tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80216390556263695852024-03-19T00:49:43.530+01:00One Bunting AwayA blog about crafty things, my embroideries, snail mail goodness, the occasional travels, encounters with nice stores, and the wonderful random occurrences in my life.waohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10013754192315213106noreply@blogger.comBlogger477125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-51992906344550055162017-08-13T18:18:00.003+02:002017-08-13T18:18:56.445+02:00A paper love storyI must write this before the energy fades and/or I become too lazy....<br />
<br />
A long while ago I won a place on an <a href="https://www.rachelhazell.com/ecourse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">e-course</span></a>. There was a competition and I was required to write a <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/03/the-paper-blog-hop-why-i-love-paper.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">post</span></a> about why I loved paper. I won!!<br />
Apart from being a wonderful course I also became a 'member' of a Facebook group created specifically for this course. Some of us became friends, as far as the screen would allow and we were just 'there' -encouraging, asking, commenting and sharing, always sharing.<br />
<br />
It was proposed (I think last year) that we should meet and create together. Thankfully we have in our group people with amazing organization skills and this meeting didn't end up as another dream.<br />
Thirteen of us managed to find our way to the Isle of Bute where one of our 'members' has an incredible <a href="http://www.ruthslaterartist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">studio</span></a> where we could all fit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpAA9hM3vE-Wwy_ZiC5PL0XoQ676n75kF8jiuC07pVDS3BZZs_DyxeWFD79EFr19lX_fKag4qTttELHIikzEQ_1AuJzPBEzSipIrh5zaAaYdipPt6602ZxrY-HPGRnbQYyvYcaKaTrnRz/s1600/IMG_7626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpAA9hM3vE-Wwy_ZiC5PL0XoQ676n75kF8jiuC07pVDS3BZZs_DyxeWFD79EFr19lX_fKag4qTttELHIikzEQ_1AuJzPBEzSipIrh5zaAaYdipPt6602ZxrY-HPGRnbQYyvYcaKaTrnRz/s640/IMG_7626.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4JyHOMJ4BVTNtRECWOIyxcgEdr5hoDDmyjYv2vijRDP_QOIgq76n7Xzf4x9_WS1qcfelTI77FbTW7XbzZSwJgi0USyiy3cgH25HXxCd_N0oLdIXWRZ7fXyPWrCYFP4ByOZ4cqrkWVUC9/s1600/IMG_7646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4JyHOMJ4BVTNtRECWOIyxcgEdr5hoDDmyjYv2vijRDP_QOIgq76n7Xzf4x9_WS1qcfelTI77FbTW7XbzZSwJgi0USyiy3cgH25HXxCd_N0oLdIXWRZ7fXyPWrCYFP4ByOZ4cqrkWVUC9/s640/IMG_7646.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtoCKFftgsf1cxducROxQuaZqJwI5y8FyM1d-4FIiM48NuRnnTkRP7-whUxTSEnVuqh6k-S7TNcQzJrtoHOr69d_LwjoaLeIzxp4OyvAePcKv_thYaPzNtgig0Ut3cMw5waCzj7eVoWVw/s1600/IMG_7664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtoCKFftgsf1cxducROxQuaZqJwI5y8FyM1d-4FIiM48NuRnnTkRP7-whUxTSEnVuqh6k-S7TNcQzJrtoHOr69d_LwjoaLeIzxp4OyvAePcKv_thYaPzNtgig0Ut3cMw5waCzj7eVoWVw/s640/IMG_7664.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin33taPNVQNoRqP4m-yhm33CwsVq-ZVCZNhylP6MJp-fz5znjhMc9U1H-5Cx4GQ6m226AA8ZbmpwaRHq1FhdNvGlpYublJX_2f5YbyJkq67K383r2uFQTcZ_0INB4Z1jJp_71qrnY1cXkG/s1600/IMG_7788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin33taPNVQNoRqP4m-yhm33CwsVq-ZVCZNhylP6MJp-fz5znjhMc9U1H-5Cx4GQ6m226AA8ZbmpwaRHq1FhdNvGlpYublJX_2f5YbyJkq67K383r2uFQTcZ_0INB4Z1jJp_71qrnY1cXkG/s640/IMG_7788.JPG" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEisqbjgbkELgwqhJr_3ugHzZMysicgW0dDkHhMy-cPVIFSyeN8nMxeaxaPGU-tzDEO7nNS88KOSZ6gRe16KKOxycle0lcOTDs0DMjXql-509xyLdbpo7Thrap1jRMUfJAkr3soTY5b-qivt/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqbjgbkELgwqhJr_3ugHzZMysicgW0dDkHhMy-cPVIFSyeN8nMxeaxaPGU-tzDEO7nNS88KOSZ6gRe16KKOxycle0lcOTDs0DMjXql-509xyLdbpo7Thrap1jRMUfJAkr3soTY5b-qivt/s640/IMG_7685.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We walked, talked, ate, visited places, laughed and cried, started many projects, shared ideas and inspired each others and talked, talked and talked. We were there present, finally in the flesh, with no screen between us or thousand miles away. For a few days we rejoiced in the company and the bond we had created for the past 3 years.<br />
I'm happy I made the effort and was able to be there and I'm extremely grateful to this group for being so special, so extraordinary . It was truly a joy to be there... to be part of those wonderful days.<br />
<br />
Lots of love, the paper and friendship kind,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-35190745191106671872017-07-20T19:49:00.000+02:002017-07-20T19:49:05.403+02:00Details and things I likeI was sitting here, looking at this <a href="https://nl.pinterest.com/giovabru/details-things-i-like/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">board</span> </a>on Pinterest, hearing the rain just outside my window, feeling the humidity but not the warmth. No summer feelings here, not yet, maybe later? My little one has been sick, and so has my cat, and I have been hoping to make a book for a friend with the images below, but my printer is not working. I felt like rambling into the abyss, and what better place to do that than here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9O-ofMb3sz3W0NTjqK27zZ5LhkP0L2Jq3zDN_Maq1VvcIW66AvRmhrUG3od3g_UIHyB3jDMlpf0pte-UaauKjdE4uV5bxgdKmxw-G6DTgMw-Z1_SGBMuWfU0MW2t9J6S0krAR3-NISyU/s1600/IMG_7256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9O-ofMb3sz3W0NTjqK27zZ5LhkP0L2Jq3zDN_Maq1VvcIW66AvRmhrUG3od3g_UIHyB3jDMlpf0pte-UaauKjdE4uV5bxgdKmxw-G6DTgMw-Z1_SGBMuWfU0MW2t9J6S0krAR3-NISyU/s640/IMG_7256.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUKpLPe6moFBYZQvW_Bwl1spEAxoIQmr5IOtuSXmcaDaMHxCiLS374mLoiG8QkSaVKnuv_NAjFnYf7v3gg46yDhTwTPLu4zD59BGHV3rYP9v5GeZ38NwFkBncjhqWqoqA7vNFee1h0w7V/s1600/IMG_7277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUKpLPe6moFBYZQvW_Bwl1spEAxoIQmr5IOtuSXmcaDaMHxCiLS374mLoiG8QkSaVKnuv_NAjFnYf7v3gg46yDhTwTPLu4zD59BGHV3rYP9v5GeZ38NwFkBncjhqWqoqA7vNFee1h0w7V/s640/IMG_7277.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7wkcegMIRnPpny7W9zksO7fLNTgOAixRmG107jcqJFPpWVTMJy-WXNg2dRQOgGdLiAMDWFrz5wi7RS9gvYe6U3ODqfoWeU60SuRZCYU2pa2C3fzKbWWSjZK_RkSooI-JjDJSmBIu2ROU/s1600/IMG_7293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7wkcegMIRnPpny7W9zksO7fLNTgOAixRmG107jcqJFPpWVTMJy-WXNg2dRQOgGdLiAMDWFrz5wi7RS9gvYe6U3ODqfoWeU60SuRZCYU2pa2C3fzKbWWSjZK_RkSooI-JjDJSmBIu2ROU/s640/IMG_7293.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz6YLjaV_gSTTWHqFdwbxjGQ4CYr4VJCKro2N6wVjB6Osehupi2qGXImt-H3UfHBbAiF_oy9g5E4iWODwA03GPIvUEkj-SDCZK_ViWhaVQKmo_gwhS7vvZAXZq6tdWRz8jRfxtc5seaQU/s1600/IMG_7273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz6YLjaV_gSTTWHqFdwbxjGQ4CYr4VJCKro2N6wVjB6Osehupi2qGXImt-H3UfHBbAiF_oy9g5E4iWODwA03GPIvUEkj-SDCZK_ViWhaVQKmo_gwhS7vvZAXZq6tdWRz8jRfxtc5seaQU/s640/IMG_7273.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eUjJpA0jjoRUYi82EcTnjrdW-wPtrqM_UT-rinYgBUiScMpZsI1U1ckACxZ9nypy-Zsw9FGhj5PJy-PyJmdlQkyn8nF72wwXAJf6eXMwzQ12LrIQ1tEE6e796ID9O_IiObgVEld6wpoq/s1600/IMG_7204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eUjJpA0jjoRUYi82EcTnjrdW-wPtrqM_UT-rinYgBUiScMpZsI1U1ckACxZ9nypy-Zsw9FGhj5PJy-PyJmdlQkyn8nF72wwXAJf6eXMwzQ12LrIQ1tEE6e796ID9O_IiObgVEld6wpoq/s640/IMG_7204.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
All the above pictures were taken in Paris during a very short trip. Grateful for that time away!<br />
I hope your summer is much more exciting than mine so far.<br />
All the best,<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-66518670727720530632017-06-28T17:11:00.002+02:002017-06-28T17:12:26.423+02:00New websiteHello!<br />
I've been meaning to share that from now on you can find my art work <a href="https://www.giovabrusa.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">here</span></a>.<br />
For the past six years or so, (and further than that), I have been slowly trying to find my voice. It has taken a while (what doesn't?). It has not been easy (what is?). Finally I have something I want people to see.<br />
I'm always active on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/giovabrusa/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Instagram</span></a>, so you can find me there on most days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefX6_0SbYUwIWh49EkriG-m0i2qsM1ITVsINOKoZKaK68cv_eJO-N2_uO6ZKOFnYJrV5OKqllZ8tuW9xfENURDRpgi5SvgIgfu41JgEV9L-gItFHaKudNG2fFwc3BtOly6fa89efMF0Ug/s1600/IMG_5257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefX6_0SbYUwIWh49EkriG-m0i2qsM1ITVsINOKoZKaK68cv_eJO-N2_uO6ZKOFnYJrV5OKqllZ8tuW9xfENURDRpgi5SvgIgfu41JgEV9L-gItFHaKudNG2fFwc3BtOly6fa89efMF0Ug/s640/IMG_5257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All the best and thank you for visiting,<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-9945794140023248882017-06-14T12:04:00.000+02:002017-06-19T16:36:36.636+02:00My work in a bookIt is not everyday that I find myself published in a book, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to write here and share it with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjbWMz4I6VPu8Q4S0itHGG1gjWyRl6O93sMpypTR2ozh0zc-2w-pyGm3A4T-JU55_ywiAWqfRdwANNtjnnJozJcQKFwxaaRpDhbNSHZ66_2tgSdQ35kHDTTB9C4PJFM498D6I0U2Cyn6W/s1600/DSCN9184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjbWMz4I6VPu8Q4S0itHGG1gjWyRl6O93sMpypTR2ozh0zc-2w-pyGm3A4T-JU55_ywiAWqfRdwANNtjnnJozJcQKFwxaaRpDhbNSHZ66_2tgSdQ35kHDTTB9C4PJFM498D6I0U2Cyn6W/s640/DSCN9184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I feel extremely grateful to find myself surrounded by such amazing artists. But I also must admit that I felt a bit worried and "fraud" feelings did pop in my mind the second I saw I was included in this book. That is a subject worth talking about, but I'll leave it for some other time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5LgVA0hEVPkE5E-IN8r6xPVnvznCDwvqUU_Xnvks4MmnFXLr420yjn76KzEiiTDAprxN4kOndJFTBgHWnRVAWDPne6ITZuNqGoKa7f7d8aJ6pdXyzQHP3Pn1BnxsZFj3mi2RBvFuOiCY/s1600/IMG_6945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5LgVA0hEVPkE5E-IN8r6xPVnvznCDwvqUU_Xnvks4MmnFXLr420yjn76KzEiiTDAprxN4kOndJFTBgHWnRVAWDPne6ITZuNqGoKa7f7d8aJ6pdXyzQHP3Pn1BnxsZFj3mi2RBvFuOiCY/s640/IMG_6945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For now I rejoice in the fact that I was chosen to be in it, and that to see ones work in book format is quite a strange and amazing feeling, both at the same time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZp1rRB7wHTM-NK69mth4E6oNPhagoLWugFu3T2ImpCZk-YNdMgE4qmjGX5co_eml6z958nWQgfU_293ro9E_aR56BffjDLDIxGeJevHnh9KfTqD8gGPCmJf2b0A7VerghUJiUCHpQewF/s1600/DSCN9174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZp1rRB7wHTM-NK69mth4E6oNPhagoLWugFu3T2ImpCZk-YNdMgE4qmjGX5co_eml6z958nWQgfU_293ro9E_aR56BffjDLDIxGeJevHnh9KfTqD8gGPCmJf2b0A7VerghUJiUCHpQewF/s640/DSCN9174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh, and yesterday when the book arrived I proudly showed it to my little one and asked him; Look who is in this book, and he screamed in amazement; THE CAT!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
So there you go, we all see and feel what we want, and the rest as they say, is history.<br />
<br />
The book can be purchased individually or as a set (it is part of a series) from <a href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/stitchillo/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">UPPERCASE</span></a>.<br />
<br />
