Frollein Franetzkis crafty adventures

green smoothie revisited

2012-02-14T13:20:00.002+01:00

Normally I'm not that much into trends. I eat, wear and think what I consider to be the best. But sometimes, there is simply the challenge to try something new just because it sounds funny/nasty/groovy/geeky. This is where I and Green Smoothies come together. Last summer when I had to use HUGE amounts of organic fruit and veg, I tried different green smoothie recipes from a variety of vegan/health food websites, and they all turned out nasty. I have no clue why, but they all tasted like some strange viscous herbal infusion.
But this morning, again faced with piles of fresh fruit and veg from yesterday's organic action, I simply threw together what I had for a simple fruit smoothie and then spontaneously added some rocket. The result was STUNNING. AMAZING. YUMMERS!!!

Green Smoothie SPACE ROCKET
serves 2

1 big mellow apple
1 ripe banana
4 oranges or blood oranges (I took 2 each)
3 dried figs
1 Tbsp dried cranberries
1 little piece of fresh ginger (about 1x1 cm)
3 Tbsps soy yoghurt (optional)
2 big handful of fresh rocket
cress for decoration

Peel banana, orange and ginger. Cut all fresh fruit into big chunks and mix several times alongside with dried fruit. Wash rocket and add, mix again for a few times. Tadaaaah!

pepper jam

2011-10-19T20:48:00.002+02:00

1 kg red bell peppers, finely chopped
5 yellow onions, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
5 red chillies, hot, finely sliced
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white wine vinegar
1/4cup rose wine
1 tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper
olive oil

Sautee onions in olive oil in a big pot until slightly browned, add peppers, chillies and garlic and let cook for about 10-12 min. Be careful not to burn.
Add all other ingredients starting with vinegar and wine and let simmer until nicely thickened. Take away from stove and blend roughly with immersion blender (it's nice when there are some pieces left). Fill in preserving jars.

Eat together with Cheezly, bread, beans or anything you would eat with other chutneys. Serve with jacket potatoes, roasted vegetables, casseroles or pasta. Try also on top of a creamy mushroom soup or with freshly toasted sweet chestnuts.

magic seeds

2011-08-08T14:39:00.012+02:00

When you're a plant lover or passionate gardener, you must take a look at this amazing plant seed mailorder site. Many of their seeds are organic and they sell a huge choice of very old almost unknown vegetable and fruit species. Sooooo tempting!
I wish I had a real garden and not only my three little window sills for a few herb and flower pots (and saying few, I mean FEW!).

www.magicgardenseeds.de

in my perfect dream garden, I would have...

1.ox heart carrots 2.kintoki carrot 3.red-white beetroot 4.tigernut 5.teltow turnips 6.parsnips 7.black radish 8.sea kale
9.pak choi 10.brussel sprouts 11.purslane 12.postilein salad 13.San Marzano tomato 14.green zebra tomato
15.black mexican corn 16.borlotti beans 17.butternut squash 18.siam squash 19.patisson 20.strawberry spinach
21.service berry 22.wild strawberries 23.burnet 24.orange thyme 25.thai basil 26.cilantro 27.mexican cinnamon basil
28.wild sunflower 29.wild sage 30.wolly foxglove 31.wild tulip 32.red echinacea 33.cosmos 34.angelica 35.sorb tree
36.wild cherry

Also absolutely worth a visit, especially if you live in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, is Baumgartner Baumschulen. They specialize in very old and rare fruit tree species and offer over 300 sorts of apple trees (and pears, plums, mirabells, qunices, apricots...) And their very names make you drool.

Don't disturb me now. I have to dream of my apple pie, pear chutney, apricot sauce, quince juice, herbal tea, root vegetable pot-au-feu, sun dried tomatoes, squash ragout, mixed berry icecream, roasted beets, bean soup and summer bouquets...

Terence Hill stir-fry

2011-08-08T14:22:00.006+02:00

Mr P is ill. He needs some comforting food. So I made him a fast Terence Hill stir-fry to lift his spirits. He said it was the yummiest stuff he'd eaten in his whole life (I suppose he was still a bit febrile - but isn't he cute) :D

For your little Cowboy and you, you'll need:

1 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/3 cup vegetable broth
1 cup crumbled tofu (I took this pizza stuff because it adds some extra flavour and it was the only thing I had at home on a sunday evening)
1 cup cooked green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 carrot, chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely grated
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsps soy sauce
salt, pepper, caraway seeds
fresh parsley, roughly chopped
1 tbsp each of linseeds and sesame seeds

Sautee onion in olive oil over medium heat until slightly browned. Add garlic and carrot and let cook for a bout 5 minutes. Then add tofu and beans, cover with broth, crushed tomatoes and soy sauce, stir well and let simmer for antoher five minutes. Season with salt, black pepper and caraway seeds. Before serving, mix with linseeds and caraway seeds and garnish with parsley.

Serve with grilled or cooked corn-on-the-cob or some grain stuff. I recommend ginger beer or camomille tea (in case of illness) as a drink.

Terence Hill would have loved you for that. And he would never have realized that there was no ground beef in it. Ha!

Creamy Gruenkern salad

2011-08-08T13:41:00.005+02:00

Gruenkern is very popular among Germany's health foodies, it's super yummy and highly versatile. You can make perfect veggie burgers from it, use it just like rice or, like me today, turn it into a filling salad.

I'm not sure about the availabilty in other countries, but I saw it occasionally in GB. Try this lovely bilingual site for more information and a lot more recipe ideas from the grain!

This one was inspired by a prepared, extremely expensive deli-style salad in my local health food store. I simply made my own version. Here you go:

1 cup cooked gruenkern grains (prepare just the way you would do with brown rice, let cool)
1/2 leek, cut into fine rings
1 big carrot, chopped or grated
4 or 5 medium sized mushrooms
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsps soy yoghurt
2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp agave nectar
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
sea salt, pepper, dried or fresh italian herbs of your choice (e.g. basil, oregano, thyme)
slightly toasted sunflower seeds (optional)

In a deep frying pan, cook leek and mushrooms in olive oil and soy sauce until lightly brown and tender. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. In the meantime, mix yoghurt, vinegar, salt, pepper, herbs, nutri yeast and nectar for the dressing.
Combine Carrots, cooked vegetables, sauce and gruenkern grains and let marinate a few minutes. Garnish with sunflower seeds. Serve with a hearty sandwich or bagel, for example like this one.

Peanutbutter and Coconut Spread

2011-08-04T16:35:00.003+02:00

This super easy spread can be made sweet or savoury. For the sweet version, just add some of the suggested ingerdients listed below.
It's a nice improved version of your normal PB as a bread spread but can be used in a lot of ways on cake, inside of cake, with fruit, as a base for a pasta sauce or with grilled tofu.

2 Tbsps Peanutbutter
2 Tbsps Tahini
2 Tbsps Coconut flakes

Mix well and cool. For sweet meals, you can add a bit of cinnamon, some mascovado sugar or agave syrup or 1/2 banana. Yumm yumm!

galettes chouettes

2011-08-04T16:16:00.004+02:00

Several stays in France founded my addiction to the famous breton pancake (of course they're served all over the country)

Galettes are the savoury version of crêpes, and traditionally made with buckwheat flour, salt and water. Nothing else, and so much pleasure ;) But of course we may enrich the original recipe to pamper our little tastebuds.

