The cat & the fiddle

Blah.

2008-03-11T13:54:00.004+01:00

I'm terrible with blogs, lately. I keep on putting them apart.. but, anyway, I am here today. I've been into box-making, it just came to my mind in the weekend, and here's what I did:

I'm quite proud of the work, but still not totally satisfied. They will be part of my Easter's cookies gifts. One of them (the 2nd one) has already reached its destination (and it seems it has been appreciated ;))

Happy Valentine's

2008-02-14T18:05:00.003+01:00

Well, I haven't been much here lately, even if I am spending hours at the PC. THe new thing to tell is that I have been asked to become Region Manager at BC.com, and I accepted, so I am helping cleaning up the Italian database of the "Go hunting" section. It's unbeliavable how many cities, villages, places there are in the place where I live :P
My crafts are going on, someone suggested I could try to sell some amigurumi animals on Etsy, I will think over it.
In the meanwhile I bought some lovely threds from an online shop in the US: Daisy Stitches. I'd like to recommend it, I bought everything I needed, but prices of the same thread in Italy are quite unbeliavable O_o
Here they are:

I just realized it's Valentine's Day, so I wish you a lot of love, friendship and... chocolate ;)

It's almost February!!

2008-01-26T10:05:00.000+01:00

Here I am! I can't believe how quickly these days are moving! I've been ovewhelmed with things, but survived anyway ;) I went on with some Amigurumi, + I joined Swap-bot and sent/received some swaps (here you can see some :))
Matilde is growing up a lot, and she definitely love cats! Well, I should say she love animals in general, she usually isn't scared of dogs even if we don't have one. But she love cats, as she's got 2 at home, and 3 here.

The yellow fairy book

2008-01-08T09:31:00.000+01:00

I just found out that the librivox project I was involved with has been published and it's ready to be listened from whoever would like to. It is The yellow fairy book, by Andrew Lang, and, in case you'd liek to listen my voice, I read chapter 37 :P
I am now involved int 2 more projects, but this was my first reading as an audiobook reader :)

Let's go on with crafting a bit..

2008-01-05T11:09:00.000+01:00

Well, I just tried to make another amigurumi animal, so here it is.

Thanx a lot for your comments, I'm happy someone like them :P
As for cross stitching, the first WIP of the year 2008 is the Row of fairies:

Very nice to be worked, and quick!

And, back to my life... holidays are reaching their end, and I'm a bit upset about it (like every year, actually :P). I must call back some concentration for my studies, hard work is waiting for me in the next months, so there won't be much time for relax. I just found out that I need another English exam, wich is not that bad (if I keep on thinking that I want to move, I need fo r sure to improve my English and take back some grammar), but this probably will be added to my thesis, so I don't know how much time I'll need to prepare the exam well as I'd like to..

What about Amigurumi?

2008-01-02T22:11:00.000+01:00

Me and my friend Laura were shoppping last saturday. We entered this shop which sas selling keyrings with amigurumi animals. No way I let her spend 8 euros on a pig, I thougt that with that money I could buy two big skeins and make at least 15 of those pigs :P
Anyway, today I reminded I promised Laura I'd try making one, and here's the result:

I am quite happy, as this is the very first time I try with the amigurumi technique :)

Happy New year!

2008-01-02T10:10:00.000+01:00

I know, I've been away from this blog for a while. I really had loads of things to do, esp. before christmas. BUt, luckily, everything went on his way. The gifts were all ready for th date, and the singing at church was OK.
Christmas passed on quietly, at home with parents and relatives. No snow, not even for New Year's Eve. It seems like we're going to have some for tomorrow. Let's see.

OK, my fave gift this year is this one:

My friend Isa liked it too, and I'm glad about it. It has been funny to stitch this one, I loved the colors.

..and I received this one:

The box is plenty of tea, which I love.

So, Happy New year to all of you.

Winter time

2007-11-06T12:19:00.000+01:00

I know this is not to be considered winter, yet. But, actually, I just mean I love this "autumn going into winter" time. I can do loads of things, loads more than in summer, actually. And going out it's not so bad, if you cover up properly, and find a place to drink hot chocolate or tea. ;)

Teaching and reading

2007-10-09T20:21:00.000+02:00

I've been called for a short substitution (a couple of weeks or a bit more) at my High School. Not that I want to be annoying, but a lot has changed since I was there. Well, OK, guys are just kids yet , the first two years are not easy to manage, but something really changed, and it's quite a difficult job. I believe it won't be my first choice after graduating, even if I have to admit I like teaching itself; I'd just needed someone a bit more focused on the subject..

