Summer Break and Court Documentary

The programme Itineris on TV5 Monde has made a documentary about the European Court of Human Rights. The short film goes into both how the Court works as well as into the building of the Court, designed by Richard Rogers. An accessible way of getting to know what the Court does. This is the English-language version of the documentary:

Meanwhile, your ECHR blogger is taking a summer break - the blog will be back later on in August. I wish all my readers a very good summer!

Article on Restorative Justice and the ECHR

Friend and colleague James Sweeney of Durham University has written just published the article 'Restorative Justice and Transitional Justice at the ECHR' in the newest issue of the International Criminal Law Review (vol. 12. No. 3, 2012). This is the abstract:

The entire jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights contains just one reference to ‘restorative justice’: a quotation in the 2010 property restitution case of Đokić v. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yet restorative justice has real potential in transitional contexts, and means far more than property restitution. This article seeks definitional clarity and tracks the relationship between restorative justice and transitional justice in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, encompassing not only property restitution cases but also cases on successor trials, amnesties, truth and memorialisation, and lustration.

"Poland and I"

A typically 'artistic' film, of the kind enjoyed by many Poles. Maybe.

Well, it's not a linguistics thing, really. It's a culture thing. And since linguists are generally highly cultured people, I'm hoping at least one of you will stick around to see what's going on here. Hey, we've got the blog, let's use it, right? O-kayyy....

So, the following is a competition-winning essay which recently won me a competition. Well, it was one of many such textual farces so awarded, and I'm pretty sure they gave me a prize because I'm a minority group here. But even so, I quite like this mad thing. The title is theirs, the text mine, the next 15 minutes all yours. Choose wisely... ;)

Can a person have a more intimate, direct knowledge of living in a country, than just by living in that country? Yes, if they both live there and know her personally. In my case, I both live in Poland and know Polonia personally.

I don’t mean ‘Polonia’ in the nowoczesny sense of the builders and waitresses that could be found scraping a living in pre-EU London (or the doctors and media people doing very well there post-EU), but rather the national personification of Poland, that fabulous lady that Matejko portrayed so beautifully in his oil-on-canvas rendering of the tragic aftermath of the failed January 1863 Uprising.

The Polonia of 2012 was born in Wrocław and currently resides in Kraków – from an area of national dispute to the centrum of national repute. Her name now is Agnieszka, that most distinctly and indivisibly Polish of names. She is an ambitious university graduate with several degrees, speaks English and German fluently, and wears her hair long and my patience short.

I’d been in Poland eight years already before I met Polonia. We were colleagues in an office in town, and I was there to advise her on different aspects of her work. I knew my knowledge of język polski was sub-standard, but she was the first person to tell me so, in a typically uncompromising way. Prior to that, Poland had always been surprised and happy that I spoke any Polish, and had greeted all my efforts with smiles and an earnest attempt at understanding. But Polonia, unlike many of those that came before her, demanded more. She offered much more in return too, but she was moving forwards into her future, reconciling her differences and looking for opportunities, and there was no time for lazy or un-motivated people.

I had tried learning the language before, several times at several different places, but my lazy mind, fickle Gemini nature and the fact that my entire existence here depended on the sharpness of my English skills, always kept me from making the leap from Nie źle to Kurda! I know I could have really impressed Polonia if I’d put my foot down on the Polish accelerator, but instead I decided I could win her with really top-quality English instead – her being a polyglot and incredibly well-read, it seemed like an easier goal. But I had underestimated her. Polonia’s fluent, easy way with my own language was an amusement for her, something to utilise when she had to and enjoy if she must. Better would have been to embrace her in her own language, because no matter how much she rambled on about Austen, Thomas and Amos, her core was solidly Mickiewicz, Leśmian and Grzechuta.

 Of course, the rest of Poland was moving forwards too; iPhones and IKEA, BMWs and Blu-Rays finding happy homes amongst the żurek and Żubrówka, parquet and PolSat of every aspiring young family from Bytom to Bydgoszcz. Polonia embraced the new technologies and could perhaps be called the first of the Facebook Generation. She was enamoured with her gadgets, and the shinier their cases and glossier their screens, the happier she was. Endless rounds of parties and falling-down drunk social butterflying punctuated bouts of intense studying and chasing delinquent, necessary-evil professors and absentee tutors, glued together by Tweets and Status updates. Her smartphone was never far from her hand, and halfway through any meeting with her an inevitable call was made or received to the lucky winner of the next spotkania.


