tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50654686498978468582024-03-14T05:34:32.802+01:00Simply Some Tinemartinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-68768951588424076642010-09-18T00:29:00.000+02:002010-09-18T00:29:39.671+02:00Patches and moreLess than a week until the end of summer holidays and the beginning of a new scholastic year. The new school I'll be working at is just a 5 minute walk away from home, so I'm super thrilled about spending a few extra minutes idling in bed.<br />
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It's been a very busy time, (just the way I like it) between shopping around for home furnishings and back to school preparations. Amid all this, I cram some happy crafting time usually in the early mornings or late nights in preparation for the third edition of <a href="http://www.patchesmarket.com/">Patches - the Special Market.</a> After having missed the first two editions due to exams and being away, I made up my mind to give it a shot this time.<br />
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My sister and I are teaming up to share a stall. I'm posting some pictures (by <a href="http://bitsylot.deviantart.com/">Bitsylot</a>) of sample items.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> Just a taster of what I've been working on...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgON1U7Xu2muqnSxIgYbefeKPKiht2fz37hQCJUR-As4kCwiCqxCIDvaGfo6vN7UXHuWUfckfrso3khTXIZT86aKTDznXfS2AwM9Y0B_0SVFAf9srMdvM8-wkkOfVfw5LOQ490YEWgj0P6D/s1600/IMG_1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgON1U7Xu2muqnSxIgYbefeKPKiht2fz37hQCJUR-As4kCwiCqxCIDvaGfo6vN7UXHuWUfckfrso3khTXIZT86aKTDznXfS2AwM9Y0B_0SVFAf9srMdvM8-wkkOfVfw5LOQ490YEWgj0P6D/s400/IMG_1103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">pretty gift boxes to fill with little chocs or jewellery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2niEezqkqGRH4obEXvVpFFG5whURyXSer_OA0NwFTApvgwo6ZMBkGaFHRaS21yYXgp9mxOhQyoZCg8QMyHA4GGi2eWegGwRyw2L4Pno5svNJVYeLEAhhw9RDV3ottCYXozMmBmXXcDvmQ/s1600/IMG_4216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2niEezqkqGRH4obEXvVpFFG5whURyXSer_OA0NwFTApvgwo6ZMBkGaFHRaS21yYXgp9mxOhQyoZCg8QMyHA4GGi2eWegGwRyw2L4Pno5svNJVYeLEAhhw9RDV3ottCYXozMmBmXXcDvmQ/s400/IMG_4216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This card is what I'm lately addicted to ... faux stitching, stamping and lovely warm hues.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNWG7uYVzJDwf9Y1fz1KIr7NcpVli6Jk1fkI83MxHxgql0_98FbrgbplIBF8fz9iKi_r9cLTeOx314bDxgMIPlVh73ftd3ywvpUROoJqCLiq7NQCy2LdwEuZ0VeMqSaWcoXQ1aI4K9bob/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNWG7uYVzJDwf9Y1fz1KIr7NcpVli6Jk1fkI83MxHxgql0_98FbrgbplIBF8fz9iKi_r9cLTeOx314bDxgMIPlVh73ftd3ywvpUROoJqCLiq7NQCy2LdwEuZ0VeMqSaWcoXQ1aI4K9bob/s400/IMG_4158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Felt keychains by my sister, aka Bitsylot. You can view her profile <a href="http://bitsylot.deviantart.com/">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks so much for stopping by!! I really hope you make it to Patches on Saturday 25th September in Valletta. The Patches team will be in St Christopher Street. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See you there xxxxxxx</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-36295037748968723142010-08-24T19:33:00.000+02:002010-08-24T19:33:00.643+02:00Sweet ToothI magically landed on a deliciously sweet blog. I browsed it for over an hour and I can't say there was any of the posts I didn't relish. Check it out! <a href="http://epicute.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #b4a7d6;">Epicute: The Cute Food Blog</span></b></a><br />
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Here are a couple of my favourites:<span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ea9999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Cupcakes have never looked sweeter!</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ea9999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span>(and probably never tasted sweeter either)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318465"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByEaC3TJqhzKVtBShcmjsVduXY5Y9dmPcTC6fA9_sHFtc4ziNnvEQ5UeYht99oU8mZRRtUHbi0XoRWuYymkheOfMbJXTfzBhlBhcFlMBiWrqS-ips2Ob7XBZSlbkAzYizHQ0QOx7DNWGw/s400/em.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318482"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqUdvNNIIO3EtQg-EatoUv4p9wqfK8lTXd8gUwtKouVYHzJp71rauNvGOqoIy4Wguxxo98c9zPgTXwfVjBxwepQY4NuWcaGSzMUg01Waugofy_njQDSnCrNcDqaO8bz4-Dc1miaKDZ3YQ/s400/cupc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The pandas rate among the highest in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><b>cutielisciousness</b></span>. Don't you agree?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318486"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae-tryCoDiDxyfn8bVYjz27Pm2jeNEt3-ClzmPTuulPZ0fyKXWbcquBASNnY-l7K0j8OoIVqwq1JEHzmFzmyU378SQdHFU7Cu-6abCY454IBJte7DuwTEL4nZYgA1V4bulVJXCdzMXymE/s400/pp.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Then if you've ever tried cutting down on sugar with your tea or coffee ... you should try these <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>bunny sugar lumps</b></span>. Would you have their blood on your tongue? :)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318490"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PEC0xtr9wPiO5xWBCbuYyInZLcrazNsc2iwy7xqOFowtacAQEPS447yzBeKm9KL-LGQUqk5PcNhh8_fEd6-8B4YVblO1E47Cj1pOE7cv1g6rp7AxucKDsaps3BdS5DyOLxRBmyIclxrd/s400/buny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;">rainbow</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;">cake</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span>I'm actually dying to eat. I'm tempted to try it but would never dare show you a picture of it because it wouldn't be half as decent as this. I've always loved food colouring and in this cake you're saved the trouble of choosing which colour to add.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318495"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwckCgrUl_PtNpPh0X-2a-B1GpaSGz5dJucgiQB7o8D_zx3SXcFxllmzlToCyPfJusSpGudSF4BxBakylwxU_-qBr-jnf6STJxQsZTpS8o-YDuFxje95QWnu2-W6mlboOPMolcqAmYEflY/s400/rainbw.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Now for the rice. This is something which goes down well with the kiddies and all those who (like me) are not so fond of rice. Isn't this the cutest bento/lunch box ever? I'd have envied any kid carrying it to school ... and it's rather healthy, apart from the fried chicken.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318499"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ1SfHF8d99lQNph4M45ykXQyWqmPHVVRB_1poQ9kOS8B_a7YL9qXSEboUm37FsnRgZyt0K4ofBIReNPu9DSlD-XaA1huB3b7Xu7vUxoGIpaYRf10PvyuFl4HXnJfv8kYSm1P4ZhfEHJO/s400/ruce.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4318503"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epicute.com/"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQ_jgpFVBmn4Cm6-1lHlqfBEI-UwTNn3p61hE3wfIbivd0wllWLQH9ZB7JjLycfHCihtJMDPlybttv3-0DUCZAomhWDP5ogxHgNpkxaqW8IQNq69EQ8rt2tcN9vRMJ-s-a14zQilja2F7/s400/saus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Inspired by all this candy art, I set out on a papercraft version and produced these <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Cupcake cards</b></span> :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloQSNsb4yaxsLG4FMmeosD4nh9ib4hQN-89N-15B9WwgdAJ2gE3r_Pi-epqEh8ALij9dplk7gyUK_00iqFroXENN4goOIFOUsICgRSdfeNDt0EMnJxsHMA2j1kffNiy3hsqEaRvfo98sC/s1600/cards+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloQSNsb4yaxsLG4FMmeosD4nh9ib4hQN-89N-15B9WwgdAJ2gE3r_Pi-epqEh8ALij9dplk7gyUK_00iqFroXENN4goOIFOUsICgRSdfeNDt0EMnJxsHMA2j1kffNiy3hsqEaRvfo98sC/s400/cards+012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Recipe: Cardstock, Designer Paper, Sparkles, Ribbon, Buttons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bye Bye! Come back later....<span></span></div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-91932786169152676352010-08-23T14:55:00.000+02:002010-08-24T19:32:29.050+02:00Summer Sale<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><b>Good afternoon everyone! </b></span>I'm so excited to share with you my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;"><b>yummie</b></span> purchases.<br />
