The day we just existed

We went outside today after lunch without a plan, without much preparations, just here to the park outside our house. We sat on the grass, it was sunny, really sunny and hot. Marco had a coffee, I had camomile tea and Sean had boobie :-) He fell asleep soon on the blanket next to us. We felt he had a peaceful sleep, that kind they say is to sleep like a baby (I'm continuously wondering how could we make something so wonderful or better yet where did this miraculous person come from).

We didn't talk about the future, we didn't talk about the past, in fact we didn't talk much, we just stayed present and enjoyed the moment like a favorite series they would always film or a never ending macaroons box.

We witnessed nature, small plants, thorns plants, leaves, flowers, trees, us and seeing how we are all connected, organized and with a purpose we felt life is not accidental.

We got back home smiling and confident we hold all that beauty in ourselves, hoping to open more often the door to just being.

Love life

See inspiration + more goodies here

Thing-a-day: insights

February started with Thing-a-day, an awesome project I wanted to attend to for several years. It's ironic that I'm in just now when work time is very short, but maybe nothing is coincidental and the universe is trying to whisper something...

First discovery: the blunt truth is I'm still running against time, I'm still separating want from must.

There are moments during the day when I wish my son would be older and I could work or we could create something together. Then, in the evening when he falls asleep at my breast and I stroke his hand, when he's smiling in his sleep and breathing easily, I wish he stayed a baby forever and we could sing some more and dance some more and talk our sweet talk. It's then when I realize my struggle to make one thing or another is in vain, as we're already creating together the most beautiful stories and wonders day by day. And I feel I'm doing a good job!

This daily challenge also tells me I should create more and show less. Perhaps I'm proud to reveal just one of a hundred sketches, it may be just one drawing I would hang on the wall.

Thing-a-day reminded me I don't have a proper work space at home, but I wish for one with all my heart. That corner where among significant dear items, glimpses, colors and air thick with inspiration you sit, you inhale and feel you reached a star and caught it in the palm of your hand.
(No more waiting another day: I am happy to let you know that Marco is buying a desk and shelves as we speak, so the work space should come alive the next days.)

We made 10 thingies in 12 days so far, but we have an agenda filled with ideas and projects. No worries, if they're meant to materialize they will some day.

I'm proud to participate alongside enthusiasts who help making the world a better place by putting positive energy in their daily inventions. Also posting on Thing-a-day blog gets me feeling I've nothing to complain about working alone. I'm not alone, I've got wonderful colleagues I work with everyday!

Saturday evening with Hugh Grant

Well, he's one of my favorite actors or better said I love the characters he interprets and his movies are absolutely charming. I watch them every now and then and always get lifted believing that there is beauty and love in the world. And at the end of the movie, that easy mood that makes you say it's such a wonderful life after all.

Today I saw Two weeks notice, Love actually (great, great movie) and Four weddings and a funeral. The last got me tripping dreaming about one future day we'll be moving to London, about English roses, romantic rain and gathering with friends for tea, all in the rush of a big city + casual looks that simply say I'm OK you're OK...

LDN by kittenwear featuring flower jewelry

If you haven't seen it yet, I promise it's a delightful way to spend the evening (you could have your favorite beverage plus cookies with it). I wish you a great Sunday and leave you with the last scene of the movie - one of the best declarations ever:

Charles: Let me ask you one thing. Do you think - after we've dried off, after we've spent lots more time together - you might agree *not* to marry me? And do you think not being married to me might maybe be something you could consider doing for the rest of your life?
Carrie: I do.

A friendly way to start the weekend

New Hug for Christina

Hugging is scientifically proven to make us stronger, prettier, better. I could write a whole essay about it, but instead I dare invite you to hug the first person you see around.

The same group of scientific experts pointed out that kittn T-shirts make your day absolutely special.

A few of the many who dared:

Roxana

Andreea

Simona + her brother

The day we all smiled

We wanted to have some fresh air + a picnic so we went to Marechal Carmona Park. We sat on the grass and while we were enjoying a bit of sun, we saw a lady smiling at us. I waved and she came along with her son: they were Petra + Max.
Then, she sat with us and we talked that talk when thoughts and words come easily.
I don't know if it was just a brief connection or it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but I felt great.

That happened just after I was thinking there is rarely kindness between walkers by. Most people live under this pressure I-don't-know-who imposed, that the others may be potential enemies instead of assuming they are potential friends. Often, but what am I saying often it's practically every day, our paths cross and our eyes meet rather in emptiness than in grace and good intentions.

