Sunny Purse Giveaway

Today I have so many reasons to be happy. Number 1 reason: 100 followers on this blog! And since it is almost tradition to do a giveaway and since I like most traditions, here you have it. I am giving away this sunny yellow purse I made the other day.

It is the last bag I made on my old machine. It more or less died on me the other day. And it started biting me (as in I sewed in my finger!), so I had to get a replacer. And boy oh boy did I get a fantastic machine. I treated myself to the Husqvarna Emerald 118. It is downstairs waiting for me to unpack and start sewing.

But, first I have to let you know how you can win the sunny purse of course.

1. Commenting on this blog gives you one entry. Anyone can do this. But don't just comment. Why don't you tell me your best memory of this summer up to now.

2. Blogging about this giveaway on your own blog gives you a second entry. Let Mr. Linky know your blogpost.
UPDATE: I have added a button for you to grab on the right side of this blog.



On August 15 I will announce the winner on this blog which I will select randomly by printing all entries and taking 1 out of the purse itself. .

Now if you'll excuse me, I will go embrace my new sewing machine. Have a great weekend everyone.

I entered this purse at Craft Schooling Sunday.

Sneak (snale) preview

Friday Finds

Through the blog of Liefgeval I was shown the cutest store with the cutest clothes. I can not believe I did not yet know it's there.

The shop is named King Louie and their home page says: " Retro and vintage styles for men and women in comfortable materials. "

It is a Dutch brand, but their website is also in English and...they ship all over the world! Even better..they have a sale going on at the moment.

Shop: King Louie

Dutch Poster Museum

Until October 3 there's a special exhibition in the Dutch Poster Museum in Hoorn, the Netherlands. "Jules Chéretposters from the Belle Epoque 1860- 1910.
I would love to go see it. Also because Hoorn should be a nice place to visit. But during the summer holidays it is packed, absolutely packed with (mostly German) tourists. So I will wait until the season is over and enjoy Hoorn on a more quiet day.

A trip down memory lane

Actually it was a trip to the thrift store. But to catch all this in one go was amazing. I went alone, luckily, otherwise I would have been screaming: Oh remember this! I had this when I was a kid! all the time. Since I was not able to do that to anyone at the store, I am doing it to you, my beloved readers.

First, the orange sewing box. My mom had it when I was a kid! Well, she had it until my sisters and I threw it out 3 years ago when we cleaned out her basement for her. My moms was totally wracked, but this baby is in perfect shape.
No worries, we bought our mom a brand new one back then.

Barbie. I was looking for a doll because my 3 year-old niece is playing with Barbie now. And I am sewing now. Do the math. But, I had no fitting doll to make Barbie clothes. And I asked her if I could take one of hers home, but her answer was short and in a sweet voice. "No!"

So, auntie Kim blinked her eyes and thought: I'll get one at the thrift store. But to find the exact same I used to have didn't cross my mind. Until I entered the play section of the thrift store. I had this Barbie doll when I was a kid!

It is the pink earrings that gave her away. And I remember she came in a neon green shiny legging. Oh how I loved that legging. On Barbie.


And what's with the flat dog? Well...guess what...I had that when I was a kid! Seriously. It was a pillow. I am sure I slobbered all over it. Not sure what happened to the dog-pillow. I forgot about it completely. But when I saw it I remembered it with a smile. And this one is brand new. Never slobbered on and 30 cents. Mine! All mine.

Last but not least, the oatmeal soap tin. No, did not have that as a child. Simply loved it and took it home with me for 10 cents.

Flickr Favorites

1. Retro Radio and vintage teacups in our studio
2. Vintage threads stored in glass jars
3. Untitled
4. 59 / 365

Easter Monday we started emptying our attic. When we bought our house 6 years ago, the attic was one of the reasons. Boyfriend wanted to have his own space to create music. Back in those days there were a lot of instruments involved, so a lot of space was needed. But we never got to doing anything with the attic. He just put his stuff in and used the room as it was for over 5 years.

Times change. His instrumental music changed to being a DJ and making music on the computer more. Still using live instruments but less. Another change being that I started my own business in teaching mandala courses and doing readings and healing for people.

So, 3 months ago a carpenter came. We took out a wall, put a new one in but creating more space, we had weeks and weeks of taking old wallpaper, floor and paint. Summer came, it became too hot to work on the attic. But then, last weekend, we did it. The attic is ready! We even went to IKEA and bought new desks. Because now, the attic is a working/creative space for the 2 of us. I am actually writing my first blog post from my new desk.

No pictures yet, it is not completely furnished. But - and this is where I get to the point I was trying to make - - finally - this mosaic is for inspiration for our new room where music and creativity come together.

Play along with flickr faves on Artmind.

Illusionism

Main Street , Los Gatos , California

After reading the title of this blog post you probably think: well done illusionism. I almost thought that wall really had a hole in it so we can see what's inside. Then what do you think when I tell you that even the lady in front of it is painted on the wall. Yes, look again. It's true. It is all painted illusionism.

Winslow , Arizona. This wall has no windows. Really, it doesn't.