<div>Last week I had a little accident which could have been not so little. I slid down the stairs on my back, by accident of course and not for sport. This has made me stay indoors and in bed more than I would like to, but of course there's always something to do. So I splashed out and pampered myself with super resources for my next crafting adventure.<br />
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</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Ice-cream flavoured paper</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL8KSiEskpfX7CMBEA4QvCFG_Lcb37ya62aL8LywfMb1nbrYQ8TKz7YmnNNtp2ox_5d6aTEmoHY3hennex_TwdhZA7OpjMUBIn78tQKpAAAzvf87vh4bJwqoQ8Mv6LQckFoL11R09mbSf/s1600/EPSS1016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL8KSiEskpfX7CMBEA4QvCFG_Lcb37ya62aL8LywfMb1nbrYQ8TKz7YmnNNtp2ox_5d6aTEmoHY3hennex_TwdhZA7OpjMUBIn78tQKpAAAzvf87vh4bJwqoQ8Mv6LQckFoL11R09mbSf/s400/EPSS1016.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>As always Elaine from <a href="http://www.quixoticpaperie.co.uk/">Quixotic Paperie</a> has the most tempting designer paper and I love everything in the shop. I'm also trying out her new favourite Viva Decor Range, which might start to replace the Sparkles I love so much.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Don't be fooled. I wasn't this good. This is only a minute fraction of what I bought, I just can't wait to show off the rest in finished products. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thanks for stopping by! :) Later</div><div><br />
</div></div></div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-90425679432945418892010-06-23T21:48:00.000+02:002010-06-23T21:48:21.099+02:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is here and I'm super glad it is! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below is a card I made for a new arrival in the family - g</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">orgeous baby second cousin living in Canada. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe_C1zleVhx6DnuDHEHX5XXta3oaUP0djIQ6P5bp5UK0YhYTvc__uyLIbWX8mM2Yer8ccfZJvSS-Cj8C7tHfINXu0qVSXU9chmzBh2VD-ehL_656DWtmKNLge7IqMJLl11Oyo8NsNqnmm/s1600/cutegiraffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe_C1zleVhx6DnuDHEHX5XXta3oaUP0djIQ6P5bp5UK0YhYTvc__uyLIbWX8mM2Yer8ccfZJvSS-Cj8C7tHfINXu0qVSXU9chmzBh2VD-ehL_656DWtmKNLge7IqMJLl11Oyo8NsNqnmm/s640/cutegiraffe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuze759AMna-qRFGJ1LzkxQ5tIg31OLcx1YEmjcLiXIfoFct6WOzbcJL8JkQKPgiUVRohHbAoNvzxWN-_WX0Z81xQs2UyLnvqI76fRQVX-ahRbCOV7KUEGi3sdXOYKiGO7ofqAAicGSqB/s1600/DSCF9343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cute giraffe is a digi image by Pink Petticoat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I coloured the image using chalks and of course dazzled it with Sparkles - my all-time favourite. (which I'm tempted to put on every single card), o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rganza ribbon and faux stitching around the backing frame.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuze759AMna-qRFGJ1LzkxQ5tIg31OLcx1YEmjcLiXIfoFct6WOzbcJL8JkQKPgiUVRohHbAoNvzxWN-_WX0Z81xQs2UyLnvqI76fRQVX-ahRbCOV7KUEGi3sdXOYKiGO7ofqAAicGSqB/s1600/DSCF9343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuze759AMna-qRFGJ1LzkxQ5tIg31OLcx1YEmjcLiXIfoFct6WOzbcJL8JkQKPgiUVRohHbAoNvzxWN-_WX0Z81xQs2UyLnvqI76fRQVX-ahRbCOV7KUEGi3sdXOYKiGO7ofqAAicGSqB/s640/DSCF9343.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-56716731224275866222010-05-24T11:51:00.001+02:002010-05-24T12:18:59.065+02:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi all!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://francescashabbyhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/secondo-give-away-di-shabby-home_12.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0OKU8XCCTKylDf4Zqz11LYYjdncx1HzTHYazoGkugTQnc3ZSgNVSZVByEoPGho5qh_NHDIt-KdKL9bKnIsWom_6flsk-L9nMKA9t8xBCSAyTbS5UCS9h4SqeLoLdo26GEaW2CczLncUt/s640/12.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't this bag simply gorgeous??</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've just discovered this lovely blog called </span><a href="http://francescashabbyhome.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shabby Home</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Francesca is a creative genius! I adore shabby chic style and really want to decorate my future home in this fashion. It's cosy, fresh and relaxing. I love all the stuff on her blog! I've posted a picture of her pretty give away bag - I just hope I'm the lucky winner!</span></div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-39369132484141387402010-05-22T20:37:00.000+02:002010-05-22T20:37:17.981+02:00Back on Track<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm in a crafty mood - hurray my muse is back!! </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been seriously bogged down with work and studies lately so haven't spent any time at all at my craft desk. This period of inactivity really takes its toll on my flow of ideas and I sometimes find myself playing around with card layouts and not settling on anything. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that my muse is back I've started hunting for new techniques and crafty adventures to try out...</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found a great </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiB3soNy4e8&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tutorial</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and set out on making my very own spiral flowers. I really love how they turned out :)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixXnhR2_isvQfYN4wfCn7uASgx0OFOvfhqdSLXjUU1VHFfB36DIRQW60-dPIkOf-TvxkYASbiJXEX1uwqTPCVDlIVcZkGkgCcEhSNxUOIAuOTv-HrKgiHXvUYP1TH_YnaW3yn-CWHzAxa/s1600/gaby+camera+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixXnhR2_isvQfYN4wfCn7uASgx0OFOvfhqdSLXjUU1VHFfB36DIRQW60-dPIkOf-TvxkYASbiJXEX1uwqTPCVDlIVcZkGkgCcEhSNxUOIAuOTv-HrKgiHXvUYP1TH_YnaW3yn-CWHzAxa/s640/gaby+camera+020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used the flowers on a wedding card and they look even more gorgeous in real life. I will upload the pictures of the card later on as I don't want to spoil the surprise for the recipients. Keep coming :) xxx</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-66270524466371438212010-05-21T18:01:00.003+02:002010-05-21T19:23:04.394+02:00Raw Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My trip to Ireland in 2006 was beautiful in very many ways. It's a luggage-full of fond memories I have of my four month stay and the following photos are just some testimony...</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO_89VjhDK2krT5ZxqGgk6QQxy8EIcxmowCVlbyX9OTVwQwwanCVjIwsk4cll28oQrPXTjS5rDBDP19R9Lz306aNPvaHuc7woEoMJcf3Cj2OTvXFuusaQihXoHqka9vn93XJs_nRmxUjo/s1600/DSCN1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO_89VjhDK2krT5ZxqGgk6QQxy8EIcxmowCVlbyX9OTVwQwwanCVjIwsk4cll28oQrPXTjS5rDBDP19R9Lz306aNPvaHuc7woEoMJcf3Cj2OTvXFuusaQihXoHqka9vn93XJs_nRmxUjo/s640/DSCN1200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pond is in the grounds around Bunratty Castle in Co. Clare. The different hues of green are the most beautiful thing in Ireland. I just can't help the way my eyes fix on them until I'm almost stumbling. I've always pretended trees had a personality and I find myself psycho-analysing them as they stand so strikingly different, looking at me with leafy faces. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Bunratty Castle - a medieval fortress built in the 15th century. Very AWEsome. I guess 4 years down the line, I can afford to divulge a little secret ... Three friends and I had decided we wanted to visit the castle and grounds but were running slightly late, so we climbed over a rubble wall and into the grounds because we figured it would cost us less :) </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*trespassers*</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This too is found in the grounds around Bunratty. The place is dotted with thatched roof cottages and tea parlours. I'll post some more pictures of Ireland later on. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slán agaibh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></b></span></div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-10484424485470614372010-05-14T18:10:00.009+02:002010-05-21T19:36:16.228+02:00Loveliness<div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I adore little loveliness!!!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkk9b3juTFQ2QhVyMJ8nBeYEO5VZyU63GdT1-wt_6H8G5mpP9x2Gv6YWLu6u-e03JNxBXFqu4kmtcsQLSilF7oaZdmwWy4FpYEAy3nL0fgoFoGB_kse-FfXQ1WFFuvTaUa_whLoUU7U12/s1600/68252903_m1.jpg"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This </span><a href="http://www.monsoon.co.uk/Pendants/Mini-Mad-Hatters-Stopwatch-Pendant-Necklace/invt/68252903&bklist=icat,5,shop,accessorize,accessorizejewellery,pendants"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Mad Hatter Stopwatch Pendant</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> necklace from the Accessorize range is one of my current favourites. I've set my mind on snatching one for myself real soon.</span></span></div></span><br />
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</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next is a personalized wedding card I made two days ago - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- an enemble of pearls, vellum and warm hues </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Itv4Krx3UFK0WeUSE_GGOz1hhUzEB-pIIr-FkUj3-ir39pLVuu_4wg-j23DS1Jy8hP3P8Kxy3BKXoS7AY_dUp-xHnN_1y30WQxPGysHsLleAVyIMrJReuGPEbggqMuhY2Ck94SIOiIbx/s1600/bookmarks+036.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467712734446668130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Itv4Krx3UFK0WeUSE_GGOz1hhUzEB-pIIr-FkUj3-ir39pLVuu_4wg-j23DS1Jy8hP3P8Kxy3BKXoS7AY_dUp-xHnN_1y30WQxPGysHsLleAVyIMrJReuGPEbggqMuhY2Ck94SIOiIbx/s320/bookmarks+036.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 254px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 340px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is a bookmark I made for myself. I took the words from a bookmark my mum gave me years ago. I find the words very inspirational.</div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDCdSksKdWHgVPfNnzP3JWBRJD9wsgRKjm-lu907ZiXRXKpTJBzzT6QnSkd5HKED0MwiJEtf-33WsxnJeVD_8UkfMjI2-dO17lf3WMaJdVne_or26qIkT6FSySjCIGxdf1lL10sub4eyW/s1600/bookmarks+018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467705279465125266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDCdSksKdWHgVPfNnzP3JWBRJD9wsgRKjm-lu907ZiXRXKpTJBzzT6QnSkd5HKED0MwiJEtf-33WsxnJeVD_8UkfMjI2-dO17lf3WMaJdVne_or26qIkT6FSySjCIGxdf1lL10sub4eyW/s320/bookmarks+018.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I made the ones below for two very special students. They read: <span style="font-style: italic;">Prayer of a Student</span> in front and are covered in gorgeous designer paper at the back.</div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWFCG1K58XYEYVtZPOtRsfC8YsKO7sF7SeBJVNmGyh2CXsAowu6Oph4anHbomcjkdcvfbO4Di5BlFS7f-Y8Re7FfAKo0hefBT2tNkxM45SYKzaLcDQbyEGTEHyaYQMg3rU5Cn-aTklPW7/s1600/bookmarks+010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467705632257953810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWFCG1K58XYEYVtZPOtRsfC8YsKO7sF7SeBJVNmGyh2CXsAowu6Oph4anHbomcjkdcvfbO4Di5BlFS7f-Y8Re7FfAKo0hefBT2tNkxM45SYKzaLcDQbyEGTEHyaYQMg3rU5Cn-aTklPW7/s320/bookmarks+010.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFD2jxZjXsv6ApeS_xSKxeT2V8LnHruV6xxIuKPbFLiTKdEojJFeUi-FMNFCEaPg17axq9lDcYy6hK_kusvUAdwMpuv1Vj1E9SbOnjXC89xEKP1UqNt11qFGG_0ORxpGWpA97NvnIcvwW/s1600/bookmarks+040.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467712299128736802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFD2jxZjXsv6ApeS_xSKxeT2V8LnHruV6xxIuKPbFLiTKdEojJFeUi-FMNFCEaPg17axq9lDcYy6hK_kusvUAdwMpuv1Vj1E9SbOnjXC89xEKP1UqNt11qFGG_0ORxpGWpA97NvnIcvwW/s320/bookmarks+040.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">This is another I made for my best<span style="font-style: italic;">est </span>friend in the world!!! Maria :)</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sjhJ6Zs4WKE_SIh2WZo8whd2BWmdNjsrkOke6yrOGQi8xLEsWS5ah76uUPdIEmZIMWKHWKv1IC1f8fEkSRmA_qqhJFwbcv997d5o0lzap1XbFPTEli8vt-gJ6ufzLbYdK15xsA9p500N/s1600/bookmarks+016.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467711311977386178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sjhJ6Zs4WKE_SIh2WZo8whd2BWmdNjsrkOke6yrOGQi8xLEsWS5ah76uUPdIEmZIMWKHWKv1IC1f8fEkSRmA_qqhJFwbcv997d5o0lzap1XbFPTEli8vt-gJ6ufzLbYdK15xsA9p500N/s320/bookmarks+016.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">These bookmarks are nice and sturdy with a brass eyelet and beautiful tassel.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Contact me by email if you want to order your own custom made bookmark.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-3443387126121859672010-01-29T09:18:00.013+01:002010-01-29T10:26:03.115+01:00Valentines in Style<span style="font-size:100%;">Hi Everyone!!<br /><br />Valentine's Day is only in two weeks' time, so hurry and get your hunny a card now.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/simplysometine@gmail.com"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">You can place your order anytime until February 10th.</span></a><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Are you a chocaholic?<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE39ZO62mwF4aDqE4xE5qPEBEs6Ag1YXpsxNiyjCBl1gXl8mSoY2Xf0gae46Pp_CmAdDaT0-5JtDcMXk2he1LQmGWErV869oSeMnYkP-wGnXjdPQefNVeTLpQzLLFSrJKIYH5lnLARAinf/s1600-h/IMG_0624.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE39ZO62mwF4aDqE4xE5qPEBEs6Ag1YXpsxNiyjCBl1gXl8mSoY2Xf0gae46Pp_CmAdDaT0-5JtDcMXk2he1LQmGWErV869oSeMnYkP-wGnXjdPQefNVeTLpQzLLFSrJKIYH5lnLARAinf/s320/IMG_0624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432085885993192658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Do you want to let him/her know what qualities you treasure the most about them.<br />Personalise your checklist!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNzalwc7SnUWLnJCFi6TsONCchtJPgi-bqxj8Eh_uBJkHIC94Ml7kmg8injCXLKBDkpD-BNu2zUka5LUOPUbhD5NA2r1c6lessix_fAF9Hev5Z6abPgy_Dojcjv_NXdxJ0TgAWghqO5zd/s1600-h/IMG_0621.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNzalwc7SnUWLnJCFi6TsONCchtJPgi-bqxj8Eh_uBJkHIC94Ml7kmg8injCXLKBDkpD-BNu2zUka5LUOPUbhD5NA2r1c6lessix_fAF9Hev5Z6abPgy_Dojcjv_NXdxJ0TgAWghqO5zd/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432086130320493042" border="0" /></a><br />Elegant?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQTGI859q_DOiy440R8oFYABwPJ32NbjPuaphiChRcrxkJlpFZQFatONvAMZvuPe4l_GfgkH14oKK1LiGPbKSzZuqaZwZJNwVTTAlELvHiLVxBEwkN7t8oqi8CjxKo6j18GhFGOVtd8_N/s1600-h/cards+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQTGI859q_DOiy440R8oFYABwPJ32NbjPuaphiChRcrxkJlpFZQFatONvAMZvuPe4l_GfgkH14oKK1LiGPbKSzZuqaZwZJNwVTTAlELvHiLVxBEwkN7t8oqi8CjxKo6j18GhFGOVtd8_N/s320/cards+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432087509959319682" border="0" /></a><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I'll scurry off now to bury my nose in books again. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">*sniff*</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />I have more cards to show you so come again!! :)<br /><br />xx Goodbye</span><br /></span>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-52071370900634245122010-01-13T10:22:00.005+01:002010-01-13T18:38:51.101+01:00As Promised...