News From the Crafty Front

Tags

embroidery, finished project, quilts, Scandinavian Love

In my last post I mentioned all the Made by Hand stores in Amsterdam–now it’s time to update a few of my own made by hand crafts!

First off, I finished this embroidered pillowcase I’ve been working on forever:

It shows up in my trusty Embroidery Companion book as the Karin curtain design, but I bought a plain pillowcase from Ikea to use instead. I am in love with the Scandinavian feel of this, and the cheery red with the stoical partridges (I’m guessing they’re partridges. What do you think?). I might fill in the middle with more designs, but I’m going to take a break from this for awhile first.

Next on my list is a Dresden Plate quilt that I promised myself I’d make here. I had all the pieces cut out in Portland, I sewed the front blocks and the entire back together. Now I need to applique the Dresden Plates to the front, and then quilt it. By hand. I’m beginning to think this was way too ambitious, and I was most likely out of my mind when I thought this was a great idea. But I’m determined to do this, so I’m doggedly sewing. Truth is, I love the repetitive, mindless work while we’re watching tv (my friend got me hooked on BBC’s Gavin & Stacey). Here’s the work-in-progress, draped over a chair. I still love the fabrics I chose, and I just keep thinking how cozy this will be when it’s done! Happy thoughts…

The last project isn’t mine at all, but Jesse’s. He’s decided to pick up a new hobby, settled on knitting the past few weeks, and has been knocking it out of the park since then. He’s already finished two things! He’s also spouting knowledge about purling, decreasing, dropped stitches, and what a yarn’s ‘loft’ and ‘wpi’ mean.

The first is this big scarf in a chunky gray wool, and the second is a maroon cowl in soft fluffy wool. I am thrilled by this new hobby, and have already created a small list of items that I would enjoy wearing if he were so kind as to make them. Don’t tell him I said this, but he’s so cute when he does something like this.He gets a really concentrate-y look on his face, and he will rip something out and re-do it three times to make sure it’s to his specifications. It’s worked out well so far.

So, if anyone is in the market for a new scarf or hat, Jesse is working through projects like wildfire and needs some commissions. You can find him on Ravelry here. If you need a new quilt (and would like it in the next 10 years) you’re out of luck. Make it yourself. And not by hand.

Scandinavian Folk Skirt

Tags

clothes, finished project, Scandinavian Love, sewing

I finished one last project before I have to pack up my sewing machine, and I love it! My finished results keep getting better and better–I’m a little sad I have to take such a long break from sewing. Will I forget everything I’ve learned?

I call this my Scandinavian Folk Skirt, because of the colors and the lovely berry pattern. I found the fabric at Bolt Fabrics up in NE Portland and immediately fell in love. With the way the lines are set, a skirt seemed so perfect for the pattern, and it turned out just right. It hits below my knees and is pretty full, so I feel a little like a milkmaid. I need to get some blond braids–can I order those anywhere?

I know, another Instagram picture, after I just promised that I wouldn’t go crazy. On Monday night I went out with a friend for a fun photo shoot on Mt. Tabor and I can’t wait to show off those pictures, but until then this is all you get.

The pattern is from a Burda magazine, my first attempt at that kind, and it consists of about 9 pleats in front and three bigger ones in back, with a side zipper. Really simple, actually, and it came together so easily. It was a perfect project to end on!

Now, if I could figure out a way to get myself to Sweden and wear this skirt while picking plump strawberries in a sunhat, my life would be close to complete. Blond braids optional.

 

UPDATE: Check out pictures of the skirt in action here!

Scandinavian Circles

Tags

quilts, Scandinavian Love, sewing

I’ve finished the top and the back of my circle quilt! Here’s the top (back not shown).

I was aiming for a bit of a clean, Scandinavian, minimalist quilt; well, actually, I was just trying to make a quilt, but when I saw where it was headed, I decided that was my aim. Drawing a target around the arrow works, you know. Now I’m noticing it’s a bit 4th of July Patriotic, which wasn’t what I wanted to draw at all. Oh, well. I really love the simplicity of the colors and patterns, though. Nothing too obvious or loud, just great solid colors. The bottom one here is my favorite:

I had read warnings that circles were difficult to handle in quilts, but these ones were so simple I loved it. I suspect that’s because I appliqued them on, with interfacing, instead of sewing curves. I love how it turned out, though. I used this tutorial, mostly to figure out the sizes and the circles. 

