Lillalotta

Think Ink!

2012-02-09T15:34:00.000+01:00

Think Ink!

I am slowly browsing through paintings I have made in the last couple of years, but did very little with, and some how that makes me sad. Just sitting there in a big black folder. I hope I am not boring any one with adding one illustration after the other on my blog. I have so very much to say, that I just don't know where to start. Or should I say, I wouldn't know where to finish?

So I am adding pictures instead. Because they make me smile. There has not been much to smile about for over a year, but I think it is pointless to hammer on about what is not right. I rather be 'thinking ink'

Thanks for your understanding

Matroyshkas!

2012-02-08T14:11:00.001+01:00

It's easy as ABC

Blah Blah

2012-02-07T13:53:00.000+01:00

Freshly baked birdie illustration. It is good to talk x

Wind Swept

2012-02-06T15:28:00.000+01:00

ink + watercolour illustration

No matter how strong the storm will become

I don't mind being wind swept.

The View

2012-02-05T14:21:00.001+01:00

From my bedroom window, winter finally arrived. The perfect weather to ponder and count drifting bits of snow.
The world does seem so much quieter now.

A Little love Heals a Lot

2012-02-03T13:52:00.001+01:00

It does, it does.

Tea Glorious Tea

2012-01-31T15:38:00.001+01:00

Ever since I stopped drinking coffee, all this tea has gone to my head.

Obviously. *smiles* I've got tea on the brain.

I hope you like my brand new illustration I made for my shop.

It has been great to paint again. My hands don't shake as much anymore.

xxx

Hush

2012-01-23T15:26:00.001+01:00

Mixmedia painting

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by

One after one; the sound of rain, and bees

Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas,

Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky -

I've thought of all by turns, and still I lie

Sleepless...

~William Wordsworth, "To Sleep"

Love is kind

2012-01-22T16:22:00.001+01:00

The Gentle Giant

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Home is Where the Heart Is

2012-01-19T10:13:00.002+01:00

watercolour+ink illustration

I am slowly working through my illustrations, and making only some available as prints in my shop.

Brand new illustrations coming soon! Better get painting :)

Wisdom begins with Wonder

2012-01-16T11:24:00.001+01:00

Watercolour & ink illustration

and peace is found whilst we ponder

Blue Moon

2012-01-14T11:28:00.001+01:00

water colour and ink illustration

Now available in my shop!

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

2012-01-10T12:53:00.001+01:00

Hope is the thing with feathers.

I found myself unable to do what I love most for such a long time. To doodle and fiddle. And most of all I missed lettering and writing. My health causes my hands to be too shaky, but yesterday I was determined, and it felt lovely to sit and write.

I am happy to say I just decided to add it to my shop, too, as a print. I might be able to do more.

My Goodness!

2012-01-09T12:07:00.001+01:00

Oooh Almost 6000 sales!!

Thank you so much to all my customers, it means more than I can ever say!

The person who purchases the 6000th tape can pick a slim and a wide tape for free.

my kind of cup cake

2012-01-08T13:02:00.000+01:00

my kind of cupcake, no calories included but very sweet nevertheless.

I promise to be back soon, and actually blog. I could type page after page about what is happening in my life, but sadly I would find it to be too personal perhaps, and I always feel that when one focuses too much on things that are not very good, it makes them somehow even bigger. So I would rather not unload online, and concentrate on matters that are nice and sweet and kind. I hope you understand.

New Year 2012

2012-01-01T14:10:00.001+01:00

It has arrived. A brand-new year stretched right in front of us. Full of promise.

I don't wish for much, but please don't let it be anything like the old year.

I wish for moments of joy, and oceans of calm.

I hope to find my place and a sense of being fine.

I would like my body to find balance

and my mind to be at peace.

I wish for you, what you wish for yourself.

Let there be sweetness, happy New Year x

Jolly

2011-12-16T15:43:00.001+01:00

watercolour+ink doodle

Have a Jolly Holly Day....

Matroyshka

2011-12-09T15:16:00.000+01:00

Matroyshka Dangles

Sometimes all you want to do is sit and sew.

I have wanted to close all my shutters and shut out the sunshine that seems to brighten the house too much. I want rain, I want thunder. I would like a dark sky at least, gloomy clouds and all that. But nope.

I think I need to move up North. Keeping my fingers crossed some of that wintry weather will be heading our way soon.... perhaps this Weekend! (hopeful look) As we are decorating our home with Christmas goodies. I can feel some ginger biscuits coming and hot chocolate (and closed shutters :)

xxxx

Home Sweet Home Winner!

2011-12-09T14:16:00.000+01:00

Many thank yous for all your comments on my Home Sweet Home Dangle!

The winner of the Dangle is

Michele from Just Pipi

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s!
Please email me with your postal address, and I will pop it into the mail straight away!

Home Sweet Home + Give Away!

2011-12-02T11:27:00.000+01:00

Home Sweet Home Fabric Dangles, handmade and stitched together with lots of cups of tea.

Only a limited amount of fabric houses will be available. Please check my shop for more information.

Or if you like you can join my

... if you would like to win one of my Home Sweet Home fabric Dangles,

please leave me a comment!

It is the Season of sharing!

Wondering + Winner

2011-11-30T09:15:00.003+01:00

Many thank yous to every one who was so kind to leave a comment on my Custom made

Tape give away. The randomly picked winner is............

Many congratulations, please email me at lillalotta@mac.com

and I will set to work to create your tape.

Ponderings

2011-11-28T09:44:00.000+01:00

Sometimes it is not the fear of the big white sheet of paper, to start.

But it is the fear of finishing. Pondering about backgrounds, letterings and pretending you'd rather leave it without a back ground.

Time for another coffee, I'm sure.

