Washi-Tape Alphabet

The idea for this post started a month ago, before my trip to Berlin. It was only meant to be a P and an H. Then 2 weeks ago I thought; "wouldn't it be nice a whole washi-tape alphabet?" It ended up looking pretty nice (or so I thought), but then something happened, something that occurs in the immensity or smallness of our world. This past week I saw that Creature Comforts had made something very similar, and I went gulp, and also said some words in the vicinity of "holy cannoli!!"
Hers (like all the things she does) is beautiful, has a downloadable alphabet and they are stickers (why didn't I come up with that idea?).
In any case, I was thinking of what to put inside an envelope to send to my pen pal, and this is how this very brilliant idea, never done before in the world of washi-tape (add very cynic tone here), was born.

This is what you'll need:

A favorite font printed (this is arial bold, 300 size)

cardboard

scissors or X-acto knife

all the washi-tape you can find

Cover the letters with the washi-tape, and then simply cut the excess tape. I recommend just doing the letter you want, as the whole alphabet (I mean there are 26 letters, that is like a lot of time and lots of washi-tape, believe me).

Beware, washi-tape can be very addictive. You have been warned!!

Here are a few ideas of what to do with all those letters. Before sending your friend her initial, write all the words you come up with that start with that letter (I know a bit childish, but we pen pals like all childish stuff, or maybe it is just me?). As a bookmark, for your mood board, or for the wall, where my G is now looking all good and great!!

Have a most excellent monday, if it is turning a bit blah, just take out the washi-tape and have fun!

Giova.

Craft Stores in Amsterdam

A while back I did  an online map making course by Anne Ditmeyer. After having a peak at everyone's project and how inventive and creative they all were, I decided to give mine free range.
My subject was craft stores here in Amsterdam, and how to put them all in a crafty sort of way.
This is what I came up with.

Unfortunately all the names of the stores and their addresses are in the back (it is very crafty and mysterious that way).

Today I finally get the chance to give this map away to someone very crafty. A pen pal will be coming to visit for a few days (and yes, we've never met in real life before). Reminds me of the scene in Julie and Julia, where Julia Child is waiting for her pen pal at the train station (that will be me later today, only I'll be at the airport!!).

Here is the list for all of those interested in crafts or who'll be visiting this beautiful city any time soon. NOTE: These are the stores I like, frequent, patronize etc... There is not one store on the list that I haven't been to, and also I'm sure there are plenty more, but this ones are close to each other and I just like them.

1- Den Haan & Wagenmaker - traditional fabrics for patchwork and quilting (this is where I learned quilting). A very beautiful place to visit.

2- Birdblocks - modern and colorful fabrics, for patchwork, quilting, sewing projects

3- De Afstap - yarns, threads and accessories for knitting and crochet

4- De Posthumus Winkel - rubber stamps, inks, wax seals - a beautiful store

5- Copenhaguen Kralen Beads - all beads and related tools for jewelry making

6- Koud Kunstje - papier mache, polymer clay, decoupage, wooden crafts

7- Roppongi - this is not an actual craft store, but you'll find some origami paper, japanese craft books and washi-tapes.

8- Knopenwinkel - Buttons in all shapes, sizes and colors, and even if you're not interested in buttons you should take a look at this store, even the store's front sign is beautiful.

9- Hema - This is a chain store, and there is one in almost every corner, but my favorite is the one on Kalvertoren, Kalverstraat 212. I've found many super nice party and craft supplies here, don't miss it just because you see a bunch of clothes and kitchen supplies.

10- Vlieger - The one store I'm mostly likely to be found in. A washi-tape and paper heaven.

11- Penelope Craft - I usually go more to #3, because it is easier for me to get there, but this is a very pretty and well stocked with yarns store.

12- Van Beek - It is an art supply store (there are many here), but it is the nicest one and the staff are really helpful, and I don't know why but I really like it in there!

13- Jan de Grote - If you find yourself in the Albert Cuypmarket and you like crafting, sewing etc.. you must not miss the chance to go in here. Lots of cheap materials; zippers, ribbons, felt, buttons, lace, etc...

Have a super duper weekend and wish me luck with my pen pal. We are now crossing a very intimidating threshold - from paper to real life.
Have you ever met your pen pals in real life?? What was it like??

Giova

Traveling to Budapest with Kids

When we travel we usually try to check our little list of things to see or do. It looks a bit like this;

• go to a super market
• travel by public transportation (tram, train, bus, metro) preferable all
• see one or two museums
• taste typical foods
• go to the post office (this one is just mine but I always visit a post office wherever I go)
• learn to at least say hello, thank you and please in the local language
• send postcards (also me, and I always do this)
• visit a park and church (temple, mosque, depends on the city)
• look for street art (most of us are now into this)

This is what we aim for, but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We don't really stress out about things we need to see and do, and we are definitely not planners. Go with the flow, as I like to say, because the truth is that the weather, a strike or the flu can alter almost anything! Here is a look inside our days and activities.

We did everything we wanted to and more since we even got an extra day (I actually thought we were supposed to leave on saturday, we even went to the airport and all, only to find that it was the next day).