Wishing you all the best,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-58996016819453787962016-09-20T19:08:00.001+02:002016-09-20T19:09:41.391+02:00In a nut shell (a very small one).Summer came and went. How and where?? I've no clue! It seems to me it went by in a haze of stitches, birthdays, a new pet, a short trip to the other side of the pond, another closer to home and much wandering, and plotting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AikCicY6jJnEc5dXu6vS4DbneIYzZMhL_pIDrpnayBBKaTjxXwAEh57mKycILBj3SMAEJqJ-Yjx9frEI5agN3Ii-51hpdozcJQc9XNfuOEOhgmIoMxLNjN99GnwahIwsFHkd9ScX3YJH/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AikCicY6jJnEc5dXu6vS4DbneIYzZMhL_pIDrpnayBBKaTjxXwAEh57mKycILBj3SMAEJqJ-Yjx9frEI5agN3Ii-51hpdozcJQc9XNfuOEOhgmIoMxLNjN99GnwahIwsFHkd9ScX3YJH/s640/IMG_1693.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/AVvXsEjN8Xu45YZXzGi-zfCwKvH4__VGiM3uf8KBWZ1dRfngk5SUVetdDXHh00iqnGCYVE8NMMiwu7sU4hfXSeeUMPVZb3e0z1mYQZy1vPyIawyilnvOXSB3sxyB8bpVa9CD_Zyk6avRST6SUnKD/s1600/IMG_2150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8Xu45YZXzGi-zfCwKvH4__VGiM3uf8KBWZ1dRfngk5SUVetdDXHh00iqnGCYVE8NMMiwu7sU4hfXSeeUMPVZb3e0z1mYQZy1vPyIawyilnvOXSB3sxyB8bpVa9CD_Zyk6avRST6SUnKD/s640/IMG_2150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This year we couldn't go on our traditional road trip, so we got a pet. How's that for planning? What really happened is that we finally succumbed to our little one's demands for a kitty. It seemed like the perfect time to get a pet (we have been postponing this for 12 years or so).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwde2R2r4yQG9vFewfYACQe99XOsnE3vjvhTLnp3IBJWPO07M35kDcWXAraAvpfZl_E4xS6JNt-vIAX2FoBuYbv6830VuQaarzTNwGryQHzRQvEKyvDntXjw6rECDdhvm47oqDbfI-WlUF/s1600/IMG_1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwde2R2r4yQG9vFewfYACQe99XOsnE3vjvhTLnp3IBJWPO07M35kDcWXAraAvpfZl_E4xS6JNt-vIAX2FoBuYbv6830VuQaarzTNwGryQHzRQvEKyvDntXjw6rECDdhvm47oqDbfI-WlUF/s640/IMG_1754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44sdUsXDiQoXJ8oYwJ2zKCsd_UqRq1U_VrhWirJjoOw0NIvO6L5sLLDfHaqrcJC1u9fONhuvN8QL7gLbCbU0Ev3Z1qM_B3C9cAzUNOXL3G10Uf9nyBVRX10FlQb3ykcXlNWipKwBtO9dM/s1600/IMG_1766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44sdUsXDiQoXJ8oYwJ2zKCsd_UqRq1U_VrhWirJjoOw0NIvO6L5sLLDfHaqrcJC1u9fONhuvN8QL7gLbCbU0Ev3Z1qM_B3C9cAzUNOXL3G10Uf9nyBVRX10FlQb3ykcXlNWipKwBtO9dM/s640/IMG_1766.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We feel absolutely delighted and blessed to have her in our lives. I'm astonished to the hours she keeps, she loves sleeping on top of my fabrics (my precious indigo), and loves all things related to keeping you distracted to what you're supposed to do. Oh! And my phone is filled with pictures of her...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKeSMwWnEqxhFxUSuTlJxXBGPZ3ZT0c3bX4XmfPJl7CqpGn0qNA5ESYyegePVAa0Zia8FnyDTOv9MyK89XCf2u7DxJ_aJ21YGAXJnEDb1UdmpZMj3HnoU1JzC-wUCntzwC6Nj24SU3ubj/s1600/IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKeSMwWnEqxhFxUSuTlJxXBGPZ3ZT0c3bX4XmfPJl7CqpGn0qNA5ESYyegePVAa0Zia8FnyDTOv9MyK89XCf2u7DxJ_aJ21YGAXJnEDb1UdmpZMj3HnoU1JzC-wUCntzwC6Nj24SU3ubj/s640/IMG_2063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXEqIQTS2qz01dhqady3Q7a4QGhIgaiAdWCj7n5hmg-sIXmpVV06_l0k_wr_vxNjLlqpbpRJjIsGYrb1Dk0k9ISbRVEWSp7mbtA91ZVDiY_MFMBII6rNK-dKYnidOBFooN9jHqk4xEycJ/s1600/IMG_2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXEqIQTS2qz01dhqady3Q7a4QGhIgaiAdWCj7n5hmg-sIXmpVV06_l0k_wr_vxNjLlqpbpRJjIsGYrb1Dk0k9ISbRVEWSp7mbtA91ZVDiY_MFMBII6rNK-dKYnidOBFooN9jHqk4xEycJ/s640/IMG_2058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Spending two wonderful weeks with my mother and sister (and my little one who travelled with me), was simply the best therapy one could hope to get if one needed therapy ;) I'm feeling energized (except for the part where jet lag was involved), full to the brim with vitamin D and ready to stitch well into winter (providing the cat lets me).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfNrhphqBLSNm_gMCOYjVzF2R1TNtiOZihCS7Ywm9BAKdhC99oBPSrjf_CHSP5DA1t7Em8rxCWBxiY_Kqyr3o4BMOXBakiGrhts0yycxzEwXzELAW7kSndogBT-Svg-QIqZv24ov7CQWg/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfNrhphqBLSNm_gMCOYjVzF2R1TNtiOZihCS7Ywm9BAKdhC99oBPSrjf_CHSP5DA1t7Em8rxCWBxiY_Kqyr3o4BMOXBakiGrhts0yycxzEwXzELAW7kSndogBT-Svg-QIqZv24ov7CQWg/s640/IMG_2456.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
So far so good!<br />
<br />
Wishing you all the best, and a lovely crisp and gorgeous autumn, or spring if you're on the other side.<br />
Giova (the most inconstant blogger there is).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-33292141352501563692016-05-24T11:06:00.000+02:002016-05-24T11:06:06.339+02:00Contents of a swap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year I finally got to participate in the "<a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2016/05/the-flat-swap-2016.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Flat Swap</span></a>' and I must say I was a bit nervous. I'm not an expert at swaps, and it also felt a bit weird to have to be the one picking someone to be your partner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I soon forgot I was the one organizing it, and set off to make, wrap and send. I do take the flat part very seriously, because if the measurements are not correct, the "letter" becomes a package, and the price, a massive pain in the wallet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My partner proposed the <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2015/03/the-flat-swap-2015.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">guidelines</span></a> from last years swap (a letter, something handmade, a quote, something I own, and something edible).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then I chose flowers as the theme.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEjTdxbO094ufxrSfPiQrJP1z36yCdtUiHDei0eRvR409pz8VU_ctiL4JX0nCVNiopKyMB0YTkLsGQJq8GaWY5-uwRIFH2E4fI3cZSZj6gIL-3STDAZViOTTbd8Ay_oQZvbWd0VhiKNJmZh8/s1600/DSCN8847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdxbO094ufxrSfPiQrJP1z36yCdtUiHDei0eRvR409pz8VU_ctiL4JX0nCVNiopKyMB0YTkLsGQJq8GaWY5-uwRIFH2E4fI3cZSZj6gIL-3STDAZViOTTbd8Ay_oQZvbWd0VhiKNJmZh8/s640/DSCN8847.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZFow76p5gWJjl54_Zix7ft9NBVSgcX8fJGneJJhYhDJ78NRG68MpXL8Bdss2M4B1ArD1XP3WHb71h3kCzrMT6INeS1bgBBhb3FxiAwNTS6szWBfgo_to0GGqzF0ot9f4G-kEGQF17iAW/s1600/DSCN8848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZFow76p5gWJjl54_Zix7ft9NBVSgcX8fJGneJJhYhDJ78NRG68MpXL8Bdss2M4B1ArD1XP3WHb71h3kCzrMT6INeS1bgBBhb3FxiAwNTS6szWBfgo_to0GGqzF0ot9f4G-kEGQF17iAW/s640/DSCN8848.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrP0UeBc7KOtDeump7qx5GdRRB5MI3LUkSqWLf7UfaI5yCvlMOfgvZVCxovgf93FrDTTTatzca-h9qWa_Jk8cAOo2pQeF35Vw8GgM7K8d0nn4xK5Wl2ffWf3NLUT-XjmaxZSYqUcwJv9p/s1600/IMG_3780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrP0UeBc7KOtDeump7qx5GdRRB5MI3LUkSqWLf7UfaI5yCvlMOfgvZVCxovgf93FrDTTTatzca-h9qWa_Jk8cAOo2pQeF35Vw8GgM7K8d0nn4xK5Wl2ffWf3NLUT-XjmaxZSYqUcwJv9p/s640/IMG_3780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOoL5ggsaMERYXwSs6F5vL3Npr7p4ZlLmhltDfcMG1A3FcQRXSQzwZgJztdULCLSEpS-MY8xZ7eKWLpm4QAdoP3eHkQVQ0YiCAqjDQecUzRo9GPVmBuLidHU2SOrERppYPfbnOph4hzol/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOoL5ggsaMERYXwSs6F5vL3Npr7p4ZlLmhltDfcMG1A3FcQRXSQzwZgJztdULCLSEpS-MY8xZ7eKWLpm4QAdoP3eHkQVQ0YiCAqjDQecUzRo9GPVmBuLidHU2SOrERppYPfbnOph4hzol/s640/IMG_3809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZLBWY5UXUzal6WuzCabOYISHx93VN-_x6uxKjUCvug79tfMlMSjqXNOtT0h66j0xxMVX3joRuacDyI1wnf3eTTuZQEh1sViTYCHh0kEWvcOVJNX3G2-kT195aDRG-0Y-piKepE4qMnkM/s1600/DSCN8851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZLBWY5UXUzal6WuzCabOYISHx93VN-_x6uxKjUCvug79tfMlMSjqXNOtT0h66j0xxMVX3joRuacDyI1wnf3eTTuZQEh1sViTYCHh0kEWvcOVJNX3G2-kT195aDRG-0Y-piKepE4qMnkM/s640/DSCN8851.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Some of the parcels from the swap have been arriving, and some are <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/theflatswap2016/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a> if you want to take a look.<br />
<br />
I'm still waiting for others to send me some pictures so I can put them on the blog's FB page.<br />
<br />
Wishing you a lovely week ahead,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-89962124526572196902016-05-17T10:12:00.003+02:002016-05-17T10:12:42.038+02:00100 days of PersuasionWhat?? One hundred days of what??? If you follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/giovabrusa/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Instagram</span></a>, you have probably seen the images below, if not, well here they are.<br />
<br />
It started as a challenge, and I really had no clue what I was doing. On a whim I picked the hashtag (you need one), and I thought easy peasy, I'll just finish embroidering the handkerchief I started more than a year ago. Hahahaha!!<br />
<br />
Can you imagine seeing 100 pictures of the same handkerchief??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBXVK6BW9cRpTw0vrrSPdfTKziJCVaOvMpgxdNI502OjjjU5yvRy4_SQAwHhJbhhfZOigkKHGOM7HJ-h5I4p1_qXV1iYX1dcz6mtaLkIacCIKkdrKukEVoTJ6hijj-A5pgdGqtyFrf6v8/s1600/IMG_3388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBXVK6BW9cRpTw0vrrSPdfTKziJCVaOvMpgxdNI502OjjjU5yvRy4_SQAwHhJbhhfZOigkKHGOM7HJ-h5I4p1_qXV1iYX1dcz6mtaLkIacCIKkdrKukEVoTJ6hijj-A5pgdGqtyFrf6v8/s640/IMG_3388.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Well, I can't! And so, I embarked on making things that related to sentences, places, objects that appeared in the book. (<i>Persuasion</i> by Jane Austen).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4QntoWsAyx3XOfezHc_YvmySx_X5LYngIhIYILo34o2eZDVhXDc7hoxMk6H543cYgCGhul-g-ecwED6dqPd7HN6m4lnRSYCQB2SMOWlpbpU5gU-XWZlzaaaAdZ3NFZWlrdl4DMMzwb_0/s1600/IMG_3419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4QntoWsAyx3XOfezHc_YvmySx_X5LYngIhIYILo34o2eZDVhXDc7hoxMk6H543cYgCGhul-g-ecwED6dqPd7HN6m4lnRSYCQB2SMOWlpbpU5gU-XWZlzaaaAdZ3NFZWlrdl4DMMzwb_0/s640/IMG_3419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A sort of visual album, my own version of certain things and moments that occur in the book. I have been either making things, as you can see, but I have also managed to make my life easier by finding everyday images that can relate to certain passages or places in the book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XPrRMW3_72MK3D8mBhNazykDe5U1-9eBt1b0NoWtolN4yJoFcQ4Kw-71Und6WuxMNe_tB-cWjyTCxk5vuS4Fq2oW1FPY0ghQuRaK72KGz6j1_SGyAJBWz6oluBAB0EjBP-of4Gr2ApEw/s1600/IMG_3627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XPrRMW3_72MK3D8mBhNazykDe5U1-9eBt1b0NoWtolN4yJoFcQ4Kw-71Und6WuxMNe_tB-cWjyTCxk5vuS4Fq2oW1FPY0ghQuRaK72KGz6j1_SGyAJBWz6oluBAB0EjBP-of4Gr2ApEw/s640/IMG_3627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Daunting? Difficult? Perhaps both, but it has been good for me to force myself to imagine things I could make, and also to get me away from so much blue. I do miss my blue though!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO_iU0g-Uijy_QH2Gq0k7NwduMnXJFnGRw4hnUxst43uo2TrxZZSeP69uuVFpm-FdvyCIcdXRscxxvP8tJpxy6g8o8QDnolGbs0b8A-yP1c629rIvGEl0a0ByFkJrzbMQDaolYOw2pjVR/s1600/IMG_3447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO_iU0g-Uijy_QH2Gq0k7NwduMnXJFnGRw4hnUxst43uo2TrxZZSeP69uuVFpm-FdvyCIcdXRscxxvP8tJpxy6g8o8QDnolGbs0b8A-yP1c629rIvGEl0a0ByFkJrzbMQDaolYOw2pjVR/s640/IMG_3447.jpg" width="640" /></a>Nurse Rooke, for example, appears for a tiny instance, but I immediately thought of her (above), so I set out to make her. I learned to make these particular dolls from Julie Arkell, and you can see the others I made <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/05/what-i-did-at-julie-arkells-workshop.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>, <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/06/i-am-pretty-sure.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a> and <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/09/i-saw-angel-other-day.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHS5ScS-aTbvU4L3O-iC_hpdYYBaOO7kpYPi3FOoGs-0E75L8Pruubi3tIfPAul1UdU6a7ZYVL_LvgGjQiyx_SU9yUNYg5h2UDxD_2IkzydTpLolfsc-SHmpRFqfOmYrLauxInh8W2ooq/s1600/IMG_3668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHS5ScS-aTbvU4L3O-iC_hpdYYBaOO7kpYPi3FOoGs-0E75L8Pruubi3tIfPAul1UdU6a7ZYVL_LvgGjQiyx_SU9yUNYg5h2UDxD_2IkzydTpLolfsc-SHmpRFqfOmYrLauxInh8W2ooq/s640/IMG_3668.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Fortunately there are many instances where LOVE is mentioned, so that one is a bit easy. This one became a brooch, and it is for sale <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/giovabrusa?ref=profile_shopname" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH4c4MumcJjYbBgvj4NiT2W0qKS__mrxqkJ6vH_CbH8Jn43l7a2hCyyjhU3UNATMw9K5zPQZdBsbd9Zey-3qTWT4of5hAdF6ysTCmudLkmqKAdUc0edwcQWuWbbd32iujR4MkgeW8_t8K/s1600/IMG_3440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH4c4MumcJjYbBgvj4NiT2W0qKS__mrxqkJ6vH_CbH8Jn43l7a2hCyyjhU3UNATMw9K5zPQZdBsbd9Zey-3qTWT4of5hAdF6ysTCmudLkmqKAdUc0edwcQWuWbbd32iujR4MkgeW8_t8K/s640/IMG_3440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Now all I have left, are 73 more to do. To be honest, I don't know how much more I can squeeze my brain to come up with, but I'll be more than happy if I reach the 50 mark.<br />
<br />
Wishing you a lovely and very creative week,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_852147851"></span><span id="goog_852147852"></span><br />
