Piece a Split Link Quilt! Print Your Own Fabric Labels! Make a Scrappy Coil Bowl! The Easiest Pegboard Project Ever! Embroidery a Painted Elephant! Make a Felt Polar Bear! The Right Way to Fold a Quilt! Old Chest Decoupage Do Over! Yummy Sangria! Make an Ear Warmer Headband! Crochet a Winter Berry Cowl! DIY Lotion Bars! PLUS . . . Recipes, Inspiration, Smiles, Memories, and More!

Hey, everybody!

I just want to wish you all a very happy new year, thank you for subscribing to the blog, and wishing you every creative opportunity in 2015.  Follow your intuition and your dreams, my friends.  xoxom

YOKE DU YOUR

 

Little Janie watched, fascinated, as her mother smoothed cold cream on her face.
“Why do you do that, mommy?” she asked.
“To make myself beautiful,”said her mother, who then began removing the cream with a tissue.
“What’s the matter?” asked Little Janie. “Giving up?”

ARTspiration

Artists or art that turns me on and feeds my muse! Like it or dislike it, what about this art inspires your own art or creativity?  Painting by artist, David Foley. 

 

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?  Vegetal Cathedral in Italy.

 

IDEA I LOVE

It’s only January and if you’re like the rest of America, your skin is starting to feel that ashy dry.  Time to whip up some homemade lotion bars, isn’t it?  Here’s how you make a batch.  You won’t be sorry.  Here’s the recipe:

http://www.beetsandbones.com/homemade-lotion-bars/ 

IDEA I LOVE

Here’s a cute little Winter Berry crochet cowl for you to work on during the boring winter months?  Yes, cupcake, yet another cowl to add to your crocheted cowl  collection.  Will the next pattern for crocheters please step forward.   Here’s the pattern:

http://stitchandunwind.com/free-crochet-pattern-winter-berry-crochet-cowl/ 

YUMMY DISH!

SALT ROASTED CHICKEN

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

• flat-leaf parsley
• marjoram
• tarragon
• chicken
• kosher salt
• egg whites

 

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/salt-roasted-chicken

 

DOORspiration! 

It’s a clock. It’s a door.  It’s a clock AND a door!  Yowl!

IDEA I LOVE

 

Yes, it’s 54º here on Pickle Road but that doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way for a very long.  Quick, kiddo, run to your sewing machine and make a cuddly warm Ear Warmer Headband.  Put it on: Your ears will thank you.  Take it off: Your hair will hate you (but your neighbors will think you just got lucky!)  Here’s how:

 http://crazylittleprojects.com/2013/01/diy-ear-warmer-headband.html

 

IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET: 

For well over 2 years, I have been posting up to 20 links per day or every other day, on the Mark Lipinski’s Fan Pageon Facebook. Of course, in Facebook’s never ending quest to make lots of money, Facebook seems to have abandoned their mission of a real social networking site and it has become more about Facebook revenue.

Several months ago, Facebook, without warning, had implemented a new business model. As a result, the vast majority of “LIKErs” who have been faithful readers of this Fan Page have been blocked from receiving my posts, time and time again, from getting all or a few of the postings onto their timeline feed.

The reason is, Facebook would like pages like, Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page, to pay money every day, and on every post, in order to advertise and lure readers like you, onto the Fan Page.

With out “BOOSTING” a post, only about 5% of people who clicked LIKE on the Fan Page are actually seeing anything I post — and it could be random – sometimes you get a post, and sometimes not. Basically, it sucks for all of us. I am finding that we are all better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to my blog. You can subscribe to my blog (only if you wan to) and get an email each time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc.

I AM NOT shutting down Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook and you are welcome to follow me there, too. What I am doing is putting everything that used to be on the Fan Page individually onto my blog, AND there will be a daily link to the idea blog on the Fan Page, just as there were multiple links to the various blogs that I’ve always linked to in the past. It’s not that different, really. It will save me a lot of time, and guarantee those who want to see the creative posts will actually get to see them. And Facebookers, will STILL have to click on “GET NOTIFICATIONS” in your Facebook Settings if they want to see what I post on Facebook (sometimes that works, but not all of the time).

