You can add them to any simple trouser pattern.

Here is how to ( I hope it all makes sense):

1. Take a basic trouser pattern (like this one, for example) and mark the waistband and fly (don't forget to add seam allowance).
2. You'll need 2 pieces for the fly - the fold and the button placket.
3. Mark the fly on the trouser front.
4. Starting at the mark you made for the fly, sew together the two front parts (leaving some space at the end to sew the trouser legs together later on)

5. Sew on the fold, fold over and iron.
6. Top stitch along the mark.
7. Sew on button placket.
8. Fold over and iron.

9. Sew together trouser legs.
10. Attach waistband to trousers.
11. Sew button holes.
12. Top stitch along the centre seam of the trousers starting just above the bottom end of the fly (which holds the two parts of the fly together) Finally, sew on buttons.

A table cloth

2011-02-16T23:41:00.000+01:00

Up until about 2 weeks ago I did not like table cloths. Up until I saw this fabric at a friend's house.

I've learned it's a typical Catalan fabric. It is called 'Mocador de Farcells' which means something like a 'scarf to make a bundle' and was mainly used to transport and protect objects (please correct me if the information I found is wrong). Maybe something similar to furoshiki?

Well, anyway, I found all this information after I fell in love with the fabric, bought it and made a table cloth. The first table cloth I own.

Now I just have to teach my kids not to pull it off the table (... or stain it ;)

Sunday Mondays

2011-02-13T20:32:00.000+01:00

I continue exploring. Wishing everyone a Sunday kind of Monday.

Colour my valentine

2011-02-09T16:37:00.000+01:00

At 'La Factoria' each month they invite a contemporary artist to explain his work to kids. They have a fantastic way of making even conceptual art accessible to kids. The kids can ask all kinds of questions and finally create their version of the artist's work.

At one of the events the kids drew lots of pictures which were later copied, re-assembled and made into books. To be later on added to and changed by more drawings.

This inspired these little colouring books.
She drew, I cut and copied.
I am looking forward to seeing them once her friends have added their mark.

Do you remember these?

Sunday Mondays

2011-02-06T23:08:00.000+01:00

I am really enjoying taking pictures. Shame I can only choose one a week for here

Two socks at play

2011-02-03T11:35:00.000+01:00

They are finished. I am already thinking about the next pair of socks...

... and more cats, or 'Gatos fantabulosos' - who are relatives of the 'Oso fantabuloso' by csr. Could their names be Gunther and Heinz?

Hooded dress

2011-01-30T23:28:00.000+01:00

It is very difficult to capture this little 'photo-escape-artist'.

I made this dress about 3 years ago. Now the second little mischief is pulling the hood down to cover her eyes if she doesn't want to be discovered.

The shape of this hood is perfect for going unnoticed if circumstances require.

Sewing paper

2011-01-24T22:27:00.001+01:00

Since she's moved to Berlin we don't often get the chance to spend time together to 'make stuff'. Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to make little books with her.

All these beautiful papers, drawings, clippings and old photos - it was difficult not to just keep looking through this selection of little treasures.

The result is a little 'csr style' handsewn agenda.

Knitting my first sock

2011-01-19T22:45:00.000+01:00

I would really like 2011 to be the year where I learn the art of sock knitting. I got some needles and yarn as a Christmas present.

This is my first attempt and I've really only gotten this far thanks to this and this ( I am afraid videos are in German, but I am sure similar ones can be found in English)

One amazing side effect of knitting is that it makes sewing seem really quick and easy.

A Barbie alternative

2011-01-13T20:57:00.000+01:00

She only asked Santa Claus for one present - a princess ( thinking this is what Barbies are called)

Cheekily (or stubbornly) I took my chances and misunderstood.

It wasn't an instant hit - 'This is not a princess!'
On Christmas Eve little princess was mostly ignored and had to sleep under the Christmas tree.

But she seems to be growing on her. She's got a name now. And sometimes, she's allowed to sleep in her bed. It is considered sort of cool that she can put on the same dress as her in the morning and that she loses her pants ( I made them too big by mistake).

I'm curious to see where this is going.

Hip bag for a busy new mom

2011-01-10T22:19:00.000+01:00

A present I made for a busy new mom who has her hands full when taking little Laya for a walk in the pram or sling.

When my kids were so small I carried them around in a sling I rarely managed to pick up the phone before the other person hung up. Not her!

Whenever I make any sort of bag I get completely confused about where to sew first and which way to turn it when. Going for lining and a bound pocket didn't make this any easier, but this was the design I had in mind. What could I do?

These 2 fantastic tutorials helped me immensely:

Fully lined front zippered pouch tutorial

Bound pocket tutorial

Happy 2011

2011-01-06T21:51:00.000+01:00

Happy
to keep
on trying

different
silly
risky
new
old
calm
slow
bold
...
again

2011.

I like fresh starts. The believe or illusion that everything can indeed be a little different and better.
Anything you'd like to try this year?

Thank you for visiting this blog and sharing your thoughts and creations.

Feliz Navidad

2010-12-23T11:27:00.000+01:00

Travelling north to meet Santa Claus. Looking at the weather forecast we might have to meet him at the airport. Do you think he does airport visits?

Wishing you all a happy and relaxing time with your family.

While I am away I'll be posting here

Just south of the arctic circle

2010-12-19T15:06:00.000+01:00

We are getting prepared for the big snow and of course last year's coat is too small and will have to wait patiently for her little sister to grow into it.

This coat started with the wooden buttons. When I decided to make it I thought a new pattern and the actual sewing might take me about 5 hours.

