09 November, 2015

November sea

A quick pre-exam escape to the Slovenian seaside.
I've been playing with the seaside-idea for quite a while, but I didn't seem to find time in summer due to other commitments. I postponed the trip for autumn, but again, other things kept me busy. With the most beautiful autumn one can imagine, it was time to give it a try.

Somewhere along the way - Nanos announces the climate change from continental to Mediterranean, and vegetation goes from deciduous trees to pines.
First sight of the sea. An important milestone when travelling with kids that *might* lead into a screaming contest of who has seen it first.
Great views towards Izola, Trst/Trieste, and the Alps.
Lovely Piran - a distinguished peninsula, the yacht harbour and the cathedral of St. George overlooking the main square. Lots of Venetian influence everywhere, from prominent buildings to the campanile at the Punta.
Creatures of the sea
Narrow streets and hidden corners on the way to the old city walls
Wishes and greetings from all over the world
Quite a lot of stairs, but certainly worth the view. With the binoculars, you can almost reach out for the city underneath.
Inside of the cathedral
Old city motifs and last blooms of summer
Fantastic grapevine, extending its branches over 3 floors and up the roof
Not your usual November wardrobe, but certainly organized neatly for the collection at Holunderbluetchen
Warm November evening by the sea
Amazng sunset over the port of Koper
A little contribution to the collection of heavenly sights at Raumfee.

edit: Looks like one image slipped out of the original post, one that is particularly important to me as it's still quite a common sight by the motorway towards the sea that reminds me how small we really are. I've been shocked to see the effect of sleet that hit Slovenia in February 2014 when I went to Piran last year, and it still hurts me to see the broken trees as I can only imagine how long it  will take nature to recover.

05 November, 2015

For a man

Time to show one more of my recent stitched cards. As it's for a man, the design is rather simple and not many embellishments were used. 
In fact, I only added a golden sticker for the border and a golden number that is placed on an old-looking scroll. Matching to the golden details is a patterned background paper with silver and golden circles. Actually, it's wrapping paper that caught my eyes years ago in a way I had to buy it, but the things I wanted to do with it are still in my head. Time to use up, I guess :)
The idea behind the motif is that the card is meant for my calligraphy teacher, who is also a srciptor of old writings. That's the way I got to know him a couple of years ago, and he became a good friend in the meantime. Even though I'm spending much more time with his little not-so-little-anymore girl lately, birthdays are a good way of bringing people together every now and then. Here's to te next 50 years!

challenges: 
- 613 avenue create: ATG
- as you like it: favourite hobby (paper embroidery or stitching - since I discovered it, it became my most used and loved paper craft. There's something very calming in the process of stitching itslef, and with so many different patterns to try, it looks like I'll never stop)
- crafting from the heart: ATG
- crafts and me: autumn colours
- crafty gals corner: autumn hues
- craftliners: use something old (background paper)
- craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper
- creative fingers: ATG
- fussy and fancy: flowers
- inspiration destination: ATG
- abc challenge: U for unlimited (ATG)
- glitternsparkle: ATG
- papertake weekly: ATG
- through the craftroom door: ATG
- wordartwednesday: ATG
- use your stuff: old stash (background paper)

01 November, 2015

With sympathy

How could it beit's time for another Fadengrafik Challenge already? 
The weeks are speeding by way too fast, and somewhere between exams and projects it's time to prepare a little inspiration for you again. Matching the season, November's challenge says "Sympathy", meaning you can link up anything connected to a comforting message, given your project includes stitching.
This is what I've done today afternoon. As time was limited, I used an image of lillies I've coloured quite a while ago, and combined it with a stitched swirl. 
On the inside, I covered up the backside of stitching with a punched black paper matching the plant on the outside. Above it, I placed a white paper with embossed swirls. The two layers create a pocket which can be used for a little donation to cover expenses that come along with a sad event.
The result is a black-and-white card with a touch of colour, for a little comfort in times when everything seems to be black and white. 
As Audrey Hepburn put it: The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. 
Sometimes, it may even be the only thing.
challenges:
- brown sugar: flowers
- craft-alnica: sympathy
- crafty sentiments: black and white
- everybody art: stamp
- fussy and fancy: flowers
- ooh-la-la: embossing

Autumn ikebana

Quick and simple, an autumn ikebana for Friday-Flowerday at Holunderbluetchen, with everything you can find in the forest as October comes to an end.