Where in the World....?

Immediately after our last vacation (almost 3 years ago) we started dreaming of our next vacation. First we read up on the Carribean and looked at each beautiful island! What a paradise they look like! We both love snorkling and swimming in warm, beautiful water so that looked like a perfect destination.

But then Matt wanted to go somewhere with his dad and Polly and that's not their type of vacation. South America looked like just the place to go! We got the book for that and looked at each country. Polly really wants to see Argentina and wow does that look so neat to visit! I've always wanted to see Rio and Sugarloaf Mountain and their huge statue there. And one of my lifelong dreams is to see Machu Pichu someday! Well, it turns out that Diego knows someone who is an anthropologist in Peru and knows all about Machu Pichu. Can you imagine how excited I was to think of going there with an expert? Even if it required some camping (which I detest, LOL!) I started dreaming of ancient civilizations and mysteries.

Right after that, though Polly decided that where she really wanted to go was England. They travel a lot and she is usually not a huge fan of going places, so it was fun to know she would love the trip we planned. I've only been to two foreign places so I'm thrilled where ever we go. We went home with England travel books and spent hours pouring through lists and websites and trying to decide the best places to go. I really want to see The White Cliffs of Dover (I'll explain more someday when I have time!) and of course Stonehenge (more of my mysterious ancient civilization obsession!) We must see London. Would we have time for Wales?

I have a friend in Scotland and I was dearly hoping to get there to meet her too! Really, I'd love to see Scotland more—how much time could we spend there? Edinburgh and Glasgow and oh there's so many places to see! England and Scotland are where we need to go.

Right after this a bomb fell on our plans. Literally—a bomb went off in the London subway and there was no way in this world that Polly was going to England. Oh, curse those terrorists! But there's always Ireland. That looks like one of the most beautiful countries of all. Every photo shows rolling green hills and I am in love. We went to the store to pick up Ireland books. Which cities are the best? Of course we have to see the book of Kells at Trinity College. Some small towns, some pubs, some ancient ruins. Rolling hills and ocean views. And sheep. Don't forget the lovely sheep. And Guiness, of course and an Irish Whisky factory. Ah yes, Ireland is superb for a vacation destination.

Very shortly after we bought the books we found out about Random. I refused to travel when he was sick and the vet told us he had less than 2 years. I was convinced it would be much sooner and was scared to leave him. Matt was sweet and patient and we kept planning for when our vacation would eventually come. Every day he would find a new destination. Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai. Those earned a call to a travel agent and brochures. Vietnam. (Vietnam? Well, maybe not!) Budapest, Sweden, Canada. Prague, Paris, Italy. Greece. Chiappas, Mexico. Carribean cruise. Alaska cruise. Mexico cruise. Hawaii. Denver, DC, New York, Savanna, New Orleans. Barcelona and beautiful Spain—we even got the books for that!

Some of the places were picked out of thin air or something we saw on the travel channel and wanted to explore. Some are places that Diego was going for work. We discussed places where Matt's nephew was playing in hockey tournaments. We looked at so many places and researched planes, hotels and attractions.
Every day before work Matt would show me wonderful places on the internet. We looked forward to the Sunday Travel section of the Times to show us a new wonderful place. We armchair travelled everywhere for the last 3 years; I almost feel like I've already been to some of those beautiful spots.

I hope you enjoyed travelling with me today. Next time I may reveal the trip we are currently planning. I won't know if we will be able to go until February. Thanks to the wonderful travellers who took these stunning and inspiring photos.

A Very Sad Post

Well, this is a hard post to write. Most of you already know this but in case you don't I will put it here. Random, my sweet kitty and best friend of 17+ years is gone. It is so quiet and lonely in the house without him. I keep talking to every shadow because I forget he's gone and I think he's snuck up behind me. I miss him. I'm holding up ok, but it's sad. My friends and everyone have been so sweet because they knew how much he meant to me. Thank you everyone! I'll stop now--sigh!

Crafty Hoarding: Fabulous Fabrics—Using Fabric with Stamping.

Here's an article I wrote a few years ago. The projects may be old, but there are still some great tips I wanted to share.

