KissKus

Kaffe Fassett exhibition Part Deux

As promised more photos of the Kaffe Fassett Exhibition I went to in Hasselt, Belgium.
The quilts were the main focus for me there, but there were so many more wonderful things to see. I had expected to see quilts and knitted jumpers, but there were also many embroidered pieces (cushions, slippers, whole chairs) and lots of beautiful mosaic pieces. I really knew so little about Kaffe Fassett (I must get my hands on his books), but I definitely didn't appreciate his work any less because of it!

The quality of the photos isn't great since I had to make do with sparse artificial lighting, but they do give you a clue as to what was on show.

Like this amazing embroidered cushion:

or this one:

Look at this fantastic tapestry:

Whole decors were set up in the same style...quilts, embroidered pieces, wallpaper, paintings and mosaics

What a gorgeous table!

With matching vase

I think I might have to improve my own mosaic skills a little... although with mosaics you can't really go wrong, can you? I can't wait to get started on that again... come out sun!

*I might upload some more photos tomorrow*

A whole lot of flowers

The other day I started making fabric flowers.
The reason is that I'm so attached to my scraps that I want to use up every last bit of them, so *even* the pieces that are too small to use for tissueholders. These flowers are perfect for that.

I initially thought of using them as decoration on a present and I still think that they are great for that. However, today I suddenly thought that I could turn these flowers into really nice treats for Amber's upcoming birthday. I was thinking of putting these flowers onto a small stick/straw and then either put them in a tiny cake or -even better I think- in a little flowerpot filled with liquorice.
Amber thought this was a really good idea. Of course this means that I have to make about 40 of these flowers... But they're all cut now, I just have to sew on the buttons.

Amber made all the fabric combinations and picked out the buttons; we had a lot of fun. The house is still an indescribable mess, but who cares... I've been making scrappy flowers with my daughter!

Day in motion

We spent the day with friends yesterday and had a wonderful time.

After a lovely lunch, some exchanging of gifts (she liked it very much) and a new hairdo we went to hang out at the theme park a couple of 100s of metres from their house.
The park actually borders on the backyard of our friend's parent's house and since her father works there, we were allowed to slip through the back entrance... so cool!

Needless to say we all had a great time, not just the children. We went on lots of rides... in trains, cars, on horses.
I went in one of those big ships that goes upside down. It even stayed upside down for a while... I was really afraid it had broken. Yes, I screamed. And my children looked on... I don't know what they must have thought of their mother!

Yes, it was fun :)

Oh and I must share with you the most tacky front garden I've ever seen! This is so horrible it's GOOD... here it comes:

A bit closer then:

Bee-u-ti-ful!

A neat present

A friend of mine has recently had her birthday and this weekend we'll go to visit her. What present was I going to get her? Always a tough question, don't you think? As I was thinking of what to *buy* I suddenly thought: why don't I *make* her something?!
Although it was late and I was tired (no excuse...it's always late and I'm always tired) I got going and in about an hour the present was finished!
Once you have plan and go for it then really is so little work, isn't it? And the result is so rewarding!

I made a pocket tidy. I made them before as you can see here and here, but never out of oilcloth. It's definitely a success I think. I want to make more of these... I must get more oilcloth ;)

I will just buy some coordinating lime green cosmetics to put in the pockets and add a matching tissueholder and I'm all ready for the party!

Follow that gnome!

Yesterday afternoon I went cycling with the children. Amber loves cycling on her own bike and it goes very well too, even in busy traffic. Fortunately, she's a good listener and she already knows the traffic rules by heart.

So anyway, off we went to a nearby castle. Sounds good, doesn't it... a nearby castle?! And it is good! It's lovely there. Cute castle and lots of woods and meadows where you can walk and cycle. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the castle itself, but from their website you can get a good impression. Here you see the back of the castle from afar:

We took a break at the playground. The children played while I read a magazine in the sun... all was good.

If you want to know about the gnome (that I squeal about in a voice that can't possibly mine!) then click the link below (it'll probably take a while to download).

Download mei2007_357.MOV

By the way, I'm going to post more crafty topics again... all this children/life stuff must be getting boring! To proof my good intentions a photo of a new tissueholder?! Well alright then ;))

Happy mother

On this Sunday that's dedicated to all mothers, I'm happy that my little birds are back at the nest after six days with their oma's. They had a great time, and so did we, but I'm so glad to be able to stroke their sweet sleeping heads again tonight.

This is what Amber made for me at school. She knew the accompanying poem by heart, even after 2,5 weeks of vacation and not having practiced it... I'm so proud!

And this the other present I got, an Oilily bag and perfume. Even though I don't like the mad commerciality around days like this, I must say that I'm *pretty* pleased with that cute bag ;)

On Friday evening we visited our friends who had just become parents. Here I'm getting acquainted to little Pien. Babies rule!!

Happy Mothersday to all you mothers!

Kaffe Fassett exhibition

My parents' birthday present to me was a trip to Hasselt (Belgium) to the Kaffe Fassett exhibition in The Fashion Museum.
It was fabulous!
Exhibited were quilts, jumpers, mosaics, embroidered cushions and so much more. I just can't believe how multi-talented this man is!

