Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration

UPDATE

2011-12-30T17:55:00.000-08:00

My little break,
as I announced it over 10 months ago,
became a little longer than I expected...

I have moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina
and now write most of the time in Spanish
but thanks to Google Translate
you can read about my adventures here down South
by visiting me at

www.ColorinColoradoBlog.Blogspot.com

I would love to "see" you there!

A little break...

2011-01-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

from blogging.

We are on our way to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
We'll be back (well, some of us will....my Son is staying!)
in three weeks...

See you then!

Love is in the air...

2011-01-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

Old frames,
once forgotten and left to collect dust in the garage...

are putting me in a "Valentines" frame of mind...

Are you there yet????

White Wednesday...

2011-01-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

As you know,
since we decided to move,
shopping is a No-No around here.
Even a very strict rule has been implemented:
if 1 new thing comes in
4 old things have to come out.

Well, I need 4 old things to say good bye to,
because I just couldn't resist this pretty bag
from Janet at Flora Doora!

Her cute, cute bags are lined in plastic perfect to hold fresh flowers...

Jane's motto is:
"Spreading happiness one bag at the time"

She sure was successful this time,
I smile every time I walk by mine...

Hope this day brings you enough reason to smile!
Happy White Wednesday!

New toy....

2011-01-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting one of these
for some time now...

the sale at Michael's finally made it possible!!!

My Husband asked me:
"What are you going to do with so many butterflies?"

I have no idea...
but don't they look cute????

Of roses and lizards...

2011-01-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

One of the few good things about Winter in So. California
is that the lizards disappear from my backyard
and I finally can venture out and enjoy my morning coffee
without the risk of a heart attack.

I don't have a bid yard,
actually, no yard is big enough for me and lizards.
If they are out, I'm in...simple and clear.

That's why these winter mornings...
warm and oh so missed sunny moments are so enjoyable.
Those moments when the roses let me think
that Spring will soon be here....

those moments when the roses whisper in my ears:
Enjoy us, because the lizards are also coming back soon!
Yikes!!

Enjoy your weekend!

"When you suffer an attack of nerves you're being attacked by the nervous system. What chance has a man got against a system?"

~Russell Hoban~

Daydreaming...

2011-01-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

The fact that my dreams have been filled with...

Photo: Country Living

and...

Photo: Country Living

and even a little bit of this....

Photo: Country Living

might explain my new roses colors...

"The color of springtime is in the flowers,
the color of winter is in the imagination."

~Terri Guillemets~

White Wednesday

2011-01-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

Many years ago,

more than I care to admit,
I took home this wooden box.
As many pieces that have followed me home,
it came without a purpose or a reason...

I tried to work on it many times,
but it always seemed like a huge work
and I was never able to imagine the final product.

About 5 years ago got a wooden applique
and coats and coats of putty...
only promises, nothing concrete!
3 Wednesdays my wooden box
made the sad trip from the garage to the curve...
and those same nights the trip back to the garage.

Last week it finally happened,
out with the applique,
lots and lots of sanding,
primer
and of course, white paint.

My wooden box and I were re-connecting.

What better way for my transferware collection
to make the trip LA-Buenos Aires
than inside of my very sturdy wooden box?

1122...our address here in Cali

4...the people embarking in the adventure....

Once we settle,
my wooden box will be perfect as a coffee table...
the move from a 2400 sq. ft. home to an apartment half the size
involves some creative storage!

Thank you Kathleen for White Wednesday!

Pretty in Pink

2011-01-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

I did something that I never do:
I got a manicure.

A total treat for me!

Because I'm always painting
or sanding
or hammering,
(and most of the time don't care for gloves!)
manicures don't last
and I feel like somehow I'm wasting my money.

But because things (I mean hands)

were out of control
I went all girlie girlie
and got myself a set of 10 pretty pink fingernails!

I can not say I enjoyed the process.
But I sure love the results!
the only problem is that now,
I don't want to paint,
or sand,
or hammer...
I don't even want to do the dishes!!!