In the impatient darting of her eyes and eagerness to meet new people and experience new things, I found my home, both spiritual and pragmatic. When I came here the second time (the first having been a year-long toe-dip in the shallow waters of Dolny Śląsk), I brought with me only a little of what I owned from my previous life as a Londoner (cor blimey etc), having sold the entirety of the rest of it to fund the trip and find a home. The first year here in my newly-adopted Kraków was a dream, of course. Fun, exploration, integration. Challenge, satisfaction and disappointment. Being new, I was easily forgiven, and being English, not easily forgotten. Poland welcomed me with a surprised look. ‘When will you go back?’ it asked me, not expecting any foreigner to stay longer than their profitable, everything-paid-and-provided-for limited-term business contracts usually kept them. My constant answer of ‘Never!’ provoked happy laughter, and led to many beer-fuelled explanations of how I had found my place amongst Poland’s lush, feminine beauty, her moist Mazurian eyes and inviting Tatran hips.
 
No one disagreed that the canvass was perfect, but most agreed that the palette with which it had been painted over the last century was rotten, although some still shook their heads and hinted wistfully at some kind of golden age under Communism. Certainly the signs of old, cracked paint were apparent anywhere someone offering a service met someone with money and need. It was frustrating to find electricity, gas, telephones, tax and driving licenses, passports, permits and papers of all kinds guarded with a curmudgeonly ferocity that felt no age nor generational gap. But what was really different about that, than it was anywhere else in the world? In Britain, they smile at you all day long. They smile when you come in and sit down, they smile as you explain why you’re there, they smile when they take your money and they smile when they send you on your way again, dissatisfied and out of pocket too. (Polonia likes to hear that, and always laughs when I explain this. It’s a great opportunity to casually snaffle the last juicy piece of śledż that everyone’s too polite to take). No, what I like about you, my dear Polonia, is that when I go in to complain about my bills being too high or get a form to fill out for the fifteenth time, the bat behind the counter makes no pretence about it. Our Polish civil servants get no respect, and offer none in return. It’s an honest exchange, refreshing and vital in its simplicity and with none of the usual fiku-miku about Isn’t it Great to be Alive and Queuing in the Post Office for Forty Minutes?

Polonia and I drink long and talk hard about such things (she is not so interested in the problems of the past, unless they’re packaged in cool, bitter-sweet ‘classic’ film comedies that it’s obligatory to be proud of). Nothing can be done, she says firmly, reaching for the bowl of crinkle-cut ogórki slices. No wonder everyone is leaving for Dublin and London, Dortmund and Lisbon! Cheer up Polonia, I always reply, pouring plentiful piwo. It’s nothing that doesn’t happen anywhere else too. You’ve got the money now to take your family on holiday to Egypt and Portugal, but these young ones don’t yet. So they’re going to go and earn it somewhere else, see the bit of the world that they didn’t see in-between lyceum and university because you have no tradition of years-off. Then, and then they’ll come home and they’ll speak foreign languages to each other over red wine and rosół. That’s as it should be.

Well, Polonia is a hard one to convince, and despite all my wordy, worldly spiel, these evenings often end in tired resignation. Imagine my delight, then, upon discovering Polonia that wintry autumn of 2008. As fresh as lettuce from Legnica and keen to be alive. Smart, vivacious and funny, she is the Polonia of lore, the admirable, lusty woman whose Commonwealth united millions in peace and prosperity before being shackled by the Russians and ground-down under the Communist heel for decades. She is Poland with ideals and intentions, the necessarily self-serving of which she flaunts rather than hides, and if I call her on a Friday afternoon about a Saturday evening, and she’s already double-booked, then I can find her on Sunday morning in Każimierz for eggs and kawa.
This is my Poland. I love her, and I will never leave her, even though she insists I don’t need a dowód osobista and then asks me for one every time I need something, kurka wodna!

