Leaving Helsinki commission

I was recently commissioned by a group of friends to paint something to remember Helsinki by, for friends of theirs leaving Finland. I loved working on this and reminded me of my own time living in the city, just over a year ago. This is the perfect travel-sized solution, and will hopefully remind them of happy times spent in Helsinki too!

A trip to Stockholm and some cabin envy

I'll admit and apologize, the blog has got a little 'work' heavy recently. I don't post as often as I'd like to, so perhaps not that heavy on you, but I think it's always good to strike a personal/work balance so you get a bit of the 'behind the scenes' and stuff that inspires me and subsequently, my creative work. Besides, I like keeping a blog. When I don't live in Scandinavia anymore, I can look back and oggle in disbelief at the photos I took for granted whilst I was here and long to return...

I've been doing some really lovely things now the weather's better, so as I'm waiting on some emails thought I'd share a round-up of lately. To my future self, it's wonderful here.

I didn't show you any photos from our trip to Stockholm at Easter, we had such a great time exploring the various islands that make up the city, wondering under the cherry blossom, sitting by the sea in amazing cafes and soaking up the sun. Time well spent.

In case you're planning a trip, and looking for some things to plan I can recommend visiting the Vasa museum, photo above. We aren't normally too fussed about visiting museums whilst on hols, but this was fascinating and really well curated. Swedes are too cool.

Also, Rosendal on Djurgården, photos below. It might sound a bit odd, sending you to what is in fact a garden center, but this was really my favourite day in Stockholm. It's a little difficult for me to tell you how to get there but it's worth the stroll out of town. Djurgården in general is a really nice place to walk, with some nice old architecture too. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. There's also great lunch to be had whilst here, in among the wooden glass houses and plants.

A rare one or two of me, hello! I think I love Stockholm more each time I visit. 

Back in Helsinki, the grass has grown back nicely after winter, finally, and everything is looking lovely. There's some great exhibitions happening and yesterday, Museum day, we visited the island of Seurasaari which is home to a host of cabins and wooden dwellings from all over Finland across the ages- dismantled, then reconstructed here. Anyone with serious wanderlust, or like me, cabin envy, stick the kettle on and escape for 10...

I mean, just look at that hanging ship! I was told there's 10 weddings happening in the island's wooden chapel this summer, how do I get an invite? 

Sigh... I will stop before this post becomes even longer! Life is good and I return to the UK for a fair while next week to do some work stuff you'll hear about soon. See you! S x

Baltic adventures.

A yukky cold has landed so am having a slow day catching up on bits & pieces...thought it's time I shared a little of what I've been up to with you!

My family came to visit us here in Finland and we had a nice sunny week of hopping on and off of ships exploring Tallinn, Estonia and Stockholm in Sweden- a mini Baltic adventure! Both were so lovely in the sun and so contrasting to each other- Tallinn with its artsy feel and medieval spires, and Stockholm full of beautiful, smart dressed people, grand imposing buildings and hundreds of islands on the way back over to Finland, freckled with little painted cabins...which if you follow me on Pinterest, will know I have a small longing for!

Recommended! Finland itself is looking bloomin' lovely at present, I'm amazed at how fast the turn around from icy, lifeless bleak days to blue seas and skies and forests full of wild flowers has been. Quite remarkable! It doesn't get dark until around midnight which has taken some getting used to, and everyone is enjoying the light and beautiful weather- it's been 28C most days, and doesn't feel all that long ago since it was -28C! 

Have been doing lots of drawing out on our balcony and feeling rather blessed, happy days! This time last year, I was trying to juggle a job with my business and still living at home, seeing the fella on the weekends and when we could. Never imagined I'd be living in a different country and able to devote all my time and energy into what I love most. Life is strange and wonderful, now to shake this cold!

I have a new tote bag design on it's way to my shop- will share all soon enough...

X 

Of recent.

I've been totally into my work still since my postcard project, really enjoying (long may it last!) I've been able to get so much inspiration from just 20 days of work, and have been busy since tweaking and dreaming up what to turn these into...my favourite part. It was a great way to work- sometimes I feel like my brain is so far ahead of things materializing, it was the perfect kick start. 

Here are some photos from recently...I'm trying to keep up posting on here more regularly!

We had a super busy but really nice Easter with two lots of visitors, so I found myself doing my Helsinki tour which is pretty perfect by now (If you're wondering what the heck I'm doing in Finland, see here and keep up!) It was also the perfect excuse to do some of the museums & galleries we haven't mooched around yet, so I'm feeling pretty cultured...

We also saw the sea for the 1st time since being here. Until now, it's been frozen solid enough to walk all over, which has been fun to stomp across the lots of tiny islands and take a gazillion photos! I've never properly lived by the sea before (except for at uni). It's pretty breath-taking and makes you feel quite small. Missing the little seaside villages and towns of the UK though- no fish n' chips to be found here...unless you want some slimy salmon. Not quite the same!

Anyway, I was thinking I should do my own version of my Helsinki tour on here, with all the design finds and good eateries I've discovered for you to share if you fancy a visit to Finland...I will when I have a mo...

Here's some worky bits...

Back soon with new product news and Stephanie Cole tours! X

Monday confessions...

I confess, after swearing to write more often, quite the opposite has happened, and now 3ish months later I don't even know where to start. Those that follow me on facebook will be fully aware of my gallivanting, as is a little easier to keep on top of regularly I find. But for those of you who don't, I'm sorry to keep you in the lurch. Here it is: 

I moved to Finland on December 28th with my lovely animating fella who landed a job here, and I decided to come along too. We had about 2 weeks to decide, pack and get on the plane, and aside from having to give up my job and say a brave goodbye to friends and family, it was a fairly easy decision- I love to travel and with Helsinki earning it's World Design Capital last year, how exactly could I not??

Good news is, my Etsy shop is still open for business & shipping hasn't changed as is still posted from the UK, hurrah! I really look forwards to trying out some new work too- it's the perfect opportunity to do exactly what I'd like to do now, and scratch up on things I would've done differently the 1st time around. Lucky me!

It hasn't all been plain sailing, I miss home a lot and am so impatient with being able to get on with my work here. With two suitcases of belongings each to bring, I made the hard decision of what exactly I couldn't live without for now...strangely cleansing really! Another obvious change is the temperature- we've had it as cold as -28C, a little nippy to say the least! It was funny to watch facebook's reaction as the snow settled in back at home last month...! We are looking forwards to the midnight sun come the summer, see below. We will certainly deserve it!

Finland - Land of the Midnight Sun from Flatlight Films on Vimeo.

Here's some of my photos from so far...

Here's me in my two coats walking across the sea (will never get over being able to walk on the frozen Baltic!)

Days like these are so good for the soul, the light is incredible

No, I haven't done this yet! Nutters.

Such an amazing, different place to exist. We have a tiny but perfect studio flat looking out across snowy pine trees, I could watch them sway all day...

Will write with news soon, promise! X