All I'm willing to do
(other than look at my pretty pink fingernails)
is work with something soft and warm...
like vintage sweater scraps.

So here you have it...
a cute, warm, soft, chickie that didn't ruin my manicure!

the box I made some time ago...
I'm not gluing either!! LOL!!!

New passion...

2011-01-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

I can finally show now the first necklace I made

using the soldering skills that Rita tough me

It was my Christmas gift to Clara
and she loved it.
So much so that she wore it the next day
and got lots of compliments...

And I got a couple of requests...

A little bling for Clara's friend...

and a little crown for her trainer...

This new hobby has kept me very entertained.
After 3 pm, when the temperature really drops
and the garage becomes a freezer,
you can find me inside,
watching the NBA ,
drinking coffee and soldering away!!

I'm going to Argentina in a couple of weeks
and always have trouble picking gifts for my girlfriends:
they already have it...
too big...
too heavy...
too fragile...
no liquids...

I think this time I got it...

Necklaces!!

White Wednesday

2011-01-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

I'm back!

During these past days I didn't do much,
the last storm
(it's funny how this year we can actually count our So Cali storms!)
kept me inside the house
with no other fabric than burlap to work with....

It could be worse, I guess...

Burlap, stamps...
and some yummy coffee later...

and I got a couple of pillows done!

Not much, I know...
...specially after such a long break,

...just enough for a little loveseat...

A little summery for this time of the year,
but I can't wait for a change of weather...
I just hope my Country Roads customers feel the same way I do:
A little summer in the middle of January
never hurt anyone!

To know what's new on this first White Wednesday of 2011,
visit
Faded Charm!

New Year

2011-01-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

I took a very needed week away from the computer
to enjoy the Christmas break

but didn't want to star the 2011 without wishing everyone a great year.
I'll resume my posts as soon as my feet stop hurting,
dancing used to be a lot easier years ago...LOL!

Hope 2011 brings us all a good portion of good health, love and happiness....

...but most of all,
the wisdom to enjoy it.

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it"

Happy New Year!

White Wedneday

2010-12-21T16:44:00.000-08:00

An Argentinian Christmas.

On Christmas Eve...
the good wishes fill up the room.

At midnight,
after a delicious dinner,
and lots of laughter...
we all sit next to the Christmas tree.

Years ago, when the kids were little
Santa used to knock at the door,
or run on the roof,
and even show up in the middle of the living room...

Back then, the kids sang and performed for us
while waiting until midnight.
Now, we play Pictionary
and wait anxiously until the moment
we can open our presents...

Midnight of the 24th,
is technically Christmas morning...isn't it?
Well, close enough!
On Christmas Day,
we wake up very late,
and by one or two o'clock in the afternoon
we get together again
eat some more
laugh some more
and start thinking about the New Year's Party!

From our home to yours,
all the best for this Holiday Season.
No matter how you celebrate,
and what you celebrate
may your family be safe,
healthy
and surrounded by love!

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas
if you stop opening presents and listen"
~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby~

Happy White Wednesday!

Home for the Holidays...

2010-12-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

I started practicing my soldering finally

and after making several charms,
(can't show them because they are Christmas gifts)
I came up with the Momma Charm...

Vintage numbers,
a little glitter,
a chandelier prism...

produced a charm that no human neck can take

but that tells you exactly where to be
for the Holidays!

SOLD

The first 20....

2010-12-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

I take a little break from Christmas decorations today...

and bring out the hearts...

to celebrate
our 20th Anniversary...

We knew each other for less than three months
when we got married.
Each Anniversary is a big celebration!

...can't wait for the next 20!

"Grow old with me,
the best is yet to come!"

White Wednesday

2010-12-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

On this gorgeously warm and sunny day,

hope all your dreams come true!

No matter what color they are....
Happy White Wednesday!

It's beginning to look...

2010-12-13T05:29:00.000-08:00

a lot like Christmas!
...a very simple Christmas...

Following an Argentinian tradition,
the Christmas tree came out of solitude
on December 8th and will stay up
until January 7th...

The vintage ornaments
that won my heart a few years back
are this year displayed inside bowls...

urns...

and under glass cloches...

