This year's gingerbread house is a (slightly diminished) beautiful three storey apartment house in the corner of one of the most photographed streets of Helsinki, Huvilakatu. Built in 1905 it also served as a private hospital, hence the name 'Sanitas'. Last year it was covered up in scaffolding and reappeared all the more illustrious. Many… Continue reading Helsinki Gingerbread Architecture
I'm continuing my needle lace experiments. These squares are another type of needle lace, Puncetto Valsesiano. It's a traditional lace made in the Valsesia area of Piedmonte, Italy. Made with just needle and thread, it is also called a 'freehand' lace. Tiny knots and loops are made in rows going back and forth, forming a… Continue reading Puncetto Valsesiano, a traditional needle lace from Northern Italy
I've been experimenting with new types of needle lace. A few years back I made a practice piece of lace with the instructions of my French needle lace book. Now I've been inspired by old Venetian laces from the 17th century. (Click the link to see an article on Wikipedia or the MET Museum pages.)… Continue reading Exploring Venetian Needle Lace Techniques, aitopitsien jäljillä
Introducing two 15"/38cm natural fiber dolls I made for the grandchildren of a friend. 🥰 Both have light blonde hair and blue eyes like their role models. I used the same pattern that I've used for all my dolls after I modified the original pattern. For these two I ordered some lighter colour skin fabric… Continue reading Little doll siblings, nukkesisarukset
I discover new and fabulous buildings all the time all over my home town. My favourites are the art nouveau or jugendstil buildings which are so dominant in central and southern Helsinki. This year's gingerbread creation is a diminished gingerbread version combining features of two neighbouring houses dating from 1907. They both have beautiful elements… Continue reading Art Nouveau Gingerbread facade, Piparkakkufasaadi Jugendtyyliin
This is Emil, a natural fiber doll made in the Waldorf tradition out of wool fiber and natural textiles. He's named after Emil Svensson, the adorable character of Astrid Lindgren's children's books, who's adventures have been favourites of mine, my children and now my grandchildren. This blue eyed, tangle haired doll was specially made for… Continue reading Waldorf style boy doll, poikanukke Waldorf tyyliin
Nämä kirjoneulelapaset suunnittelin itse kun ei löytynyt sopivaa ohjetta. Nuokkuvat kukka-aiheet muistuttavat lumikelloja, siitä nimi lapasille. Olin ostanut Tukuwoolin suomalaista lampaanvillalankaa jo joitain vuosia sitten, murretut värit sointuivat mielestäni kauniisti yhteen. * The wool for these mittens is a Finnish fingering weight lambswool from Tukuwool, which has been waiting in my stash for a couple… Continue reading Lumikello lapaset, Snowdrop mittens
Katson kaunista kotikaupunkiani Helsinkiä aina piparkakkutaloaihiot mielessä. Parin välivuoden jälkeen rakensin parista lempitalostani vähän helpommat versiot eli pelkät julkisivut, tai tarkemmin julkisivujen osat. Sattumalta (🤔) talot ovat saman kuuluisan arkkitehtitoimiston suunnittelemat (Grahn, Hedman & Wasastjerna) ja hyvin saman ikäiset. Vaaleanpunainen talo Annankadun ja Kalevankadun kulmassa on valmistunut 1898 ja kellertävä Vironkadun ja Mariankadun kulmassa parisen… Continue reading Gingerbread facades, piparkakkujulkisivuja
I fell in love with this jumper pattern the minute I saw it! The design was inspired by Finnish bobbin lace from Rauma, the lace capital of our country. The idea for the jumper came from lace maker Tarmo Thorström, of whom I have written before. His vision was supported and funded by the Rauma… Continue reading Rauma-neuleita, “Lace” jumpers
Introducing my gingerbread version from 2014 of one of the most iconic and recognizable Bordeaux wineries, Château Margaux, since I won't be making a gingerbread house this year. The back side of the building has a beautiful pair of curved stairs. The front steps are guarded by sphinxes. One of mine has a rather damaged… Continue reading Gingerbread Margaux
HandmadebyLiisa 