This is my way to prepare them:

1/3 cup buckwheat flour
1/3 cup all purpose flour (I prefer wholewheat flour)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
optional: 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Mix well, set aside.

In another bowl, mix:
1/2 soymilk
1/3 cup coconut milk
1 tbsp Soy yoghurt
1 tsp agave syrup

Add both mixtures and stir like mad. If the dough appears to be too thick, add small amounts of water until it's of pancake dough consistence. Heat non-stick frying pan, spread with a little bit vegetable oil, and bake your galettes!
You will need a really big and flat spatula for turning. When first making them, I tried it with a wooden one which was about 4mm thick and that didn't work at all, I destroyed two pancakes until I realized the problem ;)

Traditionally served with beurre salé (salty butter), of course you can use salted margarine. But my favourite beneath fresh fruit - which makes them crêpes again, then, haha - is a freshly prepared tomato and arugula salad and this spread.

Fancy spicy green beans

2011-08-04T15:32:00.002+02:00

I bought a big bulk of green beans on the farmer's market today, so GREEEEEEEEEEEN!

This is what I did to them:

Cook them in plain water for 10-15 min till tender (do not throw them in before water is boiling). Sautee 2 cloves garlic in olive oil for three minutes, then add sea salt, black pepper and some cumin seeds. Add cooked and rinsed beans and drizzle with 2 tbsp each of soy sauce and white vine. let cook for another 3-4 minutes until beans are slightly browned.

Serve them with peanutbuttered bread for a quick lunch, or with Caulipots from Veganomicon, or with a yummy jacket potatoe. I also used this recipe as a base for a thai style stir-fry with red peppers, brown rice, white radish, peanuts, broccoli, coconut milk and red curry paste.

Be creative, and let me know :)

1001 nuts Cookies

2011-08-04T15:18:00.003+02:00

I was craving for something sweet and grainy, fruity and crispy and soft all in one. I thought of something like a homemade fruit bar. It was 10 p.m. and that's the time when most German Shops are closed, so I had to improvise with the stuff I had at home.

Many variations with any kind of your favourite nuts and seeds are possible of course. This one is quite cool for quick and healthy breakfast, for taking it to work as a yummy snack if you need quick energy, and it's perfect for children at school or for sport. The cookies are not sticky at all in contrast to most muesli bars, not too sweet but super fruity.
Of course you could also add finely chopped dried fruit like raisins or figs or apricots or berries for more sweetness... let me know what you did!

makes 15-18

2 small (or one average) sour organic apples
80-100 ml coconut milk
3 tbsp agave syrup
2 tsbp each of sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, linseeds, chopped cashews, tahini
4-5 tbsp rolled oats
dash of vanilla seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cardamom capsule, finely grinded
if necessary, a bit orange juice
for the sweet tooth: 1 tbsp mascovado sugar (not neccessary)
approx. 15-20 small circular rice papers

Grate apples very fine including skin. Add all except rice paper, mix very well and let steep for at least 10 minutes. Then work the dough well once again and form small balls about the size of big cherries. The consistence is quite fluffy, not too sticky, so if you have difficulties with rolling and it falls apart, add a bit more liquid and a bit of flour (only a small amount or you'll taste it afterwards!). Press balls on rice papers and slightly pat to flatten.
Bake 20-30 min. at 160°C (320°F). The outside should be slightly crisp and the inside soft and moist.

Many variations with any kind of your favourite nuts and seeds are possible of course This one is quite cool for breakfast, it's not very sweet but fruity. Of course you could also add finely chopped dried fruit like raisins or figs or apricots or berries for more sweetness... let me know what you did!

Healthy Hangover Breakfast Waffles

2011-08-04T14:52:00.004+02:00

Detox!

(for about 6-7 waffles)
2 cups soy/rice/almond milk
1 tbsp white vinegar (or lemon juice)
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 banana, mashed
-> mix and blend until smooth.

2 cups buckwheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
a bit brown sugar and/or agave syrup if you like it sweet
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla seeds

-> combine well and add milk mixture, beat until smooth and bubbly. If it's too sticky, add a little bit of water or orange juice. But not too much! Dough must be slightly thicker than the one for pancakes.

Spread waffle iron with sunflower oil and bake bake bake until you have a huge pile of steaming hot crispy waffles! Serve with any kind of fruit, syrup or nut spread you like. I had a bit of homemade plum sauce, soy yoghurt, tahini and redcurrants. Purrrrrr......

Music For You: France Gall

2010-08-13T12:12:00.001+02:00

Things that made me smile today

2010-08-11T11:28:00.001+02:00

1. Giant Kitty couch via blog.craftzine.com, 2. Snow Hat, 3. Narwhale by www.keeki.co.uk , 4. I gave Frank a marker tattoo.

what I wore today 8/9/10

2010-08-10T11:17:00.004+02:00

Veggie Buckwheat Mushroom Tofu Bake

2010-08-09T19:33:00.004+02:00

It's not Thursday, but I was in the mood for making up a new Vegan Thursday Recipe. Here you are!

Buckwheat Mushroom Tofu Bake
(for a big dish pan - serves 4)

300g Buckwheat grains
250g fresh champignons
200g natural Tofu
1 small onion
1 garlic clove
2 tsp granulated vegetable broth
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
oregano, parsley
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce
ca. 400g fresh or frozen mixed vegetable (I had a mix of cauliflower, green peas, green beans, carrots, leek)

for non vegans: a bit of grated cheese (Gruyere, Edam, Parmesan), one freerange egg

Cook buckwheat in approx. the double amount of salted water (like rice) for about 10 minutes, take from oven and let steep for another ten minutes.
In the meantime, clean mushrooms and chop into small pieces, do the same to tofu, onion, garlic and mix well with all the spices (incl the granulated broth), oil and chilli sauce. Let marinate for at least half an hour.
If you use freezed vegetables, defrost them and place them in a baking dish (you might want to spread it with a bit of live oil before). If you use fresh stuff, only clean it and leave it raw.

When the buckwheat is ready and the marination time is over, put everything in the dish and mix well. If you're not vegan, you can also add a slightly beaten egg and sprinkle some cheese over it.

Put in the oven and let cook for about half an hour at 180°C.

YUMMY!!!! What goes very well with that is a green or tomato salad or also a sour cream dip and white wine.

Vegan Chocolate Bananarama cake

2010-08-09T19:03:00.003+02:00

Baking day! Today, I invented a vegan cake recipe all by myself. I was a bit afraid that it wouldn't work, but it turned out really delicious! Tell me if you liked it!!!! It's really easy to make :)

Vegan chocolate bananarama cake
(for one medium spring pan or baking pan)

Dough
200g wholemeal wheat flour
100g dried dates, finely chopped
100g brown sugar
50g oat rolls
50g cocoa powder (the dark one without sugar)
100g cold margarine
250ml soy cream or oat based cream (I used "oatly", I don't know if that is known outside of Germany)

Mix everything well with a blender and put in spring form in a way that the margins are also covered (look at my pictures to you get an idea of it - just like when you make a pastry).

