New pictures

After all my moaning about the weather, we've now got lucky and enjoyed glorious sunshine and warm weather for 4 days! 

We've buried all our winter clothes into attic for good, and jumped into shorts and t-shirts. Thankfully I've had 2 days off to enjoy all of this. I've also taken my chance to snap some new pictures of my new listings, two of my friends were brave enough to help me and don't they just look beautiful!

Black cardigan is hand knitted with silk mix yarn; cardi is soft and glorious on skin.

Purple is vintage style cardigan, one of those which will make any girl look like a queen, as it's designed to enhance your figure.

Light grey is more braver style, different lace styled top for summer.

You can find all these at my shop:
www.knitkitbox.etsy.com

My Secret Sibling Gift

I am a proud member of Team CAC on Etsy. This team has been my blessing when going has got rough and they've celebrated with me when we've got answers to our prayers.

My Secret Sibling was A List Creations, and she kindly sent me this beautiful pale blue jewellery set with amazing tear drop feature. There also was a card attached with this beautiful message: God gives so many wonderful blessings, like sunshine and flowers and special friends like you!

Thank you, I'm truly blessed to have a friend like you AList!



http://www.etsy.com/shop/AListCreations
 Have a look into her Etsy shop, it' s full of beautiful items. I have attched picture of my favorite item, the Bird wine class charms, so cute!


 

Rain drops

I've experienced the Great Irony of Life again. My Etsy shop has been in near stand still since our relocation. Firstly we had some great difficulties with our household goods, including my yarns, needles and felting kits. Whilst packing to come over with my son and dog I had to give in to my mother instincts and actually pack clothes for us, not just fill the suit cases with Highly Important yarns, buttons etc. This meant my hands were tied until the removal boxes were delivered with these treasured items.

Due to several reasons, including one Evil Volcano Eruption, our removal boxes were delayed. When they finally arrived, on another sunny spring day, I jumped into a chance with my Treasured Items and started creating with new force.

I knitted in full speed, enjoyed every second of it whilst sitting by the window admiring the sun and watching green grass push it's way through grey mud. I finished few items, and was ready to tackle next obsticle, which is setting my new stuff into my shop.
As I can not afford a studio with and proffesional model and photographer to do the job for me, I needed someone beautiful to help me out in a outdoor shooting session to get the best possible picture quality.

This meant I was now looking for someone to wear my creations so I could set them up into my shop listings. After careful considerations (read: picked the first friend brave enough to be available) we set the date and got on at it. We managed to plan things, get everything ready and... the heavens opened. They've been open ever since, or they've opened approx 30 minutes before our rearranged and newly scheduled shooting sessions. Grey rain, gray weather and cold winds every time, forcing me and my brave model to a stand still. Ironic, don't you think.

The only conclusion to my knitting battles is: Life can be easier in more sunny places, but not as pretty and colourfull as in others. I'll stay put, wait for sunshine and enjoy it better when it appears. And keep calm with well earned chocolate bar or two...


--The picture's featured today are by two fine artists--

The Thunder Above picture can be found at Reddish Gallery at  http://www.etsy.com/listing/15202702/the-thunder-above-8x10-fine-art-print


Sparkle and Shine picture at While Wandering's shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/45954473/sparkle-and-shine-5x5-fine-art-print

Green is the colour of the day

My love for spring continues- with Green treasury on http://www.etsy.com/treasury/de85ea1d1f45c94bf8994100 and with my ever lasting love of animals. 

Due to our life circumstances me and hubby are still separated, and yesterday was our wedding anniversary. I felt blue for whole day, missing my hubby terribly and the only thing that got me in my giggles was my 6 years old son and 3 years old Westie. Boys kept me busy, which inspired me to search for springy animal items from Etsy. Animals give you unconditional love, and they are honest with it too- cats will not love you unless they feel like it, dog will adore when you feed and cuddle them. And then I remembered the quote from
  Douglas Adams' The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
 ~ It is an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem.  For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time.  But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons.  ~

Maybe the key is to have a giggle, not to worry about what could happen and what should be, just hit the waves and live for full. Well, think about it 170,243,000 dolphins live on this world, and they just can not be wrong can they?

