dear lovely friends, what do you do when life keeps happening, and your blog is not keeping up? make a four in one post! yes, this is a: where we went - made - bought - met - post. and a thank you post, for all the kindness for kimberly and mike, you are so sweet! thank you! okay, let's go...
WHERE WE WENT:
the scandinavian festival! i've got swedish roots!
we met cat, and learned all about inkle weaving
we met saami people
saw favorite books
and textiles
gnomes!
and handknits!
helene's book was here, maryjane's too!
dala horses were well represented
viking dogs and a huge pile of onions!
they have swedish blue!
look! oh my goodness!
tables were set up with bobbin lace making in progress
we gave it a try, here is my sister, she got it right away!
it took me a little longer
this lovely woman didn't even use a pattern
spinning!
this was my favorite, look at the little future wool lover
if you wanted, you could dress up like a viking
or make a floral crown
aww! so pretty!
we learned a little history
saw ancient crafts
and watched the end of a play about snip snap and snurr!
my sister and i had such a wonderful time together, it was a spectacular day, warm and sunny. and scandinavia! i LOVE all things scandinavian. we learned a lot about our heritage, and spent a few minutes with a travel agent vendor, doing a little wishful trip planning. our family originated in the north of sweden, our great grandfather was born in vadso, norway. we have been dreaming of going to norway and sweden for many years, and made a vow to really make it happen!
WHAT I BOUGHT:
WHAT I MADE:
more soon!
WHAT WAS GIFTED:
WHO I MET:
once a year, abalone joe makes a trip down the coast, selling his abalone shells. every year he stops in for a visit and every year i buy several sets from him, and then give them away to family and friends. joe is a super kind person, i'm glad to know. and his sustainably harvested shells are BEAUTIFUL!
i've been walking and hiking a LOT, especially since my sister told me about this app, run keeper. it is the best! it's so motivating! getting moving is something i've needed a push with lately. do you have a favorite exercise tip? thank you for coming by! it's almost the weekend! have a wonderful one!
great pics! which Swedish fest did you go to? i'm Danish and would love to check into that. i think there is one in thousand oaks and one in kingsburg. have you gone to those? take a liking to a viking. love that.
ReplyDeletethank you! we went to the one in thousand oaks, at cal lutheran college. it was our first time to any of the Scandinavian festivals, and so much fun! Denmark was represented, along with Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. there was so much to do for the children too!
Deleteoh my gracious. i just looked through your pics again. i have the exact same sweatshirt as abalone joe! i've had the thing for like 25 years or something crazy like that!!!! how fab!!!!
ReplyDeletethat's awesome! I love vintage sweatshirts, soft and faded, just right!
DeleteDear Lori, I am so glad you enjoyed the scandinavian festival and that you treasure the heriage of your country of "roots" (can you say that so in english) :)
ReplyDeleteI also love the books of Elsa Beskow, our favourite here is "Solägget" do not know the english title. It is about an orange been left in the woods and a little fairy finds it. In school, very long time ago, I learned the lacemaking, when you get the hang of it it's very meditative. And the box, so Jane Asten to me;)
Btw, think the saying about humbleness is funny, as here in Europe, Swedes are seen as pretty humble people:)
Oh, I hope you will get a chance to get to Sweden sometime, it is just very much as I think you would like it to be, maybe a little colder!
thank you Karin-Ida, I agree about the saying on the magnets, there were some 'tourist' items that we're silly. I know one of the things I love about Sweden is its humbleness and reverence for simplicity and beauty in nature and design, in everything. we have that book! in English it is called The Sun Egg, really love Elsa Beskow. my sister and I will get there someday, I already know I love it. :)
DeleteWow, you do have such fun Lori. That festival looked like a great day out. My husbands dream destination is the north of sweden or norway. He's planning on going next year to do the Vassalopet, and we've been toying with the idea of renting a camping car and driving up there for a family holiday - but it's sooo expensive. Do you know the blog My Rose Valley? - a swedish lass, married to an american and living in Switzerland who does the most beautiful scandinavian crafts.