So I'm guessing the universe whispered hey, kittns, there is still hope for sympathy, tenderness and good will + our encounter would have never happened if I stayed home. I'm making a note to myself and you can take this advice too: go outside more, focus on the positive, be open.

Good people will come to you.

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Everything changes

Last year's Christmas paper tree upgraded with decorations from Bo3mia.com

Online, finally. We connected to a Hot Spot for now, it's starting with Friday that we'll have a permanent internet connection. kittns prepared a lemon tea and we're taking a trip through the mighty world wide web.

So how have you been? Have you enjoyed the New Year party? Well, we had ours in bed and here is how.

When I was a kid my biggest wish at New Year's was to stay awake for as long as I could, long enough to even see the reruns on TV, if possible. My eyes were closing as I was unfailingly falling asleep around 1 am each year. Good thing I was on at midnight!

Then, several years later I made it, I managed to stay awake. In my years as a party girl I could stay awake even more than 24 hours, the uncomfortable high heels helped anyway.

Time went by and here we are, present time. On December 31 we went to bed and we fell asleep a little before midnight. We held each other tight, just in case we couldn't kiss like sleepwalkers. I forgot about the TV shows, dancing and champagne, I never wanted so much to stay home and spend New Year's in bed. And sleep, by all means.

The next day we continued just as relaxed. Still in bed, as our pyjama party for three was awesome. Our kid smiled to us, we played with him, we sang, we studied our face expressions, we made plans, had doce de leite ice-cream (just Sean had plain milk :-) and had rounds of sleep.

And just like that we discovered new ways to enjoy the New Year's, of course with lots of love + positive thinking on our side. Welcome, 2012!

Mommy + daughter personalized T-shirts

The photo above is a glimpse of the new T-shirts we invented for Val mommy + Daria princess. Dear Val is expecting again and she wanted something to always symbolize their connection, to let her daughter know she is precious and unique.

Val is an artist herself and she does a lot of amazing things like working with a huge range of materials from clay to natural flowers for example, styling weddings, hosting creative workshops for kids + parents and many other wonders.

But why did we say new T-shirts? Well, it's because once in four years it happened: the first T-shirts got lost in the post. As we waited and waited and they still didn't find their way to Val, we've made others and changed the colors a bit, making them look even more cheerful.

But here are photos of the lost T-shirts:



We can't wait until they finally arrive... we can almost hear Daria's happy laughter and feel Val's joy when she hugs her.

And that's how the story goes, with a mommy and her beloved princess, adventures in Postland and kittns that work to make their amazing friends dreams come true...

How to make a baby blanket

Before revealing the surprise project I've been working on, I want to say a few words about the last hectic days.

So we finally found a home and we already moved some stuff especially my mobile kittn corporation, that's why I was there yesterday working but actually breathing, listening to the silence, enjoying time alone... have I already said breathing?

Needless to say yesterday passed in a second.

I felt very calm, comfortable, all in all having again those feelings of something being just right. Not mentioning I was very inspired and motivated to work!

The apartment is a small studio with a big kitchen that I can somehow separate in two, arranging a work space. It's not completely furnished yet so it will tke a while until everything is into place, but you know what I loved?

The sun shines there all day, the windows are as big as the walls + the light plays all day letting me enjoy a wonderful sunset at the end of each day, just like the little prince wished.

And speaking of a little prince, here's the latest invention: a bright colored (I told you I felt happy in the new home) baby blanket that can serve as a cover or as a play mat.



I calculated that being about 80 x 90 cm it will have 12 (20 x 30 cm) pieces of fabric accordingly so I cut + sewed them together.

I created the felt animals + hearts separately, then I stitched them onto the fabric. For the other (warm) side of the blanket I chose a very thick fleece piece in bright turquoise.

I sewed the parts together, then brought them on the right side and finally stitched a line along each side creating a firm margin.



So this is it, a very cute easy to make baby blanket. If you have any questions or wish to use the same patterns, drop us a line anytime and we'll e-mail you the instructions.

Kisses + hooray for freedom, joy and new homes!

Together T-shirt

We want to advance a new t-shirt following an idea we had over two years ago (wonderful model posing here), but because it's about being together + sharing love we think it's never out of fashion.

This time we painted using another technique for a watercolor softer look, we added tulle to make it more romantic, but we kept the felt heart you can fondle while thinking and waiting for your loved one.

Enjoy!

Nobody puts baby in a corner T-shirt

Let's make it a romantic weekend with a new T-shirt inspired by the one and only Dirty Dancing.

