A Grateful Giveaway

It is that wonderful time of the year again.  I really can't say why it is that I like November so much, and when this love really started. What I do know,  is that my favorite adopted holiday falls here - Thanksgiving is something I'm always looking forward to. This year (so far) has not been an "easy" one for me, but that does not mean I don't have plenty of things to be thankful for, so as it has become a sort of tradition here in this blog, November starts with a giveaway.

Thank you for sticking around, for your comments and liking what I do.  It really means the world to me!

Here are the few things I've gathered and hope you like them, as much as I do! One more thing is missing, but that will come out on thursday's post.

1. A print by Joseph Segaran. You can see the crafty series here or jump over to his site. I think his work of the buildings of Amsterdam is phenomenal.

2. A 3D ring designed by jeweler Patricia Thomazo. The crafty series is here and her site here. I've seen one of these rings already put together and is quite impressive.

3. A coin purse from leather artist Melissa D'croz. The crafty series is here and her site here. This little leather purse will make a great gift or keepsake.

4. Two flat cards from Miplusdesign. I'm a big admirer of her work and thought the cards would be a great addition to the giveaway.

5. Two rolls of Maste washi-tape, simply because everyone needs washi-tape in their life.

6. A 'fabric scraps garland" made by yours truly.

7. Something that will be appearing on thursday's post but I have the feeling you'll love it, if you like paper that is (wink,wink).

So now for the nitty gritty; THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!

-I still don't understand what all the following is about, especially since you can follow one day and un-follow the next. So follow if you really feel like doing it.  I'm here: Bloglovin, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Etsy.

-Leave a comment here or on the Facebook page telling me what is the one thing you are wishing for this Christmas. I know we all want health, love, happiness, etc… But what I really want to know is this, here is my example; I really, really want this and this. I have been wishing for this since last year, so I'm hoping maybe I get it this year!!

-You can leave a comment until the 12th of November 10pm (Amsterdam time). I will be announcing the winner on thursday the 13th! Oh, and it is open for all!

Thank you so much for playing along and stay tuned for thursday's post where you will be able to see gift #7,
Giova
fun fact: Both of my kid's first words were "Gracias." This really happened, when they both decided to speak, this is the first word they uttered. Gracias means thank you in spanish!

Crafty People Series #12 - Joseph Segaran

I met Joseph at my favorite bookstore here in Amsterdam, where I've admired his work (not knowing it was his work until recently) while walking up the stairs to the first floor. His work takes you through the heart of Amsterdam in black and white. Beautiful and delicate paper cuts of the amazing buildings you can see in the city.

He arrived here from the UK 8 years ago having just finished his fine arts degree, meaning to stay for only 3 months. He loved it so much, he never left. He works mainly on commission capturing people's favorite buildings on paper.

I'm so excited about this crafty series, not only because his work is truly fascinating but because I got to see his very gorgeous home (one of the perks of this series). It is evident through out his home the perfection and preciseness found in his work.

1. First Crafty Memory?
    I have a memory, and I'm not exactly sure of when it was, but I had made drawings of many animals and had cut 
    them to put them in my cupboard to decorate it, somehow they got destroyed and I remember that being very upsetting.

2. Favorite Craft you've ever made?
   A craft that I made when I was around 19. It represents a relationship I was at that moment. I like it a lot because it is so
   different from what I do now (third picture).

3. Favorite material to work with?
    A black pen. Staedtler 0.05

4. Inspiring words you like?
    A poem by Dorothy Parker called Faute de Mieux.
           Travel, trouble, music, art,
        A kiss, a frock, a rhyme-
        I never said they feed my heart,
        But still they pass my time. 

5. Favorite Color?
    It really depends for what, but officially it is green.

6. Coffee or Tea?
    Both equally, although I can only drink 2 cups of coffee and I can drink tea the entire day.

7. Mountains or Beach?
    Where the mountains meet the sea. I grew up in Yorkshire and that is the most beautiful landscape, the moors and the

    sea. I really like cliffs.

8. Where do you find inspiration?
    Architecture and nature. It has always been architecture for me, even when I was doing figurative drawings at school, I 

    was inspired by it. I have a drawing I made when I was little, in it I recorded all the houses in a street, which ones were
    attached, which others semi-attached and so on.

9. What do you collect?
     Blue and white china.  -*I must say here how utterly beautiful the collection is-.

10. What would you like to make that you haven't yet?

     Probably something huge, something sculptural or an installation or a big painting.

11. And because Joseph works in a bookstore I was really curious what his favorites books were; 

       Mrs. Dalloway, 1984 and The Cut Glass Bowl 

I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did.

     
To learn more about Joseph you can find him  here and here

Have a great weekend. I hope it is a very crafty one. Mine looks like it will.
Giova