MyCraftTime

Valentines part 2

2009-01-24T12:08:00.002-06:00

Here are my friends holding up their valentines and more decoration pictures. Here is my son serenading us and his girl with Valentine love! He even cut a few hearts before bolting out with his dad to do manly things, truly, they went to the pistol range to get out of the "hen party".

Handmade Valentine Party

2009-01-24T12:00:00.004-06:00

I had a fun party for friends to make Valentine's. I provided supplies and a lunch. We had doilies and card stock, glue and piles of stickers and heart images cut from wrapping paper and old catalogs and gardening magazines.

Nativity sets

2008-12-29T10:52:00.004-06:00

I went to my local thrift store and found some fun nativity sets for a great price. THis first one is the playmobil set, I was going to buy this one for Natalie but then saw that it has way too many little bits and pieces, so it is mine now. Then I got one of those sets that someone has sewn and hand-stuffed. The round porcelain one had no lights so I inserted a strand of battery operated led lights. They stayed lit for days. Mom painted the chunky wood ones for me years ago as well as the set of three elegant painted figures. On the top we see a fun children's turned wood glossy painted set from China, which no grand baby of mine will gnaw on due to the lead paint scares. The last top left one came in that felt box with a creche on it! Inside were little polymer clay figurines, which was a super price because one sheep was missing! At least everyone else was there. So for the last 25 years I have had 2 nativities and now I have 8, 9 counting the box! So now I have a collection of nativities, or something new to collect and display.

Quilty Christmas stuff

2008-12-21T22:44:00.001-06:00

Here is my new Christmas king sized bed quilt. These blocks are really big and this worked up quickly. I won lots of different quilt fabrics at a Four County Quilt Guild event in MD years ago and finally found a great design to use them all together. Reds and whites, greens and golds all together. I finished the quilt top in Canada when I lived there and had it quilted in Texas this year, on my bed this year for the holidays--Yeah!! It is much prettier in person. Lisa did a really creative custom quilt design in the blocks that accents the floral feel. Plus, there are stars in the borders, hard to see until you are very close. Mom made me this runner for my table for Christmas this year. I had some big quilt plans of my own for my grand babes this year but I have been sick for over a week now and I guess they may get them in January...

Necklace making with Judy

2008-12-20T13:13:00.000-06:00

We made many more pieces than this, and even took pictures for the blog, but the photos have disappeared! These are all we have--

Florist Flowers

2008-12-18T07:07:00.000-06:00

I do not know, what are these flowers ? And what are these alien yellow things? Look some handcrafted brooms..

Swiss Hot chocolate

2008-12-17T06:55:00.000-06:00

The Swiss make a hot chocolate that is very dark and bitter sweet. Here is a outside cafe at the Stork Hotel with fur robes to cover your lap and wonderful swans swimming by and a river view. Richard drank three or four chocolates a day and usually mine too. The whipped cream is so high in butterfat that it sits on top of your hot chocolate like a pile of mashed potatoes. See it on the little saucer behind the croissants? This is just a mean post, you can almost taste it...

Nascar not Crafting

2008-12-16T06:41:00.003-06:00

Last month Judy and I went to the O'Reilly cup with Richard and Zack, our first ever Nascar event for the 4 of us. We were totally surprised at how many fans there were, and how loud it was. Duh! We had to buy earplugs. We won these tickets at a charity silent auction. Never say that I am not the hostess with the mostest when you come to visit me. Judy and I drove to Houston for the big quilt show also. I was not enamored of this sport though and wished for some embroidery or a book---Now if this blog only had "loud-o-vision" You could hear the swoosh of the lapping cars. Notice way past the score pole the miles of parked campers, the second farther rows back? That's where we parked. Luckily, there was a trolley to get nearer before the race. and a nice lady drove us back in her golf cart afterwards, stars in her crown in heaven, kind stranger!

My husband and son said they could understand the lure, they found the whooshing of the laps to be strangely mesmerizing.

Wooden boat models

2008-12-15T06:36:00.001-06:00

Look at these great models at the Wooden boat museum in Clayton, New York. If these are children's toys they were lovingly kept. A man here in our neighborhood is building a big wooden boat in his garage. I keep meaning to get over there to ask him if I can see it, I just catch tantalizing glimpses driving by when the door is open, another friend said that the neighborhood man builds boats for Disney, But until I talk to him myself that's just a rumor!

Painted bear garland

2008-12-14T22:30:00.004-06:00

Mom painted all these different themed bears over several years, This year I hung them on my stair bannister. There are LOTS of these cute guys.

More Christmas stuff

2008-12-14T22:27:00.002-06:00

Mama's great Christmas winter village quilt with pearl snow. and a snow man with button legs and a my favorite rudolph the reindeer trophy head--

More Santas from my collection

2008-12-14T22:24:00.004-06:00

Some more great painted santas; tall ones, short ones, fat ones and even skinny ones-- and many in a santa forest!

Hand Painted Santa collection 1

2008-12-14T09:24:00.005-06:00

My Mama Painted a Santa for our family every year since I was married up until 2005, I continued to paint some myself. It makes me happy to put them up every year. These are not in chronological order.

Mysterious crafting

2008-12-13T06:33:00.000-06:00

What is she doing with construction paper stars and a big ole' bottle of Frank's hot sauce? hmmm? In Maryland a while ago---

Lighthouse Scare

2008-12-12T06:07:00.000-06:00

I decided to go up this lighthouse in Florida, Look How brave I am at the top (not really) and how scared I look going back down,I was terrified up and down. But look how pretty the lens and view is!

Baby Bernina Nova

2008-12-11T06:31:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures of my first Bernina residing now at Rachel's house

Bernina Factory

2008-12-11T05:58:00.000-06:00

So in Zurich I found this Bernina place and I was sure it was the factory. I went in to look around and try to get a deal on the latest Bernina that does everything for $7800 dollars that I saw here at the Houston quilt show. I looked around, found someone who spoke English and they told me they wouldn't even have delivery of the machines in Switzerland until April! My Aunt Sue has been sewing on her Bernina since 1960, I got a Bernina Nova as a wedding gift in 1980 that is still in our family, going strong and is still worth on Ebay what we paid for it. Wow are the new ones expensive though. I had told myself I deserved it, I sew all the time and is my husband still using a computer from 1987, the last time I replaced mine? But $ 7800 just seemed too dear, maybe they will go down in price...

Onion Crafting?

