A day off

We took S to nursery and then.....we took the day off! 
We had no plan at all, just to take it easy and go with the flow. We ended up in Blenheim Palace. I like the outside, but the inside didn't do it for me. Still, it was nice to visit and wonder around. Perfect place for walks and picnics on a nice day.

After....2 years!?

Hello!

Long time no see.....

This is the reason why I haven't posted for ever so long. First the pregnancy took all my energy, and then the little man below did. I think all my "followers" know me in person, so I never felt the need to explain why I was not posting, and no one ever asked....

This photo if of him when he was nearly 2 months old and he was already outgrowing the moses basket. 

He is my love, my life, my motivation, my motor, my teacher. My little Buddha.

He is now 13 months and so much fun to be with. I never knew you could love anyone so intensely.

I don't know how much I will blog, but I have recently had the urge to communicate again through blogging. To tap in with my creative side.

Hope you are all well, and don't hesitate to drop a line if you are reading! : )

All time favourites

I was very tempted to visit the fabric shop but promised myself I would find projects to use up as much of the fabric I already have at home before spending more money. Do you also have to make use of self control like this?

I do have a lot of stash left but get a mental block by looking at the same patterns and colours all the time. And going to the shop is such a treat! I feel like a kid in a sweet shop! However, I must admit there are lots of projects I can do with leftover bits, and this basket is one of them. 

I particularly like it because I made one of these years ago, when I first started to sew and blog. It is really nice and very easy pattern, and the combination of fabrics can be endless!

It is from Pink Penguin, one of my all time favourites. There are lots of other nice tutorials in her blog, and I am wondering which one to do next! 

If you are not familiar with her blog, I recommend you have a look at it for inspiration and prettiness. I can assure you will get hooked to it! 

A happy place

Sewing for me is not only a hobby. It is a kind of therapy. 

A place where I go and enter a meditative state. 

A place where I relax and be happy. : )

Admiring what others have made through blogs and books fills me with inspiration and creates endless thoughts of possibilities and creativity. (Thank you internet!)

Spending time thinking about projects, drawing designs, going to fabric shops, and sewing while listening to the radio fills me with joy. And I enjoy each step of the process.

One of my favourite books is The Crafter's companion. Here, crafters describe why sewing and making things is so significant in their lives. It is comfort reading, filled with beautiful photographs, and it always makes me get up and look through my stash to think what pretty thing I could make. 

Lets face it. We are not always on our best mood, and the darkness of winter and unpleasant whether doesn't always help to keep the spirits jolly all the time. That, combined with lives hurdles can make things a bit up hill at times.

I would be intrigued to know: what hobby or thing do you do to go to a happy place if you need to?

Sunday success!

I have done a little bit of baking in this oven of ours since we moved here in July.

The oven is not great, with uneven heat distribution, and so, my previous attempts have been a bit of a disappointment. 

But Ta-da! this morning I made carrot cake muffins that turned out perfect. I made muffins because making a cake in this oven would translate into cooked edges and an uncooked middle. I figured that making small cakes would maximize the success rate.....

I followed the recipe from River Cottage Everyday, a book I highly recommend. But if you only want to try this recipe, then click here. The only difference is that I used 100 ml of honey.

I love it because it is simple, healthy and yummy. 

Bon appetit!

Hope you are having a good weekend!

Autumn

Orange and green are vibrant and warm and go so well together. 

Photos from Oxford, starting from top left: 

1. St. John's College. The gardens are really lovely. Incredibly well kept.

2. Modern Art Museum Cafe. I don't usually like the exhibitions in this Museum, but they make lovely soup in the Cafe and going there makes me feel a bit arty.

3. Plant in the garden which I will try to identify by looking at the lovely book my Mum gave to us as a House warming, or shall I say, Garden warming present. 

4. Carrot cake I made. I subscribed to this website a while back and it got me inspired to do some baking.

So, this is the orange and green that has caught my eye recently. But I am sure that if I pay attention there will be much more around me. 

Have a good weekend!

Out and about

I went to the Natural History Museum in Oxford last weekend, and this are some of the things I saw. It is one of my favourite buildings. 

I went round using my Nikon to practice depth of field, something that I am into these days. I am finally getting to learn how to use a digital SLR. About time! I used to be a point and shoot auto kind of girl, but knowing how to use the camera allows me to be more creative and observant.

What are you learning about these days?