Dolphin mum and baby by JustJaynes at
http://www.etsy.com/listing/44399053/dolphin-mother-and-baby-charm-necklace

We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.  ~Bill Vaughan
  
Dragonfly t, by Evolution now at
http://www.etsy.com/listing/29080555/dragonfly-t-evolution-now

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.  All things are connected.  Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.  ~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce

Fox art by Amberalexander at

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45032017/fox-art---mademoiselle



 
The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.  ~Robert Brault

Daniel the bear by ANichelleDesign
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45029985/daniel-the-bear




 

After scolding one's cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word.  And has filed it for reference.  ~Charlotte Gray

Cat note cards by Deborah Julian at
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40827940/cat-note-cards-from-my-original-art-work

Spring time

For such a long time I've lived in countries where the change of seasons has been more suttle, more invisible. Finland has been covered with so much snow this winter and these masses of snow are now fast melting. This spring has left me in awe- everything around me has changed by hour! The change is brutal and strong. At the moment there is plenty of mud, dirty, grey snow with muddy puddles everywhere, nature looks like it's been caught naked.

In the same time there is this strong sense and smell of new life, air is full of nest building birds and their tweets and beeps, creeks are running with new power after the pressure of ice and one can nearly hear the trees stretching their bent branches and twigs, getting ready to push the new leaves out ready for summer.

I'm starting to get itchy too, I'm ready to build my own nest! This year's relocation is forgotten, I need my own home now, and my hubby by my side. In reality, this is nearly nimpossible for us at the moment, so I've pushed my extra energy to knitting; I've several things on needles, and in more plans in my head too...new colours, styles and ideas.

This soft orange invites me to make more slippers! Yarn is my favorite felting yarn, Huopanen by Novita, and the only negative thing is, that I do not have more hands to knit few projects in same time!

My mum found this Regia silk yarn, char coal black yarn. Such a pleasure to knit with, and to wear I'd imagine! cardi is soft, but not flimsy. I knitted a basic bolero with soft ruffled neckline, as soon as I'll have a model I'll be adding it into my shop!





This is the reason I love knitting. Out of the odd chaos, mixed colours and little bit TLC, one can create some sense, something unique and individual. This item will be added into my shop soon too, as I'm nearly done with it. These are sleeves to summery cardigan. Check out my shop soon, and you'll see the finished result.

Ironic enough, due to relocation adn spring time I'm knitting more than ever- but I can not add my items to my shop without available model, someone to help me out!

Happy Easter everyone!

Easter time is important celebration for us Christians, and during the celebrations one tries to think and ponder about Christianity and the mercy of God. There are parts of bible that are difficult to understand, so difficult questions to answer that when humans have tried we've only managed to split the churches up to different houses, to different sides of Christianity.  In a case we can not figure something out we should remember the simple fact;  the truth comes from child's mouth! 

I got an email from my dear friend few weeks ago, and it still gives me giggles. It is the 10 commandments from the child's mouth. There used to be series of books where teachers collected information from school tests from their students, and I do have a hunch this email could be part of those books. As this email have now travelled around the world, I took the opportunity to introduce it here, unfortunately I do not have details of original source.

Here are the 10 commandments from child's point of view:

1. Do not steal from poor people if they notice it. (Frida, 6 years)

2. Do not give onions to little babies. I've tried once. (Thea, 7 years)

3. You can only hit someone when you really have to. (Henriette, 7 years)

4.  Do not bad mouth anyone when standing next to them. (Oscar, 7 years)

5. Try to be as nice as you can be, you can do everything else after. (Glenn, 6 years)

6. Always listen to your mother, especially the tone she uses. (Thomas, 7 years)

7. Protect yourself.  (Kristin, 8 years)

8. If someone hits you, pretend you didn't hear it. (Sebastian, 6 years)

9. Love God very much, even when it is difficult and he does not show up when you shout "Come and show yourself"! (Robin, 6 years)

10. Do not lust after your spouses things. And you have to sing on Mother's Day, other wise there'll be unbeliavable row. (Tom, 9 years)

ON SALE PERFECT GIFT Long-Sleeve white bodysuit - By Helens Corner   

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40000507

               “Every good and PERFECT GIFT is from above…” 

                 James 1:17 

Breath of fresh air

Recycling is a trend. Unfortunately trend is starting to turn against itself, as recycling and enviroment friendly are terms easily and light heartedly used in any marketing and advertising. I tried to make Real Finds in Etsy as well as from web, and 80% I managed to come across was something from the grey zone- something which possibly was recycled, but most likely not, word has just been tagged in to create traffic. Other option I found in my travels was recycled odd items- purely recycled but with no usage purpose, something to purchase to be ecofriendly (but how ecofriendly one can be just by purchasing something with no use or need?) My personal red flag also is too expensive upcycled items- why would I want to pay more for a recycled button ring (plastic button attached to a kinder egg ring) than for a truly handmade silver ring?

Thankfully I found some true crafters! There are still some clever ideas around and clever crafters to make them. This week I chose some of my favorites, have a look and be surprised what can be done!

