Småkompisar

Friend Of The Month, January 2012!

2012-01-01T22:33:00.001+01:00

On this first day of the new year, we wish each and every one of you a Happy 2012.

Albert, he is our first "Friend of the Month" this year. He is a charming young man of 10. A true friend, someone you can trust and rely on in every situation and someone who is honest with you no matter what. That all together makes him a worthy Småkompisar "Friend of the Month". True friendship is definitely something we put high value on. Let's take care of each other in the new year!

Make an Origami Box for Small Gifts like Small Friends/Småkompisar!

2011-12-07T20:37:00.000+01:00

We hope to inspire you to do some origami paper folding crafts in December. We just love these origami boxes that will make all your Christmas gifts, even a tiny gift, seem impressive. We find them beautiful, useful and believe it or not - very simple to make. We give you step by step folding instructions further down the page.

Hang them on a sting in the Christmas tree, or many boxes in a row to make a countdown Christmas Advent calendar.

Now, you will need some pretty origami paper to get started! We use standard size 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inch) square origami paper.

1. Start with a square piece of paper, white side up. Fold in half diagonally into a triangle.
2. Fold that triangle in half by taking the right corner and folding it to the left.
Now, you have a smaller triangle. Crease and unfold your small triangle.
3. Take the bottom right corner and fold it to the top corner, and the bottom left corner and fold it to the top corner.
4. Make 2 more modules so you have 3 altogether.

5. To join modules, slip one set (paper 1) of “legs’” into the opposite “square” (paper 2). Push the legs in as far as they will go.
6. Place your gift (a Small Friend) inside before closing the origami box.
7. The final steps is a bit tricky, but with the third piece of paper, repeat step no. 5.

Friends Of The Month, December 2011!

2011-12-01T14:03:00.001+01:00

Join us in this great cause, to provide all children at the Children's Home in Udupi, India a safe and loving home, education and hope for the future. We appreciate all fundraising efforts and donations no matter how small it is. 100% of your donated funds go directly to the Children's Home, to manage the cost of running the home, medical needs and education. The cost for each child is about 150 SEK (1000 Rs) per month.

We raise extra money for Christmas presents for the children this year. Donations can be made to "Småkompisar Helps" Swedish bank account no. 225-1130. To make a transaction from abroad - please e-mail us for IBAN no. Thanks for your contribution!

For more information about the Children's Home, please visit Barnhemmet i Udupi Facebook page for latest updates and pics.

If you would like to be a part of this great project throughout the year - please contact us at info (at) smakompisar.com.

The Children's Home in India was established in 1992, with a mission to provide destitute children a better future. The present building was constructed in 2002, through support from SIDA, PMU and many helpful individuals in Sweden. Today, it is home to 72 children from age 4-16. To manage the cost of running the home, they are dependent on the donations received from friends around the world. No grants or any kind of funding comes from the Indian government.

Create your own Advent Calendar filled with Småkompisar!

2011-11-20T14:51:00.000+01:00

An Advent Calendar is a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. There are many different types of calendars, and many creative ways to make your own. Our home-made calendar hangs in red ribbons from a hook in the ceiling, window or door frame. It´s very quick and easy to make, since we have already wrapped our 24 (25) Small Friends, see our previous post. Here are a few variations on the same theme.

How to wrap Småkompisar the Japanese way!

2011-11-16T14:15:00.002+01:00

Create your own Advent calendar and fill it up with small treats that the children (or grown ups) can enjoy each day until Christmas, staring December 1st. But first, we provide you with some tips on how to wrap all 24 (25) gifts in a nice way. Japanese-style gift-wrapping, called tsutsumi, uses paper and cloth to create elegant wrappings. The most common paper-wrap in Japan is an asymmetric wrap that is attractive from any side. All you need is some lovely paper and lots of Småkompisar! :)

111111

2011-11-11T11:11:00.025+01:00

We are lined up to mark the day - today's date is 111111!

Friend Of The Month, November 2011!

2011-11-01T16:53:00.001+01:00

We would like to introduce you to our Friend of the Month. This is Gunilla from Bromstermåla.
On this first day of November, we, Gunilla and her two grandchildren and a whole bunch of us, have been out walking in the park collecting treasures along the way, playing in the leaves, throwing them up to rain down. Autumn is such a gorgeous time of year, and we really enjoyed being out in the nature with our good friends on this beautiful day.

Småkompisar/Storkompisar - eco friendly Christmas gifts for employees and clients, colleagues and friends!

2011-10-25T16:20:00.006+02:00

It's time to think off Christmas gifts for your employees and clients, colleagues and friends! We offer you our friendly Friends (adorable and loved by all) - Big Friends/Storkompisar and Small Friends/Småkompisar - customised (or non customised) with your logo or message on the ball!
Would you like further info, send us an email to: info@smakompisar.com

Chocolate kisses greetings from Busca!

2011-10-21T15:14:00.003+02:00

If you ever visit Busca in northern Italy, don't miss out on this little gem. Entering the ground floor of this building on Via Stadio 3, in the middle of a residential neighborhood in front of the sports facilities in the centre of the town, you´ll find this family owned factory/shop and the world's best chocolate according to Småkompisar! Baci di Busca is the name for these generously-sized, delicious chocolates, well-wrapped in pretty paper with printed lace. All chocolate lovers, this is the place to be! We've been there! :)

Laboratorio Artigiano Pasticceria Cioccolateria Fagiolo Piero snc
Via Stadio, 3, Busca, Italy

Småkompisar visited the Po Valley/Valle Po!

