Love Bandit

I wanted to create a Valentine's Day card which is a bit different and still my style. Thus I chose a western theme.

Who could possibly resist that Love Bandit?

A heart painted on a wood slice -- Old West romance.

My alternative title for this Valentine's Day tag is:

You are my shooting star.

Name Day

It has been a while that I posted for Beverly's Pink Saturday. On my name day on February 1, I got a few lovely gifts with pink accents, so Pink Saturday is the perfect chance to share them. Isn't the caterpillar with the pink flower hat just cute?

This is a glass cupcake within a glass dome standing on a pink glass plate I already had.

It's the year for cupcakes -- another one made from porcelain.

Given -- this tulip isn't pink, but it's beautiful nonetheless, isn't it? We have had an extreme cold for days here in Germany, so I welcome this bit of spring in my living room.

Finally, here's my new lizard ready to munch on a flower.

Happy Pink Saturday!

K is for Kindness, L is for Love

Last week I didn't get around to post for Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday in time, so here's a double post for K and L. Kindness and love -- two great words with Valentine's Day around the corner. Two words which are so much more than words. After all, you can't take kindness and love for granted or rely on them being there forever. All the more, that's a reason to say thanks for acts of kindness and love whenever possible. Today I want to seize the occasion and thank Peggy from Peggy's Mixed-Up Art! I was one of the lucky people who won an art calendar made by her.

Peggy made great use of that keepsake photo album calendar, starting with a cheerful cover.

Don't you want to join these kids playing games?

A Valentine's Day sweetheart.

Dear Marie Antoinette: "She has communication issues."

Spring is in the air!

So very elegant.

A perfect day indeed.

Gotta love Peggy's humor!

Splendid August.

Back to school in September (at least here in Bavaria).

A sweet girl in October.

Pure joy of living in November.

Joyful December.

Isn't Peggy's whimsical art calendar just fabulous? It now has a place of honor in my kitchen. Another thanks goes to Kathy from Running With Rocket. She recently gave away a packet of dark chocolate-covered pecans and walnuts. Delicious -- a great Valentine's Day treat!

I also put something in the mail these days. A friend recently had a baby boy, so a card ...

... and some tiny gloves are on the way to her.

I also put the Oktoberfest T-shirt in the mail and hope that Jo-Ann will like it.

J is for Jelly Beans

Doesn't just looking at jelly beans make you happy? So colorful, so bright -- happy candy!

What better J to share for Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday?

Winner of the New Year's Giveaway

A big thanks to all of you who played in my New Year's giveaway! I wrote 22 names on 22 circles.

I folded the circles twice and put them in a pretty glass.

All of them together, waiting for the big draw.

I wish I could send all of you that T-shirt, but the lucky winner is...

... Jo-Ann Dziubek-MacDonald who is a talented artist.

From her website:

"Painting with watercolor and mixed media is my passion. I find that creating art lets me express myself and just let go and enjoy life. I started this blog to share my work, I hope you enjoy!"

Congrats Jo-Ann! The T-shirt will soon be on its way to you.

Year of the Dragon

Moo-Mania's very first challenge is Asia -- perfect for a moo dedicated to the Year of the Dragon which starts today.

From the website Chinese New Year 2012:

"[T]he Year of the Dragon will be marked by
excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity."

H is for House and I is for Illumination

Well, I missed last week's deadline for H, so today you are in for a double treat thanks to Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday! Let's start with H then.

I had driven by that house countless times either by train or car, yet recently I had the chance to walk by it.

For the first time, I had a closer look at the facade and made out some words:

Frage nicht was andere machen,
acht auf Deine eignen Sachen.

Now that's one piece of worthwhile advice:

Don't ask what others are doing,
take care of your own matters.

Now on to this week's letter -- I.

Recently, I noticed how gorgeous our neighbors' tree looked illuminated by the early morning sun. I immediately took my camera and snapped a photo. Illumination at its best.

Chic Freak

Haunted Design House has a new challenge -- Chic Freaks. Since Barb also allows digital artwork, I had great fun coming up with a Halloween-ish ATC. Isn't the little freak just chic?

Blog headers 2011

Looking at my blog headers of 2011, I must admit that I don't have a favorite one this time. It was a joy to create them all.

If you want to see more of my previous blog headers, click here for 2010, 2009, and 2008.