Filling
1 big organic banana (ripe)
2 or 3 fresh not too ripe apricots
a handful of blueberries
4 Tbsp Vanilla sugar
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp ginger powder
a dash of nutmeg
a dash of ground black pepper
a few drops of fresh lemon juice

Chop banana and apricots in very small pieces and mix with the rest using a fork and mashing the banana a bit.
Now, fill the mixture in the pan and flatten evenly. If you like, you can sprinkle a bit of extra sugar or honey.

Bake at 190°C for 20-25 minutes (be careful not to burn!).

Mr P's chilli con pollo

2010-08-06T16:18:00.004+02:00

I seem to post a lot of recipes lately... I don't do as much cooking as it seems :D But I must share this one, too. It's the very best versions of chilli con carne I know, not only as it has been made up by Mr. P... Try it! It's soooo super easy! It was the first ever thing he cooked for me, and I suppose that is one reason why I fell in love with him :D

Mr P's secret super chilli
(serves 4)

400g fresh organic Chicken breast (anything else than organic is shit, not tasty and cruel)
a can each of sweetcorn, kidney beans and green peas (approx. 330g each)
2 packets of pureed tomato (alltog. about 600g)
3 tbsp of tomate paste (the concentrated version you can buy in tubes)
1/2 white onion
1 garlic clove
olive oil
pepper, salt, chili powder, sweet curry powder, italian herb mix (e.g. oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary...)

Cut chicken in small pieces, put in a bowl and cover with loads of chilli and curry powder and a bit of oil. Mix well and let marinate for half an hour.Then, chop onions and fry with the chicken in olive oil. When cooked through, add finely chopped garlic, sweetcorn, beans and peas and cover with the tomato puree. Let simmer for a few minutes and stir well. Lastly, add spices (a lot of curry poweder again - Mr. P uses 1/3 package for one pot!) and tomato paste. Let simmer for another 5 minutes. Done!

We love to eat it with wholemeal egg-free pasta, but of course you can serve it classically with white bread or rice if you prefer.
The chicken can be replaced by mince or veggie mince, too. But I quite like the chicken version!

Vegan Gooseberry Scones

2010-08-03T23:27:00.003+02:00

I bought a pound of lucious dark red gooseberries on the farmers' market yesterday. They're perfectly ripe and super sweet, and they taste divine in my muesli. But there are so mny of them that I probably had to eat three mueslis each day, and so I thought about baking something, I was in the mood anyway as it had been Jule's birthday last week and she had invited me for a girls' evening today to celebrate it bit (her only occupation at the moment is revising for her final exams which start in a week, and she's nearly on her last legs now... so she decided not to have a big party now and to catch up on that in a few weeks). We will have a lot of sweets, watching silly TV shows, smoke a lot and comb our hair. What girls do when they're alone. haha :)
As a little surprise for her, I made these vegan scones, a perfect use for my gooseberries!

The recipe is based on a really yummy one by Kirsten Holiday on Post Punk Kitchen (goooooooorgeous website for vegans!!!), and I added a few ingredients. So, this is my modified recipe:

Vegan Gooseberry Scones
(for 12 Scones or Cupcakes)

300g flour
4 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp vanilla sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
100g vegan butter substitute
200g soy yoghurt (I took mango flavour)
150 - 200g mashed gooseberries
200g soy cream
120g rolled oats
50g chocolate chips
hundredsandthousands and sugar writing for decoration (or whatever you like)

Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, vanilly sugar and salt. Add butter substitute and crumble.
Then, mix yoghurt, cream and berries in another bowl until smooth and blended well and add to the flour mixture. Stir well but not too long to not make it goopy. Lastly, add oats and chocolate chips and mix them under the dough.

Put it into a muffin form (what I did) or make scones (explained by Kirsten).

Bake 15-20 Minutes at 200°C.

From Japan with love.

2010-08-02T16:23:00.005+02:00

Things that arrived from Osaka and Korea today. YAY!!!! Yet, I don't quite get why I ordered so much Bento supply stuff... I sure love Bento, but never tried it, and I'm not sure if I ever will - not even enough time for the must-do projects... Well, no matter. If I want to do some Bento-ing now, I definitely have all I need :D :D
Little paper flags for Bento, Huge pink piglet shopping bag (too big for the pic, so only the tag), food cutters for Bento, tiny sticks for Bento, little plastic deco animals (hello kitty in pajamas -too cute- and goggle-eyed rabbits).
2 Din A4 folders, soya sauce containers for Bento, more food cutters, 2 rice ball makers, egg spice.

Have you ever tried Bento? Do you like it? Any advice?

nerd life

2010-08-02T13:43:00.004+02:00

Do you love playing those cool old-school computer games like Tetris? I love love love it! Even if it's probably a waste of time, but it is so addictive...
Our flatmate Ti, Mr P and me had a very game-ish weekend. It all started with the fact that I remembered this very 90ies childrens' computer game by the Kellogs company, "Tony and his friends in Kellog's land". I don't know why I thought of that suddenly, must have been due to my generally retro-and-good-old-times-mood at the moment as I have been rearrangeing my workroom and found a lot of old childhood memorabilia. Well, and then, of course, I wanted to play exactly that game. Poor Mr P! He spent the whole Friday evening trying to install the game on his Windows XP (of course there was no chance to do it on my mac), and finally managed it thanks to the glorious DosBox device (thank you very much, inventors of DosBox!!!) which lets your PC travel back in time instantly with an easy programme.

Second, when Ti noticed what we were doing, she started slobbering over old games in general, and five minutes later, we all were sitting in the living room, everybody playing Tetris. I LOVE TETRIS!!! Visit this funny website, you can play it there for free in several nerdy versions!!! It all went very competitive and loud soon, but we had a lot of fun :) I love being a nerd, if that means being one :D

And it occured to me that I could knit or crochet something about Tetris soon.

Tell me about your game favourites! I would love to hear which kind of nerd you are :D

Thrifty Sunday

2010-08-01T13:55:00.006+02:00

Every sunday now, I want to show you one of my favourite vintage items. Today, it's this amazing childrens' book: Jussike's Sieben Freunde by finnish author and illustrator Silvi Väljal. It was printed in USSR in 1969, I bought it in a thrift store in my hometown, it is really torn down, but that fact makes it even cuter :) The brackets with which it is stapled are already rusted and its pages are very loose, so you have to be really careful when turning them.

I love the bright colours and the boldness and simplicity of the illustrations, nearly comic-like! And the story is sweet, too, Jussike, the little boy, travels through the seven lands of the weekdays and meets each day who is personalized by several friendly characters and they all have specific lessons teachig Jussike. In the end, they're all friends.

What is your favourite vintage item?

excessive furniture painting

2010-08-01T11:56:00.009+02:00

I spent the last four days painting my old dark brown dresser. I have always liked its form and style, but the colour, oh the colour... I didn't fit at all into my room. But now, HAVE LOOK :D It's so much better now, don't you think?
I chose some motives of artists I admire and added some of my own ideas.

Two total views. Small drawers with my own designs. Upper big drawer with pacman, of course (I had to do some pacman painting!!), lower big drawer with a little umbrella girl and it's mushroom friend inspired by Tanji Akiko, apples by me.
Upside: Smiling funny trees and sun by myself, super cool smoking caterpillar copied from a painting of Dain Fagerholm.
Twiggeldy/Twiggeldum-like Siamese Twins, inspired by a drawing in Anorak Magazine issue No. 10 (I could not find the artist, if someone knows, please tell me!)
Mother Magpie and her babys and Jussike, from Jussikes Sieben Freunde by Silvi Väljal (old USSR childrens' book,one of my favourites)

Everything done with acrylic paint. By the way, last week, I rearranged my whole working place. Pictures coming soon!

Buttooooooons!

2010-07-27T17:37:00.008+02:00

Lookee!

I finally managed to create two little FROLLEIN FRANETZKI buttons for all my blog readers. Please use them often and smile each time you see one! And, to complete my website, a new shop button leading you to my dawanda shop,one for my flickr, one to become a facebook friend, one for writing me an email.
I'm so proud, did it all by myself! Well, uhmmm, almost. Had all the jigsaw pieces inmy head but wasn't ble to connect them. Mr P took one glance and explained me the missing link. YEAH! Today is a good day.

Yay, business!

2010-07-27T15:13:00.002+02:00

Tiny shiny new business cards, arrived today. I am in love. And i am curious if it will bring me more WORK! haha :) Do you like them?

www.moo.com

I adore you, you are pretty!

2010-07-27T14:49:00.003+02:00

I thought it was time to introduce you to my faithful long-time business partner and friend, Miss Janome. You can see her from all sides and look here in the eye. Isn't she pretty? (all the stickers are from STICKER BOMB! book by adorable Studio Rarekwai)

What sewing machine do you use? Which is your favourite special stitch? What do you sew? I want to know everything!Tell me!

Visit from Tortoise land

2010-07-27T14:41:00.006+02:00

Helllooou, my name is Morla.

I temporarily live with Mr P and Annie (they're strange, they talk with me as if I was a baby, and they smell, but they do good cooking). My lovely owner Charlie had to go to Sylt and left me with them. Uhm, I'm not sure if I like this, because their den is so pink. But I don't care as long as they leave me alone and give me salad and cucumber. Yesterday, they wanted to show me how to swim. I HATE SWIMMING! I AM A TORTOISE, NOT A TURTLE!! By they way, I have no clue who that person Morla is, it seems to have something to do with me. Strange...Wah, now I have to go asleep again. My warm stone is waiting for me....uhhuhmmmm, dreaming of salaaaaaaaaaaaaad....uhuhummm nom nom nom...

Vegan Burger Party

2010-07-24T23:11:00.004+02:00

Mjammm, Mr P and me were at our friend Charlie's house yesterday for a Veggie burger party. She invented this delicious recipe:

Veggie Burgers
(serves 4 hungry people)

250g cooked kidney beans (canned)
2 onions (roughly chopped)
2 garlic cloves
1/2 bunch of basil
3 dried tomatoes
5 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
a dash of chilli powder
a dash of caraway seeds
black pepper (as much as you like)
100g breadcrumbs

Puree everything except breadcrumbs with a hand blender. Form flat burgers and roll in breadcrumbs. Fry in pan with a bit of olive oil or bake in oven for about 10-15 min at 170 °C.

We had big bowls and plates with all the things you need for delicious burgers: Tomatoes, Salad, pickled gherkins, dried roast onions, burger sauce, ketchup, cheese slices (for non-vegans), chilli sauce... and of course bread rolls and french fries.
For dessert, we had vegan vanilla pudding/jelly and organic bananas (Mr P's idea. I love him so much, nearly as much as bananas :D)

...and much later, it all ended up in a very mexican red-wine-and-tequila-celebration... Hu-La and nomnomnom, my friends!

Contest Entry finished!

2010-07-23T11:32:00.004+02:00

strike!!!

Sublime Stitching Combo Contest

2010-07-19T12:38:00.004+02:00

Yesterday, I decided to take part in this stitching contest, Sublime Stitching was the first ever stitching pattern company I came to know of, and I have been admiring their stuff for a long time. I haven't been doing this craft for quite a time but always loved it and I think it's a cool chance for a new challenge!!! Yippieh, I already have some funny ideas, but shhhh, it's a secret as long as I'm not finished :)

Look at their Blog for entrance rules (there aren't many) and choose some patterns. The deadline is 20th of August, so plenty of time for you all to think about a creative stitched picture, and there are really THRILLING prizes for the winners!! So ladies, grab your needles and your thread, and give it a try!

it would be cool to know who of you wants to join aswell :) Tell me!

Love Waffles/Melon Summer Salad

2010-07-18T13:35:00.005+02:00

Mr P and me went to my friend Laura's annual BIG SUMMER GARDEN PARTY last friday. I am so in love with the house she lives in (with 4 flatmates and three cats), it looks just like Pippi Longstockings Villa Villekulla. I would love to live there one day with a lot of funny people and children!!! Their garden is a little paradise, with lots of hidden corners (for kissing and making poetry), torches and big beech trees. And a big sand pit!!! :) (perfect for eternal teenagers like me)

Everybody was asked to bring something to eat, it is a very nice tradition at their parties to have a huge, mouth-watering homemade-stuff buffett. This is what p and me made, I thought I'd share it. I never tried both things before, and I really liked it.

Melon salad (from Tel Aviv, based on the recipe in Nigelly Lawson's Verführung zum Kochen)
(for one medium sized bowl)

1 Honey Melon (Nigella uses watermelon, but I like honey melons better)
250g Feta Cheese
1 red onion
a handful of black olives
1/2 pomegranate
a handful of macadamia nuts (or pistacios)
juice of 2 big limes
olive oil
pepper,salt,parsley,peppermint leaves

Slice everything ecxept the pomegranate, starting with the onions (be sure to make small pieces). Put onion slices in a bowl, drown with lime juice, olive oil, pepper and salt and let marinate while you slice the rest. Add all the other stuff, keeping two or three peppermint leaves uncut for decorating. Last, carefully knock on the half pomegranate fruit to get out the kernels and sprinkle them on the finished dish. Done :) sorry, no pic, was eaten up too quickly. REALLY!

Love Waffles (invented by me, muah)
(for about 6 dessert portions)

a package of commercial (when possible egg-free) rectangular sweet waffles from the supermarket (I had 6 big pieces in my pack)
1 Kiwi (the golden sweet ones) or 1 ripe peach
1 vanilla and 1 mango yoghurt (together 250g), ideally organic, or any other not too sweet fruit yoghurt of your choice
3 tbsp peanut butter
colourful sugar sprinkles

Place half of the waffles on a large rectangular plate. Mix yoghurts in a bowl (not if you only use one sort), then spread it equally on the waffles (like butter on a bread). Slice fruit in tiny pieces and sprinkle it onto the yoghurt layer.
Now take other half of the waffles (for the top layer), spread a bit of peanut butter on the upper side, and dip into the sugar sprinkles. Place on the prepared lower part. Just like a sandwich!

Now, if you like, you can decorate the dish with all kinds of sugar stuff, I used some little tubes with commercial chocolate writing mass.