ReplyDeleteSo did you dress up as a viking?
haha, no, that area was quite popular tho! wow, a car camp trip would be a dream, I hope you do get to realize it Emma, at least doing it that way would keep costs down a bit. the expense has kept us from making plans too! someday... thank you for the blog, I'm looking forward to visiting!
Deleteall very "WOW" !!!!! What else can I say????? ;oD
ReplyDeletexxxxxxx ale
I enjoy reading your blog very much, thanks so much for sharing. I just bought the knitting pattern (Louise) from Carrie Bostick Hoge that your lovely daughter modeled! :)
ReplyDeleteyou are so sweet, thank you Lisa. oh exciting! that is a beautiful pattern, have you chosen the wool yet?!
DeleteThat Scandinavian Festival - WOW! What a delight it must have been to pour over the offerings. The lace making is astonishing. And your gorgeous wooden box?- a treasure box for sure!
ReplyDeleteI'm so tempted by the Scandinavian club where they teach the bobbin lace making!
DeleteWhat a fantastic festival, so many wonderful things to see and do. Bobbin lace making is new to me, I've never seen anything like it, it's so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that you were able to share all this with your sister making such sweet memories.
a tiny bit of the mystery of bobbin lace knitting was removed by finally giving it a try, it's a very old and beautiful craft, i was glad to see it being made and taught!
DeleteWow that looks like a fantastic festival. Love that wooden box. I recognize those shells :) Happy weekend Lori.
ReplyDeletethank you kim, happy weekend to you :)
DeleteI love festivals like this!
ReplyDeleteoh the writing desk ♥ yes very hemingway & perfect for your safari adventures.
and the gorgeous abalone shells ~ thank you for this beauty filled post lori xo have a wonderful weekend.
i'm so glad my sister found it, i think we'll make it an annual thing now!
DeleteI'm shivering with the excitement of it all, Lori! I am pretty obssessed about lace-making. Is it as hugely complicated as it looks? Aren't those wooden bobbins amazing? Surely they must be wonderful to handle.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Stephanie
i was enthralled by the bobbins stephanie, they are so personal, all different, the lace makers have gorgeous collections. i think it is intimidating looking at all the threads, but within 10 minutes we had the basics down. i'm really thinking of joining the scandinavian club at the college and taking classes. perhaps a university near you offers it as well? i think you would love it.
DeleteMy dad was an abalone diver in Northern California in the 60's. Whenever I see abalone I think of him and all the abalone shells we used to have around the house! Thank you for the unexpected happy memory! The festival looks like such fun!
ReplyDeletethat's so cool about your dad, my dad was an abalone diver too! in southern california, off palos verdes. we also had abalone shells decorating our fences and gardens and home. and yum, so delicious!
Deletelooks like a fun outing and those shells are just gorgeous! How lucky to be able to own a few :) Our festivals will be starting soon in a few weeks and I'm itching to get out and be experiencing fun activities. Have a lovely weekend Lori!
ReplyDeletei think i will have to buy more next time karen, i love to share them!
DeleteWhat a great outing. We had a community of Swedes, Norse, and Danes in Poulsbo, Washington and I love going to see the beautiful crafts done. Your project was amazing; you always create the most exquisite pieces, XOXO
ReplyDeletethank you susan! i love scandinavian crafts too, the designs are so lovely.
DeleteOh what fun!!! Yay I can't wait for you to plan your trip so I can see all your wonderful pictures! My workout tip is to get up every morning at 5:25 and work out for two hours. It isn't fun. So you can ignore my tip.
