2014-11-04



A NEW BLOG POST!

KNITTING!  CROCHET!  CROSS STITCH!  NEEDLEPOINT! WEAVING! QUILTING!





Letting go of Perfect and Jumping into Creative: 10 Tips for Busting Your Blocks

http://theslowstitchingmovement.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/guest-blogger-meg-cox-asks-my-whole-life-in-one-quilt/

YOKE DU YOUR

A young lady came home and told her Mother that her boyfriend had proposed but she had turned him down because she found out he was an atheist, and didn’t believe in Heaven or Hell.

“Marry him anyway dear.” the Mother said. “Between the two of us, we’ll show him just how wrong he is.”

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?  “Tomato with Garlic” painting by Lili Anne Laurin.

DESIGNspiration

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?   Straw flowers.

IDEA I LOVE

CINNAMON SPICE OF LIFE TABLE TOPPER

Use your fall colored fabrics to create this easy Cinnamon Spice of Life table topper. The design is very easy – a few half-square triangles and eight  4-patches. I have a huge round table in my dining room and, frankly, all of the run of the mill table runner  patterns don’t really work for me. This is perfect. Here is the pattern:

http://www.debbiemumm.com/Projects/Quilting/2010/01/

IDEA I LOVE

It’s time to start thinking of the winter weather and some portable stitchery for your travels. This easy snowflake cross stitch is not really my cup of tea in the  pink tones,  but might look sensational using hand dyed,  icy blues. Also, cross stitch always look so much better on linen. If you are skittish about using linen because of the variation in  weave,  considering asking your local needlework shop to suggest an appropriate evenweave linen. Here’s the free pattern:

http://www.cross-stitch-pattern.net/Snowflakes-14-169-Free-Design.aspx

YUMMY DISH!

CHICKEN PUFFS

INGREDIENTS:

boneless, skinless chicken breast, halves – cubed

onion, chopped

clove garlic, peeled and minced

cream cheese

butter

refrigerated crescent roll dough

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:   http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Puffs/Detail.aspx

IDEA I LOVE

This pretty knitted sweater is categorized as “easy.” That means even a moron like me can knit it. Why not check out the pattern, choose some colored yarn that works for you, and try your hand at knitting your own sweater? If you start now you may be able to wear your couture creation at your Thanksgiving dinner! Here’s the pattern:

http://www.berroco.com/sites/default/files/downloads/patterns/sawtelle_adult.pdf

SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG

POMEGRANATE AND BLUEBERRY CREAM SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS:

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

2 Tbsp coconut milk

1 cup blueberries

2 Tbsp flaxseed meal

4 oz Pure Pomegranate juice

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. For a thicker shake add less water or more ice cubes.

IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET:

For well over 2 years, I have been posting up to 20 links per day or every other day, on the Mark Lipinski’s Fan Pageon Facebook. Of course, in Facebook’s never ending quest to make lots of money, Facebook seems to have abandoned their mission of a real social networking site and it has become more about Facebook revenue.

Several months ago, Facebook, without warning, had implemented a new business model. As a result, the vast majority of “LIKErs” who have been faithful readers of this Fan Page have been blocked from receiving my posts, time and time again, from getting all or a few of the postings onto their timeline feed.

The reason is, Facebook would like pages like, Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page, to pay money every day, and on every post, in order to advertise and lure readers like you, onto the Fan Page.

With out “BOOSTING” a post, only about 5% of people who clicked LIKE on the Fan Page are actually seeing anything I post — and it could be random – sometimes you get a post, and sometimes not. Basically, it sucks for all of us. I am finding that we are all better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to my blog. You can subscribe to my blog (only if you wan to) and get an email each time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc.

I AM NOT shutting down Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook and you are welcome to follow me there, too. What I am doing is putting everything that used to be on the Fan Page individually onto my blog, AND there will be a daily link to the idea blog on the Fan Page, just as there were multiple links to the various blogs that I’ve always linked to in the past. It’s not that different, really. It will save me a lot of time, and guarantee those who want to see the creative posts will actually get to see them. And Facebookers, will STILL have to click on “GET NOTIFICATIONS” in your Facebook Settings if they want to see what I post on Facebook (sometimes that works, but not all of the time).

Actually, my new model gives you at least TWO ways to get all of the ideas, etc. PLUS you can PIN them and they will be TAGGED so you can find them again in the search bar even years later. – through the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and YOUR CHOICE (not mandatory) to subscribe to the blog and get email postings that way.

IDEA I LOVE

Quickly gather the most colorful autumn leaves in your yard or along your morning walk, press them, and add them to a string of twinkle lights for a  whimsical fall bunting  that will warm your decor and celebrate the season. This is really easy to do, especially since all of the Christmas decorations are already on your local store shelves. Start here:

http://wallflowergirl.co.uk/diy-autumn-leaf-fairy-lights/

BREATHLESS INSPIRATION!

These miniature crochet animals are by SuAmi, she is based in Vietnam and all of her creations are handmade and are ridiculously small. The materials she uses are: plastic eyes, embroidery thread, polyfil, felt and acrylic paint. SuAmi has sold over 3,543 of her micro crochet animals on her online Etsy store.

EDUCATION!

SIX THINGS EVERY DESIGNER SHOULD KNOW

ABOUT COPYRIGHT

http://design-milk.com/six-things-every-designer-know-copyright/?_escaped_fragment_=csaf1P

IDEA I LOVE

Here’s how you make your own dishwashing soap! I don’t know whether I would do this regularly, but there are times when I run out or Mr. Electric has forgotten to tell me he used the last drop on the last load, 2-days ago!  Here’s the recipe:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/01/diy-dishwasher-soap_n_6087290.html

WORDS TO LIVE BY

IDEA I LOVE

Using pretty papers from your craft store, and then embellishing with string and buttons, you can make the cutest napkin rings for your Thanksgiving table! These little works of art will take practically no time at all to construct and once everyone finds out you made them you will bask in the glow of the “I Am Truly Talented and Wonderful” compliments of your guests and family. Here’s how you make them:

http://craftsbyamanda.com/2014/10/pilgrim-thanksgiving-napkin-rings.html

MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!

APPLE PIE BREAD

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

BREAD

butter

brown sugar

milk

eggs

vanilla

all-purpose flour

baking powder

salt

apple pie spice (substitution: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg)

apples, peeled, sliced and cut into bite-size chunks

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/2014/9/11/apple-pie-bread.html

MEMBA?

Do They Know It’s Christmas? 1984

And now a word from our sponsor . . .

DESSERT!

3 PIES IN 1

CHEESECAKE PUMPKIN PECAN PIE

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Flaky Pie Crust

All-purpose flour, chilled

granulated sugar

salt

unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch chunks and frozen

lard or vegetable shortening, frozen

ice-cold water

Cheesecake Layer

cream cheese, softened

sugar

vanilla extract

egg

Pumpkin Pie Layer

unsweetened fresh or canned pumpkin puree

heavy cream (you can use evaporated milk, if you prefer)

brown sugar

granulated sugar

all-purpose flour

vanilla extract

salt

ground cinnamon

ground ginger

ground nutmeg

ground allspice

eggs

Regular Gooey Pecan Pie Topping

whole and coarsely chopped pecans

granulated sugar

dark brown sugar

light or dark corn syrup

vanilla extract

eggs

salt

butter

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:  http://parsleysagesweet.com/2011/11/15/11750/

IN PRINT!

My latest article, BEST IN SHOW, is in the latest issue of International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene. I’m very happy with the results! Pick up a copy! I hope you like it! xoxom

GET YOUR COPY HERE: http://bit.ly/MarkInQuiltScene

PATCHWORK, BABY!

Little, wonky and colorful.  Why not make one of these fun patchwork babies?   Here’s the pattern:

http://www.stitchinpost.com/images/free_patterns/Paradise-2013ShopHopQuilt.pdf

A NEW SLOW STITCHING MOVEMENT Webinar:

KNITTING, CROCHET, NEEDLE ARTS!

Quick, fast, easy. In our busy, multitasking world, those buzzwords capture our attention. But speed can kill creativity and the enjoyment of our creative pursuits.

