Turn a Photo Into an Appliqué! Crochet a Thanksgiving Turkey! Make Sashiko Placemats! Piece a Colorful Quilt Pattern! Make Some Pretty Hand Warmers! Make a No Sew Autumn Scarf! How to Create Personalized Sewn Gift Labels! Follow the Blackberry Salad Afghan Pattern! Make a Gnome! PLUS . . . My Christmas Ornament Countdown Continues, Recipes, Inspiration, Smiles, Memories, and More!

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THIS TUESDAY 1 PM EST

Live Web Seminar:

November 11, 2014

1 p.m. Eastern

Quick, fast, easy. In our busy, multitasking world, those buzzwords capture our attention. But speed can kill creativity and the enjoyment of our creative pursuits.

Maybe what we really need to do is slow down, enjoy the process, and create knit, crochet, and needlework projects that we’re really proud of. But how?

This NEW and ILLUMINATING web seminar introduces a revolution within the yarn and needlework industries: The Slow Stitching Movement, launched by international quilt and fiber art personality Mark Lipinski. With Mark as your inspiration and guide, The Slow Stitching Movement web seminar will prepare you for a higher form of creativity and important knit, crochet, and needle crafts.

With this webinar, you’ll learn:
Approach your yarn and needle projects in a totally different way.
Recharge your passion for patterns.
Engage the connection between your body, your fiber art, and your legacy.
Expand your creativity, self-esteem and even your spiritual journey.
Tap into your right brain, to train and develop your imagination.
Find the creative genius in you.
Implement your creative thought in today’s too-fast world.
Heal your life, emotions and boost your physical health.
Create groups and habits to support your creative vision.
If you’ve hit a creative wall, if you have more yarn and thread than you do inspiration, if all of your projects are beginning to look alike, or if you’ve been knitting, crocheting, and/or stitching for years and have nothing wonderful to show for it—The Slow Stitching Movement is for you.

Mark brings years of professional and personal experience to the seminar, as he explores with you informational and transformational message of The Slow Stitching Movement.

There will be an opportunity for discussion through a question-and-answer session during the web seminar, and after.

REGISTER HERE:  http://www.interweavestore.com/mark-lipinski-presents-the-slow-stitching-movement-for-knitting-crochet-and-needlework

 

ME LIKEY: 

The entry tile in actor, Eric Stonestreet’s house!

 

YOKE DU YOUR

 

A little girl asked her Mom, “Where do humans come from?”

Her Mom answered, “God made Adam and Eve and they had children and that’s who we all descend from.”

A few days later the girl asked her Dad the same question.

Her Dad answered, “Many years ago there were monkeys from which people evolved.”

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, “Mom, how is it possible that you told me the people were created by God, and Dad said people evolved from monkeys?”

Her Mom answered, “Well, dear, it’s very simple: I told you about my side of the family, and your father told you about his.”

 

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 painting is called, “Sunsetting” by Ruben Kenyatta.

 

 

 

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?    Inside out!  These are Teddy Bears that have been turned inside out and resewn.  Inspiration is all about how you look at things! 

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

How much fun to learn how to turn a cute photo into an even cuter appliqué?  Where’s my camera, I’m going to Ansel Adams myself for the day!  Check this out:

http://littlebuttondiaries.com/2014/11/06/turn-a-photo-into-an-applique/

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

Creepy or mid-century fabulous, it doesn’t matter, this easy to crochet gobbler is a scream!  The only thing that could even possibly make this better is if it covered a roll of toilet paper or a tissue box.  All joking aside, you still have enough time to crochet one as a Turkey-Day favor for each of your Thanksgiving guests.  Here’s the pattern:

http://www.petalstopicots.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-turkey-crochet-pattern/#_a5y_p=1070734

 

YUMMY DISH!

 

MISSISSIPPI MUD CHEESY POTATOES

 INGREDIENTS:

• potatoes, diced
• Mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
• salt
• pepper
• cheddar cheese, diced
• green onions, chopped
• Bacon, cut into bits and cooked
• Olives (optional)

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:   http://www.mamaplusone.com/mississippi-mud-potatoes/

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

Fingers cold?  Fear not, Cupcake in Distress!  Whip up several of these homemade hand warmers to keep your fingers heated and happy during the cold, damp months ahead.  Use your scraps.  DO NOT BUY MORE FABRIC!  See just how inexpensively you can stitch up these cute ‘lil (and potential stocking stuffers) warming squares!  Here’s how you make them:

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/12/v-and-co-how-to-homemade-hand-warmers.html

SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG 

THANKSGIVING CARAMEL APPLE PIE COCKTAIL 

 

INGREDIENTS:

apple cider
Pinnacle Caramel Apple vodka
Rumchata
ice

Directions:.  http://shakebakeandparty.com/2013/09/23/drink-your-pie-caramel-apple-pie-cocktail/

 

 

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!