<span id="goog_378791186"></span><span id="goog_378791187"></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com137tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-3821695776137362582016-05-09T13:53:00.002+02:002016-05-09T13:53:23.481+02:00Things that make me happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This week feels like summer, and obviously my inner hibernating bear has woken up. Everything all of a sudden makes sense. I am from 'south of the equator," after all. Here are recent pictures of things that make me happy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qir9ferWHQgtw6FtMf0yd7gzn9hkzg-skZunQ2ospFFHOXGC-Q2UIGyC_1uePBuCLqyGQRnI1gaRiAcA09HBwqsO3wu1ZJUZ2L6ucdkLvELSQ8slosPwmLN6tT55goq5OTIhrSOYwwBw/s1600/IMG_3691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qir9ferWHQgtw6FtMf0yd7gzn9hkzg-skZunQ2ospFFHOXGC-Q2UIGyC_1uePBuCLqyGQRnI1gaRiAcA09HBwqsO3wu1ZJUZ2L6ucdkLvELSQ8slosPwmLN6tT55goq5OTIhrSOYwwBw/s640/IMG_3691.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Colorful paper garlands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwDB4pMVl3ScqOG7qSQDzp1A7ey9pyojTGMOoIat6bEEhGldkDubj9L7alz-HAGntcb4t8fPIiTI8-40OGbc0i4SlEknLGCMSbmUqrT3qzB-7DKRVqqiln3sNEPMtxqsXqURm9rDxJEhV/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwDB4pMVl3ScqOG7qSQDzp1A7ey9pyojTGMOoIat6bEEhGldkDubj9L7alz-HAGntcb4t8fPIiTI8-40OGbc0i4SlEknLGCMSbmUqrT3qzB-7DKRVqqiln3sNEPMtxqsXqURm9rDxJEhV/s640/IMG_3745.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Blue skies and tulips by my desk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-yufF1Djbo7AJe0HIiLSOPs4cN69BTbQD2VcX0iJW5OrxNqEZusdBlQKCeRC0Lnons44a65I6zMEh5-YweiRfk84utqpdsAypXA7GNYT9oBMSg2J2sFv_Qju4B2Am8D7ekVbM2qSuEKo/s1600/IMG_3746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-yufF1Djbo7AJe0HIiLSOPs4cN69BTbQD2VcX0iJW5OrxNqEZusdBlQKCeRC0Lnons44a65I6zMEh5-YweiRfk84utqpdsAypXA7GNYT9oBMSg2J2sFv_Qju4B2Am8D7ekVbM2qSuEKo/s640/IMG_3746.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Wilted tulips also fascinate me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOBxy2mpccq-H7cQdaT61NqGoMBw2-xV_pf07CP6LZUP_6MQwu0qIknasdvaC_mp3niiOD-2U4d6QY02hqIC-BXymk7F1a1Wz4DBEXbEIU2p7VmoqOSleFY1dC8ZkN3hzUOWhjkffZLol/s1600/IMG_3732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOBxy2mpccq-H7cQdaT61NqGoMBw2-xV_pf07CP6LZUP_6MQwu0qIknasdvaC_mp3niiOD-2U4d6QY02hqIC-BXymk7F1a1Wz4DBEXbEIU2p7VmoqOSleFY1dC8ZkN3hzUOWhjkffZLol/s640/IMG_3732.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Road trips show me a world outside my own very limited 'world.' And the views are always stunning!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgSoojvQfQnWK5ffHtHz1aPZIZdia7Z0CoR663IYT-LOmJgujxOLlD8GFrPf5Pa4_OBxpQAEqxFnwVC2lxaGHyurcu4YbFcWJ43HLLlE95YzmGRJ1718GMaPRuS2Q7aKdFPYF8_r_dMK6/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgSoojvQfQnWK5ffHtHz1aPZIZdia7Z0CoR663IYT-LOmJgujxOLlD8GFrPf5Pa4_OBxpQAEqxFnwVC2lxaGHyurcu4YbFcWJ43HLLlE95YzmGRJ1718GMaPRuS2Q7aKdFPYF8_r_dMK6/s640/IMG_3685.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Giant thread spools of colorful thread and yarn. What a sight!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcdHgA5Hhpo-H_4HLJPv8TDw5SFBIheFRkASPUEJbHs0phShW-yMzmdG01so1ksuLFm5sSsuAuQuh2TEYKVpUet4zEyO5fZsWbaKieRjFj0aJDr9sYkRFWqDS7IC_ACVYeJffHqW0glf7/s1600/IMG_3721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcdHgA5Hhpo-H_4HLJPv8TDw5SFBIheFRkASPUEJbHs0phShW-yMzmdG01so1ksuLFm5sSsuAuQuh2TEYKVpUet4zEyO5fZsWbaKieRjFj0aJDr9sYkRFWqDS7IC_ACVYeJffHqW0glf7/s640/IMG_3721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
And Paris! Always Paris. Even if only for two days. Glorious baguettes, croissants, and <a href="http://www.pierreherme.com/ispahan-1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Ispahan</span></a>!!<br />
<br />
Wishing you a warm and colorful week ahead,<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-49460105538952734332016-05-02T09:58:00.000+02:002016-05-02T10:54:43.624+02:00The Flat Swap 2016And what exactly is a flat swap, you say? Well, it is exactly an exchange of parcels with a complete stranger. I chose the name- "flat swap" because I wanted to send things that fitted in the post office's slot, and still be considered as a "letter." It started as a project, and you can see it <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/search/label/the-flat-project" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
What exactly are those parcels about? They are all about bringing "spring cheer" to the recipient.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf4uHYXGxR7jhA6ofI1-MlGzppIwEaP-jbx7wdEF7gOggSvpvUWwl-k6CPazBXfiODMBVG98YSle7wBFVUO-iAEwYkOQgUmmPeTcJER4TQuHj3uTIdYB-B-kt6nude92oi_HeLRswGiv2/s1600/DSCN0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf4uHYXGxR7jhA6ofI1-MlGzppIwEaP-jbx7wdEF7gOggSvpvUWwl-k6CPazBXfiODMBVG98YSle7wBFVUO-iAEwYkOQgUmmPeTcJER4TQuHj3uTIdYB-B-kt6nude92oi_HeLRswGiv2/s640/DSCN0064.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
There are no guidelines this year. You will put together as many parcels as your heart desires, making sure that you and your partner are on the same wave length.<br />
<br />
These are the guidelines from previous years: <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/03/the-flat-swap.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a> and <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2015/03/the-flat-swap-2015.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
And <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/02/a-month-of-swaps.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a> I mention some swaps I was a part of.<br />
<br />
All I need is for you to send me an email saying you want to participate. If this is your first time, then please tell me a bit of yourself so I can make sure I find a good partner for you. If this is not your first time I probably remember, but you can still give me hints.<br />
<br />
You have<b> until Saturday May 8th</b> to sign up and 10 days to gather and make and mail your parcel.<br />
<br />
If you have any questions I'm here <span style="color: magenta;">---</span> <b>giovabrusa@gmail.com</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If you have Instagram, then make sure to use <b>#theflatswap2016</b> so we can all see what your parcels look like. You can get inspired from last year <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/theflatswap2015/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">---</span>As with the previous years, these exchanges are a wonderful opportunity to cheer someone up, so make sure you are really thinking of what you are giving instead of what you'll be receiving, and it is not about buying things, but creating them.<span style="color: red;">---</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #c27ba0;">Some ideas:</span> letter, favorite recipe, poem, souvenir from your city, pick a color and make that the theme, or make spring the theme, add things from your collections such as; fabrics, buttons, stamps, postcards, old paper, make something; coasters, needle case, pouch, notebook. As they say;"the sky is the limit." Have fun putting it together, that is the best part in my opinion.<br />
<br />
Wishing you a colorful, and warm spring,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-70393705893377274732016-04-29T10:31:00.000+02:002016-04-29T10:31:41.171+02:00I wish...-I wish I wouldn't neglect this blog so much<br />
-I wish I had more hands to do all that I want to do<br />
-I wish the day had more hours so I wouldn't feel guilty when I didn't do what I was supposed to do<br />
-I wish I didn't have to wake up... some days<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcUwI9MHslNTaT-r0PBvVwIji_0PPeO9u2j2bOckLozfgJIaYeJhFyegjWM0dlzY4_gJVp9Ul-yB7G14C34BJx9zpvF5mxmPEsGdKvZI88ze9JhZL7b2C4wIuaapWIcknVN5Vh3HAV_lQ/s1600/IMG_0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcUwI9MHslNTaT-r0PBvVwIji_0PPeO9u2j2bOckLozfgJIaYeJhFyegjWM0dlzY4_gJVp9Ul-yB7G14C34BJx9zpvF5mxmPEsGdKvZI88ze9JhZL7b2C4wIuaapWIcknVN5Vh3HAV_lQ/s640/IMG_0786.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
-I wish tele-transportation was possible so I could see my mother and sister when I wanted<br />
-I wish spring lasted longer than winter, and summer longer than spring<br />
-I wish I could read one book per day<br />
-I wish I could run a marathon (just kidding)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOloCIt_XQxC6VA1_6da3jUMCiCddkHqoiGGzVohaSGOcIb8E4zdNkPD85Jek2_pjGzgzRGqFRYoSv-YHfemdw49Z9ulHGE8aN4MWxXrTN-RGw3j0glcjgGbPj3VB2_k7BRNE9TKuO8oo/s1600/IMG_2072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOloCIt_XQxC6VA1_6da3jUMCiCddkHqoiGGzVohaSGOcIb8E4zdNkPD85Jek2_pjGzgzRGqFRYoSv-YHfemdw49Z9ulHGE8aN4MWxXrTN-RGw3j0glcjgGbPj3VB2_k7BRNE9TKuO8oo/s640/IMG_2072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
-I wish I could eat lots of cake without having an upset stomach later<br />
-I wish I lived nearer a place where I could see the sunset everyday<br />
-I wish my hair would stop falling once and for all<br />
-And I wish I would get a grip and stop wishing for impossible things<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc055kMPiauGiQxZpn2g0rMeZn1ylIFa2qIQzyhScpbWFyC4Hto4twC7Z7DAPi63uU2VT-CzQ_Agfn3LXYjs3XMaSp4pSzyfvBuDueCuAH6Z5bbGvxXsau-iS5s94Ru-wk-ca654a23u2/s1600/IMG_3269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc055kMPiauGiQxZpn2g0rMeZn1ylIFa2qIQzyhScpbWFyC4Hto4twC7Z7DAPi63uU2VT-CzQ_Agfn3LXYjs3XMaSp4pSzyfvBuDueCuAH6Z5bbGvxXsau-iS5s94Ru-wk-ca654a23u2/s640/IMG_3269.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Two more things:<br />
1- If you are interested in participating in the world famous "<a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2015/03/the-flat-swap-2015.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Flat Swap</span></a>" with a spring twist let me know?? A simple yes will do for now. I just want to know if it is worth organizing or not.<br />
<br />
2- Have you heard of the beautiful and super amazing "<a href="http://shop.uppercasemagazine.com/collections/books/products/the-uppercase-encyclopedia-of-inspiration?e=giovabrusa%40me.com&mc_cid=5d65030e20&mc_eid=0cb22e3e01" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Encyclopedia of Inspiration</span></a>" launched by Uppercase? There is still time to pre-order with a discount.<br />
<br />
All the best, all my love (wherever you are),<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-54876904801936308292016-04-20T12:54:00.000+02:002016-04-20T12:54:21.752+02:00Off to the fair<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Sometimes what you're most afraid of doing is the very thing that will you set you free."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- I don't know where I got this from</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Maya Angelou</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7dzoYgqqeeJDVvqG829YA_wFqwlLgdUWIJYwyip9bT1vF713AyHqg4dLOIykpHGhxBHpHpIi3JjN2wQ2m6U3ATOyCBpmrp8m4BaFAmLugLfG6_uxldeDcqFXm5nlvia5lgPXpdv2clzP/s1600/IMG_3342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7dzoYgqqeeJDVvqG829YA_wFqwlLgdUWIJYwyip9bT1vF713AyHqg4dLOIykpHGhxBHpHpIi3JjN2wQ2m6U3ATOyCBpmrp8m4BaFAmLugLfG6_uxldeDcqFXm5nlvia5lgPXpdv2clzP/s640/IMG_3342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even if I grew up making little things to sell at school or in front of my mother's shop I never had a table at a fair. I had always thought about it, but I was always too scared to put myself "out there." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDX36US_hdPapu07JwXaH66WopGQElHzRrU0SXqLZS89nIpH4ylkiwEW94sJzEBOHZFVQ1vICaP2K0orfEBlcEQS2_G3VXAnG5lS7N3ysKBROXDXiRmrav6j8xJFT-HXrt-vNgvAFq3q_/s1600/IMG_3301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDX36US_hdPapu07JwXaH66WopGQElHzRrU0SXqLZS89nIpH4ylkiwEW94sJzEBOHZFVQ1vICaP2K0orfEBlcEQS2_G3VXAnG5lS7N3ysKBROXDXiRmrav6j8xJFT-HXrt-vNgvAFq3q_/s640/IMG_3301.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the beginning of this year I told myself I would just do it and not think too much. Just do it, the thoughts can come up later. And then the timing wasn't right (when is it ever?). I had only 15 days to make things as I had been traveling quite a lot, and I can never really find the time or energy to make things when I'm out and about. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5eeHhnzpagz_Jc-emyNQUo8jWtoc_kbJf2Tf_FxYXngq2LmxMFf9O5y9B0e9k4b7v9v8gEnHzydGNGASyDKtxtCKklnWpJn-tpYfo0l5dgNwKfcQLAMbFI12ZjWzPV0fXJf4DT8YxKt7/s1600/IMG_3308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5eeHhnzpagz_Jc-emyNQUo8jWtoc_kbJf2Tf_FxYXngq2LmxMFf9O5y9B0e9k4b7v9v8gEnHzydGNGASyDKtxtCKklnWpJn-tpYfo0l5dgNwKfcQLAMbFI12ZjWzPV0fXJf4DT8YxKt7/s640/IMG_3308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of course many thoughts came and went like; Will I sell? Will people like what I do? Would people even notice the table?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Many things happened those two days, mostly in mind. The reality is always very different from what we imagined. I did sell. The people that approached my table did like what I do. And yes some people noticed my table.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The fair was the wrong fair for me and my work, it ended up being very different from what I had perceived the year before, but that has even made me more excited to find another fair that is actually better suited for me and my work. I think the first step is always the hardest, but once you're "out there" you simply are, and there is no turning back.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwi7N2QU6qO_bNXcstDafbslyR-6UAJGfTXHOaTaMenOGqYbZQV7WDlEmEuKGTUwAgeVFLiT2FwNwPoFMRLDU8kzftMauXIPk_WP1mldN_-2oco3trz4JBATnRt8NMFotyiZ2wKWvvGI6r/s1600/DSCN9976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwi7N2QU6qO_bNXcstDafbslyR-6UAJGfTXHOaTaMenOGqYbZQV7WDlEmEuKGTUwAgeVFLiT2FwNwPoFMRLDU8kzftMauXIPk_WP1mldN_-2oco3trz4JBATnRt8NMFotyiZ2wKWvvGI6r/s640/DSCN9976.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have added this embroidered tree to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/giovabrusa?