Diane Knott's Musings

Drying Roses....

2012-01-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

What a lovely, sunny weekend we've had.
Yesterday I did laundry in the morning.
It's such a treat to create freshly washed linens.

Then in the afternoon we went to Panera for
lunch with gift cards our daughters and son-in-law
gave us. Toddled over to Michaels for new yarns
to make a throw for our bedroom, and then
off to Barnes & Noble where I purchased the
newest edition of Quilting Arts magazine.
Jane Davila of Quilting Arts interviewed me
about 2 months ago for an art licensing
article and it is in this one!
I feel so honored that Jane contacted me,
and doubly honored because I share the
stage, so to speak, with three very well-
known and accomplished artists:
Claudine Hellmuth, an artist friend that
I've known for quite a few years. Many
of you probably recognize Claudine's name
from her collage art and craft products;
Lucie Summers, a printmaker, who I have
not had the pleasure of meeting or getting
to know yet; and Tracie Lyn Huskamp,
mixed media artist and author of the
book, "Nature Inspired", which I was
given by my daughter, Holly.

Today was spent painting in my studio
and crocheting this afternoon while
watching cooking shows on PBS.

This evening, on tap:
DOWNTON ABBEY!

I hope you have all had a nice
weekend also!

Here's what I made with the scraps....

2012-01-24T11:12:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:

2 pieces of tulle
Rainbow colored crinkled rayon ribbon
1 small crocheted doily
Yarn scraps in rainbow colors
White feathers
Rainbow colored tiny star glitter
Lavender
1 medium sized MOP button

Tuck in your lingerie drawer.
Mmmmmm!

Silly me! Look what I've been saving......

2012-01-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

Yarn snips and white pillow feathers.
What should I do with them?
Any ideas?
Here's mine:
I'm going to encapsulate them inside of a
tulle heart and add lavender.
What do you think?

As I've been crocheting, I had been throwing
away the ends I've snipped off. But one
evening I took a look at the little pile of
scraps and couldn't help but notice how
pretty they looked all scrunched together
in a random jumble of rainbow colors!
And the feathers have been escaping
from one of our pillows!
So I have a little bag of them now and
when I have time, I think that's exactly
what I'll do...encase them for "posterity".
Well, at least for "pretty".
I'm just sorry I tossed the rest.
I'm thinking...embroidery threads....and
little paper snippets too!
Wonder what other scraps of other fibers
I might have.....?
I think I'll stop short of unraveling my
sweaters. ;-)

Roses and Sunshine

2012-01-23T07:08:00.001-08:00

Sunshine sent to us by some dear people.
What a delight on a cloudy, winter day!

And...a rose from my Special Guy.
Actually, a posy of three roses discovered on
my pillow Saturday night.
:-)

Cream and Silver....

2012-01-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

Cream with caramel!

Imagine the skill needed to crochet this insert.
Not only does the gauge have to be correct,
but the top and bottom of the design aren't
directly opposite each other, so the woman who
crocheted this needed to adjust where she
sewed the edging to make it meet the points
perfectly. It's not just a skill, this is ART.

Think art isn't a worthwhile course in our
schools? Think again. An artist designed
this silver tray. An artist also designed the
chair you're sitting on, the car you're
driving, the clothes you're wearing, the pictures
on your wall, your dishes and flatware, and
the list goes on and on.

If your children want to study art, let them,
encourage them! Don't let your school
boards cut their art programs.

Artists don't always end up starving in
garrets! The opportunities are endless.

Pure Delishiousness

2012-01-16T04:57:00.000-08:00

I collect vintage picnic baskets and they sure
come in handy when I have a project I want
to tote around.
Doesn't this look like a child's box of crayons!
Pure delight and deliciousness!

I like the picnic baskets with lids because I can
stack them one on top of the other.
It also is nice for keeping things dust-free -
things like fabric and this yarn.

But this is a project that I carry and put next
to my comfy chair while I work on it.
It's so handy to be able to choose a color
from it and then tuck it back inside,
still visible for when I choose it again.

Of course, I'll be showing pics of the
project! But...it's for someone who
reads my blog! ;-)

What are you doing today?
We're back from a weekend with our
daughter, Holly, and her husband so
it's a back-to-work in the studio
day for me after baking this
morning.

FINISHED!

2012-01-13T12:14:00.001-08:00

This is the largest one I've ever crocheted. It fits
on a double bed and hangs over a little too.
I ruffled the edges and love, love, love the
way it turned out!

Pins and needles and hearts....

2012-01-12T05:37:00.000-08:00

Tiny, punched-out hearts, folded, glued
together back-to-back with a golden thread
slipped between them at the fold line.
Sweet to hang on a white, painted tree branch
on a table for Valentine's Day.

Below, punched-out, scalloped-edged oval
with a folded heart. Glued along the
fold line to the oval. Hung with the same
golden string. Sweet gift tag or decoration
on cabinet door knobs....

Choose the prettiest, pastel papers you
can find.

Pins and needles have found a home on my
apple made from vintage ticking and new
cotton gingham, edged with a blanket
stitch and feather stitch....

Just the tiniest shiny little tart pan pincushion...
crochet work by me...
a diminutive pink flower and crinkled rayon
ribbon on top of a lace "flower"....

Another folded heart...
It's almost Valentine's Day!

I think I need to make more!

It's the beginning of a dreary Thursday
morning in PA with snow in the forecast
for tonight. I hope so!

The plan: to spend the day in the studio
painting while my agent is off to Atlanta
having meetings with our clients and
potential clients so all this art can find
its way onto products. :-)

Happy Thursday!
What are YOU doing today?
Are you having snow too?

Why my studio is always messy.....

2012-01-11T05:36:00.000-08:00

Because I have a lot of toys! ;-)
Crayons!
No one should ever outgrow playing with crayons!
I didn't! ;)

Acrylic paints.
Mostly I use watercolors.
But looking at this grunged-up palette of acrylics
makes me want to pull them out of my
cupboard again and slap them onto some canvas.

Colored pencils!
Can't do without them!
They're the perfect traveling companions.

Pastels.
These are simple pan pastels that I use only
once in awhile.
I also have a box of oil pastels too.
Quite the messy medium for sure!

Of course: erasers!
I probably use these the MOST of anything
else in my studio.
;-)
Nobody's perfeckt.

Look what I found in my soup.....

2012-01-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

I'll let the parsley do the talking.
;-)

Here's proof....

2012-01-08T06:54:00.001-08:00

That I really have been working and that when I
am, things just get messy very quickly! LOL!
And it's one reason why I didn't join in the studio
tour with my fellow artist friends this week!
The rest of the room is a shambles!

But it's a creative mess and according to a little
quote:
"A creative mess is better than tidy idleness".

Happy Sunday!
Downton Abbey is on tonight!!

What do YOU collect?

2012-01-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

Well, you all know I love little boxes.
These are just a few of mine.
The one above on the right is special to me
because it belonged to my dear mother-in-law.

The one on the left is a present from my
Hubby. :-)

I think I'd like to begin another collection.
Hearts this time.
The one below is one I made and I also
designed the stitchery on top of it.

The stitchery pattern for "I Love to Sew" will
soon be available for sale on
Squigglefly!

I've decided for now not to open my own shop
but to continue to sell the stitcheries I've
already created in our Etsy shop.
But all my new designs will be sold by
Squigglefly.

You can use the pattern to make a little
pincushion like mine. Or maybe stitch it onto
a pillow or needle holder. I hope you enjoy
stitching, whatever you make with it!

