About Me

Vant to know more about the Van Zalez?  If you've stumbled onto this page, this is where I attempt to describe myself in further detail. 

I am exploring this World of Blogging, a fascinating and dynamic place.  I try to keep my posts light-hearted and fun.  The name of the blog came about by attempting to describe my shopping style, be it retail or thrift.

Gardening has been part of my life since childhood.  I took care of the front-yard roses at my parent's house.  My mom didn't find an interest in that but my grandmother did.  Don't traits skip generations?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?   "Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

Throughout my teens and early 20s, I played the French horn in the school concert and marching band.  In 1977, I toured as first chair with the month-long European tour of America's Youth in Concert.

After that, I learned to play the violin.  I purchased a well-made 1920s Czechoslovakian violin and a blue-velvet lined case.  My father and I drove into the heart of downtown Seattle once a week so I could take private lessons.

After a move to Arizona, I auditioned with the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra with the hopes of going on another European tour.  Even though the tour never came together, I was a violinist with that orchestra for several years.

On the crafting front, I began embroidery work as a child, tackled cross-stitch and needlepoint, and hooked rugs (when that was all the rage). I alter doll and people-sized garments on occasion. On the quilting front, my favorite part of that is assembling completed quilt blocks into finished quilts. 

I have earned two honorable mention awards in the crafts division at the California State Fair. I currently have a Patchwork Cupcake with seed bead frosting entered in the special crafts division for the 2024 fair. 

I have been an active seller on eBay for the past few years at tam_gonza. The store being GOA. I dabble in sales on Etsy as TikiTamiProducts.

You can contact me at tvonzalez@gmail.com.

Yours Truly ~ Forever at Play

California 1967