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Etsy</span></a> shop, and will be adding a few more things this week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you have ever thought of having a table at a fair or market, I really can't recommend it enough. Find the strength, do what you love and show it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of love, and happy spring,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Giova</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-33528332238742635842016-03-01T10:36:00.002+01:002016-03-01T10:36:39.659+01:00Hill of Crosses in Lithuania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A visit to Lithuania had been in order for a while now. My father travels there often and had invited me on several occasions but there was always something that prevented me to go, until now. We stayed in Vilnius but I really wanted to see the Hill of Crosses for myself. It is a 2 and a half hours train ride and then 15 minutes by car from the station.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>"The Hill of Crosses is a place of Catholic pilgrimage that is believed started in 1831. The uprisings of 1831 and 1863 led families to place crosses here as a symbol for missing family members. It was bulldozed by the Soviet Union several times between 1963 and 1973. This place has come to signify the peaceful endurance of Lithuanian Catholicism despite the threats it faced throughout history." The hill remains under nobody's jurisdiction, therefore people are free to build/bring crosses, images, rosaries, scapulars as they see fit.</i></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/AVvXsEhSp1sQDe2ZcDdE4JPHdb3NVZ96s01Q0IQLCAT1Zayg8DGyjWtPCjv0DL2D7CFq2dKHUQiF6wfBkUORuicxKxuti4usyhFhtzwDyt2xDwx0LVCCwf2EkCSeO_ORyIcX0rNdIfVdR7SHjMxl/s1600/DSCN9879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp1sQDe2ZcDdE4JPHdb3NVZ96s01Q0IQLCAT1Zayg8DGyjWtPCjv0DL2D7CFq2dKHUQiF6wfBkUORuicxKxuti4usyhFhtzwDyt2xDwx0LVCCwf2EkCSeO_ORyIcX0rNdIfVdR7SHjMxl/s640/DSCN9879.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98h_rAeDCNn1eaidxbLV0_imIDYIBiOhHE__gEyzygySYdez9cgAjMns4VspcfLq3ohy3IBG32dLHjs6JO1ASIijX6gJWCeRXuNzB3Z0UjzV6Z8_q5eyJhJsv_Cvfd48QO6K0QbAFQfha/s1600/DSCN9884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98h_rAeDCNn1eaidxbLV0_imIDYIBiOhHE__gEyzygySYdez9cgAjMns4VspcfLq3ohy3IBG32dLHjs6JO1ASIijX6gJWCeRXuNzB3Z0UjzV6Z8_q5eyJhJsv_Cvfd48QO6K0QbAFQfha/s640/DSCN9884.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1QM54oo7HIYxrLseko4_i8vjGRpzRNX76P4ByqK4nLGlP5wOkQD9Mcf3oBZ2ZrEFFj5QOfKX0taALkdX3GCUxJYDIlFDI6m98_ILUKRU0FbNJOvLm_kWbgRA48kaYn6DLJOEFDGb4L1n/s1600/DSCN9897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1QM54oo7HIYxrLseko4_i8vjGRpzRNX76P4ByqK4nLGlP5wOkQD9Mcf3oBZ2ZrEFFj5QOfKX0taALkdX3GCUxJYDIlFDI6m98_ILUKRU0FbNJOvLm_kWbgRA48kaYn6DLJOEFDGb4L1n/s640/DSCN9897.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRHIMBW5CvCUVuRTCxkfDiHQL78YeGY6aFcnOQRq_R6cUVLVr3uUf_zheghs20XWwxWK8uj3FqgyIRn9hH1Q9za9-rwYiCroqWK9EIE9dUy4CpFshtnPFMsLXJdg23yyY8few5ggoRidA/s1600/DSCN9898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRHIMBW5CvCUVuRTCxkfDiHQL78YeGY6aFcnOQRq_R6cUVLVr3uUf_zheghs20XWwxWK8uj3FqgyIRn9hH1Q9za9-rwYiCroqWK9EIE9dUy4CpFshtnPFMsLXJdg23yyY8few5ggoRidA/s640/DSCN9898.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6UkLo-r8jK_YGmeQkAmLZjfxCFk4kBVlxdTOgRi2t1fm8EyhNfcnS4EH5YoRNLs3yvtOiNqeGEk-sHfMp8GmxhZvWxSRIrrZfvuWUbkOwtO2xgc1FL3LjsCnamhgvIe687aQUQIau-MV/s1600/DSCN9909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6UkLo-r8jK_YGmeQkAmLZjfxCFk4kBVlxdTOgRi2t1fm8EyhNfcnS4EH5YoRNLs3yvtOiNqeGEk-sHfMp8GmxhZvWxSRIrrZfvuWUbkOwtO2xgc1FL3LjsCnamhgvIe687aQUQIau-MV/s640/DSCN9909.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLztyp5HLTcSCueygfEH-2ulWSBAvezmIxngyHgGxhFnVYw4ffSYb8btYPMViqSSEqaRIXjby2Dz24XriECH3nBIZRyfrg9MiQxZZJ994LgCvYBBdJG50BnKMAtuROfEMHCWsusbfruzg/s1600/DSCN9919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLztyp5HLTcSCueygfEH-2ulWSBAvezmIxngyHgGxhFnVYw4ffSYb8btYPMViqSSEqaRIXjby2Dz24XriECH3nBIZRyfrg9MiQxZZJ994LgCvYBBdJG50BnKMAtuROfEMHCWsusbfruzg/s640/DSCN9919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfxmeJ7bj6dBuDoVBUu5KH4N2E-RwCOPCDYf78WUS_Pm0seDY_DeuVh84CYRebpW82RPo6rh8lquXg28HYDAKdyVr2r0I0vZCkwYMe7S3oW9e5h2CyY8yzpyPrJKc4FVfYzVJvhD4e5oi/s1600/DSCN9921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfxmeJ7bj6dBuDoVBUu5KH4N2E-RwCOPCDYf78WUS_Pm0seDY_DeuVh84CYRebpW82RPo6rh8lquXg28HYDAKdyVr2r0I0vZCkwYMe7S3oW9e5h2CyY8yzpyPrJKc4FVfYzVJvhD4e5oi/s640/DSCN9921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RudTQmui0KAtLILX3NCgnYt1jVFj_sluvzq6Ipz-4p_Dqv1B-6TrPkHkM3YqEaBe3PrrCpq03-QdQllfMAKlDjsWwJv6yqToLswZDN_GBFXKzGcR7Q0JXLlwrHT35PEMedmSlqiPhyphenhyphenSf/s1600/DSCN9938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RudTQmui0KAtLILX3NCgnYt1jVFj_sluvzq6Ipz-4p_Dqv1B-6TrPkHkM3YqEaBe3PrrCpq03-QdQllfMAKlDjsWwJv6yqToLswZDN_GBFXKzGcR7Q0JXLlwrHT35PEMedmSlqiPhyphenhyphenSf/s640/DSCN9938.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKhQiSh3SG5TekkG5RexmLTzzjZQix1nVBN_O7PAWlsAdejLVElmeWRcEZ4SlfaTE9xcee4HGOgYR6l7ivZXBXkrFD8rg4zb0x8E3vfyKdxBpuRFsxq2IVqiqjDEbxfDs1muyVu2-X2aJ/s1600/DSCN9939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKhQiSh3SG5TekkG5RexmLTzzjZQix1nVBN_O7PAWlsAdejLVElmeWRcEZ4SlfaTE9xcee4HGOgYR6l7ivZXBXkrFD8rg4zb0x8E3vfyKdxBpuRFsxq2IVqiqjDEbxfDs1muyVu2-X2aJ/s640/DSCN9939.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm still thinking about this place, as it has a very strong energy, unlike cemeteries or churches, which are usually more on the peaceful or comforting side.<br />
<br />
I do know how it feels to have a family member missing. My father was kidnapped in 1996, fortunately for us he was returned 6 months later. But for those 6 months nothing made sense, there is a certain feeling of desolation and despair that accompanies you for every wakeful moment. Every breath or bite of food you take requires an enormous effort. The uncertainty of it all bites you second by second, leaving nothing but despair, and that is what I think I felt here in this place.<br />
<br />
I'm glad I got to see it, especially with my father next to me.<br />
<br />
I wish you a beautiful and peaceful month of March,<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-32378851430181136542016-02-18T10:38:00.000+01:002016-02-18T10:38:52.248+01:00Light coming in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Literally light coming in. And since it is not an everyday occurrence then I must make the most of it which is usually just staring and taking pictures, and thinking - I'm doing loads of that lately. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkw4lES5w8_BjVKR-GB78OXfITxrGFEpdC51Xi1LTI9Xymcem0cl-nsd8zb5twiR5_QfVOgMGTylLSmEHrD7XoAIcCRMVof62IV3LgEaSBoVn6TfH9BD2THjZsT2Z2RiUkBOIRLimJ8D0/s1600/DSCN9850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkw4lES5w8_BjVKR-GB78OXfITxrGFEpdC51Xi1LTI9Xymcem0cl-nsd8zb5twiR5_QfVOgMGTylLSmEHrD7XoAIcCRMVof62IV3LgEaSBoVn6TfH9BD2THjZsT2Z2RiUkBOIRLimJ8D0/s640/DSCN9850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm always amazed how beautiful everything looks, how light can transform something as ordinary as a mandarin or a feather and give it another dimension - as if, all of a sudden they become illuminated from within. This light coming in where I live, only happens during this time of year, and I have never paid attention how long it lasts. But let me leave the words to the expert...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rLq_pmg07fLNk0Bmcp2qgpWoH7YMvAYtjoBtzbr0pEJd814ejxqIsrUfajKupOmxxcF95CBKkqJ2I-CBQL0jI8blUyKroXCEKEE2yu2HgCVpjG7VXsOTeRgHiyHqwyismDHHyKlisz32/s1600/DSCN9864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rLq_pmg07fLNk0Bmcp2qgpWoH7YMvAYtjoBtzbr0pEJd814ejxqIsrUfajKupOmxxcF95CBKkqJ2I-CBQL0jI8blUyKroXCEKEE2yu2HgCVpjG7VXsOTeRgHiyHqwyismDHHyKlisz32/s640/DSCN9864.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>A light exists in spring</u></b> by <b>Emily Dickinson</b><br />
<br />
A light exists in spring<br />
Not present on the year<br />
At any other period.<br />
When March is scarcely here<br />
<br />
A color stands abroad<br />
On solitary hills<br />
That science cannot overtake,<br />
But human nature feels.<br />
<br />
It waits upon the lawn;<br />
It shows the furthest tree<br />
Upon the furthest slope we know;<br />
It almost speaks to me.<br />
<br />
Then, as horizons step,<br />
Or noon reports away,<br />
Without the formula of sound,<br />
It passes, and we stay:<br />
<br />
A quality of loss<br />
Affecting our content,<br />
As trade had suddenly encroached<br />
Upon a sacrament.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAm_4GKjRSDrWsYbSNN-MEKk5_sBAfPUCcb1dKH3tPeEvHcib9MTfKQusjfD8ra7IVkKMBF4vfEMQyTV_Plx5HiU46jLZwGkWTQt8382IZMEamBeiCb8G2zqjevwKUjlgRGEf_WZkI_Ko/s1600/DSCN9854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAm_4GKjRSDrWsYbSNN-MEKk5_sBAfPUCcb1dKH3tPeEvHcib9MTfKQusjfD8ra7IVkKMBF4vfEMQyTV_Plx5HiU46jLZwGkWTQt8382IZMEamBeiCb8G2zqjevwKUjlgRGEf_WZkI_Ko/s640/DSCN9854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I had a meeting yesterday to show my work, and lo' and behold "he" liked my work (genuinely) and it seems I will get a table at a fair here (more details as the event gets closer). I'm excited and nervous - both at the same time and with the same intensity. I have never shown my work like that before, but it is something that I was secretly hoping to do this year - so I must go and find my courage and faith (I think it is in one of my pockets, the left one, I think).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb8fFjeRwP5h73BjVRIW0-WeQlK0_TWQsKXYn3khUspXvTrO7JPsfHQkGMC1x1RwwkHE-RENA8D0pTdLhuyOANvyue3Wncjx50hjBzb3GuZ6ygZ6z6RTHbQcNLfvfhv9Xnt3qdFn3zvLO/s1600/DSCN9857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb8fFjeRwP5h73BjVRIW0-WeQlK0_TWQsKXYn3khUspXvTrO7JPsfHQkGMC1x1RwwkHE-RENA8D0pTdLhuyOANvyue3Wncjx50hjBzb3GuZ6ygZ6z6RTHbQcNLfvfhv9Xnt3qdFn3zvLO/s640/DSCN9857.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<b><u>Hope is the thing with feathers</u></b> by <b>Emily Dickinson</b><br />
<br />
'Hope' is the thing with feathers-<br />
That perches in the soul-<br />
And sings the tune without the words-<br />
And never stops - at all-<br />
<br />
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard-<br />
And sore must be the storm-<br />
That could abash the little Bird<br />
That kept so many warm-<br />
<br />
I've heard it in the chillest land-<br />
And on the strangest Sea-<br />
Yet, never, in Extremity,<br />
It asked a crumb - of Me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2uIWm1NunhUFqyxW_ec1afq6YBpT9je5cNOW6_OANf2YkQLn_s3rloeaASb4lqftZZHAyoqjex2otT5uPpUwUYAk51LK_piNVQfjB-H8nsHzIZNOQLv7ZnB0DzeCDt_EpdyIrG3bm7Yk/s1600/DSCN9858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2uIWm1NunhUFqyxW_ec1afq6YBpT9je5cNOW6_OANf2YkQLn_s3rloeaASb4lqftZZHAyoqjex2otT5uPpUwUYAk51LK_piNVQfjB-H8nsHzIZNOQLv7ZnB0DzeCDt_EpdyIrG3bm7Yk/s640/DSCN9858.jpg" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEiAQ9suYENyB4mTKHmIHbRCeWi0lfv86Pip4RXj7leGm5uTa-x_quBRl4cSlJo8MMu21XhQRcd_xstWVN957_dYk0yV09m9cFjANa_jV_l0zcVM6FzpjuJ5W90xnG0idD9v8XScLdu5S4VJ/s1600/DSCN9870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ9suYENyB4mTKHmIHbRCeWi0lfv86Pip4RXj7leGm5uTa-x_quBRl4cSlJo8MMu21XhQRcd_xstWVN957_dYk0yV09m9cFjANa_jV_l0zcVM6FzpjuJ5W90xnG0idD9v8XScLdu5S4VJ/s640/DSCN9870.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
You know how "they" say it is all in the little things or the simple things? Well, this idea from <a href="http://www.rachelhazell.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Rachel</span></a>, gave me so much joy. Watching the light go through those hearts, and that fragile paper was really the highlight of my day. I guess it doesn't take much to make me happy, but please clouds, let the light in... PLEASE!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK7iQVzfCJ4Rs_cbq1O4xXqZkN0z-aDHhztPffmJYLtj33ZO6wj0H7pZ_l4pWw4rcBU6VjBoJWSRShvMztoTg08X0CviZcSGxZyrmDhSsXMARnD5hNOSdGmTrkFKqLIa8vHwvkZQJkBRK/s1600/DSCN9873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK7iQVzfCJ4Rs_cbq1O4xXqZkN0z-aDHhztPffmJYLtj33ZO6wj0H7pZ_l4pWw4rcBU6VjBoJWSRShvMztoTg08X0CviZcSGxZyrmDhSsXMARnD5hNOSdGmTrkFKqLIa8vHwvkZQJkBRK/s640/DSCN9873.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I finished the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1408866730/ref=rdr_ext_tmb" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Big Magic</span></a> book, and it was just perfect. Most of the things she said, really hit the right buttons with me, and I can't recommend it enough. Now I have started reading <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Paris-Bookshop-Nina-George/dp/0349140375/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455787507&sr=1-1&keywords=nina+george" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">this</span></a> one, and so far it seems so "tender" (if that can be a correct adjective to describe a book). I like how books find me, and how there is always the perfect moment for each one.<br />
