february is over, my favorite month. march will bring us spring and Mamma's English Garden challenge. i brought out my sewing machine last night and was once again frustrated at not even being able to thread it right. i have never been good with machines. so came up with a brilliant idea=to put an ad on craigslist for a few private sewing lessons. i so want to learn how to make those mixed media fabric and paper collages that saray does so well (see list of links).

things are very strange in america right now, sort of in limbo awaiting that CHANGE. things are changing surely, but into what is the big enigma. i have started to write down what i observe and what i think in a paper journal as i read 'this land is their land" a humourous book a la Michael Moore about the illness that affects our core values. ron paul still doing his best with his "campaign for liberty".

picking up every book off the bookshelf that i haven't read yet before i order more as in the Dylan Thomas Biography which has turned out to be a real page turner.

speaking of strange, i ran into this artist on etsy who sums up the insanity perfectly

Me sobra el sol del campo
Me sobra la luna desnuda
Me sobra el deseo
Me sobra el manantial
Y mi libro de Neruda
Si no tengo tus labios para sentirlos
Me sobra todo

Me sobran motivos tristes
Me sobran canciones de melancolia
Me sobra un dia de cada semana
Y sobro yo
Si hago que una lagrima sobre
Y salga de tus ojos

Coro

En el ultimo lugar del mundo
Luego de la cordillera
Esconderia las palabras
En mis poemas si te fueras
En el ultimo lugar del mundo
En cada pedazo de tierra
Esparciria yo mi llanto
Para que hallaras mi huella

Me sobra el paisaje
Me sobran los viajes de ida y volver
Me sobran el aire, me sobran los ojos
Y el sexto sentido
Si tengo la vida si tu no la vives
Me sobra todo.

Coro

Uhhhhhh

Y en el ltimo lugar del mundo
Luego de la cordillera
Esconderia mis palabras
En mis poemas si te fueras
Y en el ultimo lugar del mundo
En cada pedazo de tierra
Esparciria yo mi llanto
Para que hallaras mi huella

enjoy AND HOPEFULY listen to more of his music, the piece from BABEL was exquisite. You must turn off my playlist first in order to listen to it.

Photo credit goes to the Annie Liebovitz
This would have been my dress

i got them all right except for one; i was rooting for Mickey Rourke but Sean Penn is one of my all time favorite actors too so it was not disappointing at all. I am so happy Penelope won for Anna Christina Barcelona, she was terrific. I have followed her for years and still think her best roles were when she worked for Almodovar. My favorite movie of hers is Jamon Jamon, a Spanish comedy of errors.

too bad it's not Christmas cause...

my latest craze is

cabs, cabouchons, rhinestones, beads, bakelite, kitsch. I want to make the kitschiest box ever.

There are so many stories in old houses

There are so many stories in old houses
Originally uploaded by cassandra204

what would life be without "others", each with their unique vision of the world, each with their special gifts? today i ran across cassandras digital art again and fell in love with this particular one.

what truth. coincidentally i had been admiring another quote this morning about a house:

"In my Father's house there are many Mansions" John 14:2 featured as Victoria Mackenzie-Childs' favorite in the latest edition of Where Women Create (note I am still talking about this magazine two days after first reading it).

the shop is doing well and mailing out an average of 3 to 4 packages a day which brings me pride. i sometimes work so very hard at it.

one of those weeks. creative frenzy. too many ideas, not enough time. did anyone read the second issue of "Where Women Create? Oh my God, how jealous am i after seeing all those studios with snippets on what they actually create in them. a must read for al us "modernostalgics". which lead me to sew a vintage inspired boudoir pillow.

PALOMA'S NEST at ETSY

another little box. just a teeny tiny altered tin with embellishments. i brought out my sewing again today and am creating a small pillow for rhinestone and collectable pins. all of a sudden my head is swarming with ideas after a dull few weeks of almost nothingness.

and here's the ubiquitous bird nest, my take, with a shimmering white bird. i am still working on a little wooden sign and wand it will have to go with it.

it must be the romance in the air or my ever seeking that safe zone of it that has me turning back to romantic creations and a few vintage item purchases. lots of pink roses and old sewing notions, vintage teacups and sugar bowls, bird salt and pepper shakers. some a bit over the top but reading all those Victoria Magazines and my recent purchase of "Home Sewn" as well as my reading a life of Lincoln has transported me.

i have also been browsing through one of my favorite fabric artist's creations. She is a darling girl in New Zealand with a shop on etsy by the name of All Things Pretty or Little Things. Her work just takes my breath away.

by chance i also ran into an estare sale on ebay and am bidding an an old barber shop sign, an eccentric move but hopefully a wise one. it will add such flair to the house since it is true americana folklore. everything she has for sale is unique and exquisite. check her out under shabbytownusa but be prepared to pull out the big bucks.