Finally, take a verrrrrrry sharp big knife, and cut all the waffles in about 3x3 cm big quarters or equal rectangulars to be able to serve it as finger food.

Happy eating!

I heart trading

2010-07-18T12:45:00.003+02:00

Lovely Sammy from Cookie Button fell in love with my Moomin lollies. She got one. Look what I got in exchange!!!! It fits perfectly :) What can't be seen in this picture: While Fränzi took photos of me and the brooch, a teeny tiny black-with-red-spots-ladybird landed on it and climbed and climbed over the hills and valleys of its ruffles. We tried to picture it, but it was too small (it only looked like a black spot on the photos).... Two hours later, while we were strolling through the bookshop (it had started raining), something tickled me on the left shoulder. Fränzi looked there and - it was still the ladybird . It obviously had fallen in love with my butterfly tattoo, too :D :D

So Sammy, you can see that your brooch is already in proper use :) Thanks again for the lovely trade, and have wonderful summer in Somerset!

Favourite Shops: flex! Nuremberg

2010-07-18T12:00:00.005+02:00

One of the shops that make it worth to live here: flex! in Nuremberg's funniest, strangest and kiez-iest district Gostenhof. I come here for buying 60ies dresses, vintage shoes, unique houseware, books and also independent music (they have a highly recommandable shelf filled with stuff of MONO-TON, a cool local music store)...

A Must-Go if you live in Nuremberg/Fürth/Erlangen or the surrounding area!!! And for any foreign visitor hunting for good stuff, the whole quarter will be a relief from all the tourist-crammed alleys in the city center.
There is, besides more Vintage Shops, for example a very well-sorted and super friendly Women's Bookstore (lots of highly interesting literature by and for girrrrls and ladies, but also loads of non-fiction about feminism, lesbian and queer culture, women's rights blablaba, AND you always get a fresh coffee for free!). Moreover, a nice big music store (specialized in guitars and amplifiers, but also with pan flutes and other funny instruments and very helpful, well trained staff), several nice snack bars and veggie cafés AND the LIEBLING shop (a crafters' cooperation) which happens !!surprise!! to be one of my favourites aswell.

And the best: all the described shops are located only a few metres from each other, in the Kernstraße and the Fürther Straße, right next to the subway station Gostenhof.

Happy Shopping, everyone!

Things that made me smile today #1

2010-07-16T18:29:00.002+02:00

1. Brain slug cupcakes (Futurama), 2. Nail Art: Balloon in the Sky (Pixar's UP inspired), 3. Upcycled Love skirt and rainbow shirt4. Mochimochi Tiny Cowboy

Nostalgica

2010-07-10T15:30:00.004+02:00

What happened last Wednesday:

I was at my parents' home, babysitting my very ill sister. She told me that our former artist teacher at school had called her earlier and offered us to come into our old school and look through the photo lab which had to be emptied due to renovation of the building.

Of course I had to go there. And this is what I found:

PURE BLISS! Sadly, the practica doesn't work.. BUT the Mamiya does, at least mechanically. MADE IN 1968!!!!! I need to check the electronic part and if it works, I will buy an objective.... does anyone have a M42 objective? Do you still use analogue SLR?

And any suggestions what to do with the old chemistry glass? I need to bring the content to the special waste department, but I can't decide what I could make out of the glass.

music for lovers

2010-07-09T14:37:00.003+02:00

One of my oldest favourites, but I haven't heard it quite a long time. Now I found it again, I will declare it to be MY Song Of This Summer (it was already My Song Of The Summer three years ago, and it was a very special summer. secret.)

VIBRATORS FOREVER!

knitters united

2010-07-09T13:22:00.004+02:00

Yesterday, I joint my first ever knitting club. It was funny, there where six old ladies and me sitting in the cool shadow of one of my favourite cafés, chatting ad knitting :D They were so lovely, and they all were so pleased that I wanted to take part in their group. And what they were knitting! Amazing stuff! The oldest, Brigitte, was working on a really cool very VIOLET summer vest. I had my rainow crochet blanket with me, as I'm not knitting at the moment, and I was a bit afraid before that they would say "No crochet, only knitting" but on the contrary - the girls all admired my funny blanket and they were really happy to have a crocheter in their group now, too :D I'm sure I will go there again as soon as I start a new knitting project. They're all so helpful! And I have some things to learn, for example, I have no clue how to work with circular needles. And they all know.

But nevertheless, I would LOVE to have my own knit/crochet group, with some younger participants... have to think about that.

it burns.

2010-07-02T18:51:00.002+02:00

These days are filled with grief and tears but also sweet remembrance for tattooed and queer people all over the world. The brightest of all Flaming Hearts has left us forever. May you reunite in Ink Heaven with all your companions that went there before you and have the most dazzling, everlasting celebration. No one who met you once will ever forget you, in our hearts your flame is burning forever.

It nearly feels as if my own grandpa had died once again. He was the icon of probably all german tattoo artists, who had a tattoo done by him carries one piece of his love of life.. I didn't manage to do it anymore. But I met him several times, and I will never forget him and his message to world. For me and many other people, he was the personified tolerance.

Don't ever let anyone get between you and your beliefs, look ahead and leave all ignorants behind you. And be colourful.

Thank you for some of the best thoughts of my life. Ink In Peace, Herbert Hoffmann.

So Sweet.

2010-06-29T19:29:00.008+02:00

I was in Berlin a few days ago, visiting Egg, and it was so GREAT. This is my city, I love that place, I love the funny people and all the crazy shops and tiny places and bla!
...and if I could I would have brought home MUCH MORE stuff... But I'm not greedy, no, and so I selected carefully.

(from top and left)
organic strawberry biscuits (absolutely mouthwatering) from Mamsell's

milk chocolate (irresistable package design) from Mamsell's

Moomin lollies for my moomin collection
(herat shaped in green and red)

My melody PEZ dispenser

Japanese Apollo rocket shaped strawberry chocolate bits
(you can see them on the packet front, they taste wonderfully and are so tiny! idealy for sweets decoration!)

Last three items are from a sweets stall at Mauerpark Flohmarkt, sadly I forgot the name of the shop, they had a huge assortment of super cool crazy sweets from different countries. VERY recommendable! :)

Isn't that couple SUPER DUPER CUTE? I love their smiles :)
The girl I bought them from at the flea market told me they were a handmade gift from a korean friend of hers and were made of wooden spools. I wonder how she could sell them, but well, good for me :D

Vegan Thursday.

2010-06-28T00:47:00.005+02:00

I established a no-fastfood-but-tasty day per week for Mr P a few weeks ago, he wants to eat healthier now he has become a football coach for 10-12 year old kids (they seem to run faster than him, he he).

This was the first result:
Organic spelt bread, red pepper, sweet chilli sauce (loads), vegan pumpkin/carrot stars.

He liked it, jippieh.

This week, I was a bit more brave: I cooked some butterflies. Haha. Course not. Look.

Basmati rice with veggie bolognese for the wings, very hot chilli sauce for the antennae and cucumber stir fry for the body.