So...what do YOU collect????

Busy but relaxed.....

2012-01-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolution:
DE-stress whenever possible.
Prescription:
Crochet.
Project: Afghan for my daughter, Danielle.

No, it's not fancy. It's a granny rectangle.
But there's a reason for "not fancy".
Stress-free. Fun. Automatic. Busy work.
And oh-so-comforting.
And I know it will be loved and appreciated.

DOWNTON ABBEY UPDATE!

2012-01-04T14:41:00.001-08:00

Our newspaper just did an article about
Downton Abbey and guess what!

There will ALSO be a
SEASON THREE!!!

:-)

Who else is watching it???

2012-01-02T12:57:00.001-08:00

On PBS, of course! They just don't DO quality
filming like this on the major and cable networks.

The concluding episodes begin here this coming
Sunday evening on Masterpiece Theater and
we can't wait!!
If you loved any of the Jane Austen presentations,
you'll LOVE this!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS!

2011-12-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

STAY COMFY AND WARM!

2011-12-26T04:59:00.001-08:00

I hope the holiday rush is over for you
and that you can snuggle up under a quilt in
your favorite comfy chair with a good book,
a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate,
and enjoy the rest of the week
sans stress!

My comfy chair is all decked out in
holiday colors. My basket of yarns is at
my side, a mystery novel at the ready,
but....only for evenings.
Art licensing calls this morning!
So it's back to the paints for me and
I'm looking forward to painting the
calendar image I need to complete
the project. Then on to another one!
I'm blessed to love my job.
I hope you are too if you have to go
back to the daily grind today.

I've had my "daily grind" already -
a cup of Starbucks brewed in our
French press. And on the side we
had pumpkin scones from our own
oven....
Jazzed and ready to go!
Merry Christmas!

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!!

2011-12-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

A very Merry Christmas to all
of my blogging friends!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday.
Be safe on the roads and in the air.

And go ahead and indulge in goodies
for a few days!
You deserve it!

Blessings!
Big Hugs,
Diane

What I discovered today.....

2011-12-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

Clara Bella

Go over to see some delicious eye candy
stitching!
You'll be delighted and....
INSPIRED!

And....

paysdemerveille.canalblog.com

Another crocheted edge technique!

2011-12-14T09:52:00.001-08:00

This is another way to add a crocheted edge to a
fabric. Poking holes in fabric with a crochet hook
is really difficult unless it is a woven fabric such as
linen, or in my last post, burlap, among other wovens
that have a looser thread count than the cottons
shown above. Plus, on the item above, I have a layer
of eyelet and a layer of lace folded over that on the
edge. (I can't show you more because it's a
Christmas present for someone dear.)

So, how did I crochet the edge?
I took the crochet thread that I was going to use on
the crocheted edging itself, doubled it up and used
a large needle with a large eye and did a simple
blanket stitch all along the edge of this item.
Then, I began crocheting by hooking my initial
single crochet stitches UNDER the blanket
stitches! And I just kept going around with my
decorative edging stitch until I was happy
with it.
I had always wondered how they did that!
I can't remember where I saw this technique
but I'm glad I found it!
Using a teeny, tiny steel crochet hook on finer
fabrics that don't have all these layers might
work to poke holes as you go along, but I
haven't tried it, as using the finer hooks and
threads easily isn't my forte'. I've even
pulled my magnifier out. I probably won't
give up, but in the meantime, as long as
this pleased me....I'm happy!

I hope this helps you too!
Try it and let me know!

Crocheting on Burlap

2011-12-13T05:25:00.001-08:00

Yes! You CAN! You can crochet on the edge
of burlap!
Cut out your piece of burlap, making sure you
cut along the threads evenly on all your edges.
Then machine stitch about 3/8" away from the
edges.
You'll need a small crochet hook and a not-
too-thick thread. I used a #3.
Turn back the edge of the burlap using the
machine stitched line as your folding guide.
Then just poke your crochet hook into the
spaces between the warp and weft threads
(I left about 3 threads between each poke)
and do a simple blanket crochet stitch
all around. The blanket stitch is just a
single crochet where you make the
loops extend into the fabric as you see
in the above photo. There's probably a
crocheting term for this but heck if I
know what it is! LOL! I just figured
out how to do it by looking at other's
crochet work.
Once you get that stitched all around,
you can do any decorative edging stitch
you want by hooking into the sc you
created.
I did two rows of sc, then a row of dc
with a chain between each, then I did
5 chains and skipped a dc and then I
did 7 sc in each chain of 5 all around.

The random pieces you see laid on top
of the burlap are test pieces I did in
two thread weights. They'll go around
some peat pots.

I just love the creamy colored burlap!

Have you Crochet and Jane Austen Fans Seen This?

2011-12-11T13:01:00.001-08:00

Oh my!
I saw it in B&N!
Oh!!!!
Tonight "Cranford" is on our PBS station!

Oh....those clothes!
Don't I wish we could still dress like that!
*sigh*
I "NEED" this crochet book!
Santa, are you reading my blog?
;-)

Crochet Edgings for Peat Pot Pincushions

2011-12-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

This is what I've been doing - crocheting edgings
for peat pot pincushions. Now I just need to
paint the pots - this week sometime.
Today is a lazy day!
Back to my crochet hooks to try to master
some more stitches.

I hope you have a relaxing Sunday even though
it's such a busy season. That's why I decided
that today is a day to do nothing but chill.
Chill being the operative word because it
was only 8 degrees here in PA this morning.

Yes, hot chocolate is warming as I type!
Keep warm, inside and out, friends!

Thank you, Everyone.....

2011-12-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

For all of your help and suggestions on
how to handle the thread twisting problem.

The "spindle" didn't work.
I'm so sorry, Magpie's Mumblings.
But I DID discover that using an old
mill spool works great for holding
other spools of thread while
crocheting! So THANK YOU
for that idea!

Cutting the thread into a shorter length
and allowing it to dangle free DOES
work, as long as I know how long to cut
it so I don't run out and need to join it
with another length.

Hopefully, Coats & Clark will be able to
solve this problem because the thread is
very lovely.

In the meantime, I'm crocheting snowflakes
with plain off-white thread and also
making edgings for some of the projects
that I've wanted to embellish.

Crocheting is VERY relaxing!
If you've never crocheted before, I really
urge you to find someone to teach you
how because it is EASY to learn and
there are so many uncomplicated
designs you can do stress-free!

I am SO encouraged by seeing the
recent upswing in Women's Crafts!
Crafts that could have been forgotten
in this age of technology.
All one has to do is become a blog
visitor or an addict of Pinterest to see
how many women are back into the
"Home Arts"! It warms my heart to
see this companionable exercise
being shared by so many of us.

Please take the time to post here
and tell me what kinds of home arts
YOU are doing!!! We'd all love to
hear about it!

Beautiful and delicate vintage crochet

2011-12-10T11:15:00.001-08:00

Only in my dreams could I do this!
To give you an idea of the delicacy of
these crochet stitches, the little
mother-of-pearl buttons are barely
1/4" in size!
It's a piece a woman would have sewn to
the front of her dress, down from the
neckline. I'm imagining it is probably
from the 1st quarter of the 20th century.

RESPONSE FROM COATS & CLARK ABOUT METALLIC THREAD PROBLEM.....

2011-12-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your recent inquiry about using the metallic crochet threads.

