Sparkling Ink

{ coffee moments }

Some beautiful coffee moments by Sandra Juto. In addition to her gorgeous photography, I love those pretty wrist warmers (made by her).

 

{ photographs by sandra juto }

{ merry christmas }

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas with all the joys and wonders of the holidays. I'll be taking a few days off, so I'll see you again on the 27th.

Have a beautiful holiday!

{ image by tiina rinkinen for sparkling ink }

{ painted pine cones }

Tomorrow's the last day before Christmas. Today, we went grocery shopping for all those lovely Christmas dishes that I look forward to all year long. We got a big ham that's going in the oven tomorrow night. The house is all ready and clean to be decorated tomorrow, according to our tradition every year.

Even though we have been busy with shopping and cleaning, there's always time for a quick DIY project. We had an old pine cone wreath that was a bit out of date and washed out, so I decided to give it a new look today with silver spray paint. I just simply coated the pine cones lightly with the paint, of course outdoors on a piece of cardboard. I also had a little bag full of pine cones that I picked last year. I sprayed some of those too, and will hang them on the tree with thin twine. Just remember to allow the pine cones to dry inside, for example in an air ventilated storage or garage, completely before handling them. Simple and fast with a very pretty result.

{ images by tiina rinkinen for sparkling ink }

{ magazine holiday inspiration }

I love the ideas Kaikkien Aikojen Joulu magazine (in Finnish only) gives for dressing up the home for the holidays. Such a pretty magazine to read in front of the fire before Christmas Eve. I especially like the idea of wrapping decorative paper and lace ribbon around the amaryllis for a lovely centerpiece.

{ pages from kaikkien aikojen joulu magazine 2009 }

{ kastehelmi glassware }

Me, and especially my sister have had kind of an obsession for old glassware called Kastehelmi. My sister has been collecting them from second hand stores because it has been out of production since 1988. Now, Iittala is bringing back the most popular pieces of the collection designed by Oiva Toikka originally in 1964, in apple green and clear colors.

The technique used on the plates creates a beautiful dew-like surface. The idea of using droplets of glass as decoration came to Toikka when he was thinking of ways of covering the joint marks left on the surface of pressed glass pieces by the production process, and was inspired by Finnish nature. The collection will be available in 2010. Yay, no more hunting down these pieces!

{ images by iittala }

{ wrap and roll }

This is my favorite gift wrapping inspiration this year, created by a bunch of very talented people (all listed in the end). I have a few shopping bags full of little presents waiting on the floor, and Frank Sinatra's Christmas album playing on the computer. Happy wrapping!

{ images }

1 - a creative mint for decor8
2, 4, 6, 8 - nice package,
3, 7 - letter *c design
5 - bird and banner

{ my country home }

My Country Home store is a real treasure. Just looking inside from the window, the place is like its own little world, a world created by Virpi Kostiainen, the lovely owner of the store. Virpi has gathered a charming collection of pale colors, different shades of white and old silver. The feel is romantic and at the same time simplistic. Beautiful dresses are hanging from a rack, the cutest clogs are organized in a row on the floor, and the tables are full of beautifully selected little decoration details. 

Virpi has collected the selection of the store from over 30 brands like Bloomingville and Jeanne D'Arc Living, and some of the items are handmade. She makes clothes from linen and old lace, and has made adorable Christmas candy cones as well. The store truly feels like a combination of old and new, bought and handmade, everything creating the charming atmosphere together.

Virpi was lovely and took a moment to chat with me, and share the story of My Country Home with us. I also asked Virpi what her Christmas is made of.

1. How did the story of My Country Home store begin?

The story of My Country Home started in July 2008, and in May this year the store moved from a smaller town to the downtown location in Tampere, Finland.

2. What do you love the most about your work?

The customers really. I love to work with people, and be able to help them with tips and ideas for their homes. In addition to the store, I also do interior design consulting. I enjoy creating solutions for the customers, but most of all, I enjoy being here in the store meeting different kinds of people every day.

3. Who are your customers?

Oh, almost all ages, 18-80 year-olds! Younger customers have really fell in love with this style, and some of the older customers find this style nostalgic and familiar in a way, I think. I have people stopping by just to talk, or to calm down after a busy day before going home.

 4. How do you dress up your home for the holidays?

My Christmas is white and simple without glitter and sparkle. When the holiday season begins, I hang evergreen wreaths and light candles. I also have lots of flowers all around the house. Those kind of little things make the holiday feel. A Christmas tree is also really important. We have a big tree that is decorated with white and old silver, and the kids have their own tree upstairs.

5. How do you prepare for Christmas?

I used to bake and cook all the Christmas food. I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and learned to make all the casseroles and other traditional Finnish Christmas dishes. Now, when I work seven days a week, I don't have time to do all that. There are some wonderful local bakeries and stores that offer really delicious holiday foods, so we will still enjoy a great Christmas meal this year as well. And the fun doesn't have to be only for those few days. We have been baking with the kids already the whole fall. It's important to find a balance between preparation and enjoying the holidays. Nobody wants to be dead tired on Christmas morning from cleaning. So, if I don't get everything done with the traditional big clean up before Christmas, we will just dim the lights. Everything looks beautiful in candle light!

Virpi, thank you so much for the interview and opening the doors to your store. I found so many ideas and inspirations for decorating my home for Christmas.

 

 

 

{ images by Tiina Rinkinen for Sparkling Ink }

{ bon appetit letterpress }

I'm loving this letterpress print by Sycamore Street Press. A stylish alternative to fridge magnets.

{ image by sycamore street press }

{ breakfast in bed print }

This poster makes me laugh. Happy beginning of the week!

{ image by keep calm gallery }

{ wrapped in a towel }

Tea towels can be many things, like gift wrap. What a lovely idea for the upcoming holiday season. I love these inventive ideas and the towels and aprons by Studio Patro.

{ images by studio patro }