New Blog

What is this blog about ?

As I’ve been developing my craft activities, I’ve decided to set up a blog to share my passion for paper and other crafts. 

I've been crafting since childhood. I started making doodles on walls until I discovered fabric and paper.  And I've been (paper)crafting ever since.

I do mainly paper crafts; from making cards to flowers, hangers and other objects. I also enjoy exploring other materials such as fabric, felt...  Giving a new life or new look to existing objects (customisation) is also part of my activities. And I reveal my favourite pictures through scrapbooking.

This blog will grow over time. In its current version ,I am sharing my creations through pictures (also available on Flickr ).

I will extend it to share links to other blogs, websites, events, suppliers…

I will share tutorials and how-to explaining techniques or simply showing how I created a piece. And many more…

I hope you'll enjoy watching as much as I do creating.

Feel free to leave a comment or send a message. Any feedback is welcome.

I have another blog www.akhatan.blogspot.com where you can find all sorts of writings: general info, venues, readings and many more.

I'm still there

It’s been more than 3 months since I’ve posted a note in here. 

How come? 

Am I that busy not being able to find a moment to put some words down ?  Could it be I had no inspiration the past 3 months ? Or wasn’t I feeling good enough to share my thoughts and crafts ? 

Well, it’s probably a mix of it all.

I should probably clarify this to avoid you thinking I'm in a depressive mood or anything close to it... Yet the ones who know me well should remember that it always looks worse than what it actually is... 

Anyway, I’m still doing a non-rewarding and not well paid job and it doesn't bring any good or food to my bulimic brain... But I sure can't complain. On the contrary, I even consider myself pretty lucky as I work in a great environment surrounded by great people -and a few have become really dear to my heart (a special thought to Lolo, Dédé and Flavia). 

It's been 13 months I left my family and friends to try a new adventure in Scotland, a country I fell connected to when I was a child. I still have the same feeling inside with a few ups and downs, especially when it comes to work and administration (so different from what I'm used to). But these material aspects cannot take over what I feel for Scotland. My love for the Land of Oats (yes, I'm a porridge and oatcake lover) started when I was a child. In August last year I even wrote a text about it for the Scottish Book Trust. And on days like today when I question myself on being here I just need to read a few lines of this text to make the doubts disappear.  

I still miss my family and friends though - some days more than others. And today probably more than any other day as it is mothers day. I join my thoughts to my sisters and brother's as we all miss our mum who passed away 40 days ago. But I am not alone. I have a few precious friends here and I even found LOVE six months ago. And NO, he is not a scottish red-haired rugbyman... He is French with dark hair...

I must confess I have not been productive in my writings lately but I have in my craftings.  

I will dedicate the next post to share my latest creations.

Nash

Stamping and craft shops

I've been crafting since I can remember. As a child I was already using my little hands to create all sorts of things. I was always busy cutting, drawing, writing, sewing, putting things together. I enjoyed so much starting from zero or from spare bits and creating something (unexpected).

So when I decided to move to Scotland (Edinburgh), it was oh so natural to take a few of my craft materials with me.  I was unfortunately limited in the weight of my luggage, which means I could not take enough stuff to satisfy my crafty needs on a long term.  And as there's no way  I would stop crafting, it is vital for me to have a supplyer close at hand - just like any addict...
So I made a few research on the web and I located two interesting craft stores in Edinburgh:

• Hobbycraft.  It's a big chainstore (they have stores all over the UK) just outside Edinburgh, in Ford Kinnaird retail park. They sell supplies for all types of crafts: papercraft, sewing, knitting, crochet, cooking, painting… It’s a big supply store where you can find basic material to keep you (and your kids) busy. No excuse for not crafting.

• Stampers Grove. It's a family shop specialised in stamps and paper crafts (card making, scrapbooking...). The shop is on the corner of Grove street and Fountainbridge. They offer a large range of stamps and papers for all occasions. Emma and her husband James are very welcoming and full of good advice. Definitely the place to go. It's still one of the few shops left (comparing to online stores) where you can look at and touch the products, ask for info, get a demonstration... And they do run workshops.
  I attended a workshop on Stamping and Masking techniques. As I've been crafting for more than 20 years and I have gained a lot of knowledge in stamping and other paper craft techniques, I must confess that I did not learn a lot on a technical point of view. But as it comes to creativity and art, technique is a small part of the creative process.  The most important is to share and exchange ideas, visions...   It was a very enjoyable 2 hours workshop where I got the opportunity to meet some nice crafty ladies. I must also mention the lovely shop owner Emma who gently welcomed us in her craft room with a cup of coffee and a piece of homemade cake. I enjoyed it a lot.  Let's face it, I'm always happy when I keep my hands busy with papers, scissors, stamps and ink.  