Actually, my new model gives you at least TWO ways to get all of the ideas, etc. PLUS you can PIN them and they will be TAGGED so you can find them again in the search bar even years later. – through the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and YOUR CHOICE (not mandatory) to subscribe to the blog and get email postings that way.

 

 

BREATHLESS INSPIRATION!

Mandalas Made From Electronic Components by Artist Leonardo Ulian

SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG 

RED SANGRIA

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK THE LINKS:  http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/2014/12/25/christmas-sangria-how-to-make-sangria-with-whatever-you-have-in-your-house-right-now

IDEA I LOVE

 

This is so cool.  It reminds me of the cutting the Bette Midler poster that came with the Bette Midler album into 2″ cuts then taping them to my dorm room venetian blinds!  Of course, that announced to the world that someone was growing up straight, didn’t it?

Same principle on these decoupaged old drawers.  Here’s how you do it:

 http://debisdesigndiary.com/this-weeks-video-brought-me-to-tears-decoupage-do-over-with-a-happy-ending/

IDEA I LOVE

 

All you need is some white felt and black floss to make this polar bear.  Honestly I don’t know what you’d do with it, but it’s a great way to pass the time and well…. if it were me, I’d be doing some pretty fancy whitework or Auber-colorful embroidery all over it.  Now, THAT’S interesting.   Here’s where you start:

http://www.downeastthunderfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/polar-bear.pdf

IDEA I LOVE

I have always folded my quilts the same old way. Maybe it’s time for a change.  You, too?  Try it out:

http://www.pumpkinpatchquilter.com/2013/06/how-to-fold-quilt-tutorial.html

 

 

WORDS TO LIVE BY

IDEA I LOVE

Now you have something to do with every little tiny scrap you’ve been saving.  Sew them all together and make some colorful fabric bowls!  Not a new concept but always a fun one.  My friend Bonnie used this technique to make me a bunch of pink fabric coiled coasters (which I love).  See, you don’t need to even make a bowl . . . make coasters and your bestie will love you for them!   Start here:

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl/page/all

MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

TRADITIONAL GREEK PITA BREAD

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1 cup hot water, but not boiling
• 2 teaspoons active dry or instant yeast
• 2 1/2 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

 FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK THE LINKS:  http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/traditional-greek-pita-bread/

MEMBA?

Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

And now a word from our sponsor . . .

 

COOKIES!

HEALTHY BANANA OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• banana
• crunchy peanut butter
• Truvia Baking Blend (or sugar)
• vanilla
• quick oats
• cinnamon
• whole wheat flour
• fat-free milk
• baking soda
• raisins

FOR THE FULL RECIPES, CLICK THE LINKS: http://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/2014/09/healthy-banana-oatmeal-breakfast-cookies.html#_a5y_p=3101755

 

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

This is a great tutorial for making sewing labels for your own crafts or crafting business.  It is really so easy … and you can find terrific stamp-making sites on the web.   Take a look:

 http://craftyblossom.blogspot.com/2011/02/fabric-labels-tutorial.html

BE DAZZLED!

 

Tanzanite Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring, $19,000

PATCHWORK, BABY! 

This is the Split Links quilt.  Easy to make.  Good to give away as a fast gift.  Here’s the pattern:

http://ideas.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk/make-split-links-quilt/ 

SHOEspiration

Heels Designed by Chloé

https://www.shoesofprey.com/shoe/1MbQcG?gallery=1 

DESSERT!

CHOCOLATE GINGER CAKE WITH BOURBON SAUCE

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 

• unsalted butter
• unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
• molasses 
• light-brown sugar 
• eggs 
• milk 
• fresh ginger 
• flour 
• baking soda 
• salt 
• ground ginger 
• cinnamon 

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: 

http://www.marthastewart.com/338997/chocolate-ginger-cake-with-bourbon-sauce#Heavenly%20Holiday%20Desserts%7C/274405/heavenly-holiday-desserts/@center/276958/holiday-entertaining%7C338997

 

GREAT IDEA!