The movie had everything sweet and more: summer vacation love story, pretty dresses, awesome music + dancing, the wonderful performance of the late Patrick Swayze who uttered the now-classic line Nobody puts Baby in a corner meaning we're all free to pursue our goals and dreams. No matter if others call us idealistic or try to stop us, no dream is too big as no dreamer is too small.

So this weekend wave your hands up, sing or dance passionately if you still believe that generosity and honesty can conquer all, true love clearly exists and a wave of heat fills your heart when you imagine all your dreams can come true...

The most complete pregnancy guide

You are a miracle. Each second we live is a new unique moment that's not going to happen again... And what do we teach our children? We say two plus two equals four and Paris is the capital of France. When are we going to teach them what they are? We should have said to each one of them: you know what you are? You are a miracle. You are unique. There has never been a child like you, with the same legs, with your arms, your agile fingers or the way you move. You are able to become all that you want to be. Yes, you are a miracle. And when you grow up, would you really hurt another one like you, another miracle?
I found this introduction in an Anne Geddes book I bought on a huge sale on Saturday. I was so happy to finally own a glimpse of her work that I carried the book with the excitement as of discovering a precious treasure chest.
There is not much to say when it comes to miracles. You feel a miracle, you praise it, you dream about it and wonder. You just can't put much into words and that is why each time I wanted to write here about carrying a baby - moods, fun facts and even pregnancy eating habits - everything faded away making room just for life to go on and grow.
If you are already a mom you know, if you will be one you will know everything is a personal experience, an intimate journey. To all, I have one suggestion to make: listen to your bodies + inner voices + intuitions, they are the best manual you've got. Eat what you need to eat, wear what you want to wear, cry when you need to cry.
One of my best friends had her baby last week. It seems just yesterday we were in school. Now I look at her looking at him and I can see the miracle is there in her eyes too.
And it's only the beginning...

A few ideas on journeys + dreams

Hello kid.

Today I want to take you on a journey back to fantastic adventures, in a time when magic and possible existed as a daily reality, not only in fairy tales.

I want you to take a second and remember when we were kids we never feared that snow brick wall we built was going to fall down, we never worried the dolls we played house with were eventually going to break up. We just played, we just lived.

The only novel written for children

I read a brilliant book when I was about 13 (that's almost two decades ago). It's called In Desert and Wilderness and it tells us an ever true story of not giving up, of trusting one's will and strength. On the short, two kids are making a journey through mighty Africa, facing kidnapping, wild animals like gorillas, lions, leopards, diseases like malaria + many other sorts of dangers and obstacles which they surpass holding on to each other, believing they will make it.

Africa United movie

A few days ago I watched a rather similar (on the same conceptual level) movie which depicts the journey of five children from Rwanda all the way down to South Africa to take part in the opening show of the football world cup. In order to get there, they go through amazing adventures. Whether there are wild animals to escape from, people with shotguns or fatal diseases, nothing stops the group from succeeding. They all have dreams and they all know the only way is straight forward.

When you'll read + watch, you'll find out both book and movie also tell you what friendship really is.



Remember the time?

It's true, back when we were kids we just did everything with courage, enthusiasm and determination in a much serious manner than we do now when we call ourselves adults.

We couldn't tell what was good or bad, or even perceive the concept of impossible until grown-ups and society educated us. We just imagined things and then transformed them into reality. We cooked a rose petal jam + mud and were happy about it, without getting angry we couldn't eat it. We rocked a gymnastics championship on the block without thinking of the prize we would win. We built doll houses and played or hours both focused and relaxed, without needing cigarettes to feel so. We jumped and ran around all day, after each other, in teams, one leg up, sideways, backwards without owning a monthly subscription or expensive gear.

Please recall it without being nostalgic or sad, but with the belief we still have those drives and we can pass them on. First of all it's never too late to get back to dreaming and making it come true. Secondly, we have the chance to make it easier on our kids by putting aside the use of don't.

Understand the world we live in is just a series of convention and concepts. Everything is as real as we think/picture it is.

Can't you see?

We become adults just to wish we were kids again.

Once upon a time in August, a baby scan...

Hi superstars.

I've been so busy this week with boring necessary papers + documents baby related like medical stuff, social insurance & co, but I've been thinking about writing here all the time. So now you will read all about yesterday's adventure, all on a very personal level.

I finally had the second trimester morphology scan yesterday . As it turns out most doctors here in Portugal take the month of August off so I had to travel rather far, changing the train for the metro but it was worth it, cause surprise surprise there was the Zoo right across the clinic. The thing is it takes a whole day to visit it all, so I decided to leave it for another time. I spent nearly two hours though chilling in the small park at the entrance dreaming about my baby, being nervous watching fountains and monkeys and of course people.