The good wishes have filled the room...

and even my "corner guy" is ready...

A little shopping,
lots of good food
and definitely no stress!
I try to keep it simple,
whatever is done...is done
whatever is not...
I can always "get it right" next year!

"The perfect Christmas tree?
All Christmas trees are perfect! "
~Charles N. Barnard~

Christmas glitter...

2010-12-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

I liked the idea of using my big stars

as tree toppers,

so I added a clothes pin on the back
to make them easier to use...

How surprised I was
when I tried them in different displays
around my home!
I think they make everything so festive...

I hope they will also look good
on my Christmas tree,
but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to try that...
that's when I decorate it!
(Argentinian tradition)

I'm having computer troubles...grrrr

I'm not sure if I can visit you today,

but if you can, visit all the

White Wednesday girls for me!

UPDATE:
BOTH SOLD
but more in production

Good girl....

2010-12-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

I received my box last Friday morning.

My own soldering supplies!!
(thank you Rita for all the tips!!)

I can't wait to open it...

I have all this ideas in my mind
fighting to come out and be soldered...

but I know that if I open that box....

I will never complete my Christmas projects!

Luckily,
stuff is selling
and my Country Roads space needs more.

I just hope that Santa
is watching me and realizes
what a good girl I am...damn it!!!

In a serious note:
thank you so much to all the wonderful customers
that support small stores, artists and antique dealers
every time they take a little handmade or
a little vintage home!

There is always room...

2010-12-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

for a little Pink Christmas Inspiration!

To all the pink lovers out there:
Sweet...

Linking to the wonderfuk
Vintage Inspiration Friday

Thank you, Deb!

SOLD

Personality disorder

2010-11-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

My plan was to make one of those

wonderful paper wreaths I see here and there.

I ran into some "technical difficulties"
but didn't give up...

After a while I realized my wreath
wasn't going to happen as I had planned.
Too skinny.
Not full enough.

So my "wanna be wreath"
became sort of a
"confused star"

Too many rays for a star...
too few cones for a wreath...

After an hour I was over it!

I'll try again soon...

but first, I'll check out the
White Wednesday Girls,
they sure know how to make
a real Paper Wreath!

SOLD!

It's coming...

2010-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Slowly....

but surely.

Well, not really...
there is nothing slow
about it!

Christmas will be here
before we know it,
so I better keep working!

Graphics from
Karen @ The Graphics Fairy
Thank you, Karen!

Blessings...

2010-11-27T07:48:00.001-08:00

Family
Friends
Health
A roof over your head
A warm plate of food
Job
Love

Have you

lately?

Sometimes,
it helps it to see them written
in black and white...

I'm enjoying the rest of the long weekend
I hope you are doing the same....

Happy Thanksgiving...

2010-11-24T15:32:00.001-08:00

to all!

~As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them~

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy~

White Wednesday

2010-11-23T15:29:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it was
the Christmas music at the mall,
the Christmas commercials every 2 seconds,
my fellow Dealers at Country Roads
or the wonderfully Christmas decorated blogs I visit
that have ~~pressured~~ inspired me
to start working in my Christmas merchandise
waaaayyyyy earlier this year....

I spent a couple of mornings
working on these stockings
and I'm really happy
with the way they turned out...

I ran out of the vintage white wool
I used to make them,
but I'm in the look out for some more!

I love this kind of projects
that I can do while watching TV.
A good movie, a basketball game,
cute supplies and I'm a happy girl!

UPDATE:
Yesterday morning went to Country Roads
to work on my Christmas display.
The stockings never got out of the box,
a sweet customer bought them all...
even the ones I haven't shown you gals yet!!!

(Too bad you can't see my happy dance....)

Linking to:
White Wednesday
Vintage Friday Inspiration

Fun Saturday!

2010-11-21T10:15:00.001-08:00

Not even the bad weather
kept me away from Rita's place on Saturday's morning.
Her soldering class was something
I had been wanting to do
for a very long time.

