Wait A Second!!!

Hello!

Last one this year. Just about 12 more hours for us and we will jump into 2006. Did you know that 2005 will last 1 second longer? The speed of the Earth rotation is continually changing due to varying weather patterns, geological disturbances and fricton of tides. The day is now 2 miliseconds longer than it was a couple of hundreds years ago and we need this extra leap second to establish the correct time - they estimate that in next 1000 years the difference will be a whole hour! 32 seconds have already been added over the decades, but 2005 will be one second longer than any year since 1998. So, before your first kiss in 2006, wait a second!

I wish all 31,536,000 seconds of new year are filled with joy, health, inner peace and positive energy - for all of you!

Candle holder

I made this yesterday. After quite some time I made a piece that I really like. It's not perfect... but it's so - me! It was made from my soul to my soul. And nobody else.

I usually try to make things that other people like, and honestly I've made some things I don't like and would not have them in my home. But now and then I make a piece just for myself. This is one of them. And as I have few more glasses like that, this one will get few brothers and sisters in the nearest future - as soon as I am done with the "bottles of hope" for the kids with cancer, I'll make more of them.

Btw, this is polymer clay on glass, gilt with gold wax.

Bookmark Swap

These are the bookmarks I made for the latest swap we had. I used old postcards and different pictures and text, some napkins, pages of old book, gold wax,...
I still haven't got others bookmarks back, I need to stop by at friends house and pick them up. Can't wait to see what others have made!!

Happy birthday, Ivana!

That's my other grandmother, dad's mum. She passed away when I was about 10 - she drowned in the river near our home. We still are not sure if it was a suicide or an accident, but first one is more possible. Her body was never found. I have been imagining for years that she was still alive, watching people carefully to be sure not to miss her face and hoping she comes back one day. She didn't, of course.

She was a very charismatic person that left impression on anyone who met her. Many people think she was weird - but she was just different; special; extraordinary. I still hear from my family members that I am a lot like her... their main stress is on the "weird" part, but they have no idea how happy I am to hear such a remark.

She was an artist with a gentle and romantic soul who was never able to find another real meaning of life after my grandfather died at the end of WWII. She carried his love inside through all the struggles that came for her and her two children after the war. It's obvious from her diary entries, which she has been writing for more than 30 years (and my dad has them all; he just don't let me read them - but sometimes, when no one was around, I would sneak to his cabinet and read her words) that she never forgot her husband and that she loved him till her last day here on earth. It's a story about love that never died...

Though I would define myself as an atheist (perhaps agnostic would be better definiton), I know she's up there somewhere, dancing on a cloud with my grandfather. And I'm sure she knows I still think of her sometimes.

And whenever I hear Don McLean's Vincet (Starry Starry Night), I think of her.

...
For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.
...

Happy birthday, granny! I wish you would have been with us longer - but you still live in my heart and my memory.

From left: my mum, my granny, Nina and me.

4 generations. All born in the same century. 1920, 1945, 1969 and 1997. Different stories, different destinies, different way of life; yet there's the same blood running through our hearts and there's the same sparkle in our eyes.

Though all 4 are annoying sometimes, I can't help but love them!

Thank you, Santa!!!

Nina is sleeping, it's 1 am and I'm tired of all that gift wrapping. But when she wakes up in the morning and see this... well, I know it was worth staying up so late and I just can't wait to see her happines first thing in the morning.

