Kädentaitomessut- Arts & Crafts Fair

Last  November I went to Kädentaitomessut (Arts & Crafts Fair) in Helsinki. I took pictures but never got around posting about it. Yeaaaaah. That’s how I apparently roll. Well, lucky for me, the fair is twice a year and it’s coming up again in couple of weeks time. So isn’t it really better to post about the fair now? BEFORE the fair is on? As to give information what’s it about?

At least that’s how I reason it to myself.

Anyhoo. The fair is held in huge (in Finnish huge, not American huge) convention center. There are several wings of which one is for crafts and (this time) the other fairs held at the same time are: Child, Model Expo, Outlet Expo and Local&Organic Food Fair. I’m particularly excited about the last one because, hey, tastings. Mmmm. Food samples…

I like that there are both small independent crafters and manufacturers AND shops that sell supplies. Pictured above are bamboo dish rags by Susannan Työhuone (Susanna’s Workroom). I didn’t buy one but I kind of wish that I did. I tried to keep a budget so I bought only necessary supplies like washi tape, ProMarkers, stamps…You know. The basic stuff.

March Thrifty Giveway

Woohoo! It’s time for the March Giveaway, naturally in April. Why am I giving stuff away every month this year? No other reason that I like winning free stuff myself and I take part of every raffle that I find so this is my way of paying back. Anyhoo, do you want to know what’s up for grabs?

A Finnish craft/home decor chain has had bunch of their craft goodies on -70% discount. By the time I got there, the shelves were pretty picked but I got something that you might like. First is a wood mounted stamp by Stampendous, then a pack of 4 Memento felt tips and last but not least, some lovely, yellow brads. Since these were on sale, they fill the only requirement I have for the prize, it has to be something thrifty/thrifted.

Now the important part. How to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this giveaway post AND your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. The e-mail won’t be visible to anyone else but me.
2. For a second chance to win, blog about this giveaway with a link back here. There’s no need to use picture but if you do, the first one is the one you should use.
3. Follow me on Facebook and tell me here that you did and if you already are a follower, remind me that you are.
4. Follow me on Pinterest and tell me here that you did and if you already are a follower, remind me that you are.

That is four chances to win, my friends! The giveaway closes on 30th of April at 23.59 Helsinki time and is open globally. I will contact the winner personally and announce it here too. The winner has 7 days to respond to my e-mail before I draw a new name.

Disclaimer: This prize was bought by me, by my own money. The companies mentioned here have no idea who I am. They might come to check out my site when they see in their stats that someone has linked to their sites but that’s about it.

Link Parties:

• Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Reader’s Choice at 30 Handmade Days
• Link Love Thursday at Easy Living Mom
• Thrifty Thursday at Living Well Spending Less

Pink & Washi Birthday Card

My sister celebrated her umpteenth birthday last weekend. Let’s not dwell on the age but rather talk about the card I made. Which is totally pretty and awesome:

I busted out my washi tapes and taped rows of them on a basic square card.

Then on the inside wrote greetings with Dymo. On my brand new PINK Dymo-tape. It says “Happy 29th Birthday Anniversary Sister, from Sister” I added some more washi here too because, why not.

Then on the back I added the year. Leaving the back blank just didn’t work and adding this small bit made the whole card more interesting. To finish things off I rounded the corners with my round corner punch.

 So here it is. Pretty in Pink & Washi! Easy! I wish I had taken the pics in better light because the graphic style really doesn’t show off in these pics. Anyhoo, I’m happy with the end product and I’m entering this card in following challenges:

My Grafico Challenges: #144- Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew: Challenge #28- Girly
Shopping Our Stash: Challenge #87- Valentines, Heart, Red, Love etc…
Simon Says…Anything Goes!
Paper Pretties: PWC243- Square Cards
Cute Card Thursday: Challenge #254- A Different Corner
Paper Crafting Journey: For a Girl
Natalie and Amy’s Challenge: #6- Something Old. Something New (old and new washi tapes)
Pile It On Challenge: #4-Decorative Tape
The ABC Challenge: G for Going Dotty

Thanks for dropping by!

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Colour Combo

Yes. It’s my last Craft Your Passion Challenge as a DT. I feel like I’ve learned so much about myself during these past 6 months and really, should be holding some kind of speech. But since I’m lazy, I’m only sharing my card.

 This week’s theme is this fabulous colour combo (yes, I really had to add the “u”). I know, I know. At first it seems like a whole lot of fluorescent but once you get going, the colours come together pretty easy.

 Ta-dah! The colours are slightly off. I scanned it so they don’t come across as bright as they are in real life. The rosettes are from my local craft store, the banners are actually plastic push pins and background paper is either MME or OA. Can’t remember. The tire is paper pieced to give some dimension and it looks rather fun in real life. If you are interested to take part, click HERE and you have a chance to win 5 digis from Mayzy Art.

I’m sharing this card also in following challenges:

Make It Monday: #125 with Meljens Designs
Paper Playtime: Challenge #2- Use Some Brown
Ooh La La Creations: Challenge #122- Wheely Good
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Let’s Get Paper Piecing! (the tire swing)
I <3 ProMarkers: Challenge #152- Anything Goes
Simply Create Too: Challenge #29-Anything Goes
Kortisto: #15- Pyöreitä
Pile It On: #4- Decorative Tape

Thrifty Finn. Over and out.

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Because Not All Valentine’s Days Can Be Great Successes

There’s a new, Finnish card challenge blog called Kortisto that has these rather oddball themes. Additionally the challenge blog is all about winning. No having fun, no satisfaction from just making things. They are looking for blood, sweat and tears.  The current challenge, 14th in order, is Something Out of a Porn Shop. Meaning you have to make a card that an adult store might sell. Personally I thought more of Ann Summers kind of place rather than something from Amsterdam’s back alley.

Aren’t we Finns fun?

Anyhoo, my new Crate Paper-goodies arrived today so I decided to make an adult Valentine-card (which probably isn’t something the designers at CP had in mind but eh, what they gonna do about it?) Here it is:

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Can’t get any classier than this. The height of boudoir sophistication, don’t you think? This is the card for the confident gal.

I wouldn’t recommend giving this card to your office crush. Or anyone who you would be seeing again in any kind of normal social setting. Unless…

 ….You are very, very good at coping with rejection.

I’m sharing my Valentine at following challenges:

Kortisto: #14- Pornokaupan Kortti
Creative Inspirations: #198- Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew: Challenge #28- Girly
City Crafter Challenge Blog: Week 143- Forever Mine (or not)
Craft Us Crazy: Challenge #35- Celebrate Love or Seeing Colour Red
Pile It On: #3- Have a Heart
Simon Says Stamp and Show: What Are You Known For? (Witty humour!)

Have you started making Valentine’s Day cards yet? Are you going to? Have you considered taking part my January Giveaway?

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