The Empire State Building

I saw a post on a blog once about how some boys had created the Empire State building out of sugar cubes.

I mentioned this to Snowden, our resident builder...

and she engaged Dad in the purchasing of the Styrofoam and other materials.

She created this...

Her own Empire State Building.

Cloved Oranges

Saturday afternoon was spent on Christmas traditions, old and new. This is a new one. The oranges are homegrown, TJ's parents have a tree in their backyard.

He grabbed the cloves on a trip to the supermarket.

Snowden was excited to make her own designs.

My station was ready too.

Snowden's creation. I did remember Sarah's advice and I was careful with my fingers. It really was fun.

Fun things to do for the Holidays

I am trying to incorporate some relaxing activities in my otherwise harried days.

I want to find my own new Holiday traditions that represent serenity.

I found one shown above. I have never tried this but will do so this year.

Find your favorites on the Safeway website.

Happy Holiday Season to you.

Hand made gifts of love

Yes, we own a scroll saw. It was purchased during a phase where working with wood was my thing.

Here and there the thing comes out and someone creates something.

Grasshopper was on a mission to make me a birthday present. She engaged Dad for some wood cutting and off she went. I love watching them totally engrossed in a project.

Little Engineers

The van. Snowden's version.

The van. Grasshopper's version.

These are time consuming tasks, made patiently with care and focus.

A lot of sewing going on...

This is a pretty pillowcase that adds more pinkness to the room.

I am enjoying rich, full colors... pink seems to inspire creativity.

A little bit of ribbon for a layer of color.

Go see more here.

When you teach a child

GOD smiles...

And so do I... Grasshopper sews.

Note Holder

Check this out....

I've done something similar. but this one is extraordinary.

The Rub on Technique

I approached my friend Kelli with a wish to help the refugees she works with at COAR. I was a refugee in Portugal at 13. It is an awkward situation to say the least.

My first project was to decorate glass frames that would house pictures of the High School age graduates of one of COAR's programs. I was able to do it from home during free time.

I approached another friend, the Stampin' UP! guru, for advice on how to decorate a glass frame. Martha promptly whips out the rub ons and sent me home prepared to start working.

You cut out the piece you want to use.

With sticky side down, you rub the picture in place. You lift the plastic sheet...

Et voila, a pretty frame. All 20 were handed off to Kelli today for Saturday's graduation.

Ink, Spray, and Smash

This looks like a fairly easy technique. See the tutorial here.

Not my card, but something I am willing to try when time permits.

Handmade for Christmas

Made these over the weekend.

See more handmade projects here.

Stationery

My private stash, made by me.

My favorite card size.

Love this stamp set. It's very "for the office".

A little elegance.

I have an ongoing love affair with paper. I have to apply much self discipline and not print, print, print anything. I noticed how my co-workers have in the signature part of the email "Consider the environment before printing this email". Yep, it's a message meant for me.

Easy and pretty

I've been looking at my paper supplies and trying to find easy and fast projects to work on.

I found this tutorial and I am ready to get organized and busy to replicate the above box. Go here for other ideas.

For bag lovers

Duffel bags

With a pocket for a friend.

These are big ones.

With rope ties.

Vision Gallery

The gallery offers free workshops for children taught by local artists. They are so popular, that one must call to reserve spots, the day registration begins.

Today's workshop was Wearable Art taught by Mary Poindexter.

You can sign up for 4 classes per season. Grasshopper and Snowden really enjoy these.

The Spirit of Creativity

Has touched me: Go see what's been a sewing and crocheting chez moi:

The Pink Needle

For the Love of Frida

Some people are passionate about Frida Kahlo. We were part of a group of said people who attended a card making workshop in honor of Frida, at the Mesa Arts Center.

We embossed.

All the materials needed for that card.

Kelli stamps.

Frida!

Paying it forward - craftapalooza

"......Here's the Pay It Forward Idea: I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (so, you must have a blog to participate.) I can't wait to see who I will be giving to. To join, just cut and paste this on your blog and comment away. So get posting......."

I have been bitten again

I recently taught a friend a few tricks about crochet. Then, my two young ones wanted to learn too. So here I am, off on my new marathon. I will be making purses, bags, and that sort of thing. I will learn how to felt too. I have classes lined up, so I can improve my skills, and hopefully, I will handing them out as Christmas gifts. One winter, I made about 22 ponchos, most of them for children at school. This is one is Piggy's carrier.

Books and Culture

I experienced a book festival first hand. It was another long standing item on my To Do list and when I learned of the Arizona Book Festival, I marked my calendar and I eagerly awaited the day. I enjoyed the books, bought some, and was amazed at the many publishing houses present. I saw an Hispanic book seller I met at Dia de los Muertos at the Botanical Garden. Met another Hispanic author, Kathy Cano Murillo, whose book, above, I had purchased earlier. I find the Hispanic culture to be so rich and full, and I gravitate to anything remotely connected with that.

In Mozambique, children of Colonial parents had a pretty unique take on life. We weren't fully from there, nor were we Portuguese. The experience of learning of our parents' culture, often from stories, made me aware of how, what I call Culture, is like a mist permeating one's existence.