zsb creations

Decorative wine bottle tutorial

2011-11-16T15:33:00.009+01:00

You will need:

a wine bottle
warm water
rubbing alcohol
white matt spray paint
safety goggles and mask
adhesive lace tape
some old newspapers or something else to cover work area
time

First you have to remove all the labels from the bottle, the easiest way is putting the bottle in warm water. Within 5 minutes you can remove any labels and glue. Dry your bottle carefully and clean it with rubbing alcohol. As you can see on the picture I put the alcohol in a little spray bottle (what I got from the local store, it's sold as part of an carry on plastic travel kit), I find it easier to apply this way.
Carefully apply the lace tap where you want it. You really have to make sure that the tape is completely sticking to the bottle to avoid little imperfections (as you can see, I was not paying enough attention :))
Now cover your work area with the newspapers and put your bottle in the middle.

Attention: you will do this outside and PLEASE cover your eyes and mouth with safety goggles and a mask while you are spray painting!!!

So now that your wine bottle is prepared and you did everything to keep your good health all you have to do is spray away! Read the manufacturer's instructions on the paint can, to make sure how long does it take for your paint to dry and how long do you have to wait between two layers.

Flickr favorites - City in the morning

2011-05-10T09:10:00.005+02:00

1. Budapest in the morning, 2. City Hall - Philadelphia, 3. Morning Raaga, 4. city in the morning

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Although I am living in the countryside and I'm really loving it for so many reasons, I always have a soft spot for big cities.

Cities are particularly interesting in the morning just before everyone and everything wakes up. Even the most busy metropolis looks serene, and this is the only time of the day when the city, and only the city gets the main role.

What do you think? :)

Take a look at Artmind's blog to see more Flickr Favorites.

Mindful Monday: How to Start a Kitchen Garden

2011-05-09T14:34:00.007+02:00

This is it, it's May, almost the 15th so with a little luck there will be no more freezing night, time to plan you garden.

I found this great article about starting a kitchen garden on CSAHM, I think it's very good. The photo's are made by me in my own garden.

The benefits of gardening are many. Planting a vegetable garden gives us fresh food to enjoy during the summer and early fall, and we can preserve the extras to eat throughout the winter. And for kids, gardening is a fun and educational experience.

It’s a common misconception that you have to have lots of land to plant a garden. If you have a yard, you can plant a small garden outdoors. And even if you don’t, you can plant some of your favorite vegetables in a large pot. Here’s how.

Find an appropriate space for your garden. Ideally, it should receive at least eight hours of sun each day and have room for at least six square feet of planting space. It should also be close to the kitchen if possible for quick, as-needed harvesting.

If you’re planting in the ground, till the soil. If planting in a container, you’ll need to use a lighter weight soil. Try packaged potting soil from your local garden center.

Plan your garden. If planned carefully, it can yield far more than if you just throw it together. You can plant early season crops first, mid-season crops after the first harvest, and late season crops after those have been harvested. Most seed packets have instructions that tell you when to plant and harvest.

Know how tall each crop will grow. The tallest ones should be planted in the center of your garden (or the back if it is located against a wall) so that they won’t shade the shorter ones.

Pay attention to how far apart crops should be placed. Some need several feet of space between them, while others only require a few inches. For best results, draw a diagram of your garden space to scale on graph paper and plan where you will plant each crop.

Start planting. You can find cheap gardening tools at your local dollar store that will work just fine for a kitchen garden.

Water your plants each day. Gardens planted in containers tend to dry out very quickly, so you may even need to water twice a day if they get full sunlight. Keep watering until water runs out of the drainage holes.

Fertilize your garden once every two to three weeks. Read directions carefully to avoid over fertilizing, as this can damage or kill plants.

There are many types of vegetables that you can plant in a container garden. Some of the most popular include tomatoes, leaf lettuce, summer squash, cucumbers, carrots, green onions and bell peppers. Herbs may also do well alongside vegetables. Try some basil, dill, parsley, thyme or tarragon.

Planting a garden is not an activity reserved for those who own a farm. Anyone can plant vegetables, as long as they are well suited to the area’s climate. With a small initial investment, you can have enough fresh veggies to last your family several months.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T11:28:00.000+02:00

Blessed be all mothers
Who have come into our lives
Whose kindness, care and loving
Remain with us to guide.

Your inspiration in us
Made us strive in every way
Especially to remember
Helping others makes our day.

Mothers, this little tribute
Flows directly from my heart
You are so loved and cherished
Invaluable, one and all, you are.

(Susan Kramer)

Creative moods

2011-05-06T12:18:00.005+02:00

The weather is unbelievable beautiful these days in The Netherlands, so much sun, blue sky, mild temperatures, so it's really a shame to sit inside. But of course the creative bug is not resting, so I moved my "studio" to the table in our kitchen and now I can enjoy both worlds :)

And look what the kids made for lunch (obviously we watch too much Masterchef :)) A little Pre-Mother's Day treat for me:

In my garden today

2011-05-04T18:43:00.004+02:00

Wednesday wishlist: Prepare for romance

2011-05-04T14:37:00.002+02:00

Ivory Vintage Adult Long Tut... StudioWedbyMir... $355.00	SPRING Hand Bag, Handbag Eve... NzLbags $85.00	Hand felted Dahlia Flower Br... JurgitaMi $30.00
A tutu becomes a skirt. Lini... TutusChic $45.00	Spring Creamy Majestic Royal... RiverOfRomansk $43.80	Encantador Gown ktjean $1550.00
Natural Elegance - OOAK Neck... vart $68.00	Long Lariat Necklace Aqua Gr... daimblond $31.00	Sophisticated Bride- Crystal... staroftheeast $127.00
handy europe notebooks with ... bialakura $15.00	WHITE Victorian Inspired Sil... bonzie $166.00	Spring Summer Knit Crochet C... ananwang $39.00
The Elopement Dress ArmoursansAngu... $425.00	Your dream custom designed w... BiancaJaneBrid... $400.00	Moon River Girl, vintage ins... SomethingSeaBl... $1195.00
Velvet Purple Earrings - Swa... LeelaBijou $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Mindful Monday: We're Creative In Every Moment

2011-05-02T15:05:00.008+02:00

I just found out that someone is copying my polymer clay designs, so I wrote a little message on my Facebook page and to my twitter:

To all the copycats: get inspiration from the things around you, find the beauty in the little things and the big ones too, chew on it, dream with it, picture it, write about it, get a notebook and make sketches, let yourself to be creative, do not build a wall around your OWN creativity from bricks of stolen goods. Please.

So this Monday I searched for some mindful stuff to help unblock creativity, because this can happen to all of us :)

"There's a lot of advice out there about "how to be creative." On the surface, this sounds great - everybody wants to come up with useful and profitable ideas, right? But when I look more closely at this kind of advice, and what drives us to seek it out, I feel concerned.

On one level, none of us needs to be taught how to create. In every moment, we're creating (or, at least, playing a part in creating) our lives. We're choosing where to go, what to eat, what to say in a conversation, and so on. We make many of these choices unconsciously, but that doesn't change the fact that we make them.

Yet, somehow, I doubt this would satisfy most people looking for creativity tips. As someone I know who often complains about her "lack of creativity" put it: "sure, I choose the words I use when I'm talking, but so what? Everybody does that."

Being Creative and Being "Special"

I think my friend's words illustrate the real concern that often motivates people to seek creativity advice. They aren't actually interested in being creative - what they really want is to be special and unique. What's more, they worry that, without outside help, they'll always be mediocre and average.

In my experience, this need to be special, and self-loathing for being "average," causes people a lot of suffering. Ironically, I've found, it also hampers our progress in our work.

Speaking for myself, it's hard to move forward in a project when I'm demanding that my work be brilliant and 100% original. With that kind of mentality, I'm likely to second-guess, and probably delete, every line I write, and be left with a blank screen after hours of effort. Worse still, perhaps, I won't have fun, and I won't feel inspired to keep writing.

