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Still Here – Just Crazy Busy

April 30, 2011 by 3 Comments

It’s a beautiful sunny day.  The kind of day I like to spend walking at the Zoo.  But unfortunately, there is far too much work to do.  I will have to settle for the time spent running out to the grocery store.  And the time spent dealing with the nasty little gopher in the backyard.  Granulated fox urine is not really pleasant–sunshine or no sunshine.  At least I didn’t open the canister and take a whiff like a certain someone.  He won’t do that again.

Now that the domesticity matters have been attended to, it is down to business.  More sewing and pinning and quilting on the agenda for the weekend. 

While I’m busy doing  Secret Squirrel Sewing, go over to Where Women Create, the blog, and get to know my friend Amy.  They’re doing a giveaway of some Mod Podge so enter your comment over there to win. 

Have a good weekend everyone.  Enjoy yourself and do something creative.

Filed Under: house and home, mod podge

Mod Podge Mayhem – Fridge Magnets

April 27, 2011 by 12 Comments

Ready for some Mod Podge Mayhem?  If you pulled together the supplies I mentioned here, you’re set.  If not, here’s a reminder of what you need:

  1. Fabric Mod Podge
  2. Regular Mod Podge 
  3. Applicator (sponge or brush)
  4. Large wooden clothespins (available at Michael’s for $1)
  5. Magnet strip
  6. Fabric scraps

To get started, get your scraps to manageable sizes.  I consider a manageable size to be approximately one half inch larger than my finished size all the way around the shape.  Apply Fabric Mod Podge and let dry.

Trim your fabric to size.  For this project, I chose to cover the top portion of the clothespin above the indentation where the spring fits.

Use a medium/fine sandpaper or an emery board to rough up the paint.  This will make a better bond.  Apply regular Matte Mod Podge and adhere your fabric.  Let dry.  Apply one or two top coats of Mod Podge, drying between coats.

Now is the time to add your finishing touches.  Glitter glue, Sparkle Mod Podge, buttons, beads, whatever you want.

Cut the magnetic strip and adhere it to the back.  If you purchased adhesive backed magnetic strip, simply peel off the paper backing and press the magnet strip to the back of the clothespin.  And you’re done!  Quick and easy.  Just the way I like my Mod Podge.

Filed Under: crafts, fabric, mod podge, sassaman, sis boom

Chocolate as Inspiration

April 27, 2011 by 3 Comments

Yesterday’s visit with my sister involved Extraordinary Desserts.  This time we both had the same thing–Pot de Creme.  So rich.  So chocolaty.  So good.  Good enough to inspire a sketchbook page. 

First, let me say that I am not an Artist.  I reserve that for those who have the experience, the knowledge and the discipline to create art every day.  Instead, I consider myself a Creative.  Being a Creative means I focus my energy on creativity and the creative process in its many forms.  It has more to do with aligning myself with Creativity (with a capital C) than with mastering a particular discipline. 

When it comes to drawing, I’m a doodler more than anything else.  Scrap paper, backs of envelopes, Post It notes.  Anything impermanent seems to work.  And that’s one reason I believe I have shied away from a sketchbook journal of any kind.  It’s much easier for me to let go when I don’t have a big white page in front of me.  (And that’s true of writing as well as doodling.)  Keeping a sketchbook and making it a habit is something that could free me from those apprehensive feelings.

Have you noticed something specific that holds you back?  Or better yet, something specific that helps you move forward and explore creatively?

Filed Under: food, sketching

What Was I Thinking?

April 26, 2011 by 5 Comments

Do you ever do something spontaneously and then abruptly question your sanity?  Well, this may be one of those times for me.  I’m taking Alisa Burke‘s online class Sketchbook Delight.  Developing the habit of sketching has been on my list for a while. I’ve been trying but so far, not too much success. 

So, I thought an online class would help me, give me that kick in the pants I apparently need.  And to make it more fun, and to have someone there to “remind” me of my commitment to the class, I have some company.  Carolina of The Muse of the Day has joined me on this wild ride.  Go check out her incredible page from today.  I am sooooo far behind and we just started!

Actually, step one is gathering supplies.  That I managed to do–despite planting vegetables and spending the day with my oldest sister who is visiting.  Does that sound like an excuse?  It is.  But what is really inexcusable is this stack of supplies.  I did not need to purchase anything for this class.  Not one thing.  I have more than enough to cause trouble. 

Is it obvious that I’ve started artistic endeavors similar to this one before?  Do you think maybe, just maybe, this is a sign that I really need to get busy and DO THIS!  I do.  I really do.  This pile of supplies is like a 2 x 4 upside the head.  I have everything and more.  What I need–well, what I need is discipline.

Have a good night.  I’m going to spend some time this evening doing a page in my sketchbook. 

