it's a girl!

la princesse au petit pois art print :: matilou
let’s celebrate bunting :: ravenhill
crocheted hearts :: kajadesign
butterfly wall stickers :: evaQ

Happy news! Our little baby girl was born in May. Her name is Iiris and little lady has (naturally) stolen the hearts of both big brothers and proud parents. So lately I’ve been browsing Etsy for girly creations….

Other  moodboards at fleurfatale’s blog…

Monday moodboard - busy week

ONE YEAR SALE Linen Reusable Shopping Bag (Small) :: Karmologyclinic
The Really Big Lavender Bag. pause herbal cushion :: lapomme
PRINTABLE To Do List :: krize

Oh ! Can you see how stressed and busy I feel this monday ? It’s a busy week ahead, my favourite spring sales event is held on up-coming weekend. And tough I started preparations early – there’s still much to do… some last minute ideas that just sneak in, errands to run, a shop banner to be made… and in addition some of our Beloved-jewellery will be on runaway as accesories in a fashionshow! That’s both exciting but still stressful..

So.. I need a great pause to sort out my toughs into a lovely to do list and then do some last minute shopping (and yes  – this is a situation that needs chocolate as well…)

Other lovely  moodboards at fleurfatale’s blog…

Monday moodboard - let's stay in touch !

Hello – 4 eco friendly postcards :: thespottedsparrow
lila renard art postcard :: matilou
set of 12 postcards – congratulations and celebrations :: syko
5 cards green tree trio :: ahueofduckeggblue

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Hello! Writing little notes and postcards is something I want to do this week. Maybe it’s thanks to Easter (the 3rd peak of sending postcards in Finland after Christmas and Valentines’day) or maybe it’s just because of trying so hard to stay in touch with friends. Past 5 New Year resolutions have been ’stay in touch with friends’. Somehow having a lively family with kids, craft inspirations and work seem to take the time from friends (and sleep). Anyhow – you all know that I’m thinking of you out there – so have a lovely week ahead !

Other  moodboards at fleurfatale’s blog…

Colorful, original and European – Now you have a chance to vote for your very own favourite amongst lovely selection of handcrafted good from European sellers.  To vote -> Go to Etsy Voter.

I voted already but am trying hard to keep my pick as a secret ;D But I can tell you it was meant for play and fun !

PS: you can also find pikkuZAKKA at Facbeook – hope to see you there !

Monday Moodboard

Bolero in Green ::  thongbaitatong
Yellow and oxidized copper sakura ring :: ZsBcreations
Miss spring clutch :: Karuski
Silk lady in moss necklace :: fleurfatale

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Hanami in Kyoto,
sunshine outside my window
i’m in mood for Spring !

Hope you enjoy my first ever monday moodboard and
Get inspired by other lovely moodboards at fleurfatale’s blog…

Hello there – Spring is the time for new beginning, right ?

This is about how a blog gets abandoned and then rekindling it back to life. Autumn and winter were quite a turmoil chez pikkuzakka (one pregnency noted and lots of attention+energy stealers in life) and somehow in the midst of it all totally abandoned pikkuzakka and even Zorro (*gasp*) for a while.

But, Zorro-the-fox was patient and reminded me that something should be done.. so here we are with enough energy to kick-start the blog and my Etsy shop again – but before I do that I want to welcome you back !

lace,  pitsi, dentelle, kant, spitze, merletto, enjace ….  Lady Luck favoured Minna from Karuski and Kristen from knotted nest - carefully selected and packed lace bundles will be off to your way!

Zorro the Fox was so exited about our first giveaway that he wanted me to give some lace for everyone who played along, I kind of agreed with him since it was so fun to see you here and read the stories. .. so small lace bundles are awaiting you all !

Am currently dreaming of having all my linens nicely ironed and folded in some beautiful dark wooded cabin… since my linen collection is still quite moderate and that perfect cabin is still somewhere I just get inspired by these two lovely books of lace and linen. Tricia Foley’s Linens and lace is one and an other is The Book of Fine Linen by Francoise De Bonneville.

Inspired by lace (check the previous post) Rinna and I visited an amazing hidden gem – last lace factory in Finland (last as far as we know now – so if you know any other operating lace factories in Finland do let us know !) The story of this place is incredible and you can read more about it at a lace diary ! If you are interested in Finnish lace in general a lace museum at city of Rauma has lot of pictures at their website . Rauma is known for their bobbin lace.

Since my lace collection has expanded lately I’d like to share some of it with you – and here we go – pikkuZAKKA’s first give away !

A bundle of off white and colored, linen and cotton lace from Finland’s only operating lace factory and some from historical Vaasan pitsitehdas.   Enter by leaving your comment – I’d be interested in read your lace-stories..
Give away is open for comments until 8th of November

Book of the moment is this time actually a sneak preview for an up-coming book.

Perhaps the most beautiful lace-book of all times is due to January 2010. Three wonderful young Finnish women: Rinna Saramäki, Riina Honkimäki and Emmi Jormalainen are finalizing the photoshoots and compiling of this fairytale like book. Publication is by Wsoy.

Lace-book introduces you to different lace variations including instructions for lace making techniques. A bundle of wonderful ideas on how to use those lovely, delicate lace treasures found in attics and flea markets with new personal way.

The captivating images throughout lace book inspires you to enjoy beautiful details and to add a dash of lase to your own wardrobe as well.

Sneak preview images seen here are courtesy of makers and evoke feelings of nostalgia and zakkalicious excitement. Thank you Rinna !

Writers take you to the journey of making the book at their blog: a-lace-diary.blogspot.com

It was not a case of ‘love at first sight’ -- me and matryoshka dolls. It took over two years from ‘they are kind of trendy and cute’ to ‘ I so want my own collection’. Today there’s a tiny, but I think beautiful collection of nestling dolls living in my book selves. Every now and then I let my boys play with the girls. And it’s so fun to watch them being amazed with emerging dolls. Tough I am constantly worrying that they will not throw or drop the linden ladies.

As a child there were few nestling dolls at my paternal grandmother and I remember now telling stories what the girls have done. Usually they have found some hidden treasures or experienced other interesting escapades.

Матрёшка.:.Матрёшка.:.Матрёшка.:.Матрёшка.:.Матрёшка.:.

So what are these elusive dolls made of ?

History places the first nestling dolls to Japan. A story states that a russian monk started to cut wooden figurines of Buddhist sage (Fukuruma) and then a toymaker in Russia later on adopted the matryoshka dolls. The origin of name is not totally defined.  Suggestions are derivatives from popular russian girl names (Masha, Matryona) to hindu mother godess Matri. An other interpretation is that name means mat tyoshki -- mother of trees. Matryoshkas tell stories from modern day politics to folk stories (like snow maiden and fenix bird) , they may be elabortaely painted or decorated by woodburning.

If you want to know how to paint a matryoshka doll -- check this video. (do not forget to check the other related videos too..)

My collection is getting a new girl. Found this amazing wood burned Matryoshka today from Whiteserendae