This week I finalle had enough time to enter and enjoy LibriVox. It's just wonderful, thanx to a frined of mine who suggested this site, i finally will be able to record my voice for an audiobook :D Well, it'll be just a chapter for now, as I don't know yet *how* to record my voice properly (and I still don't have a microphone, but going to buy one as soon as possible..). More news about this when I start my project ;)

The books gameI

2007-09-24T11:20:00.000+02:00

I entered this game just this morning, so I'd like to explain you how it works, o if you want ou can join too :)

From september to february (included), name 6 books of authors you never read anything, and try to read them. You can add more than 6 if you want.
When you have one read, post it in your blog, better with a comment (or give a link if you leave a comment somewhere else ;))
Here's my list:

Jhumpa Lahiri, The namesake
Zadie Smith, White teeth
Armistead Maupin, Tales of the city
Amélie Nothomb, Igiene dell'assassino (in Italian, sorry can't find the English version)
Pablo Tusset, The best thing that can happen to a croissant (in Italian)
Michail Bulgakov, Master and Margarita (in Italian)

Projects keep on going..

2007-08-31T16:37:00.000+02:00

I am really on a busy period of life, and cross stitch follows me ;) A week ago it seemed to me that I hadn't up so many projects, but in a short while they became so much that I had to buy 18 brand new DMC colours. I've got almost all of them, now :)
A friend of mine is moving to Geneve for the next three yers, so I thought I could stitch something for her before she leaves, and here is what I made up:

In my mind this was going to be an iPod holder. Actually it could be an holder for many hoter things, so I'll just let Ross take the decision ;)
This is "september fairy" from "Quick&Easy". I think they're really cute, so I'll probably stitch many others for my friens, and one for me too, why not :)

Crafts.. done and project;)

2007-08-24T11:49:00.000+02:00

I finally finished the SAL I was in. It's Bent Creek "The seasons". I never joned a SAL before, and I was happy I could finish it in time :) Furthermore, me and mum found a nice and cheap frame, so it's already on the wall:

I've been so satisfied with Bent Creek patterns, that I decided to start a new project. It'll be a "Mini SAL"; as it's going to be me and mu friend Laura, and we're stitching something for Halloween, so there's not so much time. I show you the pattern now, but haven't statred it yet ;)

Pumpkins!!

2007-08-19T11:34:00.000+02:00

I am proud to show you the firs two pumpkin flowers of my plant:

My granfather said I probably planted it a bit late, but that I could expect a little pumpkin anyway ;) (and, after all, I 'd be proud anyway, as the grew up a lot).

I will let you know if they make the fruit too :P

A bit of chocolate

2007-08-14T10:38:00.001+02:00

"Make a list of important things to do today.
At the top of your list, put 'eat chocolate.'
Now, you'll get at least one thing done today."

Cross stitch magazine

2007-08-10T09:36:00.000+02:00

Cross stitch is one of my hobbies, and since Italian magazines are not that good anymore, it's quite a bit of time I am thinking of making a subscription to one of the lovely UK's magazines. Yesterdya, my friend Laura came to meet me, and she has suscription to cross stitcher, which is really enjoiable. As we will be able to exchange the magazines when we meet, I choose to subscribe to this one. It took a bit to decide, there are really a lot! ut I though I have loads of magazines with long and big designs, so I went for this, as it has quick stitches ;) I believe there'll be loads of cards to be done :P

Laura, anywam, came with a gift, the Row of fairies! I decided to put it a part for a little while, as this will be "all mine" ;)

Books, again!

2007-08-07T09:47:00.001+02:00

I finally decide to read "The woman who walked into doors", by Roddy Doyle. I read it a few years ago, and as I've been given "Paula Spencer" for my birthday, I wanted to refresh my mind before starting it ;)
Anyway, yesterday I received a parcel from Betterworld, and I've had two lovely books I've been waiting for :)

I had the chance to read "Bread alone" thanx to a Bookcrossing ring, and I liked it so much that I wanted to have a copy for my private collection. Wile browsing the net for the book, I found out that there was another book, a sequel! So I bought it too :)

The Deathly Hallows

2007-08-02T09:27:00.000+02:00

OK, first of all, I may warn you there will be some spoilers in this post.

