Trees in Love - Happy Valentine!

During our recent inspiration trip to the snowy Tourujoenlaakso, we encountered these trees in love. They greeted us by the lake Tuomiojärvi (literally The Doom Lake). This is truly love until death, as those red marks are most likely execution plans for these poor birches, lightened up by a romantic passer-by. I immediately thought I would like to share this view with you and saved it to until this special day.

Red Rhinestone Earrings by Arx Rosarum (Finland); Red Heart Brooches by Sweetkeetle (Russia); Valentine's Day Card by Avenir Cards (Sweden); Amigurumi Bunny by Sobeide Creatures (Finland).

But of course I couldn't stay with just that. Those hearts got me so inspired I wanted to share more. So in the memory of our late Friday game, I gathered here a collection of red hearts, all from the hands of Northern European artisans.

The Prey by Hidden Eloise (United Kingdom).

As a cherry on the cake, enjoy this charming picture by one of my favorite fairy tale artists, Hidden Eloise. Happy Valentine!

Winter Fanfare

Blue Rhinestone Earrings by Arx Rosarum; Sapphire Engagement Ring and Diamond Snowflake Pendant by CaiSanni; Blue Kanzashi Flower Crown by Norda Brilo; Blue Fabric Christmas Ornaments by hennihennidesign. For the other elements, see the original collage in Polyvore.

It is snowing - and I am back! Not sure which is more surprising or long-awaited. The last months have been quite occupied, but I have been looking forward to start posting here again. I have got a lot of news.... and I haven't even told about Roman mosaics, relics and skull sculptures yet! Today, as a blogging comeback, I made my very first post to the blog of Finland Handcrafters Team. I asssembled some creations of our team's artisans into Polyvore sets. This collage is a tribute to the Snow Queen. Hurray for the arrival of white!

Friday Outfit: Casual Romantic

Organic Cotton Bolero by Joik (Finland); Organic Cotton Bloomers by eleven44 (Indonesia); Leather Tote Bag by Cita D'Elle (Romania); Floral Filigree Earrings by Arx Rosarum (Finland).

I had to skip the game last week, but today I'm playing again! So here are my picks for mid-July My Friday Night Outfit. This time I chose handmade items both casual and special: a cream white crocheted bolero, chocolate brown ruffled pants, a pinkish light beige tote bag and Victorian inspired earrings with filigree and candy pink glass. You can admire all entries in the blog of our team captain Star of the East.

Friday Outfit: Let Me Fly

Cotton Scarf by Shovava (Australia); Barefoot Sandals by Modern Crochet Club (Poland); Peacock Lady Necklace by Arx Rosarum (Finland); White Dress by la petite nina (Belgium).

It's a sunny Friday night and I still got time to make my outfit. It's so hot... I can only dream about winds and refreshing breaths of air. Wish I was a bird! For this mood, I picked a versatile scarf with wide open wings, a white full skirt dress, a medallion shaped necklace featuring a bird-costumed lady and lightweight barefoot sandals - you really could fly with them. As always, all the outfits are shown in the blog of Star of the East.

Friday Outfit: Midsummer Night

Floral Crown by Ella Gajewska HATS (Poland); Chandelier Earrings by Arx Rosarum (Finland); Shawl by Knitty Stories (Lithuania); Maxi Dress by naftul (Israel); Gladiator Sandals by All To Leather (Spain).

It's Friday night again, but not the usual one. It's the brightest one we have, yötön yö, nightless night – Midsummer Eve! To celebrate the sun and the summer, I picked sun-yellow earrings, a cozy dress, a comfy shawl and a pair of extravagant leather sandals. The final touch – of course – is the lushy floral crown of the Midsummer maiden. Hyvää juhannusta! See all outfits in the blog of Star of the East.

Friday Outfit: Blooming Water

Victorian Earrings by Arx Rosarum (Finland); Ceramic Water Lily Coasters by Damson Tree Pottery (UK); Cocktail Hat by Aka Tombo Millinery (Japan); Teal Clutch Purse by Red Ruby Rose (UK).

The thunder celebration turned out to be probably too succesful. Since last week, we have had looots of rain. I should have dug a hole in the garden - now I would have a perfect pond for water lilies! For this Friday I chose shades of teal and aqua. As you can see, I didn't strictly stay in the fashion side but picked some fabulous home decor as well. Find all collections in the blog of our team captain Star of the East.

Friday Outfit: Thunderstorm

Handmade Steampunk Goggles by Mann&Co (Israel); Vintage Storm Brooch from My Wandering Eye (USA); Flower Hairpins by LucieTales (France); Black Feather Cape by Imaginarium Apparel (UK).

After the long heat it was such a relief a thunderstorm stroke yesterday - even though the rain was so fierce it drenched everything, including me. Somebody in our team mentioned storms are ok if you are properly dressed and that evolved into a thought about the dress code for thunderstorms. So here we are! My first thought was of course the mythic bird of storm with huge black wings and tail, soaring among the exploding clouds and slashing bolts. To celebrate the thunder, I picked an imposing feather cape, protective eyewear (available with different lens colors), a mood suiting brooch and fancy hairpins like stormy fireworks. See all Friday Outfits in the blog of our team captain Star of the East.

Friday Outfit: Ice Cream Pastels

Mint Oxfords by The Drifter Leather (Greece); White Tunic by BLUSHFASHION (USA); Art Nouveau Earrings by Arx Rosarum (Finland); Hand Embroidered Coin Purse by YUKULI (Germany).

In spite of all my travel arrangements, I still got time to make my very first My Friday Night Outfit. It's a new weekly game in our European Street Team in Etsy. Bit scared about the possible heat waiting in Rome, I chose cooling tones of mint, lilac and white. (And doesn't that geometric embroidery look like a luxurious waffle?) You can see all outfits in the blog of our captain Star of the East.