First of all, Happy New Year everyone!
Secondary, just because it’s winter, that does not mean it’s over very soon. I hope I am not sounding too negative for some (I know some of you are really looking forward to Summer already), but we only had one winter month and there are two left to go. My point is that we should enjoy this weather and make the most of it!
I personally love love January (I learned to love every season), because it’s time for refocusing, spring cleaning (would like to call it winter cleaning but it sounds weird), detoxing (If you are into it) and knitting of course. I love January because it is a beginning of the year and the plans are not strictly set therefore it is often not a busy month.
Over holidays I have started knitting because we have gone away and I was free from doing all the house tasks. I find knitting (or any other crafting) is something I can do while chatting or watching a movie. I find it very relaxing! I knitted this hat for my nephew that Tomas is modelling here, hence blurry pics because he can’t stay still. If you fancy knitting this hat then you can access the project here!
Have an enjoyable January!
Rasa xoxo
Hey I am back! (my feedback on phone free month)
Last month I said I would ditch my phone for a month (well… almost) and here we are I did it and now I am back to tell you all about it (if you care to listen). It was indeed what I was expecting, freedom like you could not believe! Even now when I am back using social media I started thinking how to minimalise the use of it (and I am not even back on Facebook properly!!)
I started my little experiment when we were on our do-nothing-all-day-every-day holiday in the Dominican Republic. I removed the most distracting apps from my phone such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and WhatsApp and instantly I did not know what to do with myself. I still kept checking my phone although there was nothing to browse other than s few text messages that I occasionally get. I started reading more and only after few weeks I realised that I stopped checking my phone so much. I originally wanted to switch my smart phone completely to a basic phone, but I soon realised there is no need and besides there were a few complications around doing that (such as a transfer of contacts from one phone to another). I also really really needed my map app as I would really get lost without it.
As soon as we were back from our holidays I threw myself into preparations for Tomas birthday and DIY projects to make progress with our new kitchen. It was a breath of fresh air not to be distracted by any notifications from my phone. Although there were a few occasions where I needed certain information and I had to go into Facebook messenger just to get the right address or to get a recipe from Pinterest. And there was one time when I misplaced my phone when I was about to leave the house and I knew I needed to keep in contact with Joni that day (so it was quite panicky). But other than that it was a very productive month. 
I was hoping because of my phone free month that I will spend more quality time with my kids, but to be honest I was too busy getting things done (sadly). I did however occasionally involve Lukas in home decorating such as covering ugly plastered wall with this lovely painting (he is still so proud of it when he sees it hanging on the wall!). 
On the final days of the month things got little challenging. Tomas got ill straight after his birthday party, but that does not stop me from saying that February was productive and clear in focus just because I was less distracted by my phone. I started reading my bible and even started thinking more about opening my dream cafe earlier then expected…
However I have one advice to anyone thinking of ditching their phone for a month. Do let everybody know that you are doing this. You would be surprised to know how many people tried to contact me through iMessage or WhatsApp. Even though I posted here about my intensions, this obviously did not reach everybody.
Hope I inspired you and I hope you will enjoy your phone free month if you are going for it some time this year.
Rasa xoxo.
Watercolour challenge: forest in snow
As you may have already noticed I enjoy taking challenges, and for a good reason! Challenges are good for achieving goals. Not all types of goals of course, but if you want to learn something or get to start doing something then this method is the best (at least in my experience). In the past I did Pinterest challenge to get myself to try more recipes from Pinterest (still doing it sometimes), then I did a photography challenge so I could learn to take better pictures, I did a sugar free diet in the form of a challenge (sort of) and a book reading quest for three years which worked a treat. Now my aim is to get myself painting more and this is why I came up with this watercolour challenge ;-).
Few weeks ago we went to ski to Austrian Alps and I loved the snow there (as well as occasional snow at home). Falling snow brought be joy and the whole experience was quite magical so I decided to put it all on the paper. But at the first glance snow is white, so how do I paint the white? Once I look through this first obstacle I realised snow came in different shades actually. Whats more, I liked seeing some bold colours in a pretty misty landscape such as people wearing bright outfits or a lift cabin like in the pic above.
I began painting the forest landscape first. I thought if I do it using the classic watercolour method I should achieve the right texture quite easily. I tried dipping paper into water and then paint vogue outline of fir trees. I thought the paint would bleed and that way would create required texture. That did not work out even when I tried getting better paper and paint brushes. The fir trees just looked too plain for my liking. Eventually after much trial and error and some research I found that salt is best in creating this so much desired texture. Yey!!! Now I am quite pleased with my winter wonderland forest painting.
Hope you can pardon my spelling, but I do love this quote. It’s exactly how I feel when I see snow!
This is what I mean by many shades in the white snow. It was fun painting this as shading with watercolour is very pleasant. It works quite simple: the more water you add the lighter the colour. If you want the colours to bleed less then wait for it to dry more before applying another layer. 
Painting trees has always been my favourite thing to paint. Here I initially tried to create the branches by blowing on the drop of paint that was sitting already on the paper. Later I added more branches and snow by lightly brushing some tinted water on it. 
Lastly I was amazed of fir tree needles sticking out in the snow. This took quite a lot of attention on detail but it was all worth the try.
Hope I inspired you too to take a challenge or thought you something new about watercolour.
Rasa xoxo
Star advent calendar
I know, I know this might be a bit too late to make, but I really love how it decorated our house all Christmassy! I also like 1 candy a day diet very much, at least for now it’s not harming anyone. I got this idea from here (even if it looks completely different, my lightbulb lighted up as soon as I saw that raindrop decoration). 
