4 Hours Cycling in Keoladeo National Park India

This place was just fabulous, a former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas till the mid 70's.We hired a couple of bikes and spent four hours bumbling along the paths. My biggest disappointment of the day was my pictures as the day before I was very rudely relieved of my beloved camera on the metro, and so had to go and buy another which I found a nightmare to use at the beginning. Still I got a couple of semi decent pictures, if you ever find yourself in this area of India you should definitely visit this park, hire a bike but  make sure you have a cushion to sit on, a camera you know how to use, otherwise you will have crap pictures and a 3 day butt ache afterwards.

  this area was covered in algae magical to see

  There is a big lizard if you look closely

  These painted storks were so beautiful and huge

 The trees in the distance are filled with Painted Storks

Time for reflection and resting a sore behind

Cormorant 

Another magic reflection

 Look how many ducks were shot sorry bagged

Book Folding Art

This is a lovely story regarding how a young man started his business. Wouter  Hinssen  was searching for a special birthday gift for his girlfriend, when he stumbled upon an  image of a folded book.  He then gave himself a mission to create such a book for her birthday. How romantic is that?

After a few weeks he figured out a method to create patterns and folded these patterns into a book. He then got really into it and received a lot of positive remarks from people that he knew, also from his girlfriend, who was absolutely psyched about the folded book.

He then decided to share his newfound hobby with the rest of the world. He created his own website  and a few weeks later opened his Etsy-shop. The reason why he is not only selling folded book art but also the patterns is that he wanted other people to experience the thrill it will give them when they create their own folded book.

If you are interested in creating your own folded book art, or would like to have  an original and unique item in your home as decoration, then please take a look in his shop.  You can also ask Wouter to make a custom order for you. He is currently offering a 15% discount on his website www.foldedbookart.com using the code "15OFF"


Wouter on Face Book

Linky For Face Book Fans

Giveaway...Eyes of India.. Crochet Wall Hanging, Tapestry, Bedspread

Eyes of India have been sourcing and handpicking a large and eclectic range of items from craftsmen and artisans in villages and cities across India since 2008.

Founded by Dani and Anastasya an American couple with a deep love of India and its people, Eyes of India aims to deliver the most unique, original and creative works of craftmanship and artisty, which provides additional means for artisans to sell their crafts and earn additional income.

New to their range are beautiful multi coloured crochet quilts, handmade by artisans in the East coast state of Orissa. This gorgeous piece can be used as a throw, bedspread or blanket bringing you a touch of luxury from India.  It measures  64" x 64"  (163cm x 213) and valued at $99.99  (Pillow not included in the giveaway)

TWIN-CROCHET-WALL-HANGING-TAPESTRY-BEDSPREAD

Woman handcrafting in Gujarat, India

Throw Pillows & Decorative Cushions

Block Print Drying

Beautiful "Khambadiya" floor pillow

Eyes of India sponsors....The Hope Foundation

Brass Door Handles

What their customers are saying

Eyes of India on Ebay

Hi there! I really do LoVe the pillows & will definitely be back for more! I am amazed how fast shipping was!!!!! Thanks again for everything!
Clara, UK

Just a note to let you know received the beautiful painting in mail today-- love it!!! Will be giving this to my husband as one of his Christmas gifts this year. thanks so much! 
Peggy, USA

Thank you so much for the beautiful Om bedspread which i received today. It was packaged beautifully with a really nice hand written card. I will cherish this item. Thank you. Peace

Shane, Australia

Now for the exciting bit, this giveaway will run from today till the 10th Feb,and is open WORLDWIDE, easy to enter. A huge thanks to Eyes of India. . Good luck  everyone xx

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Sew Pretty Sunday Treasury

Pair of Victorian Sterling S... BelforAntiques $150	Antique Thimble Holder Silve... OldTextiles $48.9	Antique Sterling Silver Hand... MindiLynJewelr... $18	21 Silver Metal Buttons - f... RedLittleVinta... $14
Vintage Corticelli Pure Silk... FahrenheitVint... $7.95	Sewing Machine Charm - Sterl... WilsonBrothers $49.99	Antique STERLING TAPE MEASUR... DaffodilsVinta... $155	Vintage Flash Card N is for ... pezzazz $4.99
RARE Antique Figural Pincush... ALadiesShop $895	3 Vintage 1960s Silver Kilt ... ifoundgallery $6.75	Ornate Antique Silver Buckle... GypsythatIwas $14	Vintage Signed JJ Brooch/Pin... JoJosJJs $12
Antique Metallic Silver Lace... FrothOnADaydre... $9.8	vintage sewing box wooden ho... dizhasneatstuf... $85	Button Factory Sample Card BigCityButtons $10	Vintage Box of All-In-One Ta... VictorianWardr... $7.99

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Me and My Shadows

I love shadows; I find them quite magical and often very intriguing. The only shadows I do not like are the ones that loiter for the rest of the day under your eyes after being woken up at 4am by my (not today) DH. This morning I heard in the distance “Chrissie are you awake”? I responded with a humph sound. DH cheerfully asked  "would you like a cup of tea".  I would have  preferred a gun right at that precise moment with just one bullet! Tea was good all the same. Here's a few of my shadow pictures, minus  my under eye shadows, be grateful.

Our First Vintage Camper Trip.. Najac

Just before Christmas last year we bought a 1989 vintage camper on a whim, first it was cheap and second it was in pretty good condition. We had a 2 hour drive to go see the little lady (yes it’s a girl). My intention was to go see it and put every obstacle in the way to not buying her (not sure if I wanted to join the happy camper’s tribe) but the minute I saw her I fell in love. So for the past few weeks DH has been tweaking, fiddling and fixing and getting her ready for our first trip.

Tada, so for our first venture we went to visit some friends who live close to Najac about a 2 hour drive from here. Najac stretches out along a single street. The village is perched on an exceptionally long rocky ridge,where an imposing mid 13th century Chateau Royal sits and watches over the river Aveyron.

curtesy 

The plan was to spend the night in the camper and then meet them for lunch, and as we have a cat we thought it would be fun to take her with us, just how wrong can you be... well in this case totally!!! First the cat sat on my lap in the front and cried like a banshee and then leapt into the back and made a sound that will haunt me for the rest of my life. She then came and finally settled onto my lap and fell asleep, or perhaps she fell into a coma with fear, I am not too sure.  We arrived in Najac mid afternoon and the place was deserted as most French villages are this time of year. Still we had 8 places to choose to park our camper in the municipal parking lot and we needed all the space we could get to practice reversing it but we did it, and right next to the electric hook up.

Ah! You need tokens for the electric but it did have a little sign telling you where you could buy the tokens.  On entering the village, it was as dead as the campsite but the bakery was open and we came out with bread and 5 electric tokens. Sorted!  By now B our cat wanted out and so we put the harness on her no problem and we attempted to take her for a short walk but, short of dragging her along the ground, we failed and had to let her off the lead.  She looked at us and then headed for the field and that’s pretty much where we spent the next 2 hours trying to coax her back into the van.

Apart from a few minor details like forgetting to take some milk, tea, butter and the gas running out,we had a fun night and a fabulous day with our friends but as for taking the cat again I think not and I am sure our cat feels the same!