Walk with light steps

Circular economy.
Second hand is first hand.

Mirror second hand. Wall clock from Lisa Tofft.

The old school art of re-cykling. Weavers created rugs with many patterns out of worn out clothes and fabric. Your favourite dress in wich you danced all night long might be the material that carries your foot steps.....

Handcrafted rugs.

Handcrafted bed cover. Leo on top of things.

Dior Lounge Wear, Saks Fifth Avenue. Nylon with zipper front. From the 70's?
The colors and patterns makes me happy every day.

Eva

Rose walk

 

My latest finding of vintage rugs. Name of the pattern? Rose walk or other?

Constantly innovative pattern from this careful weaver.
Unfolding new discoveries all the time. Like music.

Vintage rug turned into a sofa cover. Dog owner sofa style.

 

Vintage bag Moomin Mama style.

The sun is on the rise and it's time to take the dog out for his second walk today.
The dog is sleepy and would prefer to stay in his bed.

Two big hearts of ginger bread is hanging in the kitchen windows now.
Sun beams fall on the side of the hearts.
Spreading that lovely spice scent in the room.

Eva

Grand mothers

Grandmothers mother. Hello to you!
Your ginger breads are the best!
So I finally made it doing my grandmother quest.

This day started at the local second hand,
and looking at what I found it's a lot about honouring the grand mothers.

I returned home with a few treasures. A fine woven handcrafted rug, with carefully choosen patterns named rose walk.
Walk on roses, rose way.

My heart beats for this type of recylcled fabric rugs.
Like a story of life
they tell about how one handcrafter has transformed clothes and other textile stuff into a piece of art.
Maybe the dress was once the must have item,
the dress to wear for a special occasion,
a dance,
a date?

When clothes were worn out they could become material for making this type of rug.

Tras-matta.

Another finding today was the little hand-bag suitable for moomin mama.
Decorated with roses.

Because it's advent I wanted to make our windows. Cleaning and all.
They have been neglected for a while I might say,
a creative woman can't have a perfect home.
Now I felt it was just right time to have a clear view. It's all about having a clear view in life.
No dirt shading the outlook.
I pray I will be given clear sight in these days.

My grand mother Agnes was a top of the line window cleaner. I mean, it was part of her vision of the home, not her profession. More of a passion.
Her skin was the softest by all compare, when I think of soft skin I always think of her skin.
Her hands, her cheeks.
She used a hand creme in a green tube, shaped like the tooth paste tube. I remember the fragrances of this hand creme, and it was transparent, not white. Like a gel. It gave me a feeling of coolness on my skin when I tried it.
Trousers and a blouse was what she was wearing most of the time. And curls in her short grey hair.


In my family on grand mother's side we have a recipie for ginger bread wich is one of the best on the christmas cake parties.
Ceremonial cake parties.
In the afternoon today we made this special ginger bread and I can assure it smells good in the kitchen. The recipie is after my grandmothers mother. Hanna Karlsson, born 1890.

Grandmothers mother. Hello to you!
Your ginger breads are the best!

Dog on ice

Ice skating today in sunshine and wind. Leo surpriced me and enjoyed some winter sports!

Small dog on a big ice.

Happy flowers on this stunning maxi long party dress from the 70's.

Fashion by: Aspens made in Sweden

Unfortunately it's wrong size for me, but I'm sure I have saved this gem to now find a new happy owner somewhere.  No more hiding in the wardrobe! New parties are waiting! This dress really makes one shine and I wonder who picked it originally and what parties it has been to in those days.

Leo the dog is sleeping and snoring right beside me now, curled up with his nose under his back leg. Tired after this fantastic day out on the ice.