It's only when I drop my need for "uniqueness" that I start making headway again. In other words, it's only when I'm willing to take the risk of "being average" that I'm able to produce anything at all.

Who's Afraid of Averageness?

And when you think about it, is "being average" really such a huge risk? What would happen if someone told you that your work was average? Would you spontaneously combust? Or maybe dissolve into a pile of steaming protoplasm?

I'm no expert on spontaneous combustion, but I can tell you that some people have said far worse things about my writing, and somehow I'm in one piece. I'm still writing, to boot, and - for better or worse - showing no signs of stopping.

So, when someone comes to me bemoaning their lack of creativity, I often invite them to try this exercise. For a moment, consider the possibility that you don't have to try to be creative. You are creating your life, through the choices you make, in every moment. Imagine what you would and could do if you fully accepted that.

If we could let go of our draining struggle to "be creative," and trust that creativity is already and always ours, I think we'd free up a lot of energy to accomplish what we want, and give the gifts we want to give, in our work."

(Chris Edgar: Inner Productivity: A Mindful Path to Efficiency and Enjoyment in Your Work)

Mindful Monday: Be Playful

2011-04-25T12:56:00.011+02:00

1. Stop being so serious all the time! It's time to lighten up people. Sure, it's not easy to stay in a lighter frame of mind when your responsibilities are heavy. But, you have to take a break from thinking about serious stuff all the time. You can lay your burden down for a bit and play like a child. Have you noticed that no matter what is going on in a child's life, you can almost always see them set things aside to run and play? Try doing the same, good things will certainly happen.

2. Remember to "whistle while you work." Have some fun! Laugh while you do the dishes. Smile through your day and watch it infect the entire office. You don't have to get downright silly and do gymnastics in the mail room. Just make that mental shift from doing things by rote and start doing them with passion. Put fun into every activity.

3. Find a hobby that lets you use your creativity. You cannot stand around bored and tense if you are up to your eyeballs in quilting squares. Did you know that when you are being creative, you are tapping right into your spiritual side? Again, the vibrations you send out will come back to you a hundred fold. It is impossible for it to be any other way. Be creative at every opportunity in whatever way brings you the most joy.

(Robin Skeen)

Wednesday wishlist: eggs and bunnies

2011-04-20T13:33:00.003+02:00

Hand Painted Gray Bunny Broo... pashiko $25.00	3 Wool Felted Eggs woolicious $19.00
Bunny - Art sculpture 9 - O... ArtMind $75.00	Plush Bunny cuddly - Purdy ChoochMagooz $15.00
Easter Bunny Hat beliz82 $23.50	Bunny Brooch - I have a Must... krize $27.00
Easter rabbit bunny handmade... meilingerzita $15.00	002 - Fine art photograph - ... JKphotography $10.00
Bunny Easter Egg Cups Set of... oraber $9.50	Honey Bunny T-shirt pinipirukids $19.95
Bunny Egg Hat - Egg Warmer -... sabahnur $10.00	Hare Art - Peter...8x10 HamjArt $20.00
Robot MDR-11 Egg Warmer- cro... missusD $19.90	DigiMarthe Easter eggs, 0.95... DigiMarthe $3.50
Sweet bunny - digital art ... matilou $20.00	Blue and Red Easter Egg Hunt... BHBKidstyle $4.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Flickr favorites: Spring

2011-04-19T11:15:00.003+02:00

1. Untitled, 2. Blue Love, 3. my favourite theme, 4. spring flowers

To Spring by William Blake

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down
Thro' the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell each other, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turned
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth,
And let thy holy feet visit our clime.

Come o'er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our love-sick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languished head,
Whose modest tresses were bound up for thee.

If you would like to see more flickr mosaic or wish to play the game, please visit Artmind's blog :)

Mindful Monday: Creativity

2011-04-18T10:32:00.005+02:00

Feeling creative by Artmind

Julia Cameron on creativity:

Basic Principles:

1. Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.

2. There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life -- including ourselves.

3. When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us and our lives.

4. We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.

5. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.

6. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.

7. When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God: good orderly direction.

8. As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.

9. It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.

10. Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.

(Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity)

YannPendaries $11.00	TheHauntedHoll... $20.00	SophieBlackall $40.00
DailyColours $10.00	Huismus $99.00	theaterclouds $18.00
MyMonography $32.00	PilliPillihand... $15.50	JKphotography $21.00
KarolinFelix $14.00	schalle $25.00	EllaGajewska $105.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Garlic and parmesan bread

2011-04-16T17:53:00.016+02:00

This little bread is perfect by a soup or just as a snack with some butter on top.

You will need for a little loaf:

300g strong bread flour (I used all purpose flour, because that's what I had at home and I added some extra gluten)
7g dried yeast
1 tsp powder sugar
2 tsp salt
some pepper (I added 1 tsp)
50g grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic puréed
220 ml tepid water
some extra flour for dusting

First mix all the ingredients and knead it with your hand or with a stand mixer. When you dough is elastic and silky. Cover the bowl and let is rest till it's doubled its size.
After it put it on a floured surface and give it a good kneading for about a minute. Shape you bread, put it on a well floured baking sheet, make a few cuts on top with a sharp knife and let it double its size again.

I scored this funny bread baking thingy at the local supermarket, it is not too easy to use (I had to be very careful no to put too much dough in it), and because the bread cannot prove as much as it will I didn't get those lovely big air holes, but I thing the little flower shaped bread slices were adorable:

So, back to the recipe, after your bread doubled the size again, put it into the preheated oven ( 225°C) and bake it for about 20 minutes. Your bread will be ready when tapping its bottom sounds hollow.

Dutch Easter cinnamon rolls recipe: Suikerhaantjes (Zeeuwse bolus)

2011-04-15T23:39:00.001+02:00

On Palm Sunday the children decorate a palm stick with different objects all with a meaning and go on a parade:
- the palm stick represent Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday),
- the bread in the form of a rooster represents the bread what Jesus shared during the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday),
- the rooster form of the bread represents the rooster crowded three times after Petrus said he didn't know Jesus (Good Friday)
- the eggs represent the new life (Easter Sunday)

*Update: Kim from viltalakim posted a cute tutorial on her blog about how to make a Palm Sunday Cross.

Traditionally the bread rooster is made of plain bread dough, but every region has it's own variation, where I live in the middle of The Netherlands they use a very, very sweet sugary, cinnamon flavored "sticky" pastry to make the suikerhaantjes ("sugar roosters).

The recipe is a variation of an old Dutch (originally Jewish) pastry, the zeeuwse bolus.

It's loaded with calories, definitely not an everyday pastry, but it's really worth to try. Oh, and if you really want to enjoy it you will eat it with fresh butter.

You will need for the dough (makes 14 rolls)

500 g + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp dried yeast
75 g butter (room temperature)
1 egg
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
zest of 1 lemon
juice of a half lemon
320 ml milk

and for rolling:
about 200 g sugar (I used cane sugar, but if you want to get it very authentic, so really, really sticky use muscovado sugar or the Dutch "basterd suiker")
2 tbsp cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients and kneed it with your hands or with a stand mixer, till you get a smooth dough. Cover the bowl and let it rise for about 45 minutes. Put it on a well floured surface and divide it in 14 equal pieces. Put the sugar and the cinnamon on a large plat or if you don't mind the mess on your work surface, form a little ball from each with you hands and roll the balls in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Let it rest again for about 10 minutes.

Now comes the fun part, make from each ball an about 20 cm long and 1 finger thick rope, roll the ropes in the sugar mixture and give them a shape you want.
I was aiming for a rooster, but I ended up with an S form, it seemed much easier :) If you want you can also make the classic cinnamon roll shape.
Put the on a baking tray covered with baking sheets, bare in mind that they will grow, so don't put them to close to each other and let them rest for another 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 220°C and bake them for 10 minutes. Let them cool off on a tray.

