I've been thinking about this blog lately. I don't feel like deleting it, but I also don't feel like being here as much as when I started it. I don't have amazing, impressive and great writings for you to read and most of my visitors come after tutorials and I also don't feel like posting tutorials anymore for the public. I also don't feel like writing in my mother language either. I am not conecting at all in blogland these days. I am still making things, sewing, taking photos...perhaps I should turn this blog into a speechless photoblog. I still like my blog...so confusing!
Wip: making dolls with vintage wooden spools and some clothespin dolls. I made some dolls with wooden spools in the past and my son loves them so much. He confiscated them for him and now all my wooden shadow boxes (the ones I bought months ago and I never did anything with them) are in his room. He likes to play with dolls since he is a little baby. It's funny because he is a boy, but I will never stop him. He also loves plush toys and toys made of wood. As for clothespin dolls...you probably have seen a bunch of them in blogland lately, hu? I wish to make them a bit different from what I've seen around the web...
The cat doesn't really look like a russian doll as I was expecting...it looks just like a plush cat. I've stitched his face with floss on linen. I used my own pattern to make this cat. I still have to add his tale and a pin rosette.
The heads are attached, now they need dresses! I promised a few for my son...
And Tobias the real cat is enjoying his summer time! Today 3 cats will visit the Vet's office for immunizations.
Summer: the heat makes me sleepy. I feel like taking naps, but I actually don't take them. The little bugs in this home have energy for all day long. I woke up this morning with my oldest son scratching my back. How great is that? Lots of hugs and kisses and all the birds singing outside make me think and be sure that life is so good. I smile, jump off the bed and see the time. Oh my, it was 10 am. We all woke up at 10 am! Luxuries of a stay at home mum and kids. I am still sleepy. I've been having gorgeous dreams lately. Usually I dream with the beach, crystal water, beautiful waves and butterflies. What makes me really happy about them it's that they all have some sparkles, like fairy dust or something alike...so funny! I had a dream with my grandpa (he died in 1994) another night. He had zillions of tiny and yellow butterflies covering his mouth and when I approached to him, to look closer they started to fly away with all that sparkling fairy star dust!! It wasn't sad or whatsoever. I really dream with my grandpa often. I miss him a lot! He was the best friend I ever had...
I can't wait to see the ocean next month. Hotel is booked, air tickets were bought. I am more than ready to put my toes in that water! I love the beach. I wish to live in California one day. So expensive... I must convince hubby about that, maybe one day, when the economy is good again.
I've been making bags and pouches. Slowly...I am never in a rush. I often like the results, but at the same time lots of projects get ruined, because I am still learning a lot of new things. I don't throw anything out. Last night I spent sometime sorting scraps of fabric. I cut some squares for a possible patchwork...started a cat matrioshka...yep...a cat, a russian cat! Look at me, a brazilian girl making russian cats. That's right. I have brazilian kites to make as decoration for kids' room but I don't know if they will work well or not with fabric, so...let me make them first and if they turn out good looking, I show you.
My succulents are blooming. My cats are fatter than ever and we had lady bugs just for the fun of watching them going crazy to the nature! We bought them at Home Depot. They also sell praying mantis, but in the cocoon.
I've been learning to heart these family moments rather than (outside family) friendships. Not that I consider friendships none important, but the family friendship and bonding between us are the most important for me. Making friends are not as easy anymore like when I was a tween, I feel like that after having kids. My heart is filled with my children, my husband, cats, our home and a craft once in a while. I keep my mind busy all the time.
I heart friendships, but I am really lazy person to make them happen. Speacially online friendships...and, there is nothing wrong with people or with us. Sometimes people just don't fit to our life style, we are so busy and time just goes fast. It's funny how we change after years. Once I would worry very much if people would like me or not. No worries anymore. Take me or leave me, it goes like that!
What a good week. I sent a package full of craft supplies for her. She had a very cool idea and as I had so many things that were in my drawers for so long and no use...so, it was a great and late spring cleaning. I am not sure that she will like what I am sending (style), but I sent it with all my good intentions.
