Conservatory
It was a productive weekend with three days spent helping my daughter refresh her living room, bedroom and kitchen walls. In turn she helps me with my computer needs from printing on oversize fabric sheets to …
Blog
June Inspiration Starter
Flower Power Three simple shapes can help you make a fun and easy small table topper. My paisley drops are about 3 inches, the stems are 5” and the center circles are 1 ¼” What a fun way to celebrate the plethora of flowers …
Camping Snacks
One of my favorite snacks to take camping or just to have around is homemade granola. It is so simple to make and so delicious. When others taste it they comment on the flavor. I think the secret is the cardamom seasoning which can be a little difficult to find. As often requested I post the recipe as I use it. If you’ve ever made granola you know there are at least a hundred variations so do your own thing!
Sharon’s Granola
Mix together in a large bowl:
4 cups old fashioned oats
2 ½ cups of nuts ( I use pecans, slivered or sliced almonds, and walnuts)
1 cup coconut
In a 2 cup measuring cup mix:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cardamom
¾ cup maple syrup ( the real stuff is really great but I change out the fake stuff with a little honey)
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup brown sugar
Pour liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and spread on two parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and let sit in oven for 3-4 hours, stirring once or twice in that time period. Remove from oven and store in covered containers.
May Inspiration
Hashtag Punctuality The May inspiration starter, Punctuality, of course, has a back story. About six years ago I made a quilt for my daughter in favored colors of chartreuse and taupe. For months I collected fabrics as I traveled to different quilt shops and quilt …
Suitability
Upcycled men’s suits and ties provide suitable fabric for fun collages with a more masculine impression. I use all parts of deconstructed suits and ties including the interfacing, the wrong side of fabric and sometimes even the padding. Two pieces shared here also incorporated my …
April Inspiration Starter
Its mid April and predicted to snow but the African violet is showing off with it’s newly dyed vintage doily. While isolated with the Corona virus I have been multi-tasking with making protective masks and ice dyeing another batch of vintage linens. This week’s colors were jade green, grape and wisteria. One of my favorite things to consider with the end product beyond it’s original or intended use is how it might be used in an artful collage. I have been working on a collage piece featuring a dyed home décor fabric paired with commercial pieces. I love being able to have artful pieces hanging out on the design wall as inspiration comes and goes. When this vintage crochet piece came out of the dryer it was just the piece I had been waiting for as I had been calling the piece “In the Conservatory” imagining a garden room in a historic mansion but with a modern vibe coming from my mind’s images of a public conservatory I like to visit. Now I can move on with the finishing of the piece!! Love how inspiration gets a jumpstart with those lovely vintage pieces.
Spring Fever
Spring is different this year for many. We live in the country near the Mississippi River and find it quite relaxing to take a walk every morning without the fear of having to distance from anyone. Being retired we find it unnecessary to have to …
Down Memory Lane
The Piecemakers By The Bay Quilt Show in Rockport, Texas is in the books. The pattern I designed for their fundraising quilt is available as a pattern. If you have an interest in purchasing you can contact me at my email address knowing that all …
Trio of tops
Thank you to my Airstream friends for modeling the tops that I ice dyed. Colors are reminiscent of the Southwest scenic views we have experienced on our two month caravan.
Southwest Inspirational Adventures
Southwest Inspirational Vistas Hand stitching projects have been the norm while spending the last month and a half traveling the southwest and have yet another month to go. My head is already bursting with ideas, with mental sketches of the shapes and textures needed …