My Book Chapter on National Human Rights Institutions and the ECtHR

I have posted a new piece I wrote on national human rights institutions and the European Court of Human Rights on SSRN. It is entitled 'The Court’s Ears and Arms: National Human Rights Institutions and the European Court of Human Rights' and will be published as a chapter in the forthcoming book of Katrien Meuwissen and Jan Wouter, National Human Rights Institutions in Europe: Comparative, European and International Perspectives (Intersentia 2012). This is the abstract:

This book chapter explores the ways through which human rights protection in the European system can be improved by national human rights institutions (NHRIs). NHRIs can play a key role in strengthening the supervision and implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) before, during and after the procedure in Strasbourg. In the first phase, NHRIs can help to better inform the public about the Convention system, specifically about the admissibility criteria, and give advice to potential applicants. During the proceedings before the European Court, NHRIs can bring in an independent national perspective - or as a group of NHRIs a comparative European perspective - by way of a third party intervention. Finally, once the Court has delivered its judgment, NHRIs can facilitate implementation nationally through their advisory, agenda-setting and watchdog functions. In doing so, NHRIs can be highly important channels of information from the national level to the European Court and vice versa.

More Translations of European Court's Case-Law

"Bringing Convention standards closer to home" - it could be the slogan of a political campaign, but it is the title of a project of the European Court of Human Rights. Supported by the Human Rights Trust Fund, it aims to translate more judgments of the Court in other languages than French or English and to make those translated judgments more accessible by linking them into the HUDOC search engine and making them  domestic jurisdictions. It especially aims at countries where no or not much case-law has been translated yet. Attentive readers may note from this excerpt from the Court's press release that these concern societies from which many applications stem:

Translations will be commissioned principally into the official languages of the following States: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Turkey and Ukraine. All translations will be published on HUDOC, which already contains some 1,500 translations into 21 languages other than English and French, as well as a significant number of links to Internet sites hosting further translations. The Registry would welcome more translations from such host sites, as the new HUDOC interface now enables searches to be made in non-official languages.

Institutions, publishers and others willing to have their translations referenced in HUDOC are asked to consult the guidelines on how to submit non-official translations. The Registry would like to be informed of any cases or case summaries that have already been translated into one or more of the target languages of the project. The Registry is also keen to receive suggestions for cases to be translated. The project team can be reached at hrtf-translation at echr.coe.int.

A very modern, networked way of gathering information: the Court now starts to use crowd-sourcing to find translations of judgments!

For curious readers: the picture depicts Saint Jerome, patron of translators (painting by Leonello Spada).

Article on Implementation of ECHR

Courtney Hillebrecht of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has published an article on the domestic implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments in the Human Rights Review. Part of her research was done here at Utrecht University. The article is entitled 'Implementing International Human Rights Law at Home: Domestic Politics and the European Court of Human Rights'. This is the abstract:

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) boasts one of the strongest oversight systems in international human rights law, but implementing the ECtHR’s rulings is an inherently domestic and political process. This article begins to bridge the gap between the Court in Strasbourg and the domestic process of implementing the Court’s rulings by looking at the domestic institutions and politics that surround the execution of the ECtHR’s judgments. Using case studies from the UK and Russia, this article identifies two factors that are critical for the domestic implementation of the Court’s rulings: strong domestic, democratic institutions dedicated to implementing the ECtHR’s judgments and an overarching sense of responsibility to set a good example at home and abroad for respecting human rights and the rule of law. This article concludes with a discussion of the steps necessary to facilitate better implementation of the ECtHR’s rulings.

Little Monsters Free Tutorial by Alisa Burke

Decorating for Halloween is so much fun.  Especially when Alisa Burke shows you how to decorate with adorable little monsters.  Have fun decorating!

little monsters tutorial
Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Written by Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke

Here's what Alisa had to say about her tutorial: With Halloween right around the corner, I was inspired to create a handful of colorful little monsters from recycled cardboard tubes. If you weren't aware, I love finding new ways to upcycle cardboard tubes- they are free and super easy to turn into something unique. This project would be really fun for kids or for those who are like me and sometimes act like a kid!

Please respect Alisa's TERMS OF USE:  I work really hard to come up with my art, tutorials, ideas, classes, inspiration and more. Please understand that everything I post on my blog is for your personal use only - not for resale or redistribution. Please contact me if you are interested in using anything that I share online-thank you!!!

For more information on Alisa's Terms of Use please CLICK HERE.

