Another Christmas Tag for you

Have you ever looked for a Gift Tag that would look so much better on a large Gift or maybe you needed more space to write on? Well, here is one I made for you!
















Print 6 tags at one go!

Enjoy!

More Free Tags for your Christmas Gifts

Here is a lovely tag that can be used if you plan to give out a token or a going away gift to your friends/family/guests.

Save to your own files, just print and cut.
I did not make this tag myself but it was shared with me and is from a free site so long as it is not for commercial purposes.

It has a lovely message and will look lovely tagged with your token.

Enjoy!

A Student/Teacher Christmas Bookmark...

I wrote this poem a few years back and made it into a bookmark.
I hope teachers and students alike can insert this into their Christmas card or gift.
Further down you will find a multiple page so it makes it easier for you to print several at one time.

School is a special place
Where we share and care
Teachers teach and students learn
For the future we prepare.

Some times are hard, some times are fun,
But together we move on,
These days we treasure and will always cherish,
Making memories to look back upon!

With our ups and downs, our smiles and frowns,
We work through our days,
Directors, students, teachers,
Sometimes we're in a daze.

Each step of the way, we're happy to say
We're walking hand in hand
Through a learning process, a caring one too,
Making us feel happy and grand.

So let us look back at our achievements
Each one in their own unique way
Wishing one and all the best of the season
And Blessings for
A Happy Holiday!
Doreen Scerri ©

Free Tags for your Christmas Gifts

Here are some tags I made which you could use when giving a Christmas gift of Herbs and/or Spices or a set of Salt and Pepper Shakers or even home-baked goodies.


















Here's a multiple page if you will be needing more than one...

Enjoy!

Have a Happy Halloween and be safe too!

Although in Malta we have very few areas where children go trick or treating, it is important that we always street proof our kids for any occasion when they are out in the streets with their friends.
For those of you whose children may be trick or treating this evening please make sure they are safe on the road...here are some safety tips to read and follow and some more here and here and here.

Make this a safe and happy experience!

Spooky house graphic is from shared files

Trick or treat bag graphic is from http://www.halloweenclipart.com/halloween_clipart_images/bag_of_trick_or_treat_halloween_candy_0515-1010-1003-0308.html

Comments on my Blog

Some of you have alerted me about having problems with posting comments on my blog. I have re-adjusted some settings and hope that this will solve the problem so please don't give up contacting me and commenting on my posts.
My Blog is not the same without you! I hope you will continue to colour my posts with your feedback and comments.
Thank you!


Tags are from shared files.

Make your Jack o'lantern Eco Friendly

And now that you have decided to make your Jack o' Lantern, remember to be Eco friendly so... click on each item for great ideas and recipes...

Roast those pumpkin seeds A great healthy snack!

Make a delicious pumpkin soup And don't forget to add your cinnamon and nutmeg! Yummy!!!

OK so you're not that keen on soup or pumpkin pie, how about one of these 35 desserts then? Just click on the arrow on each picture to go through the recipes.

So now you have no excuse! You can make use of all the pumpkin, inside and out!
And finally don't throw your well enjoyed Jack o' Lantern away, throw it on your compost pile and if you don't have one, donate it to your favourite farmer.

In case you go berserk about Pumpkins this fall, here is a site that tells you how to prepare and freeze fresh pumpkins.

Please feel free to add your own ideas and comments in the Comments section.

Pumpkin Carving Made Easy and Fun! ~Part 2~

If you have followed the first steps in getting your pumpkin ready, now you can start getting ready for the next step...

Carving your design.

Attach your own or printed design to the flattest side of your pumpkin by using thumbtacks or masking tape. **Tip** If your pattern is too big or too small for the pumpkin you chose, use a copy machine to enlarge or reduce the pattern size.

Once the pattern is in place, use a punch tool to outline each shape of your design. Poke the tool along the edge of each shape, spacing the holes about 1/8-inch apart. DO NOT press hard; all you want is a small indentation to transfer the outline.
Remove your pattern once you have made sure you have not missed any spots. Keep handy for visual aid.

If you have opted to draw your own or your kid's design directly on the pumpkin, work slowly as you copy each shape to avoid making mistakes.

