Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Family Getaway

 
Last weekend we went to Texel and had the most wonderful time! The weather was perfect. We went to the beach, rode our rented bikes around the island and even saw seals about 100m from the beach.
I miss the beach. It's one of the things I miss the most about Portugal. Of course they do have beaches in Holland but it's not the same plus the sea water is freezing! Bone aching cold.  I still went in more than once.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Summer In Our Backyard

 
This is what summer looks like in our backyard. A few more days and our strawberries will be ripe and hopefully they will be just as sweet and tasty as last year's.

This weekend we are headed for the beach, in a island in the north of Holland, Texel. I can't wait. 

Happy weekend!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Two Sisters


Today I finished two custom pillows for two little girls, sisters, Alice and Vera. I used a set of Japanese cotton prints on Vera's and Lizzy House's red Letter Day cotton prints on Alice's. The pillows are 40 by 60cm.

I am so pleased at how they turned out, I hope they will be too!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Vespas galore!


My new favorite fabric: Echino by Etsuko Furuya Scooter. Can't get enough of it and plan on making a TON of bags out of it! Have ordered more already.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Pinterest-ing!


I stumbled across Pinterest a couple of weeks ago on a blog and was immediately hooked on it! This amazing web tool allows you to collect images from all over the web and organize them in boards or collections. You can then share them with others, and follow collections curated by other members.

 
To use it, you just add a bookmarklet to your bookmarks tab and whenever you see an image you like, you can just pin it and add it to whichever board you want. Easy peasy! I have to warn you, though, this gets pretty addictive so proceed at your own risk...

Have a great weekend!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Etsy iCandy

 
After a disastrous week and weekend, I am glad it's Monday again! And to get this week started in the best way possible, here's a pretty mood board in summer colors. Unfortunately, the weather outside is less blue and more gray but I am in high spirits, so who cares? I have a busy week ahead of me, with orders to fill (yay!) and fabric to buy (double yay!).

I will come back later and post photos of my work in progress. Until then, I hope you have a great week!

P.S. Did you know that b*lota has reached 120 fans on Facebook and that the shop has been hearted by 113 Etsians? Seriously!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Loans That Change Lives

 

Giving back and helping the world's poor is something that all we all should be doing. Especially in developing countries, where the infrastructure is not available to support industrious, talented and motivated individuals. But how do you make a difference in someone's life, how do you reach these individuals without financing corruption and aid bureaucracy?

A couple of years ago, I came across Kiva and the answer was obvious! 

So, what is Kiva?
Kiva is an micro-lending platform that connects investors from all around the globe to small entrepreneurs from developing countries, who are looking for funding for their business. 

How does it work?
Kiva partners with existing micro-finance institutions, called the Field Partners, to collect information on the loans needed and risk involved. They also provide the details, stories and photos that are uploaded onto the Kiva website. The lenders then browse and decide which projects they would like to fund. You can lend as little as $25 and as much as the full amount! The Field Partners then disburse the loans. Depending on the terms of the loan, entrepreneurs start paying off the capital and interest - the interest is used to cover the field partner's costs.

How you can participate?
You can create an account at www.kiva.org, browse though the fund-raising loans available and start lending!
You can make a real impact in someone's life, in a community and ins't that what giving back is all about?