kt40

white flower with orange (tile design)

Okay this morning I went to Decor 8's blog and Holly is hosting an inspiration drawing you must check out her site and enter, she has such beautiful and inspiring donations from her readers and she is boxing them up and sending them out to random winners, just looking at the donations inspired me.

On that note of feeling inspired to create, here is another one of my tile collages in my favorite color at the moment orange. (you can go here and here for my previous tile ideas) 

1) The collage

 

 2) the collage shrunk down and images flipped to make the tile design 

3) last step the image repeated 

the city in the morning

I just loved  the little bits of orange this morning.

just because

This depth of field wasn't set on this photo but I don't care, I love it just the same, the colors and it is sooo dreamy to me. 

Our computer will be turned off next week the 23rd. I know this has been coming but typing this fact today makes this move seem much more real. Our landlords came to inspect our house today, we passed. I am glad it is over with, so much cleaning and stressing for only a 20 minute walk through, but it is done, so I am thankful for that.

I can't believe we are moving so soon! Did I already write this? You can see what is preoccupying my thoughts constantly, we are moving and I am jumbled with different feelings about this. I warned some of my friends here that when I say my final goodbyes to them I may seem indifferent, nonchalant, but that is how I do goodbyes right or wrong.

 I am not able to do it differently, but it doesn't mean I am cold rock just the opposite really I am the sappy person who allows herself to be trapped under the rock when it is time for goodbyes, right or wrong. 

a pizza night

We walked down to our favorite pizza place tonight, house is cleaned and ready for the landlord's inspection tomorrow, so we decided to eat out, no complaints from me.

Lunch with friends

(Photo by Jasmine)

Saturday my wonderful friends took me to lunch in Volterra

(from left to right) Suzanne, Bridget, Anna , Suzanne, Angelina, and Me.

I must say that I am so thankful we will still be in Italy so that I can continue to see all these women that I really love being with and admire.

Here are some photos of the beautiful place we ate lunch at, I even include a photo of the bathroom towels because Anna called me in the bathroom knowing I would love how they were set up. 

We all kept remarking how fortunate it was we were able to take this road trip together and break away and leave our kids (some of my friends have wee ones so you know how hard that can be getting a whole day for yourself) I leave you with some photo's of Volterra a town that is up on a hill, fill with potted plants, restaurants tucked in corners, and little streets with archways that make you want to explore.

 

pink rose tiles and fabric

 

A little while back I shared a tile project I am still trying to figure out how to load up my collages so they show up as a tile (flipping images etc....) When we move and get a mailing address I want to get these images printed on to fabric I am going to use this company called spoonflower I can't wait.

Here they are so little, I love how they make a circle pattern.

playing with wordle

 

My friend sperylygirl told me about Le Sophie's blog entry. So I went to wordle and entered my blog then wordle sorts the words you use the most so up above are the words that came up today. You do not have to have a blog to play around with wordle you can enter your own words, it is fun to goof around with but like Le Sophie warns, careful it will suck up some of your time.

cleaning house

Yesterday I began the cleaning of the house, throwing out the the items that will not accompany us to our next location. Towards the evening I walked into the kitchen and noticed just the toaster on the counter. If you could see my kitchen before you would know this was different. Now that we are staying in Italy this move has become easy for me and I am excited for a new house to decorate getting inspired here and here. Part of me is of course disappointed that I will not experience Japan or be able to visit one of my favorite families there (some good friends from when we lived in Portugal are moving there this year) but for us and where we are right now as a family, Italy suits us, we are so fortunate. I have been looking at my folder with all my garden photos and house photos that I have clipped from magazines over the years, my one requirement for our new house, is that the landlords allow us paint colors on the wall, my one requirement for myself is to not hold back this time when decorating, to show my true colors.

beautiful dust-pans

This morning I went to the market down the street and brought myself a lovely dust-pan(mine is the one to the left in the front). I wanted to buy all of them ship them off to my sisters, mom and step-mom, but thought about the fact that they might get broken along the way, maybe when I go back to the states next summer to visit my family, I'll be the lady walking through the airport holding five beautiful dust-pans, who knows, we will see.......

sunday

 

Just wanted to share some random flower photos, hope you can find time to relax a little this Sunday.

last night

 

Last night we went out with our American friends for Fourth of July first a BBQ (what's the fourth without one?) Then a walk down to the beach. I haven't figured out how to take photos at night yet but I do love the blurriness on this one, Iris had a scarf that she kept playing with because the wind was blowing and filling it up with air like a sail, Jasmine was glued to our friend Jim's side except when she would run back and whisper to me "He is sooooooo funny!!", and Wyatt wandered between his Dad and our little friend Kai, who Wyatt has four little photos of on his ipod because he doesn't want to forget how Kai looks when we move(even though we will still be able to Kai grow-up ,lucky us!). Below is the beach we walked to at night, imagine strong winds and and white crushing waves that seemed to glow in the dark.