Eva

Final steps in Irmelin CD-making

Karin, Maria and me in vocal trio Irmelin are just in the final steps of the process of making our new CD. It's a great pleasure to see it come into form. On Monday it's time to do the mastering. I'm very excited about all this. As usual it's also a bit of a labour emotionally. Will this music come out the way we dreamed about it? The stories we want to tell, will it be touching? As soon as the CD is printed it's totaly up to the listener, but at this point it's a fragile and yet strong walk of balance carrying something precious in our hands. A work with lot of heart in it. Everytime you put your naked heart into the work it's also a portion of pain to it.

In this process we are united and working together in the very best way. The Irmelin trio stands strong together! It's a joy to work with Karin and Maria, to unite with their artistry and personality. I learn so much everytime we work together!

Some pictures from this week:

Yesterday I visited a second hand store I've never been to before. Lucky me I found a dress compleetely hand made with fine knowledge in hand craft, probably from the 50th or 60th. I'm happy about the bright colour, even with out the sun shining through it's the colours of fire. Double layers of fabric. i wish I knew who made it and what parties this dress has been to before.

Eva

Smash the mirror: Odd Lovin

I have a weakness for dresses.....vintage dresses.
Odd Lovin is a wonderful web shop for vintage dresses and today I got my order in the post. Quick shipping, I ordered yesterday.

I'm a lucky owner now to a dress from the 70's with the name "Smash the mirror". You can see it here on Odd Lovin

Got a letter in the package from Odd Lovin. I couldn't have said it better myself.

"This garment is vintage.
It has been picked and loved by someone before you, in another time and place.
I'd like to think that vintage clothing comes with a secret story that gives it a special kind of character. It's in a way already full of life right now when you're holding it in your hands.
By wearing it you will make this story continue and it will become a unique extension of who you are.
It will add that special edge to your wardrobe and personal style, and at the same time you will contribute to a more eco-friendly way of dressing.
Thank you for sharing our love for odd clothing."

Tuva Minna Linn. 

Circular economy

A world of opportunities, and the shift has already begun.....




That's why I got back home yesterday with a lovely little stove of the Kockum brand, known for quality and long lasting performance. And I like the design with white and turqoiuse. Indeed one of my most crazy shopping items ever. I felt a little embarrased almost, should I show this on the blogg...but after seeing the little film on circular economy I felt, Yes! Of course, this goes in the same direction of caring for our world and not throw valuable things away.

The stove will be a "back up"-stove for a tiny kitchen in a small house up where I have my family roots. Anyone knows from wich year this pretty little stove can be?

Oh yes, and there's so much fun to find at the local second hand. Found a Odd Molly cosy outfit (hoodie + pants in velour) for home evenings, plus a 100% silk top. What more is, it's a friendly place, I even got a spontaneous hug from another customer there who I don't even know the name of. We always meet at the rack of dresses. Can you tell me other shops where that happen?

Noa Noa elven Arwen style.

Hunkydory so light as butterfly wings.

Eva

Love overcomes all

Found some really nice items yesterday at the local Saturday amusement where nearly the whole neighbourhood gather.
Reningsborg is a charity second hand who have many projects in communities where people with very small resourses can get help to help themselves. Reningsborg has projects in east Europe and in India. Give a poor man a fish and he's not hungry for a day. Give a poor man a fishing rod and he can feed himself. Reningsborg

I like it a lot because I can find nice things for a good price, and I know I become part of something bigger. So I allow myself to go for it, and not to forget, it's recycling. Good for the environment too.

Found a handmade embroidered wall cloth. Someone picked theese words out of all existing words and decided to embroid it together with the flowers, with all the time and skill it takes to do that.

Love overcomes all.

Beautifully tailored black coat from Holmbloms in Göteborg

This black coat has buttons of black pearl, narrow waist and width in the full length. I saw it a week ago but didn't buy. Couldn't forget it so I was very happy it was still there. I've searched the internet and it seems to be connected to Gustaf Holmbloms Coat Shop with records as early as 1902. They advertise they sell coats and promenade costumes.
Underdress from danish label Cream.