Alisa's Bio: Alisa Burke is a freelance painter and mixed media artist who studied fine art at Portland State University. With a background in painting and printmaking, a desire to explore and push materials, Alisa is always looking for new ways to break the rules and redefine art. She draws inspiration from street art, graffiti, art history and fashion and it is not uncommon to find her digging through the trash in hopes of recycling something unique use in her artwork.

Alisa’s paintings have been exhibited in a variety of galleries and her handmade, painted accessories are carried in a number of boutiques across the country. Her artwork has been featured in publications such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Quilting Arts, Where Women Create, Somerset Studios’ Haute Handbags, Art Doll Quarterly, and the University of San Diego Magazine. In addition to making art, Alisa teaches a variety of workshops nation wide. Alisa appeared as a guest artist on the DIY Network show Craft Lab and book Canvas Remix was released in spring 2008.

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke.

Please visit her Alisa Burke website at http://www.alisaburke.com and her Alisa Burke - Redefine Creativity blog at http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.com. Her Alisa Burke Etsy shop is at http://alisaburke.etsy.com.

Christmas Stockings Made From Sweaters Free Tutorial by Kelly Oribine of The Complete Guide To Imperfect Homemaking

If you're looking for an innovative way to recycle old sweaters check out Kelly Orbine's "Christmas Stockings Made From Sweaters" tutorial.

Christmas Stockings Made from Sweaters

Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved - Written by Kelly Oribine of The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking

Here's what Kelly had to say about her tutorial: As many of you already know, we added two adorable new members to our family this year. Which means we were in need of two adorable new stockings. So I made some out of thrift store sweaters!

Please respect Kelly's TERMS OF USE: The content of my tutorials belongs to me. You may not use my images or text without crediting me. If you would like to share something you enjoyed on The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking on your own website, you may use one picture and /or a small selection of text, placed in quotation marks, credited and linked to me. I work hard to create my tutorials. Don't steal my work!

Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved - Kelly Oribine of The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. Kelly is a homemaker and mother of five home-schooled children. She is passionate about keeping house, living simply, and painting things teal. Please visit Kelly's The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking blog at http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com .

Stitched Gift Wrap and Holiday Crafting With Book Pages Free Tutorials by Alisa Burke

Looking for some really cute ideas for holiday wrapping this year and holiday decorating?  If you are you'll love the stitched gift wrap and holiday crafting with book pages tutorials from Alisa Burke.

stitched gift wrap

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Written by Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke

Here's what Alisa had to say about her tutorial: So here is the deal- I don't think I have purchased wrapping paper in years (this is probably not a surprise)! I would never, EVER buy any kind of gift wrap when I can make my own so I am always looking for new ways to wrap holiday gifts. Since sewing has become such a big part of my creative life, I have been experimenting will all kinds of ways to create unique wrapping with stitched surfaces.

holiday crafting with book pages

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Written by Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke

Here's what Alisa had to say about her tutorial: This holiday season I am noticing a trend- book pages! They are everywhere from Anthropologie to West Elm, it is obvious that everyone has discovered the versatility and beauty of text on a book page. I have been using recycled book pages for quite a while and can attest to the fact that they are a simple, affordable and a beautiful supply to use in art and craft projects.

Please respect Alisa's TERMS OF USE:  I work really hard to come up with my art, tutorials, ideas, classes, inspiration and more. Please understand that everything I post on my blog is for your personal use only - not for resale or redistribution. Please contact me if you are interested in using anything that I share online-thank you!!!

For more information on Alisa's Terms of Use please CLICK HERE.

Alisa's Bio: Alisa Burke is a freelance painter and mixed media artist who studied fine art at Portland State University. With a background in painting and printmaking, a desire to explore and push materials, Alisa is always looking for new ways to break the rules and redefine art. She draws inspiration from street art, graffiti, art history and fashion and it is not uncommon to find her digging through the trash in hopes of recycling something unique use in her artwork.

Alisa’s paintings have been exhibited in a variety of galleries and her handmade, painted accessories are carried in a number of boutiques across the country. Her artwork has been featured in publications such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Quilting Arts, Where Women Create, Somerset Studios’ Haute Handbags, Art Doll Quarterly, and the University of San Diego Magazine. In addition to making art, Alisa teaches a variety of workshops nation wide. Alisa appeared as a guest artist on the DIY Network show Craft Lab and book Canvas Remix was released in spring 2008.