Using fabric on your cards is a fun way to add color and texture to your stamping. You may have bits of fabric in your studio already, but even if you don’t fabric is an inexpensive purchase. A fabric store will probably sell small lengths that are just right for you. An eighth of a yard will measure four and a half inches by the width of the fabric. This should be sufficient for almost any card-making project you imagine and it won’t set your stamping budget into a spin, either.
100% Silk Peau de Soie is stamped using dye ink. Nylon tulle is added underneath the fabric flower for extra depth and interest.


Buy several different types of fabric and experiment to see what effects you can get at home. You can stamp on silk or cotton, organza or linen and you will get wonderful results!
Purchased Linen Tag is stamped using pigment ink.

You local store will have just what you want, or you may find ready-made fabric items elsewhere that are just begging to be stamped!
Pre-made Organza Pouch is stamped with pigment inks.

Tips on working with fabric:
1. If you fabric tends to ravel, you can bond it on the back with fusible interfacing, stitch it with a zigzag stitch on your machine, or use a product such as June Tailor’s Fray Block.

2. Try letting your fabric fray on purpose and make a fringed/frayed edge.

3. Fabric that is cut on the bias (45 degree angle cut diagonally from the edge) is less likely to fray.

4. When stamping on a sheer fabric, be sure to place a piece of cardstock underneath the fabric to soak up the extra ink. Let the fabric dry completely before moving it.

5. Experiment with stamping a solid image onto a textured fabric like linen or burlap to make in image and remove some ink from the stamp. Do a second stamp onto cardstock to get an interesting pattern from the weave of the fabric!

6. Striped or patterned fabric cut or torn into strips makes a great ribbon accent on a card.

Credits:
1. Floral & Paisley stamps from Stampin Up. Sentiment stamps from Purple Onion Designs. Paper from Bazzil, Club Stamp, and unknown. Organza drawstring pouch unknown. Brilliance metallic inks used on cardstock, Colorbox pigment inks used for stamping on organza. Vellum pieces inside pouch are stamped with Stampin Up dye inks.

2. Stamps from Home Impressions, Hero Arts, & Stampin Up. Linen tag, patterened paper & chipboard alphabet tiles from Lil’ Davis. Bread twist ties and acrylic purse tile from Club Stamp. Brilliance pigment inks used on linen, and Ranger Distress Inks used on cardstock.

3. Stamps from Club Stamp. Cardstock from Bazzil; patterened paper from Close to my Heart and Creative Imaginations, stitched with Coats & Clarks rayon embroidery thread. Hand-dyed pearl cotton is from Minnamurra. Button, flower & hatpin unknown. Stampin Up dye inks used for all stamping.

Kitty needs a home!

My friend Sonja needs a home for her two cats. Her apartment doesn't allow pets and her mom is unable to take care of them anymore. Here is a photo of her cat, Oscar, isn't he gorgeous!? I'd love to have such a beautiful cat, but our vet says no cats right now because of Random's health. It would put too much strain on my poor kitty. Please email me and I can have Sonja get in touch with you if you know anyone who can have another cat!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Today is the official saint's day for St. Nicholas. If you're not Dutch you probably don't celebrate it, but it is such a fun holiday I decided to adopt it for my own [in case you're wondering, I'm Polish and English/Irish/Welsh]! On St. Nicholas Eve, he comes on his white horse and brings all the children candy and small gifts. Behind him is Black Peter bringing switches and coal for all the naughty children. Click on the button on the left to go to a site with more St. Nicholas fun and stories.

This year I got treats for all my friends at work. I printed a St. Nick ATC for everyone for fun (you can see it on the right). Some people got chocolate initials and Dutch sweets and mints. I also got some bakery items to share with everyone. You can see the mound of goodies I bought in the post below. Do you think I got enough?

I went to the Holland American Dutch Market in Bellflower on Saturday to get all the treats. It was super crowded because it was the last weekend before St. Nicholas Day. I felt so lucky because Sinterklass (St. Nicholas) was there in person to greet people and take photos. I've never seen him before, so I was very excited!

I got some Dubbel Zout (double salt) salty black licorice for myself, but I usually don't share because most people don't like that at all! It's an acquired taste and you must really like licorice to appreciate it.

Stroopwaffels are a little wafer sandwich with caramel in the middle and are so yummy! Speculaas are spice cookies; similar to delicate crispy ginger snaps. I got an extra pack for us and a pack for my mom.

