Back home

well we got back home about 6 hours ago, we went to get our cats at the cat hotel, and came home with one more... LOL
Yup, they had found a little abandoned kitten somewhere and have not found the rightful owners yet. They do have some candidates to adopt her, but right now she's too young to eat on her own, so I was asked to care for the little one until she's old enough and eats on her own. I did tell them I wouldn't do it without the agreement of our two other cats, but so far they seem to be okay with the new addition to the household. Wonder how they'll react when it's time for the little one to go on to a new home... We'll see how it goes the next few days, if it doesn't work out they will ask someone else to train the kitten. She's very playful, exploring her new temporary home and definitely not shy at all!! She's on my lap as I'm typing this! Forgive me for any typos I don't catch... The cat did it. LOL

Nobody tried to guess where we were??? Maybe you need more hints, huh?? Or maybe this blog just doesn't have enough readers?? ahum!!! You can always share the link with your friends of course...
 So, here are a few extra hints... oh err, kitty is finding my fingers dancing over the keyboard very interesting and is trying to catch them! (grin) It's funny to have a little one in the house again. :-))
Okay, more hints to where we've been... Let me think, I don't want to make it too easy either of course...
- it's a world famous city in Europe
- very touristy
- there's a Hard Rock Café which made Jan very happy
- they have a long tradition of craftsmanship and handmade items which made me very happy
- if we had gone by bus or train we would still need to have taken the boat to get to the hotel and the city center
- to get there we had to cross Germany and Austria
and I'm not gonna say anymore or I'm gonna give it away! LOL
Okay, I'll make it a contest. Out of all the correct answers I'll draw a name and I'll send you a real snail mail card if you give me your address. Deal??? Deadline of the contest is one week from now -Monday 24th, so I'll draw the name on the 25th. Have fun! It's really not all that difficult!! I promise! :-))

I wonder if kitty is ever gonna go to sleep... She hasn't sat still for a minute yet since she got here, has eaten pretty well with some help from me and is still playing... pheww, I had forgotten how tiring this can be!! But it's just impossible not to like her!!

Hugs,
Wezz

't is the season...

...for Shopping!!! Yep, that's right, people! Time to get the best deals and start your Christmas shopping!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I wish my US friends (and anyone else who celebrates this) a happy day and hope you can spend it with your loved ones.
But Thanksgiving, man, it really has become a surreal shopping experience over the past few years. First, all we heard about that over here in Belgium, was the -to us at least- strange "Black Friday" term and we got news flashes on TV about it. It totally amazed us. With the internet, everyone wanted to be part of it, so along came CyberMonday. But that's not enough, oh no! Now we have Black Wednesday too! You can get the best deals on the internet if you shop on Wednesday already, have Thanksgiving dinner with your family, then hit the brick & mortar stores on Black Friday to get the good deals there too! It's a win-win situation of course. :-))
Read all about the newest shopping experience in the full article on this page!

I am joining in this amazing blog roll too, and have put a few items in my store at half price. Whààààt??? Half price??? Why on earth did I do that?? Well, to give you a chance to shop at a reduction. Hmm, okay. Soo, what's in it for me? Happy customers will spread the word!!!! See?? Win-win situation. :-))
Check for the notion "Black Friday SALE" in my etsy store for the items at half price, and lots of other items have free worldwide shipping!! Yay!! I know a good deal when I see it. Do you??






All these above earrings are now in my etsy store at Half Price from Black Wednesday til CyberMonday! That's from November 25 (today!) and will end on Monday November 30 at midnight.

***Edit November 26: The following items are now taking part in the Black Friday Sale at my store too! :-))

There is also the video preview of what you can win in the Treasure Hunt! Okay, first time ever I embed a slide show into my blog so I hope everything will go well. Here goes nothing!!

Full pictures of all the handmade gifties in the basket can be seen here on this blog! Aren't they just gorgeous??

Enjoy the holidays and whatever you do, stay safe! Let me know the good deals you find too! heheh... ;-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Arrived!