This is a problem our technicians are working to resolve. Apparently when the metallic wrap is added to the cotton thread base, it causes the thread to overtwist, which makes it kink when worked with. While our spinners are working on a solution, we've found it helps to place a rubber band around the ball periodically, hold the work up, and let the strand and the ball untwist.

I've decided to not try this solution, as it will
interrupt the rhythm of my hand as it creates
the loops.
Instead, I'm just going to use this pretty thread
for gift wrapping twine until they come up with
a better solution.
I think they should twist both the metallic fiber
and the cotton thread at the same time so that
the twist is even with both.
Oh well....until then....
gift wrap twine it is!

Crocheting Problem....HELP!

2011-12-08T11:39:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to crochet flowers and snowflakes
with Coats & Clark, Aunt Lydia's Metallic 10
crochet thread and it's horrible!

It twists back into itself and creates kinks
and there is NO way to UNtwist it.
I wrote to Coats & Clark and asked for
advice. No reply.
Not good PR on their part.

Have any of you used this thread?
It's pretty. I chose the gold shade with the
gold metallic filament running through it.
Any suggestions on how to prevent this
continued, tightened, twisting???

I even tried wrapping it around a card but
the same thing happened as I wound it.

Other than using it for tying packages
and using it for tags, the spool won't be
made into anything. :-(

One more Crafting Fun Site - Christmas Stuff!

2011-12-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Sugar Lump Studio s

For some Christmas crafting fun......

2011-12-06T05:13:00.000-08:00

Elvie's Studio

Needles and Pins

2011-12-05T04:52:00.001-08:00

More heart pincushions being stitched...

Tea Time Teapot Hot Pad....

2011-12-02T07:11:00.001-08:00

If you would like to purchase the stitchery pattern
for this teacup, please email me and I'll give you
my Paypal info.
The pattern would be for the stitchery only, not
instructions on how to make the hot pad nor for
the crocheted edging.

Also available if you email me, is the "I Love
to Sew" stitchery pattern below. No instructions for how
to sew the pincushion are included - stitchery only.

Both patterns would be sent to you in jpg form.
They're $3.00 each.

I LOVE TO SEW

2011-12-01T07:26:00.000-08:00

More of what I've been doing while I've been
AWOL from blogging...making heart
pincushions with hand embroidery.
I designed the font and traced it onto
light-colored fabrics and then embroidered
it with a backstitch and one strand of
floss.

I haven't written the directions yet, but this
might make it into the patterns I hope to
be able to sell soon.
Yes, I've been dragging my feet when it comes
to writing the patterns, as they have to be clear
and easy to follow, and it's my least favorite
part of sewing - pattern writing.
I'm much happier just sewing! lol
Maybe the pattern writing elves will visit
my house this Christmas.
*sigh*

I've been busy!

2011-11-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

And that's why you haven't seen much of me lately.
I've been painting, sewing, cooking, visiting and
getting ready for the holidays.
Above is a petite pincushion I made from a shiny,
fluted tart pan with vintage materials.
Below is a close-up of the top. Whoever embroidered
the pretty design used silk thread.
It's sweetly sewn by a lady from the past...

I have been making the heart pincushions and
placing them on small, wooden pedestals.
Several will be for sale at Bearly Enough soon.

So this is why I haven't been visiting your
blogs lately and I miss you!

Christmas Sparkles....

2011-11-29T14:46:00.000-08:00

It's glittery...

It shines...

And it glows...

Peat Pot Scrap Storage Idea

2011-11-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

For all those tiny scraps of paper you can't just
throw away! Punch out different shapes and
save them in the little peat pot trays!
Hubby painted mine with latex paint to make
them look aged.

And...a BELATED HAPPY THANKSGIVING to
all of my blogging friends!
We've been visiting our daughter and son-in-law
for a wonderful couple of days of great company
and excellent cooking by Paul!

We've had a restful Black Friday.
On the drive home we passed by the mall and
left all the craziness there! ;-)
At home we had a hot vanilla coffee, unpacked
and now are putting our feet up. Good books
on the coffee table, cheese and crackers to
nibble, wine in the fridge...
life is good and we are grateful.
God bless everyone.

Fun finds to make things with and to just display

2011-11-21T06:49:00.001-08:00

Old tin graters - just part of my tinware goodies
that I collect. The pitcher is a repro.
I just love homey things.

These little tin tart pans were a recent find.
I don't know how old they are because they
don't look as if they were used. They're from
Sweden and I plan to make Christmas decorations
from them. I already made the tiniest little
pincushion from one of the round ones that
aren't shown.

Tags....just a little something....

2011-11-20T09:20:00.001-08:00

A few snippets from my studio yesterday...
Bits of torn, aged linen for ties,
simple punched shapes aged on the
edges, glitter here and there...

And a faux feather inspired by Karen's
blog.

I wanted to share a sweet blog with you!

2011-11-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

Bustle and Sew

Enjoy!!!

Tags to tuck in with Christmas cards.....

2011-11-19T08:08:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was a busy day around here.
I painted for most of the day and then baked
three batches of scones to freeze:
cranberry orange almond
pumpkin almond
and
pumpkin walnut.
Then we warmed up supper from the rest of
the chicken croquettes I had made the day
before. And I actually had some time left to
make these little tags that I'll tuck in with
Christmas cards this year. More on the
agenda for today!

I really like working with my Cuttlebug and
the variety of punches that I've bought!

Buttons! I'm always on the lookout for
buttons! And for ribbon when it's on
sale at Michaels and JoAnn's!

And those 40% off coupons for new punch
and Cuttlebug die designs are great!

I hope you all have a nice weekend!
Lots of Christmas open houses this weekend!
Have fun!

How to make a simple star garland

2011-11-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

What you'll need:
A star punch or star die for your cutting machine
1/8" wide ribbon
Metallic or glittery paper or card stock
Paper glue

I used a copper metallic paper but I plan to make
more with some silver glitter paper I have and also
in red and green holiday patterned designs.

All you have to do is punch out an equal number
of stars, depending on the length of the ribbon
garland you want to make. I used a sheer copper
metallic ribbon.
Make a loop at the ends of your ribbon so you will
be able to hang it from a hook or tree branch.
Place one star face down under your ribbon after
you carefully apply glue to it.
Then all you have to do is simply match up the
next star right on top of it, wrong sides together,
press to adhere and keep on going for the
length of the ribbon.

You can space your stars any distance apart you
want or no space at all.
Then, when all your stars are applied and are
dried, you can embellish them! You can add
glitter glue or faux jewels or lace or tiny
pictures....anything your heart desires!
Or just leave them plain!

Have fun!

Christmas Strawberry Ornaments

2011-11-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

They're about 3" high and have a hand-sewn
felt leaf cap and a ribbon so they can be hung
from our Christmas tree.
I used "Stickles" glitter glue to create the
"seeds".

Farmhouse treasures from Etsy and Antique Store

2011-11-14T08:51:00.001-08:00

Uh-oh! Another something to collect!
Antique muffin tins!

Hubby bought the textured one for me and
I bought the smaller one on Etsy along with
the beautifully aged cookie and biscuit cutters
in the last photo.
There is nothing as nice as aged tin for
display in a kitchen with farmhouse style,
which is what ours is.

It's comforting to think about all of the
deliciousness that must have come out
of these utensils over the years.

I have the cutters displayed in a basket of
wooden butter paddles. These paddles
are getting more and more expensive but Hubby
and I won't pay more than $9 for one.
Bargains are still to be found! And for us,
the hunt for ones marked for less is part
of the fun!