2008-12-10T05:51:00.000-06:00

Here are these Swiss ladies in native dress hamming it up for the tourists in the town square. Notice the fancy braided onion swags and wreaths. I also love their black lace hats. Here I am eating some enormous roasted chestnuts. I love them.

quilted jacket

2008-12-09T05:34:00.000-06:00

I did a lot of traveling in November and almost no crafting, but I am back in the saddle before Christmas. Here are a few pictures from my journeying. Here I am wearing a quilted coat my mom made for me years ago. It has a flannel interlining. I washed it and it shrunk two sizes and I am just now back in this size again and can wear it. Look at how many tiny pieces of aqua fabrics! Oh yeah, I am in Switzerland in these photos.

Texas funny sign

2008-12-08T05:29:00.000-06:00

Only in Texas can you get such service, Beauty Parlor and Chainsaw repair! Now I just need Sewing machines and Sushi, or Quilt Store and pedicure!

Quilting by Myself

2008-12-07T05:16:00.006-06:00

Well, I am proud that I pinned this whole twin sized quilt to tie on the frame by myself ,all until putting the clamps on the corners! I set it up in my living room next to our grand piano. I think I could get a queen sized one up in there with the couch pushed against the windows this way. It was lonely without mom and my sisters! This is one of our "talk ABout" quilts featuring novelty fabrics. My friend Donna chose all the fabrics for this one last Spring and then has been overcome by life events and could never come help make it. So It has been hanging around on my cutting table, so I whipped it up. It just happens to be Christmas time and I can't decide to wait for that to give it to her or just give it early. I love her and wanted to show my support. Sometimes it can be awkward for our family to slather people with creative gifts we've made, if the one receiving the handmade thing feels too overwhelmed. Those who we love get used to it. Once you've bought the supplies it is hard to just make one of something. I have now made about 25 of those fabric wallets. I want everyone to get one for Christmas. Years ago, I went through a dried flower wreath phase and I must have made 20 that fall.

Wonder wallet Fantastico

2008-10-18T17:11:00.005-05:00

My sisters, mother and I gathered to sew on this fun project this week. WE cut out and made lots of these little wallets. The pattern is available from Lazygirldesigns.com or perhaps your local quilt store. These worked up super fast and we made lots of different color variations. One fat quarter piece of fabric 18x22" makes two. We mixed them all up and dove headfirst into our scrap fabrics. Our favorites were the last ones with the candies! This was so fun, It is very small and hods just your ID a few folded bills, a credit card and that's about it! Perfect for kids school ID's or bus passes or even for your gym bag when all you need is ID and a few dollars for the water machine---

Crack that Whip!

2008-10-16T21:04:00.001-05:00

My friend Pam told me that she knew how to crack a whip, she tried to teach Zack. Surprise! It works your whole core! He came back all sweaty with this whip she had "loaned" him. It is so gorgeous and looks handmade and has interesting little leather shapes sewn to it.

Quilted bag in the Round

2008-10-15T20:59:00.001-05:00

This bag was a gift, my friend did not make it herself. No Names, no tags. Nevertheless, what an interesting idea! This is a quilted circle faced with pockets and the little loop tabs all around the outside edges. It is gathered up by fabric covered cord which is also one big circle. Then you pull it up and tie two big knots on each side to keep the gathers in place. It also has some velcro in the center.

My Kaleidoscopes

2008-10-14T20:54:00.000-05:00

Kaleidoscope collecting is a fun hobby of mine, I decided to make some of my own. I worked with a plastic company to form the tubes and I got a class together. We made the front surface mirroro assemblies and made our own object chambers with bits of dichroic glass ,glass and plastic beads and even broken glass bangles from India floating around in mineral oil. I only did this for a short season and then moved on---

Aunt Susie's Kaleidoscopes

2008-10-13T20:49:00.001-05:00

My Aunt Susie made me these fabulous kaleidoscopes with stained glass wheels. She used interesting glass gems and pieces of dichroic glass in all colors. One has pressed flowers on the sides and the wheel. She used high quality front surface mirrors on the insides. I have a collection of kaleidoscopes.

Book Bag

2008-10-12T20:20:00.000-05:00

No book bag is ever big enough for my library addiction. Mama made me this wild colored one for my birthday. It has darling bug fabric as the lining. I am off to spend the week with my sisters and do lots of crafting and gabbing.

Green Stone Necklace

2008-10-11T09:38:00.000-05:00

I have always loved necklaces with lots of different shapes and types of stones, But I am too cheap to buy a 16 inch strand of twelve different shapes. Since I don't sell jewelry, that is too much of one thing. Never before have a gone to a show where there were bins of mixed shapes for sale individually like these!

My first design included smaller silver wirework components,(3rd photo) but they were just distracting. I ended up putting the stones on silver wire loops and using silver oval jump rings to attach them together.

Wild Lampwork beads

2008-10-10T09:29:00.001-05:00

These great handmade Lamp work beads in lime, black and periwinkle blue are one of my favorite purchases this year. It has taken me ages to get this necklace put together. Nothing seemed special enough. I bought all I could afford of these at a show in Grapevine TX.

I was looking for a black metal component spacer to go with these, which I never found. I did find these acrylic spacer shapes. I like them but they were half the size I expected from their photos.

I strung the components and lamp work beads with black crimps on black Soft Flex wire. I was lucky to find a strand of vintage french beads in this periwinkle color to extend this a little. Look what fun shapes these are. I made the cone ones into funky earrings. When I strung the cones upside down with the point up they looked to much like Christmas trees, Now they look like umbrellas. Or Ice cream cones. I like them anyways.

2 Copper and Teal Necklaces

2008-10-08T09:18:00.000-05:00

The first one feels more heavy and casual to me, It reminds me of Egyptian stuff. The Glass beads were such a glorious shade of teal but very large with huge holes. I may do these again on leather lacing, but I did not have any this weekend. These copper beads are coated ceramic, they have a handmade rough ethnic quality.

The second necklace is made of dyed stone called chrysocolla jasper in shades of green/turquoise. This one is strung with copper accent beads and spiral pendant. These stones were beautiful.

Double Chain Necklace

2008-10-07T09:11:00.000-05:00

I have found it hard to get inspired by these black cloisonné rounds, I have had them forever. They always seemed so traditional and boring when I string them up. I decided to use a fancy embossed chain and wire wrap the cloisonné beads and space them. I also had these interesting rectangle tube painted beads that were painted to look like millefiore. I found some strange twisted metal vintage gold colored beads and used them also.I made two necklaces and then just hooked them together.

Creative beading Truth in Blogging

2008-10-06T09:49:00.009-05:00

My husband came walking by and said "You really should show them what a mess you work in!" Yes, I need to have all my stash on the table at once when I am working---There are even boxes on chairs across from me that are not in these pictures.

