Last Saturday we went to the arboretum. They had some shows (Arizona's snakes, birds and bugs) and invited the kids to plant a tree which was cool. I had to dig the hole and my kids were concentrated to finish their job. They were really motivated! I was expecting to see more flowers, but Arizona is helpless. Dry, doesn't matter how much snow falls in this place, no gardens around here! I haven't seen any neighbour keeping a big and beautiful garden. We all have grass and couple daffodils and tulips, but gardens like I saw in Oregon some years ago...haha, nope! It's hard to maintain. All my last year's flowers died. I still have some perennials that I am sure will bloom in June. Yesterday I spent some hours cleaning my little garden. I also sprinkled some wild flowers seeds...
Since I have no garden at the moment to share with you, here are some flowers from the grocerie store...
The week was good. I am bit tired, I would like to sleep till noon, but...I can't. At 7 am the alarm scares me out to death (I feel like braking it, throwing that cell phone on the wall!) and if I don't jump out of the bed that same second, I will probably oversleep.
The joys and the therapy of stitching after they go to bed or with little one seated by my side, talking away and making many questions, the cats making noises, I have one that snores really loud, these are just like lullabies...I thought that I would get bored doing this simple embroidery, but nope, I really enjoyed the process. The drawing I did myself with a fabric washable marker direct on the fabric (linen). I do draw a bit, I don't really need the ready patterns. I just don't draw anymore like when I was a teen. So do my husband. He is incredible. He is an artist, he is definitely better than I, because he can draw anything without looking at it. I don't have such good memory to make certain drawings without observing the object...funny! Sometimes he will say that he would like to paint and draw things again, but he will soon forget about it. Hectic times, hard work, there is always something to fix at home, places to go and we forget about us, as human beings full of needs and wishes. And I, well...although I have this gift, this talent (whatever you wish to call) for drawing, I chose other hobbies...we must do what we feel confortable with, right? I enjoy sewing and reading now, much more than drawing. Let it be! Sometimes I wonder if I open the sketchbook and doodle for good one of this days...
Lolita, it's the name of this bag I just finished. I thought about Lolita because I am reading a book that has something to do, I mean, everything to do with this name, since it's part of its title.
It has pale colors that I often do not use, but doesn't mean that I don't like it. I usually like brighter ones, but this captivates me somehow. It's delicate. I used some vintage buttons to adorn the back of it and crocheted laces. I don't know if I should sell it or not. I like it so much. Lately I've found myself removing things from the shop to keep them for me.
...
I feel so good in this room, having all my bits and bobs scattered all over the table like on the photo above. You can also see a piece of the book cover I am reading at the moment. I just got it. I felt like reading something and after several minutes of search and little one whining about going home, I picked "Reading Lolita in Tehran". So far, I am liking it. I've read 4 chapters already and I find interesting how the author describes some details about the girls, but this is just the beggining. I might get bored in the middle, I have no idea. All the books I got recently were left forgotten in the drawer of my side table with a book mark right in the middle of them. Sometimes books put me to sleep and they end in the drawers, forever. All the books I read till the end were in portuguese, brazilian literature. That's right. Great ones. I remember reading 3 or 4 books a week when I was around 18-22 years old. I wasn't so busy that time because I failed the tests to the university (I tried Social Sciences : Anthropologie and Sociology), so I had to read. I find books about social/cultural matters more appealing to me. I do approach the shelves on biographies and politics too. I don't know why...they can be hard, sad sometimes...
BTW, are you tired of seeing my craft room? No? Good. I am never tired of that. Today I want to take a walk to some parks around here. All the trees are blooming and it's so inviting! Let's see if I get different photos...hopefully, won't be so windy today. I hope, because I am tired of this cold wind.
You can't comment anymore on my blog, that's right. I decided to remove the box for reasons that I prefer do not discuss about it. I really appreciated the comments, but I feel like not having it at the moment. My e-mail is still available though. I might have it again in the future...who knows?
Oh man, I had a funny dream last night. I was in my parents home, everything looked the way it was when I was a teen and I had a pig. A baby pig that spoke and used to follow me everywhere I went. A buddy pig, very pretty and pink!!! I am kinda impressed with this dream. I think is the first time I dream with a pig!! He was clean and he wanted to take showers too.
So, I had a very nice swap with Anita from Germany. You can see what I sent to her on here. She made me lovely Tilda rosettes that I can use in some projects in the future. Right now, I embellish my inspiration board with them. She also made me 8 birds, with a pretty red flowered fabric as you can see on the photo. I loved to open the package and my kids got so excited about it. Everytime someone rings the bell they rush to the door wit a big smile and greet the deliver guy with me! Anita was generous making some paper tags all stamped with intricate drawings and she printed labels on fusible fabric for me. I also got 2 Cath Kidston catalogs and german mags, chocolate and a glass jar filled with fabric yo-yos and a delicious heart sachet. So here is just a glimpse of these fabulous goodies...
