Advent Wreath

i was quite busy with school last week. we presented our group marketing project which was to develop a communications plan for a non-profit organization. i created the print ads for the assignment, which i really enjoyed doing. i did that for years when i worked at a newspaper. it got me thinking that maybe i could do that again somehow, from here, maybe like on a freelance basis.

i made an advent wreath last week as well. i went to 2 craft stores and a florist to get the supplies i needed. when i want to make something, and i know exactly what i want to make it with, are the times when i sure miss wal-mart, micheal's, etc.

i wanted to buy garland, and although the 3 stores had them as decorations, they didn't sell them. the stores were packed, it wasn't easy to find what i needed, and with my limited language skills, it was quite an undertaking. though i finally bought some fresh pine at the florist in a metro station on my way home.

here are the supplies:and here's the finished product: 4 weeks before christmas eve, on every sunday evening 1 more candle is lit on the wreath (1 on the first sunday, 2 on the next, until 4 are lit on the last sunday).

when i was getting info on this tradition here, i found this (which a friend told me once, but i had forgotten about):

"the second sunday of advent is commonly referred to as bronze sunday, the third one as silver sunday and the fourth one as gold sunday. These are the high-shopping days of the retail industry there - almost like black friday in the us."

Inspirational Card Sketches #45

the mail carrier came to the door just as i was making this card, bringing with him the punch i used to make the label, and the border punch. talk about great timing! this card is for this week's sketch at ics. be sure to check out the lovely cards by the dt, and the awesome goodies up for grabs!

Mézeskalács Card

when i saw the 'christmas in the old country' challenge at moxie fab world, i knew i just had to do something from here. there are lots of lovely folksy things to choose from, but i choose the tradition of making mézeskalács (honey cookies). these are somewhat similar to gingerbread cookies, but not quite.i made the cookie from cardboard, used a glaze pen to make the design and darkened the edges to look like a baked cookie. i also used my (just got) upper crest border punch.

here's a traditional recipe for mézeskalács:

500 grams flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 whole eggs
1 tablespoon lard
150 grams sugar
Zest of 1 lemon, grated
cinnamon
honey

Mix the flour, baking powder, eggs, lard and sugar. Add the lemon zest, a bit of cinnamon and hot honey. Knead it into a dough that is about as hard as strudel dough. Roll it out to half an inch thickness and cut into whichever forms you want. Place in a floured pan and decorate the top with whole or sliced almonds, or decorate with icing after baking.

Inspirational Card Sketches #44

wow, the weeks sure seem to fly by, don't they? here it is, tuesday again, and another new sketch at ics. here's my card for this week: oh, sure, the little christmas bulb might look sweet and innocent, but it sure gave me some trouble putting it together. no matter what i tried it just kept looking like a circle floating there. but then i pulled out some lace and pearls, and finally it looks a bit like what i had in my head.

you can find the sketch here, and i hope to see your card or project at ics this week!

Blue Season's Greetings

another christmas card to show you today! i think i am almost done with them now. i was so worried about getting them done in time to mail them so that they would arrive before the holidays, and now i am wondering if sending them a month ahead is too early....? i have to tell you that this one is more of a 'functional' card as some of my cards have been lately. i use my glue gun to make sure everything stays together during shipping (i hope).

and here is the sentiment i created for you to use if you'd like. just right-click on the image. i made it for a 2" punch. enjoy!

M's Sketch #4

i was finally able to participate in M's sketch challenge over at Savitri's blog. i simply adore her blog; she is so honest and just puts everything out there. i am a very private person and have always had a difficult time telling people my personal details, so she is kinda inspirational to me! that and how she seems to get an amazing amount done in a day. and she's so cool!! i mean, c'mon, who makes a layout of her ex's engagement photo? and i think that it's awesome how she supports and encourages her child this way... that's gonna be one well-adjusted kid if you ask me.

anyhoo... here's my card. thanks M for the great sketch!!

Can I Get a Wahoo!!

i'm so happy and excited that my wall hanging won the 'plum crazy' challenge at moxie fab world. so awesome, being in the company of such talent!! i'm still in a state of shock and disbelief, actually. this is what the lovely Cath had to say:

"This wall hanging has so many trendy elements that work so well together that I'm just not sure I can contain myself! The stapled ruffles, the notebook background paper, the corrugated cardboard, and the scrunched up layered flowers with the buttons in the center just scream moxie fab! Pair all that with the balance in the design (the corner elements off-set to "frame" the focal point and the sentiment) and the poetic sentiment (Normal day let me be aware of the treasure you are) and I am in moxie fab heaven!"

isn't that just so nice!? totally made my day, if not my week!! thanks so much Cath, and everyone for your sweet comments!

i have a simple card to show you today. it was a gorgeous day today, the sun was shining all day. i managed to clean my craft area (i can't say room, cuz it's just a table, but it works :)) so i have a bit more desk space to work on now!i'm off to make dessert now, thanks for stopping by!