I like :

Jewelry tools out--Round nose pliers, crimper tool, chain nose plier, wire cutter, snips, jeweller's cement, tweezers.

a design board, lots of little plates, Those bead keeper springs to hold your strand secure, scrimps. Soft flex wire in lots of sizes and colors

I am even using all those jump rings and stuff that fell on my floor. Waah, The whole box tipped off the table and is gathered into that tin!

I keep a lot of my stuff in plastic compartment containers, but some stranded stuff and packaged items are just in a bin until I get to them.

No Warm Tones

2008-10-06T09:09:00.002-05:00

I bought this strand of dyed shell chips to make some kind of fun casual necklace. It had many colors but I painstakingly separated out all the orangey ones!

Richardson TX bead show and all my goodies pt 1

2008-10-06T09:02:00.002-05:00

I went to the bead show and had such a great time. Besides the usual fare of: strung crystals. stones, cloisonné etc they had many lamp work bead artist and others representing one of a kind wares. I bought this lovely porcelain pendant and matching string of Peruvian opals. I needed to extend it a bit, I auditioned different metals and ended up adding these fish beads in silver.

The funniest part was when I went to check out the seller DG Designs, Danis Garcia, recognized my name and said she had read my blog. She lives about 4 hours from me, but what a surprisingly intimate world crafters live in! Lots of entries coming-I have been beading up a frenzy--

Fall in the Arboretum

2008-09-24T19:10:00.000-05:00

I cropped the people out of this frog fountain photo and you lost the scale! Wow, he is about 5 ft. tall. I walked all over during the Dallas arboretum's fall opening, there was an art show, great sculptures and lots of pumpkin displays. I always like these bright fuschia globe amaranths in the photo of me because they dry that same color.

grandma's garden

2008-09-23T19:05:00.000-05:00

I think my mother gave me this top that someone else had given her. I had it quilted and just bound it this week. It has plain muslin on the back and a pretty flower design quilted on it. The hexagons were all hand sewn. This quilt has just a few colors/fabrics on it and is really not my style at all! I think it is an odd size now, kind of wide for a throw and too short for a twin bed.

Sunny Triangles quilt

2008-09-22T18:57:00.003-05:00

I'm still working on this quilt for my friend's alternative health office. First off it was too hot to sew in my little upstairs studio all summer here in Texas, now a few cooling breezes have me finishing up some projects. This was much more difficult to assemble than I would have thought. The problems came because it was not nearly as random a design as it looks. The triangles have to be put together in odd ways to have the rows come out straight. It is cheery though!

I wanted to have a labyrinth quilted on this one but I think it is too confusing for my quilter's long arm, making all those channels unless she has a double needle option? I am also having problems figuring out how to transfer the design to this quilt top. It will default to something simple eventually.

Grandma Zarski Paintings

2008-09-14T14:02:00.000-05:00

My Husband's Russian grandmother died this year, she was almost 100! She painted well into her late 80's. Sometimes she would scrape off the paint and paint back over her canvasses in the Wintertime. She grew a large garden, kept sheep and was a talented cook. Her are some of her impressionistic oil paintings, almost all were landscapes. These are the ones we have at our home. Maybe she wasn't the most talented artist, but I love that she kept doing it!

Rolling Blue Waves

2008-09-13T13:48:00.004-05:00

Hurricane Ike is nearing us today and I am binding this quilt while I stay home. Hooray! It is now completed for Ben and Steph. I will mail it to them on Monday. I don't know why I avoid these little binding tasks for so long, maybe because a queen size quilt is so unwieldy.

This lovely blue quilt is quilted with a serpentine stitch covering all the seams on the half triangle blocks, this helps with durability when you have a one year old and a little pomeranian dog. These are large blue blocks and this worked up quickly. It has interlocking stars on the dark blue borders. Some of the fabric has little white doves on them, a hope for a peaceful nation and a peaceful home from grandma.

Inspiringly Depressing

2008-09-11T21:41:00.000-05:00

The phrase inspiringly depressing is one we coined back in my beginning belly dance days in 1990 when we would watch the grande dames of the dance perform. Artful blogging, The new special publication magazine by Stampington and Company, fits this description to a T! They seek out visually inspiring blogs to feature in their magazines. While I feel unworthy compared to these others, I have got to recommend the magazine. I have read issues Autumn 2008 and Spring 2008. Now I will subscribe to this new delightful magazine.

2008-09-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

These altered art books just jumped into my cart at Amazon and came home to me. Of the four, my favorite was the paper doll one. It had fun vintage photos of paper dolls and wild new artistic interpretations of the genre. I enjoyed these other books as well, the mosaics are more time consuming than I'll ever attempt.

New DMC variegated Floss

2008-09-09T20:55:00.002-05:00

I could not resist the gorgeous new variegated floss from DMC that go from purple to blue or aqua to blues. I had this idea to string some of new beachy luster glass beads with this thread. I also bought the metallic floss in aqua and lavender. Spectacular thread, The idea didn't work at all, The holes in the beads were big enough but the threads caught on each other and on the twisted wire needles too. All of my crafts are not successful, you see. But I wanted you to see the colors anyways. I ended up making this necklace by threading on wire and tying half hitches of the thread around the beads.

Auction dilemma

2008-09-08T20:44:00.004-05:00

The dilemma for a crafty person is that everything at an auction is like a sad puppy, just begging to come home with you, definitely the case with this old, chewed up, stained quilt! My husband says I don't dare to go to auctions after I brought home in the past: 12 old crab nets, 20 18 inch glass rose bowls, pounds of stinky potpourri to go in the bowls, and several boxes of antique linens and lace.

I haven't gone in years but then went to one recently where this old quilt was so sad and shabby and only 4 dollars. I haven't been able to think of anyting to do with it, mostly stained and downright raw in some bits. I washed it in the washing machine and it is clean and even held together. Maybe you have an idea? My favorite idea gets a piece of this quilt , I think there are a few unstained blocks--

review: Alphabetica

2008-09-04T21:26:00.001-05:00

"Enter surprise truths, enter imaginatively into someone else's life" a great quote from the introduction of Alphabetica: an A-Z creativity guide for collage and book artists by Lynn Perella. This is a book for players in this great altered art game. No instructions, It assumes you will love the artworks for their own sakes and enjoy the each artist varied take on their Letter and themes.

I collect Alphabet books and I love altered art! I had to buy this one, S is for sign in, P is for Plaid, U is for Unlimited, F is for flapping and Q is for quirky and so much more, some letters defined more than once. C'mon, F is for flapping? You gotta run find this book to see what is flapping in it, now don't you?!