Smell of fresh baked cookies, nice wishes and thoughts, love, singing, decorations, Santa with gifts, smile on child's face - I just love Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Selamat Hari Natal
Geseende Kerfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar
Gézuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri!
Melkam Yelidet Beaal
I'D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida
Edo bri'cho o rish d'shato brich'to!
Feliz Navidad
Shenaraavor Nor Dari Yev Pari Gahand
Cradiunu harious shi unu anu nau, bunu!
Tezze Iliniz Yahsi OlsunZorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Shuvo Baro Din - Shuvo Nabo Barsho
Vesele Vanoce
Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Nedeleg laouen na bloav ezh mat
Vasel Koleda; Tchestita nova godina!
Bon nadal i feliç any nou!
Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok
Feliz Navidad
Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Bon Natale e Bon capu d' annu
Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Afvcke Nettvcakorakko
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Sretan Bozic
Glædelig Jul og godt nytår
Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Colo sana wintom tiebeen
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Gajan Kristnaskon
Rõõmsaid jõulupühi
Zorionak eta Urte Berri On
Gledhilig jól og eydnurikt n?ggjár!
Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Hyvää Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua
Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Bon Nadâl e Bon An Gnûf
Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!
Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo
Frohliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!
Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos
Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit
Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Mele Kalikimaka Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Mo'adim Lesimkha. Shana Tova
Shub Naya Baras
Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket
Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket es boldog uj evet
Gleileg Jól og Farsaelt Komandi ár!
Selamat Hari Natal
Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Hollaig Shona Dhuit
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
Merii Kurisumasu, Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
Bouan Noué et Bouanne Année
Rastawanke Sinun, Uvven Vuvenke Sinun
Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Appi Krismes en Appi Niu Yaa
Seva piroz sahibe u sersala te piroz be
Bon Nadel y Bon Ann Nuef
Buorit Juovllat ja Buorre Oddajahki
Natale hilare et Annum Nuovo!
Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Linksmu Kaledu ir laimingu Nauju metu
Riiemlizi Talspividi ja pagin vonno udaigastos
Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Schéi Krëschtdeeg an e Schéint Néi Joer
Streken Bozhik
Selamat Hari Natal
Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal
Nixtieklek Milied tajjeb u is-sena t-tabja!
Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Nollick ghennal as blein vie noaMaori -Meri Kirihimete
Shub Naya Varsh
Meri Kirihimete
Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye
Festusu Natale e Bona ana noeva
God Jul og Godt Nyttår
Polit nadal e bona annada
Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa
Bon Pasco y un Feliz Aña Nobo
Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Maligayang Pasco at Manigong Bagong Taon
De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak
En frehlicher Grischtdaag unen hallich Nei Yaahr!
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo
Nave sal di mubaraka
Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Bella Festas da zNadal ed in Ventiravel Onn Nov
Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Bachtalo krecunu Thaj Bachtalo Nevo Bers
Hristos s-a Nascut si Anul Nou Fericit
Pozdravlyau s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i c Novym Godom
Buorrit Juovllat
La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Felize Nadale e Bonu Cabuannu
Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Nollaig chridheil huibh
Hristos se rodi
Wan Santa Bedaki
Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto.
ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican.
Vesele Vianoce a stastny novy rok
Vesele bozicne praznike in srecno novo leto
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
ºKrismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpyaº
God Jul och Gott Nytt År and S Rozhdestvom Kristovym
Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai
Meri Krismas & Hepi Nu Yia
Kilisimasi Fiefia & Ta'u fo'ou monu ia
Neekirissimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Keresemose o monate le masego a ngwaga o montsha
Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Veseloho Vam Rizdva i Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku!
Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
Vanina Bon Natale a Tutti
Rastvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke
Chuc Mung Giang Sinh - Chuc Mung Tan Nien
Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi EmnandI Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo Namathamsanqa
Krisema
Gute Vaynakhtn un a Gut Nay Yor
E ku odun, e hu iye' dun!
Sinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo
جمل التهاني بمناسبة الميلاد و حلول السنة الجديد
Շնորհավոր Ամանոր և Սուրբ Ծնունդ
Tsaa Nu̶u̶sukatu̶̲ Waa Himaru̶
გილოცავ(თ) შობა-ახალ წელს
Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Ετος
क्रिसमस और नव वर्ष मंगलमय हो
Срекан Божик и Нова година
كرسمس مبارک
ਕਰਿਸਮ ਤੇ ਨਵਾੰ ਸਾਲ ਖੁਸ਼ਿਯਾੰਵਾਲਾ ਹੋਵੇ
С Рождеством Христовым и С наступающим Новым Годом
Сретан Божић и Сретна Нова Година
เมอรี่คริสต์มาส และสวัสดีปีใหม่

Christmas Tree

After 10 days, our Christmas tree is still standing. Thanks for all the advice about cats and trees! I spray bottom branches with a perfume and put fresh orange peels under the tree. So far this is working good, our Lin is mostly avoiding it. Perhaps he became too lazy for playing with it... which makes me rather happy actually, as I would not like him to destroy our beautiful tree. It is nice, isn't it? I bought some of the decorations and we made some of them. I will add some dried orange slices as well, it will be even nicer then :). And I know, we need to camouflage electric cables somehow... :)

Proud Mum

Last week we had a charity fair at Nina's school. Before that there was a performance with kids singing, dancing and playing. They prepared all kind of appearances and they were all doing great.

Nina was singing in a choir and they really sang well. Of course the performance was made with Christmas inspiration and they sang "Ko bi ljudje ljubili se" - and I have no idea how this title and lyrics goes in English, but I am pretty sure this is an English christian song. Nina has a wonderful voice and is usally singing solo... she didn't this time, but of course I was able to hear her voice among others.

She is also in calisthenics group and they showed us what they have learned so far. It was nothing special really... but my kid was on the stage (uttermost left) and of course I was sitting there with the tears in my eyes and wide smile on my face, like Proud Mum should!