You can keep them for two days in an airtight container, the second day they will be even stickier and so more authentic :)

Enjoy! :)

Mindful Monday: Laundry

2011-04-11T08:00:00.004+02:00

KeepCalmShop

"Monday wash day" they said before all that shiny automatic washing machines and dryers came along and women didn't have the luxury not to spend a whole day washing the clothes. I know plenty of people who carry on this tradition, what actually makes a lot of sense, starting a new week with fresh, clean smells around is a very attractive though. Like this prayer says what I found somewhere on the net:

" Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead."

Well, this is definitely something to think about for a moment, before you load your washing machine :)

But if you find this a little too strict, let me show you Karen Maezen Miller's 4 reasons why laundry leads to happiness:

These are my top four reasons why doing the laundry can make you happy, healthy and wise:

1. Someone has to do it. And you're the only one you have to work with. Facing this truth could be the biggest aha moment in your life. Instead of expecting someone or something else to change your situation, only you can do it. A full hamper reminds us that running away from the things we would rather avoid makes our lives feel like an endless chore. Face it. Taking responsibility for your own well-being is the first step in transformation. Doing even half a load makes a difference, because big changes occur little by little.

2. You can stop looking elsewhere. We spend most of our time looking fruitlessly for more meaning, more money, and greater purpose. What we already have doesn't seem good enough. When we expect ordinary things to be more rewarding than they are, or when we devalue them as less than they are, that keeps us at arm's length from our own lives. Sort the whites from the colors and the heavy duty from the delicates. Your active attention to the matter at hand washes away the sense of inadequacy and confusion.

What's to look for anyway? The instructions are always right in front of you. The tag inside a garment tells you exactly how to care for what you hold in your hands. Not just clothing, but very bit of life comes with instructions when we are mindful enough to notice. Doing it well may take more work than we'd like, but the effort is always worth it in the long run.

3. It's cheaper than therapy. You can learn a lot about yourself by how you do the laundry. Notice the difference in the way you might tenderly handle your own or your children's clothing versus the resentment you feel about the piles your spouse leaves on the floor. Watch the way you sentimentalize a baby bootie and take offense at a pair of boxer shorts. We cling to things we like and reject what we don't like when in the end it's all the same: a blend of cotton and polyester. Laundry gives us an honest encounter with ourselves and our troublesome judgments, frustrations and fury. Seeing clearly is how we become wise.

So let's be straightforward about it. Everything shrinks, fades and falls apart. Nothing stays brand-new. The most precious things we have are fashioned of flimsy fabric. Be mindful with each moment you have and you will experience your life in a different way.

4. No one turns their nose up at a clean pair of socks. Doing the laundry is practical, and that's what makes it so gratifying. No one turns their nose up at a clean pair of socks, a fresh-smelling t-shirt, or laundered sheets. When you have them, it's called the good life. You enrobe your life in dignity when you give yourself clean laundry.

Like the wad of bills left in a pants pocket, or the spare change that turns up in the bottom of the dryer, there's a treasure to be found where you'd least expect it: the laundry. You might just find that what you think you're missing - happiness - is no farther than the bottom of the basket. What's more, you'll never run out. Every day brings the chance to slow down, pay attention, take care and engage intimately with the fabric of your own life. You'll be happy you did, and so will everyone around you.

So girls and boys, let's do some laundry with a smile :)

'Laundry' by ZsBcreations

BeautyAndSpa $96.00	decorexpressio... $28.00	thegildedbee $4.99
BeautifulHomeD... $15.50	ScrubNaturally $22.00	sophiecls $8.50
lauraamiss $34.00	kawaiigoodies $7.45	TsuraLi $3.50
mrsjonessoapbo... $60.00	stephmel $27.00	BHBKidstyle $16.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Wednesday wishlist: navy stripes

2011-04-06T10:00:00.016+02:00

red boots

dots recycled leather necklace

Audrey Tautou

nautical linnen fabrics

marine necklace

marine ring

espadrilles by H&M

retro marine striped cotton pillow case

ballet flats by J. Crew

Stockholm bag

James Dean

Colors of spring

2011-04-04T18:45:00.006+02:00

10 tips to a mindful home

2011-04-02T22:02:00.005+02:00

I just came across these wise words from Karen Maezen Miller and I really had to stand still for a moment to think about how good her advises are. Simple and beautiful. The only thing keeping me wishing it was fall that I could rake the fallen leaves is that it's finally spring :) Enjoy and learn:

Wake with the sun - There is no purer light than what we see when we open our eyes first thing in the morning. Resisting the morning's first waking moment instantly adds stress to your day. Avoiding the sun, you commence a chase that lasts all day long: running short of time, balance, peace and productivity.

Sit - Mindfulness without meditation is just a word. The search for mindful living is always grounded in a meditation practice. Seated meditation is the easiest and fastest way to clear your mind of anxious, fearful and stressful thoughts. Meditation puts your overactive brain on a diet, so you have more attention to bring to the real life that appears before you. You will be far more productive in the ensuing hours if you begin the day by spending five minutes actively engaged in doing nothing at all.

Make your bed - The state of your bed is the state of your head. Enfold your day in dignity. The five minutes you spend making your bed slows you down from your frantic, morning scrambling and creates a calm retreat to welcome you home at night. Plus, making your bed means you've already achieved an even more challenging feat: getting out of it.

Empty the hampers - Do the laundry without resentment or commentary and have an intimate encounter with the very fabric of life. Doing laundry is a supreme act of personal responsibility. It requires maturity, attention and discipline, and it engenders happiness. Don't believe me? See how you feel every time you reach the bottom of an empty hamper.

Wash your bowl - Rinse away self-importance and clean up your own kitchen mess. If you leave it undone, it will get sticky. An empty sink can be the single most gratifying sight of a long and tiring day.

Set a timer - If you're distracted by the weight of what's undone, set a kitchen timer and, like a monk in a monastery, devote yourself wholeheartedly to the task at hand before the bell rings. The time you'll find hidden in a kitchen timer unleashes more of your attention to the things that matter most.

Rake the leaves - Take yourself outside to rake, weed or sweep. You'll never finish for good, but you'll learn the point of pointlessness. The repetitive motion is meditative; the fresh air is enlivening. Lose yourself in doing what needs to be done, without a thought of permanent outcome or gain. You'll immediately alter your worldview.

Eat when hungry - Align your inexhaustible desires with the one true appetite. Coming clean about our food addictions and aversions is powerful and lasting medicine. Eating is so central to family life and culture that we can pass on our habits for generations to come. Mindless overeating feeds our sickness; mindful eating feeds the body's intuitive, intelligent wisdom and nourishes life well past tonight's empty plates.

Let the darkness come - Set a curfew on the Internet and TV and discover the natural balance between daylight and darkness, work and rest. Your taste for the quiet will naturally increase. When you end your day in accord with the earth's perfect rhythm, you grant the whole world a moment of pure peace.

Sleep when tired - Nothing more to it.

Persimmon bread recipe

2011-01-12T14:59:00.011+01:00

This cake is really, really great! I found the recipe on the blog of David Lebovitz. His blog is a great source of delicious recipes and a great inspiration for anyone who likes the great food, fine photographs and Paris.

You will need for one loaf:

225g flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
200g sugar (can be more: more sugar more moister the cake)
110g melted (unsalted) butter and cooled to room temperature
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
90ml cognac, bourbon or whiskey
1 cup pesimmon puree
1 cup walnuts pr pecans, toasted and chopped
1 cup raisins or other dried fruits

Butter a loaf pan. Line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper or dust with flour and tap out any excess. Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F).

