Thursday, March 6, 2008

Let's talk about...me!


The view from our little cottage in Kröv at the Mont Royal.

Hi all!!!
Hope you are all doing fine. I have suffered some kind of flu or a pneunomia or something else that makes you feverish and cough a lot. And of course these kind of diseases don't know any boundaries; so I was ill in Germany as well. But it was nice to be in a different environment for a couple of days, just with my family. We stayed in a little town called Kröv, in the middle of a couple of million vineyards. Here the Germans make their famous Moselwine, like Piesporter. We didn't do as much as I wanted to do before, but we had a great time anyway. I took with me to Germany a banana box filled with magazines. And I have read them all and started a new inspiration book as well. I'll show you some of that in the future.
Coming home I noticed that I had been tagged by three people, and I was already tagged by 3 other people. So I will do my best and fill up this post with tags. Yep let's talk about me!! I'll start with the 4 tag, which is easy. Marloes and Isabelle after her have tagged me with this one:

For those of you who don't like to read a lot, there are some pictures of my little shops in between. I collect old play shops and I like to fill them with old dutch miniature boxes, bottles and tins.

4 jobs I have had:

1. When I was a teenager I had this funny job: I worked at an Austrian Bowling Center, where I had to point the number of fallen bowls at a clock and throw the ball back in a gutter.
2. I worked at a car leasing company Hertz Leasing. At that time I didn't even have a drivers' licence and no interest in cars whatsoever.
3. I have been a bank employee, working for an agency, so I worked in another office every 6 weeks. Once I worked at the bank office at the Space center 'Estec' in Noordwijk. This was of course before there were pin machines at every corner of the street.
4. My last job was to assist members of the dutch Labour Party in Parliament. I tried to help the representatives writing their speeches, do some research and point out their way into the jungle of rules of the political 'game'.



4 movies I like:

Four??? Mmmm...should be 40 at least, well let's try.
1. Moonstruck
2. The big Lebowski
3. Brutti Sporchi e cattivi
4. 4 weddings and a funeral
5. Clockwise
6. A fish called Wanda
7. Being John Malkovitch
8. Moulin Rouge
9. Love Actually
10. Die Blechtrommel
And yes I have seriously limited myself.




4. Places where I have been:

What is the meaning of this question? To sum up some exotic places?? Or places not every one has visited? Or places I loved to visit? Mmmmmm
1 + 2 I have been to communistic Prague and the former German Democratic Republic when the iron curtain was still firmly closed. The GDR doesn't exist anymore. Prague is nowadays one of the most touristic places in Europe.
3. I have been to Istanbul in Turkey, both the European as well as the Asiatic part.
4. Do I have to mention Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Firenze, Copenhagen, Brussels, Barcelona, Berlin and so on? I've have never been to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica but I know that's not the question right now.




4 places where I have lived.
I lived all my life here in the Netherlands;
was born in Rotterdam
grew up in the Hague (den Haag, where our government resides)
studied at Leydens university and lived there for 12 years and then moved on to
Dordrecht, a city founded in the 12th century.




4 places I would rather be:
There is no place like home.
But when we have to go anywhere it better is a cheap flea market, with great finds and enough space in the car to take everything with me.
Shopping in New York for about two weeks with that no limit platinum credit card in my purse wouldn't be too bad either.




4 tv programs I like to watch.
Since march 2007 I am sitting most of the time behind my computer...I seldom watch tv. I used to watch Home make over shows. And I like to watch the first time of...a new programme like Big Brother, Idols just everything that is new, to create your own opinion. I guess there is not much news under the sun anymore.

4 radio shows

I hate radio shows. When I listen to the radio I want to hear music. When somebody talks especially during those stupid games, like which noise do we hear, I immediately switch over to another radiostation.

4 favorite food

1. Chocolate
2. French fries, I actually mean fresh cut flemish fries with mayonaise.
3. Fresh pasta with my home made pesto, accompanied by an Italian salad and Italian spiced steak.
4. Actually I like everything I cook myself. From Indonesian to Indian, from homemade soup to apple pie. I simply like my own cooking. Lucky me!

One of those beautiful houses in Trier, where we were last week. Took too little pictures because of the weather and the fact that I was ill.

and now the 7 weird or random facts. Well who wants to know random facts??? All hands up for random facts!! Hahaha, I just knew it!! By the way Anja of my new classic home and Deirdra Doan tagged me.