The artist is John Pugh and he is a true master in a technique called Trompe-l'oeil. That's French for trick-of-the-eye. The Romans already used it to create viewing holes on walls to fake a garden behind it.

There are many more draw-dropping murals by John. Just go to this website and make sure you don' hurt your eyes by staring at your screen too close.

Free download - Jane Ray

Jane Ray is one of my absolute favorite artists. I have a few of her books and I adore her illustrations so much. Imagine how happy I was to find the above book by accident at a thrift store for 4 euro only.


I never went to her website before, but it sure is worth it. She offers these bookplates for download. Cuteness all around. So print, color, have fun and a great weekend.

Friday Finds

My day job is being a logistical manager for a big US trading company. I ship raw materials world wide, import and export via European ports to all over. I have a (very boring) world map hanging in my office. But today I saw this one.... Need I say that I WANT it?!

Shop: These are things. Home of the modern world map.

Shoulder bag gift

A present for the girl who helps us clean our house once a week for over 4 years now. Boyfriend and I both have full time jobs and our own business besides that. No need to say that cleaning in the spare free time we have is not our hobby.

As sewing is one of my hobbies now, I made her this bag for her birthday. Hope she will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Pattern: Shoulder bag tutorial by Tiny Happy (again, love how simple it is)
Fabric: IKEA

Flickr Favorites

1. Untitled
2. lets swing :)
3. napa valley
4. The Fun Zone

This week I choose pictures of rides you can take to feel wind going through your hair. Wind...that is what I would like for today. Again it is a very warm Tuesday. And although I love warm days and summer, today it is hard to breath. And that kind of heat I do not like so much.

Want to see other peoples favorites? Join in on Artminds blog.

My first skirt is a fact

Jumping of joy. It took 2 sewing lessons and it's done!

Pattern: Knipmode juni 2010, 4c
Fabric: Daisies Blue / Robert Kaufman

Hoe het begon... van hartje tot tas.

Dutch post! Sorry English readers ;)

Lang lang geleden... Of toch niet? 7 Februari 2010 om precies te zijn zat ik voor het eerst achter een naaimachine en maakte ik dit hartje.

Eigenlijk was het per ongeluk. Ik spreek minstens 4x per jaar af met twee vriendinnen van de middelbare school. Dat doen we sinds we elkaar ongeveer 2 jaar geleden weer terug vonden dankzij het wereldwijde web. We proberen dan altijd iets leuks of creatiefs te gaan doen. Deze keer gingen we memo borden maken.

M. had haar naaimachine meegenomen en omdat ik al een poosje allerlei creatieve blogs volgde wilde ik weten hoe zo'n machine werkte en of het moeilijk was. Dus M. liet me van twee stukken hartvormig vilt dit hartje aan elkaar zetten. Mijn eerste naai creatie was een feit. En een nieuwe hobby was geboren. Maar wat te doen....ik had geen naaimachine!

Ik besloot voor maximaal 25 euro een tweedehands te zoeken zodat ik kon uitvinden of ik naaien echt leuk zou (blijven) vinden en of ik het zou kunnen. Op marktplaats kocht ik een niet-te-tillen naaimachine waar inmiddels niets, maar dan ook niets meer over te vinden is. Een P.M.C. Bowy. Ik denk dat hij wel 30 kg weegt en ik nam hem over van een mevrouw in een sjieke Amsterdamse straat in Zuid. Gelukkig met gebruiksaanwijzing. Twee weken geleden wilde ik voor het eerst zig zaggen en nu blijkt dat het vastzetten van de zig zag knop niet meer gaat, dus die hou ik met de hand vast en met de andere hand probeer ik de stof recht onder de naald door te laten gaan. Het is behelpen, maar gaat nu al ruim 5 maanden goed! Zo goed, dat ik voor mijn verjaardag een machine vraag die een treetje hoger staat dan deze geweldige bakelite bak.

Deze tas is mijn laatste creatie. Daar tussen oefende ik in speldenkussens, paspoorthoesjes, hoesjes voor notitieboekjes, vlaggenlijnen, simpele tassen. Alles in de afgelopen 5 maanden. Guess I am a self-made-woman. Het internet is een geweldige plek.

Maar, sinds twee weken volg ik naailes. Want nu wil ik het ultieme naaiwerk gaan doen: kleding. Patronen zagen er voor mij uit als hogere wiskunde! Nu hoop ik deze week mijn eerste rokje af te hebben en met trots aan jullie te kunnen tonen.

Dank je wel Anni en Lil' miss voor dit stokje. Ik wilde al een poosje over mijn machine schrijven en dit bood me de kans.

Met plezier geef ik het stokje door aan:

Liefgeval die inmiddels ook de hobby fotograferen passievol deelt.

Aan Ingrid die ook zo van vintage lapjes houdt. Zou ze ook naaien?

En tot slot aan naamgenoot Kim natuurlijk.

Wat je moet doen als je het stokje van mij hebt gekregen:

1. Schrijf een logje over de start en loopbaan van jouw passie (je kunt het hebben over: je eerste creatie, je (naai/stik)machine(s), de mijlpalen, je meesterstukken, je werkplek, tips en weetjes, enz.