2011-10-10T23:42:00.008+02:00

We are in northern Italy surrounded by high mountains and beautiful valleys. Today is a perfect day to go along with some outdoor activities, and to visit the Pian del Re Nature Reserve. After a few hours of driving and hiking, we finally reach the source of the Po River. It strikes us that we could actually follow the water path that flows eastward across northern Italy to the Adriatic sea, and eventually end up in Venice.. What a great idea! But first we will enjoy the view, the spectacular mountains, the warm sun and lunch included..

Friend Of The Month, September 2011!

2011-09-01T18:53:00.001+02:00

Manfred, a 15-year-old skater from Vaggeryd, Sweden, is our Friend of the Month in September! Owner of 20 Little Friends, more or less, we can be used for everything! It only requires a little bit of imagination! :-)

Last Days of Summer!!

2011-08-23T11:27:00.000+02:00

Summer fun isn't over yet. Enjoy the few last splashes of summer before school and work starts and days are back to normal.

Friend Of The Month, August 2011!

2011-08-01T12:06:00.000+02:00

Each month, we feature a new friend of ours here on our blog and Facebook page. Casper from Vaggeryd, Sweden is our Friend of the Month in August. Would you like to be our Friend of the Month, send us your image to info@smakompisar.com.

Friend Of The Month, July 2011!

2011-07-02T13:27:00.000+02:00

This is Ellen, our Friend of the month in July! Ellen is 7 years old. Her first year of school is finally over and now it´s time to play, all summer long!

Småkompisar at The Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm!

2011-06-09T22:18:00.000+02:00

We highly recommend a visit at the Museum of Ethnography in Stockholm for anyone with an interest in history, traditional cultures and social anthropology of far away lands. This museum contains thousands of items collected during centuries of Swedish seafaring from around the globe. While here, you might want to go on a guided tour and check out the temporary exhibitions - a Voodoo exhibition is on display right now. You may also like to visit the café area and the outstanding gift shop located in the entrance hall. The Museum is situated within walking distance from Stockholm city centre. Click here for more info.

Friend Of The Month, June 2011!

2011-06-01T15:45:00.000+02:00

This is Ebba, our Friend of the month in June! This beautiful month is in full bloom, filled with excitement as the warm weather arrives and settles into summer. Stress less! Enjoy! And like if you like! :-)

Congrats Norway!

2011-05-17T08:32:00.001+02:00

Congratulations on Norway´s most important national holiday - May 17. We join in on all the fun! Hip hip hurray!!

Many names for things we love..

2011-05-10T08:32:00.001+02:00

En liten kompis för hand och hjärta, pieni ystävä kädelle ja sydämelle, en liten venn for hånd og hjerte, traustur í hönd og hjarta, a little friend for hand and heart, ein kleiner Freund für Hand und Herz, un petit ami dans votre main, un bienfait pour votre coeur, un pequeñ o amigo para la mano y el corazon, piccolo amico - per cuore e mano, Een kleine vriend... minikompis, mini friend, stress ball, stress reliever, kidult toy, comfort object...
Well, we have many names for things we love! We simply call them Småkompisar (Small Friends in English)! You are more then welcome to suggest a new translation in your language, or come up with new names! :-)

Friend Of The Month, May 2011!

2011-05-01T22:29:00.000+02:00

This is Olivia from Vindeln, our Friend of the Month!! Here she is surrounded by us and thousands of anemones (vitsippor), one of the most popular spring flowers in Sweden. We´re happy to be friends!

And the randomly picked winners are...

2011-04-22T14:18:00.000+02:00

Linda from Uppsala (big easter egg) and Johanna from Örby (small easter egg)!!! Congratulations!! We're on our way!! :-)

And a big thank you to all that participated. Happy Easter!!

Win Easter Egg filled with fun and healthy Småkompisar!

2011-04-04T16:31:00.005+02:00

Easter is upon us and soon it's time to fill Easter eggs (or baskets) with treats that everyone will enjoy! This year, why not replace some of those sweet, candy-filled Easter eggs with something more fun, and healthy! We suggest you fill them up with Småkompisar!

We will hand out a few Easter eggs, and all you need to do for a chance to win, is post a comment here on our blog and Facebook page and send us an e-mail to info@smakompisar .com. Please ensure you enclose your name, address, telephone number and a comment why you should win. This contest ends on April 18th, 2011.

Friend Of The Month, April 2011!

2011-04-01T15:14:00.000+02:00

Here is April´s Friend of the Month, Alvar from Stockholm! He is a happy and charming little boy, so full of life and curiosity. Aside from singing and dancing, he loves to draw and play around with his toys and friends, big and small! He's got plenty of us, Småkompisar!

Small Friends - a healthy Easter treat!

2011-03-28T18:58:00.001+02:00

We highly suggest that you fill your Easter eggs with something healthy and fun this year! A healthy Easter treat to someone you love! A superb gift to colleagues, friends and family!

Earth Hour 2011!

2011-03-26T20:30:00.007+01:00

We love to hear from you!

2011-03-24T10:55:00.000+01:00

We have so many friends out there, and we love to hear from you. Please send us your stories, tips and comments about anything concerning Småkompisar. You can upload pictures too on our Facebook page and write a comment in your own language. We greatly appreciate your feedback!

Some of you have been our "Friend of the Month". Are you a friend of ours, and would like to be our "Friend of the Month" - send us your image to info@smakompisar.com.

Friend Of The Month, March 2011!

2011-03-01T16:33:00.000+01:00

This is Anna! She's our Friend of the Month in March! Not only that, Anna turns 40 on this very day. We wish her a Happy Birthday and another happy new year, and many more to come.

Long Distance Ice Skating in Stockholm!

2011-02-19T21:52:00.000+01:00

At this time of the year, the area around Stockholm is ideal for long distance ice skating on natural ice. Don´t miss this for the world!

