Monday 5 December 2016

Himmeli meets polymer clay

These days, I have been very much attracted to the Himmeli structures flourishing on the web. I love their geometric shapes, the symmetries within, the feeling of lightness... 
Once the structure is chosen, lengths and numbers of each part are calculated to make the best use of the tubings. I read that the tedious bit is to cut the brass tubings into those pre-calculated lengths. Indeed, the little cutting tool only makes an indent if you turn the tubing along its cutting round blade. It is especially tricky as the tubing is quite slippery and difficult to rotate. Once a small indent is made and you can rotate almost freely, you need to tighten the device and start again 3 to 4 times until the indent (making a ring around the tubing) is deep enough that by bending the tube it snaps cleanly. Fortunately for me I have a drill and by fitting the tubing in, I can just hold the tiny cutter with two fingers and voilà! A really easy and effortless way to cut all those tubings!

The tubing cutter in position on the tubing 

The brass tubing attached to the drill


The indent after 4 tightenings of the screw

And it just snaps easily

All the same size - what a happy sight !
The polymer clay dishes



I used the structure detailed by Mandi on her blog VintageRevivals
The polymer clay tiny dish is a straight copy from Laura's blog ABeautifulMess.

Friday 16 September 2016

Blueberry greek yogurt cake

This summer I have been doing Julia's blueberry greek yogurt cake and we love it! It's light and fruity, perfect for the summer.


Here is how it goes:
Beat 50g soft butter with 125g sugar. Mix in 1 egg150g greek yogurt and a splash of vanilla. Incorporate 125g flour + raising agents. Place in an ovenproof dish, put the 200g blueberries on top (or fold them in) and bake for 25-35 minutes at 180°C. 
We add a spoonful of yogurt and savour it!


Saturday 16 July 2016

Our trip to Norway - part 3/3

For the first part, click here.

Trollstigen - an impressive bendy road on a really steep cliff

At the bottom - the road blends in the cliff

Atlantic Road - a road that follows the West coast,
with many bridges and tunnels making a way across small islands (or just rocks)

The Lofoten islands - the last part of our trip
The Lofoten islands are home to a huge cod fishery
Cods are dried in open air for 3 months
Whatever my mom says, the smell is horrible
(fish are fermented, not just dried)

Fishermen built their cabins on top of small rocks in quiet fjords

These red cabins have a spectacular outlook



Reine - a very pretty village overlooked by mountains


Saturday 9 July 2016

Our trip to Norway - part 2/3

Click here for the first part. 
This second part of our trip is all about fjords!


Pretty view from Odda harbor over its fjord - Sørfjorden

Sørfjorden is a 38km branch of the Hardangerfjord

Bergen - Hanseatic houses on the harbor


Tvindefossen waterfall on our way to Flåm


Flåmsdalen valley - a village between Flåm and Myrdal

Cruise on the Nærøyfjord from Gudvanger

Villages are framed by the fjord and the overlooking mountains


Lustrafjorden and its beautiful azur waters

Jotunheimen mountains and a couple of very isolated houses!

Our arrival over Geiranger and its fjord - pretty view!

Geiranger fjord - The seven sisters waterfall

On the beautiful Geiranger fjord
Next part here.

Sunday 3 July 2016

Our trip to Norway - part 1/3

We are back from our really nice trip to Norway, following my parents' well planned program. Here is an illustrated summary of it (first part)!


Oslo Opera House - very modern and all in angles!

Oslo - Vigeland Park - very touching sculptures of family moments

Oslo Viking Ship museum
Impressive (and elegant) burial ships and viking treasures

Oslo - museum of popular architecture and life:
House with interlocking notched logs

Oslo - in the museum of popular architecture and life:Stave churches are built only in wood, including roof tiles

Heddal - Stave Church and its spectacular roof

Heddal - Stave Church from the XIIIe century

Driving along the fjords in the Telemark

Small village in the Telemark
Waterfalls are plentiful 


Old district of Stavanger, where we learn about
the way Norway went from being a 'Fish country' to an 'oil country'

Lysefjord and its splendid azur waters

The rewarding view of the Preikestolen hike

Next part here.