Lilla Lotta Give Away ((closed))

2011-11-22T14:34:00.003+01:00

The possibilities are endless. The sky is the limit. BUT... what would you like to see on a cotton tape? On the slim tape, or the wide tape? In the cream or on the white?
What kind of illustrations? What wording? A saying perhaps?
I would love to know your ideas, and if I pick yours, I will create the tape, and send it to you as a gift!

Thank you so much for joining in, I can't wait to hear your thoughts and ideas x

Argh

2011-11-22T12:13:00.002+01:00

I have randomly placed some HTML to my right. I am the least computer-smart person on the planet, but must admit I am a little pleased that I have finally created a Lilla Lotta Fan Page on Facebook.

Now I must unscramble my brain, and get a paracetamol :)

x

Break

2011-11-21T14:21:00.000+01:00

Ha, there is no such thing! A break, that is.

I am fiddling about, making new things, sewing, painting, writing, lettering. Busy busy.

But first finishing the orders, in between all the other things I am doing.

Wishing you a happy week!

Chunky and extra large please

2011-11-18T13:13:00.001+01:00

I am forever losing things. Misplaced, lost or simply taken by the little people I am sure live around here somewhere, and possibly needed my lost item more than I did. So, thats okay then I suppose.

I made myself an extra large chunky stuffed birdie house for my keys ages ago. This is not easily overlooked, and a matter of rummaging in your handbag until you find something soft, and tada, there is the keys. This really helps. But I might just be a lost cause, to be honest.

So thought I'd make some for my shop as well. It has been a while since I added any of my hand mades to my shop. It was nice to sit and stitch. It really has been too long.

It makes me laugh how I am such a simple soul.

Buttered toast and tea time!

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Imagination

2011-11-08T15:49:00.002+01:00

Fiddling and doodling with inks and watercolour paints.

Last week's Give Away Winner, of the Cup Cake Heave tape is

Blueberries in the Fields

Thank you so much for every one who left a comment!
x

i do

2011-11-06T14:46:00.001+01:00

two brand-new watercolour cotton tapes in two different widths.

Because it is true.

Love is enough.

More than enough.

Cup Cake Heaven + Give Away (closed!)

2011-11-03T13:42:00.003+01:00

A Cup Cake Heaven

I have been fiddling about with paints and there is nothing that makes me happier than cup cakes in a row and dotted tea pots. I know, I know. I am a simple soul.

So I thought I'd give away a meter of my brand new cotton tapes to one of my blog readers.

Please leave a comment, and I will announce the winner in a week.

Thankyouverymuch for joining in!

Healing

2011-11-01T14:27:00.000+01:00

Healing happens when you say yes.

Or when you finally say no.

Sometimes healing happens when you say nothing at all.

But healing always happens with a little love.

Itty Bitty

2011-10-29T16:40:00.000+02:00

The Orchard. Watercolour and ink.

Weekends are days where we do lots of bits. And bits of bits. A bit of painting. A bit of laundry. A bit of nothing. Some dancing and of course a jiggle here and there. Some more coffee. A cake perhaps. Counting rain drops on the windows. Counting sleeping kittens. Watching a bit of that movie.

Itty Bitty Weekends are always best when very little gets done, or at least only a bit of it.

Give Away Winner

2011-10-27T10:39:00.000+02:00

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments!

The Winner of the Little Girls Bag is

.....................................................................................................................

Such an amazing giveaway, I must join in, and will cross my fingers extra!
Happiness to me is te be at peace with myself, even when the world is upside down.
Happy greetings to you!! Ziggy

20 October 2011 10:46

.....................................................................................................................

Please email me at lillalotta@mac.com for your postal address!

They do!

2011-10-26T16:05:00.000+02:00

Amazing friends who always call exactly at the right time. Having a special radar.

And they have this wonderful ability to hear all the things you are not saying.

Because they don't need to be said. They know already.

Thank you xxx

Goodness Give Away (Closed!)

2011-10-19T09:56:00.002+02:00

Happiness is allowing the world to be slightly pink, and adding wee hearts with

a couple of letters here and there. Happiness is sharing some of the goodness, just

because it gives happiness.

If you would like to win the large hand made bag, please leave me a comment letting us all

know what truly makes you happy.

. . .

Thank you for joining in!

Light

2011-10-14T09:36:00.002+02:00

Let there be light

word-less

2011-10-04T14:45:00.000+02:00

I don't have many words lately.

It has been a weird year. But pencils papers inks and paint covered fingers still make me happy.

Weather report

2011-10-01T10:48:00.001+02:00

... even more sunshine is coming our way.

The blooms are blooming. The sky is blue.

There is definitely a song in the air.

There is sunshine after the rain.

Teatime

2011-09-30T10:56:00.001+02:00

Simplify

2011-09-29T11:57:00.002+02:00

Simplify. Simplify?

What do you do when you share your home with two teenagers + one tween?

How did life become ever so complicated just because they added a bit of height?

Okay, so it is quite a bit of height.

There is the ranting and raving.

The raging hormones.

Being unreasonable is applied with frightening precision.

Stroppy obstinate pigheaded awkward.

The death look that tells you 'does this face care'

And that is just me.

The children are angels, really. *blinks*

Bouncing

2011-09-20T10:29:00.000+02:00

I am going through some serious stuff.

I will be bouncing back soon

*crosses fingers*

and hopefully find my feet again

Many thank-yous for the emails, cards and letters.

I appreciate it more than I can ever say x

2011-09-09T12:25:00.000+02:00

Do take it easy

It's easy peasy

Get a hair cut

Forget about your diet

Have a sleep in

Let the husband do the dinner

Buy something you don't need

Be really nice to yourself

It is the weekend!

I am planning on doing a lot of nothing!

nods

2011-09-07T11:26:00.000+02:00

Think Wings

2011-09-06T09:39:00.000+02:00

Because I love You

2011-09-03T13:06:00.001+02:00

Making gifts for dear friends is the best spent afternoon!

...