1. I once wore double lenses.
I always loose things, cannot remember where I have put them. After wearing lenses for more than 30 years I still have one box where I keep them. I buy new boxes once in a while but they all magically disappear. Well this time we were going on vacation and I searched for a spare box to put in my lenses to pack before. I would leave my regular box at home. Just put on the lenses in the morning and don't have to think about packing the liquid or the box. I miraculously found one. The next morning I discovered that I left the liquid to put your lenses on your eyes at home. What a bummer. I could do that job with water too, less comfortable but it was my own fault. So I put my lenses in with water. I did see a bit blurry, but ok water is not the right cleaning solution for lenses. All day my lenses didn't fit nicely. When I took them off before I went to bed I took a closer look. I managed to take with me an old lenses box filled with old lenses. I just put my newer ones on top and then put them in my eyes as if it was one lens.
I guess you can say that my eyes are not too sensitive anymore after wearing lenses for 30 years.

2. I do have a mobile phone but I never have it
a. with me.
b. and its battery uploaded.
I have this phone to be able to call people myself. I don't want to be called by my children when I'm at a flea market.

3. When I was a student I had this job to help the elderly so they could stay in their own home. Once I helped a woman who took my horoscope. Libra Venus and Mars in da house. Yes, you are going to deal with an awful lot of money. I see huge piles of money with you.
Mmmm, that didn't sound too bad.
Now for the best part. She was right!!! After a few years I worked as a bank employee, a cashier. Throwing with packages of money (5000 euro/dollars were the smallest packages) to my collegeas. Haha, I just imagined those piles of money in my purse, not close to it.

4. I have a slightly different sense of priorities than other people:
When I'm off for Germany for a week, I think it is more important to write a post in my blog than to pack first. When I was expecting my second I was determined to plant a lot of violets on the balcony before cleaning the house properly. It's so important to be surrounded by beautiful flowers when lying in labour. Who cares about a cloud of dust more or less? And those flowers grow, become more beautiful everyday. Vacuum cleaning never stops.

5. I still have not decided yet what I want to be when I grow up.




6. I was born afraid of animals. My brother and I as babies were even afraid of this little bear. Oh it's so good to have another weird person who has the same odd thing in your vicinity. My mother thought it was a good idea to tuck in this little bear with the little baby. It was pink then not this brownish color and it had it's original face, which I cannot remember (let Freud speak) anymore. We pushed the little bear away, looking carefully to the other side. I was afraid of living animals too. Well afraid, terrified is the better word. I guess when I should have been God the dog shouldn't been invented, but with all those doglovers on this planet I never tell anyone. I have outgrown my fear for animals.

7. I have read somewhere that the average woman thinks she is fatter than she actually is. I'm not sure but I think I suffer from the opposite. I always think: it isn't that bad!!! It's some kind of the opposite of anorexia. I see myself thinner than I actually am.
And I'm very happy with that! And of course you knew it already; no cell phone and no scales too!! I always think that a lot of women are too skinny. And too wrinkly too! When a girl gets my age it is important to keep those areas around the eyes filled, it's a natural kind of botox. You know that.

Now for the last tag part;
I was tagged by Michelle of Cowboys and Custard and by Sue of Vintage to Victorian with the archive meme tag. I will give you 5 links to former posts which are special to me and meet the regulations. Well I'm a blogger since September 2007 and I haven't made 30 posts already. I try to write at least once a week. And I don't make posts with one picture of let's say a bunch of flowers and one sentence like: spring at my place. That just is not my cup of tea. I always spend (too) much time to create a post. And then postpone the next one. And so on!!
So I really don't have an archive but I'll tell you which of my posts I like best. You can read them (again) and don't forget to leave comment (again!).

1. the first post should be about family. Well that's easy its: Having a party with my cousin
That was such a fun weekend. I love to write about self made stuff and about vintage finds.

2. The second one about friends: Counting down about my friend Mrs. H. and about her vintage finds, which were presents to my birthday.

3. About myself; Must be my hair dye adventure. Having a bad hair week


As you can see my daughter is already experimenting with hair colors too!

4. something I love: its about our environment. We all should take much better care of the environment. This was a blog action day post.


At first I was going to refer to my husband, but he really is not some THING I love. By the way do you know this doll Dilbert? My husband was having him as a mascot on his desk when somebody asked him: Hey, Where do they make these dolls that look exactly like yourself?? ( no joke LOL).

5. Other special posts are Girls on wheels
and the tutorial about making Victorian Cards.
I should have given you another tutorial about the 'waving hand' card. But this has to wait again. The winner of the self made Victorian Cards (the February giveaway) is Linnea Maria!!! Congratulations! Ehem you only have to wait a little, because I have to make new ones. I have all sent them away. But don't be afraid; I will make it up to you!

Thanks for your patience reading about me. I know that I have to tag other people again, maybe next time, I'm still a bit ill. Have an inspiring week! Love LiLi.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Last Valentines....

It's vacation time!!!




Hi!!

