Back to College

Although it was nice to spend two entire weeks at home recovering from surgery and chilling, it is good to be finally back to real life - I'm not so happy about the routine, but oh well. Anyhoo... I'm only missing about 6 weeks of academic rushing until I finally get on summer vacation. Ah, Summer! I feel I can almost touch it!

I am also back to Wilwarin Designs at full force. Been taking care of more orders than I could expect (for my delight), however, my latest supply shipments are taking a really long time to arrive, which means that the new collection's launch might have to be delayed... I''ve got huge plans but so little time and so many obstacles. Sad face.

A little note: since tomorrow is a holiday in Portugal, this week's orders will only be sent out next Thursday (2nd May). Thanks! 

Butterfly wishes,

Ana ❤

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.

Easter's knocking on my door

Spring has always been a very inspiring season of the year to me. I love watching the trees slowly getting exuberant and lush with leaves again, wildflowers blooming in the lawns, fields and at the edge of the roads, the swallows observing us from atop the street cables, with their curious yet graceful looks. Since I was a child, I've seen this season as an epitome of the "miracle of rebirth" - what was absent and dormant is now coming back and awakening in pure harmony again.

However, it seems like Spring has gone for some vacation today. It's so cold, cloudy and (very) windy around here; too cold and cloudy and windy to go for a relaxing walk even. So today I took my day for some pre-Easter house cleaning. And fighting against it, as I am allergic to house dust... I'm so exhausted the only thing I feel like doing right now is snuggling at the warmth of my bedroom.

In the meanwhile, one of my latest orders of supplies has finally arrived... it's brought so many cute little treasures, including some basic findings I was in need of, new ruffled peony cabochons (in several amazing colors), antique brass connectors and leaf filigrees, plus a sweet little birdcage in antique brass... and many others.

A greater look at some of my new supplies, as described above...

And while I get to play with these, don't forget to check on my Etsy store for a few new additions, even if just for the kicks...

These cute, vintage inspired earrings are called "INNOCENCE", blending the warmth of a latte tone with the aged yet freshly looking filigrees with patina. Perfect for the discrete yet sophisticated girl or lady! They are for sale HERE.

I hope I'll be able to enjoy another sunny day soon enough but, until then, there are still many things to do until Easter comes for real. I still have a final custom request for my sister-in-law (will take care of it tomorrow) and intend to help my mother with the rest of the cleaning, plus baking and such. And doing my best to contain myself from eating too many Easter almonds and cheese!

Our Easter almonds bowl here at home... featuring dark chocolate, sugared and lilac coated milk chocolate (my very favorites!) almonds. I wonder how long they will last... ;)

That's it for today; thank you again for stopping by and taking a few minutes of your time to read!

Much love,

Wilwarin Designs.