We go hiking, we find lizards, we stop to see the mountains and enjoy the sun! On the photo above you see my husband and my oldest son wearing a brown t-shirt and helmet. We watch Gilmore Girls (that I never watched before) before going to bed and I like it. Ha! I thought I would never like to watch american soap operas, I guess because the language...I would not understand the jokes, slangs...now I get it. Sometimes not. Nothing better than a soap opera to learn a foreign language. Hehe!
I've listed two items to my little shop this week. Go see them!
I am so very busy these days. Kids got the cold and I've been working on my last batch of bags for the summer. It will be my last try as a Etsy seller, if goes well I keep moving on this idea, if not, I will probably quit. I am taking notes of everything I put on each bag. Calculating precisely my expenses and the time I give to them. These totes I am making are getting really well made and I am proud of them. I allow myself to work 2 or 3 hours a day only. It's hard with kids around me. I don't work every day, some days are just impossible. I have this need of making something to myself, I like working, I like challenges, I like to see the results. I like to sketch an idea and put in practise...
I am migrating to a Mac computer and I am waiting for some super cool programs like Photoshop CS3 to install on this great machine. Oooh, I am so happy. My Sony laptop goes to hubby and the older one, the first laptop we got, goes to my brother. I am really loving this new computer. It's awesome. It has 1 GB of memory and I can add 3 more GBs. It's not difficult to deal with it, it's different, but it's a great choice. The images on this mac are incredibly beautiful. I have to forgive my ignorance, because not long ago I brought this computer home and I took it back to the store...I thought I did not really needed it. Maybe I didn't, maybe I don't...whatever...I am very satisfied now!
I will be back when I get more time! Have a nice holiday!
We walk my oldest son to school every day and nearby lives a neighbor that has 2 cars. One is red and another one is yellow. Vintage cars. Bebezinho always stop in front of their house to ask why those cars are the way they are. Why those cars are small mom?Are they for small people? What kind of cars are these? I usually don't have the greatest answers. I suck, speacially when I am moody. Ha, another day the small yellow car was inside the garage, the garage's door was open all the way up. The red one was parked outside. Little one asked again and I had fast answers at that time:
Him: Mom, why that yellow car is inside the garage?
Me: Resting, taking a nap.
Him: And why the red one is outside?
Me: sun bathing.
I know, it's probably silly. I am a mom, you know? So, these are my stories.
BTW, we saw a bunch of lady bugs without the dots (I don't know why some of them don't have the black dots) on the way home and we thought that they were dead. We brought some home and alas, they were all alive. We placed them with my succulents. A bit of watching and taking photos and we let them go back to nature where they belong.
I like succulents a lot. I have 5 different kinds in the office, by the window. It's the best spot for them (that particular window). All I can grow indoors are succulents, orchids, kalanchoes and mini roses. Everything else I tried to grow, did not survive. I don't bother with gardening outside. We got snow another day and it killed what I've planted. I give it up. We are going to a long trip soon and I can't watch my flowers. All I have indoors will be sent to my father in law, including the cats. I am afraid he doesn't really know about this yet!!!
Have you seen the snow we got here another day? Tomorrow it's going to be warm, up to 80 degrees or so. Crazy, but finally a bit of heat. One day is cold, super cold...the another day is warm!
As for our trip...I really hope that at this time, we can go to Brazil. I don't have the dates yet. We might even cancel this trip one more time. Because of that, I am doing a sale over my Etsy shop and the only thing that I will upload these days is the set of postcards. When I come back, I will decide about making things for sale or not. For now I have some gifts to make. I am thinking about dying some natural linen, printing fabric with my own designs, try some new embroidery, use my vintage camera I got several weeks ago, to make some ttv photos...
I am not being too crafty or creative lately. As I said, I've enjoyed home and kids. I think I will be blogging once a week, since I am not making stuff all the time. I think I am already blogging once a week for quite sometime, hu? I don't even know! I do want to focus this blog on the handmade by me thing. I can't force myself on making new things every week just to keep up with this blog. Wow, when I think about what I have done in the past to keep a blog...going to sleep after 1 am, skipping important things in life just to belong online...really people, loneliness stinks. I don't even like to remember. I promised to myself to manage my time, to cut half of my computer time and I don't regret it. I wanted to say hello to everyone, I wanted to visit all the blogs, I wanted to see what people were doing. Enough.