ReplyDeleteoh dear, how do you do that? well, you are young, i used to be more adventurous (crazy) but no more! so thank you dear andi for the tip which i will indeed ignore. ;)
Deletewow. such a great post so much amazingness.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteHow great! My mom's dad's parents were Swedish and I can't get enough of Swedish stuff these days. We went to the Swedish Fair at the Shrine Auditorium last December and enjoyed it. I can see it was really really small scale now compared to where you went. I'll look forward to going to the TO one in the future. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your box, so charming! And how fun to meet Abalone Joe! Such gorgeous shells ...
Happy weekend!
thank you sally annie! i hope you do go, i think if you google cal state Lutheran you'll find more info too. here is the festival website: http://scandinavianfest.org/ see you there next year!
DeleteHello ,
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures!
Red horse is wonderful!
All the best,Maja
thank you! i agree, lovely dala horses!
DeleteLori, I am laughing because just as I finished writing you a comment on this fabulous four post, my fingers grazed some random key and the comment was lost to ether history.
ReplyDeleteAnd so I begin again. The festival must have been so much fun for your sister and you. It's grand that the organizers have a great variety of participants and that so many folks attend. Young and older obviously could fine lots to enjoy.
The bobbin lace technique is fascinating. I've seen it done, and think the bobbins themselves are works of art, but have never tried the technique. I think it would have been easier for me when my eyes were younger, but might still be able to give it a go in a very strong light. Seems as if the lace possibilities are endless, and that the process might indeed be meditative, as many textile arts are. Do let me know if you take up a class.
Your writing desk is beautiful and useful, too. My dad made something similar for my mom ages ago. I am also lucky to have a little collection of boxes that he made for me from reclaimed wood and with hand tools only.
Abalone Joe surely looks like someone who'd be good to know. Those shells are magnificent...each and every one.
I know what you mean about daily life adventures absorbing waking hours. Thank you for taking your wonderful photographs and sharing your own recent adventures with the rest of us.
New York might get as warm as 70 degrees this afternoon. Time to put that down-filled coat away, and to really begin to enjoy being outdoors! xo
frances thank you for your wonderful reply. i cannot stop thinking that you have boxes made by your dad, for your mom and you. that is the sweetest thing ever. what a treasure. maybe you could share them with a few photos someday? glad to know you are seeing the end of a very long winter!
DeleteBeautiful post as usual Lori. Thanks for sharing what you've been up to. That festival looks amazing; glad you had a wonderful time. Happy weekend to you too.
ReplyDeletethank you nicky!
Deletei knew you must have been over the top busy......but all this goodness!!! wow!!! (There is a rather large Viking settlement in Shetland that we visited....I think to the very south of the island.....some reenactors demonstrated some early crafts---and early beer!!! It was an active archeological site, so we were somewhat confined to certain areas....it might be a stop for your group this summer!!!)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazingly large Swedish festival!!! And how restrained you were to come home with just soap and a pendant!!!
mostly busy with sample knitting. must be strong and keep saving for my trip!
DeleteHeia Sverige!
ReplyDeleteThat was a really GOOD festival Lori- lots of neat things- real Scandinavian items and traditions...(I wish I could say the same for the lousy one they put on here- it is so Americanized and false, shame that folks here think that us Vikings are like that)
My mom is pretty good at making lace like that- love the Dala hast and all the Viking crafts - Fog horn goes nuts for that-thank you for sharing- really wonderful post.
thank you camilla! i wished i had taken more photos and shown it all (well, mostly!) there was traditional dancing and a maypole and childrens crafts, scandinavian dogs...lots to see!
DeleteWow, that festival looks awesome!
ReplyDeletewe were so glad to have went!
DeleteWhat a wonderful festival to celebrate your Swedish roots, Lori! It must have been so much fun for you and your sister. I love Scandinavian folk art, and seeing the dala horses, textiles and the wonderful bobbin lace was a real treat. Your little writing desk is so special, and beautifully crafted. And I loved the pictures of Abalone Joe and all those beautiful shells :)
ReplyDelete(Thank you for your kind words on my post, and for buying my book, dear Lori!)
Wishing you a very happy weekend!
