#10 Soul Sister

Today is my sister's, Guillermina, 35th birthday. Those lucky to have met her, already know how special and unique she is. She is not only my sister, she also my longtime best friend, an awesome mother, a passionate singer and funny performer.

I don't really need to tell you how much I love her, she already knows... however, this pattern and this poem are my gifts to her, Happy Birthday Guille! Opy

                               I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)
                               I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear;

                               and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
                               I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)

                               I want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
                               and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
                               and whatever a sun will always sing is you

                               Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
                               (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
                               and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
                               higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
                               and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

                               I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

                               E. E. Cummings

PS: Yes! it is from the movie "In her Shoes", didn't you cried when you get to this part?

#9 Have a Happy Green Christmas

Here it is, that time of the year again, the time of the OVER: overeating, overdrinking, overspending.... and it's all good, guilt free! We can take care of dieting, detoxing and saving in the new year! 

However in my attempt to be (or at least try to be) an eco friendly person, this pattern is to encourage you and myself to have a more greener life (New Year's resolution? Maybe?). 

All sounds good but is common knowledge that trying to be 100% green is almost a mission impossible (ok, maybe not for Tom) and it can be expensive but still within everyone's lifestyle and budget there are lots of things they can be done, for example, things that I do:

Take my NOT plastic bags to the market

Sort out the rubbish for recycling collection

Re-use papers whenever possible (I love to re use wrapping paper)

Buy groceries I know I am going to consume (I HATE throwing away food)

Whenever affordable, I buy biodegradable products

Turn off the tap while brushing

Buy second hand (do we really need everything NEW?) 

And my favourite: Mend it rather than replace it!

I hope this inspire you, I imagine lots of people already do most of the above and some have no interest whatsoever. And it's fine, but just think of it as a selfish thing to do: help the earth, help yourself!

Have a Happy Christmas! Don't over do it (maybe a little) Opy

#8 Aiming Happy

I believe our actions are like arrows, and our main target is to be HAPPY.

Sounds cheesy? Think about it.

Happiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

Why wouldn't be aiming for that? For our Happy Place? For our Happy Ending?

We can always try, we can sometimes miss, but that's ok....we do become wiser with our mistakes, don't we? besides wouldn't life be boring if we always get what we want?

Keep looking, Keep aiming, Opy

#7 Morning Glory

As we are in the middle of the silly season, luckily many of my evenings are booked with social events and friendly gatherings. This means that, it is SO hard to wake up in the mornings to go to work. If only I could wake up by myself, not having to listen to that horrendous cell phone alarm. Thank God for the snooze button (Yes! I am a snoozer and I love it! 10 minutes could make all the difference!)

While we are on the subject, what a better way to start the day with a good coffee, fresh squeeze orange juice (pulp free for me, thank you!) toast and yummy strawberries, not to mention egg benedicts, pancakes, bagels, french toast = EXPECTATION. REALITY = toast on the run (my car is so grateful I am feeding him crumbs! How needs petrol anyway!) or boring cereal at work (sometime I go crazy and I add diced apple! Fierce!) together with a infusion of tea (I don't even dare to have THAT instant coffee). But I am not complaining, and I know that my expectations could become reality, and of course they do, once in a while.... but lets be honest, my pocket and my figure won't like me very much if I act every time I crave for a buttery croissant! Yummy!

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. Yeah Right.

No need to explain the rooster, that alarm would be even worst! 

Have a awesome morning, Opy

#6 Geometry: Pass

Hey guys, I am still here, still doing it, still creating! 

Let me say, this is even more rewarding that I ever thought it would be! 

I am so glad I started this project. One of the things that I really enjoy is writing these descriptions. When I had the idea of this project, I didn't realize that my comments would be such an important part of it! Thanks for all your feedback on these.