In order that you can see the outline better rub some baking powder or flour over all your pin-point dot design so that the design stands out better. Now you can connect the dots with your sharpie or outliner and voila' you can see your design and it is ready for cutting.


Cutting the shapes

Use a long nail or punch to start your design thus making a starting point where you can insert the blade without cutting too much into the design. Turn and push until it’s all the way into the pumpkin, then remove. Do this every time you start a new shape (eyes, nose, mouth) in your design. This makes it easier for you to work your way through using your knife. Using this as your starting point now work your way through your design steadily sawing in an even direction.

Maintain light pressure and use a gentle sawing motion to cut through the rind. Steady the pumpkin with your free hand, which should be kept well away from the blade. When making curves, just slightly turn the blade. When making sharp corners, remove the knife and re-insert it at an angle.

To remove the pieces you cut, you may find it easier to push them out from the inside. If the cutout refuses to budge, check that all of your cuts meet at corners, and that the blade has cut all the way through the rind. In some cases, you may need to gentle pry out the shape with a butter knife. For larger pieces, you may want to cut them into smaller bits and remove them in sections.

Cleaning Up

For maximum effect of brightness, trim the inside walls of the cutouts so they are straight and even. Also remove stray fibers and strands around the inside edges of your shapes.

Safety First

Place desired candle inside or a pumpkin light which is safer, light and place lid back on top.

• Light the candle and place it on a piece of tinfoil inside the pumpkin. Put the lid on. Let it sit a minute...
• Remove the lid and there should be a smoke mark on it
• Cut a vent in the lid where the smoke mark shows
• NEVER LEAVE BURNING CANDLES UNATTENDED
  

Enjoy your pumpkin carving and
a Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving Made Easy and Fun! ~Part 1~

This post is meant for those who have never carved a pumpkin before or who have had difficulties in carving one. I am by no means a professional but have carved a fair number for our kids and have gathered a few tips to make this job easier and fun! So are you ready, let's go...

Pick your Pumpkin

Firstly, of course you need to buy a pumpkin! Choosing the right one is very important. I would suggest you find a round medium-sized one which sits well on the ground and is stable. It would look nicer and be easier to work with if it includes a bit of stem, especially if you will be removing the seeds through the top. Another feature to look for and which would help immensely when you get to the carving part is that your pumpkin has a gently curved face and is free of soft spots or breaks and blemishes in the skin.

OK so now you know which pumpkin to choose you can go out with your kids and make your choice at a supermarket or even a pumpkin farm if you know of one. This could even be an opportunity for younger kids to connect with nature and learn how pumpkins are grown. But even if you find yourself making a last-minute run to the supermarket or wayside stand, your family can have a blast picking the perfect pumpkin.

Assemble Your Tools

You will most probably find the basic tools you need among your common household items. These are:

A cutting tool: a sharp serrated knife will do but of course needless to say this is a job for you not your young ones. While doing this job you can get them involved in choosing a pattern from here or here. Or you can have them draw their own pattern if they are good at this.


A scraper: or large kitchen spoon for scraping out the seeds and pulp.

A punch: use a nail or awl to transfer a paper pattern to the pumpkin. Just place the paper on the side where you will carve the face (sticking with tape or pinning it down with thumb tacks). Trace by punching your paper pattern along the outline.

Pattern: whether you create your own design or use a ready made pattern, it's best to have your design on paper rather than draw it directly on the pumpkin. That way, you can change your design easily without trying to erase marks on the pumpkin. However, if you feel the design is simple enough you can copy the outline using a crayon (which you can wipe off if you make an error). This way you will not need to stick the paper to the pumpkin.
I suggest using one of the easier face patterns. As I said earlier, if your kids can draw why not let them design the face pattern and work around it. To make carving easier, the cutouts should be large, simple shapes with plenty of space between them. Besides the pattern link under A Cutting Tool (see above), here are two more faces this time from Kaboose for you to print. You can also search the web for "free pumpkin carving patterns" or "free pumpkin carving stencils."

Masking Tape: use this adhesive tape if you need to attach your pattern to the pumpkin.

Baking Powder (or flour) and outliner (or sharpie) : You can rub this powder over the holes you made earlier when you traced the outline with your punch (see above). It will make it easier for you to see the pattern when you outline it with your outliner or sharpie.

