I can't believe how much this little lot cost....

Ooh-la-la it wasn't cheap, but it was worth it (well in my eyes anyway!) as I was looking for the little haberdashery shop on Uranienborgveien on Saturday, but it seems to have closed, so I was a tad bit disappointed, however, as I was walking down Karl Johans Gate, I noticed a craft shop, by the name of Panduro which is a hobby shop, so I thought I would nip in there to see if they had any Norwegian ribbon left over from Syttende Mai celebrations and I touched lucky - with that and other little gems, like these lovely trimmings and laces which are just soo difficult to come by in the shops in the UK.

Only thing was, they cost me almost £45.00 - ouch!

Will have to save these for something special then!

It was only a matter of time before it became a dress....

Yeah, well I liked it so much that I knew it would happen eventually so here it is.....



I also knew I had to make this version a little smaller upstairs! :-(



But the finished item looks pretty on and is ideal for the beach or private wear!

And with that, the other set is now available to purchase on Etsy.com for a lady with more ample charms than myself!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25553104

Scrap material Pt 2.....

Or should I say 'bit skjerf' (scrap scarf!) as this is what it is in reality!

I was in my local shopping area recently, when I stumbled upon a fancy boutique which sold lovely scandinavian designers (didn't even know it was there!) and so I was thrilled to bits, especially when I came across a beautiful scarf by an Icelandic desginer who's name escapes me just now, however, I thought to myself "Oh I think I'll buy this!".....that was, until I saw the price tag - £139.00 - for lovely pieces of scrap material!!

Flora and I were in a state of shock, but I said to her "This has given me an idea, and you know, I'm going to take the basic principle and make my own - heck, I've got enough scraps at home!"

However, I did walk out with a pretty little NoaNoa beige crocheted effort for a more modest price of £20.00 - couldn't help myself!

So with a head full of ideas, I set about putting my thoughts into it and this is what I came up with.....




This piece was off a pretty little beach top I bought from Zara a few years back - I loved the material but hated the actual top - so I cut it up and used a piece here and the main part will go into making another little tunic in the next couple of weeks....



This piece was from a sarong that I bought in Tesco's supemarket years ago that had suntan lotion marks on it - I could never bear to throw it away, as it was too pretty, so I'm glad I found a use for it.....



And the rest is just the usual bits from my scrap bag! This is another piece of my Grandmothers crocheted lace sewn onto a piece of leftover fabric from the beach shorts!

The duck egg blue organza panel was from an old skirt that had a mark on it from years ago, but once again, whilst I had no intention of ever wearing it again, I knew that I couldn't part with the material - the last time I actually wore the skirt was in 1999! I've added the leftover pieces of pink and white lace from the turquoise boudoir set I posted yesterday - as you can see, all the embellishments are in pale pink.

The blue/white piece on the bottom of the scarf is just the white sarong material again, backed with the pale blue broderie anglais to make the embroidery stand out.



But the best thing about this scarf is that it didn't cost me £139.00, just my time and effort!


It feels good to recycle old materials and give them a new lease of life........


Mxx

A little something for Oslo?.....

Well I'm off to the fair city this weekend and was rather hoping for good weather (well at least dry!) but unfortunately it's not looking too hopeful, but hey, I wouldn't be wearing this little number outside the hotel room anyway!

I made this as a cover up for the beach/pool side sort of jolly actually, but who's to say that it can't be worn in Oslo? .......

The nice idea with a wrapover instead of a kaftan on holiday is that its easier to take on and off when you're feeling hot, as kaftans can leave you in a pickle....well they do me!

Just a little close up to do it some justice - turquiose and pale pink go so well together.

Just need to book a holiday in the sun now!

Skal for Norge!

And a 'Happy Nasjonaldag!' to everyone in Norway today, and what better way to celebrate on Karl Johans Gate than to sing a little song about a Fairytale!!



And congratulations to Alexander Rybak for stomping away with the highest score ever awarded in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Hmmn....well I'm most definitely thinking about being in Oslo next year, especially if it coincides with 17th May, but no matter how much I wish for it, I can't see Morten hosting the competition - oh well!!

But I will have my own little celebration today and will be sporting something red, white and blue!

'SKAL FOR NORGE!'

Mxx

NYT LIVET (Enjoy Life) and other sayings........

I was sitting here just now twiddling my fingers, so I thought "Why not post pictures of the cushions I've made over the last few years?"

As well as sewing and crocheting and knitting, I adore cross stitching and some of these projects have been true labours of love for me.

This one has my motto on it 'NYT LIVET' (Enjoy Life) And why not....we only pass this way once.....

This cushion also has the flags of Norway, the Faroes, Iceland, Denmark and a particular flag of the Shetland Islands, in the colours of the Scottish Saltire, which was created to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the transfer of the Shetlands to Scotland (from the king of Norway and Denmark).

Definitely one of my favourite cushions I think!

For those who know Norway, these will need no introduction, but for those of you who don't these cushions represent the Vestlandet region, which is around Bergen, Stavanger area (West Coast) and the Sorlandet region is Southern Norway and all those beautiful little towns like Grimstad and Lillesand with their white clapboard houses with pretty picket fences (there's a clue to a song here for those who know a particular Norwegian band!)

This one was inspired by a trip to the Sorlandet region back in 2006, and especially when I stayed in Grimstad, with it's pretty little harbour and all the wonderful yachts - there was a nautical theme everywhere. This one was the most labour intensive of all as you can imagine!

And then I decided to make one with a Juletide tema and designing the Selbuvotter mitten was something I particularly enjoyed - aah, if only I could knit them..........

I have made so many personalised ones over the years, with different flags etc, that somebody recently asked if I had one for myself, which I didn't, so I thought it was about time I did own one, and here it is! Once again, I went for a nautical (but some may say military!) flag, with the addition of the Krone.

Hmmn, I wonder who I'm going to make one for next?.......

Ar Svenska Midsommernatt Drom

Hmmn....well I'm hoping that title is correct, as 'Jag talar inte Svenska' however, what I'm trying to say is that I thought this little outfit would be perfect for a summers night sleepover - that's if there really is such a thing as night in the nordic countries at that time of year!



Anyhow, the yellow broderie anglais was soo pretty, that I decided to add pale blue trims and give it a Swedish air!




And finished it off with tiny little bows everywhere!






Hmmn....now I'm wondering when a Norwegian version of this little outfit will appear......probably not long, knowing me! ;-)


'God Natt og Sove Godt!'....well that's how you say i Norsk!


This set is available to buy on Etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25553104