Билл Сайфер

Вот, интересно, среди вас есть те, кому имя Билл Сайфер что-то говорит? А местечко Gravity Falls? Может быть, это только я "не в теме"?)))) А все уже давно знают Билла "в лицо"?))))

Когда моя сестра Катюшка прислала мне картинку с Биллом и спросила, могу ли я такого шить, ответила, что да, несложно ж... Но, говорю, это вообще кто? На это был дан ответ, что пока не понятно, ведь "мульт еще идет"...

Так я и шила - "то, не знаю, что")))) Своим тоже отвечала, что понятия не имею, кто это, но шью его для Катюшки)))

А потом уже выяснилось, что этот желтый, одноглазый, в шляпе-цилиндре, с галстуком-бабочкой и кирпичами на пузе и спине - некто Билл Сайфер... Весьма неоднозначный персонаж... Один его глаз меня напрягал, потому сшила ему двойника, тоже одноглазого, но вместе они смотрятся ничего так)))

Билл сшит из фетра. Ах, впервые в моих руках оказался наиприятнейший фетр!!!! До этого все какие-то не такие фетры попадались. А этот так приятен, так и просился под машинку, чтобы что-то из него сотворили... Надо еще такого фетра прикупить)))

Обнимаем вас (с Биллом)))

Baby bath tea bags: homemade with love

It is good when a baby loves bathing. Most of them do, but sometimes it seems they hate it. Just a guess, it might be a skin irritation that bothers them.

Baby skin is so soft and sensitive that it is often prone to redness and inflammation associated with diaper rash, sunburn, eczema or allergens. Using soap or wash gel can make the irritation even worse. In fact, newborns don't need soap at all. Water is enough, and herbal water is even better.

Bath tea bags are very handy and easy-to-use. All you need is just to hang a bag on the tap while the hot water is running through it filling the bath. Or you can simply drop a bath tea bag in to a bathtub and let it soak for a few minutes. Herbal extracts warmed in hot water dissolves in it turning the tap water into a healing remedy for you little angel. The herbs can take an inflammation and redness away and make your baby feel much better.

Lavender and oatmeal are known to be the natural cleansers. Calendula petals, bur marigold and chamomile blossoms have a soothing effect being anti-inflammatory agents. Rose petals are also can be used as skin calming remedy for irritated baby skin. It is good to add sun dried sea salt to the bathtub. It softens the tap water and enriches it with sea minerals that are needed for newborns.

Bath tea bags are sold at various stores and pharmacies. But what if there's none around or you need it right away? You can make baby bath tea bags at home. All you need is just a cup of your favorite herbals and a piece of cheesecloth, organza or muslin. Make drawstring bags out of a square or round piece of fabric – you can sew the seams as well if you want. Put some petals and blossoms in the center of cheesecloth and tie your bag tightly shut so the loose herbs won't float out into the bath water. After use the contents of your bath tea bag can be emptied, the bag itself rinsed out then washed to be refilled and reused.

You can sew the baby bath tea bags using a nice-looking organza or muslin as well. Use a contrast color of drawstrings to make a bag of interesting design. Handmade bath tea bags are very elegant and sweet, and can also work as a nice gift for your neighbor's baby-shower party. 

Using handmade baby bath tea bags can quickly take all skin redness and irritation away, and your baby will be grateful for such a nice spa-like bathing. You both will enjoy this bath time!

Just a winter-time thought…

We often wish what we don't have and not fully enjoy all the wonders we already possess. This time I am talking about winter with its snow, ice and cold weather.

When it was really burning last summer with heat's temperature hitting 50+ in Celsius (over 120 in Fahrenheit) we all wanted winter, just cool down. The last two weeks with freezing -25 degrees C (-13 F) made us mad frozen “angry birds” wishing the summer to happen immediately.

It's a little bit warmer now. It feels incredibly good and spring-like. But we are still facing another week of severe frosts to come soon. At least that's what they are saying… Let us stay warm!

Are neckties real or surreal?

In this real world there are numerous things that seem not real and even surreal. Buildings of a peculiar design, strange cars and bikes, weird looking clothing and shoes, even odd electronic devices can be seen almost everywhere and especially in large cities. Neckties are not an exception. There is a whole industry producing neckties of all possible colors and width, plaid or plain, dotted and spotted, with and without images and sayings on them.

There are also some quite eccentric products among the neckties. You can’t find them in the department stores or large malls. They are even not easily discovered in the Internet. To get them you may need to search all local flea markets and dig through many small garage sales. People don’t easily unveil these ties as they may realize of their value. Some of these ties are very original and probably don’t exist anywhere else. These ties are vintage limited edition totally inimitable Salvador Dali ties.

Salvador Dali who was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres. He was best known for his totally striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. Dali was an extremely imaginative and talented. Among his expansive artistic repertoire there are numerous outrageous films and sculptures, photography and lithographs, designs for theatre sets and costumes, and a variety of other extraordinary works, including over 40 designs of neckties.