Table covering: To protect your work surface from mess and for easier cleanup, cover it with newspaper or an old table cloth.

A Bowl or Colander: for scooping the seeds/pulp into when cleaning out the pumpkin.



Cutting the Lid

Place your pumpkin on some newspapers. Cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin, using your cutting knife making about a 6 inch wide circular lid. Make the cut at an angle by keeping the tip of the blade pointed toward the centre of the pumpkin. This creates a bevel and will prevent the top from falling through when you place it back on. Work slowly with an even sawing motion and use only light pressure.




Cleaning out the Pumpkin

This is the messiest and most probably the most enjoyable part of this project. It will be quite an easy job to remove all the seeds, strings and the rest of the pulp using a scraper or large spoon. Do not throw the seeds away...you can rinse them later and roast them.
Scrape some of the flesh from the inside so your pumpkin is about an inch thick all the way around (or at least wherever you’ll be carving). You can poke a straight pin through it to estimate the thickness. Save the flesh for making pumpkin pie or soups.

**Tip** Include a small notch in your lid. This will make it easier to replace it with the correct orientation.

L**k out for Part 2

Whimsical Wednesday

Check out my new series Whimsical Wednesday on my other Blog ...

Doreen's Whimsical Words

See you there...

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

SUE'S WEEKEND SHADOW BLOG LINK PARTY I I

This week I happily accepted my sister Sue's invitation to participate in her Weekend Shadow Blog Link Party II. I chose this picture which I had taken a few months ago. This poinsettia was from last Christmas and the shadow only lasted a few minutes when the sun was setting from our window facing west...I thought it was a nice one to capture since it would not last...unfortunately neither has the poinsetta now with our hot and humid weather but at least I have the picture.

If you'd like to view more Shadow Pictures link to Sue's Blog here.

ENJOY!

SUE'S WEEKEND SHADOW BLOG LINK PARTY

Welcome friends from far and near!

Sorry this is a little late in posting but I had problems with trying to post this by scheduling the time on the post...it did not work for me! Anyway here I am posting it direct...

This week I accepted my sister Sue's invitation to participate in her

Weekend Shadow Blog Link Party.

I chose a picture from my files which I had taken a few years ago at San Anton Gardens, my favourite place to stroll about or read a book in or just to take in the serenity of this wonderful place which also forms part of the Presidential Gardens in Attard.

The Shadow of the Trees

I enjoy the shadow of the trees
It fills me with awe-inspiring peace
I take in the moment,
Let it encompass my soul,
Till it becomes a part of me...
God's wonders make me whole.

D. Scerri © 2011

I could not resist writing a poem

to go with the picture I chose.

Thanks Sue for this opportunity to take part in
your Weekend Shadow Link Party : )
You are an inspiration!

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.

Celebrating my Birthday

This is the cake my daughter made for my Birthday,
a scrumptious angel food cake with strawberries and
cream...all I can say is I had to have two helpings : ) YUM!!!
It was a lovely, relaxing day spent with my family and
that is how I like it! Don't you love it when the family
don't let you into your own kitchen and they show you
what they can do! I thank God for these lovely years, for
my family who always make me feel great and with their help
I look forward to new beginnings and new adventures.

Pleas'd to look forward,
pleas'd to look behind,
And count each birthday
with a grateful mind.
- Alexander Pope

Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty.
Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.
- Franz Kafka

Thanks for stopping by
to celebrate my
Birthday with me : )

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!

Mother's Day 2011

Today Mother's Day will bring together mothers, daughters, sisters,
sisters-in-law, mothers-in-law, friends and families in more ways than one.

Although for many of us Mother's day is every day since it is a 24/7 job,
it is indeed in every little success or failure, in all ups and downs, and
with many tears and smiles that we celebrate our motherhood in the daily
happenings that bring us closer to our children and to one another.


We must not forget those who, although not natural mothers, are indeed
doing a mother's job beautifully and those include adoptive mothers,
relatives who are acting as mothers, teachers, carers and sisters in orphanages to mention a few.


