Sew a Stash Buster Cord Wrap! Print a Fall Table Runner! DYI Wool Stadium Blanket! Knit a Dewy Scarf! DYI Book Lover Necklace! Piece a Colorful Batik Quilt! Sew my Jack-O-Lantern Candy Bowl! Crochet Paperweight Granny Squares! Sew a Korean Bento Bag! Craft a Floral Pumpkin! DIY Fabric Pumpkins! DIY Autumn Leaves Wreath Embroidery! Cross Stitch a Thailand Inspired Elephant Duo! Make Wool Tweed and Salvaged Wood Coasters! Quilt a Fat Quarter Halloween-Colored Table Runner! Make Your First Santa Christmas Ornament of the Season! PLUS . . . Recipes, Videos, Inspiration, Creativity, Ideas, and More!

 

 

ARTspiration

Artists or art that turns me on, feeds my soul, and inspires me. This  bronze abstract sculpture of a figure of a woman holding a shield was created by actor Tony Dow, titled, “Unarmed Warrior.” Dow, is best known for his role as Wally Cleaver, in the ’50s TV series “Leave It to Beaver”

YOKE DU YOUR

On hearing that her elderly grandfather had just passed away, Katie went straight to her grandparent’s house to visit her 95 year old grandmother and comfort her. When she asked how her grandfather had died, her grandmother replied, “He had a heart attack while we were making love on Sunday morning.” Horrified, Katie told her grandmother that 2 people nearly 100 years old having sex would surely be asking for trouble. “Oh no, my dear, ” replied granny. “Many years ago, realizing our advanced age, we figured out the best time to do it was when the church bells would start to ring. It was just the right rhythm. Nice and slow and even. Nothing too strenuous, simply in on the Ding and out on the Dong.” She paused, wiped away a tear and then continued, “And if that damned ice cream truck hadn’t come along, he’d still be alive today!” 

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft? MacKenzie-Childs, bowl, chargers, and mug.  www.saksfifthavenue.com




IDEA I LOVE

 

I know what I’m going to be doing with some of my scraps this week. I have so many tangled cords, That if it were hair one might look like Methuselah. There are just too many electronic devices to charge and power up – my laptop, iPhone, iPad, Mofi, wireless speakers, and Kindle, to name a few.  Not only do they look a hot mess, I can’t find cord I want when I need it. Get the free tutorial and how to make your own cord wraps by clicking on the link:

http://www.sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-accents/scrapbusters-cord-wraps-two-sizes

IDEA I LOVE

Maybe it’s just that my interest and sewing has switched somewhat, to stitching, painting, and printing, that I am so attracted to this golden fall table runner.  This technique, is so simple that once you begin the project you’re not going to want to stop. And why should you? After all, after you printed why not embroider over it, do a secondary print, or just continue an make a set of matching napkins and placemats?

For the free tutorial, click here: http://sarahhearts.com/2013-10-03/fall-table-runner/

YUMMY DISH!

SLOW COOKER CHEESY EASY RAVOLI

Ingredients

• ground hamburger or sausage
• frozen ravioli
• spaghetti sauce
• onion
• garlic
• Italian style diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese
• shredded mozzarella

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.farmwifecooks.com/slow-cooker-cheesy-ravioli-casserole/

 (Slow Cooker Ravioli?!?  Did you hear that thud?  Alex Veronelli just fainted!)

IDEA I LOVE

Whether you are a sports fan or not, you are going to love this DIY throw/stadium blanket.  Warm is warm, whether at the beach, watching TV, in the bleachers, or just thrown over your shoulders on an  early morning walk.  I think the look of it is both cool and comfy.

Here’s a tutorial for how to make your own:

http://makinglemonadeblog.com/homemade-diy-throw-blanket-tutorial-stadium-blanket/

BREATHLESS INSPIRATION

This 19,000 Square-Foot Flower Carpet Is The Ultimate Gesture Of Friendship

 Read all about it by clicking on the link:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/flower-carpet-belgium-japan_us_57c4438ce4b04193421007c5?section=&section=us_arts

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

DRUNKEN PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE 

Ingredients

FOR TWO:

• brewed coffee
• milk
• RumChata
• pumpkin pie vodka
• sugar
• ground cinnamon

FOR ME (8 Cups):

• brewed coffee
• milk
• RumChata
• pumpkin pie vodka
• sugar
• ground cinnamon
• Optional: whipped cream and ground cinnamon for topping

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE  http://www.thewholesomedish.com/drunken-punkn-latte/

 

IDEA I LOVE

If you watch me grocery shopping, you might be surprised to find that I’m the guy who climbs the shelves to find exactly the right color of tissue boxes for the different rooms in my house.  That’s why I loved this tutorial for making a tall square tissue box cover that matches with the room.  Genius (and it doesn’t look like a Barbie doll stuck into a toilet tissue roll, either).

