Flea Market Chic

Once in a while I reward myself for a job well done. My reward was a book I had been eyeing for some time now: Flea Market Chic by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell. The job in question was finishing up thirty sleepmasks as guest favors in record time!
Flea Market Chic is a charming decorating style that elevates flea market finds to must-have design elements. Some of you might know I love going to flea markets. The best ones are mostly across the border in the Netherlands and Belgium and thankfully I don't live that far from either.

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Manchmal muss man sich einfach als "Kleinunternehmer" für gute Arbeitsleistung selbst belohnen, eine Leistungsprämie sozusagen ;-) In diesem Fall mit dem Buch Flea Market Chic , welches schon länger auf meiner Wunschliste stand. Viele von euch wissen, dass ich unglaublich gern auf Flohmärkte stöbere, besonders in den Niederlanden und Belgien - beide Länder zum Glück nicht allzuweit entfernt von meinem Wohnort!

some design ideas from the book / ein paar Design Ideen aus dem Buch

Some of my favourite collectibles are floral patterned dishes and every type of container from bowls to vases. Vintage flatware is also pretty much sought after.

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Meistens schaue ich nach floralem Vintage-Geschirr und auch Schalen, Schüsseln, Vasen und verschnörkeltes Besteck finde ich super toll! 

Here are some of my own flea market finds / Hier einige Flohmarkt Schätze, die ich gefunden habe

coffee pot / Kaffeekanne

How about you? Do you visit flea markets and what do you usually look for? Anyway, thanks for reading along. And a big welcome to my lovely new readers too! Have a terrific day!

Und was ist mit euch? Geht ihr auch gern zum Flohmarkt, und nach welchen Schätzen sucht ihr?! Schön, dass ihr wieder vorbeigeschaut habt...und nicht zuletzt ein herzliches Willkommen an meine lieben neuen Leser! Habt einen wundervollen Tag!

xo

Scandinavian Stitches

This cute little soft cover patchworkbook is ideal for beginning sewists determined to learn the basics in handstitching, appliquéing and quilting. Written by popular Finnish artist and teacher Kajsa Wikman, who also publishes a successful blog, it is filled with twentyone whimsical projects including Kajsa's trademark happy appliqués.A fresh, modern take on folk art and scrap-friendly too! The projects are categorized into the four seasons and are ideal to bring a little fun and colour into the coming long winter nights.

Das Buch gibt es hier

Scandinavian Stitches ist ein süßes, skandinavisches Patchworkbuch mal nicht typisch Tilda ;-) 

Geschrieben von der bekannten Finnländerin Kajsa Wikman beinhaltet es 21 herzallerliebste Projekte im zeitgemäßen Folk Art Stil. Die Anleitungen sind im gut verständlichen Englisch und ausführlich beschrieben. Jedes Projekt ist bebildert und Vorlagen gibt es auch dazu. Ob applizierte Kissen, Babyquilts, Stoffkörbe oder niedliche Dekohäuser - es ist für jeden Geschmack und jede Nähstufe etwas dabei! Die liebevolle Machart des Buches verleitet immer wieder zum Durchblättern. Die Projekte sind so süß und bunt-fröhlich ~ gerade richtig für die kommenden langen Winterabende!

The bag making Bible

I've had my eye on Lisa Lam's craft book ever since I read about it on her popular U-handblog, and no sooner was it published I had to buy it!
I leafed through it yesterday. There are only eight bag-projects in this book, and although the author purports her instructions to be clear and easy-to-follow, I feel that beginning sewists (the term used in this book) who have never, ever made a bag before will be rather overwhelmed by the sheer mass of information. Indeed, this is a tome on all manner of bag construction techniques - from inserting the dreaded zippers to various pocket solutions. Special topics cover attaching all sorts of hardware, types of interfacing/interlining to use, making bag handles and embellishing. There is a sweet foreword by bag-making queen Amy Butler, and many of the bags shown are made with Amy Butler home decor fabrics. They are gorgeous, of course. I recommend this book to people who have made a bag or two before and are familiar with the basic construction of a bag. This book will take you a level up in bag making, plus it provides detailed information on professional finishing. The photographer did a great job by showing the bags inside and out and Lisa has kept the tone of the book light by injecting her special brand of humor.
A nice addition to my collection of crafting books!

Sew Darn Cute

Arrived via Amazon today : yet another crafting book for my bookshelf! The title of this book says it all. Some of the projects in this book are so cute it hurts! Author and seamstress Jenny Ryan knows about cute: you'll find lots of Japanese Zakka fabrics here; the ever-popular yo-yo's in various sizes; and one of my favourites - tote bags with appliquèd cupcakes. Too cute! Projects for all sewing levels are included: from headbands to handbags, from baby bibs to doll's quilts - this adorable book has it all. The close-up shots are gorgeous, and just looking at the pretty fabrics really get my 'creative juices' flowing. Books like these keep me motivated and inpire me to think up my own creations (that's the best part). Before I sign off: I can't seem to load some of my favourite blogs on Entrecard! What's up with that? It's annoying. I've tried opening the blog on my hubby's computer - same thing. Has anyone else experienced this while 'dropping' or is it just me???

Crafty books

Phew. As you can see me lovely header is back up there. I got a little panicky when it just disappeared yesterday ☺

On to one of my favourite subjects - books.

I love the crafting books by Ute Menze. Unfortunately for all you English-speakers out there, they're in German and haven't been translated as far as I know. However the beautiful layout and the gorgeous pictures and crafting ideas speak for themselves. If you are just a little bit crafty you won't need to understand the text. These books are ideal for people who love cross stitching, embroidery, patchwork and sewing. It is full of adorable details, and all the projects can be easily adapted to suit ones taste. The books are available on Amazon.