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke.

Please visit her Alisa Burke website at http://www.alisaburke.com and her Alisa Burke - Redefine Creativity blog at http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.com. Her Alisa Burke Etsy shop is at http://alisaburke.etsy.com.

New Articles on ECHR

A wide range of new publications on the European Convention and Court have come out in the past few months. Thanks again to the documentalists of SIM, here are the relevant ECHR-related articles from this month's compilation of 'Online Contents':

* J. Pejic, 'The European Court of Human Rights’ Al-Jedda judgment: the oversight of international humanitarian law', International Review of the Red Cross, no. 883 (2011).

* S. Sottiaux and S. Rummens, 'Concentric democracy: resolving the incoherence in the European Court of Human Rights’ case law on freedom of expression and freedom of association'' , International Journal of Constitutional Law,  vol. 10, no. 1 (2012), pp. 106-126.
* M. Szydlo, 'Extra-territorial application of the European Convention on Human Rights after Al-Skeini and Al-Jedda', International Criminal Law Review, vol. 12, no. 1 (2012), pp. 271-291.


* T. Zuijdwijk, 'M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece (ECHR): the interplay between European Union law and the European Convention on Human Rights in the post-Lisbon era'' , Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, 2010/11, vol. 39, no. 3 (2010/2011), pp. 807-832.
* A. du Bois-Pedain, 'Hearsay exceptions and fair trial rights in Strasbourg', Cambridge Law Journal, vol. 71, no. 2 (2012), pp. 257-260.
 
* C. Ryngaert, 'Clarifying the extraterritorial application of the European Convention on Human Rights (Al-Skeini v the United Kingdom), Merkourios, vol. 28, no. 74 (2012), pp. 57-60.

* J. Lenart, '‘Fortress Europe’: compliance of the Dublin II Regulation with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms', Merkourios, vol. 28, no. 75 (2012) pp. 4-19.

And, finally, a special issue of the Review of Central and East European Law,  vol. 37, no. 2/3 (2012) includes a whole range of ECHR related articles:

* Russia and European human rights law: progress, tensions, and perspectives, by L. Mälksoo (p. 161-170).

* Culture re-introduced: contestation of human rights in contemporary Russia, by P. Preclik (p. 173-230).

* Tilting at windmills? The European response to violations of media freedom in Russia, by D. Schönfeld (p. 233-290).

* Orthodox pluralism: contours of freedom of religion in the Russian Federation and Strasbourg jurisprudence, by D. Hallinan (p. 293-346).

* Assessing human rights in Russia: not to miss the forest for the trees, a response to Preclik, Schönfeld and Hallinan, by V. Starzhenetskii (p. 349-356).

* Concluding observations: Russia and European human-rights law: margins of the margin of appreciation, by L. Mälksoo (p. 359-369).

DIY Striped Paper Ornament, How To Make 5-Pointed Paper Snowflakes, and DIY Modern Paper Ornament Free Tutorials by Jessica Jones

I just love decorating with paper crafts/  If you do too then you'll be happy to know that Jessica Jones has 3 adorable paper craft projects for the holidays.

DIY striped paper ornament

Copyright © 2010- All Rights Reserved - Written By  Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones.

Here's what Jessica had to say about her tutorial: My Christmas tree needed more orange (of course), so I made this little thing. It appears to be a spaceship which has crashed into a circus tent. To make your own circus spaceship, you'll need two colors of regular paper, scissors, needle, thread, pencil, ruler, and two beads.

How to make 5-pointed paper snowflakes

Copyright © 2010- All Rights Reserved - Written By  Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones. 

Here's what Jessica had to say about her tutorial: Though no longer in elementary school, I still get a kick out of paper snowflakes. I made this snowflake garland the other night from origami paper, dental floss, and tape.

The second and third flakes in this garland are based on a 5-pointed star. Download the 5-point folding directions right here. I think they're easier to cut since there are fewer paper layers.

The first, fourth, and fifth flakes in the garland are based on 8 points. (Fold a square in half diagonally and keep halving it until it's nearly too thick to cut, then snip out small shapes ).