Maybe what we really need to do is slow down, enjoy the process, and create knit, crochet, and needlework projects that we’re really proud of. But how?

This NEW and ILLUMINATING web seminar introduces a revolution within the yarn and needlework industries: The Slow Stitching Movement, launched by international quilt and fiber art personality Mark Lipinski. With Mark as your inspiration and guide, The Slow Stitching Movement web seminar will prepare you for a higher form of creativity and important knit, crochet, and needle crafts.

With this webinar, you’ll learn:

Approach your yarn and needle projects in a totally different way.

Recharge your passion for patterns.

Engage the connection between your body, your fiber art, and your legacy.

Expand your creativity, self-esteem and even your spiritual journey.

Tap into your right brain, to train and develop your imagination.

Find the creative genius in you.

Implement your creative thought in today’s too-fast world.

Heal your life, emotions and boost your physical health.

Create groups and habits to support your creative vision.

If you’ve hit a creative wall, if you have more yarn and thread than you do inspiration, if all of your projects are beginning to look alike, or if you’ve been knitting, crocheting, and/or stitching for years and have nothing wonderful to show for it—The Slow Stitching Movement is for you.

Mark brings years of professional and personal experience to the seminar, as he explores with you informational and transformational message of The Slow Stitching Movement.

There will be an opportunity for discussion through a question-and-answer session during the web seminar, and after.

click the link to attend:

http://www.interweavestore.com/mark-lipinski-presents-the-slow-stitching-movement-for-knitting-crochet-and-needlework

SHOEspiration

DOLCE & GABBANA, METALLIC NAPPA LEATHER & MESH FLATS, $ 1495.00

ORNAMENT COUNTDOWN!

Gather your scraps of felt,  a good pair of scissors (I like Kai),  and create a dozen or so beautiful Felt, Flora, and Merry ornaments for your Christmas tree or as gift decorations. Here are the instructions and the templates that you will need to create your own ornaments (and don’t be a scaredy-cat – choose your own fabulous colors and embellishments!):

http://stumblesandstitches.blogspot.com/2011/07/christmas-in-july-felt-flora-and-merry.html

IN BOOKSTORES NOW!

Well, look who is on the cover of Eleanor Burns’ new book,  All-Star Quilts! it is me along with quilting celebrity icons Marianne Fons, Nancy Zieman, and Alex Anderson!  What an honor!  I haven’t actually seen the book yet but we can get our copy here (I’ll take 35 copies, please, Eleanor!):

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponline/book/66010

MUST HAVE!

I love that this doormat that is guaranteed to make your visitors laugh because it’s both FUNNY and RUDE.

Also makes for a great gift for family and friends who love to goof around or offend people.

Now, don’t take offense.  I always tell my family, friends and  acquaintances that if I am teasing and insulting you that means I like you. If you find me to be totally appropriate and respectful… chances are we can’t be friends.

http://www.amazon.com/Shit-Not-You-Again-Doormats/dp/B00I3NL8RA

IDEA I LOVE

I love these hanging birds that you could make from all those scraps of fabric you been saving since 1903. Here’s the pattern:

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/12/vintage-inspired-hanging-birds.html

MARK’S ON CRAFT DAILY: AN ONLINE CLASS!

Halloween and Thanksgiving Quilt Borders from Strips of Fabric

Create festive borders for your Halloween and Thanksgiving quilts

“In Holiday Borders Using Strips with Mark Lipinski, Pt. 1, Mark Lipinski – fabric designer and quilter extraordinaire – shows you how to construct and assemble borders for two very fun quilts just in time for the holidays! Follow along as Mark demonstrates how to create festive borders for your Halloween and Thanksgiving quilts. Adopt some great seasonal ideas while getting into the quilting holiday spirit!

Included with this class are free downloadable templates available after purchase.”

CHECK IT OUT BY CLICKING HERE:

http://craftdaily.com/p-1478-holiday-borders-using-strips-with-mark-lipinski.aspx

If you’re liking this blog Please tell your friends about it!

I’d really appreciate it!  xoxom

Just cut and paste this into an email or post on your Facebook and Twitter pages:

I LOVE this blog and think you will, too! Check it out:  https://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com

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