Review: The complete Guide to Altered Imagery

2008-09-02T21:19:00.002-05:00

Wow wow! THis great book I bought as a present for myself for my last birthday is a great resource on how to alter your own images. Yes , use your drawings, your photos, your quilts and make them so much more dynamic and interesting. Use paints, markers, gels and inks with your photos to add depth to your work; also image transfers, lino prints, integrating found objects, monoprints, making a rubber stamp, a buffet of ideas! It also fun because there are so many artists sharing their work in the gallery. Yummy!

Review: French Inspired Jewelry

2008-09-01T09:09:00.000-05:00

This book is so beautiful, each project page has not only a color image of the jewelry but a colorful collage of vintage items and inspiration around the projects. It has interesting fonts and decorative page details. Each page is a satisfying little journey into: the french seaside, vintage cherries, lush bluebirds etc. THis book is every bit as much a find for the altered artist as the jeweler. I particularly enjoyed the items made with vintage buttons, having once owned a button company. Enjoy, enjoy, I highly recommend it!

Bead Simple Review

2008-08-31T17:20:00.003-05:00

If you love classic, stark and simple jewelry designs this book has over 100 designs for you. Each has a clear large color photo and good instructions. Many of these were just not "gobby" enough for my taste, which runs to bling and dangles and big beads. However, I could see my daughter Rachel and my sister Sara would love these designs. Many were made with classic shaped beads of glass and wood. I thought the earring designs were particularly lovely.

Lots of great stuff in here for all--

Altered art book review

2008-08-31T17:06:00.003-05:00

This comprehensive book for those wanting to begin creating altered art is thorough and inspiring, or even for those who have no idea what this is about. It has in depth sections on all the things I needed to know when I started and learned by trial and error; adhesives, papers, attaching items to pages, preparing the book and on to other objects to alter!

When my sister and I first discovered the altered art medium we were so excited. We joined a altered art "club" which met once a month at a local rubber stamp store and cost 15 dollars to attend. They would teach one technique a month. We already had so many supplies between us from her scrap booking passion and my textile and jewelry habits. We would bring things to swap and were eagerly checking out library materials and purchasing books. Once the shop decided not to let us use the huge collection of rubber stamps at each session, we started to rethink the club concept. We soon realized that since we had each other we would not pay the fee, but rather spend the money on books about altered art and try to keep each other encouraged.

It was sad when we moved away from each other, we divided our image and text files, the books in progress and our tools and supplies. Neither of us did anything in our books for years, while I continued to buy books and be inspired by magazines like; Cloth, Paper, Scissors, the Altered Arts magazine and Somerset Studios. We still collected odd bits of found ephemera and salvaged goodies. Now we are returning to this medium and I will write reviews of some of my new book finds---

Native Baby doll Redo

2008-08-30T18:21:00.005-05:00

My friend Patty collects Native American Baby dolls. We went to a local trade days event and she found a darling boy baby doll. The only trouble is he was dressed in colors that did not match the rest of her Southwestern themed collection, but she loved his face and wig. He wasn't very expensive and I offered to make him a new costume.

I cut apart his original clothes as pattern pieces for the new one. I chose a soft grayish green ultra-suede and found a thrift store skirt that was a nice coordinating rusty colored ultra-suede. I trimmed him with fake fur, feathers and embroidered jacquard trims. I also added some beaded and hand stitched elements. He was fun to make.

3 Blue necklaces

2008-08-27T13:53:00.003-05:00

Each of these blue necklaces has a different flavor. The first icy periwinkle blue and silver links has a space age feel, like something in the old star trek shows. I think partly because if the odd placement of the holes in the rectangular silver link components.

The second one with two strand of many different indian glass luster beads has and organic or beachy look. The pale blue dagger beads remind me of wings.

The third has large steely blue glass pendant beads and lots of end caps and silver adding up to a more elegant design. The first and third necklaces are wire work and the second is strung beads.

More Recycled Aprons

2008-08-08T11:25:00.000-05:00

Recycling these clothes into aprons is still satisfying, and oh so quick! In the 23rd day of triple digit heat here in Texas, i have to think of fast crafting. The red check one is a toddler sundress with darling appliqued lady bugs, (second pic close-up). I didnt even have to apply these bugs nor sew on all this rick rack! Such a great idea.

The other apron already had different fabrics and a nicely pleated and formed waist. All I needed to sew was some ties and a bit of bias on the back edges to finish them nicely. Both of the aprons in under 30 minutes.

Altered book basic technique-word play and journalling

2008-08-07T11:33:00.000-05:00

Wow! See what a mess this table is! It is fun to collect interesting words and phrases from magazines and make a whole new story from them. I added a sienna alcohol ink wash over all the text because they were so white, I wanted them to match each other more. I glued these on with paper perfect which rippled the papers a bit.

Altered book basic technique-layering

2008-08-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

This spread was originally painted in shades of green and yellow with the standard cheap dollar a bottle acrylic, applied very thinly. A large image was mounted across both pages. The lace paper was painted with acrylics in green blue and yellow to look like seaweed. The yellow color helps bring out the yellows in the image and the underlying page. This book is going to a beginning artist and she will get to embellish further on this page, perhaps adding charms or beads, maybe a rubber stamped dragonfly? It is only half way there. The more layers and embellishment the more complex and beautiful this image will become.

Altered book basic technique- cut out page

2008-08-05T11:11:00.000-05:00

This page shows using a large scale image glued to the page and cutting out the page edge with an exacto blade. This image is interesting because it hides the image and text on the second set of pages. This back side still has some text peeking through and is shaded with alcohol inks in several dabbed on colors. the ink was sponged onto a stamp and used to make the flower image.

Altered book technique-- Window and translucence

2008-08-04T10:58:00.003-05:00

It has been a few years since the delightful times my sister and I had exploring altered book art. Jess is teaching a new class at her library, which inspired me to get out my box and work on some things this week.

I covered my table with a vinyl tablecloth and spread out all my bits and dabs, fancy papers, inks and glues and acrylic mediums. I also had my file of text magazine pieces and images.

This technique illustrates the idea of hidden views and revelation. The first page shows the butterfly and then the vellum pages printed with butterflies that you can barely see through. The next picture shows that vellum page open, showing you the blue butterfly on the previous page through this page and something vague in front of you also revealing the text on this vellum page. As you turn this page a window appears with a partial image of a woman. when you turn that page, you see her in her entirety and can look back through the window at the preceding 4 pages.

Craft at Cadillac Ranch?

