playfullygrownup

[playfullygrownup]

This nifty dark city-with-hot-air-balloons poster gives me steampunk vibes. Sadly, the overuse of “AI” immediately made me wonder how the art was made – by human or not. By SunriseArtCreation on Etsy.

But Happy Midsummer anyway! I'm having the rest of the month off; this time is the best of Finnish summer, so bara bada bastu, etc., it is for me and mine. See you in July.

[playfullygrownup]

Exquisite! A felted acorn beret and arm warmers by Rena at Lalabug Designs.

[playfullygrownup]

“No books were harmed in the making of this product.” LOL! What a lovely Little Women faux leather faux book crossbody bag by Andrey at WellReadCompany on Etsy.

[playfullygrownup]

Phew – the price are rather a lot for handmade soy candles, but they sure look pretty, and would be perfect for a dark academia -themed celebratory dinner or something. By Raquel and Erica at PhantomRow on Etsy.

[playfullygrownup]

A very epic phoenix hair slide by 2 Towers Leatherworks.

[playfullygrownup]

Normally I'd say it's way too early to think of Christmas now. (Well, unless you're doing Christmas in July.) But something as elaborate as this knitted dragon Xmas stocking (with fair isle patterns and more) might take a while. Pattern by Darlene Swaim at Ravelry.

[playfullygrownup]

Oho – never seen a garment like this: a hooded dragon cloak where the dragon's head is a hat and the legs tie around the wearer's waist. PDF pattern by Laura Hosler at GameGuardians on Etsy.

[playfullygrownup]

Now that Eurovision is over for the year, I should get back to figuring out what to wear for the biggest local con. Rekindling my brain by admiring these forestcore fingerless gloves. DIY, looks like, or at the very least DIY-able if you're handy with knitting needles and not afraid of embroidery. By unknown, found via Pretty Fashion on Pinterest.

[playfullygrownup]

“Just because I'm awake doesn't mean I'm ready to do things.” Me too, puppy. Me too. *yawn* (Via ImgFlip.)

Recovering from watching Eurovision 2025. I was groggy already after the first semi. My teenage self never would've believed it, but staying up past midnight twice and past two o'clock once during one week seriously interrupted my sleep.

“I do not want to adult today. I don't even want to human today. Today, I want to bunny.” Via Rabbit Rescue Inc.

[playfullygrownup]

ESC 2025

I'm interrupting my usual fare for the Eurovision Song Competition 2025.

This evening is the first semifinal of ESC 2025. Finland's second participant* Sweden's representative this year is the comedy group KAJ, three lads from the Finnish Ostrobothnia. By all appearances they're genuinely such sweethearts, and their song, Bara bada bastu, is one of the most popular acts so far.

I'm rooting for them so hard I'd be biting my nails out of suspension, except it took way too many years for me to get rid of the habit and I have no intention of starting again.

Thursday evening is the second semifinal and Finland's turn to try and qualify for the final. I'm staying up to cheer our actual representative* even if it means staying up wayyy past my usual bedtime three nights this week. (I'm almost too old for this shit, but not yet!)

The grand final is on Saturday, so I have all of Sunday to recover. In our time zone, the live show begins at 22.00 / 10 p.m., and runs for four hours or thereabouts. See you on the other side!

*) Entirely and utterly unofficially, Finland has two representative this year, because the Finnish comedy group KAJ won Melodifestivalen and therefore the right to represent Sweden at Eurovision. Due to ESC rules, I cannot vote for my own country, but since KAJ is officially representing Sweden, I can and will vote for them like never before!

[playfullygrownup]

So tiny! Anything in miniature takes lots of skill – and an inordinate amount of patience. (Which is why I stick with regular-sized projects, LOL!)

♡ Fairy Garden Terrarium Gemstone Necklace by teenytinyplanet ♡

[playfullygrownup]

Neat adjustable ladybug ring by Nika Ovsyannikova at OnaPetJewelry on Etsy. The ladybugs clustering like that is really cute, actually. :)

[playfullygrownup]

Oh...! Amazing DIY fair isle knit socks up to the knee – sure to keep you warm on your forest forays! The imagery includes all the Nordic natural goodies: lingonberries, bilberries, wild strawberries, cloudberries and mushrooms. Pattern by Sisko Malinen, photo by Johanna Myllymäki; found via Kotona. (NB. Finnish only.)

[playfullygrownup]

DIY fairy lantern combining bought, DIYed and foraged finds by Michelle at A Crafty Mix. Very cute, especially those tiny amanita mushrooms!

[playfullygrownup]

There are a lot (A LOT!) of felted hat projects around the Internet, but somehow I've never seen a felted top hat, until this astounding project with leaves, berries and horns came across my desk. Such a mythical-forest-creature-tries-to-blend-with-humans-but-his-essence-pushes-through headpiece! By Alicja Piotrowska at filcAlki on Etsy.

This one is unique and sold, and the shop is taking a break ATM, so who knows whether you can ever get one anymore...

[playfullygrownup]

Very impressive dino-shaped leaf art. Our ability to look at a thing and say “hey, this kinda looks like that other thing” never ceases to surprise me.

Dinosaurs 🦕🌿, leaf artwork by Raku Inoue

[playfullygrownup]

Ha, look at the tiny sneakers! Tutorial for a DIY anthropomorphic planter made with a plant pot, polymer clay, rope and paints by Michelle at A Crafty Mix.