Friday - Birthday & Road Trips

Hi Friends,
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I was out for a few days on a business trip for my "day-job". I got back yesterday afternoon to celebrate a later birthday with my kids. My birthday was Wednesday, April 28th. When I got home my kids surprised me with lots of love and gifts. It is amazing what 2 teenagers can put together. They put-up a birthday banner for me to see as I walked in. They had birthday cards and gifts. I received coffee beans....yes I know it might sound weird but I love the aroma of coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker but I love coffee scent. They also gave me a gift certificate for mani/pedi at a local spa. Oh, and the chocolate cake was incredible!! During my trip I bought my self a multi-strand pearl necklace as my splurge for myself. My kids made my belated birthday special and memorable.
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Continue on with the party by visiting the fabulous blogs below. They are fun, creative, exciting!!

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I am packing again this evening for another road-trip. My sister Jessica and I are participating at the Jackson Street Festival in Harlingen. If you're in the are this Saturday, stop by our boutique booth!! I will announce the winner of my apron giveaway this Sunday, 05/02/10. You can still particpate by leaving a comment or becoming a new follower!!

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Have a beautiful Friday!

Yoli :)

Tuesday ~ Colorful blankets

Decorating on a Single-Mom budget can be challenging, especially when everything I like is so expensive. I do my best to find thrifty bargains and turn trash into treasures. I just bought a daybed on Craigslist that I am trying to decorate. I have an old "Zarape" (Mexican blanket) that belonged to my mother that I am using as the daybed cover. It really fits well on the bed and the price is the best part...free. I am sewing matching pillows and hopefully will be done next week. I really have to toot my own horn by saying that our house in our new city is really coming together. I have managed to decorate the house on a budget and with a talent for revamping things.
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Above is a picture of the border town in Mexico that is just across my hometown. Through the years I have found many bargains.

I love the Ruby Red Tuesday colors in these Mexican blankets. I have started to incorporate reds into my home decor. I love the rich textures too.
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It is truly worth the money to buy handmade blankets in Mexico. The crafter's talents are exquisite. It takes many long hours to finish a zarape blanket. It is a skill that is passed on through generations. The women take pride in their work and justifiably so.

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Here are more women of talent. Go by and visit these blogs and get inspired. It doesn't take much money to make a house look beautiful. Like me, find an old blanket and turn it into a treasure centerpiece.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Yoli :)

Monday ~ Dreams & Jeans

Happy Monday sweet friends. I have a busy week ahead of me. I'm traveling for a business meeting, my kids have TAKS testing at school, and I have to get ready for a craft festival on Saturday This week is also " Birthday Week" for me and my sister Angela. I send my love and prayers to Angela for her birthday.
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My personal birthday wish is for health, happiness, and a greater faith. I dream of traveling to Europe some day. I'm glad for the Internet because I get to travel online; free and fast. For Blue Monday I am sharing these gorgeous pictures with beautiful Italian skies. I get lost in the pictures and envision myself actually being there. I can feel the cool sea breeze and taste the savory foods and wine.

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FABULOUS BLOGS ~ A MUST SEE !!!

I want to take the time to highlight all of these blogs because they are the creative work of wonderful women. They bring vibrant ideas to life. They are a source of inspiration, instruction, and communication. My life is so blessed by being a part of a blogging community that is dedicated to loving God and family, and sharing ideas.
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Here is something we whipped up and it sure made for a cuter world. This past weekend I spent time teaching my 14 year daughter how to sew a hem. We bought a pair of blue jeans that were way too long but in a few short minutes we altered them into the perfect length. They turned out so adorable and looked stunning with a pair cute sandals.

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Have a sweet week!!
Yoli :)

Spiritual Sunday

Spiritual Sundays is such a huge blessing for me. Please go on over if you have an inspirational story to share or if you are in need of prayer and support. It is important for you to know that God loves you and we love you too. You are never alone. Come with faith hope in knowing that the power of prayer is within our reach. Blessing and graces await you!
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Yesterday I went with my son to rent a tuxedo for his Jr/Sr Prom. He is in 11th grade and growing into a man of courage and wisdom. The prom is in 2 weeks and I'm going to take pictures so I will post them later. I don't want to miss a moment. I remember praying for him even before I conceived. God has blessed me with being the mother of a vibrant teenager. I can't even image how the blessed Mother Mary must have felt.
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Happy Sunday!