For me Mother's Day is definitely every day as I see our children succeeding and persevering in their studies, in taking decisions, in everyday little acts of friendship with me, in showing their appreciation for what I and their Dad do for them...it is in the trust they show in us. Of course I love that extra little bit of recognition and attention and the way they show their appreciation in their gifts on this special day!


This is the first Mother's Day that I am missing my Mum since her passing was this year but I will try and dwell on all the good things she taught me and the lovely memories we made together when she was alive, this way I will celebrate her life.


May the bond that we feel with our children today strengthen with each day and with each experience that brings us closer to one another.

Easy Custard-filled tarts

These are the custard filled tarts my daughter and I made for Easter tea. They were easy to make since we bought the basic empty sweet tarts which we filled with yummy custard. If you try these, make sure your custard has cooled down before filling the empty cases. In fact we kept stirring the custard until it cooled completely not to let it form a hardened layer on top. It takes time but is worth the effort. We left it in the fridge to cool it further and then spooned it into the tartlets. The chocolate eggs in the picture were made by my daughter...she made halves first and then made a second batch into moulds which she topped with the first halves...very tricky yes, but the result was great! We grated some chocolate over some of the tarts. Needless to say it took us less time to eat these than to make them!

My new Beaded Bracelet

I made this early this morning just after breakfast and can't believe I made it myself! Yesterday I watched a tutorial for making beaded beads to use in making a bracelet. Actually I watched it several times but when I tried it, I was not too enthusiastic about it so I took what I learned from the tutorial and adjusted it according to what I thought would look good and what would sell too : )
I honestly never thought I'd make such sophisticated looking and complicated jewellery but I did!!! So never say never but try and try again! So here's another item to add to my Jewellery collection for my next Fairs. Thanks for looking : )

I want to say a special Thank you to my on-line Voy friend Linda (Shilo) who has always inspired me and encouraged me to bead and who incidentally posted the tutorial on our favourite forum Craftsayings http://www.voy.com/100606/

New Earring Designs

Here are my latest creations in earrings

which I am stocking up for our up-coming fairs in May and June.

The top picture shows my butterfly earrings

which come in my new range of Spring Simplicities

which feature butterflies, flowers and other

spring related charms.

All have co-ordinating beads to make a lovely pair

of dangle earrings which are very attractive

when they catch the light in their motion.

The picture above shows the earrings I made to add

to my collection of:

Tibetan Tales,

Bright Beads

and

Sandy Beaches

Each pair is unique, carefully made using

a hand wrapped wiring technique

and although I might use the same charms,

there is always variation in the beading and sequence of design.

I hope you find these attractive.

What do you think?

Which style is your favourite?

Figolla Recipe Success

On Saturday April 11th, 2009 I wrote about our traditional Figolli and posted a recipe for making them...click here for the original post http://doreenscreativespace.blogspot.com/2009/04/maltese-figolli.html

It was lovely to hear from Michelle, one of my followers, and to know that she made these the first time using the recipe I posted and that they turned out so well. Thanks Michelle for sharing your success with me and as promised here is the picture you shared of one of your yummy figolli. Although the photo of your Bear figolla is quite small, one can tell you did such a fine job!

Well done Michelle and thanks again!

HAPPY EASTER BLESSINGS

Wishing you all a Wonderful Easter!

Blessings,

Doreen

Good Friday and Earth Day

By pure coincidence Good Friday and Earth Day came together this year. I have stopped to reflect about this, about how life and death come together. When Jesus went through his ordeal of suffering and death, He also gave us back the right to eternal life with Our Creator. So thinking of Jesus' death and suffering and then His Resurrection that gave us New Life fills us with Hope and hope brings life. When we think of our Earth and see the catastrophes happening everywhere, we might say to ourselves there is nothing we can do. But really there is lots we can do, if only every one of us did his little part our planet could be a much happier, safer and healthier place. We may not be able to stop disasters but every action, each word, every little bit on our part helps in making our Earth a better place. It is a pity to see so much lack of concern that many have for Creation. May we all do our part in changing our bad habits and see them die so that we can see a new Earth.

Lord as we celebrate this season of Hope and Life,

may we see the Earth richly blessed

with Peace and may the Resurrection Promise

fill our hearts with Love and Hope.

Footnote:

The next time Earth Day and Good Friday converge is in the year 2095

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 ~~~