Project Metamorphosis Inspiration: "Sunshine" Part II

Bad news everyone... worldwide mail seems to have gone insane as most of my supplies have been taking too long to arrive. I have no choice but to delay the new collection a little more! I have a few pieces ready but my original plan was to launch a single consistent line at once. I know Summer is almost here but I'm still sticking to my plan. So I'm working with what I have...

(Disclaimer: Please note that I've found these images through the Internet and they are not my own; all credits go to their rightful owners.)

These pictures do not only inspire me to create more than I can manage but also make me feel quite nostalgic. I miss Summer and warm weather so much; we've had such a tough Winter this year yet it seems it won't be enough! Seriously Spring, go home 'cause you're drunk.

Alas, enjoy the weekend people! And be sure to keep an eye on my Facebook page as I will try to update it with yummy sneak peeks throughout the next couple of weeks!

Butterfly wishes,

Ana ❤

Wandering in Whimsical Wonders: Crystal Palace Gardens of Porto, Portugal

It's been so long since last time I've visited the gardens of Porto's Crystal Palace, I almost forgot what a gorgeous and soothing place it is to be. These gardens were at first created during the 1860's, along with the construction of the original Crystal Palace building. Although the Crystal Palace itself has been (very sadly) demolished and given place to the current Rosa Mota pavilion, the gardens remain as a haven right in the heart of the city; the open designed spaces invite for snug sunbathing and the old, luxuriant woods whisper memoirs of a long past time. There is a semi-natural lake where the ducks and gooses swim and there are peacocks wandering around people in a wide and neverending avenue of centenary linden trees with breathtaking views upon the Douro river. There are dripping romantic grottos embedded in quiet verdant nooks and palm trees that reach for the sky. Alas, taking a walk through these immense gardens is like a journey to our deep inner selves.

I am currently working on a historic garden conservation project for the Crystal Palace within my Master's and managed to convince my boyfriend to come visit the gardens and enjoy the sun with me yesterday afternoon. Since he's such an indoor person, going out together is a really rare thing for us. We are total opposites in this matter; while I would grab a backpack and throw myself to places unknown every weekend if I could, he prefers to stay home cozy and at pleasure. Needless to say I keep telling him that for a person who enjoys nature and camping and stargazing so much, we spend way too much time indoors. Anyhoo... here are some pictures of the amazing gardens we've visited together for the first time in 6 years!

Also, today we celebrate Mother's Day in my country. I don't think I will ever find the words to describe how grateful I am for everything and all the love my mother has given me during these 24 years of life. I love my mom! We're having a family late snack to celebrate. Shellfish in such a gorgeous Spring sunday sounds the best! Yummy. But first, I'm off for the hard part... studying. Yay.

Buterfly wishes,

Ana ❤

Dreaming of a Rustic Life

Waking up by the rooster's chant, wandering the neighbouring woods and getting myself dirty in the veggie garden... this is how I imagine the life I want to live!

Treasury list was created by me, featuring some beautiful portuguese work as well as many other breathtaking pretties. Click on the picture above to check it on Etsy!

Have a great Sunday,

Ana ❤

A Walk in the Woods

To feel the sweet embrace of Nature - the fresh, rustic scent of bark and the softness of green moss in your feet... it is so easy to feel oneself at home. :) What would I give for a real walk in the woods right now!

Treasury list was created by me, featuring some portuguese work as well as some other magnificent pretties from other countries (click on the picture to check it on Etsy).

Spring has Sprung!

Finally, Spring arrives to present us with more colorful days and tender scents! In honor to this marvellous season of the year, here's (yet) another treasury list I created... also stay tuned for Wilwarin Designs' new collection! ;)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

New Treasury List: Escape to Nature

Today I bring another collection of pretties I found on Etsy. This time I was searching for some late winter woodland inspiration; the grace of awakening forests, freshly regrown canopies and the smell of earth reborn... very small details which, as we can see when we look closer, are no more than signs of Nature's own magic! Lots of earthy tones and touches of fresh green in this one...

Since I'm writing about this, I'd like to take the chance and thank all the people who've been featuring me and my items in their breathtaking and original treasuries. I had never been included in so many treasury lists in so little time! Slowly I can see my shop grow - and that's thanks to you. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. 

With that said, I hope you guys enjoy this collection of mine and that you're having a fabulous weekend too. :)

First Signs of Coming Spring...

... magnolias in bloom! They're not a native species but surely they bring so much joy every single year. Their flowers are usually the first ones to bloom around here, bringing marvellous shades of joyful pink to the city. In this case they were planted along the avenues, making these so soothing to walk by as the magnolias' smooth, pretty-in-pink flower petals cover the sidewalks. And as the days slowly get longer, my heart craves for tender Spring and its flowers and colors and the miracles of Nature... it is such an inspiring season for me. Argh, can't wait! :)

New Treasury List: Dreaming of Spring

I swear it, I try to stop... but I can't! I've found that creating treasury lists on Etsy happens to be a great method for me to get some great inspiration... thus it has become a wonderful part of my creative process.  Plus, who doesn't mind to spend some time each day drooling at some fantastic pieces of art? Because that's what keep finding aroung this huge(eeeee), amazing Etsian dimension!

