ranipink - about a life between orient, occident and the desert....

the reality!

2012-01-30T00:47:00.001+01:00

where are all these people who went to the edge of the sahara desert to Azawad for visit the Tuareg world?

where are all these men and women who are fascinated by the culture of the blue men, the beauty of their wives, the breathtaking landscape and the wide of the endless Sahara?

if you like our culture then help us to fight for freedom, we are not like precious objects only to watch like in a museum, to keep as a beautiful memory!

to all europeans and people who have had the benefit and admire the culture for the people of Azawad, raise up, give us your voice and support us on our way to freedom and free choice about our politics!

silence means consent!

(translated from french original written by Moussa ag Attaher)

images: petra hassan (erg admer, sahara)

P.S.: we are a few friends from several european countries and the Sahara desert who appreciate any way of support for our friends, families and all of the people who living in the desert! help us to spread the message and if you are able support us in our first aid project here. *thank you*!

vintage inspiration

2012-01-28T23:57:00.000+01:00

wherever I am going, whatever I am doing....*inspiration* overload all the time, I can not explain how and why....since I remember I am thinking in colour...in full colour! come with me and see what I found...

vintage travel inspiration...

finest, traditional embroidery details...

pretty, faded desert colours....vintage inspiration for a few, new colour combinations and products coming in spring....stay tuned :-)

*happy sunday*

images: petra hassan

magic teapot

2012-01-28T12:13:00.005+01:00

once in a *sahara* desert night....me, cozy and comfortable wrapped in a huge wool blanket..... listened the cracking fire and watched ruby red coloured glowing charcoal....shades of warm orange and yellow colours...warm, soft light on my face...

another time a hint of *caramelized* sugar in the air, the smell of simmering *green*green* tea.....

and the small, white enamel teapot became *magic* in this night.....

do you speak teapot? :-)

I am sticking like glued these days in my atelier with tons of sewing/embroidery work for clients and some more organizing stuff....inbetween....a blue gas flame in my kitchen, simmering *green tea*....foam and the smell of caramelized sugar in the home. Mr. X the cat is sleeping like a log on a beautiful embroidered cushion...watching me from time to time one-eyed....*tranquille*

*happy weekend*

P.S.: please may support the solidarity rally for Azawad on 4th of february in Paris *merci* and *tanemert hullan*!

images: petra hassan

thank you

2012-01-26T23:03:00.000+01:00

a very big *thank you* and *tanemert hullan* (in Tuareg language) to all of you! for all the messages and support we received within the past few days!!

I just received a message where to send packs also to Belgium:

Anana Harouna
Rue de Savoie 88
1060 Brussels
Belgium

*merci*

image: petra hassan

a call for help!

2012-01-24T00:35:00.000+01:00

dearest readers and friends!
we are a small group of friends who organizing private help for the Tuareg territory in northern Mali, we urgently need the following:

1. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Novaminsulfon
2. Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, Cotrim, Clindamycin, Penicillin
3. Infusions, infusion sets, syringes, plasters, bandages, emergency blankets
4. soap, disinfectant, towels
5 vitamin supplements
6. socks

who can contribute and would like to support us, please send as soon as possible a pack to my address below:

Petra Hassan
Oeltzenstr. 2
30169 Hannover/Germany

if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at ranipink(at)hotmail.de, as soon as possible there will be an address for france & belgium also available where to send first aid packs.

thank you very much for support from *sahara* with love!

Liebe Leser & Freunde!
wir sind eine kleine Gruppe von Freunden die eine Hilfslieferung für das Tuareg Gebiet in Nord Mali organisieren, wir benötigen dringend folgendes:

1. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Novaminsulfon
2. Amoxicillin, Cefuroxim, Cotrim, Clindamycin, Penicillin
3. Infusionen/Infusionsbesteck, Spritzen, Pflaster, Verbandsmaterial, Rettungsdecken
4. Seife, Desinfektionsmittel, Handtücher
5. Vitaminpräparate
6. warme Socken

Wer dazu beitragen kann und möchte schickt einfach ein Packerl an meine Adresse, für Leute in Hannover und Umgebung, es kann auch gerne bei mir abgegeben werden.

Petra Hassan
Oeltzenstr. 2
30169 Hannover

Bei weiteren Fragen/Vorschlägen mailt mir gerne unter ranipink(at)hotmail.de

Vielen lieben Dank...from *sahara* with love!

image: petra hassan

peace & freedom

2012-01-22T02:30:00.005+01:00

rain and thunderstorm in the night, my mind is like a hot boiling pot of couscous ....where to start writing? the past few days I received several messages from the desert, exactly from northern Mali. Friends wrote to me what actually happen there and it is really difficult to sort out and verify all of the incoming informations. I am not a professional writer, not a journalist....so I am still asking myself how or if I am able to write about. I am even fighting with the french language, I translate in my mind into english for better understanding...should I give up? No, never!! because there are dear friends outside who fighting for human rights, peace, freedom and for a normal life, they deserve it like each single one of us in this world!

I want to share today the site of ToumastPress and the Issikta - Touaregs/Bruxelles - Sahara blog of Ibanakal, may please read and spread the word. I believe that all of us are able to give within our possibilities support for the ones who are still not living in freedom and peace; many small steps making finally a big one, hopefully peace and freedom, as soon as possible!

*thank you*grazie*gracias*danke*merci*tanemert*shukran*

image: petra hassan (erg admer, sahara/algeria)

new

2012-01-16T00:12:00.000+01:00

the magic of *tea*....

from the desert with love for your home....

4 new postcard sets "l'art du thé dans le désert" now online in my shop!

images: petra hassan

P.S.: watch the new, truly breathtaking Tinariwen video *iswegh attay* here and *enjoy* precious moments of desert teatime :-)

new

2012-01-14T15:04:00.000+01:00

colourful cushions!

inspired by the flowers after rain in the sahara...

a few *new* desert flower cushions now online in my shop!

images: petra hassan

colours & details

2012-01-09T18:57:00.001+01:00

last year I had the chance to join a second Tinariwen concert, the last one they played in germany on their world tour before leaving to the US and after back to the sahara. I still feel very honored to invited for *green* tea and a nice chat before they started the concert, oh dear! I nearly felt off the chair...and lost my voice, I am shy! After a while one of the band members found *henna* tracks on my hands....and I found back my voice...well it´s not a secret that I love their music, who does not? I still have not much experience taking concert pictures but I focused this time more attention on the different light colours and what they wear, so here we go! it´s magic.... :-)

mysterious, shiny *metallic*....

magic *blue* and traditional leatherwork...

a beautiful, long *tassel* necklace...

*pistachio* green coloured, waxed cotton...

pretty leather sandals and *fine* embroidered pants....

and a precious *silver* ring.

listen the soulful desert music of Tinariwen here! They will be back soon for more concerts in spring; can´t wait to join the Munich concert in march with my family *happy dance* :-)

images: petra hassan

nice wishes

2012-01-08T21:27:00.001+01:00

I wish....I wish....to learn playing *guembri*....because I love the sound of *gnaoua* music...so much!
to travel to Marseille on a hot *summer* day...because I would love watch the colours and eat *bouillabaisse*!
to ride a *camel* race....because I love the camels!
to find a *magic carpet*...because I would love to take a flight!
to have a small amount of the *nice* washing powder from algeria...because I love the *orange blossom* smell!

*nice*nice* sunday evening wishes! :-)

image: petra Hassan

green soul

2012-01-05T11:01:00.001+01:00

after the rain is coming the sun...and then...after a while is coming the *green*....

shimmering sand dunes wearing a green, subtile dress, the camels wearing a *smile*....

acacia trees showing fantastic *filigree* adornment....

and fresh *peridot* green shades in the early morning sun....*tafuk*....the word means sun....

unexpected *green*green* life finding.....so precious!

true *desert* beauty somewhere in the nowhere....

the sahara is wearing her most beautiful and pretty dress, the green soul of the desert....because after the rain is coming the sun and then the *green*....because *green* colour is also for hope, for a new beginning, for a new life!

*aman iman* water is life! (Tuareg proverb)

images: petra hassan

happy new year

2012-01-01T14:56:00.003+01:00

one year ago I waited for take off, for the adventure of my life to the heart of the biggest desert of the world, the magic *sahara*.....there was a dream since I was a little girl in my mind, since watching with my family TV-reports from all over the world every saturday evening after taking the saturday bath. The same time I started reading and watching about the *sahara* in the green GEO magazines and sometimes my grandfather told us stories about his travel & work adventures in the middle east....when I turned 13 a friend of my family gave me a book as a gift, I read the first time about the inside of the culture and traditions in the sahara and also the first words of tamasheq, the language of the Tuareg.

now, one year later I am looking back and see that the dream of my life became reality! My entire life started changing completely after I returned the first time from the sahara desert.

I started learning speaking tamasheq language, my dear friends shared with me the real life in the desert, teached me how to ride a camel and 4x4 dune driving, how to travel the desert, cooking lessons and everything I want to know about the culture, music, traditions and the real life in the desert. I learned how to wear the traditional wrap dress called *tasghnst* and much about the textile and artwork, they allowed me to be part of their life!

I am from the bottom of my heart thankful for everything to each one of my dearest friends from all over the world, for my great family, for all my lovely clients, for all my readers and also for my co-workers at H&M, all of you made it possible that I can live the dream of my life, a life between orient, occident and the desert...

*thank you so much* again and a very *happy new year* to all of you with love!

images: petra hassan, mohammed hassani, ahmed abdouali

P.S.: if you want to see more about the desert, watch german phoenix TV today, they show all day long fantastic *desert* reports from different parts of the world!

l'art du thé dans le désert

2011-12-30T18:32:00.001+01:00

teatime in the desert is always *magical* time...I love to listen the sound of the fire and boiling *green tea*....the smell of burning wood and caramelized sugar....oh, and of course, the taste of bittersweet, strong foamy tea...

watch my new art postcard edition *l'art du thé dans le désert* from 15th of january to 19th of february 2012 in the TheaterGalerie in Hannover with artwork from 52 more artists from Germany, UK and Iran.
the exhibition opening "Konglomerate 53" will be on sunday, 15th of january 2012 at 3pm.

Theater in der List
Spichernstr. 13
30161 Hannover
www.kunstindertheatergalerie.blogspot.com

the postcard edition will be also available soon in my online-shop

images: petra hassan

merry christmas

2011-12-23T09:21:00.005+01:00

and *happy holidays* with much *love* :-)

I will take a german *magic carpet* and carry with me the little *blue* enamelled teapot, green tea, sugar and teaglasses in my moroccan basket with me....

a snall piece of *acacia* wood for the smell and spending a few days with my family :-)

*enjoy* peaceful and relaxing christmas days!

images: petra hassan

the blue(s)

2011-12-20T14:55:00.001+01:00

I wore shimmering *turquoise* silk and noticed that he watched me, I didn´t watched back because I never watch back. I thought he watched someone behind or next to me...then, I forgot!

weeks later a message appeared with a few words "you are blue, very blue......you are a blue woman"....ah, what?? I asked back "ah, eh...why...how do you know?" he said "well.....I know...." then...I said....nothing, no answer...silence, a very shy smile....then after a while....traces of magic *indigo* appeared on my neck, hands, went into my heart and *soul*....because.... he said, she said, they said.....I am blue!

image: taken by a friend

P.S.: I want to say *thank you* one more time to my dear friend Maryam, for the words, love & everything!