After the performance we started with the fair. Kids have prepared all kind of gifts and decorations in school, with teachers' help and guidance. Parents were invited to contribute their art work as well and I made 12 wooden plates with paintings which were all sold immediately. Of course, I volunteered for preparing the stand and selling there with another mum (the two of us are always willing to help with school activities while other parents are unfortunately more pasive). And guess what? We had the highest income! Hooray for 3.B class, kids and their teachers and two Proud Mums!

Here is how my wooden plates look like... I guess I posted some of them in one of my previous posts. I need to make quite few more till next week as I got few orders... Even my mum, who is usually rather critical about my work, asked me to make her few for Christmas gifts! I better start working, I don't want to disappoint my friends!

Blue

Today turned into one of those days I wish I had a man in my life. Not just any man, but a man that would be a rock when I need to lean, a cave where I can hide when I'm sad or scared and where I could feel safe, an ocean that can absorb my tears and wash them away, a tree to wrap me up in his branches and cover me with his blossoms... Yep, I'm sad. Can it be any other way? After all, it's Monday!

A Question For Cat Owners

How do you make your christmas tree "cat-proof"? How do you manage to keep your cat away from the tree?

I used cinammon powder under the tree last year - this worked pretty good until our Lin discovered he can avoid the cinammon by jumping on the tree instead of climbing. Spraying him with water didn't help either. When we are at home we have him under control. But when we are out, he's the boss of our house and sometimes he gets really crazy ideas. Christmas tree is surely too tempting for him and I know he can't wait we leave and let him alone with this big new toy. I already told him he will stay closed in another room for next month or so when we are not at home if his behaviour is inappropriate. He just said: "Meeeooow" and rubbed his head on my leg. It looked so sweet and it sounded like: "Of course, I'll be good, my dear human!" but somehow I'm sure that in cat's language this means: "No way you can keep me away from the tree with this threat!!"

Any suggestions what to do? Thanks in advance!

Old Postcards

These are postcards I got the other day. I'm thrilled! I really like them - they're awsome.

I visited my parents this weekend. My dad opened the door and he had a bounch of old postcards in his hands. You see, he's collecting all kind of old stuff - postcards, coins, banknotes, pictures, beer labels, stamps,... for years. His collections are huge (though not very well organized) and he has many really valuable pieces. That's one of his obsessions - going to a flea market and antique market and bringing home old smelly objects that he gets for a reasonable price.

I enjoy helping him in sorting collections, but I specially like old letters, postcards and photos. They mostly have that wonderful old smell and I can read personal messages that were written years ago. Messages that were not ment for me to read them - but I can do that all the same.

It was different back then - with no phones people wrote more and their handwritings were much nicer than nowadays, at least in most cases.

Anyway, I saw dad holding these postcards and it came to my mind I need few for my collages... or something else, I just wanted to have few. I have a pile of old letters, I bought them on a flea market sometime this summer, which are rather old and they are just perfect for collage background. I needed some pictures and asked dad to give me some. He went to his "workshop" where he keeps most of his stuff and came back with a huge stack of postcards. Postcards that are not very valuable or something like that. I've chosen some with nice handwritings first and then I discovered there were postcards with people's faces as well, mostly women. I've been looking for such postcards or pictures for quite some time and finally I got them! Lucky me! :)

The oldest one was written in 1906 (oh, my... 100 years old and I'm going to glue them somewhere... how silly is that?!?! I guess I'll spare the oldest ones and save them) and the newest in 1939. I read them all and I keep looking at them and enjoying in the smell of old paper, antique handwritings and words that were not ment for me. They are fantastic. Perhaps they don't have any real value on the market, but they are just precious for me! It's a piece of the history I'm holding in my hands...

My latest creations (5)

Hello again :).

Here's what I've been doing for last few days... well, last week or even more actually. Some photos are rather bad, perhaps I'll replace them once in the near future. I need to put hooks to the pictures first, they are not completely done yet. I'm still thinking what to do with them... perhaps they will end up at charity Christmas fair in Nina's school. They said I can have my own stand there but I haven't decided yet. I will contribute quite few things, though.

Both glass plates are made in decoupage technique - first one with poppies is made with a napkin and the other one with roses cut from decopuage paper. Both are colored with acrylic paints and with rice paper added.

"Paintings" are made with napkin technique on wood plates - plates are painted with acrylic colors, some have gold wax or special glue added and they all have at least one coat of varnish.

Beaded bracelet was made for my Mum on her request. I like it, I think I'll make another one for myself as well :).

On the last two pictures is my best model, my biggest fun and favorite critic - Nina.

Photo Friday Challenge - Experimental