Love, love, love!

2011-02-14T12:10:00.000+01:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends!

"100 KRONOR FOR RAVI"

2011-02-08T18:33:00.005+01:00

Few of you have been able to avoid noticing that we work with an orphanage in Udupi, India. On 21 January 2011, a tragic accident occured at the orphanage. On of the boys there, Ravi, who is 11-years-old, was burning leaves and compost when his clothes caught fire. He suffered third-degree burns on half of his body, and is currently being treated in the burns unit at a hospital outside Udupi. Now, two week after the accident, his situation is stable, but we can expect months of hospital treatment, along with necessary skin grafts and plastic surgery.

A collection started, entitled ”100 KRONOR TILL RAVI”. So we ask all our friends to join in and help out. The more of us there are, the better we can guarantee Ravi the treatment he needs in the months ahead.

Read more about the collection here. The orphanage also has its own Facebook page, and can be found here.

Many thanks for your help and support!

Friend Of The Month, February 2011!

2011-02-01T23:08:00.000+01:00

Are you planning to visit Helsingborg in the near future? To get the most out of your visit, make your first stop at the Tourist Centre at Dunkers Kulturhus. Pick up brochures and maps from the area and chat with the staff. The tourist information also has a gift shop. Make sure you pick up one of us, before heading out into the city. We are happy to come along while you explore all the wonderful things Helsingborg has to offer.

Helsingborg Tourist Centre
Dunkers Kulturhus

Valentine's Day is coming up soon!

2011-01-24T20:13:00.014+01:00

Give your special friend or loved ones a "little friend" on this very day.

Our special Valentine's Day displays are filled up with heart-patterned friends in five different colours. Hand them out at work, at school, at home, among friends...

1 display = 48 pieces of Small Friends with linseed filling.

1 display = 48 pieces of Small Friends with granules filling.

Interested?

E-mail us for further info: info@smakompisar.com

Småkompisar visited Louisiana!

2011-01-18T20:27:00.002+01:00

We had a great day at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek! Such a nice museum, beautiful building and cosy atmosphere. Not to mention the museum shop and cafe. This is truly a relaxing and unique place and makes a great day trip if you are in the area. Highly recommended!

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Friend Of The Month, January 2011!

2011-01-01T18:11:00.003+01:00

Let us introduce our Friend of the Month. This is Astrid! She´s 8 years old, living in Stockholm with her older brother Walter, mother, father, and plenty of us, Small Friends, in all different colours! We are happy to be friends with Astrid!

So Astrid, tell us a little bit about yourself - where are you from and what do you do during the day?

I live in Stockholm, Kungsholmen. I like to play around with my friends and have fun.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I play basketball!

Is it important to have friends?

Yes, very important, especially when you are alone.

How do you define a best friend?

Nice, kind, a good sense of humor, fun!

Do you like fruit or candy?

Both!

How many Småkompisar do you have?

18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T15:15:00.000+01:00

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our friends!
We raised 6 500 SEK to the Children at the Children's Home in India. Thanks for your contribution!

We cut our own Christmas tree!

2010-12-23T10:10:00.001+01:00

Only one days before Christmas, we decided to head out into the forest to cut our own Christmas tree - we just love the smell of a real pine tree. Snow, snow, snow - the whole landscape is covered in snow and there are a lot of options out there. We clime through the deep snow in search of the perfect tree to cut and drag home.

In the Kitchen making Chapatis!

2010-12-17T09:11:00.000+01:00

This is the kitchen at the Children's Home. On this specific day, Saroja and the girls gave us a terrific introduction to Indian cooking. We learned how to make Chapatis and enjoyed spending time with them in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Chapatis are not difficult to make. Give it a try - it only takes 1-2 minutes at the most!

All you need is:

2 cups wholewheat flour
Water (Using milk will give you soft Chapatis)
Salt
2 tbsps vegetable/ canola/ sunflower cooking oil

This recipe makes roughly 12 Chapatis.

Småkompisar visited St. Mary's Islands!

2010-12-13T11:13:00.001+01:00

We headed out for a day trip to St. Mary's Islands, also known as Coconut Island. A set of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka, India. They are known for their famous basalt rocks which have crystallized into columns and split into hexagonal mosaic. To reach the islands, we took a 30 minutes boat ride out into the sea from Malpe fishing harbour, and had the most beautiful, warm and sunny day on the beach!

Småkompisar attended an Indian Wedding!!

2010-12-10T14:26:00.000+01:00

We had the opportunity to attend an Indian Wedding in Mysore, with more than 1000 guests! An explosion of beautiful colors!

Småkompisar Helps!

2010-12-08T21:06:00.002+01:00

Småkompisar are committed to making a difference to people's everyday lives. With that in mind, we are pleased to donate a portion of the proceeds from each sale to a number of non-profit, humanitarian organisations which help children around the world.
We are happy to support the Children´s Home in Udupi, Karnataka, India.

Småkompisar Helps!

We hope you will be able to join us in this great cause, to provide these children a safe and loving home, education and hope for the future. We appreciate all fundraising efforts and donations no matter how small it is. 100% of your donated funds go directly to the Children's Home, to manage the cost of running the home, medical needs and education. The cost for each child is about 150 SEK (1000 Rs) per month.

We raise extra money for Christmas presents for the children this year. Donations can be made to bank account no. 225-1130 (to make a transaction from abroad - please, e-mail us for IBAN no.). Thanks for your contribution!

If you would like to be a part of this great project throughout the year - please contact us at info@smakompisar.com.

Småkompisar at the Children's Home!