I'm always planning to write more often. This time I have been ill, still am actually. Last week I couldn't bring a thing to a good end. Only talking on the phone and little trips with friends went well ;-). According to my husband I was suffering from de-swaptitus, and he might be right. But in the end it seemed like a prelude to the flu (or something like that). Last Friday all my muscles hurt, I coughed like someone who is smoking two packages of heavy 'Van Nelle' a day and I had a terrible headache. This was too much, I just had to stay in bed, cancel the appointments for this weekend and see if I can get better as soon as possible as we are going to Germany for a little winter break tomorrow. That's why I'm writing now, writing about Valentine presents next week...come on...it will be March then!

Next time I will write about tags. I'm going to think about it in Germany (no I don't take the laptop with me, it should be a family vacation, you know).

As I have told you in a previous post, I was hosting a Valentine swap between 92 women. This is what I have received from my partner Maayke:



That beautiful heart was already in my Valentines' day post.



I love this doll! And so does my daughter, but she is definitely mine!



This heart shaped box filled with goodies mmmmmmm.


And last but not least, this very lovely tea-cosy. I didn't have one, and it looks so good in my kitchen. Thanks Maayke!!

And this is what I made her:

A little children's sewing box. I have found the lovely picture here. It was my intention to make one that could have belonged to one of us back in the sixties. A kind of replica, only there is no original.

It was filled with all kind of pink little treasures, as pink is Maayke's favourite color.



As I was hosting this swap, I felt more than responsible that everybody was having a good time. For someone who was going to hospital and couldn't join I made this hospital surviving package:



the box was filled with soap, shampoo and that kind of things:


For another lady who was without a partner due to circumstances I have made a portfolio;


The little packages with angels are (Belgium) chocolates.
Of course some blank letters and envelopes inside:
And a very thin heart, filled with lavender, to give its aroma to the letters, but I guess you can imagine that.


For Elizabeth who was having a harsh time I made a heart to keep her little brooches:

And some other little goodies.
It seems now that I was hobbying all week, and that was true! I had the time of my life! And on top of this, it didn't go unrewarded.



Look what Elizabeth send me back, though it really wasn't necessary, I was so happy with this package, the beautiful art-journal, the pink glitter with E stamped in wax on top. The so over the top that's me clasp! Need I go on? Actually I cannot, I'm feeling terrible...cough, cough!!

I have showed you the heart Natasha made me in my Valentines post, well here is the content:


I cannot mention each and every goodie! It's far too much; fabric, ribbons, tea, candy, scraps, antique cards with violets...it really is too much!

And this is what I received from Carla, who has just started her internet shop 'Buttons and Bows:



It doesn't only look good, it smells good too, it is filled with lavender and it's so sweet!
Sorry, but I'm too tired to post pictures of the lovely soap I received from Gepke (you can visit her webshop too) and the violet table napkins I received from Leni, just for hosting the swap.
It was the best Valentines'day of my life!
See you in March! Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the February give away!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's day to you all




As I wrote before I never liked Valentine's day, too commercial to me.
But this year is different.
There was the 'One world one heart' event. You can read about it in my previous post.
All about giving, sharing en getting to know each other.
First I'm giving:
My giveaway is a self made portfolio filled with vintage and vintage like paper.
The winner is:



number 67 Chris Cunningham of Enchanted Hearts Studio. Congratulations Chris. I will contact you rightaway!
And more giving: my January giveaway was won by


Wil!! Wil is no blogger but a regular and highly appreciated visitor over here. Wil you deserve it! Wait a few days (mmm weeks) and your hairpincard -everything you always wanted and more- will arrive at your home in Belgium, I need your adress!!
But I'm receiving too; I have virtually met Will at an internet forum about homedecorating; the Picasa girls forum. Today we had a Valentine swap day with over 90 women. I will pay more attention to the presents that were made by these very creative women in the future. The first photo in my post is a heart that I received from Maayke, who was my partner, she made so much more beautiful things for me. The last picture is a heart box I received from Natasha Ioppi, for hosting the swap. Thanks to all Picasa ladies, you have made my Valentinesday!



This was such a nice day and the party is still going on at the Picasa forum. I will join the girls there. I will report about it later...and tell you who has tagged me, which award I was given and of course the cliff hangers I have mentioned to you last time ;-(
Hoping you are having just as much fun, enjoy your Valentinesday!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

One world one heart




Just a post between other posts. This is too good to pass.

This world of bloggers is such a nice world, you get to know people, people are sending each other packages and little cards. It almost seems if people are happy to give and to share. Last week I was a winner of such a giveaway which was organized by Heather Bullard and I was thrilled.
That's why Lisa Oceandreamer hosts a blogger giveaway event. And I'm one of the more than 242 participants. The drawing is next Thursday on Valentinesday.
Actually I was a bit of an opponant of that February 14th. Here in the Netherlands there was no such thing as Valentines day, but since globalisation the shops are filled with merely very ugly and useless stuff. Too commercial for me. But this is something else, its about sharing and getting to know each other. So welcome every one and join the fun!

