What's cookin' Good Lookin?

Thanksgiving is coming. That means cooking. The only holiday that is solely centered around FOOD. And what we are thankful for. And I guess that's food and our loved ones to share it with us. We are planning our menus, our shopping, our guest list, our activities. It seems to be the forgotten holiday, between Halloween, that has become so huge and people don't take the skeletons down til February, and Christmas, which starts in the stores the day after Halloween. Sheesh.

At any rate....

The project of the day is~

A Manly Manly apron, from a man's shirt for our favorite man who is cooking for Thanksgiving!

 

You will need:

 a man's shirt (large or X large is best) Get a nice one from the local thrift shop.

scissors, and sewing machine

 

You will be cutting the back off the shirt, leaving the collar. From the extra fabric you will cut two straps for the waist ties.

 

Hem the edges, fold and sew the two side ties and attach to the side of the apron.

And voila, you have a cool apron any guy will be happy to wear. A hawaiian shirt would be fun to use, or any funky 'guy' print.

You can use the extra fabric from the back of the shirt for future (or past) projects.

 

Tip of the day:

If you eat too much on Thanksgiving, and have that "way too full" feeling...sleep on your right side. Because that eases the stomach, not stresses it.

 

That's all for now!

:D

 

 

 

Rainy Day Art

Hey,
My apologies to my loyal readers for my absence lately.
So many things have been happening that I neglected you, and I am sorry for that.

After a big wedding, and traveling back to the Midwest, and various visitors, and then we visiting, and then the death of my beloved little cat, several craft fairs and just day to day stuff, I'm feeling like time has zipped by, and I want to get back into my routine. 

Does that happen to you? Time seems to speed by when you sit back and take a breath and tell yourself  "don't worry about it, relax, don't stress about keeping on a schedule".  And before you know it...
not just days, but WEEKS have passed and you kick yourself in your butt (yes, you can do this), and you take the time (and it REALLY doesn't take that long) to do what you need to do.... you fill in the blanks (whatever YOU need to do)...write, create, compute, communicate, relate, interact, organize.

I want to encourage you to take 1/2 hour a day to do those chores you don't want to do, but need to do. Then smile, and take on the rest of your day. You can do it, and I will be there with you doing it, too.

My project for today is:
PAINTED UMBRELLAS

You will need:
an umbrella
acrylic paint
brush
hair dryer

First, get online and look up your favorite artist. I have used 3 artists: Matisse, Van Gogh and Monet.

If you are not confident in your artistic ability, pick an artist whose art is not precise. Such as impressionists, abstract, etc.

Paint onto the umbrella, and when it is dried, blow the hair dryer onto it to set the paint. This will make it waterproof. Nothing like having your umbrella drip paint in a rain storm, ugh.

This is not only pretty, one of a kind, handmade, recycled, but functional. EVERYONE can use an umbrella, right? And if it doesn't turn out just right, who cares? Art should be fun, instead of signing the artist's name, sign your own...That way...it's yours, and will always be just RIGHT!
Did you ever see a Jackson Pollock? He splattered, dripped and blobbed paint on. Go for it!

Hey, how about getting a kid to paint it? What a great gift for a parent to use something their child did.

tip of the day:
Winter is coming and with that comes dry skin. Try using Vaseline instead of expensive lotions. If you wear running shoes or gym shoes, and get dry feet, slather on the Vaseline, then white cotton socks. After your workout, or walk, you'll have softer tootsies. Also a little on your hands will help with dry, chapped fingers. Spas use stuff like this, then slap on mittens and sockies and let it soak in. So why not you?

That's all for now...
:D

Cat-titude

 

I have a cat. It was my daughter's cat that she rescued back in 2002. We never knew how old she was. But Dana discovered that her landlord said "no pets". Sooooo, I ended up with her. Her name is Taavi. Which is a name that Dana learned from a book of Estonia tales, that her grammy gave her. But as it turned out, this female cat ended up with a 'boy' name. Because Taavi means David.

 

Anyway...we had several cats at the time, and she did not get along with any of them. So she ended up inside, and the others were exiled outside. This princess attitude (Cat-titude) fit her perfectly, and she has been the one and only ever since.

 

Now Taavi is getting very old. She is our only pet now. She's lost weight and when you pet this 'purr machine', you can feel every rib. It's becoming clear that her life is coming to an end. She wants attention constantly, doesn't have much energy, and hides in corners. This makes us very sad, but she has had a good life. But saying goodbye to 'ANYONE OR ANYBODY' has been a tearful, terribly sad situation for me and I am crying now just thinking about it.

 

So this post is for our sweet kitty, with an attitude.

Today's project is:

 

SOCK KITTIES with attitudes.

 

You will need: kid socks, stuffing, needle and thread, and embroidery floss.



As you see in the picture, the cat's muzzles are the 'heels' of the socks. and their legs are the 'opening' of the socks.  You will need to machine stitch or hand stitch legs.

 

Turn the sock inside out. Cut a curve shape above the 'heel'. Sew two leg shapes from the opening. Cut the legs apart. Then stitch the top (head and ear) closed.  Now cut a small slit under the muzzle to allow you to turn the sock right side out.

