Today I had a particularly rough day. I started my day by doing three loads of laundry with D in the stroller. I am a sight to see when I do laundry. I carry one large bag on my shoulder. One in the basket underneath the stroller and one hanging from the stroller handles. I look like a crazy woman!!! Hey, it's the only way I can get in done. D had a therapy session at 12:00 and I was cutting it close so I was rushing. I had to get the laundry in the machines, feed D breakfast, go to the post office, then get the laundry and put it in the dryer, then go to Rite Aid, go home and drop off my purchases so I could have room for the laundry when I take it out of the dryer, etc. I was trying to do all of this in a rush when my neighbor stopped me, while dropping off my purchases, because she had to tell me something "pressing". She ended up telling me something that ultimately hurt my feelings. I tried very hard for that comment not to affect my mood for the rest of the day but I didn't succeed, I still felt belittled. I guess my son M caught on that I wasn't myself because he kept staring at me (he does that when he perceives something). While we were having dinner, he told me, out of the blue, "Mommy, you are very, very smart." We weren't even talking about anything in particulr when he came out and said it. I thanked him profusely. Then he said that I was beautiful and that I was never wrong. Where did that come from? I just felt grateful. In his own way he was trying to make me feel better, and he did. Lately, my kids have been a weight on my shoulders. Today, I am so glad I have them. Thank you God!

Pedro Albizu Campos Fabric Cuff!

I just added this new cuff to my online shop, http://www.nelesc.etsy.com/. Pedro Albizu Campos was the most prominent Puerto Rican political figure of the 20th century, a National hero who sacrificed his life for the freedom of his country. Under his direction, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico became a major force in the fight for independence. A powerful speaker, thousands would gather to listen to his passionate discourses of freedom. He urged the Puerto Rican people to reclaim their cultural history and national symbols such as the flag and the national anthem.

I really enjoyed making it and hope to do a lot more. It's different from the initial cuffs I made mentioned in this post http://nelesc.blogspot.com/2008/12/monday-inspiration-fabric-cuffs.html which were more family oriented. Here, I am going back to my revolutionary roots. Let me know what you think.

Happy New Year!

Although it is technically January 2 ( I am writing this at 1:16 am 1/2/09) I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I had a lovely January 1st. I have been under the weather so I rested a lot in the morning while my hubby took care of the kids. Then I did about 3 loads of laundry!!!! It made me feel good to bring in the new year with clean clothes. Finally, I had a short dinner with a college friend. She had to return home swiftly because she had family over for the holidays and she promised she would see them off. She forgot she made plans with me and didn't want to cancel so we just shortened our rendevous. That was fine with me because I spent a glorious two hours in Barnes and Nobles after that. There are two books that I looked at that I must have: True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling by L.K. Ludwig and Canvas Remix: Techniques For Creating Mixed-Media Accessories by Alisa Burke. When I get them, which hopefully will be soon, I'll attempt to share projects inspired by these crafty ladies. Here's to a crafty, creative, artistic 2009!

Still Musing about Family over the Holidays

I am still excited about my big sister being here from Alabama. I spent the whole of yesterday with her. She came over with the boys, my husband took the older ones out and I stayed home with her and my youngest. When D took his nap, A and I chatted away about our creative endeavors. She makes jewelry and showed me all of her new pieces, I showed her my new fabric cuffs (she also got one for Christmas) and other projects I was working on, it was like a manic show and tell session that had been pent up for a year (I only see her once a year).

Remember, my last post about my youngest being attached to her even though he only saw her once a year? Well, the same thing happened with my oldest and her boys. The minute they got to our house, M turned off the TV (M does not turn off the TV for ANYONE!!!) he went right up to them ,said hello and they went off picking up where they left off last year...wrestling, throwing things across the room, playing race cars. Very intriguing male bonding. That's like another world to me. I grew up with two sisters. I am so girly. I sometimes don't understand why God gave me boys, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have a Masters in anthropology, it' so exciting to be privy to this secret lives of boys that I never grew up with. My sister and I had a lot to talk about on that topic , too.

Anwway, I am just lost in family musings these days. It's incredibly uplifting, inspiring, intriguing, mystrious. Family can get on your last nerve, yet it is an unbreakable, inexplicable bond. I could be so upset at my sisters or mom after a fight or something but when I am hurting, they are the people I come to first (well, after my hubby, he's family too). I don't think that I am as vulnerable with anyone else as I am with them. That says something.

Sisters together on Christmas

The best part of the holiday season is seeing my sisters. My younger one lives near me but my older one, A, lives in Alabama and I only get to see her once a year. Having both of them here makes me feel complete, we compliment one another so when A comes back home, she brings out and confirms a lot of things about me and who Iam.

D, my youngest, was sick on Christmas and only wanted to be carried by me the whole time which was quite exhausting!!! So when I had to take a bathroom break I gave him to my hubby and he cried bloody murder ( D, not hubby). A was nearby and D reached out towards her and allowed her to hold him as he gently layed his head on her shoulder. When I came out, A motioned to me and whispered, "I think he thinks I am you." We do look a like and have the same kinda voice. That was so interesting to me. The fact that he only sees his aunt once a year and is still drawn to her. It speaks of the power of family and connection. I am still thinking about it.

Monday Inspiration - Fabric Cuffs!

Once again, I am participating with maternalspark.com and writing about inspiration. As I mentioned in an earlier post (November 17), I have been looking for other ways to use fabric, my artistic medium of choice. I love designing clothes and printing on it but I have been wanting to branch out. I bought and took countless books from the library about fabric books, artist trading cards, fabric jewelry, etc. trying to find something that would call to me and I think I found it.....fabric cuffs!!! I have been having so much fun with the few that I have already done. It combines my love of faces (I just can’t get away from that! What can I say, people inspire me), my interest in wearable art, and my desire to use recycled fabric. It is also something I can finish in a small amount of time which gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

I decided to start by making some as gifts. The top and bottom are gifts for my sisters, they each have three kids so I decided to stencil faces of their children onto the cuff. I love stenciled faces and I thought that this would allow for a more artistic interpretation rather than just printing their photos on fabric. I also did one of my favorite people, prominent in my clothing line, Frida Kahlo. I am definitely going to make a lot more of these for my shop. One of my goals for the new year is to offer more variety on my shop in terms of products and sizes, continue working on my designing skills, and update my blog more often. Stay tuned!!!

WORLD AIDS DAY and Monday Inspiration

As usual, I like to join Maternalspark.com in talking about what inspires me. In addition, in honor of World Aids Day, I would like to honor those who are living with Aids a well as those who have passed on from the disease.

Today, in particular, two people that inspire me are my cousin P and my close friend S. Both of these beautiful women lost their parents to Aids at a time in their lives when they needed their parents most. S was raising a budding family and P was just starting on her journey of womanhood. When I think of them, I stand in awe at how they have continued to persevere for themselves and their families. S is a strong woman who is a fighter and refuses to be a victim of her circumstances. She continues to love life and tries to instill that in her children. P has had some set backs but always gets back up and continues to strive. I am so proud of her. I honor you today, S and P, you inspire me to be a strong woman in spite of what may be going on in my life. I am grateful to know you!!!!