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Sunday, March 21, 2010

One World One Heart follow up

A bit more than a month ago the blog event One World One Heart ended with a record participation of 1,088 people from 40 countries. It's amazing how well Lisa organized everything -- kudos to her!

The winner of my necklace was Elaine from Indiana. I won't write more about her nor mention the link to her blog because I have had the feeling that she isn't too fond about sharing information about herself publicly. She wrote a kind note in reply to my winning notification but ended it with "I hope this satisfies your curiosity." It seems that I have come across as being (too) curious when I expressed my initial disappointment that my winner's blog profile can't be accessed and that there was no name given other than the blog ID luverlie. Anyway, Elaine let me know on February 24th that she had safely received the necklace: "It's gorgeous. Thank you again. Loved the organdy bag and the note was so sweet." It has been good to know that she has enjoyed her gift.


I was lucky enough to win several prizes myself (still bubbling with excitement), and nearly all of them have arrived here in Germany by now. However, one stayed in the USA -- a pink tutu made by Sadie is now one of the treasures of a 3-year-old girl named Lily. Lily's mom Tracy and I have been friends for nearly twelve years, and we even met twice in my hometown Munich. Lily loves princesses and recently had her first dancing course. Thus a pink tutu has been just perfect for her -- I am glad that Sadie agreed to send it her way to South Dakota. By the way, please make sure to check out Sadie's shop Nelliebugs. Maybe one of her gorgeous tutus is the perfect gift for a girl in your life. Thanks Sadie!

Beth from Vintage Sweets sent me wonderful earrings along with a lovely note -- everything carefully wrapped in pink silk paper.


Beth makes beautiful jewelry and sells some pieces at her Etsy store. Just have another look at my gorgeous earrings:


I haven't had any red earrings before, so these are perfect -- thanks Beth!

The next surprise came all the way from Canada -- right during the Olympic Games. Just have a look at the great stamps on the envelope:


Anna from Quiltmom's Journey took the time to write a card -- and the little red maple leaf was the first thing which fell out of the package.


Now you surely want to know which prize I won -- a beautiful purple bracelet:


You can also see the front of the pretty card which brought spring my way when it was still winter. Here's a close-up of the terrific bracelet:

I love the texture of the jewelry, too. Thanks Anna!

Then a mischievous cat entered my life:


It's the logo of Catnip Designs, Teri's Etsy store & blog. Teri sent a long a cute button, lovely organza bag, and whimsical card:


However, the gift itself was a marvelous pair of earrings which is the essence of spring for me -- flowers and butterflies:



Thanks Teri -- I love to wear these earrings.

The next excitement was receiving a parcel from Jann aka A Vintage Heart. I had won a beautiful frame:


See how Jann had carefully added so many lovely details, e.g. a silk flower...


... and buttons:


Jann also sent along a cute envelope...


... with two wonderful ATCs and two art cards:


Thanks Jann -- I love each and every piece!

Then I got a prize which had traveled the longest distance all the way from Singapore. Mel from Mel's Curiosity Shoppe included a personal note.


The prize was a wonderful book charm which is just perfect for an avid reader like me:


The fan and key charms are gorgeous. Here you see them in one of my favorite books -- The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas (let me know if you get around to read the novel):



Thanks Mel! If you now want to have your own book charm, please be sure to check out Mel's shop for many different charms.

Then Santa visited me in March -- I have really been a good girl, huh?


Samantha from Three Men and a Lady sent me her self-made scrapbook double page layout which is wonderful for Christmas memories:


Thanks Samantha!

Finally, I received candy in the mail -- well, it's a hard candy bracelet made by Sharon from Sharon's Jewelry Garden:


Isn't it just gorgeous? Sharon sent it along with a lovely note:


Just have a look at this piece of candy:


Fantastic! At Sharon's Etsy store you find more beautiful jewelry pieces. Thanks Sharon!

Last but not least I won a surprise prize by Cara from Cara Makes. Cara still works on putting something together based on three of my favorite things -- the Old West, the color teal, and mystery books. Doesn't that sound just cool? Looking at Cara's Etsy store, I know that I am in for yet another treat.

Anyway, another BIG thanks to all you ladies -- you brought much joy into my life!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Pink Saturday at Munich's Botanical Garden

Welcome to another Pink Saturday organized by Beverly! Earlier this week I went to the Botanical Garden in Munich. Spring hasn't really come to Munich yet -- we even had more snow in the beginning of the week. Nonetheless, you feel that spring is just around the corner, even though the only flowers blooming outside were crocuses and snowdrops. Thus I spent most of the time in the extensive greenhouse complex. For Pink Saturday I put together photos of pink flowers, but if you are interested in seeing the whole thing, please be sure to come back in a couple of days -- especially if you like butterflies and turtles.

That's the entrance to the Botanical Garden --
and the only non-pink photo:

The colors of the various flowers were amazing --
almost too bright to be true.

One of the first greenhouse rooms houses the most wonderful orchids.

Here's a detail of the photo above --
the structure of the petal is just marvelous:

Don't you also think that each orchid has its own personality?

What a drama queen!

A lady slipper orchid.

Somehow, I would like to pet this flower, as it looks so fluffy.

The contrast of pink and green was so striking.

This looks like summer.

And warmth.

And sunshine.

Don't you get in a good mood just looking at these flowers?

Soft pink bliss.

What a beauty!

Can you take more pink flowers?

Okay, two more orchid photos.



Remember to come back for more photos of the Botanical Garden. Maybe you also want to check out my photos of the St. Patrick's Day parade, especially the photo of the cute Bolivian girls all dressed up in pink.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Fitting creativity into your life

Would you like to have a practical guide for fitting creativity into your life? My reply has been a loud YES, and the universe's reply was, Your wish is my command. I have been very happy to win Shona Cole's book titled The Artistic Mother. Even if you aren't a mother, this book is a wonderful guide for walking the artistic path.

You can order this book at amazon.com or other amazon stores like amazon.de (my review in German will follow as soon as I read the whole book). If you want to get to know Shona, please don't hesitate to visit her inspiring blog.

The best thing about my copy of Shona's book is her autograph -- thanks so much for that, Shona!


Let me assure you that Shona's book is a visual feast -- I simply love books with a great layout and interesting photos. Just have a look at this border (p. 57):


Marvelous colors -- you feel like you can almost pick up the papers and elements. You have the 3-D feeling throughout the book (p. 108):


Here's another butterfly waiting to be picked up (p. 5):


There are so many fantastic projects to try out --
have you ever heard of inchies (p. 114)?


Don't you just love Shona's Irish ring on her right hand (p. 116)?


I love Shona's short but sweet -- and, oh, so to the point! -- advice
(p. 15 & p. 86):




On the back side of the book you can read what you discover within The Artistic Mother:

  • The Artist's Workshop, a 12-week art course that teaches you how to bring creativity back into your life
  • Step-by-step instructions for more than 12 finished art pieces celebrating motherhood and family
  • A weekly action plan to help you make the best use of your time
  • Artist Spotlights that introduce you to 7 inspiring artist-mommas
  • Tips on creating time and space in your life for your art
  • A beginner's guide to each of three much-loved arts: poetry, photography and mixed media
A cool book, huh?