As Winter draws to an end, I could not resist my nostalgia for Spring - well, for Summer too, but that's another story... anyway, I can't wait for this time of renewal and rebirth of the earth. This is the time for starting things anew... for tender pastel colors, fresh foggy mornings and the sweet scent of Nature's purity as it awakens from the stinging cold!

"Dreaming of Spring"

Preparing for a new season

Ahoy!

Autumn is almost knocking on our door and I know lots of you can't wait to drink some delicious homemade apple cider and jump on crunchy leaves. Even I, a Summer creature, am really looking forward to it. Well, I've never tried to make apple cider myself but that's one of my goals for the next couple of months! :)

As the new season of the year takes place, so does a new season of my life. Finally, after a whole year waiting, I'll be starting my Master's on Landscape Architecture in less than a week. I must confess I'm a little nervous because it's been such a long time, but on the other hand I'm really looking forward to it and to learn more. Of course, and sadly, there won't be so much free time for crafting, so I've been spending a good part of my time organising my supplies and Wilwarin Designs itself (also as I wait for the rest of my brand new Autumn supplies to arrive).

Sneak peek... Boho charms, marine pendants and Autumnal woodland goodies... I love love LOVE gilder's paste so much and I wish I could afford more colors!

I have five new frequent customers, as well - as I like to call them. They're all really shy but oh-so-lovely. And they also have... whiskers! :) A young cat happened to give birth to a litter of four beautiful baby kittens near my home and, since we have the habbit of leaving some of our meal leftovers (safe food, of course) everyday in our yard for street cats, they slowly started sneaking around. It's been a couple of months since we saw them for the first time, however they've always been too fearful to let us get any close. They are quite used to our presence nowadays, but still won't trust us as I'd like them to. It's actually funny because they have the courage to stand right on our porch, even with the door open, staring at us as if asking for their meal, but will run like little rockets to the safety of the bushes everytime we step into the yard with a dish of cat feed or meat. They really like our little garden, although. :) Today they've spent pretty much the entire day sleeping and playing around the garden, while I did some cleaning, listened to Wicca radio and took sips of delicious forest fruit handmade tea.

Mama Kitty on the top (she's a really pretty tuxedo cat) and two of her babies sleeping on the grass. This was the closest I could get, afraid that otherwise I would disturb them :) 

The four baby kitties sleeping on top of each others behind our orange tree and belladonna lilies... it was so damn cute to watch.

The babies (well, they're not really babies anymore) are two black kitties, a grey tabby and a grey tuxedo. These last two make me believe that my missing cat, Simba, happens to be the father of the litter, since he used to be the only grey cat in the zone (he is/was a long haired grey tabby). Maybe that's why I felt so attached to them the moment I saw them. I miss my cat so much.

Summer is saying goodbye...

Image source: Tumblr (unknown author)

September has come and, however these few past days have been pleasantly sunny and warm, I can feel nostalgia taking over me already. I absolutely love Summer and I will certainly miss it in no time. I'll miss the heat and the ocean calling for me, wearing shorts and reading a nice book under the comforting sun... However, the next season is oh-so-inspiring to me. One can now notice the days going shorter and the fairies slowly painting the leaves red and gold. The time of harvest and golden woods is coming and, even though I'm a Summer creature, I admit I can't wait for stepping on crunchy leaves on the sidewalk and wear knitted sweaters and comfy boots in earthy tones.

As many people know, I am extremely and constantly inspired by Nature and Her wonderful manifestations in our physical world. As I stare at images like the one above, a thousand pictures and ideas play in my mind! I am now planning Autumn ahead and, as I wait for the results of my Master's Degree candidacy, I'm preparing Wilwarin Designs for the next few months. This is a crucial step as (considering everything goes as predicted) my Master's alone will be a huge time consumer. So, as my autumnal inspiration awakes, I've been ordering fancy new supplies and drawing pieces for my next Fall-Winter collections.

I have also been babysitting for the last couple of weeks. Taking care of my 6-year old niece makes it hard to keep working and creating in an appropriate pace, especially with such sunny days... but today the poor girl surprised me with a desire of staying home this afternoon, playing in the yard and watching cartoons, so I took a little time to finish bringing these new pretties into the world... they will be listed on Etsy later on!

Little Summer treasures from Nature to carry close to your heart! These feature a foxtail barley (Hordeum spp.) ear and a  lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flowery stem, both hand collected and dried by myself.

Who doesn't love fairies! These glass vial necklace features capri blue fairy dust for good luck. A great gift for the dreamer girl. :)