CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

*** WISHING YOU SPECIAL BLESSINGS

THIS CHRISTMAS AND THOUGHOUT

THE NEW YEAR ***

"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small."
-- Eva K. Logue

"So remember while December Brings the only Christmas day, In the year let there be Christmas In the things you do and say."
-- Anonymous


"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most."
-- Ruth Carter Stapleton

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."
-- Roy L. Smith

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.""
-- Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

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.

Blog Giveaway and ebook on Heart of Mary

I have added my name recently as a follower of Corinne's

Blog Heart Of Mary.

She is a very clever, talented and generous person and I'm sure

you will learn lots by visiting her blog.

She is having a giveaway so drop by and leave a comment to qualify.

She also has a new ebook which you might like to check out.

Click on the above icon to visit her site.

Malta Arts Festival 2010

http://www.maltaartsfestival.com/

For those residing in Malta or visitors/tourists alike this Festival is a must!

I am posting this half way through the Festival but you are still in time to enjoy some of the amazing features being offered this year.

You will surely find some items on the programme that will catch your fancy...

Enjoy Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Argotti Gardens, Floriana

or

Listen to The New Choral Singers in the Courtyard of the Presidential Palace in the Capital City

http://maltaartsfestival.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/the-return-of-the-new-choral-singers/

You may wish to check if tickets are still available (some items on the programme are free but you still need tickets) unless you don't mind standing!

Enjoy!

Update 12.10 19/7/10: We have just come back from The New Choral Singers concert,
it was a totally wonderful performance, the choir was great and the
director so talented. We enjoyed every song especially the Maltese
favourite L-Imnarja which was performed for a second time after a
great final applause.
A very well planned and welcome change, especially that it is right in the middle of summer, was a short interval and free water and beer were served. The whole repertoire was well varied and appropriate to summer, indeed true to the concert title of Songs for Summer.

We are certainly looking forward to their next concert.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Blog Candy/Giveaway from Reflections

Hello everyone, Angela whom I have had the honour to meet in cyberspace via our blogging world and who is a lovely and generous person is having a Giveaway on her blog to celebrate her 100th post as well as first year Anniversary blogging. Check out her blog by clicking on the '100' graphic above to see how you can participate...she is giving away some lovely gifts...I'm hoping to win one of them but I wish you all luck just the same : )

Congratulations Angela!

And the Winners are.....

The names eligible for the draw are...

1 Angela
2 Loree
3 Sue
4 Pat
5 Jan



At this very moment I am drawing the winners on random.org.

......drum roll please..........

and

the

winners

are:

1st Prize...ANGELA! Congrats Angie!

Runner-ups...JAN and SUE!

Loree and Pat I don't want you to feel left out sooo... I am sending you a small token too : )

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you and thanks for taking part! I hope you will enjoy your gifts.

Best wishes,

Doreen : )

Blog Giveaway is now CLOSED

Thanks to those who have participated.
I know some had difficulties writing comments here but since they wrote on another forum about my giveaway/blog, their entry has been accepted.
Those who put a link on their own blog and commented here are, of course, automatically in the draw.
Check back tomorrow for the names of the winners.

My First Item for sale on Etsy

This is one of the Flower Pot People I have made and which have become a favourite in Craft Fairs locally. I really enjoy making these and

seeing how they make people smile.

I am featuring it as the first item in my Etsy store. For more details take a peek here...

Kreattivita' by Doreen ~ My Etsy Store


I am offering free postage for delivery to Malta...so if you're interested email me or leave a comment here unless you would like to buy through my Etsy store.

Here is a picture of the items I use to make these cute Flower Pot People...as you can see there are many parts I used to create this decorative item with lots of patience and love.

Giveaway (Blogcandy) closing date extended...now closed!

Anyone wishing to take part in my Giveaway, or Blogcandy as some of you may know it, have now until Sunday 27th June to do so. Those who have already left a comment please make sure that you have the above graphic on your own blog...this is one of the requirements that makes you eligible for the draw, so if you have not already done so, grab the graphic now and post it on your blog with a link to my blog. For more info scroll down to the original post for details of what I will be giving away.

Best of luck everyone!

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 : )

Celebrating with a May/June Giveaway...Now closed, see results above!

Here I am as promised with my Giveaways to celebrate

• my 100th post on this blog,


• my Birthday which is today and,


• the opening of my Etsy Store which will be in a few days.
  

Here is a link to my store, please keep checking back as I will be adding

my items for sale, editing and generally setting up my store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreattivita

In order to take part, all you have to do is:

1. copy and paste the above Doreen's Giveaway icon on Your blog (on your mainpage or your sidebar) with a link to this page, mentioning my giveaway on your blog

OR... (this is for those who do not have a blog), you can mention and link to my giveaway on your Facebook or Twitter pages or even on your favourite Forum.

2. leave a comment (with your email address) on this posting and make sure you leave a link to the page where you posted about this giveaway and tell me what your favourite craft or hobby is.

For those who are not used to leaving comments the Comment Button is situated at the very end of this posting with a number...for example

5 Comments (which is underlined), if you click on this it takes you to the page where comments have been left and where there is a space where you can add yours.

That's it and if you fill both requirements you're in for the draw!

Each person is allowed one entry.

The winner will receive a Decoupaged Tea Light holder from my collection.

I will also be giving away 2 random beaded accessories as runner-up prizes (a choice of a pair of beaded earrings or a beaded mobile charm).