Sift the first 5 dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center then stir in the butter, eggs, liquor, persimmon puree then the nuts and raisins.
Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Storage: Will keep for about a week, if well-wrapped, at room temperature. The Persimmon Breads take well to being frozen, too.

You can find the original recipe on David's blog, together with some interesting stories :)

The only adjustment I made was that the first time I made the bread I use preserved figs (I know, my fig addiction is boooring), what I pureed with the food processor instead of the alcohol, because I made it for kids too. I decreased the amount of sugar, because the preserve was pretty sweet too. For grownups I would definitely recommend the version with the whiskey :)

Simple Graham crackers recipe

2010-11-26T15:11:00.001+01:00

This is a simple recipe for delicious and healthy crackers.

You will need:

320g whole-wheat flour
70g cornmeal
1/2 tsp salt
50g powdered sugar
150g butter cut in small cubes
150ml yoghurt

Preheat oven to 390 degrees F (200° C) Combine the two flours with the sugar, the salt and the butter in a large bowl. Add the yoghurt and work by hand (or a food processor) until the mixture comes together. Remove from the bowl or food processor onto a lightly floured surface. Work the dough into a ball and refrigerate for at least for an hour.

After the dough cooled down, roll it out on a well floured surface to a thickness about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Use a cookie cutter (as you can see it on the pictures I used a ladybird form :)) or cut it to 2 inch (5cm) squares. Carefully put them onto a non stick baking sheet.
Bake them for about 8 minutes, look out, because they can burn easily, so when the edges are golden brown take the out and let them cool down on a rack.

Served them plain or with some jam (like some home made fig jam).

All right, and now some variations you may like:

- you can use 50g honey instead of the sugar
- add a teaspoon cinnamon
- add just a teaspoon of sugar, you can have these crackers with salad's or cheese
- add just a teaspoon of sugar, decrease the amount of butter to the half and replace it with grated cheese
- add 50g chopped walnuts

Bon appétit! :)

Taste of Summer: how to make fig jam with lemon balm & thyme

2010-11-25T17:02:00.006+01:00

This recipe was originally posted on the Dutch Handmade blog, but since the blog's language became only Dutch, this recipe came back to me :)

We all know that fig is not an everyday phenomenon in The Netherlands, but if you have the chance to get a larger amount of these heavenly fruits and you already ate it as much of them freshly as you could, try this very easy recipe to preserve the sweet taste of summer for the rainy days.

This jam is made with lemon balm and thyme, the herbs give the jam a really nice flavor, not too harsh, just a little hint of something special.

As you can see on the pictures the figs I used are a different variety than the ones in the stores, they are longer in shape and their skin is much softer what makes them very difficult to transport (I am a lucky person I picked these fruit with my own hands in our own yard in Hungary, but they almost not survived the long trip back to our Dutch home). The figs available in stores have a tiny harder skin, which means you have to cut them in smaller pieces than I did.

Figs are very sweet on their own, so I used less sugar than I normally would if I make jam, which meant that I had to be extra careful with cleaning the jars (hurray for the dishwasher!) and I have to keep the jars in a cool place.

Before you begin, prepare your jars and lids. They have to be very, very clean, so if you don't have a dishwasher, wash them in hot soapy water, rinse, and sterilize the jars by boiling them 10 minutes (watch you hands!). The lids don't do well in boiling water, so just try to get them as clean as possible. Also important that you keep the jars warm before you used them by leaving them in the dish washer on heated dry or by carefully let them stand in some hot water (watch that the water don't get into them after they are clean!) to prevent them from cracking.

First I washed the figs and the herb very throughly and I cut the fruits in blocks. I left the herbs whole as you can see it on the photo, but afterwards I wish I didn't, because I had to fish out all the little branches later, so next time I will chop them too.
I put the fruit and herbs into a large cooking pan together with the sugar and some lemon juice. Also added some long peppers to give it a little edge.

After it I put it on low fire and let it cook for as long as the water vaporized completely. There are some universal laws in jam making, one of them is that you never leave it alone: once it burned on the bottom of the pan it's totally ruined. So stand by and stir!

When the jam looked like jam, I considered it done, so I took my jars and spoon by spoon I filled them very carefully. After I put the lid on I turned the jars upside down and left them like that for 15 minutes.

Now there is only one thing left, dressing the jars!

I used vintage crocheted doilies to give them a sort of "granny" feeling and I printed some cute labels, using simple printing paper stained with black tea, creased and ironed to give the labels a real antique look.

Fig jam with lemon balm & thyme:

1200 g figs
350 g cane sugar
a few branch of thyme and lemon balm
3 table spoons of lemon juice
freshly grounded long pepper (optional)

You can also replace the herbs with the flesh of two oranges.

Lovely little flower earrings

2010-10-07T10:18:00.008+02:00

My creative space today is all colorful and shiny: I would like to make good pictures of these lovely little flower earrings and list them in my etsy shop.

I think this song just fits the theme perfectly :)

Sourdough bread recipe and flickr favorites

2010-10-05T14:34:00.016+02:00

I love bread, I really like to make it, all kinds of it weather sweet or sour. This really easy sourdough recept comes from Jamie Oliver's book the Happy Days with the Naked Chef.

It takes a week to prepare, but it's really worth the effort.

Monday:
Mix 500g of organic rye flour with enough water to make a soft dough in a bowl. Put it outside for an hour and then bring inside, cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place. (it has to be organic, rye flour!)

Tuesday:
It will start to bubble. Leave it alone.

Wednesday:
The mix will continue to bubble and go slightly grey. Stir in a handful of flour and a little bit of water, enough to get the mixture back to the same consistency as on Monday. Leave it covered again.

Thursday:
Leave it alone

Friday:
By now the mixture should be beery, malty smelling and ashy coloured. Make the bread by adding all of this starter dough mix to 1kg of strong flour, then add enough water to make a firm, pliable dough that isnt sticky. Knead for a good 5 minutes. Remove a 500g piece of dough for your next starter before adding any salt, cover and put to one side, ready to repeat the process the next day and so on, etc. Add salt if you want to. Shape the dough and put it into a bowl or tin lined with a floured tea towel. Leave for 14 hours.

Saturday morning:
Bake the bread. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. Gently turn the dough out on to a floured baking tray, cut quite deep slashes into it, and bake for 1 hour or until it is crisp and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Allow to cool.

My thoughts: I like my bread more flat, because it's easier to dip with it, but if you want a nice "high" loaf, makes sure that the bowl where you will leave it to rest those 14 hours is high enough.
To achieve a more crispy outside you have to spray some water on the bread before baking, but the best way is to put a roasting tray on the bottom of your oven before warming it up and when you put your bread into the oven, pour a half a liter boiling (!) water in that tray (keep your face back!!) and that really, really quickly shut the door to keep the steam inside. When your bread is ready and you put it on a roaster to cool down, first thing you do is spray a little water on it :)
Also very important: if you can, always wait till your bread cools down completely. This way it will stay moist inside and you can enjoy it longer.

as you may guessed, flickr favorites are also about bread, I collected these yummy photos from my flickr contacts:

1. Hot (rye bread), 2. Homemade bread, 3. Bread, 4. kukoricás kenyér - corn bread

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

for more flickr favorites from other etsy artists, please visit Artmind's blog!

Garden in October

2010-10-04T14:54:00.003+02:00

Spicy roasted squash soup and other pumpkins

2010-10-02T12:54:00.002+02:00

It's the beginning of October so pumpkins are all over the place. Of course they are inspirational, they have a gorgeous bright orange color and they are truly representing the best in this season.
I couldn't resist either, so I also made few earrings with pumpkin like beads :)

Pumpkins are beautiful or funny and this time of the year they will end up like a jack-o'-lantern in front of a porch or - the yummy ones - like a cup of delicious soup :)

You will need:

1 squash, about 1 kilo
1 tbsp grounded coriander
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1-2 clove garlic
dried chili's, as much as you can take :) Let's say for beginners one small chili
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and sea salt
1 small onion, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
water
fresh coriander leaves
creme fraiche or goat cheese

Cut the squash in quarters and than every quarter in half.