Sales at Holmbloms in 1943. Photo borrowed from Stockholms Stadsmuseum

Green glass is something that I had a dream about one night just after moving to this apartment. In this dream I was shopping vintage green glass for my new home. So I keep it as a daydream to, that I give in for. Above is two green glass holders for hyacint bulbs, both found at Reningsborg.

Below some tiny green glass from earlier "hunts" at Reningsborg. When it's partytime I like to serve chokolate mousse and indian yougurt dessert in tiny vintage glasses and cups so you can have many.
Perfume Shanghai Rose from Jonssons Fik och Butik in Enviken.

Vintage hangers are one of my favourites. It gives so much extra to it when I can hang my clothes on nice hangers.

Now my dear readers of this blogg. It's getting very close to Christmas and I wish you a realxed time. I hope you will spend the holiday just the way you wish to do so.


Eva

My favourite photo blogs and some more vintage dresses

Today it's the day when we light the second candle before Christmas. Happy 2nd advent to you!

Going out now makes me so happy with all the snow, white and clean and fresh. Everywhere I see things I want to make a photo of. My photo eye-glasses are often on. I'll share some winter photos here for you.
Leo is not that keen on going out when it's too cold. He's running fast like if he doesn't want to put his feet down.
Leo has a dog-friend, Boogie, who sometimes come visiting our neighbours. If Leo sees Boogie from the kitchen window he starts to cry to get out to greet Boogie. Yesterday we just saw Boogie leaving and we were too late to get out. After this Leo cried for about 15 minutes until we went out to make sure Boogie was not hiding behind the piles of snow.

When I want to get inspired I sometimes look at theese two amazing photo blogs.

Photo by Tekla. The young and talented Maja, visit her blog.

Drömma. The dreamer in Göteborg, Lottas blog.

Lotta has a great interest in dresses, writes about her life with children and many interests and dreams. Her blog is somekind of very poetic, I just love the way she writes.
Oh, about dresses, I found no less than five dresses yesterday at the local second hand, all five for less than the price on one dress in an ordinary shop. Two of them for sunny hot summer weather, but why not? One will be for my balboa parties, a tight grey slightly shiny In Wear-dress:

This is my newest 70th-dress, real vintage.
Transparent nylon with silver threads.

Today we stay at home. Friends coming, we'll bake some ginger bread and create fantasy ginger bread houses.

Eva

It is fun to ski

Some more nice things found at Herräng 2nd hand.

Book by Mora Nisse: I vita spår. I love the design of the cover.

 Tomorrow is choir day! I realize I'm looking forward with a brand new kind of feeling. Just the joy of having a choir where I can work in a way that I wish I was a member/singer in the choir myself. Today I have been preparing for tomorrows rehersal. Written some new arrangements, there will be some new things never heard before.

Have a good laugh at theese lovely animals photobombing:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/greatest-animal-photobombers-of-all-time

Good night all!

Eva

Recycling rules, vintage in my heart

I get a lot of inspiration going to 2nd hand. In this I love to go shopping! It's so many beautiful clothes out there. The quality and style is often perfect, unique, when a good piece of clothing has been used before and still look great. Sometimes it's not used at all. Just out of fashion.

Fashion fades, style is eternal. I've also found some really nice things for the home.

Pot and necklace from private 2nd hands in Herräng. Vase from local 2nd hand in Angered.

Found my mirror at last at local 2nd hand day. Ågs bruk.

Tea cups found at private 2nd hand in Övertänger.

Silky underdress found at 2nd hand in Svärdsjö. 1940-50th?

It's all about being nature friendly.

From very reliable sources I know that this weekend there has been the famous DAK market euphoria in 2nd hand in Falun. Happy time! I know people who hold this event higher than Christmas!

Good wishes to you from a rainy day in Göteborg.

Eva

One of the days, mothers and daughters

...when I miss my daughter. I know, she and I really agreed that friends is number one on a sunny hot day and you are 10 years and there's school holidays. And best of all is to have the chance to stay over night and giggle and laugh and sleep late. I'm happy of all my heart to see her jump for joy to go see her best friends.
But tomorrow our roads will go to different places, and then comes this period of 2 weeks without each other. That's about the longest time I don't see her. And just recently she was away on another journey.

