Sunday Scripture - Resurrection Sunday...

Matthew 28:6 (via domesticgeekgirl.com)

Handsome came home Saturday. We'll celebrate Easter together here at the farmhouse.

Happy Easter, indeed!

Working It Out...

I've completed this much of my little ladybug, but am still working out how I want the head and antennae to look. 

Heads are typically black, so that's the direction I'm heading, but I still have to delineate the eyes so they don't disappear. I think I'm going to outline the eye beads with gold super pearl purl - as I outlined  the body. I'm planning to use a thin wire for the antennae.

I'm going to finish it today, and then work on the other two so I can "release" them all at the same time. I already have 3mm sequins I'm going to try on the next body to use for the spots. (Thanks for that idea!)

Handsome has been in the hospital for the past couple days with a recurring issue, but I'm hoping to bring him home today. It would be nice to spend Easter together. 

Wishing all my friends a Happy Easter.

Well, THAT Was Fun (Plus Class Information)...

Well, if you know...you know. This is how I spent Monday, preparing to get to the hospital at 7:45 Tuesday morning. Good times. Actually, I was out cold for most of the morning.

In the interest of avoiding "TMI", I'll forego the details. What I'll say is that I got a perfectly clean bill of health. Came home with Handsome as my chauffeur and spent the rest of the day doing mostly nothing. 

My deep apologies for not sharing something creative, but I can't show what I haven't got. I did hoop up more natural linen fabric, so I can make two more sheepy pendants for my shop, but didn't have the clarity nor concentration to start making perfect, little French knots. 

I think Handsome wants me to run errands with him this morning. He needs to get some new dress slacks for his concerts - and sadly to wear to a funeral of a dear friend next week who passed away in Florida. I'll take him to the airport next Monday. I'll stay home with the my canine and feline girls to keep the home fires burning.

When we get back home, I'll start on the sheep, hoping to finish them today or tomorrow and then get them listed.

There's been some interest in learning this alcohol ink egg coloring technique, so I'm planning to do a  FREE Facebook live class on Saturday morning.

If you're interested, please comment letting me know. Participants will need to purchase their own alcohol inks. Hobby Lobby, Joann's, and Michaels all have them, so hopefully you can pick some up. Here's the full supply list:

Alcohol Ink Assortment - in the stamping section of the stores

1 or 2 sheets of felt (will be cut into smaller squares)

White plastic  eggs (white works best. Must be plastic)

99% isopropyl alcohol - small bottle is fine (I got mine at Walmart)

plastic table cloth or something non-porous to protect your work surface

disposable plastic gloves to protect your hands - you'll want more than a few pairs. I bought a whole box at Walmart. 

Plan to wear a smock or an old shirt if you tend to be messy. The ink won't come out of anything you get it on.

Lastly, you'll need a non-alcohol sealer for your eggs. Sarah suggested Krylon™ Kamar Varnish, which you can get at Hobby Lobby or Walmart. This is what it looks like to help you find it.

I'm planning the class for 10:30 am Central Time (US), Saturday, March 16, 2024, so you'll need to find out what time that might be for your time zone. I'll save the video to Facebook so those who can't make it can view it later. If you are unable to get your supplies by the class, don't worry, you can pick them up later (or order from Amazon) to make your eggs another time. I'm doing the class now in case you'd like to have them to add to your Easter decorations this year.

I hope you'll join me in my studio on Saturday morning! I can't wait to share this technique with you!

April Craft Day...

I had a grand time on Saturday. Some of our regulars weren't able to come, and someone new joined this month. Deb and Kim couldn't attend, but I got to meet Nancy who will become Adrienne's new mother-in-law this fall.

I like this mosaic because it shows the relationship between each of these artists. My dear friend, Linda is in the upper left. Next to her is her daughter, Marie. Then, Marie's daughter, Adrienne. Below Linda is her sister-in-law, Linda P. Under Marie is her granddaughter, Aria, and below Adrienne is her future MIL, Nancy.