Yay!! My snow white seed bead item made it to its destination and now I can reveal that it will definitely be in the Big Prize Gift Basket of the Treasure Hunt! That's right, folks, you can win my mystery item!! Here's a few more teaser pics! I sure hope you'll like it, and that you'll come along and play in the Hunt! Go read here for the rules! It's easy to participate but you gotta play to win! Remember there's a special clue here to make it even easier to play the Hunt Game.... ;-))



Here's a picture to give you an idea on the other items that are already in this Gift Basket, and it could be more! Everything has been lovingly handmade be our eSmarts Team members, who are artisans from all over the globe. Imagine finding this under the Christmas tree!


Now, isn't that worth a little Hunt??? Find the Hidden Santa images and you can win this!! :-))

For a dear friend of mine who can use a pick-me-up right about now, I made this very simple and easy card. This really is what you'd call a "Take Ten" card. I hope she likes it.

Text is from Inkerbell. The rest is just a wide ribbon, cardstock and two domed stickers. Easy peasy. :-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Take your pick

...and you decide whether this is a hint or a clue! But it's somewhere in my post... heheheh.... ;-))
Remember, you have to play to win the big jackpot! Make it a family game to go hunting for the Treasure and find the hidden Santa images. Santa needs to come out of hiding to bring gifts this year, won't he? Give him a hand!

I'm still working on my crochet shawl and I have to tell you, it's BIIIIG! I mean, way way big. LOL
I never anticipated it would end up this big, but I just liked the crocheting so much that I just kept going. And going... and going... And now it's really really big. But, I don't care, I actually like how it turned out and am sure I will enjoy cuddling up on the couch on cold winter evenings with this newest addition. :-))

I enjoy the bare works of knitting and crocheting, but the finishing touches... not so much. Anyone else have that problem? I mean, it really is a problem here. I wanted to crochet a bonnet and what do I find in the bag with the yarn? The bonnet I crocheted last winter! The crocheting part is finished, but I never bothered to actually work the end tails in. How stupid of me! I should have been wearing this!
Did you know there's a hidden Santa in my etsy store? Find him, copy the url, find 2 more of these Santas and there's your first chance of winning the big prize! How's that for a clue? ;-))
The newly discovered bonnet is duo toned, in purple, so it's completely in line with all the current fashions. But nooo, I'm the one that keeps things like this unfinished in her bag. Another one of my endless supply of UFOs. I really have to finish this one. And I'd prefer it done before winter starts. Ha!

But I'm working on that. I mean, I'm working on actually finishing what I started. The crochet part of the big shawl is done, I have worked in all the tail ends already (wow!) and now I'm in the process of adding the fringes. Tell me, how does it look so far??

Hugs,
Wezz

Another hint... or is it a clue?

Hey all, have you been on the Hunt yet?? The Secret Santa Treasure Hunt is on!! Go go go!!
Did you know you can enter as many times as you can find 3 different links with Santa in them? Just follow the rules and increase your chances of winning this fabulous Treasure!

Oh and I just thought of something too! (surprised, huh?? LOL) Now why don't you make this a family thing? Yeah! Wouldn't your kids just *love* to go hunting for Santa images?? Get everyone involved, even your hubby! He could win beautiful gifts for the woman he loves, or the kids could win some really cool gifts for mommy! Enjoy the family time together while going on a Treasure Hunt! Think of it as playing a game with the whole family! The kids will love it! :-))

I have another "teaser picture" for you today! Here's a little detail of my beadwork with the matte and shiny snow white beads.
Let me know how the teasing is working please! Would love to hear about it.... ;-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Something of everything

Recently, I colored some stamped images with my Derwent pencils, and this is one of them. I thought the card's theme would be rather fitting for my sister-in-law's birthday and the party we threw her. ;-))


I used pattern paper that came as an extra with a british cardmaking magazine. Some of those papers are actually not so bad. Really. LOL
The text stamp is from Stampin' Up! and the dancing old lady with bunny slippers (love those slippers!!) is from StampFrancisco.