Now I just need to “sandwich” it, and then actually quilt it together. I’m not sure how I’m going to do that last one, when I think about it… I’m afraid the quilt might be too big for my little machine…

To highlight the Scandinavian inspiration, here’s a blog about Stockholm: 

Eat Drink One Woman.  Ganda (like Wanda), spent six months in Stockholm, Sweden in 2009, and her account is filled with food, bike trips, photos of the gorgeous landscape, funny stories, and Swedish language tidbits. Did I mention the food? She details her hunt for the best ice cream in the city. (Mmm, that’s my kind of hunt.)

Stockholm is added to my list of places to go! And, you know, live someday. I’ll bring my quilt to keep warm.

Scandinavian Food

Tags

Scandinavian Love

It’s been awhile since I’ve added another reason why I’m in love with anything Scandinavian lately. This week’s topic is food! I watched an Anthony Bourdain episode on Sweden this weekend, and was inspired.

I wrote an earlier post about Broder, our local Swedish restaurant, which I love with unexplained vigor. And I just found out about Viking Soul Food, a Norwegian-inspired food cart in NE with lefse. It must be visited.

It’s getting more popular everywhere. New York’s Aquavit Restaurant remains an important institution in the city, and in 2010 a Danish restaurant, Noma, was named the “Best Restaurant in the World.” While I won’t be dining out there (I fear that the full course meal might rival the plane ticket), I do like to imagine the flavors and the ingredients, all sourced from Nordic locals.

Scandinavian cuisine is hearty and rich, with a lot of dairy, meat, and seafood. That’s a broad description, of course, so here are some small touches and flavors that I love:

Aebleskivers— or Danish Pancakes. Round little puffs of tasty pancake, lighter and airier than their flat relative. Danish design strikes again!

Lingonberries— widely known as the famous jam that Ikea serves with it’s meatballs, these tart little berries really are tradional. And tasty.

Cloudberries–I’ve never tasted these, but anything with a name like that has to be heavenly. According to wikipedia, “when eaten fresh, cloudberries have a distinctive tart taste. When over-ripe, they have a creamy texture and flavour somewhat like yogurt.” They are made into jams, juices, and liquers, and added to ice cream, pancakes, and even beer. It’s also high in Vitamin C, which, as we all know, protects against scurvy. Phew.

Skyr–an Icelandic style of yogurt, available from Siggi’s. I discovered it at our local Whole Foods last year and ate an entire container before showing it to Jesse. It’s thick–thicker than Greek yogurt, more tart, and packed with protein. Siggi’s uses a light touch of natural flavor like blueberry, grapefruit, or orange and ginger that shines through. This yogurt kicks Yoplait’s butt.

Dill— almost a definition of Scandinavian flavor, dill is used most commonly in salmon dishes, potatoes, and pickled vegetables. I love this fresh-flavored herb, and try to sneak it in anywhere I can. Fried egg for breakfast? Add dill. Potato soup? Add dill. Turkey sandwhich? Add dill. You get the idea.

Caraway— a strong, pungent spice used most often in baking and for flavoring liquor. There’s nothing like dark rye bread with caraway!

Aquavit— or, “water of life.” Regarded as an aid to disgestion, this is a distilled spirit, flavored most often with caraway but also with cardamom, cumin, anise, fennel, lemon or orange. Jesse and I tried it first at Broder, and liked it so much we bought our own bottle. Ours is caraway, but I think I might have to try more!

Swedish Fish— I checked–these really do come from Sweden! Made by the Swedish candy maker Malaco in the 1950s, these come in several flavors, and the red color is guessed to be lingonberry, but has never been verified. In Sweden they are marketed as “pastellfiskar,” pastel colored fishes, and have a slightly less sugary taste. They also have a black kind, “Salmiak,” or salted-herring. Yum? (Source: Wikipedia.)

With all this goodness on my mind, I just might have to go eat lunch! In Sweden…

May dill be added to everything you eat!