Snippets - Just for Fun

2011-11-11T05:41:00.001-08:00

Vintage Game Pieces

2011-11-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

What should I do with them?
Any suggestions?

I've had them for years in a very large jar
that we purchased at a craft show. The jar
was made into a lamp. The switch never worked
right so I took it apart and I've just had the
jar of game pieces sitting on a shelf.

Isn't the dragon cool. Beautiful textures!
And all of the tiny chess pieces below are cool
too. I'm thinking with a little jewelry eye hook
in them, they could be strung on a necklace.

What game were the wooden rings used for?
I already have one idea in mind for them, but
if you can think of something, I'd love to
hear your thoughts!

Shabby Little Boxes

2011-11-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

This is a reminder to me that...
it's the little things that matter...
because the little things are really...
the big things.

I've never been a diamonds kind of girl.
I like simple things.
I'm not about high heels and fancy places.
Give me a pair of walking shoes and a
country lane, a basket of wine, bread and
cheese, the sunshine, cool breezes, and
my husband...
and not necessarily in that order...
and I feel gratitude.

Shabby Elegance....and....

2011-11-08T05:34:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say hello and to wish you
all a Happy Tuesday.

A Pretty Little Metal Box

2011-11-06T12:33:00.001-08:00

It looks like silver, but it isn't. It's just metal,
but it's very tiny, only about 2.5" across in length.
It has little feet and opens to reveal a little
compartment. Someone had ripped out the red
silk lining and only shreds remained. So I cleaned
them out as best as I could and relined it with
soft, off-white felt.
Pennies, that's all I paid for it. Otherwise,
there were no treasures to be found at the
antique store today at all. But since I have
a thing for tiny boxes, I'm happy to have
acquired this little trinket.

Mini Ironing Board for Craft Room Small Spaces

2011-11-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

You're going to love this idea that I found on
the Pinterest website!
I don't have much counter space in my studio
when I'm sewing and no room at all for a
full-sized ironing board. I was either going
back and forth to the laundry room where
mine was set up, or else using the 18" x 36"
counter board that my husband made
for me a few years ago. But that one
took up too much counter space. So the
other day I saw this terrific and simple
idea on Pinterest and knew it was just
exactly the solution to my space problem!

Hubby cut down the counter board and we
recovered it. He then attached it to the top
of a folding tray table that I had and only
used occasionally for needed space when
I'm paper crafting. It's the perfect size
for ironing my craft projects and I can
fold it up out of the way when I don't
need it! I still have another one that I
can use for the paper crafting.

Isn't this cool! And inexpensive too!
We only paid about $9 for the tray table
at a big box store. I already had the
fabric and batting from the counter
board too.

Hope you'll find that this is something
you can make and use too because I
know that a lot of us are space-challenged!

Morning Autumn Sunshine....I love it!

2011-11-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

In the fall, when the sun begins its dip towards the
southern horizon, our dining room is filled with
brightness in the morning.
It's a joy to wake up to a cup of coffee in this room.

I love the way the sun back lights the arrangement
of fabric corncobs and carrots on our dining
room table....

This corner with the antique shutter my husband
fixed up with a stand so I could display my
especially pretty vintage doilies is always so
cheerful. I love having all of this intricate work
brightened up for viewing.

And this fall arrangement stands out so
beautifully when the sun shines behind it and
makes it look almost illuminated.

What does the sun shine on in your house?

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T04:48:00.001-07:00

I hope all of you Trick or Treaters on the
East Coast have your snow boots on!

Finished re-do of antique thread cabinet!

2011-10-30T09:52:00.001-07:00

My first choice was going to be to put glass knobs
on the drawer fronts, but when I saw these black
ones that look oh-so-appropriate to the age of the
cabinet, I bought them! Hubby just finished
attaching them and I love the way it turned out!

We placed it on top of the small dresser that we
covered with the antique sewing table surface.
It fits perfectly!

Do you notice all the different woods that the carpenter
made this from? We left the sides and top natural and
put an antique paste wax on them. For the fronts of
the drawers, which were made out of inferior pine with
a grain that had no personality at all, I layered
red, khaki and black paints and topped all of those
with a deep honey color. Then, when it was dry, I
sanded it and allowed some of those colors to show
through just here and there to show natural wear.
Hubby used the antique brown paste wax on them
also and the patina is wonderful!
This will be a handy place to store the remotes
and this and that.

So what do you think?
Quite a difference if you had seen the yucky
botch job that someone had done to it over
the years before we purchased it.

Silver Sunday

2011-10-30T09:49:00.001-07:00

If it's silver, tarnished and old, I like it!

Antique Coats & Clark Thread Cabinet Re-Do

2011-10-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

These drawer fronts don't look like much, do they!
We purchased this cabinet years ago even though
it was in terrible condition. I've always kept
unfinished paintings in the drawers, but I thought
it was 'way past enough time to not refinish the
poor thing.

The drawer fronts were made from cheap wood
that didn't match, because the Coats & Clark
company had beautifully stenciled text printed
on each of them so the wood didn't matter.

But someone, over the years, had covered the
text with layers of gunky black paint that had
chipped terribly. In fact, the entire cabinet had
been badly marked and painted over.

It was so damaged that you could barely see the lovely
carving on each of the drawers' shelves and down the
sides too. Now that Hubby has stripped off all of the
layers of paint, the carving really stands out!

And below, you can see how lovely the wood on the
cabinet itself is, dings and all! The dings really give
it a lot of character.
We'll simply give the case a few coats of antique
brown paste wax and buff it up to a mellow
patina. But....the drawer fronts are another issue.

I plan to antique the drawer fronts and have an idea
in mind. Photos will follow when I finish them.
You can see that Hubby filled in all of the holes
where the knobs were. None of the knobs matched
and they had been drilled in places different from
where the original ones were and didn't line up.
One of the drawer fronts was patched, as you can
see by the lighter shade of wood. Someone,
obviously, used this cabinet a lot and even though
it was poorly painted and patched, they thought
enough about it to at least try to fix it up so it
was usable. It's been very usable for me too,
but now, I hope it will also be pretty again!

Stay tuned!

A sneak peek at my new stitchery-patterns-to-be....

2011-10-27T05:22:00.001-07:00

There's so much more work to be done
for these to actually become stitching patterns.
I have to write up the instructions,
photograph all of them in settings and figure
out whether to offer them only as paper
patterns or as PDFs also.
I only have 4 finished pillows and I don't
want to introduce the patterns until I
have at least 6.
I have other ideas up my sleeves too and
I've been so encouraged by those of you
who already ordered my Hen applique
just because you saw it posted here on
my blog even with no instructions included.

So...time-wise, I don't know when these
new Comfort Pillows of Inspiration
patterns will
be ready for selling, but I'm hard at work
on them.

In the meantime, if you've ever done a
stitchery pattern before and have found
instructions that were complex or confusing,
please let me know so that I can avoid the
same mistakes.

Pat Winter's New Boho Bag Instruction Book is Here!

2011-10-27T05:06:00.000-07:00

Pat Winter

Pat's done it again, crazy quilters!
She has a new book out with
instructions on how to make her
fabulous Boho Bag!

Exquisite!!

THIS SCONE RECIPE IS TO DIE FOR!!!