This is my give away:



I have changed this stationary map a little and filled it with:



Mmm what is this???



Two cards I have made



Some scraps and some self-made heart shaped notes

This picture didn't want to load, what a shame, some surprises for those who have given their comments already...
Two old bingo cards and 4 new dutch Christmas cards with old pictures though...


Some ephemera. It's a word I have recently learned since my frequent visits to blogland. But those old papers were me all the way.
Here are some french pages, a sheet of music paper, two playing cards. And two pages of a dutch 1918 magazine with those beautiful adds.

Last but not least; some old and new but vintage-like wallpaper.
I'm addicted to wallpaper for about 10 years or so. I keep going to Laura Ashley's for pieces to try on my wall. Even play little acts with friends who need some wallpaper there too (shhht).
I never knew there were so many wallpaper addicts. Now I have discovered the vintage american wallpaper, mmm I wil not rest until I have ordered some of those sweet pastel colored pieces.
Well I have closed the file.
I hope your crafting imagination has been tempted!
Want to be a winner? Being here can be only one step from that goal.
The next step is giving a comment on this post. This post only!!!
You don't have to be a blogger but make yourself traceable. So leave an email adress if necessary.
I will draw a winner on February 14th, local time, which is CET.
Good luck to you all! So nice to meet you!

Sorry!! Its now Valentine's day here in Western Europe (CET).
I'm closing at a 158 comments (ooops).
You cannot enter anymore, but I wish you a happy Valentine's day!!!


Monday, February 4, 2008

Victorian Card making; a LiLi-like tutorial

Hi all!

I have been busy!
First this cupboard was changed

into this one:

I thought it would take me two days or something but actually I was busy a whole week! This cupboard is LARGE!
Then we build another cupboard in our basement, with three sliding doors, so I can save a lot of things

This box only took about a day and a half to explain to hubby (but why that MUCH Lili??)
And I have cleaned all our linen closets. The thrift store is going to pick up a lot!! Usually I like what I buy, but sometimes...I have decided now that it is better to part with those 'mal-buyings' as soon as possible, in stead of keeping them year after year, feeling guilty every time you clean your closet. Nope. That crimson red cloak/coat in which I visually double size has to go now! Phffew what a relief!
And of course I was cruising the internet looking at all those valentine creativeness and things to buy.

Somewhere I saw those Victorian three dimensional cards. I have bought some replicas in the early nineties in London.
when you look sideways to such a card you see this:

and they inspired me last year to make this birthday card for my aunt.

Ooo I liked those Victorian Valentine cards, so why shouldn't I make those myself? I started Saturday and couldn't stop! You really should click on the picture. It was too sunny yesterday in our living room, but I definitely wanted to take to pics before the first cards would be send today! And I think that the 3D effect isn't as stunning in the picture as in real life, to tell you in all modesty.


Please do try this at your home;
All you need is some german scraps.(I have tons of them. Using them all the time.) Some card board which is used for making cards. Some glue and scissors. And when you are very uncertain you will need a measurement instrument, like a ruler.

This is how it works:

You bend the card the way it can stand and then

This is of course just an example, you cut a heart shape of music paper, which you glue directly on the card.

Now you cut a small strap. Fold it into some kind of rectangle. If you are uncertain use your ruler, but you can just do it when you have a good eye. Be sure to check: when you fold a right rectangle you can fold it into a diamond square as well. Mmm you learn some maths while reading my blog!

Glue this rectangle onto your scrap (in this case a rose) and the other side of the rectangle onto your card:


Oops, I'm holding the card upside down now, but I do hope that you know what I mean...

The next stage is almost the same, but I forgot to take a picture hahaha!
Fold a rectangle, glue that on the little guy (in this case) and glue the bottom of the rectangle on the bottom of the card and the upside back onto the rose that has already been attached in a previous stage.
Now your card is three dimensional, can stand on it's own and can be folded in an envelope!
Of course you can cut the bottom into a nice shape and glue some additional scraps as well.

You can put your message on the bottom of the card, even put some nice stamp Happy Valentine or some cupid on it!
I do hope you understand my tutorial! Actually when making pictures and making a card it didn't work out, it was the first card which couldn't stand on his own and couldn't be folded neither! So I did another card and mixed up the pictures.
If you don't understand, please don't hesitate to ask, I will explain better.
Next time I will show you the Victorian Waving Card, an invention of yours truly! And I will announce the winner of the January give away.
Speaking of which; one of these (kind of) cards will be given to someone who gives a comment in February!
Could well be this one:

Or this:

Or this one:

See you all next time when I'm going to show you how to make those waving hands!
Take care, xoxo LiLi.