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_edwif0v9B9BXWAmBjhnXPEVx9A5VCPeheUGJ8O5oKvVoqGlV-cB4JylVRIReB84q_6wQYY0-cNPfaNmrWC0Qvl-532BR4GussVVVXnZfkxLZpc6W-F8vdjjbJDMnhmac19_wATskjIF/s1600-h/25102009173.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_edwif0v9B9BXWAmBjhnXPEVx9A5VCPeheUGJ8O5oKvVoqGlV-cB4JylVRIReB84q_6wQYY0-cNPfaNmrWC0Qvl-532BR4GussVVVXnZfkxLZpc6W-F8vdjjbJDMnhmac19_wATskjIF/s320/25102009173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426153006525158178" border="0" /></a><br />Morning all!<br /><br />As promised I am posting another iris-folding card I made.<br /><br />I used DCWV Cardstock and scrap papers from my stack. I put the vellum tag to create a misty effect. I was in a hurry to take the picture before giving the card to my future parents-in-law, hence the poor quality. <br /><br />That's all for now. I hope you like it. Leave your comments below to let me know what you think!<br /><br />xxxmartinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-74737500772604062792010-01-10T22:48:00.007+01:002010-01-10T23:33:42.006+01:00Iris-folding from the heart<span class="1r">Evening everyone!<br /><br />I hope you've enjoyed your weekend and are savouring the last moments before Monday blues. Yikes! If you're not leaping with joy at the prospect of waking up to whatever it is you don't like about Mondays ... then hold hands ... you're not alone.<br /><br />I have been working on some cards using iris folding and wanted to share the following:<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnil8shkL_yj67cRj3_YNDwyMI1T4CGcPjIzdYy5n4sJcnQY4IUN92Y354WLYJvcX0xUoFr0G5uVwilrR0uJtRLjitNaWUEchKna9cN7pEApdj6EzwuuW-3TnFZ0zmqrxAptgmMGCkc4j5/s1600-h/gaby+camera+527.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnil8shkL_yj67cRj3_YNDwyMI1T4CGcPjIzdYy5n4sJcnQY4IUN92Y354WLYJvcX0xUoFr0G5uVwilrR0uJtRLjitNaWUEchKna9cN7pEApdj6EzwuuW-3TnFZ0zmqrxAptgmMGCkc4j5/s320/gaby+camera+527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425235505129218162" border="0" /></a><br />This card was made as a Birthday greeting card at Christmas time from HER to HIM. It reads <span style="font-style: italic;">Happy Birthday</span> at the bottom and a mini heart peg holds the name.<br /><span class="1r"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SZ9Qxwgq0ZstbfljH6pFPn9nGz3gaB2UtCjdIYIsUmQ9WD-CX-VAgGRzIAdAgJBPagHcstu_bUM9u6xg5ZngasSbx0LaNWYi2NmQxytd-TLnVKrH6I5CyTHc768X0YUZpaSF_YddovYp/s1600-h/gaby+camera+532.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SZ9Qxwgq0ZstbfljH6pFPn9nGz3gaB2UtCjdIYIsUmQ9WD-CX-VAgGRzIAdAgJBPagHcstu_bUM9u6xg5ZngasSbx0LaNWYi2NmQxytd-TLnVKrH6I5CyTHc768X0YUZpaSF_YddovYp/s320/gaby+camera+532.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425235833074869314" border="0" /></a>This close-up shot shows the layered effect of iris-folding.<br /><br />I just love iris folding! I'll be posting some more this week. Thanks for popping by and come again! xxxmartinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-18327044768697137402010-01-05T20:00:00.001+01:002010-01-06T21:25:34.486+01:00Wrappin' up winter '09<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Good evening dear readers,<br /><br />I hope you had an awesome Christmas and New Year. I'd like to wrap up this festive season by posting various cards I made in the rush up to Christmas.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xFuVkQjjHy-ynLzfE13Lf_CEorB0gY5aWqwsAGR9-j6KV777SaWtGMXX7e9JiIL2QpQIq5wjEm4fR1t2cZDrhd2kvyiNp0a_vnc01nNVtwEMIL3PGIBW_amSAk7NaGzhGFG03XMxaM1U/s1600-h/IMG_9316.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xFuVkQjjHy-ynLzfE13Lf_CEorB0gY5aWqwsAGR9-j6KV777SaWtGMXX7e9JiIL2QpQIq5wjEm4fR1t2cZDrhd2kvyiNp0a_vnc01nNVtwEMIL3PGIBW_amSAk7NaGzhGFG03XMxaM1U/s320/IMG_9316.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423698542586426034" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZm41Q05MW-TQMU0V6O3fKnR8OtRTzgi2YQKrPv-QvgVE-9juYqaJQI8W2yb5Hq66e095I6ikZldH5997juCSy6UMaHa19jcG_vo6N07W8kED1Bj11VWL8lhUgOhAtrbCLqEigRMuTeXH/s1600-h/IMG_9323.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZm41Q05MW-TQMU0V6O3fKnR8OtRTzgi2YQKrPv-QvgVE-9juYqaJQI8W2yb5Hq66e095I6ikZldH5997juCSy6UMaHa19jcG_vo6N07W8kED1Bj11VWL8lhUgOhAtrbCLqEigRMuTeXH/s320/IMG_9323.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423699065879512802" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For this Felt Snowman card I used:<br /><br />A4 Royal Blue Cardstock<br />Felt in Black and White<br /><a href="http://binkycrafts.com/shop/index.php?cPath=345&osCsid=b090ca16625bbbc6274bfca173d8d189">Anita's Ribbon</a><br /><a href="http://www.quixoticpaperie.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27&zenid=qjve148on01f92j43kiso0flg5">Candlelight Shimmerz</a><br />Silver Snowflake Confetti<br />Clear Stamps for the <span style="font-style: italic;">merry christmas</span> sentiment and parcel<br />Ring stickers<br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />When I made this next card, I was playing around with my new chalks and was enjoying blending in the colours on this cute stamped image from <a href="http://www.gorjuss.co.uk/">Suzanne Woolcott's Gorjuss Girls.</a><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHlHrj1y25gwKANhNx_H2KOo4KOkUt3MS4vkebmYECpoRj_5zVANt2EsF5C1j5tUgL-qh6MfxfedQwG9LA8INtmFwvlyUNfsj95RSlJFmmv_ZsvQHjIakfLaXhlokpw5_wRtJHMspa678/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHlHrj1y25gwKANhNx_H2KOo4KOkUt3MS4vkebmYECpoRj_5zVANt2EsF5C1j5tUgL-qh6MfxfedQwG9LA8INtmFwvlyUNfsj95RSlJFmmv_ZsvQHjIakfLaXhlokpw5_wRtJHMspa678/s320/taken+by+gaby+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423696863098762466" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCq6NQlfjuXdtr_G_VKVabtUk-o3LBvqzKdFvdhNNSRmMT-4uQ7fYNZUfopk-oYoGAX725yi3DZcsaMzahMi_K7FPqswj0LD6dH7TCXMvb5iw5OBD-wGI1HmdqvOUfCa4t0bjM_IDomtDn/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCq6NQlfjuXdtr_G_VKVabtUk-o3LBvqzKdFvdhNNSRmMT-4uQ7fYNZUfopk-oYoGAX725yi3DZcsaMzahMi_K7FPqswj0LD6dH7TCXMvb5iw5OBD-wGI1HmdqvOUfCa4t0bjM_IDomtDn/s320/taken+by+gaby+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423697043723095682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >The next two cards are a traditional and elegant pair. Although the picture is not big enough to show detail, they have embossed borders which I decided to colour in to enhance the dimension.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi16UVyu5cs-g2UcucCzR_OYHmTW9KQNPXA2vzibVZpj0IobCWYwYCCB4kppGIAM83T6UOhhbQFONNz2i_4EbxjbGcTcJ92aLurI9nDxxzxCh_XxT4OKwESL7LKHT0v5wtKz3jbqMzs-m/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi16UVyu5cs-g2UcucCzR_OYHmTW9KQNPXA2vzibVZpj0IobCWYwYCCB4kppGIAM83T6UOhhbQFONNz2i_4EbxjbGcTcJ92aLurI9nDxxzxCh_XxT4OKwESL7LKHT0v5wtKz3jbqMzs-m/s320/taken+by+gaby+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423697950870952082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycV8heQ-y0KpZCHaTh5CQhqlNPlJKTyEMnWYH83bG3BRSz3Qx6aOoqAk5DWJ51vt3dXEmMBdR4BNzCZpdLws663g3qYh5_IQo-bzQWSRRFwZrju8cJZN7FKDddEB4q_W0m0vP27XlnZGi/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycV8heQ-y0KpZCHaTh5CQhqlNPlJKTyEMnWYH83bG3BRSz3Qx6aOoqAk5DWJ51vt3dXEmMBdR4BNzCZpdLws663g3qYh5_IQo-bzQWSRRFwZrju8cJZN7FKDddEB4q_W0m0vP27XlnZGi/s320/taken+by+gaby+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423698102663681506" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Next is a card which I made upon request from a close friend of mine. I used Retro chipboard lettering from Dovecraft and the Sparkly Sweet paper from K&Company.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtYKk_jE-1rdK5KxXdnae6HpGmbrhSHjhJAotuaxntqt9Xlz3aXcEN7qMqTjSxds4G4EX5yHX-xQDd7eNdHeZHxO5hU26blreY9GHd1BukUvaoRnGclk2TvWByVi1cTAXmatCPpckvFS9/s1600-h/gaby+camera+452.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtYKk_jE-1rdK5KxXdnae6HpGmbrhSHjhJAotuaxntqt9Xlz3aXcEN7qMqTjSxds4G4EX5yHX-xQDd7eNdHeZHxO5hU26blreY9GHd1BukUvaoRnGclk2TvWByVi1cTAXmatCPpckvFS9/s320/gaby+camera+452.