11 * 11* 11

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My dear friend ladydazy over @ From Calla Lillies and Gerber Daisies and so much more in between tagged me with this game a couple of weeks ago.  You can already find out a lot about me here, but this little game made stop and think, think hard.  After all it's all those  little things that makes us who we are as individuals right??

The Rules

1. Post the rules.

2. Post 11 things about you.

3. Answer the questions the tagger asked you.

4. Write 11 new questions for those you tag.

11 things about me

1. I wish I was taller...but yeah it's a dream only!

2.  My favorite singer is Mexican singer Luis Miguel.
3.  I went to one of his concerts when I was pregnant with Xavi but didn't enjoy it fully as I had back pain (thanks a lot Xavi!)

4. I went paint-balling once and hated it...not for me :/
5. My first kiss was at the age of 22
6. My first job was at the age of 20
7. Not my first choice but I watch zombie movies with my husband.  I stand by my man!
8.  I like rainy days.
9.  I love chocolate but not dark chocolate.
10. I had my first shot of tequila on my 40th Birthday

11. I was the kid that sat on the back row at school.

11 questions for me

1. What is your hobby? all kinds of crafts
2. What do you do to de-stress? clean
3. What is your favorite movie? Far and Away with Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
4. What is your favorite song? "La historia de un amor" (Love Story)  here is the you tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLQ-Yg3fSQY
5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? before I would have said Puerto Rico now I say Italy
6. What is your favorite color? blue
7. What kind of people do you like hanging around? my family
8. Do you prefer to be around blunt rude people or people who say what they need to say with class? people that say it with class!
9. Would you rather be at a zoo or an aquarium? zoo
10. What color grapes do you like the best? green
11. What kind of wine do you prefer? white zinfandel

11 questions for you

1.  If stranded on an island what one thing will help you survive?

2.  Do you rather walk or bike?

3.  If you knew today was your last day on earth, how would you spend it?

4.  Do you prefer tennis shoes or high heels regardless of what you have to wear at work?

5.  If you had the chance to go back in time for 24 hours, where and when would you go?

6.  If you were on death row, what would be your last meal?

7. If you could marry a superhero who would you choose?
8.  How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?

9.  What is your favorite holiday?
10.  If you could have only 3 electrical appliances in your house, what would they be?
11.  Half full or half empty kinda person?

I tag:

Missy @ Through and INDIE LENS

Victoria @ Batzy RockShop
Lufti @ lufti fadhila's tale

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KIVA

Last week I was contacted by one of my etsy's customers.  He had 5 calendars he wanted me to make into envelopes.  I agreed, he said he only needed one set and I could keep the rest of the calendars for my business.  

Now those calendars are from an organization called kiva. Kiva is an non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty.  With as little as $25 you can make a loan to an individual and motivate him/her grow her/his business.  Hey I am a mommyprenuer who runs her owns business!! I know the great feeling of making a sale.  

I really liked the concept.  I told my customer that as soon as I get out of some small debt (nothing major thank goodness!)I would register to become a member and make a loan.  So as kind as he is, he send me a kiva certificate of $25 to redeem it and make a loan!  I cannot describe the feeling that overwhelmed me when I was done with the whole process.  So many people in need, too hard to choose.  I had just helped somebody to fulfill her dream of growing her own business.  Now I know it was not really my money, so the money from the sale of the rest of the sets from the kiva calendars will go directly to my next loan.

So here are the envelopes from those calendars:

KIVA CALENDAR ENVELOPES

If anybody interested in the envelopes I have three sets left or if interested in joining the organization shoot me

an email claudiaaguilar_99@yahoo.com so that I can send you an invite!  You can surely make a difference in someone's life.

Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. --Matthew 5:42

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Season's Change Second Edition...Winter Week 6

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

We finally did get some rain over the weekend! I love rainy days because I get the opportunity to do things I would not usually do on a regular day when I am running out and about doing my daily routine.  Of course I prefer rainy days when I am able to stay in the house that is ideal.  It's like I am slowed down kind, of like a break.

What things you may ask?  simple things like sip on a cup of hot cocoa while flipping the TV channels, knitting or crocheting, table games with the kids...or sit by the window and watch the rain fall while listening to the pitter patter.

