Determined creativity

So I love to crochet, but all I can crochet are scarves and blankets. I've never ventured to anything else creative. Yesterday I made the decision to try to make a hat.

Crochet is such a wonderful craft. There are so many facets and variations  to explore with a hook and a yarn. The creative possibilities are endless. - Margaret Hubert

Whispered sweet nothings

I went out for Chinese for dinner with Vince today (as if I didn't have enough yesterday in Chinatown hehe). Our fortunes from our fortune cookies pretty much describe us well. Can you guess which one is whose?

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Gung hei fat choi!

Today I went to Chicago's Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown. It was pretty darn cold out there! Because in the Lunar Calendar it is the Year of the Dragon I decided to take mostly photos of the dragons in the parade. I also LOVE the lucky sayings I've been hearing and reading throughout the day. Instead of my favorite quotes, I'm posting those sayings.

daai gat daai lei (much luck and much prosperity)

nin nin yau yue (every year have bounty and excess)

 This one is my all time favorite quote...

Sam seung sih sihng (accomplish that in your heart)

Today I leave you with this lucky saying, and I absolutely truly mean it for all of you...

maahn sih yuh yi 
(may all your wishes come true)

The Artist

Yesterday it was all about the ladies! I spend time with my friend Liz eating, shopping, and we even got to watch a movie! If you're into watching great 2012 Oscar nominated films, The Artist was beautiful directed and had a nice old time feel to it...well, considering it's filmed in black and white and pretty much a silent film.... I liked it!

After spending the day with Liz, I went to visit my friend Kim at the bar she works at. The Gallery Cabaret last night hosted a comedy hour, live band, and a birthday party! Kim also has her art on display. Behind the bar there were some really nice paintings and prints from other artists, but this one particular painting caught my eye.

In childhood, time is kind. A moment is swallowed whole, by senses open and able. - Nicoleta Baumeister

The bar owner's granddaughter painted this for him. I thought it was really awesome to have a child's piece of artwork in an adult surroundings. It brought some nostalgia in me of painting flowers and trees in watercolor or tempera paint, hanging them on the walls of my bedroom, imagining that they're on the walls of a museum.

childhood memories

I decided that I need to start cleaning out my Dad's basement. There is so much past holed up in there that I have to start sorting and going through in order to move forward. As I go through the belongings of mine and my parents' past I found some amazing treasures.

I found my childhood lunch boxes!!!!

This Care Bear metal lunch box I used when I was in 2nd and 3rd grade.

This plastic Hello Kitty one I used when I was in 4th and part of 5th grade (I got laughed at after awhile using a lunch box cuz it wasn't cool anymore)

Both of these lunch boxes I've loved and used time and time again while growing up. They are still in great condition and I might decide to use them again :)

Then I came across this....

Memories are a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

This is my beloved Nesquick bunny mug! His name is Quickie :) I couldn't believe that my Mama saved these special treasures for me. It made me laugh and smile when I found them, but a little sad that she is no longer with me to share with the joy.

I had to stop sorting these things for now. I can't wait to see what else I find the next time I come back.

delicate wings

Today I took advantage of going to the Peggy Notebaert Museum on the free admission Thursdays yesterday. I went to the enjoy the butterflies in their own habitat inside the Butterfly Haven. It was magical to be surrounded by all these different kinds of butterflies...

We are closer to the ants than to the butterflies. Very few people can endure much leisure.
Gerald Brenan

BOO!!!!

While Simon was asleep I felt like scaring him awake, hehehe....

“Meow” means “woof” in cat.”
― George Carlin

passenger stalker

So I told myself that I would start taking photos of random people. Everyone does it, but for some reason when I try I get shy and scared to do it. I finally got the guts to do it. This photo is of a school kid on the bus.

"Punctuality is the virtue of the bored." ~ Evelyn Waugh.

Oh yeah, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! It's the year of the Dragon and I am a Dragon :) I'll be sure to post up something in honor this special Chinese New Year. Stay tuned!

Jury Duty

Today was my turn at Jury Duty.... I know that I'm going to have to go back in the next 3 months, but today I kept myself sane with a book and Words With Friends :)

“There is no greater glory than to die for love.”- Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Ninong Bill

Today I bid farewell to a wonderful man, my Godfather Bill Brassfield, aka Ninong Bill. He was a great father, wonderful grandfather, amazing husband, and well loved man. He found God and loved to learn as much as he possibly could so he can live the life that the Lord wanted. He was a quiet man that loved unconditionally. He will be greatly missed.

During the service my Godsister Tracy's daughter Bella was passing out handouts with Ninong Bill's photo and a beautiful poem written by Emily McAdams. There are a few parts of the poem that meant so much to me because I can envision him basically do what the words say...

"At last I reach my final home

The gates swing open wide

I get a glimpse of glory

I can't wait to get inside...

And then I spot my loved ones

they've been here many years

We hug and kiss each other

All smiles, there are no tears..."

I don't have many photos of him and I, but the one that I will cherish always is my baptism photo with him.

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile that he has lived...

