Advent Calendar School - Great Finds

If you love good chocolate and enjoy reading crimies, this is for you!!! This Advent Calendar combines a story with a search for clues. If you can follow the clues (from door to door) and solve the case, the chocolate is yours... ;-)
http://www.peters-pralinen.de/Saison/artikel_detail.php?id=MQ==&id2=MQ==&atk_id=NDM

CREATURE FEATURE - Angel King by Timohandmade

I just ordered some of Timor's fantastic Christmas creatures, I know it is early but Israel (where she is based) is far away and in addition, she is offering a PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE!!!

Check out her shop if you would like one (or more) of her fabulous creatures:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TIMOHANDMADE?section_id=7543947

To view the SALE coupon code for Etsy, look at her FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/cutandtear?ref=hl#!/timohandmade

The Advent Calendar School - Part 2

This was my second Advent Calendar for my boyfriend. I have figured that the hearts I made earlier did not offer enough space for bigger chocolates (and we tend to spoil ourselves), so I designed a folded house. As I do love upcycling, I used the heaps of news paper scattered around our flat. The inspiration for my houses came first from architectural books and Amsterdam postcards but at the end I focused on Prague (where else, I am Czech after all). ;-)
The houses were a lots of fun to draw but it was rather time-consuming, so if you fancy this idea, you better start ASAP. ;-) Here is the garland - feel free to nick the designs for your own use (but please do not sell your products).

It is also possible to make a calendar just from the plain newspaper houses, they also look cute and do not take so much time to make. I am sorry that I do not offer an exact tutorial how to fold as I am planning workshops here in Germany but if you are really interested, become a follower of my blog and get in touch and I am very happy to send you a tutorial. ;-)

Advent Calendar School - Great Finds

Believe or not, there is a GIN advent calendar! Each day 30ml taster of gin, offered by Selfridges in London. International shipping is available!
Yes, it is not a cheep option, but certainly original (and beautifully designed) one.
http://www.selfridges.com/en/Food-Wine/Categories/Shop-Gifts/Wine-spirits-gifts/Spirits-Gifts/Ginvent-advent-calendar-24-x-30ml_414-3002380-17054/?_

CREATURE FEATURE - Cuddly Anglerfish by Strays

This really made me laught. A cuddly Anglerfish anyone??? This awesome creature comes from the Strays shop on Etsy and you can discover more fabulous creations when you click here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/strays?ref=l2-shopheader-name

My favourite market in Munich

It is again the time of Auer Dult - one of the oldest markets in Munich. It takes place three times a year and it is always a pleasure to visit...
Here you can find out more about this fantastic event:
http://www.auerdult.de/termine/
Today was glorious Autumn weather, so I managed to take pictures of some quirky items for sale and some local characters...
The market is set around the beautiful Mariahilf church and it has a very oldfashion feel. The individual alleys between the stalls have names and one of them is called the "treasure-hunter alley".
As well as selling antiques and every imaginable equipment for the kitchen, the market also provides an opportunity to taste some specialities such as sugar almonds in colourful packaging or smoked fish. Music is provided by disabled people with music boxes as in the old good days...

Visit if you can... There are not many places where you can find a Barbie Angel, stuffed deer, school skeleton,  bicycle cookie cutter or ladybird on wheels next to each other...

Advent Calendar School - Great Finds

I am not the only one who is making Advent Calendars already! Look at this awesome calendar by Soda Pop Design:

http://sodapop-design.de/2013/10/adventskalender/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=adventskalender

Advent Calendar Workshop in Munich

If you love quirky and original designs, then come to this Advent Calendar Workshop!

The Advent Calendar School - part 1

OK, I can just admit it, I am obsessed with Advent Calendars... I like a lot of small surprises more than the whole Christmas hoohaa. I love to design, make, give and receive Advent Calendars and I am trying my best to be inventive and find the most original stuff to put in them. I make one for my boyfriend every year.

I know that it is only October but if you want to get some great ideas and tips in time to actually make a calendar, you can already start following this "school". I will be posting bits and pieces here until the beginning of December.

This was the first Advent Calendar I made back in 2010 and it is still hanging on our window as a decorative garland. It has moved house with us twice! The hearts are great if you want to hide very small things or love notes. I have used pages from an old Winter season magazine. Below is a tutorial how to fold the heart.

 

http://happylifetips.net/origami-heart.html

CREATURE FEATURE - Sock-tacular Sock Creations

Do you know the book "Where the wild things are"? If not, then get googling. I encountered it only  at uni as a funky theme for theatre improvisation but I love it since, so when I found this on FB, I must share!!!!

These fabulous variations on Max come from the workshop of Sock-tacular Sock Creations and here is the FB link:
https://www.facebook.com/cutandtear?ref=hl#!/pages/Sock-tacular-Sock-Creations-Hebden-Bridge/141398735907103

Cut & Tear is selling in a real brick and mortar shop...

Everyone who is trying to be creative and sell their creations online knows, that the step to the "real shops" is not an easy one. After 2 years online selling, I have now the opportunity to sell my dollies and other handmades in the Hands Gallery in Munich. Being part of this creative co-operative is exciting and I am looking forward to the new experiences...

If you live or visit Munich, don't forget to stop by!!! I will be running workshops too, so if you like the Cut & Tear aesthetics, this could be your chance to make your very own and unique advent calender or even a wall planner for 2014.

 

http://www.handsgallery.de/