2011-10-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

Peppers & Onions,
Bacon and Parmesan Cheese Scones:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached flour
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 /2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder

4 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup chopped bacon
1/3 cup minced, fried green pepper
1/3 cup minced, fried onion
salt and pepper to taste

2/3 cup non-fat yogurt
(I use Greek organic)
1/3 cup low fat buttermilk

1. Fry minced onions, peppers, and bacon
in a couple tablespoons of olive oil.
(I used pre-cooked low fat bacon that is
already chopped & made for salads)

2. Combine all dry ingredients and
cut in butter with a pastry cutter
until crumbly.

3. Add yogurt and buttermilk

4. Fold in peppers, onions and bacon and
combine into a stiff dough.

5. Form the dough into a ball.
Turn it onto a cookie sheet lined with
parchment.

6. Flatten into a 7" circle and brush
the top with buttermilk lightly.

7. Cut into 12 wedges and separate them
about 1/2" apart.

8. Bake at 400 degrees for 17 minutes.

Serve warm with fried eggs!

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HAVING FOR
DINNER TONIGHT!

These turned out nice and crispy on
the bottom and they are YUM-O!!

Then, when my savory scones were baked,
I made two more batches of pumpkin scones
to freeze. These are such an easy and
healthy comfort food to keep in the
freezer. We've been having the pumpkin
scones for an evening snack drizzled
with honey. And they are wonderful
for breakfast instead of plain old toast.
And I haven't gained a pound!
:-)

Chicken Hot Mat - pattern available

2011-10-22T10:48:00.001-07:00

I'm posting this to show my friend, Mary Ann,
our Quilting Librarian.

A morning's stitching from my own pattern -
a Christmas present for someone - but I have a
feeling it won't be a surprise if she checks
my blog anytime soon. ;-)

Yes! I will send you the pattern for this if you email
me at ipaintallday at yahoo.com
She is $3. It doesn't include the instructions for
making the mat. It is just the layout and pattern for
the chicken itself. You will be able to applique her
onto anything you wish, including the front of a
sweatshirt, tote bag, etc.

I will give you Paypal instructions if you email me
on how to receive the jpg pattern.

Thank you to those of you who asked!

Miz Buzz is Finished!

2011-10-22T07:30:00.001-07:00

Pattern designed by Stacey Mead of
Raven's Haven.
Stacey's primitive designs have been featured
in the Prims issue of Somerset publications.

I finished Miz Buzz this morning by aging her
arms, wings and stripes with strong instant
coffee stain. In the summer she'll go on a
wreath on our porch, but for now I plan to
find a special place in our kitchen for her.

What are you doing today?

I'm going to make some potholders with
primitive chicken appliques to take to
Bearly Enough to sell. I've already
sketched the pattern. Time to iron the
fabrics now and get them fused to
Wonder Under and then off to my
sewing machine for the rest of the day.

It's cold and cloudy out so it's the perfect
day for staying indoors in my studio
having fun!

Before that though....vanilla coffee is
calling me!

I hope you have a FUN fall weekend,
my blogging friends!
And while you're at it, go visit Stacey!

Beginnings of a primitive pincushion collection

2011-10-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

The little shoe isn't an antique, unfortunately.
But I like it anyway!
The two darning tools are though. They sit
on top of a box that I won from my dear friend,
Sandy of Quill Cottage.

The strawberry pincushion is a handmade one from
an artisan named Nancy who sells these at
Liberty Cottage in Canandaigua, NY.
I made the ticking pincushion from vintage
material.

Well, it's not old either! It's a reproduction tin
pitcher that hubby bought yesterday. He enjoys
collecting old kitchen gadgets. Considering he
is the "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" here,
it's very appropriate! Tonight he has a pork roast
and veggies in the oven and it smells just
heavenly in here!

Below is my collection with the newest pincushion
on the left - a patchwork pear designed by
primitive artisan, Kari Emerson of
Liberty Creek Primitives.

Fall still life arranged by the wind....

2011-10-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

Weathered porch steps...
Not so pretty while they're waiting to
receive a coat of paint...
so Mother Nature thought they
needed a bit of jewelry to spiff them up!
I think her accessories are just right!

Uh-oh! A naked bumble bee!

2011-10-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

I'm at it again!
Making prim things from a fabulous prim
designer's pattern - Raven's Haven patterns by
Stacey Mead of The Goode Wife of Washington
County. I couldn't resist this adorable bee.
Once she's finished, she is going to go on a
vine wreath on our porch.
She's all ready for paint!
I hope you'll visit Stacey and take a look
at all of the fun patterns she designs.
Please tell her I sent you.

I've been working on my own stitchery
pattern designs in the evening. They will
be inspirational sayings and won't require
fancy embroidery skills - just the basic
stitch knowledge. They're quick and fun
busy work to take along with you on your
travels that won't require a lot of supplies.
I've made mine into pillows so far but I
have some other ideas up my sleeve too.

I think the idea of creating sayings in
stitchery was a way to gently remind
MYSELF to always count my blessings.
I hope my patterns will inspire you to
want to stitch them!

WHEN they'll be available is THE
question! But I'll keep you posted.

I tried something new with the scone recipe

2011-10-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

...and it turned out delicious!!

BACON-PARMESAN CHEESE SCONES

1 cup unbleached flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup chopped bacon

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

4 tablespoons butter

2/3 cup low fat yogurt

1/3 cup low fat buttermilk

Mix all dry ingredients

Cut in butter with a pastry cutter

Add yogurt and buttermilk.
If mixture seems too dry, add 1 more tablespoon of buttermilk at a time.

Shape into a ball

Flatten into a 7” circle

Cut into 12 wedges

Separate wedges 1/2” apart

Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Pumpkin Walnut Scones

2011-10-18T13:34:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Walnut Scone Recipe:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup Splenda or sugar
1/4 cup reduced fat margarine or light butter
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup nonfat buttermilk
skim milk to brush on top

1. Combine all dry ingredients well.
Use a pastry cutter to cut in the margarine until
mixture looks like coarse meal.
Stir in the pumpkin and buttermilk and form
a stiff dough.
(If it's a little dry, add a tbs. more
buttermilk)

2. Form the dough into a ball and press onto a
baking sheet lined with parchment. Press it into a
circle of about 7" in diameter.

3. Using a sharp floured knife, cut the dough into
12 wedges and separate them so they are about
1/2" apart from each other.
Brush tops lightly with skim milk.

4. Bake for 16-18 minutes at 400 degrees or until
lightly browned.

Corn Cobs and Carrots....

2011-10-17T15:13:00.001-07:00

I used a pattern by Denise Davis of
Sassafras Hill Primitives for the corn cobs.
Aren't they fun!
But you know me! I don't follow directions and
have to put my own stamp on everything. I didn't
do the painting and aging process that Denise
gives in her pattern, but instead, just kind of
winged my own take on assembly and finishing
techniques. I think I was just too impatient to
do all the painting and waiting for it to dry.
But I'm very happy with the results.
I used brown paper for the husks on the left-
hand corn cob and stiffened-coffee-dyed
osnaburg for the right-hand cob.
I like the way they turned out.

I made these yesterday too.

All arranged in a bowl on our dining room table.

When did you ever know me to follow directions?
I must have driven my teachers crazy in school.
;-)

Beaded Berries....

2011-10-17T07:18:00.001-07:00

A Sunday afternoon well spent.
The white "apple" is made from a piece of a
vintage pillow top. It was all hand-embroidered
in designs using a tiny chain stitch.
Sadly, most of the top is shredded but I was
able to salvage enough small pieces for
the apple. There is a bit more I can use
but it's very fragile so I'll have to be careful
what I make from it. This wanted to tear
when I pulled the doll needle through to
plump it.

What did you do yesterday?

