I swear I had a good subject line for this...

[wiseheart]

... but have completely forgotten by the time I switched my PC on. Grrr!

Anyway, I made my food runs in aller Herrgottsfrühe, as the Germans would say, and I got almost everything I needed. For some reason, two completely normal, everyday items were already gone half an hour after Aldi and Lidl opened (I suspect they've run out somewhen yesterday and didn't bother to fill up the shelves). No matter, they weren't that important - although you might disagree, as having ice cream sandwiches and Butterkekse in reserve can be a life-saver sometimes.

I did buy some beautiful hotfoil craft paper, though (because I only have half a cupboard full of craft paper, yes, but I didn't have these yet), and I made some mini gift boxes from medium-sized matchboxes, inspired by this video:

Mine are quite different, as they are made from actual matchboxes and won't serve as Advent calendars, but this was where I had the idea from. Pictures will be posted when I've made some more and finished the current ones.

As today it was a tad less hot, I decided to make crepes with Quarkfüllung, as I've finally figured out where Aldi has hidden the real Sahnequark. It turns out the weather was still way too hot for frying crepes, but they were very yummy nonetheless - even if a bit ugly. My non-stick crepe tin is no longer as non-stick as it used to be, it seems, but after a quarter of a century one cannot blame the poor thing.

Not much else happened. The food runs always take a lot out of me (especially having to get up so early), so I napped a bit in front of the telly in the afternoon, and that's most likely what I'll do in the evening, too. *g*

Comments

[meathiel]

Aldi seems to have a problem these days, I found 3 things over the best before date. And a package of mouldy cheese ...

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That's not encouraging. I like to buy my diary products there because no other grocery shop sells real Sahnequark here. They used to sell Spätzle, too, but stopped doing so a year or so ago, to my great disappointment.

[aeris444.livejournal.com]

These matchboxes are beautiful! I'm looking forward to see yours! And I feel you about crafting materials! We can have a whole room full of it, there is always something missing ;-)

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'm still experimenting with mine. Found a sheet of good, sturdy Christmas paper for the outside and make them different in the inside. We'll see how they turn out. I don't have all those fancy cut-outs and charms and stuff the lady in the video uses, but that fact forces me to be really creative. ;))

[amedia.livejournal.com]

I was also going to say I'm looking forward to seeing your matchboxes!

that fact forces me to be really creative. ;))

Having seen your creativity in other projects, that tells me your matchboxes will be something special. ♥

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

It's very kind of you to say that, but the sad truth is I can never reach the level of the originals I see on Pinterest or YouTube. Sometimes it is a bit discouraging, but I enjoy crafting nonetheless.

[amedia.livejournal.com]

I used to watch The Carol Duval Show, which was a very pleasant and calming thing to watch. She would have various crafters demonstrate projects. Occasionally I would try them out myself and ... wow, when they say, "and then you just ..." as if to imply that it's super easy, that was always the hardest part!

I had the most fun with the rubber stamps, though, because those are practically idiot-proof. I even managed to do the thing where you stamp with something sticky, then put colored powder on it (and shake off the powder that doesn't stick), then set it with a heat gun.

All that happened when I was unemployed some years ago; now that I'm working, I don't make the time for crafting--but I sincerely admire other people who do, now that I have a better idea how much time and talent it takes!

One of the funny side effects of watching that show is that whenever I get a piece of junk mail with a particularly eye-catching envelope--sometimes credit card ads have wonderful sparkly designs--I think for a moment that I should cut out the sparky part and keep it in a folder for when I need it! Then I remind myself that I don't do that. :-)

[ETA] I got a bit wrapped up in the story above! What I meant to say was that I really admire your works and I think you have an eye for making your projects look appealing. ♥

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I certainly do my best, even if my best often isn't enough. But since I'm a retired old hag, I can afford to spend my time with such things - alas, it makes me a hoarder, too. I very much understand the thing with the envelope.

The alluring part of crafting is that it is a lot easier than writing, and you get the results much faster. *g*

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

I've always been a little envious of people who are good at crafts. I want to see pictures of yours when you're done.
Trader Joe is still out of those curries I like, it's more than a little frustrating.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I came to crafting quite late, to be honest. Started with stitched cards in the convent - German nuns are a crafty people - then discovered felt craft a mere few years ago... and then there was no stopping me. Actually, I'm not half as good as I'd like to; my in-born inability to cut in a straight line doesn't help, and everything I make is a little imperfect (or more than a little, more often than not), but I enjoy doing these things. I'm sure if you gave something easy a try you'll discover your inner crafter, too. The results aren't half as important as enjoying the process. *g*

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

No, I have a nervous condition that interferes with my hand eye coordination.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

You could still work with clay, for example, or any substitute. I don't know what those are called in English, but we used to work with the kiddies substituting clay with a mix of flour, water and lots of salt and let the "works" dry and then they painted the things. They were usually very lopsided and hardly recognizable what they were supposed to be, but the kids had great fun.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

That' will be us tomorrow. We are going to make an early run to avoid the heat. It will be too warm to so anything else after 9 a.m.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

You've just given me a great idea for an early Christmas present.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear that, although the idea wasn't really mine. I want pictures, though, when you are done. ;)

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Neat matchboxes.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

They are beautiful, aren't they? Of course, if one has the sources these ladies have it is easier to make something amazing.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Very true.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

The little boxes are a lovely idea, I look forward to seeing your version.

Your crepes do sound good.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

My boxes won't be half this pretty, I'm afraid. Of course, I cut up one side of the outer hull, so they'll be actual boxes, not something to hang up. At least not the first batch. I might reconsider later and try the hung up version, too.

Too many ideas, too little time - and never the parts required by the original!

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

Handmade is usually never perfect, that is part of the charm. I find that you are quite talented at crafting, is spite of what you say about your results.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

You are too kind! :)
And it isn't so that I don't like the stuff I make, it's just that it never reaches what I've originally envisioned, and that can be frustrating sometimes.