2008-07-28T10:15:00.000-05:00

Ok, spray painting the cars at the famous Cadillac Ranch is kind of crafty or kind of artistic! Ok it's hot and I am grasping at straws here. Well I did take this pictures with our new Nikon D300. I guess I will have to make something handmade soon--

Quilting for charity

2008-07-27T22:10:00.001-05:00

I have no pictures of the quilts but I did work last week with a bunch of ladies on some double sided fleece quilts for cancer patients,

www.joyfulfoundation.org

provided the fabric and labels. 15 women worked for 3 hours and completed 23 throw size quilts.

California Flowers 3

2008-07-26T22:06:00.000-05:00

California Flowers 2

2008-07-25T22:04:00.002-05:00

More flowers!!

California Flowers 1

2008-07-24T21:59:00.003-05:00

It has been to hot in Texas to even want to craft or create. I just want to sit near a fan. Luckily, I remembered that I took this pretty flower photos with our new Nikon D300. I hope you enjoy them. They were taken at a inn we stayed at near La Jolla.

heart shaped dimensional yo yo's

2008-07-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

Something to do on our family road trip! I found this handy notion in our local quilt store. It is for forming heart shaped fabric yo-yo's. Read the instructions carefully and after that they were a snap to make. I could complete one yo-yo, including trimming the fabric around the templates in under 2 minutes. these were fun to make.

Labyrinth Triangle quilt

2008-07-08T17:00:00.001-05:00

I am working on this large wall-hanging for my friend's new family therapy office. Her grandmother game her some lovely old fashioned pale yellow sofas and a pale green rug. This will have radiating equilateral triangles shading darker at the bottom towards lighter at the top. It represents people shedding their fears as they get help towards a lighter tomorrow. I also plan to quilt this with a single labyrinth pattern over the entire quilt, layering the meanings, eh?

This is the pattern laid out and then very carefully numbered and picked up in order and pinned. I hope I don't get off because these triangles can be quirky to work with.

Biscuit Puff Quilt

2008-07-06T21:26:00.001-05:00

This style of quilt is cozy and old fashioned. It is made by pleating a top square that is larger say 6 1/2" to a smaller backing square that is 6 inches. you pleat 3 or the 4 sides and then stuff a wad of fiberfill into the pocket and then sew that block closed, sew all the blocks together and then put together with a backing. I think it is pretty and super puffy looking, but unless you also add regular quilt batting (a thin style) behind the finished top there will be "bare " paces in the quilt between the puffs where it is not so soft. I tacked the front to the back in a few places by machine so it would not shift when laundered. This makes such a pretty stroller pad.

Big Scale prints

2008-07-04T20:21:00.001-05:00

Look at these fabrics Rachel is going to make in t0 a quilt, we cut these into large rectangle blocks, and even laid them out and forgot to get another picture but they are too pretty to miss out on the picture.

Recycled Skirt into Apron

2008-07-01T20:00:00.001-05:00

Rachel and I looked at all my apron patterns at the end of her visit. She commented that she loved the one that looked like a skirt.

Well, I was at my local thrift store when i had the AHA! moment and realized I should make the apron from a skirt. I had so many to choose from that my cart was full of skirts; the kid's skirt's were 3 dollars and the women's were 4. I decided to try one first and I put the rest back.

I cut the labels from the back of this kid's size 7 corduroy skirt. Then cut on either side of the back seam. then i hemmed those cut edges with a simple turned under hem. I made some ties from quilt fabric in browns. I pressed the edges under and folded it in half to make ties, quick, quick! It helps to angle cut those straps to reduce bulk before you fold them in half., That pin is just to show how to turn it down. It was removed before sewing.

I talked to my daughter about this idea and went upstairs and was finished and took the photos 10 minutes later. One of the pluses about this skirt was that I crossed the ties in back and could run them through the front belt loops and tie in a bow. The corduroy was pretty lightweight and easy to sew.

There were so many choices of skirts too. many clothes already were gathered or had embroidery on the fabric or interesting border designs, many for prices well below what similar fabric would cost. If you wanted a full rather than a half apron you could use the back of a full size apron to cut out a front panel. I even think a pretty sundress could be used top and all! Many aprons patterns had shaped tops on them

Baby Wearables

2008-06-26T19:50:00.002-05:00

Rachel found this online idea for a baby carrier. Everyone comes to my house armed with their own sewing projects they want to work on together. Rachel had brought this gorgeous embroidered linen to make her baby carrier. We lined it with a bright floral and it is reversible. We had decided to make it bigger, It was huge, way way too large. We had to cut it back down, since we made it with the pretty embroidered border we cut off the top.

Here is Rachel using it with Joy, Even after she went home she has used it and even figured out how to get Joy on her back with this carrier. The baby is nice and secure and it is a simple breathable carrier.

Bias Square apron

2008-06-24T19:46:00.001-05:00

Simple apron idea copied from a very pricey one at our local store. What is surprising is that the square only has to be about 25 inches and fits my tall daughter sideways. We lined it with a pretty contrasting fabric. This went together so quickly and is a great way to use my quilt fabric stash.

Bodice Ripper handbag continues part 2

2008-06-22T19:37:00.000-05:00

Found this great fabric left over from Valentine's day with LOVE printed all over it. This became the sides, bottom and handles. I made binding and we bound all the edges. These little binder clips seemed like a good idea but kept catching on the machine. I just wanted no pin holes in the vinyl which might weaken it. By binding all the edges it reinforced all the seems and covered any rough vinyl edges. It has pictures on both sides.We did not have to line it because the way we made the bound edges everything is finished inside.

It is so cute, but too much work. I think next time I'll just buy one of those "grandma brag" handbags for photos and just stick my extra paperback covers in the photo slots... Of course, that won't have love word handles. The love fabric was one directional and so we had to make all the words line up the right way too!

Bodice Ripper handbag part 1

2008-06-21T14:00:00.001-05:00

I had this idea to make a handbag with covers of romance novels for my sister for her birthday. I tried to collect ones with provocative titles. It made me laugh just picking this out from garage sales etc. Then I backed them with fusible web and fused them to this insipid pink calico.

Then I covered them with a medium weight vinyl sold for covering tablecloths, found in the fabric section.

This whole project was a bear to sew, maybe you will take this idea and make it easier? Backing it with fabric made it easier to slide through the feed dogs than vinyl alone would have been, but the vinyl stretches (surprise!) not fun--

Learning Quilt

2008-06-20T19:04:00.001-05:00

This really should be called a learning to tie quilt. I had 13 girls around my quilt frame learning to tie. They did not want to learn to cut squares, or piece, or sew or bind a quilt, just tie! My mom taught my sisters' and I to tie simple comforters made of two sheets tied together with yarn and batting between. We used to do these on our driveway, with half of the neighborhood girls on a sunny spring or summer day, I guess I was 10?