 

Our project this month was decorated Easter eggs. They remind me of the sugar eggs with lacy icing and sweet treats inside. These were Dollar Tree plastic eggs. An oval opening was cut into the top half of the eggs. We painted the inside of the egg, and after reassembling the two halves of the egg, we proceeded to decoupage beautiful tissue papers on the outside of the egg. Trims were added to all except mine. I decided to add my own vintage trims after I got back home. We then mounted the completed eggs onto candlestick bases.

Aren't they cute? Mine is the second from the left in the above photograph. I'll finish mine this week and then I can tuck it away with other Easter decorations until next spring.

Sunday Scripture - Easter Sunday...

John 11: 25-26

 

Restocking The Pantry...

 

I've kept dried beans in the pantry for some time. I almost never used them because whenever I pulled them out, I realized I was supposed to soak them for 10-12 hours to get them ready to use. I'd often simply return them to the cupboard and grab something else.

I came across recipes to can beans, and it seemed both simple and useful, so on Thursday I decided to put up the bags of dried beans that were already on my shelf. The whole process was insanely simple, and once prepared, they have to go into a pressure canner because there's no acid in the recipe.

My first batch yielded sixteen pints of pinto beans. Simply measure 100 grams (roughly 1/2 cup) into clean jars; top with boiling water - leaving 1" headspace - wipe rims of jars with white vinegar; add lids and rings, and process in the canner for 75 minutes at 11 psifor our altitude (per pressure canner directions).

Not only does it make for recipe-ready beans, but per jar there cheaper than purchasing canned pinto beans in the store.

While the pinto beans were processing, I prepared jars of chicken tenders (cold packed with only enough spring water to make sure the chicken would be covered with liquid when they came out of the canner), and garbanzo beans (chick peas) that I'll use to make hummus whenever I fancy it. As you can see, I finished with four pints of canned chicken and eight pints of garbanzo beans. 

I'm planning to get to Sam's Club soon to purchase bulk mushrooms, pineapples, and 14 bean dried beans to make ready to eat canned soups. I'll add some of our canned tomatoes instead of water for those. I also have a batch of hickory syrup on my list before Handsome gets back home.

Yesterday, I ran a few errands, saw my hand physical therapist, and came back home. I'm in the process of setting up my next embroidery project. I'll share more on that on Monday. Handsome called me to let me know the cookies arrived safely in Florida. (He was eating one when he called me.) They were a big hit for everyone, and I'm glad they got there before the holiday had passed! I'll be with family on Sunday, so here's wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend.

Peeps Easter Bunny Cookies...

 

This week, while I was on Instagram, I saw this great idea from Sugar Spun Run Bakery. (Don't click on the image as it's not a video.) I screen-captured a still from her video to share with you, and to remind myself.

These are cutout cookies decorated to look like Peeps, and I love the idea! I have a bunny cookie cutter (and an egg one, too), so I'm going to bake cookies to send to Handsome next week. I'm definitely going to decorate some like these. Aren't they cute?!

I'm going to have my morning cuppa and then I think I'll be baking today. Happy April Fools Day! Don't let anyone pull one over on you today. Stay alert, friends. lol

Sunday Scripture - Easter Sunday...

 

John 11:25-26 via quotesology 

Sunday Scripture - Resurrection Day...

John 11:25-26 via OrganicChristianLiving.com

 Happy Easter!Rejoice!

Sunday Scripture - Easter Greetings...

Brynwood Needleworks - via LoveThisPic.com

  Rejoice! Happy Easter!

Good Friday Resting...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabric For More Masks

 

I didn't do any sewing yesterday. Instead, I spent most of the day resting and reading, but I cleaned up the studio, and then pulled more fabrics for mask making, too.

I also did a little calculating. I get ten mask "bodies" from one yard of fabric, and I ten sets of mask straps from one yard of fabric. So, to date, I've used twenty four yards of fabric for the masks I've already completed.

I mailed out all the requests I had, and have fifty masks toward the nursing home request. I'll be concentrating on those next week, but before I left the studio this morning, I pulled more fabric to use for masks and their straps. Sixty of those will be in styles for men, and the rest will be unisex/ladies.