Today is back to work on my calendar images
and then later I have to make matching tags
for these beaded berries so I can take them to
the shop downtown.

Carrot Stew for Supper Anyone?

2011-10-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

These are so easy to make!
It's basically the same way you make the strawberry
pinkeeps - a little cone that's gathered at the top.
Only you make the cone longer and skinnier
and you stuff some torn strips of fabric into the
hole at the gathered top to make the "leaves".
This was a fun afternoon project and they now
sit in a brown transferware bowl on our
dining room table.

I made each one out of a different print of fabric.

It's making me hungry for roasted carrots, potatoes
and roast beef! Is there anything more delicious than
when you tuck these vegetables alongside a nice
roast in the oven letting all the meat juices
flavor them! I can almost smell it now!
But...that's not what we're having for supper.
It WOULD be a perfect fall dinner though,
wouldn't it!

I hope you're having a nice weekend.
Ours is peaceful and productive. I'm sewing
and hubby has joined me in my studio and is
reading a book called "Simple Life" about
primitive pioneer times and reading aloud
to me as I stitch.

Antiquing in the rain...

2011-10-14T12:12:00.001-07:00

It was date day with Hubby so we went antiquing.
No, I didn't buy the wheelbarrow or the wagon wheel.
But I would like to have bought them!
I did buy a small bag of vintage laces.
No bargains to be found except those.
We had a nice lunch and browsed through
one of our favorite primitive shops too.
All in pouring rain!
We didn't even notice because we had each
other's company and fun things to see and do!

A Primitive Strawberry Pincushion....

2011-10-12T08:24:00.001-07:00

I love this. I bought it at Liberty Cottage in
Canandaigua, NY a few years ago. It's a painted
strawberry with sewn-on "seeds" made from
black beads. A cinnamon stick stem and
aging stain just add to the vintage look, don't
they. I think I may even have a pattern for
a strawberry pincushion so I can make a
basket of them myself.

I've been working on a piece of stitchery that
has a happiness quote that I am seriously
considering turning into a paper pattern
to sell. I just ironed it this morning after
aging it with coffee. I think it will make
a sweet little pillow...
Of course, I'll show you when it's finished!

Bright Sunshine....

2011-10-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

We just finished having lunch on our porch
and the sunshine played up the textures on this
carved piece that Holly gave us. I had to take a
photo of it before the light changed.

Sharing a site for primitive and aged paper products

2011-10-11T05:05:00.001-07:00

and more than that!
Rubber stamps and other goodies
to craft with if you like OLD things!

Monahan Papers

And I like old things! Things with lots of
patina and character and history.

Enjoy your browsing! I did.

Today's sewing projects...

2011-10-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether to call them pumpkins or
apples. The pattern called them pumpkins, but
I'm not sure mine look like one. Doesn't really matter!
I like them anyway. Because they're plump and they
were fun to make.
I did a simple feather stitch on all 5 seams and then a
blanket stitch along the edges of the leaf top.
A little twig stem from our garden tied with a
rustic, raw-edged bow and they're finished
and ready for pins and needles.
They will have some friends made soon to
accompany them to the consignment store
downtown.

The top photo is a better representation
of the real colors. I like working with ticking,
homespuns, linens and rough woven fabrics.
Textures make things look so homey.

I made the quilted table runner ages ago.
I take it out every fall.

Suppertime here! Hubby's cooking shrimp.
And then I take over the kitchen to bake
those pumpkin scones.

Some of my favorite things....

2011-10-10T07:04:00.001-07:00

Antique Scale and clock faces....

Glass mason jar lids...

Mason jars and scales, choppers and corn
stick pans...I couldn't resist the lovely blue
patina on this old scale...and the face of it
that seems to be smiling...

Vintage ticking....this is from a piece I bought
at the Black Crow in Williamsport, PA...
very old and worn and soft...

I'm going to be sewing today because it's
still a holiday weekend and I've "excused"
myself from painting until tomorrow.
And later I'm going to bake pumpkin
scones. Yummy!

Then...it's putting the final touches on an
art submission for a calendar.

What are you doing on this holiday?

It's definitely October at our house!

2011-10-09T05:26:00.000-07:00

My antique wallpaper roller always has a place
in center stage no matter the season's decor.
So do acorns because I've started a collection.

The large pumpkin is a paper mache box that
I bought and painted many, many autumn's ago.
I designed the votive Jack o' lantern for Yankee
Candle about 9 years ago. His smile glows in
the dark!

An altered book with ancestors of my husband's.
More acorns, of course!

A paper bird's nest by my friend, Sandy, of Quill Cottage.
Handmade lace pumpkin by me. White pumpkin that I
painted and crackled...It's some kind of composite,
probably just paper mache. But it's nice not to have to
toss it at the end of the season like a real one.

On the hearth....handmade fabric pumpkins keep a
straw pumpkin and birdhouse company.

Today promises to be a lazy, peaceful Sunday
here in Pennsylvania. I hope yours is the same!
Thank you for stopping by! I love visiting with you!

Post Card Pillow and Robin Finished....

2011-10-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Now they both sit on a bench that my husband made
for our dining room. Acorn pillow pattern is in our
Etsy shop! Post card pillow is by Crabapple Hill.
Robin pattern by The Goode Wife of Washington
County Etsy shop. The pumpkin wall hanging
pattern is also in our Etsy shop.

I coffee dyed the post card pillow to make it look
older and grungier.

The pillow pattern can be found at Shabby
Fabrics Shop. Both that and The Goode Wife
sites are listed in my Shopping favorites in
my right-hand sidebar.

Stitchery pillow almost finished

2011-10-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this stitchery project for a
reproduction of a vintage post card by
Crab*apple Hill in the evenings and last night I
put the final stitches on it. Today it's going to get
a coffee "bath" and then it will become a pillow top.
It's all done in a simple back stitch and requires only
that you trace the design onto muslin from the
pattern provided. No art skills necessary.
It was a fun and relaxing project - as relaxing
was on my "to-do" list this year - part of my
"de-stressing" program.
I highly recommend stitching away your stress!
It works!

I'm making a robin from a Raven's Haven pattern...

2011-10-05T11:57:00.001-07:00

I found a wonderful primitive pattern company
on Etsy: The Goode Wife of Washington County
designer, Stacey Mead.

I couldn't resist her robin pattern, as robins are
one of my favorite birds, followed by chickadees!

Stacey has a fun blog too!
HERE
I'm undercoating everything black so that when the
top colors are sanded a little bit, the black will
show through and make the robin look even
older and grungier and more primitive.
It might take me a couple of days to finish it
because of all the layers I want to paint on it.
But I'll be showing photos of my progress.

I hope you'll visit Stacey's blog and her shop.
FUN, FUN patterns!!!!
This gal's got talent! Her patterns will
make you giggle!

And yes, I'm a MESSY crafter! LOL!

Secret CQ Project and Delicious Scones with Jam!

2011-10-04T13:15:00.001-07:00

Here's my second secret CQ project -
just a peek!
It's all put together but I just need to
finish off one edge on ea. of the secret gifts.
Early Christmas projects almost done!

And...I baked scones this afternoon.
It's one of our favorite treats and this recipe
is a healthy one! But it's still comfort food!
Recipe below because I know you'll beg
me for it! ;-)

Scone Recipe:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup reduced fat margarine or light butter
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup nonfat buttermilk
skim milk to brush on top

1. Combine all dry ingredients well.
Use a pastry cutter to cut in the margarine until
mixture looks like coarse meal.
Stir in the applesauce and buttermilk and form
a still dough.

