Edit:
This is an old post, but I link it to artsee bloggers because
registration for Summer Camp is still open!!!
You can join until August 15th.
Marit’s Creative Summer Camp is in the shop!
Find all the info about this crafting event here.
Sign up, and join the fun this summer!
And I have some other ‘goodness’ to share…
I told you last Tuesday, that ‘major housecleaning’ was on my to-do list.
This morning, I started with the top floor.
All the way upstairs, just under the rooftop, is my son’s room.
I sent him with a bucket of lather and some instructions to his room – after all,
he’s old enough (18) to do some housekeeping!
I myself started with our bedroom.
It needed some radical cleaning, not the usual ‘just vacuum and dusting’.
It may sound silly, but I had fun!!!
In the bedroom, there are these two closets.
The green one with the drawers is just a simple Ikea drawer (I had it for years!)
but it does an excellent job; holding our socks, stockings and underwear.
The display case has a long history.
I got it from my parents when I was twenty, and it moved along
with me all these years. It saw many different student rooms and houses!
In most houses, the case stood in the living room holding all kind of ‘treasures’.
In 1986 the top and side glass were broken by burglars – destructive types!
They took all our music (the stereo and all our albums and tapes) and they
destroyed my show case. One of the first things I did, was to take it to
a specialist to repair it!
For years, this showcase always was a crime to clean! Because it stood in
the living room (and we smoke a lot!) it got all dirty and brown.
I used to dismantle the whole thing to get it clean! Not anymore though…
When we moved into this house, I put it in the bedroom and it doesn’t get
as dirty as before. I also don’t look at it as much as before, so it was nice
to take al the things out, spend some time cleaning everything and think
about the memories that come with each item.
I’m going to share them with you!
- A painting that Lena made of my son (She’s very talented!
You can find this painting, along with others, in the gallery on her blog!) - The box I made for my workshop ‘A Creative Art Journey’.
- Cute little books, bind together with wire and beads.
It was a present from my mum. - Years ago, my parents went to Czechoslovakia (or was it Poland?)
Anyway, they bought me this wonderful, blue glass bowl. - A drawing my brother made for me in 1985.
He was zentangling back then while no-one heard of that word!!! - Decanter from France. I got it from my parents for my 43 (?) birthday.
I sometimes use it as a vase. It’s beautiful with one (blossom) branch.
And my showcase – holding my ‘treasures’.
- The top shelf shows a great deal of the mini-albums I made
over the years. - ‘Big’ mini-album I made of my son.
- This is special! This ‘poesie-album’ belonged to my grandmother!
(Most young girls have a poesie-album. Family and friends write
verses in it, to stay in memory. It’s an old, Dutch custom – Dutchies
will know what I mean) - Antique vase, got it from my dad. It belonged to his mother (my
grandmother) and she got it on her wedding day. Now that’s special
too, isn’t it?!! I love the orange ‘highlights’ on it! - My ‘crystal ball’. (It’s not really crystal, and I can’t see the future in it.
That’s a good thing I guess… who would want to know the future?) - Wooden and painted box from Thailand. It contains small shells.
- Clay sculptures my son made when he was little.
- Haaa.. this is fun! After Nout’s dad and I split up, my son began to
buy me something small whenever he went on vacation with his dad.
As a little kid, he didn’t have much money ofcourse, and the first time
he bought me a teaspoon with the name of the city on it. You know,
one of those awful commercial souvenirs that only tourists purchase.
I thought it was fun, and as he grew older, it became our ‘personal joke’.
Whenever he is on vacation without me, he brings me a teaspoon!!!
I hope you liked this glimpse into my life!
And here’s a card (and envelope) I made for a friend on her birthday.
(Happy birthday Karin!!!!)
Pfew, yet another long post…
I could make it a lot longer by telling you what plans I am hatching… but ‘it’
is only in an early stage and this post is long enough as it is. But believe me,
I have BIG PLANS cooking! If everything turns out right, I will soon have
GREAT NEWS to share which especially the Dutchies will like (hint-hint)
I wish you all a happy Easter!!!!
Good on you doing all that cleaning. I did that in the last month and it has felt wonderful to get everything squeaky clean!
I love seeing all of your treasures Marit! I have a collection of those spoons that were my mothers! Your display case is beautiful too!
I’m so sorry about the thieves! That is so frustrating, but so nice you were able to get it fixed 🙂
And I have to say, when I am in the mood for cleaning, I really do enjoy it!
I love looking into your life Marit! It’s fascinating! Spring cleaning is so good for the spirit, even if it doesn’t have instant appeal!!
I am looking forward to Summer Camp – will register this weekend I think!!
Happy Easter, my friend! =)
So cool to collect all your momento’s in that beautiful showcase!! I myself do that too. Maybe fun to show it on my blog as wel….??? There’s a lovely sculpture in it you made for me years ago… “dikke vriendinnen” (close or great friends…
Love the card you made for Karin and I’m sure she loves it too!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Yay for Spring cleaning! I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your case and all the goodies in it! Happy Easter! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Wat leuk om te zien, zo’n glazen kastje met zoveel ‘bewaardingen’! En geweldig..om op die manier zo’n verschrikkelijke theelepeltjes verzameling op te bouwen. Dan worden ze opeens leuk en bijzonder! En je kaart is ook weer super overigens. Fijne pasen!
I need to do the same. Thanks for sharing your treasures.
OOOOOh what fun to sneak a peek at your treasures – what wonderful memories! Sorry that thieves stole your music collection – I think we all have stories like that in our lives, but great that you found another use for the display cabinet. I am always fascinated how we use different words for things – we would use the word “closet” for an enclosed space in our homes in which we keep clothes or linens. In newer houses, they are big enough to walk into. We would call your green closet, a chest of drawers or a cabinet with drawers. Looking forward to reading your news! Have a wonderful Easter!
Ohhh, that showcase is so full of eye candy!
Voel me alsof ik heel dicht naast je sta , samen je spulletjes bekijken………… Ga nu met tranen in mijn ogen mijn lammetje een flesje melk geven…….
Hou van je.
I loved looking at your treasures!! The stories that go with them are wonderful!!
Hope you are having a happy Easter!
xxD
wat leuk dat je je ‘treasures’ aan ons laat zien met uitleg erbij! de kaart en envelop zijn weer plaatjes om te zien…als je zo’n kaart op je deurmat vindt dan kan je verjaardag al niet meer stuk!
Hello Marit
How sad that burglars broke into your house and stole your music. 🙁 But I am so pleased you were able to repair your beautiful display case.
Cleaning can be fun especially when it leads to a trip down memory lane, like your cleaning here did. 🙂
Your posts are always a delight to read Marit and thank you for sharing part of your life with your blog friends.
Keep shining….keep smiling dear friend.
Hugs
Peggy xxxxx
Yes, I did enjoy this glimpse into your life! I cleaned my house today but it only took me an hour …. Hmmmmm…… I think I need to take a leaf out of your book!
What wonderful treasures …thank you for sharing them. 🙂
Hello Marit,
I just signed up for your summer camp. While I am Dutch, I would like to join the English group, since I blog in English and that is mostly easier for me 🙂 I wanted to email you, but when I click the button, my computer wants me to use outlook, which I don’t use. Thanks! I love the envelope BTW 🙂
Camp looks like awesome fun! And I love getting to see a bit of your home! Thanks for signing up to Art Journal Every Day in May!