Pixie Blossoms

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Spring Pleasures

Speechless...

Labels: photography

Saturday, March 29, 2008

The Cure-Just Like Heaven

One of my favorites...

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Etsy Front Page!

So, it happened and I did not see it. Darn it. I missed it. I can't believe! Before going to bed, I checked my messages and I looked over my Etsy shop to see what was going on and I thought strange to get over 40 hearts in just few hours...well, I imagined that I was in "treasury", but I did not expect the same treasury in the front page. WOW! Big thanks to 3Fun that have included one of my photographs on her gorgeous colorful treasury today!!!

Lots of views...this is what treasury can do for you...609 and up! No sales yet! Ha!

***

I've been thinking about this. I think I am being too strict with myself. Is anybody out there reinventing the wheel anyway? What's creativity? Thinking, thinking, thinking...

***

"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." (Carl Sagan)

Labels: etsy, Shop Updates

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Sharing good stuff...

These fabrics came last week. Pretty fat quarters from here. It's my favorite shop at the moment, speacially because I like to purchase fat quarter bundles and this shop is pretty organized and displays all their products really well. I am a big fan of Darlene Zimmerman and her collection. I've quit the victorian style and it's definitely not for me. I am not that shabby. I am not too modern and I love colors!!! I am also watching this and very tempted, but I need a pause. I need to avoid looking at fabric as much as I can. Sooo very crazy, isn't it? Call me weird! I don't mind. Maybe next month...hahaha! My husband doesn't understand either.

Sometimes I peruse over here and I like these by Lecien (not the dark ones), and these and these (ooooh so perfect for the kids!!!), and these are gorgeous too!! I could go on and on...oooops, I could not forget these...wow, one day I will put my hands on them! As you see, I don't like fabric with huge patterns...not yet.

I want to make quilts for my sons. Being so girly makes it hard to pick fabric for boys. It must be something easy and simple, because I don't really enjoy long projects...

And how about books? I put my eyes over this group sometime ago and I am also addicted to home decor books, sewing books, craft books and mags...these books are cool, but they are written in japanese, yes it's just eye candy, who said I want to read anything? Gimme photos and I am pretty satisfied!!! I got them from this bookstore in San Francisco and what I like about Jeu de Paume books (childrens' rooms) is the reality, the honesty they show other people's kids' rooms. Don't you just hate, not hate....hmmm too strong for that, but don't you just dislike these books or mags where they have all things perfect and very expensive furniture that tou can't afford at all??? And who says that kids' rooms are always pretty, clean and organized like on those mags and books??? Hahaha, impossible. If you have kids, the walls will have scribbles and sometimes...buggers ( I told them, don't do it...but I will find one here, another one there...helpless...) Unless your kids are very perfect and out of this world and you don't let them explore their little space...yes, perfect books for perfect kids! Sooo from my part...kudos for Jeu de Paume books!

A flair for vintage...

Hope you have enjoyed the links and photos. I must rush now...have a nice week!!! Xoxo!

Labels: fabric flower tutorial, feedsack, Inspiration, jeu de paume, kids' room decor, Links

Friday, March 21, 2008

Off they go...

Spring pleasures...a nice walk with the kids...it was a bit windy, but the sun was warm...

Kids were really excited looking at the creek. Last year I did not see any water at all. We got a lot of snow and it's melting down as Spring approaches.

Rush, rush...

Wait for me!!!!

And I like to capture these moments of fun...I am glad that after all, my boys are really great friends of each other. I remember my mom saying how much work I would have with 2 little kids, but as they grow I see that I made a good choice. They are 2 years apart. Yeah, they will have some hard moments, but they love each other!!! I am very happy for that! I have one brother and unfortunately (or not) my mom waited 8 years to have him. I grew up alone...I had friends though and I had dreams of having sisters around my age. I don't know if would make a great difference...I understand that for some siblings doesn't matter how far apart they are, they will fight and hate each other so much...

