Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
My crochet hooks have been on “a summer vacation” during the last weeks. I sit a lot when working so sewing projects which include more movement and standing in front of the iron board just feel better than sitting down with a crochet hook and yarn. Therefore here you see a new bento bag I made of linen to store bread, a new market bag of two old napkins and wide linen handles which seem to be a very comfortable solution for the shoulder (four layers of thin linen made of an old sheet). I have also done some updates on the home décor with new/old white linen curtains I added to this "sidetable or something" to hide the clutter behind it.
I also made a lovely short trip to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland when I had a break from work earlier this week and got to visit a few exhibitions at Korundi and Arktikum. Of course some new yummy yarn below found its way home as well from craft stores Taito Lappi (yarn Grosso from Borgo de´Pazzi) and Vallaton Villa (yarn Llama silk from Järbo garn). I like to buy yarn whenever traveling, since it of course adds to the story of the piece made of the fiber. I stayed at Café Hostel Koti, a new and very friendly place decorated in simple and modern Scandinavian style and always happy to support new local entrepreneurs. Taito Lappi is situated just next door, so pretty much a crafters heaven to stay in. Had some lovely chats about craft, life and got to brush up my skills in Norwegian and even got an update on current affairs in Norway. Noticed how I miss a stronger Nordic connection which I had before, pretty much just watch/listen to Norwegian and Danish TV to keep track on the languages and teach Swedish. Have to figure this out and do at least some traveling if nothing else.
These kind of small things, adding homemade beauty to everyday life, bring a lot of joy to me. Linen as a material is very relaxing to work with and live with and just touching it makes me instantly grounded. Another thing that brings a smile on my face every day are small changes I have made in shopping groceries to make cooking and eating a more nourishing and plastic free experience. I made a couple of bento bags for veggies and fruits last summer and they are still going strong and bought a market basket as well last fall. I don’t know but somehow these tiny changes bring more gratitude towards the ingredients when shopping and cooking. Perhaps I could quote here William Morris who said that: "The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life". And let us also quote another old gentleman, Henry David Thoreau: "To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of the arts". Perhaps some aspects to keep on mind, little things matter. It is these things I go around wondering and pondering with, what is the art of living and gentle living and how to make the everyday life a bit more gentle, softer, beautiful and joyful for me and others. I believe very strongly that beauty restores soul and it makes us feel happier and can perhaps even make us act better, be softer and more gentle towards others if we stay and get to work/live in a beautiful environment.
With these tiny changes I somehow also find it easier to make better choices in the local supermarket. Or is it perhaps that like many others, I am also learning how to use more and different kind of vegetables and slowly but steadily finding a new creative outlet in cooking. There is a more serious reason for this enthusiasm though, I have been having low energy levels and issues with digestion during the last couple of years, the fatigue coming partly from work because of the air inside in many public buildings like schools is not very healthy (a big topic and trouble in Finland). Now it also seems at least according the blood tests that I’ll be on a gluten-free diet for the rest of my life. I'll get to know more of that next week, but at this point I am very chill about that. Just eager to get the body healing and also get to learn to make some sweet treats new way :-), but otherwise it is not a big change. And what comes has to be accepted and try to make the best out of it. And aren't we people very wisely designed, the body deteriorates with age, but mind and heart just keep getting stronger. There is a balance all the time.
And when it comes to trying to reduce plastics, so many things are wrapped in it and it is difficult to avoid, but at least part of it is avoidable. And when coming home, there is the question of storing the food without plastics. I have been using for example Bee’s wraps for a year and have been very happy with them. Wraps smell really relaxing and now seem to be easier to find in Finland than a year ago. There is a lovely blog post + comments related to this theme on the blog Reading her Tea Leaves.
And then just a little evening craft project. These beauties are not yet in the season of course, but had to try and share this lovely idea of a candle holder from a book called The Art of Living with Nature by Willow Crossley.
Wishing you a lovely month of July!
Pirjo
