Between the years ...





Between the years
is a kind of nowhere land, a time that belongs to dreaming, thinking, sleeping, decluttering, planning - at least this is how a feel about these days after christmas. A break from "it all" to prepare for a whole new year of new beginnings and new adventures. I'll sign off until the beginning of January - with lots of new things to share with you. Enjoy this special time the way you like best - and have a wonderful start into 2012 - see you soon! 

Photos via

Merry Christmas, one more DIY - and a BIG Thank You!



Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

How are you lovelies? Have you decked the halls and wrapped all the presents? I've still got a little bit of work to do, but not very much - and look forward to a peaceful and relaxed christmas time and after with my 3 boys (4, if the tomcat counts!). Am curious already, if the christmas fairy will give me the magic wand i secretly asked for - the one that gets everything clean and tidy in the wink of an eye, accompanied by a sweet birdsong!

Thank you so much for another year of bloggy friendship and fun! Your sweet comments mean so much to me - and your blogs do! I just love how the blogworld is an antidote to the bad "news" we get everyday and shows, how many people are out there, celebrating life and adding to it's sweetness and beauty.

Because i want to do a bit of planning for next years blogging, i would like to hear, what you would like to have more of here:
original art
interior decorating
design and lovely things
fashion and styling
easy DIY's
photography
lovely food
... i'd so appreciate, if you took a moment to tell me!

In case you're in the mood to make one or two more things - this is how we created the things in the photos above. The big X:  tale a cardbord letter from a shop, and cover it in simple cotton wool - from pads you use, to take of your make-up, by gluing it on to the surface in a "snowy" manner. The ornament: Use several layers of tissue papers, cut them in a round shape and sew them together in the middle with a sewing machine. Then fold the layers to ball shape, and add a string and a crystal - ready!

Have a lovely and loving celebration and a wonderful start into the new year! 
Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid, Robin Benito

Monday Love: DIY-shopping bag


Are you looking for a cute last minute present idea? This bag can be ready in an afternoon of crafty fun. We took a vintage photo of my friends mum, printed it on a sheet lazertran and ironed it onto a plain white linen bag. The photo was then embellished by hand with buttons and ribbon, to match the pictures nostalgic appeal. This bag is a handy companion, because it can be kept folded in your handbag and taken out for that extra bit of shopping you have to do sometimes. Breadrolls for sunday breakfast look very good in it as well as fresh veggies and flowers from the farmers market!
Have a spelndid start to your week!

Bag design: Monika Dziondziak, photo: Robin Benito

Friday Art: New collage paintings




Fresh from the studio: some new little canvases in a mix of acryllics and collaged parts of vintage books and papers - the first one got sold already! I hope to present some of my smaller works and prints in a little online art-shop soon and hope to find time to work on that "between the years".

How's your christmas preparations going so far?  I hope to accomplish most things over the weekend and just take it easy. After a very busy year, i feel a great need to slow down and let go and allow for some me-time. Happy 4th of advent dolls - will come round for tea and coockies and see what you've been up to!

Photos and artwork: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Fluffy Angel


The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly.  
G.K. Chesterton, "Orthodoxy"

This cute little angel came down to me from the heavens of blogland, to be exact from the Netherlands part of blogland, in a packet from my sweet friend Saskia from "Join my Joy". Saskia sure knows how to bring joy to others - she's a constant inspiration to look at the bright side and make the most of every moment!

Have a lovely flight through the week and don't forget what i have heard: We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday art: Shoes for you!


Put on your red shoes ...
... and dance the blues! Shoes are such nice little objects of desire - they express personality and style. The shape of beautiful shoes always inspires me, and time after time i get back to painting some of them. Especially those i can't wear. High-heeled Stilettos are so chic - but mostly to painful to dance in - what a pity!

I have 3 more shoe paintings at work now and hope to get on with them over the weekend. Keep warm and cozy lovelies (for those who reside in winterland, like me!)  A beautiful shade of red always helps me to feel warmer imediately - on canvas, on bedsheets, on something to wear - give it a try!

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Shirt into skirt DIY



I love this easy project, for it shows how to make a skirt in 8 seconds - without having to use needle and threat or a  sewing machine. Just ideal for people like me - who love to make things, but are not, hmmm, exactly talented when it comes to needlework. You take a T-shirt with a wide enough neckline, that you can step into - so that the shirt sits around your waist. You then take the empty arms and tie them into a pretty bow - ta daaaaa, finish! To see a more detailed instruction, have a look at this amazing blog here

 Hope your week is of to a fab start lovelies! I'm at home today with a bad cold, but actually enjoy having some time to rest and catch up on myself and think about all kinds of things i have planned.
See you later!

X-mas shopping with some "Ooh la-la"





Have you started shopping for presents yet? I usually start rather late - somehow i need the frisson of the little bells ringing to get going. Today, i'll hit the town and hope to add some sparkles to my secret "Treasure box" (that noone is supposed to see before christmas!). I have a big family, with lots of nieces and nephews, so, lots need to be done! To strengthen myself, i intend to have hot chocolate with a girlfriend in between. 


And of course there is Etsy and DaWanda, and tons of gorgeous shops online as well. Have a look at the IHOD gift guide, assembled and designed my lovely blogfriend Anna, who is one gifted girl indeed.
For additional inspiration, please also visit my dear friend Anita, she has a blogpost full of amazing shops for you, plus she does the sweetest cards and tags herself!

   
Photos 1-4 via Kate Spade