Crochet a Dragonfly Blanket! Easy DIY Embroidered Pillow! Learn Relief Quilting! How to Prepare and Use a Bullet Journal! Make a Simple Hot/Cold Pack! Piece a State Quilt! DIY Cookie Basket! Sew Mary Jane Baby Shoes! Knit a Pullover Lace Sweater! Make a Cape/Scarf for Fall! Garden with Rocks! Whip Up a Needlework or Handwork Pillow! How to Make a Relief Print! Create a Phoebe Bag! How to Iron a Shirt! Learn Beginning Embroidery Stitches! Up-cycle Denim for a Journal Cover! Craft a Leather Arrow Quiver! PLUS . . . Recipes, Videos, Inspiration, Creativity, Ideas, and More!

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 piece is by Florine Stettheimer, and is called “Picnic at Bedford Hills.” Done in 1918, it is oil on canvas.  You can see it at the PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, PHILADELPHIA, A GIFT OF ETTIE STETTHEIMER

YOKE DU YOUR

Two stoners are walking down a railroad track as high as kites. One stoner says “This is a really long fricking staircase!” The other stoner says “I don’t mind the stairs, it’s this low damn handrail that’s killing me.” 

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?  From the  Urban Home Magazine feature of Larcade Tiles. 

IDEA I LOVE

Here’s a fun way to add a personal touch or new technique to your quilting.  It’s called relief quilting.  The tutorial uses letters/words . . .  but you could also relief quilt shapes and symbols.  Give it a shot. 

FOR THE FREE TUTORIAL CLICK ON THE LINK: https://needleandfoot.com/2016/08/18/relief-quilting-learning-something-new/

IDEA I LOVE

I’ve seen several of these online over the years, the rice-filled hot/cold pack.  This one, however, is the easiest tutorial I’ve ever seen — and, to be honest, it’s pretty unattractive.  Look, you use it for head and body aches.  It doesn’t have to be pretty, just functional. 

FOR MORE IDEAS FROM HOMESTEADING DREAMS CLICK HERE:  http://homesteadingdreams.com/making-a-hot-cold-pack/

YUMMY DISH!

Panko Crusted Mashed Potato Cakes

Ingredients

 

• potatoes
• eggs\
• onion
• black pepper
• flour
• Panko Bread Crumbs
• vegetable oil 

This video just SLAYED me!  Dear Jeeeesus, don’t break a hip!  

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216977/panko-crusted-mashed-potato-cakes/

IDEA I LOVE

You make this little cookie carrier basket from the humble paper plate.  I think it’s totally appealing and even makes a run of the mill chocolate chip cookie look important.  What a nice, fast, easy, and inexpensive little gift to bring with you when you’re ‘just dropping in’ on your daughter-in-law, or when you invite yourself to the neighborhood barbecue.  And who says you have to bake?  Just buy some cookies and you’ll look like Mother Theresa.  

FOR A FREE TUTORIAL ON HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY AND CUTE COOKIE BASKET CLICK HERE: http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/diy-cookie-basket-made-from-a-paper-plate

BREATHLESS INSPIRATION 

Ocean Reefs Comprised Of Rolled Paper

Connecticut artist, Amy Genser.  To see more of Amy’s work CLICK HERE 

 

SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG

Orange Creamsicle Milkshake 

Ingredients

orange sorbet
vanilla ice cream
whole milk
vanilla extract

For a little ‘kick’ I like to add a jigger or two or three of Orange flavored Vodka!  

 

CLICK HERE for the Orange Creamsicle Milkshake Recipe

IDEA I LOVE

I hate that I have to direct you to the Craftsy site (free is free), but I do like this pocketbook and, truth is, you probably need a quick project and a new, comfortable bag to tote around this fall.  I swear, when you Google ‘Phoebe Bag’ you will find dozens of different examples.  Speaking of Phoebe … when I was in Jr. High, I had to read A Catcher in the Rye.  I always thought Holden’s sister was named “PHOBE”  At least, that’s how I pronounced it.  I was a genius, I tell you!  A GENIUS! 