2010-12-08T10:44:00.009+01:00

The Children's Home in Karnataka, India, was established in 1992, with a mission to provide destitute children a better future. The present building was constructed in 2002, through support from SIDA, PMU and many helpful individuals in Sweden. Today, it is home to 60 children, 50 girls and 10 boys from age 4-16. To manage the cost of running the home, they are dependent on the donations received from friends around the world. No grants or any kind of funding comes from the Indian government.

Welcome Party!

2010-12-07T15:15:00.014+01:00

Our first day at the Children's Home in India, we were greeted by all the children who treated us to an afternoon of singing and dancing. They gave us a warm and friendly welcome. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm, and we enjoyed every minute of their performance. They are really amazing, so skilled and beautiful in their colorful dresses!!

We brought some small gifts and drawings from children back home - toys, pens, games, paper, candy etc. Also lots of us - Small Friends!! :-)

Friends Of The Month, December 2010!

2010-12-01T10:47:00.002+01:00

Småkompisar recently returned home from India. We have been visiting our friends at a Children´s Home in south of India. It was a wonderful experience. So many beautiful children, and so many smiling faces! Throughout December, we'll be posting more photos and stories from the Children’s Home, school and surrounding communities in Karnataka here on our blog and Facebook page. So please check back soon!

Fill up your 24-calendar with us! Let’s countdown to Christmas!

2010-11-27T10:11:00.008+01:00

It's that time of the year again, only 4 weeks left till Christmas! On December 1st we all can start the count down to Christmas. Making and using an advent calendar is an exciting way for the whole family to countdown the days. We suggest you make your own calendar and get a treat each day. Don't forget to fill your calendar with fun things - why not lots of Småkompisar!

Friend Of The Month, November 2010!

2010-11-01T10:08:00.001+01:00

Say hi to Yann, our Friend of the Month! He is a 40-year-old French from Marseille. A world citizen currently living in Sweden with his wife and two kids, doing videography for a living. We had a chat with him about life, friendship and friends, and lucky us, we also managed to get some skateboarding trick tips from a long-time skater.

Yann, besides skateboarding, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Well, I spend time with family and friends, enjoy listening to reggae music and travel.

Are friends important?

Yes, very, very important!

How do you define a best friend?

Someone close to you all your life.

Fruits or candy?

Both! Okay, candy! :-)

Before we ended the interview and our first skateboarding lesson, we just had to ask Yann about all his Small Friends/Småkompisar - we know he´s got plenty..

Out of curiosity, how many Småkompisar do you actually have?

A lot, 17!

Småkompisar Smile Move was shot by Yann. To see some more of Yann's work, please click here.

It is a beautiful day out - so let's go fishing!

2010-10-27T21:00:00.001+02:00

We are up early this morning. Yesterday night, the nets were set as the boat was moving. Now is time to see if today is a lucky day to catch some fish.

Fishing from a boat makes the fishing trip so much more enjoyable. Here we are surrounded by nature's beauty, the wonderful sound of water splashing, the wind and the smell of fish. We just have to make sure we don´t tangle ourselves, or fall overboard. But today we are lucky - and our nets are full of fish!

Once the nets are taken up, it is time to head back to remove the fish from the nets.

And today’s catch - perch, whitefish and pike. Lots of fish and lots of fun!

Småkompisar @ Ateneum Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland!

2010-10-19T12:37:00.003+02:00

You will find us in the bookshop in the courtyard of the Museum building. Beside Småkompisar, books and cards you can also buy art posters, calendars, mouse pads, and many other choice items for yourself or a friend. Welcome to the Ateneum Art Museum!

Ateneum Art Museum is the national gallery of Finland. Through exhibitions and other activities, Ateneum promotes knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts and cultural heritage.

Opening hours Tue and Fri 10–18, Wed and Thu 10–20, Sat and Sun 11–17, Mon closed.

Småkompisar makes people smile!!

2010-10-05T11:11:00.003+02:00

Småkompisar Smile Movie from Småkompisar on Vimeo.

Småkompisar Smile Movie was shot in Stockholm, Sweden in 2010 by @Video Production.

Friend Of The Month, October 2010!

2010-10-01T17:41:00.006+02:00

Say hi to Greta, our Friend of the Month. Greta is 1 1/2 years old. She lives in Alingsås, Sweden, with her mom, dad and baby sister. Here she is surrounded by lots of lovely, colourful friends.

Småkompisar at Tivoli, Copenhagen!

2010-09-25T18:09:00.009+02:00

Tivoli Gardens is a very nice amusement park and a beautiful garden in the center of Copenhagen. We spent a day here and had great fun! Obviously one of the most touristic spots in Copenhagen, but it's not just another amusement park, it's very unique and has a brilliant atmosphere. Tivoli opens each year for the summer season and at Christmas, the garden changes character and new surprises are offered every year.

Oh, we did get to see Denmark's most famous sculpture, the Little Mermaid. Usually, tourists visit her in Copenhagen harbor, but her “twin sister” will temporarily take her place here at Tivoli. She will return to the owners after the world expo, when her sister returns from China.

The Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 and is the second oldest amusement park in the world, and currently the most visited theme park in Scandinavia.

Småkompisar @ Honey I'm Home!

2010-09-21T11:35:00.006+02:00

This is a very nice little shop in Torpa, Jönköping. From jewellery to toys, from skin care products to coffee and tea, this it the place to be. Don´t forget to treat yourself to something nice, or find the prefect gift for a friend.
Come on down and see us, as well as the helpful and friendly owners, Anna and Therese.
The shop is located on Björngatan 13 in Torpa. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on Tuesday to Friday. Saturday 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Monday closed. Or browse the items available on their online shop.

Organic Lingonberry/Wild Mountain Cranberry Jam!