My son's room is getting nice, I think. I like to search for vintage items to decorate their room. I got that globe for 12 bucks in an antique shop. Those on the wall were pages of vintage kids books. I have more to frame. I really like vintage illustrations for children! The vintage quilt I got last year. It was a great find for a lovely price!!
I've learned a lot, it's true. This is a great thing. I never though that one day I would sew bags and make websites. I have stopped with the web design (hohoho, no I don't consider myself a designer or whatsoever) mania a long time due my new time management. I just know enough to put a simple website together and play a bit with Photoshop graphics, textures, layers, brushes...
As for sewing...oh my gosh, 5 years ago, I could not even think about it. Sewing for me was not possible. All right, I knew a little bit, because as everybody else, mom and grandma tried to teach me when I was a kid, but I wasn't interested. I wanted to climb on the trees and play cars. Kinda tomboy. When I tried to sew curtains for my son in 2003 I gave it up. I kept my brand new sewing machine (the one I use now) in the closet for 3 years and in 2006 I started from nada. Destroying fabric, making tons of mistakes...I still don't have the best skills, but I get there. I don't feel like going further with web design though. All those codes...nah...too much for my brain. I just wanna learn enough to make my own websites (if I need one). That's it.
I almost forgot some links that I kept on my favorites and I would like to share with you...
Brazil: Now I find this delicious açai (blended with other fruits) drink and coffe available in town. Also, Havaianas are being sold at the local Dillards. Yay!
Kids:Cool craft projects for kids over Bloesem (super cool blog for all things children, I love it!!!).
My birthday was yesterday...I am 35. Wow, time goes fast!
Mr. came home with a card and a cake. Our son, very excited, push me back in the bedroom and said that I could not go to the dining room, because daddy was setting up a surprise for me. The boy was truly serious about it. I loved that card very much. They made me so happy. My family mean the world for me. Because them, I've changed. Because them, I've learned a lot of good things in this life. I am very grateful to be alive, to be 35 and have my husband and children by my side. Hopefully forever!
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?
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.
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!
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!!!
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!
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...
I am bit down today. I though that I had a cool idea and so excited I was that I forgot that this world of creative people is big. I am impulsive sometimes. I forget to look around, to do a search. Not long a go, we brought home a mac computer. Gorgeous, perfect. After 3 days of use, I decided to bring back to the store. I don't really regret it, because I would have to buy a bunch of programs again and that would cost a lot. I got so frustrated. I almost cried seeing that machine going back, but seriously, I did not really need it. So, if I had talked to people, if I did stop a bit to think, would save me some frustration. Maybe next year...because money doesn't grown on trees.
I've deleted one of my accounts over Etsy. I can't put up with hours on the computer listing things that people is already doing successfully quite sometime. I know how honest I am and I would not like to be called a "copy cat", because in the end, some communities can be hard on those ingenious members like me. I don't have time and energy to deal with issues like these. If I had an idea of taking photos in certain way, what can I do? I know who I am, I know I am serious, but I do have shame on my face and I would not like to share a place with someone that does similar work. I won't stop making what I like, I won't stop photographing the way I like, the way I have discovered and show on this blog, but selling is another story. Not at Etsy though. Similar doesn't mean exactly the same. Have I seen her work before? I have no clue, because I don't remember. Who knows? Go figure it. Just like the pincushions I make using styrofoam balls, I have no clue if someone else does the same, if they did before me or whatsoever. So...sorry if my brain works just like yours!
In fact I am kinda tired of selling things. Because I am not selling like I would like, because I don't put enough efforts to it and because it's not that important. A little push would be great to start, but...this happens with lucky ones or if you know "hot" people out there. As a 89% introverted, let me just stop throwing my tamtrums and be shut. Make a living (hahaha!) with crafts or photos seem to be an odd for me and it is, really. There are some great things that I need to do in my home and I am starting soon, better...tomorrow!!! Also, I have a swap with a sweet lady from Germany and I need to prepare the goodies. So, this is the last fit in the subject.
