A String of Joy

Obviously it is inspired by Dottie Angel and her "have a heart" string (which can be found in her book), but in my case what brings me joy is paper, mail, and stamps. And what a better thing than to have all of them together in another of my favorite things, a garland!
   
           
      GATHER: (basically what you heart desires, but this is what I got)

• all the nice scraps of paper you have lying around
• stickers
• stamps
• squeeze punch scalloped circle from Fiskars
• hole punch from Martha Stewart

I've sewn mine (which is what I do with everything lately), but you can just get a long piece of thread and attach the stamps to the scalloped rounds with either glue, washi-tape or stickers.
Oh, and don't forget to decorate both sides if your sending it to your pen pal (you don't know where it will hang so better to have both sides covered)!!

Have a happy Monday, and don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY full of snail mail goodies, plus if you don't end up a winner I will send you a handwritten letter (I promise)!!!

Giova.

A Snail Mail Giveaway

I've been thinking of doing this giveaway for awhile now - not sure why I didn't. But in any case here it is; mostly it's things I got at Target (my favorite store in the US), and a note card set I got from my other favorite store, Anthropologie. The washi-tape and pens are from Hema (my favorite store here in Amsterdam).
Things for snail mail are the best. Even if you are an avid and long time snail mailer or just joined in the fun, I'm pretty sure you'll want to add this to your collection.
I will also send the winner a surprise package of things I've made for the Flat Project.
If you are looking for pen pals these are good places to start: Letter Writers Alliance and Postal Society.

Alphabet stickers and rubber stamps, tags, post-it notes, pens, wash-tape, ribbons, and 2 sets of cards with envelopes, plus a surprise packet with handmade things by me!!

• Open to all
• Until May 21st, 2013, 9:00pm (my time, european something, something)
• Leave a comment saying why snail mail is so very cool (you could also just leave your name and email, so I can contact you in case you win).
• Share it if you like, that would be kinda nice.
• And that's about it, you don't have to like us here and there, but it would be kinda nice as well.

Have a brilliant day. Happy mailings and to infinity and beyond!!
Giova

Spring Garden Market

This weekend we ventured out in the rain to a "spring market" organized by Sissy-Boy (a home and clothing store here in Holland - very popular by the way). Filled with organic products, plants, home accessories, a very nice barber (yes you read correctly, a barber), bicycles and many other exciting things. The rain was making everything damp, but not the visitor's spirits. It was quite a very nice atmosphere, especially if you got to enjoy, ahem! the barber, or you got to get your face painted as Spiderman!

Grey days, make for grey pictures. But I like them any way, not always though. The grey days, not the grey pictures!!
Did you see the barber doing his magic on my husband? Well, he now has my husband under his spell. A spell of scented potions, warm towels and perfect beard!

Hoping that the sun is shinning wherever you are!
Giova

Accordion Envelope Using Paper Bags

I think I should change the name of my flat project to the envelope project. For some reason I keep coming up with envelopes, but I must admit that envelopes are a weakness. More so, than the actual writing paper. 

This is a very easy and simple project. It is a little folder where you can fit almost anything flat that you wish to send to your pen pal. And you have a nice envelope made up with all those leftover paper bags (I'm assuming you have leftover bags, but I think if you only have the brown paper kind, they will look very nice too).

Here is what you'll need:

• paper bags, any kind (I got mine at Paper Presentation, and St. Augustine Paper Co.) 
• glue stick
• washi-tape if you want to re-enforce the lower part
• scissors or x-acto knife
• nice paper for the back (the bird one is from Sukie, the red chevron is from Igloo letterpress)

The glue goes in 2 places: On the lower part of each bag so they get stuck together, and on the last bag which a piece of paper will be glued to make the flap of the envelope.

I haven't sent out one yet, but I don't think it needs extra protection. Seal it with wash-tape instead of the twine and you'll be set.

Wishing you a lovely and crafty weekend.
Giova.

de Weldaad - Home store in Amsterdam

Every time I'm walking around the 9 streets for some reason I always find myself looking in this store. Maybe it is the "wunderkammer" type of decoration that appeals to me, or maybe the little knick knacks that are placed throughout so you can discover them. Maybe it reminds me of something...

In any case if you are ever here, do take a look inside, it is just very pretty cool! If you can't make it they have a web shop too.

Did you like it?? Is it your type of store? Do let me know, that is if you don't mind all that robot codes they make you write before you leave a comment!

de Weldaad 
Reestraat 1
1016 DM Amsterdam

Have a wonderful day!
Giova

Picking your own Tulips in Holland

Make plans and you will make God laugh; this is what my father always tells me. And boy is he right!
The pictures you will see are from our 4th intent to make it out to Lisse. The town where we went last year to pick tulips, and the only place we know we can do this.

First time: There was a flower carnival, impossible to get there, all roads closed.
Second time: We arrived just to find out tulips were still not in bloom (due to a very cold spring).
Third time: The traffic was unbearable (did I mention the road, one lane each, is being renovated?) we drove back.
Fourth time: We made it by a tiny bit of patience, and yes it was rewarded. Indeed!!

See? I told you so. In my mind I'm always dreaming of the day I'll be able to go back to those tulip fields. It is like color therapy or something of the sort.

7 euros for all you can fit in a bucket is not a bad idea, is it? Not only are you in color heaven that day but your house will be for the rest of the week.
At this moment every single vase and container in my house is filled with all the prettiness that we brought back from our short trip.

Not bad for not giving up, huh? I can't wait to go back, that is when my vases no longer have tulips in them and when the thermometer for my patience is a bit on the higher part.

I hope all this color makes you as happy as it made me.
May your week be bright and warm (not too warm though)!
Giova
P.S: "Never, never, never give up." - W. Churchill

Queen's Day Amsterdam

This past tuesday it was a holiday here in Holland. No schools. Everything closed. This is our second "queen's day" and I've never ventured out to the centre. Last year we walked around our neighborhood and you can see it here. This year my son decide to become more active in the festivities, i.e; he thought he'll sell his "stuff," and make some money like everyone else. He sold everything except the books. He was very happy with the outcome, and so was I, for seeing him so organized and determined.

That green car on the left corner was for sale (Mercedes 1977, 1,500 euros). Anyone interested? If you enjoy flea markets this is the place to be. I'm thinking next year I'll join my son and sell some of my stuff too.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Giova