Okay, so I'm gonna tease you some more about those snow white beads. I usually do my beadwork in the kitchen at the big table there. Sometimes, errrr... it happens that I spill some on the floor... and if you see two different types of snow white beads spilled on the floor, matte and shiny.... it's a real sorting nightmare!! I tell ya!! You do not wanna have to go through this, believe me...

Suffice it to say that this "tease piece" went through a lot of trouble to get to where it is now! ;-))
But, I must admit, the result is worth getting my eyes completely crossed while making it. You just wait and see....

Oh, and don't forget the contest!!! Did you know that can enter more than once, so you can increase your chances of winning??? The Treasure Hunt starts tomorrow!

On your mark, get set... and see you tomorrow! :-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Santa Claus is coming to town....

...and he's bringing lots and lots of prezzies!! :-))
Okay, so Christmas comes a little early this year, Santa is an old guy and he needs the extra time. Let him, will ya? (grin)

You all know by now that I'm part of the online group eSmarts and we've teamed up to bring you the best! We've organised a Treasure Hunt, and believe me, the treasure is definitely worth it!!
You have to play to win though, but the big prize could be yours! Wouldn't that be fun???? Mark your calendars for the start of the Hunt on November 14th! Go go go, what are you waiting for???

Our great eSMArts team is sharing the love with a handmade bundle to warm your holidays! And YOU can win this! Isn't that just sooo cool?? huh??? :-))

Enter our Hidden Santa Treasure Hunt to WIN a Christmas Gift Bundle of unique handmade creations.

The complete prize package, item photos and detailed descriptions will be announced here shortly.

Our contest begins November 14th so check back here for the full list of Sponsor Shops.

How to Play:

• Check this blog for contest details and a list of participating eSMArts Sponsor Shops.
• Visit each participating shop to find images of our santa.
• Make note of the url where you find our santa pictured!
• HINT: santa images are not embedded yet. They won't be online until the contest start date of November 14, 2009.
• Here's how to complete each entry: ~find 3 Santa images that you haven't previously submitted. ~Email the urls along with your name & address to esmartspromos [at] yahoo.ca to be entered. ~Find new/unsubmitted Santa image urls and enter as many times as you like! ~Entries will be validated to ensure that contestants are submitting fresh Santa spottings. ~Remember that 3 new Santa image urls equals ONE additional contest entry.
• Contest runs November 14-28, 2009 (close is November 28/09 at midnight eastern).
• Drawing takes place November 29th
• Winner will be announced here November 30th
• Prize package ships December 1st, 2009.

check back for hunting hints and tips! The package IS worth it, mark my words! You'll be in for a big big surprise! I know, coz I've seen some of what's in there.... I'll post more about the Treasure as we come closer to the start of the Hunt and the final draw... heheh... Patience, my dears, patience! And keep your eye on this blog!
Happy Hunting everyone! :-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Happy Halloween!

We don't celebrate Halloween as much, but I know this is a big thing for my US friends, so Happy Halloween to you! Celebrate and enjoy! (oh and share the candy, will you?? LOL)

Here's a funny Halloween card I made a while ago with a Frankenstein stamp that I got at the StempelMekka this last September. It's a stamp from StampFrancisco. The text is from Stampin' Up! I thought those two stamps were like made for each other. ;-))


This was the first card ever I made using my Derwent pencils. I love coloring with these and then the blending part. It's far from perfect, but I like the way I did this image. If you have any tips on improving my skills, please do let me know! I'm always all ears to learn new things! :-))

On the DWYTter blog they're already on sketch number 5, but here's my card for sketch number 4. Only one this time, as I was in too much pain this last week to do more.


The bird stamp is from StampAttack, also an acquisition from the StempelMekka this year. It's a stamp with loads of possibilities, and I have more ideas with this so I haven't put it away just yet.