Yes, I know I am a stubborn. Just like a bull. In fact my astrological sign is taurus, does it count? I see the obvious in front of me, but I will believe and learn the lesson after some falls, some slaps on the face. Sometimes it's patetic to believe too much on myself and on people...
BTW, here are the last ones of the series...
And please, do not feel sorry about me...really. I guess this kind of thing happens all the time!
The paper I use for background is from Martha crafts.
Aha, you guys like reading, hu? Thanks for the comments...I will be right back! Perhaps, talking more about my feelings (not really confident about this) or the way I view things in life (but I am sooo lazy lately for that and I became introspective girl lately, better not to say much to feed a few - not you, of course - curious mad people), instead of making that diary of my every day routine...and no ladies, I am not thinking about closing down this blog, I was just saying that...hmmm, I don't know about the future. I don't really plan the future...btw, I took the this personality test. I think I will agree with it for a while, there are few things that I am not really sure...I am an ISTP person. How about you?
Just like millions of people out there, I also keep a blog, not because I don't have anything better to do, as a lot of people think, but because I have a lot of things I would like to show. In the beggining, back to 2002, I kept a blog to vent my anger, my sadness and also happiness. I used to blog only in portuguese, because it's my mother language. The time has passed and I don't feel like venting those things anymore. I go through different phases of life as any human being and right now, I am introspective. I've learned some lessons about not showing too much details of personal and private family life. We never know who is reading this...
I've always loved to make things by hands, I've enjoyed school's art projects as a child very much, I've seen my mom being creative. I've been into Photography since 1993 and I am not sure which were the blogs that inspired me to begin Pixie Blossoms in September 2006. In fact, Pixie Blossoms was named Desert Blossoms for the first months, but I did not really like that name. I saw so many creative bloggers from all over the world and I thought that I could do it similar and help myself of getting out of the housewife's boring routine for a bit. I love to create, to learn, to try. Pixie Blossoms is not only a delicious hobby, but also a challenge. I write in english and this is difficult for me. I've been improving my english vocabulary, and reading other blogs helps a lot too. Another reason to write in english is the fact that I live in The United States. My life is here, my husband is an american citizen as my children are and I speak english all the time. Writing in english gives me the opportunity of reaching the world. I have visitors from Australia to Canada. From Brazil to Norway. I miss talking in portuguese, I miss writing in portuguese and I wish I could handle one more blog to utter some deep feelings, but not at this moment, my time is short and I am always in a rush. I love my mother language, it's truly beautiful and I also love brazilian music as well. One of my wishes is to bring some of my culture to this blog.
I like this show and tell, I like to meet new people and who doesn't want to belong? I don't participate a lot in blogland because my time is hectic, as I said before, but once in a while it's good to get in touch with readers. I am also visually inspired, since little. Beauty attracts me, art is real love although I don't consider myself an artist. I would say I am an artisan in process of learning, because there are a lot of mediums I don't know. I also don't consider myself a Photographer, but a picture taker. I say that not because a low self- esteem I would have (sometimes I do), but because lack of knowledgement. Because I believe that Art is so complex, not simple.
The computer is a good company. I don't have friends nearby. My best friends are in Brazil. We recently moved to this town and I've met the neighbours, but perhaps people is busy, just like me. It used to be easier to make friends in Brazil...here in US people have a different life style, different culture... My husband works a lot and I feel much better when he is at home with us.
I don't know how long I will keep Pixie Blossoms on the web. The Internet is an endless source of information and inspiration. It keeps my creative mind moving forward to the unknown. I want that, I want to discover new things. I also like to discover myself through blogging. I think I am drawing a path to my own style. The colors I like, the projects I like best, the blogs I like to visit...I feel like growing into something really cool. Being part of this blogland, being creative, being inspired and admiring others work, making things and showing to you, surely make me feel a happier person! Pixie Blossoms is me. The way I build the posts, the way I design my templates, the way I love colors...this is the way I am, the way I like. It could be fake for some people because I don't go deep regarding my feelings and private life, but it's ok...the way it is...that is what matters.
Yesterday in Sedona, Arizona. I really like that place, not so far from where we live. They did not get the snow we got and it's only 30 minutes down the hills! Amazing, beautiful day! I must go there often, just to enjoy the nature!
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!
♥
