tidying toys all day long

Lately I have felt like I do nothing but picking up toys from the floor and tidying all day long. Since our bedrooms are on the second floor this means a lot of up and down the stairs … I know, it’s good exercise, but after the ninth time up & down those stairs I usually have enough of it.

I want the toys to be nearby so that Andreas can play with them when he wants. At the same time I don’t want to stumble upon them on the floor every time I go to the living room.

So finally after pondering on a solution that fits both my needs: Easy access and easy tidying. I took some sewing action and made a toy basket that hangs from little monkey’s day bed.

I must say I am very pleased with both the idea and the end result.

I used some Japanese fabrics I had in my pile of fabric stash, bought some Viledon to stiffen the basket and made the straps long enough so that it will be easy for Andreas to get the toys when he wants to play…in time perhaps I can even show him how to put them back in there (…it could be a funny children’s game couldn’t it?)

It’s been hanging on the day bed for a few days now and works marvelous. I tidy in seconds and take the toys out again in no time. Perfect.

I’m working on a tutorial, but it is taking some more time than I thought. So hang in there if you would like to make one for your monkeys, or perhaps for another purpose completely.

birthday party cardigan

For her fourth birthday she got this dress from us. She loves dresses. Like most girls her age. I brought the dress with me to three yarn shops until I found the right colour of yarn.


The cardigan is a Drops pattern I tweaked. Not much, but I simplified and made it shorter. You can see the details in Ravelry. Oh, and I need to find the right buttons.

She has begun itching while wearing wool. A wool-knitter-lover’s nightmare. I do not like to knit with cotton.

Also I had to bribe her to let me take photos. I hope it was just that day and not a new trend, if not I need to buy more cookies… or open a bakery.

Lucky for me she loves making faces, and she has a lot of them.

Redesigning my blog

As some of you know I have been blogging since 2007 and only made a few changes over that time span. So my old blog was overly ripe and needed to be picked and changed. Well I did exactly that.

I must admit it has taken me days, evenings and grey hairs but a few days ago I felt ready to let my baby go public (while I hold my breath). I'm, excited to show you and a bit nervous, a lot actually
...I hope it gets your blessing

So whats new? Well first of all I moved my main column to the left and I have cleaned up the side column. I freshened up my "about" page and added a "New Reader?" page which also includes FAQ. So if you ever wondered something and didn't dare to ask, now's the time.

I have a brand new navigation bar, that will make it easier for you to find posts with the topics you like the most.

I also have a new image based archive. But since image-archives means lots of html work I have only included some of my past posts. However, all new posts will be found there. For everyone that is nostalgic, the old archive which is searchable by date is put further down on the blog.

You might wonder how I suddenly became the html queen of the year. Well it is as simple as an e-course offered on a Beautiful Mess by the very colourful and creative Elsie & Elise.

They have truly made a practical step by step (yet eye pleasing) course. The course helped me narrow down my ideas through the home work we were given in the first sessions. In addition they took me through the difficult html (at least for me) in portions big enough to handle.

Now I feel like the goddess of html. I AM the goddess og html!

(...at least until my next html challenge).

I know, it sounds like I've seen the "spirit" or something, but honestly it is so gratifying and empowering to be able to materialize your ideas... A huge sense of accomplishment.

good bye old - hello new

It has been growing inside of me for quite some time now ...the need for change. I have wanted a new look and new air to my blog for a long time. Something that fits the inside. How I want it to be. Well I'm working on it.

And what you see is a sneek peek... I hope you like it.

everyday babies

Life is calm in Yonder while I am enjoying my last two weeks of maternity leave. Once a week I get together with four other moms and we let the wee ones play while we share our staying at home experiences. It is such a good support to have a moms group like that.



And when our babies fall asleep in their car chairs we enjoy a calm lunch and a cup of tea

After spending the last 6 and a half months at home I am actually looking forward to get back to work. Daddy Yonder will have 12 weeks of paternity leave and then it's my turn again to spend time with little a until august when kindergarten begins (if we are lucky enough to get a spot).

A belated happy new year to everyone one of you! We spent new years eve and new years day at our friends house like we have done the last two years. This was third time around so I think it's safe to say we have established a new years eve tradition.

While we enjoyed breakfast...much like the one here

the girls played around in the house with the laundrey basket, the dolls and just about anything else they found usable in the house. Love how they can turn any house item to the perfect prop for their game.

Not until we put the last Christmas cookies on the table did they stop and sit down with us ... before they continued their play.

Thank you for coming by! I am looking forward to share bits & pieces of 2013 with you.