A bit of this and a bit of that

Hello! I've been wanting to post some of my latest adventures over the past few weeks but as I sit here attempting to clean my office (that I could no longer stand to step foot in due to the extreme piles covering EVERY surface...), I realized that life has been so crazy that I haven't blogged anything in almost a month. So, this is going to be my "catch up" post to let you know what's been going on!

We had fun at our Summer Market on 6 June, with several people popping by in the morning to see what all was on offer. Here are a few pictures!

One happy customer :-)! 

The weekend of the market was my daughter's 8th birthday. I still find it hard to believe that my baby is now 8 years old... She is a child that is generally always on the move (currently using stilts she received for a birthday present to walk all over the house and beyond...) and is always being silly and trying to make people laugh. It was only fitting that she wanted a circus party! I ordered some amazing invitations and printables from Carla at Paper and Party Love and we had 10 little girls running around our house like circus clowns.  We had a photo booth and various carnival games that the girls seemed to go through in record time (Note to self for future: organize party elsewhere so someone else can entertain and clean up!!). Here are a few photos of the highlights (you can also check out Carla's blog to see the invitations and printables more clearly).

Miss A wearing her new flip flop shirt handmade by Luz Maestro!

Clowning around

Table decorations

Walking around the house on her new stilts!

We've also been taking advantage of the beautiful weather in and around Zurich by going to the Sihltal to play along the river, pick strawberries and cherries at the Sunnehof farm and go hiking with Daddy on Father's day in Brunni. I have to say that I am exhausted and it is not even summer yet... Three more weeks of school and then the real fun can begin!

I wonder why it is that we can never get a picture without someone being silly?? Hmmmmm...

We met a friend along the trail

Panoramic view from top of our hike

She ate too many cherries while picking them and they started growing out of her...

Perfectly ripe and ready to make jam

Hope you are having fun too!

J xx

Coming soon: Summer Market on Friday, 6 June

Looking forward to seeing you at my upcoming summer market to be held in Au, Switzerland! Information is above and pictures of some new stuff will be coming soon :-)!

Happy Sunday!

J xx 

Some highlights from my Simply Created Mini Album Workshops

I held one workshop this morning and have one more this evening making mini photo albums (5in x 7in) using the Stampin' Up! "Simply Created Mini Album Kit". The kit is adorable and has some great papers and accessories in it (of course, I had to add a few more goodies, including the cute crochet flowers shown above!). I haven't done much scrapbooking for awhile and it was fun to play with pictures and paper again! Below are some of my favorite layouts from the two albums I made for Mother's Day presents to take to America when we go for Easter. I'm so pleased with how they turned out and can't wait to see how the Grandmas like them :-)!

And here are a few other pictures of some bits and bobs that were available to the participants to use (and consume :-)!).

Have a wonderful weekend!
J xx

Spring is blooming and so is J Blume Bags, Tags & More!!

We have had an incredibly mild winter in Zurich this year and Spring sunshine and weather has been gracing us for the past few weeks. It amazes me every year to see all the flowers blooming in the yards as I go for walks around Thalwil - daffodils, snowbells, magnolia trees, and little yellow, purple and white flowers (I don't know the name) that just grow randomly in grassy areas. God is truly an artist when it comes to Springtime! These pictures are of a house I regularly walk by - can you imagine having a yard full of daffodils every year?!?! I LOVE IT!

Along with the blooming flowers, my business is blooming in the new year, too! I finally opened my Etsy shop this month and had my first sale - Yippee! Although it is open, I've been so busy with other projects and kids stuff that I haven't had a chance to list anything else yet...BUT IT WILL COME, I PROMISE! Lots of ideas are in the process right now :-)!

Other projects I've been working on include making 11 Scrap Fabric Doll kits (10 for one customer :-)!), a "create-your-own-notebook" box for a birthday party (box included notebooks and all the fun bits and bobs to make notebooks like we did for my birthday), and preparing for a couple of workshops. As you saw in my previous post, I am doing a mini album workshop in early April. The "Simply Created Mini Album" kit from Stampin' Up! is absolutely adorable and I can't wait to get my pictures so I can prepare a sample album for the class. It will make the perfect gift for Mother's Day or a special friend. You can check out my Facebook page to see some pictures of the kit if you are interested.

I hope Spring is also blooming in your area!
J xx

New Class on 4 April 2014: Simply Created Mini Album

Birthday craft morning

This year I decided that in lieu of gifts for my birthday, I wanted to do a little something special for my friends. So, we had a crafty brunch in the middle of the week! We enjoyed good conversations, homemade bircher-muesli and cinnamon-raisin buns, frothy cappucinos, and then a bit of creative time making tags and decorating IKEA notebooks with washi tapes, scrap papers, punches and whatever else they could find in my "goodie box". It was a great morning and I can't wait to do it again! I think we need to make it a monthly or bi-monthly date...! 

Thanks, ladies!! You are the best!

J xx

"Be my Valentine" - 10 Fun Valentine's Day Ideas

Given that Valentine's day normally falls right in the middle of my kids' winter ski break, I tend to forget about all the fun I had as a kid making Valentine's for my family and friends. Some people think that Valentine's day is just a commercial holiday meant to make money...which, I must admit, I also believe is true! Why do we need one day a year to tell people we love them when we can do it every day of the year?? However, this being the case, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to go out for an expensive fancy dinner or spend lots of money to give something special to someone you love. Why not have a party with your kids and some of their friends, or even your girlfriends, and make something fun and/or delicious? Send a handmade Valentine to those special people in your life who may not hear "I love you" or "You are awesome" or "Thanks for being my ...(friend, mom, dad...)" as often as you would like. Pick up the phone and call someone you haven't had time to speak to recently. Make cookies with your kids and share with your neighbors. The possibilities are endless! And, if you choose to make something, the handmade touch will make it all the more special!

I've rounded up 10 fun ideas from various websites that will help you in your quest for the perfect Valentine's day gift:

1. Make cute little burlap gift bags to fill with treats. All I can say is...adorable!
(from The Casual Craftlete)
 

2. Make these cute Valentine cards with clothespins. How simple would this be??!
(from Simply Kierste)


3. Make pretty "stained-glass" hearts to hang in your window.
(from Just Between Friends)


4. Print out this free printable and give to your kids and their friends. I couldn't resist the birds...!
(from Pretty Providence)


5. Round up your kids (or girlfriends) and have a Valentine's party (wine included for the girlfriends :-)!)
(from Brit Co)


6. Make treat bags for your friends, neighbors, teachers, kids and anyone else you can think of!
(from Black Eiffel)


7. Make DIY felt heart handwarmers - a great gift for a cold winters day!
(from Henry Happened)


8. Bake heart shaped sugar cookies and let your kids decorate them. Share with your neighbors!
(Royal Marigold has links to the recipes in the pic below)


9. Make heart cupcake toppers and serve on your favorite cupcakes (homemade or store-bought).
Image below was taken from Pinterest - it is so darn cute! You could also just punch or cut out hearts, add some glitter or little buttons and glue them to a toothpick. Et voilà!


10. Make Valentine's day party poppers - you could also fill with small candies or toys instead of the photo banner!
(from Flax & Twine)


Enjoy your week and don't forget to give someone special a big hug!
J xx