<br />
I am finding a lot of solace in poems lately (more than usual), I hope you don't mind me sticking the above ones here, I really like them, and hope you do too.<br />
<br />
Sending you lots of light, may your days (and weekend) be bright,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-89759030467002587282016-02-11T09:59:00.001+01:002016-02-11T09:59:13.638+01:00A weekend of Paper Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I mentioned in the previous post, I went to Edinburgh to meet some of the alumni from the PaperLove <a href="http://www.rachelhazell.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">e-course</span></a>. I was very lucky a couple of years back when I won a spot on the course (because of this <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/03/the-paper-blog-hop-why-i-love-paper.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">post</span></a> I did). And I am very lucky now, because I got to spend the weekend surrounded by women who are in love with all things paper, just like me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva5n06iCEJ2W2QARKRv2rQkmhRFw-08q6sZX5UudslOulGNwdocqSUykZcGGbzXntta-HCXKZWA44jkFok4b78cizmdqAzFwJAnHwEdteQWbAhYmZ5ULsQnntTyVdsfeCzNgBP-7nZTQd/s1600/DSCN9827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva5n06iCEJ2W2QARKRv2rQkmhRFw-08q6sZX5UudslOulGNwdocqSUykZcGGbzXntta-HCXKZWA44jkFok4b78cizmdqAzFwJAnHwEdteQWbAhYmZ5ULsQnntTyVdsfeCzNgBP-7nZTQd/s640/DSCN9827.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
We got to play around, and make beautiful things...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpaPYybZxB5k04OwRQ-ll4NGnOYfCLOMT9uaZ1aTNRQzDO000gitlD3MNaryelaqLQdR2ZFLBTRqdmHyLnDI5SkbMbmR5iENChODlWQ2fHxcMnnRy6fMMQLpAsU5emG3jaT33Wavg2dFZ/s1600/DSCN9828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpaPYybZxB5k04OwRQ-ll4NGnOYfCLOMT9uaZ1aTNRQzDO000gitlD3MNaryelaqLQdR2ZFLBTRqdmHyLnDI5SkbMbmR5iENChODlWQ2fHxcMnnRy6fMMQLpAsU5emG3jaT33Wavg2dFZ/s640/DSCN9828.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Paint hearts and then book bind them together...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcipH3kvDBgls2vo-hGyUPbYexnPXGAl_ajaWjAuRpKfkw6f-pfE8suwGunCFk0Be1uwYyCgdrOSmrW1JuwIleN5JSqhgZQBEp1IecXTnJ4Span9-mypQ1zMZY4EaZ4aDUmGbcaCr5uHB/s1600/DSCN9832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcipH3kvDBgls2vo-hGyUPbYexnPXGAl_ajaWjAuRpKfkw6f-pfE8suwGunCFk0Be1uwYyCgdrOSmrW1JuwIleN5JSqhgZQBEp1IecXTnJ4Span9-mypQ1zMZY4EaZ4aDUmGbcaCr5uHB/s640/DSCN9832.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
And talk and eat, share stories and exchange paper...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35q68oczy91dTQmGxF6nM2hoGqGzspb580KMnkIgXi5ycoUpxsxT1SsHRSWYP_xsRQvWQrWT74MPzB05XN5tnqyO7rhS4bFlPviCZgXjGkhz6d6UZIqjCW95vCRcQr27a03dJsFDzZwk8/s1600/DSCN9831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35q68oczy91dTQmGxF6nM2hoGqGzspb580KMnkIgXi5ycoUpxsxT1SsHRSWYP_xsRQvWQrWT74MPzB05XN5tnqyO7rhS4bFlPviCZgXjGkhz6d6UZIqjCW95vCRcQr27a03dJsFDzZwk8/s640/DSCN9831.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Then work some more...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH-Fgs6u5dCegoya0vvfaHRO1a4ngENzEIMqEq18_Pa74J04lmQcnk7eszaFoC7QO9l5Lq5dUgU_LZXqNqfc82vjRYcyyp5z1IFsYSBLGB438P27D1MNPCTdhAz24u6-y8sO33uflwkdq/s1600/DSCN9833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH-Fgs6u5dCegoya0vvfaHRO1a4ngENzEIMqEq18_Pa74J04lmQcnk7eszaFoC7QO9l5Lq5dUgU_LZXqNqfc82vjRYcyyp5z1IFsYSBLGB438P27D1MNPCTdhAz24u6-y8sO33uflwkdq/s640/DSCN9833.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I actually had a dream (on saturday night) about rocks in the shape of hearts, and a beautiful book- binded book (it was blue of course)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKZn2yENYtaScoFT3oRdR6WtKDJ4UhEKHKuMh1D2VYUmiEdQAVH80HY5LhRWoD_fBkS48fyDv-RhEBt-HBP8QXItCzz-Dey1qmkJVejspqXsEVTjd11QRMN0XQyu33AmDQhSk2bjHxnm5/s1600/DSCN9836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKZn2yENYtaScoFT3oRdR6WtKDJ4UhEKHKuMh1D2VYUmiEdQAVH80HY5LhRWoD_fBkS48fyDv-RhEBt-HBP8QXItCzz-Dey1qmkJVejspqXsEVTjd11QRMN0XQyu33AmDQhSk2bjHxnm5/s640/DSCN9836.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
And then we finished this one, and I am jumping with joy with the result, I mean... look at those wonky hearts, and that beautiful cover? What's not to love?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHBJ38j72HjYSfwFQEXcxTuvcHOjL_MXyrZ3-_dgSxUyrj9MVpNUTHmgmmtWWR7IqGbu117b-IWtxI6U6OVEPaTbwNRC2skv4DPqNH1cdGMD8ipMNaIwRy4NI7egfuSWMMlPfLR7mCXqW/s1600/DSCN9838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHBJ38j72HjYSfwFQEXcxTuvcHOjL_MXyrZ3-_dgSxUyrj9MVpNUTHmgmmtWWR7IqGbu117b-IWtxI6U6OVEPaTbwNRC2skv4DPqNH1cdGMD8ipMNaIwRy4NI7egfuSWMMlPfLR7mCXqW/s640/DSCN9838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So far this is all I got inside, but I don't like to rush and fill things up...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0hbRYFptfL7-hO94owicj4mkgB0fp932x_qhejFmZULMSAwm6099vzYc1QMphMzoaUP2yaYUtZznIyTY_8n_HUo-uNi0bO9-BRuU8GEmEbd8TocdGBRcrWmY0u3_ujGD0SuCaeYYyTJ1/s1600/IMG_2501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0hbRYFptfL7-hO94owicj4mkgB0fp932x_qhejFmZULMSAwm6099vzYc1QMphMzoaUP2yaYUtZznIyTY_8n_HUo-uNi0bO9-BRuU8GEmEbd8TocdGBRcrWmY0u3_ujGD0SuCaeYYyTJ1/s640/IMG_2501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
These are some of the "alumni" I got to spend the weekend with... spot the mess?? Yeah baby!!! That's the stuff dreams are made of...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-MDbjGYyEFtsx8twvYyj5yCx4s8Ia-ULQPacaDOHHNHuhBTmLY_ZNwFJp2z3_iDLjINKPTjvqXYUSD4g8N6-dgCBI35UHsMBBEjqTtsuSgEHVn_wijcBA_9s8Ox5iacNs1fRzqhRJYzV/s1600/DSCN9748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-MDbjGYyEFtsx8twvYyj5yCx4s8Ia-ULQPacaDOHHNHuhBTmLY_ZNwFJp2z3_iDLjINKPTjvqXYUSD4g8N6-dgCBI35UHsMBBEjqTtsuSgEHVn_wijcBA_9s8Ox5iacNs1fRzqhRJYzV/s640/DSCN9748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Like rocks in the shape of hearts...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEz7c34RBYG9DsQie32xvtprvUbbw9znMyZ1vV7WZMclusL4bavG6Kob2PcfGV0-Nt8m0odNcr3KqzkIm9sgyPnmiTtGJbW687fD0PpC6UE-Ok4uYiIXBV9AtjgvqJvshGfzxDHXcc6Wf/s1600/DSCN9844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEz7c34RBYG9DsQie32xvtprvUbbw9znMyZ1vV7WZMclusL4bavG6Kob2PcfGV0-Nt8m0odNcr3KqzkIm9sgyPnmiTtGJbW687fD0PpC6UE-Ok4uYiIXBV9AtjgvqJvshGfzxDHXcc6Wf/s640/DSCN9844.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Paper doilies, and my first ever Peanut Butter Jammie Dodgers!! Yummyyyy!!!<br />
<br />
Sending you lots of LOVE and wishing a very lovely Valentine's day!<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-87155219967199819022016-02-04T10:35:00.002+01:002016-02-04T10:35:27.063+01:00Heading out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am leaving later today on a trip that was almost cancelled 2 times. Two very different reasons, but quite amusing in their own way. Murphy's law perhaps? This is why I am not a keen planner, never have been... refundable my @$%#!!!</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/AVvXsEiB_LXAR3u6fBynS9Fo6qtmenyOxaDQwTLpSHgAu1kd3Q76_E5xRnSF6v6RZXWe7KEuV9jvgilr69y1FicATEdiJBdC_Az2lCVUpWkh0t4yVwhiCU8zjizW4zl73Hxvqlzur1AdpIjAbMmz/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_LXAR3u6fBynS9Fo6qtmenyOxaDQwTLpSHgAu1kd3Q76_E5xRnSF6v6RZXWe7KEuV9jvgilr69y1FicATEdiJBdC_Az2lCVUpWkh0t4yVwhiCU8zjizW4zl73Hxvqlzur1AdpIjAbMmz/s640/IMG_0759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Anyway, hopefully I will land in Edinburgh and will get to meet some of my <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.rachelhazell.com/ecourse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Paper Love</span></a> </span>comrades.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyQZ2fKIvP-TfoI6mw0686p9tKYtTr5Oe-gKEDbwA_Qpvz2tqICmEFw-_XCRlTAGIHuZC_s0UaI7nRYrYJs8K1WYRk_AU1Mig68wjNbIoTZHm8bPbivc1b9Pjt06AiApaR-jI4iqjIoRy/s1600/IMG_2352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyQZ2fKIvP-TfoI6mw0686p9tKYtTr5Oe-gKEDbwA_Qpvz2tqICmEFw-_XCRlTAGIHuZC_s0UaI7nRYrYJs8K1WYRk_AU1Mig68wjNbIoTZHm8bPbivc1b9Pjt06AiApaR-jI4iqjIoRy/s640/IMG_2352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
If you have time, please look at this - <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/write-on-campaign--4#/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Write On</span></a> - maybe it is something that interests you? And then we can do our little bit in keeping the art of letter writing alive. I know there are millions of causes, each one more important than the other one, but if snail mail makes you happy, then do take a look, I think it is worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIxBTJsEABD7aWMu4YG3j3D3fT4d3zpOsjkR0JrFNV8893KKaKDycvr7mNRraIK3J0jBxpu47zVN78M9xwBUWSVbB1uL13hDLUJBEa32xU_8nzVwu2iuUYn5welnul4MSzr4pw7m_eaWl/s1600/IMG_2273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIxBTJsEABD7aWMu4YG3j3D3fT4d3zpOsjkR0JrFNV8893KKaKDycvr7mNRraIK3J0jBxpu47zVN78M9xwBUWSVbB1uL13hDLUJBEa32xU_8nzVwu2iuUYn5welnul4MSzr4pw7m_eaWl/s640/IMG_2273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Finally... my week has been all about hearts, and this one I found at my father's place... such a tiny sacred heart. I embroidered my first anatomical heart this week, which you can see <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/giovabrusa" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a> if you want. I also sent out my Valentine's parcels and hopefully they'll arrive just in time. I will share more about them next week, I promise ;)<br />
<br />
Wishing you a magical weekend ahead,<br />
Giova<br />
P.S: My tarot learning experience has been amazing so far!! I might reach my goal of being an experienced tarot reader sooner than those 10 years I was aiming at.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-65537070063316671892016-01-27T12:05:00.000+01:002016-01-27T12:05:12.212+01:00Birds and ... more birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe January is almost gone. Happy 2016!! I hope you get to do everything you put your mind to... and then some more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Half of my month went in a daze of shorts, sandals, and warm blue skies... the other half in a mist of cold and grey, nursing a sick kid.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life is always balancing itself out, teaching me a few things, and I'm always grateful for all of it.</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/AVvXsEiwvhTQkqluIXAzImZJOGXrZWdz2uby2qzbFF6xCPtdthoSH_4JO1lsj8ShicCVs6502Hb1mZLg_LcyKqTpEMzkAke-u22-ji89KL4_VAEsRWD1wU-E2e1yfqFd6tcMM1K1ejJHrK0PHhsB/s1600/DSCN9774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvhTQkqluIXAzImZJOGXrZWdz2uby2qzbFF6xCPtdthoSH_4JO1lsj8ShicCVs6502Hb1mZLg_LcyKqTpEMzkAke-u22-ji89KL4_VAEsRWD1wU-E2e1yfqFd6tcMM1K1ejJHrK0PHhsB/s640/DSCN9774.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Two days ago I started reading <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1408866730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453890812&sr=1-1&keywords=big+magic" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">this</span> </a>book, which was a Christmas present from my sister. What an amazing, inspiring and wonderful read. Can't think of a better book to start the year with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDjsP4ozZL5DD-4vO7DnaA1-6j0lAhpxX6g65u-iNabZs_s_AU97c7QmSqsI1h_6FmpckOPk5eFNQDAHK-dpMSmGMioMhG8-v9oSIW1aIvzy7h-0QjIKdQkFG1VNUj1GfFWzWDf3yseTO/s1600/IMG_2113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDjsP4ozZL5DD-4vO7DnaA1-6j0lAhpxX6g65u-iNabZs_s_AU97c7QmSqsI1h_6FmpckOPk5eFNQDAHK-dpMSmGMioMhG8-v9oSIW1aIvzy7h-0QjIKdQkFG1VNUj1GfFWzWDf3yseTO/s640/IMG_2113.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I have also joined this Valentine's day <a href="http://www.thestationeryplace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">swap</span></a>, and I will show you what I will send in a few weeks. As you already might know I LOVE Valentine's day. Hearts just make me happy, and so I have started embroidering a few and adding them little by little <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/giovabrusa" style="color: #6fa8dc;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHqeFP-qnTIl7jawxY5Nhiw5pqrfwXuTReZYQR7igkWOjV_4cZ23LAyWh2U6fbQ0JL2rgwI5m2xK3gOq_d2152XVWYSzdFzDBZXKpYn4cctT5ASFiykjq4tn8sCXfp669_hxfNEQ5DNPF/s1600/DSCN9782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHqeFP-qnTIl7jawxY5Nhiw5pqrfwXuTReZYQR7igkWOjV_4cZ23LAyWh2U6fbQ0JL2rgwI5m2xK3gOq_d2152XVWYSzdFzDBZXKpYn4cctT5ASFiykjq4tn8sCXfp669_hxfNEQ5DNPF/s640/DSCN9782.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Soon I'll be going to Edinburgh for the very first time in my life. And I'm not only looking forward to seeing the city, but also meeting some of my <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.rachelhazell.com/ecourse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Paper Love</span></a> </span>friends. We have a very active group on Facebook, and now we have an actual face to face meeting... I just couldn't be more excited about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rO-1_AsH5KKm_gRFU-hkciAvA1ldwLSF3GKrnyThTYtkUoRI7IDb4WodA2e_Tr5dwDJbxb5E5QjmFuchHmrg3Uz5n3mqcb5zAed0u-JF1FcC4s8ScddCAeWgFLsUCpIea13fE5PoFpFg/s1600/IMG_2132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rO-1_AsH5KKm_gRFU-hkciAvA1ldwLSF3GKrnyThTYtkUoRI7IDb4WodA2e_Tr5dwDJbxb5E5QjmFuchHmrg3Uz5n3mqcb5zAed0u-JF1FcC4s8ScddCAeWgFLsUCpIea13fE5PoFpFg/s640/IMG_2132.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This picture just makes me so happy, I had to share it with you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxLenL-qdTLNkf-XSL2Z-RoOz-puIXAtK28KvDcnyXcQ6MA0eVYt3zmhiqws7MrstfZJsQXnTzIcJ0OBnkg2908cDoZFymJLZg6O_kVWdPQT1aQ-Yx-O8O_9QKSzO1wWtsAx6aIsIMShY/s1600/DSCN9778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxLenL-qdTLNkf-XSL2Z-RoOz-puIXAtK28KvDcnyXcQ6MA0eVYt3zmhiqws7MrstfZJsQXnTzIcJ0OBnkg2908cDoZFymJLZg6O_kVWdPQT1aQ-Yx-O8O_9QKSzO1wWtsAx6aIsIMShY/s640/DSCN9778.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And finally...I finished my bird!!! I'm very happy with it, as it is my first attempt at working in a bigger format -other than the tiny pieces I embroider to sell. I'm trying to push myself, to get out of my comfort zone, to try and translate certain feelings and experiences into the fabric. So far it has been a wonderful experience, and I'm looking forward to finish my latest piece so that I can show it to you.<br />
