Reminiscing over summer memories

It’s been a minute since I’ve written for you. To be honest I don’t know how to start again. But the longer I procrastinated the more I missed it. 

The last you heard from me was when Ramadan was ending. I was genuinely sad that such a blessed month was leaving us, and I guess I was scared not to be able to continue on with my new habits after Ramadan had left. I took a 30 day cleanse from social media which I desperately needed and to this day I have still not installed Instagram on my phone – more on that in a later post.

I was one month in to a new job which I love. I now work in retail, a wish of mine came true to be able to work with what is my passion – clothes. Endless amount of clothes have been bought with personal discounts but I’m not complaining, I just have to keep my spending spree in check.

Throughout the summer I worked a lot which was just what I wanted after being home for such a long time with my son. I was also able to enjoy our hot Norwegian summer, and I actually mean hot. Never before have we Scandinavians had such a tropical weather. My mum and I were also in Italy which I will share with you in my coming posts.

That was a bit of a summer update for you even though we’re well into fall now, it being the beginning of October and all.

New memories are being created and a new chapter is upon us. I can’t wait to share my adventures with you again. I promise, it won’t be long until you hear from me again. 

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Elizabeth

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Back at work & feeling lazy

I’ve been back at work the last two days after having (almost) a one year break. It’s safe to say I was quite nervous on Monday. Luckily I eased myself into it, only working a couple of hours a day and my first ‘customer’ was a college. Yesterday though, I had 2 paying customers. It felt like it went in slow motion, especially the first cut, but I managed to be done in time.

Today I have a day off and even though I feel like I do something ever single day, whether it’s laundry, cleaning or just look after my son, I can’t help to feel lazy. I don’t know why and I wish I didn’t beat myself up over it. It’s like everyone around me is so productive and I’m not even halfway to my goals.

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We did manage to create a new office space so hopefully the creativity will just be flowing in this room. I really want to start sewing again reguallary and actually finish pieces I love and would want to wear. I have some huge ideas, I just don’t know how to get them down to paper and where to start. Fixing my serger to the right stitch lengths has also been a battle. I still have to figure out what the right settings are and how in the world I’m going to use it probably.

Wish me luck!  

Elizabeth

It isn’t Sunday unless you’ve completely wasted it

I just had the laziest Sunday ever. And it’s not Sunday unless you completely wasted it and feel horrible around 8pm.

There should definitely be a day between Sunday and Monday.

I can’t feel completely sad because did manage to do laundry, cook and play with my baby boy. Which isn’t a baby soon since he’s turning 1 in under three months! And he’s already started to walk. Can I say that I’m a proud mum? His first teeth are also coming in slowly – only 15 more to go now.

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On another note I got a desk for my sewing equipment. I finally have a place just for me. Even though I’m setting on the bed right this minute and haven’t used my desk more then once since I’ve got it. But I will get there!

I have so many ideas but it’s like I need a kick to get started. I know I love it when I do get started but I’m missing the last nudge to take the first step.

Elizabeth

Inspirational colorful garden

I’m sitting here on one of my four kitchen chairs looking out into the horizon. Even though my view is mostly green trees, you can see deep into the woods. And in the morning it’s especially beautiful with the sun rising from the vest.

I’m enjoying a bowl of fresh bought strawberries and a silence that only comes at night. The little one is in bed and I can finally breath out and relax a little bit more. Today was spent eventfully buying new flowers for our beautiful home built terrace. I’m no gardner since my last flowers died, all expect four. So this is my promise to take excellent care of the new once, I have to! I’m not born with green fingers but there’s always time to learn. And as soon as the terrace is done with all the decor I want it to have I’ll be the first one to show it to you. I cannot wait. Only bits and bobs left now.

On another note my creativity is sparkling like firework. I get the best ideas in the most random places, like the toilet, and I cannot wait to film ever more for you. If you don’t know already I have a YouTube channel where I try to upload once a week. I’ll also be doing more outfit posts as soon as I get the house to myself again which should be next week. I’m so excited!

Elizabeth

Be your own photographer

Hijab: Modanisa // Top: H&M // Shoes: H&M // Sunglasses: H&M // Pants: Made by me

I took these pictures a few days ago when I was going for a walk. And when I came across an empty space with no one around I had to take out my camera and put it on self timer before I started posing around by my self. Things you’ll do for a good outfit post. But I love doing it so I don’t mind at all. Besides, I’m so much more comfortable alone then when someone else takes my photos.

Today was spend with family before we came home a couple of hours ago. Now it’s time for some relaxing time and then I’ll be going to bed.

Elizabeth

Make your own jeans jacket

A little while back I made a deal with myself that I would use up all the fabric that I’ve already purchased before I buy any new. So I looked in my fabric box and found a lot of denim. This idea came out of the blue but perfectly timed because my old jeans jacket is a bit too tiny and too tight, for a hijabi that is.

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To make this jacket you’ll need:

• Front/back and sleeve pattern
• Fabric (I chose a light and a dark denim color)
• White thread and/or a strong thread
• Twin needle & denim needle
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• and a seem ripper, if anything goes wrong.

• I made my pattern out of tracing the front of a dress which you can use for both the front and back piece. And a long sleeved shirt for the sleeves.
• Line up, pin down and cut out your choice of fabric. Pin the front and back shoulder seems by laying the fabric right sides together and sew. Lay down your jacket, wrong sides up and pin your sleeves in place and sew. When you’ve finished you can sew the sleeves seems together and down your waist from your sleeve on both sides.

• If you want you can add pockets which I just traced out by hand and placed at both sides. This is fairly simple to do and didn’t t use a pattern just some chalk and drew my desired design on to the fabric. Cut it out and do an overlock seem. If you don’t have an overlock machine you can use your sewing machine. You have to do this so that the fabric won’t distress. Now you only have to sew the pockets on to the front of your jacket.

• Now I started seem rip the ends of the sleeve and at the opening of the jacket cause I thought I wanted a distressed cool look. After doing so, and waisting endless amount of time, I found out that it didn’t look good at all and I wouldn’t use this jacket. So the only do to do was to cut away those ends and make a nice overlock seem on the ends. I continuing on with a twin needle to do a hemmed seem at the bottom and around the opening of the jacket and at the sleeves. I used a white thread because I wanted the seem to be seen but that’s up to you.

Elizabeth

 

Creating

Recently I’ve started a new project, trying to expand my creativity and challenge myself. After buying way to much fabric cos I’m still new to this area, I have slowly begun. What I have learned, especially when I don’t master the craft perfectly yet, it is extra important to divide your time on the project. Do not to rush yourself and try not to do everything at once. Even though you wish you could see the result right away. When you then do spend time on your new project, it will probably be a few hours and you won’t give up when things go wrong. Just don’t go too long without doing anything. Because then it will probably be set aside and after many years and a spring cleaning you will find it in the trash.

And before I go, I will share with you a quote, do you know who said this?

“Creativity is intelligent having fun”

Have fun,

Elizabeth