With this week pattern I wanted to take a break from the hand drawn elements. For a time now, I wanted to do something with polyhedrons, I believe there is something really cool on these 3D geometric solid forms, with its flat faces and straight edges, so I hope you like it, I know I do! 

Cheers Opy

#5 To Sir With Love

Who's that man? That handsome man up there is my father. Happy Birthday papa! 

Tuesday 22nd of November was his 66th birthday and this is my gift to him. 

Luis Guillermo Diomedes aka Willie, one of the coolest men I have ever known, is the ultimate argentinian dundy! A true gentleman with unique style!

When he is not working, he spends his time listening to classical music, cataloguing old photos or meetings with friend for coffee/drinks. 

He prides himself of being a good eater (delicatessen food, a must!) and a good drinker: whiskey, beer, wine, whatever accompanies a good momento!  (obviously these two qualities run in the family!) 

He treasures objects with sentimental value, antiques especially (now we know where my love for vintage came from). Rugby is also a passion of his, he played in his younger years, creating friendship bonds that last until today, "friends that are brothers" as he likes to say. 

Movies, especially westerns, he loves! His ultimate idol is John Wayne, of course! Among his favorites film are: The Music Teacher & Dances with Wolves (he also secretly loves Zoolander, but you didn't hear it from me!) 

As you can read he is an incredible person... and I am lucky to have him as my father!

"I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life there is one that matters most. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail and it is good to see"

Kicking Bird [in Lakota; subtitled] from film Dances with Wolves

#4 Sweet Birdie

This week's pattern has a simple reason to be: LOVE (awwwww)

Aunt thinking of niece >

Aunt missing niece, a lot >

Aunt thinks of creating something for niece >

Aunt draws cute birdie >

Birdie becomes a pattern.

Because like I read somewhere… becoming an aunt is completely out of one's control. When your sister becomes a mom, you become an aunt. There is no life planning or great thought put into this occasion: basically, it just happens! And it changes your life forever! 

How very true!

Opy

#3 Flor = Flower

Because I believe that a blog could be an bit of an egocentric thing to do (at least this one), this post is titled after my name. Florencia (Florence in english) is derived from the Latin verb floreo, meaning "I flower" (in the sense of a blossom). The name is also derived from the Italian city Firenze. Well, not rocket science there!

I also wanted to create something to celebrate Spring season in this part of the world, but I have to say, New Zealand weather has a (not so) funny way to let us know that it truly has the four season in one day!

I wanted to try something new with the colour theme and I believe this odd combination turned out to be quite interesting. What do you think?

Thanks family & friends for your support, ideas & feedback! You keep me going!

Adios, Opy

#2 Don't Just...

Hello again, what a week! I have to confess I am really enjoying this but oh boy! This is a LOT harder than I thought! Getting the right pattern, the one I am 100% happy with, is not a piece of cake, but it's ok, I am pretty sure that as weeks goes by I will get used to it, & that I will enjoy it even more!

Some time ago I bumped into this phrase on the web; it lights me up when I am having one of those days (you know which ones: glass half empty days, tired days, "what I am doing here?" days).

I liked the idea of different circle frames, like picture frames in a wall. Why yellow? It symbolizes: wisdom, joy & happiness, so I reckon it goes perfect with the theme. 

Special mention to my sister, Guille, for helping me with the colour.... I miss you sis! Thanks for you help & your constant support!

Thanks for visiting, love, Opy

#1 Watch, Learn & Fly

And for my 1st post ever: hot air balloons & eyes, yes! I love it. 

Watching, observing, spying while flying on a sweet ride, why not? 

Gives me a feeling of freedom, a feeling of being constantly learning & getting inspired by the world around me. 

Colours: no logical explanation about them, I just love the combination, they are vibrant & probably how the colour of passion should be.

Saying all this pretty much resumes the reason for this pattern.

I leave you now, till next time, another week another pattern!

Cheers, Opy

PS: I've never been on a hot air balloon, my promise today: I will do it before this project ends!