I had the pleasure to spend the day
with 5 talented ladies
(I'm missing Pearl in this picture, sorry!)
and after some great coffee,
a delicious lunch
and lots of laughs,
we all went home with an adorable

soldered book...

a bubble charm....

and tons of inspiration!
Thank you Rita for teaching me,
I absolutely love my creations!

If you are in the Fallbrook, CA area,
don't miss Rita's classes.
For a complete schedule, visit HER site!

Still purging...

2010-11-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

My downstairs closet received a
very needed purging...

As a result,
I reunited with this yummy fabric
that I absolutely love...

Just the perfect companion
for a little burlap...

and just enough to cover an old ottoman...

I took it to my space

and somehow I find myself smiling
every time I go back and realize
the ottoman hasn't sold...
I really like how it looks in my house
but I know I can't keep it...

Now, if it doesn't sell...
then...it's different
because at least I tried!
LOL!!

LINKING TO:
FABRIC FUN THURSDAY

White Wednesday

2010-11-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

To cover...

or not to cover?

Bought this 6-arm lamp
from my neighbor.
I wasn't in love with it
until I took it out of the box
and shot this pictures...

My idea was to re-cover each lampshade,
with some burlap,
or maybe some tan linen...

Just so they don't look so generic...

but I can't make up my mind.
What do you think??
To cover or not to cover
before selling it???

I know my Blogging Pals
will have the answer to that!!

SOLD!
(just as the picture shows it)

While I keep thinking about it,
I'll visit all the White Wednesday Gals....

Inspiring words...

2010-11-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

"Use the talents you possess ...

for the woods would be a very silent place
if no birds sang except for the best."

~Henry Van Dyke~

That was my inspiration
when I decided to recover
an old, ugly lampshade.

I hope they will also inspire you
to create something pretty today!

For more Inspiration,
visit Debra at Common Ground.

White Wednesday

2010-11-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

It's time to re create another unsellable.

A round, plain, white table
that I'm just sick and tired of offering
and that nobody wants...

Yes, it's time to
redo it
recycle it
and
re purpose it!

It's also time, hopefully, to sell it...

and to visit all the White Wednesday participants!

Friday...

2010-11-05T13:20:00.001-07:00

It's been a week already since
I spent time in Laguna Beach
with my friend Mimi....
How can that be?
Why is Mr. Time in such a hurry?

A week already!

The weather was perfect.
The laughs abundant.
And the coffee a masterpiece.

Time flies,
even if you are not having fun...
so, go ahead,
Have fun today!

...and talking about fun...
if you are in the area,
don't miss
Country Roads' Fall Sale!!

Procrastination...

2010-11-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just feel
like kicking my own butt...
but then I realize that
that will take some dangerous moves
that I'm not willing to try anymore...

The point is that it took me
6 years to work on this...

6 years!!!

I finally got my act together,
got to work
and only....

it was finished... and ready to be taken to Country Roads.

4 Hours!!!
How many of these could I have made in 6 years???
Too many to count...
Enough to depress me even more!

"A year from now you may wish you had started today"
~Karen Lamb~

I wish I would have read this quote before!!!!

HAPPY WHITE WEDNESDAY, GIRLS!

Dressed...

2010-10-31T04:26:00.000-07:00

to impress!!

Happy Halloween!

"Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story"
~Mason Cooley~

BOTH SOLD!
Thanks, Sue!

Vintage Inspiration Friday

2010-10-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

Old, vintage suitcases
have always provided me with plenty of inspiration...

and lately,
they have also provided me with plenty of space
to hide the things I want to take with us to our new home.

As I continue to de-clutter my home
in order to get it ready to be leased,
I will be filling them up
and getting them ready for the big move...

They seem to be a lot sturdier
and they definitely look better than boxes
when displayed in my living room...

They were good for many travelers and immigrants before us,
and they are still perfect for one more trip!
That's why I wanted to share them with you
in this Vintage Inspiration Friday....

White Wednesday

2010-10-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

For a few days my mind was

completely blank,
completely empty...

Tired of waiting
for Creativity e Inspiration to hit me,
I went out looking for them....

After several attempts
and lots of coffee and TV,

I started to see the light...

