Prairie Schooler pinkeep exchange for Marie

I celebrated my namesday today by painting all day... We found a moment though to share some nachos and salsa on the deck... but that was all. Painting in this extreme heat is no fun, we were almost collapsing. It was a lovely day though, we got a lot done while cat and dog found shady spots to lay and observe us lazily. We've just decided though to not paint the living-room before our guests come. Paiting the house required 3-4 layers in most places to cover the dark color that was there before and to get the lovely result we wanted. We've added small work ere and there, on the older house and on the new garage, and we just ran out of time. Too bad, but it has to be that way. Now I have 4 days to finish the paiting outdoor, clean the house thouroughly, plan my brothers'+++ visit, do food shopping, cook and whatever else is needed to make this a nice stay for them.
I have more regular work to do also but now deadlines are more realistic till August 11 so in total it means we're starting the better part of the summer now :)

My day was sweetened by hearing that my exchange PS pinkeep reached Marie and that she loved it :)
Here is what I stitched for her, a fragment of the fall samplers (if I remember well) on 40 ct Lakeside Linens fabric, with my personal choice of GAST and WDW. I used Gloriana silk ribbon for the finishing and golden pins. If you haven't tried those ribbons, you just have to! I got some in a bit-end-ends pack recently and I soooo love them.

Look at the ribbon, how the color changes and shines...

The back...
I think I chose right colors, don't you think?

I also made a very little pinkeep for Marie, following a great tutorial my friend Ela directed me to. I've yet to show photos of the *wonderful* birthday gifts she sent me, but I swear I took pictures at several occasions and none show the gifties right, so I'll keep trying and then I'll show them to you!
The pinkeep is normally bigger, but for Marie, I experimented with just a soda bottle cap.... see how small it is! :)

Here are some goddies I enclosed for Marie..



I've had fun participating in this exchange and it was pure pleasure to make something for Marie!

A funny book

I got this book recently, and I'm dead decided on getting all supplies and learning to make these fun Norwegian "nisser" and angels. Here's how wikipedia describes them:

A tomte ['tɔ`m:tɛ] or nisse ['nìs:ɛ] is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore originating from Norse paganism. Tomte or Nisse were believed to take care of a farmer's home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night, when the housefolk were asleep. Tomte is the common Swedish name, derived from his place of residence and area of influence: the house lot or tomt.
Despite his smallness, the tomte/nisse possessed an immense strength. Even though he was protective and caring he was easy to offend, and his retributions ranged from a stout box on the ears to the killing of livestock or ruining of the farm's fortune. The tomte/nisse was a traditionalist who did not like changes in the way things were done at the farm. Another easy way to offend him was rudeness: farm workers swearing, urinating in the barns, or not treating the creatures well would be soundly thrashed. If anyone spilled something on the floor in the house it was wise to shout a warning to the tomte below.

To read more, click HERE.



It's a great book that describes in a very easy way how to make such figures. Even with my not-perfect Norwegian, I understand most of it :)