<br />
Sending you a very big and warm hug. I really hope all is well at your end,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-53369442334017497002015-12-13T10:55:00.000+01:002015-12-13T10:55:10.357+01:00Christmas Greetings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfA023WEMt1_AkkFQdKIrrDYCtzd8e8ERuSkIcGoALfexWwIkiTOZBDaUZ5vA4cMQO8JqtsZUlLCPSUltHXVfx54uY3qQOBHIbblUP-d9lZMNlt3miiq_Z7OHkiCStxPsezHziPwI8M1h/s1600/DSCN9611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfA023WEMt1_AkkFQdKIrrDYCtzd8e8ERuSkIcGoALfexWwIkiTOZBDaUZ5vA4cMQO8JqtsZUlLCPSUltHXVfx54uY3qQOBHIbblUP-d9lZMNlt3miiq_Z7OHkiCStxPsezHziPwI8M1h/s640/DSCN9611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU8yQRyE7EdqXyshkd1mgzyKTeJ3FL4xGjhum3YJU3x-dTeE2B2BEjR05xqRO-lxTkKen2SPRBcfO5raBzUvTQChQclr3D36z4fnFZJu7jR2NkuauBNuC0RFerdPqzBl6fwVDGZ0QnyRO/s1600/DSCN9608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU8yQRyE7EdqXyshkd1mgzyKTeJ3FL4xGjhum3YJU3x-dTeE2B2BEjR05xqRO-lxTkKen2SPRBcfO5raBzUvTQChQclr3D36z4fnFZJu7jR2NkuauBNuC0RFerdPqzBl6fwVDGZ0QnyRO/s640/DSCN9608.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6fJDYtx3uOg3wJ7GH-paP3tNe-Xe5QwS1KqHJh8WKWkE3VTK0Ig2wrpepcMAY2M8Rp5ACHGTEUvvjYBuuEmmPV69Fk8I0fjP85c_UbRdO7rg580CxFLZ5tqDWdqccnB7sReTI-s1MlfH/s1600/DSCN9613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6fJDYtx3uOg3wJ7GH-paP3tNe-Xe5QwS1KqHJh8WKWkE3VTK0Ig2wrpepcMAY2M8Rp5ACHGTEUvvjYBuuEmmPV69Fk8I0fjP85c_UbRdO7rg580CxFLZ5tqDWdqccnB7sReTI-s1MlfH/s640/DSCN9613.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscYjZQvFNHrEt2q8HhhzRFG96JJVEnIwuxPxcHy-Bf_B6wQzFaoak3L8mpU91jxfyGP3j4ZKzC5_OqeMYNFRnkionBMk-eMSZiNYso2o7y8gPCoDoJ06jRyzgTcExlBVF6FmvOQuZzE86/s1600/DSCN9616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscYjZQvFNHrEt2q8HhhzRFG96JJVEnIwuxPxcHy-Bf_B6wQzFaoak3L8mpU91jxfyGP3j4ZKzC5_OqeMYNFRnkionBMk-eMSZiNYso2o7y8gPCoDoJ06jRyzgTcExlBVF6FmvOQuZzE86/s640/DSCN9616.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26HZNeEuQoKMH_RKV9l_X6C6ZttTSg-g8FdFNhm0PwT-R7XOhgrHdX8HGwte3zIyI57_204MqD36-Vt8TbQ1m3UMMREN5mPAJxoZpsYfSGpZ-EZKdNvxzbHdBZd8IXG1DSMxz6Wb1AZr_/s1600/DSCN9627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26HZNeEuQoKMH_RKV9l_X6C6ZttTSg-g8FdFNhm0PwT-R7XOhgrHdX8HGwte3zIyI57_204MqD36-Vt8TbQ1m3UMMREN5mPAJxoZpsYfSGpZ-EZKdNvxzbHdBZd8IXG1DSMxz6Wb1AZr_/s640/DSCN9627.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
As I am migrating south tomorrow, and most probably will try to disconnect from technological devices I want to take this chance to wish you a most beautiful holiday season surrounded by loved ones, lots of laughter and yummy food. I also hope that 2016 brings you all the things you desire to accomplish.<br />
I'm always looking forward to the next year, and I can't wait for it to unfold.<br />
Thank you so much for being here, reading, commenting... it means a whole lot to me!!<br />
Lots of Love,<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-30277242306968164712015-12-08T11:34:00.000+01:002015-12-08T11:34:02.511+01:00Christmas Cards; to make or not to make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started this family tradition when my oldest son was one year old... so I should at this point have 13 cards, but I don't. I forgot to keep one for me. What was I thinking? At the beginning they were all handmade, I think I had more time back then? Or I had no idea paper companies were specializing in printing really nice cards. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since the little one was born - 5 years ago- I've been buying them instead of making them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUWrm6jXg_Smz0bamkZsgRCkifi0dJU4KHXvSEljZflcVj5VsQ6tZS2hr8eEody7WrkJiJ3I1NLIasJwEX0DX_XLCZuAuP7R2K-KE_ds4CrWvbjMCXo1STzBrS7NbBSjMlbAPfzFrtaeY/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUWrm6jXg_Smz0bamkZsgRCkifi0dJU4KHXvSEljZflcVj5VsQ6tZS2hr8eEody7WrkJiJ3I1NLIasJwEX0DX_XLCZuAuP7R2K-KE_ds4CrWvbjMCXo1STzBrS7NbBSjMlbAPfzFrtaeY/s640/IMG_1767.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2012-2013-2014</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/AVvXsEihM0UiAC3RJGwzPpumohXLVPyjySMFOnyn3bqwCdpN54OVfun9PPz3UP4rraTiAkIe2eTizenCAHreQ5zQqLYuuXx4OW-kgp1Fs1cpHJIuJPUK7vwxtsHKKMNai4NjL0Y0hvLas74hD54D/s1600/DSCN9636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM0UiAC3RJGwzPpumohXLVPyjySMFOnyn3bqwCdpN54OVfun9PPz3UP4rraTiAkIe2eTizenCAHreQ5zQqLYuuXx4OW-kgp1Fs1cpHJIuJPUK7vwxtsHKKMNai4NjL0Y0hvLas74hD54D/s640/DSCN9636.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is 2003, a trip to??? </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/AVvXsEhDXxW3k_dJi0YsprpFf9Kr8eV-1BrItlXFptJCZ8W4uQJ86zrMHm8rUFV3P7XVl16xeYYIM3bon_w8OG48MTvm8VJUYlLejmDLpt0bCwD1IdBExPJ2pdUNS0EikBXy5p_0rha7GQ7XjvfG/s1600/DSCN9635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXxW3k_dJi0YsprpFf9Kr8eV-1BrItlXFptJCZ8W4uQJ86zrMHm8rUFV3P7XVl16xeYYIM3bon_w8OG48MTvm8VJUYlLejmDLpt0bCwD1IdBExPJ2pdUNS0EikBXy5p_0rha7GQ7XjvfG/s640/DSCN9635.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2005 - the only time there was not a picture of us</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/AVvXsEhkqeMvaJQ5ZB0UXF8Q91IqyUXUdHe6sUvBcHc02Ltmak9l3g_Itp0g8oi6pWDgB3RRId__5O43UkPoZHTF7ZVaxK-nIzS6nce3u6AgbWqMHYM_ursV7XFi4BWrO97Ny7CmzXT_zDlZI8rc/s1600/IMG_1730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqeMvaJQ5ZB0UXF8Q91IqyUXUdHe6sUvBcHc02Ltmak9l3g_Itp0g8oi6pWDgB3RRId__5O43UkPoZHTF7ZVaxK-nIzS6nce3u6AgbWqMHYM_ursV7XFi4BWrO97Ny7CmzXT_zDlZI8rc/s640/IMG_1730.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year, and the first time I put the year on it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This year's card is not that different, but in a way it is. I love all of them. I love seeing how my kids have changed. I love taking the time to take a picture of us just for this reason.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This one took no more than 5 minutes, it is pretty much a selfie with the iPhone, since I lost all my pics of the year. I thought for some seconds that this year I wouldn't "make" Christmas cards. I'm glad I did.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For the past 3 or 4 years I've been using <a href="https://www.tinyprints.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tiny Prints</span></a>. I really love the quality, how easy they are to make and how very affordable they are.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Has it started to look like Christmas where you are?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
May you find the time to do the things you really like doing,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Giova</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-63298361163375869242015-12-01T10:29:00.000+01:002015-12-01T10:29:34.481+01:00Advent Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy December to all of you! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm just over the moon, not only because I love this whole month, but because this beauty of advent calendar arrived on my door step yesterday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the second advent calendar someone has ever made for me, and I'm just speechless and in awe. I mean, just look at it. Isn't it the most gorgeous thing you've seen in a while? Can you feel the love that went into this? Look at all those little brown packages, the white written numbers, and all that yarn tying them together. Perfection!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc1OYA-EOYB0BugYhBTI640JtnGdrstJuCEuDUxBPSPF8YzRsP2JQodpTF8sVSx-U3iguXwIng5hSmYcBn_4re4rdi2sMRPxq4Y-zItim8AJuUtA2tX6Oi1lcLWUe5w1CDSYxGMoAfVUt/s1600/DSCN9585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc1OYA-EOYB0BugYhBTI640JtnGdrstJuCEuDUxBPSPF8YzRsP2JQodpTF8sVSx-U3iguXwIng5hSmYcBn_4re4rdi2sMRPxq4Y-zItim8AJuUtA2tX6Oi1lcLWUe5w1CDSYxGMoAfVUt/s640/DSCN9585.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qwm-rVbeee2otorFckUUKgKxvQECRtMz_8I5xyEJAs872T7xiteRLeyu9kwlFTtQIURPUdx-iLGZ-pex8UO1vaCGKpztur3nWcVUGc-FTz_U7bifyfdym-chfwf7HgExsaXEyapSEwUk/s1600/DSCN9587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qwm-rVbeee2otorFckUUKgKxvQECRtMz_8I5xyEJAs872T7xiteRLeyu9kwlFTtQIURPUdx-iLGZ-pex8UO1vaCGKpztur3nWcVUGc-FTz_U7bifyfdym-chfwf7HgExsaXEyapSEwUk/s640/DSCN9587.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93upUoayxqAtcWP8ztznjfW2b-ponKB48JQw7vX19S9kLtrXwYkAMD2NmAWa-3Bh71Kpyip7TgszBVnSs-DbbD4yf_csunksqDdG5fIvg8DoSE79DKlHQOX49I-WDU4_3fJb8xqUghKaK/s1600/DSCN9576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93upUoayxqAtcWP8ztznjfW2b-ponKB48JQw7vX19S9kLtrXwYkAMD2NmAWa-3Bh71Kpyip7TgszBVnSs-DbbD4yf_csunksqDdG5fIvg8DoSE79DKlHQOX49I-WDU4_3fJb8xqUghKaK/s640/DSCN9576.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsQAnPQxGR_3aX4AqER3hK-K4fcJTMw4rf0mcZisjbFFaUUPQEWkG5zOd8mQRtiDLU71S_55YgWbJ9f-kPIbra1wb6rGKGYZQWD8tZZ2nJyFxqtlXkKTmHR9R2uyw0K9Ke9trvLfAlySe/s1600/DSCN9594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsQAnPQxGR_3aX4AqER3hK-K4fcJTMw4rf0mcZisjbFFaUUPQEWkG5zOd8mQRtiDLU71S_55YgWbJ9f-kPIbra1wb6rGKGYZQWD8tZZ2nJyFxqtlXkKTmHR9R2uyw0K9Ke9trvLfAlySe/s640/DSCN9594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I am afraid if I open one the whole thing will just vanish. For now I will just enjoy looking at them, and when I get the "urgent urge" I will unwrap, maybe one at a time, maybe all in the same day. I'm giddy with excitement, just as my kids are on Christmas day!!<br />
<br />
I wish you a wonderful month... may you find the time to do what you truly love and spend it with the amazing people in your life.<br />
Giova<br />
P.S:Julia, I send you the biggest hug. THANK YOU!!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-14545367514778339842015-11-23T11:16:00.000+01:002015-11-23T11:16:56.600+01:00A roof in the palm of your hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wanted to show you my latest commission. It is a really small brooch (6 x 6.5 cms), and it is supposed to be the central bay of the Mausoleum of Galla Placida in Ravenna. These are the symbols of the four evangelists surrounding the cross and floating in a blue sky of stars. OK, pheeewww!! You can see it <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/breic/197358235/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a> or read more about this magnificent place <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Galla_Placidia" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here</span></a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have always wanted to visit this place (it is still on my bucket list) and as an "ex-art historian" I knew exactly what this place was when the person mentioned what they wanted.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the other hand, as an "amateur embroiderer" I must say it was quite a challenge to try to fit a roof on a tiny square, but I was very curious to see how I would manage. Obviously the blue sky was one big factor pulling me in, but the figures were not. Somehow the more work I did, the closer it started resembling the actual roof... but by no means it is a replica.</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/AVvXsEjaPy7LAWm6BEeW62oA10itAvxkoSW0X_9ocJ1S3GboPr2Xs_psrmkaSf1RdevyUrtkbI1Sk4umjvhfIjMnOITs1ATgNPGvqHSo6-qudSe-sLL3-6r3G6sUKOhGrrXJ_7cz-lXrS3xTJKVW/s1600/DSCN9566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPy7LAWm6BEeW62oA10itAvxkoSW0X_9ocJ1S3GboPr2Xs_psrmkaSf1RdevyUrtkbI1Sk4umjvhfIjMnOITs1ATgNPGvqHSo6-qudSe-sLL3-6r3G6sUKOhGrrXJ_7cz-lXrS3xTJKVW/s640/DSCN9566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sbWNe0P5P0FyjPJrw0IuNENMSli_O_L9X_kGgfWQ4jzvmcwh1RY4GJwbvFUePmxUuWYqRIk7KqKbfvK4pJkSJHBTUGMuiLTAB46iv6iLs0gwzQkoT11vb8Gk1boDpPenlyNS0_3G0ads/s1600/DSCN9567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sbWNe0P5P0FyjPJrw0IuNENMSli_O_L9X_kGgfWQ4jzvmcwh1RY4GJwbvFUePmxUuWYqRIk7KqKbfvK4pJkSJHBTUGMuiLTAB46iv6iLs0gwzQkoT11vb8Gk1boDpPenlyNS0_3G0ads/s640/DSCN9567.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTimPse6qqgK7bMq_cY0sWA8SDL9yavKTnS0ifUA96g2gdbMLVLlXK67rV9PMfwBfyAPIzrnCo6stAz1vahXlV5PgyLInkOadWg74nMIucTaFPRvaE15o8BUHEURr_6ErqlUFg-IaMQTO/s1600/DSCN9570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTimPse6qqgK7bMq_cY0sWA8SDL9yavKTnS0ifUA96g2gdbMLVLlXK67rV9PMfwBfyAPIzrnCo6stAz1vahXlV5PgyLInkOadWg74nMIucTaFPRvaE15o8BUHEURr_6ErqlUFg-IaMQTO/s640/DSCN9570.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I am happy with the result and I think the new owner is quite pleased as well. Pheewww!!<br />