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423701705742728130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidjb0aeaTOJtwRuJlQ5Qg2wI4s2Fv9GeaEPvTcArlxA9HYi8x-C5yNOiBDSou0wMadU7GwXNy9mKW8CCDKjL96QjdN053SQW_xdfjO58-gLGhZOL5yLCD0MJnh5InPKGiXH-9jEJYQAHx/s1600-h/gaby+camera+449.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidjb0aeaTOJtwRuJlQ5Qg2wI4s2Fv9GeaEPvTcArlxA9HYi8x-C5yNOiBDSou0wMadU7GwXNy9mKW8CCDKjL96QjdN053SQW_xdfjO58-gLGhZOL5yLCD0MJnh5InPKGiXH-9jEJYQAHx/s320/gaby+camera+449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423700770716578498" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />I made this next card for my best friend Maria. I used 'Tis the Season paper from Dovecraft and Stickles glitter for the snowmen's bodies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRun3mqj6ijIVARX0tFOic3AWk6bwrSHguUIAKGYPr8BuS_V-xcBGzUBn1l1JcGCp_4kL-_6KIw22nuwmklu1yBtQgJKm-vlH9r-FreQGFnTr3BxdKDFP6RdevrNNd8zJy2uWDi5lialM/s1600-h/gaby+camera+491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRun3mqj6ijIVARX0tFOic3AWk6bwrSHguUIAKGYPr8BuS_V-xcBGzUBn1l1JcGCp_4kL-_6KIw22nuwmklu1yBtQgJKm-vlH9r-FreQGFnTr3BxdKDFP6RdevrNNd8zJy2uWDi5lialM/s320/gaby+camera+491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423710225768176946" border="0" /></a><br />This A5 card reads To Mum and Dad Merry Christmas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbChJ6gvCQMi3Z7avfl76-9i_Y4mm3f0G_NF2yqp7Yp1rLmv5-yjtjjk_nDGoSy4hjMH43y4PvSw93r9C5_6Zr3cuALFfCN0FwkzIvHl-6arhsIgzjlUhof2d9G-79dPgsi2ecQgXip7_e/s1600-h/gaby+camera+454.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbChJ6gvCQMi3Z7avfl76-9i_Y4mm3f0G_NF2yqp7Yp1rLmv5-yjtjjk_nDGoSy4hjMH43y4PvSw93r9C5_6Zr3cuALFfCN0FwkzIvHl-6arhsIgzjlUhof2d9G-79dPgsi2ecQgXip7_e/s320/gaby+camera+454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423717370797321410" border="0" /></a>This is one of my favourite creations. I made a paper pocket and stuffed it with tags and toppers. You might wonder why on earth this Christmas card is addressed to a mouse ... people love their pets it seems :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkP3Y7B3o12bY_WGJHTgl1AqzJ2QJHe8s-icgQKnrn1L8l-ZVC3-qlCQdcPmuGgJF9GiDzBCCX9ibG3F8Z3GPQjL_F6on-X0gjNILEQx8UHbPtisGbWVO6EPryrtKhuciPnFozHXsCq7B/s1600-h/gaby+camera+470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkP3Y7B3o12bY_WGJHTgl1AqzJ2QJHe8s-icgQKnrn1L8l-ZVC3-qlCQdcPmuGgJF9GiDzBCCX9ibG3F8Z3GPQjL_F6on-X0gjNILEQx8UHbPtisGbWVO6EPryrtKhuciPnFozHXsCq7B/s320/gaby+camera+470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423717837724014626" border="0" /></a><br />Finally is this elegant card with a rich topper with gold cord and glittered green card stock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYw9lyuUFPvRJ2vDQb1-iuxgsTMZ71u2-qpixKplUuR3dGQTFatmAVWOqv-jf93W_8m0CGvNvWAC7VxaliDymeU1rdKwWGKY497zYAZzEVCNqwh7iQ9Fz_G4RpWhjECXXhWkzZRNaPsG4/s1600-h/gaby+camera+466.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYw9lyuUFPvRJ2vDQb1-iuxgsTMZ71u2-qpixKplUuR3dGQTFatmAVWOqv-jf93W_8m0CGvNvWAC7VxaliDymeU1rdKwWGKY497zYAZzEVCNqwh7iQ9Fz_G4RpWhjECXXhWkzZRNaPsG4/s320/gaby+camera+466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423716579906660082" border="0" /></a>If you got this far, thanks for enduring this rather long post. Now that I have caught up with the seasonal cards, I would like to thank my sister hugely for the pictures taken with great precision and creative eye. Do visit Bitsylot's gallery <a href="http://www.bitsylot.deviantart.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />Hugs xx</span>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-6491188787459062092009-12-19T16:23:00.012+01:002009-12-19T19:42:43.132+01:00Christmas come backIt's been forever since I posted anything. I have been battling with stressful times and card making has had little space to feature. Now that these tiresome times are over, I am fishing out my paper crafting materials.<br /><br />Here are a few cards I made ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gkq9kM8FzL8NX8aHy0G0u8_B5dPmW5eSHB13ZlPb0UKRHFUHoHxM7E-US5NTbh4AnhAHZoXH8i0ctFkV179xeOUW_p6o_HTJ-PW0iugh2-1lwrrONJy_m8bBsEYBQ8FJe0hFZhvfLReR/s1600-h/IMG_9359.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gkq9kM8FzL8NX8aHy0G0u8_B5dPmW5eSHB13ZlPb0UKRHFUHoHxM7E-US5NTbh4AnhAHZoXH8i0ctFkV179xeOUW_p6o_HTJ-PW0iugh2-1lwrrONJy_m8bBsEYBQ8FJe0hFZhvfLReR/s320/IMG_9359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416968608517129922" border="0" /></a><br />For this pair of cards I used Clear Magic Christmas pudding stamp, Sparkles glitter for the icing and some gems and bows.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Dov7e4vi133HGsar6ja6NDAEuuSRs9Qxlpzup_fjSauPoFreKtjXxoKXu18g8mD7XykpBvrI2fh1w2aJk8_fTzS0S2E4WSnD8CnHyBtFaUsD98t4pkOx0G_KPXhgzyIQkwhUclfuzdwz/s1600-h/IMG_9357.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Dov7e4vi133HGsar6ja6NDAEuuSRs9Qxlpzup_fjSauPoFreKtjXxoKXu18g8mD7XykpBvrI2fh1w2aJk8_fTzS0S2E4WSnD8CnHyBtFaUsD98t4pkOx0G_KPXhgzyIQkwhUclfuzdwz/s320/IMG_9357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416968894727820594" border="0" /></a><br />The next card was made using an old Christmas card.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpefR27MovJyS7qORFlVaeiwgMNgbvj1t0QBrnjOk2Hv70zvM0bbw3Pk4pyh9lVWkWKeEhPJaP-M5rxAzGongLxD7mRh3eXyrPV0LF8SHqDOza76TRL1He3QCY5Pb5-F7jq8LoDpXLNFA/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpefR27MovJyS7qORFlVaeiwgMNgbvj1t0QBrnjOk2Hv70zvM0bbw3Pk4pyh9lVWkWKeEhPJaP-M5rxAzGongLxD7mRh3eXyrPV0LF8SHqDOza76TRL1He3QCY5Pb5-F7jq8LoDpXLNFA/s320/taken+by+gaby+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416969165627030002" border="0" /></a><br />It sure is hard breaking away from family maxims which grow with you like a big school uniform you can never outgrow. In my family, we save cards dating back to my parents' first Valentine's. Every year we cut out old cards to make gift tags and the best part of this is that the rummaging always includes telling family stories. Besides, it saves trees :)martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-48364705593659522742009-10-27T23:31:00.011+01:002009-10-28T00:28:50.821+01:00FishesIt's late and I'm dozing off but I wanted to show you these two cards. <br /><br />Last Sunday I got creeped out as the fish display at a restaurant had some awfully ugly fish with huge pouted lips and sad faces. <br /><br />As they lay lifeless staring at me on a cold metal plate looking far from fresh, I felt compelled to rebuild their crushed ego. So here I'm posting two cards to rectify their hideous representation.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm6lAJ_b-0bt0pMAJJagm8MtJJMLOmgUTlUuE5w-1u_kKsnQUyF8c9CjtVUcTU6vD5E5xGyMwvdMKS1VpGOdSbbzbFxeVb7AzY5Q4jshEF499DU3cy6XO8VizT9CTVi53bINMlUE6eDkb/s1600-h/IMG_9353.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm6lAJ_b-0bt0pMAJJagm8MtJJMLOmgUTlUuE5w-1u_kKsnQUyF8c9CjtVUcTU6vD5E5xGyMwvdMKS1VpGOdSbbzbFxeVb7AzY5Q4jshEF499DU3cy6XO8VizT9CTVi53bINMlUE6eDkb/s320/IMG_9353.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417640919644898" border="0" /></a><br />This card reads 'To the Best Dad, Happy Birthday'.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqjhPeDHd6P8hSmZEMG8IKJX7RicEYKH50XG-sWTQcdiGjmNAL-uBk_pWMWwedskjNwooZRn00b229YJdS-12p93IkQbYcgsl4BfrtgXD9sxQ_7GzdbHtHGRwJP_oXlz1Z_5QMpV0iGUV/s1600-h/IMG_9350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqjhPeDHd6P8hSmZEMG8IKJX7RicEYKH50XG-sWTQcdiGjmNAL-uBk_pWMWwedskjNwooZRn00b229YJdS-12p93IkQbYcgsl4BfrtgXD9sxQ_7GzdbHtHGRwJP_oXlz1Z_5QMpV0iGUV/s320/IMG_9350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397417177180217874" border="0" /></a><br />Next is this personalised card. I stamped the card with faded gold bubbles and then complemented this with the gold gems.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaTMLgWJ8rkC7stYfvaYfVHLcnL6Y3du9OC5iRRoaYJ8IJU21dzSQpdKa8Ui2BsOhtiJsQTYcK1yqdfHNne8QklC3DZs7MR-hvZgWN0Y-7F2gS4EfJprVhm-Vlh1KvG9awNEjFRTS9ddJ/s1600-h/IMG_9333.