A little light in the darkness

I wish I could take credit for the pictures of Porvoo in the last couple of posts. They're from the image bank on the Porvoo City web site. Sorry for forgetting to mention it. I will try to take some pictures before Christmas when we go to the traditional craft fair in the Old town.

We still have no snow and it doesn't look like we're going to get any either since the exceptionally warm weather is supposed to continue. It's so dark all the time and we still have almost a month to go before it's winter solstice. Officially the sun rose 8.55 today and set 15.24.

I think I will make a cup of tea and have some chocolate and read my book...

First Sunday in Advent

I can't believe Christmas is only a few weeks away. I put up the first Christmas lights in our windows today. I've bought most of the gifts already. There won't be that many anymore because the girls are getting too old for toys. I'm looking forward to wrapping the gifts and sending the Christmas cards. I'm going to buy some flowers and a lot of candles and just take it easy and enjoy myself.

I haven't made any jewelry, but I've read a lot: the first four Harry Potter books, "Hunting Ground" by Patricia Briggs, "Strange Brew", "Must Love Hellhounds" and some other books. I started reading "Never After" today.

Have a good week!

Pictures © Porvoo City Tourist Office

Another rainy day

It's dark, it's raining, it's really depressing. I wish we'd get some snow and sunshine. I found these pictures and just had to post them.

Pictures © Porvoo City Tourist Office

Necklaces

Today I thought I'd share some pictures of necklaces and a bracelet I made a while back:

This is my favourite: Sea dragon from Sanctuary Glass, boro beads from Brendan Blake Glass Art (all but one and I can't remember where I got it, sorry), boro bananas from Sonoran Beads, crystals, silver noodles, silver beads and a bali toggle at the back.

Humming bird from Sanctuary Glass, boro beads from Jerri's Glass Art Beads, copper beads and findings and glass flowers.

Sea Horse from Sanctuary Glass, crystals, boro beads from Jerri's Glass Art Beads (bigger beads) and Brendan Blake Glass Art (smaller beads), boro bananas from Sonoran Beads, brass, metal beads and brandy citrine.

Snow and Arabian rhythms

Most of the snow we got earlier melted away, but today we got a little new snow. I didn't get an opportunity to take any pictures because it's dark when I go to work and it's dark when I get home from work. It was pretty gloomy today too, even if it was in the middle of the day... This is the National Museum in Helsinki.

These pictures just go to show that what's on the ground is mostly ice with a little new snow on top.

The reason I went to Helsinki today was to participate in a darbuka workshop. I've tried once before and it's pretty difficult even though I've heard the rhythms before. I've danced Oriental dance (bellydance) for almost 15 years although not so much these last couple of years. The class was a lot of fun and our teacher, Christer Hackman, was great!

Father's Day

We went to Porvoo to celebrate Father's Day with my parents and my brother's family. We had a really wonderful time with lots of laughs.

Here are more pictures of the pieces Mellisa at Chinook Jewelry so kindly showed on her blog.

This set also includes ceramic components from Summers Studio and from Every Heart Crafts. The other ingredients are brass, wood beads, seed beads, bloodstone and snakeskin jasper.

The other ingredients in this set are kyanite, freshwater pearls, seed beads and silver beads and findings.

Have a good week!

First snow

The first snow this fall fell yesterday evening and it kept snowing all day today. There is something almost magical about the first snow. It is just so beautiful. Hopefully it won't melt right away.