DIY desert bathroom

2011-12-19T15:06:00.000+01:00

sleeping in the sahara is such a bliss, cozy wrapped by the *indigo* blue velvet night and sparkling stars, I love to watch the changing pastell coloured light after wake up in the early morning, sunrise time. The light is changing from deep indigo blue into cobalt blue and cool lavender shades.....first ray of *silver* sunlight....light lemon yellow, light apricot soft morning light...*magic* morning!

then, a question! Where to find a *pretty* bathroom in the hôtel milles étoiles, please? Here we go!

first of all, find a beautiful place! I use for a simple morning ritual a silver moroccan *hammam bowl*, a small mirror, a bottle of water, toothbrush & paste, a blue towel, a simple moroccan hairbrush and a hint of traditional moroccan *savon beldi*. The soap is also good to mix it with a small amount of desert sand for a quick face peeling :-)

welcome in my DIY desert bathroom!

the magic of *la vie simple* :-)

images: petra hassan

travelling the desert pretty

2011-12-11T23:22:00.000+01:00

and what to do in the suitcase? I prefer in general travelling with less luggage, means especially less clothes...come with me and take a look what´s in my suitcase, here we go!

first of all the *pretty* essentials! my vintage suzani fabric covered sleeping bag, also good for creating *magic carpet* tracks in the sand, a small moroccan, pure wool *couscous* blanket, a vintage indian running stitched cotton blanket, a colourful cushion, traditional leather sandals, my favourite bag which contains the camera and other small things, the water bottle and an old flour sack from Libya (yes, this one is cool in my point of view) for some clothes, shawls and a few new products. There is always a beautiful place to find in the desert where I do quick product shoots :-)

about the clothes! I do not wear a different clothes style when I am travelling than in Germany. I like to wear layering style all the time, means one pair of pants (simple black leggings, linen trousers or wide indian pants for camel riding), a silk dress, a matching linen dress never leave the house without a *huge* shawl. I love also to wear the traditional *tasghnst* wrap dress in the desert, it makes me feeling super comfortable and as you may know....I love to wrap myself in meters of *pretty* fabric.
being well dressed especially whilest travelling arabic/islamic countries is also a matter of respect and also might prevents from difficult situations. Especially in my sahara trips I was always the only woman, I never had any problems or faced a strange situation, lucky me :-)

and at least, *anella* means henna painting in Tuareg language on hands and feet :-)

images: petra hassan (second image taken by a friend)

P.S.: of course I own a black, very ugly looking suitcase, too... I do not go for check-in at the airport with all the colourful stuff in my hands....I remember that a long time ago someone complained to me "Petra, even the normal stuff must be pretty for you"...ahem...well..."yes"...I am sorry for that but why not also travelling pretty?

tanba

2011-12-10T23:00:00.005+01:00

you know...usually the pretty *silver* sandals walking with me everywhere I am going....summertime & wintertime, no walk possible without sandals, except we have heavy snow or rain. One day the silver sandals broke in the middle of the sahara, well....the girl continuend walking one more day without sandals and finally runned one more time into *acacia* thorn! yikes!

The girl in urgent need!! for new sandals! As usual I only carry one pair of sandals and one pair of pretty, sparkling embroidered moroccan babouches with me...I am eyeing since a long time with a pair of traditional Tuareg sandals called *tanba* oooooooh! prettieness overload!! once I found a pair of vintage sandals in the Marrakech souk, but they had been far to big....probably made once a long time ago for a giant Tuareg who caravaned through the entire sahara and lost his sandals in Marrakech...not made for my *petite* feet...well...finally I found the only one pair in my size in the Djanet souk, lucky me!

I even stepped out of the plane straight into the cold german winter day after arrival back home with *tanba* on my feet....

so..and what happened with the *acacia* thorn in my foot? I usually wear full cover henna painting on my feet, so it was a bit difficult to see where it exactly was located, after 2 days with well...medium pain as I would say...a 1cm thorn appeared! yikes! by the way...after several times in the desert now I got used to run always in a small plant called *cram cram* not more painful than running in acacia, believe me! what is *cram cram* you may ask now? another story for another day.... :-)

images: petra hassan

knitting the camel & the desert

2011-12-08T20:10:00.003+01:00

once in my life I had a *wish* and after years the words swirled around in my head like little phantoms, the *wish* came true....

me, wearing the favourite dress in *turquoise* silk, magic *indigo* blue knitwork & faded henna on my hand...

*carneol* melange wool around the neck and more *blue*blue* magic in the other hand...

then I ~~kissed~~ whispered a question to the *white* camel....

he watched me one moment, then....he agreed! of course....in camel *language*!

then he started laughing, did you ever listened a camel laughing? They do! The *white* camel may never imagined in his life may one day wearing a handknitted *blue*blue* shawl....well...even not on a *hot* over 30° desert day with blue sky and bright sunlight....

then I whispered *merciiiiiiii* in camel language in his ear and....got a camel *kiss* back! :-)

*knitting the camel & the desert* handknit, knitted by my hands now available here! uuuh! much knitting words in this sentence....*je suis un peu fofolle*..you know! :-)

images: mohammed hassani (last image taken by me)
model: the *white* camel
location: sahara, djanet/algeria

desert perfume

2011-12-08T11:23:00.008+01:00

bright sunlight, *heat* scintillation in the desert, the *silver* sandals touched pretty structured clay ground....ah...the silver sandals are nearly gone...but this is a story for another day....!

I wore cool cobalt *blue* and bright, shimmering turquoise, perfect for a hot day and travelling in the desert...

and there was a *perfume* in the air....oooooh! a very intensive smell in the heat of the day, oh how much I love this smell.....

the strong, bittersweet smell of a plant called *tizardjli* in tamasheq, the Tuareg language. The herb is simliar to vermouth, a kind of *sahara* version.I tried to find out more but did not found out the botanical, latin name but may one day I will know. It is used to flavouring green tea and also known as herbal medicine in case of stomach problems. The taste is between I would say sweet sage, thyme and mint with a special note.
Every time I go to the desert, I try to learn as much as possible about the traditional plants, where to find and how to us it...and ask my friends as we say here "holes in the belly" :-) ...may you know, I am addicted to spices and herbs...since I remember!

the herb is simliar to vermouth, probably some kind of *sahara* version, I tried to find out more, I even did not found out the botanical, latin name but may one day. It can be used for preparing aromatic green tea and also known as herbal medicine in case of stomach problems.

In general I never faced in the past (lucky me...!) stomach trouble or anything like this during all my sahara, morocco or middle east travels. I always avoid the restaurants where "tourist dishes" are offered and usually go to places where locals eating or eat fresh, prepared and homemade. In the desert I prefer traditional food like tagella or the latest...I had the pleasure to eat one day in Djanet a dish called *journal* because it is looking like a newspaper -still smiling about the name- ...razor-thin crêpes made from bread doug, moisturized with aromatic, spicy red sauce and served with barbecued goat! uuuuuh! j´adore!

so I picked a *handful* of the wonderful smelling and left....continued with my 4x4 dune driving lessons in the desert :-)
here in germany, every day I open the *magic* glass jar, filled with sundried *tizardjli* and take a deep breath of the desert perfume! by the way, I also brought back home with me several small pieces of acacia wood.....just to burn one from time to time to have acacia fire smell in my home, oh dear! *je suis un peu fofolle*...! :-)

images: petra hassan (images 2 & 4 taken by a friend)

P.S.: another *very special thanks* to Karsten Marowski, the editor of the german feed magazin, thank you so much again for publishing my latest sahara travel report!

a special thanks!

2011-12-08T11:03:00.001+01:00

to you, dear Priya!

for featuring my work and home again in your beautiful Once Upon A Teatime blog, I feel so honored and yes, i am very happy!

the photo is especially for you! ....because of the *indigo blue(s)* we both love so much :-)

image: petra hassan

camel day

2011-11-27T02:09:00.007+01:00

first in the morning I sat on the saddle...took the camel and went away, alone just *he* (the camel) and me and the light blue *bleached* desert sky...endless desert....

found last nights fresh monitor lizard tracks in the sand...followed them for a while but did not found the lizard, probably he spotted somewhere from a hidden place me, the camel riding girl...who knows? May he passed by last night my sleeping place...who knows?

then they asked me for the *petite* blue camera...

and took pictures..much pictures! :-)

a *black*black* scarab came along and left pretty tracks in the sand....finally bumped against my feet :-)

then a *fluffy* camel baby passed by and sniffed on my hair....

we got *lazy* in the heat of the mid day....found cooling shadow next to the camio...

my friends watched pictures....

danced *desert dance* with my mp3 in the ear....

the *beauties* took a rest next to the watertanks...fata morgana far away....

then we cooked in the *simple* desert kitchen...yam yam!

finally we had *atay* means tea with *tikufawen* foam....prepared in a pretty *blue*blue* old enamelled teapot...aah...another, new favourite word I learned in Tuareg language, tikufawen :-)

Then I left....camels *overload* in my heart, the taste of salty, fresh *camel milk* on my lips but...my favourite indian blanket stayed with a piece of my heart in the middle of the *somewhere of the nowhere*....one day I will be back for another *camel day* :-)

images: petra hassan

hello, good morning desert!

2011-11-22T22:17:00.001+01:00

arrival after sunset the destination, truly the *somewhere in the nowhere*...

one more time the beloved sahara desert had been kissed in the *deepest* lavender purple shades...eye candy!

early in the morning after a night with a giant *full moon* before sunrise I woke up...more *lavender magic* light, watched the moon going down....listened the sound of the passing by camels and their babies....they stopped, came very close to me and watched me...curious! :-)

a moroccan hammam bowl, a silver mirror in the sand....water in my face....simple *desert* bathroom in the uprising morning sun ...*hello, good morning desert*!

strong *black* sugared morning coffee.....*j´aime*!

roasted *tagella* sandbread...not made from sand but baked in hot sand....supersweet *fig* confiture!

then...after a while he arrived, gave me a *smile* oh dear! I felt completely in *love*....with his pretty white eyes and the fluffy fur...no one was in this world in this moment, just he and me....my heart got lost in the *somewhere of the nowhere* to him, to the pretty *white camel* ...then....we took a long morning ride, what a bliss! :-) but the story is going on and became much more funny....stay tuned!

images: petra hassan

fata morgana sightseeing

2011-11-21T23:29:00.000+01:00

the time got lost with me somewhere in the nowhere on *la route*...

giant silver cream coloured dunes passed by....

dazzling *sunlight* and light blue, bleached sky....*melting* clouds...

seems fresh and silver *shimmering* water far away....fata morgana *sightseeing*...because everyting is possible in the desert....heat....silence...the sound of the wind...wind blowing in my hair...my hair is a huge *mess*...I don´t care about my hair.....*tranquille*...!

the destination had been reached in the soft *pink*lavender* kissed evening light after sunset...but this is another story for another day...stay tuned! :-)

images: petra hassan

salam aleikum, little scorpion!

2011-11-18T23:46:00.003+01:00

after the sunset the night sky turned into *cobalt* blue....

the brightest and most beautiful coloured desert sky....

pretty camels passed by...kissed by magic *lavender* light....

acacia & tamarisk wood *fire* had been lit up....*macarona* dinner had been cooked, strong & bittersweet *foamy* desert tea had been drunken...

the wind came over night....sand covered the wool blanket, my face and *hair*....sand everywhere...morning view from my sleeping place...

and with the wind in the night...a light *celadon* green coloured, tiny visitor tiptoed *secretly* under my matress and found a cosy and comfortable place for sleeping.....