 

 Bird cage by Paperleaves

This is a blank pop-up greeting card made from recycled and repurposed paper. A tiny red bird sits on its perch in an open cage.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperleaves

Rug like my grandma used to make- by Emmeli Works


Do your fitted sheets wear out faster than your top sheets? Mine do. The good news is that I am left with high thread count sheets that have past their prime for my bed, but still have a lot of love to give. I add all the used fabric I can find that matches (in addition to sheets, this rug contains some shirts, pants and even a poly/cotton shower curtain) then I render that fabric into strips and knot them together using the toothbrush method. A beautiful, soft and durable rug is created!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmmeliWorks 

Recycled rice sack by Panbeh


Recycled basmati rice sack shopping bag . Burlap outer shell and red cotton inside. Great for shopping and going out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/panbeh 

Piano Key Belt Buckle Recycled Licence Plates -


These little baby piano keys are cut from license plates so you can walk, dance, or drive to your own music!
I've designed these buckles with bits of vintage, retired, and found-alongside-the-road vehicle license plates, mostly from the state of Michigan [although Ohio has worked its way in here and there]. These plates have traveled places, and now they will again! 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageinretrospect

 

Lady Liberty -Hand painted upcycled decoupage decorf art canister

The eco-friendly recycled materials used in this item are: a tin can, magazine clippings, recycled paper, and yogi tea tags. This lovely, symbolic piece displays a silver 1890 coin with Lady Liberty upon it and then an illustration of Lady Liberty in her flowing white dress nurturing an injured dove (symbolizing peace); pink tulips and exotic flowers surround the dove. Lady Liberty's hand is also depicted pulling a white rope which represents the strength of liberty; as well as her delicate smile of hope.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ecofriendlyfreckles

Mad about knitting

Large Color Explosion Drawstring Knitting / Crafting / Gift Bag 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Vegancraftastic

 
Depending the country I've been living in, knitting has been either casted boring, old fashioned or something anyone under 60 wouldn't consider. I do not know if this strerotype is because of our dear grand-mums and great aunts used to knit and sew all the time, passing the skills and also the odd coloured and ill fitted jumpers and other products.

My Granny was typical war time warrior woman, nothing got wasted, everything was recycled way before it became fashionable to be ethical consumer. She use to crochet bath rugs etc from empty coffee bags and other durable materials. How we used to hate them, and hide them when our friends came around, they seemed so cheap and tacky then. Now-a-days they would be fashionable, and ethical items, I just saw a those rugs and shopping bags being on sale in local handycraft shop!       
                                                                                                   

                                                                                       Easter Bunny Egg Cosy,
                                                                                       http://www.etsy.com/shop/colourspace

 


The fact is knitting and crocheting are small miracles- you only need yarn, needles and some knots and loops and hey presto- a jumper is born. In it's own simplicity, knitting is easy way to create something on your own, something that has your touch, your mark from the start to finish.

This week I'm celebrating this form of art, and self-expression, by introducing you to some fellow crafters and their needle work. All of these artist can be found from Etsy.com.

 

 

 

Beautiful, crazy adorable, cocoon and hat- photography prop- http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveThatCrochet

  

 As you can see, one can produce felt, crochet, knit, bowls, hats, shawls, socks, jumpers,egg warmers with one piece of yarn. It is pure magic!

 

 

 

 

Celtic Knot Felted Bowl, 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/iceblueberries

 

Buckthorn Jumper,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/keepandshare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

                                                                                                  

 

Hand Knit Ecru Lace Shawl, http://www.etsy.com/shop/WrapArtist,

 

My apologies

I'm so sorry to let you down for a week. I've run into some trouble with my laptop and connections, it is this move that is mixing everything up at moment. I'll be back as soon as they love me again!

We've have arrived back to my home land, back to Finland. They've had a record breaking winter, there is so much snow everywhere. Everyone else seems to be fed up with it, expect my son and my dog (dog hasn't come across with snow before, and now there's enough for him to get drowned in it!).


We're happy and tired of course, and missing my hubby terribly. I'm all excited though, as I now have full access to beautiful yarns and spinners, and more importantly to salmiak, salty liqurice! There is a possibility, that when my hubby joins us, he'll be greeted by gigantic woolly whale!LOL!



Red handspun yarn by Coolclimates http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37792424

This week I've collected some items from fellow Scandinavian Etsians, Swedish and Norweigian designs. It's good to be home, and be surrounded by all these pretty items!

Red Tree by Carambatak, Oslo, Norway http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39845197

Colourful scarf by Ingermaaike, Norway http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php? listing_id=28795080









My new design, silk and wool blend scarf and cable knit hat, soon to be listed in http://www.knitkitbox.etsy.com/

Capital of Finland, Helsinki by Syko http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41094677

handmade leather travel journal by Leathermaps http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40964159

I'll be back...

