tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45039416326535126142024-03-14T08:27:23.061+01:00Paperfection's Art & CraftPaperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-32773158409537929252012-03-14T00:05:00.044+01:002012-03-14T02:30:45.848+01:00Big Books for Little Ladies<div style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><div style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "></span></div>Three large albums, personalized to reflect the characters of<br />their prospective young owners: ethereal Estel, animated Aitana<br />and merry Maria.</div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8nlO6zptTI/T1_XNpzJKFI/AAAAAAAACjI/hDNCqV1uhxs/s400/Estel1_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719526681342453842" /></span></span><div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "></span></div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35SYbHyGSi0/T1_XuMaw5_I/AAAAAAAACjU/R_x13O38JDs/s400/Estel2_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719527240391256050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">These books could be called 'memory albums' because they are meant for collecting photographs, memories and keepsakes throughout their entire childhoods.</span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77DBhtgfW58/T1_YfqMz16I/AAAAAAAACjs/ng_hCSeCkEs/s400/Aitana1_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719528090199381922" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7eFSZTDoD4/T1_ZBHGpcPI/AAAAAAAACj4/H33KRg1fSHQ/s400/Aitana2_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719528664893845746" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><div style="font-size: 100%; "></div><div><div style="text-align: left; "><span style="text-align: left; ">Their mother and grandmother gave me carte blanche as to<br />the decoration of the books. I thoroughly enjoyed collecting, combining and moving around the materials, and then cutting and drilling and finally sewing them in place. Hope the girls like them!</span></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CqO1ccZ2EE/T1_fP11oReI/AAAAAAAACkE/TxOEFwH-Ur8/s400/Maria1_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719535515026867682" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qSl2DcThS0/T1_fb-dPe6I/AAAAAAAACkQ/EmPn4dkZzNU/s400/Maria2_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719535723498929058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div></div><div><div style=" font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><span style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "></span></div><span>More pictures on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paperfection/" target="_new">flickr.</a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-23010175716801736092011-11-29T14:41:00.020+01:002011-11-30T08:34:10.981+01:00Tamara's Origami 'Made the Paper'<div style="text-align: left;">Tamara made it to the local newspaper!</div><div>A <a href="http://www.wijkkrantoost.nl/archief/2011/Wijkkrant_Oost_nr.%2060_november_2011.pdf" target="_new">very nice article</a> (on page 6), in Dutch, describing how she discovered her passion for origami and how she makes her<br />highly decorative modular balls and star garlands.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.wijkkrantoost.nl/archief/2011/Wijkkrant_Oost_nr.%2060_november_2011.pdf" target="_new"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc_CHyxaBBU/TtTuMZPq-jI/AAAAAAAACi8/LJajz4iFRCc/s400/Wijkkrant_Oost_nov_2011_foto.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680426926723496498" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a><div><div></div><div>While nothing was going on on this particular blog, Tamara was<br />busy setting up <a href="http://www.paperfection.nl/" target="_new">www.paperfection.nl</a> and producing and selling<br />more and more of her creations.</div><div><br /></div><div>This blogpost is not really about self-promotion, is it...,<br />as this is the proud sister typing it. :-D</div><div>Go sis!</div></div>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-72692021294819065012010-03-10T17:51:00.005+01:002010-04-09T23:13:22.116+02:00Sweet Little Madelief RememberedTamara’s friends Marieke & Richard came to her with a very special request: would she make a remembrance garland for their beautiful little daughter Madelief? Madelief was only physically with her parents and sister for a day, a short but very intensely lived and loved life. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446757182434631346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5bEzJzS3rI/AAAAAAAACeM/-g-k80Cw1e4/s400/Madelief1.jpg" />Marieke & Richard described the intimacy shared with Madelief this way: ‘So much love in one day, that is what happiness is, that is what it means to live...’<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446757335219957122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5bE8C-J7YI/AAAAAAAACeU/Wz3_LxzsmaE/s400/Madelief2.jpg" />The star garland, partially made of the birth announcement cards, now adorns a highly personalized little altar where a candle is kept burning for Madelief.