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To live and enjoy every day to its fullest, use my gifts to help others, I travel to wherever passion finds me.

What Will She Paint?

So many friends I met here...!

Sunday, January 08, 2012

HANDMADE IN HOLLAND - WITH LOVE

Scenic Sunday

Part of my world is in the Netherlands, part is here in the US
Still have friends and relatives in the European world
I have the advantage of taking the good of both worlds!




This is heaven for artists. The request I made to my friends
was to bring us there...to Heerhugowaard,
close to Alkmaar (known for the cheese market)






 Supplies for every possible branch of art,
we could have spent hours here,
but our hubbies were with us






Stones go by weight, per kilo or pound
I got me a piece of  7 lb., otherwise my friend would take it! 


Soapstone is not readily available in the US, 
except for the building industry and very expensive!
So we braved customs and put it in our backpack:) to the US








In her living room stands one of her lovely soapstone creations,
with a hint of pink brought out when the stone is  waxed. 
Her choice was to leave some rough edges. 









Right in front of her house, like many, there may be a dyke, a canal, 
or a body of water. So one can see boats 
in the midst of a residential neighborhood. 
Now I live in the US, I kind of miss that feature.








In her gift  package to me when I left, was this lace heart
which is the lining for a heart shaped glass dish
Handmade in Holland  - with love!




***

42 comments:

juanna said...

We can`t live without art...

Gattina said...

How nice ! My son and family live in Amsterdam, but it's not far from Brussels around 200 km.
The yellow car was not a taxi but an ambulance ! The neighbor had some troubles with his wife who just gave birth at home !!!

LadyD Piano said...

Thanks for the wonderful perspective of soapstone creations and the beauty of the Netherlands. LOVE the lace heart!

Unknown said...

Oh my I could spend my whole day here browsing and thoughts running what to make with these beautiful supplies. ^_^

Mary, MI

Stephanie V said...

What a great place to visit! That will be on my list should I ever get to the Netherlands.

Your friend is very talented.

Gemma Wiseman said...

The facade of the Arts and Crafts building is so bold with reds! Can't miss that one! And interesting series of photos follow! Finally, such an exquisite, personal gift from your friend!

Cafe au lait said...

Oh, I could spend hours there too.

Don Wood said...

Nice Post. I have never thought about using soapstone great idea. Don
My Ruby Tuesday 2 pics

Leah H. said...

That's cool..Nice place!

Visiting for MYM! Here's my share- hope you can stop by:)

http://www.heavenly-dreams.com/7366-blog-photo-challenge-enfamil-infant-formula/

NitWit1 said...

Love the craft store but more lovely of a gift to a guest upon completion of a visit.

NatureFootstep said...

The only place I visited in Holland is the airport. It´s a shame really. I like the look of that soapstone. .)

Ralph said...

Weren't your bags with the soapstone a little bit heavy??

The artist sees the medium and what it can make almost immediately. A bit different than the non-artists, the end result is lively indeed.

The only place like Holland for canals and watery living is Florida or Louisiana maybe. The look over there of the water by the homes is great...

Jeannette StG said...

Juanna,
I for sure couldn't!

Gattina,
The neighbors will remember that new Year forever:):)

Lady D,
Thank you:) Dutchmen are good at subtle presents!

Mary,
In the little time we spent there, I already was in trouble buying things the others saw as indulging:)

Stephanie,
Yes, my friend is one of those people where art comes out of every pore of her being!
No yarn at that shop though, Stephanie...

Gemma,
Was surprized myself - that store was in the boonies!

Cafe au Aait,
You would be poor soon, like I am!

Don,
Once you've seen a sculpture from close up, you would be smitten!

Jim said...

Jeannette, I envy you. Not in pounds, not even in ounce measure, is my artistic talent. Stick figures is where I stopped learning.

I do enjoy the European scene. Our daughter is working and lives in London so we get over quite often. We were travelers before she went there but now to see her family we go still more. London is now a launching pad for our ventures.

Happy MidWeek Blues.
..
BTW, our community is a golfing and lake shore property. About a quarter of the homes are on the lake and another quarter (includes us) are on the golf courses.

My cousin in Missouri also lives on the lake--Lake of the Ozarks--and has his boats tied behind the house much like those in your picture. Another in Arkansas lives on a lake with the family boat.
..

Claire Justine said...

Lovely,I could just take a ride on the boat :)

Walk in New York said...

beau reportage sur cette entreprise

Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

Hootin Anni said...

Oh boy...would I love to have that piece of soapstone!!

STAR OF INDIA

beagleAnnie said...

Love all the pictures, especially of the boat! Thank you for your lovely comment.

Eki said...

Wow! I can see why you were so excited about this place!

It's an artist's heaven indeed.

Suburban Girl said...

What a special day, I do love that soapstone art idea. I have seen it as counter tops in kitchens, but that is all.

