Under lines

This year I was tired of buying a new expensive duvet cover again. I don't know why, but we wear these out in no time! I decided to buy thick quality cotton (yes, lightbluegrey, and yes, I love this color for this purpose too), and decorated it partly at the top. I used non-saturated colored yarn, like olive, charcoal and warm grey.

The result is quite subtile, but I like it. Unfortunately the price was as high as in a shop... I'll report how long it will last.

Best friend

Today M attends the birthday party of her best friend. Inspired by this blog (thanks, Erika!) we worked out this present. M did the drawing on the outside of a wooden box and winded the yarn around the little cartons. F finished the box with linseed oil. And hurray, I made my first pincushion. We enjoyed doing it very much.
I think the gift is a good way to pass on crafting.

Given treasures

Yesterday I firstly collected L from nursery school where all kids appeared to be very busy with their new toy. Treated by birthday twins.
Later it was M's turn. M's teacher celebrated her birthday and all kids got a mini bag to collect mineral stones every year, until they will leave school in 4 years.
I love these little things; yesterday there was no doubt about schoolchoices.

More school supplies

L needed a simple little bag to keep her shoes for gym and eurithmics lessons. I love such an occassion to make her something. 
And I'm obviously not the only mother who sticks to the craft supplies of HEMA. In the schoolyard I see the applications and ribbons on t-shirts, trousers, bags, ...

Dull grey

My eldest needed a new sharpener for school. Right from the shop I decorated it in a few minutes with a permanent pen, red. The day after I added the silver drawing. I think a fine correction pen will do a fine job, too. Such a little effort with a 'wow' as a reward.

Addition 25.9.10: M used the sharpener this week and just told me that the red doesn't fully stick. Tip: next time I previously would use a very fine sandpaper (we have '400' ...).

Colormix

In Bloggerland she's showing up often: Kristina Klarin of Kris color-stripes. This lady is making great necklaces that were so long on my wishlist, I couldn't resist it anymore: I ordered here even two of them! 
I love the colors (you should see her recent work too), but in real life the colors appear to be slightly different from her site. Good to know for those with the same longing.

With a kiss of mom

Although she didn't need one, I made a new bag for my daughter. It is mainly because I seriously fell in love with this bag while scrolling down the internet, after clicking the link in this blog. And that's why I (almost) didn't change a thing! Go here to see and enjoy the great tutorial of Mmmcrafts.

Addition 5.10.10: M is carrying the bag fulltime, so also in the house and at night it's hanging on her bed. So sweet.

Memory dress

Just before summer holidays we always celebrate St. John's feast in school. In my opinion it is the most special feast of all in school. Every child is dressed in white and decorated with flower crowns. This helps the summer feeling very much!
First M and after that L both wore this special occasion dress, I'm afraid this year will be the last time. I bought it a long time ago on an antique market. Now the dress has a special history. 

During the year we hang it on the wardrobe behind our bed. I like the white against the grey.

First attempt

This summer I finally wanted to make a stamp. At my work we have plenty of linoleum samples. I worked hard and precisely, but this material is in my opinion too flat to use for stamps. The second attempt was with a sample of bulletin board. This worked out better, but with a result that I was not fully satisfied with. I used the stamp to make an invitation, and to stamp on little price bags for the skate party, made of fabric remnants. When you use this ink and iron it to fixate, the stamp will be definitive.
Some weeks ago I used an eraser of HEMA to make a stamp with better results.

New skates

My daughters got new skates. So we planned a few weeks later a skate birthday party for our nine-years-old. A tour around the peninsula we live on, with a contest, a treasure hunt, a trail on a small square and last but not least a visit to our local ice cream shop. For all their efforts everybody had to be honored. All medals for the ninth place finishers and only one for the first place.