With the Christmas lights hung up in the cities and final adjustments being made at numerous Christmas markets, it is almost this time of year already. This time of hustle and bustle, loads of shopping and making last-minute Christmas cards. I guess I won't make much of any of these this year, however, it's always good to have at least a couple of cards at hand. Just in case.
One card in my holiday stash is this rather simple creation inspired by the three wise men. The motif of three crowns was on my to-do-list for ages, however, I only gave it a try when I desperately needed a couple of flat Christmas cards for my exhibition. So, yes, technically it was a hustle bustle last minute card :)
The crowns are made with golden yarn and decorated with a couple of colourful gemstones that should resemble jewels.
To make the stitched piece more stable, I glued it on two layers of golden cardboard. For the card base, I've chosen brown recycled paper, which I combined with a swirly background from a set of autumn-themed papers. As there was still quite a lot of brown space, I added a punched border of white paper in the very end.
As there are many layers in total, I decided to skip 3D pads this time. The motif seems to pop out nicely anyway. And since it's a stitched motif, I'd like to remind you of our "Christmas cards" themed Fadengrafik Challenge - enter your Christmas themed creations until the end of the month for a chance to win a cool prize.
A little contribution to the November collection of Create in Austria - artwork created by Austrians and/or in Austria.
challenges:
- 613 avenue create: ATG
- a bit more time to craft: ATG
- allsorts challengeblog: glitter
- as you like it: favourite Christmas colour (gold, as it gives a special, festive touch to any project)
- C.R.A.F.T.: Christmas
- cardmania: ATG
- city crafter: for the boys
- crafting with an attitude: ATG
- crafty catz: ATG
- craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge: ATG as long as it's Christmas
- craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2: ATG as long as it's Christmas
- craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper
- creative inspirations: sparkle
- creative moments: ATG
- bawion: ATG
- fabnfunky: masculine touch
- inspiration destination: ATG
- love to craft: ATG
- modsquad: merry and bright
- pennys papertake: ATG
- 12 months of Christmas: optional theme "star struck"
- through the craftroom door: ATG
- unicorn challengeblog: ATG
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG
Another March weekend on which I'd rather just stay in bed and recover from the week's tasks. However, with the favourable weather forecast and still a long to-do list to go through, it was time to use the day for anther Munich adventure.
And where could one probably spend a day outdoors, discovering a new city, if not at the Zoo?
Turns out Munich's Zoo Hellabrunn is located next to the Isar, and if one doesn't want to spend an eternity at the ticket desk, it would be wise to arrive as early as possible in the morning. I for my part had a little stroll past the river first, where Mr. Beaver must have been hard at work for quite a while...
After a long queque of families with kids, finally inside the Zoo. Now, off to the giraffes!
As lovely as always - meerkats on guard
Porcupines in weekend mode
Signs of spring
Monkeys & apes
Beautiful underwater world
More monkeys :)
Elephant house
His majesty, the king
Jungle time with free flying birds and flying foxes
Hi there!
Animal? Plant?
Ice paradise
Waiting for the sea lion show. Not in the mood for waiting and crowds, I thought I'd rather have a look at another enclosure...
... Only to bump into huge crowds of young and old, all waiting for a chance to see little Quintana, the Zoo's new ice bear baby. And as wonderful as playing around is for the little cutie, the best thing by far is still cuddling up with mom.
Spring is in the air - beautiful purple fields alongside the creek...
... As well as blooms all over the place
And although the information board apologized for his absence due to hibernation, Mr. Bear's was already awake and patrolling in his backyard...
... While this guy gave his best showing off his balance skills with a scratching performance
Mousetown :)
Long story short told, the Munich Zoo sure is worth a visit that will probably take the whole day, or at least a big part of it. Like everything in the city, the area is easily accessible by public transport, and offers a trip around the world in terms of animals, and is interestingly the first Zoo in the world to organize its inhabitants by geographical aspects instead of species.
To discover the different areas might take a while, however, there are not only countless things to see, but also plenty of oportunities to sit down, eat something, go pee and/or change diapers...
On the side note: a weekend trip to Hellabrunn is great, but I guess a visit during the week might end up with less crowds and less noise ;)
~ to be continued ~
