I just wanted to share that until Sunday, Christy is giving away a digital collage sheet to anyone who mails or comments on her latest blog post Day 15/29 Days of giving. There are some amazing sheets available, go check it out !

As I wasn't committed in a lot of swaps this December, I decided to take on the role of one of Santa's elves and send some happiness around the world in the shape of wishes from the swapbot Wishlist Group.

Most of the packages consisted of hot chocolate (must be inspired by the cold winter season), Season's Greetings cards and the odd tea or souvenir. I hope the recipients will receive them before the end of the year, although I have to say I have been amazed at the speed of postal deliveries these last week : a greeting card sent on Friday arrived Monday in the US ... can't get any quicker, can it?


Maybe the postal services got a helping hand from Santa's little helper (picture below)?

From Nov. 28 till Dec. 28 2008, Brussels is one of Wintry Lights and Entertainment. Have a look at the official website to learn what's cooking in Europe's capital during the Holiday Season.

As I went shopping near Grand Place for Choc-o-lait chocolate sticks to send out for the wishlist group on Sunday (see other post), I was awestruck by the beauty of the light show on the Grand Place. My pictures came out a bit blurry though and don't really do it justice. But if you happen to be near Brussels, it's worth dropping by (finding a parking space is a nerve wrecking experience though, better come by public transport :o) )

Through a giveaway contest on the Swap-bot Blog, I discovered what seemed to be a great website to get to know new etsy stores. Unfortunately I didn't win the giveaway but I did pay Geteurofied a visit and ordered the holiday sampler which arrived yesterday (contents on the left).

Besides samples, a lot of stores added discount codes too ... a great idea in these times of financial crisis! The list of the participants lets you click through to the individual etsy stores. And now I'm off to scout for new favourites :o)

I should start working on the ATCs for the Open Theme swap but as always I am a bit at a loss when it's an open theme. While I wait for the muse to find me, these are the ATCs I made for the Pin Up Girl ATC swap on swapbot. I hope my partners will find them to their liking. I always find those vintage drawings sexier and sassier than modern day pictures ... maybe I was born in the wrong era?

I wanted a brown necklace to go with my beige shirt and now that I have discovered the joy of making me own, I didn't feel like buying one ready made. So after browsing through the bead shop on Friday (amazing how one looses track of time in that shop ... must be the twilight zone !), I came home with a bag of brownish beads and this is the result.

The Holiday Season is nearing and everyone receives wishes ... even my kitties :o) Lynn and Lotje received their very first Christmas card yesterday, in an envie adressed to them and accompanied by a little note written by the humble servant of Pal, Harvey and Brady, three magnificent Main Coone blokes from the US.

As part of the same swap, I will be sending out Christmas cards from Dyadis, an organisation that trains and places dogs to help physically disabled persons regain more autonomy and freedom of movement. That way I'm contributed to this important project and as the card features (obviously) dogs in a Xmas setting, I tried making a Season's Greetings card with my two little monsters on it to send along. Everything will be send out tomorrow, L&L still have to paw the cards :o)

Thanks to a picture posted on Moni's Flickr I learned that the Go Make Something website (a great source for creative inspiration by the way) was holding an Open Theme ATC swap, so I decided to take a chance and see if I could make it on her list. I hope I will because I love making ATCs :o)

On browsing though the website at the same occasion, I discovered that Lisa Vollrath was also holding The Original Printables Holiday Countdown on her website: every day of the Advent a printable sheet of images is up for grabs. Check it out!

This weekend was cold and rainy, like the last ones and probably the next ones too. I finally managed to go to the carwash because the car was black from the salt and the slate we had. Every time I wanted to go over the past weeks, it was pouring or snowing and I like to enjoy the 10 EUR wash for at least a few hourse :o) This time I did make it back to the garage before it started drizzling again and my car was at least clean until Sunday.

This grey weather has one positive consequence though : as there is nothing appealing outside, I have all the time I need to get some creative juices flowing :o)


This is the first full length necklace I made in my favourite colour ... purple ! I wore it to work today and if I may say so myself, it looks absolutely fab on a white shirt.


I also made some earrings (again) and I am considering opening an etsy shop to sell some of them. I just have to read through all the rules and regulations to see how to make it work. Serious thinking and reading ahead.