2010-09-16T12:21:00.000+02:00

So, today we are going to make jam from the berries that we just picked in the wild woods in northern Sweden. Lingonberry jam that tastes sweet and yummy! The jam is easy to prepare, even for us - only berries, sugar and optionally a small amount of water.

First you need to rinse the berries, and place them in a colander and wash thoroughly in the sink.

Place the berries in a large saucepan on medium heat.

Cook until berries are soft —about 10 minutes. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface. Add the sugar...

Stir and cook over medium heat for a few minutes, or until mixture looks thick and saucy. Remove from the heat and let the jam sit for 30 minutes. Pour into warmed jam jars.

Lingonberries are quite tart, but they actually have a lot of natural sugar in them, more than blueberries, and can be preserved in just their own juice. Therefore we like to use less amount of sugar. The proportions we use are: 3 dl of sugar to 1 l (1/2 kg) of fresh berries.

Enjoy!

Let´s go Lingonberry-picking!

2010-09-13T00:57:00.001+02:00

We left this morning in search of the wild lingonberries (mountain cranberries). It is berry-picking time! We enjoy the time being outdoors, to smell the fresh air and the changing colours of nature. We found a nice spot and a few red berries and the picking begins..

A few hours and half a bucket later, the boat takes us back home..

More information about Lingonberries can be found on Wikipedia.

Småkompisar had a fun day at Jamtli!

2010-09-07T14:47:00.000+02:00

We visited Jamtli outside central Östersund, Sweden. It's an open air museum in an exciting historical milieus. We learned about the cultural history of Jämtland in an entertaining way. There are many highlights, but we really enjoyed the local actors in period costume that takes you back in time and tell stories about the past. They are just superb!
We had a very pleasant walk around the site and a picnic in the park. This is a great place to spend a day, or even two, and lots of fun for both adults and children! Jamtli has got something for everybody!

Jamtli has got a very nice little shop too. You’ll find traditional handicraft and modern design side by side. It’s an excellent place to find gifts and souvenirs, inspiration and knowledge. Admission to the shop is free.

Friend Of The Month, September 2010!

2010-09-01T12:44:00.002+02:00

Let us introduce our Friend of the Month - Hilda from Umeå. She is 6 years old and on her way to school, her first week in first grade. Exciting! It feels good to have a supporting little friend in hand, and we are eager to come along. On the bus she goes, pretty sure she's going to do just fine in the years to come.

Would you like to be our Friend Of The Month? Send us your image to info@smakompisar.com.

Friends Of The Month, August 2010!

2010-08-01T11:15:00.001+02:00

Let us introduce our Friends of the Month - Sara (age 6) and Olle (age 3) from Tullinge. We had a great day with them at the Children´s Discovery House (Upptäckarhus) in Hallsberg. We milked the cow, visited the dentist and learned how to drive a pedal car. We also did a little bit of shopping in an interactive child size grocery store complete with carts, groceries, and a cash register. We joined in on the fun and had a fabulous day with our little friends!!

The Children's Discovery Museum can be found in many places around the world, but in Hallsberg the Children's is the first and only in Scandinavia. You are welcome to come and play and have fun, while learning the basic knowledge about life and society.

Childrens Upptäckarhuset Tel: +46 (0)582-611 337

Småkompisar sunbathing at Amager Strandpark!

2010-07-26T16:24:00.002+02:00

Just five kilometers from the centre of Copenhagen, we found Amager Beach - a 4,6 kilometer long bathing beach divided into two parts. The beach on the mainland and a two kilometer long island, which is connected to the mainland with three bridges. This is a perfect place to relax, so we decided to stay and ... relax.

Greetings from Copenhagen!

2010-07-16T10:33:00.003+02:00

We just landed in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen. We arrived this morning in the middle of town at the Central Station. We had a busy day of sightseeing and shopping. Our first stop was Nyhavn and Skuespillerhuset on Kvæsthusbroen.

Had a coffee at the Roya Café and Café Norden a cross the street...

On our way accross the town, we passed by Christiania - a small, self-governing commune with it own laws and heirarchy.

We then headed towards Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Danish Royal Family. We didn´t get to see Prince Frederic and Princes Mary, but their awaiting home now being renovated.

A momument by Per Kirkeby...

Unfortunately, Copenhagen's famous little Mermaid statue was on a trip to Shanghai for the World Expo 2010.

Second Hand and antique shops in Copenhagen are plenty...

Exhausted from walking, we ended up in the lobby at Sas hotel designed by Arne Jacobsen.

We had a lovely day, a little bit of sun and a little bit of rain. And more to come...

Friend Of The Month, July 2010!

2010-07-01T08:13:00.000+02:00

Say hi to our Friend Of The Month, Ester from Umeå. She is a happy 4 year old, kind and friendly! We asked her a few questions and here they are along with her answers:

Ester, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from and what do you do for a living?

My name is Ester and I live in Kåddis, in Sweden. I work with toys..

Do you have many friends?

Yes! Ellen, Hilda, Alma, Linnea...

How do you define a best friend?

A friend should be nice and not fight.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to watch films, and play outside.

Do you like fruit or candy?

Candy!

What is your favorite food?

Hum, i like Chili Con Carne!

How many Småkompisar do you have?

One, two...

Who would you like to see as our Friend Of The Month? Please send us your image to info@smakompisar.com - a picture of you, your friend, partner, boss etc. + Small Friend. Each month, the best image will be published. To see the current selection of images in our FOTM gallery, just click here.

Midsummer in Sweden!

2010-06-25T23:36:00.000+02:00

Happy Midsummer to all our friends!

Småkompisar Love Stockholm!

2010-06-20T12:49:00.006+02:00

Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria has got her Prince, and we had a glimpse of the happy married couple. Congratulations on the big day!