I forgot the batting after we got to the church building and had no time to go for any- so we told the girls that this was for a beach blanket or tablecloth. They learned to tie easier without the batting, and then we drew names and one girl got to keep it. She was pretty excited to be the winner.

One day years ago mom and I went to this "all you could stuff in a grocery sack for a dollar" thrift store in Maryland. We bought all the bright colored plaid shirts and Hawaiian shirts, striped oxford cloth etc. We had five full sacks. We took them home and washed them up and cut everything up. We made many different types of quilts from them. This one had all the plaids. Being us we even purchased some plaids to add brightness to this. I had this top in my stash when they asked for a quilt to be taught.

The pastel one has men's striped oxford dress shirts with additional feed sack reproduction prints and the blue one has blue striped dress shirts from those original grocery bags. There is a lot of available fabric in a men's shirt!

Grandbaby and Harley

2008-06-19T14:00:00.002-05:00

Our youngest son graduated from high school on his dad's birthday and soon afterwards this Harley Davidson motorcycle appeared. My husband has been wanting and talking for at least 10 years and took advantage of my good nature--

Here is Baby Joy enjoying Gramps new ride!!

High tea with Grandma

2008-06-18T22:25:00.001-05:00

I have wanted to hold a fancy tea party for years now, I don't drink tea, but I love those little cookies and sandwiches. I decided to hold a party to introduce mom to my friends from Meetup. I got totally compulsive and carried away on this one.

I made several kinds of little fancy sandwiches, radish and poppy seed on german dark bread was mom's favorite. I also made chicken salad, apple boursin on melba toasts, ham ones, gougere, quiche, rolled ones, and scones. Our least favorite was the traditional cucumber watercress. I found lots of recipes searching under tea parties online.

Their were also all kinds of cookies, creme puffs, tarts, fruit and homemade fresh strawberry jam and lemon curd. Some friends brought cakes and cream mints.

My dear friend Donna loaned me all the beautiful hand painted salad plates and teacups. The were much more impressive in person because the colors were painted inside the fragile porcelain cups. She also had lovely glass pitchers, I am going to get some of those.I bought these tiered plates when I was living in Canada last summer.

Unfortunately, I misjudged badly on this lovely get together. I am diabetic, and I hoped my friends would take away ALL of the leftovers, No such luck the goodies hung around tempting me and I had to get rid of them. I won't do this again for years, or, I will have everyone bring the sweet stuff and take their leftovers home.

Another Fat Quarter style handbag

2008-06-17T22:23:00.001-05:00

Another fat quarter bag in Rachel's mod greenish aquas. An early birthday present for her. I am finished with this style handbag for a while.

Home Sweet Felty Home

2008-06-16T22:15:00.003-05:00

Mom made me this hand blanket stitched wall hanging last year and I had it quilted to stabilize it further. It was from a pattern featured every month in a quilting magazine. We made our own hand dyed wools and wool felts to add to the dimension in this piece. She stitched with heavy pearl cotton which has a gorgeous sheen and texture.

We bound this on her visit with black grosgrain and a bubblegum pink rick rack to accentuate the homey vintage feel. Half of the rick rack points peek out from under the grosgrain ribbon. Mom said that all little girls had rick rack on their clothes when she was a girl, that there just wasn't that much fabric or trim selection in her rural Florida hometown and moms had to be creative.

Joy's Rickrack Pinwheels

2008-06-15T22:05:00.000-05:00

My mom came with her wish-list of sewing and quilting projects and I had some that I wanted to do as well. We alternated things. I bought this darling retro fabric a long time before my sweet grand baby Joy was part of the picture. I love the funny little girls wit their kittens, some are blond and some have dark hair. MY quilter, Lisa, Whipped this up quickly because we knew Rachel would soon be joining our quilting frenzy. We worked on this top for two days and had it back in two more, bound and waiting for their arrival.

We even put the blocks in an original rick rack zig zag setting.

Quilter's in their Native Habitat

2008-06-14T21:59:00.000-05:00

Mom came to visit and we sewed and sewed! I had no time to blog so I am going backwards through the 21 projects of her visit! Here she and I are sewing the Father's day aprons we made from nautical home dec fabric. I bought all this fabric at the thrift store for 2 dollars. I pre- washed it and we made 6 butcher style aprons with contrasting bias trim. They all have pockets and were a big hit with our guys. For all the father's we are are crazy about, we customized all the sizes too.

Pergola Clothesline

2008-06-13T21:53:00.002-05:00

Richard put this new clothesline up on my pergola for Mother's Day. I am using it mostly for line drying my pre-washed quilt fabrics. My son Zack went on a "high adventure" boy scout kayaking trip this week and I took every single piece of clothing and bedding from his room and washed them. I hung them out on the line. So many t-shirts and shorts etc, It took all day! The weather has been 95 degrees and windy and they dried pretty quickly. It was a pleasant job to bring in the fresh clothes. Plus how green is my savings!

Inspiring Wirework

2008-05-31T08:30:00.001-05:00

I am happy to review this new wire working book that I purchased today. I took a beginning wire working class many years ago. I can do most of the basic techniques, but I have been looking to move on. I love books with clear detailed instructions and great photos of the projects. This book has some techniques that were very beginner, however it moved into some intriguing Celtic work. I went out and bought some wire tonight and a jewelry hammer. I could not find a stainless steel block to hammer onto so I will be looking for it online. Great book, plus it shows examples in silver, copper, gold, mixed metals and even colored craft wire.

Orangina Quilt

2008-05-30T09:34:00.000-05:00

My friend Suzie says this is not an orange quilt, that it is a hot pink quilt. Suzie loves orange more than I do. This is almost too orange for me to sleep under. Another friend offered to buy this when she saw it come back from the long arm quilter, hanging around waiting for me to get the nerve to bind it. My quilter loved it too. I'm thinking that it feels like summer sunshine.

My mama bought the pretty pillow to match. I started collecting orange fabrics when Sara made her first monochromatic orange quilt. I made my friend Suzie a mixed orange fabric quilt like this one. Since I am a self taught quilter and pretty compulsive when I am into a theme, I always buy way too much fabric for my projects. After 4 or 5 orange themed quilts, I still have 1/2 a box of orange cottons.

Painted Hot Air Ballon

2008-05-29T09:18:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Rachel and I saw this colorful Hot air balloon coming down right as we were nearing her home town in Maryland. We chased it for several miles to watch it come down. It touched the ground near us and then took off again. I have always wanted to do one of these rides. But I am scared of ferris wheels, so maybe this would be terrifying.

