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

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

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