Many thanks to every one who was so kind to leave me a comment

on my last Give Away.

The wee package with a meter of broderie Anglaise will be flying to

Kadri

Please email me your postal address to lillalotta@mac.com

...

Wishing you a lovely weekend x

Welcome September

2011-09-01T13:14:00.001+02:00

Another Summer come and gone.

We welcome cooler weather and wooly sweaters.

We will still play around in the garden, the flowers will continue growing

until Winter arrives. If Winter arrives?

Southern Autumns are a bit strange for my northern soul.

But revel in it I will.

There surely is not a Season specific for eating ice creams. Oh no.

We do not limit ice cream time to Summers.

Even when the sunny skies are a mix with chilly winds.

The forests around us will be walked much more now. Not passing out in

the heat any more. Off to find ourselves amongst the falling leaves,

and spotting little creatures getting ready for the Winter that does not

always arrive.

We ponder, will we have snow this Winter?

*crosses fingers and wishes for mountains of snow*

Happy Chilly Autumn to you all x

oh and you can still join the Give Away until Saturday....

Oh my Give Away!

2011-08-27T12:07:00.006+02:00

Oh! I am itching to get started.

If you notice any smoke gathering, don't worry, it is my brain that is on fire. I am not sure what I will create yet, but I must make something soon.

I do love broderie anglaise. I was very lucky finding these.

I would like to Give Away one meter of this vintage broderie!

If you would like to get a wee package with some goodness in your mail box,

please leave me a comment, and I will pop it into the mail to the winner next week,

to any country in the World!

Have a lovely weekend!

I will be busy frying my brain

Give Away Winner

2011-08-26T12:33:00.000+02:00

Thank you so much to everyone who was so kind to join in on the Give Away!

The winner of the Sunshine tape + lace trim is

DeeRoo

c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s

Please do send me your postal address to lillalotta@mac.com

and I will swiftly mail you the wee package!

Have a lovely weekend!

Sunshine Give Away!

2011-08-20T15:26:00.003+02:00

You are my Sunshine!

You'll never know dear how much I love you!

A little bit of Summer love coming your way!

Would you like to win a meter of my brand new wide cotton tape

and another meter of creamy beautiful lace trimming

do leave me a comment.

The combination of the two tapes is so sweet, could not help myself

but make a patchwork blanket myself ( almost done! )

Thank you so much for joining in!

I have also had some fun creating new Message Tapes for my shop.

You can never have enough love right!

Waters

2011-08-05T15:57:00.001+02:00

my girls

Water water everywhere

A Summer's Day

2011-08-04T16:12:00.002+02:00

1 square, 2 square, 3 square..... cup of tea, 4 square...... and so on
stitch them all together

... one row after the other
having lost count on this Summer's day

...whilst Oliver hides in the herb garden
looking for the shade

x

A Day in the Garden

2011-08-03T15:39:00.002+02:00

Best place to be is in a dotted bowl surely

Homemade cakes are always the yummiest

Sisters

Friends

Our wee village

The garden is like our living room, where we spent most of our time now.

Summers are so good!

argh

2011-07-30T15:36:00.000+02:00

I want to blog. I want to blog.
My brain ceased for a bit there, too much other stuff taking up all the space.
But.
I can't blog. I don't have the right photos at the moment.
And I am busy with some fabric and will show that soon.
I am also sourcing nice things for the shop, and of course all the children have
Summer Holidays, which means I am very VERY restricted in free time or computer time.

But. I. So. Want. To. Blog.

Any one who has any hours left and wishes to pass them onto me, much much appreciated! x

Goodness

2011-07-29T12:45:00.006+02:00

For ages I have been asked about tapes and trims, and if they would be available in my shop.

And I have finally added some really lovely natural basic tapes and trims!

Please do visit my shop if you like! I have lots more goodies and nice stuff coming soon!

I have a thing for linen, and am frantically looking to find some of the best to add to my shop, and

honestly, those cotton lace edgings... I just want to start adding those to just about everything. Such a sweet and lovely touch. I might have to use lots of my own stock. I can see a wacky patchwork quilt coming.... :)

Do have a fabulous weekend!

Liberation

2011-07-27T12:27:00.002+02:00

I am quite busy tying up some of the loose ends in my life.

I must say it feels incredibly liberating.

I should have done this back in 2003.

I am doing really well, thanks to every one for asking

Halt

2011-07-09T10:51:00.000+02:00

I have been grinding to a complete halt for so long it seems.
All I do takes so much effort, I end up wanting to sleep all the time.

I will be going to specialists this Summer for more (blood)testing trying to figure out why I feel the way I do. Having to cope with chronic pains and niggly rubbish symptoms such as a total loss of motivation and concentration has been soul destroying.

I do apologize for my absence, my silence and ridiculous delays in replying to emails.

Let's see if I can get this body of mine back into service somehow.

Wishing you all a wonderful Summer and much goodness
Xxx

f i d d l i n g

2011-06-28T11:35:00.001+02:00

Sometimes we forget about the things that we love. Like fiddling. Meaningless

doodling. For no reason at all. I have become so involved in the making of tapes

that I forgot about 'me', and why I even made the first cotton tape.

Back to where I started, and miraculously I have even ordered a whole selection of art supplies!

Soon I shall fiddle and doodle again. Soon!

Happy fiddling

Penny for your Thoughts

2011-06-27T14:30:00.000+02:00

Ooh the thoughts, too many at times.

But the one thought that keeps returning to me is that I discovered

that the light at the end of the tunnel is blazing bright.

And the other side looks so much better than where I started.

Much love to friends being there. For being a light through the tunnel.

A penny or two for your thought.... what is on your mind?

xxx

. . . . . . . . . . .

The winner of my last Give Away for the Goodnight Sweetheart tape is

Absolute Novice

Many congratulations! Please email me your address to lillalotta@mac.com

Thanks very much for joining in!