I liked the book. It was strange reading it knowing this was going to be the end of everything.
I learned to like house- elves, that I used to ignore or don't like, esp. Kreacher, that I quite hated from the 5th book. I almost cried at Dobby's funeral :(
It was quite a shock to have Fred, Lupin and Tonks gone! Especially the last two, I just found them on the floor, dead! And Fred.. can't imagine George without Fred..
I was happy to know that my feeling about Snape was right, but his death was sad as well.
At first, I was a little disappointed by Dumbledore. I had to read the "King's Cross" chapter a couple of time, becoause it was a bit of a mess. Now I think that J.K. Rowling made him more human with his thoughts and mistakes.
I love the fact that Neville has been pictured as brave, he's always been one of my fave ;)
Thanx for giving me back Sirius, even if only for a little while :P
Didn't much like the last chapter, anyway. A bit hurried, in my opinion.

Just a thing now.. what am I going to read?? :P (OK; OK; I have a huge TBR pile,I just have to choose..). I'll be missing Harry Potter and his lot ;)

I'm home.

2007-07-31T20:02:00.000+02:00

Here we go, I'm home again. I came back to the beach on the last week of july, it was fun again, unless for the bed, who was terrible. Backache is back, I'll try to recover with some pilates.
Projects for the month of August are on the list: I have to study, meet some friends thata are home from work, bake something new.
Here at home I found two parcels for me, and I was really happy about.
One is from my friend Diana, who's living now in Orlando, FL, USA. She's working at Wlat Disney World, and look how nice she was sending me all these lovely things!

Then, you can see, I've had the last Harry Potter book from Amazon. This is why I'm ending this post right here and star reading it. We'll see in a while :P

Things of life

2007-07-17T12:02:00.000+02:00

Not that I want to complain or so, but I had to come back from the beach for this university thing.. well, my thesis, I should say. And it's all a mess. Things that I though were OK, are not, and it will take longer than I supposed to finish it. Anyway, talking with friends that went trough it already, I've been told that this is how things usually go with thesis. Nice to know. I just should learn not to be upset about it.
I'll try to think on something nicer...

Let's leave, again ;)

2007-06-30T11:59:00.000+02:00

I am going to this lovely place for a while. This place reminds me of my youngness (not that I feel to old, actually :P), as that's where I used to spend my summer holidays with my granparents. Now I am going with my sister and niece, so that's how life goes ;)

Rome! I'm back..

2007-04-10T08:19:00.000+02:00

Rome is great. Not that I didn't know it befor going, but it always give me the sensatione that, in the whole world, there are no cities like Rome and Paris.
I've had the chance to visit it with Romans, so I've had a special guide, who probably told me things that usual guides don't. ;)

Rome!

2007-02-19T12:20:00.000+01:00

I bought my ticket to Rome this very moment. It sounds quite stupid that I've been so far from that city for more than 6 years, and I live in Italy. That's usual, people say, we tend to go far away, forgetting things in our country.
I should put more effort on considering Italy, bu, after all, I know that most of the time I put it down on the list, just because it's too expensive (and this really get my nerves!).

Anyway, I'll be in Rome 4 day at the beginning of April, thanx to low-cost flight companies, that will let me save money and time, instead of taking a train.
Thanx to my friends. Again.

30

2007-02-18T18:53:00.000+01:00

...if three is the perfect number-
-from now on I am-
-ten times perfect-

OK, what's new? I turned out to be 30! Not that I feel different, it seems to be such a nice time to live ;) I've had so many calls, messages, gifts that I can't believe how many people remember me :P

Time

2007-01-17T18:38:00.000+01:00

That's what I asked myself. Not because I don't have time, but as I should take in consideration to use it properly, not wasting in things that don't have a clue, or don't reach a point.
Actually, it was a good start, it seems that I can do what a deeply ask myself. Well done.

700 books for Bookcrossing Italy

2006-11-10T08:58:00.000+01:00

Bookcrossing Italy is the official italian support of Bookcrossing, the book lover's community created by ROn Hornbaker in 2001.
As Bookcrossing Italy finally put up a new site, an Italian magazine (which claims to stay anonymous), give us 700 books, that were registered and labelled, just to be read and releases as in the Bookcrossing style.
Italian bookcrossers take this like a serious thing, ;), so we have now more tha 1500 books that will be released tomorrow, nov. 11, in many parts of Italy, esp. in Milan, from 6pm.
I will be joining the mass-release, and I will tell you here how was the experience, and maybe I'll put some photos..