A walk in the snow

I got a chance to spend some quality time with....myself :) I took quite a few amazing photos throughout the day. This one is my most favorite...

Ever wonder where you'd end up if you took your dog for a walk and never once pulled back on the leash?  ~Robert Brault

Snowy days, analogue nights

So the weatherman was not wrong. It pretty much snowed from 9am to 8pm the whole day.

What I saw when I opened the door to let Simon out. I shoveled the snow off the porch and walkway twice!!!

Simon was not happy with the snow. I don't think he will be for awhile ;)

So tonight I decided to stay home and be cozy. I even brought out my stationery and postcards so I can write to friends and family.

“Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company.” ~Lord Byron

There's just something about writing a letter that means so much more than sending an email. I've been an avid letter writing for the past couple years and have had no complaints. Maybe you might be receiving one these from me. If  you want one please send me an email and I'll gladly write to you! Well, as long as you promise to write me back ;) Send me an email to artistic.avenger@gmail.com with your address and I'll start right away!

wintery nights

Man, is it super cold out in Chicago tonight! I hear that we will be getting so much snow on the ground....like an inch an hour throughout the day tomorrow. It almost sounds like Chicago will be experiencing another Snowmageddon. What better way than to stay at home in warm pjs, watching old movies, crocheting a baby blanket for a friend, and hot cocoa? This time it's a Mexican hot chocolate called Abuelita...

"Love is like swallowing hot chocolate before it has cooled off. It takes you by surprise at first, but keeps you warm for a long time." - Henri Frederic Amiel

puppets on a bike

There's this man that goes around downtown Chicago on his bike, come rain or shine, and he totes along his puppet show.
 

His hand painted stage is super cute and he always plays Roarin' 20s music. Whenever I see the puppet show on the street performing I have to stop for a minute, watch, and I always leave smiling. No matter how bad the day can be, the man with his magical puppets always make me smile...

Even though the "stage" gets vandalized, it still really cool to check out the amazing artwork.

All service ranks the same with God: With God, whose puppets, best and worst, Are we; there is no last nor first” - Robert Browning

Vince and Simon

It's always fun to watch Simon and Vince play :)

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself." - Josh Billings

All the pretty colors

There's just something about getting a fresh pack of colorful markers to brighten any day..

All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites. - Marc Chagall

Movie night

"No form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight of the soul." - Ingrid Bergman

It's a really cold night tonight. Instead of watching an award show I'd rather watch Japanese Animation ;-)

Yummy flavors

Ever have a day, or in my case a few days, where you feel stuck in a situation that isn't all entirely bad but still not exactly how you want things to end up??? Yeah, that was a mouthful, I know. There's just something about a great friend that knows just how to cheer us up when we are feeling down...

My friend Ali did just that. She brought me Crumbs MINI CUPCAKES!!!!!

"My soul has had enough chicken soup, now it wants cupcakes."

Lazy Fridays

I spent part of my day off today drinking tea and crocheting with my roommate Becca.

“A crocheted piece is the lovely manifestation of a thought, expressed through hand, heart, hook, and yarn.” – Francine Toukou

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Today is the first day of tall snow this year. Everything looks magical outside :)

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” John Ruskin

Good morning...

Before leaving for work this morning, on this beautifully warm day in January, this is what greeted me when I let Simon out...

Each morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure – that of being. -  Salvador Dali

My Christmas gift :)

I decided to dedicate this post to the special people in my life that have supported me with so much. I want to thank my family and friends that helped me get a new cell phone. I desperately needed a new one and this phone is actually a huge help when it comes to doing my personal art projects, such as this blog :)

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~ Oscar Wilde

Bulls, wings, and friends

Last night I went put with friends for 10¢ wing night and watched the Bulls game.
Even though Brandi and Landon live kind of far away they still made it out.

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look, which becomes a habit. - Peter Ustinov

Meaningful words found on the street

"Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting." - William Arthur Ward

Train ride

On my way to work I decided to take the Brown Line train today.

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine

Snuggle pup

I will say one thing, as grumpy a morning can be it is always nice to wake up next to a loving snugly dog named Simon :)

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras

Wanting to dream in colors

I haven't painted on canvas in a long time. I finally have the space to put up and easel along with some canvas the other day and decided to paint.

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.” Georgia O'Keeffe

Unfortunately I can't find any of my paintbrushes, hehe :-D

Remembering Abuelito

On December 30, 2011, my cousin's wife Aive lost her beloved Abuelito Juan A. Fuentes. Today was his funeral. During the repass I got a chance to take some photos of my family. This particular image means a lot to me.

Sometimes you gotta stop and remember that your not gonna live forever. Be young, think smart, stay true and just follow your heart. - Anon

Bus ride

Each day that I go to work I take the #81 Lawrence bus going East. Today the bus was kind of empty.

I did notice the woman that was sitting on the right side. She was wearing a crocheted had and a matching scarf. I thought it was beautiful...

When I got off the bus and on to my train platform I noticed a cracked glass wall that's covered with a metal grate. The pattern I saw were beautiful.

I may be bent, but not broken. Because if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. - Anon