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaTMLgWJ8rkC7stYfvaYfVHLcnL6Y3du9OC5iRRoaYJ8IJU21dzSQpdKa8Ui2BsOhtiJsQTYcK1yqdfHNne8QklC3DZs7MR-hvZgWN0Y-7F2gS4EfJprVhm-Vlh1KvG9awNEjFRTS9ddJ/s320/IMG_9333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397411760380939618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8kg7g8KVgPL7pImVV-xnWEi0I-Bu0mL1qCZ6GLW-WPY0IIWEFiSI5RLROTD9PZ1s0tr5qwmqywAg2cq_UE8LkJfVJnvz1S5UO1WScIc6nPiD5pDvpGE0ER2jyCWlgryqeq8BdUXgK7qq/s1600-h/IMG_9331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8kg7g8KVgPL7pImVV-xnWEi0I-Bu0mL1qCZ6GLW-WPY0IIWEFiSI5RLROTD9PZ1s0tr5qwmqywAg2cq_UE8LkJfVJnvz1S5UO1WScIc6nPiD5pDvpGE0ER2jyCWlgryqeq8BdUXgK7qq/s320/IMG_9331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397418052300264034" border="0" /></a><br />The thick air was not kind to me today, it gave me an unbearable headache. Napped for an hour and a half and felt revived. Made a couple of cards which were very urgent and by the end, my cumbersome headache returned with revenge.<br /><br />Good night good dreams, Night night, Sleep tight :)martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-75700896520246252452009-10-21T22:36:00.000+02:002009-10-21T22:36:59.649+02:00TheatreSince my first theatre experience at 11, illuminated dressing room mirrors have fascinated me and continue even now. The glow from the light bulbs surrounding the mirror would give me that brief and elusive illusion that I was a budding starlet - a vain memory I love to treasure.<br /><div> </div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ3b41d1qJ4O_skFhuwfIl4MLbP9Vx3GGzDBW0LVPKj1k_jQSE6Xust0eN1uIfQT-MSv5YXIRH4zNQcqIzG5eDDckF6MmlQldD2y-QZjyWhQfUnyxkNJpMufAnuaGtEPpcqkqEV3umHzu/s1600-h/566221_backstage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ3b41d1qJ4O_skFhuwfIl4MLbP9Vx3GGzDBW0LVPKj1k_jQSE6Xust0eN1uIfQT-MSv5YXIRH4zNQcqIzG5eDDckF6MmlQldD2y-QZjyWhQfUnyxkNJpMufAnuaGtEPpcqkqEV3umHzu/s320/566221_backstage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395129482452794354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I like to think that theatre is the home of eccentrics and masses alike. It's there for those who can stop pretending to be someone else every day and for those who, from time to time, need to step out of their mundane lives and pretend to be the other.</div><br /><div> </div>I have a hoard of memories which I collected along the way and when I get wistful and tap into them, I am always reminded how I truly love the theatre.<br /><br />Roughly a month ago I was rehearsing for a small fund-raising performance held at the Catholic Institute in Floriana together with a bunch of friends. As I was practising and singing at home, I stumbled on this video. I had to stop and listen and I'm under the impression the household sighed relief.<br /><br />There is no way this doesn't send incy wincy tickles up and down your neck, spine and all.<br /><br />VOLUME UP! Enjoy!<br /><div> </div><br /><div align="center"><br /><object width="420" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/05ip-N0H1Ig&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/05ip-N0H1Ig&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="280"></embed></object><br /></div>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-38975528763614243472009-10-13T23:20:00.009+02:002009-10-14T00:16:26.985+02:00Call me PiggyIn the midst of the swine flu pandemic, some are still loyal to their infatuation with pigs and other supposedly cute animals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyDg1QHu-o5JKk5un-1W9kJSwIhyphenhyphencxQlc2k5srM-CxBIVMsrwv8R96dwa0AmeDewVirBqL5Oi2ruRN7il1yKgh6Zblj38StW5Z-VRK3afac72Cp8SSY8WYP3mE-KRWeLPgyeYY9PfI3p3/s1600-h/Happy+Birthday+SAM+-Cute+piggy+card.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyDg1QHu-o5JKk5un-1W9kJSwIhyphenhyphencxQlc2k5srM-CxBIVMsrwv8R96dwa0AmeDewVirBqL5Oi2ruRN7il1yKgh6Zblj38StW5Z-VRK3afac72Cp8SSY8WYP3mE-KRWeLPgyeYY9PfI3p3/s320/Happy+Birthday+SAM+-Cute+piggy+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392203810995845522" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a close-up of this cute pig with its broad grin. He prefers to be called Piggy and doesn't quite like the general term <span style="font-style: italic;">swine</span>; it throws such a bad light... poor thing! He doesn't like "majjal" either. Both have unpretty connotations and he likes to stay clean of all that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmHAnEfdUBGOZnmBXz5rOB_jieiJMc0z-ICOxlzAKsTET9m7PxXO3G8WY2D-IQV2TkPNXA8dvsJDZqfABtAkI8W3iuwm1jofai1F2qxn8MNrqd-NEH2nip1dx9eLez-i65EkLJuQ_Ef9_/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmHAnEfdUBGOZnmBXz5rOB_jieiJMc0z-ICOxlzAKsTET9m7PxXO3G8WY2D-IQV2TkPNXA8dvsJDZqfABtAkI8W3iuwm1jofai1F2qxn8MNrqd-NEH2nip1dx9eLez-i65EkLJuQ_Ef9_/s320/taken+by+gaby+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392208367978598130" border="0" /></a>Nobody grew a snout during the making of this card. Hurray!!martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-21613011529814590872009-10-10T10:45:00.005+02:002009-10-21T22:47:05.450+02:00La Fleur en PapierMorning!<br /><br />Today I'm posting a card I made for a very special colleague of mine. I should say ex-colleague. My staff room neighbour with whom I shared the joys and lesser ones of teaching during my first two years.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKvnBs1ICDwl6PhBJdbwdBPUjZLgcztN1wMYSrUIUbRcCvVww_L7XB2wXbsd0yZ-33AYdMqY3e6xWo0ecx_zF-QqkQZp91RIfiFqK5jt_aLwmkgU5ZjHu-VTMpqy8YYq1M3ddkKLyHJJo/s1600-h/DSCF7850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKvnBs1ICDwl6PhBJdbwdBPUjZLgcztN1wMYSrUIUbRcCvVww_L7XB2wXbsd0yZ-33AYdMqY3e6xWo0ecx_zF-QqkQZp91RIfiFqK5jt_aLwmkgU5ZjHu-VTMpqy8YYq1M3ddkKLyHJJo/s320/DSCF7850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390892190905119154" border="0" /></a><br />For this card I used A4 brown cardstock which I folded in three, my exquisite pack of Retro Floral designer paper by Dovecraft and chipboard lettering for the name and age. The tri-fold design offers plenty of space outside and inside for embellishments; as well as enough room for those (like me) who hate to leave a card bare with only a couple of words.martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-53036037893345982672009-10-05T21:40:00.001+02:002009-10-21T22:48:02.699+02:00OOoopsApologies dear readers for my absence. Blogging has been on my mind this week and for this reason I will drop you a short note but promise to come back with more.<br /><br />Started University again and this has required some adjustments. Let's say that last year I was juggling with both hands and now I'm using my legs and ten toes as well. Pretty busy :) But that's how I love it!<br /><br />I am working on some card sketches for Christmas and have some interesting ideas which I hope to make real quite soon.<br /><br />My next appointment is next week and I will be posting one of my favourite card designs. So make sure to check it out!!<br /><br />Good night xxxmartinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-29486137889737533812009-09-24T11:37:00.001+02:002009-10-21T22:38:04.826+02:00Quick PeekMorning!!<br /><br />Quick peek at what I created:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIltfQXDMSKT7uzz2gtlBuRknakCYAXKgZabcAF-qMeQ8rwTYOXnXqTVSiT9NI8SWtiiZb-y_7hqr0w4k1SkBTRJuizb77e74Y4r2nRwIJvQpyQgh1gXhyphenhyphenlMmO1iz91mRRcdrVAyymwwJ_/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIltfQXDMSKT7uzz2gtlBuRknakCYAXKgZabcAF-qMeQ8rwTYOXnXqTVSiT9NI8SWtiiZb-y_7hqr0w4k1SkBTRJuizb77e74Y4r2nRwIJvQpyQgh1gXhyphenhyphenlMmO1iz91mRRcdrVAyymwwJ_/s320/taken+by+gaby+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383470210663728946" border="0" /></a><br />A5 Get Well Soon card using Papermania Secret Garden paper strips, button, natural twine and ribbon.