Christmas display inspiration

How could I resist posting more beautiful images from Taverne Agency? Photography by Jim Hensley (top) and Nathalie Krag (all others).

First batch of knitted Christmas balls

I am having so much fun knitting up these balls. I discovered I can crank out one per night. Three down so far and have quite a few more to go since I want enough to fill a bowl. More shades of white and perhaps a few more shades of soft lavender? I think it will look pretty...

Snowflakes and doilies

Gorgeous white paper snowflake and lacy doily inspiration! White is soooo beautiful.

Top to bottom: Taverne Agency, Martha Stewart, Lobster and Swan, Ravenhill, Burda, VT Wonen.

Knitted hats

My two girlies wearing their newly knitted slouchy hats. These were the 'trial' hats and yes, now I know what to do and what not to do for the following 'new and improved' models (such as tightening up the ribbed band so the hat doesn't drop down over their faces). Lucky for me they love these just the way they are and have even been wearing them to school (!!). As an aside, they had so much fun at our impromptu 'photoshoot', aren't they sweet? :)

"Vintage" VT Wonen Christmas inspiration

I apologize to all VT Wonen readers who have seen these images before... They are several years old but I still find them so very inspiring and just had to post.The worn, rough cement, distressed reclaimed wood, and then the stark clean white contrasts... gorgeous. And what about the embroidered napkins? The branch used to display stockings and special decorations? Love it! Old news or not. :)

My new Japanese crochet book!

Package in the mail!! Is there anything more exciting? My new Japanese crochet book is as gorgeous as I hoped it would be. I don't often buy one since they are pricey, but when that 'special need' hits I order them from Traplett's shop on Etsy. I am still too intimated to order from Amazon Japan...

Vintage fabric Christmas 'trees'

Christmas trees sewn with my vintage fabrics! I think they still convey the wintery Christmas season message without screaming "Christmas decoration!". Especially once the decorating really gets underway. I created one cone pattern, then adjusted each one in order for every tree to be slightly different in size. The girls and I will be making a few more in white with embroidery. Fun!

Sally Scott

These cozy, wintery images from the Japanese Sally Scott Autumn/Winter catalog. Sally Scott is the fashion brand directed by Akira Minagawa (of mina perhonen) Almost makes me want to take up skating. This is where my girls start laughing hysterically. And do not stop.

Frieda Maria

Have been waiting to post images from Frieda Maria (Dutch stylist duo Margo Maria Weijer and Frieda Mellema) for some time... Sooooo beautiful. And yes, I am fully aware I am probably the last blogger in the universe to post about them, :)

Knitted Christmas Balls

Loving these knitted Christmas ornaments by Twinkle. As much as I love Twinkle I can't justify the rather large price tag so I searched and searched for a similar knitted ball pattern and found just the one on the I like lemons blog. Trying my first ball tonight. I am imagining a pile of snow white or colorful knitted balls in a bowl or basket, smaller knitted balls hanging from the ceiling or garland... Off I go, am a woman on a ball knitting mission. :) Will most certainly post images of finished product if I succeed. If however they turn out lopsided or square I will pretend I never mentioned these.

Ysolda scarf finished!

A knitting and sewing marathon weekend! No time for surfing or even blogging. (well, except this tiny post) I completed my lacy Ysolda scarf, knitted not one, not two, but THREE slouchy hats for daughters who are so in love with them they are still wearing them right now, at 8:32 pm. How's that for the biggest compliment they could ever give? I also sewed up a storm but that is a surprise for now. Enough to say it is Christmas decor related. And they are sewn with vintage fabrics. And they turned out sooo sweet.

My biggest challenge this weekend?? Trying to take pictures with absolutely no sunlight coming through the windows. The sun has disappeared. Dark clouds and rain is all we'll get for the next while I am sure. As cozy as that is while sewing and knitting, come picture time it truly bites. So excuse the not so great images above. We have a video studio at work, must borrow some studio lights. :)

J.Crew Christmas 09

Gorgeous images from the J.Crew Christmas 09 catalog. Drool... makes me wish for a white Christmas. Although come to think of it I somehow never seem to look this glamorous in the snow. In fact, I remember slipping and sliding in last year's snow, the chapped skin and lips, the multiple layers of clothes trying to keep warm and appearing at least twice my size... Okay, but I can pretend and imagine it being romantic and idyllic.