<br />
I hope all is well at your end. I feel I want to complain about the weather, but I won't, after all I am not south of the equator, but soon will be close enough. I am quite excited about it!! For that reason,<br />
I have added a discount on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/giovabrusa" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Etsy shop</span></a>, just use the code: THANKFUL. I will be closing it the 12th of December.<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-41576328347295738792015-11-09T10:00:00.002+01:002015-11-09T10:00:47.909+01:00The art of losing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whenever I lose something I always think of this poem;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbfQYcqBR1FbthqSR1A5i0RUmUQZwgdlni57fdphnDkMFuFdbfkG8MIQgwnqJn9sWwoMf68CJnNpI4EughUSOsZqbLsWrXfBm0-u8JpREihf0xw3KkpmBIOqFd-WeYDWE40ca3ycZa-FS/s1600/DSCN9479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbfQYcqBR1FbthqSR1A5i0RUmUQZwgdlni57fdphnDkMFuFdbfkG8MIQgwnqJn9sWwoMf68CJnNpI4EughUSOsZqbLsWrXfBm0-u8JpREihf0xw3KkpmBIOqFd-WeYDWE40ca3ycZa-FS/s640/DSCN9479.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The art of losing isn't hard to master; </span><br />
<div class="KonaBody" style="padding-right: 5px;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">so many things seem filled with the intent</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif !important; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">to be lost that their loss is no disaster,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
The art of losing isn't hard to master.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
places, and names, and where it was you meant</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
The art of losing isn't hard to master.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
- Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
the art of losing's not too hard to master</div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif "important";"><div style="text-align: left;">
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>-Elizabeth Bishop</b></div>
</span></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNONwijHxvdqFyLPyXpA48zFIU9zmfPlqLYANHjuzZMyhfGICo-vJ-oY0kzm4ks6LlSeWEPPZ-16jxhZlBUH0ErP6UJt4MZJrstRzQEcBglQiNk_GbdBMKCXlkxiUJH59lTl5uotuxNTI/s1600/DSCN9478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNONwijHxvdqFyLPyXpA48zFIU9zmfPlqLYANHjuzZMyhfGICo-vJ-oY0kzm4ks6LlSeWEPPZ-16jxhZlBUH0ErP6UJt4MZJrstRzQEcBglQiNk_GbdBMKCXlkxiUJH59lTl5uotuxNTI/s640/DSCN9478.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I like it for many different reasons, but mostly because it puts things in perspective, and makes me think of the things and people I have lost. I've lost cities, and apartments, a beloved grandfather and stepfather, a childhood friend, pets, and chances... I've lost my way, which I find and lose all the time, sentimental objects, and lately (a week ago), a hard drive containing all the pictures from the past year or so. Also the computer... kaput!<br />
<br />
I refuse to be angry about this fact, it is after all my fault - I kept leaving the back up for another day, and another... too late now...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDiRMQam5MlHAMxga8-1iecvs87bnacF2ikVBAxuMDxa5YKeFkmwUJoXKdYuG7NsUTLLEu4sr1z-MrwJcllaVgGcSq78GHG82mHpaGCpfIyROBffBLIv9bcIgdpy15J9ZP9o7c0Vp3PmC/s1600/DSCN9482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDiRMQam5MlHAMxga8-1iecvs87bnacF2ikVBAxuMDxa5YKeFkmwUJoXKdYuG7NsUTLLEu4sr1z-MrwJcllaVgGcSq78GHG82mHpaGCpfIyROBffBLIv9bcIgdpy15J9ZP9o7c0Vp3PmC/s640/DSCN9482.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Now I have been trying to re-live our birthdays, trips, and silly little memories that make up who we are as a family. I will keep on practicing the art of losing, for it is an art that needs to be mastered. This will not be the last time I lose something, that is certain.<br />
<br />
<b>A few things that I've lost and miss:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
- a tea cup collection<br />
- my art portfolio<br />
- a few friends... one in particular<br />
- my sense of smell<br />
- my grandfather's poetry books<br />
- more than half of my hair<br />
- books that never came back<br />
- photos... lots of them, apart from the recent ones<br />
- memories... my mind is very selective, and sometimes I don't agree with what it has kept<br />
- a pair of boots<br />
<br />
In truth, I don't obsess about any of the above, not anymore at least. The reality is I can't do anything about them, so every now and then, they appear in my mind or heart and then they go... again. Time is a great healer but doesn't erase, that is the only thing I know for sure.<br />
<br />
I wish you well, and hope that whatever you've lost, you've made peace with it,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-82111794431717148652015-11-02T09:52:00.000+01:002015-11-02T09:52:33.971+01:00Book binding fair in Leiden #2Yesterday I drove on a very foggy morning towards the city of Leiden to see once again the paper fair as I like to call it, but its real name is <i><a href="http://www.stichting-handboekbinden.eu/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Boekkunstbeurs</span></a></i>.<br />
I must admit that it wasn't as good as last year, for some reason many stalls were missing. But, I did manage to see some interesting work, and revisited a favorite from a <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2014/11/paper-bookbinding-and-calligraphy-fair.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">year ago</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThIuyS-UIudyHRJB9b8sbE35JxouNb5m6hD-gX2pak3SHEPMUroOcGxBcPcl0BdSjLwPPyDM7Fq-gZf1_xGH2oar873GOmgZFs9xm6r5DvVK2BaNS6pj_7h17jkiIftgFWPI4oI1KBWwH/s1600/DSCN9519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThIuyS-UIudyHRJB9b8sbE35JxouNb5m6hD-gX2pak3SHEPMUroOcGxBcPcl0BdSjLwPPyDM7Fq-gZf1_xGH2oar873GOmgZFs9xm6r5DvVK2BaNS6pj_7h17jkiIftgFWPI4oI1KBWwH/s640/DSCN9519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdVloYgTOznCuWWZHVbEr1q54sxWhn_2Ki5-4n3yv00Ckpx8TMz5vIUCiQ2xHfV8UiMdeGjbTYSx4sJHuLFenZEenA0qt2gKQy42PS2dQAWgjQtC1RUfnCGpKvKdkuSo65njAZ8JAuYOq/s1600/DSCN9492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdVloYgTOznCuWWZHVbEr1q54sxWhn_2Ki5-4n3yv00Ckpx8TMz5vIUCiQ2xHfV8UiMdeGjbTYSx4sJHuLFenZEenA0qt2gKQy42PS2dQAWgjQtC1RUfnCGpKvKdkuSo65njAZ8JAuYOq/s640/DSCN9492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJnYaim_6R_mxeVhjVO35B84zfBUC1v_Ph3cg7GYhWuKpn95T0vJ9QF6GETZKQlPCJDicDwoi-rajIyQWgfcNlp7pUVQva-fkNExHtYcXClh7C0nuqpU4ntxIPHkmVZ9U2-KEuoVQadAU/s1600/DSCN9508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJnYaim_6R_mxeVhjVO35B84zfBUC1v_Ph3cg7GYhWuKpn95T0vJ9QF6GETZKQlPCJDicDwoi-rajIyQWgfcNlp7pUVQva-fkNExHtYcXClh7C0nuqpU4ntxIPHkmVZ9U2-KEuoVQadAU/s640/DSCN9508.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
The work of <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.johnspencer02.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">John Spencer</span></a> </span>is absolutely incredible. I really loved it all. Chatting with him was the highlight!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzRSzqgwQNklX4kPreM4YCKP4fxOSk-F4SEb9WYa2EBhNlzlWsq88pGILMYJmeb52s7Uce-bkiHeFhk4eERDxn2981qRbThbvdrfmFl0x9jHhwT7cACpdtBOJSuIPFI2Kf9tZ8hx8aZof/s1600/DSCN9509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzRSzqgwQNklX4kPreM4YCKP4fxOSk-F4SEb9WYa2EBhNlzlWsq88pGILMYJmeb52s7Uce-bkiHeFhk4eERDxn2981qRbThbvdrfmFl0x9jHhwT7cACpdtBOJSuIPFI2Kf9tZ8hx8aZof/s640/DSCN9509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_32JRsSdaUP4s5SdJUxnFzeBUKWOA8f6kjQD-5XPWvt7JLd94GN-3Rj1R6MVMUvV3qMcUJ11wjDlA6B6dQD67kBceXWzMKbo1JFIpE218p6P7bJLhd85G0jg-wsNCEO0Z3uWzDLb_ke5/s1600/DSCN9512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_32JRsSdaUP4s5SdJUxnFzeBUKWOA8f6kjQD-5XPWvt7JLd94GN-3Rj1R6MVMUvV3qMcUJ11wjDlA6B6dQD67kBceXWzMKbo1JFIpE218p6P7bJLhd85G0jg-wsNCEO0Z3uWzDLb_ke5/s640/DSCN9512.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="http://waterleafpaperandwords.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Water Leaf Press </span></a>was my favorite from last year, and I love her new work as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMrgoDnLNeJD1QwLBeh5ZUETi2zNP8E75uWKiZ4L0tCBIaaX10IAStmNEILIWmKIna8lUo6tzMnJFaBHB9XrJTo1kssK2aDa1dH1KnVbAuF3ent_6RsS6uUWcPYkt7eXcqBXyenxzN6JH/s1600/DSCN9516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMrgoDnLNeJD1QwLBeh5ZUETi2zNP8E75uWKiZ4L0tCBIaaX10IAStmNEILIWmKIna8lUo6tzMnJFaBHB9XrJTo1kssK2aDa1dH1KnVbAuF3ent_6RsS6uUWcPYkt7eXcqBXyenxzN6JH/s640/DSCN9516.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://kamiyapaper.nl/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kamiya Paper</span></a> </span>has stunning handmade paper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qRPDxKH19-dirtj_ik3h5LZkj9DvnwKx1SN5jGIZwyXNC0LFF875RQkk0g4tkHe0Rn8-r9dRlRodRSeIR9ZdbJKDv04rco6EOcNDNX4k7hSlIg-2wpPo_ox5Ba9opwcvubAgVySiv3mo/s1600/DSCN9501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qRPDxKH19-dirtj_ik3h5LZkj9DvnwKx1SN5jGIZwyXNC0LFF875RQkk0g4tkHe0Rn8-r9dRlRodRSeIR9ZdbJKDv04rco6EOcNDNX4k7hSlIg-2wpPo_ox5Ba9opwcvubAgVySiv3mo/s640/DSCN9501.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
As always I tend to forget to ask about cards... I just take pictures of what I like, and then I get home to write a post and there are no names to link back. So this one and the ones below are purely for inspiration.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYnDUQuoK6ku02cQ2OwX7Vx1iR1MkDo4oUpKJKGQhTlCWhZmrQZx7uueYl50a3f9P8745fQFjCqzIQXsIRhy-65GZAioP0rwCfcm_yS7A3hr1IWLntf2seUxp3bYBqFq-27hQUmR2rM29/s1600/DSCN9523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYnDUQuoK6ku02cQ2OwX7Vx1iR1MkDo4oUpKJKGQhTlCWhZmrQZx7uueYl50a3f9P8745fQFjCqzIQXsIRhy-65GZAioP0rwCfcm_yS7A3hr1IWLntf2seUxp3bYBqFq-27hQUmR2rM29/s640/DSCN9523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4d2ts2tOH1CzUKaONhSQIcwUzF_AmB4IMfEzyGoq8mdqYsMq_z9NKVQt1I6r6_ronyP54owyexFQVE8Sv-ky7M4QFeVNzqX3aLzt-imJt-TsdtgLzgBzJWwgKQL1RwLttuoUF7K-4ZiD/s1600/DSCN9504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4d2ts2tOH1CzUKaONhSQIcwUzF_AmB4IMfEzyGoq8mdqYsMq_z9NKVQt1I6r6_ronyP54owyexFQVE8Sv-ky7M4QFeVNzqX3aLzt-imJt-TsdtgLzgBzJWwgKQL1RwLttuoUF7K-4ZiD/s640/DSCN9504.jpg" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEirvki_2-Lskcxmo8w1F4iA5PI8DMdwbi_BQFs19kO_nU4e8KkccMCL2vYfdiGp95ZmJbQp5mH1J1RMTCtMM0-147aBylj5xa_jG7Jk2ComEqZ1TGphjWSyrfzq_kYaElBlJxTqhgCSfsSf/s1600/DSCN9496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvki_2-Lskcxmo8w1F4iA5PI8DMdwbi_BQFs19kO_nU4e8KkccMCL2vYfdiGp95ZmJbQp5mH1J1RMTCtMM0-147aBylj5xa_jG7Jk2ComEqZ1TGphjWSyrfzq_kYaElBlJxTqhgCSfsSf/s640/DSCN9496.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Lots of pictures, not so many words. I think the pictures speak for themselves and don't need my opinion added.<br />