I know how painful it is to have husband's in tow when you are on a trip with your passion in mind. My husband just doesn't get photography. In his mind I should just point and click and move on.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful post! What a good friend you have. The soapstone is beautiful (and must have been very heavy in that backpack, wow). By the way, if you ever make a trip to this part of Florida, you can have canals and boats in residential areas. (Not as lovely as Holland's canals I'm surebut still....) We have a boat in our yard and we live in an RV Park!

Jeannette StG said...

Leah,
Than you! I have stopped by in the meantime:)

Nitwit,
There are several kinds of friends - this is a soul mate:)

Naturefootstep,
I understand, when you are foreign to a country,you don't know where all the good places are!

Ralph,
Backpack was very heavy and hubby had to carry it for me.

I have been in Florida in several places, but I guess not where they have water in residential neighborhoods. Thanks for your visit here!

ClaireJustin,
Thank you for your visit here. I love your blog and the photos you post!

Walk in New York,
Thank you for your visit here:) Went to your blog, and was a pleasure! But I'm confused why you have your blog in French?

Anni,
Yeah, so would I (smile)!

BeagleAnnie,
You have a very interesting blog!
Thanks for visiting here too!

Eki,
Maybe a dumb question, but do they have stores with supplies for oil painting, acrylic, pastel, and watercolors in Indonesia?

Rebecca,
Do I understand! Had something similar when the kids were little and I painted - in the end I went off on my own:)

Sallie,
Yeah, Ralph (comment above) alerted me to the same! Here in CA, they have only boats in the harbors and beaches!

Admin said...

lovely images you got here..thanks for stopping by in my blog..

regarding your comment in my entry

"Maybe a dumb question, but why don't you live in the country you like to live in?"

I am an expat in Germany..and for sure when I get old, I will surely go back to my home country...if I have the chance to choose again where I live now, I would maybe choose Spain but due to the economic crisis in this country..better stay where I am now...

have a lovely week Jeannette!

Dianne said...

the soapstone creation is beautiful
I can see why you love that shop

Leah H. said...

Visiting again for RT 2 ! Here's my share- hope you can visit:)

http://www.cassandrasminicorner.com/2012/01/strawberry-candies.html

Betsy Grant said...

The soapstone work is interesting. It has a rather silky appearance. Anything made with love is always special.

HansHB said...

Good shots!
I wish you a Happy Friday!

Laura said...

such a beautiful gift!

genie said...

What a fabulous place to visit. It is so interesting and fascinating. Loved learning about the soaps ones. Your pictures are great. genie

anitamombanita said...

What a fun H post. I love Holland and look forward to returning for a visit some day...ahh...so many places to explore!

Jeannette StG said...

RedRuby,
Money determines a lot of things, don't they:( Hope you'll get to go back one day! Thanks for taking time to answer my question!

Dianne,
It never hurts to dream, right?

Leah,
Thanks for visiting here:) Will go to you blog asap!

Betsy,
you have seen it well -I think it is because the polish with wax makes it look silky:)

Hans HB,
Thank you for you comment and for visiting here!

Laura,
Thanks for visiting here - I like your profile pic:)

Genie,
Thank you - glad you found it interesting:)

anitamombanita,
Thank you! I share your frustration -traveling is so addictive!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

That is a beautiful soap stone heart, and art is food for the soul.

Jessica said...

nice gift store, lots of cool stuff too :-), was here or Ruby Tuesday 2, hope that you can return the visit too.

http://www.mommies2ks.com/2012/01/my-little-girls-princess-collection-books.html

FarmChik said...

Art, wherever its found, is a wonderful thing. Thanks for sharing part of your trip.

Steph said...

What a lovely gift to have these two worlds and special friends. Your time in Holland sounded wonderful. I especially love the photo of the boat on the neighborhood canal.

Judie said...

Fabulous post! The soapstone piece is wonderful.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Lovely post! Groeten uit Australië.

CameraCruise said...

Great shots!
What a beautiful gift, love it!
Have a great weekend.

Jeannette StG said...

Mumsy,
Yes, art IS food for the soul (at least mine:) ) thanks for visiting here!

WifetoLineman,
Thank you for visiting! Have a great weekend:)

Farmchik,
They sometimes say that art is a universal language. Thanks so much for your visit here!

Steph,
Thank you, it's kind of neat to live in a neighborhood, like that. Thanks for visiting here!

Judie,
Yes, I like her abstract art!

Nixblog,
What a surprise -you speak Dutch, or did you google it?) Anyways, have a great weekend!

Camera Cruise,
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy your weekend too:)

Clytie said...

What a wonderful, wonderful place to visit! I can see why you wanted to go there!!! I have never seen soapstone before - except as finished artwork - I'm so glad you got one "to go"!

But of course, your "handmade in Holland" is my favorite thing ... what a beautiful and heart-felt gift!

Carole M. said...

soapstone, you carve it, I wonder what with? Is it really hard or it actually sounds like it might be easy, (soap?). I love that setting next the canal; that would be so lovely to live near. Lovely photos; thanks for sharing

Splendid Little Stars said...

oooo....the craft warehouse! I can only imagine how wonderful that would be! Sounds like you had a lovely trip. Houses on a canal must be a lovely sight!