yarn and butterflies = happiness....*smiling*....

lately....

i have grown one year older
and have been hugely spoiled with lots of heart warming wishes and wonderful presents...*smiling*..
on the table is a beautiful bouquet with fresh flowers from my sweet husband and
i have become the lucky owner of my very own land(e)scape pin, so PRETTY!
i am wearing my annabel cardigan all the time and i think i have to make myself a summer version of it too by using a cottonblend.

it is not only the designs that Kate creates that i admire about her,
her "still making post" resonated deeply with me........worth the read..
hugely enjoying visiting Elizabeth's blog em, she inspires me with all her creative skills.
i love her ceramic work, so beautiful.....
i wish i had these plates from her in my kitchen...*smiling*

Conversation with Carrie

 

Vibeke: I am so happy that you said yes to do this conversation post together with me Carrie! First do you think you can tell us a little bit about yourself?
Carrie: I grew up in New England, went to college in NYC, then moved around a bit before landing in Maine where I now live with my husband, daughter, and three cats. I work as Art Director for Quince & Co. during the week and spend time with my family on the weekends (and occasionally, I get to spend time in my studio!).


Vibeke: Five words that you would choose to describe yourself?
Carrie: Shy, day dreamer, caring, and motivated yet lazy.


Vibeke: Can you tell us about Madder?
Carrie: Madder has been a few different things depending on the time in my life. It started out as a possible shop with my own clothing line using hand-printed fabric (the day dreamer in me). The brick and mortar shop never came to life, but Madder continued to evolve in my mind—I just couldn't give up the idea that we were meant to be together. Now, Madder is a little online shop where I sell my knitting patterns. Even though it has morphed, Madder has always been about a way of life that includes making clothes, celebrating the hand-made, and being inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds me.

Vibeke: I have SO many of your designs on my-want-to knit list!! Are there one of your designs that you are extra proud of?
Carrie: Oh, thank you! I'm really proud of my Camilla sweaters. They are fairly easy and quick to knit. The pretty fan stitch down the center front is hugged by garter stitch on each side. I LOVE garter stitch.
Vibeke: I LOVE your Camilla sweaters!!! I find them very pretty, (and as you already mentioned) fairly easy and quick to knit.....in other words the perfect design...*smiling*..


Vibeke: How is the process like when you create a new knitting design?
Carrie: I spend hours looking at my stitch books--Barbara Walker's books and a few Japanese books. I ponder them. I make sketches of silhouettes I'm interested. I spend a lot of time swatching.
Sometimes the design comes together quickly. And other times it's slower to take shape and this is when I get a little obsessed. It's a puzzle I need to figure out. Like right now, I have a swatch on my desk. It's so beautiful but what does it want to be?


Vibeke: I have noticed that you sometimes make moodboards. is that something you often do when you work with a project?
Carrie: The mood boards I make are not usually specific to any particular project. I use them to help me define my style or to stay generally inspired. I love putting colors and textures together. It's very pleasing--both to assemble and to look at (until I take it down and start all over again).

 

Vibeke: Who taught you to knit and do you remember how old you were at that time?
Carrie: My mother gave me knitting lessons throughout my childhood. I can't remember the first time, but I was probably in middle school. It wasn't until after college that I kept knitting by my bedside. I worked on a stockinette stitch scarf for about a year--I'd pick it up here and there. I learned how that stitch rolls if you don't have edge stitches. Oh, the things you learn!


Vibeke: Your favourite piece that you have knitted for yourself?
Carrie: My Camilla and Annabel sweaters. Simple to knit and easy to wear.


Vibeke: What do you have on your knitting needles these days and i am also curious to know if you have anything planned next?
Carrie: Right now I'm making a cardigan, cowl, and hat for my daughter, Imogen. And, I have lots of things planned! But, I'm trying to be more realistic about what I can get down in my minimal free time—for Madder, at least. I have some fun designs planned for Quince. I'm hoping to have more Q time to design again. I'm excited about this year!


Vibeke: I just LOVE seeing other poples creative spaces/studios, can we get to see yours?
I would also like to know what kind of athmosphere you like to have around you in your studio.
Carrie: My studio is quiet. It's in my backyard, beside the garden. This is the place where I like to listen to music, look at my books, knit swatches, and relax.

Vibeke: What inspires you?
Carrie: Light, color, texture. Travel, creative people, music, love. Children.


Vibeke: You are a designer, knitter and photographer. what other things do you enjoy doing?
Carrie: I love being outside. I love being in my garden (I have a lot to learn in this department, though!). I love watching the birds in my yard. I love to cook and eat. I love to be home in the evening with a glass of wine or a cup of tea.


Vibeke: If you were going to explore a new craft what would that be?
Carrie: I'm really interested in sewing and embroidery. And, I'd love to learn how to design fabric. Also, I'm desperate to learn letterpress printing. Lots to do. Lots to learn!


Vibeke: Are there any artists that inspires you in a special way through their work?
Carrie: My friend Karen Gelardi is very inspiring to me. She's quite prolific. I'm always amazed to see her work in a variety of mediums. But no matter what the medium—textiles, painting, clothing—they always feel like "Karen".