Oh and by the way I love the smell of the rain do you??

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If you got it...flaunt it!

Today I went to my sister's house and she colored my roots.  She also cut it a little bit and usually she will flatten it.  But today she used the curling iron.  I loved it! I came home powdered my nose, grabbed my camera and ran to the bathroom.  I wanted the perfect picture.  I felt confident with big soft curls, I felt dreamy.  I don't look like this when I mop the floor and take the kids to school lol!! If I could only look like this everyday, I told her to show me how to do it...I will try it more often.  I love my sister and it's a good thing she is a hairstylist.  If I am not able to make it like this again I can surely run to her.

Now for the perfect picture...I don't know but I had fun making faces at the camera and for some reason I liked this self photo session.  You know how they say "if you got it flaunt it"  

well so I did.

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Featured artist: Tawny from QuietDoing

Today I bring you Tawny from QuietDoing, she makes wonderful wallets and accessories and more pretties...read on and visit her shop my friends!

Readers may use coupon code MONCY3 at QuietDoing

to save 20% at checkout!!

1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself.
How do you do. My name is Tawny Manguerra and I am an artist in Fullerton, California and my brand is QuietDoing!

ZipPouch, Eyeglasses Case, Sunglasses Case, Coin Purse

2. What do you sell?
As QuietDoing, I sell handmade accessories for one and all like wallets, purses, cases, and pretty much anything that I think people might find fun and functional.

3. Why handmade?
Handmade is so extremely personal to me. I'd much rather give handmade because with it holds a special kind of thoughtfulness and many times even great story behind it that makes that gift the most unique thing ever received.






4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life?
I think my inspiration to create is fueled by problems that need solving or the desire to find a way to make things on my own with whatever I have available.
I find inspiration in music, nature, vintage and found objects and try turning those items or ideas into a new and great design. Whatever I make, I know it will be truly one-of-a-kind and to me, that's thrilling. The feeling I get the moment I hold something that I have created in my hands, inspect it and then admire it, is the feeling that keeps me never wanting to stop creating.

iPod Classic case

5. Besides creating what else do you do? Do you have a full time job?
I've been fortunate to find myself making a full-time living in what I am doing as an artist which comes as a surprise to me because I never dreamed of having such success when I first started. I work alongside my fiance, Casey, who is also an artist, musician and screen-printer and we print projects for ourselves and others out of our home studio called thePlant.

6. When did you start thinking you were an artist?
I started thinking I was an artist when I started needing to explain to people what I do with my life. lol. I maybe hesitated from calling myself that in the beginning because I still wasn't sure that being an artist was what I absolutely wanted to do with my background in English and Comparative Literature or was it the only thing I was doing at the time. When I first began QuietDoing, I did do it very quietly and never really spoke a whole lot about myself as an artist or my art; I sort just ... did it. When I start a project, sometimes I'd rather not talk about or explain what I'm going to do. I get too excited to execute and complete it to even utter a word about it. All of a sudden, I was an artist and I was relatively successful. I started using the word "artist" instead of designer, crafter, maker-of-things-like-this *holding up an example because it really does explain me muuuuch better.

7. Who has been most influential in your craft work?
I'd say that my parents most explain my ability to create and the things that interest me (my mother is a chemist and my father is a computer engineer and ultimate DIY'er), but my most influential inspiration to my current artistic career comes from my fiance, Casey. Casey taught me how to screen-print before we started dating and he continues to be the person that keeps me creative and hungry to learn more about making and about absolutely everything.

Keys Bi-fold Wallet

 8. Where would you like to be in five years?
In five years, I'd be so grateful to still be living off handmade and thriving with the artist workshop we are planning to build later this year within our budding artist community in Fullerton. Oh, and to be design blogging, I never have enough time to blog and I keep telling myself that I will do it.

9. Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done?
crafts, sports, life in general?
Blogging! Teaching Art. Skeet shooting. Seeing in 20/20 without contacts or eyeglasses.



10. Besides online where else do you sell?
I sell in boutiques all across the state, country and world! Yay!
Check out the stockists section on my website to find one near you.