Far from it. It took me a so much longer, because I miscalculated (again!) how much you need to add to the actual measurements to accommodate the thick lining and the sweater and t-shirt worn underneath. Oh, I so hope I'll remember next year. This time I opened the arm/ side seam again and added a strip of fabric.

I love this fabric and can't understand why I only bought 2 meters of it :(

Talking about fabric.... of course, 'pink minimisation' (thank you Jo for the perfect term) was a big topic again. I managed to get away with pink thread for the button fastening and pink lining for the pockets. But only because the bottom part of the coat is a bit like a skirt.
And princesses like skirts.... a lot.

Busy hands made

2010-12-13T21:07:00.001+01:00

Busy hands made the most cherished handmade present in our household.

This knitted blanket was a present from her Yaya when she was born.

It's been with her every day since. Now that she can walk, she wants to take it everywhere.

I enjoy making presents myself (which is why I sleep very little in the weeks before Christmas).

Grossomodo would like to make at least half of her presents herself. I'd love to, too, but I am not sure I'll manage.

There's always the option of buying handmade. For example things made by Sieben Morgen, or by Caterina Pérez, csr, La Casita.... There are so many great things being made.

Where's north from here?

2010-12-05T23:31:00.000+01:00

It's freezing, but sand castle construction or sand cake baking can't possibly come to a halt. So I made some mittens for those ice cold little hands.

I saw them first here and then found a pattern for the grown up version here. In the end we just put her hand on a paper, drew around it and created the pattern in the right size.

We now have quite a collection of paper mittens, also.

In absence of a Christmas Tree

2010-12-02T16:15:00.000+01:00

A few branches and some 'singers' that came to life last night.

Advent Calendar

2010-11-29T16:38:00.000+01:00

Reading Meg's post and seeing this (big thanks to both) made me think of making an Advent Calendar.

I would love to have an Advent Calendar like this myself.
As for her, well, she wants one with chocolate, of course.

As with all presents I am making, I have to be careful about not showing too much here.

Winter dress

2010-11-21T19:19:00.000+01:00

It has to be a dress and it has to be pink. Difficult to explain that it is too cold to wear summer dresses. And why can't everything be pink?

Does anyone know how long this phase normally lasts?

My new challenge is to incorporate enough pink to make it worthy of a true princess and as little as I can possibly get away with.

This winter dress is a mixture of this and this dress.
As you can probably tell I am playing around with the '2 in 1' idea.

Wearing a hat

2010-11-15T21:07:00.000+01:00

This weekend Colorin Colarado here in Barcelona opened their workshop so kids could make their own hat. They were incredibly generous, allowing the kids to use their fabric and buttons - and some truly beautiful hats were created.

Now I've got some explaining to do. Why is this not the kind of hat you wear when you return home from swimming class with wet hair.

Wearing a scarf

2010-11-07T18:48:00.000+01:00

Wearing a scarf helps when you don't want to wear a jacket. Your mom might just say - oh, go on then. So does starting negotiations with outrageous demands (short dress, no sleeves and sandals).

Knitting a scarf

2010-11-03T23:08:00.000+01:00

A little preview of the scarf I've made after seeing this image.

The combination of grey with mustard yellow is one of my favourites.

I very rarely knit so I had to start with the basics ( I am so thankful for all those video tutorials by experienced knitters - very helpful! )

Now I still need to sew the ends together so that is can just be 'looped' round the neck - and it has to get a whole lot colder.

For a boy

2010-10-26T22:15:00.000+02:00

A boys version of the top with the fold over hood - a birthday present for her dear friend Alex.

Wouldn't it be nice to have the time to make all presents?

But if I wasn't busy enough, I can't seem to get this image out of my head. I think I'll have to make some scarves to go with those hoodies. Scarves as presents, maybe?

Any Christmas presents you are planning to make?

A dress

2010-10-14T22:28:00.000+02:00

...for myself. The last one I made made me think that I might as well try to design a dress myself.
And well, I did. Quite a challenge, actually.
A lot more curves to deal with compared to kids clothes ;)

Also, no stretch fabrics, no easy cuff finishing. Instead - all those details I usually tend to avoid. Invisible zipper (had to rip it out 4 times until I managed to put it in nicely), facing on arms and neck and a hand sewn hem (quite a meditative activity I've found).

After this I am looking forward to making some kids stuff again.

Presents and tape

2010-10-12T22:58:00.000+02:00

When I gave her cousin the pink dress she took it, said thank you and added that she would have rather had a poncho.

Luckily it was her birthday recently, so I could make amends. I didn't manage to take a picture of the poncho - but here's the beautiful card and letter instead.

I know it's not a new thing but I could use that tape everywhere. You can get similar ones here.

At the end of the day

2010-10-06T23:49:00.000+02:00

This week has been absolute madness. Do I ever get anything done? At the end of the day I've got little to show for it.

When in fact I've prevented numerous (possibly fatal) accidents, have managed to settle serious arguments, have fed 2 little 'Nimmersatts' (sorry for the German word), have listened, consoled, encouraged, taught and ..... witnessed that little hand trying to touch its shadow.

Feeling better already.

Perfect timing for seeing these photos.

Hooded dress

2010-10-04T22:12:00.000+02:00

Oh, I am really liking this upcycling thing. So easy, so quick.

This was a hoodie a friend of mine gave me. It was just a bit too small and short for her. So I converted this size 38 hoodie into a long sleeve hooded dress for an almost four year old: new side seams, re-attaching the cuffs, new seam on the hood.

She's decided the pocket will be used for taking tissues into school. Apparently, they need a lot of tissues.

By the way, a fantastic word - upcycling. Not sure there's anything like it in Spanish or German.
Or is this actually recycling?