Put the coriander, fennel and cumin seeds, the chili's, the oregano, the garlic with a good pinch of salt, pepper and a tablespoon of the oil in a pestle and mortar, and make a paste of it. Rub the squash wedges with it and place them on a roasting tray with skin side down. Roast them at 200 °C (400 degrees Fahrenheit or gas 6) for about 30-40 minutes, until they are tender.

Now wait till they are not so hot, because you have to peel the skin off and you don't want to burn your fingers. At this stage I usually eat one or two wedges, just cannot resist the temptation :)
After you peeled the skins off, cut the squash in little cubes, and set aside.
In a medium pan heat the rest of the oil and sauté the onions till they are tender. Add the squash cubes and add water, just enough to cover the vegetable. Cook on a low heat for about 20 minutes, refill water if necessary. Now take a stick blender or put the soup in a food processor and make a smooth puree of it. It really depends on your own taste, I like it a little chunky put if you want to make a cream of it, don't hesitate!
Put the soup back in the pan and taste, probably you will need a little more salt and pepper, and once again how you like it, maybe a little more water. Slowly bring it to cook again for a minute or two, and ready!

Serve it with a little creme fraiche and fresh coriander on top or if you like it, with fresh goat cheese, like i did.

I baked some breadsticks too, I used the recipe from the fantastic book River Cottage Handbook No 3 Bread, if you ever decide to make your own bread this book is a must, I can really recommend it.

Sweet potato with lemongrass creme fraiche and flickr favorites

2010-09-28T09:26:00.010+02:00

Ugly on the outside, beautiful in the inside, what is it? Yes, that can be many things, but now I am thinking potato. Sweet potato. A wonderful vegetable, rich in flavor and other goodies, like complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

Lately I try to cut down on meat consumption, so I got very excited when a friend of mine recommended Yotam Ottolenghi's new book Plenty, full with delicious vegetarian dishes. The first recipe I tried was the sweet potato wedges with lemongrass crème fraîche.
The creamy texture of the sweet potato with the spices and the freshness of the dip make these quiet easy to make dish a wonderful afternoon snack.

What you need for 4 persons:
3 medium sweet potatoes (900g)
4 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp fine sea salt
1 fresh red chilli, finely diced
15g coriander, leaves picked

for the dipping sauce:
1/2 lemongrass stalk
200g crème fraîche
grated zest and juice of 2 limes
50g fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
1/2 tsp fine sea salt

Preheat the oven to 210°C. Wash the sweet potatoes but don't peel them. Cut each lengthways in half, cut again lengthways into quarters and then once more, so you should end up with eight long wedges.
Place them in a roasting tin that has been lines with baking parchment and brushed lightly with some of the olive oil. Brush the wedges with the remaining oil and sprinkle with a mixture of the ground coriander and salt. Roast for about 25 minutes until the sweet potato is tender and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool down a little (can be eaten warm or at room temperature)
While you are waiting, make the sauce, Very finely chop the lemongrass or grind finely in a spice grinder. Whisk with all of the other ingredients for the dipping sauce and set aside.
When ready to serve, place the wedges on a large, flat serving dish. Sprinkle with the diced chilli and coriander leaves, and serve with the sauce on the side.

So as you might already guessed, my flickr favorites today are also related to this vegetable :)

1. Spicy Sweet Potato Soup, 2. Sweet Potatoes / Camote, 3. Oven-baked Sweet Potato Fries, 4. téli sült zöldségek - roasted winter vegetables

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

for more flickr favorite from other etsy sellers or to play along please go to Artmind's blog!

Flickr favorites - the not so dark side

2010-08-31T12:25:00.004+02:00

Today is a day when finally after long weeks of raining and cold weather ths sun is shining again, so let's take the opportunity to believe that "there is still good in" everybody and everything :)

1. Darth Vader Pumpkin, 2. Vader's Hot Tub, 3. Vader Wants Candy, 4. STOP WARS

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

for more flickr favorites of other members of the European Street Team please click on Artmind's blog!

Monday Moodboard - water

2010-08-30T12:29:00.004+02:00

1. dreams lost in water fine art photo by stephmel
2. sunset fine art photo by MatkirschPhoto
3. dusk light on the Mediterranean sea by FrenchLandscapes
4. silence fine art photo by sunshineartdesign

and some music:

If you want to see more mood boards, just visit fleurfatale's blog!

Wednesday wish list - purple and white

2010-08-25T11:34:00.008+02:00

la-rochelle porcelain ring by MaaPstudio

Fine art photography print by filigreephotos

Frosty crochet flower by SuppliesbyAyca

Gyros star ring by Lindecise

and some music to go with it:

And what is on your wish list today?

Flickr favorites - men and women

2010-08-24T11:23:00.003+02:00

1. tibetan man, 2. International Women's Day 2009 (8th March)-02, 3. phase_one_portfolio-6363, 4. Bodi man Ethiopia

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Come and play at Artmind!

Monday Moodboard

2010-08-23T10:31:00.004+02:00

1. the little red hiding hood by matilou

2. antique copper glass seed beads earrings by Balanced
3. leaves are falling earrings by LeelaBijou
4. let's dance fine art photo by eleanors

and some music to fit the feeling:

If you want to see more mood boards, just visit fleurfatale's blog!

Wednesday wish list - things for my home

2010-08-18T13:01:00.006+02:00

Upcycled white butterfly mobile by BabongoHome

Salt and pepper shaker by Artmind

Inspiration apples by lapomme

Warm white and gold photo frame by mackenzieframes

And what is on your list today?

Back from the holiday

2010-08-17T18:16:00.009+02:00

(if you click on the photos you will be linked to my flickr album where you can find more pictures about Hungary)

I spent the summer vacation in my homeland, Hungary - as usual - and I got some great memories again. I made some pictures, not as many as I could but most of the time I was busy with relaxing and just enjoing the company of my family and friends. And of course the great weather, the beautiful landscape, the architecture and the awesome wine Hungary has to offer.

We spent most of the time at the lake Balaton, a fantastic touristic area with all the goodies one want to have to relax.

My "home town" at the Balaton is Balatonalmádi, a very quiet little town perfect for families with little kids. And for artists too, the town has a very busy group of artists, who meet regularly to brainstorm, change business ideas, organizing expositions and to have fun.

Every year there is a wine festival, what is really great to try the wines of the region and to meet friends. This year we fall in love with the wines of the Feind Winary (be a little careful with their website, it's really great and you can see some cool little movies, but it's a little too noisy). We really liked their Kékfrankos Premium '06 (Blaufränkisch) and their award winning Cabernet Franc '06 is also fantastic.

We also visited the town I grew up, Székesfehérvár, a city with massive history, but it was so hot that day that we really couldn't do much than sitting on a terrace in the shadow drinking ice cold lemonade :)

Ah, and almost forgot: I was at the concert of A-ha! :) In the first row! It was just AWESOME!!

I took some pictures too, you can find them here, just click on the photo belove:

and the video I made:

Wednesday wish list

2010-06-23T08:04:00.002+02:00

Today is Wednesday, the word starts with a w, so makes you think of other things starting with w, like wonderful, world, water, wave, whale, wood, wool, work, wear, write, wire, week, wacky, what, will, (I) want (to buy), (or just ) wish (I could have), (so let's make a) wish list :)

We have many great artists on etsy from Europe, so why don't you look and pick 3-4 or more of their beautiful creations and add to your wish list! Let's promote this wonderful group a little more!