Vibeke: What is your favourite season and why?
Carrie: My favorite season is the Fall. The colors are so appealing and alluring. I'm drawn to the idea of a harvest--collecting your hard summer's work before the long winter season of rest.

Vibeke: What means beauty to you and where do you find it?
Carrie: Beauty. I think about it everyday. It's a kind of fuel that keeps me going. And the wonderful thing is—it is everywhere: My daughter's eyelashes, my husband's hands, the feathers of birds, fallen pinecones on the ground, a garden of flowers or vegetables, morning light, evening light...

Vibeke: How do you relax?
Carrie: Being in my studio is relaxing. I also like going to the Audubon to walk around—it's so lovely there.


Vibeke: It has been a true pleasure to talk with you Carrie, so lovely and inspiring!
And just a final question, what are you most grateful for in your life right now?
Carrie: I'm most grateful for my family and friends and the time I get to share with them.


Links:
Blog,
Madder homepage
and
Pinterest.

  

These days...
...i find myself in love with my friend Nausika's BEAUTIFUL sculptures (images above)
reading the newest issue of Taproot magazine AND eating (pre)easter marzipan...*smiling*...
knitting on the embroidered märta bag (previous post) but i must admit that i am already looking forward to start on the next knitting project (i am always this way)...
taking it slooooow and recovering from the "hard meeting" with the icy road...
waiting for the endless snowy weather to stop....
anna has just opened her new store speckles handmade, congratulations sweet anna!....*smiling*...
writing down new quotes in my notebook,
like these two:

"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."
-Einstein

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul." 
-via the beautifil blog: urban. parire. forest.


........what are you up to?

Lashes Of London Giveaway Time!

Hello you little beauties! As a huge thank you to you all i've teamed up with one of my favs, Lashes Of London, to do a International giveaway for you :) 

The prize is any item of your choice from Lashes (woo!) - Here are a few of my favourites to give you an idea..

The Rules for the Giveaway:
1. Like Lashes of London Facebook page
2. Follow me on bloglovin'
3. Leave a comment below with your email address and the item you want from Lashes

The rest are optional, the more you do the more points you get, which gives you more chance of winning!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! xoxo 

the girl who wished for spring but got tons of snow instead

some of the "things" this weekend brought with...
-tons of snow
-i was gifted the most beautiful dress by NOA NOA, it is for sure
going to be my favourite dress this summer!
a BIG thank you to Anita at NOA NOA...*smiling*
-having a lovely pre-birthday celebration
-ended up with a bruised and painful body after having slipped on the icy road while walking
-a new knitting project, the lovely märta embroidered bag by Lucinda Guy on the photos above.
i haven't started on it yet but the yarn is bought...*smiling*..
-read the book Half broke horses by Jeannette Walls and LOVED it! going to read her
book The glass castle now, hugely looking forward to it.

A conversation together with Miranda

Vibeke: Hi Miranda! I am so happy that you said yes to doing this conversation post together with me. First, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Miranda: Well, I’m Miranda van Dijk, and I live in the Netherlands with my husband and son. I’m the designer and maker of Puur Anders . I create fabric flowers and leaves with (vintage) photographs.

Vibeke: Three words that you would choose to describe yourself?

Miranda: Poetic, dreamer, impassioned.

Vibeke: You are the designer and maker of Puur Anders (means pure different in Dutch). I have been admiring your beautiful pieces for quite some time and I am curious to know the story behind the choosing of this specific name?

Miranda: The idea behind the name is that you can find beauty everywhere. Even in the normal things, they could be right on your doorstep. So common, but so extraordinary. Different. Pure different.

Vibeke: How were the idea of Puur Anders "born" and how where your path from making the idea into reality?

Miranda: Well, it started during my second year of the Styling Academy. I quit my dayjob for this school. I really thought being a stylist was what I always wanted. But what I loved most was the creating process. And doing something of my own and not working for a company. Now I think I’m more an independent artist than a stylist, but then I didn’t realized that. I felt a relief when I graduated and I remember saying to my husband: ‘Finally, I can do the things that I like.’

Between the school assignments I’d already created the story concept ‘Abandoned by Nature’ about the last woman on Earth who is abandoned by Mother Nature. For this concept I crocheted dark rubber flower jewelry. I started selling these items on markets and galleries and Puur Anders was coming to live.

Vibeke: What are for you the biggest blessing about beeing an artist and what do you feel are the most challenging about it?

Miranda: I like the creativity process. At the same time it is the most challenging. It can be a struggle when I have a clear picture in my head and it doesn’t turn out to be. During these down moments I’m starting to think I have to find a decent job. I’ve learned that I have to do something completely different to get my head clear. Fortunately, I’m still an artist. Independent and working in my own home. It is truly me.

Vibeke: Were you a creative child and what was your favourite thing to do?

Miranda: I can’t remember being very creative as a child. What I do liked was playing with the LEGO and Playmobil of my two older brothers. I created complete cities and whole stories. I was always busy changing my room, so maybe there is a bit of stylist in me, haha.