*salam aleikum*! little scorpion :-)

images: petra hassan

P.S.: I had no fear at all...the sophisticated look, the colour and the way the scorpion *tiptoed* so fast impressed me really much but with a deep respect.

about mountains

2011-11-17T23:15:00.002+01:00

mountains, oh beautiful mountains...

sometimes we are climbing mountains...

sometimes the mountains seems so high....the sky is *pretty* blue washed....

sometimes we want to give up on half the way....

sometimes we find *pretty* details beside...*sparkling* sunlight....

and after a time we will stand on the top...of the mountain.....after climbing a long way....better never to give up! :-)

P.S.: *merci* and *tanemert hullan* for featuring my blog to my friend Ibanakal, please take a look and read his Issikta blog about another, different way of mountain climbing....!

images: mohammed hassani
location: djanet tissras/algeria

the magic of Tinariwen

2011-10-12T18:44:00.002+02:00

the music filled the air like *sparkling* stars.....

the floor had been covered by more *stars*.....

the colours had been truly *mysterious*....

the dancing so, so elegant.....

the hairstyle as always *très cool*....

the beauty more than *beautiful*....

the *tagelmust* carefully wrapped...

the embroidery details very *pretty*...

the evening had been much more than *magic*....!

the sound of the desert is coming back, soon...to Berlin on 21th of October!! If you have the chance, go, see and listen....you will never forget the *magic*.....I promise! :-)

P.S.: check out the Tinariwen website for their world tour updates!

images: petra hassan

new

2011-10-12T18:33:00.005+02:00

more *funky* Ikat cushions....

in the blue(s) and *green* shades...

now available here :-)

P.S.: 15% discount for all products in my online-shop on DaWanda until monday, 17th of October :-)

images: petra hassan

Bombino is coming back!

2011-10-03T11:43:00.004+02:00

to Germany for 5 more concerts! :-)

Krefeld 06.10.2011; Mönchengladbach 07.10.2011; Herdecke 08.10.2011; Mülheim 10.10.2011 and finally on 15.10.2011 in the Pavillon in Hannover!

If you have the chance to see, please go and *enjoy* one evening soulful music from the desert, I promise...the sound will carry you far away deep in the heart of the sahara!

check further tour dates for more concerts in europe and allover the world here!

image: petra hassan

P.S.: happy dance, happy dance.....! :-D

kitchen colours and a spicy cabinet

2011-09-26T23:42:00.001+02:00

come with me...and take a look in my *kitchen* :-) so first, here we have the *colours*.....

it is not a secret that I *j´adore* the green, blue(s) and turquoise shades....since I started renovating my home completely again one year ago it turned into living in the colours I really love; the kitchen floor is still original, more than 120ys old cement tiled in matte black and a curry yellow shade...it goes perfect with the jade-turquoise green and white half painted walls and moroccan wall tiles behind the sink.

I still have to refresh the wall paint, my vintage porcelain farmhouse sink is still not installed and I am still *dreaming* about tiling the working top with moroccan, jade green cement tiles....everything step by step....inbetween I organized this summer all my spices in a old, former closet.

I found the old, ivory painted closet when I moved in my home more than 10 years ago in the basement, someone who lived in my home left it there. One day I removed the doors, painted it with pigments in a dark, chinese *red* colour and the interior in a dark *mocca* and used it for my former atelier & shop space. Then I got the idea to use it for my kitchen and customized the inner construction for all my glass jars filled with delicious smelling *spices*... that´s the story how an old closet became a *spicy smelling cabinet* :-)

I usually cook daily fresh and love to use spices from allover the world :-) the wooden shelf I use for organizing & display my dishes, ceramic & porcelain bowls, teapots and teaglasses had been used in the past in a post office here in germany to organize letters :-) I also used different shades of pigments in turquoise, blue and green for the paint.

The picture above shows a vintage basket from China, it is made for carrying carefully the *pretty* turquoise teapot and four matching tea bowls; a small, colourful handpainted leather & wooden box for carrying little teaglasses -handmade by tuareg artisans from the sahara desert- I found it once in the souk of the djanet oasis in Algeria....the drip mat is from Essaouira, Morocco...perfect for serving a *hot* and *spicy* Tajine :-)

well....it still takes plenty of time to finish the kitchen renovating by my own....may I am able to do this until end of the year...if not it doesn´t matter....I am not in a hurry and handmade takes usually a good time ;-)

images: petra hassan

new

2011-09-26T21:01:00.003+02:00

pretty embroidered, one-of-a-kind *cushions* in bright colours!

3 shades of red...light *grenadine* red, grapefruit pink and dark china red...

and....more colours now available in my online-shop :-)

images: petra hassan

Dawanda Lovebook Winter 2011/2012

2011-09-13T19:26:00.002+02:00

ooooh!! happy dance!!!

I am very happy to see one of my *funky ikat* cushions featured in the DaWanda Lovebook Winter 2011/2012!

*Danke*merci*thank you* DaWanda Deutschland!

what a bliss!

P.S.: more *funky Ikat* cushions coming within the next few days in my online-shop!

happy sunday

2011-08-21T14:59:00.004+02:00

and a little *postcard* from my kitchen...

with love! :-)

for sunday *eye candy* go and see Amina`s blog, her blog makes me dreaming far away on all of this grey & rainy summer days this year...and may listen Tinariwen *ear candy* for a short desert trip this sunday afternoon :-)

*happy sunday*

image: petra hassan

inspiration

2011-08-14T21:06:00.001+02:00

where I found *inspiration*? come with me and take a *look*....

cotton indigo *fabric*....because I *love* the structure...

the unforgetable first evening and *sunset* in the middle of the desert...the light, the mood and the colours...*tranquille*...

*blue*blue*matches and *green*green* tea....two simple essentials for a simple life....

the bright colours of *timsi* means fire.....because I *love* bright colours!

inspiration for something I have in my mind since a long time.....

simple and *slow* travel inspiration....I wish one day I can send out a caravane with *pretty* camels who carry my products to clients allover the world...just a dream...but I like this imagination :-)

*shiny* silver inspiration! for something *special* I have in my mind also since a long time.... :-)

sometimes a *simple* drawing....

in combination with something never expected is THE inspiration for something new :-)

*recycling* inspiration....because the material is for free and everywhere to find...

*sparkling* finding in the golden sand....tiny fragments like little stars...oh, so precious!

the feeling of *la libertè*....the wish of a simple and quiet *life*....a dream....sometimes dreams are coming true one day...!

*patience* :-)

images: petra hassan
last image: mohammed hassani

Bombino & a message

2011-08-14T16:09:00.002+02:00

they came on another rainy summerday to germany with weapons and a *message*....

...different weapons.....lyrics, voices, hearts and a different sound...made in the desert...!

he came with the guitar...

he came with djembe & drums....

he came with the bass guitar....

and he with the calabasse drums...

and all of them brought this fantastic film with to the small city in germany...on a rainy, rainy summerday...

the rain stopped, a hint of warm summer breeze in the air...for one evening a small german city turned into *sahara* desert.....the sky turned into strong cobalt *blue(s)* light and after a while the colour changed into deepest *indigo* blue(s)....

the songs carried all of us away....far away....we took a *magic carpet* flight to the endless sahara desert... magical sound in the..well..I would say little *medina* ;-) of Detmold, somewhere in the middle of northern germany....

a girl runned into me, pushed me away....I wondered for one second.... then she danced in front of the stage, she danced and danced....then I saw her lucky face, it touched my heart to watch her dancing...because she is disabled....but the *message* received her heart...!

Bombino is coming back with his band for 4 more concerts to germany in october, check out the tour dates here, get connect with them in facebook and please, listen here.....may you fell off the chair like me when I listened this the first time.....what a drive!!!!

images: petra hassan

P.S.: I still wish to have and find more time for writing in my blog right now but I am still sticking like glued between fabrics, embroidery and the *petite* sewing machine, clients orders, home renovating, atelier organizing, preparing new products & projects and the daily life... in about 10 weeks from now I can/hope/wish to show you something new, something *special*... :-)

the sound of Tamikrest

2011-08-02T09:21:00.004+02:00

sometimes....I turn on the *music* and listen the sound, the sound of the guitar, the voices and feel the vibe....and dance....

sometimes...it happens and the *sound of the desert* is coming to germany and this happen mainly on very rainy german summerdays....

I found myself in a place surounded by truly *magic* light...

and a dream came true...first I watched, then I closed my eyes, listened and danced...to the fantastic music of *tamikrest*...oh, what a bliss!

...and....tried to take a few pictures :-) ....they became some kind of *magic*...because of the light, the sound and the vibe!

check out their upcoming fall/winter tour dates on their website, I will go for sure to see and meet them one more time, I am still happy that I had the chance to see their concert in Kassel and had a funny (we spoke probably 5 languages in one time) talk & time with them after :-)

images: petra hassan

P.S.: I am very excited, I will go and see the concert of fantastic tuareg guitarist & singer Bombino from Agadez end of next week!! *happy dance*....come, watch, close your eyes, listen and dance with me!!

a sunday offer

2011-07-24T12:08:00.001+02:00

may I offer you something this sunday...

pretty dyed *fabrics* from the sahara desert?

collected moroccan lanterns in *beautiful* colours?

may you like *sparkling* decorated cushions?

or take a ride on the magic *blue*blue* carpet? wait...there is the sweet smell of *orange* blossoms....

may I offer you to take a *nap* next to Mr. X the cat?

please, come and relax between comfortable cushions & cool *blue* linen...on my *summer* bed....!

oh, dearest *summer*....one more time, please come back to germany, everything is *well* prepared for you!

*happy sunday*

images: petra hassan

a wish

2011-07-24T12:05:00.002+02:00

it happened weeks ago, it was the evening of the opening concert...I noticed him...I noticed the *moustache*...then he watched me, then I watched him...

then he gave me a smile....then I smiled back...he was calm, very calm....

then he started dancing to the rythm of the gnaoua music....he smiled again, a warm smile, sparkling in his dark eyes....he seemed to be happy....

then I smelled the smell....the smell of *glue*.....oh.. oh my....then...he danced for a while...then he disappeared and got lost in the crowded place...

but for one *precious* moment there was *sparkling* in his eyes, I will never forget the warm smile....I will never forget what I saw for one moment, a hint of *joy* for a few seconds, for a *magic* little moment...because there is a heart and there is a soul, there is may a sad story behind...I wish that there would be someone who take care...if not today may be tomorrow...or after tomorrow...I still wish...because life is so precious...!

oh dear!

images: petra hassan

P.S.: why oh why....endless questions to ask for....some days happen things in this world we will never able to understand....prayers for *Norway*!

gnaoua festival style shots

2011-07-23T11:17:00.002+02:00

I love watching especially in morocco what people wearing and *how*....so here we go, a few *style* shots I took at the gnaoua festival a few weeks ago :-)

*glam* in the medina and well...lots of *hair* :-)

more hair! goat hair decorated *sandals*...made in the desert, air conditioning guaranteed!