Muerto Bifold Wallet

Ways to contact you:

* shop * website * blog (argghh...she said!) * twitter * facebook *  email *

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The Big Ten

Ten Years ago I became a mommy to a lovely teeny tiny 6 lb baby girl!

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and her napping (when I still had time for naps)  

She must have been no more than a week old.

I do have to say that we don't agree on everything nowadays, she is not a child nor a teenager
she is somewhere in between.
She still play dolls and doodles love notes for every family member!
like this or this or this
She has always been a sweet loving girl. 
but...sometimes she gets on my nerves.

She is starting to get her own sense of fashion,
her personality, her own identity.
Which is a good thing

Her hormones are starting to kick in,
her choice of music more defined.
...and many more changes to come I know that for sure!

 Ten years have passed and I love her even more than when I first saw her.

Happy Birthday to my little Sophia she will always be my baby girl!

Soon she will be taller than me, but then again who isn't??

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Season's Change Second Edition...Winter Week 5

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

  

Ok, so forget about beach weather.

We are back to freezing grass

chilly mornings and fog. Days are just a bit warm.

This is a body of water just across the street from my house, 

where duckies and birdies gather.

 

This past Sunday rain was expected,

It really was disappointing that it rained only a bit, this coming weekend more rain is on the way.  

If we want green pastures water is a must. 

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Little Old Bike

There once was a little rusty bike.  Two Christmases ago was shiny new. 

The bike had training wheels, but still the owner had problems and didn't feel comfortable riding it.  

Truth  is, he didn't tried much either.  He preferred his yellow tricycle.  

He was so used to it.   It was certainly easier for him and speedier.

So the little bike  had been sitting out for more than two years and saw all kinds of weathers, 

hot and cold.  One fine Day the owner came home and decided that it was time

to take off the training wheels off that old bike of his.  The mother suggested that when dad came home he could help with the task.  The little boy was not happy with that and as stubborn 

as he was he said "I can do it mom except I am so little and don't have the strength!"

( I am not making any of this up ).  

So the mom went to grab a wrench she wasn't very good with tools but she was able to get the training wheels off.  She instantly though:  HELMET!!!!  

luckily he agreed on the helmet and he tried riding the little old bike,

 and he tried,

and he tried some more.

The little boy said "Mom I think I am getting the hang of it"

 But he also needed a rest!

 He went back to the bike and tried again...

 and again,

 and tried some more!

until finally...

 he decided he wasn't ready to ride without training wheels.  

Again mom suggested that dad helped put the training wheels back on when he got home.

 ...but then again as stubborn as he was he decided to try himself.  *sigh*

The End.

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Featured artist: Alex from greenRstudio

Please met Alex from greenRstudio he makes wonderful hollow safes out of books!  What a great idea to store your most precious treasures and loved belongings.  Enjoy the interview my friends.


1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself.
My Name is Alex Rozen. I live in Washington State and hold Chef Degree in culinary arts. I enjoy cooking and spending time with my Wife Olga and our 4 dogs.

Hollow Book Safe and Flask Sherlock Holmes

2. What do you sell?
I acquire books and make them into hollow book safes. Powerful magnets secure the closure, so your flask and treasures won't fall out.


3. Why handmade?
Besides the fact that I can accommodate custom orders, I believe handmade creates a personal touch to your hollow book safe.

 
4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life?
My customers inspire me by sharing some of their secrets with me. I’ve been asked to create a book safe for: flasks, handguns, electronic gadgets, flash drives, engagement rings, condoms, kindle fire, iPad and others...

Hollow Book Safe and Flask Tales of a Mystery and Imagination

5. Besides creating what else do you do? Do you have a full time job?
I spend hours and hours maintaining our Live stock and training our dogs.

Hollow Book Safe Ring Bearer Fairy Tales

6. When did you start thinking you were an artist?
I was a professional chef for a long time and one day I received a birthday present, I opened it and there it was... Hollow Book Flask Safe. I immediately liked the idea and the next day I was in my workshop crafting my first book safe.


7. Who has been most influential in your craft work?
My customers give me a great deal of influence by giving me ideas and asking for special craft orders.