During this week I worked on these bags that I made for me and two for the shop. I've seen some people carrying eco friendly bags, taking them to the grocerie store, those made of coffe bags, and another day at the fabric shop I saw burlap (jute) on the shelves and I wondered what could be done with it. I was a bit skeptical about making bags with burlap for 2 reasons: the texture is not smooth and it can be itchy on our skin and because it frays really easy after you cut it. I did it carefully, sewing twice on the edges to prevent fray and I have enjoyed stitching the swirl on the front with a soft green yard. The sides and the botton has fusible interface, the craft type, it makes the fabric pretty sturdy. I really like the natural fibers like this burlap and linen and mix them with colorful cotton fabric and the crocheted laces. I wish to find other colors of it, but not luck around here. I just find ivory color. I want beige, like milk+coffe color. Should I dye them? I am inspired by the japanese zakka style. Also, the natural textiles conects me with the earth as I am so earthy person. So, my burlap bag is not for sale. I would like to ask your sincere feedback. I myself like it very much, it makes a great beach bag and next time in Sedona, I am sure taking it with me.
The one below made with a beautiful embroidered linen. It is not for sale either!
The one above and this one and below are very similar to the ones I made last summer. The difference is that they are not floppy, because they have quilter's batting between layers making them very soft and better constructed. I am also using the natural rope as closure instead of ribbon.
Last sunday me and husband commemorated our 6th wedding aniversary and we decided to spend the afternoon in Sedona. It was a great day! We had lunch in a great fine gourmet/deli place. They also sell all kinds of wines and exotic condiments and appetizers. We all seated outside, the weather is just right in Sedona, not cold and just a bit warm. The meal was awesome and when the lady came to check if everything was ok, I had to open my big mouth to mention our wedding aniversary. She brought us a bottle of champagne, a small one because I was driving. After eating with much pleasure, I went to pay the bill at the cashier. I grabbed some italian muffins to go and the same lady said that my husband had paid for everything. "Are you sure?" I replied a bit surprised. So, I just paid for those cakes, I believed that he had paid while I was in the restroom. We all got in the car and he asked how much was the bill. "Well, you must know it, you've paid them!" Eyes wide open and he said: "No, I could not have paid, because I did not bring my wallet." Giggles and giggles. She mentioned that the drinks were on her account as a gift for us! I understood that she simply did not want to charge us and that was so generous. She could not be wrong as my husband did not have his wallet!!
After that, we did not have plans at all, and we entered a road in a gorgeous neighborhood. We often do this, we just drive away! Actually I really like Sedona, I think is one of the most beautiful places in Arizona and I would move there big time! You guys should see the light in that place. It's just perfect. The plants and flowers are so beautiful as well. So, as I was saying...we drove like 3 miles and guess what? We ended in this creek where I got these photos below...
Hello there!
How cool is this place? We walked bare feet and enjoyed the water that wasn't so cold.
I've been so away of blogland due my activities in real life. I am making some new bags and at this time, I must make some for me. Next post I will show some wip and some little darlings that Anita sent to me.
Several weeks ago, I went to Phoenix and curiously I had to stop at Ikea. I got a table for little one's room and some small storage, like those drawers that are not sold online. So, last week I made a little decoupage on one of them (I bought 2) with fabric and modge podge. Here is the result...
These drawers are fun because we can personalize it, but I tell you what...hard to put them together! Next time, I will let my husband do the not so fun part!
Do you have any Ikea Drawers still "naked"? Have some inspiration: here, here and here.
Unlike last year, April starts windy and cold. Sunny, at least. I should stop drinking so much coffe and waisting my time with not so important things. I think I have migraines. Tomorrow I promise, it will be different. I hope for a warmer day and no headaches. I've been to excited lately! I am not telling...
The photos above were taken in Brazil in 2004. It was my last visit to my country. I was pregnant of my second son. Summers in the Northeast of Brazil are the best ever. The light is wonderful, the colors are just amazing. How about all those fruits? Some of them I haven't seen in US yet, like those greenish ones laid on a triangle shape behind the big bowl of beans. It's called "fruta do conde" or "pinha" like my dad calls it and it's delicious. Super sweet. The red bags of acerolas, it's high in vitamin C. I love papayas too and avocado smoothie that I do with a fast and simple recipe, you can try it: milk, a bit of condensed milk, 2 small avocados and wheat germ. Oooooh!!! Not for everyone though!