Friday Give Away

2011-06-18T10:33:00.000+02:00

The weeks are going by so quickly!

Which makes me a very boring blogger, I'm afraid.

I am working on new items and paintings and dinners

and tapes and hoover a lot and and and...

This weekend is Father's Day and Mr. LillaLotta's birthday all on the same day!

I can see some serious cake making going on. Not to mention the cleaning up afterwards.

Truth is I am suffering from that Snuggle Syndrome, where I wish to curl up like the kittens

on a soft blanket, and snooze the day away. Ah, to dream.

Back to reality!

Here is another

A lovely 5cm width cotton tape of a meter of Goodnight Sweetheart!

( yes, I am obsessed with snoozing lately :)

If you would like to win this tape, please leave me a comment,

and I will announce the winner next Friday.

Last week's winner, of the Tea for Two cotton tape is

DNA

Please email me with your address at lillalotta@mac.com

Have a great weekend everybody!

Friday Give Away

2011-06-11T11:21:00.000+02:00

Happy Weekend!

I have been bouncing for a few days now. There is nothing like focus and being

in the moment. This Summer promises to be a great one!

Do watch this space as I am going to expand in many different directions!

But before I forget ( as my mind is slightly mush) here is another

This week I am giving away a 5cm width Tea For Two cotton tape!

If you would like to win this, please leave me a comment!

Next Friday I will announce the Winner.

With many thanks for all your wonderful emails and comments!

I would not be here, if you were not there!

It matters....

2011-06-09T12:00:00.001+02:00

It's the little things that matter.

To sit and ponder

The changing Season coming and going

Favourite trousers

Love sent in the post from 'home'

Play

A cup of wisdom

Family & Friends

Hadrien + Danika

Pause

2011-06-06T09:24:00.001+02:00

Every now and then there is just so much going on, and I must take a step or two back.
Sit and ponder. Figure it all out. And rediscover some sort of balance, and refresh my
directions.

I will be back soon. In the meantime I have to deal with different things that are not
necessarily nice, but very important.

Thank you for all the comments on my last post.

Last weeks Winner of the "Made with love" tape is

Pixie

Please send me your postal address at lillalotta@mac.com
and I will package it up swiftly and pop it into the mail

x

Friday Give Away

2011-05-27T09:07:00.000+02:00

This week has been very strange to say the least. There were so many ups and so many downs.

My Mr. Lillalotta has come home from hospital and is struggling. I am sure with lots of the good stuff he will be better soon, but it saddens me to see him unwell.

Our family has grown by three kittens this last week, and they surely fill the house with little noises and sweet demands of more food please. We have had another house guest staying over, ignoring his allergy to cats, and feeding the kittens anyways.

Because they were just made for loving, weren't they!

And that brings me to this week's Give Away!

If you would like this cotton tape to land in your mail box, please leave me a comment.

....................

Last week's winner of the Little Red cotton tape is

Lattemama

Congrats! Do email me at lillalotta@mac.com

and your wee package will be swiftly posted....

................

In the meantime I am going to climb that mountain and finish all the orders before the Weekend arrives.... * she says with a hopeful look!*

Have a lovely weekend yourselves

Thankyoueversomuch!

2011-05-25T11:21:00.002+02:00

Thank you dear Ingrid

for the amazing box of surprises!

Your handmade blanket is wonderful,

and I wish it was still Winter,

so I could crawl under it.

Love, anna x

xxx

Up and Down

2011-05-24T09:07:00.001+02:00

It has been such an up and down couple of days.
Finding wee kittens in the garden. And these tiny creatures filling the house with their tiny miaows, and persistent demands for food. Honestly it is the cutest thing feeding these babies from a little bottle.

During all this my Mr. Lillalotta was quite unwell.
Men being men, I had to push so hard to finally get him into the hospital to be checked. Because he was just fine, you know. The grey skin colour, fever and distended stomach simply can not be a good sign.
And I am so thankful he went when he did. His appendix was near rupture, and I have no idea how he continued on pretending he was just okay.
He has had his operation swiftly yesterday, and will be in the hospital for the rest of the week.

In the mean time I had my daughter home with a stomach bug and my twin feeling off.
The sofa has the little people snoozing on it. The big chair has my bigger daughter on it. I am working through my orders, and I feed the three kittens in between. I am definitely developing a couple of twitches.
Needless to say all this running around is making me totally fit.

If any one knows of a good place to order another set of hands, please contact me asap :)

Oh and there is time to join in on my Give Away until Friday! Here is a link to the post!

x

Foundlings

2011-05-23T11:43:00.000+02:00

We found a little nest in a forgotten corner, in the garden, with even smaller foundlings.

Teeny tiny kittens, hungry and lost.

We have been feeding them from a wee milk bottle. Together we are caring for them.

So many hands and hearts to love them here.

Does that mean I have eight 'children' now?

Friday Give Away

2011-05-20T08:32:00.000+02:00

Friday? Already?

Is it just me, or has an entire week disappeared? Shocking!

I was happily painting away, illustrating for a new Duo Tape, planning myself some sewing perhaps, but then I was emailed by some very nice people to let me know I was in the Etsy Newsletter with my shop. I had never even heard of it before, and was very surprised. Wonderful! And then, I was in it a second time a few days after .... I had to activate quickly and work through the orders. So. No. Not much painting done this week. No sewing whatsoever. I had planned some more blogging, too. *tuts* I am turning into a "once-a-week- kind of blogger. Hopefully this coming week I will be a bit more creatively productive *crosses fingers*

... I would like to share some of my illustrated Little Red cotton tape ( 5 cm width ) with you this Sunny Friday! If you would like a meter of this tape to possibly land in your mailbox soon, please leave me a comment. And I will let you know the winner next Friday! Thank you for joining in!

. . . . . .

