Wobbly tooth

M's dentition exists till now of 4 teeth only. She's ten! Recently F visited the dentist with both girls. I'm so glad they both have strong teeth (like their grandmother and mother).
Last week L showed me her first wobbly tooth. After it was fallen out we kept it carefully in F's wallet. Sint wanted to add this tiny present (according to another great idea of Vlijtig) in the 'zak'. But apparantly did L need something to put her tooth in today already! So she got this present this morning.

Btw 1, the paper label was covered with transparant adhesive foil to keep it clean.
Btw 2, the bottom is covered with a small part of Hella Jongerius' fabric, that lovers of her will maybe recognize ;).

Btw 3, L went to bed early tonight with a high fever. Hope she's better tomorrow to celebrate Sint's birthday...
Btw 4, wishing you all a cosy Sinterklaas!

L too

L wanted one too as I told you. And she sure will take good care of him because she's loving these stuffed animals.

This time I padded the bag to make it 'stand'. And I stitched the Ikea print in red...
The only thing that still has to be done is making up a story about how come it's in the 'zak van Sinterklaas'...

Japan

As a decent blogger I spoiled myself with washi tape for the very first time, ordered right here. Happy!
L finished her present this way.

Doggy bag

This idea I found on my friend's blog some weeks ago. Perfect for our birthday girl next door. On her party last Saturday L gave the oh-so-soft little dog and on Sunday we gave the doggy bag.

Head over to Vlijtig for your quick handmade Sinterklaas and Christmas gift ideas! This doggy bag fits L perfectly too. I'll make her one later on, so she will find it in the 'zak van Sinterklaas'.

Friday song

Last Friday L was singing this song all the time after school. Spontaneously and simultaneously these drawings were made. L taught me the words. It's about a tuber that has to be pulled out of the soil with a lot of men and animal power.
Now the singing is still going on. To remember these fine moments I reduced the drawings and put them in little frames of 10x15 cm. A small present for Sinterklaas evening.

In her new mama-made-coat

Yesterday's photo shoot at the lake. Couldn't choose, sorry...

Lovely autumn light, isn't it? Lovely child, isn't it :).
(Btw, did somebody notice her hair is short? A little story about that: she did it herself a few weeks ago! Together with her neighbour girlfriend, who cut her hair away in the front! L did it aside, but a real lot! Later she said she actually wanted to cut the other side too to make it neatly. And big sister M said: oh, L, you cut it really straight, well done! Our hairdresser fixed the model in a creative way and now in the end we actually all are happy that L used the scissors.)

To warm my daughter

Just did it slowly. Searching a pattern that convinced me to give my daughter enough warmth during her cycle trips to school, passing the river and bridge, catching a severe winter. This one (see page 6) did: a hooded, zippered, high closed, simple designed one with nice long cuffs. Then reading the pattern again and again. I'm not a very experienced sewer; making a coat is a far away story for me! But at the same time an everlasting wish-to-come-true.

I decided to change the pattern, because of course it had to be lined. Plus the pockets had to be changed. Making these was also my first time and it felt quite exciting. But I just took it slowly as I said and considered everything I did as an autodidact sewing course. That helps.

Then looking around for the right fabric: preferably natural materials and perfect colors. After a long and critical search and some doubts it resulted in this green washed woolen fabric with soft olive green lining. Totally happy, but I wasn't finished yet, did the lady in the fabric shop tell me: I needed an extra third layer to keep the wind out. Ok, a common padded fabric was added. Don't start doing this to save money. I think this is the most expensive coat L ever had! As a matter of fact did I find in the same period a beautiful second-hand coat for L, so doubts were there again. F convinced me to go on and finish sewing. So did I.

It took me some evenings sewing the outer coat, then the inner coat and finally assembling these two, especially because I had to do a lot of thinking as applying a lining was not described... The cuffs were made in double fabric. The front, back and hood three-layered and the sleeves two-layered. Everything is ready in time to go back to school again after holidays.

Really, every step I loved, including the exciting beginners moments. I'm so happy now! The finishing touch was inspired by this great lady. Btw, the one and only button hole still has to be made. My simple sewing machine is not able to do a job like that :(. I'll ask my neighbour to use hers.
Curious how it fits L? Come back later!

Being pampered

Back home from Denmark, very satisfied. Here's a brief summary for you. We went with 20 interior architects to see the factory of Fritz Hansen, a brand you all know from Arne Jacobsen's Egg and 3107. Right above the seat of the 3107 is being born.

By hand this time

This week I will be visiting Denmark. I'm invited by Kvadrat to enjoy three days of esthetic delight, full of design, fabrics, architecture, interiors, art...
The felt for this bag I bought already some weeks ago. The yellow strap is like here a thrifted judo belt. It's clear that last weekend a Kvadrat bag had to be made to accompany me to Denmark.

On the outside felt of Wernerkinck, on the inside a mix of fabric samples of Kvadrat: the traditional Hallingdal, Stripes of Paul Smith, Layers Vineyard of Hella Jongerius, Happy of Tord Boontje. I'm happy to carry all those great designers along.

Today I used the bag for the first time. A new project?, a colleague asked me. Yep, just finished. To be honest, it's wasn't a simple process. But it is what was in my mind. It's made all by hand, because I preferred to sit on our couch :). The stitches are done as invisible as possible (but very visible in strong sunlight!). It appeared to be easy to get the needle through the felt layers. Luckily the fabric samples already had overlocked edges. I'm not fully satisfied with the snappers. These are of Prym (I thought a trusty brand), but I think they snap not strong enough. Anybody better alternatives?

Bye Melissa

L's teacher asked us to bring a flower for their intern tomorrow. Didn't matter of what kind, a real or crafted or drawn one. L and I discovered the fine crafting-with-kids possibilities of YouTube. My daughter of 5 liked to scroll, pick a flower and watch the video again and again. This pink one she liked most.

Making this post right now I discover the site of this amazing origami man, where he explains how to fold excisting flowers.