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5fM89xfJOI/AAAAAAAACec/zjy1e5dFY-U/s1600-h/Madelief6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447047622074246370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5fM89xfJOI/AAAAAAAACec/zjy1e5dFY-U/s400/Madelief6.jpg" /></a> Madelief is such an appropriate name too: a <em>madelief</em> is a daisy. The poet Chaucer called this perfect little flower the ‘eye of the day’. Indeed, its yellow centre resembles the sun, an eye looking up at the heavens. On top of that <em>lief</em> in Dutch means sweet, lovely.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5fNan2y2vI/AAAAAAAACek/0VxuleLAgmA/s1600-h/Madelief5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447048131587005170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5fNan2y2vI/AAAAAAAACek/0VxuleLAgmA/s400/Madelief5.jpg" /></a>We hesitated to write this article, but Marieke assured us she is comfortable with this. They want their perfect little girl to be remembered as much as possible. Marieke, Richard and Fien, you’re so brave! Lots of love to you. May Madelief continue to keep an eye on you from the heavens.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5fNsupZEII/AAAAAAAACes/_r2WYvDyqv4/s1600-h/Madelief3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447048442647482498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S5fNsupZEII/AAAAAAAACes/_r2WYvDyqv4/s400/Madelief3.jpg" /></a>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-37004253551817952962010-02-26T18:38:00.006+01:002010-02-26T18:58:45.111+01:00In Good (European) CompanyEtsy is setting up an office in Berlin, to promote Etsy crafters and artists to European audiences. Matt and Benedikta are <a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/postcard-from-europe-2-7104/#comment-251615" target="_new">decorating their workspace </a>with all manner of hand made delights, so cool! Also cool: their blogpost features <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11950991" target="_new">Tamara's yummy chocolate origami ball </a>and she's in good company:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442612139731514322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S4gK56bs89I/AAAAAAAACcs/NG-EqZU7i5w/s400/Storque_26-02-10_Chocolate-Origami.jpg" />A bite, anyone?<br />Thanks, Marta, for updating us!Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-10877141039139445802010-02-19T20:35:00.008+01:002010-02-20T03:31:37.147+01:00New: Cards with Colourful Buntings!Happy to finally list new items in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41032600" target="_new">shop</a>: cards with little buntings! These are definitely faster to make than books, and fun too! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440040962274972178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S37obr_5UhI/AAAAAAAACcM/n0sEPi8rYqw/s400/Vlaggetjeskaarten5.jpg" />The only thing was: I couldn't find the right size envelopes anywhere in town or in my fairly large supplies. So, I just made a couple from wallpaper. They combine quite well with the cards, don't you think?Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-80782268157214839462010-02-16T20:28:00.022+01:002010-02-16T22:30:12.651+01:00The Paper Dress Museum: Paper & PerfectionThe Paperfection sisters were together again, this time in Spain! We got some new stuff done for the shop and a custom remembrance garland (more on this in a later post). On top of this, we paid a visit to the paper dress museum: Museu de Vestits de Paper in Mollerussa. We were blown away! The things some people can do with paper!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438927419864342722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3rzq_QlYMI/AAAAAAAACbs/jydgIXapzcA/s400/Paper-Dress_Museum1.jpg" />These stunning dresses were made for an annual competition and were paraded on the catwalk. Now they're on display for all to see and you just wouldn't believe they consist entirely of paper! The rules are quite strict: nothing but paper, metallic or laminated papers are excluded. No glue is allowed whatsoever; the garments must be sewn, either by hand or on a machine.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3r-uwdDHxI/AAAAAAAACb0/XfLnDV8SKEs/s1600-h/Paper-Dress_Museum2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438939579237474066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3r-uwdDHxI/AAAAAAAACb0/XfLnDV8SKEs/s400/Paper-Dress_Museum2.jpg" /></a>A particularly spectacular piece was a replica of Princess Laeticia's wedding dress. The front and the four meter train were embroidered with gold and silver thread and depict fleur-de-lis, wheat, clover and strawberry. Even the veil is made of nothing but paper: thousands of meters of thin strips of crepe paper were rolled into thread and then crocheted. The tiara and jewellery are made of... paper too! And, yes, that's Queen Elizabeth II's coronation gown in the background.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3sCI17nvJI/AAAAAAAACcE/wOruyTxiDdg/s1600-h/Paper-Dress_Museum4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438943325919362194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3sCI17nvJI/AAAAAAAACcE/wOruyTxiDdg/s400/Paper-Dress_Museum4.jpg" /></a>Other dresses even featured paper bobbin lace. Imagine the hours spent on one dress! I understand many dresses are the work of professional costume designers but anyone who's up for a challenge can join the next competition, at the end of this year. The categories are: dresses of an epoch, contemporary fashion and fantasy. Luckily for all the busy bees, there's also a paper dress contest for Barbie...