In short time she will be old enough to prio her friends all the time. That's the way it goes, and should be.

I want to share with you a lovely book. It happened that I came across a pocket book by chance, and it was really a good summer reading. Uplifting. Encouraging.

About mothers and daughters. A bit of an insight in the living and thinking in the island Tahiti. And especially for me in theese days of missing my dear daughter, how to let one's daughter go her own way.



Original title: Frangipani.
Written by Célestine Hitiura Vaite, 2004

Title in swedish translation: I kloka kvinnors sällskap

I'll save all our moments in my heart. My daughter, now also our little dog, us together. How happy my daughter is when she's hugging our dog.


The dog has been having trouble with food lately. Sensitive little thing, poor little wee thing in the hot sunny summer days. Not really keeping food and water that well. Went to the vet today and bought really expensiv diet care food, for the sensitive. And some micro bio treatment, equally expensive. Anyway, it feels good to be proactive, before something worse might occur.

Something I found at Jonssons Fik och butik in Enviken.
 Perfume: Shanghai Rose, lime zest.
And green glass in different shades. I had a dream just after moving to this apartment that I found the most lovely green glass items in a second hand store.

I'm even dreaming about second hand shopping :-)

Long live the culture of high quality stuff and re-cykling!

Next concert is tomorrow in Sölvesborg, together with my song-sisters in Irmelin!
I love you!
Eva

Hommage to a black back pack.

Some time ago, when Rosenbergs 7 was touring all over, I bought myself a black back pack, a ryggsäck. Made of thick fabric, with a hidden pocket where the straps could be hidden during flights. Of the brand Naturkompaniet. This was in the 1900-hundreds, well, it could have been around 1995. Now, some 17 years later, this black back pack is still serving me, as a long time companion and best friend. Zippers are original, I have only made one repair where a seem has given up. My friend is here in the photo to the left:


How many places have you and I seen together? You are a great globetrotter, my dear back pack. On ALL my tours you have been my favourite bag. Sometimes far away to South Africa, USA, all over Europe. You have followed me all over Sweden too, and our neighbour countries in the north.

I have started to wonder now if I should give you some holiday. I think you deserve that. Sit and dream of all the travels we made, and not carry too heavy luggage. We'll see, on some special occasions you and I will still travel together, I'm sure.

You are the type of stuff I like so much. Made in such long life quality that I can give you to next generation. Care and repair is always good. When I think of how the ground crew on airports treat bags, then I think it must be some magic with this bag, how well preserved you still are after many flights each year.

A couple of times you went missing after transfers with delay. Every time you kept coming back. I never worried too much, I knew we will meet again.

I went to the store where I bought you, Naturkompaniet. Unfortunately they don't have back packs of the brand Naturkompaniet anymore. I planned to go find you a partner, you see? Yesterday I ran into a bag just by chance when I was shopping in Falun. I was at Cykel and Fjäll to buy some spare parts to bikes, and on the floor there was one bag in the colour of Falu red paint, the last one of its type. A bag made for expeditions to Himalaya I should say, in really thick fabric and really well made zippers. Yes! Suitable for a touring musician.


Shopping in Falun has been wonderful! Not to speak about yesterday too, for the first time in many years I was shopping together with my sister! My best buy was a black dress for Irmelin concerts, plus equipment for my new ZOOM. If you are shopping in Falun and looking for some vintage clothes, go visit Myrornas. Oh heaven, so many dresses! This is the summer when I started to dress like Hemulen, one of the caracters in Tove Jansson stories. Oh, he's one of a kind, academic interests of botanical collections, of sports, and he's not a friend of the hattifnatts. He's always dressed in a dress.

I can agree.

You are always dressed in a dress.


Eva