I hope all is well at you end. I'm very excited about a concert I'm going tonight, I have been waiting 20 years to listen to them live, so yes!!! Very, very excited!!!<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-25048545275398731872015-10-26T11:08:00.000+01:002015-10-26T11:08:13.761+01:00A bird Spirit and some other thoughtsFirst of all I would like to introduce you to my recent piece "Bird Spirit." I'm exploring with different things lately and this is one of those results. I hope I captured his essence and I hope you can see mine as well. It is about nothing and everything, solitude and what we carry around with us, the things that are not visible…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAq_gheSuz9NaGhaxYq2AyLvIHqSUTJ2fiLFqZul0ncuLQCWU-3g4tA9ytNF6w-WM3PF1IsFYOqA-DSCOCdu_b8dHTHn5TvhCb4wF89UwKJ_NXEi3-TivRrNlKuyLZFDWI2-HYpBzR7Q1/s1600/DSCN9460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAq_gheSuz9NaGhaxYq2AyLvIHqSUTJ2fiLFqZul0ncuLQCWU-3g4tA9ytNF6w-WM3PF1IsFYOqA-DSCOCdu_b8dHTHn5TvhCb4wF89UwKJ_NXEi3-TivRrNlKuyLZFDWI2-HYpBzR7Q1/s640/DSCN9460.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Secondly I want to write a bit more about the subject of depression, just to say some things that were left out last <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/2015/10/getting-grip.html" style="color: #6fa8dc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">monday</span></a>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMML9vWk0O0w2mdIg-fwLlmBUc3WyHFMixyfGAmqnXwTBNH2mttu01xQtNz2RaxO_In7XI9WuI6jQ5S-fJKQ_DU0FDDw0qBjywYFjLp8ZIEUEo-Dw-7Y9dRV1lpvz3tZCTk20NwK0n35B/s1600/DSCN9447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMML9vWk0O0w2mdIg-fwLlmBUc3WyHFMixyfGAmqnXwTBNH2mttu01xQtNz2RaxO_In7XI9WuI6jQ5S-fJKQ_DU0FDDw0qBjywYFjLp8ZIEUEo-Dw-7Y9dRV1lpvz3tZCTk20NwK0n35B/s640/DSCN9447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I haven't had depression for the past 15 or 16 years, in fact my husband doesn't know that part of me. He does know my moody self rather well though. But even if I haven't felt depression lately, I did feel it for many years. So what I meant on monday is that I felt it was creeping back at me. My last pregnancy left me with a hormonal imbalance and lately my downs have been really down - like down there on the minus 10th floor or something. It doesn't mean I am depressed, … I don't think it is something I should feel ashamed of now, but I did many years ago. It was mostly how people made me feel -on top of what I was already feeling. Some people said to me, among many other things; that depression is a joke, that we are just unhappy and ungrateful people, that it is all in our heads… Guess what? Yes, it is all in our heads - a chemical imbalance - that most of the times need to be treated with medicine…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXZh6rqxAGQFzKXOkSQT0Z8tqdbOeGpP4I2yaECgOFcw_lsiWO2M_eKlWsx470Ag5tmKXeoRLBeowz20MrAbmNUBleIDpGOri4kACTDJ3l96r2uTsY6iDN7i_tGnih31eKAAu1y07YmSu/s1600/DSCN9457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXZh6rqxAGQFzKXOkSQT0Z8tqdbOeGpP4I2yaECgOFcw_lsiWO2M_eKlWsx470Ag5tmKXeoRLBeowz20MrAbmNUBleIDpGOri4kACTDJ3l96r2uTsY6iDN7i_tGnih31eKAAu1y07YmSu/s640/DSCN9457.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Depression doesn't go away because you stop listening to sad music, or exercise daily, pray to God and every saint there is, change the way you dress, read the right books, surround yourself with flowers and nature… It doesn't work like that. Just like explaining what depression is to a person who has never felt it - you simply can't. I doesn't go away because you wish it so… and the harder you fight it, the stronger it clings on to you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5C1lUNBSMzg3OCOtCet4SdztgnC0HsLsQtxBOQ9vSnbSdEmiwq3uFEKCmBuvfCsAK-BplVcpomw8DihC9aLWGJFcnVPVCDa_K33Ue1NMZofkTUqYldpS5Kj2z4VMhDEbJegiL4sLd9x7/s1600/DSCN9454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5C1lUNBSMzg3OCOtCet4SdztgnC0HsLsQtxBOQ9vSnbSdEmiwq3uFEKCmBuvfCsAK-BplVcpomw8DihC9aLWGJFcnVPVCDa_K33Ue1NMZofkTUqYldpS5Kj2z4VMhDEbJegiL4sLd9x7/s640/DSCN9454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I've had feelings of sadness, melancholy, frustration, failure, abandonment, you name it, I've felt it, haven't we all? - but those feelings are not depression… I can't explain what depression is, because I only know my depression, no one else's, and we are all different.<br />
<br />
I only hope that if you are suffering from this illness you go out there and find help in any way you can.<br />
I suffered in silence for many years until I could no longer do it. In my experience there is light at the end of the tunnel, but it also takes a looong time to find it, and once you find it - it doesn't necessarily mean it will be a constant, and bright light all the time. Life is never the same. It is filled with many ups and downs and beautiful and ugly moments along the way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RbeZC7jsX5SPezyyHaPvUbWUit15YwhaXGB8iZXOa_vs9i89hs-SNWvbcdwdDa3JwoooxqSqzeasyQw-XOinjuhbZ2twxZkWvk05TJLQ2MEY8ScxLzHfTPA_2Sm8tQJXQripMGyfB47k/s1600/DSCN9473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RbeZC7jsX5SPezyyHaPvUbWUit15YwhaXGB8iZXOa_vs9i89hs-SNWvbcdwdDa3JwoooxqSqzeasyQw-XOinjuhbZ2twxZkWvk05TJLQ2MEY8ScxLzHfTPA_2Sm8tQJXQripMGyfB47k/s640/DSCN9473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here are a Few Things I'm enjoying at the moment:</span></u><br />
<br />
- the view from my desk.<br />
- <a href="http://www.toddhido.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">this</span></a> photographer's landscapes which I find stunning.<br />
-I relish <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">this</span></a> newsletter every week, it is a joy to receive. I can't recommend it enough.<br />
-And <a href="http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">this</span></a> work for some reason is giving me the strength to keep going on with mine. I've always been in awe of her work, but lately even more.<br />
<br />
I hope all is well at your end, and that you have a beautiful yellow tree to look at,<br />
Giova<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-38201422946126044902015-10-22T11:28:00.000+02:002015-10-22T14:01:42.220+02:00Fall Garland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pheewww, glad I got that out of my head/chest, but enough of black abysses and demons- ahem- at least for a while… Now off to fall and all its beautiful colors… those deep yellow, ochres, and oranges (for a lack of a better word that describes that particular color). You know what I mean right??</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/AVvXsEiBabf6moBED_WTVa5tI2XOHjo9j9e8MlhunPBEWEWri7m_fpKlt4cn5H94ccnhBzL7YcwdZZWScID7qwksJkDdGxWXowYUsJLjqOAa7p7Wm44QYfWpj5-M3Vj2A6ui14zYJA6hSc-sp9Mv/s1600/DSCN9430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBabf6moBED_WTVa5tI2XOHjo9j9e8MlhunPBEWEWri7m_fpKlt4cn5H94ccnhBzL7YcwdZZWScID7qwksJkDdGxWXowYUsJLjqOAa7p7Wm44QYfWpj5-M3Vj2A6ui14zYJA6hSc-sp9Mv/s640/DSCN9430.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
What better way to preserve those found beauties than a garland? I was missing a fall garland in my <a href="http://onebuntingaway.blogspot.nl/search/label/garlands" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">collection of garlands</span></a>, and my pockets are full of leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc… basically anything that I like I pick up, and everything that has a little twig is perfect for a fall garland.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-1tf3H58kOhl4SrV2LcE8zj7McQiJ0ln9XIJG-LMWMUzilqqmq4IV33X1DvESWThlb5qHw8w_yMEyzejaGngquZiFh66flHRPMoxmr_Lx9OvH6yxFgjKhe-cS4IogzzpY9_6WROn5K36/s1600/DSCN9434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-1tf3H58kOhl4SrV2LcE8zj7McQiJ0ln9XIJG-LMWMUzilqqmq4IV33X1DvESWThlb5qHw8w_yMEyzejaGngquZiFh66flHRPMoxmr_Lx9OvH6yxFgjKhe-cS4IogzzpY9_6WROn5K36/s640/DSCN9434.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
These leaves had started to dry up, and I love the way they curl up. I don't know if their color will stay, but I'm not after preserving them that way. So they will or they will not stay that color, I don't mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ELyK7Iwm4ibnAoYPdOzCERaVGda_6OM-Dr9r98mGhA5-pbsl-GoiBB3Lkvyc-XM_kdHhJ4m8iZhjOM-qxwUW8yrpNI-uuCMgAaEJlMXoEmYSqZ_1Kth_WK-9v9_4u5YqVP5tJuSX_mGf/s1600/DSCN9441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ELyK7Iwm4ibnAoYPdOzCERaVGda_6OM-Dr9r98mGhA5-pbsl-GoiBB3Lkvyc-XM_kdHhJ4m8iZhjOM-qxwUW8yrpNI-uuCMgAaEJlMXoEmYSqZ_1Kth_WK-9v9_4u5YqVP5tJuSX_mGf/s640/DSCN9441.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
All I did was tie them with a piece of thread, nothing more… this would be a perfect thing to do with kids, I think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq4RLG5qZPV2OoKPpwbloI0_2GCwbou1bxx_qTxURH4oj5pUGj0Z_0bGWVz96NhasSC_u9FXVODgq5kKGLxhGtGGpnK4f18WfZWIJjOB6FrC4cj1N2vhnrz998vVp-9n8fWufEkFqFW1h/s1600/DSCN9443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq4RLG5qZPV2OoKPpwbloI0_2GCwbou1bxx_qTxURH4oj5pUGj0Z_0bGWVz96NhasSC_u9FXVODgq5kKGLxhGtGGpnK4f18WfZWIJjOB6FrC4cj1N2vhnrz998vVp-9n8fWufEkFqFW1h/s640/DSCN9443.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
And then hang besides all the rest of the garlands... I would have love to be able to do more, but alas, my mind is in the stitching, and it seems that is all it really cares about at the moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCee6e4089D90AeJrjeaN_TuGXBZ5V4JMxZ22xDkcL268cowDrd3g9Ba_eZTWUAbAbtKg9_ANqg3at8XbhWN4d8csUSQIdmWnDMGcsTX0u0kV8iQi_r4sHlORr43a_WmUonbLiAgvehhss/s1600/DSCN9445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCee6e4089D90AeJrjeaN_TuGXBZ5V4JMxZ22xDkcL268cowDrd3g9Ba_eZTWUAbAbtKg9_ANqg3at8XbhWN4d8csUSQIdmWnDMGcsTX0u0kV8iQi_r4sHlORr43a_WmUonbLiAgvehhss/s640/DSCN9445.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
But I really wanted to show you my new garland and how nice it looks… anyway, I wish you a happy weekend ahead… may you find time to walk in the woods, to breathe all those beautiful colors in, and maybe make a garland or two…<br />
<br />
All the best,<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021639055626369585.post-91502664835691332382015-10-19T12:02:00.000+02:002015-10-19T17:47:41.459+02:00Getting a gripIt has been more than a while. I didn't expect this break to take so long, but I sort of let it slip by, and the more time I was away the harder it was to come back. Strange… I would have thought that after that "resting period" it would've been easier to get back, but no!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnGB8-LzDKsqtPRkf6m0yDEgxXO3GmGJ0lXu9YBNVt6daJwRB_rNO-YUeMLSeLDRW7dWjjQZboNi5DUBJ_Lc4xOFQKCpBSuvhhZ4NpsoTVoumu7el4jpLGYQLox37LrkGLJKwkSBd04eF/s1600/DSCN9420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnGB8-LzDKsqtPRkf6m0yDEgxXO3GmGJ0lXu9YBNVt6daJwRB_rNO-YUeMLSeLDRW7dWjjQZboNi5DUBJ_Lc4xOFQKCpBSuvhhZ4NpsoTVoumu7el4jpLGYQLox37LrkGLJKwkSBd04eF/s640/DSCN9420.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
I'm rusty. I thought I was done and had nothing more to share, plus a lot of past demons kept resurfacing and I needed to be strong… to make them go away. But they just won't go away, they are there and perhaps they will always be, as a reminder of sorts…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKwRpAtV1NKFpRZF8mKGlwsBZ4OdQ3-grrTf_8TSUiSIB_cYniHRB25m3eekL4jo9pWS_MB_RV6WhQKRDc6iIG0WScfTuaytb2iVI-X-7mjpT7weU2zPKAfjgF75JRd-rwPovKF7wWmIM/s1600/DSCN9421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKwRpAtV1NKFpRZF8mKGlwsBZ4OdQ3-grrTf_8TSUiSIB_cYniHRB25m3eekL4jo9pWS_MB_RV6WhQKRDc6iIG0WScfTuaytb2iVI-X-7mjpT7weU2zPKAfjgF75JRd-rwPovKF7wWmIM/s640/DSCN9421.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Sometimes I think I am so fragile -handle with care- at other times I surprise myself with the strength that I have -unbreakable- but it is never the two at the same time -what a shame- … anyway this is starting to look like a never ending story… I'll just say that my hair fell out in chunks which led me to a doctor that said; "you have a thyroid problem take this medicine probably for the rest of your life." which made me look for an alternative route, but during this search I've been visiting the dark abyss of what used to be my old depressive self. Oh, boy!! I thought I will never have to see that self again, not look at her scared eyes in the mirror and ask her, NOW WHAT???<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjiINCzG4BSq-UNM7ggetHQkbBmV2SzheObae0rOj52iU1zE7zlAU3tRPPCWJp4m5Knxjkeo_FGfTxl9wPayNgPgGEnE7amehwZlK3bqVkqTiCRnQU9zABUah4T9ird9dUOOffXlNpo1X/s1600/DSCN9424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjiINCzG4BSq-UNM7ggetHQkbBmV2SzheObae0rOj52iU1zE7zlAU3tRPPCWJp4m5Knxjkeo_FGfTxl9wPayNgPgGEnE7amehwZlK3bqVkqTiCRnQU9zABUah4T9ird9dUOOffXlNpo1X/s640/DSCN9424.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
I will find a way out, this time with out any medicine (crossing fingers), I'm writing on my journal again, and I'm back at my sofa stitching, doing what I love, little by little, hoping, praying…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBojcMfkYPedv83C6hmLBnsegtWNv4Jz2NOpKL0gjw94Lhycg9x-zDm6abrFrieKuOvIekLlrrxR72Hh_11TIy6fOQsnKLeiBu53hCoyUDY1wV5c2aoB3PnZS71Vj8s-7gZpMa8xJyqLZN/s1600/DSCN9426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBojcMfkYPedv83C6hmLBnsegtWNv4Jz2NOpKL0gjw94Lhycg9x-zDm6abrFrieKuOvIekLlrrxR72Hh_11TIy6fOQsnKLeiBu53hCoyUDY1wV5c2aoB3PnZS71Vj8s-7gZpMa8xJyqLZN/s640/DSCN9426.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
This is one of my recent works. Very personal... not at all what I usually show here, but what the heck! I'm all about opening up and confronting my "demons."<br />
<br />
I hope you are well where ever you are, and thank you for still being here - if you are-<br />
GiovaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14450510807675333546noreply@blogger.com16