The Scoop, Score and Deal

Nature Journal: Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda)

2008-04-30T00:02:00.004-04:00

I found some sweet white violets growing in the yard, this afternoon. So much delightful fragrance from such tiny flowers! I didn’t want to sit on the ground and draw so I carefully dug up a little clump with surrounding soil, brought it in to the studio, drew it and placed it back where I found it. The ground is still moist from yesterday’s rain so I think it should be okay… I am so glad and grateful spring has finally sprung!

More Printing to Fabric…

2008-04-24T23:55:00.002-04:00

I used the same method (see previous post) to print these postcard backs directly to fabric. As you can see, I was able to get two prints per page. This is much easier (and the results more predictable) than transferring the image using an iron and transfer paper. Again, thanks to Allie.

Fertile Earth Lesson Four: Leaves

2008-04-24T22:03:00.006-04:00

I wanted to transfer a photo (that I had manipulated in PhotoShop) to fabric for lesson four of the Fertile Earth class. I had planned to print it on transferable paper, but my package of that stuff seems to have gone AWOL. So, I decided to print it directly on the fabric. Serendipitously, I came upon a great tutorial by Allie on this very topic. I didn’t have label-making paper for backing, so I fused Lite Steam-A-Seam to PFD cotton and smoothed it by hand onto 28 lb printer paper. I trimmed the edges and it printed perfectly on my old Epson printer. Since the fabric wasn’t fused to the backing paper, the paper just peeled right off. The first photo is the fabric print. The second photo is my appliquéd and stitched piece. I may add some beads to the background, although it is very sparkly, already.

Fertile Earth Lesson 2: Flowers

2008-04-17T11:50:00.002-04:00

Here are my flowers from the Fertile Earth course, so far, anyway. I am enjoying stitching on the painted cheesecloth but I need to put this aside for now and move on…

Felt Paisley Pin

2008-04-12T19:51:00.001-04:00

I finished another pin from Susan Sorrell’s Felt Pin class.

More Progress on Gourds...

2008-04-03T16:30:00.002-04:00

I've added some background stitching, felt leaves and embroidered tendrils to my gourds. I still need to add beads for sparkle...

Funky Folk Art Felt Pin…

2008-03-31T23:31:00.001-04:00

Here’s my first felt pin, stitched and beaded. I thought these pins would be quick to make – hah! They are fun, though, and kind of addicting – besides being a great way to use up tiny scraps. They are very pleasant to hold and surprisingly hefty and substantial. This one measures approximately 1 ½ inches x 2 ½ inches.

I’m Way Behind Schedule…

2008-03-28T23:46:00.002-04:00

We are at lesson four in the Fertile Earth course, and I haven’t even begun lesson three! Eek! Meanwhile, here are a few felt pins in the making (from Susan Sorrell’s Funky Felt Pins class – waiting for stitches and beads. I made these last week but forgot to post them here. I’ve got too many projects going on at once – again!

Evil Kitties...and an Important Phone Number

2008-03-28T14:20:00.002-04:00

I have been ill (again) for the past few days (really nasty sore throat and fever followed by the Mother-of-all-Colds!) and sent DH out to pick up a few things at the supermarket on Monday night. One of those things was liquid laundry detergent. He left it on a chair in the kitchen and, sometime during the night, the kittens knocked it over. The top came off and when he got up to put more wood in the stove he saw the liquid spread all over the kitchen floor. Trixie (our littlest one) was drenched in it and licking herself off (!) and Blake and Binky were playing in it. By the time I woke up, DH had already bathed all three of them, cleaned the floor and been on the phone with our vet and the ASPCA Poison Control Center. It was $60.00 for the phone call and another $40.00 for the meds – plus the cost of the wasted laundry detergent. We were supposed to watch them for twenty-four hours to make sure they weren’t drooling or lethargic. I’m happy to report that they are doing fine… and I’m doing better, myself. We have raised many cats over a thirty-four year period and have never seen the kind of havoc these kittens can wreak! Bad, bad Kitties…

ASPCA Poison Control Center: 800-548-2423

Have a Blessed Easter, Everyone...

