TELL all TUESDAYS:: A Bit of Pilli Pilli

We're bringing you something different, after a year nearly of blogging...we have decided to give back to Artists, Crafters, Photographers, Designers...or whomever we feel inspires us on a daily bases...

So, once a week...we're going to introduce to you someone in our blogging World who has made an impact on our Lives...

Our first talent is the far away crafter/artist behind the very honest blog...

A Bit of Pilli Pilli

She's possibly the fastest crocheter I have ever known,my fingers ache at the thought of what she achieves in just one day. She sews such beautiful dolls too...please enjoy our interview with her below and take a couple of minutes to visit her blog.

Tell us a little about the Town you live in... have you always lived there?

I’m Belgian and I grew up in the suburbs of Brussels, but last year I moved live to a tiny yet crazily picturesque village tucked away in the Northern Italian Hills. (I moved there for love of course…) Now, when I say ‘Tiny’, I really mean Tiny. We’re about 200 inhabitants, so everybody knows everybody and that makes our village a cute little Island, surrounded by an ocean of vineyards on one side, and forest on the other.

If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?

For now I’m really happy where I an, but if miracles were to be possible, I guess I would love to move into my own (dream-)house. Right now we’re renting, but lately I’ve been having dreams and visions about my very own fairy-tale cottage… let’s just say that when you’re making choices for paint-colours, drapes and kitchen tables, you’re ready for it!

And then of course, there’s our dream to live in India for a couple of years…

How structured is your day usually?
Verrrrry. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m Extremely Structured. Most of the time that is… I have a part-time job in a small local museum (teaching children to make Pasta the traditional way, baking Bread in an ancient wood-oven or making Whine…). After that I go home, have lunch, and then I’ll get straight to work, sewing or crocheting all the way up to diner and then another stretch until ten, eleven.

What did you do today?

It’s still early (7 am – have I mentioned I’m an early bird?), and so far I’ve been working on this interview with a good cup of coffee for inspiration. Later I plan to get out of my jammies, and to start crocheting a little Pilli for my shop…Are you a cat or dog person?
I always thought I was a dog person, but when I moved to Italy last year, F. got me a kitten, and that was the start of my becoming a cat lady too! Although I’m sure I’ll grab the first chance I get to bring a puppy home!

Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?

Euhm… Can I choose all 3 please? I’m a food girl, really.

But if I have to choose, I’ll go for lunch (or dinner… oh this is hard.) In any case, I’m not a sweet tooth, so anything salty (and especially spicy food), will wake my appetite. Any time of the day!

If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?
That’s easy! I would make a fiercely hot Thai Green Curry with fresh squid and shrimp! Would you like to come? (I do have a less spicy version, involving yellow curry and lots of coconut milk, for guests who don’t like spicy food as much as I do…)

How and when did you first start your passion for crafting?
This one is a little harder, since I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember… but I guess I started seeing crafting as my ‘other job’ when I moved to Italy last year. Stepping back from the city-life, has given me the time and the inspiration to really dive into it, and to set up a blog and an Etsy-shop… Which, in turn, has encouraged me to create even more!

Who drove/inspired your love to create?

I think Inspiration happens always and everywhere… it’s in the clouds, the wind making waves in the barley field, the early spring blossoms. Similarly I don’t think their has been one person that has pushed me into doing what I do… it’ been a mixture of awe and admiration (with a touch of envy at times) for my grandmother who is brilliant at making the typical Belgian Lace, my mother who used to knit me little vests overnight and all you bloggers and crafters out there who come up with new things to admire every day…

Where would you like to go with your business in the near future?

Currently I’m working really hard to get my Etsy shop running. I’ve been out there for a while now, but I just never got to selling much. That’s why I closed shop for a couple of weeks… I felt like I needed to take a step back, get all my thoughts together, make some new items, and then I think I’ll be ready for my Big Re-Opening some time next week!

Tell us something not too many people know about you.
If I’m really sure nobody is watching, I’ll lick my plate clean… if the food was really good, that is.

(Please keep this a secret.)

Shoe choice: flats or heels?

Flats! I love my sandals, slippers and ballerinas! They go great with my skirts and they are super-comfortable! But of course, every girl should have at least one pair of killer-heels for special occasions… and I’m no exception!

What advice would you give others just starting out?

Work hard, but take a step back every now and then to look at where you are and where you would like to go…

Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.
Creature Comforts… for my daily dose of eye-candy

Senorita Pil … makes me want to play with dolls
Art &Ghosts … wakes my fairytale heart
Danita Art … because I love honest and endearing style of her paintings.
Ninon… for the funky and cheeky softies she makes

Thank you "K"...and good luck with the re-opening this week of your Etsy Store!

Everyone reading...you HAVE to go to her blog and see all the creations she has made this past year...quite stunning. I would post every single photo of all her dolls and softies, but I think you'd enjoy browsing her World and reading K's words...

Until next week Fabulous Readers, we hope you've enjoyed our little new feature to our blog...

Check back next Tuesday to see who we are opening your eyes to...
Char,Ontario