Musica latina

I've been craving Latin American music lately - getting back to my roots, I guess. I have only just started researching but so far, I love Shakira's* second Spanish album, Carlos Vives*, and a few titles from the Putumayo series: I love the "Colombia" collection (my maternal country of origin!), "Women of latin America" (awesome) and "Latin Lounge" (very groovy).
*both Colombian artists as well

Having been raised in English Canadian society, I've never really been very much in touch with my latin roots - too concerned with trying to fit into anglo culture (during my adolescence, anyway). Listening to some of these recordings, though has really affected me - like messages from home, or something...

Anyway, not to sound too heavy, I'm just definitely going to check out some more latin music. Putumayo has some great brazilian and afro-cuban stuff that looks wonderful. And, in the spirit of going back to one's roots, I'd also like to check out Italian Café. Not to offend any of my fellow Italians out there, but so far the Italian music that I have been exposed to (aside from renaissance and baroque music) has been a total cheese fest. I'd like to find some that is more organic-sounding (ie. no syrupy ballads, or macho anthems). Any suggestions?

Peace
j

Plans for the next few weeks

As I mentioned earlier, I currently work as an admin assistant through a temp agency. I've been doing these kinds of jobs for several years. It isn't work that I am exactly passionate about, but it does pay decently, and I've been most fortunate to have a really nice group of people to work with. That said, it has been eight months, and I have built a little nest-egg, therefore I will be not be seeking an extension to my contract (gee, could I sound any more like an office person? Gah!).

The point of this schpeel, kids, is that I'll have more time to work on my crafty-designy, e-bay, arty, bloggy stuff. I realize that I haven't posted in quite a while, but I promise that I will after August 15th (ie. my last day of work).

Stay tuned y'all!

Y'all?

jd

Oh, and here are some babies that I crocheted. You can find the pattern here

New addition?

Hee hee. It's been a while. There you have it.

Anyhew, so I've been working on several things, but I'm at work and all of my images are at the computer at home, so I'll post some stuff about Blythe.

Okay, so I pretty much thought that I had finished purchasing dolls. When I was working another boring office job, I filled the emptiness inside with lots of e-bay dollies such as Dawn, Crissy, Barbie, Sindy, Strawberry Shortcake, tons of sewing patterns...you get the idea. Anyway, it all got to be somewhat more than only a little bit much, so during my hiatus last year (I take a few months off each year from office work - it's the only way I'm able to tolerate it) I sold off a bunch of my goodies on e-bay. Most of them were just sitting in boxes so it was great to lighten my load. Never again, quoth I... Until I saw this baby:

Is she not just gorgeous? her outfit, hair, purse, and doe are custom made by Jam Fancy, who is a fabulous seamstress and artist. Do check out her blog!! Anyway, this girl won a Blythe design competition, and deservedly so. I mean, just look at that darling crocheted hat!! She is going to be produced as a limited edition, isn't that awesome? Seeing JF's beautiful dolls has stirred an insatiable desire in me to acquire one of these lovelies, myself. I'm thinking about this pretty gal:

She's a reproduction made by Hasbro for the Ashton-Drake galleries (or is that the other way around ??) and I think she's just lovely. Her dress is very me, I must say - I love those groovy caftan-esque dresses:

Here's another:

Quite sweet in auburn, too. I can just see myself making little outfits, styling their hair, or making mohair wigs... *sigh* I'm such a girl!

Yay for dollies.