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3sBw0efPEI/AAAAAAAACb8/T9zaRG6WO-4/s1600-h/Paper-Dress_Museum3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438942913211874370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S3sBw0efPEI/AAAAAAAACb8/T9zaRG6WO-4/s400/Paper-Dress_Museum3.jpg" /></a> My oh my, this is what I call paperfection..!Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-50817875800950421002010-02-01T14:28:00.003+01:002010-03-16T21:53:36.564+01:00Sign the Petition to Make Biological Food TaxfreeFor our Dutch readers: I just came across an initiative by Leo Dijkgraaf. He wants politicians to decide making all biological food products tax-free for consumers for at least two years. The idea is as follows: this healthier food will become more popular, prices will drop, more people will be able to afford it, et cetera. I think this is great! If you do too: please sign his petition at <a href="http://www.biobtwvrij.nl/" target="_new">http://www.biobtwvrij.nl/</a>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-11188181889304888502010-01-19T11:18:00.038+01:002010-01-20T03:54:27.528+01:00A Wedding Guest Album for Allie and Scott: Widest Book Ever!It's been a big project and it has been completed... a personalized wedding guest book for Allie and Scott in the US.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428406438810031058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1WS5Sm3E9I/AAAAAAAACX4/sYzvtKITu-g/s400/Blog1_Hele-boek.jpg" /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1XS7tbkRRI/AAAAAAAACYI/VgkzqPazXWA/s1600-h/Blog2_Achter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428476849114334482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1XS7tbkRRI/AAAAAAAACYI/VgkzqPazXWA/s400/Blog2_Achter.jpg" /></a>The style and colours are based on the couple's wedding invitations, by Holly from <a href="http://www.teardropweddings.com/" target="_new">http://www.teardropweddings.com/</a> - gorgeous and fun work (top left)! Every single page was individually decorated...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1YLdIC-s6I/AAAAAAAACZA/RmCTLnYzPC0/s1600-h/Blog3_Style.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428538995845804962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1YLdIC-s6I/AAAAAAAACZA/RmCTLnYzPC0/s400/Blog3_Style.jpg" /></a>... and used as place cards at the dinner table. Each guest wrote their wishes for the bride and groom on their personal spreads. These were sent back to me to bind into the final book.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1Zv81epC0I/AAAAAAAACZI/ZTfcIUeTRlQ/s1600-h/Blog4_Nametagsb.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428649491780143938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1Zv81epC0I/AAAAAAAACZI/ZTfcIUeTRlQ/s400/Blog4_Nametagsb.jpg" /></a> This presented a bit of a challenge, because if each guest would fill in a four-page spread, I could no longer fold the pages into signatures and bind those into a book. Instead, I would have to bind each and every spread separately. And seventy spreads of heavy-weight paper were already this big a pile!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1XgCJM3BkI/AAAAAAAACYg/X33l9OagThQ/s1600-h/Blog5_Stapel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428491253299217986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1XgCJM3BkI/AAAAAAAACYg/X33l9OagThQ/s400/Blog5_Stapel.jpg" /></a> I had no idea how it would turn out, but it worked! I even included spacers to make the spine extra wide. That way, after A&S stick in all the photos, the covers will level out more or less horizontally.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1Xk38Xll_I/AAAAAAAACYo/RFEgYrlI9BQ/s1600-h/Blog6_Rug.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428496575613999090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1Xk38Xll_I/AAAAAAAACYo/RFEgYrlI9BQ/s400/Blog6_Rug.jpg" /></a>With a spine of 15 cm (5.9") the book is almost a cube. My widest book ever. So far, because now I'd love to stretch it even further and find out what the limits are... Will keep you posted on this one!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1XnmgkuGFI/AAAAAAAACYw/iaf_YDcge98/s1600-h/Blog7_Mozaiek.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428499574629996626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1XnmgkuGFI/AAAAAAAACYw/iaf_YDcge98/s400/Blog7_Mozaiek.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1Xo8I6uxfI/AAAAAAAACY4/Kng_Gl4lRQk/s1600-h/Blog8_Back_detail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428501045748614642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/S1Xo8I6uxfI/AAAAAAAACY4/Kng_Gl4lRQk/s400/Blog8_Back_detail.jpg" /></a>And Allie and Scott? May they live happily ever after!Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-9838697946398531772009-09-20T02:35:00.014+02:002009-09-20T03:07:12.983+02:00A Summer of Inspiration<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SrV7XBSsG5I/AAAAAAAACNI/CqKrwTGwwNM/s1600-h/Summer_Spain.jpg"></a>Perhaps it seems as though not much has been going on in the Paperfection shop this summer. But, when we weren't making stuff, we were for sure getting inspired. Tamara fulfilled a lifelong dream and travelled to India and Nepal. Ah, to have seen Mount Everest!