Make a tissue box cover to match every room in your house by using this tutorial:  http://www.sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-accents/tall-square-tissue-box-cover

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 

 IDEA I LOVE

If you’re Madame Serious about your formally fun Halloween decorations, then you will love this dark floral pumpkin (it is kinda’ neat though, isn’t it?).  What’s even better is that once you put on your thinking cap, you can figure out ways to use this technique on so many other projects.  Check it out.

For the full tutorial, click here: http://www.huntedinterior.com/2015/10/dark-floral-pumpkin.html#.V9liX7UcvgL

MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

SUPER SIMPLE GOOEY GINGER COFFEE ROLLS

 

Ingredients:

• sugar
  
• crystallized ginger
  
• ground ginger
  
• lemon or orange peel
  
• orange juice
  
• butter
  
• refrigerated biscuits

 

For the full recipe CLICK HERE:  http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/coffee-cakes/gooey-ginger-coffee-rollshttp://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/coffee-cakes/gooey-ginger-coffee-rollshttp://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/coffee-cakes/gooey-ginger-coffee-rolls

MEMBA?

The decorative art-glass from the 1960’s.  My mother and her sisters had a slew for every color of every season.

 

And now a word  . . .

It’s been a while since I’ve sold more of my stash.  That doesn’t mean that there isn’t TONS more to sell.   Frankly, I (and you) were getting a little bombarded with eBay Fatigue.  Also, it’s been so darn hot on Pickle Road, that I have been waiting for cooler temperatures to get into the studio.  MORE IS ON THE WAY!  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

 

TONIGHT

8:00 PM  EST

Facebook Live with Mark Lipinski and Mr. Electric

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

NOW AVAILABLE at PICKLE ROAD STUDIOS!

AURIFIL Monofilament Invisible Thread

Aurifil’s Monofilament Invisible Thread Made in Italy, is made of nylon and available in two colors: smoke (for dark fabrics) and clear (for light fabrics).

It is the perfect choice, whenever the thread or the stitching line should camouflage or needs to be absolutely invisible. Designed to be used when the choice of the right thread color becomes challenging, Aurifil’s Monofilament Invisible Thread can be used as a top thread for many quilting applications such as stitch-in-the-ditch, invisible machine applique, outlining, shaping and echoing applique and of course free motion quilting.

Art Quilters will love the camouflage effect, when couching becomes important. The smoothness of the thread also allows its use in needle turn applique or when joining the parts of open seams, that need to be hand stitched to close.

While in many occasions you may want to stay “invisible” with your top thread, the back of your project may not necessitate an invisible thread. Choose a matching color among one of our numerous Aurifil 100% cotton threads – a 50wt is perfect to use as a bobbin thread – and you will see perfect stitch quality on top and on the back of your project. Top tension should be lowered to at least 2,0 on a home sewing machine and as necessary on a long arm. A slightly larger stitch will also guarantee an excellent result.

Although not recommended in the bobbin for best results, invisible thread can be used in the bobbin with some recommendations. The bobbin should be filled at the slowest speed possible and not completely. In case the winding speed cannot be reduced on the machine, the tension of the thread path should be reduced as much as possible when winding, as the invisible thread tends to stretch a bit and will be wound too tight otherwise. Considering a second bobbin case may be a good choice, as the bobbin tension will need to be adapted as well. The original bobbin case can be kept for normal threads and the bobbin tension does not have to be readjusted.

SAVE MORE BUCKS!

BUY ONE OF EACH COLOR AND SAVE $2.00 

WHILE THEY LAST!

www.pickleroadstudios.com 

COOKIES!

TOP SECRET CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Ingredients

unsalted butter
sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
Dutch process cocoa powder
flour
baking soda
salt
White Sanding sugar, for garnish

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/top-secret-chocolate-cookies-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback

 

LOL

JUST BECAUSE, I SWOON 

1957 Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Cocktail Dress with Lesage Embroidery

$12,000

This wonderful vintage dress can be yours with a few coins and a waist like Sandra Dee. Click here for more information: 

https://www.1stdibs.com/fashion/clothing/evening-dresses/1957-pierre-balmain-haute-couture-cocktail-dress-lesage-embroidery/id-v_715912/

 

IDEA I LOVE!  KNITspiration

 

Called the Dewey Scarf, because it was inspired by dew on a spider web, this is a rather simple knitting pattern.  Not heavy enough for winter, but just right for our upcoming Autumn chill.  Quick, belt one out so you can finish and wear it this year rather than in 2032.

FOR THE EASY FREE PATTERN, CLICK ON THE LINK:  http://larkcrafts.com/needlearts/crafting-from-the-collection-dewey-scarf/

 

BE DAZZLED!

 

I think of all of my buddies and associates who have written books, magazines and articles  over the years and know that they would probably love one of these schweet bangles.  Then, I think of the thousands of cupcakes and pickles, like you, who adore books and would also appreciate and rock this look.  Wouldn’t it be fun to use different or hand painted covers?  You can do it.  Don’t be a’scared (maybe I should do a bit more reading).

This be wonderful to wear (and brag about).  Here’s the tutorial: http://blog.darice.com/jewelry/book-necklace-diy/

 

PATCHWORK, BABY!  QUILTspiration!