Cucumber Stirrrrrrr-Frrrry
(serves one hungry girl)

1 big fresh organic cucumber
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
a handful of walnuts (from the tree of your trust)
soy sauce
black pepper
salt
ground nutmeg
a small piece of fresh ginger
1 Tbsp balsamico

Roast walnuts in oil until they're golden. Add cucumber, let stew for a few minutes while you reduce heat. Add all spices. If you like it sharp (I dooooo!), add some fresh or dried chillies aswell. But be careful.

Oh I love playing with food! Do you?

no spikes for inca

2010-06-18T16:19:00.003+02:00

Inca needed some treat, and it was her birthday. She is special, so she got something special. No spikes, though, I don't like the thought of it.

Pattern: Christine Fadley for childrens' Knitwear Projects.

Alle meine Entchen

2010-06-17T19:34:00.006+02:00

I spent a long weekend at home, it was my dad's 56. birthday, and we had a sparkling day out in the green hills that surround my hometown. After several walks over plateaus, through forests and into a damp flume named devil's hole (CREEPY, and full of very aggressive biteing insects), we reached the beautiful chateau Fantaisie. What a name. It was built over 200 years ago after the plans of the sweet and clever margravine Wilhelmine of Bayreuth. It's as fascinating as her whole rococo life, you can find huge sequoia trees, hop up and down the steps of waterfalls and get lost in mazes. We had a relaxed alfresco diner in the castle garden afterwards and then went home to fall asleep immeadiately.

On sunday, I had a foto shooting with my little sister's new pets: three super cute goslings, she shares them with her boyfriend who lives on an organic farm. ( Oh how much I love farm life!) We spent hours and hours with all the four and two legged folk. I want a goose and a goat now.

Woo-nderful! male yarn addiction!

2010-06-16T22:18:00.010+02:00

Sometimes, I stumble over web thingsies that I can hardly believe. I consider myself to be strongly feminist and take most male approaches to gender equality for granted - nevertheless, I happen to be astonished from time to time. For example when Mr P took over the task of doing all laundry all by himself - very profane example - or when I found WooWorks' wonderful website.

A male artist who loves to crochet in such a creative and thoughtful way! My heart stood still several times while browsing his online playground. Have fun with this exceptionnal artist's yarn works. Don't forget to watch his cartoons and his gorgeous short films!!!

I still can't believe it. A man who understands the idea of yarnbombing. We're not yet lost, sisters ;)

oh sunday.

2010-06-06T10:13:00.006+02:00

Wonderful morning. Sun as bright as can be, sky is flawless. We lying here with windows wide open, listening to the church bells and nibbling cornflakes (no more milk, forgot to buy). I love the way it can be. I want it to stay exactly like this.

baby time

2010-06-05T01:36:00.007+02:00

I'm sooo much in love with little ones these days. I want a baby. NOW. It fills my mind every day, and I suppose my biology wants to tell me something... my hormones are playing "classics for baby" recently, and they're getting louder each day. As a consequence, I'm very much affected by ANY YOUNG CHILD that crosses my way (which is rather funny at work, where I had to examine a pair of very cute female newborn twins yesterday and suddenly behaved like a teen- the mother looked rather bewildered..ummm). Even worse if it concerns people I know. I've started to produce A LOT of baby stuff in the last weeks. For example, these two:

It's for my dear friend Chris who gave birth to Damian two weeks ago (and she's 6!!! years younger than I am ...). Poor Mr. P. He loves children and he wants some, but not AT ONCE, which I can understand quite well as he's still younger than me, and I won't definitely try to make him want a child if he doesn't... but I simply feel that it's time for me. Puh. Any suggestions??? ;)

(By the way, the sweet cap is made of this pattern.)

Needle Love

2010-06-02T16:08:00.005+02:00

My friend Tam has started to call me pincushion. She's damn right, but I don't have a choice, I am an addict. Needles and colours are what I would die for.... See what happened to my upper arm yesterday!

..and this was my inspiration: wonderful Design by Urban Threads' Niamh O’Connor.

I've been admiring their embroidery designs for quite a time, and when I found this beautiful wonderful swallow picture, I knew that I had discovered my next STITCH. The message is more than a tribute to neeldes and colours, it is one of the few sayings that describe my life perfectly.
Go there and buy some embroidery kits. Them girls are G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S.

Lasagne magnifique

2010-06-01T22:22:00.011+02:00

One of my flatmates moved out yesterday. Tin-eyed Tine and me created a veggie Lasagne as a farewell diner. (He moved to a street only a few blocks from our flat, but we will definitely miss you, män!)

I thought I'd share it, it was so yummy and easy and fun - as T. and me always have a who-makes-the-larger-mess-contest
when we cook a meal. By the way- the boys hate Tofu, and they did'nt realize that it was no real mince... hahahahaha!

Lasagne magnifique
(serves two very hungry men and two hungry girls)

400g Veggie mince
400g canned sliced tomatoes (as for pizza)
4 carrots (finely chopped)
1 big onion (finely chopped)
black pepper, cayenne pepper chilli powder, paprika, salt, oregao, rosemary
1 tbsp live oil

--> mix well in a large bowl.

Prepare one sachet instant bechamel or make one yourself (bit of butter in a pan, melt, DON'T BURN!, add a bit of plain flour, STIRRRRRR, and then add a bit of milk, STIRRRRRRRRRRRR until you die. Take from stove, let cool a bit)

And last but not least, have ready loads of grated cheese, about 200-300g (emmental, gouda, parmesan, pecorino).

You will need two medium sized lasagne pans.
First layer: mince mixture
second layer: bechamel ( only a bit spread on top of the mince part)
third layer: cheese
fourth layer: lasagne sheets
Start again with mince, repeat other two (haha, sounds like a crochet pattern now)
End with cheese.

Veganizing:
For the bechamel: Use sunflower oil instead of butter and plant based milk of your choice.
Instead of cheese: Soak 2 cups cashews for about two hours, rinse. Mix them with 1 package silken tofu (about 200g), salt, pepper, dash of nutmeg, 2 tbsps nutri yeast, 1 clove garlic. Puree with food blender. If you like, you can make a bit more of this and use instead of bechamel, too.

Let cook in the oven for about 40 minutes at 200°C until crust is crisp and looks like fair caramel.
Now don't burn your tongue, baby!

Goes very well with a simple rucola salad with balsamico vinaigrette.

Hope you like it, ladyboys.
Now I need a bit of sleep, got tattooed again today and it F***s a bit... Pics tomorrow, here, for sure.

Love you all!

vegan L-Love

2010-06-01T21:25:00.005+02:00

Got a new favourite series: The L-Word. In fact, I fell in love with Shane at the first glance, and it inspires me in a strange way... Uhm, too much detail ;) At any rate, it inspires me culinarily.... example: Kit's Polenta pear tarte she sells in The Planet. I discussed it with mummy, and from somewhere deep in her many many recipe notes, she conjured a polenta tarte recipe. Not pears, but apples, no matter. I translated it into Vegan Love Language. There you are:

Polenta Whatsoever-Fruit Tarte
(for a 28cm-spring form)

750ml Soy milk (if you are a sweetie, take the vanilla flavoured one)
375 ml water
dash of salt
dash of saffron
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 Tbsp brown sugar

--> bring to a boil.
Then add

200g polenta

and simmer for about 15 - 20 min. (be careful not to scorch or boil over)
Take from the stove and let cool a bit, then add

75 g raisins or sliced dates
1 big mashed banana

Take the spring form and grease it with a little bit of canola or sunflower oil,
then spread some ground almonds into it.