Since it's late and I have to work early tomorrow, I'll just show you some photos of the quilts I liked best loved.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to take really good photos because of the sparse lighting, but you get the idea, don't you?! Look at that explosion of colours!

This one is much more subdued, but I love the simplicity and the pattern. See how he used the stripy fabric to create the pattern as well? Simple, but so effective.

This was one of my absolute favourites. Yellow, pink & orange just are my colours.

Genius. Love everything about this. Must try something like this.

Mum (quilter, knitter & allround crafty girl) and I (just crafty girl) got so inspired on so many levels by just looking at his work. The choice of fabric, colours, patterns... I can't wait to get started!
And I didn't leave empty-handed either. Mum & Dad were sweet enough to contribute this to my stash:)

I'm so happy just to look at it. I do believe it's the prettiest (and most expensive) fabric I've ever had!

Next post I'll show you photos of the other items that were on show.

Tissueholder give-away... please help me get rid of them ;)

 

 

*All gone! Thank you so much for helping me out :)

I will contact everyone for their addresses!*

Most of you will know about my tissueholder making addiction. Well, last month I made another huge batch. And although I sold quite a few at the freemarket at Queensday, I still have plenty left. Now I've told myself I'm not allowed to make new ones until all the others are gone... this is where I need your help!
I know that probably everyone who likes to craft has made their own tissueholders, but if you'd like to get one of me or if you would like to give one to someone else, then please tell me.

Here there are (clockwise):

Number 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Number 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10

Number 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15

Number 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20

I must say that *some* of these are not quite perfect and *some* of the fabrics used are not my ultimate favourites, but just know that there all made with love and an incredible amount of fun :))
So if you'd like to have one (or more, don't be shy!) then please say so in a comment or e-mail (let me know how many or which ones too).

Amber had fun styling the photos; she made the top one too. What I didn't know was that she had also been secretly photographing me and since apparently I was bending a lot my bum was in full picture. All deleted now, thank you! Naughty girl...

Land of ice-cream

This Sunday afternoon was a perfect moment to go to Weesp again. Our first real ice-cream of the season!
When Simon asked Amber what 'Weeps' was, she answered that it was a land where they sold lots of ice-cream. Well, I can understand why they might think so :)

As I wrote here, going back to Weesp is always a trip down memory-lane for us. And today it was as enjoyable as ever.

We were lucky that the chestnut-trees were in full bloom... so beautiful!

We passed this gorgeous shopwindow that was decorated this way in honour of the birth of Princess Ariane (on my birthday!). I love the red gingham, polkadots and ric-rac together!!

Almost all houses in Weesp have a few steps going to the front door and Amber and Simon had fun jumping off ALL the steps that we passed.

I just had to take this photo of this fantastic bike in front of some kind of casino.

We then took the long touristy way home, where I made a yummy -if I may say so- pasta salad!

This coming week the children will spent five days with the oma's. Unfortunately, I have to work most of that time (not unfortunately that I have to work... I love my job, but unfortunately because it so rarely happens that I have real, undisturbed ME time). However, Tuesday I'm going to Belgium to visit a Kaffe Fasset exhibition with my parents. And Michel and I are planning an evening away together on Thursday, so lots of nice things to look forward to!
I hope you all have something fun planned this week!

Big Day #3

The story about the car...

About five months ago whilst looking for a new car (which we couldn't afford) on the internet, Michel played a silly game. He got an e-mail saying that he was one of the finalists and that he might win a car. Weeks went by without news. Michel kept faith, but quite honestly I never believed it was really going to happen (an excellent example of the difference in our characters ;)).
Until last week, when I got a phone call that they wanted to plan a date for playing the finale of the game. And that a few other people were going to be there, including local press...!!!!! Then I believed it really was going to happen and that there was a fifty percent chance, since there was only one other finalist. That was also when the stomachache began.

Ok, so yesterday just when opa came to pick up the children for the day (HIGH risk of unwanted distraction!), the photographer arrived. Half an hour early!! Oh and look, the PR-lady... also half an hour early! We put both of them in garden, so I could do the vacuuming. At moments like that you have to set your priorities straight.
Then the waiting began. Michel practised some more. I entertained our guests.

At 10.45 sharp the game started. The photographer was clicking away, but Michel remained calm. After 5 levels he finished with a great score... but was it good enough?!Yes, it was!!

The other contestant had almost half the score Michel had... he had won the car!!!

The PR-lady symbolically handed over a photo of the car and said we will be contacted by the car dealer about the details. Then they all left and we were alone, happy and so glad that everything was over!

We're hoping to be trading in the new car before it even leaves the garage along with our current car, so that we might be able to buy a bigger car. We'll see, first we need to get all the further details.

Today, I'm trying to restore some normality around here. We're all dying to enjoy some calmness and relaxation. A recap of the last six days: celebration of my father's decoration, a birthday party, my sister's move to her new house, Queensday, and the new car... I'd say we've partied enough for the next couple of weeks!

PS There were some ideas and questions about the Dutch and their obsession with clean windows... I have not heard of this before, but it seems a very interesting topic; who knows I might write a post about it someday ;)) (quite frankly the only thing that bothers me about the windows is my neighbour who washes the windows every other day it seems, so that mine always are look filthy in comparison!)