The time had come, I went in to make the scan... With all due respect, if it wasn't for my serotonin happy mood, I would have probably had a big argument with the staff. They were such in a rush and lack of care as if Moms were there on an automatic assembly line, not for the miracle that was bringing a human being into this world. You know me, I always see the full half of the glass, so I escaped their gloomy energy and focused on meeting the baby.

I couldn't see much on the screen though, I told you they were hasty + no one was explaining. But through that cloud of rapidly moving shadows and thick air, I heard a voice:

E um rapaz! (it's a boy)



I think my levels of hormones, conscience, unconscious, blood flow, electromagnetic waves (and other useless terms when it comes to living moments like these) went through the rooftop anyway as I imagined how my boy was cuddling there in my belly, being with me all this time, every second of it.

You know those people you see in the bus or subway, they're smiling uncontrollably+ their eyes sparkle and you think they're crazy? Well, they're not, they're just happy. I smiled all the way back in the train, I couldn't help it. It was unique.

M. and I both thought of girls names, so I prepared a surprise. On my way to his work I went to H&M, said goodbye kitty for now and bought a very first (not pink) baby t-shirt.

(By the way I was thinking who made this separation - girls equal rose + glitter, boys equal blue + dragons - it's a bit of a nonsense, don't you think? Why shouldn't my boy wear glitter? We're all stars anyway. And my favorite color is blue, I love dragons, but I'm not a boy. Hm, whatever.)



Yeah, so I took the small t-shirt out of my pocket and I watched Marco's face. He was still as a statue, but then I realized he needed something to lean against... He was overwhelmed, maybe more than me cause you know we are the strong ones! :-)

We had lunch on a bench by a small creek. We stayed mostly silent, afraid not to wake up from the sweetest dream.

Do you remember I was telling you I didn't fully realize what was going on some months ago? Well, everything feels more and more real. And when I say real I mean this wonderful boy that picked me to be his Mom... Who is it going to be? How is it going to be?

I look at my bump knowing he's there inside and I wonder does my heart really beat for you child, or is it really you giving me life?

Hands up if you'd work with him

The t-shirt: painted (three layers) with textile hypoallergenic acrylics (without solvents).

The previous: here and here

The model: the one & only Marco (I first made a glorious breakfast, then he agreed).

The camera: please ceiling cat, I want a new one.

Note: no kittns were harmed during this photo session.

Goodbye, Portugal!

Hello friends.

Here at kittn we always start a new week with a bomb, be it an inspiration boom or big news + decisions. So, get comfortable, take a deep breath cause here it comes... we are moving to London!

Needless to say I am a bit afraid, maybe of the unknown + the fact that we've got two cents in our pockets, no housing and a baby on the way, but more than that I am very excited by the new beginning and can't wait to explore and discover.

Now allow me to go a bit back in time and say that this time last year I decided to leave Portugal as I couldn't find my place here... I know, it sounds weird but I've learned to trust my intuition. If I have to rationalize though, I could tell you bluntly that landscapes are great, but the social and economic life aren't.
Then, Marco and I were blessed to meet, so we lived here a bit more. Most of the times we went through a soap opera-like reality on the others part, at times we felt very sad and angry, but I guess everything made us even more crazy courageous.

Back to the present, I'm ready to pack my bags again and look in front. Like always, aside from the few stuff that I have (but lots of memories) I will throw in trust + confidence + love, all in a light spirit.

Thank you for reading my daring life story, I hope kittns will always have your support.

Love,

Cristina

Brand new day, free card

You know by now to save the card, then send it or collect it.

Start your week with crazy courageous optimism!

So many people to hug, so little time

At a job interview:
- What salary are you thinking of, the employers would ask.
- Well, I just need each day to be heartfelt and humanly sincere, I would reply.
- Is that it?
- Yes, I will work for hugs.

Available here.

Free bunnies card

Hi. Let's start this week by saying something sweet to someone we love. But wait, it should be so supercalifragilistic sweet that you would nearly be afraid to declare it...

See you soon, ...honeys.

Freebies!

In this post I am glad to present you some e-cards that I've been drawing... not only they are very cute but they're absolutely free!
You can safely save them in your computer (good old fashioned right click, save image as) and send them to your loved ones: so far you have three friendship/love cards and a thank you note, but there will be more to come, I promise.
Meanwhile, you can leave your feedback about the freebies or even if you have ideas of your own that you want to illustrate.
Come on, let's bring a smile to someone today! :-)