Fill the cooled polenta mixture in the springform.
Now decide which fruit you would like to use: good are sour apples, pears, mango, peach, apricot. You will need about 400 g in total, slice it roughly and put it one the cake.

Finally: Mix
6 Tbsp coconut cream and
2 Tbsp brown sugar

and spread it evenly on the top of the cake.

Let bake for about 30-35 min at 200°C.
Eat warm (tastes likea wonderful semolina pudding) or cool (tastes like some kind of crazy mouth-watering cheese cake).

Hope you like it. Let me know!

New Stuff!!!!

2010-05-11T19:52:00.007+02:00

He-he-he-here we goooooo. See my new finfished projects!! I love all those bright colors, and most of the yarns I found accidently in the tiny drug store round the corner of my flat, strange, isn't it :) Everything for sale at dawanda's.

mädchenflohmarkt!

2010-05-10T21:15:00.011+02:00

Last Sunday, it was finally thrifty girls' paradise day in Tiny Town. Had been working for the last three weeks to finish some cool projects for selling, and I WAS exited. It was my first own stall. YEAH :D Felt good, worked wonderful, got a lot of really nice feedback and made promo for my tattoist, too. haha :) The organizerettes made an amazing job, they had so much sweet granny style deco :)

Some people were strange (not speaking of me). We had much fun muttering about the people standing in front of the stall and not realizing that we watched them while they examined my stuff.

Also,for the cake buffet, I tried out two recipes from Post Punk Kitchen: Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillows and Pignoli Almond Cookies, and they turned out even better then I hoped.. Vegan cookies ROCK!

Alltogether, I think it was a success, but there's still some stuff left- kawaii and crochet AND vintage which I added to my dawanda shop. Lookee!

I love pain

2010-05-10T19:49:00.002+02:00

Got my new tattoo on saturday. I'm so exhilarated. It's even MUCH better than I expected... I want to marry my tattooist (He's already a daddy... Damn.) It' so post pop art, it's so sad and it is SOOOOOOOOOO colorful. It's perfect.

Artwork: Fawn Gehweiler

Tattoist: Wolfi/Tattoo Tomas, Erlangen.

Have a good night, tat victims all over the world.

treat yourself and enjoy it :)

2010-02-08T17:43:00.004+01:00

Visited Leipzig a few days ago... and of course I couldn't miss the gorgeous TSCHAU TSCHUESSI store. Wonderful, lovely and strange. 1a einkauf, as their (supercutecool) paper bags say too :D

Can you ever have enough blank booklets? NEVER. I think it's probably one of the finest feelings in the world to look at a white, clean page, maybe with some subtle lining, and to think about what to write and draw there :)

Oh wonderful dawanda. Please visit the shop of nachtvogel with her very neat and graphic and beautiful knitted stuff! And nadelundfaden has a lovely collection of vintage stuff and träshique très chic fabric :)

woodwork by jukka

2010-01-31T17:10:00.004+01:00

Finnish wooden toy and children's furniture manufacturer Jukka creates so beautiful and inspiring stuff for kids. I like the simple style and clear primary colours :) Unfortunately, their website is totally finnish, which is not my strength... ;) But I#m sure I will find some retailers in other countries. If so, I'll let you know, and if anyone already knows jukka and has a clue where to get their stuff, I would be really happy to know!

heidiseeker newbies

2010-01-30T11:02:00.003+01:00

Being one of my favourite online supplies for sugarsweet cuties, heartjumping hoodies and bellyjolting jewellery, heidiseeker always tempts me when new stuff is launched. Guess what I ordered if you viit the whole site ;) not too much, indeed, but my mum gave me a hint that I might get a little "get yourself some treats" voucher for my birthday. So ... ;)

Here are some fresh new product of Heidi which I wanted to show to you.

These mushrooms are pencil sharpeners :)

button love

2010-01-28T18:18:00.000+01:00

See what beauties I bought yesterday :) I definitely am addicted to crafting supplies, and there's no cure ...

most adorable freak in the world

2010-01-24T01:02:00.000+01:00

I simply love Rhys Ifans. Call me a nerd and a maniac and everything, but he looks so FUNNY and STRANGE that someone like me just has to fall in love. Remember him freakin out in "Notting Hill" ? I never will forget that. Not quite a good movie, but he ROCKED the film. He is the reason why I keep on watching and watching it... AND my boyfriend strangely resembles him. :D YEAH! Well done, Annie.

rug in progress

2010-01-23T14:55:00.000+01:00

Well, I must say that I'am a BIT proud of that thing. It's not really symmetric, and it is VERY colourful, maybe too colourful...but I adore all things that look strange and chaotic and unusual. So, this sweetie comes straight from my heart. I'm still not sure if it will become a rug or a baby blanket or a big blanket for my sofa... Initially, I planned to sell it, but the longer I work on it, the more I want to keep it. Lalalala... we all know that problem, don't we ;) Additionally, I gave up the plan of reaching a certain size... I will simply crochet as long as it's fun. That can take LONG. Haha :) It now measures about 60 x 40 cm, not very much yet. I'll keep you informed about my progress.

By the way, it reminds me of a very brightly coloured landscape from bird's eye view. What do you think?

finished wintertime projects

2010-01-22T21:11:00.000+01:00

New idea: wrap all kinds of daily used food packages (which are often looking boring and don't fit into my colorful dreamland) into new clothes. Crocheted, knitted, sewn and stitched... Starting with one of my favorite characters: the Moomin kid.

Next: My first attempt to crochet a piece of ripple pattern. There you are. I chose some - well - slightly nasty colours (especially in combination) like mustard yellow, lavender, bottle green and bright rose, but you already know my love to colours that other people would never put together. Then I sat there with a piece of ripple whatnot, and thought about what to do with it (actually, I was runnning out of the wool colours I had started with) and then I remembered the super duper sweet kawaii fabric my sister gave me as a christmas gift and sewed it to the backside of my crocheted thing. YEAH! There you are. A tiny sofa pillow. I love it.

Yawn

2010-01-22T16:37:00.000+01:00

I finally managed to end my hibernation, YEAH! I had a really wonderful Christmas with loads of family time and winter walks and sweets and lovely presents and all that kind of stuff that makes you love winter. Now, at long last, I wanted to share some of my latest crafty adventures with you: Christmas presents I received and those I gave away, and also new projects that I started (and some of them already finished! wohoooo!) during my long time break. Now, after all, I am burtsing of new ideas and plans... Have a look!

Crocheted whale-in-love application :) I'm planning some more comic or kawaii style crochet applications now, collecting new motives every day.

A very greeen and fierce alien plushy, probably from pluto, and my newest baby: the little red riding hood (isn't she lovely....) I am REALLY proud of her! For the first time, I created a pattern for a crocheted character on my own that worked IMMEDIATELY! I you like them, these three are now available in my dawanda shop. More to come soon :)

Now some Christmas goodies.
1. pink ghost pin made of hama beads cute and elephant measure tape (not made by me) for my sister No. 2
2. knitted triangle baby scarf for my friend Zeynep's newborn nephew
3. crocheted angora pantie for my lovely sister No. 1
4. custom-made corduroy skirt for my lovely Sister No. 2

wonderful christmas shopping

2009-12-06T01:38:00.000+01:00

some ideas for the crazy and plushy and cute ones....

