Christmas Greetings

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.
I'm always looking forward to the next year, and I can't wait for it to unfold.
Thank you so much for being here, reading, commenting... it means a whole lot to me!!
Lots of Love,
Giova

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!!

A month of swaps

As I mentioned on monday, January was a month of swaps for me. It was the first time I signed my name for swaps and it ended up being quite a fantastic experience.

My first one I discovered through Instagram and organized by the very creative Ishtar Olivera. I was supposed to send a letter, something to eat, write a wish, and something handmade.

My second swap was organized by the very talented illustrator  Wreckthisgirl. This swap took a bit more work than all the others, but here it is; something old fashioned, a snail mail kit, something made of fabric, something quirky, and something that represents me!

And last but not least, the swap I found through the lovely blog A Butterfly In My Hair. The requirement for the swap was a color, the rest we decided between my swap partner and me. This swap was my absolute favorite simply because there was a lot of communication between my swap partner and I, and that made it all worthwhile!

I would love to organize a swap here on this blog, is that something that would interest you?? And if you know of any nice swaps out there, please let me know. Yesterday I signed up for this swap, and I think there is still time to sign up if you're interested.

Have a lovely weekend,
Giova

DIY - 12 Gift wrapping ideas

Plans change all the time. That is why I don't like making any. Take for example these boxes of matches that I bought for the purpose of creating an advent calendar. They were just sitting there (practically annoying me).

So to stop their impertinence, I decided to wrap them up, using materials that I always have in my house.

Kraft Paper: It is my favorite paper to wrap things with. Top: I used a wax seal, rubber stamps, and a few stickers to make it look like a parcel. Bottom: Is just a simple pom-pom using two colors of yarn. I make my pom-poms using a fork, much quicker than the round cardboard thingy. Left: is just a doily cut in half with a sticker, and some words from a book, then I used glitter.

Beautiful Paper and Found Objects: I usually leave my nice paper for other tasks, it is just to precious to use it as gift wrapping. But it looks beautiful doesn't it?? These are all "carta varese" and I've simply added things I've found in the woods, my neighborhood, and my button collection.

Printer Paper ( i.e. any plain white paper): I can bet that if you don't have any other papers in your house this you'll have. Why not personalize each one? Top: I made little balls using crepe paper and drew the letter with the glue. Bottom: I used some snowflake rubber stamps and simply tied the letters with twine. Left: I used a glitter and glue pen with a letter stencil.

Old Books Paper: Since I have plenty of old book pages lying around, (more ideas for your old book pages here). I simple wrapped them and decorated the tops making trees of scraps of paper. The right one I've used images found in magazines.

I hope you find it inspiring and not in the need to purchase wrapping paper.

Now all I have to do is figure out what to do with the other 12 boxes!! Any ideas??

Have a great weekend.
Giova.