So, to make your own star advent calendar cut out star pieces out of felt material.
1. Embroider the number of the day on one felt star piece. I found chain stitch is the best for that!
2. Join two felt star pieces together by using buttonhole stitch.
3. Once you finished stitching two star pieces together make sure not to cut the string. It will be useful late on!
4. In the back cut the star open so the candy could be inserted. You can finish the edge off with buttonhole stitch as well. 
Once all 24 stars are made then get a wire hanger and wrap it with pine branches (or fir or spruce or even cypress and cedar). I used a string to keep the branches tight on the wire. 
Last thing to do is to tie all the stars onto the hanger ;-). Enjoy!
Happy Christmas waiting!
Rasa xoxo
17 Christmas gift project ideas to start making now
Recently one of our readers e-mailed me some wonderful pics of projects she completed, that she made for Christmas gifts. That prompted me to think about the gifts I am going to make this year. But how long before Christmas should you start making handmade gifts? Join our forum discussion! But for now, here are some ideas to get you started.
1. RIBBON FLOWER BROOCH, perfect for all the girls out there!
2. SIMPLE TATTED BEAD NECKLACE, another good gift for pretty ladies like you 😉
3. SCENTED RICE HEARTS, quick gift to anyone (I am sure you could pull out a manly scented heart if you made it in check fabric)
4. HEART SHAPED SOAP, make many in one go! 
5. ENVELOPE BOOK POUCH, great for all of those book worms out there!
6. KNITTED SOCKS! Who doesn’t need socks?
7. CABLE SWEATER, for someone really really special!
8. FABRIC COVERED DIARY, good way to help someone to start their new year organised (subtle way to hint) :).
9. LOAFERS FOR HIM!
10. CROCHETING/KNITTING KIT WITH COOKIES, a great gift from baker to maker! Just wrap some yarn, crochet hook/knitting needles, printed project and some cookies!
11. TRIANGLE CROCHETED INFINITY SCARF, is the most fun to make!
12. HOMEMADE CANDIES, yum :-b
13. CUSTOM TEA BAGS, another one that is great for everyone (unless they don’t like tea of course!).
14. KNITTED LOAFERS, it is easer than you think.
15. A BIRD PILLOW, or it can be a door stopper if you filled it with rice or some stones. Oh we so need a door stopper right now for all the fire doors in our new house!
16. APRON, that’s a perfect gift from maker to baker (or cook)!
17. A CAT PILLOW, great for travelers or those who love cats! BTW, it turns out that I am getting a cat for my birthday! Super excited!!!
Happy Wednesday 🙂
Rasa xoxo
A healthier plum steamed pudding
After living with an englishman for over a month, I realised that a pudding is an important part of the meal. Joni’s favourites are figgy dowdy, plum duff and spotted dick (yes, that’s right, thats how they call their puddings). All of these puddings are steamed puddings and that’s what I am going to talk about today. Although steamed puddings are meant to be for winter, it is good to make them now to reflect on current weather! I replaced suet (pure animal fat, similar to shortening in america) with coconut oil and caster sugar with molasses sugar so this can be a healthier option. And you don’t need to have all the equipment! Here I demonstrated how to steam your pudding in a regular steamer using cereal bowl. Go on, try it ;-). 
PLUM STEAMED PUDDING
- 55g self raising flour
- 110 mixed dried fruit
- 2 slices of bread with no crust, soaked in milk and drained
- 55 molasses sugar
- 50g coconut oil
- 1/2tsp mixed spice
- 115g plums, cored and chopped
- half of an apple, pealed, cored and shredded
- 2 tbsp orange marmalade
- 2 tbsp vanilla rum (can be any you have, preferably dark rum)
- 1 egg
- 60ml milk
- custard to serve
1. mix all the ingredients (except the curd) until all well combined.
2. to steam the pudding place the pudding mixture into the greased bowl (1.) and cover it with baking paper (2.). Place the bowl upside down in the steamer (3.). Steam the pudding for three hours (4.), replenish the water level if necessary. 
3. Place the pudding bowl upside down in the plate and slowly lift it up to release the pudding.
4. Enjoy it while still warm with custard.
It’s comforting food all over, so indulge 😉
Rasa xoxo
Winter flowers
I don’t know about you, but I have been missing flowers this Winter. I really can’t wait until the Spring comes so I can begin bringing random blossoms indoors. I made these tissue paper flowers last year for Mothers Day. Something to make while waiting for flowering season? Click here to find out how to make these colourful paper flowers :).
Happy Spring waiting 🙂
Rasa
Eden Project
Visiting Eden Project in winter is great (especially when my boyfriend organised it)! When you feeling chilly and summer holidays seems so far away this is a perfect place to hang out :-). To visit Eden Project has been my dream for so many years! I was quite amazed by the structure of Biomes. Although it is warm enough in the Rain Forest Biome, we are hoping to visit it in summer when the plants outside are in full bloom. Hopefully you will enjoy this quick Eden Project tour and the pics will speak for themselves :-).
Happy Wednesday!
Rasa xoxo
Christmas spirit
Last week I have made these glitter bird decorations which did look super cute with the rest of the decorations :-). I suppose everyone is sorted with their decorations so I don’t suggest changing everything completely! But if you do want extra christmas spirit and would love to make those then click here!
Merry Christmass!
Rasa 🙂
Light bulb decorations
I mentioned last month about Christmas decorations at Petersham Nurseries that have been quite an inspiration for me this year. I really loved baubles hanged with “ribbons” that have been made out of scrap fabric. So I came up with the light bulb decoration project to resemble just that. Here you can access the instructions for this very project.
Enjoy Christmas Decorating 🙂
Rasa