Last week's winner of the Baa Baa Duo Tape is

La Tulipe

Many congratulations! Please email me at lillalotta@mac.com with your postal address,

and I will swiftly mail a wee package to you.

Have a fabulous Weekend!

Fancy that...

2011-05-18T12:23:00.002+02:00

There is nothing fancy about me really. I am a bit of a simpleton.

I do not have a large studio room to call my own. Instead I have my bits and bobs stacked and stored just about everywhere around the entire house. This is what we call the Treasure Hunt; having to find what you are looking for, and finding things that you lost ages ago instead. My working space is my house, where ever I can sit, that is not overwhelmed with toys and whatnots. I sit at the kitchen table, highly damaged by over use, and always have the company of someone little chatting to me as I work.

I don't have fancy supplies either. Only own one paint brush. A tiny wonky one that I do all my painting and lettering with. I have had it for years, and has been used by many little hands. I can't get myself to go and buy another one, unless this one fall apart completely.

Finding pencils in this house is impossible. We think there is a Pencil Gremlin around that eats them at night when we sleep, since any newly purchased ones get lost within the 24 hour time frame.

So I use what I can find.

Alas, my watercolour paints are messy and much loved. I rarely wipe away old colours.

Because you know, I might have to use 'that' particular colour again.

But I do love messing about on paper.

Creating images that make me happy and smile. At the kitchen table, with little people talking to me,

with my mediocre and damaged art supplies.

I am just not very fancy

Oh If you would like to join in on my Give Away

there is time until Friday to leave a comment here

Friday Goodness ( belated )

2011-05-14T11:37:00.002+02:00

Oooh blogger had some problems yesterday, so I was not able to post earlier.

Quick catch up and some goodies to give away.

But first things first....

Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You any Wool

I had some sewing-satisfaction going on this week. Joy!

I had painted some new illustration for new cotton tapes, and could not help myself

when I remembered I still had fluffy fabrics lying about.... voila! A Baa Baa Bag!

And I thought that giving a set of my new Duo Tapes to one of my readers this week would be nice.

If you would like to win this set of tapes ( 1 meter of each ) please leave me a comment!

5 cm width + 2 cm width

Last week winner of the 2 meters of Home is Heart tape is

Dorota (bielsko biala)

(please send me your postal address to lillalotta@mac.com)

It is nice to share!

Have a lovely weekend! x

Oh well

2011-05-12T09:36:00.000+02:00

Danika, Kayla, Sebastian & Hadrien

What can you do?

A house full of crazy small(er) children, some early teenagers ( yes can I hear an 'eek!' )

But it certainly is entertaining.

Danika and friend Hadrien

There is a constant flow of strange teenagers popping in, and mostly they are staying.

Of course this can not be in any way 'normal'. No. Certainly not.

They sleep over. In the tent. In the garden. Most of the duvets can't be found.

My other children can not find their cushions, and all my candles are being used,

scattered amongst the grass during the night.

There really is no hope is there? I mean. Lets face it.

They did come back from their swim with a nice bunch of flowers for me though.

Sweet!

I will be back with a new Give Away tomorrow!

There is still time to join in on the one from last week.

That Friday Feeling (closed)

2011-05-06T11:34:00.002+02:00

Ooo being busy is making me boring, I'm afraid. Roll after roll after roll.

It did leave me with some funky burn and scorch marks all over my hands

and fingers though. I can detect a definite pattern :)

Not much time for doing anything else but work. And of course the children

have been off school for two weeks. Imagine me having the 'deer in headlight' look

most of the time. But, but it all got done, and all is good, who needs sleep anyways.

I do need a big dose of creativity, though! I have been working on some new illustrations,

and have a sewing project planned for this coming week.

To start off another lovely Weekend, here is a Lilla Lotta Give Away!

This week I am giving away two meters of The Home is Heart tape!

This tape is really wonderful to add to a quilt, or big patchwork projects.

If you would like the chance for this tape to land in your postbox, please

leave me a comment!

Last week winners of the Cup Cakes tapes are

Tina Teaspoon uit Brugge

Roos

Lisa

Please email me your postal address at lillalotta@mac.com and I will swiftly wrap

and pack for you!

It is nice to share! Do spread the love!

Friday Give Away + Winners!

2011-04-29T10:25:00.002+02:00

Another weekend right there, in front of us!

And another tape Give Away!

If you would like this Cup Cakes cotton tape to be popped into your

mail box, please leave a SunShine comment!

Next friday I will announce the winners, and give away another tape!

Last weeks winners are

Barbaramama

Pipilala

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s !

Please send me your address to lillalotta@mac.com

Have a lovely weekend!

Phew...

2011-04-26T11:38:00.000+02:00

Spring is here!

Officially it is the Ants in My Pants Season!

The button has been switched on in my brain, and I can see in the sunlight

that there is endless things I would like to get done.

Time to make lists and slowly drive myself insane! Hurray for the Sunshine Season!

On my present list I must do;

Order incence. Get candles. Email Ingrid. Order some funky large canvases with the children's photos at photobox. Paint the stairwell chalky blue. Paint the kitchen cream. Paint the kitchen larder. Paint the shelfs cream. Order outside lanterns for the garden. Make new cupcake illustration. Julia socks. Tree decal for the stairwell. Get appointment for hypo doc in Paris perhaps? Apply tree on Mikayla's wall. Luka underwear. Ramona package. Paint Mikayla's room. Hang curtains (make them first). New lamps for toilets, larder and utitily room. New toilet brushes. Paint toilets. Paint landing. Order studio for garden. Kayla carnival clothes. Remove bathroom cabinets (get new). Fix ceilings. Kitchen cabintet remove. Mail Mette. Call mum. Trinity birthday. Stay sane.

I will start with painting the stairwell. Should be interesting trying to balance a ladder on the stairs.

Thank you to every one for leaving me a comment on my Illustrated Tape Give Away!

I will announce the winners on Friday, when I will offer another tape.