Stuff the sock and stitch closed the opening. This part I embroider over with pink thread in a heart shape. Thus you have no obvious stitched closure.

Now is the fun part. Making the attitude of the kitty by sewing arms that will end up in pockets.
Take white thread, and stitch through the sides of the kitty. Each one will end up differently. That's the great thing. They have their own personalities. Stitch black embroidery thread for a face. and any color for pockets.

I use an extra long needle for easier sewing through the bodies.

tip of the day:
While I was facing painting at our local community picnic, I got three spots of green paint on my white linen shirt. Egads, I tried everything to get it out. But to no avail. So I resorted to my secret weapon...White Out.  Yes, I put a drop of white out on the spots, and it covered them beautifully. I have washed this shirt several times, and this crazy stuff has never come off. (So what does that tell you if you accidentally get it on other stuff...don't!)

That's it for now...
:D

computer blues

Eeeeegads!
Our computer was fried in a recent lightning storm. I am so sad, frustrated, upset, and broke!

Our surge protector obviously wasn't strong enough, or something else went wrong, and my beloved computer and all her programs (and my business contacts, logos, etc.) are gone. So now we have to start again. I know this isn't the end of the world, but I sure hate this whole process of trying to figure out a new machine, loss of data, precious pictures, etc.

I just want things to run the way they should. When I turn the key in my car, I want it to go.
When I push the buttons on my appliances, they work. When I sit down at my computer, I want it to be the same way it always is. Is that too much to ask?   I HATE CHANGE!  Wahhhhh

Plus to add to my computer blues, my Kodak program which is my "right hand"  has switched to Shutterfly AAAK! Not sure how I can use/switch/change/print/store my pix.
And then my printer has decided to quit working!! AAAK! So now gotta go for a new printer. ($$)
So as life goes, I have to dig down deep, take a big breath and carry on.  Our new computer (expensive $$) has new programs, no programs, updated, and I am feeling OUT dated. ugh.

So enough of my woes. I like to vent, but not wallow.  And you did not come to this site to hear moaning and groaning (but please let me know if you want more, cuz I can deliver!) hee hee    :)

PROJECT OF THE DAY:
Beer Bread

I know this project isn't recycled or renewed but since I can't show you any pictures, I can't give you a project that is too elaborate.

You need:
3 cups self rising flour
3 TBL. sugar
1 can of beer

mix together all ingredients in a big bowl, put on greased cookie sheet or greased bread pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

This bread will be a 'break off a piece' loaf, instead of a 'slicing off a nice piece' loaf. But it's quick, easy and yummy!!!! You make some stew, soup or crock pot meal, this will be a great addition. Hot out of the oven with butter melting on it.

Store any leftover (ha, like that's happenin') in a zip loc bag in the fridge.

tip of the day:
keep your fresh berries...FRESH~
When you get your berries home, prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider works best)
and ten parts water. Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain, rinse if you want.
(tho the mix is so diluted, you won't taste the vinegar).
Pop the berries in the fridge. the vinegar kills any mold spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit.
Raspberries will last a week longer. Strawberries go almost 2 weeks.

That's all for now...
:D

Wind Chimes

I bought a bottle cutter on Ebay last year. And I've been having fun using it. I make glasses out of beer bottles, windchimes, candle holders.
It brings back memories of my teenage years back in the 70's. I had the exact same cutter and made lots of things back in the day of hippie/recycling/macrame/candles. But this time when I bought it on Ebay, it cost $50.00! yikes. I wish I would have kept my old one (along with my original Barbie doll in her zebra bathing suit).

My first entrepreneurial venture was making candles and macarame hangers & wooden candle sticks. My dad let me use his lathe, and from a 4x4" block of wood I turned it (literally) into a candle holder. He was always instructing me on the 'safe' use of his tools, and he never thought I was not capable of using them. I used a band saw at 16 years old. And still have one today.

I would schlepp my goods to the 'head' shops around town and sell my stuff. Now that was 40 years ago and I'm still making stuff and hauling it around selling it. Now it's in my local shops or craft fairs.  We creative folk are like sharks, we gotta make stuff or we die!
I am so happy that I grew up in a home that hand made things were treasured.

So if you have a bottle cutter, this project is for you. If not, try a technique I heard of using a wire wrapped tightly around the bottle and heat it and cool it. You would turn the bottle over a candle flame, then rub it over an ice cube. Repeat process until it cracks. Then use a rough sand paper grade under running water until the edges are smooth.

Today's project is:

Bottle Windchimes

left one is a wine bottle, right one are two beer bottles.  You need a chain, keyrings, and beads.  There is key ring inside the bottle to stop the chain from sliding all the way up. And then a keyring on the bottom of the chain (which you can get a hardware store) to hang the 'clinking' stuff.  I used a shower curtain/metal ring on the beer bottle one. And for the wine bottle one, I used glass beads and a piece of fused glass the clanging parts.