This awesome latte art is by Michael Breach, one of the top coffee artists in the United States and creating coffee art for special events, advertising, and creative projects worldwide.

 

 

 Yeah, I get these are the gals from Hokus Pokus but they still look like Christine, Dorothy and Phyllis McGuire.

IDEA I LOVE

 

OK, to be honest, I thought this was totally creepy cool until I realized it was for a kid.  Now, having said that, find a way to upgrade the look and you will be the Belle of da Autumn Ball, sister.   If you are ‘devil may care‘ like I am, then of course you’ll want to hit the felt pile and start cutting out leaves to create  your version of a Fall Fairy (which is what caught my eye, perhaps)!  Use these instructions to make your own scarf (or one for the kid in your life):

 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1009411/diy-no-sew-scarf-craft-for-kids

 

IDEA I LOVE

Not only is this a great way to learn sashiko, but what a way to get a new set of adorbs placemats, too!  Keep your mind sharp by learning new techniques and keep your needlework sharp by engaging in something different.   Here’s all you need to know:

http://www.purlbee.com/2012/10/28/mollys-sketchbook-reversible-sashiko-placemats/

 

WORDS TO LIVE BY

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

 

I’m loving the texture and scrappy colors of this Blackberry Salad Striped afghan, don’t you?  Making this will give you the opportunity to use up your scraps so they don’t end up in a landfill when you’re six feet under, and will make you happy just looking at it while you are still here, among the living.  Make a big one, too.  Just take your time and crochet just a little a day.  Slow and steady wins the race.   Here’s the free pattern:

http://www.mooglyblog.com/free-pattern-blackberry-salad-striped-afghan/ 

 

 

MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

 

EASY PUMPKIN-CINNAMON ROLL MONKEY BREAD

 Give your monkey bread a little pumpkin twist with Pillsbury™ Grands!™ refrigerated pumpkin spice rolls!

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• granulated sugar
• Pillsbury™ Grands!™ pumpkin spice rolls with icing
• chopped unwrapped caramels or caramel bits
• chopped pecans or walnuts
• butter
• packed brown sugar

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/pumpkin-cinnamon-roll-monkey-bread/f8b37dbe-421c-4556-83a6-cdbf71d4b2a8

 

 

MEMBA?

 Reading Love Story by Erich Segal

Love Story became the top-selling work of fiction for all of 1970.

I don’t know . . . is it just me or does “love” mean you end up saying you’re sorry about 378 times an hour?  Sheesh!   No wonder the divorce rate has been steadily climbing since this movie was released.

And now a word from our sponsor . . .

 

COOKIES!

GINGER TOFFEE COOKIES

 

 

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

all-purpose flour

ground ginger

baking soda

ground cinnamon

ground allspice

salt

unsalted butter, room temperature

dark brown sugar

egg

dark robust-flavored molasses (do not use blackstrap)

toffee bits

minced crystallized ginger

turbinado sugar (raw sugar)

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.cooking.com/recipes-and-more/RecPrint.aspx?rid=5115

IDEA I LOVE!

 

I know you.   You’re going to start thinking about getting holiday crafty about December 18, then you’re going to panic, chew your nails, drink the rum you bought for the eggnog, swat the dog, yell at your spouse, and offend your mother-in-law.  Well, that’s one way to spend Christmas alone.  Another way to handle it is to start making your holiday crafts now, like this one:  personalized, stitched, and appliqued gift tags.  You know, because buying 724 paper ones in a package for $1 at the Dollar Store is just never quite good enough.   Start here:

http://www.minkikim.com/?p=1873 

IN PRINT!

 

This is author, quilter, and quilt historian, Kyra Hicks, and Kyra just wrote a new book called, “Quilters Questions: A Book of Curious Queries!“

I received a review copy in the mail just the other day, which was a pleasant surprise.  It’s a fun book and every quilt guild,  patchwork bee, and individual quilter will be challenged by the questions in this book.  It’ll make you think about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.   More surprising, however, is what’s on page 48!  Here’s a hint:

Yup, my name was mentioned in the book along with The Slow Stitching Movement!  I was floored , touched and am so grateful!