I realised 2 cards for which I used a blank cardboard, 2 wooden stamps and a lot of inks and some doodles for the finishing touch.

I also realised an A4 page that will for sure end up in a frame. I used ink to create the background, I draw and stamped a few flowers to make a flowery scenery. I coloured the flowers with pen/markers and I added some doodles to finish up.

Random cards:

Feel free to contact me (akhatan@gmail.com) for any details, questions or further information.

Craft

Oei!  ‘t Is al een maand geleden sinds dat ik iets op de blog gepubliceerd heb.

Het is niet zo dat ik helemaal niets te vertellen heb.  Integendeel.  Ik ben zelfs vrij aktief geweest.  Misschien te veel om wat extra tijd te maken om iets op de blog te zetten.

Ik heb onlangs veel tijd besteden aan knutselen, wandelen, naar de bioscoop gaan, uitgaan, studeren ( opleiding  “Journalism Magazine “ is bijna af – ik heb meer moeilijkheden met mijn opleiding in aromatherapie:  ik zal die hoogstwaarschijnlijk naar volgend jaar verzetten).  Ik geef toe dat dit mij een beetje te veel wordt  en dat  mijn hersenen  niet meer kunnen volgen. 

Hieronder een paar kaarten en andere knutsel projecten die ik onlangs gemaakt heb.

Kerstkaarten

Kerstkadootjes

Herinnering dat alle vorm van creatie KUNST is (ART in het Frans en in het Engels).

EN version

Oops! I just realised it’s been a month since I had something published on the blog.

I can’t say that it is because I did not have anything to write about. On the contrary I think I’ve been pretty much busy and I could not find the time or maybe the words to feed the blog. I’ve been busy crafting, walking,  seeing people, going to the cinema , studying (Magazine Journalism course is almost done.  I neglected a bit my course in aromatherapy; I will probably postpone it to next year) .  I  have to confess that I am keeping myself maybe too busy and my brain is not always working as I wish it would….

Anyway...

You can have a look at a few Christmas cards and other crafty projects  I realised lately in the dutch version up above.

Version FR

Comme le temps passe vite!  Cela fait déjà un mois que je n’ai rien publié sur le blog.

Ce n’est pas que je n’ai rien à écrire.  Au contraire.  Je crois plutôt que je suis tellement occupée ces derniers temps que je ne trouve pas le temps d’alimenter le blog.  Je passe beaucoup de temps entre les bricolages, les balades, les sorties, le cinéma, les études (j’ai presque fini ma formation “ Magazine Journalism”; par contre je néglige un peu ma formation en aromathérapie – je crois que je vais la postposer d’un an). Je me rends compte que je me suis attelée à trop d’activités et que mon cerveau court-circuite un peu….

Bref, ce poste-ci  est dédié à partager avec vous quelques-unes de mes récentes réalisations (cartes de Noël et autres créations manuelles).  Les photos sont visibles plus haut; dans la version en Néerlandais.

Historium, Brugge

English version at the bottom

Ik ben onlangs terug naar mijn vaderland geweest en heb er 9 fantastische dagen doorgebracht.  Ik was zo blij mijn familie en vrienden weer te kunnen zien
            Bedankt allemaal voor de super leuke momenten.
Tijdens mijn verblijf heb ik de kans gegrepen om naar een paar leuke plekken te gaan.  Ik ben o.m. naar de bioscoop geweest ( zie artikel m.b.t. Populaire) en heb een paar wandelingen in Brussel (fotos’ in een volgend bericht), Louvain-La-Neuve, Nijvel, Oostende, Brugge… gedaan.

Ik ben per se naar Brugge geweest want mij pa had mij een woordje verteld over Historium, een gloednieuw museum dat op 25/11/12 zijn deur geopend heeft op de Markt te Brugge.
Weeral een nieuw museum zul je denken!   Eigenlijk niet. Historium is geen gewoon museum met een vaste tentoonstelling van schilderijen en andere kuntswerken.  Historium biedt je veel meer dan dat.  Je kunt er de magische sfeer van de gouden tijd (15e eeuw) van Brugge  beleven en  al je zintuigen worden er geprikkeld.