Filed Under: art, creativity

A Few Odds and Ends

April 21, 2011 by 5 Comments

In between sewing deadlines, I’ve managed to catch up on some Mod Podging.  Playing with MP is the perfect distraction.  You can easily apply a coat and return to the pressing tasks at hand.  And then go back again a little later for another application.  This bird house is almost finished.  A bit of Sparkle MP and more glitter glue are needed.

But look at those pom poms.  Michael’s carries different colored pom pom collections.  They come in different sizes and in a variety of color combinations.  Aleene’s Tacky Glue keeps these attached to the house.  A little Azure Blue Folk Art paint by Plaid finished the base and blended well with all the turquoise and blues.  The wooden bird house is from Michael’s and the fabric is all Sis Boom Queen Street.

If you want to join in the next round of Mod Podge Mayhem, gather together these supplies.  I will post the instructions in the next few days.  Here’s what you will need:

  1. Fabric Mod Podge
  2. Regular Mod Podge 
  3. Applicator (sponge or brush)
  4. Large wooden clothespins (available at Michael’s for $1)
  5. Magnet strip
  6. Fabric scraps

Happy Easter everyone!  See you back here for some crafty fun.

Filed Under: crafts, fabric, mod podge, sis boom

Reading Material

April 18, 2011 by 2 Comments

The early arrival of this book led to some reading time over the weekend.  I finished the first of this trilogy, Under the Bright Lights.  My brain was running a background soundtrack of Tom Waits.  Visions of the movie, Down by Law, sprang up occasionally.

Woodrell has a writing style I enjoy.  Scenes spring from the language, not from the recitation of details or a snapshot declaration.  And phrases provide images in unexpected ways.  “Hands-on-meat percussionists”,  “vest of pudge and ganja-inspired eyes.”  But “spoonable brains” has to be one of my favorites.

Somewhat irritated by his inability to provoke paralyzing fear, even in bums with spoonable brains, Jewel watched until the wino was fifty feet down the alley.  He’s seen a movie once where it turned out even Comanches wouldn’t tweak the noses of unknown fates by spearing outright crazies. He got the point of it, now, and it didn’t have anything at all to do with having sung too many old Baptist hymns. (page 66)

James Ellroy said of Muscle For The Wing:  “Vicious, colloquial, dark, and — most unsurprisingly — brutally funny. To read it is to enter a superbly realized universe of surprises.”  I do not disagree.

Filed Under: books

Forward Momentum

April 15, 2011 by 6 Comments

Thank you so much to each of you who commented and emailed about the loss of our cat.  Your sympathies and cyber hugs are appreciated.  Thank you for taking the time to extend them.

Sewing projects have been keeping me busy.  These mug rugs are, unfortunately, the only ones I can share right now.  The rest will have to wait a month or so.  But you will see them, never fear.

As you may have noticed, I have a tendency to have lots of irons in the fire.  And as someone has pointed out to me recently, I should take care not to get burned trying to juggle them all.  Good advice.  But I’m not likely to follow it.  Case in point–these mug rugs in Amy Butler’s Soul Blossom.  Scraps from this quilted throw were the perfect way to jump right in to something different and finish up quickly.  I like the idea of having some of these on hand.  You never know when you might want or need to give a special gift.  And these are sure to please. 

Have yourself a great weekend!

Filed Under: crafts, fabric, quilting

An Empty House

April 14, 2011 by 10 Comments

Seventeen and a half years.  A long cat life full to the brim with cat naps and Jellicle Balls.  Lap cat and box lover, he and his antics are sorely missed.

Casa P is a different place without him.  Getting used to a house without any pets is going to take some time.

Filed Under: animals, house and home

It’s Five O’clock Somewhere

April 10, 2011 by 4 Comments

There’s a new pattern in the shop for you!  This is an easy, fun fused applique quilted wall hanging pattern.  You could easily make more blocks and turn it into a bed size quilt.  All it would need is a little extra quilting for durability and a tighter zig zag on the finished edges of the applique to keep them from fraying through multiple washes.

The scrappy feel comes from using different fabrics for each applique.  A great way to use up scraps from your favorite fabrics and end up with a whimsical beauty at the same time.

Or use one applique for a pillow cover.  Or on an apron.  Or applied to a canvas tote bag.  It’s all up to you. 

This quilt takes me straight into summer and those hot lazy days.  Can you feel it?

Filed Under: pattern, quilts, sis boom

On the Garden’s Wish List

April 9, 2011 by 3 Comments

Today I took a break from the routines and joined my sister at Cuyamaca College’s Spring Garden Festival.  Lots of plants suited to our environment.  Lots of planting bed ideas.  Also, lots of acacia pollen which was not good for breathing.  But these stood out amongst them all.  There are simply not enough words to describe their magic.  Purple bottlebrush and proteas–my new Must Haves. 

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend–whether you spend it creating or dreaming or just relaxing.

Filed Under: plants
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