A sneak peek at my Valentine's Day project

Here is one of the things I have been working on over the past few days. I love pink and felt so when I came across this, making a pink garland, using felt letters and hearts made so much sense!!!

I hope I can get it done in time for Valentine's Day!

I used MS Word to get the pattern for the letters; the font is called Cooper Black and it comes with the software (I have MS Office 2007). I used 500 as the font size and chose to print the outline of the letters in order to save some money in ink cartridges (if you have MS Office 2007, highlight the letters, right click, font, effects - outline, enter).

What about you? What kind of cool projects are you currently working on?

Free $10 gift certificate!!!

Hi everyone! How have you been?

Mollie, from Wild Olive, is giving away a $10 gift certificate to my Etsy shop, Ooh Leela! Visit her blog and check it out!!!

All you have to do is like Ooh Leela's Facebook page, go back to Mollie's blog and leave a comment saying you have done so.

We will pick a winner at 12pm CST tomorrow, 01/31/11. Good luck everyone!!!

Gift certificates!!!

You can now find gift certificates in my Etsy shop!!! Buy a $10 gift certificate until 01/31/11 and receive a $15 gift certificate. What a DEAL!!!

Luggage tags

Hello everyone! How have you been?

This week was absolutely crazy. So many new clients. It seems everyone's New Year's resolution this year is to file taxes on time.

I am however glad that I got to spend some time sewing and making new jars today.I feel so refreshed!

Remember when I blogged about luggage tags? I made these and gave them to my brother and his wife for Christmas. They will be traveling in a little less than 2 months, so I am sure they will come in handy. These tags look better than using a bandana or a ribbon to identify your luggage, don't you think? And they are super easy to make, even a beginner can finish each tag in about 30 minutes tops.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/projectdetail.jsp?projectFlag=true&CATID=cat13851&fullPath=sewing+%26+embroidery&PRODID=xprd1057038&subCatName=sewing+%26+embroidery

I found the tutorial at Joann's website, but ended up modifying it a bit. I used fabric instead of ribbon. Looking back, I think I should have used a layer of batting between the layers of fabric, to make it a bit sturdier. But oh well, live and learn right?

You can download the step by step instructions, in .PDF format here.

And here is how mine turned out:

I had to block their address...

Free cross stitch pattern

Hello again everyone. I am on a roll today :)

I have just put this together. I hope you enjoy it. Please share pictures of the finished product and let me if you have any questions. I think that adding a couple of these, one on each side, will make it look even more lovely. Happy stitching!

Working for great causes this month

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great weekend!

I got to spend it with my husband's grandmother, a strong and all around great lady who turned 92. Her mind is super sharp and she is super independent: she lives all by herself. I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

I have recently joined the Etsy Angels team on Etsy, a group of artists who work together to support a different cause every month. It gives me such a sense of accomplishment and I feel fulfilled in so many ways to be a part of such a great group of people.

This month we are supporting ORVAL, an organization who provides assistance to pet parents who cannot afford to take their pets to the vet. This allows people who would otherwise take their pets to a shelter to keep them.ORVAL also provides good care to those pets who end up at the shelter.

Our goal is to have 135 sales this month, and so far we have had 95. If you would like to know more or to shop, please click here.

I also came across this on Facebook yesterday. What a humbling story. I am happy to say I will be sending some kits their way. If you would like to participate or help me with the kits, please leave a comment and I will be happy to share more information.

Have a great day!

Valentine's Day gift ideas

Time to go shopping again! I think these are sooooo cute! Check them out and don't forget: please support handmade if you can.

PS: Hubby, if you are reading this: hint hint nudge nudge ;)



Blessings everyone!

Trying something different

I am super excited! I bought an embroidery pattern from Mollie Johanson, over at Wild Olive. Can't wait to get started!!!

Picture source

What should I turn these into??? I am also working on a cool Valentine's Day garland. I will post pics soon! What sort of projects are you currently working on?

XOXOs & blessings!

01/11/11 - 11:11am Make a wish

http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.207357351.jpg

Good luck!!!

Hooray I have bought some more fabric!!!!

I am definitely addicted to fabric. I love that new fabric smell, its texture, the patterns and vivid colors. When I buy new fabric I tend to stare at the beautiful patterns every 5 minutes or so. Then I think about all the cute things I want to create with those beautiful fabrics.

I bought some scraps last week (I LOVE fabric scraps)..... And winter is my favorite season, but I sort of miss summer (and my banana tree for that matter, that has frozen to death), and these patterns remind me of a hot summer day, palm trees, the beach, a nice mojito.... So I turned these:

Into this:

I decided to expand my line and make some nice potholders, with insul-bright and batting for extra protection and insulation. Your fingers will thank you!  If you know someone who likes to cook, or someone who doesn't and always ends up burning their fingers, this would be the perfect gift!

If you like what you see, be sure to visit my Etsy shop. 10% of all sales proceeds go to help ORVAL this month. For more information about the Etsy Angels and ORVAL, be sure to visit http://etsyangelsteam.blogspot.com.

Sweet dreams!

We had a great time at my brother's wedding!

Hi everyone! My brother got married last Friday! It was a simple wedding, but everyone pitched in and it was magical to say the least.

I made some party favors: lavender scented candles in a cute mason jar. After many trials, they turned out perfect! I was so inspired and so determined, it was meant to be. Kudos to mom for helping me.

The pictures are not that great because it was 1am by the time we finished them and the lighting was not adequate. The silver tags say to love and to cherish! Sooo cute!

I also added a few touches to a plain guest book I found at Michaels:

They got married at City Hall in San Francisco. The architecture is so beautiful, all of us were in awe. Some wonderful friends offered to take pictures. I think these pictures turned out so nice!