For superheros and those in need of them (bubble bath, from mousseshop)

For very special pepole who love kawaii things, try http://www.from-japan-with-love.com (and also their etsy shops, can be found on the page among the "links")
I adore Shinzi Kato's designs (upper pic)... do you know her Alice in Wonderland drawings?

Oh so icy creamy sweetly softly...

2009-12-05T01:53:00.000+01:00

I painted these two ladies some weeks ago, using some massive wooden toy blanks and acryl paint. Well, I love them, but I'm still unsure how to use them. I would like to turn them into some kind of jewelry... but being about 4 inches long und 1 inch thick, they're too heavy for becoming a pin, and for making a pendant out of them, I would need some kind of hook or loop which is really sturdy. Hm.... any suggestions, honey pie society?

christkindlesmarkt

2009-12-03T11:51:00.000+01:00

As I live very close to bavaria's famous christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, it's obvious that I have to go there at least once a christmas season. Besides huge amounts of Glühwein and sausages, there are some stalls with examples for true craft. As this small booth with "springerle", non edible biscuits for decoration, which have a long tradition in southern germany. There are special wooden forms in which they're baked and for these "Models" exists an own fandom because they look very cute. But now take a look at my pics of the beautiful and brightly coloured Springerle:

And these two were allowed to come home with me :) It was REALLY hard to decide. And I am already looking forward to seeing them embellish my christmas tree! YEAH! Traditional craft is so wonderful!

light is falling

2009-11-30T18:15:00.000+01:00

While hunting some moss and berries for my winter bowl, I captured all these little gems :)

flea market sweeties

2009-11-29T22:13:00.000+01:00

Cutie cute! Today's Sunday Fleamarket was a real DELIGHT. Gladly, I didn't have too much money with me, otherwise I might have spent a fortune on all these joyful little thingsies. I heart flea market :) And now, I have to go and look for some fabric where to sew on those laces, and then I need a flower for my emaille polka dot pot (polka dot pot is a great word play, isn't it?) haha :)

I managed to get a whole bundle of those pink fairytale merrygoround-whatnot-coathangers, and so they're now available in the vintage departement of my dawanda shop!!! So don't miss them and take a look :)

Ah beautiful...

2009-11-28T13:33:00.000+01:00

I heart these folks at makool designs. Simply adorable, isn't it :)

Magical woodland art

2009-11-27T14:37:00.000+01:00

Look what I spotted last weekend during a late autumn forest walk with my mum and our family dog... isn't it amazing? My mind started twirling immediatley and I thought of woodland fairies dancing aroung that throne, where their queen would sit and flute a song as light as the wind.... Gorgeous. And the hazy sunlight did me a favour, too, as it made the whole scene look even more mystic.

far far away-advent calender for Tamara

2009-11-26T15:22:00.000+01:00

The people who are furthest away often are the ones most present in our minds. AND in our hearts.
When my soulmate Tamara left for brazil last july to spend the next 9 months there, I was really depressed. You get used to it, but it's simply not the same.

Assuming that she must sometimes feel even worse than I do, and especially during Christmas season with all that glitter and family stuff, I had the idea of making an advent calender for her. In Germany, this is a very common tradition and even grown-ups without kids often have one hanging at their kitchen door :) I like best the version with 24 small bags or booties or packages fixed to a band and hung across the room or along the walls, that's what we had at home since I was a child.
But for Tamara, it should have a certain touch of travelling, and express the feeling of homesickness as well as the longing for being far away. Then I found an old road atlas my parents sorted out some time ago, and it flashed my mind to use the sheets for creating some unusual triangle paper bags :)

And then, PUH, the fillings...it took me several days to finish all that stuff because it HAD to become something really special. That's what came out in the end:

two family recipes, crocheted personalised wristband, vouchers, bath soak, spice mixture ...

anti-homesick-handkerchief ;)

embroidered winter spice sachet, ilovemate-trivet (mate is her favourite drink), short stories book and so on...

I took it to the post office the day before yesterday. By registered mail. I am so anxious that it reaches her safe and on time.

Tiny Girly Stick Stick Stick

2009-11-26T14:32:00.000+01:00

My dear friend Christin is currently love sick, and when she lended me her stick drive for a few days as I had lost mine (no wonder, all that MESS in my house), I had the idea to make a mini-bag for that tiny stick. It's about 1,5 inches long and took me 7 minutes. And it earned me a huge smile from her face.

I love to present people with little things when they don't expect it. It's so thrilling to make others happy... isn't that the MOST thrilling thing there is, in fact? And that way, it's not so altruistic as it seems at the first glance... I feel much better that way, thinking about what would be a nice and fitting gift, and how to package it, and thinking about little bitty things to decorate it with and so on... :)
Enough now, I have to go and get my concert tickets for tonight.

Eduard Le Bear

2009-11-26T13:52:00.000+01:00

Look what I just finished, isn't he cute? No, not handsome, but definitely unique. It is a birthday gift for Moe, he wished for a crocheted animal and let me decide what species it should be. My usual characters would have looked much to sweet and girly for him, as he is rather cool and well-read and stuff. Besides, his whole flat is furnished with chocolate brown leather sofas and matching wallpaint, and his living room looks more like a library... Having these things in mind, I thought of a bear at once, but what came out surprised me all the same. Eduard resembles the Mr Bean Teddy in a strange way :D

Nevertheless, I'm convinced that he will like his new companion. Wonder what place my little Mr Le Bear will get in that gorgeous house.

Yummy Almond Milk

2009-11-26T11:25:00.000+01:00

You know, I am always curious about trying new food ingredients and recipes. When I spotted different sorts of prefabricated almond milk in our organic supermarket, I simply had to test it. I already had rice drink and several sorts of soy milk, I love soy milk, but almond milk never crossed my mind so far.
Enjoying the lovely morning sun, I am just experiencing my first almond milk latte. Half cup strong coffee, half cup luke warm almond milk, that seems to be a fine mixture, and thanks to the sweet taste of the pure almond milk you don't need any sweetener or sugar. (By the way, the nutritional value of it is only about 38 kcal per 100 g which is even less than that of skimmed milk) It has a slight flavour of grain when heated, but that's what I expected and what you get in most sorts of soy milk, too. Only be careful not to let it boil as it curdles easily then.

Well, now I will do some research for recipes with almond milk. I just found a french dessert called "blancmanger", this seems to be something like an almond milk version of panna cotta (which I ADORE) ... probably worth a try for the next dinner with the girls ;) And another recipe, almond milk bread from german Küchenlatein blog. Sounds scrumptious and looks great!
If any of you has some ideas whatelse to do with this yummy drink, please share! I'm keen on collecting more ideas. And what do you think of almond milk as baby food? Better not take it as an alternative for breastfeeding or formula, but what are your experiences with almond milk as a base for mash or something like that when you start with solid food?