DIY Painted Fabric Rugs! After the Storm Quilt! Crocheted Cherries! Dandelion Puff Embroidery! Binocular Bag! Block Printing! PLUS . . . Recipes, Jokes, Art, Design & Memories!

 

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I’d really appreciate it!  xoxom

 

YOKE DU YOUR

 

 A DEA Agent stopped at a ranch in Texas and talked to an old rancher. He told the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.” The rancher said, “okay, but don’t go into that field over there…”, as he
pointed out the location.

The DEA Agent verbally exploded and said, “look mister, I have the authority of the federal government with me!” Reaching into his rear back pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge and proudly displayed it
to the rancher. “See this fricking badge?! This badge means I can go wherever I want… On any land! No questions asked, no answers given! Do you understand old man?!”

The rancher kindly nodded, apologized, and went about his chores. Moments later, the rancher heard loud screams, he looked up and saw the DEA agent running for his life, being chased by the ranchers big Santa Gertrudis Bull…… With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it was likely that he’d sure enough get gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly terrified. The old rancher threw down his tools, ran as fast as he could to the fence, and
yelled at the top of his lungs…..

“YOUR BADGE! SHOW HIM YOUR FRICKING BADGE!” 

 

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,  Michaël Borremans.

 

 

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?  Keep an eye out for layering and texturing in art and other things.  This is simply acrylic paint and dots, mirrors and acrylic gems such as in the work of Beci Whatley.

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

My Creative Mojo bud Mark Montano is at it again!  Here’s his video for making your own painted fabric rugs which are terrific!  Sometimes you just can’t find the designs you like in a store.  Now you can design your own with Mark’s help.  Why not give it try while the weather is still warm and the light still bright?   Ah, go on…  just a little one to try it out.  Here’s the video tutorial:

 

IDEA I LOVE

 Make your life a Chair of Bowlies! Crochet cherries for a bowl, hair embellishment or even for a t-shirt design.  Not so tough to make and cute, too (not that there’s anything wrong with that).   Here’s how: 

 http://www.vendettauncinetta.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CherryTutorialENG.pdf

 

 

CLASSIC GARLAND (of cherries)

GUESS WHO?

Guess who is leading a creative stitching/quilting tour though POLAND next September?

More details soon! 

IDEA I LOVE

 

Finally, a tutorial for making a binocular bag! LOL  I’m not much of a bird watcher, but the at least I’ll be stylin’ it when I’m watching the neighbor’s pool boy!  KIDDING!  (my neighbor doesn’t have a pool).   Here’s the tutorial for making your own  bird watching binocular bag:

http://www.sewmamasew.com/2014/06/bird-watcher-binocular-bag/ 

 

YUM

 

APPLESAUCE PARFAIT WITH CINNAMON BREADCRUMBS

 This breakfast parfait (ugh, I hate calling it a parfait because it makes me think of all the super commercial yogurt parfaits from fast food chains out there, but oh well) is based off a Norwegian dessert whose name translates as veiled farmgirls. The dessert version uses whipped cream, which I’ve simply replaced with yogurt to turn it into breakfast.

Applesauce

• 3pounds cooking apples, cored, peeled, and cut into 1-inch chunks
• Juice from one lemon
• 1stick of cinnamon
• 1/4cup brown sugar (plus more sugar – brown or white – to taste)
• 1/2cup water
• 1pinch salt

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a heavy bottomed saucepan covered with a lid. Bring to a boil, then turn to low and simmer until the apples are completely soft, about 20 minutes. Taste and add more sugar, if desired.
2. Remove from the heat, fish out the cinnamon stick and then mash well with a potato masher or a fork. Allow to cool before serving in the parfaits.

Applesauce parfaits

• 1 1/2cup breadcrumbs
• 3tablespoons sugar
• 2teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2tablespoons butter
• Homemade applesauce (above)
• 3cups plain or vanilla or honey-sweetened yogurt
• 1/2cup chopped, toasted hazelnuts

1. In a nonstick skillet, stir together the breadcrumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the crumbs are toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool.
2. In 4 bowls or large glasses, make layers of applesauce, breadcrumbs, and yogurt. Top each serving with a scattering of toasted hazelnuts and serve.

 Source: http://food52.com/blog/8514-applesauce-parfait-with-cinnamon-breadcrumbs 

 

YTF cinnamon challenge

YTF (Youtube Friends/Yesterday, Today, Forever)

BREATHLESS INSPIRATION

 

 

 

Cut Paper artist Bovey Lee is currently based in my hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, she created here first cut paper piece in 2005.

 

 

 

 

“I hand cut each work on a single sheet of Chinese xuan (rice) paper backed with silk and both are renewable and eco-friendly materials. The tools I use are simple: cutting mat, X-acto knife and blades, staples, clips, and paperweights.” 

 

 

 

 

 WOW!  HAVE YOU SEEN THIS!!

I AM SO HUMBLED by the response to The Slow Stitching Movement.

The movement just keeps getting bigger!

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY!  

Take a look:

http://dmc-threads.com/slow-stitching-movement/

 

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 

 

PATCHWORK, BABY!