I *love* MAM...priceless cute!!! :-)

I truly like what he is wearing...some kind of ancient *sultan* mixed salad moroccan style, please note the glamourous bracelet made from a string of heavy glassbeads! so cool!

the art of *hair*...

do you *yellow* babouche??

do you *yellow* bag?? :-)

at least...the moroccan *punk* style! :-)

*happy saturday*

images: petra hassan

a magic night

2011-07-13T00:22:00.001+02:00

the sun went down.....

the colours of the *blue*blue* sky over the medina of Essaouira changed into the pastell shades.....

then....he switched on the *light*... for the night filled with *music*....magic music!

they played music in the *red*red* light with lyrics about the real life and the sound of *morocco*...

he sang songs from the bottom of his heart.....

then...they switched on the *green*green* light, they wore pretty embroidery and played the *magic* sound of finest gnaoua music....oh, how much I love this music!

then....he *rocked* the medina of Essaouira in the *blue*blue* light.....

everybody was dancing, a flag had been rised and the seagulls danced in the deep *purple* coloured night sky to the vibe of finest african music!

oh, my beloved Essaouira, what a *magic* night!

pic 3 & 4 Darga from Casablanca
pic 5 Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane from Marrakech
pic 6 Salif Keita from Mali
all images: Petra Hassan

P.S.: *danke* thanks very much to the feed magazin who published today my writing (in german language) about the gnaoua music festival, too :-) *yay*

well....

2011-07-02T12:50:00.001+02:00

I had been a bit away from blogging the past 2 weeks because of a (still) heavy work schedule here in germany and I also visited the *magic* gnaoua music festival in my beloved city of *Essaouira* like every year last week and had done some work in morocco....

the festival had been truly great this year, and I can say this had been the best festival for me since I started visiting it, they turned back to the roots and played much more gnaoua music than the years before and the concerts had been a good mix between fusion and traditional music. I also meet such lovely and kind people and visited my friends in Essaouira, as always the time had been to short to see all of them...

I am also working acutally on a morocco article for the german feed-magazin, they just printed & published my algeria desert travel report in their second issue! I am very, no totally!! excited and happy about :-) thank you again one more time, feed magazin!

well...I have much more exciting news...I closed officially my local shop space here in Hanover a four weeks ago end of may and nearly moved completely in my new atelier space. Since 1st of june I offer atelier visits by appointment for customized orders and clients as usual, selling online in my dawanda-shop and on selected events/markets in Hannover. This step allows me now to work more flexible especially in customized clients orders, embroidery and also other projects and fits perfect to my nomadic life :-)

Exactly today 3 years ago my life started changing totally in the never expected direction, now after telling myself 3 years non-stop every day "be strong, stay cool and move on....I feel especially today just with one word *happy*...even if the weather is totally greyish and cold here in germany....can you believe, I turned on the heating in my home this morning!!!??! I never turned on the heating in july....!

I remember the beginning of the week, I spent such a good time with lovely Maryam in Marrakech in 44° heat, the taste of the most delicious mint ice tea is still on my lips, she smell of fresh cutted herbs from her peacock pavilions garden is now in my german kitchen....what a bliss! thank you again one more time, Maryam!

I might dance tonight to the music of the desert, the tuareg group Tamikrest from Mali/Algeria is playing close to Hannover a concert tonight, I´ll go there with a Touareg friend, we started working in a fusion project, but it is still a *secret* project :-) ..until dancing tonight I am wearing my grandmothers handknitted wool socks whilest sewing....ici il est froid!!

*happy saturday*

images: petra hassan

a night in the museum

2011-06-16T22:12:00.002+02:00

come with me to the *museum* by night! :-)

the *13. Nacht der Museen* organized by the local museums and the City of Hannover will be held this saturday night from 6pm to 1am (18:00 to 1.00) on 18th of june 2011.

find my dear friend Eva and me in the *Landesmuseum* (lower saxony state museum); we will carry the golden & blue ranipink summer bed with us, comfortable cushions and a *blue*blue* magic carpet and offer you do decorate your hand & feet with beautiful, traditional *henna painting* :-)

there will be find also much more *magic* from the oriental countries far away in the Landesmuseum, listen stories from 1001 nights, take a belly dance class, watch pictures from the desert or enjoy hot *mocca* and delicious *tea* or create your own oriental style jewellery....

the entrance fee is € 7,- for adults, children under 14 for free for the entire event in all locations & free bus-shuttle allover the city, so you can visit all the different places and museums in one night :-)

*enjoy*

images: petra hassan

acacia green

2011-06-14T21:32:00.001+02:00

the *inspiration*...well....

I found it in the middle of the *desert*...

I watched the colour and structure of *acacia* trees....in the morning, during the day....

and in the evening...I smelled the *perfume* of acacia wood fire....oh., I love it! If I could put this smell in a bottle...I would use it every day for sure! :-)

well...and this is the *inspiration* result :-)

the mysterious colour of the iridescent silk contains all the colours I watched somewhere in the middle of the sahara desert....*magic*

find the *acacia green* dress now in my online-shop!

model: sandra cripps
location: Dar91, Essaouira medina, morocco
desert pictures: tadrart area, algeria
images: petra hassan

P.S.: a very special *thank you* and *mille grazie* again to Sandra & Paolo!

because.......

2011-06-12T23:38:00.002+02:00

sometimes the life is not like we imagined, like we dreamed and expected before.....

when doors are closing in front of us there will be always other open doors to find, new ways to go, people to meet and friends to find.....because the life is *precious*....because there is a little *lemon* cake with a single candle on it....a gift my *sweet* and dearest friend Eva gave me this morning...because she is truly THE greatest!!.....because she know that I love to eat lemon cake....because the entire!!! sadness is gone forever...because there is my greatest!! and beloved family.....because there are the closest and dearest friends....because the feeling to be exactly in the middle of the 30s is just with one word *great*....because today is my birthday :-)

what a bliss!

image: mohammed hassani

Gartenfestival Herrenhausen

2011-06-11T22:48:00.001+02:00

come with me.....

there are *pretty* dresses made from silk and linen to find....

little pincushion flowers made from silk and vintage *brocade*....carefully wrapped and decorated with tiny moroccan tassels....

*sparkling* jewelry and a the *ranipink summer bed*....

the *blue*blue* fabric makes you dreaming away....far away to desert.....the colours of the *cushions* will carry you to the moroccan souks....

watch the *postcards* and take a seat on the magic carpet......wrapped in a colourful scarf *made in morocco*....

waistbelts made from precious *indian* vintage brocade and embroidered cushions....

the *white* summer bed decorated with more cozy cushions in *neutral* colours....

my dearest friend Eva who offer you to decorate your hand and feet with the most beautiful *henna* painting.....

and me....come & visit us in the white tent N° 123 and *enjoy* the colours, take a flight with us on the *magic carpet* to the countries far away....find us two more days at the *Gartenfestival Herrenhausen* in Hannover, daily open tomorrow and on monday from 10am to 6.30pm :-)

*happy weekend*

the loveletter

2011-06-05T20:50:00.003+02:00

do you write loveletters and when did you wrote the last one?

this year started for me with plenty of time...*desert* time.....

one day I found myself on a 400m high dune...

the light turned from bright, clear sunlight, light cobalt blue sky and golden coloured sand into the most wonderful palette of *pink* shades...

I listened the silence, the sound of the dunes, the endless wind....I watched the sand dancing....

and I wrote a *loveletter*....for my love, for the desert....

endless love...eternal love...

then I left....wrapped in soft *pink* light, wrapped in bright *grapefruit* pink fabric, wrapped by the *love* of the desert...a *smile* on my face...the endless feeling of freedom and peace in my *pink* heart :-)

what a bliss!

images: petra hassan & mohammed hassani

happy weekend

2011-06-03T23:52:00.001+02:00

well....I am sticking inbetween sewing clients orders, moving & re-organizing my atelier space and preparing new products for the *Gartenfestival Herrenhausen* here in Hannover next weekend....

I wish all of you a *happy weekend* and lots of *sunshine* :-)

*enjoy*!

image: petra hassan

blue sunday

2011-05-29T20:58:00.003+02:00

a paint-brush.....

bright *ultramarine*...mysterious, dark *milori* blue pigments....a *hint* of indigo....

hours of work by night and day....squeezed inbetween the sewing and other working schedule....

*patience*...

*volià*....sunlight is dancing on the perfect *blue*blue* wall in my new atelier space :-)

*happy blue sunday evening*

P.S.: I will move in my new atelier space within the next 2 weeks, more pictures coming soon!

images: petra hassan

etran finatawa

2011-05-28T23:06:00.001+02:00

come with me....and listen *desert* music! :-)

I am still so happy that I had the chance to see & listen the truly fabulous band *etran finatawa* a few days ago live in concert and I love their music!! When I found out that they play the only one concert in germany this summer near Hannover...well....I nearly felt off the chair....*happy dance*!

The musicians are come from Niger and it is very special that two of the members are tuareg and three members wodaabe nomads; they playing the traditional songs and music mixed with electric guitar in such a refreshing, breathtaking & very cool way, also singing the lyrics in tamasheq, the tuareg language & wodaabe language, their music is more than 100% *ear candy*!

find the music of *etran finatawa* here...turn on the music....close your eyes...take the magic carpet or the camel as you prefer....and you will find yourself in the middle of the desert again for sure....*ear vacation*...

I was really excited but after some minutes beeing shy I had the chance to speak to the two tuareg members of the band after the concert...well....my french language speaking is still like a *grande salade mixte* so I tried to remember all the words *tamasheq* I ever learned.....it worked :-) they also brought precious artwork from Niger and sold it after the concert....pretty silver jewellry and fine leather products....I bought two beautiful handmade tassels from them...what a bliss!

are you in the mood for more desert music? The fantastic bands Tamikrest, Kel Assouf and Tinariwen are playing this summer allover europe and also in germany, check out their websites for the concert dates! You can also find all of them in facebook :-)

*happy music listening*

image: petra hassan

watch out....

2011-05-23T22:53:00.002+02:00

we found the perfect place....

up on the roof over the *medina*...

a place with *pretty* tiles....oh, I love this place!

the perfect place for watching.....

a traditional moroccan hat in the hand...

and on the head....

we waited and *watched*...but no pirates landed & entered the *medina* of Essaouira...well....we smelled the *rain* in the air and felt the upcoming storm...watched the giant waves of the atlantic sea.....may the pirates coming another time... :-)

model: sandra cripps
location: Dar91, essaouira medina, morocco
images: petra hassan

P.S.: find the *dress* now online in my dawanda-shop :-) and...in case you want to watch out for pirates one day click here :-)

the dream

2011-05-22T13:22:00.003+02:00

I have a dream.....

I have simple painted *henna* on my hands....

I am wrapped in a simple, deep *indigo* blue dress with pretty patterns...silver sandals on my feet...

I have *pretty* vintage silver rings on my finger....

I wake up in the morning with this view....oh, how much I love the wide *blue* desert sky...

I am sitting on soft *handmade* colourful carpets....magic carpets....the morning sunlight is dancing....

I taste the strong, sweet and *foamy* green tea.....*desert* tea.....

I smell the fresh, homemade *bread*..... carefully wrapped in handloomed wool.....

I feel the *sun* on my skin and watching the flowers in the garden...

I am listening the *wind* in the palm trees....

I am eating *traditional* friday couscous...oh, how delicious!

I am not in a dream....this is part of my life....the life between the *sahara* desert and germany...because sometimes...sometimes in our life dreams are coming true...:-)

what a bliss! *happy sunday*

images: petra hassan

earth café marrakech

2011-05-17T23:51:00.002+02:00

one more time I passed by, had dinner & lunch at the...

may do you remember my last october post about the *fresh citrus* colours of the earth cafè in marrakech?

I had not been there since last year december and....*surprise*surprise*!!....I found new colours :-)

how much I love this combination of *raspberry* pink, chalky rosè and the subtile *green* of the pumpkins....

a hint of *fresh* lime green....leaves of a *citrus* tree....

*lemon* citrine sprinkles of colours....

turquoise & saffron yellow cushions and *chili* red walls....can I have the *raspberry* pink door, please?