2. Form the dough into a ball and press onto a
baking sheet lined with parchment. Press it into a
circle of about 7" in diameter.

3. Using a sharp floured knife, cut the dough into
12 wedges and separate them so they are about
1/2" apart from each other.
Brush tops lightly with skim milk.

4. Bake for 16-18 minutes at 400 degrees or until
lightly browned.

Serve warm with strawberry jam!

Cover tightly to store!

So what are you all up to? Are you inspired?

2011-10-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

What does the fall season do for your
creativity quotient?
For me, it's the time of year when I
feel most energized to create and
decorate and just enjoy being alive.

Now, if you're feeling low and don't have
a thimbleful of inspiration, then here is
a place to visit!

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Please tell Gina I sent you over there!
Scroll down a few posts and she has
posted link after link of great blogs and
creations from some super crafters and
cooks!

Enjoy your week, my friends!

A mother's treasures found....

2011-10-01T05:38:00.001-07:00

I was browsing through my Erica Wilson
embroidery book yesterday. It's a large volume,
like an encyclopedia of needlework stitches.
And tucked into several of the pages I discovered
long-hidden drawings made by my daughter,
Holly, probably when she was little more than
a toddler. What a sweet surprise!
Of course, these are going to have to be
framed!
I wonder if she hoped I'd find them when
she drew them? Well, what a dear, dear
surprise to find them many, many moons
later, sweet daughter!
:-)

Sharing a blog I found this morning....

2011-09-30T05:12:00.000-07:00

I especially love the name of it!

Yes and Amen Blog

You'll love it too! I know!

Happy TGIF!

A Morning Sewing Project Accomplished

2011-09-29T09:43:00.001-07:00

With winter coming soon, I like to put a bit more
fabric on our windows in some rooms, especially
the kitchen because there is, of course, no baseboard
heater under this window at the sink and it gets
chilly there. I bought the checked homespun fabric
on sale at Needles yesterday and made it into the
tie-back curtains that I fitted under the Waverly
toile valance. I think it gives the room a nice,
warm cozy look.

What's on tap for the afternoon today?
I'm not sure yet. It's a "loose ends" sort of day.
Maybe I'll go have a cup of coffee because it IS
National Coffee Day!
Go enjoy a cup!
I'd invite you here if you lived nearby. :-)

Good Morning!

2011-09-28T06:01:00.001-07:00

Do something nice for yourself today.
Make a little time for your creative self.
Pour yourself a nice cup of tea.
Curl up in your favorite chair and read
or get your crafting supplies out and
forget about the sink full of dishes
and the dust on the tables.
They'll be there tomorrow.
But your muse will have missed a
chance to make your life a day richer.
Be a gracious receiver of the gift of
creativity that God gave you and
share in His creation.
((((HUGS!))))

WIP secret gift finished except for....

2011-09-27T11:49:00.001-07:00

...except for sewing it together.
Above...I stitched around the buttons...

I added French knots, rayon lazy daisies and
more stitches going beyond the lace...

You might have noticed that I didn't carry the
sequins all the way to the left on that row...
that's because I need to stay away from the
edge so when I sew it together, I'm not sewing
over top of the sequins and beads, etc.

Question for you!!
WHO INSPIRES YOU?

When it comes to mixed media stitchery,
I am enthralled by Beryl Taylor's art.
I have one of her books, and each time I
look through it I see something new that
delights me in her inventiveness.

WIP continues

2011-09-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

I've added charms, MOP vintage buttons,
little faux pearls, golden ribbon and seed beads.

Much more stitching to embellish this
secret project! ;-)

Today I'm not in a painting mood at ALL.
Which happens occasionally.
I've learned to not force it.
Tomorrow's another day.
So for today...
I just will play hooky again.

It's raining and gloomy....what else is new!
Our garden is a mud hole.
Maybe having snow on the ground soon
doesn't sound so bad! At least we'll know
that gardening is out of the question.
In the meantime, slogging around in mud
to finish some projects before winter is
not on our radar.

And a bit of stitching info for you that I
looked up today. I had purchased a skein of
rayon floss because of it's lovely sheen.
Hubby and I wondered what rayon is made
from. I thought perhaps cellulose....and
apparently I'm correct as per Wikipedia:

Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. Because it is produced from naturally occurring polymers, it is neither a truly synthetic fiber nor a natural fiber; it is a semi-synthetic^[1] or artificial^[2] fiber. Rayon is known by the names viscose rayon and art silk in the textile industry. It usually has a high luster quality giving it a bright sheen.

I love stitching with it. It almost reminds me of
silk thread. So shiny and not difficult to use.

My Halloween designs are available as.....

2011-09-27T05:06:00.000-07:00

downloads at DAISIE COMPANY!

It's not too late to create some fun
gifts and packaging for your
trick or treating guests!

http://www.daisiecompany.com/Halloween-Gift-Basket-Printables-p/1wbl_5dkn_00911_0gbc.htm

Work in Progress....

2011-09-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

But I can't tell you what it is or who it's for
because....
she reads my blog.
;-)

It's tone-on-tone with fabrics that have
gold metallic printing.

And...I just found a new blog...new to me...
Simply CQ

Hope you'll visit!

The winner of the little heart sachet is.....

2011-09-26T04:52:00.001-07:00

LISA
from Tarnished and Tattered blog!
Congratulations, Lisa!

And a Happy Monday to everyone!
Thank you for taking the time to enter my
little giveaway. I hope you have a fun and
productive week.

Painting and sewing are on my agenda.
And trying to keep cool because summer
has made an unwelcome return here.

Who would like to have this little pincushion?

2011-09-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

I forgot to price this and take it to the
shop yesterday.
I can't give you Paris, London or Rome.
But I CAN give someone the little
heart-shaped pincushion with vintage
crochet work on it!
I'd love to be able to give you a trip to
those cities because we'd have a blast
at the flea markets, wouldn't we!
But I can't! :-(
So I will give this pincushion to one of
you if you'll post to this post!
Naturally, I have to have a way to reach
you, so make sure you leave your email
in your post if your name doesn't have
an auto identity in your posts.
I'll pick a winner on Monday morning so
it will give you today and tomorrow to
enter.

And I'm really PEEVED at BLOGGER
for making my followers list disappear
today!!! Grrrrr!

An early morning post with some places for you to visit this weekend....

2011-09-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

Kinser Home
Mamie Jane's
Junk to Joy

Wait until you see the FUN projects
Mamie Jane has posted!!!
She has inspired me!
All three of these blogs are ones I
know YOU will love!
I plan to go back and visit them often.
They're in my list of favorites now,
of course!

Happy Weekend everyone!
What are YOU doing?
We are adding paths to our garden...

A pincushion with lace from Jillayne

2011-09-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

This absolutely beautiful piece of lace was a gift
from my friend, Jillayne, of A Fine Seam blog.
I don't know how the woman who created it
many, many years ago, was able to crochet such
tiny, tiny stitches! It is an amazing work of art.
I added it to a piece of textured fabric from
Moda and embellished it with pearl seed beads
and a little touch of embroidery. A mother-
of-pearl button and a diminutive tassel finish
it off. It sits on my dresser where I can enjoy
the crocheted handiwork in the lovely gift
from Jillayne.

My husband took a bag of six of my CQ pincushions
to Bearly Enough this afternoon, as this weekend
it is the 1890s celebration in town.
If you're anywhere near Mansfield, PA, do stop in to
Bearly Enough AND our library's book sale!
There are a lot of booths down on the town green
too, hot air balloon rides and good food!

