Spring in Toronto

Spring is finally here and city is filled with colorful blossoms.

Neighbor's cat; I often see her downstairs. She likes to sit and play outside.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all moms! Our best critic, yet our strongest supporter ;)

Two froggies I made for my mom!

I've used:

Polymer clay + A swarovski rheinstone + Acrylic paint + wire + Ceramic lily pad

Modern bedroom ideas

You probably don't remember this photo of our bedroom back in 2010. 

I decorated the naked walls with some artworks and small shadow boxes.

 Some of the illustrations are my work and some are the work of my favorite artists.

Two of my watercolor paintings + A papercut by me + An exotic shell that I've framed in Ikea's shadowbox + A little terracotta incense burner

My watercolor birdie + "Love" illustration by talented Helen Dardik + "Kidney for ginger hair" by wonderful Natasha Mileshina of Bubbo + A shadowbox featuring my papercuts and an art brooch by "Juliepollen".

Wire Blooms: Decorative cable clips (I bought them from Ebay)

Whale papercut wall art: Made by me from paper, confetti and blue transparent paper

I bought this pretty birdie brooch from Joliepollen shop on Etsy back in 2009. 

It's so well-made and delicate that I didn't felt like using it as a brooch,

 instead I framed it. Those botanical papercuts are my design 

and I think the whole thing came together nicely :o)

This is the work of one of my all time favorite artists "Mónica Calvo".

We bought these shells from a wonderful shop in 5th Avenue (Playa del Carmen, Mexico).

The shop was full of amazing shells, big and small from all over the world.

Here are my pebbles, all in one place! That felt pink poppy is a brooch, handmade in Russia by

very talented and sweet Elena of "Roltinica".

More miniature veggie magnets

I made some new veggie magnets for my mom's fridge.

She loves magnets, especially the vegetable ones!

A little story for you ♥

Soon they'll go to their new home visiting their old veggie friends.

Objects

A new hand painted pebble +

  an old doodle +

a lovely Belgium stamp +

a new necklace design (will be added to the shop soon!)

Hand painted by me on a pebble

I've used: Acrylic colors + Micron pen 005

Cobalt blue jewelry

I adore blue gems, but their deeper hues always grab my attention. They are mysterious and calming. They remind of deep night sky, moonlight and shiny stars.

This is a little collection of cobalt blue jewelry. Hope you enjoy!

~

This collection is available in my Etsy shop.

My husband Suma has a great collection of coins and stamps. Whenever I want to make a collage or style my jewelry, I go through his treasures! :o)

Cobalt blue pebbles

My new set of painted pebbles; for the love of cobalt blue.

I've used : Acrylic paints + Sakura micron pen 005

♥ Which one is your favorite?

They are tiny!

Pressed leaves

A few leaves from my big collection of pressed leaves.

Some of these are from 10 years ago.

Super moist Banana Bread

I made this yummy Banana Bread this morning.

It's been over a month that I try to eat "Clean". At first it may seem like a real challenge. But it gets easier and easier as you find new alternatives. This is a great recipe for anyone who is interested in "Clean eating".

* I used milk instead of oil and used whole eggs, not just egg whites. It turned out great!*

Happy Persian New Year!

Another year has passed and again another Nowruz is here.

 Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.

I would like to wish you a wonderful Persian New Year (Nowruz). Hope this new year brings you joy, health and prosperity ♥
! نوروز مبارک

This is my little Haft Sīn! Probably you remember the ones from the previous years.

Haft Sîn (Persian: هفت سین‎) or the seven 'S's is a major traditional table setting of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian spring celebration. The haft sin table includes seven items starting with the letter 'S' or Sīn (س) in the Persian alphabet.

The Haft Sīn items are:

✿ Sabzeh – wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish – symbolizing rebirth

✿ Samanu – a sweet pudding made from wheat germ – symbolizing affluence

✿ Senjed – the dried fruit of the oleaster tree – symbolizing love

✿ Sīr – garlic – symbolizing medicine

✿ Sīb – apples – symbolizing beauty and health

✿ Somaq – sumac berries – symbolizing (the color of) sunrise

✿ Serkeh – vinegar – symbolizing age and patience.

This pretty container is a gift from my lovely sis. It's a handmade Persian antique piece.

Those sweets on top are handmade by me. In Iran we call them "Tout" which means "Berry". They are very easy to make. I will write a post on how to make them, hopefully very soon :o)

That little tile is handmade in "Isfahan", a city of Iran that is famous for its legendary tile works. It's a gift from my lovely friend Raheleh! xo