Scandinavian Love: The Danish Poet

Tags

art, Scandinavian Love

In 2007 a film called The Danish Poet won the Oscar for best animated short film. The film is set up as a love story, but is really just a meandering tale of how small things like a hungry goat, angry dogs, a slippery plank and a careless postman can change the course of someone’s life.

I love the simple pen and ink illustration, the easy, quirky story, and the narrator’s lilting voice.

And so, because everyone needs a break on a Monday, here’s an enjoyable 15 minute one, Scandinavian-style.

The Danish Poet was written, directed, and animated by Torill Kove, narrated by Liv Ullmann, and was a co-production of the National Film of Board of Cananda and Mikrofilm AS of Norway.

Scandinavian Love: The Art of Hygge

Tags

holidays, Scandinavian Love

Tonight we drive up to Seattle to watch the Burlesque Nutcracker. So excited! I finished my birthday dress (today), and will take many pictures of it in action.

Anyway, back to Scandinavia. I include Denmark in Scandinavia, which is common in most usage. Oddly, Finland isn’t considered part of it according to the strictest definitions, but I think that’s just silly.

In my research (read: googling), I keep coming across this strange Danish word that is really important to Danes. When people describe coffee-shops, they use this word. Holidays, this word. Meeting a friend for coffee. Homemade napkins with homemade cookies. A fireplace with wine. Biking down a tree-lined lane with a picnic basket.

The word is hygge, which I do not know how to pronounce, so don’t ask. It’s impossible to translate, as everyone likes to point out, but the simplest, watered-down version in English is “cozy.”

“Cozy” as in well-being, fellowship, reassurance, familiarity, warmth, using the good china, toasting with dear friends, and eating a home-cooked meal. I get the feeling that it’s like loving and being loved, with style.

Alex from Hygge House says it much better than me:

The Danish word Hygge (hu-gah) is a feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary everyday things simply extraordinary; whether it’s using real lights on a Christmas tree or breaking out the good wine when friends come over. It’s about owning things you only truly love or that inspire, being present in yourself and your life, putting effort into your home without being Martha Stewart or buying a bed in a bag. It’s about being conscious and authentic from home to work to friends to celebrations and making all events {no matter how big or small, mundane or exciting} matter.

Some refer to Hygge as the Art of Creating Intimacy (with yourself, friends and home)….Danes only like to do things that are fun, nourish the soul and are familiar so they find ways to incorporate that into their daily life. By creating simple rituals without effort {such as brewing real tea with a little china cup every evening to stopping at the farmers market every week to buy flowers} the Danes see both the domestic and personal life as an art form and not every drudgery to get away from.

That sums it up pretty well. So at this dark time of year, at Christmas and Solstice, may your surroundings light up with candles, warmth, cherished people, delicious treats, familiar traditions, and may all manner of hygge be yours.

Photo by Brittany Ouchida-Walsh

Scandinavian Love: Home Decor

Tags

home, Scandinavian Love

So, I’ve confessed that I am in love with all things Scandinavian, and now I have to back it up. My first installment will cover the wonders of home decor.

(Side note: I’m sitting in a cafe right now, and the guy at the table next to me just said “Let’s go to Norwegia!” See? I’m being followed by this!)

Okay, decor. I’ll start by showing you a few pictures, then I’ll point out why they are so aesthetically pleasing to me. Please begin by checking out local Portlander Alicia Paulson’s home on her blog, Posie Gets Cozy. Love this! It has a bit of a more practical, real, lived-in look than the photos below. Go now. I’ll wait.

You’re back? Okay, here are a few more. Click through to see more beautiful photos of each of these homes.

Norwegian home, via ApartmentTherapy.com

Scandinavian inspired, also via ApartmentTherapy.com

Swedish home, via Design*Sponge.com

Scandinavian inspired, via Design*Sponge.com

Icelandic home, also via Design*Sponge

Ah…do you feel relaxed and peaceful? It’s the light that does it for me. Look at it, streaming in through the windows, bouncing around those white walls. And the bright, natural wood tones. Super functional, beautiful furniture. Pops of bold color. Simple. Comfortable. Accessible.

My cluttered, wild house could take a few cues from this. I’m not sure I could ever achieve the magazine-clean quality of these photos, but I love how simple and elegant these rooms are. And let me say it again: the light! Maybe I’m just starved for sunshine lately, but I feel that Scandinavians are experts in enhancing natural light. I used to think white walls and neutral tones were so, so boring, but these photos make me think again.

