3 giveaways this weekend!

There are 3 great giveaways are going on right now on the Russian Artists Team's blog. 2 of them are offered by Nataliya (nataliyamalik)and the 3rd one is mine (socksandmittens). So if you are interested please click on the photos below to get to the one you want or participate in all three. 

 Felt flower brooch giveaway

 Washcloth & soap nuts giveaway

 

Knit cup cozy giveaway

These giveaways are held for the annual Etsy Craft Party and will end tomorrow, on June 19th. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Good luck, everyone!

Holiday gift exchange 2015

I know it''s beginning of February but I did not get chance to write about the Holiday gift exchange yet.

It was wonderful last year. It is always a surprise on who your secret Santa will be and who you will draw. So this year I signed up for 2 exchanges. I sent two gifts, one to Illinois and another one to Virginia and received 2 gifts, one from Ukraine and another one from Latvia.

It is so much fun to open gifts like this! Both of my senders, Anna and Natasha, did a great job on their presents, packing and presentation. I loved my gifts and felt very special with  their lovely hand written notes. Thank you so much, girls, for your wonderful, wonderful presents!

First parcel came from Ukraine. I received 12 (!) beautiful handmade jewelry pendants from Anna (CreationsOfTrueFairy). One was beautiful embroidered and the rest of them were resin & dried flowers. 

Anna gathered the plants herself, dried them and even makes the gold framed pendants without the mold! Truly handmade, isn't it? They are so pretty, definitely conversation pieces!

 

My gift from Natasha (NatkaLV) came from Latvia and it was full of Latvians Christmas treats! I got a bag of cookies, delicious chocolates and even a box of Christmas tea! 

It was fun to sample them and also share with my friends during the holidays. Natasha also added a beautiful silver crochet snowflake and, as a special treat, fashionable lace boot cuffs.

Thank you so much, Anna and Natasha, for your lovely gifts!

Thoughts on batik

Batik is my new hobby this summer. Many years ago, when I had a vacation on the Canary Islands, they had a batik class for hotel guests. I stopped by a couple of times but never actually took the class. Since then I acquired a small collection of books on batik and some supplies like silk paints, silk scarves and so many things I don't even remember the names for it. So this summer I finally took the box with those out and I am going to give it a try.

I am studying my books but I also would like to learn some techniques from the masters. Alla from Allaras was kind enough to share her tutorial with me on hot batik techniques. With her permission I will publish this tutorial on my blog during next week.

Alla Samoil has been a professional artist for the past 20 years. Since her first try of silk painting and batik 15 years ago, these techniques became her passion. Her paintings, scarves, and ties are collected and sold internationally by individuals, galleries and businesses. You can also find her artwork at her Allaras Etsy shop.

Alla is a member of Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec, Canada.

A gift exchange present

The mysterious package from Israel came in the mail yesterday and I could not wait to bring it home to see what's inside. My husband tried to ask if I want to open the parcel on December, 25th but it was too late. The wrapping paper was flying everywhere :)

 What was inside: 2 bars of chocolate, coffee, a cook book of Israel recipes with gorgeous photographs, little menorah figurine, a bar of soap from the Dead Sea, a picturesque New Year card from Jerusalem and absolutely fabulous set of beaded earrings and necklace in shades of blue. 

 I can not believe how well necklace and earrings suit me. The blue colors are going great with my skin tones and it looks perfect. I am going to wear them to our New Year celebration this year. 

 I chased away some sweets-loving family members before I was able to take some pictures. When my son finally got a chance to sample them he was surprised because inside one of the chocolates had crystals that popped in your mouth.   The piece of chocolate started to explode in his mouth. That was funny :) My son never had a candy like that so it was a really good surprise.

This is an absolutely gorgeous gift from Svetlana Lirigal and it is part of our annual Christmas gift exchange for the Russian Artists Team on Etsy. 

Sveta designs beaded jewelry and you can see her wonderful creations in her shop on Etsy. I am looking at my jewelry set and I am loving it. Thank you so much, Sveta, for this wonderful gift!