The fact that I didn't want to miss
another White Wednesday,
made me force myself to create something....
And I must admit,
I'm happy I did!!

How do YOU deal with the unexpected
lack of inspiration?
Do you wait for it to come back
or do you go out looking for it?
I'd love to know!

Linking also to:
Cheap Chic Home

Vintage Inspiration

2010-10-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

The old grain sacks that we all love so much

were the vintage inspiration for these
cute,
personalized,
little pillows I made...

A little softer than the original material,
mine are made of linen,
but with the same charm
and in a budget!

All initials available...

you can order yours with 2 initials if you prefer!

$12.00 each, including shipping in the USA.

What has inspired you lately?
Join the Vintage Inspiration Party
and let everyone know!

White Wednesday

2010-10-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about starting this post like this:

"Fall calls for a little burlap,
and some pretty ruffles..."

But then, I realized that I use
burlap and ruffles all year long!
So I better be quiet and show you, my new table runners....

They measure 72 inches long
very generous size, perfect for even farm tables...

The ruffles are made out of a soft linen,
with raw edges for a more primitive and rustic beauty...

Burlap, linen, ruffles,
some pumpkins and you'll be ready for Fall....

or Winter...
or Summer...
or Spring!

Available now at $32.00 including shipping in the Continental USA
(only a couple more dollars for Canada)
Contact me please, if you are interested
or check Space #135 at Country Roads.

Now, I'm off to visit all the
White Wednesday girls!

A little transformation

2010-10-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

When Carol at Country Roads asked me
What are you going to do with those?

I looked at my box of
old,
rusty,
door knobs
and realized I had no idea.

But it was too late to leave them behind,
I had already fallen in love.

I thought about them for a coupe of hours until
inspiration hit me and I'm happy with results.
What do you think?

Happy Monday!!

"Did you ever stop to think,
and forget to start again?"
~Winnie the Pooh~

Linking up to the "new party on the block"
Project Monday
at
Up in the attic

A hero

2010-10-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

Víctor Perez didn't think twice
about following the truck that matched
the Amber Alert description on Tuesday afternoon.
He didn't think twice
about the fact that the "bad guy"
could be armed and he could be killed.
Víctor Perez just thought about the eight year old girl
that had been kidnapped
and like a real hero, he acted fast.

Víctor Perez will probably
not write a book,
or have a reality tv show,
or dance with the "stars",
he won't even be the new "American Idol".

But to me, Víctor Perez is a hero.

I couldn't find a picture of Víctor Perez to share with you,
but I really wanted you to know about him....
because
there are not too many Victor Perez's around my kids...
around your kids...

Only heroes like Víctor will risk it all,
in order to save a child,
in order to save the innocent.

We need a lot more Victors in this world!

Still purging...

2010-10-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

These three...

are now...

Let me show you...
1-

But who's counting?

The $1.00 Bin

2010-10-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

at Michael's surprised me with these cuties...

I not only loved the price
$1.00 each...
SCORE!!!

I also loved the vintage images on them...

and I loved them so much
that I went back the next morning
and found some more...

a whole box of them...

packed and ready to move with us to our new home!
Check the $1.00 Bin...
you never know what you gonna find!

Happy White Wednesday, Ladies!!

Saving the best...

2010-09-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

for Clara!

Remember my Altered People project?
Well, I didn't show you this piece before...

because I saved it for my Sister
and didn't want to ruin the surprise...

She received it today
and she says she likes it...

Aren't they just beautiful girls?
The one on the right actually
looks like Clara when she was a little girl,
that's why when I saw it,
I knew she was meant for my sister!

She decorates for Halloween
(she is not like me!)
and I think the girls will feel perfectly at home there!

This week I will photograph her decor and share it with you,
just in case you need some Vintage Inspiration,
in the meantime,
visit Debra at Common Ground!!

White Wednesday

2010-09-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

To do list...
Schedules...
Inspiring Words...
Grocery lists...
Appointments...
Menus...

When there is so much to remember...

that's why a big blackboard
is definitely better!....