Have a wonderful week yourself x

Friday Give Away

2011-04-22T10:56:00.001+02:00

Because I Love You

Summer is slowly approaching, green goodness everywhere.

You can't help but feel wonderful!

I would like to give away a meter of this tape, just leave me

a comment with your name, and I pick three lucky winners!

Every Friday I will Give Away another illustrated tape to my

readers, as a Thank You Very Much for being there!

Because I just love how blogging brings people together,

regardless of where you live!

Hoppity

2011-04-20T10:53:00.000+02:00

Us folks are of the simpler kind. Imagine going into the garden and spotting a green beauty on the leaves, and then add a lot of ooooh-ing and aaaaah-ing. Sebastian's little eyes are very good at spotting these, asI myself am slightly blind, and would over look such amazing creatures easily ( thank you Sebastian! )

I was wondering, can you spot the green frog?

Isn't it beautiful! It hopped away happily after a bit. But our evening was totally brilliant!

We might find something else today!

Follow Your Dream

2011-04-15T15:22:00.000+02:00

Follow your dream!

And have a wonderful weekend!

Home

2011-04-14T14:37:00.000+02:00

I am often alone, and rarely lonely.

I am very quiet, and never shut up.

I thrive on stress, but hate feeling pressured.

I am utterly lost, and don't wish to be found.

I am married, but have no ring.

I love the quiet, and fill it with music.

I am compulsively restless, and dream of doing nothing.

I don't like weeds, but wish my garden was a carpet of poppies.

My memory is abysmal, but I can't let go of the past.

I despise shopping, but love going out.

Just so I can get that "coming home" feeling.

Sitting in the Sun

2011-04-13T12:44:00.000+02:00

There is always work and things to do.

There is always that 'one more thing' that should have been done

yesterday. And time itself does not stop, at all.

Believe me, I have tried removing the batteries from the clocks.

But, we can fill up our time with things that really matter.

The laundry will still be there. And having teenagers I am used

to the stinky socks.

High time

2011-04-12T13:23:00.000+02:00

I nod, yes, I promise. I will get to it.

I look at my clock, and it is time to go to bed again. Did not make it

today either. I just nod. A lot.

It is a cycle I am in, not a vicious or malicious one, although truth

is that time is never really on my side. So yes, it is a bit malicious really.

But come on. I have been here, in France, for near four years soon.

Crickey. Four years. And I still have not found time to learn French.

Although, yes, I do nod really really well. With a smile and everything.

And the people here are lovely, I am just that crazy woman, who speaks

several languages, just not the one of the country she lives in.

I have been in such limbo about it. I love where I live, but not speaking the language

is such a handicap. I love chatting and getting to know people, but boy, this language

lark is a bit of an obstacle if you can't go much further than 'bonjour'

I have considered moving away, and going somewhere, anywhere, I do speak the

language. But I can not think of a nicer place to live. We considered Canada,

Australia ( husband has family there ) and even the US. But do I want to do that

to my children ( shakes head ) They need to stay put.

I just need to learn French! ( stupid woman!)

I have reached the point of not even wanting to go outside anymore.

(this is the one thing that proves to me how utterly awful it is to not be able to connect with people)

And although I have such legitimate reasons for this stalling/procrastination it

has dumbed me down so much, I did not realise how unhappy this has made me.

Running my online shop has been our life line when we initially moved here.

We gave up everything when we started our new life in France. Having five children

and resettling is a costly business. Okay, it was worth it, but it left me with no time

for play. None. Let alone learning a new language.

But I am tired of looking at pretty pictures in pretty books, when the words make little sense.

I am doing an Open University Course in French!

( even the husband is enrolling and pursuing a degree again! )

Will this leave me with time to play?

No, not at all. But in the long run, I will be so much happier.

Pondering

2011-04-11T14:17:00.003+02:00

The skin, I have been living in has not been the right fit for months. I wake up with a sense of despair, not knowing who the hell pushed the panic button, but would they kindly restrain.

Perhaps that feeling of being halfway there, and halfway nowhere, is an indication I am somewhere new. Not lost after all.

Did I forget, along the way of living, that I must remain in the moment. Not to focus on all the has-been's and what-if's. And when this here life throws you in the deep end (and it does at times) it is not impossible to learn to swim (damn it) instead of sinking to the bottom.

How come silver linings have become thunder clouds? And besides, I used to love thunder-y weather.

It might be difficult to squeeze a square into a circle, but I can enjoy trying to make it fit, if not use a sledge hammer if it refuses to budge. Right?

Perhaps leaving outmoded thoughts is not a bad thing. Why expect different results if you never change what you do?

Come to think of it, perhaps this skin might not fit me right, but hell, there is nothing wrong with being wonky. I should embrace it instead, crease it down, and make the fit suit me, instead of looking for another skin.

Ah sometimes it is good to ponder. Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.

My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.

~Michel de Montaigne

Spring is Here!

2011-04-10T11:19:00.001+02:00

.... if you are looking for us, we will be the noisy gathering at the gorge,

laughing in the water and avoiding bugs

and eating ridiculous amounts of croissants and butter biscuits

xxx

Being Green

2011-04-06T10:18:00.000+02:00

I am on day 52 of being green! And it has been so much easier to change

my life style than I ever thought. Okay, so I am slightly obsessed, apologies.

But my goodness. How lovely are these smoothies! I can't wait adding ice

cubes soon, with the weather turning hot and sunny.

My favourite smoothie at the moment is

orange
banana
apple
kale
parsley
avocado
honey

Mix with icy cold water and drink through out the day.

I am always looking for more combinations, so if you have a great recipe for

a green smoothie, please let me know.