Leaving

2006-11-05T14:29:00.000+01:00

..so you're leaving. For 13 months, and actually, I am happy like it was me leaving. Well, you know I am in the mood for leaving, and maybe my future is going to prepare me this gift, or maybe it's just my choice.
Anyway, back to you, do you really believe I will let you stay away for 13 months without taking my chance to come and visit the US for the first time? No way.. :P Just let me save some money, and I'll be hangin' around with Aladdin.. ;)

ps. have a nice time. This is the chance.

New year

2006-01-03T09:29:00.000+01:00

Do you believe I should make a list of what I must do or do not in the New Year? I just don't know. I guess I'd like to finish university or go close to, and I'd like to travel a little more, that means I'd better find a proper job and save some money (and even put some apart for future, you'll never know). I'd like to get rid of some ugly people, and of some bad habits I have as well (I'll do my best, I swear!). I'd even like to meet someone really special, and maybe, who knows, I've met already but I have to think over it ;)
2006 will be the year I'll be aunt.. this is lovely, so it's the greatest novelty I've had so far...

2005-12-31T12:05:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year!

2005-12-29T14:08:00.000+01:00

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent.Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art.
You would make an excellent:
Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic DesignerIllustrator - Musician - Sculptor
The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's" Your Ideal Career?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

2005-12-27T18:12:00.000+01:00

I love snow. Lately we've had it quite frequently, and today I went out and took a long walk. I live in a little city, so it was all white and silent. It seemed like everyone was at home, with a warm cup of tea in the hand, watching tv or reading a book. I was out, listening to silence. There was a sweet cold. ANd after a while, it was lovely to come home and take my cup of tea..

Happy Holidays!

2005-12-23T12:06:00.000+01:00

Me again

2005-12-11T17:18:00.000+01:00

Ok, I keep on leaving this blog apart, updating the Italian one. But then, again, I'm back! So, I've been down to Laura's yesterday, and it was all fun! This family is so kind, and I just can't believe is less than a year we know and we feel like bestest friends.
I must complain about the thing that the train was late, again, AGAIN! I almost missed the one to get to Laura, as the firs one was 20min late on 1h trip!! This is awful!!!
But everything went better, then...

Break

2005-10-01T18:01:00.000+02:00

I've had break with tea and Digestive. This reminds me of my breaks in Dublin on the afternoon, or after school with my friends.. I must admit I have a strong link with this city, esp. this season I feel like I'd be really glad to be there..

Been away

2005-10-01T13:26:00.000+02:00

I've been away from my blog for a long while. When English is not your mothertongue, it's quite difficult to find something to write, sometimes... but I am now in my "happy period", and an article I wrote has been published on the BC web, so this made me think that I should really go on writing.. mabe I could improve a little, there's so much I must learn again!

Monday

2005-05-09T11:15:00.000+02:00

I feel a lot better, today! Even if it's Monday ;)
Sunny here, and not too warms, so it is lovely to stay out reading or studying. Well, studying would be better at the moment, I've been too lazy lately!
But I swear I'm gonna take books back this afternoon. Lately I've been thinking a lot of times that I'm fed up of university, and I want to finish as soon as I can..

Angry Liz

2005-05-08T14:18:00.000+02:00

So, I start re'writing here after months. Well, today I feel angry! Suchi stupind things happens to make you angry. Today, it was just my violin could not play as the place I was, was too cold to let my violin play.
People just told me stupind things, and this made me angry.
Anyway, I feel like I have to change my humor. It's a lovely sunny day, I shouldn't waste it, should I?

Happy New Year!

2004-12-31T15:04:00.000+01:00

So guys and girls, happy 2005! This is the last post of the year, beginning 2005 with loads of posts in this blog :)
I'm going to have a quiet New Year's Eve, just having dinner with friends at my sister's... so happy 2005 to all of you!!

2004-11-11T20:52:00.000+01:00

Hello there, I'm back! I finally found enough time to take a look and start this English blog... It's not easy, as you know English is not my language, but I love it too much to miss the chance to write something!

2004-09-02T22:10:00.000+02:00

So, here's my first blog... I decided to open this one and the Italian one same day... so, as long as I'm not English mothertongue, please, be patient if I make mistakes..