The bells have stopped
But the flowers are still ringing
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 | Stanley Almodovar III, 23 | Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 | Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 | Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 | Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 | Luis S. Vielma, 22 |Kimberly Morris, 37 |Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 | Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 | Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 | Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 | Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 | Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 | Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 | Martin Benitez Torres, 33 | Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 | Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 | Amanda Alvear, 25 | Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 | Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 | Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 | Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 | Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 | Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 | Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 | Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 | Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 | Cory James Connell, 21 | Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 | Luis Daniel Conde, 39 | Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 | Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 | Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 | Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 | Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 | Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 | Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez, 27 | Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 | Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 | Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 | Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 | Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 | Frank Hernandez Escalante, 27 | Paul Terrell Henry, 41 | Antonio Davon Brown, 29 | Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 | Akyra Monet Murray, 18 | Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25
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? This is called Tantra 04-15,2015 by Dieter Balzer. $15,000
YOKE DU YOUR
John was the cop in a small town where everyone knew each other. One night, during his night patrol, he spotted the town drunk walking down the street looking like he was up to no good.
“Hey!” Said John, rolling down his window. “Your not heading for any trouble, are you?”
“No sir!” Responded the drunkard with a big smile, “I’m heading to a lecture!”
A lecture?! thought the cop incredulously at 1 am!? this I gotta see! After following him for a few blocks John was surprised to see him going into his house.
“Hey!” John screamed out his window. “I thought you were heading to a lecture?!”
The drunkard just held his index finger and headed inside. Sure enough within a minute John heard the lecture loud and clear through the upstairs window, “JUST WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING OUT ALL THIS TIME YOU NASTY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING…”
DESIGNspiration
Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft? Tableware and architectural tile masters Heath Ceramics have teamed up with boutique wallpaper company Hygge & West on a collection of wallpapers that carry on the signature Heath aesthetic.
IDEA I LOVE
Cute, cute, cute. Try your hand at making a little bunny sashiko sachet. I want one. Let’s do it! Here’s how:
http://embroidery.about.com/od/Easy-Embroidery-Projects/ss/DIY-Sashiko-Stitched-Zakka-Sachet.htm#step1
IDEA I LOVE
Drop the crayons and actually draw something! Start with a simple mandala on air dried clay. Then, make a fridge magnet. Here’s where to start and how to make a few:
http://journeycreativity.blogspot.gr/2016/06/mandala-clay-magnets.html
BREATHLESS INSPIRATION
Artistry by Russian beadwork artist, Olga Orlova. Click on the link to see much more of her work:
http://viola.bz/russian-beadwork-artist-and-jeweler-olga-orlova/
YUMMY DISH!
BIG JOE’S CHERRY CHICKEN BBQ
What You’ll Need
chicken thighs
fresh cherries
habanero infused honey
barbeque Sauce
orange juice
bourbon liquor (optional)
garlic
butter
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: Big Joe’s Cherry Chicken BBQ [Recipe] | http://nj1015.com/big-joes-cherry-chicken-bbq-recipe-3/?trackback=tsmclip
IDEA I LOVE
If anyone can figure out how I can make some coin from the burn marks on my ironing board cover, please let me know. Maybe if I didn’t forget to actually pick up my iron occasionally, I might not have to make a new cover. Anywho, this is totally on my TO DO list. Make on with me. Here’s how:
http://www.sew4home.com/projects/furniture-covers/easy-ironing-board-cover
IDEA I LOVE
Yipee! A no sew beach cover up. Mine would have to have printed words on it. “Do Not Net. This is Not a Whale!” You can just cut, knot, and wear. Here’s how:
http://theseamanmom.com/no-sew-beach-cover-up/
SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG
Watermelon-Tequila Cocktail
When watermelon is in abundance, this is a great way to use it. Bobby Flay purees seedless watermelon chunks, then strains the juice through a sieve and mixes it with silver tequila, sugar syrup, blueberries, mint and fresh lime juice.
