Congrats, champion!

Did I mention I love pickpoint? From when I discovered the prick-and-stitch technique, I can't stop, and if I wanted to try all the patterns I have in all the ways I want, I would have to become 200 years old.
By chance, I came across the fadengrafik-challenge lately and realized there is a soccer/sports-card challenge running. Why not? As always, I had a couple of ideas on my mind in the beginning, but I decided to go for the trophy as it can be connected with any sport. Blue swirls match the blue background, while white swirls make sure there isn't too much blue in the card.
A few pearls in the corners and on the trophy, and the card is finished, waiting for the champion. 

p.s.: Did I mention the Tour of Austria starts in about a week and Jani is going to participate? YAY!!

Goldfinger

My latest calligraphy work: illumination of an initial letter with 22 karat gold. When I finished applying the gold however, the gold particles seemed to be all over my table and on my fingers.
Well, probably this is what they call a touch of luxury :)

Off to some more initials I have to finish.

Grey

Another triangular pendant, this time in silver-grey. I think the colours match nicely, and the silver lines make sure that the pendant doesn't look too boring.

As I had some beads left in the end (ha!), I made a matching ring, too.

Why grey? I'm not sure, the combination just caught my eyes. Probably influenced by the first "real" storm of this summer.

Un grande Giro

From photography to crafting:
Compared to the cycling fan I used to be, I'm now quite out of touch with what is happening in the pro peloton. With my busy schedule, I'm glad if I can catch up on what is happening with Jani, and basically, that's it.

I had great hopes for Jani in the Giro, not because of me but because I know he had trained hard and wanted to perform well. Unluckily, it was all over after a few stages.

But, with Luka Mezgec winning the final stage into Trst, I think I can say it was a Slovene Giro after all. Nothing could have been better, not from the sporting point of view, and especially not from the historic one.
I'm not a mean person, but I'm especially happy for those Italians who thought an Italian winner would be most appropriate to celebrate the 60-year anniversary of Trst and its surroundings becoming part of Italian soil. I know that the Slovene win, which is far more appropriate, hit hard and I'm fine with that.

The pink pendant is in style of this years' first grand tour. As the race interferred with my exam, I only made the necklace afterwards, but nevertheless the message is clear: Trst je naš.

Rose garden

Even though I'm not an early bird, I sometimes do get up early.
Today's menu: morning by the lake Vrbsko jezero/Wörthersee and rosegardens in the Europa-park.

Beautiful sunset in Austria...

... and on my way through Slovenia.

Standby (Home 2.0)

Obviously, I'm not a morning person. Especially not when I'm home on standby i.e. doing nothing. Therefore, once I get up the sun is already high in the skies.

My major outdoor activities this time included a trip to Beljak/Villach and a walk by the Drava/Drau.

But mostly, I was just relaxing in our backyard. Blue skies and daisies, what more can one wish for?

Probably an evening on the lakeside - Vrbsko jezero/Wörthersee.

"Gardening always has been an art, essentially" ~ R. Irwing

That being true, I can't think of any better artist than my mom. After countless hours of work, I must say our garden is absolutely gorgeous - everything grows and blooms!

Storks decided to nest on the chimney of the kindergarden. With four "little" birds, the nest is prety full, and they all made quite a mess on the roof, too.

Last but not least, one of my favourite sights when driving home by train: Triglav, Slovenia's highest mountain.