Introducing Robin and The Sage

2011-04-04T09:44:00.000+02:00

Please allow me to introduce you to

Robin and The Sage

Please tell us a little about yourself, who you are and what you do?

hello there, i am Delila, living in beautiful village in Finland between hills, woodlands, meadows and the sea. At the moment i am studying gardening, after searching perfect profession about ten years. when i am not studying, wandering in the woodlands, watching Victorian inspired costume dramas or sowing seeds i create woodland inspired jewelries. i also used to create collages and assemblages inspired by nature, but i have been now in world of jewelries for few years.

How do you express yourself creatively?

Mostly nowdays by creating jewelries. But i do love to make flower arrangements or decorating my little studio. I think later in spring i can be creative when i am planning a garden on a meadown in my parents yard.

Is your craft/art available online?

yes it is. you can find my jewelries at robinandthesage.etsy.com and see my older collage and assemblages at sepiaartstudio.etsy.com

What is your personal favourite piece you have ever made? And why do you love it so much?

I think maybe some of my collage works like this, since i love the Victorian feel of it

and i think one of my acorn necklaces comes second, i do love acorns and squirrels

Where do you find your inspiration?

most of all in nature. from my woodland wanderings. by listening the wind in the trees. from the sceneries i see around me. I do love to look Japanese Mori Girl ( fores girl) and interior magazines. When i feel uninspired i look one of my favorite movies like Bright Star, Miss Potter or Le Renard et l'enfant. I love to read fairy tales and books, like 'the Wild Forest', it is truly one of my favorite books with 'the Valley of Secrets'.

Could you share three artists with us, who you admire greatly?

I have to choose Beatrix Potter, Brian Froud and Marjolein Bastin. I share few other on my blog robinandthesage.blogspot.com

{thank you so much Delila!}

Saturday Afternoons

2011-04-03T11:47:00.001+02:00

Lost in a world of flowers and words

Stories of buzzing bees and balloon floating clouds

Winnie the Pooh and butter biscuits

"Yes, that is the one you must make me today, mam. That one."

What did you do this weekend?

Delights

2011-04-02T14:10:00.001+02:00

I do so love insanely fat snail mails from far away friends.

Trinity does not do normal mail. Hers comes from a magical land.

It took me over an hour to read the endless handwritten pages.

I do miss the 'art mail' days. Many with whom I used to swap

and trade arty packages have gone on to publish books and

being amazing artists.

trinity mail

One day when days are longer, and less filled with children, I will go

back to mix media and papery art. My paintboxes are abandoned mostly,

and my pencils used up by much smaller hands. One day, one day...

Delila Delights

This coming week I will also do a feature on my blog with

my lovely friend Delila.

Do come back soon for a post filled with goodness from her.

In the meantime, do enjoy your weekend!

My youngest three children have decided to play in the garden

and have their favourite song on repeat, erm, Rudolph the

Rednose Reindeer :/ I can feel a twitch coming on....

Friday-Gardenday

2011-04-01T11:26:00.001+02:00

Countless birds have moved into the bushes and the roof of our house.

They are so busy, and fill up the quiet with their constant song. It is sweet. Just

like Spring is supposed to be. Scattering little flowers every where. Honestly, it

seems the garden is smiling. A lunch in the sun on our weather beaten bench is

a must. I was spoiled by my dear friend Ramona with a

great arty magazine in the post the other day, and then another magazine

landed in my mail box from Amber! Thank you so much for your kindness!

I wish you could join me in the garden, the shakes are blended and a stack

of cucumber sandwiches do need to be eaten... x

Follow Your Dream

2011-03-30T12:37:00.011+02:00

All that we see or seem,

is but a dream within a dream

{edgar allan poe}

Here there everywhere

2011-03-28T12:16:00.002+02:00

The much wider tapes have been so fun to put together.

It is so different! I could endlessly make more!

These are available in my shop, by the way.

But now is definitely time for a cup of tea!

interlaced

2011-03-18T14:02:00.002+01:00

'The Rabbit-Hole went straight on like a

tunnel for some way & dipped suddenly

down so suddenly that Alice had not a

moment to think about stopping herself

before she found herself falling down a

very deep well'

{lewis Carroll}

Bon Week-end

So stitchy

2011-03-14T11:28:00.002+01:00

I have been sewing again, making massive soft patchwork cushions

for friends and loved ones as gifts. I am rubbish at shopping, and love

handmaking presents. I would not mind a big stack of these myself.

But I wouldn't have the patience *laughs*

Goodness

2011-03-12T11:47:00.002+01:00

thank you Mette*

Homemade Goodness.

When we are not well.

When there is so much coughing.

We need lots of cuddles and hugs.

Fevers and worries.

Home made cakes and hot chocolates.

Resting your head during long nights

on homemade goodness.

When home is the only place

you wish to be.

Together.

Time to make some chocolate goodness.

Going bigger

2011-03-10T15:59:00.002+01:00

I did it. Finally. Much wider cotton tapes.

Working on illustrations and overflowing with ideas.

The sunshine returning makes the world just that

bit brighter. It is all good.

Hope you are doing really good, too!

Cotton Tape Tower

2011-03-10T12:50:00.002+01:00

Cotton tape towers are just delicious. They look good enough to eat!

I have had these for a while, and it suddenly occurred to me that I should add

them to my shop. I know, I know, sometimes I am slow. In this case very slow.

My children are still all slightly snotty and cough-y, but for now the fevers have

ceased, and we are crossing our fingers they will not have caught the rubella bug

the same way our daughter did. Thank you so much for all the emails.

I appreciate it more than I can ever find words for!

Mailthings

2011-03-08T09:48:00.001+01:00

Lovely-things from Ing-things!

Dankjewel lieve Ingrid

ps. am very very busy with new stuff. Soon. Soon.

Spring

2011-03-07T12:38:00.001+01:00

Season of change. Sunshine bright.

Almost blinding. Never sure where I am heading,

but it feels good to move forward.

Uncertainty feels comforting.

Not knowing.

Lots of scope for surprises.