I was kind of experimenting and the windchimes I see have all kinds of stuff hanging from them. Use cord and shells, or beads and metal pieces like washers. The hardware store has loads of fun stuff to use.
I made chimes using a wooden dowel with stuff hanging off of it. Be creative, even if you don't use a bottle, you can just hang a bunch of stuff that will clink together.
The main thing is, that you are creating! Remember, you can't mess up, have fun!

tip of the day:
summer time has bugs, but this tip came from a landscape artist friend. (I'm not sure if I've used this before, so excuse me if I did)  She suggested that using 'bounce' fabric softener sheets tucked into the cushions of your outdoor furniture helps keep the skeeters away.  It's worth a try. If nothing else, it will make your stuff smell fresh! Hey, stick one down your cleevage, and hopefully the bugs won't follow! :)

That's all for now...
Dee

Bluegrass wedding

Well, we had an AWESOME wedding last Saturday.
My daughter got married to her soul mate in the presence of family and friends
It was a HOT day, but besides that it, it couldn't have been nicer.
Smiles abounded, as well as many happy tears (mostly from me)  :)

I made 'redneck wine glasses' for wedding favors.

They were great because this was a casual wedding and fit right into the barefoot, bluegrass theme.
And no one picked up the wrong glass because I sprayed chalkboard paint on their bases (before assembling them). So as the guests arrived we chalked in everyone's names. And after the wedding they could take them home.
So fun and functional!

We made chicken and salmon on the grill, and all the guests brought a dish to share. So we had lots of yummy food.
The bride and groom even made their own beer and cucumber soda!

Today's project is:

glass and wire serving spoons

You will need-
-stainless steel utensils- spoons, forks or cake servers
   (the handles should be as flat as possible)
-glass pieces (you can find these at the Dollar Store)
  ...I use my own fused glass pieces, but the kind of glass bubbles that people
     use in aquariums work well also
-E6000 glue
-20 gauge wire (optional)

Using the E6000, adhere the glass pieces onto the utensil handle.
Let dry for 24 hours. Then if you wish take about a yard of wire, and starting from the back, wind this around and over and in between the glass pieces, ending in the back. Take some needle nose pliers and tuck the end under and around another part of the wire and put a blob of glue over this.

I have also made serving utensils using beads strung onto the wire and wrapped around the handles. This would be pretty also. Just make sure you secure the ends of the wire in the back firmly and tightly. And a glob of E600 is good insurance. If you want to buy some, see my website: arttowearbydee.etsy.com

Hand wash please, no dishwashers.

tip of the day:
If you are invited to a pot-luck wedding, buy a nice bowl or platter to bring your food in, then leave it for the newlyweds as a wedding gift. Include a nice serving spoon like the one in today's project.

That's all for now...
Dee

ribbon roses

My oldest daughter (by 1/2 hour of her twin sister) is getting married in 2 weeks.
We are all so excited, it's hard to contain the happy atmosphere that surrounds her right now.
You can't help but smile when you see her face.

I did a lot for her sister's wedding back in 2004 (happy anniversary Bets!, eight years, whoa!)
from bouquets to table decorations, etc., but this time I am living 4 hours away. And it's not MY show.
It's tough to let other people take over, and I feel like I'm in the "outer" circle for the first time and being the mother of the bride, I have learned to just let it go.  Hard? yes.   Impossible? no.
Danzy, this effort is for you!

I did snag the flower job: bouquets, boutonnieres & corsages. So I have to revisit my previous job of choosing flowers, buying flowers, wiring flowers, preparing flowers, making flowers, then cooling off flowers three days ahead of time so they don't wilt and all my effort is for naught! Ah, the pressure!

Well, Dana showed me a quick and easy way to make little ribbon flowers. So this week's project is:

Ribbon Flowers

You will need:
satin ribbon, 3/4" - 1" wide
needle and thread

I used a different width of ribbon for demo to make it easier to view:

take about 24" of ribbon and toward the middle make a right angle fold. You will then fold the 'bottom' ribbon over this fold. You will continue with the other side until you have folded about 10 times.

You will be folding (at right angles) over the previous fold.

When you have your ten folds, pinch the corner of the bundle and let go of the top side (right hand side)

The ribbon bundle will pop out, but just keep pinching tightly so the whole thing doesn't fall apart, and with your free (right) hand pull gently the ribbon that is hanging down.

The rose should start to bunch up and start forming a flower shape. If this doesn't work to your satisfaction, just unravel and start again.

Some ribbons work better than others, and some widths work better than others. We tried with the 2" demo ribbon in the beginning, and it was too big to form a nice rose.

Once you have a nice rose shape, take your needle and thread and sew the bottom ribbon part together so it doesn't unravel.

tip of the day:
If you want to keep your towels as dry as possible, (perhaps you live a moist climate and have trouble drying things out)  try this tip:
Use a small washcloth in the shower (or bath) after you are finished and wipe off with this small towel first. After you have blotted down you will be surpised how much water you can squeeze out of this little washcloth. So think of all this moisture going into your bath towels that have to struggle to dry out.
My hubby gave me this tip, cuz in the army they gave the guys a little washcloth and one SMALL towel.

That's all for this week!
:D