over the sea
We took a ferry ride over to Sweden today, to a little seaside town. When you're from a country like New Zealand, it's impossible to not be excited by being able to visit a different country so easily and quickly. Luckily for us, we now live very close to the Swedish border and it wouldn't take very long to get to some other countries either.
We took our car over on the boat, so we could spend the day exploring. This is the first bit of Sweden we saw, as the back of the boat opened up:
It was such fun discovering this new place. We found a gigantic supermarket that sold, amongst many other things, large amounts of meat and cheese from all over Europe. Really, really large amounts. I've decided, Swedish people are serious about their cheese and meat. We had good coffee and pastries in a a couple of little upstairs cafes. We looked at the boats, the sea and the old seaside buildings for a while.
Perhaps inspired by all the sea and stormy weather around us, I bought a bolt of crisp navy linen last week, intending to make bags from it. I've had an idea in my head for a really simple, pleated bag design- a big, roomy one that fits nicely under the arm, in linen with a cotton lining. Here's the first one I made up last week:
I really like the way the linen falls quite heavily- it gives a sort of floppy feeling to the bag. I think for my next one I might add a flannel facing for a bit more sturdiness.
I'm glad you had a good time while visiting Sweden (where I'm at) for the first time! :)
Like the bag!
Posted by: Anna | February 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Exploring new places is always fun!!! I also love to explore foreign supermarkets ;P
It's 10:10 PM is Spain and your post is from "tomorrow" "...I guess you are still using New Zeland time, anyway, you are having fun and this is the real point, isn't it?
Posted by: Alicia | February 22, 2008 at 10:16 AM
What a wonderful experience for your children Melissa, these will be precious memories for all of you in years to come! xx
Posted by: Jannelle | February 22, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Yes, that opening line got me going... it still thrills me that many people can just pop across to whole new countries.
Posted by: Pauline | February 22, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I looove reading your stories...it's all so exciting and I love the scandinavian look of your new bag.
Posted by: Bianca | February 22, 2008 at 12:38 PM
yummy yum! ooh cute lining :)
what fun exploring.
I'm buying canvas for my next bag project.
Posted by: charlotte | February 22, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I love seeing what you sew!! Sew(pun intended!!) clever to be able to make up your own patterns as well! Sweden looks great - it must be so nice to be able to visit a new place in such quick time. When you think of it, NZ is quite isolated...
Posted by: Amy | February 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Yes the Swedes love their huge amounts, it's all rather expensive too no? Oh the bag is so stylish! I loved the photo of Keira reading, so utterly into her play. She is gorgeous (she seems to have the same short and only slowly growing hair that Lieveke has?) Thanks for your encouraging comments often M. I'm planning on making something special for Keira...
X Lies
Posted by: Lies | February 22, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Beautiful photos and it looks like you had a beautiful day!
Posted by: Penny | February 22, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Oh that sounds like a lovely day! How neat to be able to visit another country in a day :)
I love that new bag! The navy linen is so perfect for that...
Posted by: Chara Michele | February 22, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Looks like such fun Melissa, I have always wanted to visit Sweden! And wow, a new bag pattern...I think I am in trouble hehehe! (they will be on etsy right? :)
all the best~
Posted by: jessica | February 22, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Oh, I am so jealous. I love to travel, but I have not been able to do much in the last few years. I live in the state of Texas (which is probably bigger than most countries in Europe). I am pretty close to the boarder of Mexico, but the boarder towns are not that safe for Americans or so I hear. So I have venture out that far yet. I feel like I can relate a little to some of the changes you've made lately. I recently moved one state over and have had a major culture shock, home sickness, and even dialect differences and I am still in the same country. Texan are very proud people. It has been great though. It is nice not to let great opportunitis pass us by. I enjoy your blog. It constantly encourages my crafty side.
Dwan
Posted by: Dwan | February 22, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Gorgeous bag! Love the photos of your travels abroad!! Also the photo of Keira showing such delight in reading her book to her special toy. And the winter beach looks oh so invigorating!!!
Posted by: Jo | February 22, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Now that looks like the perfect bag! My "perfect" bag doesn't fit comfortably over my shoulder - I think I need to put on different straps...
Love the pics of Sweden - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Barbara | February 22, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Looks like a fabulous day! Love the new bag too.
Posted by: Ruth | February 22, 2008 at 11:03 PM
that does look like an exciting daytrip! and i love the bag also..x
Posted by: caireen | February 23, 2008 at 02:52 AM
It's hard to say whether the large amounts of cheese and meat says more about the Swedish or the Norwegians who travel over to buy much cheaper meat and smuggle it back into Norway!
Posted by: Theresa | February 23, 2008 at 03:26 AM
what an exciting adventure!
Posted by: lissilulu | February 23, 2008 at 03:45 AM
I love your new bag design! It is perfectly floppy and sturdy at the same time.
You have been to my country! I cannot begin to tell you how happy I was to read that. :) True, Swedes are serious about stuff like cheese and meat. We want our cows to be happy and healthy, I guess. How is the selection of meat and dairy in Norway? I have heard of Scandinavians on both sides of the border stocking up on produce that is either expensive or scarce.
I cannot get over how close by you guys live nowadays!
Posted by: Emma | February 23, 2008 at 05:00 AM
The bag is lovely!
Posted by: Bluebirdbaby | February 23, 2008 at 09:09 AM
ohhhh you lucky girl popping over to sweden.... I luv that bag it is gorgeous.... well done.
luv Abby
Posted by: Abby | February 23, 2008 at 09:27 AM
heres to lotsa country hopping!
Posted by: mims | February 23, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I really really like your new bag design - it has such a very contemporary simplicity about it - it's very cool.
SO exciting about going to Sweden - my goodness - how fun.
Thanks for the letter - it was so nice to read words written in your hand - and I loved the envelope, too.
x Helen
Posted by: Helen | February 23, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I love your new bag!
And the picture of yout girl reading without knowing you take her picture is adorable. It's not easy to capture those kind of moment...
Have a lovely weekend!
Posted by: Hege | February 24, 2008 at 01:26 AM
how exciting to be close to so many amazing places! e tells me stories about visiting sweden + denmark when he lived in finland, and it sounds amazing... with the boat journey itself being part of the adventure!
and the new bag design is lovely. i really like the sharp single pleat.
xox
Posted by: amisha | February 24, 2008 at 04:20 PM