Sunday in the Forest

Today began at 11am. We crawled out of bed hungry so we ate Swedish Pancakes with blueberry jam and a healthy amount of coffee. My husband works in Malmo Monday through Friday so we really savor every leisurely moment of our weekends together.

After breakfast we thought it was only fair that we rewarded our dog with a long walk in the woods on the other side of the lake from our house.

Our dog Peete is the kind of dog that was made for country living. He's not good on the leash and I am not sure he ever will be. When we let him loose in the woods like we did today we can really see him in his element. He runs and runs and then ends up sitting like a good dog at our side. When he looks at us while he is still and sitting his eyes say, "Thank you so much, I love you!"...

The forest is silent except for the numerous birds who are greeting the spring that we were all waiting for. The ground is quickly being covered by bright green moss and the sun peeks through the trees and warms our cool skin. It looks like the winter is over!!!!

Small Signs of Spring

Today I trudged through forest with my dog Peete looking for inspiration. Since most of the snow had melted it's much easier to make the trip through the forest, all the way around the lake. Among the existing snow patches I did end up coming across something refreshing: the little white flowers pictured above. This time last year the snow was long gone and these little white flowers covered the ground of the forest like an enchanted carpet.

It seems this year they are still making their way despite the layers of ice and snow existing around them. To me it feels like I have alot in common with these resilient little flowers.No matter how cold and long the winter lasts, we are both here to stay.

The Lost Bunny

Here is an Easter Bunny who is looking for the spring. He thought he would be more than prepared with his glittering Eggs stowed ahead of time in his basket. The only thing this Easter Bunny did not prepare for was the fact that on the day before Easter snow would still cover the ground and all the festive flowers he was used to celebrating with.

Today I feel very much like this Easter Bunny. I finally have all my samples for "The Swede Life Shop's" first ever Spring/Summer launch. I have gathered all the inspiration I need to convey what is like to live in the Swedish Countryside during the warmer months. I have all my "eggs" in my basket, now I am just waiting for the snow to melt so I can lay out my picnic blanket and start photographing my products outdoors for the catalog and website. It is truly the most frustrating backup of creative energy I have ever had, and there is nothing I can do but wait!

So as the quarter-sized snowflakes continue to cover the ground, I stay inside and plan ahead...with this much time spent indoors maybe I can complete and photograph "The Swede Life Shop's" Fall/Winter Collection...

Spring Has Sprung for "The Swede Life Shop"

So even though there are still mountains of snow outside, inside my house spring has sprung. For months I have been working on designing my line of house wares called none other than, "The Swede Life Shop".

As long as I have worked in the home interiors industry and have been traveling to Sweden I have dreamed of creating and producing my own lifestyle brand that would capture the simplistic beauty of rural Scandinavian lifestyle. After years of contemplation and hesitation, the samples for that lifestyle brand are completed and I could not be more proud.

In my professional life I have had many titles, but no title I have had has made me more proud than the one I am now comfortable enough to give myself: Textile Designer.

There were times that I thought I would never be able to follow the uncharted path to true professional and creative fulfillment. I am so happy that I have people in my life that believed in me and my dream. So here I go, still on that country path toward my ultimate goal, but now I can see how much closer I get with each and every hard earned step....

theswedelifeshop.com .........OPENING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!