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uZF5cXZl2YRU4LexDv8HF6v7JctKHk8EHO6VUrMc92xiazIzRoc6w4fZR0bDioz3ExEp1NzMd94Q7dBzfBj3PUfHPXUo_7IRruTeufmSstP29vqbYXQ0ETHMsOLBIjzYeMZ0x827NMJy/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uZF5cXZl2YRU4LexDv8HF6v7JctKHk8EHO6VUrMc92xiazIzRoc6w4fZR0bDioz3ExEp1NzMd94Q7dBzfBj3PUfHPXUo_7IRruTeufmSstP29vqbYXQ0ETHMsOLBIjzYeMZ0x827NMJy/s320/taken+by+gaby+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383470321653991074" border="0" /></a><br />Next is this neutral card which I made for my father's birthday. It can however be used for any occasion with an alteration of colours and sentiment.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfjrBtj8qepClyvNm4qYbxNPHo0WYiVlxrTYp12868TT6YPaE1loKEgMTJr1_4a6Xzc7LaTRnq9kl1NCYNzklAGYt6OVzoqQaJyqT2JClL3znj4myHEE_f4XD-EGaAGjOqxoEs8h-q9P7/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+064.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfjrBtj8qepClyvNm4qYbxNPHo0WYiVlxrTYp12868TT6YPaE1loKEgMTJr1_4a6Xzc7LaTRnq9kl1NCYNzklAGYt6OVzoqQaJyqT2JClL3znj4myHEE_f4XD-EGaAGjOqxoEs8h-q9P7/s320/taken+by+gaby+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384956588817939714" border="0" /></a><br />I love using this design on a number of cards. The little bird with button eyes, heart-shaped wings, a perky beak and long stick legs using natural twine.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDNz2WqQBha-Dker4IdQHLoXktQP7ZmJcbb3qn1qYpX3CRK36EdaUOt52wkL-PgB-SjgnPweE1fyt37ZUdEr3i8L7llhyphenhyphenIiohRsu6X6sOsFpI69mJhEQHfuC8m1SynrhE9Xh8eBxdthuE/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDNz2WqQBha-Dker4IdQHLoXktQP7ZmJcbb3qn1qYpX3CRK36EdaUOt52wkL-PgB-SjgnPweE1fyt37ZUdEr3i8L7llhyphenhyphenIiohRsu6X6sOsFpI69mJhEQHfuC8m1SynrhE9Xh8eBxdthuE/s320/taken+by+gaby+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384629392544394850" border="0" /></a>I will soon post some other cards using this design with a different colour combination.<br /><br />Good day!martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-12521817055346631742009-09-20T10:30:00.000+02:002009-09-20T10:35:31.141+02:00Delishhh!!<span>Fool the Veggies Gratin</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dxtaBXRpXI1DjQh4qcfY0TaycIgFNhB3gMePGrTEiBxekC5sv9A9IZ9y7-pFmSGq2Qy1pod0YXXS8R8gFhn4dtXAbew1ukaKL40DtfxFkdzx9ykxGoD7Ntv2DPNCStTBMiwiRYmOWdiU/s1600-h/food+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dxtaBXRpXI1DjQh4qcfY0TaycIgFNhB3gMePGrTEiBxekC5sv9A9IZ9y7-pFmSGq2Qy1pod0YXXS8R8gFhn4dtXAbew1ukaKL40DtfxFkdzx9ykxGoD7Ntv2DPNCStTBMiwiRYmOWdiU/s320/food+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383464206350886914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">What you need:<br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;">600g small zucchini</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">1 green pepper (you can opt for another vegetable but green peppers are my favourite when cooked! And besides, I wanted to keep it green :)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">300g small potatoes</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"> salt and pepper</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">1 peppered cheeselet</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">90 g cheddar (or more - wink*)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">500g minced meat</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">1 large onion</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">1 clove of garlic - This is optional. I leave out the garlic because it makes my tongue swell, it's tasty without the garlic; let alone WITH!</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"> oil</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">a dollop of Beshamelle or low-fat fresh cream if available and if you want to pretend you're not sinning.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">two eggs</span><br /></li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lD2qt6ReiD6PCvcw8q4k0RTn_LmfQuluUfggyYmzSGirR5v-ypgXmn3KbF0II9MEcTWIcvX7yNHw4REJIxx7eh3w-8ue8IdsGXU2ErOTMVP7b2r6Lh7tF7SF-mPTKx2wrLFuDpRWBjZA/s1600-h/food+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lD2qt6ReiD6PCvcw8q4k0RTn_LmfQuluUfggyYmzSGirR5v-ypgXmn3KbF0II9MEcTWIcvX7yNHw4REJIxx7eh3w-8ue8IdsGXU2ErOTMVP7b2r6Lh7tF7SF-mPTKx2wrLFuDpRWBjZA/s320/food+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383461736217544706" border="0" /></a><br />Heat up some oil in a non-stick pan.<br /><br />Chop the onion and garlic and toss them in until a little yellowish.<br /><br />Add the minced meat and let them cook for a couple of minutes or until the minced meat looks edible :)<br /><br />Cut the zucchini and small potatoes into very thin layers, the thinner the better. I like to cut them in wheels for better presentation.<br /><br />Chop a green pepper roughly and add it to the minced meat mixture. Then two eggs and a dollop of Beshamelle or more fresh cream.<br /><br />Wipe the container with oil to avoid sticking.<br /><br />Spread a layer of potato slices, then half the amount of zucchini slices. Garnish with salt and pepper and herbs if you like. Then goes the layer of minced meat mixture over it and finally another layer of sliced zucchini.<br /><br />Cut the peppered cheeselet and cover the top and then grate some cheddar.<br /><br />Put in the oven for 20 minutes and then grate some more cheddar and cover in silver kitchen foil. I like to do this so that the cheddar does not burn.<br /><br />Leave cooking in the oven for another 20 minutes on 180 degrees.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo5Gn_E5fGTBVVshVre_d0HvNJajS_OFJTLuqDJoDy5H2ZuLUFMFXOvGuaUBXbBZAV3iyvnrx3-90UzXStiv3eqLs8YdhRdIORmTy26BkCv4fWdQpA526MrQtNALMGuXkLmbUKH3j0NTj/s1600-h/food+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo5Gn_E5fGTBVVshVre_d0HvNJajS_OFJTLuqDJoDy5H2ZuLUFMFXOvGuaUBXbBZAV3iyvnrx3-90UzXStiv3eqLs8YdhRdIORmTy26BkCv4fWdQpA526MrQtNALMGuXkLmbUKH3j0NTj/s320/food+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383464881594085122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When the smell is too delishhh you can't resist, it's time to munch your lunch :D<br /><br />Enjoy! Let me know if you've tried it.martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-31281210750135661872009-09-18T10:30:00.008+02:002009-09-18T12:00:52.824+02:00Stick ManMorning everyone!<br /><br />Today I struggled to wake up because yesterday I had a late night reading <span style="font-style: italic;">No Time for Goodbye</span> by Linwood Barclay. It's an easy summer read which you can drag along to the beach and on the Gozo ferry. Full of suspense and really puzzling. I'm really enjoying it and sincerely hope the ending will be as climactic as I'm imagining it to be.<br /><br />Today I thought I'd post a picture of something I created around 5 years ago.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapqujiUvlSD4Y3YS6PhC0WFFsCpQG7x0dnTsxipzcTXHfaoxzFvjxV38eACp2YmetRwL7-s_z23rWCYQ26o221G3POcqaUUSzv_t96E-xxUeMPzdtTH0GwXMGnJCUUxZHMc0j1r69nZ82/s1600-h/IMG_9347.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapqujiUvlSD4Y3YS6PhC0WFFsCpQG7x0dnTsxipzcTXHfaoxzFvjxV38eACp2YmetRwL7-s_z23rWCYQ26o221G3POcqaUUSzv_t96E-xxUeMPzdtTH0GwXMGnJCUUxZHMc0j1r69nZ82/s320/IMG_9347.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382726645804292306" border="0" /></a><br />This beaded stick man was originally intended as a gift but as I was making it I grew attached to it and didn't want to let it go. It was an experiment which proved to be a Pinocchio experience. (So far it hasn't grown any flesh) I turned my beaded stick man into a keychain to make it feel useful and it sure is!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAGoovc2inueeWBtXJMwzhLgH1FD7r4HCMqLZHbBYAQpXA-L2FStfN2FBJaAKxiEztKRFeoscbe1MGHgvJGYMX5QClc8H-T86ghS5uxzc-XV7tAboKRc6ZM2AeurowXh1gzWciBsyPhGN/s1600-h/IMG_9346.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAGoovc2inueeWBtXJMwzhLgH1FD7r4HCMqLZHbBYAQpXA-L2FStfN2FBJaAKxiEztKRFeoscbe1MGHgvJGYMX5QClc8H-T86ghS5uxzc-XV7tAboKRc6ZM2AeurowXh1gzWciBsyPhGN/s320/IMG_9346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382733314440943714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last year I suggested my idea for the School Fundraising Fair and I created some other beaded stick men to sell. They never reached the kids at school though because the teachers grabbed the ones I made and there wasn't enough time to mass produce.