Skills from Brazil

I spent this Saturday with my sister-in-law, who happens to be from Brazil.  She doesn't speak much English, and my Portuguese vocabulary is extremely limited (mostly consisting of pickup lines), so we did a lot of activities that don't require much conversation.

One of our first activities was glass bead making.  That required a translator.  It was really fun.  I had one yellowish clear glass rod that apparently turns a pretty, deep red when fired.  Who knew?!  She make four beads and I made two.  I have been trying propane gas instead of MAPP gas this time, because some people say it works as good and it's about half the price.  I've read that it burns "dirtier" and sometimes leaves residue on your glass.  It's true... The irony is that the residue it left on one of my glass beads today actually looks really cool.  Oh, also note the manicure I am sporting, another little gift from Paula.
 

This is the "clear" that turned a lovely blood red.

Here's a closeup to let you see the residue my fuel was leaving, which actually works with the bead.  :)

  Paula also taught me how to crochet/embroider flowers.  This is a skill I have never had, and I felt like an awkward little five year old who doesn't have fine motor skills when I tried to do it.  However, it was great fun.  After she left I tried what she taught me.  My snuggie was lying around, so it got to be the guinea pig.  She also taught me how to crochet flowers.  I was going to try to write instructions, but you'll just have to settle for pictures because I don't think I could explain it.

This is a photo of me beginning the weave.  All you do is weave your yarn under over under, etc, around the little star you made (also say hello to a piece of my hair I was apparently weaving in as well).

My Snuggie, customized.