 

When I post it is also my time when I look at other blogs, here is a post I was reading today from this woman's web site, so much fun to look at.

I feel like finding the time to sitting down to post on my blog is like finding the time to sit down and write a long letter, it means I have time to spare which lately these days finding a moment is getting harder and harder. I have been out all morning trimming ivy and if you could see the ivy that surrounds our house you would feel my pain and hear my occasional cursing. Trying to give the house curb appeal before the landlords come to inspect it, can't believe that we are moving out so soon. Which brings me to my blog, not sure what is going to happen if I will be able to continue posting when we move out or if it is just going to be months before I have a computer I can use. I will let you know before the power goes out in this house. "Happy Fourth!" if you are in the States "Happy Friday!" if you are elsewhere. katy

Today I looked at this woman's blog loved her heart photos she is trying to get accepted to a journalism workshop and ask for good wishes to be sent her way, I can do that.

getting lost in beauty

I really have been getting lost in beauty I have been outside on hikes in nature with my family, need I say more.

and then there is always the inspiration of the blog world the artists and sites dedicated to introducing you to artists. Then there are clothing sites recommended by blogs that are put together, again, just to share what is being created out there, even looking at where people create, their studios, I love this photo found on flicker, easy to get lost.

jasmine's b-day

I love this card Iris made for Jasmine's birthday yesterday. She didn't know how to spell universe but that didn't stop her from writing it. It made Jasmine happy on her special day. It is wonderful when someone recognizes you as the best in the universe, that is top honor. I would agree with Iris's card, she is the best sister for Iris and Wyatt she does make their world larger and special. "Imagine.. the stars are sparkling Mom" Iris told me when she showed the card. "That is easy" I thought, easy because of who my kids are growing up to be.

The other day my post listed five wishes.........life is wonderful when your wishes really do come true.

1) We found out where we are moving in five weeks, to another part of Italy, I couldn't be more thrilled we can just load the kids and pets up and drive to our new home. 2. We found a new doctor for the children(Wyatt and Iris) and he seems like he is going to help us figure out what has been going on with them. 3. I cleaned up the backyard and have finished both girls closets. 4. Took the dog on a walk this morning ( the pictures I leave you with today). 5) We all went to the beach yesterday to celebrate and after swimming around I did sit down and breathe in the fresh air but I had a mineral water instead of an espresso, trust me I am not complaining about this small change from my wish list, life is good!!

Two mentions: I read this post by kelly Rae Roberts the other day and it really made me smile

other mention is Melynn's garden stakes from breathing easy she mentioned my stakes being her inspiration, do you know what a thrill that was for me, especially since I find her blog to be so inspiring and her work incredible. This has been my reason for my blog, putting ideas and thoughts out there hoping it will help people find time to create or simply reflect on their own day to day moments and just plain old connecting, can you tell how happy I am today!!! Just can't stop using exclamation points!!!!!!!!  Have a great weekend!

You might have notice that this blog is taking a back seat right now. We have been going out each day, since this summer began, "taking care of things" The kids want to see the beach, I do too. Hoping by the end of this week 1. we will know where we are going (yes we still don't know), 2. start to get some answers on our children's health issues, 3. make some progress on cleaning out the house, 4. get up early enough to be able to walk the dog before the beating sun takes over the bike path, 5. see the beach and sit at a table watching the waves while having an espresso, then when the espresso is finished, just breathing in the fresh air.

fair fun

We took the kids to the fair last night(couldn't help but think of my Uncle Patrick who always took all my kids plus all their cousins every year to the fair with no limit on rides, a day they all looked forwarded to). I do love fairs at night the lights, music and overall jovial mood.

 

Jasmine and Wyatt were on this ride which of course made me worry the whole time.  

Iris franticly waved at them each time they went by.

busy, busy, busy

Going for the meadow look inside the house and outside the house

 

Painting Jasmine's and Andrea's nails for the big end of the year school party

Watching Iris and friends dance at her going away party Going up to Wyatt's room after he headed off to his final exams (two best friends came by to escort him on their bikes) noticing how hard he had been preparing. It is summer we have about a month and a week until we move, still uncertain to as where we are exactly going, but have enough things to do around here to keep us busy in the meantime.

better late than never

I wasn't able to post on father's day, so here it is a few days late. Hard to say my thanks to Jason for being such a great father because the list and the reasons, well frankly it would be extremely long. This photo seemed to sum it up for me. He has provided such a rich growing environment for our children. There are many images like this one, Iris might not remember the incredible paintings she saw in the museum that day but she does remember that her dad would let her ride on his shoulders, and well that is what matters when it comes down to it, isn't it.