<br /><br />However they are available on order so why not drop me a note and get your very own in no time!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdICx44v7HaZchldX_wpVfoFPtLOKEbXCaKWTmicmWbycuuqUFI4-62IGVX-8eH7C7EuGBWceJDKApr5Uyu2QS-wgT0kCBpm6_ols56ANrBu28M_Hi84fetSbpKE1UIQO26AJwNxlOTrA/s1600-h/IMG_9345.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdICx44v7HaZchldX_wpVfoFPtLOKEbXCaKWTmicmWbycuuqUFI4-62IGVX-8eH7C7EuGBWceJDKApr5Uyu2QS-wgT0kCBpm6_ols56ANrBu28M_Hi84fetSbpKE1UIQO26AJwNxlOTrA/s320/IMG_9345.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382727089251079922" border="0" /></a><br />Ladies and gents keep coming for more! I will be uploading my blog very shortly with a few fun creations.martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-32322617833791294012009-09-16T21:19:00.007+02:002009-10-21T22:35:50.921+02:00Stamped Bookmark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOYOu31ds-ZIY2RQuxfcE9jBnVua8Q58XTSomnFfTEk6YN0McdTGTulPus0mMy0cEL0IzfK59YuL1xg_q5kNUVEFQl9JXfylvPgU_ZHgZhnSB_q7PK4Q-r8Hpoj665HSklRzlmmK59a15/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOYOu31ds-ZIY2RQuxfcE9jBnVua8Q58XTSomnFfTEk6YN0McdTGTulPus0mMy0cEL0IzfK59YuL1xg_q5kNUVEFQl9JXfylvPgU_ZHgZhnSB_q7PK4Q-r8Hpoj665HSklRzlmmK59a15/s320/taken+by+gaby+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382148915167376914" border="0" /></a><br />This double-sided bookmark was made using Rachelle Anne Miller's Lola with Bird stamp.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRLXXzfOHFv5PiIup26R_mwkCqMwiAkGTcMgTfS63ifLstFjUy_aH_bLe1mhUxjMjgh8q7s0p6PjKzvJ1Yr8WzDXR3F24In-RYwQP-k_wWYTqLSaZCSaG0Kuun7hiuHfcHDvUtnGt69xQ/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRLXXzfOHFv5PiIup26R_mwkCqMwiAkGTcMgTfS63ifLstFjUy_aH_bLe1mhUxjMjgh8q7s0p6PjKzvJ1Yr8WzDXR3F24In-RYwQP-k_wWYTqLSaZCSaG0Kuun7hiuHfcHDvUtnGt69xQ/s320/taken+by+gaby+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382149038596729250" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODEh8mr2FOSF72n757Yja9cw_WvzgerYfxt5tjw9l20OIznJ2UY7GE_7t8y3qGFbfk-6VK9880LfYlWxhxivjuCFXCmBRlKfjR0npzmdp1Ew6WouUxoP6lIY8UHKrpKMEw6Fntax0sWbH/s1600-h/taken+by+gaby+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODEh8mr2FOSF72n757Yja9cw_WvzgerYfxt5tjw9l20OIznJ2UY7GE_7t8y3qGFbfk-6VK9880LfYlWxhxivjuCFXCmBRlKfjR0npzmdp1Ew6WouUxoP6lIY8UHKrpKMEw6Fntax0sWbH/s320/taken+by+gaby+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382148751372506994" border="0" /></a><br />I purchased this stamp a couple of months ago and this is only the second time I've used it. It is such fun to colour in because of the detail, however I trimmed off the swirls on this stamped image because it was hard to cut around them.<br /><br />I used Peel -Off markers to colour in and also Candlelight Shimmerz on her bonnet to give it that subtle shimmer in the light. I don't own any Copics as yet but I'm really looking forward to my stamping when I get my first set.martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-43346505909160963132009-09-15T11:16:00.007+02:002009-09-15T12:42:20.866+02:00Brown<div style="text-align: center;">Two of my earliest cards. Typically using brown.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCw0jNQBMJfMAVS0sZoWIAfqYfHe-mjUrYVhPEhOBC2vx3O1S4dfpwSolrMBb81D7DoOFrtF_3x1Vn7mxQNhlXblXOLh3P5zsDkb5_dtRHd0iz9O2omV7M29_j2IMiXCjPA_X9J-53qyv/s1600-h/DSCF7695.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCw0jNQBMJfMAVS0sZoWIAfqYfHe-mjUrYVhPEhOBC2vx3O1S4dfpwSolrMBb81D7DoOFrtF_3x1Vn7mxQNhlXblXOLh3P5zsDkb5_dtRHd0iz9O2omV7M29_j2IMiXCjPA_X9J-53qyv/s320/DSCF7695.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381621680982233378" border="0" /></a>This card uses Simply Elegant Paper by Papermania<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVX9oNczostts83s-wQ8nBs37HITDjcaFvurnTSj_gMp0VlNRnHX8T41oTJ1AJmRUanrbgCx5N8i4WD7ewVYP28tu0Jqy1T6TTkwaMKjwqEqSnl70G_gMwE43E3ZUI9zgu5wvBwcmNCsD/s1600-h/IMG_0519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVX9oNczostts83s-wQ8nBs37HITDjcaFvurnTSj_gMp0VlNRnHX8T41oTJ1AJmRUanrbgCx5N8i4WD7ewVYP28tu0Jqy1T6TTkwaMKjwqEqSnl70G_gMwE43E3ZUI9zgu5wvBwcmNCsD/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381621993333518562" border="0" /></a><br />Around three years ago, I was shopping for a comfortable pair of leather boots and the Italian shop owner had something to say about my choice. I chose brown boots and she went on to explain how that said a lot about my character. There was some truth in what she said and she didn't seem to me to be a psychic or anything. (No gypsy scarves and loop earrings)martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065468649897846858.post-44879621051363693232009-09-13T20:02:00.001+02:002009-09-16T17:45:52.187+02:00Destination SicilyNo, I haven't been hibernating. I was busy living and catching up with summer. As I stopped my summer job I decided to plan a quick three-day budget trip with my girl friends.<br /><br />Destination Sicily:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3obm_-3j_BpMuU_Axf7olNGBBnMXTJniITcQhREXGVDHiAI7mHmGBxeIX0WEqXcPDndIR4ihjFp5QrGkqNjNbLgn4YoFVECNmXaxX5Q-WcfMeCdl_FW6F5WceF4FxUCMZ0wLiWDxD1CMH/s1600-h/DSCF8799.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3obm_-3j_BpMuU_Axf7olNGBBnMXTJniITcQhREXGVDHiAI7mHmGBxeIX0WEqXcPDndIR4ihjFp5QrGkqNjNbLgn4YoFVECNmXaxX5Q-WcfMeCdl_FW6F5WceF4FxUCMZ0wLiWDxD1CMH/s320/DSCF8799.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381287255296872450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Charming, quaint shops in Taormina.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQqOj6hrM1l1smm3aHhwSqzqCO4sSO6d1_Va_ZjY7SPRXgyWOJNz1gOMxa0hLyL1dze7j1MzTM0Go-EOfC-Qhn9cR1tMayfarU5gYi7JrfDvItK-cf50pdRS6PSKU9CiiOZD22BU8d38_/s1600-h/DSCF8644.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQqOj6hrM1l1smm3aHhwSqzqCO4sSO6d1_Va_ZjY7SPRXgyWOJNz1gOMxa0hLyL1dze7j1MzTM0Go-EOfC-Qhn9cR1tMayfarU5gYi7JrfDvItK-cf50pdRS6PSKU9CiiOZD22BU8d38_/s320/DSCF8644.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381283475764778370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LJgDPotgJQCEe0ywG1PDQA2jnYJPCqVHwHjU_rkWKtpjCLZC5cgZutDhK9yckTDh1BIRM7qNg_y7AUS1OMLwwuMIY8COP9R6tqexbEZw-1Kw4S3XWjIQqLY65QQ-kfDTg7pV2q3V906z/s1600-h/DSCF8645.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LJgDPotgJQCEe0ywG1PDQA2jnYJPCqVHwHjU_rkWKtpjCLZC5cgZutDhK9yckTDh1BIRM7qNg_y7AUS1OMLwwuMIY8COP9R6tqexbEZw-1Kw4S3XWjIQqLY65QQ-kfDTg7pV2q3V906z/s320/DSCF8645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381283610457808018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ccFUvcCmwlIoble7ku2kRDz7IVGPS4ts45Yisc7EF8TVm87MrGpLA2XgAAj3OI1LDVmAlQFY8sRcuWIVNDejrjIF4n95sxysscgHOJEE7LFaF5oxIt8XKv2rKqnrTl2RmppWYHpdDB9/s1600-h/DSCF8659.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ccFUvcCmwlIoble7ku2kRDz7IVGPS4ts45Yisc7EF8TVm87MrGpLA2XgAAj3OI1LDVmAlQFY8sRcuWIVNDejrjIF4n95sxysscgHOJEE7LFaF5oxIt8XKv2rKqnrTl2RmppWYHpdDB9/s320/DSCF8659.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381285270405488386" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Steffi got herself a caricature from a street artist and I got a portrait which bears no resemblance to me at all. I was told to "chiudere la bocca, non sei dal' parruchiere" and so had to press my lips for a good 15 minutes hoping the result would compensate; but it didn't.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0BhXb0rhv-RlnM3xVI1sovnzPpu4InBHycHCxCMSvLlrlavlum6XO7XjYSe8r7QSU1Xi8I8zM9lB0B6vawzHQipk38d1zfYo1_Ewrav0ztqimRTO8SXwYczmzhevIIF7gsneWtXpt7Dw/s1600-h/DSCF8700.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0BhXb0rhv-RlnM3xVI1sovnzPpu4InBHycHCxCMSvLlrlavlum6XO7XjYSe8r7QSU1Xi8I8zM9lB0B6vawzHQipk38d1zfYo1_Ewrav0ztqimRTO8SXwYczmzhevIIF7gsneWtXpt7Dw/s320/DSCF8700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381307730657036498" border="0" /></a>martinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065306492255251841noreply@blogger.com1