*silver* green olive tree leaves and soft *yellow* bougainvillea flowers....

and a few, soft pastell shades :-)

I never can leave without having *delicious* vegetarian lunch....

and enjoy the *colour* therapy :-)

earth cafè marrakech
N°2, derb zawak,riad zitoune kdim
marrakech medina, morocco
open 10am - 9pm

images: petra hassan

P.S.: the latest earth cafè news are....visit the *new* earth cafè soup kitchen at N°1 derb nakousse, riad zitoune jdid, marrakech medina, morocco; I had not the time going there but I will go and see next time when I return to morocco :-)

magic carpet red

2011-05-16T22:08:00.002+02:00

ready for more strong and bright *colours*??

when I watched this silk colour first I just had one thought in my mind....

this is the only one and true *magic carpet red* :-)

so..it was the time to sew a new dress....the *magic carpet red* dress...for a walk on the red carpet....or a flight on the magic carpe...as you like :-)

now online in my dawanda-shop!

model: sandra cripps
location: dar91, essaouira medina, morocco
images: petra hassan

P.S.: mille grazie again to you, Paolo & thanks so much again to you, San! :-)

because 2 .....

2011-05-16T00:10:00.002+02:00

because, because....there is more *because*......

sometimes we close the eyes and after open again the life changed into the bright *pink* mode.....but this is a story for another day :-)

because after the rain always comes the sun....this time, after *marrakech* rain, the hot *sahara* sun came....more about a simple life, a *hot* pink fotoshooting, blue stories from the desert and some more moroccan adventures coming, soon!

stay tuned! :-)

image 1: petra hassan
image 2: aziz kasmi

morocco

2011-04-29T23:17:00.003+02:00

oh, my beloved morocco...what happened to you?

I am still totally shocked, confused and sad....my deepest condolences to all those who are injured and lost family members & friends because of the terrible attack at the Argana in Marrakech yesterday.....

*silence*

image: hassan krifa for ranipink

easter sunday

2011-04-24T20:36:00.001+02:00

well....on this sunny and warm easter sunday I am caravaning....

in a desert of *blue*blue*bluest* pigments and white wallpaint :-)

*happy easter sunday* to all of you!

trip to the past

2011-04-22T19:08:00.001+02:00

every day is special but sometimes a day is much more special....why, you may ask now? first of all I will take you with me on a trip in the *past*....

we will take the *vintage* plane today, please fasten your seatbelt -in case you will find one in this plane ;-) ...ready for take off?

soon we will arrive somewhere in the middle east....in the lands with lots of history, endless sky, desert, ancient cultures and inbetween....

there had been a man who travelled, worked there and watched the world in the 50s of the past century and took many pictures....

the man I am talking about was my beloved grandfather.....come with me and see the world through the lens with his eyes :-)

see the *sunlight* dancing on a beach.....a *magic* moment and picture.... :-)

gardens with palm trees and cactus plants passed by....did he felt the same like me when I am watching gardens in the desert?

he watched the *blue*blue* nile......

street construction place.....

in front of the *pyramides*....

did you see the handmade palm leave baskets in the picture?

I remember that he showed me one day this picture and told me that this man had been a very good friend to him, he came from Sudan....

he passed by ancient villages....

and found the camel under a rock arch somewhere in the desert....

the *smiling* camel & I am still smiling about all the camel pictures he took, may he liked the camels may as I like them, too?

I especially love this picture, after watching it several times I saw that the woman is wearing henna painting on her hand :-)

may he enjoyed the wide and open landscape of the desert countries like me?

this blog post is especially dedicated to my beloved grandmother, a very strong, clever and smart woman, I love her smile in this picture so much!

my grandfather passed away two years ago, on 22nd of april....it was his birthday......may he is since two years accompanied all the time with the ones in the picture above?

I realized within the past year much more before that I am may in many ways very similar to him.....the connection between him and me are the desert countries....he also spoke arabic and my mother told me that he had been also very creative...in his way....his personality was sometimes not easy to understand....well....I am also sometimes not easy to understand.....it seems that he had no fear to travel and no fear at all....like me...

I think he was some kind of free *spirit* in his way.....sometimes people wasn´t able to understand him many times because of decisions he made and the way he lived and worked....but I am his granddaughter and I still love him!

Whenever I am travelling, especially to the desert countries I always feel that he is close to me, I am still walking in his footsteps but in a different way.....I am sure that he is smiling many times about my adventures.. :-)

written with all my *love* for my entire family, all of his friends and people who knew him; in memoriam of my beloved grandfather (1925-2009)

a special thanks to my grandmother who gave me 3 of his picture albums! Danke, Oma! :-)

images: taken by my grandfather, co-workers or/and friends in Syria, Egypt and Iraq & other countries he had been.

new

2011-04-19T23:42:00.002+02:00

I don´t remember exactly the year when I felt in *love* and started collecting the beautiful,
shimmering, handloomed Ikat fabrics from Uzbekistan in vibrant colours....I think I had in my hands 10 years ago the first time one piece of it and it always made me dreaming far, far away....

so I had the idea for sewing more of this *pretty* cushions and found finally a few weeks ago one day the time to make it, perfect for *spice* up any room with the colours of the legendary *silkroad*...and they go as well good with any magic carpet in your home! :-)

new *funky Ikat* cushions are now online in my dawanda-shop :-)

inbetween I started working on a few new products for my next morocco fotoshooting, stay tuned!

images: petra hassan

desert kitchen

2011-04-17T00:02:00.002+02:00

may you are asking how my friends managed the *kitchen* in the desert? here we go....:-)

in case there is no wood for fire to find we had a gas bottle with us....

eggs are carried in a simple & cool looking package... :-)

because....because the *girl* wished one day to have a simple *omelette* for lunch...

washing the dishes....*sahara* style!

kitchen equipment should be always placed on *pretty* rock kitchen interior....where can I please order this kitchen furniture exactly in this design for my home??

fresh ingredients straight from the *djanet souk* for picnic :-)

*tagella* bread preparing....

and how to spice up the chicken if there is no mortar & pestle to find in the desert? take 1 empty plastic water bottle, garlic, salt, grounded cumin and a hint of *olive oil* fill it in the bottle and *smash* it well against the *rocks* ....

and here we have the *desert* barbecue :-)

the super delicious result....*yummy*

finally one day...I found 2 teapots who probably felt in *love* with each other....me, still smiling :-)

my friends are great in cooking and I enjoyed every single breakfast, lunch and dinner 3 weeks every day so much!! *tanemert hullan* means thank you very much in tuareg language :-)

*happy sahara cooking*

P.S.: my january trip to the desert in algeria was perfect organized by Mohammed Hassani, visit his website desertconvoy for more informations in case you wish to spend a relaxing time in the *sahara* :-)

images: petra hassan

black sand

2011-04-14T23:33:00.000+02:00

there are many colours of sand to find and see in the desert...

on a warm & windy day my feet touched *black sand*.....

then I sat down.....listened & watched for a while....felt like there was just me and the *desert*....no one else....I felt so cozy wrapped and comfortable....

watched sandblasted, matte little stones.....raw *diamond* style....made by mother nature....precious!

a few nights before my friends explained me the name of stars in the night sky....stars named *chet ehad* in tuareg language means *night woman*....I am fascinated by these words and piece by piece like a puzzle on this day the *inspiration* became a clear picture in my mind....a picture of colours, structures and embroidery...precious fabrics and something hand dyed.....but...it takes time....*desert* time :-)

stay tuned!

images: 1 & 2 mohammed hassani, 3 petra hassan

desert essentials

2011-04-13T23:56:00.000+02:00

today: the desert *petrol station* ...and how to organize it in the middle of the sahara....

first of all make sure that *petrol* is carried in a save way....

then we need a good driver...of course, the one who is wearing *pretty* colours :-)

find a *dune* and please, place the car exactly in this position....

then we need a flexible tube...

and a cutted, plastic water bottle...let the *petrol* flow....

*voilà*...and the desert *adventure* is going on....

there are still many more *sahara* stories to tell and pictures to see...stay tuned! :-)

images: petra hassan

ranipink petite

2011-04-13T23:28:00.001+02:00

someting *new* is coming soon....

cute *petite* linen tunics and dresses for little *princesses* in many colours :-)

stay tuned!

image: petra hassan

sunday

2011-04-10T11:42:00.001+02:00

woke up again this morning around 5....watched a little bird collecting wool I hanged up for drying outside....there had been a serious moff attack in a basket with my moroccan wool. I am officially in war now with these little flying, silk & wool eating insects....by the way..the colour of them is pretty....pretty light *silver*...! :-)

So I washed the wool a few days ago and it looks like that they are gone...the wool is still outside and *lucky* little birds use it for creating nests :-) it makes me smiling!
In case I am listening one morning birds tweeting in moroccan language....the *wool therapy* worked well.....thoughts I had in my mind on this very early sunday morning....!

I also had my first *morocco* visit years ago in my mind, watched little sparrows collecting wool from the heavy, handloomed curtains in my friend´s hotel in Essaouira :-)

I will go back for work to morocco in a few weeks......can´t wait to be back again in my beloved *Essaouira*....

well...I will not doing much today, still feeling a bit tired & exhausted, had been sick since thursday so it is better to start everything slowly...*choya b´choya*....as the moroccans saying...

*happy sunday* :-)

images: petra hassan

P.S.: I am thankful for every little sign & message I received the past weeks from libyan friends, so glad that they are still fine but noticed the change in the voices...

disappeared

2011-04-05T19:59:00.002+02:00

and hidden inbetween layers of shimmering *silk*....

well....usually it worked good in the past for me to turn sadness in creative work....hopefully it works this time again....

image: petra hassan

magic carpet colours

2011-03-29T23:15:00.001+02:00

the *inspiration*....

came from the *magic carpets* of my friend Mustapha´s shop in Essaouira....I still believe that one day I choose one and can take a flight....:-)

from the colours I found in the *heart* of the sahara desert...

new, unique each one of a kind cushions in *magic carpet colours*....handmade from uzbek vintage embroidery & indian mirrorwork fabrics mixed with pure, shimmering silk :-)

also some more hand embroidered, moroccan metal *sequined* silk cushions found their way....

now online in my dawanda-shop....let the cushions fly....they will bring *magic* colours with to your home :-)

images: petra hassan

summertime sunday

2011-03-27T12:23:00.003+02:00

last night...well...the neighbours downstairs celebrated a party again, the second night in a row...under my bedroom *ahem*... the white wooden floor danced under my feets...tried to watch a report about the *namib desert* last night...red dunes and pretty looking *bugs* are the last I remember before I felt asleep with heavy bass and big beats in my ears....