Do you know a curious quilter? Or maybe you’re a curious quilter yourself. There is no book quite like Quilters Questions: A Book of Curious Queries.

Whether you’re a modern quilter, art quilter, traditional quilter or storytelling quilter, this book of questions is for you! Packed with fun, insightful and thought-provoking questions, Quilters Questions features more than 300 open-ended queries that probe feelings and opinions across a broad range of quilting-related topics, including quilter identity, motivation, fabric obsession, sewing friends, quilt designs and much more.

Quilters Questions is a tremendous amount of fun for quilters of all ages and experience levels:
* Written by a quilter for quilters
* Easy to pick up, hard to put down
* Hours of endless fun
* Explores every aspect of quilting and a quilter’s life… even sex!
* Thought-provoking and light-hearted questions expertly mixed for a captivating read
* Ideal as an icebreaker or group activity for quilting guilds

What kind of curious questions can you expect?
* Would you accept $25,000 to stop quilting forever? What if the offer was only $2,000?
* Can you just look at a quilt and know a male quilter stitched it? How?
* Do you need one or two hands to count on your fingers the number of sewing machines you own?
* Would you consider sewing a hidden camera into a quilt to monitor someone? Why or why not?
* What would you put into a time capsule to commemorate your quilt making?
* What do you give the quilter who has everything?

Discover endless hours of fun with Quilters Questions, a one-of-a kind quilting quiz book!

ORDER KYRA’S BOOK HERE:   http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Questions-Book-Curious-Queries/dp/0982479646/blackthreadsc-20

 

PATCHWORK, BABY!

 

 Pretty pretty pretty.  I like this scrappy quilt and I like that it’s so different than most of the modern stuff I have seen.  Check out the free pattern here:

 http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/spring/

 

SHOEspiration

Shoe designs by Safa Sahin

DESSERT!

 

APPLE CRUMB SLAB PIE

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 

Dough:
all purpose flour
salt
cinnamon
unsalted butter, cold
Tbsp ice water

Topping:
unsalted butter, melted
light brown sugar
granulated sugar
cinnamon
all purpose flour
old fashioned oats

Filling:
apples
granulated sugar
cinnamon
all purpose flour

 FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/apple-crumb-slab-pie/

ORNAMENT COUNTDOWN!

These are so easy and so classically homespun American.  Of course they make perfect tree ornaments, but they also are terrific for all of our patriotic holidays, too, as a bunting or even door or chest knob hangers (sounds kinda dirty when you put it that way).  All hand done but it won’t feel like drudgery because imperfection in these designs are just perfect.  Here’s the blog where I found them:

http://themichaelmasonfamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-around-house.html 

 

MUST HAVE!

 

 

Personally, I have a difficult enough time wanting to cut my lawn, now I’m going to have to cut my jewelry, too?  Honestly, these are pretty cool, donjathink?  These would be ideal for planting cascading petunias, or maybe even a “hemp” seed or eight.  “Good golly, Miss Molly, you’re stitches are looking . . . well . . . weird!”   Here’s where you can buy one:

http://www.gnr8.biz/product_info.php?products_id=1061#

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

There’s no place like Gnome!  And Gnome is where your heart is when you create a family of these whimsical little schweeties!   Can you see a chorus of them arranged on your mantle, or a gaggle of them tucked away in lonely corners for your visitors to find!  I love the basic gnome pattern, but knowing you, kiddo, these babies are about to be embellished, re-created and pimpped out until the cows come home.   Here’s where you start:

http://decorandthedog.net/decorandthedog/2014/10/30/how-to-make-a-gnome 

 

MARK’S ON CRAFT DAILY: AN ONLINE CLASS!

Halloween and Thanksgiving Quilt Borders from Strips of Fabric

Create festive borders for your Halloween and Thanksgiving quilts

“In Holiday Borders Using Strips with Mark Lipinski, Pt. 1, Mark Lipinski – fabric designer and quilter extraordinaire – shows you how to construct and assemble borders for two very fun quilts just in time for the holidays! Follow along as Mark demonstrates how to create festive borders for your Halloween and Thanksgiving quilts. Adopt some great seasonal ideas while getting into the quilting holiday spirit!

Included with this class are free downloadable templates available after purchase.”

CHECK IT OUT BY CLICKING HERE: 

http://craftdaily.com/p-1478-holiday-borders-using-strips-with-mark-lipinski.aspx

 

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I’d really appreciate it!  xoxom

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

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