best of the best: Spain

Saturday, 10 September 2011

Countries, Miss Universe 2011 and a little honey

tere paevast

(Estonian for 'good day')

Miss Estonia - Madli Vilsar

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

As I am continuing to feature the 46 countries that have viewed different pages on my blog*, I thought I might also add in some photos of the same countries'

Miss Universe 2011 Pageant contestants.

*since around April, 2011

Just for fun, you know!

I am quite aware of all the controversy that has swirled around this pageant,

and all beauty pageants since they began.

And yes, I have opinions.

But for today, we will just show some photos of some beautiful women,

with oh-my-gosh-great-fun earrings and necklaces.

Truly, they are quite outstanding.

Also, in some of the photos you get a peek at the incredibly fancy beadwork, embroidery and lace on the dresses they are wearing.

Miss Ireland - Aoife Hannon

Miss Universe 2011 pageant contestant

Another thing I love especially about the International competition is the costumes.

Wow.

They have a section where the different contestants come out in a costume that represents their country.

It truly is amazing.

Of course, the Miss USA is decked out in some form of red, white and blue.

But think sequins, spangles, and outrageous!

I still remember Miss Puerto Rico's costume from a past year.

Miss USA - Alyssa Campanella

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

The United States has made the most page views of my blog.

That is only normal, since it is an English language blog,

and I live in the US.

Thanks!

Miss Canada - Chelsae Durocher

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

But every other country that looks at my pages is just a delight to me!

Canada is pretty much always in the top 4 countries that look at pages every day.

I am looking forward to returning to Canada someday.

When I was in my teens my family made a road trip

from Arizona to British Columbia, Canada.

I have (somewhere) a picture of our dog playing in the snow in Canada.

Rare treat for a dog that spent the last couple of years in Phoenix, AZ!

Miss Great Britain - Chloe-Beth Morgan

Miss Universe 2011 contest

My page views list The United Kingdom as one country,

but every so often, at the whim of that great blogspotter poo-bah,

I will get views from Ireland, Wales and Scotland!

I need to brush up on just what the United Kingdom represents.

For another day.

Today I am sending a BIG THANK YOU to

Sri Lanka -

Miss Sri Lanka - Stephanie Siriwardhana

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

and

Finland -

Miss Finland - Pia Pakarinen

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

and to

Croatia -

Miss Croatia - Natalija Prica

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I have already featured Brazil, the Czech Republic and Japan in previous blogs.

But today, I would like to recognize them, and say

THANKS for reading and sharing my blog.

Miss Brazil - Priscila Machado

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Czech Republic - Jitka Novackova

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Japan - Maria Kamiyama

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I have previously featured paperdolls that were from these countries; they have also viewed my blog -

THANKS

Miss Netherlands - Kelly Weekers

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Denmark - Sandra Amer

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Germany - Valeria Bystritskaia

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Turkey - Melisa Asli Pamuk

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I will be featuring paper dolls from other countries in future blogs.

Here are some of the countries, who have also checked out my blog!

Miss France - Laury Thilleman

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Argentina - Natalia Rodriguez

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Sweden - Ronnia Fornstedt

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Spain - Paula Guillo

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

Up next, a big THANK YOU to Australia and to New Zealand for checking out my blog on a regular basis!

Miss Australia - Scherri-Lee Biggs

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss New Zealand - Priyani Puketapu

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Well, I have run out of blogging time.

I have a room to paint with Michael. I picked a really nice, fairly bright yellow color, for 1 or 2 walls. I like it. I hope I like it as well when it is up on the walls!

I have had 46 different countries check out my blog,

so you know I have a few still to feature and say

a big thanks to.

I had hoped to fit in a little about

September is National Honey Month

But that will have to wait for another day!

Have a wonderful weekend.

I will take pictures of the finished room,

but don't expect it tomorrow!!

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Knights in Armour and Ladies Faire

Li-ho

(Hello in Taiwanese)

French Castle

I bid you Welcome from the land of castles, knights, kings and queens and maidens fair.

Yesterday was spent giving our son his 24th birthday present.

We took him to a large furniture warehouse, and told him he could pick out a bed or a sofa or a dinette set (within a set amount of $$).

He lives in his own apartment.

Somehow at age 24 buying video games and movies is more important than not sleeping on the floor!

He chose a bed, but was just going to get

a mattress and box springs, no frame.

That did not suit The Dad.

Fortunately, one of the first things we saw was a really cool

raised platform for a bed with no springs.

I think it looks as if it is Asian inspired.

It is a very simple design, and stands about 12" off the floor, with boards all around (so no stuffing dirty laundry there!)

This pleased The Mom.

Next we found a memory foam bed that needs no springs.

He liked it.

Yeah!

Next we tried to find a salesperson

FOR 30 MINUTES!

[This is me - :0( ]

I finally found one, and she was very nice and apologetic.

She was also a manager, and I know she had a ton of

other things to to. So, it was nice of her to take the time and be patient with us, etc.

Next,

WE WAIT FOR THE TICKET TO COME UP SO THE ORDERS GO TO THE WAREHOUSE TO BRING THE 2 ITEMS TO A DOCK.

You have to remember, this is a Tuesday, noonish.

Not a lot of customer traffic for pick-ups.

Oh well, we all got a Mountain Dew.

Haven't had one of those in ages - still tastes good!

Okay, I'm blabbing.

Got everything to Peter's apt.

The Dad and The Son put the frame together.

I was horrified by the lack of basic housekeeping skills

that apparently The Son and The Roommate

don't have time (or desire) for.

Being a good Mom, I did enjoy vacuuming,

and picking up TONS OF TRASH

(note: I did not raise my son to live this way!)

empty pizza boxes, lots of used kleenex

ewwwwuuuu....

empty soda cans, empty plastic water bottles...

Well, I got worn out,

The Dad got very worn out

and The Son couldn't remember the last time he had eaten.

Finished.

Hurray.

Dragged our smelly selves to a local restaurant

and had very good Mexican food.

(Three Margaritas - I recommend!)

Dragged our still smelly selves

- did I mention that The Son's apt. a/c apparently doesn't work?

-did I mention that this was a HOT afternoon?

home, into showers, took a nap

and finished up the day with a delightful movie

"It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep.

Boy is she a great actress!

On to Camelot!

Alnwick Castle, England

c.1902

Karlstejn Castle

Prague, around 1350

Medieval Knight Helmets

Here are two scherensnitte cuttings:

Why don't you try sketching your own simple castle drawing?
When I first started out I needed to color in the spaces that were to be cut out. It helped me see the whole thing better.
E-mail me and let me see your designs and ideas!

dominoes@myinkspired.com