Self protection

My schedule for next week and the week after next week: no appointments except for the shop meeting, fotoshoot and shop shift, no cosy coffees with friends, leave the smartphone and computer alone, no telly.
Why? To get myself to creativity and to really get some new stuff created to sell in the Eco popupstore. I've been busy behaving like a manager and shop keeper. It's been ages since I was at the sewing machine or printing patterns. That made me a bit unsatisfied with myself. (Well managing the shop is actually great, but you know...)
So please do point a finger at me if you happen to see me online.... I'll be grateful :)
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mobile

Recently they turned 17 and 14 ! I am so proud of them, having become such independent and nice people.
My 'new lap top' and mobile office during the Spring holiday, I like to stick around when they are home all day...
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last 2 pictures were taken by a smart phone... I'd like to have one too.

mixed up

When you work from home things tend to get mixed up, especially for me with little discipline....
A little cleaning here, some drawing there, coffee break with a friend is stretched to shopping for hours, sewing at night and mailing and surfing the internet in your PJ till noon....

(un)lucky buys

 

Some unlucky purchases in 4 weeks were these two (!) pairs of very expensive boots. The first one looked very promising but after one week I already sensed that we were not a merry couple. I like them still but I decided to buy another pair of a brand I have good experiences with, so I bought a pair of black ones in the same size as my oldies, unfortunately it appears suddenly my feet have grown or sagged :(  I give the latter another chance, they are on the draw-bench at the cobbler's, but the brown ones have to leave the house. Is anyone interested? They are size 39,  dark brown Panama Jack.

On the other hand...
I made 3 lucky buys from the thrift store in 2 weeks time and they were extremely inexpensive (!)  : green leather boots for only €10 - I chopped the shaft off so they weigh much less and fit even better, plus a new grey woolen upholstered twoseater for €15 and two wonderful green cups and saucers....

... and again my inclination and idealism is confirmed that expensive shopping is just no fun...

nice mailbox

Today I received this wonderfully decorated cardboard box. I was super surprised by the old Dutch stamps! I think this side of the box will make it into a nice mixed media collage one day.

Teuntje liked the box and the content as well!
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Xmas 2012

 

It's hard to let go of the Christmas decorations and the corresponding feeling ....

Happy New Year everyone!
and Welcome 2013... that many great things may come !

holiday activities

do you see my daughter dancing in her gown?  :)

I never take much time to sew myself something new, but now I've managed to make me a sweet fluffy cotton summer dress out of a vintage duvet cover with red and (fluo) pink details.

My girls are already free from (secondary) school, so they are helping me out
.... doing last minute dinner shoppings and preparing meals....

 "Would you buy a few cans of tomato paste?" They return with this + six which I've already in the pan :)

fresh biological beans

.... making fine and healthy fruit smoothies enjoyed in pyjamas in the morning sun

 
.... they're having a girlfriends camping in our jungle, which I thougth was a top experience when I was their age (well a bit younger), did you?

...and they both are on to the next grade so we rewarded them with a Wii Just Dance game, which my husband and I find very amusing too :)

opulence

Turkse tortel i.e. collared dove

It's sheer happiness for me to see we now have 4 (!!) collared doves who consider our beech as their home. Day in day out, they are there. And the little birdhouse is occupied by tits (=koolmezen), again!

Christmas interior

handmade lightballs

 

in the kitchen

 decoration with masking tape

(fimo clay) Nativity by Eva when she was 6

wall paper

How I love this wallpaper from Minakani.
But the fact is that I much too cowardice to apply this in my house as I tend to get bored quite quickly. I like to to repaint my wall every two years or so and doing so over this precious wallpaper is a bit like throwing money down the drain.
My living room wall has had many colours already; starting with ordinary white, then mustard, dusty pink and the present dark greenish grey lasts the longest time. The 2nd picture is from Dos Family (nice blog!)

my favorite color

I love...

...the cushion covers from Thirtyfive Flowers ...

...the corny chrysanthemum which stays fresh for weeks...

 ...my kid who loves someone else...

...my breakfast, the mega muesli container with Dorset cereals and the self-decorated bowl...

hot

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up-and-up

 

Watching a tomtit paying a visit to our birdhouse I was dreaming of a new place to live closer and amongst the feathered pals I came across this one... I love it!
This beauty is from Baumraum.

What great summer temperatures today!