What a wonderful walk! We should all enjoy this Spring as much as we can!!!

Have a great, super weekend and a happy Easter for you!!!

Labels: personal, photography

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

At home and so far away...

I've been using the 60mm macro lens on my camera lately.

The only thing I don't really like is the need of a tripod most of the time. I knew that when I purchased this lens, but I enjoy the photos, I don't go far to take photographs as before...aaaah, before. The delights of a single life. I am remembering the time I went to a photo school and we (teacher and class mates) would gather on Saturdays to go somewhere to shoot and talk about our favorite subject: photography. Darn it, I moved to US and I don't know where I put the negatives of that time. They could be lost, they could be still in Brazil, but mom doesn't have a clue. I am sure I packed them when I moved...all I found were the slides. Photos taken with an old Canon Rebel (no digitals that time and no Photoshop) and with Kodachromes. I still heart films. I think everyone that is starting to learn Photography should learn about lab and film. I loved to be in the lab. I was 20 years old and processing photos on paper was an addiction!!! It's funny to think that our hobbies change all the time. Although I like Photography very much I would not work shooting weddings or parties. It's hard to communicate with people and make them to understand certain things. Kinda boring. One day I thought that I would like to work as a photographer, today...I don't think so. I still think about going back to school one of these days. I like Art. Nothing else. Well, while little one is little, haha, I don't think about jobs at all, just because my paycheck will be given to a preschool. I prefer to give my time to him and see him growing. I don't like the idea of tossing my kid in a not so nice place just to meet other people and have a social life. I would, if I had to. As for going to school...it depends on my gpa and tests...I doubt they would let me in! I could try it.

This girl was a model that I shot in 1995. I wanted to do a portfolio and I had a tight budget. I offered her photos for free and she posed for me. I can't remember her name!

These photos were taken in the Northeast of Brazil. I lived there for about one year.

Now I am remembering the time I was a sales person in Rio. Horrible. I used to work in a boutique, not cheap clothing at all. We were 5 girls, the cashier and the manager in the store. We had to sell good to make better salary by the end of the month. Some people would drive me nuts. They would ask me to try everything, make me all sorts of questions, spend 2 hours in the fitting room and leave without buying a single belt. Aaarrrght!!! And the manager would say..."oooh you have to talk more, be pushy..." What? Some sellers would be really mean. You could clearly see that the particular skirt was awful on certain client, but they had to say.."it's perfect..." Eeeew. Not to mention sellers bullying on each other. Not for me. No patience for that. Depressive.

Olinda, a historic city in Pernambuco brings me great memories! So much culture and traditions!

The sun, the beaches, the people, the culture, our heritage, our treasures, the music...because Brazil is not only samba, soccer and naked butts. Unfortunately the media is so bad about that!

I miss Rio. A lot. Today I had a bad dream that made me sweat. My little one was kidnapped and I spent the whole dream trying to get him back. I woke up with him touching my arm and saying..."mom, it's morning time, can you get up?" It was a relief. Sooo, yes I am still afraid of going to Rio. It's my city and I feel so ashamed of being afraid of my own city, because living there, I wasn't so afraid like now. But yes, it's dangerous. But its beauty, its accent, its mood make me forget about its perils. It's all about my children. They are not "cariocas" and I am sure they will catch attention from people. Because unfortunately, people still think that in America we are all riches. Ok, I won't compare country and people, it's not fair! It's not my intention to do so. The obvious is out there. I don't blog to make it sure.

Itacuruçá Island, Rio de Janeiro.

Last, my grandpa holding my dad's guitar. He is not alive anymore and I am glad that this image was really appreciated by my mentors, 13 years ago...

I stil remember that day. It was September 1994. Sunny, royal blue sky. Contrary to all the teachings about shooting after 4 pm (because you get better light), this one I took by noon!!! No Photoshop, the way it is...

All right, enough for today. Time to cook....eeeeew and take kids to the park, aaaaaawww!

