DIY Make Up Bag

I've been looking for a new make up bag for quite a while, but never seem to find one that ticks all the boxes. I came across this pattern and decided to give it a go. The size is just perfect (I made mine a bit smaller than the original pattern) and I love the pastel colours. These are so quick and easy to make I might just have to make a couple more! 

Christmas Gift Idea - Baby Girls' Dress

I found a pattern for this adorable open back dress for baby girls on Etsy. The dress was really easy to make and there are endless options for patterns and decorations. I think they make a lovely Christmas present for little girls! I also customised some wooden hangers to go with the dresses. Cuteness overload :-)

Hot Air Balloons

 

It often happens that I find a fun little project somewhere (blogs, Pinterest, you name it) and archive it for later. Some projects (time allowing) I try immediately, others I linger for longer and some never get done (or don't work out at all - there are quite a few of those as well). This cute mobile caught my attention and I wanted to give it a go. I didn't even know I like hot air balloons so much! I used thin felt to sew the balloons and added decorations (ribbon, stars and some felt bunting). The original model uses wine and champagne bottle corks for the baskets, but since I didn't have any at hand I decided to weave the baskets myself. It was a little time consuming, but easy. I just used pieces of cardboards and normal twine and attached the baskets in to the balloons. This is a great project for a child's room or just as a colourful decoration for summer. 

  

 

Featured on Rom123

This DIY ladder, built by my dad whilst visiting us here in Sydney, was featured on a Norwegian interiors magazine Rom123 this past month. Needless to say I was surprised and honoured to be asked for a feature and I hope that this little project can inspire others too.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

DIY Shelf System for the Study

I kick-started the new week with a bit of DIY for our study. I needed a shelving unit next to my desk where I could keep all the things I use almost daily plus display those things that inspire me in my work. I had bookmarked this DIY ages ago and when I came across it again this morning, I decided to try making my own version of it.

I wanted to keep the natural colour of wood because we have a lot of wooden items around our home anyway. I also happen to love the patterns in the wood so I didn't want to cover them by paint. I made the shelves a bit wider (9cm) and attached two 180cm long pieces of timber (each 23.5cm wide) together. Pine is soft enough to attach the screws by hand, so I needn't use any electrical tools; just a saw, a measuring tape, some sanding paper and a leveller. I'm sure no carpenter would approve of my work, but I am myself quite happy with the result :-)

Easy peasy and now I have new-found motivation for the coming week!

 

 

DIY Ladder

I made a simple decorative ladder for the kitchen. It's perfect for hanging a tea towel, a floor brush and other every day items. When I get bored of it here I might move it to the bathroom for towels or to the bedroom for blankets and throws.

Floor brush and rattan hooks are available on my online store Pikku-Kota

Busy Bee

I've been busy as a bee lately, experimenting with new materials like beeswax, as well sewing, knitting and crocheting. I started crocheting a blanket using soft bamboo yarn. This project will take a while to finish, but I love creating something with such simple tools as a hook and yarn. 

I finished a soft case with two large pockets for all the little things I bring with me while travelling. I used soft flannelette for the case and attached a decorative ribbon along the edges. The case also has a simple snap for closing.  I can't wait to bring this along for my next trip!

The little white purse in the last photo is made out of faux leather. I made it to use as a kind of gift wrap, but it could just as well hold business cards or even a small mirror.

I hope you are all feeling creative and inspired! I would love to know what your favourite materials are to work with!

 

 

Recent Snapshots

A few recent snapshots from home. Thank you for all your well wishes, I am feeling much better!

Kitchen corner with something modern, something old.

The other corner of our kitchen

Morning coffee

Neutral colours

Our bathroom

Rain drop mobile I made with clay and driftwood

Linen basket with a tiny snowflake button I made for mum.

I made this linen bag for pegs

Christmas Treats - Cranberry Toffee and Finnish Prune Tarts

I had somehow managed to convince myself that Christmas is still a week away and was wondering what all this "last minute" fuss is all about. A quick flip through my calendar shows, however, that Christmas is indeed a mere weekend away and I still have a lot to do before Monday. 

We have had some hot summery weather here in Sydney and I have not spent a lot of time sweltering in the kitchen. Nevertheless, I have managed to make a batch of super-easy cranberry toffees and some traditional Finnish Christmas tarts filled with prune jam. Those tarts will be a perfect treat for myself when I work my way through the final preparations for the festivities. 

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

 Joulutortut - Finnish Christmas Tarts

(makes about 20)

Prune Jam

250g pitted prunes

2 tablespoons sugar

250-300ml water

Christmas Tarts

250g butter, slightly softened

250g plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

100ml cold water

(1-2 tablespoons cognac, optional)

1 egg, for brushing

1. Start by making the prune jam. Add all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to boil and let simmer until the prunes are completely soft. Use a hand mixer to purée the mixture into a smooth jam. Set aside.

2. Add butter, flour and baking powder to a large mixing bowl. Use your finger tips to massage the butter and flour into a crumbly mixture. Add water (and cognac, if using). Form into a smooth dough, but avoid kneading. Refrigerate for half an hour.

3. Roll the dough into a square and fold the top and the bottom half in the middle. Turn the dough (so it looks like a book), then roll again. Repeat three times. Wrap the dough in cling and refrigerate for about 2 hours or overnight.

4. To make the tarts, roll the dough into a large square (1/2 centimetre thick) and cut into about 7 x 7 cm squares. Make a diagonal cut in each corner of each square, add about a teaspoon of prune jam in the middle, then fold every other 'point' into the middle. Pinch the points to 'glue' them together, then transfer the tarts on a baking tray and refrigerate before baking.

5. Preheat the oven to 225C.

6. Brush the tarts with egg before baking. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. These can be frozen.

Cranberry Toffee

(makes 10-15 pieces)

200ml  cream

160g sugar

2 tablespoons dark treacle

1-2 tablespoons butter

about 80g dried cranberries

1. Add cream, sugar and treacle in to a saucepan. Turn on the heat and let bubble for about 20-30 minutes or until the mixture has reached a temperature of 120C. Keep stirring every now and then to avoid over-boiling. 

2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in butter and cranberries. Pour the mixture in to a square dish (15 x 20cm), lined with greased baking paper. Refrigerate for a few hours before cutting into small squares. This will keep for about 2 weeks in the fridge.

Deck the Halls

I have been playing Finnish Christmas songs, decorating our home, baking Christmas treats and wrapping gifts, but it still doesn't quite feel like Christmas. We are in the midst of summer here in Australia, with plenty of sun and warm weather; so the atmosphere is undoubtedly different to the one in Lapland at this time of the year. Nevertheless I'm trying to make the most of a couple of weeks off and spend time outdoors, with friends and my husband.

Here are some decorations I've been playing with lately. Most of them are handmade by me, but the decorations in the top photo I brought with me from Finland. If you are yet to make your decorations, I hope these can be of some inspiration for you. With only one week left until Christmas, I hope you are feeling relaxed (!) and happy!

Top row: yarn pom pom and felt star garland, bottom row: felt ball garland

The decorations for this sugar lace mobile are made out of 250g icing sugar, 2 egg whites and a teaspoon of water (recipe). I piped the patterns on paper and let them dry before hanging them.

This clay decoration is made out of air-dry clay using three different sized circles. 

I finished off the decoration with white spray paint.

Makeshift Christmas Tree

This year our makeshift Christmas tree consists of a few branches I've painted white and a changing array of decorations from crocheted amigurumi balls to yarn pom poms, clay snowflakes and stars. I'm keeping the colour scheme white and grey and adding a touch of light wood.