Happy Birthday Michal!

11 years old already! 

and what a sweetheart she is

♡

Vive la Provence!

I'm back from Cannes just in time
to get excited about my summer vacation

which is also in Provence this year

and what could be more appropriate for this upcoming joy

than two lavender sachets?

♡

My Week in Cannes

A walk through the city

A visit to the farmer's market

My favorite place for lunch - best iced-tea ever

Some shopping, naturally

The beautiful seaside

And, of course, some work

♡

Once is Not Enough... Recycle!

This tin started out as an ordinary biscuit tin

I covered it with white paper to hide the logo

and then cosied it with crochet in green and cream

It will be used as part of a gift
and will hold (rather snugly)
a doll's blanket and pillow set for a little girl

♡

The Little Bird

It's early in the garden and up on the tree

a sweet little bird can be heard to plea:

dear friends, we've been chirping here since early dawn

when do we stop? my voice is almost gone

♡

Featured: two lavender sachets, a reward to myself 

for having spring cleaned the entire wardrobe, phew!

The Liebster Award

I was awarded the Liebster Award by my blogger friend MJ 

The rules for the award are as follows:

1. Give a shout out to the blogger that nominated you!

2. Answer the eleven questions the nominator provided.

3. Nominate a few other bloggers that have less than 200 followers.

4. Post eleven new questions for your nominees to answer.

5. Contact your nominees to let them know.

Here are the  questions MJ set for me:

1. If you could be an animal, which one would you be?
a penguin - a bird that loves language (with it's own publishing 
house!) but cannot fly
2. Name three things you are "obsessed" with currently

that's easy - crafting, photography and the beach
3. What is the last book you finished reading?

the latest book in the Maisie Dobbs series - my favorite

4. Why is your blog important/special to you?

A place where I can be myself, express myself, challenge myself, 

and make friends at the same time - what's not to like

5. If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

another easy one - Georgian England
hopefully to have tea with Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy
6. What is a quote you really love?
It ain't no use putting up your umbrella till it rains

7. What have you learned in life?

That every day is a new beginning
that there are plenty of little pleasures to be found everywhere
8. Name one blog you recently found.

Paper&Stitch
9. Who is your favorite music artist?

The Man in Black himself - Mr. Johnny Cash
10. Polka dots or plaid?

Polka dots, of course, and pink ones at that
11. What is your zodiac sign?

Scorpion

The four nominees I've selected are:

Ana - http://lanasdeana.blogspot.co.il/
Esther - http://estheralvarezzzz.blogspot.co.il/
Hilke - http://www.elhadadepapel.com
Trixie - http://www.colouredbuttons.com/

And here are my questions to them:

1. What surprised you about your blog?

2. What do you find beautiful?

3. If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?

4. Three things to take to a deserted island?

5. What do you keep under your bed?

6. If you had a magic lamp, what would you wish for?

7. What is your favorite movie?

8. If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead?

9. How long could you go without internet?

10. If you could have any super power, what would it be? 

11. Chocolate - Dark, Milk or White?

Thanks, MJ!

♡

#100happydays - continued

I'm about half-way through with the #100happydays challenge

that I blogged about here

it's a bit of a chore, really,
but I'm hoping to stick with it to the end

♡

So what do I tweet about?

little things - crafting, obviously
surprises found along the way like this candlestick
my walks on the beach - still new and exciting for me

coffees in my favorite coffee places, more than once

the most beautiful spring ever

crafting with my nieces, always a joy
little trips here and there

shopping, of course, like my new breakfast set

and corners of my home, major spring cleaning in progress here!

♡

Cubes are Fun!

I made these soft cubes for Dana and Tomer
my niece and nephew

they played with them
then they messed around
then they started acting crazy

cubes would do that to you!

♡

Happy Happy

I am a happy character, I'm happy night or day

sometimes I hit a purple patch, sometimes it's cold and gray

but if I keep on smiling, and come what may

I find that after a while, my troubles just go away

The 'toys are having a picnic' exhibit
was curated by my niece Dana with a selection of her favorites
and some of my handmades

♡

Featured: the purple fellow in the middle was made in felt
from a drawing by my niece Michal