Labels: Brazil, personal, photography

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Sharing my workspace and venting foolish things...

I would like to blog when I am feeling good, well and refreshed. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed that I stare at the computer screen and nothing comes to mind. I am often speechless. I will visit few blogs and I don't feel like leaving any comment. I am tired. Everything I wanted to say, it was said already. I have good time reading what people have to say, looking at their work, but I keep my opinion for me most of the time.

Aaah, spring is almost here!!! My tulips are sprouting!!! I have these bulbs for over 2 years and this is the first time I plant them. I got some ceramic vases at Home Depot and good potting soil. The apothecary jar is from Michaels and colorful felt balls from Ornamentea.

So many ideas I have and so little time to practise them and still giving my time for people that do not consider what I do at all. But this is the minority. It's clear for me. I've not learned that people can surprise me a lot. I've not learned yet, but I will. I promise to myself. When something doesn't go right, I try to take the best out of it. I look at the mirror and I take a deep breath. "Ok, let me see what I did wrong, what they did wrong, what can be done and how can I change the situation." Be mad, sad or torturing myself because stupid events do not take me anywhere. If people would like to play games with me, if they want to report my Flickr account because I had a link to Etsy underneath 2 photos (ooooooops), just because they hate me or envy my skills, if they want to drop patetic comments on my blog just because they don't have nothing better to do with their time or if they want to pretend to be friendly and lovely just to test my patience....fine. I mean, whatever. I don't loose anything. I just learn more. The day I stop making things and showing them online won't be because these fools, but because I feel like it. But I love, love creating and making stuff!!!!!

This is how my workspace looks today. I've done a lot in this little room with my husband's help. There are a lot that I would like to do, but I go slowly, step by step. I don't really like those shelves and one day I would like to get something like this. This room is very small and it faces the laundry. I could use the room right beside this one, because it's the biggest room in the house, but we have a lot of stuff stored there and I don't have energy for moving things around at the moment.

I rather make things to donate for those in need than sell for little or nothing...I think very soon I am moving out of Etsy to build my own shop, just like before. Sometimes less is more. I have the impression that the site is not the right market for me (I might be very wrong) and my "not so cheap things". I have received requests for wholesale and custom made, but NO, thank you very much. I can't afford the hassle, the stress, the expectation and the communication with others. I am only one, I can't mass produce and I can't compete with the mass. I value what I do. They are precious to me and I still think they are cheap price. I don't remember last time I got pedicure, but I still get my hair done every 6 weeks! I refuse to go bed past midnight just to sew away and get few bucks to pay my Coconino Mocha. If I sell or not I still buy my coffe. It won't change anything. It doesn't really matter making some money, it matters to know someone is enjoying what I make. To keep a little shop it will be just a motivation to create more. I think I am getting paranoid. I need to stop blogging about selling. Gee! I am infected. Haha! Well, better than blogging about the last time I got mad at hubby...perhaps, people don't need to read that!!! And after all, I love the guy so much...

And here you can see my rug. Cute, I got for only 99 bucks at..............Wall Mart. Yes, I did it. I know, you won't visit my blog anymore because that!!! Oi!!! I told you, sometimes I do bargain, why not? Who said is wrong? Those japanese lanterns from Target and pennants made by me.

I am happy today and I don't even know why...

My mood board must have my own photographs on it...

My Janome Harmony 8080 (never had problems) seats on an old drawing table that used to belong to my husband. Did you know that he drawns really great? The chair cushion is from Pier1 Imports.

Someone in our family is from Ukraine and I think these nesting dolls are from there.

I just have finished some pincushions.

Tons of red on these photos, hu? It's my favorite color!

I have a small stash of fabric, I just get what I really love. I usually buy half yard or fat quarters, because unfortunately I don't sew as much as I would like. My favorite patterns are small, colorful and flowered. I am drawn to 1930 - 1950 patterns, but I also like something more romantic. I also like polka dots and plaids.

