December 2nd

Remember how pleased I was about firing the kiln in yesterday's post? Well, I must have done something wrong because when I went to unload the kiln today, I discovered that I had lost about 85% of the pieces inside.... Whoops! This means that I have to adapt my schedule for the last few weeks of school, and hopefully my students will be flexible. I showed the mess to one student this morning who said, "That's ok. I didn't really like my pot anyway. I'd like to do it over again." I love that positive attitude. 

The kids are a bit bonkers this time of year and it's normal. They have a lot of work because grades are due, and they are excited/ready for the holiday break. That means more tests and projects for them, and art class is no exception. Today we did something a little bit different to get them out of their comfort zone. I think it went over well, but I still have to read their reflections. 

I get this question a lot, "is it good?" I cringe when I hear it. I want my students to understand that each of us have our own unique aesthetic and point of view. I can't answer questions like, "is it good? Is this enough?" etc. They need to start using their own judgement. I hope that art class will give them the tools to judge for themselves. We played a game of chance with dice and mark making cards. They had no idea what they were going to create when they came in the classroom. I thought some of their work was pretty good. I should write about it more in depth at a later time. Hopefully, later this week after I repeat the activity again with another class.  

She likes to tickle and hug me. It's the cutest thing ever!

I'm really lucky that I work part-time. In many ways it's hard, but it's wonderful to be home with my daughter.  This afternoon was no exception. We listened to Christmas music, made a mushroom and leek quiche, and did a few loads of laundry. I fell asleep in her room tonight, I've been staying up late trying to be productive. Obviously, this schedule doesn't really work and it caught up with me.

I'll end with some photos from our laundry excursion. Oddly enough, I didn't take any photos of the room itself. Oh well.

Tryck på knappen! (Push the button!)

This is the que system to use the laundry. One moves the lock, which represents the apartment, to an open time slot. When I first saw it/used it, I found it bizarre. Now, I find it to be a pretty good system.

Her tiny socks make me so happy. 

December 1st

This morning I woke up with a strong desire to document my days. I don't know why... Maybe it's because I'm getting older, maybe it has to do with having a child, maybe it's this creative itch that has been nagging me. Even though I teach art, it's been so difficult to find time to create for myself. I should be grading projects right now, and I'll get to that in a minute...

I figured out how to work a Swedish kiln! In all honesty, I did get the temperature speed wrong because of Fahrenheit/ Celsius confusion.

Normally I don't work on Tuesdays, but it's crunch time at school with projects and grades. So, the first order of the day was to unload and load a bisque ware kiln. There were only two casualties in the kiln. I kept telling my students not to leave the clay too thick, and to be sure to wedge the air bubbles out. At least it's a teachable moment, but I hope the two owners of the pots aren't too disappointed. 

I took Ann-Sofi to our Tuesday play/singing group in the old neighborhood where we used to live. The kids were able to make a special craft today. After the group, we went to our old apartment to pick up a few things that we've been missing. We're in temporary digs for a few weeks because we had a mold situation in the old place. Hopefully, it will be finished and sorted out soon. However, it seems as if they are still drying the damp walls. 

Isn't it beautiful? It's a tea light holder. 

Even in the dark days, this little lady brings the sunshine. 

I had an appointment in town today, so while Ann-Sofi slept I lunched and took the opportunity to Christmas and window shop. 

Don't judge. 

I just discovered Knapp-Carlsson, a shop in town that sells so many buttons and sewing notions.
It is AWESOME!

After button shopping, second-hand shopping, and grocery shopping, we came home and stayed busy with class preparations for tomorrow and cooking dinner. 

Mark making cards in the making for tomorrow's chance activity...

Tonight's menu: Brussels sprouts (1 kilo for 10 SEK!), torsk (cod) and carrot soup (1 kilo for 10 SEK!) 10 SEK = ($1.15 USD, or €1)

Here she is eating Brussels sprouts! I think it's because she was loving using a big fork.
Don't be fooled by this photo though, most of the meal was on the floor.
Also, Dado (papa) cut her hair. I'm used to it now. 

 Now it's time to say good night. I have a cup of Texas pecan coffee here and a portfolio full of drawings to be graded and commented on. Ugh....  Signing off for tonight... 

xoxo

8 Years

Pretty sky + pretty blossoms.
No filter.

Eight years ago I set up real estate over here on the internet. This space is still mine, and occasionally I still visit. I'm in a very different place in my life now than I was when I started Skirt Project. It would be fun to compare, but I am in bed typing this on my ipad with my seven-and-a-half month daughter sleeping next to me. How times have changed! I hope to write that post soon. 

I've thought about it, and my reasons for writing this blog today are different than the reason I started this blog eight years ago. I still have too much crap, but I have even more experiences to share. Today I wear pants daily, but I still own a few skirts. In fact, I still have many of the original 60(!). Sixty skirts! But skirts were never the main focus of this story, at least that's how I feel.

Eight years later, I am most proud that my personal creed of "Give, Love, Create," is still the same. And, I find it funny that I am still "Last-Minute Lydia."  Though it's harder to get to these days, this blog is still here waiting for me to pick up wherever I last left off, and that's a nice feeling. That's why I like this space so much. 

Today I want to celebrate this space before it becomes tomorrow. Sometimes you just have to DO IT! (My newest personal creed). I want to GIVE thanks for this blog and the creative outlet it has given me in the past. I LOVE writing and sharing my experiences. I want to CREATE my own path in life, and find the joy in the every day experience of living life. 

The cherry blossom picture is just a placeholder for now. It was taken in the yard of a school down the street from where I live here in Göteborg, Sweden. It's still cold here, but since a few weeks ago spring has definitely sprung! 

Today in Pictures

It's March 1st! 

I woke up to snow, and this mess... 

This jumbled creative mess represents my mind these days.

This is a milk frother, and it's the reason I happily got out of bed this morning.  I purchased it yesterday. 

Hello café au laits and chai lattes!

I also purchased this clothes shaver. 

It's the little things. 

I love snagging up all of the little fuzz balls on my sweaters. I no longer have to be embarrassed by all of the annoying piling on my sweaters, I can now wear them in confidence! 

 I am really enjoying this book I am reading.

Lately, I have been in the mood to purge. It could be because my baby will soon be mobile. I can already feel a shift in my thought process and attitude toward clutter and tidying up - something I have never been good at. 

I was inspired by yellow and green today. 

This is my colorful compost bag.

And, these are tulips from my husband. 

We celebrated our sort-of third anniversary today, because our official anniversary is every four years. 

Did you know David Hasselhof had his own talk show in Sweden? 

An hour of my life totally wasted. 

I caught the first episode today. David Hasselhof asks his guests, "Why are you famous?"  

I was able to play around with some stamps, scissors and scraps of paper today. 

There is so much I want to create and make, but my time is so limited, because... 

She tasted gröt (oat porridge) for the first time today. We need some practice with the spoon.

In like a lion, I'm excited about March!