2008-03-22T22:28:00.003-04:00

This sweet vintage postcard was an EBAY find...

A Start on Lesson Two

2008-03-17T01:46:00.001-04:00

Here’s my outline for lesson two just waiting to be filled in by some colorful stitches. I based this design on a photo of some chokeberry blossoms. I’m still working on the gourds from lesson one – and I signed up for Susan’s Felt Pins course starting Tuesday.

Roses Blue...

2008-03-15T23:57:00.004-04:00

I was playing around in PhotoShop with a photograph of some roses from last year’s garden and this effect reminded me of flow blue china. First, I used the “Find Edges” filter; then, "Image/ Adjustments/ Invert." Next, I used "Image/ Adjustments/ Gradient Map," where I chose the third pattern under "Special Effects."

Nature Journal: Eggplant, Onion & Basil Leaves

2008-03-13T21:50:00.001-04:00

Lesson two is supposed to be about flowers, but I’ve still got veggies on my mind. Hmmm, I’m in the mood for a little Ratatouille…

WIP

2008-03-11T01:37:00.004-04:00

I’m taking Susan Sorrell’s Fertile Earth course at Joggles. We were supposed to use a vegetable or fruit for a design source for the first lesson's embroidery. Naturally, I chose a completely out of season subject – ornamental gourds. I found a quick reference photo I had taken last fall of some gourds purchased for Halloween decorating. I was attracted to the shapes and textures. Here’s my work-in-progress. I used a background I created last year on the embellisher because I thought the pattern echoed the texture of the gourds. I still have lots of stitching to do – and I’ll be adding leaves and tendrils - and, most likely, beads...

Black Bean Chili Con Conni

2008-03-02T13:56:00.003-05:00

Here’s my recipe for vegetarian chili that has evolved over the years. It can be thrown together very quickly and easily – and is extremely tasty and nutritious!

1 Tablespoon olive oil
½ of a 12 oz. package of Morningstar Farms Crumbles (a meat substitute in freezer section of supermarket)
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14 oz.) can Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes (with Zesty Jalapeños)
1 cup frozen corn
1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon cumin (adjust to taste)
2 scant teaspoons salt (I use Salt Sense to cut down on sodium.)

In a large skillet, lightly sauté the chopped onion in the olive oil. Add Crumbles and all the other ingredients. Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Serve on rice (I use brown rice) with a dollop of sour cream.

Serve with a salad, tortilla chips and salsa. Guacamole is nice, too!

Celebrating with Frida…

2008-02-29T22:52:00.001-05:00

We celebrated our 35th anniversary today (a couple of days late) by having a nice lunch at the Olive Garden and then seeing the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It has been years since we visited the museum – so long, in fact, that we couldn’t remember ever getting so winded climbing those steps up to the entrance. By the way, everyone still raises their hands in triumph (a tribute to the movie, "Rocky") when they reach the top! It was a treat to see Kahlo’s work up close – and since it was the exhibition’s only east coast venue, we thought we’d better take advantage of it. Here is a great link with biographical information and many images of Frida’s work.

A Dress for Gene...

2008-02-27T22:47:00.001-05:00

I tried out one of my purchased dress patterns for Gene. This darted dress was a little challenging, but I love the fit and how it emphasizes her tiny waist.

Sewing for Ann Estelle...

2008-02-24T22:58:00.003-05:00

I haven’t purchased any patterns, yet, for my Ann Estelle doll, but I wanted to try making her a little skirt gathered to a waistband. I mean, how difficult could that be? I measured carefully (or so I thought) and the skirt ended up just a little too big (but perfect for one of my other dolls). I adjusted my pattern and made another skirt and, not only does it fit Ann Estelle perfectly, it also makes a sassy little skirt for Ellowyne. I also created a matching vest for Ann Estelle using a pattern made from a paper towel that was fitted to her. Now she needs a little top or T-shirt and she’ll be all ready for St. Patrick’s Day…

Nature Journal: Pepper Study

2008-02-23T12:09:00.002-05:00

Nature Journal: Laurel?

2008-02-18T22:06:00.003-05:00

The temperature rose into the low 60s today. Tomorrow it’s supposed to plunge down into the 30s... But I enjoyed the spring preview while it lasted...