What You’ll Need
water
granulated sugar
seedless watermelon (1 pound)
fresh lime juice
blueberries
fresh mint leaves
silver tequila
Ice
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/watermelon-tequila-cocktails
INTERESTspiration
STUDY SAYS MAKING ART REDUCES STRESS EVEN IF YOU MIGHT SUCK AT IT
Read the article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/study-says-making-art-reduces-stress_us_576183ece4b09c926cfdccac
IDEA I LOVE
I’m actually waiting for an order of Procion dyes from Dharma in San Raphael. I have this art quilt idea (No, I am NOT telling). In the meantime, I’m firing up my ice maker. I can do a little ice dyeing with the leftovers from my project. Here’s how to ice dye:
http://jojotastic.com/2015/09/10/diy-how-to-ice-dye/
WORDS TO LIVE BY
IDEA I LOVE
Now is a wonderful time to find and press wonderful flowers for your bejeweled adornment. Here’s how to create these made with nature crystal charms:
http://monsterscircus.com/2016/06/10/diy-pressed-flowers/
MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!
SWEET APRICOT BREAKFAST BREAD
What You’ll Need
½ recipe Crusty Flat Bread Dough
a little water
brown sugar
dried apricots
mixed spice
icing sugar, to dust
Crusty flat bread dough
water
dry yeast granules
mashed potato
extra virgin olive oil
high-grade or baker’s flour
salt
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.annabel-langbein.com/recipes/sweet-apricot-breakfast-bread/407/
MEMBA?
HAPPY FATHER’S DAYspiration . . .
Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads out there
IDEA I LOVE
Wow! How cool is this embroidery on canvas shoes? I love this so much. Don’t stop at flowers. Or, don’t stop with embroidering only a few flowers. Go for it, kids. Here’s how:
http://mottesblog.blogspot.de/2015/04/all-tangled-up-diy-embroidered-canvas.html
COOKIES!
SPICY PINEAPPLE LINZER COOKIES
These sandwich cookies, adapted from chef Frederico Ribeiro of New York’s Te Company, are an homage to the classic Taiwanese pineapple cake. Here a super-buttery vanilla bean shortbread gets a nutty dose of hazelnut flour, and sweet pineapple-rosemary jam gets balanced by the spicy, fermented, and grassy flavor of Japanese yuzu kosho paste. Be sure to let the cookies rest overnight (or at least a few hours) after assembling so the jam sets in place, and don’t skip the lime zest and flaky salt topping for a sweet and savory cookie that has a nice habit of electrifying your taste buds.
What You’ll Need
For the Cookie Dough
all-purpose flour
hazelnut flour
baking powder
Kosher salt
unsalted butter
granulated sugar
eggs
vanilla bean
For the Pineapple Jam
pineapple
granulated sugar
rosemary
Kosher salt
lime
yuzu kosho
Maldon sea salt
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.saveur.com/pineapple-linzer-cookie-recipe
FASHIONspiration
Naeem Khan
Strapless Embroidered Illusion Gown, White/Multi
$14,990.00
Check out the most beautiful runway show ever . . . keep your eyes out for this strapless embroidered illusion gown! Tell me what you think in the comments section.
IDEA I LOVE!
Meow meow meow Mr. Rogers meow. Meow painted shoes meow. If you’re a cat lover, you are going to love these DIY shoes. Here’s how to make them:
http://www.sopurrfect.com/2016/06/easy-how-to-cute-diy-cat-toe-shoes/
Take Our Poll
Live…every Sunday morning
If you miss it, I’ll post it right here around 2 PM (eastern) today. xoxom
BE DAZZLED!
Rare Art Deco tutti frutti brooch
A very fine and rare Art Deco tutti frutti brooch, designed as a stylised diamond tree set with four engraved ruby leaves. The diamond flower pot is decorated with black enamel. Mounted in platinum. Circa 1925. Total diamond weight: approx 1,35 ct. $19,858.66
PATCHWORK, BABY!
