Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

Dala Horse free cross stitch pattern

The Dala Horse or Dalecarlian horse is a popular Swedish handicraft and souvenir. The name comes from its home province, Dalarna, in central Sweden. In the old days the Dala Horse was mostly used as a toy for children. In modern times it has become a symbol of Dalarna, as well as Sweden in general. Also now the horse has become the sign of good luck and these carvings are often given as gifts for hosts, family and friends. The authentic Dala Horse is carved from wood, but the symbol is now famous and replicated is a variety of mediums.

Mariya, the owner of LaMariaCha shop is a Scandinavian folk art lover I just couldn’t resist and had to create this Christmas ornament pattern. 

 You can use any color, not necessarily to use those in the picture. They can be embroidered on plastic canvas using woolen thread, then use this pattern for Christmas decorations or just put it in a hoop. These simple stylish embroideries can be a wonderful Christmas present for your family and friends or you can simply decorate your home.

If you use linen canvas, it’s better to begin from the middle. If you use plastic one, then began from any angle.

Framed embroidery from BelleCoccinelle

Long desired Easter Holiday will come very soon. This is very lightful holyday, which accompanies by careful cleaning of the home, and preparation of special holiday meals.
During this holiday we demonstrate extreme love to our close ones.
Small elegant framed embroidery from BelleCoccinelle will be great gift for upcoming Easter.
The owner of the store - Lana, she is an embroidery designer. 
She offers framed embroidery - nests with eggs, as souvenirs for this great holiday.

Blue Easter eggs

The nest is on light elegant baby blue background, and it made from natural robe, big glass pearls are great imitation of eggs. Light pink feathers are exquisite addition to the composition.
This kind of framed gift could be very elegant for mom, grand mom, or for any close one.

This soul steering nest is a very nice gift for toddle girl. 

Pink Easres eggs

Great spot could be found in her little bedroom for this Souvenir.

Promise “I’ll be back” would be elegant addition for those who are leaving for vacation or business trip for some time.

I will be back - Day

You can choose Day and/or Night version of this souvenir based on your taste.

I will be back - night

Please, come to BelleCoccinelle store, you will experience discovery of many interesting items.

Exploring Puglia - Ceglie Messappica

This Sunday we went to a Christmas dinner with some of our friends. The restorant was near the small town Ceglie Messappica far 40 km from Brindisi, half way between Brindisi and Taranto. This town is not so particular and beautiful as Locorotondo or Alberobello, but it is attractive small town in the countryside with long history. It’s one of the most ancient centres in Puglia. Ceglie Messapica’s history goes back to at least 15 centuries before Christ.

According to legend, the foundation of Ceglie was due to the great people of the Pelasgians, who arrived in Puglia from the East. Following the arrival of Greek colonists in the area, around 700 BC, the city took the name of Kaila. Between IX - VII centuries BC proud and honest people, Messapi built numerous residential centers, fortified with giant walls. It was their military capital It had four lines of walls, the inner one having a perimeter of 5 km. During the Messapi dominion the city prospered and extended remarkably, achieving a population of about 40.000 inhabitants.

When we arrived was a celebration of Carabinieri. This is their this festive form. Beautiful, Is not it?

The center of Ceglie.
Narrow streets.

The city and the country-side is full of restaurant, known and appreciated even outside the borders of Regione Puglia. In one of this we are going now…

Exploring Puglia - Valle D'Itria

With this post I'm starting a series of articles about cities and places in Puglia - wonderful region with many traditions and long history.
Yesterday after lunch we decided to make a trip in one fairy place. It called Valle D’Itria. This is a small valley between hills far 50 km from Brindisi. It’s a green stretch of countryside dotted with the famous whitewashed cone-roofed trulli houses. It is officially one of the Borghi piu belli d'Italia, the most beautiful small villages in Italy.


The roof of trulli is made up of stones without a single drop of cement or binder solution. Only last stones and decorative stone on the top attached with cement.
Also in all the south of Puglia you can see such fences of stones:

They also built without a cement but are still in good condition after so long time. The secret is that the stones are carefully selected. And on the top they put the bigger stones which their weight give solidity.
In the center of Valle D’Itria placed Alberobello. Its historic center is under UNESCO protection. But today we had not gone there, I'll tell about this town another time. Today we visited Locorotondo, another beautiful small town in the Valle D’Itria.
Valle D’Itria is famous not only with trulli but also with it’s wine and cheese “Cacciocavallo”. After traveling between vineyards, fields and olives, we arrived there in the evening.
Look, what a beautiful sunset in the midst of the valley:


Christmas is coming and the city started to be decorated with holiday lights:



The valley is located in the hills, so there are always a few degrees colder then in Brindisi and in winter is often snow. Today the temperature is +5 C, but feels colder. You can see the snow:


The historic part of town - the centro storico - is circular and perched on top of a hill. It's a whitewashed maze of little lanes lined with historic buldings, some humble and faded, others retaining rather grand baroque archways and architectural details.