They have a big Hot air balloon festival here in Texas near my home in the fall. We just happened upon it when we moved here last year. Their were so many gorgeous balloons!

http://www.planoballoonfest.org

Flowering Baskets

2008-05-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Look at how lovely these rescued baskets from Home depot's bloom-less shabby clearance section have rebounded with lots of watering. Richard took these pictures with his new Nikon D300, and they are so clear and pretty. In Texas we have to water a lot to keep plants happy.

Marblezing Orange Ribbon

2008-05-28T10:04:00.000-05:00

I wanted to add silk ribbons with beads knotted on them into my friend Vicki's tangerine necklace. They only had yellow silk ribbons at my craft stoore. So I bought to Sharpie permant pens in light and dark orange.

I wadded the ribbons up on a paper towel and dabbed them all over with both colors. They were still more spotted than marbleized. I was doing this at a friend's home (without my camera, of course). She had no isopropyl alcohol, so I sprayed this ribbon generously with perfume, liquifying the inks. I massaged it around, rinsed with water and the pressed the ribbon with a handy nearby curling iron.

Then I added a tiny crimp to one end. It is gold metallic in these pictures. I strung the orange crystals and knotted on both sides of the crystals. Then after all that effort, I hated how it looked with the necklace and did not end up using them at all.

But it was super crafty!

Tangerine Tango

2008-05-27T09:45:00.001-05:00

What a great necklace my friend Vicki designed for our beading day this week. She is going on a cruise and is wearing a zippy Tangerine linen casual suit with capris. We found this scrumptious citrus colored dichroic pendant at our recent bead show. We also found the perfect coordinating beads. The olive colored crystals accent the colors in the pendant. This pendant did not photograph as vibrant and sparkly as it is in person.

We also made some fantastic earrings, but she took them home before I got a picture. I have been crafting all week, but I forget to take pictures for my blog. I'll get the earring pictured soon. Vicki is now looking for tangerine patent leather pumps. I admire her spunk, a tangerine suit, WOW!

Iris experiment

2008-05-26T10:47:00.000-05:00

I waited and waited for these to bloom, not knowing what Spring flowers might pop up in my yard. Well, they were the boring purple ones. But they did bloom their hearts out. Did you ever make my mistake of bringing them indoors. They have a pleasant enough smell outdoors but smell pretty bad inside.

Hobo Handbags

2008-05-25T10:34:00.000-05:00

This pattern is called the Fat Quarter bag and I just taught how to make it at my local quilt guild. The pattern is found in M'liss Rae Hawley's book "Fat Quarter Quilts". It is fun and sews up quickly.

To demonstrate for the guild I made several in various stages of completion. The one in black and white fabrics has 6 fat quarters. The colorful hobo one is made from a quilt top, badly made with mixed fabric types from the early 70's. I have recycled it into this bag. It is so homely that I couldn't even give away the leftover three panels from the quilt top.

The bag is huge on purpose. It has elastic and gathered handles at the top edge. It is intended to hold your quilts when you take them to "show and tell" at the guild. You think you will never need bags this huge, but once you have them they are so versatile and handy!

Take Better Baby Pics

2008-05-24T09:16:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed this new technique book for children's photos with digital cameras. It had easy to reproduce shot ideas and lots of good basic techniques. The photos were not just babies, but featured ages up to older kids as well. Lighting and composition helps make this a good book to have in your library.

Parisian Rose Necklace

2008-05-23T09:36:00.003-05:00

I had a wonderful day beading this week with my friend Patty, She loves copper beads and has inspired me to try something new. This double necklace set features a unusual stone centerpiece I got at the Renaissance bead show when they came to town a week ago. I think it is a dyed stone. It has interesting peach and coppery striations and bubbles.

I added copper beads and it was so dull without anything but the rose and copper so I added these mixed green/turquoise accent beads to punch it up and some black spacers. The inner necklace also has some antiqued hammered copper chain with large decorative links. I made the beaded connections to the chain on softflex wire with copper crimps.

I have nothing to wear this with. Like most people who get into beading in a big way, I have started buying clothes to match my jewelry instead of the other way round!

Floozy Apron

2008-05-23T09:08:00.003-05:00

I finally got this wild pink and black lace from the Church garage sale put on an apron. The lace was this crunchy synthetic organza that messed up the tension on my sewing machine and had to sew it on by hand. There are two rows on the bottom hem. I thought about embroidering kitchen Diva, but then I saw one like that at a store and decided to just add more lace at the neckline. This just makes me laugh--

Cherry blossom Blast

2008-04-23T21:07:00.003-05:00

The cherry blossoms were so grand in MD last week when I was visiting with my family. Maryland is lush and green and had so many blooming trees. Cherry Blossoms and huge magnolia tulip trees, forsythia shrubs over 6 feet tall and even more blooming foliage, I meant to get more pictures but spent most of my time running around and holding the baby.

Cherry blossoms are a revered sign of Spring in the orient and many of the famous downtown DC trees were gifts to our nation. I like the many petals of the pom pom style Kwanzan Cherry trees that bloom a little later than these.

here is a picture of that type-

Hottie Haute handbag review

2008-04-19T15:11:00.007-05:00

This is one of those half magazine/ half paper back "special publications" with so much information it's mind boggling, a chapter on collage, one on fiber and fabrics, one on wool and metal, denim and canvas felt etc. And every possible technique from knitting and crochet to recycling all kinds of thing into darling handbags, There are detailed instructions and multiple photos of most projects. However, there are no real "paper patterns". It does assume some level of confidence in your sewing or crafting abilities. A fun book. I have been gone all week visiting and just getting back to my blogging.

Tea is For the Birds

2008-04-11T04:21:00.002-05:00

My Friend Krys made me this tea cup bird feeder. She glued the teacup to the saucer with Loctite waterproof outdoor glue. She glued a small wood piece with a hole for a dowel. It comes of of the dowel for draining the water out. We talked about drilling drainage holes with a dremel drillbit but not sure if the teacup would break. I think the crowning touch is the tea spoon. Since this is pretty close to the ground , and we wouldn't see under it, we are thinking even a short section of white PVC pipe would make a more secure dowel top.

Beadalicious Day

2008-04-10T15:38:00.003-05:00

Friends came over today to bead and learn some new techniques, and to play in the bead box. I taught simple stringing on tigertail wire with crimp beads and stringing on silk cord with calotte bead tips. everyone had a successful beading morning. One gal has problems with heavy necklaces on the back of her neck, but loves big dramatic stone beads and pendants.

