Make 52: Week 3

Every Saturday, for 52 weeks, I will post what I make that week.

Even though I was in Italy, I still managed to make a few things...

3.A. Marbled paper with Diego at the Il Papiro workshops in Firenze, Italy.

3.B. Also at Il Papiro,  I covered and bound a book, using leather and their 16th century style marbled papers.

I didn't stamp my initials in the leather. They did that for me while I was making my marbled paper. 

3.C. I made a book cover for a guide book. It made me feel a *little* less touristy. 

My Favorite

I'm on a Florentine holiday this week, so I thought I would share some short posts this week with a few of my favorite things.

This is my new favorite photo from our wedding last June. This is my favorite guy, 

My Favorite

I'm on a Florentine holiday this week, so I thought I would share some short posts this week with a few of my favorite things.

We don't have an oven in our kitchen, most student apartments don't. Our Dutch oven was one of the first purchases we made here in Leuven. Jon searched for the best price all over town - even trying to locate used ones at the second hand shop. After about a week, he settled on this model. It's a gorgeous cast-iron, red-enameled beauty, and it cost a pretty penny. We have gotten so much use out of it, that it has more than paid for itself at this point. I love this *little* pot.

My Favorite

I'm on a Florentine holiday this week, so I thought I would share some short posts this week with a few of my favorite things.

This is my handheld mixer, and I use it every day.  Every morning I make smoothies and every week I make soups. It comes with two other attachments:  a whisk and a food processor. It's such a handy tool, I am not sure I will use anything else ever again. 

My Favorite

I'm on a Florentine holiday this week, so I thought I would share some short posts this week with a few of my favorite things.

This is the only salt we have in our house. I love it. 

My Favorite

I'm on a Florentine holiday this week, so I thought I would share some short posts this week with a few of my favorite things.

This is my favorite mug. It's a Marimekko design by Maija Louekar. Back in September, Jon and I went to hear Maija Louekar and Marimekko creative director Minna Kemmell-Kutvonen speak about the Marimekko history, aesthetic, and design process. It was very inspiring and interesting.

I chose these mugs because they came in a set of two, and it's a simple design that I and my architect/urban planner enjoy.

My Favorite

I'm on a Florentine holiday this week, so I thought I would share some short posts this week with a few of my favorite things.

I love this little jar of vanilla seeds. I found it at a bio-store here in Leuven a few years ago. It's a small jar full of the tiniest seeds of Bourbon vanilla. I use the seeds in my pancakes, my coffee and my morning smoothies.

It makes waking-up in the morning that much sweeter. 

365 Photos: Day 28 -32

Every Sunday, I will post 7 photos for my 365 Photos project. All of my photos are taken with my iPhone, unless I note otherwise.

This week's photos will be missing Day 33, because I am going on holiday!

Day 28: Jan 28
Gorgeous kiwi for my morning smoothie. 

Day 29: Jan 29
I helped my friend Jeremy sew some curtains with the IKEA sewing machine he gave me for my birthday/Christmas. Lessons were a stipulation, but it's worth it. The machine is wonderful!

Day 30: Jan 30
The sun was shining on the way to the pool. I had a good swim that day. 

Day 31: Jan 31
I spent most of the day working on some applications, but with Jon's help, and his camera, I was able to get some pretty nice passport pics.

Day 32: February 1
Free Hugs! Single Ladies! Sorry guys, I'm married.
 I saw these two guys at Brussels airport when we went to pick up an American exchange student.
I hate that the photo is blurry, but it's too good not to include in my 365 collection.

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 I'll be back to post Days 33 - 41 on the 10th of February. Ciao!

Make 52: Week 2

Every Saturday, for 52 weeks, I will post what I make that week.

2. A. Envelope liners for my valentine cards 

All of my papers are from HEMA, and they were 70% off thanks to the soldens (sales).

2. B. February calendar

2. C. I made a mess.

2. D. I made a yellow curry. It was delicious, but not much too look at - too soupy.

2. E. I made valentines this week. I will reveal the design at a later date, because some of you will be receiving them par avion.

2.F. Not sure if this counts, but I made some reservations online for our upcoming trip. 

I'll be in Italy next week, so my Make 52 post for Week 3 will be up on Sunday, February 10th. Hopefully. :)
Ciao!

February

January has come and gone, and I have to say it was one of my best ones yet. I had fearless intentions and started several projects. I started the Artist Way, One Little Word, 365 Photos, Make 52. I passed the first part of my French course, which means I will start the 2nd part in one week. I enrolled in Dutch II. I went to the doctor and got a clean bill of health. And I had a birthday. That's a lot!

February's focus is body - my physical body and a body of work. Once I return from our trip, I plan to create a teaching portfolio and hopefully spruce up the old blog. She's about due for a facelift, plus it will be a chance to learn some new skills.

As for my physical body... I will make an appointment with the dentist and get out and do more physical activity.

I started a Start to Run group last fall, but once the weather turned cold and the sun went down at 4 pm, I gave it up. Now, everyday we are gaining more daylight and I plan to take full advantage of that. I'm prepared for the cold and the wet weather, so really I have geen excuses (no excuses). I also went once to the pool. I don't do much in the way of swimming, but I like the water. Perhaps I could learn while I am here and have the time? We'll see.

This photo is from last fall, when the sun was still shining and the leaves were still on the trees. 

Another way I plan to stay active is to ride my bicycle more. This really takes some courage on my part. I must be FEARLESS! I can ride a bicycle, but I am an extremely slow and careful and try to stay off the roads with the most traffic. Today, I saw two bicycle crashes! Thankfully no one had any injuries, but it's treacherous when it rains. Leuven is a bike friendly city, but other cyclists ride fast and the vehicles ride extremely close. It takes some getting used to, and I am getting on my bike at least once a day.

Have you met my bicycle?

This photo is from last October.

Isn't she a beauty?

Ditto... Also from last October. 

I even have a matching helmet. Leuven has a strong bike culture, and helmets are not fashionable. I don't care if look fashionable or not. I love my brain, and I want to protect it.

So, that's my plan for February:

Fearless, focused, Florence, fun, French, fit

It should be a great month!

Just for fun..,

This photo is from February 1, 2012. This was the way I organized my classes. Day by day. 

What a difference a year makes!