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383343410772210098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SrV6T1cEcbI/AAAAAAAACM4/Us-JG7wDeCE/s400/Summer_India.jpg" />Elzeline need not travel far for inspiration. In fact, many people came to us to spend their holidays picknicking by the lake, the river, under the cherry tree or in the ruins of a 1,000 year old castle.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383344565005327250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SrV7XBSsG5I/AAAAAAAACNI/CqKrwTGwwNM/s400/Summer_Spain.jpg" />One friend delivered my sewing machine from Holland. Time to explore a whole new medium! I have lots of ideas but must first discover how to work it...Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-8547144244403462052009-08-26T14:00:00.019+02:002009-08-26T20:14:18.335+02:00Surprise & Supplies!Goodie, goodies! We're so grateful: one day we received a huge package from India and Nepal, the next an enormous one from<br />The Netherlands. From whom?<br /><br />Tamara, my Paperfection sister, traveled to Nepal and India and is sharing some of the bounty with us. A beautiful bright pashmina,<br />an embroidered kameez that I love, a cute dress and bangles for her niece, tasty teas, prayer flags, and even some Japanese foods from Holland that I cannot find out here. Also.. some exquisite silks for bookbinding, though I'm not sure about cutting them up just yet!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374254395028856130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SpUv5fRG3UI/AAAAAAAACMo/BoPM2qDkv5Q/s400/Pakketjes.jpg" />My parents spoiled us with yummy cookies, foods, books, and gifts for our little girl. Even the tablecloth, with a game printed on, was in the box. And, there were fabrics, ribbons and an assortment of wallpaper samples for my books! I use the latter for the inside covers or first pages of my minibooks, I think this looks really funky:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374254207091179602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SpUvujJRgFI/AAAAAAAACMg/_k10_phyEpA/s400/Wallpaper_booklet.jpg" />Life's also abundant out in the wild. We picked heaps and heaps of blackberries, a few figs, wild fennel... And now I'm happily jamming and chutneying away. A friend suggested blackberry ice cream,<br />I think I'll give this a try too! I've only labeled and decorated my peach jam jars, so far, so here's a picture. (There's a tutorial coming up about this!)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SpU5ATM8iiI/AAAAAAAACMw/1_dtHftzDuI/s1600-h/Peach-jam_Blackberries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374264407653911074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SpU5ATM8iiI/AAAAAAAACMw/1_dtHftzDuI/s400/Peach-jam_Blackberries.jpg" /></a>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-46784965346600432602009-08-14T20:51:00.007+02:002009-08-16T16:57:46.877+02:00How to Make a Simple Cahier or NotebookIt is a gorgeous summer in The Pyrenees and many of our Dutch friends are visiting. They come to relax, swim in the lake, enjoy the views and see the vineyards and winery grow. Needless to say, we had fun and I had little time for bookbinding. But, when dear friend Natascha needed a simple travel journal, I wouldn't let her get away with buying a spiral-bound notebook, mass-produced in China.<br />So, I made her a 'quick and dirty' cahier, in less than an hour.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369902170407556594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoW5krG91fI/AAAAAAAACK4/KhMXD3MsOy8/s400/Natascha.jpg" /> <p>This was refreshing as many of my painted or appliqued books take me days, even weeks to make.. This fabric-covered cahier is simple but still entirely hand-made and bound, pretty to see and nice to touch. Make one yourself? Here's how!</p><strong>You will need:<br /></strong><ul><li>15 sheets of paper, white, coloured or both. I used A4 printer paper (w 297mm x h 210 or 11.7" x 8.3").<br /><li>cardstock or cardboard, same height as but a little wider than your paper.<br /><li>fabric, to cover cardstock, big enough to leave a margin of one or two cm around your cardstock. Iron creases out if necessary.<br /><li>cutting mat, sharp knife, pencil, ruler, and set square if you are a perfectionist.<br /><li>cotton thread, large needle, pair of scissors, one or two beads, paper piercer (optional).<br /><li>acid-free glue (for books or, cheaper, for wood), big brush.<br /><li>bonefolder or wrong side of a table knife.</li></ul><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369957730956338610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoXsGuSD5bI/AAAAAAAACLI/kOsezILpSQw/s400/Tutorial_cahier_1.jpg" /> <p>Step by step: </p><strong>1. Making the book</strong><br />a. Carefully fold your 15 sheets in half using a bonefolder or the blunt side of a table knife.<br /><p></p><p>b. Collect these sheets, fold them into one another until you have what begins to look like a book. If you haven't done it already, cut your cardstock the same height and a little wider than your paper, using ruler, set square, knife and cutting mat. Fold in half and slip around your book.</p><p>c. Hold your book correct side up and you'll notice that the right margin (where you open your book) is uneven. Cut through cover and pages to make a straight edge.