Het Verhaal
Vooraleer je met je reis  begint, worden alle personages  voorgesteld – dit maakt het een stuk gemakkelijker  om het verhaal te volgen.
Het verhaal draait rond het voorbereiden van de schilderij  ‘De Madonna met kanunnik Joris Van der Paele’ van Jan Van Eyck.   Jacob, de loopjongen van Jan van Eyck, wordt door zijn meester de stad in gestuurd op zoek naar 2 personages, Anna ( de maagd met gouden haren) en Frederico, een groene parkiet. Jacob wordt op slag smoorverliefd op de bloedmooie Anna. Jammer genoeg loopt het niet zo vlot met de papegaai, deze vliegt weg. En bij de achtervolging breekt  Jacob zijn geluksketting.  
Hoe loopt dit allemaal af ?  Dit zou je te komen weten  wanneer je door de 7 themakamers loopt…
Gedurende zo’n 35 minuten wordt je in het magische sfeer van het Brugge van 1435 ingedompeld. Dankzij uitdrukwekkende decors, muziek, film en speciale effecten (o.a. geuren) binnen de 7 themakamers worden alle zintuigen geprikkeld.  Zo hoor je bvb. het gekrijs van meeuwen, het gegiechel in het badhuis. Je kunt er de lucht in de haven ruiken, kruiden, hout en leer geuren in de steegjes. Je kunt er eveneens de zachte bries van de wind en de dwarrelende sneuwvlokjes voelen.

Ik heb het heel leuk gevonden en super interessant.  Het had wel langer kunnen duren.  Ik ben zeker dat dit een success zal worden en ik heb er geen twijfels over dat het binnenkort uitgebreid wordt tot andere verhalen of iets anders.  Daar ligt een grote potentieel in.

Ligging
Het museum heeft een ideale centrale ligging: op de markt.   Na het bezoek kan je ook een van je andere zintuigen gebruiken: proeven. Je kan zo een stukje chocolade eten  bij de Chocolaterie of een lekkere bier drinken in het Duvelorium Café.  Niet te missen!
Meer info hier

English version

I recenly went back to Belgium where I spent 9 fabulous days. I was so happy seeing my family and friends again after almost 8 months in Scotland.
            Thank you all for these great moments together.
During my stay I took the opportunity to go to the cinema (see post Populaire) and to wander about in Brussels (pictures in a next post), Louvain-La-Neuve, Nivelles, Ostende, Bruges… 

I absolutely wanted to go to Bruges since my dad told me about Historium, a brand new museum in central Bruges that just got opened (25/11/12).
You'd probably say: a new museum again!   Well, NO. Historium is not a typical museum with regular exhibitions of paintings and artworks.  Historium has so much more to offer.  You can literally feel the atmosphere of the golden age of Bruges (15th century) and all your senses are being stimulated.

The story
Before starting your trip, you get introduced to all characters – which makes it a lot easier to understand the story.
The story is about the preparation of the painting  ‘Madonna with cannon Joris Van der Paele’ from Jan Van Eyck.   Jacob, the painter's apprentice is sent into town to look for 2 missing characters, Anna ( the maiden wih golden locks) and Frederico, a green parakeet. Jacob is instantly smitten by the absolutely beautiful Anna. Unfortunately things don't go that easily with the parakeet; it flew away.  Even worse, while chasing the parakeet, Jacob broke his lucky chain.  
So how does the story end ? Well, you get to know this after entering the 7 thematic rooms…
During approximately 35 minutes you plunged into the magical sphere of the Bruges in 1435.  Your senses get stimulated thanks to impressive designs, music, film en special effects (e.g smells) inside the 7 thematic rooms.   You can hear the cries of the gulls in the distance, giggling in the bathhouse.  You can smell the air in the haven, the spices, the wood and leather in the warehouse. You can even feel the fresh morning breeze and the swirling snowflakes in the streets.

I really enjoyed it and found it very interesting. Yet it could have lasted a bit longer. I'm sure this will be a big success and there's no doubt that it will soon expand tot other stories or any other theme. There are many possibilibilties to expand this great project.

Situation
The museum is ideally located: right in the centre of the market place.  When you' ve finished your visit another sense (taste) can be stimulated.  You can enjoy a piece of chocolate at the Chocolaterie or you can savour a freshly brewed beer at the Duvelorium Café.  Not to be missed!
More info here

Random pictures in Bruges:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Appreciation Society - Theatre review

Do you believe in life after death ?