I also got some imported Dutch Gouda cheese because, you know after all that candy I figured I needed some protein, ha ha! But then I only ate cheese and crackers for lunch the next day and it made my stomach hurt from all the junk. I have been snacking on all the rare treats for the whole week—a bit of cheese here, some salty licorice washed down there with a cookie and some mints for dessert. Luckily for my health, this holiday only comes once a year and I only make it to the Dutch Market every few years!

ATC is made using image from Vintage Workshop. Stitching and tag from Scrapgirls. Pointsettia from Susan Long. Font is FetteFraktur.

Feasting on Dubbel Zout!

What do you think this mess is on my kitchen table? What did I do on Saturday? Who did I get to meet in person for the very first time EVER? What the heck is Dubbel Zout!? Why did my stomach hurt so bad on Sunday? All these questions and more will be answered on Thursday! Come back soon!

Decorative Christmas Bag

Here's something I put together this weekend to hold a little gift. I made it out of a 12x12 piece of double-sided decorative paper from Rusty Pickle. I also used a small tea doily, a snowflake charm, a stamp by Studio G (J's $1 stamp) and my Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite Scalloped Circles dies.

I made a rough template for you to use if you like. You can find it at the bottom of this post. Download and print it off to use as a pattern. Cut on the outside edges. If you want to use your circle punch, I cut the top flap it in a rough rectangle and then stuck the rectangle so only the part I wanted to cut was in the punch. The rest I wrapped to the backside where it wouldn't get cut when I ran it through the Wizard.

Crease one direction on the darker lines and the 2 lighter lines crease the other direction. This photo Shows what it looks like once you cut and fold it.

Use some glue strips to glue the bottom pieces together then glue down the side, making sure to tuck the small 1/2" end underneath the larger side so it doesn't show. The side ends will pinch closed like a lunch bag now. If you like you can glue a pretty doily onto the inside of the flap so just the edge shows when the bag is closed. Use whatever you like to seal it. I stuck the circle medallion down with some glue dots and then I can tuck the scalloped top edge underneath to close it and reopen as needed.

Such a lovely wine!

For Thanksgiving dinner we brought along some lovely wine from Giessinger Winery. We got it when we were in Santa Barbara a few weeks ago. The wine comes in a cobalt blue bottle with a graceful long neck. I wish I had taken a photo because the wine looks as nice as it tastes. It was a light desert wine called Forgiveness. It is a pale red color and has the most beautiful aroma. It smells like roses and raspberry. It has a light peach flavor and was delicious after our meal.

Here's what the winery has to say about it: "Forgiveness Reserve, South Coast (CA) (Organically Grown) $34.95

This wine is dedicated to my creator, my mother. She will always be remembered and present. Forgiveness heals the soul. It is its renewal and a fresh start for the tempted. There is beauty, peace, and ease in forgiveness. Offer this wine with roses to your parents, lover or friend and ask for forgiveness. Medium body fruity red wine that is delicious as it is delicate. Peach aromas and flavors greet the nose and the palate. Soft and silky tannins add structure, depth and intensity. The wine is supple, the fruit lingering. A VOTRE SANTE!!"

Japan Day 3 - Tokyo and Yuzawaya Crafts Store

I checked back in my archives and can you believe it's been since May when I last wrote about Japan! If you need to catch up, you can click on the Japan label at the bottom and read all the posts. So here we are again; now we are in Tokyo.

One of the things I was dying to do is see the eight-story crafts store I had heard about from my online friends. I grew up crafting and have tried so many different things. My favorite now is papercrafting, but I also love sewing, embroidery, beads, crochet and many more things. Can you tell how exciting this store would be for me? I was so excited to find out that Japanese people love stamping and paper too!

Johnny and Matt were such good sports. After we checked into the hotel (we got a good deal on a Japanese business hotel instead of a pricey tourist hotel) Johnny looked up the store and got directions. We didn't get there until late, so we didn't have tons of time to shop. The store was pretty small and it only had four floors, so I was pretty disappointed. I looked around at the stamps and fabric and got a couple of things. Then we left, feeling a little let down.

