DIY Slate Cheese Board, Fairy Garden, Crochet Blanket Pattern, Seascape Quilt, Preparedness Candle Jar, Foldable Hamper! Plus Recipes, Jokes, Art & Memories

I want to try something and I would really like your input on it.

For the past year or so, I have been posting links on my Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook. Of course, in its never ending quest to make lots of money, Facebook cares less about you and me and more about cash in spite of the fact they have more money than they know what to do with. As a result, those of you who have been faithful readers of the Fan Page have been removed, time and time again, from getting any of my posts onto your timeline feed. The reason is, Facebook would like me to pay money every day in order to advertise and length readers like you, to the Fan Page.

I think we would all be better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to my blog.

You can subscribe to my blog and get an email every time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc.

I’M NOT shutting down my Facebook Fan Page. What I am doing is putting everything that used to be on the Fan Page individually on 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” if they want to see what I post here. Is that more clear?

Actually, this way gives you TWO ways to get all of the ideas, etc. — through the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE  and YOUR CHOICE (not mandatory) to subscribe to the bLog and get email postings that way

So, what do you think? Have you been as frustrated with Facebook as I have been? Should we try?

 

 

Well, I think it’s worth a shot at least in the short term, let’s see what happens…

 

YOKE DU YOUR

What has a bunch of little balls and screws old ladies?

WAIT FOR IT . . . 

A bingo machine.

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?  This is mosaic portrait of Camillo Rospigliasi, 1630 .. ˙ He was the brother of Pope Clement IX and Knight Commander of the order of Santo Stefano.  This artwork can be found at the Getty Center.

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?  A bouquet of balloons!

IDEA I LOVE

 I really like taking a piece of slate and turning it into a fantastic summer cheese board! This is so easy to do, cupcake, that you will want to have a late serving tray for everything you serve.   You can take THAT to the bank —  because it will only cost you about eight bucks!   Here’s how you make one… 0r ten:

http://www.pepperdesignblog.com/2014/04/21/diy-8-gold-rimmed-tile-cheese-board/

IDEA I LOVE

For obvious reasons, I have had very little problem attracting fairies to my garden. That said, I have had fairy gardens around the Pickle Road property for years. Here are a few tips to create your own fairy garden around your house. Granted, these are not monumental fabulous fairy garden revelations, but it will get you started on the right track. If you visit QNNtv.com,  I create a fairy garden near my pool in one of the very first episodes of season one (if you’re interested). Here’s the link for these fairy garden ideas:

http://www.littlemonsterbaby.com/2014/06/we-had-almost-everything-needed-to.html

IDEA I LOVE

 you are going to want this pattern, cupcake, to while away the hours with your crochet hook and brightly colored yarn. What I really like about projects like crochet afghans is that you can make them as small or as large as you like, and choose the colors that really speak to your soul. Here’s the free pattern for this colorful sucker:

http://rescuedpaw.com/post/89258903753/crochet-blanket-using-the-blanket-stitch#.U6rLcxbJ7KM

YUM

Take the “sloppy” out of the sandwich by ditching the bun and wrapping the hearty beef or turkey mixture, sprinkled with Cheddar, in a soft corn tortilla. This fun twist on the meaty dinner staple that can be on the table in less than 15 minutes.

SLOPPY JOES IN SOFT CORN TORTILLAS

• 4 white corn tortillas
• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 can sloppy-joe sauce (such as Hunt’s) or 1 package sloppy-joe
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Wrap all the tortillas tightly together in foil and place in oven for 5 minutes. In a medium skillet, brown the beef or turkey. Add the sloppy-joe sauce (or seasoning, tomato paste, and water, according to the label directions). Place 1 tortilla on each plate. Spoon the sloppy-joe mixture evenly onto each tortilla. Divide the Cheddar evenly among the tortillas and fold them over. Serve with a green salad.

SOURCE: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sloppy-joes-soft-corn-tortillas-10000000780307/

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

If you are dreaming of the ocean yet don’t have a free minute to get there, cupcake, then you will want to piece this quilt called,  Seascape. Nothing can get you more in the mood to flop around in your string bikini then appliquéing starfish and piecing seashells to fabric!   Here’s the free pattern:

Click to access SEASCAPE%20quilt%20pattern%20LR.pdf

WORDS TO LIVE BY

IDEA I LOVE

With the summer thunder and lightning storms in season, I know I will be prepared for the loss of electricity (but here on Pickle Road, a Robin just need to fly over the house for my electricity to go off).   The notion of having a few of these preparedness candles in a jar around  is really a super good idea!   Grab some old Mason jars, plumbers candles, and some wooden matches in a box, and you are well on your way! Come on, cupcake, don’t be caught in the dark. Do this:

http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com/2010/01/preparedness-project-jar-of-candles.html

MEMBA?

 When gas stations had no gas, and gas rationing was based on license plate numbers.   Honestly? I wonder whether was better to have no gas or gasoline that now costs almost $5-dollars a gallon in some places? Can we win, cupcake? Can the consumer ever win…?

DESSERT!

BOAT DRINK  (Fizzy Lime Coladas)
Makes about 4 large cocktails

Ingredients
1 cup sweetened cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 1/4 cups white rum
ice
2 cups club soda
Limes for garnish

Directions
Combine cream of coconut, lime juice, and rum in a blender, and puree until smooth. (Can also be whisked vigorously in a pitcher.)

Divide evenly into 4 16oz glasses filled with ice, stir once, then top off with club soda.

Garnish with a lime and serve immediately.

SOURCE:  http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com/2014/06/boat-drink-fizzy-lime-coladas.html

IDEA I LOVE

I really like the idea of this DIY hamper for the house, but I’m thinking about making one just like it for the pool area, for towels and suits and stuff.  Not too shabby (although I like the shabby chic look of the total package).  Here’s how to make your own:

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2014/06/diy-foldable-wood-hamper-with-reversible-bag-insert.html

Well, does this work for you?  better or worse?  xoxom