Helen xox
thank you helen! i'm so happy to have it! it's a treasure!
DeleteThat festival is fantastic! Looks like there was lots to see and do. Especially love all the yarn work and spinning and the lacework is just absolutely incredible. I have a feeling I would have a hard time getting a grasp of how it works. My brain is easily confused. :) Love, love that little portable writing desk. So beautiful and practical. Your sweet purchases are lovely. Have a great day. Tammy
ReplyDeletethank you tammy, i think you would be surprised, it is not as confusing as it seems...(well, sort of!) such a lovely craft though, and it was so nice to see it being done and a whole club devoted to it!
DeleteLori, you always take us to the best places! It's one of the best things about your beautiful blog. Of course, I can't wait to hear more about that tantalizing knitted beauty around your neck...
ReplyDeletei've been bad about getting photos of knits...thank you nicole!
DeleteI thought I had made a comment - but I must have missed the word verification thing!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thank you for a good laugh "It's hard to be humble when you are a Swede" :-)
Looks like you had a lovely day!
silly magnet! thank you irene
DeleteOh Oh Oh!! Lori I cannot speak (type)!! The Scandinavian festival!! Incredible! The lace, weavings, Saamis! Wow!
ReplyDeletewonderful and thank you so much for sharing all those photos!
you would have loved it jo, and i didn't even show the music too!!
DeleteWhat an amazing time. I hope that your longed for trip to Sweden becomes a reality before long.
ReplyDeletedebx
Oh I just noticed that your soap is made in Helsingborg. I've been there, I seem to remember that it was a pretty town. Ahmad's brother used to live in Helsingor in Denmark and we would get the train which went on the ferry over to Helsingborg to do shopping.We had lovely times there.
Deletehow fun! it does sound lovely, going by train then ferry, oh i do hope to go someday, thank you deb!
DeleteAhh, du har skandinaviska rötter! Vad roligt! Då skriver jag kommentaren på svenska den här gången:) Jag bor ca 8 mil från norska gränsen, i Värmland så det är nära till Norge. Svenska ungdomar åker till Norge för att arbete eftersom det finns mer arbeten där och bättre betalt.
ReplyDeleteDet var verkligen roligt att få se en skandinavisk festival "over there". Turisterna som kommer till Sverige är mycket intresserade av vikingar men i Sverige är vi inte så fascinerade av dem. Vi har inga traditionella vikingafester. Men däremot är textila traditioner, svensk design, natur, Elsa och Selma Lagerlöf m.m viktiga för oss. Om du är intresserad av skandinavisk textil vill jag rekommendera Scandinavian folklore, tre volymer på engelska. Jag har skrivit om det här. http://kerstinlofgren.blogspot.se/2013/11/gratis-inspiration.html
och här http://kerstinlofgren.blogspot.se/2014/01/mer-av-laila-duran.html
thank you kerstin! those look like books i would love to own!
Deletegoogle translate:
Ahh, you have Scandinavian roots! What fun! Then I write the comment in Swedish this time :) I live about 8 mil from the Norwegian border, in Värmland so it is close to Norway. Swedish young people go to Norway to work because there are more jobs there and better paid.
It was really fun to see a Scandinavian festival "over there". The tourists who come to Sweden are very interested in the Vikings but in Sweden we are not so fascinated by them. We have no traditional Viking feasts. But on the other hand is textile traditions, Swedish design, nature, Elsa and Selma Lagerlof mm important to us. If you are interested in Scandinavian textiles, I would recommend Scandinavian folklore, three Volyme
There is so much to love here that I don't know where to start! The beautiful patterns, everywhere. Oh, yearn! Thank you for taking us with you. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous festival!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about life moving so fast your blog can't keep up, it's been happening to me too.
Can't wait to see more of the knit :)
Hi! I know this is an old post, but looking for someone who knows more about Abalone Joe. I will be traveling through Big Sur this September and hoping to meet him. Do you know how to reach him by chance?
ReplyDelete