Or at least we tried to leave, because when we did we realized that it was an eight BUILDING complex and each store and floor had its own specialty. There was a floor with beads, one with dolls, one with bears and I can't even remember what else! There was canvas and pencils and art supplies and calligraphy and oh so many other things! I felt like a child at Christmas. We were exhausted and hungry and it was time for the stores to close so we finally left.

We never got a chance to go back there, but we went to a smaller one-store version in Kobe where I got some beautiful modern kimono fabric for my mom.

All digital layout items from Ashalee Wall at Oscraps.com. Fonts are Ireland and Industrial 736BT. Text reads: "Imagine my excitement about the eight-story crafts store I heard about in Tokyo. I thought about it for weeks before our trip. Imagine my disappointment when we got there and found only four small floors. I enjoyed shopping and looking at the stamps and fabric, but on the way out we saw the sign. Imagine my delight when I found out that it was not eight stories, but eight whole buildings! I could have stayed there all night, but the store was closing. I hope I can make it back there someday for a real shopping spree! "

Wizard CT Entry

Of I all teams in the world I would love to be on the Wizard team the most. Even though I've only had my die cutter since August, I absolutely love it! I had to try out for the team, no matter what I thought my chances would be like. I didn't make it, but here's my entries. Each one uses multiple spellbinder dies.

Scrapbook page:


Tiki Card (Stamps from Sunday Int):


Dragonfly Altered Box (bird stamp from A Stamp in the Hand, haiku by Gabi Greve)


Stamped Gothic Arch (stamps from Inkadinkadoo and Aud Designs)


Digital LO (all items from Ashalee Wall)


So I am really second-guessing myself on this entry. I know my old-school scrapbook page probably didn't help--I should have tried for more of a CK look, maybe. Maybe my essay was off (I hate writiting about myself) I'm sure the other entries were outstanding and they are trying to step things up this year for their big breakthrough. They probably wanted someone who would do fantastic standard projects and not someone with a quirky artsy style. Well, whatever reason, at least I had enough guts to try out and post my stuff, ha ha! Maybe I will get better for next year's entry and they will be willing to take a chance on a stamper like me!

California Vacation Day 14 - Monday Part IV - Getty Villa (more!)

For the final episode of the Getty Villa, here's some fun pics from our day that make me smile!
Here we are at the entrance ampitheatre


This is a special room just for kids (and us!) They let us write on the pottery!
"Liannallama was here!"





Matthew peeks through a life-sized play vase.




The boys love posing for silly shots and posing like the statues.










Matt and Manami wave "Hello!"




Matt and Manami pose like gargoyles.

California Vacation Day 14 - Monday Part III - Getty Villa Interior, Malibu

The Getty has one of the best collections of ancient Minoan and Cycladean art and I could spend hours looking at these pieces. Most of them were in an area that was too dark to take photos and they had a beautiful Goddess display that was in an area you were not allowed to photograph.

This Cycladean face is my favorite piece in the whole collection. I love the beauty and simplicity of it and the serene feeling it has. I love its modern lines and the fact that it's so very old (about 2,300 BC). We know next to nothing about these ancient cultures and I love the mystery behind it.



Isn't this Roman lion beautiful? It is one of four feet for an intricately carved sarcophagus.



This frieze makes me smile. I'm not sure if it's Roman or from another culture; I can't remember which part of the museum it was in. Did you know that an elephant with his trunk up is good luck? When I was little I used to collect tiny elephant carvings.





I don't know which is prettier; the maiden or the marble behind her. I had to do some Photoshop magic to show them both off. I had trouble exposing this so you could see both parts well.






This statue tells the story of Leda and the Swan. Zeus thought she was so lovely that he changed into a swan to be with her. From that union, she gave birth to the beautiful Helen of Troy.



I believe this statue on the right is of Tyche, the Roman goddess of chance.






Here is the infamous Greek Kouros of the museum. There was controversy over whether this sculpture is real or a perfect fake. He is beautiful in any case. See this article to read more about it.







This is the ceiling above an alcove where a sculpture rests. I love the elegant white on white of this. It reminds me of a beautiful fondant wedding cake!







Do you like Greek pottery? I love the variations and of course I like the simplicity of the earliest, black versions the best!










Isn't this a lovely fresco? I love the ladies and the colors here.








I'm not sure of the history of these last pieces, but they are so whimsical they just make me smile!