TRADITIONAL CRAFTS FAIR ~ WORLD TOURISM DAY 2011

On several days leading up to World Tourism Day on 27th September 2011, the Malta Tourism Authority will be organizing a series of events that will showcase the cultural heritage of the Maltese islands, whilst seeking to connect these aspects of our identity to the cultural backgrounds of the visitors to our islands. For more information and the full programme click here.
These will take place in various touristic locations around the Maltese islands and will be held with the co-operation of numerous tourism establishments and local councils.

Join us on

SATURDAY 24TH
for our Traditional Fair

in VALLETTA
ST GEORGE’S SQUARE
(formerly known as The Mainguard)


from
09.30 hrs-13:00 hrs

My daughter and I will be participating in this Fair with our decoupaged glass ornaments, handmade decorative items and handmade candles. Visit our stands and try our new hand-blended perfume oils. Some Christmas items will also be on offer.

Besides ETHNIC CRAFTS there will also be PERFORMANCES including

Tai Chi demonstration -
Wallace Bagpipes (Scottish) – Jacksons (Maltese Bagpipes) -
Maltese Folk Dance – In Guardia Pageantry –
Japanese Dress Ceremony – Traditional Crafts Fair

EPOKA at Valletta Waterfront

Experience the traditional culture of Malta in music,
crafts, food, dance,
games and entertainment.

This is going to be a fun-filled family evening to celebrate
the eve of the Maltese Feast, l-Imnarja.
We will be taking part in this festival with our handmade crafts.

At Valletta Waterfront
on Tuesday, 28th June
from 7:30pm onwards.

For more details visit
the official website
or click on the above poster.

~Entrance is free~

Ghanafest at Argotti Gardens

Ghanafest
the Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival of the year
is happening this weekend,
10th, 11th and 12th of June
at
Argotti Gardens, Floriana.

For more information, pictures and a detailed programme
here is a link to their main website.

Let's hope the weather will be favourable.
I have just finished making a new batch of flowerpot people
and some other new items
so I hope you will visit our Stand which is in a corner just off the main area.

We'll see you there!

Our Next Fair is at Lejlet Lapsi in St.Julians

Event: Lejlet Lapsi
When: 6th June, 2011
Where: St.Julians Bay and Promenade
Time: 6.30pm ~ 12.30am


A Folk Festival used to be held in the times when the Knights were in Malta, with the Grandmaster organizing a grand feast for the Knights around Lapsi * to encourage them in whatever circumstance or encounters they had to face especially with the Turks.

From early afternoon, free wine and food would be distributed from the Spinola Palace Gardens and surroundings to all present including St.Julians residents as well as those who would come to the bay from B'Kara. This feast was extremely popular with the Maltese.

To bring this feast back to life, the St.Julians Local Council in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Consumer, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Competition as well as with the Tourist Authority will be organizing Lejlet Lapsi. St.Julians Bay and all along the Promenade will be transformed into a Folkloristic Village.


There will be various stands of Maltese crafts and Maltese products. Banners and flags will decorate the area. Animators in the children's area will provide entertainment for the kids and there will also be Arts and Crafts, Bouncing Castles and other fun and games. Musicians playing traditional Maltese instruments as well as singers in costume will mingle with the crowds.

One of the highlights of this activity will be the Re-enactment of the time when the Grandmaster used to visit this location. Around 90 actors as well as horses and a canon salute will bring this episode to life. This colourful spectacle will start from Balluta square around 7.30pm where a regiment of soldiers will march towards Spinola Bay. I'll let the rest be a surprise for you should you be there!

You will be entertained with colour, music and so much more all through the evening which will come to its close with a spectacular show on the main stage set up in the bay where some of our best singers will give a rendition of great Maltese songs.

This is a great occasion for a great evening out with your family and friends.


* Lapsi is the feast of the Ascension, celebrated 50 days after Easter.

New items on our Craft Table by Shadow Scents

Hello everyone, as you know from my last post we were at the Spring Fair at San Anton Gardens this past weekend. I am sorry we did not see the crowds we had last year but I guess it was all due to the fact that there were many other activities in other towns and villages all on the same day.
Anyway, you may have noticed in my title I said 'our' craft table and that is because I am happy to say that my daughter has joined me in the world of creativity and has ventured into another sphere of crafting, this time in making her own candles, candle melts as well as hand blended perfume oils. These were quite a hit and many stopped by our stall when the scent of melting wax tarts tickled their noses and drew them closer. Some were also interested in the perfume oils which proved to be quite a hit. Also from the title you will notice the name of these new products is Shadow Scents. I love the colours she has come up with and the scents are heavenly.

