View from the top

Our summer place is located near the foot of an old ski slope. It has not been in use for many years, and I remember going there as a kid to pick lupins. The hillside was brimming with lupins. From the crest you also had a grand vista over lake Bergsjön, "our lake". You could see the two islands, the tiny cape, the rock that was white with bird droppings (and was a very good navigation mark), and the green fields on the other side. These days, the ski slope hosts a thick and sightproof fir tree plantation, hiding most of the view.

But back in the summer of 1982, they could still overlook the whole lake.

Her again

There she goes again, the Last Girl in the Woods. A character I originally made up to be a more outrageous version of myself. But lately, she has been growing up to be her own person. She also goes by the name the Local Patriot. (Back then, it was about embroidery and bark boats.) I define her by words such as proud, exuberant and obstinate, and seeing the world through her eyes and hands renders everything slightly more illuminated and significant. 

I made her a room, a zine, and even a small fleet! Next up I think there will be clothing. The Last Girl in the Woods is the driving force behind most of my creative work nowadays.

The photos of the Pine Cone Bag above are taken by Elisabeth. The lupin photo is taken by my mum in 1982 (the year of the mittens) ♥

Wooden houses

In Grythyttan, they came in many shapes and sizes, all with different sorts of elaborate detailing, ornaments and "gingerbread work". About 100 years ago, at time of the forest industry boom, houses like this were built all over the Swedish woodlands - and they stand to this day. I find them absolutely beautiful. The scallop church... I would be happy to live in a building covered in that favourite shape of mine.

But, looking at those Russian wooden houses, these appear to be the light version. Look at this. And if that weren't enough, there is always the Sutyagin House.

Up the Inland Railroad

One day we took the train up north, going first on the old Inland Railroad (Inlandsbanan), and then continuing on the Mining District Railroad (Bergslagsbanan). The goal was Grythyttan, a tiny old town in the mining district. The place was founded by Queen Kristina in the 17th century, when they started mining silver here. We visited the Grythyttan Hostelry, once established upon the Queen's request - nowadays one of Sweden's finest restaurants! The lunch was a real treat, and the numerous drawing rooms were crammed with wonderful furniture, textiles, crockery and paintings.

Taking a walk around town, I couldn't help noticing the strange contrast between the obvious signs that this once was a prosperous industrial center, the richly decorated wooden houses (and the size of some of them!) - and the regular eerie feeling of any godforsaken little town in the Swedish countryside. Time had in many places been standing absolutely still for at least 50 years. Still this area is full activity. Altogether - I loved the place!

The church was covered in WOODEN SCALLOPS.

Grythyttan is also famous for their garden furniture.