Craft a Pair of Cozy Slipper Socks! Piece a Modern Maples Quilt! Sew a Ruffled Burlap Table Runner! Cute Turkey Napkin Rings for your Table! Make a Button Charm Bracelet! Primitive Cinnamon Pumpkin Sachets! PLUS . . . Recipes, Inspiration, Smiles, Memories, and More! PLUS . . . My Christmas Ornament Countdown Continues, Recipes, Inspiration, Smiles, Memories, and More!

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BOOK REVIEW SATURDAYS

 

 

YOKE DU YOUR 

It was the funeral of a woman who had henpecked her husband, driven her kids half nuts, scrapped with the neighbors at the slightest opportunity, and even made neurotics of their cat and dog with her explosive temper. As the casket was lowered into the grave, a violent thunderstorm broke, and the pastor’s benediction was drowned out by a blinding flash of lightning, followed by terrific thunder.

“Well, at least we know she got there all right,” said her husband.”

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?  BERLIN BLUES 4 painted by William Scott.

 

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?  Flower shot in macro. 

 

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

I simply cannot find enough sweaters to craft all of the old sweater up-cycles but I find to share with you. I guess that means I’d better get out my knitting needles and start getting to work. Most of the time I’m looking for wool sweaters in thrift shops for felting and other kinds of projects, but for something like these DIY sweater slipper socks, I think acrylic would work. A couple of years ago, I visited the Brooklyn General Store where they sold really, really thick wool felt.   I’m planning on visiting Brooklyn this weekend, and may head over to that area of the borough to grab some. I have always wanted to make a pair of slippers from that fat felt for myself. I must be serious because it’s been years and I can’t get this place or their felt out of my mind! Here’s how you make the slippers:

http://www.ecouterre.com/recycle-an-old-sweater-into-a-pair-of-cozy-slipper-socks-diy-tutorial/diy-sweater-slipper-socks-5/

IDEA I LOVE

 

It would take you no time at all to make these fun turkey napkin rings (that can be adapted for Turkey hair clips… And you know you need those) for your Thursday dinner! Using some cheap felt from your local craft store and scraps of ribbon, you will delight your Thanksgiving day guests in a  way your sister-in-law was unable to do that last year when she hosted your family. Here’s how you make the sweet little turkeys:

http://www.raegunramblings.com/2013/11/turkey-napkin-rings-and-turkey-hair-clips-tutorial.html 

 

YUMMY DISH!

ROSEMARY ROASTED TURKEY

 

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• olive oil
• garlic
• fresh rosemary
• fresh basil
• Italian seasoning
• ground black pepper
• salt
• whole turkey

 FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/rosemary-roasted-turkey-2/detail.aspx

 

MEMBA?

Pilgrim candles by Gurley.

 

 

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 

 

MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

 

HOLIDAY PUMPKIN BREAD

 

 

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Unbleached All-Purpose Flour*
White Wheat Flour, organic preferred*
cinnamon
ground ginger
ground cloves
brown sugar
diced crystallized ginger, optional
salt
instant yeast
pumpkin
eggs
melted butter or canola oil (1 3/4 ounces)

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/holiday-pumpkin-bread-recipe

 

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

Is it so wrong to love this little button charm bracelet?   To be honest, I am so not crazy about this color combination although it is kind of fun. If I were to do this craft, I would add a lot more buttons and for this time of year, I would carefully choose my color palette – choose Fall colors! This is really easy to make by following the tutorial link. So easy, in fact, if you hit your craft store this morning for supplies by 10, you will have completed this project by noon. Here is the tutorial:

http://momspark.net/easy-cute-button-charm-bracelets-craft-tutorial/

This blogger culled her button stash for the perfect autumn button colors.

See what I mean? Choosing the right color combinations can really make this little DIY button bracelet work!   http://sweetpeafamilyblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/autumn-glow-swap.html

IDEA I LOVE

 

You might not guess it, but I am really a fan of the primitive look in decorating and DIY crafts. I love these little cinnamon scented pumpkins for decorating and stimulating your olfactories and your house. Display them in a bowl, in an autumnal wreath or floral arrangement, or just sit them around the house to signal visually, and with the glorious cinnamon scent, that family time and fall holiday time  are here! I have to tell you, I would be forced to add some clove into the mix. I happen to love the smell of clove, while Mr. Electric hates it. Yeah… Clove sachets for Mr. Electric’s closets – STAT!   LOL  Make your primitive pumpkin sachets here:

http://kathiegivens-mycountryheart.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

 

 

And now a word from our sponsor . . .

SHOEspiration

 

JULIA HAART  crystal embellished pumps,  $4,020.87

 

PATCHWORK, BABY!

 

I love when modern quilters blow up a traditional pattern 475,000 times larger than it had been intended for  a quilt. In this case the maple leaves are sooooooo big, you can make this quilt in an hour and a half —  and that’s only if you’re a slow piecer.  Now you have little excuse to not have a Thanksgiving quilt finished and on display next week. Here’s the pattern.

http://www.larkcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/modern-maples.pdf

 

DESSERT!

PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN FUDGE

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 4 cups white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (I use Skippy Naturals)
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix; I use Libby’s brand)
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2014/10/peanut-butter-pumpkin-fudge/

 

IDEA I LOVE

 

 

Last year, my kidney donor and the woman who saved my life, Mary Eichler, hosted her extended family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mary made burlap table runners and painted, and stenciled and worked her sewing machine until everything was perfect. I wish I had seen this tutorial, or thought about this idea, last year, because I love the way these burlap ruffles look on this table runner – and I know Mary would love it, too. This is so easy to make and really captures a mood. Mixing burlap and many little cinnamon-scented pumpkins are going to make this weekend is a match made in heaven! Have you priced burlap lately? I am horrified at how expensive it’s become. It’s not break-the-bank expensive but… It’s freaking burlap!   Here’s the tutorial:

http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/2013/11/ruffled-burlap-table-runner.html

 

This is Mary and me moments before being shot with “Milk of Amnesia” and being wheeled into the OR for our lifesaving surgery

 

 

 

BE DAZZLED!

 

Matisse “Autumn Leaf” Brooch with Ivory Pyralin box, $1,650

https://www.1stdibs.com/fashion/ephemera/jewelry-boxes/matisse-autumn-leaf-brooch-ivory-pyralin-box/id-v_149430/

 

ORNAMENT COUNTDOWN!

ORNAMENT COUNTDOWN!

 

If you live in Buffalo, or were slammed by the polar vortex last week, it’s too late for you to hunt for the perfect pinecones to make these little elfin ornaments. If you live in New Jersey and south, put on your walking shoes, grab a bag, and become the Buwana of urban jungle pinecone hunters. This tutorial is not in English but a moron can understand it even if English is your one and only language (like it is mine, and I’m a moron). Get to work, cupcake, Christmas is coming! Start here:

 http://www.gruszkazfartuszka.pl/diy-choinkowe-skrzaty/

 

 

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