Stop the freight train, I want off

2011-03-05T19:16:00.002+01:00

It has been one of those weeks, well, more than a week, really.
And it has not finished. Dare say that it still is in the starting stages, possibly.
In the last week of school there had been the warning there was an outbreak of scarlet fever and rubella. We had not been told. On Saturday one child was coming down with a fever ,which climbed consistently into the 39's. I nearly died of shock when she broke out in the most hideous rash, and she could not open her eyes anymore. The fever was giving her hallucinations. We went to the doctor straight away, and were immediately sent to Foix hospital emergency. Her heart rate was up and blood pressure was down. The doctor was uncertain what the rash was. I honestly did not think I could breathe when he told me so matter of fact-ly.
In the hospital three different doctors stated it was German measles. And there is no medicine available, as it is viral, not bacterial. To go home and let her rest. If she was to act bizarrely to come back, as then the infection might have moved to her brain. She could not stay in hospital, she was too contagious. My other four children had to be taken to the gp for booster shots immediately. My first child still has a hideous rash, but the fever is coming down. Now we have to sit and wait to see if my other four children will get it, too. Two are already coughing, and have a slight temp. Please let it be the common cold.
Both my husband and I have a sinus infection, and are running low. This might be the effect of the rubella. Although we have had it when we were young. It is funny how doctors can never give you certain's. Only maybe's or might's.

So now I don't really know what to think, anymore.

Vegetating

2011-02-24T09:42:00.002+01:00

My health has been such an issue this last year+. No point in moaning about it,

so I am trying to claw back some control over this uncooperative body here.

I have been nicely vegetating away, yum, and blending just about every

fruit and veggie I can get my hands on! And I had such a breakthrough

this morning! For the first time in forever I woke up feeling energised!

So this is what it feels like to have refreshing reviving sleep! Joy!

I can see myself becoming a bit of junkie to this healthy stuff.

Of course it is my kidlets that give me that other ingredient we so need,

you know those big hugs with little arms, consistent chatting and noise!

Yes. I do feel better. But my aim is to feel great!

The children have been funny, the moment they can hear the blender going

they have their glasses ready for a try-out. I can't seem to make enough of

it... although the one that resembles 'green shrek snot* is returned to me.

Better go and blend myself some more of those green smoothies.

How are you feeling today?

xxx

s i l e n c e

2011-02-16T10:09:00.001+01:00

For some odd reason I have noticed I am very much a non-talker on my blog. I am not sure how this happened, or why it happened. It is almost giving the impression that I am quiet by nature and don't say much. This makes me smile. Because I am. Kind of. But I am also definitely not. ( sorry but one of my weaknesses is being very contrary ) I sometimes give out about my children chatting too much, I grumble about it, and stroke my poor ears, tired of listening to a non stop attack of talk for 10 hours or more. This is when mr.lillalotta laughs. At me. ( not with me, mind ) and shakes his head. What? I will say. What? And he will say Well, the children are creations from your gene pool, you know.

But there is also lots of pondering going on in the home. Sometimes this is done vocally, and sometimes in silence. Stillness is such a lovely thing. Usually this quiet has the soft sounds of music being blasted through head phones. There will be one child on the sofa, another child at the kitchen table whilst drawing. And of course the beeping and annoying music from game consoles mixed in. Even our fridge joins in, and certainly makes a funky sound.

I suppose there is never any silence in my home.

That is why it makes me smile that I seem to be "quiet" on my blog.

thanksverymuch

2011-02-15T15:18:00.002+01:00

Thank you to everybody who responded to my 'snail mail' post.

I can't wait to receive your mail, and sit and sip tea and ramble

with pen and paper myself.

On some of the comments I was not able to respond, due to not

finding an email address or blog. Please do email me.

I would not want you to think I was ignoring you.

Thanks so much again!

K i n d n e s s

2011-02-15T09:35:00.001+01:00

Sometimes I am left speechless. And so grateful for knowing such amazing people.

Thank you somehow does not seem enough when an unexpected gift is so very

considerate and thoughtful. I love the book Ramona and Rain! And I truly

needed it. Many thanks for such kindness!

The bag you so kindly gave me is already in full use, although Kayla has told

me it looks so much better on her :) She is, of course, living in la-la-land.

xxx

w e e k e n d

2011-02-14T13:25:00.001+01:00

Macarons+Cappuccinos+ Wee french shops+ Good company =♥

Lillalotta

Think Ink!

Matroyshkas!

Blah Blah

Wind Swept

The View

A Little love Heals a Lot

Tea Glorious Tea

Hush

Love is kind

Home is Where the Heart Is

Wisdom begins with Wonder

Blue Moon

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

My Goodness!

my kind of cup cake

New Year 2012

Jolly

Matroyshka

Home Sweet Home Winner!

Home Sweet Home + Give Away!

Wondering + Winner

Ponderings

Lilla Lotta Give Away ((closed))

Argh

Break

Chunky and extra large please

Imagination

i do

Cup Cake Heaven + Give Away (closed!)

Healing

Itty Bitty

Give Away Winner

They do!

Goodness Give Away (Closed!)

Light

word-less

Weather report

Teatime

Simplify

Bouncing

*nods*

Think Wings

Because I love You

Welcome September

Oh my Give Away!

Give Away Winner

Sunshine Give Away!

Waters

A Summer's Day

A Day in the Garden

argh

Goodness

Liberation

Halt

f i d d l i n g

Penny for your Thoughts

Friday Give Away

Friday Give Away

It matters....

Pause

Friday Give Away

Thankyoueversomuch!

Up and Down

Foundlings

Friday Give Away

Fancy that...

Friday Goodness ( belated )

Oh well

That Friday Feeling (closed)

Friday Give Away + Winners!

Phew...

Friday Give Away

Hoppity

Follow Your Dream

Home

Sitting in the Sun

High time

Pondering

Spring is Here!

nods