Vibeke: Can you tell us a little bit about how you work?

Miranda: Everything starts in my head after seeing an inspiring photo, magazine or something on the street. Sometimes I make a drawing of the idea in my notebook or make a note. I start collecting information, most of it are pictures to get a complete picture. And then comes the most difficult part, to start making. There are a lot of experiments lying in my drawer, unused. Or I leave them on my workspace. To look at it again and again when I’m not happy with it. I’ve realized I have to share these experiments on my blog and on facebook. Reading positive words about it, makes my heart sing and it is just what I need to finish it.

Vibeke: I LOVE the wrappings you do when one has bought something from you!! is the wrapping something you find especially important?

Miranda: Yes I do. My pieces are mostly a precious gift for someone. I want it to look like you’ve find a little treasure in your grandmother’s chest of drawers.

Vibeke: Are there any other crafts that you enjoy? Maybe there also is something new that you would have liked to learn/explore more?

Miranda: Well, I like crocheting and embroidering, but it is hard to find time for it. I would love to learn screen-printing and sewing. I got a sewing machine for my birthday last year, but it is still unused.

Vibeke: How do you relax?

Miranda: I always create time to be with my son. Playing with him makes me forget about my work. We go out for a walk with his bike or drink some coffee and tea at a nature visitor center here in the neighbourhood.

I have to deal with peaks in my work, like Mothersday and Christmas. During these months it is very busy and I have to work in the evenings. Than it is very relaxing to have a free weekend with my husband and son. Going for a forest walk of have some fun at sea.

Vibeke: What means the word creativity to you?

Miranda: Creativity is finding solutions, having an idea in your head which you can make for real and making things with your hands.

Vibeke: What inspires you?

Miranda: Everything, but most of all nature. Nature is such a wonderful artist. Every leaf is different, every flower has his own imperfections. I can’t get enough also of poetic and dreamy pictures of women in rough and romantic landscapes. I love the combination of these two. My pinterest account is full of these images.
Vibeke: I hugely enjoy your Pinterest, a collection of beauty and inspiration!

Vibeke: I LOVE your online catalogues, so beautiful! I read a quote there: "observing others is finding yourself"...really like these words. Do you have some quotes that you especially like?

Miranda: I love quotes too, but I’m not really good in remembering them. There one hanging in my living room: "Follow your dreams".

Vibeke: I know that nature is an important thing for you. can you share a little bit about what beeing in nature means to you?

Miranda: Beeing in nature is finding energy and peace. I find it very relaxing to walk down the river only 3 minutes from my home. I need it the most when my head is too full of ideas or troubles. It feels like the river takes everything with her. 

Vibeke: I know that you work with a lot of custom pieces and i would believe that there sometimes are some emotional stories behind many of them....are there a special one that you would like to share with us?

Miranda: Every item is special and sometimes you hear the story behind. Once I made a leaf of a birthcertificate. It was a motherday gift. The paper was very old and full of medical terms and it said that the little boy died direct after giving birth. This little paper was the only proof that this little boy had existed. No pictures, only a name and a date.

Vibeke: I am lucky to have some lovely penpals around the world and especially a couple of them are often sending me the most pretty dried leaves and flowers (i love nature treasures like that). The last leafs i got were some yellow ginko leaves, i love their shape. Because your pieces often consists of leaves and flowers i wonder if you have some favourites?

Miranda: I love tulips, snowdrops and daffodils. I always buy them in the grey months. They remind me that spring isn’t far away anymore. 
Vibeke: I also buy fresh flowers in the grey/dark and cold months so that i get a reminder of spring...it uplifts and refreshes me.

Vibeke: Where can one buy your work?

Miranda: You can buy my work online in my Etsy shop or in my Dutch shop. A couple of stores in The Netherlands sells my work too.

Vibeke: Are you working on any new ideas these days and if you do can you share a little bit about it with us?

Miranda: I’ve had many questions lately for framed work. Not everyone prefers a brooch or necklace, but want it to be an object in their home. I’ve always said no, because of the extensive shipping costs. But it gives so many more opportunities, like a whole branch with photographic leaves. I like the idea that you can have your own ‘family-tree’ on the wall.

I’m also working on new flowers, which you can put in a vase. And on a butterfly brooch. And…

There will be a lot of new stuff this year in a completely different concept. Just wait till spring!
Vibeke: BUTTERFLY brooch!!?? Oh, i can't wait for this one Miranda...*smiling*...

Vibeke: Winter is slowly starting to turn into early spring here in Norway now. I have learned to like winter more the last years but i am passionate about spring......i LOVE spring! What about you?

Miranda: I’m not very fond of winter actually. I love the winter days which are not so cold and with a lot of sun. Yesterday I heard the birds sing in the morning when I woke up. Finally! My favourite season is spring. Seeing the green come to live.

Vibeke: This has been such a lovely and inspiring conversation Miranda! And lastly i want to ask you about what you are most happy about in your life right now?

Miranda: Definitely, my family life. My son and husband. 


Links:
Blog,
Pinterest
and
Etsy.