Spotted TODAY in CHRISTCHURCH ooh la la...lots of yummy Fiskars Products
Well our spies are sure out and about today in
CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND......looky what Fiskateer Nicola Cotterill just sent through to me.....shopping TODAY in the NEW LINCRAFT store.
So this is the second LINCRAFT store to open up in CHRISTCHURCH.....woohoo...and I've been told that another opened up in DUNEDIN TODAY also.
Have YOU spotted some FISKARS products in a store near you lately?
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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WOWIE.......we had such a fun but busy day today in the ART,CRAFT PAVILION sharing our love of Papercrafting with others.....
Cousins.....Malak and Ayah came to play with us and did a great job of their Cards.....well done girls Rosemary and I loved helping you today.
Micaiah also came to have some fun with us...................she loved making the " FRIENDS " Card.
We'll be back there tomorrow for our last day this year.....and we have some FISKARS TOOLS for sale at very special prices......bargains galore going out tomorrow.....ALL KITS must go....and all TOOLS are going out very..............cheaply......mats,butterfly templates,tool taxis and Shapecutters......ALL PRODUCTS must be cleared out tomorrow....as we don't want to have to pack it all up again to bring home for next year.......so if you are coming into the SHOW tomorrow.....................swing by the ART,CRAFT PAVILION......we only have limited kits left and a few tools....so be quick!
Did you know that FISKARS AUSTRALIA provided some wonderful prizes for some of the SCRAPBOOKING and QUILTING COMPETITIONS this year.......thanks guys!!!!
Until next time...............be back soon with some pics of the CAKES..........YUMMO!!
Here's a sneak peek.....this was one of the entries in the SUGAR CRAFT COMPETITION
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Sorry that I haven't had a chance to post these Show pics until tonight but I've been flat out since Saturday with family birthdays and kitting up more kits for this Thursday and Friday when we do it all again in the ART,CRAFT PAVILION at the Royal Melbourne Show.
One of the first participants on Saturday was the lovely Angelica from Melbourne....would you believe that she is only 5 years old and yet with the support of her parents and myself she created this wonderful Gift Box to take home.
Angelica....it was so nice to meet you and teach you how to have fun crafting.......great job of cutting out the butterlfy with the Fiskars Shapecutter and Butterfly Template......we hope you continue to have fun crafting!
Rosemary loved helping this lady to fold her cardstock to make her Gift Box.......
Then it was time to create her butterfly for the top of her box...
We have a few tools on our Stand for sale....but they may go on Thursday...so if you are coming in to the Show......come and play with us.....we have a few Show Specials for Beginner Papercrafters!
We even had the ladies from the Cake Decorators of Victoria come and play...they were on the Stand next to us....and on the other side we had the Parchmentcraft ladies....
I must admit I love learning about other crafts....and working in the ART,CRAFT PAVILION we have that opportunity to chat and learn from one another.....and you all know me......love to chat....LOL!
One of the NEW displays this year is this Tractor covered in YARN....it's amazing.....and so much work has gone into covering it. Another of my favourite displays was the Spotlight one.....check out these SCISSORS.......how would you like to cut with these?
I haven't had much of a chance to take many pics yet...so I'll try and take some of the "Cakes" before we open on Thursday and post on here for you all.....we were kept quite busy on Saturday...so much so that I've spent most of today cutting up more kits......which is great!
We love sharing our love of crafting with others...........we have such a fun time working at the Show...the staff are wonderful
Until later in the week............
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Welcome to WEEK 5 of my travel diary......our last Port of Call on the River Cruise was in BUDAPEST/HUNGARY........what a marvellous city......BUDA and PEST....the old and the new.
We arrived on their hottest day on record......LOL! Most of the shops don't have air con so we tried to stay cool by making sure we drank plenty of water and finding shade when we could.
We did a city tour in the morning.....what a fabulous view from over on the BUDA side
I didn't really have any expectations about Budapest...but once we got there...I absolutely loved it.