I’ve mentioned before that I’d like to cut things down in my house until everything is beautiful and useful, and Scandinavian design pretty much embodies that. Yes, think Ikea. Maybe someday my taste will swing back to baroque chandeliers, but for now I yearn for the kind of cozy simplicity this style imbues.

Lesson: put things away, paint my floors an eggshell hue, and open the curtains for more light. Ah…

Scandinavia: A Confession

Tags

Scandinavian Love

Kirsten's Surprise: A Christmas Story

I read the American Girl books when I was younger, repeatedly. One of my favorites was the Christmas story about Kirsten, who had yellow braids. For Christmas she got to dress up as St Lucia and walk through the house with a crown of candles, delivering warm saffron buns to family members in bed. It was magical to my 8 year old self. Kirsten was Swedish.

Later, I went on a kick of needing to go to Iceland, because I was convinced it was awesome. Admittedly, this feeling hasn’t died down much. Waterfalls, active lava and outdoor saunas? Yes, please. Iceland was colonized by Norway and Denmark.

Currently, I am a huge fan of dill, and I like to think of excuses to sprinkle the green flakes on too many things. It’s popular in Scandinavian dishes.

You know how something can go unnoticed in your life forever, but once it is brought to your attention you suddenly see it everywhere? For example, you realize you really like the name  “Roland,” and then in the next two weeks you meet five guys named Roland. It seems like this is just an awareness issue, but sometimes I wonder if the universe just likes to mess with us. Coincidence, my foot.

With that fact in mind, I’ve lately come to realize that I am addicted to all things Scandinavian. It’s been a gradual process, but I’m beginning to think I should in fact be Scandinavian. Could some horrible twist of fate have landed me in Denver instead of Uppsala, Trondheim, or Reykjavik? Maybe I was a Swedish milkmaid in a past life, or a Norwegian fisherman. Who knows.

My old stomping grounds, perhaps?

Whatever the cause, I’ve been noticing Scandinavian things everywhere, and they are fantastic. In beginning this post, I was going to summarize all my feelings into one diatribe. But, see, I have too much love. There are too many things to point out. So instead of making you read one huge post covering everything, I’m going to break it down. It’ll be like a recurring column. Scandinavian Love, we’ll call it.

Make no mistake–I am not Scandinavian, I’ve never been to any of the countries, and I offer no actual insight or education on any of these things. But when you trip over yourself for aebleskivers, seek out Iceland’s Nobel prize winner at the library, and ooo over Danish design blogs, something has to done.

And this is it. Please stay tuned, and let me show you I’m not crazy.

A Slice of Sweden in Portland

Tags

Portland, restaurants, Scandinavian Love

I’ve never been to Sweden. The closest I’ve come, like many people, is Ikea, which is overwhelming and impressive in it’s clean lines and organizational mastery.

But recently I’ve stepped beyond Ikea to discover that one of my favorite little nooks of this city is a Swedish restaurant called Broder (“brother” in Swedish). Purveyor of all things Scandinavian, this itty bitty place has the modernity and class you might expect, with amazingly good food. It also has “WC” on the bathroom door, which just makes me happy.

I constantly beg Jesse to take me there for brunch, to get a good helping of aebleskivers (puffy little Danish pancakes) or pytti i panna (hash with potatoes and eggs).

One of the best things about the meal, in my opinion, is that it comes on individual wooden boards, with little frying pans for the eggs, and little bowls for the jam. It satisfies my “cute” longing while being superbly functional. And when you finish every bite, you get the feeling that you’re quite satisfied. You’ve eaten just enough food–any more or less would have been catastrophic. But another look at the menu and you know you have to come back, at least just to try the Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam, or the Breakfast Bord (brown bread, soft-boiled egg, gravlax, sauteed greens, hard and soft cheese, fruit compote, lingonberry, yogurt and honey).

Top the meal off with hot coffee, and you’re ready for the day!

Broder is on the corner of SE 16th and Clinton, and is open for breakfast and lunch. Meals are about $9-11. Happiness (or at least immense satisfaction) is guaranteed.

(Top and bottom picture from Broder.)