I'm so sorry to keep you waiting- I've run into some technical problems whilst moving, hence my overdue silence in my blogg. I'll be back into full swing of things by Saturday, see you then!

New wind rising

              Sailing to Bluer Skies by The TheExtentofSilence

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32115917

There are some new winds rising for us in near future. We need to set up our sails, and get ready. There will be yet another relocation, another departure and another arrival. As always, in front of New Beginnings, one feels rather manic-depressive: there's great excitement about the new steps, new opportunities, whilst feeling great sadness in our hearts from leaving loved ones and safe life behind. In this unsettled waves, I've taken quite a comfort from the following quotes, as well as these beautiful items made by fellow Etsians.

I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. ~Author Unknown

New key to our new life by That Something
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36594483


 

If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing. ~Saint Augustine

Loving pebbles on departure by Sjengraving http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32810145

You can avoid having ulcers by adapting to the situation: If you fall in the mud puddle, check your pockets for fish. ~Author Unknown

Fishy by ComeDayGoDay http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39769552 

Crisp, clean pillow to rest my head after the travels by CreekBedThreads http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41012483

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang

Romance

We're almost out- Photograph by Lazyfish-http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22938682

Valentine's day is fast approaching, and due to our circumstances I can not treat my husband with a gift. I'm not romanticly charged either. Do not get me wrong, of course I sniffle and sigh when true love wins the nasty world in Pretty Woman, but show me good old fashioned Disney film, with lost pets finding their impossible way to home, and I'm howling for days!! Of course I love flowers, holding hands and the rest, but hunt for romantic gestures is not ruling my life. Giving a choise between Tarantino flick and Breakfast in Tiffany's, blood and guts wins it every time.

However, this week's post is dedicated to my hubby. I've ruthlessly borrowed Mark Twain's words to express myself better. I've also added pictures of items I'd give to him if I'd have a chance to do so.


This is the love letter from author Mark Twain to his wife, Livy, on her 30th birthday, 27 November 1875

"Livy darling,

Six years have gone by since I made my first great success in life and won you, and thirty years have passed since Providence made preparation for that happy success by sending you into the world. Every day we live together adds to the security of my confidence, that we can never any more wish to be separated than that we can ever imagine a regret that we were ever joined. You are dearer to me today, my child, than you were upon the last anniversary of this birthday; you were dearer then than you were a year before – you have grown more dear from the first of those anniversaries, and I do not doubt that this precious progression will continue on to the end.

Let us look forward to the coming anniversaries, with their age and gray hairs without fear and without depression, trusting and believing that the love we bear each other will be sufficient to make them blessed.

So, with abounding affection for you and our babies, I hail this day that brings you the matronly grace and dignity of three decades. "

Hand Stamped Necklace by One9Design
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36822496

French Pet Lobster Shirt -by Xenotees-
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37455617

Always Yours,
Riikka

Team CAC

All these following beauties have been collected from the Team CAC's production. (You can find more info about our team also from Facebook, from our newly created pages at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Etsy-Team-CAC/101781875105?ref=search&sid=601218211.1950546945..1)

Isn't it fairly amazing what people can create?

I'll quote words of Andre Gide, the French author and Noble Price winner:
"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better".

http://www.crochetedwithlove.etsy.com/

http://www.sewfaithful.etsy.com/

http://www.mysaviour.etsy.com/

http://www.delightedhands3113.etsy.com/

http://www.fallingstarlane.etsy.com/

Something new, something old, and something blue…

My Finnish saga continues, this week I’ve concentrated on Formydarling and Karuski, as well as introducing some new items on my shop.

Formydarling uses only materials she collects from second hand shops and flea markets, and by felting and sewing and altogether upcycling, she gives the old, ordinary pullovers a miraculous new lease of life. One of my favourites in her shop is the owl wedding cake toppers http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38662583 isn’t this couple just adorable? And they beat the plastic lifeless figurines by any given day!



Another artist using mainly repurposed and vintage materials is Karuski. Her sweet purses and jewellery just ooze fairy dust and feminine touch. Have a look at this Princess in me necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39007772

I’ve added some new styles to my shop on this week, following my new style of hats with safety reflectors. I’ve done this experiment with reflectors creating hand bag charms & key chains, as the idea of keeping our loved ones safe in dark winter months has been toying constantly in my mind. I’ve been in touch with other Finn, hard working family business Laxo Design, and created these items around their existing safety reflector styles.

White feminine butterfly reflector is designed by Paola Suhonen, and is also available in other colours at http://www.laxodesign.ch/shop-en.php