FOR THE FREE PATTERN CLICK HERE: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/phoebe-bag/104430?SSAID=821867&sasClickId=81k0_f0qhe

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 

 IDEA I LOVE

Totally cute.  Wonderfully girly.  And you can show off your crafty skills when you pull your version of this notebook with its DIY cover from your backpack. On second thought, tell everyone you bought it at a high-end, big-city store (no, not Aliquippa, Pennsylvania).  

FOR A FREE TUTORIAL CLICK HERE: http://lifemadecreations.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-in-my-step-blog-hop-with.html

ALSO … check out this blog for a great creative Bullet Journaling experience http://www.bohoberry.com/bullet-journal-update/

MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

Gooey Turtle Brownie Sticky Buns

Bun Ingredients:
active dry yeast
white vinegar
milk
flour
sugar
salt
baking soda
baking powder
shortening 
butter
Half-Batch Filling Ingredients:
(or try your own favorite brownie batter scaled for a 9 x 13-inch pan, provided it’s a pretty thick batter)
butter
unsweetened cocoa
sugar
eggs
vanilla
flour
salt
bittersweet chocolate chips
caramel sauce
pecans

Glaze Ingredients:
melted chocolate chips
caramel sauce
toasted pecans

For the full recipe from Willow Bird Baking, CLICK HERE

MEMBA?

The Amusement Park 

 

 

And now a word  . . .

Get first dibs on all of my eBay listings when you follow the  Pickle Road Stash Busting page on Facebook!  Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PickleRoadStashBusting/

I also started a YouTube page and will, eventually be doing some live broadcasts and probably a few online classes there.  I will be uploading all of the Facebook Live videos to my channel first (and adding retroactive links to this blog).  I already have some uploaded and am working backward — hopefully, I can organize them later. Then, I’ll think about creating and adding original content.  Please subscribe to my channel, here:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeWRvfCwPVqbXXvphw6bsVg

If you missed yesterday’s LIVE, you can watch it here…

If you’d like me to address anything, comment or answer any specific questions on my live feed, please just email me and I’ll get right to it.  Email me at pickleroadstudios@me.com

COOKIES!

NO BAKE OATMEAL SCOTCHIES

Ingredients

• sugar
• milk
• margarine
• vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• butterscotch morsels
• quick cook oatmeal 

 

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.shugarysweets.com/2012/06/no-bake-oatmeal-scotchies#_a5y_p=5020487

 LOL

JUST BECAUSE, I SWOON 

It’s a  Valentino.  This is an ad from the most recent Vanity Fair magazine. This is sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, but I sure couldn’t find this dress.  Amazing, isn’t it?  I’m guessing it runs about $6900.00 or more. 

 

IDEA I LOVE!  CROCHETspiration

What a terrific crochet stitch.  I love the dragonfly motif, don’t you?  It would make a terrific afghan border, too.  This is a kid-size version.  Why not make it larger? 

FOR THE FREE PATTERN, CLICK ON THE LINK:  http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Crochet-Afghan-Patterns/Dragonfly-Crochet-Blanket-Pattern

BE DAZZLED!

“Belladone Island” Ring for Dior Couture 

 

 

PATCHWORK, BABY!  QUILTspiration!

This quilt is pretty cool and really, so easy to make!  Frankly, you can take what you learn from making this quilt, and make patchwork of your state and county, or any other country, too.  Divide the patches in red, blue, and purple states, or color the states you have visited. How about appliquéing stars in the state’s capitols?  Use state flower fabrics.   So much to think about.  Props to designer, Flamingo Toes.  

FOR THE FREE PATTERN AND TUTORIAL PDF, CLICK HERE:  http://www.flamingotoes.com/2016/07/us-state-map-quilt/

SHOEspiration

 Haute Couture Shoes from Guo Pei

Pretty clever that the designer included soles that can be used to measure dried spaghetti!  xoxom

IDEA I LOVE

Can baby shoes get any cuter?  These aren’t so difficult to put together so you might find yourself making several pairs. Listen, you can embroider on them for a special pair (think about a white on white or tone on tone fabric with embroidery that follows the fabric pattern), hot glue crystals onto your finished work, and customize to your heart’s content. What fun to think about how you can own (AKA rock) this idea!