I'm glad I worked on this piece last week because
Mrs. Heat decided to visit Southern California and she is not going anywhere...
The pumpkins, crows and witches that have been embellishing
stores and homes for a couple of weeks now
are totally confused...

In the meantime,
we drink lots of water,
stay away from cooking
and bring the fans out of retirement!

For lots more of yummy, chippy, dreamy, vintage white goodness
visit Kathleen and all the White Wednesday Girls!

SOLD!

Altered people

2010-09-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel really bad because
families sell their ancestors pictures.

And sometimes...
I'm really glad they do!

I had so much fun making these!....

Antique pictures of strangers are my
Vintage Inspiration for today

What can I say?...

LOL!

Are you ready yet?

All available at my
Country Roads Space
$15.00 each

Visit Debra at Common Ground for more Vintage Inspiration!

Linking also to:
The French Cupboard
Autumn Art Party

White Wednesday

2010-09-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

A little bird told me...

it's time to work on Halloween!
Yikes!

Not much black and orange on my work table...
but I found some
dictionary pages..
a couple of crows...
some vintage trims...

and of course some glitter...

I think these vintage photograph holders
are liking their new look.
Closed...

and open...

And I love the fact that they are mostly white,
so I can share them with all the White Wednesday Girls!

Seasons...

2010-09-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

I seem to have trouble changing my seasonal decor.
My home has a summery look all year round,
whites,
pale blues
and hints of yellow here and there.

The occasional pumpkin is displayed for a few days
and
for about 3 weeks each year
the seashells around the house
share their space with the Christmas decorations,
but that is as far as I go.

I'm not a Fall person,
that means I have to dig down
in order to come up with some Fall decorations for my space at Country Roads.
This week will be dedicated to that, I promise....

Winter is an etching,
spring a watercolor,
summer an oil painting
and autumn a mosaic of them all.
~Stanley Horowitz~

Vintage Friday Inspiration

2010-09-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

She was priced really well
and I knew I could make some money off her.

But a second look
made me think twice about it...

I'm not sure if it was because of her blue eyes...

or the fact that her arms are too short for her body...

or the tiny buttons on her boots....

or even her age...

but she is my Vintage Inspiration for today.

And she is not going anywhere!!

For more Vintage Friday Inspiration,
visit
Debra at Common Ground!

White Wednesday

2010-09-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

I tried to get rid of "it" a few times...
but every time I looked at it"
all I saw was a missing eye
and a big open mouth pleading for help.

I know I might have lost it,
but look... don't you see the same?

It's OK...
you don't need to respond...

In any case,

"it" got her makeover and this is She now...
New dress,
new makeup...

and a whole new life!

Just in time for another
White Wednesday!

"The most important thing in communication
is to hear what isn't being said."
~Peter F. Drucker~

Linking also this week to:
The DIY Show Off
Cheap Chic Home

Monday Morning....

2010-09-13T06:36:00.000-07:00

Busy weekend we had...

busy and fun!!

The rest of the family
is already in school or fighting traffic
yikes!
My morning includes
some paper work,
some recycling,

some painting,
some laundry,

a few hours all to myself...

I better go and make the most out of it...
What is your Monday looking like??

Friday...

2010-09-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

We survived
(barely)
the first three days of school...
how many more felt?????

The downstairs bathroom is finished
(water leak inside the wall)
new wall,
new floor,
new paint,
dust everywhere....

My Husband an I played tennis...

I didn't know it was possible
for all my muscles to hurt at the same time.

I'm looking forward to the rest of today.
TV,
Coffee
and fabrics...lots of colors...

I see more rosettes in my future!!

After all....

"Weekends don't count
unless you spend them doing something completely pointless"
~Bill Watterson~

So go ahead...
enjoy your weekend and don't forget
to do something completely pointless!!!

Coming up roses...

2010-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Waking up at 6:00 am
(first day of school around here)
to gray skies and even a little morning rain
is not my idea of a Happy Morning.

I needed color and bling in my life today,
so I decided to create my own Spring...

I've been wanting to make some big flower pins
and today was the day!

