Saturday, August 11, 2007

Quilting Above the Arctic Circle

Catchy title, huh? I'm sure some people who read my blog have also visited Inga Helene's blog. I don't mean to steal her name, but I was actually quilting above the Arctic Circle yesterday! My Swedish course (I'm taking it, not teaching it!) took a trip to Kiruna and I made a lot of red hot hexagons on the way. No photo of those, but a few other photos instead.


We visited the site of the Ice Hotel (the original, there are now others). Of course, there's not hotel now in summer, but we learned about how the hotel is built and saw an ice sculpture exhibit. In Kiruna we visited an iron ore mine. The entire city of Kiruna is going to be moved because the ground has become unstable due to the mine. You can read more about it here.

We saw a lot of reindeer along the way, as well!


And to end on a crafty note, a couple of evenings here in Kalix, we've had several activities to choose from. Unsurprisingly, I chose 'handverk' and tried felting for the first time. I made a small wall-hanging and the grey thing is going to become some sort of bag/box. It was fun, but I'm not sure I need another hobby!


11 comments:

Inga said...

Hi! How funny that you're up there. At the moment I'm at Corsica in the Mediterranean. No sewing here, but I'm getting lot's of ideas. Going back to Norway tomorrow and back above the Arctic Circle next Sunday.

Inga

Chookyblue...... said...

how fun is that and Inga has left the country.......felted bag lloks good .........great to have a chance at something different......

Lily Mulholland said...

Visiting the site of the original ice hotel - very 'cool'! Sounds like a wonderful trip - and for work too!

Libby said...

Ice sculpture is endlessly fascinating to me - so much work, lovely to look at and so very temporary.

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Sounds like a busy trip - your photos are GREAT!!! And, you are still managing to get some crafting in too with all your travels. Welcome back!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Unknown said...

Felting is very popular here now, I have never tried it but my DD has made some little things.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I love the reindeer pictures, the bag looks great too. I've been tempted by felting, but am trying to resist the urge - too many hobbies already...

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Awesome... can't imagine seeing reindeer along the way. The felt is cool, looking forward to seeing what you'll do with it.

Dzeniferka said...

Exotic. Natural. Crafty. Must be a fantastic summer... but I am still wishing you were an ELF and here with all of us in DC! Enjoy Sweden :) and quilting at whatever latitude you are in.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

I love your blog, and I'd like to add it to my favorite blog list.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh very cool things you got to see and do! I"d love to see the ice hotel, but have no desire to stay there!