I enjoy the *silence* of the late sunday morning, the time moved one hour forward last night...as usual the scent of fresh brewed *cardamom* mocca in my home...Mr. X the cat went after cat breakfast back to a cozy place, purring and watching me...sleepy :-) sometimes I wish I could be a cat....sleeping, eating, hunting and playing...

now I will continue working...first in the garden, then taking pictures and probably sewing and doing some more work in my home....did I mentioned that some windows of the *party * people are in the front of the garden?? I am sorry but there is no possibility to do garden work in the night.....!

the home & life is still under *construction*.....step by step....and....

one more time *silent* sunday.....!

images: petra hassan

P.S.: the libyan friends are every day in my mind, it is good to hear from a few once a week....and there is a special family connection in the middle east, especially two great women, they are like two queens...two sisters who treat me always like a daughter....they are still in my mind...every day, too..!

blue & turquoise

2011-03-24T10:22:00.002+01:00

come with me.....and take a *look* :-)

there is magic *indigo* blue from Mali....light blue and *cream* wool from Morocco...and the beloved cat from Bavaria...

oh, and much more moroccan....soft cream, vintage *yellow* and a pure white vintage linen cat....oh dear...I counted at least more than 16 cushions only in the bedroom...where are all of them came from??? magic carpet...ah...magic cushions??

bright and shimmering *turquoise* ah...the perfect *turquoise* and a hint of vintage orange and *gold* from Syria.....oh and of course, moroccan gold.....

well...I just started organizing the *thousands* of books I own.....and the *blue & turquoise* home is still under construction.....the home of the girl...hidden in a courtyard somewhere in the *medina*...(this is what my friend Hanaa told me this week..."ah, it looks like you are living in the medina"....) but... this is not morocco...*chuckle* :-)

*happy thursday*

images: petra hassan

new

2011-03-23T19:51:00.000+01:00

so...what´s *new*?

here we have the *magic* desert garden....the djanet oasis garden where the red desert *cat* spotted me... inspiration for....

a *pretty* and limited edition of new cushions in fresh and *neutral* colours...

handmade from pure linen and *vintage* fragments of uzbek embroidery....

one of a kind handmade *jewellery*...handmade from sparkling crystal, brass and vintage beads...

and a few, new *cotton voile* oversized shawls made from fabrics who can be only found in the *desert*...

now *online* in my dawanda-shop :-)

magic carpet tracks

2011-03-21T09:51:00.001+01:00

...and how I got this idea in my mind :-)

one morning I woke up and found next to me *pretty* patterns in the sand....a smile on my face & the inspiration in my brain started working....*ahem* cooking like a big pott of hot *couscous*....steaming....

the story before is...I received a new sleeping bag after christmas and well...sleeping bag covers are not known for looking pretty...even in my home the sleeping bag was looking like it came from another earth....

the last few hours before I left direction airport I found in my atelier a pretty embroidered piece of vintage suzani fabric from Uzbekistan....and got the idea of sewing a sleeping bag cover from it...a *pretty* one! :-)

I imagined how would it look like when a *magic carpet* is landing in the desert in the night? There must be to find tracks in the sand the next morning.....like from all the animals who crossing or passing by in the night....

a bird passed by in the night....and a *magic carpet*.... :-)

P.S.: I was not in the mood for writing about pretty adventures or colours the past week....sometimes I did not knew what to think....life is going on and on....but I had and have many times in my mind that all the money of this world is it not worth to loose beloved ones like countless people going through this right now in Libya & Japan....too much is all about the money right now in this world....only about profit & money....and more and more people playing games because of this! *dislike*!!

anyway....*happy monday* :-)

images: mohammed hassani & petra hassan

sunday silence

2011-03-13T13:16:00.001+01:00

the scent of fresh *cardamom* mocca in my home....my eyes are closed.....listening the silence...and flying...flying in my mind far away...back in time....leaving tracks in the sand...magic carpet tracks!

I remember a lovely japanese Lady I meet last year in autumn in morocco, she showed me the most prettiest japanese travel book about morocco I ever saw, written by a friend of her.....she told me that her husband is musician....and she told me how much she also loves morocco....I still remember this warm and lovely conversation I had with her on a early afternoon in Essaouira.....what a bliss!

I wish from the bottom of my heart to meet her one day again....and I also wish to meet my friends in Libya again, too....!

*silent sunday*

image: petra hassan

desert sky

2011-03-09T14:05:00.003+01:00

and an urgent request for *help*!

please sign the petition to the united nations security council for a non-fly-zone over Libya to save lifes!

*danke*thank you*merci*shukran*grazie*tanemert*...!

image: petra hassan

desert essentials

2011-03-05T22:58:00.002+01:00

today: *chahi* and how to prepare it....

first, please take a seat on the *magic carpet*...it takes time....a good time!

so we need finest green tea from *china*, a good amount of sugar in a pretty leather bag, *aman* called water in tuareg language, several tiny *kess* teaglasses...

2 pretty enamel *berrad* teapots, a mug, *timsi* means fire and *desert time* :-)

put the green tea and a small amount of water in one teapot, let it for a while for rinse the tea leaves, pour out the first tea; fill up the teapot again with water & boil the tea on the fire for a while....

pour in the tea without the tea leaves in the second teapot and add a good amount...well...*chahi* in the desert should be *sweet*...in the enamel mug...

then pour the tea several times between the teapot and the mug....

it takes time....*desert* time....

to prepare *golden* desert tea....

3 glasses of bittersweet, foamy *chahi* the first one bitter like the life, the second one strong like the love, the third one smooth like the dead....that´s what they say..in the *sahara* desert....

once you drink it, you will never want to miss it for the rest of your life....or probably you will never drink it again...I am definitely totally *chahi* addicted!! :-)

images: petra hassan

happy friday

2011-03-04T14:41:00.000+01:00

may I invite you for one, two, three glasses of bittersweet, foamy *chahi* with a hint of *mint*?

and may we listen some fantastic *music*, too?...the sound of Tamikrest will carry you far, far away....for sure :-)

*happy friday*

image: petra hassan

indigo magic

2011-02-28T23:05:00.000+01:00

when I read first more than 20 years ago in a book about *indigo* dyed fabrics, about dresses & scarfs which are made from shiny, shimmering fabrics....blowing in the *desert* wind like flowers....I truly felt in love!

the day came and I found the fabric of my dreams....carefully wrapped in cotton around a stick...

and here it is....the *queen* of the desert fabrics...handloomed, hand dyed...and truly magic!

finally several meters found the way to me, whenever I touch it....blue traces of indigo left on my hands, two weeks ago I found blue tracks in my home and got a smile on my face....*magic* indigo paw prints on white, wooden floor...Mr. X turned into sahara desert cat :-)

happy sunday

2011-02-27T14:51:00.000+01:00

and where I found *inspiration*....

natural water sources in the sahara called *guelta* in arabic, the word in tamashek is *adjlmam*....precious like a gemstone in the desert.... one day I prepared coffee with water we picked up earlier on that day from this guelta....the coffee tasted some kind of *guelta green*...alga taste, too... ;-)

the red, orangeish *pink* shades...sand and sandstone..so bright....so beautiful in the late morning sunlight.....I love you, mother nature for this simple beauty!

running stitched blankets called *gadou* in tamashek, made from vintage fabrics and/or new fabrics; it was a big surprise for me to find this kind of work also in the desert....:-) by the way...as usual the colour jumped first straight in my eye....*teal*....

a soft and *fluffy* camel neckline.....oh what a *joy*! one day...one day I will *hug* a camel and can say...this is my own one...sometimes dreams are coming true....I am patient!

inbetween working on clients orders and continue organizing/renovating my home I couldn´t resist to start working on new embroidery and colour combinations...*camelmilk white* a cool, offwhite shade... mysterious *teal* one of my favourite and most sold colours....and *guelta green* a fantastic, two-tone italian linen for new summer tunics and dresses....and...ooooh, there is a special colour...this colour will *blow* you away....on the magic carpet direction *desert*....stay tuned...and it is not a blue(s)... ;-)

*happy sunday*

images: petra hassan

P.S.: received last night a a call...Libya called me...it was good to listen the voice of one of my friends and hear that in the south everything seems to be still quiet...

timsi

2011-02-26T23:31:00.003+01:00

means *fire* in tamashek language.....making a good fire is an essential need whilest travelling in the desert. Wherever we found dry *acacia* wood we collected it, prepared lunch in the day, bittersweet and foamy *chahi* and dinner in the evening :-) oh, how much I love the smell of the fire...!

one night I felt asleep next to the fireplace and do not ask what happened to me....I read some years ago in a book why the people in the desert never sleeping next to the fire....but I forgot! I wrapped myself in my sleeping bag and under my cozy, moroccan *hot wool* blanket...and after a time I started dreaming....voices and the sound of people walking passing by and walking around me...like some kind of dance...and I watched colourful fabrics...o.k. this was might be the nice part of the dream...!
Someone stepped next to my sleeping bag, my hands touched *sneakers*...wondering... no one of my friends wore this kind of shoes....the sound of the voices turned into a terrible, scary noise and someone tried to open my sleeping bag but I couldn´t move....then I tried to say *hilfe* means help in german language, my german voice wasn´t working...then I started screaming *help*help*help*...good, the english voice worked.....then one of my friends made me wake up, talked carefully to me that I am save and nothing happened, moved me away from the fireplace....and I felt asleep again.....

the next morning I woke up totally confused and felt like overrunned by a tank....asked myself what happened to me? My friends told me what happened and why I never again should falling asleep next to the fireplace.....it was a matter of *djinn* evil genies....then I also remembered about what I read in the book years ago....!

*good night* :-)

images: petra hassan

P.S.: take a look and read my friend Maryam´s blog MyMarrakesh she mentioned something about fireplaces, too...!

the favourite dress

2011-02-23T23:01:00.002+01:00

well...I will go back to the past about the story of my *favourite dress*....

the idea came into my mind last year.....I wished to have pictures with exactly this dress last summer in morocco...but sometimes everything is not working like expected...so I sat in front of my friend Mustapha´s shop in a medina alley in Essaouira, accompanied by my canadian friend Krista during the gnaoua music festival in june, was fighting with the sewing machine and tried to finish this and several other dresses. I imagined having pictures with a traditional moroccan hat, my hairs in braids and the bright *cobalt* blue dress... on the second day I finished the *cobalt* blue dress (I carried all the cutted fabrics including for clients orders with me...) washed it to soften the silk in the bathroom of the hotel tafraout...and then there was no time left to take pictures....because it was the time of the gnaoua music festival in Essaouira...

when I had been in the desert a few weeks ago there was no reason not to wear my favourite dress....comfortable and airy...the weather was not so hot...but warm....and I was all the time well dressed...you know...I do not like wearing 25 zipper and 50 pocket safari pants....could you imagine me in something like this?? me...never!!

on this day...oh it was a beautiful *desert* day....we crossed the red sand in the tadrart area and I found myself inbetween truly stunning *pink* and *rosewood* rocks....mother nature really did a great job with this colours and shapes! and also one of my tuareg friends, Mohammed did a great job when he took the pictures for me :-)

the *favourite dress* is now available in my online shop at dawanda in bright *cobalt* blue & mysterious *black* in any size you want to make me this for you :-)

P.S.: I got in touch with one of my libyan friends this morning, thanks god that it is still quiet in the south where all of them living and they are fine! I wish for all libyans that this nightmare ends better today than tomorrow!

images: mohammed hassani

friends

2011-02-21T23:57:00.000+01:00

a few weeks ago I stand on the top of one of the highest dunes...somewhere deep in the heart of the sahara *desert* in southeast of Algeria very close to Libya....
it was silent there, peaceful and calm....sand under my feet...the sound of the wind in my ears...sunset in my face....I turned and watched the landscape, a smile on my face & friends in my mind....friends who are living not far away on the other side of the border...

now, the situation is becoming since days and within every minute much more horrible in Libya.....there are no words left for this nightmare all of the people there going through right now......

please, sign the SEND HELP TO LIBYA!!! petition!

written for all the Libyans, all the ones who living there and for my friends and their familys: Fadi, Mohmed, Alwa, Messoud, Taher, Lamen, Abkda, Mohamed and Aqdora!

sunday morning

2011-02-20T12:25:00.002+01:00

well...this sunday.....I talked last night on the phone for a few minutes to a friend in Libya who plan to visit me, soon...after we finished talking I realized that there must be so much more confusion there than we can imagine. It seems that it is still quiet where he is living in the south but he also told me everything is calm in the north and this words showed me that there is no access to real/true informations......and all of us know why...!