I like them so much
that I even kept one for me!

I will wear it tomorrow
to the fabric store...
I need more colors!!!

Linking up to:
Cheap Chic Home's

"Fabric Fun Thursday"

White Wednesday

2010-09-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

I heard the noise last night,
but was too tired to check what was going on.

This morning,
I knew something was quite not the same.
My work table looked different....
the pile of books,
the ones waiting to be used...

they seemed to have moved during the night....

as I got closer, I saw them...

undeniable signs that the girls had taken over my books!

Sexy,
charming,
vintage,
French girls...

with an attitude!!

Almost like all the ones that participate in White Wednesday every week!

Second time around...

2010-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

It amazes me what some people will throw in the trash.
I know these are not the cutest chairs we've seen...
but,
they are sure deserving of a second look.

and definitely deserving of a second life!

"Change always comes bearing gifts"
~Price Pritchett~

SOLD!

Happy dance

2010-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago,
my Husband told me that the garage was starting to look emptier...

♪♫♪ Music to my ears ♪♫♪

The loud,
happy music...
and my happy,
happy feet
took me back to the garage
where I found this...

....ugly, ugly thing.

just waiting for a face lift!

The happy dance made me tired...

but there is no time to rest...
I'm on a roll!!

I have a lot more ~~junk~~ treasures to work on!!

What's making you dance today??

Linking to:
Faded Charm
Cheap Chic Home

S is for....

2010-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sign...

Simple Sign!

Bold and graphic...
So different from what I usually do.
I think my Graphic Design Class inspired me a lot more than I imagined.
I enjoy the change.
I like to be inspired!

Purging...

2010-08-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

1. (noun) purge, purging
an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements.

The definition is clear...
removing,
cleansing,

but undesired elements???

I don't know about that...

some of the things I found in my garage are not un-desired...
they are just un-designed ...

in need of some re-design...

A few cuts and some wooden knobs for a cute picket rack...

and some tips from Rita on how to make these cute signs.
That's all it took!

One more thing out....
1000000000 more to come!

Thank you Kathleen for hosting White Wednesday!!

Folders...

2010-08-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

As some of you already know,

I'm moving next year.

Not only to a new home,
but to a new city.
Well.... actually,
to a new "old" country.

My family and I are moving to Argentina in July.

~~Big~~ ...huge move that involves lotst of:
Do we take it?
Do we leave it?
Do we want it?

Do we need it?

The list of things to move with us will change numerous times on the months to come,
but some things like my magazines, need my attention right away.
My baskets,

boxes...

and piles...

are being tackled,
analyzed,
categorized,
transformed
and
reduced (the magic word!).

While watching HGTV,
I sit on my rocking chair...
(shhh she will not be making the trip, but doesn't know it yet!)
and go thru them all...
cut
save
discard

so far I have a
Recycling Ideas Folder...

a Cool Crafts Folder....

An Inspiration Folder...

and a Fave Quotes Folder...

I also have a
"They are crazy folder".

That's where I keep people's thoughts about our move...
and it's already full.

Bag full of memories...

2010-08-19T09:33:00.001-07:00

I remember being 7 or 8 years old
and selling my pasta necklaces
to the neighbors of my old Argentinian neighborhood.

Every time a door opened and "jewelry" was purchased from some nice lady,
I got closer to my dream.

When the first day of school arrived,
I was so proud!
Not only I had the shiniest shoes of the whole school
(thank you, Dad)
I also had a brand new leather bag to carry my books...

...product of my pasta necklace selling business.

When Zita blogged about her Son's creations offered for sale on Etsy
I had to buy!
The wonderful package arrived yesterday
with a sweet note from V. thanking me for his first sale.

What he doesn't know
is that I'm the thankful one...
His beautifully handmade linen bag
reminded me of those long gone days...
the walks around the old neighborhood with my Mom,
the happiness of making my necklaces,
the excitement of selling them
and the pride I felt that first day of school....

For me,
the sweet linen bag,
is much more than that...
it's a bag full of memories!

Thank you, V!