 

 

This quit is called, AFTER THE STORM.  It has a modern look but is traditionally cut an pieced.  The best of both worlds.  Here’s the PDF pattern:

http://www.fonsandporter.com/articles/after_the_storm_bonus_quilt_project

MEMBA DIS?

Campers on a pickup truck.

IDEA I LOVE!

I really do love printmaking.  Actually, I really like the idea of printmaking (I have all of the supplies, of course, I bought them when I was working for Mr. Slate), but I have yet to try it.   Having some of these rubber stamping blocks, I might just get my butt in gear and load my trusty Speedball linoleum cutter.  What magic will I you create?    Take a look:

http://fudgeyjoy.com/2014/08/04/the-dummys-guide-to-using-a-speedball-linoleum-cutter-to-carve-rubber-stamps/ 

Here’s a video primer for explaining block printing supplies you might need

MUST HAVE!

Being a creative type, I want to staple on the page where I want to staple, not where Springline allows me to put a staple in my paper.   I gotta get me one of these ‘staple where you want’ staplers.  Check it out: 

 http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-PALGN-BL01-Align-Stapler/dp/B00IWYFZ24

DESSERT!

CRUNCHY COCONUT COOKIES

ingredients

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar at medium-high speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture on low speed. Stir in the coconut.
3. Place rounded teaspoons of dough about an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

Source: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/dessert-recipes/crunchy-coconut-cookies

 

SHOEspiration

Shirdak’s exquisite handmade ankle boots

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

Sorry blogger, I LOVE the idea, dandelion puff pattern and design, but I ain’t crazy about this color combo.  That said, this done in whites and yellows might be jut the ticket for me!   Oh, you Lemon Cathedral class takers …. you learned the French Knot (unless you’re a lefty – you know who you are, Diane) just in the nick of time.   Boy, I like this look.  Wouldn’t this be a great embellishment on a jacket sleeve, blouse or as a quilt square.   Grab your embroidery hoop, and your DMC.   Start here for instructions:

http://hugsarefun.com/dandelion-puff-embroidery-pattern/

Or just print your pattern here:

 http://hugsarefun.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/flower-pattern.pdf

 

 

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The Lemon Cathedral Tour Continues!

Next stop:   SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 

Drive into Springfield from St. Louis!  Chicago!  Indianapolis! 

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THE LEMON CATHEDRAL TOUR CONTINUES!

 

 

Crowne Plaza, Springfield, Illinois

September 24-27, 2014

 

 Attend my Banquet Lecture on September 26 

And an all day Lemon Cathedral workshop on September 27

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

 

This is just one variation of the Lemon Cathedral quilt . . . 

And here’s what the students who took the workshop are saying:

 

“I had an absolutely amazing time this weekend at the quilting retreat!! Mark Lipinski was fabulous and so much fun! His lecture had us laughing so hard we were practically crying, and his quilts were outstanding. He’s a talented, entertaining and generous teacher. Even though I’ve been quilting for a long time, I learned some new exciting techniques and tips to help me advance my art! Can’t wait to hang out with him again.”  

Karen L.,  Quilter

“We had such a great time in the Lemon Cathedral workshop. Thanks for a fabulous class and you are sooooo much fun.”

Carolyn S., Quilter

“My Lemon Cathedral class with Mark Lipinski at MQX was everything that I imagined. He had a way about teaching that put you at ease at learning a new technique. He was funny and engaging. I felt like everyone got his individual attention. I would definitely take another class with him.”

Michelle W., Quilter

“The lecture and lemon cathedral quilt class with Mark Lipinski was amazing and well worth the money! His lecture was filled with excitement, energy, laughter and spectacular quilts! The class was electric! Everyone loved the easy trick for making a quite complicated block! There were so many techniques used in this class, even the most advanced sewer will walk away with a “wow”!”  

Michelle Strassburg, Owner, Fabric Affair Quilt Shop

“The MQX Lemon Cathedral workshop was like five classes in one. Learned so many tips . Mark made us feel we could do anything. Best class ever.”

Donna  M., Quilter

“I highly recommend taking Mark Lipinski’s Lemon Cathedral quilt workshop. I took his workshop this past weekend and it was great. Mark is an excellent teacher. He is right there to answer any questions and give any help or advice you might need. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to be with and learn from Mark. It is more fun than you could ever imagine.”

Diane H., Quilter

“I have always been intimidated to try raw edged appliqué but this class was so fun and free spirited that all fear has vanished….now I’m looking for new applique projects. The cathedral windows block works like magic, thanks Mark.”

Lynn K., Quilter

“When I found out at the last minute that Mark would be in town I dropped everything to see him again. An evening of creative inspiration, warm camaraderie, fun stories and belly laughs was just what I needed to fill my cup. Spread the word: Mark Lipinski is back, and he’s better than ever!”

Lea P., Quilter

“Thank you Mark! We had sooo much fun and loved working with you on the Lemon Cathedral! Come back soon!”

Diane  L ., Quilter

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DON’T MISS A THING, MISS THANG!

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