I miss these street markets. I took my husband to visit couple of times and he was always amazed by the variety and size of the vegetables. He still talks about the humongous avocados he saw once...yes, they were big...like 12 feet long! Blab...it's Saturday night and I am writing about huge avocados...this is getting serious!!! Giggles!!! I blame my migraines!!
I am often agnostic. It's hard to believe in some things in this life but at the same time, I wonder if there is anything watching over me. Because everytime something bad happens, everytime I am hurt, the unknow amazes me. This is one of the reasons I like to be what I am and to be alive. I think I am blessed too, just like you! We all are, right? Yes, please! There are times that problems and sadness can turn us into very pessimistic people. If we are just able to see...if we want to see more of good happenings than bad ones, our lives can change. I am happy this evening. In the morning I had tears of sadness, knowing that my son is a great boy, a generous child that never caused trouble in his class and has been hit by other kids and because his generosity, he would just say that he doesn't want to hit them back, he doesn't want to hurt his friends and he doesn't care to be hit, just to make me feel better... Is there anything I can do? I started to see myself as a little girl again, with the same kind of problem he is having now. I just had to live with. I am seeing myself on my children. Reflections of me.
I was sad to see that today, there are still kids, big ones that will have a slingshot in hands to kill birds. Birds that mother nature gave to us without charge. To kill just for the pleasure of seeing a small and inocent target being hit. I had to hold myself to do not grab that crap off his hands. Maybe I should... And I so love to walk my children in the morning and listen nothing else than dozens of bird songs. Even to crows, they do make interesting noises! What does this kid has in mind? I realized that I am often very sensitive person, although many people will tell the contrary. sometimes I think I am not brave enough. I will be mad all day for seeing such thing. I am often outspoken and if this is a quality, I am not sure, I am just sure that I am almost 35 years old and I am still discovering myself as a person and scared about adulthood, isn't it funny?
Some people say that I am generous and I recently had to agree. It should make me happy to be like that, but it can hurt, because some will see generosity as stupidity, I do see like that sometimes and this is not good. It should not matter for me if I am only confident about it. I could go on and on with this vent. I could write so many stories of every day life, but one reason I don't do this anymore like in the past is because I think I have a normal life, with real concerns, problems and fears just like you do. I like to express myself showing photos and things I do by hands, I like to share a song that I like, links I find interesting, books and mags. Does that tell anything about me? You guys are always telling me that I am talented person and always being nice to me and leaving messages that make me happy and I often don't follow up with you. I am grateful, I heart every person that takes the time to tell me something nice. I am not the greatest blogger, I won't never talk much about my family life or polemics or politics and all of you that have been following my very bad english (if you are new to this, I do better in portuguese for sure!), thank you and also sorry that I am not very social in blogland. In real life I am just like that. Not very social. Always by myself, always quiet in a corner, but I like to talk and if I find someone that I feel confortable with, you will have to make me shut up! And be sure that I feel like talking big time and I don't have my best friends to hear to me when I need to...oh they are so far away...
BTW...changing subject, we went to a zoo in Camp Verde days ago and although I am not a big fan of zoos, I liked to see these tigers...they are my favorite animals of all!!! I can't have tigers at home so I have 4 cats!! I am a cat person since little kid and my mom never let me have a cat, now look at this, I have 4. I would have more if I could...but it doesn't sound nice to collect animals as well, hu?
This is the first time I get a photo of the 4 cats together...it's rare. They are very respectful to each other. The tuxedo cat is living forever! I adopted him in 2003 and he was 13 years old that time. The 2 white cats looking to the door are Naninha and Tobias Malaquias (mother and son) respectively and they came from Brazil with me ( My husband asked: "Will you marry me and come to US? I answered: "yes, but not without the cats, ha!"). She is 10 years old and he is 9 next May. The one that seats in between is called Snow, but he has lots of nick names (pereba, piroc@, taludo, tormento...hahaha, do not ask me to translate these words!!! My children call him smear all over the place, I don't know why...and they will call the female cat something like Bolden, I have no idea why!!!) and he used to live in the Navajo reservation, where I lived with my husband for one year and it was snowing a lot (that's why the name and because he is white) and he would not leave our porch. I had to convince my husband that where eat 3 cats, eat 4 cats too. He was dirty and I had to shave all the hair of his tail. He had blood tests and all the shots and after one month living in the garage, he came in. He still acts like a street cat and not long ago the Vet prescribed some pills for anxiety, since he was pissing in the house sometimes. He is ok now and hopefully he will be all right for the spring/summer.
Hmmm, I am not taking that one...nope, enough cats for me!! I can barely stretch out on the bed, they all sleep on top of me, except to Frederico, as he doesn't climb anymore due to his arthritis!
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!
♥