"There is always one moment in childhood
when the door opens and lets the future in"
~Graham Greene, The Power and the Glory~

Linking to:
"Show and Tell"
at
"My Romantic Home"

White Wednesday

2010-08-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

We've been playing Musical Dressers...

The poor old dresser already in the house
finally got a very needed clean up.

new fresh paint...

glass knobs...

big smile for the camera....

and out the door
and in my Country Roads Space.

Now I need to get my new vintage dresser ready ...
white?
black?
crazy?

I better look around White Wednesday for some inspiration!

Linking up also to the
"Before and After Party"
at
Debbiedoos

Simply 50...

2010-08-14T14:46:00.001-07:00

Saturday afternoon it's Party Time!

and because "Taco Man" was called

and no cooking from my part will be necessary,

I even had time to create a very simple centerpiece

perfect to add a little ambiance to our backyard...

My Husband turned 50, and that called for some big candles!!

I'm back!

2010-08-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

My Getting-Ready-For-Finals time came to a stop yesterday afternoon.

When my little brain just couldn't get any more
colors,
lines,
measurements
and mistakes!
I decided to give my little brain a little break...

No, I didn't read...

because when my little brain
needs a break,
my hands get to work....

So I used the leftover sweater featured HERE
to make this cute pillow
just so I didn't have to miss another
White Wednesday!

I feel much better now!

Friday...

2010-07-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

end of the week...

And end of the month!
July is leaving San Clemente without giving us
even one day of real California warmth,
not even one real beach day!

We now sit and hope that August will be a little more generous...

Have a creative weekend full of color, glitter and hopefully...sun!!

"Just living is not enough.
One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower"
~Hans Christian Anderson~

White Wednesday

2010-07-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

"A self portrait without using a portrait"

48 squares
1.5 in. X 1.5 in. each
No faces allowed.

That was our homework assignment last week.

How to let people know about me,
and what I like?

How to let people know
what inspires me
and what makes me feel alive?

48 squares.

Each one a little piece of my home.
A little piece of the place
where I am what I always wanted to be:

a wife and a mom.

I got those two right...
the rest is only gravy!

"Life is the sum of all your choices"
~Albert Camus~

Now I'm off to enjoy White Wednesday!

Tante Grazie!

2010-07-26T16:05:00.001-07:00

The name of her blog "Italian Girl in Georgia" brought me in...

her warmth and talent kept me going back...

And today I received my very own Suzanne MacCrone original...

"Peaches and Painted Tulips"...

an explosion of color
so vibrant,
so happy,
so Suzanne...

She doesn't know this, but one of my favorite Italian memories
involves the best peaches I ate in my live.
Sweet peaches,
eaten by the sea at Cinque Terre.

One moment in my life that I want to repeat some day.

Until then,
Suzanne's photograph will take me back to that moment,
back to that place

Tante grazie, cara!

Little finds...

2010-07-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

A quick run through Country Roads to check on my space this morning,
surprised me with some little finds
Little...very little...

Vintage metal tulips...

sweet pink binding...

metal findings with flowers and leaves shapes...

I bought them without knowing why.

I figured the why while driving home:
because they are a good break from the very precise
and time consuming work I've been doing in class.

My little finds will allow me to create something a lot looser,
a lot less planned, a lot messier, a lot more me!

Hope is also something worth showing,
but that's yet to be seen!

Have a happy and creative weekend!

"What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit"
~John Updike~

White Wednesday

2010-07-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

This "I-need-help" thingy I found for $5.00
is all I've been able to transform lately...

Paint...
Metal numbers...
New wooden knobs...

In the garage.
Quick fixing.
Out of the garage.
Into my space.

Simple.
Immediate gratification.

The kind of project I need for the next 4 weeks,
when my Graphic Design class ends.

Because....
Homework is killing me!!!

But... don't let my kids know it,
I'll never admit it to them!!!
LOL!!!

Happy White Wednesday!!

Inspiration Monday

2010-07-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

"You can't wait for inspiration.
You have to go after it with a club"
~Jack London~

Silly me...

here I was,
waiting for inspiration to hit me...