Småkompisar @ Kiasma Store!

2010-06-11T17:54:00.002+02:00

While at Kiasma, don't forget the Museum´s Store for unique gifts for any occasion. It's full of fun, and a favorite stop for visitors of all ages. Just make sure you bring one or two of us home with you when you leave! :-)

Kiasma Museum Store, tel+358-(0)9-1733 6505
Opening hours: Tue 10-17, Wed-Fri 10-20.30, Sat-Sun 10-18, Mon closed.

Småkompisar visited Kiasma!

2010-06-08T12:12:00.005+02:00

We visited Kiasma in Helsinki, Finland, designed by American architect Steven Holl, and opened in 1998. A large and impressive collection, a theatre and a very nice cafe and gift shop. We had lots of fun walking through the exhibitions! We love this museum, and it is well worth your visit!

Kiasma Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki, Finland.

Friend of the Month, June 2010!

2010-06-01T08:52:00.000+02:00

This is Jonas, our June Friend of the Month! Jonas is a man with many sides. He is a father of three. He is a musician. He loves all of his Small Friends, and we just love him!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-30T09:00:00.005+02:00

Småkompisar pay tribute to all mothers - it is Mother's Day today!

Well, that is if you are a mother in Algeria, Dominican Republic, France, Haiti, Mauritius, Morocco, Sweden and Tunisia. Mother's Day is celebrated on various days around the world, but it is all about honoring our mothers and showing them how much we love them.

Småkompisar @ Korjaamo!

2010-05-25T14:14:00.006+02:00

Korjaamo Culture Factory is a cultural center in the heart of Helsinki. Situated in the old tram depot, Korjaamo includes several galleries, a theatre, club space, café and a gift shop.

The shop is located in the Streetcar Hall and has a great selection of books, toys and design items. Visit the shop and you´ll find us on the counter! We look forward to seeing you!

Opening hours: Monday to Friday open 11am to 6pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am to 5pm.
Korjaamo, Tölögatan 51 b, Helsinki, Finland.

Hello Finland!

2010-05-22T17:09:00.004+02:00

A day and a night on the boat, and we ended up in beautiful Helsinki, Finland! Excited to see what this city had to offer, we set off to explore the sights of Helsinki...

We visited the 150-year-old Helsinki Cathedral at the Senate Square. The most famous symbol of Helsinki...

Here we are at the Fazer Cafe, famous for its decor, architecture, pastries and coffees...

The Academic Bookstore and the Savoy Restaurant design by Alvar Aalto. Aalto is the most important Finnish architect of the 20th century.

We decided to get on the tram...

Ended up at the Cable Factory, Finland's single largest cultural centre. An ex-Nokia factory, now resident to over 100 artists.

And the subway back to Helsinki centre...

What a city! Having seen only a glimpse of what this city has to offer, we decided to stay and explore some more..

Småkompisar on a boat trip!

2010-05-19T12:49:00.000+02:00

It was a sunny day with blue skies and we felt like going on a boat trip. We saw a big boat in the Stockholm harbour and decided to hop on and see where it would take us...

Småkompisar visited Skansen!

2010-05-13T11:38:00.003+02:00

A sunny day in early spring, and we decided to spend the day at Skansen - the first open air museum and zoo in Sweden, located in Stockholm on the island Djurgården. Skansen is a miniature of Sweden - more then 150 houses and farmsteads have been moved here from nearly every part of Sweden, to portray how people lived in the past. As we wandered through the park, we also passed some of the Nordic wild animals such as the brown bear, elk, lynx and seal. It was a very nice experience for all of us, and a lovely place to spend a day.

Stockholm is finally in full bloom!

2010-05-08T20:45:00.000+02:00

We passed by the King´s Garden (Kungsträdgården) today, to see that the garden is finally in full bloom. The Cherry blossom season is relatively short. Full bloom is usually reached within about one week after the opening of the first blossoms. Another week later, the blooming peak is over. Be sure to stop and enjoy the flowers, soon they will be gone...

Friends Of The Month, May 2010!

2010-05-01T09:00:00.007+02:00

Say hi to our Friends Of The Month, Gabriel and Levi from Stockholm. They are two lovely brothers, 4 and 1 1/2 years old. They like to play outside doing pretty much everything, and here they are having fun with us.

Designtorget mini store opens today!

2010-04-28T16:12:00.006+02:00

This new mini Designtorget store, only 50 square meters, opens today (April 28, 2010) in Skanstull, Stockholm. You will find a selection of the chain's top sellers, and that of course includes us, Småkompisar! :-) So, if you happen to be in the area, please drop by to say hello. Seeya!!

Opening hours at Götgatan 132: Mon-Fri 10-19, Saturday 10-17, Sunday 11-17. More info here:

A beautiful spring day!

2010-04-20T14:54:00.004+02:00

Spring is finally here! We had a wonderful day in the sun looking at all the spring flowers beginning to bloom. Magic!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T15:49:00.003+02:00

Happy Easter wishes to all our friends!

Friend Of The Month, April 2010!

2010-04-01T14:12:00.002+02:00

This is Olivia, she is 15 years old and from Vaggeryd, Sweden and our April Friend Of The Month! She loves being with her friends, meeting new people and trying new things. She is silly and fun, and we love when we get to spend time with her. She is a creative person and she always comes up with such great ideas on what to do.

Now, Earth Hour!

2010-03-27T20:30:00.004+01:00

Switch off and light up!

2010-03-24T21:09:00.002+01:00

Join us and millions of others in this huge global event. Switch off at 8:30 pm on 27 March and be part of Earth Hour 2010! It is only for an hour, so why not try to be creative in the dark. There are many ways you can get involved.

