Tag Archives: blog

Pressed flowers and possibilities galore

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I love the accidental pressed flower. Not as a serious hobby thing. More for fun.
It starts to itch when Autumn is closing in on us. The need to keep little remains of Summer and its sunlight, warmth and colours.
To find a forgotten pressed flower on a gloomy Winter’s day in a book is the best you know. You’ll be transported back to last Summer, meanwhile knowing that Winter is followed by Spring again, and so on. If you want to be reminded of sunshine on a more daily base you can stick them on the wall, put them in a jar (don’t stick your nose in that jar later…it doesn’t smell of Summer) or just put them in a vase.

I also found another way of use. Before my new phone had even arrived I was searching Etsy for the best of the best cases. The offer is amazing, the prices – after shipping costs – beyond my wallet. Thus, I decided on a so called cheap-skate case, see-through because my phone is pretty and gold, while I was saving up for a proper case. Almost at the same time I remembered my stock of last year’s pressed flowers.

One and one still makes two!

 

The result is simple but makes me happy every time I see it. If I do get bored with this flower, I can always pick another flower to replace it with. Maybe I’ll pick a Victorian scrap. Or a feather instead. Possibilities galore!

Something old, something new

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A New Year. Like any proper New Year, 2015 demands some changes from me. Or better, I decided on some changes… have you noticed the two new pages I added to my blog? Starting 2015 I’ve decided to make life a bit more logic and easy for myself. I’m determined to continue writing this blog and developing my own little business, but I can use a bit more focus and funnelling instead of drifting. And here’s my first step.

If I were in London right now
You could say London is a project of mine. Or at least, writing about it. It’s a place on the planet that stole my heart and after having lived there in 2011 I started my first blog If I were in London right now, sharing my favourite places and hidden gems.

As of January 2015 If I were in London right now will be part of Tessie’s Projects. It makes sense to me. I love writing, I love going to London as often as I can. But right now, writing and maintaining two separate blogs is not what my body and mind need. The old blog will keep on existing. However, when I feel the urge to share some London-related stuff I will do so at Tessie’s Projects. It will be neatly categorised under If I were in London right now.

Expat meet Local
Moving on to the other new page. A page that might be interesting for you if you a) live in The Netherlands, b) are a local Dutchy living in The Netherlands who likes to meet other people or c) are an expat living in The Netherlands who likes to meet other (Dutch) people.

Expat meet Local was set up by me in June 2014. You may have guessed: it’s my intention to bring expats and locals together by organising little events. During Summer these events may be picnics, in Winter we go indoors. No sane Dutch person picnics during Winter.
Expats hang out with expats, locals hang out with locals. When you’re an expat you seek like-minded souls, when you’re a local you may just love your life as it is. Being a dreamer, I dreamed of changing this… wouldn’t it be just great to meet people with different backgrounds, from other countries and cultures? Then, from dreaming I moved on to realisation!
In 2015 I will continue bringing expats and locals together by organising little meet-ups. Knowing that people go home after an event with a new friend or squash-buddy, having learned and tasted something new. It brightens up my life. Simple as that!

So all you expats and Dutchies, all people dreaming of moving to The Netherlands or wanting to meet new (Dutch) people? Have a look at the new page for more information on Expat meet Local and be welcome to join us at our New Years reception Sunday the 11th of January.

Proost! E-flyer

 

Yes, a New Year. I hope you all will have a good one! And remember; most of the time you yourself can make your year as good as you want it to be. It’s in your hands, you are in charge. Most of the time…that is.

 

A December gift for you!

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When I started this blog I didn’t think anyone would read my figments. Except my parents.
When I listed my cards on Etsy I didn’t think anyone would buy them. Except my parents.

Turns out I was wrong. You read my blog, that’s for sure. And I even sold Christmas cards to people who – for all I know – weren’t my parents!

Here they are, six different designs.

Them cards.

Now it’s December. The month of giving and loving and caring. So I decided I wanted to give something too. Well, I always want to give, but December makes it a bit easier and I specifically wanted to give something to you readers.

I calculated a bit. I thought some things through. Other things I didn’t think through.

Outcome:
1. It appears 47% of my readers are Dutch (or: based in The Netherlands). Not surprising; I am, after all, Dutch.
2. On December 5th the Dutch Santa has his birthday and gives presents. Galore.
3. Giving away cards for free is not a budget-option.
4. Free shipping costs, however, is.

An idea:
From December 1st until December 5th 2014 the shipping costs are free for all people living in and ordering from The Netherlands.

The idea grew:
Why just one country? Why not make it a Top-5? I love Top-5’s! So, the 5 countries that hold the most readers…?

It finally resulted in this little thank-you-offer:
From December 1st until December 5th 2014 shipping costs for all orders from The Netherlands, USA, UK, Brazil and Australia are free. Hurrah!

Now, if you do not live in one of the afore mentioned countries, let me make it up to you a little bit by telling you I love and appreciate you dearly for visiting my blog. Thank you! Also, during December I will write and send my Christmas cards for you! No extra costs. Just add a note to your order with the address of the receiver and text you wish me to write down. And I will take care of it. You can pay a visit to my little Corner Shop right here.

Welcome to December everyone!

 

Isn’t she an Angel…?

PS: my beloved Christmas Angels will be back, fresh from the printers, tomorrow!

Dreaming of an #AirmailChristmas

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Short notice, but it has to be shared: Rebecca got in touch with me last week. She tweeted. If I were interested in joining AirmailChristmas. A worldwide Christmas card exchange that she’s now been running for 3 years. Obviously, that got me curious. So I did some digging.

Turns out a patient of Rebecca (who’s a nurse) died of cancer just before Christmas a couple of years back. This same patient had told her how she would send a card to a random stranger. Every Christmas! Ain’t that kind and heart-warming? This inspired Rebecca to start AirmailChristmas. And that inspired me to join in and tell you a little about it.

Every year AirmailChristmas is in memory of someone. This year it will be in honour of Anna Basso. I didn’t know her and probably you didn’t either. But that doesn’t matter. It’s about the gesture. It’s about thinking of those who are not with us anymore and those who may need some extra love, strength, friendship and the feeling of not being all alone.

For some reason these gestures are easier for us to make around Christmas time.
For some reason that’s when we tend to think of others instead of just ourselves.
For some reason that’s when we find our inner Altruist.
For some unfortunate reason this spirit fades away as soon as the Christmas days are in the past.

But I’ll stick with that Christmas Spirit and say “that’s also just fine”.

Back to the subject. AirmailChristmas. As I like to spread happiness and put smiles on faces, I had to share this initiative with you! I’ll be sending one of my own Christmas cards to “a random stranger” this year. And hope you will too. Can you feel it already? All butterfly and bubbles at the thought of Christmas and making others happy? Get into that festive mood!
If you do, see Rebecca’s blog. Make sure to email her before the 1st of December – I told you it was short notice and I’m fully to blame. Rebecca will then get back to you with someone’s address and the fun and goodwill can commence!