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoXsqX2ta7I/AAAAAAAACLQ/mpRE1zq3LeA/s1600-h/Tutorial_cahier_2.jpg"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 399px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369958343411329970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoXsqX2ta7I/AAAAAAAACLQ/mpRE1zq3LeA/s400/Tutorial_cahier_2.jpg" /><strong>2. Decorating the cover</strong></p><p>a. Take your cover off of your pages again, squirt a royal amount of glue onto the front and spread out evenly with a brush (easier with a slightly damp brush). Leave to dry for a few seconds and press onto fabric.</p><p>b. Make sure you fold your cover before you glue the back to the fabric too, so it won't get too tight.</p><p>c. Cut the fabric off along the edges of your cover.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369960654806228514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoXuw6eMniI/AAAAAAAACLY/GrRpRgfVhjw/s400/Tutorial_cahier_3.jpg" /> <p><strong>3. Preparing for binding</strong></p><p>a. In the crease of your cover mark one cm from the top and one from the bottom. Between those two dots distribute two more so you create three intervals of the same length (with this size paper 6,33 cm each). You end up with 4 dots.</p><p>b. Take a needle (or paper piercer) and pierce through the dots.</p><p>c. Repeat this marking and piercing on the inside of your pages<br />(all at once).<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoYMFXNijYI/AAAAAAAACLw/QqFHa24jjCY/s1600-h/Tutorial_cahier_4a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369992891955580290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoYMFXNijYI/AAAAAAAACLw/QqFHa24jjCY/s400/Tutorial_cahier_4a.jpg" /></a><strong>4. Binding the book</strong><br />a. Cut approximately two metres of cotton thread and put through the needle.</p><p>b. Pick up your book without cover. From the outside put the needle through the top hole (#1). Pull through and leave a tail dangling that is roughly twice the height of your book.</p><p>c. Fold your book back into its cover. From the inside pull needle through the second hole (#2). This time go through both book <em>and </em>cover.</p><p>d. From the outside pull needle through hole #3.</p><p>e. From the inside pull needle through hole #4.</p><p>f. Now go back up again. Put needle through #3 from the outside, then through #2 from the inside.</p><p>g. At the top hole, #1, <em>only</em> pierce through your pages, <em>not</em> through the cover. Your threads meet up again so now you can tie a knot<br />(left over right, right over left). The knot will be neatly hidden between pages and cover.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoYMZ7Y1fZI/AAAAAAAACL4/v_ntHRMttWk/s1600-h/Tutorial_cahier_4b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 390px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369993245264018834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoYMZ7Y1fZI/AAAAAAAACL4/v_ntHRMttWk/s400/Tutorial_cahier_4b.jpg" /></a> <p><strong>5. Finishing off: making a pagemarker</strong></p><p>a. Take both threads over the top of your pages, place them along the inside fold.</p><p>b. A few cms below your book tie a knot, slip on some beads,<br />tie another knot and cut off excess thread. You now have a fully functional and pretty pagemarker.</p><p>c. Leave the booklet to dry for a while underneath a pile of books.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoX8IxsKS9I/AAAAAAAACLo/sBCatLuiZiA/s1600-h/Tutorial_cahier_5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369975358416899026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SoX8IxsKS9I/AAAAAAAACLo/sBCatLuiZiA/s400/Tutorial_cahier_5.jpg" /></a> Et voilà: your own hand-made cahier or notebook, containing thirty pages (sixty counting both sides), ready to use!<br />I'd love to see pictures of yours, if you make one!</p>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-46489455612085959472009-08-03T11:05:00.000+02:002009-08-03T11:37:25.154+02:00An Amsterdam Wedding and a BookA hot summer's day in Amsterdam. An historic house by the canal. Balloons, cocktail dresses, champagne, smiles and the click-click-clicking of cameras. The beaming couple arrive on bikes, sunflowers attached to their handlebars. 'Yes, I'll marry you, you're the love of my life!' Applause, hugs, kisses, a luscious six-tiered cake with summer berries.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365661469991783570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Snaora_cTJI/AAAAAAAACKg/FvzP9qwQHrU/s400/Amsterdam_72.jpg" border="0" /> And... a personalized Paperfection gift book, hand-painted with the Trinité font and bound Coptic style. I hope I succeeded in making it more of a guy book than a girly journal by leaving out beads and frills and keeping it simple.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365662535196971586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SnappbMJkkI/AAAAAAAACKo/7ASfgBcnaz0/s400/Bram_Mark1.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365662822112238354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Snap6ICFGxI/AAAAAAAACKw/qhhNMBME7P8/s400/Bram_Mark2.jpg" border="0" /> The wine, Luscinia Canta, by the way, is a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. It was made with loving care too, by my own sweetheart, in the Catalan Pyrenees.Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-83758366966221774122009-06-05T17:04:00.001+02:002009-06-05T21:06:31.571+02:00Bird Books for BabiesThis was a lovely custom order to make: bird books for (the moms of) little children. Pere gets a green, orange and turquoise bird. For Milena, Magalí and Marçal I appliqued birds in reds, pinks and greens.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343890700952381778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SilQR4THqVI/AAAAAAAACJc/mbCYNzqXCX8/s400/Bird-Books_Blog.jpg" border="0" /></div><p>Especially embroidering the names neatly took forever but I like how it turned out. Next time, though, I should perhaps use thinner thread or heavier fabric.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343917548143236770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Silosl4N1qI/AAAAAAAACKE/m6mtJ49HPTI/s400/Bird-Books_Blog5.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>I immensely enjoy adding all the little details:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343910216567488642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SiliB1oWAII/AAAAAAAACJs/8mMEoGS68U8/s400/Bird-Books_Blog2.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343911267852266962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sili_B-KrdI/AAAAAAAACJ0/-uQiIiBDMw0/s400/Bird-Books_Blog3.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>These are coptic bound books with heavy high quality white paper and coloured cardstock. They measure 14cm x 11cm, or 5.5" x 4.3". The books were intended as gifts so I made matching little cards.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343912858335182514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Silkbm-1_rI/AAAAAAAACJ8/N9q-iOtTzKk/s400/Bird-Books_Blog4.jpg" border="0" /></p>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-86862710940373171062009-05-22T16:38:00.000+02:002009-05-23T15:41:20.240+02:00Easter Gifts Inspired by NatureA hot summer seems to have arrived in northern Spain but I'd like to glance back at Easter, if I may. I joined in the Secret Easter Bunny swap (which I blogged about on <a href="http://paperfectionsartandcraft.blogspot.com/2009/03/surprise-easter-presents-from-huismus.html" target="_new">17</a> and <a href="http://paperfectionsartandcraft.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-of-good-things-about-art-school-was.html" target="_new">28</a> March) but so did Paperfection-Holland, aka my sister Tamara.<br /><br />She was paired up with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5610332" target="_new">Jealousy Design</a>, a Swedish artist who creates beautiful jewellery. Jealousy uses natural materials. Her style is, as she puts it herself, 'very variable but often pretty clean design'. At first this scared Tamara a bit because she herself usually makes lavishly ornate and colourful origami objects. So, what to do?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5807563" target="_new"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338711085508471266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ShbpclIsKeI/AAAAAAAACJE/jG0oCkt8kac/s400/Garland_Jealousy1.jpg" border="0" /></a>I think she came up with a very elegant version of her star garlands using paper in earth tones, shells, wooden beads and seeds.<br />A complementary keychain:<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5807563" target="_new"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338711422354477234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ShbpwL_CULI/AAAAAAAACJM/OmIK-RpW8ug/s400/Keychain_Jealousy.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tamara, in turn, received a beautiful pair of earrings from Zsuzsa of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5215200" target="_new">ZsBcreations</a>: glass flowers in delicate pink, silver leaves and turquoise swarovski beads. Totally her style! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5215200" target="_new"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339002797920883138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ShfywejkEcI/AAAAAAAACJU/H-4Bhif8K44/s400/Zsuzsa.jpg" border="0" /></a>Thank you Zsuzsa! Thanks again <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5256578" target="_new">Mitsy </a>for facilitating this exchange.Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-13865454975580664782009-03-28T23:46:00.000+01:002009-08-06T14:37:00.279+02:00Crochet Flower BooksOne of the good things about Art School was: building up a repertoire of skills. So that when you want a specific idea to materialize you have this wide spectrum to choose from whether it is painting, linocuts, using computer programmes or any other method or material.<br /><div></div><div>Only after studying graphic design did I take up some techniques<br />I considered to be a little too frivolous back then: bookbinding, sewing and now crochet too. But these open up an entirely new range of possibilities, especially once you start combining them. Such fun!</div><br /><div>These are my first crochet flower journal and... </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318387613253285394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sc61WzHMthI/AAAAAAAACIs/-QUzs1_V14c/s400/Crochet_book.jpg" />...minibook.