Of course you can choose the works of artists around the globe, it's not forbidden, you will be not punished at all :)

So tell us, what soots your mood today? What would you like to wear, what sort of jewelry fits your thought today? What would you buy for your kids or that cute little nice of yours? Are you looking for some lovely sheets, an unique vase and/or a fabulous painting for you home? A practical or just fancy looking bag? Elegant or weird, fancy or cute, for a wedding party or for just another working day, for someone special or just to pamper yourself? :)

So let's search, find and make a mosaic, or just choose one lovely item that you really want today, and add a link to your blog post (NOT your blog please) or Flickr in Mister Linky (click on the button below and fill in your name with the link to your blogpost or Flickr picture).

My wish list today is all about lovely items I would like to buy for my kids:

under the storm digital print by matilou

donut felt plush necklace by swiedebie
bunny love kids T-shirt by pinipiru
T-shirt with animals in the house by BHBKidStyle
light brow brim beanie for boys by ilutegijaDesigns
chrysanthemum in cream headband by Stemellina

Flickr favorites - flora et fauna

2010-06-22T12:49:00.000+02:00

1. Tulips17, 2. *, 3. Mushrooms, 4. Family Breakfast

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Monday Moodboard - linen for the summer

2010-06-21T13:05:00.000+02:00

bonne nuit sleep angels by lapomme
natural pearls linen bracelet by DreamsFactory
sunny side up brooch bu kuutydruk
handmade linen ornaments by BlueTerracotta

and some music for on the way:

If you want to see more mood boards, just visit fleurfatale's blog!

My creative space - punk

2010-06-18T20:16:00.000+02:00

The theme for the weekly EST challenge this time is PUNK! hosted by the lovely Nathalie aka Dinafragola.

Long, long time ago I was flirting a little with punk, you know, teenage years, searching for yourself try to do things your parents go crazy about, so my friends and I listened to Sex Pistols and The Clash (oh, I am not THAT old, we were more second generation fans) , a little ska, more of The Cure, tried the outfits, loved the black, no piercings and never dared the haircuts :) Well, small town girls from good houses try to be different, that's all.

So when Nathalie gave us the theme I was pretty excited, I thought of recycling one of the tons of crazy jewelry I had in those (semi) wild years, the big rings with the skulls etc., but yessss, they are all back in my old home, in Hungary...

That is the reason why on my table only the black velvety fabric is waiting for being recycled, all the other stuff, including those lovely skull charms are brand new.

Do you want to show your space? Hop over to Kootoyoo's to play! It's fun! :)

Linoleum printing - first attempt and a rustic rusty fabric tulip cuff

2010-06-17T14:27:00.000+02:00

A while ago I was looking for some not too expensive solution to make stamps with my own design to use it on my fabric cuffs. First I wanted the easier way (not proud of it though :)), I make a drawing and someone makes some stamps for me. My light bulb moment happened when while surfing the net I remembered that Mitsy aka Artmind had once a lovely little tutorial on how to make your own stamps. That's it! There was the answer: linocut! :)

I ordered some basic material to start with, the 3 in 1 lino Baren Kit and some discs to make stamps. I found some great linoleum print tutorials on the web, like the one by Sunberst, and I just cut away! :)
I started with my tulip:

I am pretty pleased with the result, can always better of course :)

So I took my brand new fresh stamp and I printed some fabric too. Because the lines on the linoleum are not totally smooth I though of something rustic, so I recycled an old linen pair of pants picked out a rusty brown color and made this cuff:

Monday Moodboard - Hup, Holland, hup!

2010-06-14T09:29:00.001+02:00

Yep, the hysteria is begun, today is the first match of the Dutch national soccer team on the word cup!

1. baby shoe "flowers" by Gabsie, 2. dutch brooch by ballee, 3. brooch by eexterhout, 4. flower by DutchCraftWork

If you want to see more mood boards, just visit fleurfatale's blog!

My creative space - roman empire

2010-06-13T12:59:00.000+02:00

Today I will make a fabric cuff for this week's EST challenge hosted by Ingermaaike with the theme: the Roman Empire. A little while ago I bought some Jacquard printable cotton sheets, they are pretty cool, you can put them in your inkjet printer and just put you own design on a fabric what you can use for anything you like. Because I didn't wanted to waist any inch of the fabric, I also put on some more images from my mother's paintings for future use.

I really hope I can finish my challenge piece till the deadline considering all the obstacles in the way like world cup match Netherlands against Denmark tomorrow afternoon:)

Do you want to show your space? Hop over to Kootoyoo's to play! It's fun! :)

Sunday Market

2010-06-09T21:23:00.001+02:00

Impressions for the lovely folks without a facebook account :)

Challenge: The Tulip - The Entries

2010-04-07T14:24:00.000+02:00

I am the host of this week's EST weekly challenge, and the theme is The Tulip.

Here are the entries:

1. Tulips - Leather Journal by Kreativlink

2.Three Tulips oil painting by NancyvdBoom

3. Tulip iPhone Pouch by florigamigirl

4. Crochet iPhone Cozy by AngelPearls

5. Trendy Tulip pouch for iPhone by LabSpace

6. Never Fading Flowers necklace and earrings by staroftheeast

7. tulip gift bag by sexyhandmade

8. Sunny Tulips by AleciaV

9. The Tulip Apron by P8Accessories

10. Tulip Greetings Cards by ColoursandTextures

11. tulip pendant by Donauluft

12. Tulips by JKphotography

13. La Tulipe necklace by fleurfatale

14. Secret delivery by TwoTreesBelgium

15. Handmade netbook sleeve by ingermaaike

16. Red tulip felted pin by ArtBeadwork

17. Black tulip felted headband by BunnyBelle

18. Tulip folk art pendant by gr8jewellery

19. Tulip necklace by bijouxdellostregatto

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AND THE WINNER IS ........

florigamigirl with her beautiful tulip pouch

Challenge: The Tulip

2010-04-06T16:24:00.000+02:00

Last week I won the European Street Team's challenge hosted by Kraplap with my Amsterdam button cuff:

Now I am going to host the new challenge, and the new theme is:

THE TULIPI am really looking forward to see the new creations :)

trallalala

Update: please, check out the entries here! :)

EST Weekly Challenge - Self Portrait

2010-03-08T16:52:00.000+01:00

This weeks European Street Team challenge was hosted by the lovely Dawn from LaTouchables and although she gave us "free hand" in interpreting our self portrait: "For example, you could be your favorite stone, your favorite colours, your favorite materials, the things that are closest to your soul, what you think is the core of who you are...with a twist...make it really YOU!" I took it literally and I actually took my picture and turned it into wearable art and made a fabric cuff.

I recycled an old shirt of my son, added some Japanese glass beads and two dragonflies.

If you would like to see what the other members of the team made for the challenge, please visit Dawn's blog.

Monday Moodboard - Pastel, baby!

2010-03-08T14:12:00.000+01:00

1. rainbow brite earrings by dinafragola, 2. pastel silk pouch by kraplap, 3. atchoo, atchoo by matchstickgirl, 4. sun flower ring by sumikoshop

If you are interested in more moodboards, please visit fleurfatale's blog!

Flickr Favorites - He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

2010-03-02T10:24:00.000+01:00

It's Tuesday so it's time for the flick favorites, nice tradition started by Mitsy (aka Artmind).

The theme is -well - spring again, I just cannot think of anything else lately... so flowers, spring, sun and... oh yes, love is in the air! :)

Thank's Bence for the inspiration, that necklace is just stunning!!