Let me know what you think of my newest creations, okay? The comment section is now open. :-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Something I can do

Well with all my back problems I'm still on a recipe of rest, rest and more rest. I hate it. I can make a card now and then, a simple one, but it has to be done in stages. It's hilarious to see me do this.
Now don't get me wrong, I do not mind being on a rest schedule, but I really resent the fact that it takes more than let's say, 3 days or so. I love making things and being creative, but I can't stand not having much of a choice at the moment. Not that I'd wanna clean the house, but I would like to have that option. You know, just in case.... LOL
I have way too much time on my hands to think about other things I some day would like to make too. Like I don't have enough projects going already. I call them my UFOs. My UnFinished Objects. (grinning)
But if you think making some greeting cards now and then is all I do these days, I'm sooo not! Really. Here's the proof:


I'm in the process of making a large crochet shawl. Now, that should keep me warm this coming winter! :-))

Hugs,
Wezz

A Treasure

Do you know what a treasure is? I guess you do. It's anything that is of any value to you. Whether it's monetary or emotional, if it has value to you, you treasure it, so it's by definition a treasure. To you anyway. I've got a house full of little treasures, like beads and rubber stamps. LOL And you??? ;-D
But do you also know what a treasury is?? And then more specifically, an etsy treasury? Ive only been on Etsy a few short months and I have no clue (yet!) how to make a treasury or how to get it showcased, but apparently it's a real good thing if you are featured in one of them!! And aren't we so lucky that we have people on our team that know how this works! (I'll learn eventually, meanwhile just go practice on your patience. heheh) I was in one a while ago, and they don't last long so I had to be quick about capturing the screen of it! Here it is!

The beaded stone pendant is mine, the other items are all of handmade items by other members of the eSMArtsteam. Nice huh??

And what to think of the new banner Anna Lee put up on the eSMArtsteam yahoogroup??


I love it!! Shame on me, I didn't even know someone of our group was such an accomplished painter!! Just look at that indian! Handpainted by one of our members. And yes! One of my cretan stone pendants is on there too!! Cool huh?? I really like how this was done, and now I wanna know how to do this too of course. As if I don't have enough on my to do list.... LOL

Hugs,
Wezz

New things in the World of Wezz

It's about time I tried something new.... well, besides my crafty endeavors that is. I mean something online, something with the computer, and let me tell you up front I'm no computer wizz-kid, so this is all a test, a dip-your-toe-in-the-water-to-see-how-cold-it-really-is kinda thing...
I've already managed to upgrade my blog and didn't wreck it completely in the process, so that's a success! Yay! Ready to move on to something newer than that.... I have more handmade items than I will ever use or wear in my lifetime, especially greeting cards, mini albums, and jewelry, and I always find something new I want to try, something else I love to make, it just never stops when you have a creative mind (that does come across a "block" occasionally, you are not alone in that!).
So maybe I should try selling online? Yeah, that's it! That's a good idea! With the money I make from that, I can buy new crafty stuff, right?? heheh...
Okay, so I wanna sell online. But how? What's a good site? Ebay? Nah. Not for handmade or artisan items I think, to me it seems that's more a place people will check out to get a great bargain. Setting up my own website with a store? hmm, nice idea, but I don't have a clue how to go about that. I would have to ask DH and he's busy remodeling the attic. No, it has to be something easy that I can do all by myself, and maintain it too! Setting it up is not enough, you have to maintain it and add new items on a regular basis. Now what? Then, oooh, I came across this eSMarts yahoogroup, it's all about helping each other setting up an Etsy store and getting traffic to your blog, website and store. hmm, maybe I should sign up, huh? I signed up. I got confused with all the etsy lingo, and even more confused when they started talking about squidoo and lenses and more of that! Maybe I'm in the wrong place after all. oh, but wait a minute! There are other etsy newbies on this group! Maybe we can help each other out and get the expertise knowledge from those that have been on etsy for a while? Hmm. Let's hang around for a while longer and see how it goes. After all, I got my blog going again after a loooooooong hiatus. The next step is to set up an etsy store. Let's see.... Hey, that's not difficult at all! I just need to think and re-think the intro and the policies and such. And presto, I now have my very own etsy store!! Granted, I know nothing about all the other options that etsy offers, but I'll learn it as we grow with the eSmarts group I guess. And of course, just like any website or blog, it's a work in progress. A status quo is the worst thing you can do on the internet I think, so we gotta work on our sites. All of us, and on all of them. Including the group blog. Yep, we have an eSmarts group blog too, with various members contributing to it! It's quite interesting so go check it out, and it has of course all the links to the members' websites and stores. This is gonna be a fun ride!! Can't wait to see what's next!! :-))

