Advent Calendar

Happy December to all of you! 

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.

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!!

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!!

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.
Giova
P.S:Julia, I send you the biggest hug. THANK YOU!!

Mapology Guides

First of all sorry for last week's unintended interruption. Things like; too grey, broken computer, lack of energy etc.. assisted in the break.

But here I am with some very colorful news. My blogger friend Tina recently launched a very brilliant idea in the form of maps. I love maps!  I've been collecting them from my travels for awhile now.

These are not your typical maps  though, (the ones that take you to a specific destination), instead they will help you in very interesting pursuits. They will help you find for example; the right pet, the perfect gift, or that little thing that is bugging you.

The Mapology Guides consists of 3 maps (for now that is).  I'm pretty sure different ideas are brewing between the creators Tina (entrepreneur, designer, blogger) and Mike (designer, curator, artist book maker) right at this second.

The 3 maps (in a nut shell) are:

- Would like to Meet… - If you are looking for a pet and want the fun, educational and cute route to reach one, then this map is for you. So far here in this house were are still deciding between a parrot, lion, dog, or rabbit. Or maybe all of them? So many options, such little space! He is insisting on the lion though!

- Be Present Perfect - My favorite! I've found this one in particular so insightful and fun in the art of gift giving, a subject that has always interested me. Now I get to stand before this beautiful map/poster and read and laugh. Grass with snake in it anyone?? If you don't know what to give others this is perfect for you. If you do know what to give others but are stuck with the same ideas then this is for you as well. The map in itself is the perfect gift!

- What's bugging you? - Seriously, what is?? Me? The day is too short, not enough light to make what I want to make. This is a "problem solving map." With space to write what's bugging you and to help you with the best way to deal with "it" and maybe reach that happy place. 

I think these maps make great gifts, and the best part is now that Christmas is approaching you don't have to look any further. To top it all of, they have also come up with amazing postcards to accompany the maps.

Visit Mapoloy Guides for a closer look.

Wishing you a very lovely week ahead,

Giova

Handmade friendship bracelet

It was so grey yesterday I thought I was not going to be able to take any pictures. Fortunately I found out, there is some sort of light in our tiny balcony. Unfortunately I almost freeze into unconsciousness. Just kidding, but sort of ;) You can get a Colombian out of their country, but you can never get the warm weather out of their soul!

I've already made similar bracelets to sell before, and now I have these ones ready on the Etsy shop. I thought it was a good idea to offer gifts for 10 and under, don't you agree?  So you can look these up and also the handmade notebooks I made here.

I also wanted to share the idea with you here. Traditionally, friendship bracelets are weaved, but as I don't have much time lately I decided to take a big short cut.

Maybe you have some lovely fabric lying around waiting for the perfect moment? Or maybe you have some cute buttons or charms you have been collecting for ages? Whatever the case, I think you might find some inspiration from these bracelets. ** As always do make them for your friends and family, but please respect my idea, thank you!

This above is just an idea of what you might need, but I think it all narrows down to your own personal taste, and also what you have at hand. The beautiful wrapped cotton was purchased here.

There is no wrong or right way of making these bracelets. I just wanted to share them with you as I'm an avid promoter of the handmade gift. I always think this kind of gift is so much nicer than anything mass produced. Anything that you can make with your hands is always filled with love, no matter what it is.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead, may it be filled with nice walks, lots of tea and some crafty time!
Giova.

DIY- Handmade notebooks for watercolors or sketching

For the next few weeks I'll be sharing some crafty ideas that can be easily made and just in time for Christmas. I know my favorite presents are always handmade things (not the ones I mentioned on the giveaway), but really there is something so incredible about handmade things. The love, time and dedication that goes into a gift, makes it so much more valuable than anything store bought.

After visiting this mill, I knew this was bound to happen (pun intended). What else was I going to do with the lovely "zaansch bord" I bought there?

I recently made a little notebook of scraps of paper that I learned at this e-course, but actually I learned this very easy binding technique here. Igloo letterpress sells "make your own notebook kits" if you want things already cut out for you.

  What you'll need:

• thick paper for the cover (obviously these were purchased at the paper mill)
• a bookbinder's awl (if you have one)otherwise a thick needle will do. My awl is a little one and  apparently for children, I can't think why you would let children use these, as I actually pierced myself with it, and boy does it hurt
• paper for sketching or watercolors (I got Canson's Montval 185gm)
• x-acto knife or scissors to cut the paper
• linen thread
• thick needle
• and things to decorate the cover such as rubber stamps, scraps of fabrics,beads, stamps, etc…)

First: Cut the paper in the desired size and fold . This instructions that follow are for 3 holes, but you can add as many holes as you like.

Top left to right: Make 3 holes with the awl, 3 cms apart, and insert needle on the first hole leaving a long piece of thread in the back (I like how the long strands look). Then insert needle on either hole bringing it to the back.

Lower left to right: Insert needle on last hole and then insert needle in the center hole. That way both strands end up together.

Tie a knot and then tie another knot, this time include the strand that goes from lower hole to upper hole, that way they're tied together.

Personalize the cover, that way you'll be adding an extra touch to the notebooks. For this one I made I rubber stamp and added some beads to the thread.

Have some beautiful stamps? Well sew them on to the cover. I used my sewing machine, but it can be sewn by hand.

Lately I'm a bit obsessed with scraps of fabric, and I think this indigo dyed piece, looks rather nice. You can always add the person's name or initials or a word to the cover, anything goes really, it just means taking the extra step.

I hope you like them and give them a go. They are really easy to make, and I'm sure the recipient would be delighted, I know I would be.

As I mentioned on the giveaway there was a present missing. This is it! One of these notebooks (winner gets to pick which one) will be included. I hope you decide to join in, all you need is to answer my question here on the blog or on the Facebook page.

Have a fantastic and very crafty weekend, and see you monday for another handmade gift idea!!
Giova.
P.S: These will be included in The Flat Project as they are perfect for sending via mail. Light and flat (just my type).