We were there for 2 nights....one on the Cruise Ship and one night in the Marriot Hotel. Budapest really looked beautiful at night with all the bridges and buildings lit up...including the famous CHAIN BRIDGE. If you ever go there...you MUST see BUDAPEST at night...it's truelly beautiful!
What an amazing city to visit......this city is in two parts...on one side is BUDA and on the other side of the Danube River is PEST.
On the first day we had time for a little shopping....much to Rod's disgust.....LOL! So off I went to find a cute little Hungarian dress for Gemma(grandaughter)
I found another couple of handmade table cloths...so in my bag they went....I was sure hitting the travel card hard...after all this was our last stop in Europe.....LOL!
On the last day in Budapest we had the choice to travel to Bratislava...so Rod and I decided to do this trip......what a fun old city......they knick name it Partyslava.....LOL! They party all day and night and the shops don't open until about 10am.......Lol! So we could now cross another country off our list....SLOVAKIA.
We found a little craft market....so we purchased this cute vase....and these two wooden hand painted Hungarian Dolls.....we found this cute little Toy Shop in Budapest just before we left and Rod spent about half an hour playing with all the wooden and tin kids toys....they were amazing.....he chose a cute little tin maypole with planes flying around it when you wind it up for SAM....our grandson....sorry...don't have pics....and he now has it. It reminded us of the old tin toys that we had as kids....you just don't see them around much these days...so it was a treat to see them still in use in Budapest.....and we know who the biggest kid is don't we....ROTFL!
The buildings were so old and had such character.....and so much workmanship had gone into building them many years ago.....................we saw so many historical monuments!
Everywhere we went in Europe we were amazed at all the stone carvings and the architecture.
Well...I hope you have enjoyed my 5 weeks of travel posts.......are you sick of them yet......or do you wish to see perhaps some pics from FLORIADE next Wednsday......let me know!
If you have only just come across our Blog and wish to see my earlier travel posts you can see them here:
WEEK 1 - SINGAPORE
WEEK 2 - NETHERLANDS
WEEK 3 - GERMANY
WEEK 4 - AUSTRIA
I have tried to include some fun things for you all.....and as many arty/crafty things as I could......feel free to leave any comments below...or any questions.....happy to answer them when I can......maybe you would like to share your favourite part of my travels....what did you enjoy seeing the most? I'd love to know.......I took over 4,500 pics....so it's been hard for me to cull.....LOL!
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Welcome to WEEK 4 of my travel dairy...... we are in AUSTRIA now.....I hope you enjoy seeing some pics from AUSTRIA. today.........Are you sick of my travel ramblings yet......LOL!
The highlight for me in AUSTRIA was going to a VIENNESE CONCERT .....we all dressed up for the night and dismebarked the River Cruise Ship and travelled by Coach to enjoy some wonderful Viennese Music and singing......in VIENNA.
The first thing I spotted in the Foyer of the Palace was this Gold Carriage.....isn't it gorgeous!
I sat in awe of all the gold and marble that filled the Concert Hall in the Palace......I only took my small point and shoot camera...so the pics aren't the best....my head just kept lookking up .....LOL!
The Town of MELK was another highlight for me in AUSTRIA......you may have heard of the BENEDICTINE ABBY.......well it was magnificent with all it's wonderful old buildings set high up on the hill overlooking the town of MELK.
We had a guided tour of the ABBY.....what an experience in wealth,paintings,gold,so much rich history learning about the life of the Monks and the way in which they lived.
This is just one of the many courtyards.....it had figurines and statues all around the top of the buildings.....and inside......there were so many gold ornaments,figurines,tools....so much wealth....
I was just gobsmacked at all the gold that I was seeing......in fact there is a whole room decked out with glass cabinets filled with gold things.......unbelievable!!
All the rooms in the ABBY had their own old heaters.....I was fascinated by these....they were all different and were a bit of a feature in themselves in each of the rooms we visited.