I’m not sure what this plant is, possibly laurel? Just longing for a little color – even if it’s tinged with brown…

Ann Estelle

2008-02-15T13:26:00.005-05:00

Here is my little Ann Estelle doll. I received her for Christmas. She’s patiently waiting for some new clothes, too...

Just look at that sweet expression…

Sewing for Gene...

2008-02-14T19:42:00.003-05:00

Awhile back, I mentioned that I had started collecting Gene dolls, based upon the film stars of the thirties and forties I found a seller on EBAY who was liquidating some old store stock for a friend and I got brand new dolls, never removed from their boxes, for $25.00 each! I bought four different ones (I could kick myself for not buying more, but I was exercising restraint!). I also bought some clothing patterns and finally carved out some time to start sewing for them. This is a simple leotard made from a cheetah print knit (with an Angora fur texture). My “American Countess” Gene is modeling. The original pattern is meant to be the basis of a skating or dance outfit – but I think it might be a nice layering piece under a suit.

Remembering Dolls…

2008-02-09T21:07:00.000-05:00

It seems as though February’s TIF challenge has sent everyone strolling down memory lane. Me, too. Does anyone remember the Uneeda Doll Company’s “Purty” doll? Here is mine (circa 1958?). Is she not the ugliest doll you’ve ever seen? And if you squeeze her tummy, her face scrunches up even more and she’s even uglier. Looking at her now, it’s no wonder I never had children – she probably put me right off! Hehe! I did have some other beautiful dolls that, sadly, are gone forever. One of my favorites was Pollyanna, based upon the likeness of actress, Hayley Mills. And I had a Miss Revlon doll that I adored. After that, I had two Barbies, one with a long blonde ponytail, and one with a red bubble cut. I also had Barbie’s friend, Midge – and boyfriend, Ken. The last doll of my childhood was Tressy. Her hair “grew” by turning a key in her torso… And then, all of a sudden, at the ripe old age of eleven, I was no longer interested in dolls – because the Beatles appeared on the scene! I wanted to buy records, not dolls! And it wasn’t too much longer before I became very interested in Mary Quant fashions and Yardley make-up - and boys! English boys! Sigh...

FLU & ATC...

2008-02-07T21:01:00.000-05:00

For the first time since we were married (in 1973), DH and I were sick at the same time. We had that flu thingy that’s going around (although, at the time, DH swore it was the bubonic plague or some rare disease we picked up from the cats!). Whatever it was, I don’t remember ever feeling quite that run-down before in my life! It felt like the entire dance troupe from Riverdance was stomping through some of their more energetic routines in my head. I’m happy to say that the tour has finally moved on to another city. I am unscathed, too, except that I can’t smell anything. But that may be a blessing in a house full of cats. While we were ill, we had to take turns feeding them and scooping the litter boxes, as well as bringing in the firewood. It was awful. Then, to add insult to injury, Trixie (the littlest kitten), went into heat. Ironically, we had just called the vet a few days before we became ill to arrange for her to be spayed and her brothers to be neutered. We knew we had to separate her from her curious (but clueless!) brothers, so we brought her into our bedroom, and she thanked us by peeing all over the comforter… and emitting the loudest yowls you ever heard! The whole experience was like a nightmare. In one fevered conversation, DH and I talked about what would happen if we died – and wondered who would be the first person to discover our partially eaten remains… Thankfully, we had plenty of supplies in the house for ourselves and the cats so I guess it could have been a whole lot worse…

Trying to get back into the swing of things, I stitched a little ATC in honor of the inkberry holly. I used the embellisher to create the background from scraps of cotton fabric and wool roving.

More About the Inkberry Holly…

2008-01-30T17:10:00.000-05:00

I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t find any green stems with berries, but I’ve just discovered, via some web research, that only the male plants stay green all winter, while the female plants do not. Although the berries are poisonous to humans, they are enjoyed by birds. I’ve also learned that the inkberry holly can be used as a foundation plant, as a substitute for boxwood – and can stand heavy pruning. It’s a versatile plant, indeed.