FOR THE FREE PATTERN AND TUTORIAL, CLICK HERE: http://thecottagemama.com/2014/09/mary-jane-baby-shoes-pattern/ 

 

 

IDEA I LOVE!  KNITspiration!

This long pullover in lace knitting is really very pretty.  I’m no knitting expert, but playing with weight and color could make this simple and classic pattern into something amazingly fantabulous.  What are you waiting for?   Get thee to your yarn shop! 

Find the free pattern here:  http://knitchart.com/item/long-pullover-in-lace-pattern.html

GARDENspiration

Here are some terrific ideas for creating your own rock garden, plus a tutorial and more things you might need to know.  

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CREATING A ROCK GARDEN FOR YOURSELF BY CLICKING HERE

MUST HAVE

You know how much I love my Reliable Iron.  Well, there’s a brand new model on the market.  The Velocity 2001R and I need it.  No, I neeeeeeeeed it.  

Santa?  Easter Bunny?  Jeeeeeeeenifer?  Neeeeeeely?  Lyooooooooooon?  Goooooooooooooooooood?

I just realized that I can order this new Reliable Iron and sell it from my online store. But I don’t want to be stuck with any. So I will take orders this week. The cost will be $165 with FREE SHIPPING. It will take about 2 weeks to get to you from today. If there is interest, I’ll proceed. Let me know at pickleroadstudios@me.com

IDEA I LOVE! EMBROIDERYspiration! 

This embroidered pillow reminds us to stop and smell the roses – Choose Joy. It’s a terrific project for you if you’re a new embroiderer.  And it you’re a seasoned stitcher, you might think about choosing a different slogan reminder for your pillow … maybe a few.  What an easy way to seed a little positivity in your life, just by fluffing some pillows.

FOR THE FREE TUTORIAL CLICK ON THE LINK: http://embroidery.about.com/od/Easy-Embroidery-Projects/ss/Easy-DIY-Embroidered-Pillow-Cover.htm#step1

IDEA I LOVE

I’ll bet you didn’t know that I know how to shoot a bow, or that my dad was a master archer. Sometimes I even think I might pick up an old-school bow and a few arrows for some backyard target practice (no skinned rabbits, squirrel, or Bambi in my freezer). I was pretty good, but haven’t picked up a bow in three-hundred years. Needless to say, I melted when I saw this arrow quiver DIY.  HELLO KITTY would most likely replace the tooled buck. Pass me an anti-psychotic.  I’m having bow shopping fantasies (and not a Hello Kitty bow, either).

Click here for the tutorial:  http://piratesofarchery.net/bb/viewtopic.php?p=122836

DESSERT!

TWO TWO EASY PEACH COBBLER

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• sliced peaches
• butter
• sugar
• flour
• milk
• baking powder

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.thisgrandmaisfun.com/two-two-easy-peach-cobbler/

IDEA I LOVE

I think this is a really attractive  way to commune with our cool upcoming Autumn breezes. That, and who can wear a cape without feeling like a super hero?   I love that it’s not size specific and works for tall or short, skinny or healthy (And for me, I’d get double the use — as a warm cape and as a tablecloth for my many visits to the KFC drive thru).  

FOR THE FREE PATTERN AND TUTORIAL, CLICK HERE:  http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2015/09/cape-scarf-diy.html

 IDEA I LOVE

Those little dinky portable arm support pillows at the big box stores do me no good.  They are chintzy and uncomfortable.  That’s why, when I saw this, I had an out-of-body vision of what was in my sewing future!  I want a fluffy back, wide seating area, and high, longer-than-store-bought arms.  I’ll make my own.  These are perfect for knitting, handwork, sewing, reading, or studying in bed or sofa.  Why not plan to add some pockets on the inside and outside arms for all the little stuff you carry with you (Oh, wait, I’m talking to me…)?

FOR A FREE TUTORIAL AND PATTERN CLICK ON THE LINK: http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2011/09/13/guest-tutorial-readingknitting-pillow-from-my-bff-bonnie/

 

 

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