2. Knip en plak dit stukje tekst en de afbeelding in jouw logje

3. geef het stokje door aan 3 of meer gepassioneerde personen en laat een berichtje achter op hun blog

4. laat een berichtje achter bij het eerste logje over hoe het begon met een link naar jouw verhaal. Hier: http://naaiclub.blogspot.com/2010/07/hoe-het-begon.html

Tube turning

The hardest thing on making this bag, probably was turning the tubes of the straps. Today I read this great tube-turning-tip on Sew mama sew and I want you to know about it too.

Great magic tip if you ask me. Saves a lot of time and especially effort I think!

Improv Everywhere

This project 'Improv everywhere' is so much fun to watch! I found it through Color me Katie of whom I am a big fan. Make sure to enjoy all the videos they made and have a laugh.

Bachelorette wannebe

One of my highschool friends, Marjolein, got married 3 years ago. Back then we were not in touch. Thanks to Hyves (Dutch facebook-like network) we found each other again 2 years ago. For several reasons she and her hubby did not have a big wedding and never got round to throwing a wedding party. They have quite a busy farm and I guess that's how things can go sometimes. But, this year they decided to celebrate their wedding big time. Tomorrow is the day and I am really looking forward to it. I love spending time on their farm. We always have a blast. A few weeks ago one of Marjolein's sisters phoned me. Marjolein had been making jokes about how she also never had a bachelor party. I honestly think she is not expecting that her sisters decided to surprise her. They asked us to buy silly, funny gifts. I had no clue what to get her, but then I got inspired by their card.
And by her complaining that she is not a very good cook. So, I made her a very Dutch apron. I had quite a lot of fun making it, already giggling over what her reaction might be.
I wrapped it up, and tonight I'll know what she thinks.

Ingthings brightened up my day

An envelope came in the mail the other day. When I opened it, this gift came out. I love gift wrapped thingies!

I love it even more if vintage prettiness comes out. Look at this gorgeous gift! And it is not even my birthday. It felt like it a little though. "But Kim, what is it?" you may ask.

"A pot-holder of course." I reply. I never even knew they existed like this. You know when you cook spaghetti and you need to take the water out of the pan? I don' like to use a strainer. I like to hold my pan sideways with the lit on and slowly poor the water out. But my mom taught me to use a kitchen towel. And numerous times the towel gets soaking wet when I do that. This nifty old thingie will make sure that never ever happens again.

Ingrid has a blog I recently discovered. A beautiful blog I might add. And she recently bought a box full off crocheted pot-holders which she then started to give away to her readers. Just like that. Please go take a look at the fantastic pictures on her blog. Thanks Ingrid for your kindness. You made this girls day!

Whimsey Wednesday

I love having breasts small enough to shop for a bra in the teen section of Hema.

Especially when they have a sale. Five for 35 euro...

I wish they had them like this back when I actually was a teenager. Oh well, still works for me at forever 29!

Flickr Favorites

1. cooling down...!!!,
2. -- 39/365 Cooling down.... --,
3. cool down bady^^,
4. I need to cool down

This week I choose the surprising theme 'refreshment'. My goodness it was HOT in the Netherlands the past week. Today it finally cooled down a bit.

Share your flickr favorites with Artmind as well.

Vintage tableware

Both these beauties are ready for you in my Etsy or Dawanda store.

update: the green one is already sold, sorry! Don't miss out on the flower power white one!

Flickr Favorites

1. Jumping for Joy!,
2. Life Is What You Make It,
3. the little things in life are what make you happy...,
4. Living Life to the Fullest

Life is what you make it, so start living it to the fullest.

This week I am joining Artmind in building a mosaic around my favorite quote. I mixed two quotes to make it my own. Life is what you make it, so start living it to the fullest.

There are things going on around me that show me that there is no such thing as control. Although I would love to think that certainty exists, I see around me that it does not. And in a way that is a good thing! It is a learning project for me though. Let go, trust.

My Tatanne Bag

I think in total this one took me almost 10 hrs to make.

No wait, 8 hours to make and 2 hours to correct my mistakes and put the zipper in as an extra. What can I say. Still a beginner in sewing.

But she's worth it. What a great bag to use this summer! The fabric is 'Full Bloom' by Amy Butler. The inside dark pink fabric is from a huge pile of plain fabrics I purchased from a lady in town who was moving to New Zealand for a year. A big fat stash for 15 euro only!

Want to make your own Tatanne bag? Find the free pdf pattern on 'the sister of' blog. And here's the instruction I used to put the zipper in.

Spain pictures

Just a little post to let you know that I am still working on the Spain pictures and I will be blogging more holiday stories. But it takes some time. And time is something I seem to just not have enough of right now. See...I honestly think you are all anxiously waiting for my photos. And you must be dropping by a few times a day to check if I posted new ones already. I am right...aren't I?
These 2 paintings were hanging in one of our hotels and I just loved them! The artist was not mentioned. Are they Picasso? No idea. But the colors and the shapes, gorgeous! Photo quality is less, but my DSLR camera was not around at that time.