We came up with this idea of making a back piece of chain, but not too wimpy of chain. Then fasten "S" hooks on both ends. Then you can make an interchangeable focus pieces with pretty beads that have circles on both ends. Now you can make anything to go on that chain. Make several back pieces, one in copper, one silver, one black chain etc. and just make lots of focus pieces. These are even easier to store. all the front pieces could be laid in a flat box just like bracelets..

We tried this idea with square toggles but having two toggles on a shorter (23") necklace had a tendency to flip the toggles in the collarbone area. another nice thing about this idea is that you use fewer, but higher quality or more expensive focus beads. You would not need so many filler beads. this front piece is only about 6-8 inches. There is also no annoying scratchy clasp and the necklace should not shift on the neck as much. If you have metal sensitivities and need only solid gold, you would only need the one chain and could still have other fancy glass pieces on the front focal piece.

This could even be adapted for less chain to show, keeping the chain hidden under your hair. This is best if you like most of your necklaces a certain length. However, a special neckpiece could be made for any dress neckline.

Book Store Bonanza

2008-04-09T18:37:00.004-05:00

Went to a fabulous new big big BIG half price bookstore in Dallas yesterday with my friend Shirley. We made a special trip out to this bookstore about 30 minutes from our homes. It is the size of a Walmart, so enormous, and had a coffee shop and a section for every subject and genre. It seemed like they had every magazine ever published. It was spacious and airy and everyone was super helpful. The problem now is that it has soured me to my local branch of this same store, only 5 minutes away. My local store is cramped and not so friendly.

I am really trying to get books from my library and support that, at the rate I devour books that only makes sense. So only books that are really nifty will I bother to purchase, even half price. But it was such a delightful shopping experience. Sorry that this picture of the place makes it look so teensy, truly it's not. Even worth a visit if you come to Big D.

oh and I bought this book, recommended by Shirley, it looks funny, I'll let you know-- She's from Houston, so I guess she should know, being from the South.

Trip down Memory Lane

2008-04-09T18:11:00.003-05:00

I made this collaged suitcase for my sister jess. She sent me some photos of it to add to my crafty blog. I bought an old suitcase and relined the inside with pretty fabric. I took all the old fabric out carefully and used it as a pattern for the new pieces. I covered lightweight cardboard pieces that were about the weight of cereal boxes. covered them with Tacky glue and smoothed the fronts and turned all the raw edges under to the back, and then glued them back into the insides of this suitcase. I promise that future projects like this will have some "in process" photos.

I painted the outside of this suitcase with two thin coats of white gesso. It still had a slight texture to it afterwards, Then I glued cut pieces of wrapping papers, cards, old stamps and some scrap booking sayings to cover the whole suitcase. The gold metallic floral designs were rub-ons available in the scrap booking stores. I used Golden's acrylic matte medium as glue. It dried hard and then I covered the entire piece with several coats of varnish to protect it further. If you click on these photos more detail will come up.

Something Fishy Going on

2008-04-08T10:01:00.002-05:00

My sister and my mom like to swap services as Christmas gifts. Mom had this vision in her head of a small wall hanging quilt with a fish and Jess volunteered to bead it for her. Mom said she didn't think it could be over-embellished and Jess took that as a personal challenge. Notice all the different bead colors and how Jess used them to outline, texturize and accent the fish. Great job, Sis! I you click on the pics, be prepared for the up close glitz!

Spring Blossoms

2008-04-07T16:06:00.004-05:00

It was a beautiful day at the Arboretum in Dallas, It was surprisingly full for a Monday, Lots of moms with babies in strollers, some senior's groups, tons of tourists. The day started out gray, but become sunny and glorious. I love these new azaleas that have cool raspberry edges!

I brought the tea sandwiches for my friends and some strawberry tarts, and others brought cheeses , cookies and those decadently sweet little oranges. Too much fun!

On a Whim

2008-04-06T14:25:00.004-05:00

These new pics are of my sister Jess's latest batik quilt tops, all ready for tying. The warm tones one is "On a Whim" and the blues are named "River of Time" We got together earlier this fall and made a wedding quilt for Erica, my daughter's friend.

Rachel,Jess and I all worked on this one together. Before Rachel came, Jess and I ironed and cut for days! We cut up all of our batiks into: 3 1/2 " strips, 2 1/2" strips, 4 1/2" blocks, 6 /2" blocks and 1 1/2" strips. This made for almost no waste of all our scraps. We divvied up the leftovers and all have fabric for more quilts. Jess was so dazzled and inspired by Erica's quilt that she rushed home and started hers, mine are still in a box in the closet.

Brazen Ruffles

2008-04-05T19:48:00.003-05:00

Just had to share this trim I bought at a church yard sale today. You guessed it, I bought an entire box, maybe 35 yds, for a dollar. It is so delightfully outrageous! I will put some on doll clothes amd maybe spice up some plain butcher style black restaurant aprons. Zack, my 18 yr. old son was with me and said he would wear these ruffles down a black shirt "tuxedo (front)or Mariachi (sleeves) style."

Whatever did they do with this stuff? maybe Tap dance costumes? I have never seen anything like it at a store. It's even a little crispy, like organza. I thought maybe flamenco? It surely wasn't a church choir dress.

Heartfelt Bread

2008-04-05T19:26:00.003-05:00

I have wanted these Pampered Chef canape bread pans for a long time, and amazingly they were at the thrift store! I cleaned them up and then went online for recipes (their boxes were long gone) I found out that they made these pans to fit the refrigerated french bread loaf! Wowie, makes it even easier, just pop open the blue can, spray your pan's insides with vegetable spray and put in the loaf , no shaping, just as it comes from the can and cook for an hour. If I had know I didn't even have to make the dough, I would have had these sooner.

So I made the recipe here http:// razzledazzlerecipes.com/pampered-chef-recipes/canape-bread.htm

for the second 2 loaves, which I made with unbleached light wheat flour to get a different color. The upper one in the photo is the refrigerated french bread style and my dough is the lower one. The commercial one has a softer crust, mine was sturdier, maybe better for toasted use.

I am making little fancy tea sandwiches from these hearts and taking them to a picnic at the Dallas Arboretum on Monday. www.dallasarboretum.org I am going to see the last of the "Dallas Blooms" bulb show. Back to the food, I will lightly butter both sides of the bread so the filling doesn't make them soggy. I am not sure what fillings I will use,maybe some ham salad and some avocado.

Baby Quilt n Spring Pastels

2008-04-02T15:52:00.002-05:00

I made this baby quilt and I thought the aqua stripes were kind of boyish, then i had 2 granddaughters. I love the Easter Egg happy colors. They are medium pastels, so the whole quilt is just a little brighter than the traditional baby colors. It is made of nine patches with lots of different fabrics in the patches. Look at the fun touches of black and white to add sparkle.