Last Minute Christmassy Projects – Mug Rugs, Cup Cozy, Ornaments! New Year’s Embroidery! Felted Winter Fawn to Make! Piece a Cathedral Stars Quilt! PLUS . . . My Christmas Ornament Countdown Continues, Recipes, Inspiration, Smiles, Memories, and More!

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YOKE DU YOUR

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In a small southern town in Texas there was a nativity scene that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One small feature stood out. The three wise men were wearing firemen’s helmets. Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, a visitor decided to ask a local what it meant. At a shop on the edge of town, he asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets. She exploded into a rage: ‘People these days never do read the Bible!’ The visitor assured her that he did, but simply couldn’t recall anything about firemen in the Bible. She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. Sticking it in his face she said, ‘See, it says right here, “The three wise man came from afar.”’

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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?  “Rolling Hills of Scotland,” by artist David Lloyd Glover.

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DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?  Architecture Decorative Wall Panels With Natural Stone Design.

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IDEA I LOVE

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You yarn wizards can whip up this cute Santa Mug Cozy by tomorrow, can’t you?  Here’s the pattern:

 https://s3.amazonaws.com/spinrite/pdf/Web-B-SV-SantasMugCozy.pdf

 

IDEA I LOVE

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Just waiting out the day?  Why not sew up a little Santa Mug Rug while you wait?  It will keep you busy while you’re waiting for your family and friends to arrive!  Start here:

Santa Instructions

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YUMMY DISH!

CHRISTMAS BRUNCH CASSEROLE

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INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. bacon

1 tbsp. butter
2 onions, chopped
2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 pinch dried parsley
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

IDEA I LOVE

 

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Here’s a project that celebrates winter.  Have some time off between Christmas and New Year’s Eve?  Why not embroider on a  pretty piece of linen?  You can also make this an appliqué!  Get the pattern here:

http://hudsonsholidays.blogspot.com/2011/12/almost-new-years-freebie-snowman.html 

IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET: 

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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.

 

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BREATHLESS INSPIRATION!

“Pop Top” Bottle Cap Portraits by Molly Bright

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Mark Twain Bottle Cap Portrait

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WORDS TO LIVE BY

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MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

CINNAMON ROLBREAD

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HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Dough:

whole milk

active dry yeast

Gold Medal® Better for Bread™ flour

cinnamon

salt

butter flavored shortening or butter, softened

granulated sugar

brown sugar

eggs

Filling:

butter

brown sugar

cinnamon

Topping:

butter

granulated sugar

cinnamon

Icing:

powdered sugar

whole milk

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MEMBA?

The old family nativity set…

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And now a word from our sponsor . . .

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COOKIES!

CHRISTMAS FUNFETTI CAKE BATTER TRUFFLES

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HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

white cake mix
flour
sugar
butter, melted
vanilla
milk
Christmas sprinkles + more for decoration
white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPES, CLICK THE LINKS: http://www.laurenslatest.com/christmas-funfetti-cake-batter-truffles-oxo-giveaway/

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IDEA I LOVE

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I love to see the little fawns in the springtime!  Here’s a little felt fawn to make as some kind of ornament or just because.  Here’s the pattern:

 http://www.downeastthunderfarm.com/2014/12/a-winters-white-tail-fawn/

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BE DAZZLED!

Tiffany & Co. Enamel Ruby Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Large Flower Pin Brooch, $10,000

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PATCHWORK, BABY!

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Colorful, pretty and scrappy. Make the Cathedral Stars quilt as your New Year’s resolution.  Here’s how:

http://quiltville.com/pdf/cathedralstarspf.pdf

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SHOEspiration

Dolce & Gabbana Embroidered Pumps

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DESSERT!

PEPPERMINT BROWNIE TRIFLE

 

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HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 

Box brownie mix
Low fat plain yogurt1
Egg
Small box sugar free instant white chocolate pudding mix
Small box sugar free instant chocolate pudding mix
(16 oz) Tub fat free or light Cool Whip™
Skim milk
Peppermint extract
Optional  Toppings: Additional Cool Whip for topping,candy canes, peppermint bark

 

JUST CHRISTMAS CUTE!

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ORNAMENT COUNTDOWN!

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Isn’t this a cute idea!  Grab some battery operated votives, blue on a pipe cleaner, pom moms, and a ribbon and you have the most delightful ornament!   It’s not too late!  What a great favor they would make for tomorrow’s dinner!  Here’s how:

 http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/christmas-ornament-craft.html#sthash.OOTPpV0t.dpbs

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IDEA I LOVE

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 If you’re just sitting around today, why not gather some scraps and make this yo yo Christmas tree?   Here’s the way it’s done:

http://kiwiatheart-leonie.blogspot.com/p/yo-yo-christmas-tree-tutorial.html

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Did You Miss Saturday’s Book Reviews? 