1. day 263/365 "he loves me, he loves me not", 2. "he loves me - he loves me not" necklace, 3. he loves me, he loves me not, 4. he loves me, he loves me not

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Monday Moodboard - Green

2010-03-01T11:09:00.000+01:00

I made a series of new necklaces from polymer clay for the upcoming joyful seasons, spring and summer. I had these wonderful hand painted silk ribbons made by Silk Studio for a time now and I always imagined doing something very girlie to enhance their beautiful cinnamon/purple/pinkish color. So I used similar colored mica clay to company the beauty of the silk and lace imprints, with a touch of cream paint to give it an antiqued look. I am pretty pleased with the results :) The necklaces are perfect for summer dresses, the long ribbon gives you the possibility to wear them in many ways and they definitely have that romantic girlie charm :)

And if we are already talk about warmer weather , I finally found some evidence of spring in my garden :)

So today's moodboard is all about green:

1. Modern Hungary earrings by vadjutka, 2. Felt flowers by IchaSupplies, 3. Olive Green Roses headband by Kirevi888, 4. Green Heart buttons by deepindigo

Flickr Favorites - Orange and More

2010-02-23T14:32:00.000+01:00

Let's see what we have here - items not in order of importance:

- the sun is shining, the winter is almost over
- spring is coming, obviously :)
- the kids have vacation, they have a great time together
- Lent has begun: perfect time to clean the mind and the body
- the Dutch government collapsed, just before the Dutch local elections
- Hungarian elections are coming
- the crocuses are growing in my backyard
- black birds are mating - in my backyard :)
- I am homesick again
- I just baked the best bread ever
- yesterday I saw the worst movie ever
- I made some new pendants from polymer clay - haven't touched it for almost two years, shame on me :)

Everybody, have a fantastic day! :)

1. (((((((( ((((((((, 2. ., 3. Imperial Art Appreciation: Orange, 4. Somewhere

for more flick favorites please check out Artmind's blog!

Fairy queen earrings

2010-02-21T21:27:00.003+01:00

Flickr Favorites - Flora et Fauna, Man and Machine

2010-02-09T09:43:00.001+01:00

1. 080514 Insect Macros_019, 2. a new machine, 3. Szeglet Orsi, 4. water-lily

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

There is an interesting detail about the mosaic, the third photo with the very pretty lady is made by a Hungarian pop musician, Tibor Kasza, who's hobby - photography - is already starting to catch up with his daily job: making professional popular music :) You can see his photostream, mainly gorgeous Hungarian models and celebrities on his flickr page.

If you would like to see more mosaics or join the fun, check Artmind's blog!

Monday Moodboard - A Little Bit of Magic

2010-02-08T10:34:00.000+01:00

Well, it's not the end of winter yet so I think we all need a little bit of good magic from all those ancient good forces out there, between the trees and rocks.
Maybe they are already waking up and waiting for the spring breeze to wipe away the last bit of the cold.

And off course it's already time to party, in Hungary the "farsang" has already began :)
Farsang is the time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday full with big dinners, costume parties, yummy cakes and cookies and old folk traditions, like the Busójárás. At the last three days before the Lent like most of the catholic countries the Hungarians will celebrate carnival.

1. she was so sleepy by matchstickgirl, 2. la fee papillion by matilou, 3. mandala flowers night ligh by ultravioletcosmonaut, 4. super witches hat by ingermaaike

To see more Monday Moodboards of the European Street Team please visit fleurfatal's blog! :)

Flickr favorites - color

2010-01-26T10:28:00.000+01:00

I guess you can see clearly what was my inspiration this time :)

Enjoy!

1. It's nice to be the best, but not when being the best brings out the worst in you., 2. Coffee and cigars, 3. Lotus Flower Macro - Blue Flower - IMG_0606, 4. purple helix

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

for more EST flickr favorites please visit Artmind's blog.

Monday Moodboard - Gold and White

2009-12-07T09:33:00.000+01:00

The good old Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) left the country, he got enough of the rainy, cold Dutch weather so he is back to his vacation house in Spain, together with his loyal friends, the Zwarte Pieten :)
The Dutch truly have their funny ways when it comes to Saint Nicholas, celebrating his birthday on the 5th December (?), he lives through the year in Spain (?) and he arrives mid November in The Netherlands with a steamboat (?) with his companions the Black Peters (?), ... Well, the Dutch Sint has just as much in common with the Bishop of Myra than the Anglo-Saxon Santa Claus :)

Update: as a request from Vadjutka, here is some information about Ded Maroz, the Russian Santa and his pretty companion, Snegurochka :)

Anyway I didn't plan to write so much about the good old man I just wanted to mention that he has "left the building" so now it's really time to focus on important things like how to accessorize our Christmas outfit.

Let see, how about some gold and white?

1. Labradorite, pearl and gold earrings by Huismus, 2. Xmas earrings by vadjutka, 3. Amethyst ring with a flower and a pearl by toosis, 4. Birdcage daisy necklace by Sumikoshop

If you would like to see Moodboards from other EST members find our more on fleur fatale's blog !

And if you would like to know more about Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas and Santa, just click on the links provided in the text :)

Monday Moodboard

2009-11-30T09:48:00.001+01:00

I am a little moody this Monday morning, after two coffees still feeling and look like this:

and than I am still not being completely honest :)
So I picked some photos and object for my Monday Moodboard what really not reflecting how I feel.
I chose lightweight fiber beauty, carefully made fine handwork, what only radiates tranquility and light, really almost zen :)

Enjoy! And don't be cranky :)

1. Fluffy Crochet Necklace by karmologyclinic, 2. Linen Pincushion by binkaminka, 3. Vintage Doily Needlebook by Ravenhill, 4. Rose is Rose Necklace by byMarianneS

If you would like to see Moodboards from other EST members find our more on fleur fatale's blog !

Flickr favorites - all that

2009-10-07T15:05:00.000+02:00

No special occasion, I just like these pictures. They all represent a piece of nature make your mind have a little rest :)

1. No Doubt, 2. Soeur Marie Keyrouz, 3. Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis), 4. small stars

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

If you would like to play the mosaic game, please check out Artmind's blog!

Monday Moodboard

2009-10-05T10:18:00.000+02:00

This Monday morning I feel like staying in, hot chocolate, cake, warm and cozy :)

1. folk felt flower pin by roroism 2. walnut yarn by snowberrylime 3. set of 3 wool bangles by mysticfibers 4. cafe et chocolat by petitplat

If you would like to see Moodboards from other EST members find our more on fleur fatale's blog!

Flickr favorites and the winner of June's giveaway

2009-07-07T12:48:00.000+02:00

This weeks flickr favorits - don't let them fade away:

1. Water edge #2, 2. Sister Morphine, 3. air mail, 4. Not yet...

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

***************

And the winner of my June giveaway is ....

Stéphanie Kilgast!!

She won these orange flower earrings, congratulations!!

Estella, I know, I know, but Stéphanie was really very active :)

Flickr favorites - flora et fauna

2009-06-30T10:41:00.000+02:00

1. Giant-Blueberry, 2. Tiny Fireworks, 3. Lula, 4. Spirals
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

This mosaic is about the colors really, but I wanted that layered theme thing again (second and third theme), so I went for animals and plants and macro :)

Don't forget that my June giveaway will and today, so hurry up, leave a comment! :)

If you would like to play the mosaic game, please check out Artmind's blog!

Flickr favorites - life

2009-06-23T10:29:00.000+02:00

Life as we know it...

1. Balatonalmádi II., 2. 365 Day 279. Clerkenwell., 3. Little Singer, 4. Árvácskák

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

This week I just chose random black and white pictures what catched my eye but at the end they made a really nice an meaningful mosaic.

The first picture with the sailing boat is made on the beach I spent all my summer holidays as a kid.

The second is a self portait of Miss Bunny, a wonderful English artists.

The third is just a great photo I found.

And the last one I think just speaks for itself :)

If you would like to play the mosaic game, please check out Artmind's blog!

Customer appreciation

2009-06-16T13:16:00.001+02:00

I've been thinking a lot lately how can I add a little something extra to my packages, a little freebee or something to send to my buyers with their purchase and make them a little more happy when they open the envelope.