There were hundreds of paintings hanging inside the ABBY...in many rooms......Rod kept having to come back looking for me as I was getting left behind all the time admiring all the Art work.....LOL!
They even had a model of the ABBY on display in one of the rooms......it gives you an idea of how HUGE the BENEDICTINE ABBY is....
......and the best is yet to come......how would you like ceilings like these...
OMG.....my eyes were peeled to the ceilings....I just didn't know where to start taking pics....which way should I stand...maybe I should sit on the floor.....oh no...another group were following us....so I had to hurry up.....LOL! I did get left tbehind a few times....I just pretended that I belonged to the next group......LOL!
There was no way that I was going to miss the opportunity to take some great pics.....these were all hand painted.....YES.....hand painted......imagine how many hours,days,weeks,years this took!!
Whilst in the ABBY CHURCH we were given an ORGAN RECITAL....OMG....it was amazing and sooooooooo moving......but I just kept clicking away.....look at all this GOLD and MARBLE.....so much wealth.........OMG...I had to keep pinching myself that what I was seeing was reallllllllll !!
I couldn't leave AUSTRIA without purchasing some handmade tablecloths .....here's one that I have in our family room at the moment..............I also purchased a few for family!
...and this one has this gorgeous girl and boy pattern all the way around it....the size of the table cloth is 80" x 80"
I loved this pattern so much that I brought two different coloured cushions for our family room.
Well.....I hope you have enjoyed seeing my travels so far......I have a few more Blog posts coming up in the next few weeks for you all.....so if you want to see more from HUNGARY....then pop back in here next Wednesday Sept 12th.
Feel free to leave comments or ask any questions below here....
If you have just joined us and have missed my earlier travel posts....you can see them here:
WEEK 1 - SINGAPORE
WEEK 2 - NETHERLANDS
WEEK 3 - GERMANY
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Welcome to WEEK 3 of my travel diary.....we are now in GERMANY.....and boy.....was I in my element in the Kathy Wolfharte Christmas shops throughout GERMANY.......Kathy's Shops are well known throughout EUROPE for the high quality wooden Christmas Decorations and Ornaments.
But shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you aren't suppose to take any pics......LOL! But I couldn't resist....so I snuck this one in....he,he. I love the way in which the European countries celebrate Christmas......the handmade wooden ornaments were amazing...many hand painted.
Rothenburg is a Mediavel Town in Germany about an hour and a half drive from Passau.....we were taken from the Ship by coach and travelled along the most beautiful drive.....passing many farms and lots of green pastures.......they call it the Romantic Road to Rothenburg....and I could see why after we travelled along it. Mind you hubby wasn't being too Romantic....he was sick of me clicking the camera through the Bus window.....LOL!
I purchased this gorgeous Angel for our Christmas Tree.....can't wait for Christmas to come now so I can put it up......I thought I might hang it for now on the door knob in the kitchen...right above our bench......it's sort of like my Gaurdian Angel.....he,he.
I loved ROTHENBURG....the town had the cutest old shops.....lots of crafty shops like this LACE SHOP
I tried to duck inside for a quick look but hubby dragged me out.....he thought I was falling behind our Tour Group.....LOL! Really.............I think he was worried I'd spend more money...he,he.
Whilst in Germany we visited Marksburg Castle....the only castle not to be destoyed by War.....and inside there were soooooooooooo many old tools and even the canons.....but the thing that took my eye was this old wooden loom...........isn't it amazing!
To think that this had been so well preserved was incredible in itself...
I had to keep reminding myself that what we were seeing in EUROPE was sooooooooooo old.....and I mean.........................centuries old.......so mcuh history...I was loving it!
I was amazed at all the cobble stone roads and pathways that just blended into one.....
We were lucky enough to visit a German Winery owned by Johannes and his family.....he told us he was the fourth generation running the family business......OMG.....fourth generation...can you believe it!
The first thing that I spotted when I met Johannes was his little cute wooden BOW TIE......well being the crafty person I am....and the never too shy to ask a question type of person.....LOL! I had to ask where he got it from.