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318387738628880242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sc61eGLEd3I/AAAAAAAACI0/8x-1qeYtXFM/s400/Crochet_books.jpg" />I just love coordinated sets of handmade items. So, my Easter Bunny suprise package for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5962958" target="_new">Viltalakim </a>also included a crocheted flower brooch. Kim teaches floristry and loves reds, purples and pinks.<br />She makes amazing wet felt creations herself.<br /><br />Paperfection Holland, my sister Tamara, (who participated separately in the Secret Easter Gift Exchange - we'll blog about that soon!) threw in an origami keychain in matching colours. The soft toy is also the first of many I sense that are going to materialize...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 335px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318395281045271330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sc68VH3RMyI/AAAAAAAACI8/tul4ko0GzIQ/s400/Crochet_set.jpg" />Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-49783196342661838032009-03-18T01:18:00.000+01:002009-03-18T11:25:37.766+01:00Surprise! Easter Presents from Huismus!Last weekend. My daughter and I just arrived in The Netherlands and my parents threw Merlijne a big party for her first birthday. They served a massive cake with her picture on and had invited the whole family. Merlijne was, however, not the only one to unpack a pile of presents...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314328075144326338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ScBJOlLc7MI/AAAAAAAACIU/zm1NlKUnEp8/s400/Jarig.jpg" border="0" /> ...because a suprise package had been delivered for mom too! A box full of gorgeous Easter goodies! We´re taking part in the ´Secret Easter Bunny´, a gift exchange between European Etsy sellers organized and matched by <a href="http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/" target="_new">ArtMind</a>. My secret bunny benefactor turned out to be... sweet Simone aka <a href="http://athuismus.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Huismus</a>!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314317911041429090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ScA_-88ezmI/AAAAAAAACH8/4tsQmO9u1NE/s400/Cadeaus1.jpg" border="0" /> Recently, I got to know Huismus a bit when I tagged her to show <a href="http://athuismus.blogspot.com/2009/03/16-things-about-me_02.html" target="_new">16 pictures about herself on her blog.</a> I learned that she travels for work, adores her beautiful son and daughter, and that she loves the colour turquoise. She crochets hats, bags and baby booties and makes beaded jewellery. Little did I know that she was probably already making me some wonderful gifts! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314326067750185634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ScBHZvDZKqI/AAAAAAAACIE/03jgw9s6D2E/s400/Cadeaus2.jpg" border="0" /> With an injured wrist she crocheted me a basket and filled it with chocolate eggs. She created a summer flower scarf for me in soft pastels AND made Merlijne a cute little handbag with handles, buttons, a little bunny and raisins.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314326849865532354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/ScBIHQqOQ8I/AAAAAAAACIM/48LGkNxFdvM/s400/Merlijne.jpg" border="0" /> All presents were beautifully wrapped, tied and labeled with Huismus stickers and tags and there was a sweet hand-written card saying it puzzled her that I live in Spain but love to wear scarves! Just like I mused over the fact that a stewardess calls herself Huismus (a house sparrow but also someone who loves to be at home).<br /><br />Thank you so much Huismus, thank you ArtMind!Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-80060880833622658142009-03-16T23:31:00.001+01:002009-03-17T03:09:48.506+01:00Spring: Life's Alive in EverythingI'd say Spring is well underway for Paperfection-Spain in the Southern Pyrenees! 'It is when life's alive in everything', the poet Christina Rossetti said. The almonds are blossoming (2); they paint the valley with delicate pinks and snowy whites. In my living room cherry branches are flowering too and on my balcony I have some early basil and water cress (3). A few apple seeds I planted for fun are sprouting! All this inspires me to finish two tree books I've been working on (4). And I made a flower brooch for granny's birthday (5). <a href="http://www.paperfection.etsy.com/" target=_new><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sb8FiJQaOgI/AAAAAAAACH0/VYZKCoiNwkk/s400/Spring1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313972169478912514" /></a>Meanwhile, Paperfection-Holland got soaked again riding her bike to work. She tries to invoke spring by folding countless green stars (9). At the hot springs of Boí hundreds of toads were busy creating new life some three weeks ago (6). We marveled at them, photographed them, and Paper-Holland listed froggy earrings shortly after (7). <a href="http://www.paperfection.etsy.com/" target=_new><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313934793042991138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sb7jijLqmCI/AAAAAAAACHU/meXgYgDTCT0/s400/Spring2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Spring is also alive in my lemon curd (8): a yummy fresh mix of lemon rind and juice, butter, sugar and eggs. It has the soft yellow colour of newborn chicks.