Pillowcase = tank top

First off, a big thanks to the people who called and wrote yesterday because my post mentioned that I had a crying episiode while driving on the highway, just trying to keep it real here, and I am feeling much better, sometimes there nothing like a good cry.  

A while back I mention that I had purchase old linens at a flea market.  Today I finished a tank top that I made using an old European sham (pillowcase) the pattern by new look is out of print, but you can still find it here.

 

I thought this pattern was using friendly and not so difficult to make.  

The changes that I made were as follows; 

1) I decided to make my tank top longer than the pattern recommended

 2) Instead of using bais tape for inside the arms and along the front for the casing for the drawstrings I used material from an old curtain that had a sweet scalloped edge.

3) I also decided to make my shoulder straps shorter so the top cuts more across the top of my chest.

4) I added little squares of fabric to the end of my drawstrings

I love the embroidery that was on these old pillow cases and the fabric it is like the butter of cotton, so soft.

Miss./Mrs. Rainbow pants

When I was ten or so I got some rainbow pants. I remember being in the department store and being told I could pick out a new pair of jeans. Of course I picked the jeans with rainbows stitched on the back pockets. A great place to stick my yellow goody comb, even though I never used it, but hey, my two older sister's had them in their back pockets who was I to go against the fashion trends. Oh how those rainbow pants lifted my spirits. 

This week has been long or maybe this new year has been long, we are still seeing where we go, if our pets can come along. I took Wyatt to  get some more blood tests yesterday because something is definitely up, "what?!!" is just the question that I wanted answered yesterday.  My mom called just wanting to check-in on how I was doing, telling me to remember that I don't always have to be strong, to make sure I am taking care of myself. Did she know that I had been crying in the car the other day when coming back from the vet just because I felt so tired of all the uncertainty even though that is what life is.

I was making lunch today and I thought of "Miss Rainbow pants" strutting around the neighborhood, doing somersault after somersault at the park just so her friends would notice the rainbows on her pockets and this made me smile, the I know a good secret kind of smile. As I stirred the pasta I thought  "Thank you Miss Rainbow pants, your friends might have not noticed your rainbow pants that day and you were to shy to bring it up (verbally that is) but I did notice them and I thought they were a great choice....I mean who doesn't love rainbows, and just thinking about your rainbow pants today, well, it really lifted my spirits."

Making a nightgown

I think because I am slowly going through stuff, what to keep and what to throw out, it is making me finish projects started long ago. I brought this used pattern at a goodwill years and years ago and I am happy to say it was all inside, each pattern piece in great condition. My hair is like the woman's in the middle except it is black with a smidgen of gray and I have a funky enough combination of fabrics to honor the year the pattern was made. So this Sunday while it rained outside I was inside sewing away. This Monday while it rained some more I wore my new nightgown feeling groovy, feeling happy.

It was easy and fun to make, unfortunately I couldn't find my old pattern on-line but I did find a fun site filled with vintage patterns here is the link to their sleepwear. This site is just fun to look at let alone think about making the patterns.

looking up at green

 Melody over at slurping life is holding a drawing for an HP photo printer.  So of course I have to give it a shot  (bad pun I know). She asked for a photo with green in it "something green" since the new printer is environmentally friendlier. So I immediately thought of our tire swing (we actually have two) with three kids one just doesn't cut it. The tires turned into swings are things that have been recycled which is good for the environment of the earth and the environment in our yard, they are loved and the best part, they allow you to look up at the green (yes I admit that I have used them too).

Oh, and if you get a chance, check out her (Melody's) photo that was picked over at shutter sisters today simply beautiful!

Quiet sunday in the house(or more appropriately titled "Before the kids get up")

"ugly but beautiful" challenge (shuttersisters)

I remember when we first arrived in Italy I was disappointed at the houses.  Where were all the villas, old farmhouses, quaint little houses I had seen in the movies, in books and on postcards.  Instead our neighborhood had all theses ugly apartment buildings.  This is not my perception now, I am not disappointed anymore.  I love the chipped paint and the textures and colors it leaves on these old buildings.  The standard yellow that turns to a dirty brown yellow as time goes by. The combo of yellow and green, even through it didn't seem to go together when I first arrived I now can't imagine them with out each other.  Hanging laundry this is something  I have always loved and to see it hanging on the outside of a worn out building is the same as ornaments on the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, to me at least it is.  Yes, to get to this building you need to go through its rusty gates and walk by some porches with fresh wash hanging out to dry even through the sky says rain.....and it is beautiful to me this simple scene that I walk past all the time it isn't ugly now that I have lived here and now that we are moving this summer. This old building has moved up my scale I set it right next to all the famous beautiful tourist attractions I have seen here, only because I want to.

For more ugly but beautiful challenges go to shuttersisters