IF: Slither

The wise snail slithered from the 11 February post to this one because she wanted to be submitted to Illustration Friday and I couldn't say no.

IF: Equipment

I thought that in this journey towards (re)discovering my creativity, it could be good, every now and then, to recall to memory some of the many projects from the times when I was a little girl and was always making, building, crafting something, or trying to, or looking for someone who would teach me.
This is my first attempt, which also happens to be a last-minute submission to Illustration Friday.

IF: Cocoon

My first submission for Illustration Friday. Topic: cocoon.

Rest

We all need a break from our daily battles, from time to time.




(Inspired by a bas-relief on Freiburg Cathedral)

Received! Part 6 (The End)

I waited before posting these, because I wanted to post the last 3 postcards all together. But the 10th never arrived. So here they are, the beautiful works by Sara (? can't read the name)



and Sally



Thank you!

DIY

Almost one year has passed, and the earthquake debris still have not been removed.
The town center is still closed to the people who used to live or work there.
Many or us have not even seen it after the earthquake.
We have had enough of it.
Thus, the people of L'Aquila decided to remove the debris by themselves and have been doing it, with wheelbarrows and buckets, for three weeks now.
On 28th February I was there with my family (my husband and my eldest daughter are in the drawing above). I met so many of my fellow citizen whom I hadn't been seeing for months, I saw the main street full of life, smiling faces, voices, again. I felt part of a community, again.
We all were there to demonstrate, but also to work, in a very concrete way.
It was beautiful.
It felt like home. Almost.

Received! Part 5

I received this postcard from Zarah. She also wrote kind words on the back. My daughter loves rain, so she immediately chose this one as her favourite.
Actually, I like all of them.

Received! Part 4

Every day a new treat!
This one is by Jennifer .




I love how the postcards I am receiving are all different, but complementing each other.
They are currently being displayed on my fridge. I hope they will distract me from eating snacks and chocolate at night...

Received! Part 3

The right encouragement at the right time!



from Monique

Received! Part 2

Another one! So fun to check the mailbox every day!
Big thanks to Chris!

Received! Part 1

Wow, today the first 3 postcards from my swap partners arrived into my mailbox. Enjoy!

Thank you so much to Tara, Amy and Brii!

Finished!

It's 2 in the night, but the postcards for the swap are finished, at last!


(inspired by this photo by Maya)

Guest artist

Francesco, age 2.

DIY Postcard Swap

I joined my first DIY Postcard Swap, organized by Hanna. Each participant prepares 10 handmade (painted, collaged, altered etc.) postcards for as many creative people around the world. I just received the addresses of my 10 swap partners: from Malaysia to Great Britain, from New Zealand to Singapore.. I can't wait to see what will come into my mailbox!
In the meantime, I have prepared 6 out of my 10 postcards. Here they are.













There is also a flickr group if you are curious about what the other swappers have prepared.

New year's resolutions

To fly high.
To show claws.


Watercolor.
L'Aquila (The Eagle) is also the name of my hometown.
Inspired by a photograph by Baldovino Midali.

Holidays are over

La Befana arrived during the night and left little presents for the children.

Christmas holidays are over, tomorrow will be the actual start of the new year.

New year, new life, one step at a time.

I wish you a happy 2010!

Handmade (little) gifts

Tree ornament...

Handmade stationery, in collaboration with my daughter, for my mom...






Recycled clothing label...




...a couple more decorations made with recycled materials




This is what I have been doing yesterday instead of cleaning my house (or sleeping, for that matter).
A very happy Christmas to all of you! Thanks for sharing this journey with me.

Barbara

Let's get rid of labels

For Inspire Me Thursday: "Label"

Collaborative contribution...

...from my daughter (9). She painted this tree, a little batik made with the colors my sister brought her from Malaysia.

We painted together a couple of weeks ago to decorate a little corner of our home with the colours of autumn. It was a perfect moment, one of those I will treasure forever. My children, the trees, the bright autumn colors give me the strength I need in this difficult period.

Spain

Hi! Still experimenting with watercolor pencils. This drawing for Inspire Me Thursday ("Spain") was inspired by this portrait of Cristina Hoyos, the great flamenco dancer.