I also sent several sms to all my friends who living there but no one replied until now....after I watched last night for about more than one hour the twitter timeline I really did not know what to think, say or do anymore....it is truly shocking and horrible!

I drawed this heart earlier a few weeks ago one morning in the sand of a high dune in tadrart area/algeria....for all of you!

well....today I will continue organizing parts of my home, working on new *ranipink* products for summer and may updating my website....wish you all a relaxing and may creative *sunday*! :-)

image: petra hassan

desert style

2011-02-20T00:06:00.003+01:00

come with me...and take a look....

what pretty *colours* my friends are wearing :-)

shiny *indigo* blue and apple green...

*lavender* blue...

shades of chalky *pink* and tie dyed purples...

light blue like the sky and *mandarin* yellow...

rich *citrus* colours...

*mysterious* and bright cobalt blue(s)....

and delicate embroidered *black* pants :-)

during my stay I watched so many more stunning colour combinations...there is a little story who is still making me smiling...one day I visited girls who working as artisans and after I went back to the car & watched a young man next to the car wearing such pretty colours...I nearly felt like I got heart attacked (because of the so, so cool style and colours)..and told Mohammed "did you saw the colours this man was wearing, I would love to have a picture from this..."??!! ...and Mohammed said..."ah...this is my friend Ahmed, he is coming with us..." *haha*!

there is a way of wearing clothes, a special kind of elegance I noticed earlier first on my morocco travels to the desert, too....owned by the people of the sahara :-)

images: petra hassan

tasaghnesst

2011-02-19T00:04:00.002+01:00

or how I tried to wear a traditional dress in the desert....

one day I found myself next to an elephant....

wrapped in layers of bright *grapefruit* pink cotton voile...oh, what a colour!

surounded by pretty tie dyed patterns...

under the *hot* sahara sun :-)

a few years ago I discovered first at my friend Mustapha´s shop in morocco these pretty dyed fabrics and started to collect & use it for shawls and curtains first until I finally found -after years- out how to wear it.

*tassaghnesst* is the word for this dress in tamashek, the tuareg language also known as *mlhafa* or *mlhefa* in the language who is spoken in the western sahara.

well...I spend a good time to fight with the meters of cotton around me and still need practice, too...but I *love* to wear it! :-)

images: mohammed hassani

tagella

2011-02-15T22:48:00.001+01:00

and how to prepare it :-)

first of all, prepare the *sauce*...made from chopped onions, green pepper, carrots, tomatoes and parsley....add a hint of salt and cumin, water, a hand full of little *lentils* and sundried, salted meat...

cook it *hot*hot*hot* on the fire :-)

next step: made a doug for the bread from wheat semolina & flour, water and salt...knead well... :-)

prepare a hollow in the center of the fireplace...

put the prepared *bread* on the *hot* sand...

cover it carefully with sand and *glowing* charcoal and bake the *tagella* inbetween the hot sand....

after a while turn it once and bake it again for a while...wait...may you want to enjoy inbetween a glass of *chai*?

when the baking time is finished...I do not know how long it takes exactly, probably 30 minutes...remove the sand with a knife...

rinse it carefully...

start breaking it in pieces...

little pieces, please! :-)

add tons of *fresh* garlic and warm up the sauce on the fireplace....yes, you are reading right...I probably ate never in my life before that much garlic as in the desert :-)

add the *sauce* to the prepared bread, stir well....

serve it with *olive* oil and *hot & spicy* harissa.....*tagella* is definitely one of the most delicious dishes I ever had!

what a *joy*! :-)

happy sunday evening

2011-02-13T19:09:00.004+01:00

well...I am a little late today posting *happy sunday*...;-)

I woke up this morning listening noise coming from outside the balcony and saw Mr. X the cat watching in a kind of *very exciting but totally careful* way half hidden behind some moroccan vintage cushions what´s going on outside....after a while I also moved very slowly and took also a look...and what I saw made me laughing...very much!....a supercute & pretty *squirrel* attacked my 2 of my bamboo umbrellas and my greek vintage wool blanket.....ahem...I´ve never seen a squirrel attacking a blanket before!!

When I came back from the desert I was wondering that a little oak growed in my potted *arancia bizarra*...it looks like that the squirrel keep winter food in all my potted plants :-) to avoid that he/she get probably much more angry with me and start war with my vintage *kilim* carpet outside... the squirrel will find from tonight *walnuts* and so outside...and...of course served in a pretty moroccan ceramic bowl! :-)

by the way...I am feeling still totally overwhelmed, flattered and something else like this for the reason that feed magazin published yesterday the travel report I wrote for them... *happy dance* and a big thanks again to the editor, Karsten Marowski :-)

by another way....exactly today 5 years ago we had the same weather like today -greyish and rainy february day- I opened in the morning the first day without any promotion in advance my atelier, got the first clients on that day, had the idea in my mind what I want to do but never expected where I am going with my work. I started with 3 different pieces of clothes...very simple ones and seriously told the first clients "this is what I can do for now"...

Today, 5 years later everything changed completely...first my life changed into *never expected* but I moved a giant step forward, went to the sahara, found the silence and something I searched for the past 1,5 years in the most confusing time of my life...I found myself again! :-)

Within the past 5 years also my work changed more than expected. I found out that I definitely want spend much more time than before with hand embroidery work, dyeing and working in special products which need a good time to create it. My home and a part of my working space is still *under construction* and inbetween I am working on new *summer* products, countless new ideas, bridal gowns and clients orders...so I am really packed for the next weeks, no months with tons of work again and it doesn´t matter that the life is still changing...stay tuned! :-)

by the way again....*happy* sunday evening!

P.S.: there are still many *desert* stories to tell and write about...*pretty* pictures to show, I´ll continue writing about every week :-)

images: petra hassan & mohammed hassani

indigo laundry

2011-02-11T22:58:00.001+01:00

it started with this...

7 meters of shimmering, deep *indigo* blue fabric...

a turquoise bowl and clear water...

and slowly..slowly...

the water turned...

into the *blue*....

the hands moved the fabric carefully...

and I watched a deep *blue* indigo moon rising in the turquoise bowl :-)

*magic* desert laundry!

camel riding lessons

2011-02-09T23:58:00.005+01:00

one day the morning started with ice cold air, blue *blue* sky and sun...

a pretty decorated *camel* saddle...ah these colours!!

3 fluffy camels...I really love the camels, I do....

and I found on the back of the camel *yay* and felt completely happy the entire day like a little *princess* :-)

Mokhtar spent the entire day teaching me how to get used with the camels and how to become may one day a good camel riding girl....inbetween we had a simple *salad* lunch and bittersweet *chahi*...

one day....I wish to ride like these men I spotted a few days later, my friends told me that they may practice for a camel race, until I am able to ride like them I need lots of practice, but the first step is successfully done!

*tanemert hullan* to Mokhtar who teached me and will continue when I am may coming back one day :-)

perfect desert sunday

2011-02-06T15:06:00.004+01:00

sometimes...well....sometimes there is a day who is much more perfect than the other ones.....

the morning of this day started with the clearest *blue* sky, bright & warm sahara sun and tracks....someone passed by in the middle of the night a few meters far away..... may the *gazelle* watched me sleeping?

we went out and watched art...pretty *paintings* made by ancient artists more than 6000 years ago....*ancient desert art* turned on the inspiration in my mind.....;-)

watched the beautiful and changing desert landscape passing by...a hint of *wind* and listened crazy music inside the *toyota* car...yes, the one with the pretty key...

visited a little..ahem....*giant* hedgehog who sat on the top of a rock and said *hello* and *allooooo*....

I remembered a time when I was 15 years old and...made some *fun* :-)

we found a *pretty* place for lunch....

made hot *fire*fire*... :-)

cooked by the *colours*....

a *perfect* simple sunday lunch :-)

*chahi* had been prepared...

bittersweet and *foamy* desert tea....what a bliss!

and music had been played! :-)

music *made in desert*...

made from useful *instruments* :-)

and they sang songs with the most funniest lyrics I ever listened.....I am still *smiling* no...I am still laughing!! :-) :-)

thank you so much *tanemert hullan* my friends for the *perfect desert sunday*...

*happy sunday* to all of you! :-)

images: petra hassan & mohammed hassani

P.S.: my friend Maryam´s blog My Marrakesh is finalist for best african weblog may you would like to vote for her, too?

the horse eating well

2011-02-06T01:50:00.002+01:00

one day I found myself in a *magic* garden....

I listened the wind in the palm trees, watched the soft colours, the light and felt like in *wonderland*...desert wonderland....

a man walked up the steps, hold caryfully in his arms a little goat and fresh, green herbs...to take care about the baby goat...what a bliss!

my eyes watched a little house, made from stones...a *blue* door and windows....

endless sky and the clouds....in the mirror of the water...*aman iman* they saying, the tuareg are known for saying this words...

a little door between a fence made from sundried palm leaves...the entrance to a little farm in the *magic* garden....

I felt that someone watched me....I turned around and spotted a beautiful tabby *red* cat....the desert cat followed with her eyes every single step I had done....and disappeared...quick....between the palm trees....

oh! and there had been the well....if you ask the people of the *djanet oasis* about this place they will tell you this story: one day a horse came to the water & tried drinking from the well...and the well ate the horse....!

*the end* of the story of the *horse eating well*

images: petra hassan

P.S.: I read friday night first on twitter what happened in the djanet area a few days ago and it makes me so, so sad! I wish & pray for the italian Lady that she will be free and save back with her family as soon as possible!

desert travel essentials

2011-02-03T00:47:00.003+01:00

there is some stuff you really need in case you want going to the desert....

make sure that you choose the *toyota* with the prettiest key!

cool bags to carry everything you need...

water containers...

a box with colourful *fresh* vegetables & fruits :-)

collect acacia wood for a good burning & smelling *fire*...

*blue*blue* matches and chinese green tea...

several tea glasses and teapots for preparing *chahi*...bittersweet, strong sahara tea...

may you need a *blue* scarf, a good book and handwoven blankets?

some simple kitchen equipment...

music!

in case you want going by camel you need some beautiful ones!

otherwise you need *benzin*, too :-)

a few good local friends who you can trust :-)

and of course..the magic and beautiful sahara *desert* :-)

let´s start the adventure!

images: petra hassan & mohammed hassani

well...

2011-02-02T14:44:00.003+01:00

so... where to start first?

I took this picture last weekend very early in the morning at the algiers airport on my way back home. My eyes spotted some time earlier the light mint blueish colour and the pretty cool *nomade* sign when I checked in for my connecting flight direction *heart* of the desert....it was my 3rd flight *yikes* on that day and honestly I felt totally exhausted after running to my connecting flight in Paris CDG, after I found out that air france was not able to carry my lugagge with me in the plane...find out how to get my suitcase back & waiting for hours for the next flight from Paris who brought my suitcase finally to algiers....and the fact that I found myself in a country where I never had been before....!

when I checked in for my flight the very kind man at the counter told me that my connection flight would be may delayed more than 3 hours.....I told him in arabic that "it doesn´t matter....I am now in africa..."! ...and he smiled :-)

after several security checks again & more than 10 hours waiting for my connecting flight to the *djanet oasis* I arrived save in the middle of the sahara....later my friends there told me that the airline called also *air mazal*...means airline "not now"....for the reason that many of the flights are usually delayed....I am still smiling about this :-)

first of all a big thanks *tanemert hullan* in the language of the Ttuareg to Mohammed and his great team for organizing everything, taking care and making me feeling comfortable at any time during my stay in the desert!