Called, at the origin, "Casal S. Giorgio", its name was changed before in "Casal Rotondo", then in "Luogo Rotondo" and at the end in "Locorotondo". In dialect they call it "U’Curdum"
Locorotondo is in the Guinness because it is the unique town in the world with a name with 5 letters O.

Are you waiting the story about Alberobello?

Feature seller - interview with LittleGrayFox

Today I present you my new featured seller - LittleGrayFox

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Tsuki Fox and I’m a craft-a-holic. Sometimes I have trouble sticking with one project! I work a 9-5 job as an escrow assistant. It’s not really my passion, more of a paycheck, but I can’t complain.

2. What do you love about where you live?
I live just outside of Seattle, WA. Specifically, my neighborhood is quiet and peaceful and I love it. Generally, WA State is a great place to live! There are lots of fun activities to do and plenty of different places to visit. A lot of transplants can’t stand the gray weather, but it really doesn’t rain as much as you see in movies or TV. You just have to remember that all that rain is the reason why we have the nickname of the Emerald City…lush green landscapes!

3. Is your shop a business or a hobby?
I consider it to be a hobby. Unfortunately, I have to run it like a business since I was required to get a business license a couple of years ago. So now I’m trying to get it to be a successful one. I’ll let you know how that turns out ;)

4. How did you get started on Etsy?
I actually started as a buyer about 4 years ago. I had heard about it from a friend and back then it was a great place for all handmade items. Now, with vintage and supplies, it’s even better! I try to buy most of my supplies from other Etsy sellers…keep it in the family, yo!

5. What are you working on right now?
I’m feverishly working on holiday items, ornaments and brooches. I have a craft show in two days and I’m very behind on my work!

6. How did you choose your craft medium?
I chose polymer clay on a whim. It was over 10 years ago. I was bored and looking for a hobby. During a trip to the local craft store, I discovered polymer clay. With embroidery, I used to actually do it for fun when I was a kid, around 6 and seven. I would work on embroidery hoops with my step-mom at the time. I had stopped for several years and just picked it back up a couple years ago.

7. When you’re not working on your crafts, how do you like to spend your time?
I love photography. That is something I hope to continue to learn and grow with. I’m always taking photos either with my camera or my phone. I’ve had cameras for as long as I can remember. I still have pics I took when I was 8 years old! My dream is to one day make that my main income. Who knows if it will work out, but I’m having fun with it for now!

8. Where we can find you?

Name: Tsuki Fox aka LittleGrayFox
Etsy Shop: http://littlegrayfox.etsy.com
Blog: http://littlegrayfoxblog.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/littlegrayfox

Yesterday I was featured in Etsy Finds

Yesterday I was featured in Etsy Finds. This is daily Etsy shopping guide. It was surprise for me to see my Ice blue leather flower Shoe clips there!


This morning I saw Google Analitics and I had over 1000 person had a look at my shop and over 2700 pages viewed pages! It was like be on Etsy Front Page all day) Of course I had sales tonight.

You can see this collection here.
It's called "Holiday Spectrum"

Exploring Italy - Trip in Basilicata

Last Monday was a great holiday in Italy and we decided to take a trip. For a long time we intended to go to "Agriturismo" in Basilicata. "Agriturismo" is a restaurant-farm. They use their own products to cook and their dishes are very tasty! This restaurant is located in Rotondella in Basilicata, about 150 km from Brindisi. It is called "Bosco dei sapori" - Forest of Flavors, and it's a very right name! Everyting was delicious!

This is Rotondella - small antique town situated on the hill.


The view of Basilicata from the center of the town. Isn't it gorgeous?
After lunch we took a look around the farm.
(So cute)

This is a baby goat . It is only 4 hours old!!!

Sheepdog "Maremmano" - a famouse dog breed from Abruzzo. He is sleeping now.

So many cats))


In the forest nearby I found some mushrooms.