Finally I decided that I will order magnets with my tulip logo. After long research on etsy I found the coolest magnet seller ever, Ali, alias Buttonhead. Not only she makes really funny and cool magnets, buttons, but she will fulfill all of your wishes (we are talking customized buttons and magnets people!) helps you with your logo, gives little helping tips etc.
She is also a member of the Indie 5 Collective on youtube, you can find more then 200 very helpful videos for etsy sellers, cool tutorials or just very funny ones like this about esty addiction HERE.

And back to my little customer appreciation project, I made little sachets out of unbleached cotton, added my logo with transfer paper, and put the magnets inside:

Audrey Hepburn and my flickr favorites

2009-06-16T12:37:00.000+02:00

Last week the theme of the weekly EST challenge was Audrey Hepburn. I chose her famous black and white outfit from the movie My Fair Lady as an inspiration, and I made a lovely fabric cuff. I used a silk embroidered white lightweight fabric and a black satin ribbon with floral motives.

And because it's Tuesday, of course my flickr favorites, to balance the elegant black and white I chose bright colors this time:

1. Untitled, 2. the field - fore !, 3. Mass Ascension Balloons, 4. Ladybug on a peony 2

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

If you also would like to play the mosaic game, please feel free to join at Artmind's blog!

Flickr favorites - travelling

2009-06-09T13:24:00.000+02:00

1. You travel far to discover home., 2. 26_Camel trader, Pushkar Camel Fair (Nov 2008), 3. Yucatan beach, 4. Hurrá utazunk!

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Summer, holiday, travel - they go together like horses and carriages. (By the way talk about carrigies, did you know that the word coach comaes from the Hungarian word "kocsi"? Well, I know, I am pretty predictable for finding a Hungarian everywhere, haha)

So, the question is, what are your plans for this summer, where do you travel next time and which place would you really visit before you die?

If you also would like to play the mosaic game, please feel free to join at Artmind's blog!

Hussar

2009-06-04T16:16:00.001+02:00

No occasion, I just found this photo on flickr and I just have to share it, that smile and that mustache is so beautiful! :)

Huszár
Originally uploaded by Medve G.

June Giveaway

2009-06-03T09:09:00.000+02:00

*JUNE GIVEAWAY!!*

From today you have a chance to win these pretty pair of tangerine flower earrings!

All you need to do, is leave a comment under this post!

You can increase your chance of winning by:

take a look at my shop, pick your favorite item, tell me why you like it
leave a comment in my promotional thread on Etsy HERE
tell your friends about this giveaway on Twitter
you can leave as much comments here as you want!

The winners will be announced on June 30th.

Have fun! :)

Zsuzsa

a.k.a.

zsb creations

Flickr favorites - people

2009-06-02T09:58:00.000+02:00

1. 28, 2. It's me, 3. my book&me - by Pepe, 4. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

The inspiration for this mosaic came from that amazing shot from a young Hungarian photographer, Viktor Baumgartner, the girl with the hat (I have something with Hungarian talents, I wonder why? Haha!). I found his work on flickr and I immediately added him as contact. There is something in his work what I like so much, I cannot really get an exact grip on it - not that I have to :)-, are those light or the colors, the compositions?

The other pictures are also Hungarian realted (surprise!): the handsome guy with his book is János Gábor Varga, who makes amazing original, never seen before jewelry under the name Blindspotjewellery. The book in his hand - his book! - it's about something else, it's a nonfictional literary work on health and hygiene. Wow.

The lovely lady with the beautiful smile is Judit Wild, who is a multi talent, she is a sociologist, specialized in media reserach, she also studied photo journalism, and now she is making very unique, lovely jewelry. You can find her jewelry work under her brand name, Vadjutka.

And last but not least one of the hats of my dear friends, Kriszrina, aka Kankalinhats. I already blogged about her :)

If you also would like to play the mosaic game, please feel free to join at Artmind's blog!

Flickr favorites - semi industrial

2009-05-19T17:09:00.000+02:00

For this week's mosaic the inspiration came from the fantastic chess set made by Bence Fördős, a very talented Hungarian designer. This chess set was his diploma work, what became a very succesful piece. The Hungarian Design Council together with the works of other young Hungarian designers has admitted this work to participate in the range of exhibitions, Objects from Hungary (OH!), representing Hungary all over Europe.

If you are interested, you can by his work in his etsy shop!

1. My equipment, 2. wonderland 015, 3. Chilli padi, 4. Chess set

Let's join the game at Artmind's blog!

European Street Team's weekly challenge - Bird

2009-05-14T17:21:00.000+02:00

So, the theme is birds. Lovely theme chosen by the lovely Hungarian artist, Krisztina, who makes beautiful jewelry from seed beads.

And here is my entry, a denim based fabric cuff, embellished with Japanese seed beads, organza and satin:

European Street Team's weekly challenge - Inspired by a Movie

2009-05-11T17:19:00.000+02:00

This week's challenge is hosted by the lovely Maria from Spain, who makes magical jewelry from sparkling crystals and sells them as LeelaBijou on etsy.

I chose probably the best film noir ever, the 1946 movie version of the fantastic novel The Postman Always Rings Twice.

New choker/cuff & today's flickr favorites

2009-05-11T11:27:00.001+02:00

New design, a choker what can be used as a cuff also:

colors on flickr:

1. Gumdrops, 2. Fall Apples, 3. Pepper-ers, 4. 38 of 365

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Flickr favorites 2. - my flickr contacts

2009-05-06T11:22:00.001+02:00

I really, really like this game, so here is the mosaic for today:

1. Yin and Yang, 2. Sunflowers in Vase, 3. Steampunk boy Mouse, 4. Ponsawan & Ada, 5. A Taste of Rain, 6. Life-size felt birthday cake (happy 2nd birthday!), 7. Preview of 2009 I., 8. Window Ring (2009, IT) Ring 154.3, 9. Cherry Blossom Ring

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Flickr favorites

2009-05-05T13:32:00.000+02:00

A brand new game by Mitsy aka Artmind, making beautiful mosaics from flickr favorites.

1. My Nephew 009, 2. Lotus group, 3. yummy, 4. waaaalnut at the beach

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Mini project: upcycling a coat for my daughter

2009-04-23T15:30:00.000+02:00

I found an old coat of my oldest daughter in the attic, so I decided tha I will "pimp it up" for the younger daughter.
So I bought these wonderful embroidered fabric covered buttons from fellow EST member Deepindigo yesterday, and because she lives in The Netherlands too, I got them already today in the morning :)

I made a little fabric brooch to complement the buttons, and the Dutch theme, of course :)

European Street Team's weekly challenge - My flowers

2009-04-21T18:36:00.000+02:00

This week's theme is "my flowers" given by Karuski.

My entry is something very new for me, what I never made before: a bracelet made of fabric!! :) Recycled and upcycled, I used an old pair of jeans as the base, a piece of lace I found in my sawing box, I used my sawing maching (for the first time in two years :)) and some fabric paint to give them a trendy look, and I made a beautiful sheer flower from organza and satin, and gave a touch of luxury with some Swarovski crystal beads.

Secret Easter Bunny swap

2009-04-21T17:33:00.000+02:00

This year I participated in this fun evenement of the European Street Team, The Secret Easter Bunny swap, organized by Mitsy (thank you, darling! :)) and my secret bunny turned out to be Nanouke, a sweet Portugese girl who makes fantastic wire knitted jewelry. Look what I got:

I got a fantastic purple ring, and a fun brooch with purple and pink beads and - my favorite - a big, pink ball brooch!

I was the secret bunny of Tamara from paperfection, unfortunately I forgot to make photo's of the gifts I made for her.

Little surprise for me - from me :)

2009-04-03T15:51:00.000+02:00

Look what I bought for my self recently, this wonderful little purse with this cute retro print, made by Heli Sengezer:

she also added an extra little surprise, one of her hand painted magnets, with a sassy shopaholic lady:

Don't forget to take a look at Heli's other shop, where you can find whimsical animals and little books, like these: