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YOKE DU YOUR
A child asked his mother, “How were people born?” So his mother said, “Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on.”
The child then went to his father, asked him the same question and he told him, “We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now.”
The child ran back to his mother and said, “You lied to me!” His mother replied, “No, your dad was talking about his side of the family.”
ARTspiration
Artists or art that turns me on and feeds my muse! Like it or dislike it, what about this art inspires your own art or creativity? Virginia Woolf by Vanessa Bell c.1912 © Estate of Vanessa Bell, courtesy Henrietta Garnett. Photo credit: © National Trust / Charles Thomas
DESIGNspiration
Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft? Notice the placement of art groupings on walls for your own “placement” inspiration in your art/craft.
IDEA I LOVE
Mr. Electric thinks this looks like a dead rabbit being prepared for burial in somebody’s backyard. I, on the other hand, think this primitively hand-sewn, felt bunny is fabulous and want a litter of them. The tutorial inspired me to figure out what other kinds of shapes I could cut and hand-piece from pieces of random felt — and talk about opportunities for embellishment! Whoa, Nellie! Start here:
http://www.agoldenafternoon.com/home/hand-stitched-stuffed-animals/
IDEA I LOVE
Print out these happy hexie shaped templates for your next English Paper Piecing projects. If you hate English Paper Piecing, then at least your misery can be broken by seeing your hexies smile up at you during the dreadful process. Print here:
http://wildolive.blogspot.com/2014/08/printable-happy-hexagon-epp-templates.html
IDEA I LOVE
These aren’t just any crocheted ball, they are RATTLES. Yes, baby might like one, but so would a cat. Quick and easy, you can be the Screaming Brat Whisperer, if you just remembered to carry one of these in your purse! Here are the instructions:
http://wildolive.blogspot.com/2014/08/printable-happy-hexagon-epp-templates.html
GUESS WHO?
Guess who is leading a creative stitching/quilting tour though POLAND September 2015?
Want to come along?
More details soon! xoxom
YUM
ZESTY SUMMER SQUASH PIE
This is the perfect dish to bring to a brunch get together, dinner party or just to enjoy on a busy weeknight! If you don’t have squash on hand, this pie is just as good with eggplant or pumpkin!
Ingredients:
8 ounces refrigerated biscuit dough
1/4 cup butter
2 cups sliced yellow squash
2 cups sliced green squash (or zucchini)
1 medium shallot, chopped
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon honey
Dashes of salt and pepper
2 eggs
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup shredded Champagne cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
Unroll the biscuits and gently press into the greased pie plate. Bake for about 5 – 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Melt the butter in a large sauce pan. Add the yellow squash, zucchini, shallots, garlic and mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add the seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir in honey.
In a large bowl, mix the eggs and milk together. Add the vegetable mixture to the egg mixture. Stir in the Champagne and cheddar cheeses.
Pour the mixture over the biscuits. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the vegetables.
Bake the pie for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy!
Source: http://www.fabulousfoods.com/articles/955519/zesty-summer-squash-pie-recipe
BREATHLESS INSPIRATION
Mo Morgan is an artist who embroiders ‘feminist’ images on doilies — are you ready — WITH HER HAIR (and you think you have trouble embroidering with 6-strand DMC! Sissy!). Is there more to say? I’m curious what you think both about the images and the process.?
For more feminist craft, check out Mo Morgan’s embroidered mantras here.
SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG
OLD FASHIONED
1 sugar cube
3 dashes of bitters
2 teaspoons water
1 strip lemon zest
1 small wedge orange
2 maraschino cherries
Ice, as needed
2 ounces bourbon
Club soda
Cherry for garnish
Add the sugar cube, bitters, water, lemon zest, orange wedge and cherry to the bottom of an old fashioned glass. Use a small spoon to muddle the cube into the liquids so the sugar will begin to dissolve.
Add ice to the glass and top with bourbon and club soda and stir well. Top with a cherry.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/old-fashioned-cocktail-recipe.html?oc=linkback
WORDS TO LIVE BY
PATCHWORK, BABY!
Just strip and flip to make this easy peasy baby quilt. How difficult can this be? Perfect for the first time quilter. The challenge here, of course, is finding all of the fab colors. Here’s how CluckCluck made her quilt:
http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2012/07/tutorial-strip-and-flip-baby-quilt.html
MEMBA DIS?
Totem Pole Souvenirs
IDEA I LOVE!
Sewing with metallic thread can be a challenge. Take a look at this quilt guide for adding some sparkle and bling to your sewing projects:
http://seekatesew.com/sewing-101-sew-metallic-thread/
MUST HAVE!
Eiffel Tower Scissors for bon clipping! $11
http://fancy.com/things/169250169404000832/Eiffel-Tower-Scissors?ref=jeffreyturner
DESSERT!
LEMON ZUCCHINI BREAD WITH LEMON GLAZE
Ingredients
For the Loaf:
1 cup grated yellow squash or zucchini (leave the skin on and use the small holes of the grater)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup honey
2 large eggs
½ cup coconut oil (healthier, but you can use canola instead)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
For the Lemon Glaze:
1 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
Using your hands, squeeze as much liquid out of the squash as you can. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, add the sugar and eggs and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the honey, oil, vanilla extract, buttermilk, lemon juice and lemon zest beat another minute until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir in the squash until the strands are separated and combined with the batter. Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter and gently fold it in, just until combined. Be careful not to stir too much.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing from the pan and setting it on the wire rack to cool completely.
To make the lemon glaze, in a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice together. Add more sugar if the mixture is too liquidy. Add more lemon juice if it’s too stiff. Once the loaf has cooled, pour the lemon glaze over the top of the loaf and let it drip down the sides. Allow the glaze to harden for 15 minutes before servin
Read more: http://www.daringgourmet.com/2013/01/29/lemon-zucchini-bread-with-lemon-glaze/#ixzz3A30d0xPt
FREE ON-LINE CLASS
Watercolor Sketching & Journaling
Watercolor Sketching & Journaling
Instructor: Gay Kraeger
Start Date: September 1, 2014
Lesson 1 will be posted at 9:00am CST
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/artist-studio/groups/workshop-3-2014/forum/
SHOEspiration
Now you will never get lost again! These Bluetooth shoes VIBRATE when you make a wrong turn! When will we ever get a shoe that will automatically burn calories without having to walk in them?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/25/lechal-shoes_n_5620512.html
IDEA I LOVE
I love woven Mexican textiles and so, naturally, I would like these rough around the edges South o’the Boarder, bangles. If you live in southern California, Arizona or Texas finding these fabrics is a snap. If you live in New Jersey, you’ll have to cut snippets of fabric from the curtains of your favorite Mexican restaurant (but you didn’t hear that here). Take a look:
http://pearmama.blogspot.com/2014/08/diy-mexican-fabric-wrapped-bangles-bracelet.html
THE LEMON CATHEDRAL TOUR CONTINUES!
Next stop: SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Drive into Springfield from St. Louis! Chicago! Indianapolis!
Crowne Plaza, Springfield, Illinois
September 24-27, 2014
Attend my Banquet Lecture on September 26
And an all day Lemon Cathedral workshop on September 27
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
This is just one variation of the Lemon Cathedral quilt . . .
And here’s what the students who took the workshop are saying:
“I had an absolutely amazing time this weekend at the quilting retreat!! Mark Lipinski was fabulous and so much fun! His lecture had us laughing so hard we were practically crying, and his quilts were outstanding. He’s a talented, entertaining and generous teacher. Even though I’ve been quilting for a long time, I learned some new exciting techniques and tips to help me advance my art! Can’t wait to hang out with him again.”
Karen L., Quilter
“We had such a great time in the Lemon Cathedral workshop. Thanks for a fabulous class and you are sooooo much fun.”
Carolyn S., Quilter
“My Lemon Cathedral class with Mark Lipinski at MQX was everything that I imagined. He had a way about teaching that put you at ease at learning a new technique. He was funny and engaging. I felt like everyone got his individual attention. I would definitely take another class with him.”
Michelle W., Quilter
“The lecture and lemon cathedral quilt class with Mark Lipinski was amazing and well worth the money! His lecture was filled with excitement, energy, laughter and spectacular quilts! The class was electric! Everyone loved the easy trick for making a quite complicated block! There were so many techniques used in this class, even the most advanced sewer will walk away with a “wow”!”
Michelle Strassburg, Owner, Fabric Affair Quilt Shop
“The MQX Lemon Cathedral workshop was like five classes in one. Learned so many tips . Mark made us feel we could do anything. Best class ever.”
Donna M., Quilter
“I highly recommend taking Mark Lipinski’s Lemon Cathedral quilt workshop. I took his workshop this past weekend and it was great. Mark is an excellent teacher. He is right there to answer any questions and give any help or advice you might need. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to be with and learn from Mark. It is more fun than you could ever imagine.”
Diane H., Quilter
“I have always been intimidated to try raw edged appliqué but this class was so fun and free spirited that all fear has vanished….now I’m looking for new applique projects. The cathedral windows block works like magic, thanks Mark.”
Lynn K., Quilter
“This class with Mark has something for everyone from quilters who wish to be precise to those who enjoy artistic freedom to create. An added bonus are the laughs you get listening and mingling with Mark. “
Betty C., Quilter
“When I found out at the last minute that Mark would be in town I dropped everything to see him again. An evening of creative inspiration, warm camaraderie, fun stories and belly laughs was just what I needed to fill my cup. Spread the word: Mark Lipinski is back, and he’s better than ever!”
Lea P., Quilter
“Thank you Mark! We had sooo much fun and loved working with you on the Lemon Cathedral! Come back soon!”
Diane L ., Quilter
“Mark’s lecture is worth whatever cost or trouble one goes through in order to hear it and see it. My husband and I saw Mark in Manchester, NH at the MQX show. The room was packed. We were at a table in the far back corner. In this position I could see the whole room. The problem with his lecture is that you are so sore from laughing and you can’t catch your breath. And he tells his stories as if you are the first audience to hear it. He has more to say than he does, skipping through quilts he brought to discuss at times. There were people at my table who also knew him, as I did. And others who hadn’t seen him before. He is very real…bearing it all. Therefore, we understand him and laugh because we have been there too. But, he is much more than that. He is at times frantic and crazy as he tells how he lives his life. If you haven’t seen his performance, make it a must on your bucket list before Mark gives it up. My husband and I think back on the things he said and did and laugh again. We have gotten great mileage out of his show. And if I ever have a chance to see him perform, I will do it. Because I had seen him previously, but knew I had to do so again. His show is always different and very worthwhile. And by the way, the people sitting at my table who had never seen him before were in shock…not knowing if his stories were real or not. But we who knew him assured them it was so, and they laughed harder than us. He’s great.”
Janet K., Quilter
DON’T MISS A THING, MISS THANG!
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