When I asked my older son what he thought of Budapest this is what he had to say; "This city is very strange, some parts are really beautiful and in others it looks like it is falling apart." He actually loved it, he was amazed by it all. The little one just wanted to set up camp in any of the baths.



They loved the funicular to Castle District and the chance to practice archery and crossbow.

We went to 2 baths, the Gellert and Szechenyi (both are incredibly beautiful, quite expensive I may add) but my son thought the Gellert was better because it had a pool with waves and if I had to pick between the two, I would also pick Gellert).

The museums we chose to explore were the Vasarely Museum, and the Museum of Applied Arts (my son loved, LOVED the Vasarely one, but I would really recommend both).

My son and husband went to see the Terror House, and I chose to go to the Post Office Museum instead, (one of the highlights of my trip, and it deserves a post by itself). He was curious to see this terror place and in the end I think he chose to forget about it.



Budapest is a very walkable city, and also very easy to explore by public transportation (very cheap, reliable and clean, incredibly clean). People were very helpful, and every place we went to eat, had papers, pencil and markers for the children, which is more that I can say for many places here in Amsterdam.
I would definitely recommend this city with kids, and also for a quick getaway without them!

WOW! I think this is the most I've ever written for this blog.
I let you go now.
Any cities that you might want to recommend so that I can add them to my list???

Giova.

P.S: If you want to see our trip from last year it is here and here.

Magazine Store in Berlin

Do you have a dream? I bet you have many, just like me. But let me just show you one of mine since I have the pictures to do so. In my dreams I own a place just like this, with thousands of amazing magazines, some books (not too many, just like here).
Do you read me? is a magazine store in Berlin that looks pretty much how I would love my imaginary place to look like. Perhaps in my dream there is also a spot for paper, stationery related items, and lots of craft books from around the world. And sorry, no coffee allowed (I've always thought if this was allowed, people would never leave). And no chairs either, too much browsing, will lead to more browsing. OK, enough rules (I do have plenty more, I've actually thought about this dream quite a lot).

Have you visited any of your dreams lately?? I thought about owning a B&B too, but I gave that one up, I don't like to wake up early and I don't like too many people in my house!!
What kind of place would you like to open up??
Oh, a tea parlor... OK I think I dream too much!!

Have an amazing day!
Giova.

An Important Announcement

Dear Readers:  I've been meaning to do this for some time now. Always finding an excuse, always leaving it for later. But the more I postpone, the more I think I owe you an explanation.
It probably doesn't come as a surprise since she hasn't made an appearance on the blog for already two months, but my sister has decided to not post any more.
It feels a bit like when a band breaks up and then one of the members of the band decides to give it a go, solo. Only here, no one broke up!
So from now on, it will be me, flying solo. I'll do my best to keep you entertained, but I'm only just getting used to the fact that it is only me writing, so please bear with me.

Well, you know, sisters will always be sisters, no matter what. 

Thank you for reading and for your support!

Yours truly,
Giova.

Visiting Budapest for a Few Days

I still have some posts from Berlin, but today I felt like showing you bits of the wonderful city we visited last week. Budapest had been on my list of cities to see (sooner rather than later), and instead of going to the same places we usually tend to visit, we decided to go to a new city for all of us. My older son had a one week break and apparently many people did as well, because all the other cities in Europe were extremely expensive at this time, except of course for Budapest. So yayyy for Budapest!!! It was indeed an incredible place to explore.

Saint Stephen's Basilica

Covered Market 

Tram with Szabadsag bridge in the back

Szechenyi Baths

The closest metro station to where we were staying

Random building - some were so impressive, others were literally falling apart

Part of the ceiling of the entrance to the Museum of Applied Arts

And well, I just couldn't help myself. A cool combo don't you think??

I know there is a theme going on in here, but I only realized it when I was looking at the pictures. So many things were yellow in the city. It wasn't like I was only taking pictures of yellow things, although it looks like it.
I have so many things I would like to show you from this city and I still don't know how to organize it all in a proper way. Are there any particular things that you would like to see when people travel?? Some pointers??

I hope you get lots and lots of yellow (in the form of sun rays) all weekend long!!
Have a good one!
Giova

A Girl Crush - Dietlind Wolf

One of my highlights (big and with capital letters) of The Hive,  was being able to listen to Dietlind Wolf. It is so nice to actually meet someone you follow and admire from afar, only to realize that the person is unbelievably kind and giving. Her sensibilities are obvious when you've seen her work, but then everything clicks perfectly when you get to hear how she works and how she develops the concepts for her work. Her workshop was truly incredible and inspiring.

Why do I like Dietlind Wolf so much?

For starters let me say that this is one cool lady. I loved how she was dressed that day and so it added many more points to my crush, (totally lame thing to say, I know), but that is how it goes. I would love to see things the way she does, everything is meticulously perfect in her way. Basically I simply feel inspired by her work.
So there you go, oh, and I would love to see her work space, it would definitely be the coolest thing ever!!

So tell me, you people out there, what would you love to do if you got to spend the afternoon with your crush???

Wishing you a most happy day!
Giova