A 'Tool Crate'!!

Oh sunny, sunny day today!!

Warm weather and the shining, blue sky makes me feel as if  summer is still  here !!!

 That’s why I thought of sharing with you an easy, mini project and some photos that I took some months ago, while we were still on holidays.

 If you don’t have a shed in your garden , or even not a garden at all , but your balcony or back yard, have some flower pots, then, I’m sure you have a set of the most basic garden tools, like secateurs and a  small spade. Where do you keep them?

 I used to put them either into  a drawer or inside a clay pot in the garden. I wasn’t that happy with that, because I had picked some really pretty tools  decorated with floral patterns in shades of pink, and I wished I could handle them with the care and ‘respect’ they deservedJ.

 When one day, I came up with the idea – or did I see it somewhere? – I don’t really remember because I have lots of magazines at home with decorative ideas , and I might have seen something similar , but anyway , I decided to turn  a fruit crate into a mini tool shed !! YES, YES  and I needed now and then to find one.

 I took my bicycle and off I went on my quest to discover a crate somewhere among other recyclable material people leave in recycling bins. I was lucky to find one, in a good condition– not smelly or broken- not far from my house.

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes feel a HUUUGE happiness when I find things I can reuse, among trash.  

At home, the crate was washed and painted in white and then, the easy and always trustworthy method of decoupage started its metamorphosis!! I used a paper napkin with patterns inspired from garden life and soon the crate was decorated with them. I opted for colours that remind me of a garden in spring and country life. 

Then, I added some small, nails along its upper, inner part, so that I could hang my tools and some twine from them and the project was complete!!

Now I have my mobile, mini ‘tool shed’ which can be placed either at a corner of the balcony or on a shelf , a bench , somewhere inside the house or wherever it pleases you.

Do you like the idea?? If yes, please leave a comment, I’m always happy when I read your comments.

Have a lovely, new week, my dear readers and I hope to be back soon, with new , interesting things to share with you.

My best to you all,

Tina xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nafplion in Fall

Hello , hello!!!

I haven’t written for some time now, but today I’m back and so, so happy to contact you again!!!

The weather is still lovely here, quite warm and sunny and we feel as if summer is still with us!!

That’s why I have decided to share with you some photos of a recent trip to a most favourite place of mine, very picturesque and with loads of history !!!

  Nafplion http://www.visitnafplio.com/is located in the Peloponnese, a lovely holiday destination and a tourist attraction with fantastic little shops selling handmade items , local sweets and lots of restaurants and taverns where you can indulge yourself into savory dishes, while at the same time satisfying your senses by looking at their  lovely, imaginative decoration.

 What I really like about this place is that although the buildings are really old , most of them have been carefully restored with attention to detail .

An extra bonus is that you can stay at lovely pensions with stone walls and french shutters , furnished with antiques and  pretty decorative items that remind you of a real home and not a rented accommodation.

Breakfast usually includes homemade marmalades and cakes and is served in white china ,in cosy , little dining rooms. Prices are usually very good, too !!

 An ancient castle overlooks the old town at the top of a huge rock and a small island emerges from the blue waters, at the centre of the town’s port .You can visit it by boat and walk around and inside the little castle which is built on it, taking photos, though construction work is underway and there aren’t any facilities available for visitors..

  The view from there, towards  Nafplion  is beautiful , especially  at dusk , when the lights of the town start glistening in the azure blue horizon…

 The town really comes to life at night, the little streets are brimming with people eating frozen yogurts, ice creams of all possible flavours, tasting local dishes and getting in and out of shops and cafes.

Oh, life can be very sweet and easy going when the pace is slow and you are surrounded by smiling faces of people who are having fun in such beautiful surroundings!

 If you are the type of tourist who is keen on visiting museums and sites of archaeological interest there is plenty for you to visit and see. I especially like the folk art museum http://www.pli.gr/. On its two floors, garments and household items and furnishings are exhibited, travelling the visitor back in time. This is my favourite museum, though the Naval and Archaeological http://www.nafplio.gr/ones are of great interest as well.

Of course , it goes without saying that places like this, inspire romantic and artistic hearts and boost their creativity! J.

Some time ago, I promised a good friend and colleague of mine, a wreath for her front door and today I’m happy to present it to you!

 My favourite theme: little birds, felt, fabric and wooden flowers, butterflies ,lace and ribbons and Tadah! Sweet, tender and romantic!!

 Do you like it? My friend loved it and it now decorates her house and as she confessed, makes her smile every time she looks at it.  I’m really very , very glad and pleased when my little creations, are welcomed by people that I love and appreciate. This is my reward.

 I hope you are all having a relaxed, happy weekend and enjoy one of my most favourite months of the year, October.

My love to you all, 

Tina xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx