August Inspiration Well, August is winding down and I realized I hadn’t posted an inspiration for the month. I’ve been thinking a lot about Dresden Plate block and the many beautiful and creative variations that are available. The many doilies I accumulate inspired me …
I’ve been doing a lot of finishing of WiP’s and UFO’s and other things found on the floor, in totes, but mostly pulling from the piles in my sewing room. Binding has been my evening work and the only step keeping a project from being …
Whether you’re looking for something to do on hot sunny days, hoping to find a new craft for kids or want to preserve those languishing linens, Cyanotype prints are an easy solution. Recently I wanted to capture some leaves for use in an art quilt project and remembered I still had pretreated fabric from previous projects. The process is so simple and one that I remember doing as a 4-H camp participant many years ago. (Note: you can treat your own fabric starting with chemicals and white or colored fabric base. It’s messy!!) Pretreated fabric is available by the yard or by the piece and even comes in colors as seen in the photo of the black and white piece. Whatever object you place on the sheet of fabric is not harmed or changed in any way making it a very nice way to preserve the needlework of the past. You just need a sunny day and about 10 minutes of time once you have collected and arranged the objects on the fabric. I arranged some preserved leaves along with some pasta shapes and let it sit on a flat surface in the sun for about 10 minutes and then rinse to reveal the finished piece. Easy, simple enough for children and then the creativity begins. Cut them up into pieces, rearrange, frame them or incorporate into a pillow or small wall hanging.
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 …
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 …
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.
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 …
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 …
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 …