He told me that his grandmother made it for him from an old wardrobe that she had.....and it is held on by elastic......yes....I just had to ask that too.......ROTFL!
In ROTHENBURG there was this gorgeous TEDDY SHOP....and inside was this HUGE snoring teddy....yes....as we walked inside Rod said..."What's that noise?"
We then saw what it was......so darn funny.....it even lifted it's head slightly and raised it's tummy whilst it was sleeping/snoring!
ok...now for some DESIGNER BAGS.......check these out.....found these in a shop window in PASSAU
....and in another shop window in the City of NUREMBURG.......how cute is this? Must be a Lioness.......LOL!
I was taken in by the sign on this Patchwork Shop in ROTHENBURG....try saying it fast three times...he,he.
and I walked inside.......................
I must admit I was loving all the arty/crafty things that I was seeing in EUROPE......
Rod was pleased to see all the GERMAN BEER STEINS......some of them were sooooooooooo BIG!
I was more interested in the GERMAN DOLLS.....in fact I had one sent home whilst we were still in EUROPE....SHE NOW STANDS on my bedside table and in our kitchen we now have a real GERMAN
Cuckalino clock........it's not a Cuckoo Clock......it sings in a wee small cuckoo voice....and also the litte girl swings across .....all hand painted and handmade......it's so darn cute and our grandkids love it!
We brought this in the German town of RUDESHEIM......but they were available throughout Germany and also AUSTRIA. I was taken by all the handpainted Edelweiss flowers.....oh forgot to say that the little bird moves on the hour......very cute!
I was amazed at all the handpainted walls inside the Restaurant in ROTHENBURG where we had a coffee...
All around the building were these amazing handpaintings.....which depicted the history of ROTHENBURG.....fascinating to see....I stood for ages trying to work out what was happening in the pics and trying to imagine what it must have been like.
Rod and I talked about these amazing pics for ages....we were really taken in by all the work that had gone into them.......
Well...........................hope you are still enjoying my crafty travels.......if you have any questions or wish to comment below....please do so.....and if you missed
WEEK 1 - SINGAPORE it's HERE
WEEK 2 - NETHERLANDS is HERE
I'll be back next Wednesday September 5th with more of my crafty travels from EUROPE .....some pics from AUSTRIA and HUNGARY.
Hope you'll drop by if you are interested in learning more.
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Hi everyone,
This week I'm sharing some of my experiences in the Netherlands with you all.......we loved visiting there in June this year....and one of my favourite days was when we visited the Clog Shop in Zaanse Schans...not far from Edam in Holland.
We all just had to try out the big pair of Clogs outside the Shop......LOL!
We were invited to attend a talk by the local Clog Maker......and he showed us how he makes the clogs.......fascinating to listen to.....
Do you know what type of wood clogs are made from? ANYONE?
There were sooooooooooo many different styles of clogs on display from over the years.........from plain wooden ones with carved designs to coloured and more fashionable clogs of today.....
I couldn't resist trying some on to see how they felt......I always thought that clogs were very heavy......but they aren't....they are quite light on your feet. I wasn't tempted to buy any....but I did buy some wooden tulips from this same shop.....
I was just amazed at all the hard work that had gone into making the clogs over the years...
There were even Wedding Clogs on display.......with beading around them......so pretty!
Some of the plainer ones were also painted to look a bit like leather shoes.......
So over the years the styles have changed from very plain wooden clogs to more brighter hand painted clogs........some containing some very bright floral colours and stunning designs.
I spent ages admiring all the different designs and taking pics...and also reading all the little information labels on all the cabinet windows.......and who would have thought....
......some fun musical clogs.......very creative!
....one thing I did purchase in the Netherlands was a gorgeous Porcelain Dutch Doll which I have at home.....but it shall go to GEMMA...my grandaughter in a few years when she is old enough to appreciate it.....
She has the most gorgeous face.......I love her!
