A Very Merry Christmas!

People, it is snowing a lot here today! Another blast and it will dump between 5 and 10 inches of snow by Tuesday morning. We will have snow for Christmas for sure. A lot of snow! The snow blower is ready to work next morning. Tomorrow I will get the last groceries for Christmas and we will just play games, cuddle up, read and watch cute movies...

The tree is fake and we have it since 2003. Some gifts under the tree got open already because little hands could not resist. These boys are so curious! I have tons of questions about Santa Claus to answer. Is he alive? Is he real? Is he coming?

Those birdies (red and white, if you look closer you will see them) were made by Anita. We had a lovely swap some months ago.

The living room is organized and I am just loving decorating our home lately! It's too fun to add my own personal touch to our nest.



I am looking for vintage frames like these. I need them for the dining room project. I will probably use spray paint on them ( I will choose the colors later), so made of wood or metal doesn't really matter for me. I must go hunting in Phoenix sometime in January.



Finally, the three Christmas trees made of styrofoam cones, fabric, beads and other tiny cute things are ready. I call them The 3 Sisters! They were lots of work, but I was very persistent at this time. The styrofoam cones I bought last year. I remember that last Christmas I had no motivation at all for decorations.



As I am always in slow motion, Holidays Decor must start by September!

This is the tiniest one. I've covered the cone with acrylic red paint and red glitter and made a garland with beads, fabric flowers, felt balls, etc...







The biggest tree got ruffles and I used this collection of fabric to make it, gathered by the sewing machine.



I wish you a lovely Christmas, have fun, enjoy your family and friends. Be grateful, Be jolly. Think about the great things in your life and do not complaim! This time of the year can be a bit sad too as I am away from my mom, dad and brother. I also think about those that don't have much, those that are starving, those that are suffering...My wish would be a better world for all, and Christmas should be everyday of our lives!

As I like Sixpence None The Richer, I thought to share this lovely video and this song, as I also think that the Nativity is really beautiful...(ignoring all my religious concerns and blab)

Welcome Winter!

We are ready for this beautiful season! Hot chocolate, cats sleeping by the fireplace, warm slippers, super blue sky contrasting the super white snow and lovely bird feeders...

It tastes so good...



Tiny moon, do you see it?



Have a great Sunday!

Snow in Flagstaff + links

I woke up at 6 am with all the noise of the snow plowing in the neighborhood. I knew that I had some work to do: shoveling. Gladly, my neighbors always come over to help me out. We have a little snow blower, but we forgot to get gas. We probably got a bit over one foot of snow so far. My back hurts, but it's a good exercise! Hopefully all the work will help to burn all the chocolate's calories I have been consuming lately! Haha!

Another cute movie to watch with the kids: Heidi (2005). It can be a bit boring for little ones, but my oldest which is 6 years old liked a lot! 

Our new rug for the bedroom (a Christmas gift for our home) just came in last night and they did not charge shipping! Very nice rug, good quality, made in India.

Bundle up and let it snow! 

Things to see...

I've discovered a new magazine not long ago via Blogland. I got Selvedge at the bookstore another day and I thought that was kinda pricey for me..but, alas they have online subscription and it cost much less. I had a free trial and I got delighted by "Life is Sweet" on issue 17 which is a beautiful photo shoot in Bahia - Brazil. Photographs below from Fedor Van Der Valk. So lovely!

Checking out other online mags this week: This, this, this and this.

Browsing this shop's website another day (one of my favorites) and drooling all over its catalog...it's about Summer in Brazil!


Photos above from Cantao's website.

What else...oh have you heard about this? If you make things for children (handmade) you might like the information. Or not!

Super cute movie to watch with the kids today...Milo and Otis. We loved it!

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Holidays Decorations + fabric

Yay, I am back! I forgot to say that I had appendicitis. Ouch, it hurts a lot! Fortunately I went doctor right away and they took good care of me! I had to stay in the hospital for 36 hours. I am recovering well, already going out and doing groceries. Yesterday I got some gifts for kids and family...life goes on! Thanks a lot for all the warm comments. I am truly happy to find some really nice people in town, they are from Brazil too and we've been gathering and this is so very great! We are planning to spend Christmas Eve together.

So, while on bed, resting and watching tv, I managed to finish my little Christmas Tree made of a styrofoam cone and fabric flowers. These little balls (how should I call them?) I found at Michaels and they look eatable, hu? The flowers were simple to make but it took some hours...you can do it by hand or by sewing machine (gathering).

Flannels to make neck warmers for the kids...



Today at Joann...I got this basket filled with fat quarters...



See you very soon!

Wip and thankfulness

Some crafts that I've started recently...

I am thankful today and I will always be, to have met wonderful people that have helped me in a difficult moment. People that give and do not expect anything in change. People that donated hours of their life to stay with me and my children. I am grateful for the comfort, good company and friendship. I am grateful to be back home. I had a surgery Tuesday night and I am recovering well.

Home

Yesterday I was organizing my house and I got some photos to share. See how difficult is to be only crafty? I love my plants. My favorites are the succulents. I don't have more space for so much! I also like these amaryllis and any flower that grows off bulbs. I have a kalanchoe plant since 2005. I bought at the grocerie store and that thing keeps growing and bloom every year!

Some are blooming now...



Get closer...



And closer...



This one has a very hard life...

Her name is Naninha. She is very important for me since I adopted her 10 years ago when she was wandering in the street, a little baby, so starving. My parents did not like cats at that time, but I had to keep her with me and today I am glad to tell you how they miss Naninha. They became cat lovers and my dad had a cat after I came to The US (unfortunately a neighbor killed the cat - horrible person). I believe that animals can help to heal people. Her company makes me happy! I don't like when people say things like "I hate cats", it's too much for me. I don't like to hear. It's very frustrating. It's ok do not like, but hate is a word that I avoid at the most! I don't have dogs, I am a cat person, but I don't hate dogs. I love animals.

This is the office's window. From this room I blog...



Those tea cups are vintage ones given by mother in law. I decided to use them to plant my succulents.



My husband got this duck a long time ago...



Mood board is finally organized...it was a big mess!



Latest acquisitions...I am not sewing anything at the moment, but when I see gorgeous fabric I am not able to resist!



Well people, that's all for now and I don't know when I am coming back. If you don't hear from me soon, I wish you a great Thanksgiving day.

Peace!