Here you go, hope it takes you high not only to the end of the week but to where ever you would like to be

Here is another of my collages. This one was inspired in a fabric pattern I liked. I did different versions of the same design this is the earth tone version.

I’ve been designing some inspirational collages. Hope you like them

Photo by Tim Norris

“Seriously guys: it’s called SOLITAIRE for a reason. Now LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Sometimes you just want to be alone

I found this picture in one of the many blogs I read and completely forgot where it belongs now (If you know, let me know so I can credit the designer and blogger).

Anyhow, to move forward tours this way of life I have decided to look at pictures like this one as a constant reminder of how fresh, unique and humble can random things look together. I confess, I would’ve never thought all those elements can look good together. They complement each other. What an eye!

If you know of more pictures that can help me get rid of my syndrome please point them out for me

I was really looking forward to meeting her and checking out the shop. I’ve been reading her blog Parcel Post for quite some time now, and I’m always looking forward to seeing what’s new in the shop. She has a great eye for great design and cute products. It sure is my dream shop!. If you haven’t stopped by, it’s a must!.

I bought a couple of cute note books from SUKIE

Here is Richie (one of the panelists) at the Urbanic Store and Dariela in the back

I’m in love with the illustrations of Boy Girl Party, I discovered them through twitter, I like the many products she applies her illustrations too, very creative!!

Also through twitter, I came across Von Glitschka, a master genius of illustrator, illustration and patterns. His blog is very inspirational, fun and helpul. He even has 2 books in the market now with patterns and textures, great!

I think I met Gisele Jaquenod through flickr and I immediately subscribed to her blog, she is a wonderful designer that inspires and creates beautiful graphics, websites and blogs (PLUS she writes in Spanish and English!).

And here is Tascha which I met through Gisele and immediately got my sister her birthday present (the middle one in the photo below). She does the most beautiful cat prints, they are so cute!!

~Hope they inspire you too!!~

(images from the respective sites)

I like to collect cards from the places that most captured my attention and here they are for you to check them out, they are really nice!

1. Tyler Bender Book Amazing Blank books made from old or not so old books, they are completely recycled! Go check them out, they are wonderful!
2. Anemone Letterpress Beautiful letterpressed cards and invitations, I really like their business card (psst, it’s made with the same thick stock we used for ours, great choice!!)
3. Creative Thursday I had the pleasure of meeting Marisa in person that day after following her blog and on twitter, she has beautiful art that is now implementing on many different type of media, love that! She’s also having a solo gallery show starting this Saturday 5/9, if you are in L.A. don’t miss it!!
4. Stacey Winters Stacey makes amazing jewelry and is an even more amazing photographer, all her pieces have her pictures and she’s really nice in person too. She has an etsy store you can check out.
5. Chocolate and Steel Cute handcrafted silver jewelry, very simple and original pieces!
6. oh, hello friend I remembered grabbing the business card just because it was pretty and it grabbed my attention but I had spent quite some time looking at her cute jewelry, she has even much more stuff than what her etsy shop shows!
7. Naja Tea I love tea and this one I tried and it was delicious, they are even making cocktail recipe ideas with teas, how yummy. If you have the opportunity to try it, I recommend it!!
8. Ecobooma (Jenkin Jellies) This card doesn’t reflect at all what the company is, I tell you this booth was always full, they have quite a range of products, what I loved was the Jenkin Jelly line, homemade natural jellies! More than delicious and really affordable plus it comes from an eco-friendly company!
9. Tree by Kerri Lee This store has great nursery decor at affordable prices plus the products make great original gifts. As a designer I have to point out that the webpage doesn’t reflect the nice designs they do have though but if you’re looking for a baby gift, this is a must place!

Imagine, this was like 2% of all the sellers there! We will be there during the Holidays this year selling our jewelry, yay!!

My projects have changed according to the phases of my life, but I remember having projects to do since I was as little as 8 years old, and I’m not talking about school projects. I’m talking about projects I would assign to myself, really! No one will tell me to do them. Like after browsing a magazine, I will want to make a collage. Watching my mom putting some makeup on, I would decide to make a book of makeup options, and so on. Today my projects are totally different, I have a variety from micro little projects to huge life transforming projects, but what I feel from them and for them is exactly the same.

Now I often wander, what is it about projects and setting up goals that I like so much?

Is it the satisfaction of seeing a final outcome manifest from the nothingness that it comes from?

Is it the empowering that comes from knowing I have the skills and talents required to solidify my ideas?

Is it showing to the world that all is possible in spite of the worlds negativity?

Is it because through them I can grow personally and professionally?

Definitely, all of the above. But there are some parameters I’ve learned along the way that are always helpful to keep in mind:

Projects are good as long as your happiness doesn’t depend on them. You must be whole and complete without the outcome of a goal. When you reach the final phase of your project, enjoy with plenitude the rewards of it and keep walking.

A project is only a tool or a means to an end. Never forget that reaching a specific goal doesn’t mean your work is done. Life has no finish line, no place to rest forever, not even after you’ve died. Life is infinite, and it’s grace lies in the fact that we can try it all over and over and over again.

Your Projects can only transform yourself and inspire others. Not the other way around. Sometimes, we put on our shoulders the project of changing others mistakenly thinking we would get inspired in the way. No need to say we are not responsible for others, therefore we cannot change them, only inspire them by walking the walk instead of talking the walk.

Without patience there is no outcome only emptiness. Most of the time we underestimate and miscalculate the time and way in which our goals will be reached. Worse yet, we strongly attach ourselves to our prognostics and expectation, because we cannot see with our surface mind the big picture. When a project doesn’t seem to be going in the right direction or doesn’t seem possible to complete, be patient, faithful and flexible everyday.

I’ve been getting a very creative project wave this last month, so I wanted to share with you some of the thoughts that come through my mind.

Earth Day brings a great opportunity to review my green resolutions I wrote down at the beginning of the year

Green actions I already take:

I use “save energy households” and bulbs

I recycle all my trash

I use reusable bags at most stores

I buy used cloth, shoes, bags, books and more

Green actions to accomplish this year:

Have  a recycle bin in my bathroom (done)

Start a compost system in my backyard

Print on recycle paper ALWAYS

Green actions to accomplish in the future years:

Purchase a hybrid car, or use the metro at least 2 days a week

Plant fruit and vegetablesin my backyard for a more sustainable living

Actively participate more in educational and green awareness events

One of the many suggestions that my friend had was to write my to do list in only 1 place, and that I can start by making the list the night before and take just 10 minutes to do.

Well, around those days I remembered seeing these great gratitude notes for free download made by Holly at the new site Kindred, they are so beautiful! And if was going to write a little note it needs to be good to my eyes. Funny thing is that Holly wanted to use them for gratitude notes but I really really like them and I decided to use them for my to-do list too. Sorry Holly but they cheer me up so much!! So, I printed some of them with the phrase that they come with (Today, I’m thankful for) and some of them without it, and voila!! I love them.

I have to say… it hasn’t been that easy, I don’t write my to do list every night. But when I do, it does help me out very much. I’m hoping I can keep the rhythm so it turns into a habit and then start welcoming more of the tips my friend gave me, kind of a step by step program!

{I printed them on recycled paper, all those leftover paper that we have when we print invites! So all is being used my friends, we love to recycle!}

{Here it is hanging on my board right in front of my desk}