I was stopped in my tracks because of the color AND because it’s made with batiks which have been largely sitting on shelves in quilt shops across America.  It’s time to put your batik collection to good use and to go shopping for some new and exciting batiks (I’ll bet you haven’t even looked in awhile, have you?).   Here’s the free pattern:

https://bearcreekquiltingcompany.storage.googleapis.com/uploads/2013/12/23/files/Batik_Favorites_Quilt_Pattern_by_Anthology_Fabrics.pdf

SHOEspiration

 

 

# 1 SHOE by vonka featuring purple home decor

IDEA I LOVE! HALLOWEENspiration

I know I post this every year but it’s my design and it’s my blog. LOL  It really is cute, you can amend the pattern to any size, and with the new Halloween fabric choices, you could have some fun.   It’s really easy to make.  It’s all fusible and satin stitches. Heres the free pattern:  http://www.prym-consumer-usa.com/brands/projects/project_instructions.php?PROJ_ID=52

IDEA I LOVE!  CROCHETspiration!

Pretty. Pretty. Pretty.  Why crochet predictable square when you can crochet creatively flowery?   Here is the pattern for making your own garden of African Flower Granny Squares, which are sometimes called Paperweight Granny Squares. I just call them “pretty.”.

http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/04/crochet-african-flower-paperweight-granny.html/2

WAIT FOR IT…

IDEA I LOVE!

“Why ain’t these swell, Mr. B? I ain’t never been to Yokohama!”

I love the entire concept of Bento Bags.  At first I thought it was a lunch or  “food bag” (I’m only guessing because I’m a genius and a ‘bento box’ is a packed lunch).  These bags can be used to store your knitting projects, as in the photo, or handwork, or (I think) used as reusable gift bags/wrapping, cookie gift giving, etc.  I love them and have making them on my “TO DO” list (which will take me to 3046 to complete).   Take a look at the tutorial and make your own bento bags using the tutorial by clicking on the link below:  

http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2016/08/tutorial-lined-bento-bag.html

CROSS STITCHspiration!

I so love this idea, but (and I know it sounds snarky and hope it’s just bad photography) I would have loved to see the elephant stitched in colors as vibrant as the needlework that is shown with the tutorial — you can fix that! USE BRIGHT COLORS!  Better yet, why not use bright shiny rayon floss instead of cotton?  The design is terrific but it would look SO much better if the image jumped off the Aida or linen, don’t you think?  Plus, an aged, or pale watermelon linen background would have rocked this.  And, dear GAWD, don’t forget beads and speciality stitches!   (Shit! Now, I’m talking myself into designing something….).    Here are the luscious patterns which are SO WORTH stitching:

http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2015/06/thailand-inspired-elephant-cross-stitch-patterns.html

 

 

IDEA I LOVE!

Would the fall be fall without fabric pumpkins?   Go whimsical — stripes, plaids, modern, flowery!  Make a statement with your fabric choices then make a whole field of fabric pumpkins by following the tutorial here:  http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2012/09/howtomakeafabricpumpkin.html

EMBROIDERYspiration! 

This is such a pretty autumn embroidery pattern, filled with color and stitching possibilities. I love how the tutorial talks about how this was designed.  Take a lesson nd design your own!   Start here:

http://embroidery.about.com/od/AthroughL/ss/Autumn-Leaves-Wreath-Embroidery-Pattern.htm#step1

IDEA I LOVE

Salvage some old wood then hit the Thrift Shops for some vintage tweeds and you’re in business.  What a wonderful way to repurpose and get in the stay-at-home autumny mood.  Make a set of these coasters for your Thanksgiving dinner or sweet “I’m thinking of you” Christmas  gifts.

Make your own!  Here’s the tutorial: http://www.sadieseasongoods.com/coasters-salvaged-wood-vintage-tweed/

DESSERT!

MOM’S ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

for the cake:
sugar
shortening
oil
eggs
baking soda
buttermilk
flour
shredded coconut
butter flavoring
vanilla extract

for the frosting:
cream cheese
salted butter
powdered sugar
pecans
butter flavor
vanilla

for the piped frosting:
cream cheese
salted butter
powdered sugar
vanilla

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2016/09/moms-italian-cream-cake-recipe.html

 

IDEA I LOVE

I love Art Gallery Fabrics and was so pleased to find this Halloween-esque-colored modern table runner for you to piece and quilt.   Here’s the free pattern:

http://artgalleryfabrics.typepad.com/weblog/2012/10/fat_quarter_gang_ps_i_quilt.html

 … and CHRISTMASpiration IS HERE

Believe it or not we have less than 100 days until Christmas.  If you’re going to want to make any of your own Holiday ornaments, you had better start now.   Why not begin with this fabric Santa?  The blog and directions are in another language but the photos are so clear that you will have ZERO trouble putting your St. Nicks together.  I love the less predictably colored ones!

http://cucitocreativo.xs4.it/i-miei-lavori/tutorial-babbo-natale-log-cabin/

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