All black – Oilskin Explorer Tote

March 1, 2017 by nadel&gabel

When I saw Annas new pattern, the Explorer Tote, she – again – got me. I immediately could imagine the large version as a great weekender bag. I was thinking about sewing myself a new travel bag for a while. I was kind of fed up by the one I sewed about two years ago (similar to this one) which I use for smaller trips. It now felt just too much: too many colours and patterns, too floral. The new […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, supplies • Tags: bag, black, explorer tote, handle, merchant and mills, noodlehead, oil cloth, oilskin, pattern, recessed, sewing, stable, strap, sturdy, tarpaulin, tote, travel, waxed canvas, weekender, zipper

One thing leads to another – Creative maker supply case

October 30, 2016 by nadel&gabel

The ones that follow me on instagram may have recognized that I’ve started a new longtime project: Handlettering. Although writing – mainly on chalkboard – is part of my daily routine, I’m definitely lacking a pretty handwriting. I had started a few rather piteous attempts in lettering, but this time, when I came across Frau Hölle and her tutorials I decided to keep up with more honesty and endurance … and professional equipment! And what can I say? – Langsam nährt […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: black&white, case, copper, Craft, drawing, geometric, lettering, maker, marble, pattern, pen, pencil, pocket, sew sweetness, sewing, storage, supply, travel, writing, yellow, zippered

Hole-and-corner – Meandering between Brecon Beacons and Wye Valley

August 18, 2016 by nadel&gabel

“The term ‘hole-and-corner’ derives from an old English phrase meaning a secret place or a life lived away from the mainstream: somewhere you go to contemplate, create and be inspired.” (Hole&Corner Magazine) If you’re interested in stargazing, the Brecon Beacons in Wales, since 2012 accredited as “International Dark Sky Reserve” with only little light pollution, are one of the best places on earth. However, our this year’s summer holiday seemed to be ill-starred and – starting with the end – due to […]

Categories: Behind the camera, black & white, Great Britain, nature, objects & places, On the road, travel • Tags: abbey, artisan, boat, books, Brecon Beacons, canoe, Cymru, drink, escape, Fan, food, glasbury, green, hay-on-wye, heath, hiking, historic, lake, magazine, meadow, mill, moorland, mountains, national park, nature, pasture, railway, retreat, river, river cafe, rural, sheep, traditional, travel, valley, vintage, Wales, Wye valley

Peace at the mountain – Hiding away in Bad Gastein

April 11, 2016 by nadel&gabel

When we had planned our stay at Bad Gastein we thought that Easter would be a good time for a little timeout. We didn’t know then how urgently we really would need a break. So our plan for our short Easter holiday in Bad Gastein was to do mainly … nothing! And beyond the seven mountains among the seven dwarves… … we found the perfect hideaway, the Hotel “Miramonte“: A former “Kurhotel” (spa hotel) build at the turn of the century, […]

Categories: Austria, Behind the camera, nature, objects & places, On the road, travel • Tags: abandoned, alpine, Alps, aristocratic, Austria, Bad Gastein, bath, boutique, creative, Fin de siècle, forest, Habsburg, hideaway, hiking, hip, historic, history, hotel, literature, Miramonte, modern, monarchy, mountains Austria, nature, photography, relax, restaurant, retreat, retro, skiing, slow, snow, spa, thermal, travel, view, walk, wellness

Handy – Reversible knitters project bag

November 22, 2015 by nadel&gabel

Already yesterday there was this smell in the air. Yes, I insist on this: You can smell upcoming snow! And when I got up this morning, over night the surrounding had magically transformed. As a daily commuter by car, I am aware of all the discomforts snow and cold temperatures bring with them. But every year, when I see for the first time again rooftops and trees covered in white, when I recognize the silence that snow creates, I forget about […]

Categories: accessories, At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: accesory, bag, carry, Craft, crafter, gift, knitter, knitting, lotta jansdotter, pattern, pouch, project, reversible, sewing, travel, tutorial, winter, wristlet, yarn

High waves and steep cliffs – Costa Vicentina

September 27, 2015 by nadel&gabel

Now, in the hight of autumn, it seems weird to look at those pictures of sun and beach – unbelievable that it is only a few weeks ago! A reason more to wallow in memories… After a few days around Porto Covo we moved on, not very far, but a bit further down along Portugals west coast, towards the Algarve. At Brejão stayed at the small agriturismo Cerca do Sul that we found via the local tourism platform Casas Brancas […]

Categories: Behind the camera, Black and white, In the kitchen, nature, objects & places, On the road, Portugal, travel • Tags: Alentejo, Algarve, Aljezur, area, Atlantic, beach, beer, cerca do sul, cliff, coast, comfy, Costa Vicentina, country, eukalyptus, food, Gin, gin sul, hideaway, Lagos, light, litoral, Monchique, mountains, nature, Odeceixe, parque natural, photography, Portugal, portuguese, praia, pristine, protected, quiet, relax, remote, reserve, sea, surf, travel

Pristine tranquillity – Costa Sudoeste Alentejano

September 20, 2015 by nadel&gabel

Soon after we crossed the river Tejo and turned away from Lisbon and towards the south of Portugal the signs of civilization became more scarce. After a short stop at the Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado – waste wetlands at the estuary of the river Sado that are used for growing rice and produce salt in the salinas – and a small lunch at the impressing Lagoas Santo André we headed further south. Our destination for the following days […]

Categories: Behind the camera, Black and white, nature, objects & places, On the road, Portugal, travel • Tags: Alentejo, area, Atlantic, beach, Beja, Cabeça da Cabra, cliff, coast, comfy, cork, Costa Vicentina, country, dunes, eukalyptus, guesthouse, hideaway, historic, laguna, light, litoral, nature, olive, parque natural, photography, Porto Covo, Portugal, praia, pristine, protected, quiet, relax, remote, reserve, restore, schoolhouse, sea, studio, travel

Lisbon Love

September 9, 2015 by nadel&gabel

It was already the third time that we’ve visited Lisbon – a city that we’ve both fell in love from the first time we arrived there. It’s unique beauty is just amazing: Hilly narrow streets with azulejo tiled houses, elevadores that climb up the hills and roll them down again, breathtaking views from the oh so many miradouros. Part of nostalgic, part of practical reasons we stayed, like on our visits before, in the small and simple hotel Anjo Azul […]

Categories: Behind the camera, objects & places, On the road, Portugal, travel • Tags: Alfama, alpargatas, azulejo, Bairro Alto, bica, city, concept store, Embaixada, Entre Tanto, food, hip, industrial, Lisboa, Lisbon, LX factory, Miradouro, pasteis, Portugal, Príncipe Real, restaurant, shopping, tejo, travel, trendy, view, young

Chatelain for a weekend – A very special accomodation

June 18, 2015 by nadel&gabel

I was browsing already too long through pages of tasteless hotels, guesthouses and holiday homes: Either they were of the category “frumpy and slightly tacky – stuck in the 70s” or of the category “tried to be modern – reached characterless”… … And then I found this place: Schloss Hofstetten. And it was clear from the very first moment that I’ve found IT! Although I don’t know anymore on which winding paths of search I discovered. But if you can only […]

Categories: Behind the camera, Germany, nature, objects & places, On the road, travel • Tags: accomodation, Altmühltal, antique, apartment, baroque, Bavaria, building, castle, franconia, garden, Hofstetten, holiday, home, peaceful, quiet, remote, renovated, restore, search, simple, stay, time-out, traditional, travel, vacation, village