We'll be at The Great Spring Show

It's happening this weekend, yes,
The Great Spring Show
at San Anton Gardens
is here once more in its 108th year!
Click on the bold title in red for full details.
Beautiful floral arrangements, bands, displays,
local products and handmade crafts will be a must to see...
sounds, sights and scents to please one and all!

~~Free Raffle~~
Visit our Kreattivita' stand
and fill in a free ticket
with your name and email to
participate in a draw for a
chance to win
A Special Prize!


Come join in the Fun!
Tell your friends about it!

Hope to see you there!

Fruit and Vegetable Festival

It is the time of year for outdoor spring activities and what better start

than to go to Fairs and Festivals with an exciting array of attractions

and yummy treats in beautiful surroundings.>

My recent craft show was at the Fruit and Vegetable Festival held in the Presidential Palace Courtyard on Sunday April 3rd. I am so glad my daughter urged me to attend as there was a great turnout and the day was lovely, in fact I think it was the warmest spring day so far.

Here are some pictures from this lovely festival.

My Craft Table

One of the beautiful fabric ornaments that Sue made for me and which was sold to one person along with another similar craft, thanks Sis : )

My mobile/purse charms and peg your notes magnets

Some more of my crafts

The crowds enjoying the warm day and the stalls

Beautiful succulent strawberries

Another stall with strawberries

Flower Stalls

Yummy chocolate covered Maltese nougat

~~~ Be on the look out for news of my next Fair ~~~

Seher ir-Rabat ~ History, Crafts, Food and much more...

I know I have not been on here recently but as you

all know, sometimes family life takes over.

Also I have been rather busy getting ready for my next fair,

this time the activity is SEHER IR-RABAT which as the name suggests

will be held in Rabat.

Read more about it here (in English)

and for the Maltese version click here

The festivities start at 9am and will go on until the evening,

however the craft exhibition and sales will end late afternoon

so be there early for the best choice.

Make it a family day, start your Christmas shopping and enjoy the lovely culture and tradition in the old part of Rabat known as ir-Rabat tal-Imdina.

Hoping to meet you there!

N.B. Note there is ample parking across from Howard Gardens (close to the Roman Villa), then head to the old streets and alleys...the main activity will take place along Triq San Pawl, San Guzepp and Pjazza L’Isle Adam.

Upcoming Festivals and Fairs

September is a time of change, the weather is changing, days are getting shorter, children are getting ready to go back to school and all in all we feel there are winds of change which hopefully will take us towards a happier time of the year when temperatures are cooler and we more or less get into our 'routine' after the hectic summer months. For some of us this feels like a blessing while for others it means there is 'more to do' since the lazier days are coming to an end.

I have started a new line of products which are mostly beaded articles including among others an exclusive range of 'One of a kind' jewellery accessories. This is a new venture for me and I am very pleased with the results. I hope you will come see for yourselves.

Another change is the local Fairs and Festivals scene on our island. With the season change there are more festivities to entertain us throughout the month. Check out the dates and venues below for festivals to attend during our island's warm weekends.

‘Iljieli Skalin’
Venue: St Anne Gardens - Marsaskala
Dates: 3rd, 4th and 5th September 2010

Qormi Wine Festival
Venue: Close to San Gorg Church
Dates: 3rd and 4th September

9th Edition of “The Qormi Bread Festival
Venue: Close to San Bastjan Church
Dates: 9th, 10th and 11th September 2010
Website: http://qormibreadfestival.org/

Notte Bianca - Lejl Imdawwal
Valletta 25th September 2010 All Night
Visit our Capital city of Valletta by night and enjoy the multitude of cultural and other activities offered on this occasion.

http://www.nottebiancamalta.com/


With the weather changing and rain in the forecast, I'm keeping my fingers crossed conditions will be favourable ~ Hope to see you there!

Note: I'm sure you must have noticed that the first two Festivals are on the same dates. Since I have not yet figured out how to be in two places at the same time, I have chosen the Iljieli Skalin in Marsascala but then I hope to be in Qormi the following week for the Bread Festival.

Ghanafest ~ June 4,5,6 2010

Photo by Darrin Zammit Lupi

~ Ghanafest ~

Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts presents ‘Għanafest', a fabulous three-day festival of Mediterranean folk music.

Great FUN for all the family!

Click here for more info.

I am taking part in the Artisans Market,
hope to see some of you there : )