Whimsy and Stars Studio

Prettiest Bag!

Recently I received a very special (aka: fancy, pretty, juicy & artsy) surprise in the mail! I received this gorgeous tote bag from my sweet friend Yvonne! Isn't it gorgeous?!

Yvonne: Thank you so much, you really made my day at cheery one!

I'm so proud to carry my very own Yvonne original! (can't wait til she opens her shop!) I use it every day to carry my sketchbook and all my artsy goodies! I love the IKEA fabric she used and the red fabric inside! It's just perfect for my creative juices to flow and sketch all day (oooh, how I wish!)

Flower Pin

Here is my first fabric craft, a flower pin. After watching "Embellish This" show I got really inspired (and brave, I guess) to try something totally new!

I figured I can probably stitch a single line in the sewing machine and use a hot glue gun. My little daughter and I had a blast this past weekend making these cute pins! The blue flower matched perfectly with my blue & lime striped sweater! Funny, a lady at my office asked me if I knitted the sweater also...I laughed! I wish...

What you think? (click to see them larger)

Coloring Books

I arrived home and went to my mailbox and there it was...a package with samples of my latest published project for the Florida Baptist Children's Homes!

It's a 12-page Coloring & Activity Book for Vacation Bible School students, so they can learn about this 101-year-old ministry to disadvantaged, troubled, abused and abandoned boys and girls.

I'm so happy to be part of such special project! I was hired to create the illos and they used their in-house designer for the graphic design of the book. It came out really nice! I will post some of the illos soon.

Just want it to share my excitment!!!

Surprised!

What could be the perfect surprise after a long day of work (besides a massage or a long bath)...Well, my love (JAO) left me a bag on top of the kitchen counter with a small treasure inside! Yeap, you guessed! LOL. The brand new CD from Andrea Bocelli! I just jumped of joy because I have been wishing for this CD since last fall! (Thank you, my love). I'm a very happy girl tonite!

I got my jammies on and layed down on my comfty bed to listen Andrea sing..his songs take you to Tuscany in a flash! It's so relaxing and gorgeous music! (highly recommend it!) I'm renewed!

Also, I have decided to try some pretty projects I just saw in the Embellish This show (my fav show). Check this cute flowers! Tomorrow I'm going to my local fabric store to buy all the materials! Are they pretty? I'll keep you posted on my new sewing adventures..I told Yvonne I'm taking baby steps toward learning how to sew. Her cute gifty gave me lots of inspiration!

(photos from DIY)

My Gifty2 Arrived!

What a divine gifty! My sweet friend Yvonne has sent me the most fragrant gift! Inside this gorgeous fabric bag (with my fav colors and floral print) are beauty products like: cucumber anti-stress peel-off mask, algae & dead sea salt cellulite mud mask and strawberry gel masque. Goodness, you have no idea how much I need these products after today's long day at the office..

She also sent me a super soft face cloth, a rose scented heart sachet and a Felicity Wishes Journal!! (I feel so loved!) and of course, a sweet card.  I appreciate it so much! I wish each one of you could smell them...I'm emailing Yvonne to find out all the details how she made everything smell so awesome (I even went to sleep with the bag next to my pillow!). Thank you Yvonne, you have made my day!) Simply gorgeous taste! The amazing thing is that Yvonne sent me gifts that matches perfectly with my home decor..my perinkle blue walls, roses everywhere...How did you guessed?! LOL

Also, thank you to Leslie for been such fantastic hostess & creator of Gifty!

Yvonne, we have to talk! Did you made the pretty bag? I'm in love with the fabric! What about the little sachet?

Muchas gracias! Yvonne, you should receive your Gifty in few days!

Vision & Purpose

This is my treasure, my life and my greatest accomplishment. These are my two precious gifts from heaven. Nothing compares to the love we share and these amazing beings are the ones who challenge me to be more, to be a better person. I'm honored to be called their Mama.

This year I decided to "simplify" my 2005 list of goals, instead of writing a long list (which I still have from 2004) LOL I'm working on a smaller list of things that would help me spiritually and as a better person. Some of the topics on my list are: my spirit, motherhood, marriage, my art and friendships.

So, this week I started reading this great book:

Creating a Charmed Life : Sensible, Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know by Victoria Moran. (Visit her site at: www.VictoriaMoran.com for daily inspirational quotes.)

It's a fantastic book for women like us trying to juggle working outside the home, family life and living a balanced life. (I highly recommend this book)

One the things I read today says:

"Think about your days the way they are now. How much of your time, effort, and attention go toward succeeding where it matters most: with well-nurtured relationships, well-chosen experiences, and well-tended aspirations?"

So based on these questions I'm meditating on what to write on my 2005 list. One thing I am working on as of now is:

"Taking some soul time every day is the antidote for the stress. Attention given to the spirit produces energy instead of only consuming it"

  Soul time = meditation, prayer & sketching time • Great recipe!

have a blissful and fun week!

New Friends!

The year 2004 was a blessed & happy one. When I started this blog about two months ago I had no idea of all the cool people I will meet and share with! A whole community of artists, designers and totally artsy-minded ladies which are united by a goal...to live this life to the fullest, artfully and to support each others dreams! I consider myself honored to call you FRIEND!

Also, thank you so much to my dear new friends: Sweetpea, Hope & Yvonne for the precious Christmas cards & pretty gifts.

Thank you for all your love and for welcoming me to your sweet circle of friends! You girls are so inspiring!

Love, mabelle