After playing hooky earlier today, I received an email
from my agent asking for icons in a particular theme,
so back to the paints in my studio!

Again, Happy TGIF!

Cupcakes Digital Clip Art - All Seasons - Valentines, Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Patriotic Themes

2011-09-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes Digital Clip Art - All Seasons - Valentines, Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Patriotic Themes

Daisie Company has done it again! Added more of my art to their downloadables! Hope you'll visit and purchase for greeting cards, gifts, etc.!

Thank you, Daisie Company! :-)

Are you feeling it yet? Autumn!! I'm lovin' it! Recipe below!

2011-09-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

I love waking up to soft, misty autumn mornings!
Especially when the night before I baked an
"Apple Brown Betty" with apples from our own
trees.
It sounds "sinful", I know! But I substituted the
sugar for Splenda, and substituted the white bread
for whole wheat with 5 grams of fiber and when I
warmed it up this morning I used that low fat
"butter" to melt all over the top!

I have a whole basket of apples left and there are
more on the tree so my next treat that will be
similarly unsinful will be an apple bread
pudding with the same substitutions.

I've lost 9 pounds in the past few months by
eliminating 95% of sugar and fats from my
menus. It's very slow going and in order to
not miss snacking, I keep myself busy with
reading or crocheting during those times
when a snack would be calling me from
the pantry. After all these weeks, I don't
even miss the potato chips anymore.
Buying smaller sized clothes is the reward!

Today I'm playing hooky (sort of) and I'm
going to sit at my sewing machine and do
two things:
finish some CQ projects for Bearly Enough's
consignments and....
TAKE IN some of last year's slacks! :-)

TGIF!!!
Hope yours is a happy, productive one!

Recipe for Apple Brown Betty:
(I altered it to suit myself because the cookbook
version was too dry. So here's mine)

5 cups of sliced tart apples
5 cups of cubed whole wheat bread
(we like the high fiber version with lots of
delicious seeds, etc. in it. You could
also use cinnamon bread.)
1/2 cup sugar or Splenda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbls. flour
1/2 stick melted butter

Combine sugar, cinnamon and flour
then add to the apples and mix well.
Toss in the bread cubes and then
drizzle the melted butter on and
mix again until all the bread is
butter covered.
If the mixture seems a little dry to you,
you can drizzle more butter on top
just before you bake it or right after
it comes out of the oven.

Dump it all into a 2-3 quart casserole
that you've sprayed with Pam.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 min.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or
whipped cream or just put more pats of
butter on top and YUM!

Do you agree? This was too pretty to leave at the antique shop!

2011-09-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

It's "only" silver plate and it has a little of the
plating worn off under the piece of birch bark.
But the border is so pretty and for just $5 this
came home with me.
I found the nicest spot for it on our
re-purposed sewing table top that I placed
on one of our living room end tables last week.

Naturally, I didn't polish it! ;-)
I like tarnished silver.

Happy Thursday!
It's almost TGIF!
What are you doing today?
I'm painting - finishing a little collection that
I started for my agent to submit for licensing.

On the kitchen counter

2011-09-21T04:29:00.001-07:00

Another collection!
I know! I know! I collect a LOT of different
things! lol
Hubby gave me this chicken and I have a
few others that live on a high shelf in our
kitchen. Chickens remind me of my
grandmother because I used to help her
collect eggs in her hen house when I was
just a tot.
I seem to be using them in my art lately
too. My Chanticleer fabric collection
by Clothworks will be in stores soon.
I will definitely be making something
for my kitchen when I get my samples!

An excellent article....

2011-09-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.sunset.com/travel/anne-lamott-how-to-find-time-00418000067331/

Something to think about!

A pretty little bowl found....

2011-09-20T04:56:00.001-07:00

I found two of these little shallow bluebird
bowls at the antique store on Sunday afternoon
for only $2 each. I know they're worth much more
even though these aren't Homer Laughlin's.
There is no identification on the back but I've
collected and loved the bluebird design for years.
Unfortunately, I sold off most of my collection
several years ago and now they are getting more
difficult to find, and when you do, the prices
are going up so I grabbed these!

I think they'll be perfect for serving more of
my apple cobbler to hubby, don't you? ;-)

The little windmill plate was a surprise gift
awhile ago from dear Liz of
Lululizinlalaland!

Today is cloudy and dreary looking and we
are supposed to have more of that stuff that
I wish I could send to you folks in Texas:
rain.

I am working on a couple of collections for
my agent to submit to various companies
and I have been so inspired and just
itching to get into my studio today.

Yes, I'm back in the studio - no more
painting on the porch, as it has been
chilly here. And I'm glad, because I simply
wilt in the heat. I like to be warm, but I can
do without anything over 80 degrees and
we've had one of THOSE summers.
Still, I shouldn't complain because many
of my friends in Texas who need the rain
would also welcome some cooler days.

Here's a quote I found that gives pause
for thought by Eleanor Roosevelt:

"When you have decided what you believe,
what you feel must be done,
have the courage to stand alone
and be counted."

I have to admit that this kind of courage
can also bring the pain that comes with
standing alone, but I've tried to do this
many times in my life and I'd rather
be true to my conscience and to the
truth of my own life experience than
to try to turn myself inside out to
be something I'm not.

DANGER with Pyrex Baking Dishes!!!

2011-09-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

Dawn from The Feathered Nest just posted about
a Pyrex baking dish exploding in her oven!
So I looked it up on Google and sure enough,
there are MANY complaints about this
happening to many consumers!

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/pyrex.html

I will NEVER purchase and use another
Pyrex baking dish. Most of the time
I use Corning casserole dishes.
This Pyrex problem is very
frightening so I wanted to pass it
on to others what I just found online.

Sunday Morning Breakfast - thanks to our apple harvest!

2011-09-18T04:52:00.001-07:00

HOT, HOT, HOT -
Apple cobbler, fresh out of the oven....

Now, if Blogger posted my photos in the
order that I uploaded them, this one below would
have been the first in line.
Cinnamon and sugar glistening in the bowl
before baking.

Don't you think Blogger should have a
scent button! It smells wonderful in
our kitchen.

Have a happy Sunday.
We're planting bushes today.

What are YOU doing?

September Saturday Morning.....

2011-09-17T05:52:00.001-07:00

I collect pumpkin themed items.
Holly gave me this little glass pumpkin
ornament. Actually, I keep it out all year!

And I think I have the beginning of a nice
acorn collection.

Another crocheted scarf....it's a satiny smooth
thread in a pretty soft copper shade, which
didn't photograph well color-wise here...
Busy work and very relaxing...

This is one of my favorite tea cups but it's very
small and doesn't hold more than 6 ounces of
tea - and when I have my afternoon cup, I
like a nice sized sip! So this one is just
"for pretty".

What are YOU doing this weekend?
We're planting bushes near our new shed and
I'm working on a collection of paintings for
some products that I hope will be licensed.
I also need to finish the pattern for my
"Lilies and Lace" pillow that I hinted
about already.

And...a little quote for you today:

"That they can strengthen through the
empowerment of others is essential
wisdom gathered by women."
~ Mary Field Belenky

This is good to remember...
we women have the future in our hands!
Build up your daughters' self esteem,
empower them to reach for their stars!

It was 42 degrees this morning!

2011-09-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

And we turned on the gas fireplace.
One guess who enjoyed it the most:
our cat!