This week I’ve been sewing, It made me smile when, for a brief moment, the sun beamed through my windows onto my yellow threads.
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February 13, 2013
A Borrowed City
As you may well know, I have a love of all things Scandinavian and have wanted to visit for a long time, if only to confirm my love, like visiting a soul mate pen-pal for the first time in real life . Originally I had dreams of an epic journey across Norway and Sweden, however due to the fact that everything is double the price we settled for a four-day city break in Oslo.
Little red house
As soon as we flew over the silver birch coloured landscape my love was cemented, the train journey from the airport through the country filled my heart even more with each little red and yellow wooden house that slipped past and I began daydreaming about re-locating.
We had a wonderful time exploring the city, bitter air biting at our bones and blushing our noses, stopping in cosy coffee shops and stylish bars… in fact it’s true, It’s all so very stylish. My rose tinted vision from blogs and pinterest boards was confirmed – White washed and grey palettes with accents of colour (mostly, my favorite, yellow), sheepskins and throws, log piles, wooden furniture with that effortlessly cool curve, candles (even in the daytime) and sleek light fittings. Staying in what could only be described as My Dream Home only added to the joy of it all. And this is a city remember, I imagine things would get more idyllic for me in the country. One of the great things about Oslo in fact is that its only a 20 min journey on the metro and you’re in nature, pine tree forests and ski runs, the wholesome red cheeks of the inhabitants clutching ski’s on the bus says it all.
Our apartment for the weekend
Cafe Laundromat
We took the metro up to the 2km toboggan run – Korketrekkeren (The cork screw!) and sledged down a few times stopping for a hot chocolate and giant apple pie in front of a huge log fire in an enchanting log cabin restaraunt at Frognerseteren. Perfect.
Toboggan run
Apres sledge hot chocolate
View from the metro
Other highlights included:
Snowy walks through parks
Cosy coffee shops
Vigeland Sculpture park
Mooching Grunerlokka; A vintage market
Oslo Fjord
February 26, 2012
Salad days
This weekend was full of sunshine; my little sister came to visit, we strolled in our t -shirts and remembered what summer was like, we climbed a spiral staircase to the top of a tower, we hatched plans for a new adventure, we bought new books and we ate good food.
“For the first time in my life I was out of the sight of humans. For the first time in my life I was alone in a world whose behaviour I could neither predict nor fathom: a world of birds that squealed, of plants that stank, of insects that sprang about without warning. I was lost and I did not expect to be found again. I put my head back and howled, and the sun hit me smartly on the face, like a bully.”
Laurie lee – Cider with Rosie
Spring!
Cabot tower
At the top
The sister and the Mister
December 18, 2011
Lionheart Launch
Last Sunday the mighty Lionheart magazine was launched into the world, and what a wonderous day it was. After months of waiting I was finally able to see the fruits of Helen Martin’s labour. It was everything I imagined and more; elegant simplicity gracing the thick matte pages, beautiful illustrations, photography and design, talented people, truly interesting features, poetic words, it is a treasure and I can’t recommend it enough, visit the Lionheart website to buy your copy online.
The party was so much fun and I met some brilliant people as well as enjoying time with old friends, highlights included; delicious pizza’s made by my Husband Will, the best cakes ever from the lovely Kimberlee of The Homemade Mama, a lampshade demonstration by Ruth of Quincy lampshades, A live illustration (of me!) by the very talented and lovely Gemma Milly and an epic craft session that was loved by all.
The perfect venue – 40 Alfred Place, Bristol
The beautiful front cover; Illustration by Gemma Milly, typography by Holly Giblin
Roar
Happy customer: Lauren
Photographer extraudinaire : Stella Mason
Chef extraudinaire: Will
Happy crafters
Gemma modelling her mans craft triumph; a lavender moustache!
Live Illustration by Gemma Milly (photo- c/o Stella Mason)
I’m honoured to have contributed (I also did the page titled ‘Treasure’)
June 2, 2011
Homeland
This weekend we went back to our homeland, it was as beautiful as ever; Mountains, waterfalls, swallows, deer and country pubs. :
I was really inspired by the abundance of colours and patterns that this special mountain had :
May 16, 2011
Button moon
As a child arranging buttons on a tray was my favorite pastime and today I found myself doing this again, I have a beautiful button jar that used to belong to my Husbands Grandma, full of little beauties. I needed to find a particular button so emptied them all on to a tray, within no time I was entranced in the art of button arrangement:
It reminded me of one of my favorite Zandra Rhodes prints, so I un-earthed my book:
aspetalsfall 
