Bleach pen fashion

If you are looking for an easy and quick way to style up some clothes this is it! Just use a bleachpen and draw or simply spread some droplets on them. It's super easy. The longer you leave the bleach gel on the garment the lighter it gets. Dark fabrics won't usually turn complete white though.

A quick skirt

I just made this skirt with elastic waistband for my daughter. I simply copied one of her existing skirts for the pattern. I absolutely love the UNIKKO pattern from Marimekko. Originally I had bought it for my ERGO baby carrier. I used it to make strap covers. But there was quite a bit left over and so little one has a new skirt and the boys have stylish strap covers!

DIY: Sammy Snake

2013 is the year of the snake. So here comes an easy DIY project for a big snake plushie. You need a knitted scarf and a rectangular piece of fabric in the same size for the inner cushion. Just fold the scarf double and close the seam on the long side. I have turned the sides of the scarf into half circles and closed the seams like that. If you want to wash the outer shell separately it makes sense to have a zipper in the long seam. Follow the same steps for the inner cushion but leave a small part of the long seam open for the filling. You can use either soft cushion filling (buy a few cheap cushions from IKEA) or beanbag pearls. Decorate the outer shell with big buttons for the eyes.

Too many ideas and not enough time...

Do you have the same problem? Too many things on the list but way to little time? And I am not even working! Plus I have someone to help me with the kids. BUT! Daycare is not the same here in Hong Kong as it is for example in Germany. So I am happy that from next week on my toddler daughter can start preschool. Meaning she will be in school five days a week but only for three hours each day. But never the less it's a start. Once the boys turn one I will also sign them up for some activities. But since each child needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian we have to make sure it overlaps with my daughter's school. So and I hope that finally I will get some projects done soon. Let's see...

DIY: Triangle bib

This is another t-shirt recycling project. Since my boys are still bringing up a little food now and then I was looking for some bibs that would also look a bit fashionable. But I couldn't find anything. I only digged up one triangle scarf made of jersey that was alright. So I decided to make similar ones out of old t-shirts. I just cut triangular pieces of jersey out of the t-shirt. They are just as long to fit around the neck and be closed with a simple knot. I used zig-zag stitching on all three sides and decorated them with name tags I had bought earlier at www.namensbaender.de . Now they can drool along without me having to change their shirts three times a day!

Patchwork Haute Couture

 

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Source: http://beaspokequilts.blogspot.hk/

I had seen a beautiful patchwork bed cover made of black and white Marimekko fabrics. I tried to find it online without success but while I was searching I found this beautiful alternative. And also those terrific patchwork dresses. Spring 2013 seems to be the time for a patchwork dress. I am thinking of making one for myself. Now that I don't need to breastfeed the boys during the day anymore I can wear dresses again. That's going to be one of the next projects! Maybe I can also revive the sewing project of the months. We'll see...

DIY: Easy t-shirt scarf

Do you have a favourite t-shirt that is getting too small? You could turn it into a scarf so that your child (or yourself) can enjoy it for longer. Just cut off the upper part and the bottom seam and then cut fringes into the top and the bottom part. You can use it like that or you can fold it in the middle and sew it together with the zig-zag stitch of your sewing machine. On top you can decorate it with pompoms or embroidery or whatever you like. This only works for t-shirt material as it won't fray.

DIY: A Marimekko inspired doll house

For Christmas I made a doll house for my daughter. I used a book shelf and decorated it with Marimekko paper to arrange different rooms. I bought the kitchen, the bathroom, the baby room and the dolls from Lundby. The bedroom interior is from Muji (cosmetic storage). And the bedlinen made by myself from Marimekko fabric (I love their bold patterns). I also used several mini designer chairs (you can get them at the Page One book shop here in Hong Kong). Last not least I have sewn a leather sofa and created a table out of a piece of wooden flooring sample and clothes pegs. Coasters are serving as rugs. My daughter loves it! But I guess the mini design chairs have to be replaced soon as they are a little bit too delicate.

Ragna's new room

We just did a makeover of Ragna's room. We had to rearrange because the boys are sleeping in the bigger bedroom together with me. So Ragna had to move into the small bedroom which I had in mind for the boys in the beginning. But since the boys are still waking up frequently that plan went out of the window. So now the colour scheme is mainly blue. She also moved out of her cot (the boys needed it and we wanted her to have a real one). At the moment she is sleeping on a mattress on the floor so that she won't hurt herself in case she falls out of bed (which already happened). But we are thinking of getting her the MINNEN bed from IKEA in black. I made the pompom garland and the beanbag. I also transformed the former change table into a clothes rack plus shelves using a branch as rod. Most of the other furniture is from IKEA. I like it for their reasonable, functional and fresh design. It's a bit like H&M. Get the basics from there and then add a bit of your own style, handmade plus a few nice design items.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you! We had a wonderful relaxed Christmas eve. We went to church early at 1 pm. Just with our daughter leaving the boys with the babysitter. It was very festive with lots of singing. Then the kids did their afternoon nap and I prepared the food for dinner (lasagne - very untraditional). While doing that we had afternoon tea with cookies and sweets. Around five we went out again to the playground to get some fresh air and a cold nose. And then it was time for the presents accompanied by glass of sparkling wine. Our daughter was amazing. She was so happy about the things she got that she kept on playing with them for the rest of the evening. The boys went to bed at 7:30 pm and we had our dinner. Then it was also time for the big sister and when all the kids were sleeping we had a cozy time on the sofa reviewing the day. What a great day!