8. Where would you like to be in five years?
Alaska :)


9. Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done?
crafts, sports, life in general?
I have another shop idea that is currently being worked on. It is still in preliminary design stage, but as soon as real product is ready for consumer to see, I will certainly announce it.

Hollow Book Safe Pride and Prejudice

10. Besides online where else do you sell?
Currently, I only sell on etsy.com

ways to contact you:

* shop * twitter * facebook * email*

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Season's Change Second Edition...Winter Week 4

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

Vast and endless fields, slowly turning green.  The crop?  I do not know. Does it matter?  Not really, the important thing is that green is awakening and it is a great feeling.

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Little Garland of mine

More than 13 yrs ago I was still single, 

my sister was a teenager and the two of us together with my mom were planning a baby shower for my sister in law (now ex sister in law).  We had everything together gifts included for the new arrival. 

I had bought some ribbon spools to decorate with pretty bows. 

But one day in September our plans came to a halt.  

The baby girl died more than halfway through the pregnancy in her mom's tummy.  

All of our dreams were crushed...She was about to be the very first grand kid born to our family.  I kept the ribbon.
Tucked away in a box.
Not really knowing what to do with it.

Occasionally I've made a bow or two to wrap a gift.

But recently I found a really nice purpose for that pretty ribbon that I've saved for all these years.  

I have seen these lovely light garlands and finally found an easy to follow diy tutorial that I liked.

I've personally felt the sorrow and emptiness of this experience twice.  I made this garland as a tribute to all the babies in my family that for different reasons that only God knows why didn't make it to us.  My ex-sister in law, my sister in law, my sister and like I mentioned me included.  Once in a while I still think back and there are a lot of why's unanswered
...and who is to blame?

In no way I want to make this a sad post,
instead it's a post of celebration because that
ribbon that 13 years ago was to celebrate a little one's 
life and suddenly was put away with sorrow now has a lovely purpose. 

The baby was named Lilibeth 

and I will secretly call my little garland Lilibeth 
and now I am going to let it shine!

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December's winner from moncy3

Time goes by so quickly don't you agree??  All that waiting and anticipation that 

makes the Holidays so exciting and now it is all gone...and now January is on its way again!

Last month sales at my shop very productive.  

I had a total of 22 orders and one monthly winner who was:

leeseulgi 

from Arbor Inn Michigan in the United States

and these envelopes her item of free choice!

  

Now I understand that the holidays are busy times, so hopefully 

I can get back into the routines of featured artist.

This is a list of the features last month.

TeahouseTreehouse

 piabarile

 ElenasLoom

Happy Tuesday!

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Happy Mail

These are  some incoming and outgoing cards for December that 

I gotta share before Christmas is here again!

OUTGOING MAIL:

Postcard and letter to my pen pal.  I forgot to take picture of the card so here you only 

see the envelope :/  Lately I've been forgetting things...Alzheimer's perhaps??

A card to my brother, sister in law and niece with Sophia and Xavi's  school pictures.  I saw them on Thanksgiving and on Christmas again and  forgot to give them the pictures. I tell you I got Alzheimer's

   

INCOMING MAIL:

From my pen pal Maria some Christmas wishes and a couple of note pads.  

That flip note pad is now in my purse being put to good use. 

One can never have to many note pads so many things to remember!

 From Dear Micaela, those Cookie dough delights were delicious!
I was bad and I didn't share.

 From my new pen pal Lori, Christmas greetings and Happy New Year wishes and extra goodies!

 More Christmas wishes!

Christmas wishes from Karina (she sent more goodies you will see below),

also a card from Miss Val and a card from one of my husband's coworkers.

 Christmas wishes form Gracie and Priya

A hello card from sweet Ladydazy!

I promised my dear friend and sister Kary that I would pose with the Butterfly sunglasses and this two sided necklace she sent me. 

Here I am in the bathroom taking a picture of myself, I feel like a dork duh!
I hate pictures of me but I gotta be brave right?

And  just to be braver...these are the love handles that really gotta go!

Thank you to all you lovely ladies for making my mailbox happy!

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