Vintage wooden spools turned into dolls...I will make more dolls later.

Have a nice weekend everyone!!!!

Labels: Workspace

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Finally! Gadget Pouches

I wish I could write a long post today, but I will save for next time and I won't wait another week...I have some books and links to share with you.

On my Etsy Shop soon!

Thanks so much for all the kind comments, I know is a cliché to say that I don't have time to visit all of you, but as soon as I can, I will!!!

Xoxo...

Labels: handmade, handmade by me, handmade pouches, unique gadget pouches

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Vegas

We used to go Vegas often when living in Lake Havasu city years ago. I don't really love that place, but hubby wanted to go there. It's always full of people and we don't gamble. It was good to walk around and see people from all over the world. You actually see all sorts of things, weird things. We went window shopping 'cause we have to save money to go to Brazil very soon... A long time we don't go anywhere, because it's a bit tiresome with small children. They had fun at Circus Circus. They actually had more fun than us.

When little one does not want to go in certain places...ha! He will stop at the doors and say it laudly..." I am not going inside there." You try to convince the boy...it takes like 15 minutes to make him to accept the fact that mommy and daddy would like to have fun too...that happened at Anthropologie. I wanted so bad to go see that shop that I hear so much about it and he would not let me go. The little brat started to cry by the door and after some little talking (pleeeease, let's go there to see beautiful things, pleeease!) we stepped in. We were all around the entryway looking what we could, because little one was not happy at all. I told my husband to take him out for 5 minutes, but nothing would make him go out with daddy and daddy, off course wanted to be by my side to watch how much I would spend there!!! He definitely had good tactics to stop me wishing Anthropologie goodies.

"Pricey, isn't it?" He tapped on my shoulder and said: "Have you seen the labels? It's all made in Asia. I said: "yeah...I see, but what is not made in Asia today?" He touched my heart right after saying: "probably made by a kid that earned less than a dollar sewing these clothing and they overprice everything to sell here for rich people looking for a brand name, a hip style. It's so frivolous Zee." And I just looked at him and "sigh, you are not wrong, just tell me that you can't afford it, cut this torture in half please."And how about the quality?" He asks. Well, I must agree that some shirts sold for around $ 80 bucks after looking at the quality......I got a bit concerned about it. Really, but a lot of things are fine and I think the price is ok, like these cushions for example. I guess it all depends of where you live and how much you make, it depends also of our evil part of being not so futile and knowing that living in this world is not a fairy tale, while we pay 118 bucks for something that we don't really need and the same amount of money would feed a family in Africa for the entire month... Ahem, I can't be hypocrite. Should we all feel guilty of being alive and have good food on the table? Should we all blame ourselves for all horrible things that happen in the world? After all, I just looked and got inspired and I got sad too. I like the style, speacially the houseware goodies, lamp shades, frames, embroidered pillows, all those colors... Some of their clothing I would not wear, but I loved some pants and shirts they have. It was great to go in, but shopping with kids and husband does not work.

I wonder if the brazilian shops are still making their own designs and sewing locally their creations. I worked as a seller in some shops and I knew that clothing were made locally. I am not sure about how much a seamstress makes in Brazil, but they probably make more than what people make in Asia, still not enough and it's obvious. Visiting Anthropologie gave me some DIY ideas...hmmmm....I love patchwork, crewel and details made with colorful scrapped fabric!!!

Wouldn't be nice to see shops owned by groups of local artisans, crafters, artists, something like Trunkt out there, in the streets? I think so...perhaps they are already there and I did not see yet. I live in a small town and I don't see much around here!

Work in progress...these cell phone pouches will be ready soon...

Labels: handmade, handmade by me, handmade pouches, personal

Zee ♥ mom of 2 little boys, wife, cats, photography, Photoshop, crafts, sewing, handmade things, Rio de Janeiro, Arizona...
hey, my mother language is portuguese!
If you like what you see, get a cup of tea and enjoy! Thanks!

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