DIY modern paper ornament

Copyright © 2010- All Rights Reserved - Written By  Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones.

Here's what Jessica had to say about her tutorial:  I love spiky starburst shapes, so I attempted a version of the traditional Polish porcupine ball. Here's how to make this cool 3D ornament—great for Christmas or decorating any time. I can imagine jumbo sized versions hanging at parties or weddings. They take awhile, though, so you'd better start making them five years before you plan to get married.

Please respect Jessica's TERMS OF USE:  You're welcome to link to my How About Orange blog or use a single image and brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited without permission.

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones. Jessica is a professional graphic and textile designer.

Please visit her Jessica Jones website @ http://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/ and her How About Orange blog @ http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/.

Holiday Hair Band and Jeweled Gloves Free Tutorials by Alisa Burke

It's always fun around the holidays to dress up and be festive. Especially when you're wearing something handmade and unique.  Here's a few festive suggestions from Alisa Burke.

holiday hair band tutorial

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Written by Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke

Here's what Alisa had to say about her tutorial: Tis the season for holiday parties and events and if you are like me that means pulling together last minute outfits and holiday accessories (that do not include yoga pants and paint stained t-shirts)! Why not make your own hair accessories to top off a festive outfit. An easy option is to take a little time to make your own holiday hair band- super simple to make and costs next to NOTHING!

jeweled gloves tutorial

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Written by Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke

Here's what Alisa had to say about her tutorial: I am noticing a trend this winter- jeweled gloves.

Please respect Alisa's TERMS OF USE:  I work really hard to come up with my art, tutorials, ideas, classes, inspiration and more. Please understand that everything I post on my blog is for your personal use only - not for resale or redistribution. Please contact me if you are interested in using anything that I share online-thank you!!!

For more information on Alisa's Terms of Use please CLICK HERE.

Alisa's Bio: Alisa Burke is a freelance painter and mixed media artist who studied fine art at Portland State University. With a background in painting and printmaking, a desire to explore and push materials, Alisa is always looking for new ways to break the rules and redefine art. She draws inspiration from street art, graffiti, art history and fashion and it is not uncommon to find her digging through the trash in hopes of recycling something unique use in her artwork.

Alisa’s paintings have been exhibited in a variety of galleries and her handmade, painted accessories are carried in a number of boutiques across the country. Her artwork has been featured in publications such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Quilting Arts, Where Women Create, Somerset Studios’ Haute Handbags, Art Doll Quarterly, and the University of San Diego Magazine. In addition to making art, Alisa teaches a variety of workshops nation wide. Alisa appeared as a guest artist on the DIY Network show Craft Lab and book Canvas Remix was released in spring 2008.

Copyright © 2010 - All Rights Reserved - Alisa Burke of Alisa Burke.

Please visit her Alisa Burke website at http://www.alisaburke.com and her Alisa Burke - Redefine Creativity blog at http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.com. Her Alisa Burke Etsy shop is at http://alisaburke.etsy.com.

DIY Paper Snowflake Paper Decoration and Easy Paper Ice Cream Ornaments Free Tutorials by Jessica Jones

It's never too early for the holidays as far as I'm concerned.  Especially when you have lots to do and many, many crafty projects to complete.  Here's a few adorable paper ornaments tutorials from Jessica Jones.

DIY paper snowflake decorations

Copyright © 2011- All Rights Reserved - Written By  Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones.

Here's what Jessica had to say about her tutorial: Somehow my gift wrapping session turned into a snowflake cutting session. I wanted to try making some snowflakes that look a little more 3D than the usual version. These are made with computer paper, a stapler, double-sided tape, and a scissors.

Easy paper ice cream ornaments

Copyright © 2011- All Rights Reserved - Written By  Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones.

Here's what Jessica had to say about her tutorial: I added some more DIY ornaments to our Christmas tree. I'm having trouble adjusting to the thought of winter; can you tell? These ice cream cones are made from tissue paper and a grocery bag.

Please respect Jessica's TERMS OF USE:  You're welcome to link to my How About Orange blog or use a single image and brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited without permission.

Copyright © 2011 - All Rights Reserved - Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones. Jessica is a professional graphic and textile designer.

Please visit her Jessica Jones website @ http://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/ and her How About Orange blog @ http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/.