<br /><br />(1) is a spring poster I made a couple of years ago with almond blossom and a dreamy little fairy. It was never printed so I thought I'd get it out just once more. Let spring come!Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-9016566691067505202009-03-09T13:33:00.000+01:002009-03-09T14:36:08.360+01:00Pretty TreasuriesI love to arrange things by colour or theme. Each individual item seems to take on new qualities I hadn't noticed before and the whole is a delight to look at. That's why I enjoy Etsy's treasury feature so much. Members can curate galeries of twelve products that are for sale on the site in whatever manner and order pleases them.<br /><br />This morning I was happy to find two of our items in especially pretty treasuries. Tamara's Icy Blue Origami Ball looks very fresh amongst these desirables:<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21651290" target=_new><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311178095695995458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SbUYVpTLokI/AAAAAAAACG8/rewGjjsMYXA/s400/Treasury_Icy-Blue.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p>My A-Z Journal is definitely not vintage, but look how well it goes with these finds:</p><p><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></p><p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12723432" target=_new><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311178861675774450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SbUZCOy_gfI/AAAAAAAACHE/p68V9CHj94E/s400/Treasury_A-Z.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thank you, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6662858" target=_new>Warmandsoft </a>and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6368653" target=_new>OldFashionedButGood</a>!<br /></p><p></p>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-51402786691903383572009-02-28T23:41:00.000+01:002009-03-02T17:38:00.912+01:0016 Things We Love<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sav59YdbUsI/AAAAAAAACGs/l2Fg6EPmlBQ/s1600-h/16_Things.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308611418719474370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/Sav59YdbUsI/AAAAAAAACGs/l2Fg6EPmlBQ/s400/16_Things.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5334346" target="new">Glasfaden </a>asked us to show sixteen things about ourselves and then to tag someone else. She did the same on <a href="http://glasfaden.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-valentines-day.html" target="new">her blog</a>.<br /><br />So here are 16 things we love:<br />1. Our daughter & niece.<br />2. Observing.<br />3. Snow-capped mountains.<br />4. Tapas & also good wine.<br />5. Mr Paper & also Mr Fection.<br />6. Making books & ornaments.<br />7. Cats Frits (pictured), Tommie & Evie.<br />8. Smiles.<br />9. Games, having fun & a little competition.<br />10. More smiles.<br />11. Colours.<br />12. Trying new materials & techniques.<br />13. Cakes, the more sugary, fruity & chocolaty, the better!<br />14. Themes & colour collections.<br />15. Even more smiles!<br />16. Trying more new materials & techniques.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6193778" target="new">Makalewakan</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5377992" target="new">Lapaperie</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5828472" target="new">Huismus</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5367874" target="new">Paperiaarre</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5718576" target="new">Lacunawork</a>, you've been tagged to show 16 pics about you too!</div></div>Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503941632653512614.post-72510867477473871922009-02-17T23:07:00.000+01:002009-02-18T06:03:22.283+01:00The Birth of PaperfectionIn the pre-Paperfection era we always had a piece of paper, a pair of scissors or a crayon in our hands. So when big sister fell pregnant little sister invented her own nine-month project and started crafting a huge welcome present for the baby.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303949770478020178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SZtqNvfbZlI/AAAAAAAACFc/sINCOi7xKyU/s400/Origami_Mobile.jpg" border="0" />Now the little one's bedroom features a stunning mobile: sixteen intricate origami balls dangling from a mosaic-tiled cross and finished off with beads and bells.<br /><br />A year earlier big sis needed ten presents for her girlfriends who she was meeting on a decadent trip to Gran Canaria. She learned how to bind books coptic style from the internet and bound, painted and sewed a series of cutesy little friendship books.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303954861269648802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SZtu2EKvBaI/AAAAAAAACF0/FTAq9WFJ0GY/s400/Friendship_Books.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303955324399200722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvZuT34FoDA/SZtvRBdbKdI/AAAAAAAACF8/ThW23RLgQqE/s400/Friendship_Books_Fronts.jpg" border="0" />Soon after, when everyone in the family had all the journals and origami decorations they could stand, we decided to set our creations loose in the larger world. Paperfection was born!Paperfectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17666758994033440336noreply@blogger.com8