This Giveaway is open internationally and the closing Date and time will be Wednesday 23rd June at midnight (Central Europen Summer Time). I will draw the winning names by using Random.org and will contact the winners by email (so please make sure you give me an addy that you check daily). If I do not hear from any of the winners within 48 hours, I will draw again using the same method.

Best of Luck and keep those comments coming : )

THE GREAT SPRING HORTICULTURAL SHOW

Place: San Anton Gardens, Attard

Date: Saturday May 1st and Sunday May 2nd, 2010.

The Malta Crafts Council have invited me to take part in this lovely fair and I'll be there with my crafts Saturday 1st May.

For more information on this Festival please click here

This is my 100th Blog post ~ HURRAY!

***Look out for a Special Giveaway soon to celebrate this***

Wordless Wednesday ~ Photos of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Malta 2010

Collages created from photos taken from TV transmission

If you click on the pictures, you can view enlarged images.

The Pope passed close to our homes today...and remains in our hearts

~ Pope Benedict XVI's Visit to Malta 2010 ~

A Pilgrim following in St Paul's footsteps

Early around nine this morning as the skies sprinkled light showers, I set out with camera in hand, wearing a rain jacket over summer wear as it was quite warm, and walked to our nearby village of Balzan. Crowds were beginning to gather along the streets where Pope Benedict XVI was due to pass through on his way to the Granaries Square in Floriana to celebrate Holy Mass.

In this first picture you can see people getting ready to welcome the Pope.

And here is the Police escorting the Popemobile as people were waving flags and taking pictures while trying to get a good glimpse of the Pope waving and smiling at everyone.

And this is the closest photo I could take before Pope Benedict XVI

passed by, so I quickly clicked and then waved...

it was a special moment!

Now I realise that I saw him from quite close, in fact I think it's the closest I ever got to being near any Pope.

This is the third one I've been fortunate enough to see in real life,

(... hmm am I giving away my age here LOL!)

I have memories of seeing Pope Paul VI when I visited

the Vatican, then again my husband and I had travelled

many miles to see Ven Pope John Paul II when we lived in Canada

and we saw him once more when we came back to the island

and he had passed right beneath

our balcony on his last visit to Malta.

This has been definitely a very memorable day for all

Maltese and Gozitans and we will cherish the memory

for a long time to come.

The Pope's Homily

~I will be posting more pictures soon~

HAPPY EASTER BLESSINGS

HAPPY EASTER BLESSINGS

OF PEACE, HOPE AND LOVE

Artisans Market during Valletta Day

Yesterday's Craft Fair went very well.

We were invited by the Malta Crafts Council in collaboration with

the Valletta Council and the Malta Tourist Board to take part in the

festivities of Valletta Day.

There were many participants, we had lots of people browsing and

admiring our work and thankfully, some were also buying : )

As you can see from the above picture, it was sunny (sunglasses) although cloudy,

hot (me wearing a light top) and windy (tablecloth flapping)!

Here is a close-up of my table.

The picture above shows my beaded accessories for

mobiles, keychains or purses. I was quite surprised and

pleased to have a customer returning and asking whether I had

any more with ladybird charms since the one she bought from me

at a previous sale was so very well liked. She bought two more!

These are the new additions to my table...my acrylic painted

watering cans which I decorated for Easter...these attracted quite a few people

who complimented me on them...and I sold a couple too : )

Here are a few of my smallest tealight holders and at the back

is a set of glass painted glasses with a sunflower design.

More decoupage...tealights in different sizes and decorative bottles.

More decorative items in decoupage.

One side of my table.

On the right hand side you can see some of the other stalls in the Artisans Market.

This picture was taken quite early when the market opened so the crowds had not quite set in.

Bagpipes

A band march by the Wallace Pipes and Drums along

some of the main streets

in Valletta provided enjoyable Bagpipe music.

The Wallace Pipes and Drums in Queen's Square

Here are some photos of In Guardia displays

During the day I met one of my high school teachers, a nun whom I had not seen for several years, also a cousin again whom I had not met in a long time.

The Mayor of Valletta visited all the stalls and he stopped to chat for a little while with all of us.

A few other friends stopped by as well...it seems the market is quite the place to meet ~ how lovely!

My children came to help me again, we set out quite early and my husband also joined us after work...I guess this is becoming quite a family concern : )

By 3.30pm we were all set to go home, tired but happy and a little sunburnt!

Hmm...must make a note to pack some sunscreen along with my crafts next time!

Mark your Calendar...

* Saturday 27th March 2010 from 9.30am to 4pm*

The Artisans Market will once again be in full swing

in St.George's Square

formerly known as the Mainguard

(in front of the President's Palace)

Valletta.

So come on over and meet us, lots of local creative entrepreneurs

from the Maltese handicraft industry.

Spend the morning, afternoon or the whole day if you like, lots to see and do!

Other activities are being organized during this day among which there will also be The Young Enterprise stands as well as band marches to commemorate Valletta Day.

I'm hoping and praying for fair weather : )

Something different for my next Craft Fair

I have been working on painting these watering cans throughout this past week. They are quite small, you could even call them miniatures so painting was a little bit more difficult but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Last week I gave them a coat of primer plus three coats of a basic colour so I could focus on the designs this week.

Here is a closer look.

I think they would look cute with an Easter egg on top!

I love Watering Cans, reminds me of the time my dear Dad

had bought me one as an Easter present.