sunshine and sorrow

Our Sweden vacation continues. We have returned to Malmö, where my mom and sisters live. The boys enjoy sleep-in mornings and days filled with play, beach visits and no commitments. I relish having time for true conversations, long evening meals, and endless card games with my nephews. We've been to a Swedish premier league soccer game, a youth track meet, many neat museums, restaurants, and stores...

But sadness lingers amidst our joyful activities. Kajsa, one of our dogs has died while we were away. She was sick with a fever when we left, and despite loving care from our veterinarian, house sitter, and friends, she continued to get worse. When her liver stopped working we decided to put her down, a difficult step to take in any circumstance and heart wrenching when you are thousands of miles away. Kajsa was an amazing, intelligent, and loving dog. She was worried and fearful (especially of hot air balloons and thunder) but extraordinarily devoted, loyal, and trusting. And she knew how to smile. I'll miss her.

swedish delights

Great design, art, and functionality are embedded in Swedish society. It is evident whether you visit a public park, a local restaurant, or someones home. While I am visiting I want to introduce a few of my favorite Swedish artists and designers, starting with Signe Persson-Melin a fantastic ceramist, and designer. Now in her eighties, she is still active in her studio in my family's hometown Malmö. Most recently she has a designed a series of beautiful garden pots and birdbaths in collaboration with Byarums Bruk. Throughout her long career she has created an array of alluring objects, from glass storage containers and rustic tea pots, to silverware and altar decorations. Signe Persson-Melin's work is on display at Kulturen in Lund until August 16, if you are in the neighborhood...

G.A.D is a swedish design company founded and based on the island Gotland, east of the Swedish mainland. G.A.D is renowned for their high quality furniture and use of native woods and natural materials. I love the simplicity, clean lines, and muted colors. Too bad most of their goods are too large for my suitcases...

vacation

We have arrived at Nösund, my family's summer house on the west coast of Sweden. This is where I spent my childhood summers; swimming, sailing, fishing, berry picking, hiking, and rock climbing. It is my favorite place on earth. The cottage is small, and rustic, perched on a cliff only yards from the water. Now my entire family is gathered here; my mother and sisters, my sons, their uncle, all their cousins, and my husband. I feel privileged to be here and to share this inspirational place with the people I love.

taking off again

We had a wonderful beach week filled with boogie board surfing, leisurely walks, and scrumptious meals. We are rushing around getting ready for our trip to Sweden. I have not been back home for two years and I am excited and eager to see my family and friends again. Next time you hear from me I'll be there...

beach bound

We are heading to Sandbridge beach for a week long family vacation. Can't wait for the slow going mornings, daily delicious feasts, and evening strolls by the waters edge. I am bringing a pile of books, fun games, and my camera... No blogging this upcoming week, but I'll return with photos and other impressions. 

I invite you to visit Sofia Barao's beautiful blog this week. She has initiated a wonderful series called creative ones, and this time I am the featured artist. There is a giveaway involved as well... 

Lastly i want to thank Leah of more ways to waste time for making my pillow part of her revamped living room. Leah has such great sense of style, and I am flattered that my creation now is part of her lovely home.

 

paper work

I printed these small card stock pieces a long time ago, always knowing that I wanted to present them in a three dimensional way somehow. I finally decided to mount them using small brass tacks on foam core. What amazes me the most about leaf printing is the variations you get from each impression, even when you use the same leaf for each print. I think it is really emphasized when grouped together this way.

We are getting ready for some exciting travels this summer. First a quick trip to the beach and then we are off to Sweden. I can't wait to see my family and friends again. I will keep up the blog throughout the summer, hopefully introducing you to some fun Scandinavian finds, but the inleaf shop as well as the etsy store will be closed while I am gone. So if there is anything you fancy, now would be a good time to buy...

oh hello giveaway

Danni over at Oh, hello friend feature an amazing giveaway this week, to celebrate her 1 year of blogging. You have a chance to win handcrafted goodies from 16 online shops, including inleaf and Danni's own etsy shop.

random delights

A few things on my wish list these days, leading off with this serving platter, pure simplicity by Heath Ceramics.

Short story #2, stitched artistry by Brooklyn based quilt maker Erin Wilson.

Sea green wainscotting frame, made from salvaged New Orleans wood siding by second line frames.

Chair, one of Holly Farrell's hauntingly beautiful still lifes (thank you please sir for the discovery).

the garden blog

I started a second blog. Most of you will probably laugh, knowing that I barely can keep up with this one... The garden blog is a chronicle of my efforts in our enchanted garden. The purpose is to keep tabs on the work, plants, and ideas that go into this place we lovingly inhabit. To create a live, digital, garden archive. I am also hoping it will keep me on task, since I no longer can let things slide when the whole world is watching (ok, that is meant to be ironic). For some of you gardening is not that exciting, but if you find it intriguing I invite you to join me on the journey.

touched creatively

Jodi Ulschmid, a talented artist and graphic designer is launching touched creatively, a beautiful magazine, website, and blog. The purpose is to promote artists and their handmade work to a larger audience while forming connections and networks among the artists themselves. The publication is beautifully designed, and I am delighted to be included in the inaugural issue, which will be available this Friday, May 29, on the website. A copy of the printed issue is $6.29, and a download version is available for $1.89. I encourage you to support Jodi's endeavor by visiting the website and spreading the word. If you are an artist and interested in being featured in an upcoming issue you can contact Jodi to submit.