Take Place!

2010-03-21T00:01:00.016+01:00

Take Place, is ten works of art that appear in unexpected places around Kulturhuset, Stockholm. This explorative project uses art to demonstrate that access is ultimately about democracy. Shouldn’t everyone be able to take part of our common society, so we can meet and influence it together?
We especially liked the work by Jacob Dahlgren. Lose yourself, meet new faces, see, feel and hear as you wander through his cub of colourful silk ribbons.

See this exhibition at Kulturhuset, Stockholm until June 13, 2010.

Come Play With Us! Simply a Colourful Play...

2010-03-15T16:39:00.003+01:00

We had Gustav, 7 months, to come over and play with us today. Once he got the hang of it, he was able to come up with some great ideas on how to use us. He looked at us, felt us, tasted us, sniffed us, banged us on the floor to see if we made some noises. We managed to keep his attention for quite a long time. We had a really fun time! Then he fell asleep, and so did we! Yawn!!

All Small Friends are made from Ö–ko tex 100% velour, organic cotton. Linseed from organic, naturally/biodynamically grown plants. Plastic granules are PP plastic. Packaging is recyclable, and also biologically degradable. The production is based in Sweden and Latvia, under strict quality control, using established testing procedures.

Småkompisar are CE-marked from age 0. The product is tested and approved by SP - Technical Research Institute of Sweden, and meet the safety requirements set up by the EU.

New DesignTorget store just opened in Stockholm!

2010-03-10T21:03:00.014+01:00

Time to head down to DesignTorget’s new store at Kungsgatan 52, corner Drottninggatan, Stockholm. We are here seven days a week, all year around. It´s fun, inspiring and well worth the visit!

The first DesignTorget store opened at Kulturhuset in 1993, and became an instant success. Today there are several stores in Sweden and Norway, and a great place to find unique unusual gifts, designed by both well known and upcoming designers.

Opening hours at Kungsgatan 52: Mon-Fri 10-19, Saturday 10-17, Sunday 12-17. More info here:

Let's Celebrate International Women's Day!

2010-03-08T09:05:00.001+01:00

Today (8 March) is the International Women's Day. It is a day to celebrate the achievements and to consider what still needs to be done to advance women's rights. This year marks one-hundred-year anniversary. We join in to celebrate all women!

A friendly give-away!

2010-03-05T14:16:00.015+01:00

Did you know that Småkompisar can be used as a promotional product, and as a corporate gift during events, seminars or conferences? A company logotype can be embroidered onto the fabric, or appear on a tag sewn into the seam. It is also possible to order your own screen-printed fabric, or even packaging with your company’s own layout.

For more information, log onto: www.smakompisar.com.

Friend Of The Month, March 2010!

2010-03-01T10:39:00.020+01:00

This is Fia! She´s a charming five-year-old, and a real Småkompisar fan! She´s our March, "Friend of the Month"! We asked her a few questions and here they are along with her answers:

Fia, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from and what do you do for a living?

My name is Fia and I am 5 years old. I live in Hällesdalen, Sweden, and I like to clean... for a living.

Do you have many friends?

Yes!

How do you define a best friend?

Kind!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to play the computer!

Do you like fruit or candy?

Candy!

Coffee or lemonade?

Strawberry lemonade!

What is your favorite food?

Pancakes!

How many Småkompisar do you have?

A lot! I have one that is rainbow-striped!

There's no doubt about it, friends are important! We will feature a new friend of ours on this page every month. Who would you like to see as our Friend Of The Month? Please send us your image to info@smakompisar.com - a picture of you, your friend, partner, boss etc. + Small Friend. Each month, the best image will be published, and will be rewarded. To see the current selection of images in our FOTM gallery, just click here.

Smile!

2010-02-23T12:05:00.005+01:00

Smile, it is contagious!

How to make Semlor - the Småkompisar way!

2010-02-15T16:11:00.054+01:00

Today is Fettisdag, or Shrove Tuesday, which means plenty of Semlor! A Semla is a traditional pastry in Sweden and around Scandinavia associated with Lent and Shrove Tuesday. The Semla consists of a wheat bun which has its top cut off. The inside is scooped out, mixed with almond paste and a tiny bit of whipped cream and then topped with lots of whipped cream. The cut-off top serves as a lid and is dusted with powdered sugar.

Why not make some today and have them with a nice cup of coffee or tea! This is how you make Småkompisar Semlor, the best ones in town! :-)

Crumble fresh yeast (50 g) into a bowl.

Melt the butter (75 g) in a saucepan. Add the milk (3 dl) so mixture has lukewarm temperature (between 35-42 degrees). Add some of the liquid to dissolve the yeast then add the remaining lukewarm liquid.

Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp cardamom and 1 dl sugar.

and 1 egg.

and 9-10 dl of the flour.

Work the mixture into a dough. Cover with a cloth and leave to rise for around 30 minutes.

Sift 1 tsp baker's ammonia (or 2 tsp baking powder) and remaining flour and work into the dough. Knead the dough on a flour dusted table top until it becomes smooth and stops being sticky.

Cut the dough into 30 pieces, roll into equal sized buns. Put the buns onto an oven tray lined with baking paper and allow them to rise for 35-40 minutes. Beat one egg and use a brush to glaze the tops of the buns.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees C and bake the Semlor in the middle for around 5-8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Prepare the Semlor before serving:

Whip the cream.

Cut a circular “lid” off the top of each bun. Scoop out 1/3 of the inside of the bun. Use good quality almond paste. Mix together the almond paste with the crumbs from inside the bun, add some whipped cream to make a smooth mixture.

