Introducing: Lucky

This sweet sleeping lamb is Lucky. He has been with us since 14 may 2003
By that time everybody in our circle of aquintances knew that we are softies when it comes to dogs and several people tried and suceed to 'unload' a dog with us.

Lucky, (he had already that name) had belonged to a russian woman here that went back to her country, leaving the dog behind. A neighbour took pity and asked us to take him.

He was in a sorry state, with infected ears and anus and wounds from encounters with other dogs. He is very, very sweet, but would be better in a house with not as many dogs, because he is, yes, rather the underdog.

He loves to be held and hugged and sit on your lap and get attention without so much competition.

Monday Moodboard

1. TwoTreesBelgium  2. emelephotography  3. Ravenhill  4. Pieceunique

The past few days the roosters and chickens have been extremly loud in our neighborhood. You would say that a chicken doesn't have alot of troubles, except for ending on the stove at the end of her life. But by the sound of it, there is more in their little heads.
Wishing you a lovely monday!

See more moodboards at FleurFatale's blog!

To Buy or Not to Buy?

(I buy handmade tag from windshine)

That is the burning question every time that I sit in front of my computer and browse through the tantalizing display on Etsy.

Being brought up in a very frugal way, buying is always tinged with a touch of guilt: don’t we have enough? Of course we have enough, more than enough of every thing, actually. But is enough…enough?

(Buy Handmade tshirt from phippsart)

I’m truly jealous of people that are naturally minimalist, free of cumbersome possessions, just what they need, no more. The old WW II saying ‘use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without’, is very actual in a society more aware of the preciousness of natural resources.

Well, that makes the choices easier: buy vintage, that reduces the waste of materials and gives you a unique product. But also in vintage is a lot that is mass produced and soulless, just like the new made mass produced goods.

(bag made with vintage materials from our bagshop)

So: buy handmade! Or handmade vintage, or handmade with vintage materials. And there is plenty of that on Etsy as well! Oh bliss, guiltless buying. Guiltless producing as well. I find myself specially virtuous when we can make a gorgeous new bag using almost exclusively reclaimed materials.

There is also the ‘buy local’ issue. Well, where we live, only fish and oranges are local. Also is local not always easy to discern. When buying linen fabrics in Amsterdam last spring, I asked the seller where the linen came from. He told me that it was Italian flax, woven in China and dyed in Belgium. It goes by the name of Belgian linen, but is it?

And so I buy on Etsy, of course I do. Do you?

My Friday Night Outfit

Cute Basket Purse- Crochetted with Leather Details by StarBags
Vintage Fringe Cowboy Boots by axandapple
Coffee and Cream Date Night Tuxedo Dress by Minxshop
Tooth Decay . oxidized silver and gold filled earrings by andrea0503

A little tough cowgirl today, with sandy colors and boots to complete.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Our Creative Space...

Our little shell lab is full of goodies these days. We are stocking up for busy times, and I just love the look of all those little bottles together.

After filling up the bottles with shells we close them with beautiful beadcaps, folded around the bottle. Chains and clasps and here you have a necklace with sea treasures.

This little cabinet used to be a hospital cabinet, you know those that have a table that can move above the bed etc. We have used it a long time as it originally was, but now it is revamped into a little photo studio. All things required for picture taking is in it, and the cabinet has weels so can be moved to the perfect spot with good light. It looks a little like a curiousity cabinet with all the sea finds inside it.

You can see more workspaces at Kootoyoo's blog!

Introducing: Leo

This is Leo, brother of Ufo, son of Daisy. Obviously a different dad, because the coloring and temperament are very different while the general shape is the same. They both have that passionate and crazy that most terriers have.

Instead of Ufo's gloominess, Leo is relaxed and easy going, a happy-go-lucky kind of dog who mixes well with the other dogs, excepting, alas, his brother. Lots of sibling animosity between those two.
Leo is also an obedient dog, a rare quality among our doggies, that tend to become instantly deaf when they hear a command that they don't like.
Although we are, of course, the head of the pack, and the doggies are at the same time eager to please us, sometimes they really have to be persuaded with a lot of talking, or a little push, when it comes to vacating a favorite chair :)

That bring us to the subject of educating dogs. I have this theory, that (over) educating dogs is no good. Often you will hear or read about dogs biting their owners. I think that imposing your will on a dog with a lot of unnecessary commands will result in pent up agression that can turn against the owner when the dog is full grown. Police dogs, specially male dogs, became a liability when they reach their prime, at five years of age or so, and are often put down.

So, our dogs are house trained and do globally what are supposed to because they love us, but they don't walk at heel or sit pretty :)

I would like to know your thoughts on this!

Monday Moodboard

1. birribe  2. JKphotography  3. Morrgan  4. Vart

We had a very sunny and warm Sunday, but today even the weather seems to have monday syndrom, as it is grey and windy. Approaching the greys is the best thing you can do :)
Wishing you a fabulous week!

See more moodboards at FleurFatale's blog!

Cinderella

....As the sisters swept away to the ball, Cinderella cried in despair. Her Fairy Godmother magically appeared and vowed to assist Cinderella in attending the ball. She turned a pumpkin into a carriage, mice into horses, a rat into a coachman, and lizards into footmen. She then turned Cinderella's rags into a beautiful gown, complete with a delicate pair of glass slippers. The Godmother told her to enjoy the ball, but return before midnight for the spells would be broken... (source)

We have made this lovely Cinderella necklace for this week's challenge of the europeanstreetteam, you can see more entries here.

My Friday Night Outfit

round carnival earrings by creairtive
The Flower Lover Purse- Vintage Seersucker and Leather Strap by StarBags
Team Spirit dress by Parsimony
Cobalt Blue Leather Flats. colorful balloon appliques by OldBaltimoreVintage

A colorful happy outfit this week, for a bright and fun evening!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Our Creative Space...

I'm veryyy glad and relieved to anounce that I've finished the embroidery part of the table cloth! I actually worked on it 6 hours non stop yesterday just so that I could show you this :) Speaking of getting motivated by a blog!

It will go to the dry cleaner today so that it gets nice and clean, before we make the border. Hopefully I can show off a nice finished table cloth next week :)

Another milestone, we reached 2000 sales on Etsy, so proud of that too! We are greatful for each and everyone, thank you for all your support these past years!

We are also ready for Christmas! As shipping takes about 15 days overseas, not much time for shopping left! We re adding these super adorable trees in our Giftshop.

You can see more workspaces at Kootoyoo's blog!