Does anyone know the song " Oh I'm a little Dutch girl,little Dutch girl,little Dutch girl...oh I'm a little Dutch girl...little Dutch girl I am! " for some reason I had this song from my childhood in my head the whole time we were in AMSTERDAM......LOL! Funny how childhood memories come flooding back when you least expect them to.....
To top of our visit to the Netherlands I was given a box of Chocolates by one of the shop owners who had been to Australia teaching a few years ago.
We just got chatting one day....as you do...well as I do.....LOL! ....and he was so pleased to talk about Aus ....that he presented me with these when I was leaving.
What a nice man.....and YES....hubby was with me.....LOL! Needless to say the chocs didn't last that long........he,he
Well....I hope you are enjoying seeing some of my travel experiences......if you missed last week's post from Singapore you can find it HERE
You can also catch up on my visit to SPOTLIGHT SINGAPORE HERE
I'll be back next Wednesday August 29th with more of my travel experiences in GERMANY...starting in ROTHENBURG......a gorgeous Mediaval City......with some very cute shops and the BEST Christmas Shop I have ever seen! I also spotted a very old wooden loom in Marksburg Castle.......interested in seeing more?
Until next week......................HAPPY CRAFTING!!
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Hi everyone,
Welcome to WEEK 1 off my holiday travels feature......I shall be posting each Wednesday until the end of September......so if you are interested in seeing some of the EUROPEAN and ASIAN Cultures....then I hope you'll drop by and leave me some comments......
I'm hoping to make this feature as Interactive as possible....I'll answer any questions you may have if you leave me any comments below any of the posts.....
Our first stop over on the way to EUROPE was SINGAPORE......we loved it there.....and on Day 2 we went on a City Tour which included a visit to CHINATOWN to visit the biggest Chinese Temple in SINGAPORE.....OMG......inside was amazing!!!!!
I never realised the history between CHINA and SINGAPORE......and even INDIA and SINGAPORE.
It didn't take me long to spot the gorgeous Lotus flower on this cloth.....
I was gobsmacked when I walked inside this temple......so beautiful.....and there were offerings to BUDDHA everywhere......beautifully laid out on tables ......some very small offerings....and some larger ones.....people bring whatever they can afford.
I had my camera working overtime in here as there was so much to see.....but Rod did manage to take this pic of me.....LOL!
All around the inside of the temple were these stunning colourful Buddhas....each one holding something different....I was fascinated.....................
Here are some of the offerings set out beautifully...and that was real fruit...even snack bars....there was just soooooooooo much colour in there......we loved it!
We also walked around the CHINATOWN MARKET and spotted some very cheap clothes,scarves,etc.
Next time we visit SINGAPORE we hope to spend more time in both CHINATOWN and LITTLE INDIA...
Did you know that 9% of the SINGAPORE population are from INDIA ? I had no idea this was the case...and I really hadn't realised how close India really is to SINGAPORE and how the two countries have traded goods for many,many years......same as CHINA and SINGAPORE.
....... next week I'll be sharing pics from the NETHERLANDS.......CLOGS,etc....many different styles of Clogs....even Wedding Clogs....so I hope you'll join me....next Wednesday AUGUST 22nd.
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
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Been reading the Craft Fair Friend in readiness to go to Canberra tomorrow, the girls and I are excited to have a day out and see all the cool stuff at the Craft and Quilt fair.
Anyone else going, keep an eye out for us, and if you are a reader, please say HI, D2 and I are gunna get some fotos, and we would love to have one with any of our readers if you are there.
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Hi everyone,
Well it's been about 3 weeks since we arrived home from our holidays in EUROPE and SINGAPORE.. so I have had some time to sort through my endless 4500 and something pics.....LOL!
Would you like me to share some of our ART,CRAFT experiences on here over the coming months?
Things like visiting the CLOG MAKING in AMSTERDAM...the LACE SHOP in ROTHENBURG....and so much more.....just leave a comment below this post and I'll check back in a few days.....
XOXO
Lyn Dwyer
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