Isn’t this the most beautiful treatment for a quilt border? From my buddy Barij, here’s her free downloadable pattern for her garden tea party quilt. Get it here:
http://barij.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/garden-tea-party-free-downloadable-quilt.html
PLEASE…
SHOEspiration
Dolce & Gabbana
Red Painted Sandals with Pom Pom and Sequined Toe
$1,895
$1,043
IDEA I LOVE
I thought you might like this. It’s a free screen saver for your iPads, phones, laptops, etc. of spools of thread! Download it here:
http://www.cozyreverie.com/blog/free-download-spools-of-thread
KNITspiration
This is the Papagena scarf to knit. Now, if you’re wondering why there is a flute in the picture it’s because Papagena is a character in the opera, The Magic Flute. Get it? Here’s the free pattern:
http://knitting-and-so-on.blogspot.ch/2016/05/papagena-scarf.html
LOL
WHEN I HAND SEW……
GARDENspiration
OK is this twig terrarium not the cutest? Now’s the time to plan and create your DIY indoor garden. Just walk outside and start digging up wonderful little plants for your jar (if you like something in your neighbor’s yard, just nab it — they won’t mind). Start here to make your own:
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/projects/diy-twig-terrarium/#page=0
MUST HAVE
Really? I have to. I … just …. just . . . . have to have a mermaid tail!
Chic Knitted Warm Fishtail Blanket For Women, $22.16
IDEA I LOVE
What a fun little doll to whip up… and from socks! So make one, or 10. Not so sure, however, how she might look with tube sock stripes running across her face . . . just work with it. Here’s how you make one:
http://www.ohohblog.com/2016/05/how-to-make-sock-doll.html
DESSERT!
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB CHEESECAKE
What You’ll Need
For the Crust
unsalted butter
graham crackers
sugar
grated nutmeg
kosher salt
For the Filling and Garnish
sour cream
cream cheese
sugar
unsalted butter
eggs
dark rum
kosher salt
vanilla bean
Charred Rhubarb Compote
Sliced strawberries, for garnish
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.saveur.com/article/recipes/cheesecake-with-charred-rhubarb-compote-and-sliced-strawberries
CROCHETspiration
Love this simple crocheted Amimono Kimono jacket. I especially like it because of the wider, somewhat larger cut. Not designed for a carrot stick. Here’s the free knitting pattern:
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pdf/AmimonoKimono.pdf
MY CRAFT UNIVERSITY CLASS
Instead of adding plain borders, elevate even the simplest quilt top to a work of art. Mark uses humor and creativity to teach borders step-by-step, making this a great online course for beginning and advanced quilters. After you learn these borders, you will want to make them again and again.
You Will Love This Course If You:
Want to add new borders to your skill set
Enjoy making your own artistic choice
Want to make your borders shine
Like to learn more about working with panels
Enjoy getting inside info and history about quilting
Enjoy creating holiday-themed quilts
Enjoy quilting for yourself and others
Want to add a holiday theme to your quilt borders
Want to add interest to your borders
Want to design your own holiday border blocks
For more information on how to take my class or to take the class, Just click here: http://bit.ly/20yUzWK
IDEA I LOVE
I know this is called a ‘modern granny square’ quilted pillow cover… but it looks like a non-modern, very classic, Irish Chain, to these old eyes. That said, what a beautiful combo of colors. I love this project. Check out the See Kate Sew blog for a tutorial:
http://seekatesew.com/modern-granny-square-quilted-pillow-cover-tutorial/
PERSONAL STUFF
i bought my first pattern
Oh, yeah. Mark Lipinski in a dashki in 3…2…1… I’ve never sewn apparel. This oughta be hideously good! Bwahahahahaha
dyeing fabric for an art quilt
I ordered a half dozen small Procion dyes to create an art quilt. They should be here within a few weeks — Dharma delivers by horse and buggy — and I’ll get started. I have a vision but it’s ‘out there’ and may be difficult to impossible to get together. If anybody can pull it off, I can. I’m preparing myself for permanent multicolored hands, face, clothes, grass, trees, etc. It’s how I roll.
thank you for your birthday wishes
Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday on June 15.
It’s going to take some getting used to finally hitting my mid 30’s. I will try to stay strong.
The Quilt Show
My episode airs on The Quilt Show today! I was already pretty sick when I shot this episode with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson but didn’t know just how sick. I had begun to have night sweats in Denver and within 3 weeks I was hospitalized with 104-105 degree spiking fevers once or twice a day. I hope you enjoy the show. Here’s the link to THE QUILT SHOW, check it out: https://thequiltshow.com/watch/show-list/video/latest/show-1813-quilts-of-valor-and-intent
quilts of valor
What a small world. I was c