Yoli :)

Friday ~ Rose Colored Glasses

Lately I have been getting into the rose color in pink or peach hues. It is not one of my usual favorite color but it brings romance to my heart. I'm happy being a single mom. I feel that God has me on this road for a while, and I'm okay with it. Yet, I have to remind myself that romance is about feeling feminine, happy, and hopeful; not about finding a husband.
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Thanks to my Aunt Connie, I am starting to see live through rose-colored glasses. She is so optimistic and vibrant. We have been shopping at boutiques, consignment stores, and enjoying brunch together. She knows where the good deals are at. She is also teaching me how to decorate on a frugal budget. A simple floral bunch from the grocery store can make a gorgeous table center piece. I bought myself these gorgeous shoes on eBay. I feel so pretty when I wear them. Life is fun and I am seeing it with happiness, wisdom and hope.

Please visit these blogs because they have been my inspiration. I feel so blessed to be a part of a community of women with heart and soul.

Have a blessed weekend.

Yoli :)

Thursday ~ Daybed & Pillows

It all starts with a blank canvas or in this case black daybed; then the creativeness takes over. I found this in Craigslist, the place where I do a lot of my furniture shopping these days. A single mom on a single budget needs to get creative. I am going to put this downstairs in the very informal living room. I don't want it to look like a bed, so I'm going to decorate it to look more like a bench. I'm going to sew a mattress cover that will go over the fitted sheet. I'm also going to sew the pillows. I have a few ideas below. I pick-up they bed this evening and hope to have it finished this weekend. I will post pictures of it as soon I'm done. I'm so excited, can't wait!



I am so thankful for the wonderful network of blogging friends. I urge everyone to take the time to visit these vibrant women, who are my inspiration and sometimes my best friends. I'm so tired after a long day's work and then going home to take care of 2 teen kids; it is a busy day for a single mom. I'm not complaining but single parenthood is my first vocation, so I don't make time for personal outings. Blogging about my crafts, faith, and family has been a blessing from God.




Have a great day!
Yoli

Tuesday ~ Polka Dot Aprons

Red and Black Reversible Aprons ~ When I made these aprons I started out making them one-sided but I loved the polka-a-dots so much that I reversed the pattern on the back. I have made several sets of them and I will toot my own horn by saying that they were a great hit. I was sorting fabrics at home last night and ran into more of this fabric. I'm going to start a new set for Mother's Day.

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Aprons are so special to me. I made my 1st apron when I was about 13 years old. My mother would sew so she always had an assortment of fabrics. I hand-sewed a red apron. It was a skirt apron, with a gathered pleated front. Oh how I wish I could have kept it. But all is good with special memories.

It is Ruby Tuesday and I'm excited to see other Ruby Red posted this week. I am joining in at Sew Cute Tuesday where Misty has a fantastic blog at Creative Itch Boutique and I'm also participating at Toot Your Horn.

Have a great Day!

Yoli :)

Spiritual Sunday ~ Family

It is Spiritual Sunday, a time to thank our Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessings in life and come to him in prayer. I am so thankful for my family. My life has been blessed with being a part of a large family. I grew up in a traditional Catholic Hispanic home. We are 5 siblings; 4 girls and 1 boy. We lived in south Texas near the coast. My dad loved the beach, so most of my cherished memories are centered around the times we spent at South Padre Island. Here is a picture of my family from the late 1970's. I'm not in the picture so I was probably taking the photo.

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Below is a picture of my family as we squeezed in at the dinner table at my Great-Grandmother's house. The picture was probably taken around 1973. I'm the 3rd one from the left. We didn't have much, and I'm sure we were poor; but I didn't know. I knew I was loved, well fed, and having simple family fun.

The Hispanic culture is centered around the family, with all events being focused around family. Elders are respected and adored for their wisdom and experience. Children are seen as a blessing from God, even though the burden of raising several children is common. Most Hispanics see their life centered within the family unit and rarely see their life away from the family unit. This may seem limiting, but it can also re-enforce the deep sense of responsibility that is felt for our generations. In my family, independence and self-reliance was encouraged. I am still very close to my family, especially my sisters. I am so very proud of my parents and their accomplishments. My mother is my mentor and the sound of wisdom in my life. I admire my sister and my brother for having a blessed marriage, good family, and successful careers. They are all grounded in faith and live their life around family. I am blessed to have them and I will always love them.

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Family Prayer

God made us a family.

We need one another.

We love one another.

We forgive one another.

We work together.

We pray together.

We worship together.

Together we use God's word

Together we grow in Christ.

Together we love all people.

Together we serve our God.

Together we hope for heaven.

These are our hopes and ideals.

Help us to attain them, oh God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Love and Blessings to you!

Yoli