First Step of Conquering The Netherlands

Photo by Mare Sabolotny. September 19, 2009. Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Self-Portrait With a Magazin

Photo by Aapo Ilves. 19. 09. 09. South Karelia, Finland.

National Tie

Made of our national skirt fabric, this pattern is from the region of Kadrina-Ilumäe.
You can buy these fabrics from Eesti Käsitöö shops in Tallinn, 3 are located in the Old Town on Pikk street and one smaller in Viru Cenre. They are pricy, but definitely worth the cost.

I was a bit afraid before starting to sew as I had never seen a tie made from this fabric and -- as we are talking about thick woolen fabric -- there could have been a practical reason for it. But in the end it turned out quite well. Please consider that this is the first time I sew a tie, people with more experience will definitely get a better result.
As I couldn't find a good pattern from the internet, I bought a silk tie from a thrift store in The Central Market, took it apart and used it as a pattern.
I would also suggest not to put in the thick white fabric that is in every tie (I really can not rembember the name). Instead I cut out a same shaped piece from lining fabric and used that (it is neccessary for folding).
As for the thickness, it is possible to tie it and wear it. The biggest negative side is that it needs to be (carefully) ironed before wearing (We were too lazy to iron it before taking the picture).

Never forget that the stripes have to be vertical!

Photos by Mare Sabolotny. 10th of September, 2009 in Brussels, Belgium.

Estonian Conspiracy Style

"So this is why I invited you to Rotterdam. We got a brilliant idea to use this huge machine to replace the Estonian prime minister."

Scandalous couple Inno and Irja were captured yesterday in a Dutch port inspecting heavy machinery and having suspicious talk with an unknown person. They sure had something dark in mind.

Photo by paparazzi, Rotterdam, 19 September 2009

You scream, I steam

So the next time you're in Brooklyn, please say hello for me
at Totonno's for Pizza and ice cream at Al and Shirley's
But mostly you go to Becky's, sit in a booth and say hello
and have two chocolate egg cream, one to stay and one to go

(Lou Reed "Egg Cream")

Photo by Mare Sabolotny, Viljandi Folk, July 2009

Dream Big Bang Band

If it's the second day of Viljandi Folk Music Festival, then you probably have hangover. And bien sur there are piles and piles of wooden clap-clap instruments around... and people who play them. Clap-clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap! And harmonica solo. Clap-clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap! And harmonica solo.

Photo by Mare Sabolotny, Viljandi Folk, July 2009.

Patriotic Undies

Photo by Vahur Afanasjev (Kass Ting). 29.08.09.

Buy Your Kids Some Chalk

Really, mummy, I just didn't have any chalk. That was the only reason. Really!
Photo by Merle Laks. Tallinn, spring 2005 or smth.

The Magic of Lilacs

If you find a five-clove lilac blossom and eat it and make a wish then maybe you don't have to drive a Dacia anymore.
Well... it worked for me. My boyfriend agreed to take over the wheel.

Photo by Vahur Afanasjev (Kass Ting). June 24, 2009 in ... somewhere in Latvia, near the Estonian border.