I organized the past few days the first 2200 pictures and there are still a few hundreds left....so....there are many stories to tell the next weeks :-)

stay tuned!

image: petra hassan

back

2011-01-30T23:19:00.005+01:00

from a *magic* land...

with wide and so endless, endless *sky*.....

bittersweet, strong and *foamy* tea...

the land where men wearing shiny indigo *blue*...

and the camels having *pretty* feet :-)

read more about the *magic* land, soon... stay tuned! :-)

images: petra hassan

offline

2011-01-08T00:20:00.001+01:00

since I started my business I had been online nearly every day....so...

it´s time for me to take a *break* from the world online for a while...I will be back, soon ...refreshed, with tons of energy, new ideas and new products :-)

stay tuned!

mareblu

2011-01-03T09:56:00.002+01:00

the word *mareblu* makes me dreaming away....far, far away.....

seabreeze in my mind, seagull *sound* in my ear, salt on my skin....

pretty *turquoise* and *blue* painted signs....

little, romantic *details*.....

simple *design* in my eyes...

tasty, homemade *italian* food on my lips...

made in *Essaouira* with love! :-)

*mareblu*
rue sidi ali ben abdellah
essaouira (medina) morocco

P.S.: I still have the taste of most delicious potatoe & anchovis salad on my lips, mille *grazie* Maurizio! :-)

day 1

2011-01-01T11:50:00.005+01:00

and a little *wishlist*....

I wish...to learn proper french language, definitely should learn and find out how I can manage to speak this language, there are so much french words *pretty*...I love the writing of this language, I understand the sense of written words but ...speaking..this is another story...I always thinking in arabic & english words when someone try to teach me how to speak...crazy girl, me... :-)

I wish...to *get lost* in the sahara for a while and listening the desert *blue(s)*....watching the endless sky....drinking *bittersweet* desert tea....3 glasses....each time...caravaning with the camels....

I wish...to find a *new* friend for Mr. X the cat....I do not want to see him lonely anymore...he is still missing Sir John, the cat...I want to make my cat *happy*! :-)

I wish...a *simple* life in full colour....and *bright* colours, please! :-)

I wish...to explore many more times the textile & artwork of the *desert* countries....

I wish...to wear *blue* every day, henna on my hands and...the last wish is my *secret*...!

*welcome 2011* :-)

images: Petra Hassan, last image Hassan Krifa for ranipink

1001 thank you

2010-12-31T20:01:00.001+01:00

the past year...well...sometimes I even don´t want think about it and told my self all the time: "o.k, this is the life...and the life is going on"...and when I thought I was over all...the next worst case knocked on my door...sometimes I wished to run away and disappear...I will always keep the faith and thanks god that he is holding his hands above me, at any time :-)

a very special thanks to my whole family, Eva, Charlotte, Hannah, Thao,Regina, Krista, Danica, Felicitas, Maryam, Mustapha, Ahmed, Sandra, Sharon & Steve, Lokmane, all my friends who living in the sahara desert, my friends who living allover the world, my co-workers at H&M, my local & online clients and all of you, my dearest blog readers! Thank you so, so much to all of you for your support, written words, spoken words, love and being with me in 2010!

written with *love* from the bottom of my heart to all of you and *happy new year* :-)

image: Hassan Krifa for ranipink

magic carpet ingredients

2010-12-29T16:38:00.000+01:00

I remember one day ...*zigzagged* for clients orders in the souk of *marrakech*...

passed by in a hurry...and turned back again...

the man spotted me and smiled...invited me to have a look...*chouf*chouf*....means *look* in moroccan language...

I found myself inbetween tons of cotton & wool...the ingredients for making moroccan *magic carpets*....I left and smiled....and smiled....and I am still smiling :-)

the flying cat

2010-12-26T18:57:00.000+01:00

ready for more morocco? on my way to a friend in Essaouira...

I spotted a *cat* on a wall...

sleeping....zzzz zzzzzz....

morning sport!

and the cat spotted me....

watched me...and *smiled* the cat smile :-)

got ready for take off...

and jumped...

and was gone....to continue sleeping under the moroccan *sun*....and...sometimes even a cat is flying in Essaouira....like the *magic carpets* :-)

green(s) & pink(s)

2010-12-25T17:40:00.004+01:00

are my favourite colour shades next to the *blue(s)*....

usually I spend zero time decorating my home but yesterday I was in the mood for something special...and I had since ages the time for doing it :-)

I used for a simple table decoration little, teal green turquoise ceramic bowls I found once in morocco, beaded *pink* snowflake stars and *mini* christmas tree balls in shades of green and pink...

I put the christmas tree instead of a traditional christmas tree holder in a pink & black handmade, wheatgrass basket from senegal and used little *silver* moons, christmas balls in green, teal and pink shades, one green and one pink chain of lights I bought years ago...usually I prefer having real candles but this year I had no candles for the tree...

for the *hint* of blue....2 little, pretty decorated camels caravaning in the christmas tree... :-)

a *smell* of orange blossom in the air...what a bliss!

the aloe vera plantation asked also for some sparkling lights...voilà..here it is...simple *ranipink* style christmas decoration :-)

the images are not perfect because of the light situation. My home is located northwest side in a courtyard surounded by more 120 years old houses, and it is time to buy a new camera, too...

I plan to do more renovating in my home in spring, the old farmhouse sink for my kitchen is still waiting for the under construction and new tiles for the working top. I am thinking about shimmering jade/turquoise green moroccan ceramic or cement tiles...the colours going perfect with the also more than 120 years old black & sand beige cement tiled kitchen floor. When I moved in my home 10 years ago I spotted the old tiles in a little corner & removed tons of old carpets and material to get back the original...

my home is still under construction...I plan to paint the hallway in shimmering turquoise -a style like traditional moroccan tadlakt- and want to hang up a chalky orange & gold vintage bedouin caftan my grandfather brought from his middle east travels in the 50s with...my bathroom is light cucumber green, white & silver and I do not plan to change the colours actually... and I still have ultramarine/cobalt blue for the living room in my mind...well...step by step...I am not in a hurry!

I will share within the next 2 weeks more corners of my home with you, especially a bedroom style update I have done today and also a few more moroccan adventures :-)

*happy holidays* :-)

christmas morning

2010-12-24T11:42:00.002+01:00

silence in the house, ice *crystal* rain and *snowflakes* falling down....

fresh brewed coffee and....*wondering*...a hint of orange blossom smell in the air! I am not in morocco actually, I am in my kitchen in germany and it is christmas morning....my little *citrus aurantium bizzarria* got unexpected, pretty, smelling flowers!!

sadly I can not spend the christmas time with my family...for several reasons and I will staying the entire weekend at home, decorating now my little christmas tree, cooking later a nice dinner and Mr. X the cat is *happy* to have me 3 days at home :-)

I took the image above 2 weeks ago in the *marrakech* souk....and wanted to keep it especially for today :-)

*merry*merry* christmas to all of you, dearest friends & readers!

P.S.: yes, I am missing my family especially today but I am feeling not lonely or worried about at all....my parents teached me when I was younger to make the best as possible in every situation of the life, so I do... :-)

the colours & a magic carpet...

2010-12-23T23:50:00.001+01:00

I found at *designachten* :-)

there had been the chic & elegant *neutral* colours...by cebulla cou(l)ture...

soft & bright ones...pretty handknit by Lola...

rich natural ones....by Nin Santo...

the *funky* ones....by nordstadtbraut... :-)

more bright *colours*...by rockXanne....

some *ranipink* colours... :-)

and the colours of the pretty *magic carpet....yes, there is also a home for *magic carpets* in the city of hannover :-)

a big *thank you* especially to Iris & Sandra for the invitation, the great and made with *heart* organization, to my lovely clients & friends who passed by and all the nice & kind people I meet...and to my sweet friend Eva for her always great support! :-)

what a great weekend!

designachten

2010-12-18T08:30:00.002+01:00

today & tomorrow in Hannover :-)

www.designachten.com

P.S: the suit(case) is still not there....it turns into a nightmare for me...no trim for clients orders, no camera, no diary, my favourite emerald green silk dress I wanted wearing today is still inside the suitcase...the girl only own 1 single lipstick...so I bought a second one yesterday....sometimes I try to laugh about all of this but it really doesn´t works...never expected so much trouble beccause of all of this...and DHL is not my friend anymore, they kept it for more than 48 hours!!! after the woman brought it to the post office and did not moved it....:-(

ranipink - about a life between orient, occident and the desert....

*the reality!*

*vintage inspiration*

*magic teapot*

*thank you*

*a call for help!*

*peace & freedom*

*new*

*new*

*colours & details*

*nice wishes*

*green soul*

*happy new year*

*l'art du thé dans le désert*

*merry christmas*

*the blue(s)*

*DIY desert bathroom*

*travelling the desert pretty*

*tanba*

*knitting the camel & the desert*

*desert perfume*

*a special thanks!*

*camel day*

*hello, good morning desert!*

*fata morgana sightseeing*

*salam aleikum, little scorpion!*

*about mountains*

*the magic of Tinariwen*

*new*

*Bombino is coming back!*

*kitchen colours and a spicy cabinet*

*new*

*Dawanda Lovebook Winter 2011/2012*

*happy sunday*

*inspiration*

*Bombino & a message*

*the sound of Tamikrest*

*a sunday offer*

*a wish*

*gnaoua festival style shots*

*a magic night*

*well....*

*a night in the museum*

*acacia green*

*because.......*

*Gartenfestival Herrenhausen*

*the loveletter*

*happy weekend*

*blue sunday*

*etran finatawa*

*watch out....*

*the dream*

*earth café marrakech*

*magic carpet red*

*because 2 .....*

*morocco*

*easter sunday*

*trip to the past*

*new*

*desert kitchen*

*black sand*

*desert essentials*

*ranipink petite*

*sunday*

*disappeared*

*magic carpet colours*

*summertime sunday*

*blue & turquoise*

*new*

*magic carpet tracks*

*sunday silence*

*desert sky*

*desert essentials*

*happy friday*

*indigo magic*

*happy sunday*

*timsi*

*the favourite dress*

*friends*

*sunday morning*

the reality!

vintage inspiration

magic teapot

thank you

a call for help!

peace & freedom

new

new

colours & details

nice wishes

green soul

happy new year

l'art du thé dans le désert

merry christmas

the blue(s)

DIY desert bathroom

travelling the desert pretty

tanba

knitting the camel & the desert

desert perfume

a special thanks!

camel day

hello, good morning desert!

fata morgana sightseeing

salam aleikum, little scorpion!

about mountains

the magic of Tinariwen

new

Bombino is coming back!

kitchen colours and a spicy cabinet

new

Dawanda Lovebook Winter 2011/2012

happy sunday

inspiration

Bombino & a message

the sound of Tamikrest

a sunday offer

a wish

gnaoua festival style shots

a magic night

well....

a night in the museum

acacia green

because.......

Gartenfestival Herrenhausen

the loveletter

happy weekend

blue sunday

etran finatawa

watch out....

the dream

earth café marrakech

magic carpet red

because 2 .....

morocco

easter sunday

trip to the past

new

desert kitchen

black sand

desert essentials

ranipink petite

sunday

disappeared

magic carpet colours

summertime sunday

blue & turquoise

new

magic carpet tracks

sunday silence

desert sky

desert essentials

happy friday

indigo magic

happy sunday

timsi

the favourite dress

friends

sunday morning

desert style