We had lunch here. Amazing food and great service. Reasonable prices too.

Facebook fans: take advantage of the coupon I have just sent you. And remember, 10% of all sales proceeds this month go to support ORVAL (Ouachita River Valley Animal League) in Louisiana. For more information, please visit: http://etsyangelsteam.blogspot.com/ 


Off to bake strawberry cupcakes for hubby! Sunday is splurging day! Yay!


Have a lovely week! XOXOssss!!!!!!!

Hard work pays off: the AFTER photos

We did it! Granted, we still need to do a bit more decorating, and I am still looking for a sewing table, but I am very pleased with how it all turned out.

Check out the before pics.

Here is the office - sorry hubby forgot to take before pics, but it was chaotic, believe me...

And here is my sewing/arts and crafts room (everything is neatly stored away). This room also serves as a guest bedroom, and Wii room.

Our motto throughout the process was to reuse what we already had, purge and donate what we did not need. I used to be a paper junkie, I printed everything out and filed it all away for at least 7-10 years. I have recently discovered Google Docs (it is free!!!), and oh my, I am in love with it. We must have gotten rid of at least 6-7 storage boxes. Everything is stored online. Done!

Let me not forget to share an important milestone: Ooh Leela has a fan on Facebook :) :) :) Thank you so much Kate (you rock)!

If you like what you see here, show me some love on Facebook (some deals and promotions will only be available to Ooh Leela's Facebook fans).

I hope you have an amazing week!!!

Food for thought: Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

Found this here.

Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday, May 28, 2006

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

May your day be filled with blessings, joy, family and love! Ciao Bellas!

Busy little bee! That's me! :)

Good day everyone! I am so very excited today! Today we get to organize my ex-office (my husband has finally taken over) and my brand-new craft space (aka guest room, aka wii room). When we moved into our home 2 years ago, my husband and I had an agreement: he got the garage (where he stores 2 beautiful old cars, a 65 GTO and a 56 Chevy Bel Air) and I got to convert our 3rd bedroom into an office.

It had always been a dream of mine to have my own office, since opening my own Accounting firm was one of my dreams. I got the office, but never did open an Accounting firm (I am happy working where I work).

Over the past 2 years I've rediscovered the beauty and pleasures of crafting and completely fell head over heels in love with it all over again. That being said, my husband (who works from home now, since the beginning of Dec) gets the office and I get my own craft room. We are working on organizing, re-purposing, recycling and redecorating both rooms (all on a budget of course). So far we have spent around $30.00 on some cute green and purple document boxes as well as shelving units.

Please see the "before" pictures - we moved everything out of the office and into the guest room, aka my craft space. I hope to get everything done today because I go back to work tomorrow. Pictures of the end result will be posted as soon as both rooms are complete.

Can you find the piggy? His name is Bacon :)

I am looking for a sewing table, does anyone have any tips? I want something small, possibly with drawers or some sort of storage space. I have been dragging all of my supplies and equipment into our dining room, and that has worked well so far. But one of my goals this year is to grow Ooh Leela! and in order to do so, I will spend a lot more time crafting (YAY!), so I need to have my own little setup.

Have a great Monday everyone! Ciao Bellas!

My first attempt at candle making

Ok, despite the fact that my very first experience was less than perfect (I bought the wrong dye color), I must say that it felt really good to accomplish one of my goals for the year so early in the game.

I chose to go with soy wax because it is a greener option and less complicated than gel. I ended up getting my supplies (soy wax, dye, wicks and scent) at my neighborhood Michaels, because I wanted to make a candle and I needed (read wanted) to make it today (I'm impatient like that). However, I will order my supplies online from now on because the prices at Michaels are a bit steep.

I already had a measuring cup, thermometer, pot and glass container, but if you don't, the dollar store is the way to go.

A few notes about my first experience:

• A little bit of dye goes a LONG way. I ended up getting red dye instead of the color I really wanted and the end result was a dark red color (which I did not care for at all, thus the lack of pictures showing the end result)
• Even though I chose lavender and I absolutely love the smell of lavender, I did not care for this brand of scents (Yaley). I am burning the candle as we speak and I can't smell anything despite being extra generous when I added the scent
• Need to use a dowel next time, to keep the wick in place
• I tried to whip the top layer, but I was not successful. I think it has to do with the fact that the wax was still too hot when I whipped it. I did some research after the fact and you are supposed to wait for the wax to cool down a bit, until it turns cloudy. I will try that next time as well.

I will try again some time this week and will post pictures of the end product in a few days. What about you? How is your new year going?

This is my very first blog ever and I must admit (and you may have noticed) that I am new at this. I am having SO MUCH FUN! I am trying really hard to improve my storytelling skills as well as the content for the blog. If you have any suggestions, topics you would like to see in the upcoming weeks, constructive criticism or praise :), please do share. I would love to hear from you!

May you have a blessed Sunday!

Oh what a night! And Happy 2011!!!

Last night was so much fun! We had family and friends over. I made dinner (ham and pineapple, asparagus, scalloped potatoes, caesar salad, crescent rolls) but the bestest part was what we did afterwards: game night!

Mr. H., one of our friends, brought his game table and a roulette wheel. We spent many hours drinking, dancing and playing the roulette and black jack. Needless to say I went bankrupt in no time LOL!

Leela was not allowed to play, so she just chilled :)

So far 2011 has been amazing! I am also so excited to say that I am one of Wildolive's sponsors this month! We are working on a super cool project, something out of the ordinary, especially for crafters like us :) :) :) Stay tuned.

How was your New Year's Eve?