Hugs,
Wezz

Funky bag

Felted bags seem to be all the new rage nowadays, so I really can't stay behind, can I??? I just HAVE to give this a try too!! Just so I can say "I did that too"... LOL
Well, it just so happens that I have had this wool sweater like forever and have practically never worn it, and after living in my closet for maybe 15 years, I decided it was time to let go. But let go of such a good quality sweater?? A wool one, with a jacquard pattern?? Hmm, maybe I should just give it a second life?? As a funky felted bag!! Yeah!!
But then the questions started pouring into my little brain... Should I just felt the whole sweater and then cut it up and sew the bag, or should I finish the sewing first and then felt it??? Wouldn't the front and back get stuck together, or a sleeve stuck where it's not supposed to be?? I'm sure I can do the felting in the washing machine, right?? It's one of those handwash type sweaters. How much would the shrinkage be, on average?? I could try with a little piece of the collar first to try that out maybe. I have only one of these type of sweaters that is 100% wool, suitable for felting (I guess?), and I don't wanna mess up my one chance at a felted bag.... LOL
I'll use the body of the sweater for the bag, and the sleeves for the handles. Should work, right? Of course I'll be taking pics of every step and upload them when I'm done. But only if it's worth it, okay?? LOL
So, I thought I'd start with the felting of the sweater last weekend. Figured I'd see at least *some* result after a cycle or two, and then it would still be easy to sew. After the sewing, I would continue the felting. Before I put it in I checked the label again, and saw to my horror that it was only 60% pure wool!!! Aaarrgghhh!! Was it not gonna work?? I figured I could give it a try anyway, since I was definitely not gonna wear that sweater anymore anyway, so just for the fun of it, I went ahead. Of course, after just one cycle I was really curious to see if there was any change yet. heh....
Hmm, it appears it only took one cycle for the felting!! I did run the machine on the hottest and longest cycle (and that is NOT a gentle cycle, but the roughest I have!!). I put the sweater in one of those netted zippered bags, and added a plastic cup with some laundry soap (not the gentle wool type though) IN the washing machine on top of the bagged sweater. Must have helped with the beating. Because of the hot water and the type of soap I used, the bright colors of the sweater have now faded, but that's okay, I wasn't too fond of the colors anyway, and they're much more muted now. And apparently cold water rinsing in between wasn't a problem for the felting process either. :-)
The sweater has shrunk so that it now may fit a 6 yo, and the fabric has gotten very thick!! I wasn't too sure how I'm was sew that, but my machine can handle jeans if I use a special needle, so I figure it would work out okay. And it did. I took it to sewing class with me on Wednesday evening. The teacher was very intrigued and helpful. I was curious to see/hear my fellow student's reactions though. I didn't tell them about my plans. (ggg) They were all very interested in what I was doing, cutting up an old sweater that I had washed the wrong way... LOL
But now, I bet they'll raid their closets for old wool sweaters after seeing this though!! LOL
I told DH what I was gonna do before putting the sweater in the washing machine, and he thought I was nuts. After the little sweater came out of the washing machine he just couldn't stop laughing. He still thinks I'm nuts.... LOLOLOL
The bag should be finished this week, and I'll upload some pics if it turns out okay.
I can't wait to see the final result!! This is exciting! ;-))

Hugs,
Wezz