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.

Perfect Gifts from Canada!

~ Let's celebrate fall

with the perfect cookies,

chocolates and coffee

the Canadian way ~

Thanks to my cousin and her husband

for the wonderful gifts they brought us

from Canada:

GirlGuide Cookies ~ special edition

celebrating 100th Anniversary

Tim Horton Coffee

Laura Secord Chocolates

What more would we want?

Thanks cuz and thanks also to both of you

for visiting and for the memories : )

Thanks also for the lovely Maple leaves from your yard

which I have pressed!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With apologies to Angie, I'll share a couple of cookies or chocolates if we meet, just say when : )

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

A Thanksgiving display in our hallway ~ can you see

the REAL Maple leaves my dear cuz brought us from their yard?

I know I am posting this a little late and our Sunday is over but just wanted to post to wish all my Canadian friends

A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~ well, it is still Sunday in Canada : )

We had a lovely day with my Mum and my dear cousin and

her wonderful husband, on holiday here from Canada

...it was indeed very special

to have them

spend this day with us.

“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”
Edward Sandford Martin

Blessings to one,
Blessings to all,
Blessings especially during this fall!
Doreen : )

My First Fabric Fall Swag

I have been cutting odd pieces of fabric into 2 x 6 inch strips for a few days

and today I finally put it all together into this window decoration for Autumn.

I think the effect is stunning, well worth the effort, although

my hand was a bit numb from tying all the knots!
Here is where I got my inspiration, great lady and wonderful blog...

Apples of Gold

You can tie the strips as close as you please. Ribbons or other decorative tie-ons can be added for extra effect.

Make sure you start off with extra string so that you have enough to make it hang nicely. I also made mine a double strand for added strength.

I suggest you start from the middle and work your way towards the edges, that way the colours will be even and you can measure better.

A Wire & Beaded Necklace

This is a delicate crocheted necklace (one of a few)

I made using silver toned wire and luminescent

pearlised beads

in different shapes and sizes.

I have featured one of these necklaces

in my Etsy shop.

~Contact me for custom orders~

Although these lovely necklaces are made using wire and beads,
they are amazingly very lightweight and comfortable to wear.

My Rosary Bracelets

You may be wondering 'What is a Rosary Bracelet?'
Well, when I heard of Beaded Rosary Bracelets, they were quite a novelty to me too. They have been around for some time and came into use as part of a person's jewellery to be worn with the intention of reminding oneself to pray. Many of us say we are always too busy but really, saying the Rosary takes up only around 10 to 15 minutes. We may say we don't even have so many minutes to spare...OK, how about 2 to 3 minutes, even waiting for a bus takes longer! So we can just pray one decade (one mystery) whenever we find those extra minutes. AND that is what these bracelets are for...as a reminder and to help us pray...besides don't you think they're pretty!

For anyone wishing to learn more about how the Rosary is prayed, click on the link at the bottom of this posting.

These bracelets are most often made with chain, but some are also made with cord, elastic, twine, flexwire or even memory wire. A rosary bracelet has a small crucifix and a small medal, which in my case I have left out but inserted a finding which allows you to add your own. Usually this is a miraculous medal and many already own one or more in gold or silver. There are ten Hail Mary beads and one Our Father bead. Most bracelets are about 7 1/2 inches in length, but they can be adjusted by adding or removing chain.

Since I have been teaching myself beading and beading techniques, I decided to try and make some. I used different coloured beads so that when anyone is praying the Rosary, one can think of different intentions with each Hail Mary while contemplating on a particular mystery of the Rosary.

By the way you don't have to be a Catholic to pray the Rosary and as a Catholic you do not need to pray the Rosary, but it certainly has many benefits and spiritual fruits.

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.