Don’t worry, I’m not going to lose myself in some serious metaphysical thoughts after a weird experience or a drunken Friday night!

No! I just want to tell you a few words about a play I attended a few days ago:  The Arthur Conan Doyle Appreciation Society.

The play is running from 6 to 22 december at the Traverse Theatre Company in Edinburgh. I was among the lucky ones to attend a preview show. More info on www.traverse.co.uk

The piece is a production of the Peepolykus; a touring theatre company creating comic theatre with a particular brand of humour. The company style combines absurd scenario, anarchic verbal slapstick, visual surprises and ridiculous comic performances. Check on their website for more info:   www.peepolykus.com/about

The play is co-written by Steven Canny & John Nicholson – also known for their collaboration on No Wise Men, Spyski and Marley Was Dead.

John Nicholson shares the stage with Javier Marzan and Gabriel Quigley.  John and Javier  both play  A C Doyle and Sherlock Holmes… and it’s particularly funny to hear SH and A C Doyle with a spanish accent.  Gabriel Quigley plays the role of Jenny Quigley, a PhD student bringing AC Doyle back to life.

Throughout the play themes such as life after death, spirituality opposed to scepticism and rationalism come into light.

The show is presented through lectures given by Jenny Quigley, a PhD student (and guess what; she gets her PhD at the end of the play!). Each chapter is illustrated by a scenery in which famous characters as AC Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, Houdini are brought back to life. The rhythm of the play is quick and twitchy thanks to the cast interactivity mixing their acting and personal life… ( you have to see the play to understand what I’m talking about here…)

I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a very interesting and interactive piece with original acting performances.  The scenery set up, the sound and lighting designs surely contribute to enhance the expected effects (mix of mystery, credibility and hilarious scenery).

Definitely worth seeing!

Film review: Populaire

Je suis retournée en Belgique 9 jours. En plus des visites à la famille et aux amis, j'en ai profité pour aller à des expos et au cinéma...

En tant que fan des années 50 (style, mode, déco…) et de cinéma , je ne pouvais passer à côté du film Populaire.

Populaire relate les aventures de Rose Pamphyle, une jeune provinciale vouée à travailler dans l’épicerie familiale et se marier avec le garagiste du coin. La jeune Rose rêve de tout autre chose; à savoir quitter sa province et devenir secrétaire.  Elle y parvient tant bien que mal.  En effet ce ne sont pas ses compétences de secrétaire qui l’ont aidées à se faire embaucher; elle est bien trop maladroite et désorganisée (pour ne pas dire bordélique).  Mais qu’est-ce qui a bien pu convaincre Louis Echard à l’engager pour travailler dans son cabinet d’assurance?  Il s’est tout bonnement laissé séduire par ses dons hors normes de dactylo (elle tape à la machine à une vitesse v v prime).  À tel point que Louis, lui-même habitué aux concours et aux compétitions (ancien champion sportif) décide de la prendre sous son aile et de l’inscrire au concours regional de vitesse de frappe.  Il prend son rôle très au sérieux et va jusqu’à l’installer chez lui afin de s’assurer qu’elle bénéficie d’un entraînement adéquat. Rapidement une complicité de coach-poulain naît entre eux. Ils forment une charmante équipe: elle avec sa maladresse, son désordre et son franc-parler; lui avec sa manie de tout diriger.  Cependant malgré ses airs bourrus il est très attachant.

J’ai bien aimé le film tant au niveau des décors, de l’esthétique que de la mise en scène. Pour son premier long métrage, le réalisateur Régis Roinsard nous offre une reconstitution minutieuse de la France des années 50 et un trés bon divertissement d’ 1h51.

Le jeu des acteurs m’a particulièrement plu; alliant maladresse, quiproquos et humour décalé. Hormi les excellentes prestations des deux acteurs principaux Romain Duris et la jeune belge Déborah François, il y a quelques belles scénes humoristiques menées par Miou-Miou et Eddy Mitchell; dans le rôle des parents (quelque peu loufoques) de Romain Duris.  Le film offre un excellent divertissement, au rythme tour à tour lent et rapide avec des scènes humoristiques frôlant l’absurde (tout ce que j’aime) et nous plonge dans les années 50, époque à laquelle les femmes réclament leur indépendence...

Quelques extraits ici

Sortie en salle le 28 novembre 2012 en France et en Belgique.