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Check it out here:  

 https://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/20/book-review-saturday-december-20-2014/

MUST HAVE

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Treasured Wishes

Where do wishes go once you make them? Their force for good travels out into the universe in ways we don’t understand, but what if you could keep a piece behind as a special reminder of that magic?

Glass artist Jill Henrietta Davis has conjured up a way to do just that. Each shimmering ball of hand-blown, blue glass comes with 52 tiny slips of paper for you to pause once a week throughout the year and record a message of hope or gratitude. Coil them up and tuck them in the tiny hole near the base and they become a permanent part of the display. Though it can be a very personal totem, the Wishing Ball can also be gifted at a baby shower, graduation, or wedding as a creative alternative to a guestbook, full of blessings from family and friends. Or it can simply be put on display as a focus for your positive thoughts, or as a memento of blessings already received. Handmade in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Exclusively at UncommonGoods.   $32

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SLOW STITCHING

Don’t miss Sunday’s announcement for BIG NEWS for The Slow Stitching Movement!

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Slow Stitching Podcast 

Liza Prior Lucy, author, designer, teacher, knitter, quilter, and business owner of www.GloriousColor.com discusses her attraction and participation in The Slow Stitching Movement in a newly posted Slow Stitching podcast. Listen here: http://www.slowstitching.com/podcasts.html

 

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

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Then visit The Slow Stitching Movement blog . . . . 

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 Guest Blogger, Liz Kettle, asks

Looking for Nirvana?  Try Healing Stitch Meditations

 http://bit.ly/1v8oC5M 

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STASH SLASHING!

One creative’s hoard is another creative’s treasure . . . read on: 

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When I began The Slow Stitching Movement I asked stitchers and quilters to reduce their impact on the planet and their creative psyches by letting go of the stash of books, papers, patterns fabrics, and tools that they have been collecting over many years and haven’t used.  I have been preaching to myself.  So, in an effort to put my money where my mouth is, to open my creativity by being less boxed in by ‘stuff’, I have begun posting boxes of book and fabric bundles on eBay for various charities.

Here’s how I price the packages . . . I research the amount an individual could buy each of these books or fabricss, pre-owned, at their lowest online price.  I total the price, split it in half and add Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping (about $12.65).  Then I add a little surprise from my stash as a bonus (it could be extra fabrics, a book ,or notion).

I WILL BE ADDING  NEW PRIORITY MAIL BOXES FULL OF GOODIES OFTEN!

Here are the current listings: 

Quilting and Fiber Books from Saturday Book Review! FREE SHIPPING

Books from Saturday’s Book Review! FREE SHIPPING!

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If you’re liking this blog Please tell your friends about it!

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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11 Comments on “Last Minute Christmassy Projects – Mug Rugs, Cup Cozy, Ornaments! New Year’s Embroidery! Felted Winter Fawn to Make! Piece a Cathedral Stars Quilt! PLUS . . . My Christmas Ornament Countdown Continues, Recipes, Inspiration, Smiles, Memories, and More!”

  1. Mark Mulder
    December 24, 2014 at 10:42 AM #

    Mark I liked seeing the bottle cap are have you ever featured the Gumball art that is on display at Edinboro U of P

    Like

    • December 24, 2014 at 2:23 PM #

      I had no idea, Mark! I’ll be sure to take a look! Thanks for the lead! xoxom

      Like

  2. Jean
    December 24, 2014 at 11:19 AM #

    Inspirational and fun as always, but, um, that Santa with the crescent moon looks like he’s REALLY “happy to see us”. Sorta creeping me out a little bit… 😀

    Like

    • December 24, 2014 at 2:23 PM #

      You know, I had to go back and take a look, Jean. You’re right! VERRRRRY HAPPY! LOL xoxom

      Like

  3. Kathy Aparicio
    December 24, 2014 at 1:00 PM #

    Mark, dear Mark, how I look forward to your blog. Just can’t get enough of your great sense of humor and the interesting projects you find and share! Have an absolutely wonderful holiday! Keep your words coming babycakes

    Like

    • December 24, 2014 at 2:24 PM #

      Thank you so much. You can’t know how much your note means to me! xoxom

      Like

  4. Marti M
    December 24, 2014 at 3:03 PM #

    Mark…that vintage nativity was the same one under our tree! Thanks for bringing back a very special memory! Merry Christmas.

    Like

  5. dragongourd
    December 24, 2014 at 5:49 PM #

    I really enjoy reading your blog and I love to pin the ideas that particularly interest me. I also share some on Facebook. But I appreciate all the hard work you do to put this blog together. Merry Christmas

    Like

  6. December 24, 2014 at 6:22 PM #

    Merry Christmas, Mark! Thank you for all the inspiration. Wishing you a fabulous new year filled with wonder and delight.

    Like

  7. Cyndee Carson
    December 25, 2014 at 12:52 AM #

    Thanks for finding and posting the window licking reindeer. It brought back very fond memories. I thought of you yesterday at Walmart when I saw a basket full of peeps on a stick. Have a healthy Winter ahead.

    Like

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Growing Up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania

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