It is hard to find all originals by the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Now it is quite difficult to come across the genuine Dali ties. And they would probably cost you a fortune. The originals have Dali’s signature at the bottom right of the tie’s tip that proves their authenticity.

Ties like this were produced shortly after World War II when manufacturers hired street artists to create imaginative designs. These designs were intended to be used in mass production of ties to a now prosperous public. Approximately 43 designs were produced in a variety of colors. Each tie is an unique masterpiece of incredible color combination and vibrancy. 

There are a few contemporary Dali ties out currently on the market, mostly on the Internet auctions. But none of them can compare to the deliciousness and elegant beauty of the originals. 

If you eager for some surrealistic accessory, try finding modern ties that are a tribute to Dali’s most famous paintings like “The Persistence of Memory” (Salvador Dali’s most famous work, featuring the “melting clocks”) or “The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory” (another Dali’s variation of “melting clocks”.

Our life sometimes seems being an illusion filled of crazy and unrealistic things and ideas. We may even be uncertain of their existence. But please, don't doubt and be sure that surreal ties are real when you see them!

Sushi helps moms with early childhood development

If you’re a mom who has a child from newborn to age of eight, you probably heard something about the early childhood development, or you are most likely practicing it with your child. Do you know that the experiences a child obtains in his early childhood are critical to his emotional and intellectual development? During these early years, 75% of brain growth is completed.

Of course, each mother would want to see her children smart, intelligent and very healthy. And for those mothers who are sushi lovers this task can be not hard at all.

How can sushi help moms with this brain-development program? The best exercise to develop child's brain is to play the various games with his fingers and palms. Picking small items up, touching different textures, massaging the palms with something hard and rolling things between the hands – all this stimulates a kid's brain. So, basically all a sushi-lover-mom needs to do is to prepare the family favorite sushi with her children at home!

Here are some “fun sushi games” for raising your brainy child…

Washing rice. Put some rice in a large bowl and cover it with water. Ask your child to wash the rice thoroughly. For this offer your kid to grab some rice, squeeze it between the palms and rub it until the rice is clean. It is a great sushi-rice massage for your little one!

Sorting sushi fillings. If you are making several types of sushi, you probably have various fillings in front of you. Put some of the ingredients on one large plate and give your little sushi-maker several smaller plates. Ask your kid to sort each filling to a separate plate. Picking up small pieces of cheese, avocado, shrimp or cucumber will tickle your child's brain!

Rolling sushi. When everything is ready to make a sushi roll, offer your precious one to make it first together with you and then by himself. He would be delighted with this idea! Help him make a roll with a bamboo mat and bring to his attention how great it is to be able to make such a complicated task. It will make him proud of himself and will raise his self-consciousness. This game provides a palm massage, trains hand muscles and develops the child's coordination as he needs to use both hands simultaneously. Rock-n-roll, sushi-lovers!

Chopsticks fun. Chopsticks can be a great training machine for everyone, and especially for a child. Being able to eat sushi with chopsticks is a great skill. But more than the fact of being able to eat sushi the way it is supposed to, chopsticks are incredible for developing your coordination. Playing with chopsticks, trying to find a delicate balance trains your ability to hold chopsticks in your relaxed hand and use them, and will give a boost to your child's brain development!

And by the way, if you play these “fun sushi games” together with your child, it will keep your mind sharp as well. Have fun and some sushi!

А в славном городе Парижу…

Разбирали недавно свои старые саквояжи и обнаружили фотографии из нашей поездки в Париж.

К слову сказать, было это давно (хотя, что такое несколько лет в контексте Вечности???), да и сама поездка была деловой, а не развлекательной.

На гулянья и веселья у нас времени не было, но мы все же устроили себе одну длинную прогулку Aux Champs Elysées – прошли Елисейские Поля от начала (Триумфальная Арка) до конца (Лувр), по дороге заглядывая в магазинчики, фотографируясь здесь-и-там.

Невероятно, но потратить практически целый день на одну (!) улицу Парижа… Оказалось, что и это возможно.

Приглашаем вас прогуляться вместе с нами, взглянуть, чем Париж дышал 6 лет назад жарким летним днем…

Это, кстати, Центр Жоржа Помпиду... Достопримечательность, запомнившаяся со времен школьных текстов по французскому...

Прогулка, естественно, будет с игрой – как обычно, я маскируюсь на фотографиях. Иногда слегка, иногда – чрезвычайно. Если вам по нраву такое развлечение, ищите Кота Крафта рядом со знаменательными достопримечательностями Парижа!

Между прочим, в этот раз игра чуть усложненная. Две фотографии – с секретом-ловушкой! Пишите в комментариях, везде ли вы нашли Кота Крафта, и что за секретик такой… Мурр!

«Элементарно, Кот Крафт. It’s London, Sir!»

Бейкер-стрит… Сколько людей в самых разных концах Земли грезило об этой небольшой улочке, и все потому, что там – резиденция всеми любимого и почитаемого Мистера Шерлока Холмса.  

Немногим удавалось застать его дома – человек он занятой, да к тому же и мастер перевоплощения…