I'm doing homemaking tasks today, and plan to spend Easter Sunday with Handsome and Tag. We sure wish Bella was here with us, too, but we know she's loving her time in Florida. We're so happy to receive regular updates.

I'll be back on Monday. From our home to yours,

We wish you and yours a Happy Easter.

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Safe. 

 

Sunday Scripture - Happy Easter...

Brynwood Needleworks via housewifeglamour.com

 

"Song of Spring" Is Finished...

Brynwood Needleworks - Song of Spring Quilt

I completed my "Song of Spring" quilt around 9:30 last night. All the quilting was completed during the day; and the binding was attached and hand sewn. Then I added a sleeve and label to the back. It's officially finished!

Brynwood Needleworks - Song of Spring Quilt - Finished

This is the entire finished piece, measuring approximately 20" x 19". When it comes back from the quilt show, it will hang up in the farmhouse.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilt Label

 

I created the label in Adobe Photoshop Elements™, and then printed it out onto fabric. I added a fabric border and hand sewed it to the back of the quilt.

Today, I'm taking it to Kathy D.'s house. I'll be in Florida on the days we have to turn our quilts in for the show, which will be held on May 4-5, so Kathy graciously offered to turn mine in for me. We have to turn them in next weekend, ahead of the show. As she's leaving for a trip on Monday, and I leave before she gets back home, we agreed that I would drop mine off with her before she leaves.

I'm going to relax the rest of the weekend, spending time with family. I'll be getting ready for my trip next week, but I'll tell you more about that later.

Happy Easter Weekend, friend! Thanks for stopping by today.

Sunday Scripture - He Is Risen...

 

Sunday Scripture - Easter...

  Easter Blessings from our family to yours.

Sunday Scripture - Easter...

Brynwood Needleworks via Admissionph.com

  Easter Blessings to you and yours.  

Easter Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chocolate Bunnies Table Runner

 

I made this table runner in 2014. (You can read the final post on the process HERE.) I enjoyed every second of making it. 

 

I hunted down the fabrics so I could make it in the same fabrics that were used in the designer's pattern; piece, appliqued, and then machine quilted it. Binding is always my favorite part, because it means it's completely finished.

This runner signals the spring season, and bunnies and eggs have also come to represent an aspect of Easter. While there are children hunting eggs and candies, all Christians take time to thank God for the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Easter is a season of celebration. By His Grace, our sins are washed away, and we are saved. 

The pattern is "Chocolate Bunnies Table Topper" by Margot Languedoc of The Pattern Basket. I must make this again.

 

Sunday Scripture - His Promise...

He Is Risen!! Happy Easter

Sunday Scripture - Happy Easter...

Courtesy of sweet Abby at Little Birdie Blessings. xo

  HE IS RISEN! HALLELUJAH!

Scrambled or Sunny Side Up?...

First, I'm going to admit that I didn't work on my "Chocolate Bunnies

Table Topper" yesterday. Nope. Just didn't have that kind of concentration.

So, I played with eggs instead. Really. I'm going to tell you all about it!

I've had these little papier mache gems for over a year. I have moved

 them from drawer to cabinet because I couldn't decide what I wanted

 to do with them...until yesterday. I had one of those proverbial  "aha"

moments and decided to do something about it on the spot.

I got out my big bottle of PVA Glue from my book-making days

 (and because I didn't have any ModPodge), fabrics from my table

runner project, a brush and those eggs. I decided to cover them.

I put some of the glue into a little dish, cut the fabrics into scraps

and laid out a piece of freezer paper, shiny-side-up. I applied glue to

the surface of the eggs and then laid the fabric scraps on them to 

completely cover the eggs. When a piece of fabric was applied, I covered

it with more glue. Once the egg was completely covered, I set it aside

on the wax paper to let it dry. *PVA glue dries clear. It was that easy!

I'll set the finished table runner on our dining room table, and scatter

 the eggs on it with more Easter-themed touches. Won't they be fun?

(I might even have to go out and find a few more!)