Use the mixture to fill the holes. Spoon the cream on top of the bun filling. Replace the lid of the bun and decorate with icing sugar.

Enjoy!!!

Love, love, love....

2010-02-14T12:36:00.003+01:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends!

Let the Olympic Games Begin!

2010-02-13T15:22:00.005+01:00

The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games starts today. Let´s hope everyone gets a medal!

Friend Of The Month, February 2010!

2010-02-01T09:00:00.012+01:00

This is Tuur! He is two years old and from Belgium. He’s a sweet little boy and we´re happy to have him as our friend. He is our February "Friend Of The Month"!

Valentine's Day, just around the corner!

2010-01-27T20:16:00.014+01:00

Having trouble finding the right Valentine´s gift for your boyfriend, girlfriend, family and friends? A Small Friend might be the best Valentine's gift ever! A soft, feel-good companion for someone you want to make happy. This Little Friend will help put a smile on anyone's face. Since the Valentine's Day is just around the corner, you can simply visit your nearest shop selling Småkompisar or order online.

MJÖLK = Good for you!

2010-01-14T13:25:00.010+01:00

We love MJÖLK shop!
A small delegation of Small Friends just arrived Canada and this very nice Scandinavian shop called Mjölk. Mjölk is an interior design store in the Junction, Toronto. We like it here and hope to stay FOREVER! :-) So if you are in the neighbourhood, please do come and say hello. Mjölk at 2959 Dundas Street West.

Småkompisar @ Kidults Shop

2010-01-06T19:37:00.012+01:00

This cute little shop opened just a month ago and are situated in Gràcia, Barcelona. It is called Kidults Shop and they offer an assortment of clothes and accessories for both adults and children.

Drop by the shop to see us, as well as Emilie and Lili!

You´ll find Kidults Shop in the heart of Gràcia, the square Villa Gràcia, in the corner of Goya. Open Monday to Saturday 10:30-20:30. Tel 93 415 91 21.

Småkompisar love Barcelona!

2010-01-03T19:35:00.020+01:00

Barcelona is fun, culture, sea, mountains, architecture, design, tapas and much more… It is one of the most popular capitals of the world and therefore it is no surprise that we love and enjoy this city too. We have been sightseeing...

Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi was amazing. A massive church that has been under construction since 1882 and not expected to be completed until 2026.

Just down the Passeig de Gràcia is another classic Gaudi structure, Casa Batlló.

Here we are at Parc Güell.

...and the beach.

We also visited Parc Montjuic and saw the amazing Magic fountain show.

Småkompisar in Winterland

2009-12-24T22:55:00.010+01:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our friends! We´re having a good time in Winterland.

Around the World in 80 Days... or more!!?!

2009-11-29T12:10:00.015+01:00

All our Christmas Cards (not the Advent gifts we´re now giving out) are now making its way around the world in 80 days. Well, we´ll see how long this will take - Lets hope this works! :-) One little Friend joined this adventure and will hopefully send us reports along the way. Look out, a Small Friend might show up in your postbox one day! Follow this little friend´s journey here and on Facebook.

Norway, here we go again!

2009-11-16T22:12:00.022+01:00

We are very fortunate to have so many great friends in such a great country - Norway! Good old friends, and many more friends to meet! We are thrilled!

We will from now on be at Tommelise in Porsgrunn, Sweet Memories in Frekhaug www.sweetmemories.no and Erta Berta in Drammen www.ertaberta.no. We hope to see you all there! Please stop by often and tell your friends and family to stop by too!

Småkompisar Advent Calendar - Countdown to Christmas...

2009-11-09T16:04:00.008+01:00

Do your remember how much fun an advent calendar can be for counting down the days to Christmas? Well, it's that time of the year again, only a few weeks left till Advent.
Guess what, we decided to give out a "Small Friend" to a friend in need every day during Advent. We hope you help us out, and give us as many suggestions as you can - who do you think might need a little friend? You may start suggesting right now by sending an e-mail to us - info@smakompisar.com (incl. contact information!). Don't forget to invite all your friends to join our fan club on Facebook, and send us suggestions too!

Småkompisar of to Barcelona! Snö, here we come!

2009-10-28T15:16:00.027+01:00

We've now just landed in Barcelona, España! Wow, what a city! Not much snow around here, but we still wrapped up warm in our hand-knitted scarf, since we might find some at Snö Mito Nórdico, C./Séneca 33, here in Barcelona - www.snobarcelona.com. Can't wait to be there! Looking forward to meeting you all - we're here to stay! See you soon!

Småkompisar visited an Elderly Home

2009-10-20T20:16:00.013+02:00

We had the pleasure to spend a day with some really good friends at an elderly home today. So many smiling faces and beautiful warm hands. We had so much fun! We enjoyed it so much that some of us decided to stay.

Småkompisar at the Chocolate Festival at the Nordiska museet

2009-10-12T19:58:00.012+02:00

What a weekend! We enjoyed attending The Chocolate Festival at the Nordiska museet, Stockholm. It was heaven being surrounded and tasting all that marvelous chocolate.

Vernissage at Kaolin, Stockholm

2009-10-10T20:00:00.022+02:00

In Every Tree, Maria Larsson and Maria Olevik, is currently exhibiting some of their recent lighting at Kaolin in Stockholm.
Check out this exhibition if you live in or around Stockholm! We did, and loved it! Here are a few photos to get you in the mood...
The exhibition is on until 31th of October 2009. See www.kaolin.se and www.ineverytree.com.

Pink October - help us fundraise!!

2009-10-01T14:23:00.013+02:00

Help us raise funds in the fight against breast cancer! October is breast cancer awareness month, so please donate as much as you can possibly afford for this great cause. www.cancerfonden.se