Turn this inexpensive SPONTAN Ikea magazine rack into a holder for your large mats and rulers!  Nifty, right, dumpling?

 

Get your spontan here (spontan, LOLOL):  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20118174/

OMG!

An assortment of red pin cushions (these are made by Mercedes Urosa Alejandrino).  I’m inspired to start digging for red and white fabric, aren’t you?

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

Speaking of colorful embroidery…. we were speaking about colorful embroidery, weren’t we?  Here’s a pattern for a fabulous floss painted elephant.  What a nice way to start the new year, needle in hand and color everywhere!  Here’s the pattern:

https://corvustristis.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/painted-elephant/ 

 

MUST HAVE

Fisher Price Little People Play family Grandma sewing machine utility chair

http://ebay.to/1DbqhxG

SLOW STITCHING

 https://theslowstitchingmovement.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/12-ways-plus-1-to-improve-your-craft-and-your-life-through-slow-stitching-in-2015/

 

 

 

 

For the last several months, Meg Cox, Liza Prior Lucy, and I have been working on putting together an event to celebrate your creativity and how to enrich our lives and fiber art through The Slow Stitching Movement.

I can’t tell you how excited we are to invite you to  the first ever . . .

APRIL 21 -24, 2015

This intimate, inspiring retreat will include 3 full days of skill-building tutorials, lectures, trunk shows and more, but most of the time, you’ll have a chance to work on your own projects in a stunning, relaxing setting that encourages your unique slow stitching journey and sharing your time with like-minded old and new friends.

Our retreat will be held at the picturesque Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, situated on the banks of the Delaware River, where the food and service are as outstanding as the inspiring views from our glass-enclosed ballroom retreat space.

Located in charming Lambertville, New Jersey, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants, world-class antique emporiums (amazing for patchwork inspiration), welcoming art galleries, unique shops, and parks. Just a short walk across the The New Hope-Lambertville Bridge is historic and artsy New Hope, Pennsylvania, full of boutiques, galleries, one-of-a-kind stores, cafes, and restaurants. Be sure to bring your camera!

 

 

During the retreat, international quilt teacher and designer, Mark Lipinski will give his lecture “The Slow Stitching Movement: Creating, Promoting, and Sustaining a New Vision in Quilt Making”, why he started The Slow Stitching Movement, and how retreats such as this one can help quilters slow down to deepen both their creative skills and satisfaction levels.

Mark will also share his secrets to daily process journaling for increased creativity, developing your legacy project, and will share the current projects he’s working on, and resources that inspire him.

Author/journalist/teacher Meg Cox will share her slow-stitching projects and inspiration, and give a humorous but practical slideshow on how to take better photographs of your quilts.

Renowned crazy quilting guru and author Allie Aller will join us on our retreat as our special guest teacher, offering multiple tutorials on making fabric flowers and combining both machine and hand-stitched embellishment. Allie will also give a trunk show sharing some of her prize-winning quilts. She’ll be selling and autographing her two books, as well as selling “squishes”, special bags full of silk, velvet, ribbon and other scraps so you can practice some of her embellishing techniques.

Nationally known teacher and author Liza Prior Lucy will be on hand as well, offering a tutorial on paper-piecing hexagons. And, she’ll be selling Kaffe Fassett fabric, and special kits for an optional retreat project.

To keep the group small, and give everyone plenty of room, this retreat is limited to just 30 people!

 

 

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The Slow Stitching Movement Podcast’s are sponsored by Aurifil and GloriousColor.com

 

 

 

WHAT I LOVE

The designer of this project calls it “The Easiest Pegboard Project Ever.”   A fast trip to Ikea or a cheap frame store can get you started on your merry and happy way.  Check it out:

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-easiest-pegboard-project-ever.html

 

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I’d really appreciate it!  xoxom

Just cut and paste this into an email or post on your Facebook and Twitter pages:  

I LOVE this blog and think you will, too! Check it out:  https://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com

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