Inspiration...

First things first. Please take the survey on my sidebar to help me decide what color fabric I should use for my Give-Away this month!

Inspiration is an interesting thing. I seem to find it in the oddest places. Take, for example, this eggplant. Surely, there isn't a more striking color combination that can be found anywhere...

...deep, pitch-dark purple with bright lime green. Incredible. And look at the soft, curved lines of that girl. Absolutely luscious. What's more, check out the beautiful eggplant flower below. It kind of reminds me of a clematis in shape and color. Stunning.

You might be wondering why I'm taking eggplants. Yes, well I'm getting to that. I'll bring it all together right here and now. Although I have no way of knowing, I can just imagine the fabric below was inspired by the color and curves of an eggplant - complete with a blossoming flower. Man has a wonderful way of trying to imitate God's masterpieces, and in this case I think this designer takes a close second. This fabric has captured the gorgeous purpley color and soft, shapely curves of an eggplant. I'm in love with it.

When you combine this scrollwork fabric with the complimentary fabric below from the same line, you get that punch of lime green that is so stunning with a deep purple. These fabrics are from the line called Piccadilly, by Pamela Mostek, for Clothworks. You'll be seeing more from this line in the weeks to come. I'm in love with it! Truly inspiring designs and colors.

Which brings me to my little creation. Goodness me with inspiring fabric like this, how could I go wrong?

Ruffles and Roses...

I spent my time making fabric flowers and doing a little sewing yesterday. One of my favorite ways to spend free time is creating these days. It's relaxation therapy after a busy holiday season.

These beautiful Erin McMorris fabrics, from her Park Slope Collection by Freespirit, are like a walk through a citrus grove! Playful abstract florals and fresh organic shapes create pure, clean color palettes with eye-popping colors. This line has a fresh garden feel with a retro kick. Love her designs! I chose three complementary fabrics to make this mini Hang Up wristlet. The bright, flashy colors in this sassy clutch are the perfect prescription for the doldrums of January!

Have a great day!

What's your interior design style?

I found out mine is "Nantucket."

Sproost says my interior design style is:
67% Nantucket Style
22% Rustic Revival
11% Arts and Crafts

Here's what they had to say...

"Oh how you love the beach!
Your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town,
or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house."

It's true.
I love the beach.
Passionately & completely.
I grew up a half hour from Santa Cruz.
There's seaweed in my blood,
and sand castles,
and salt water,
and lapping
waves.

I need to gut my house of all its current furnishings and start anew ... or move to the beach. It might be easier to move to the beach. I'm thinking something like this would fit the bill...

(Go here to find out your interior design style.)

PS: There are only three rooms in my home that resemble this style -- my kitchen, master bedroom and master bath. If only I'd known earlier.)

Wristlets - a work in progress

I've been tweaking my wristlet pattern -- trying to get it just the right proportions. This one is a teeny bit shorter than the first. Love the raspberry and lime colors. It screams "Valentine's Day!"

Functionality with pizzazz! That's what they are. Here's a peak at the hidden zipper and lining...

You can use this mini-tote (7 1/2 " x 5 1/2 ") day or night. For the woman who thinks less is more, she can use it alone as a clutch to carry a little cash, a debit card, and her license. Or, for the woman who believes in being prepared for every eventuality, she can use it in her purse to organize her accessories. I happen to be one of the latter. Here's what I plan on putting in mine: lipstick, gum, blush, mirror, band aide, pen, hand lotion, pencil, calculator, adding machine, hair spray, chapstick, socks, tweezers, headband, scarf, cash, kleenex, measuring tape, scissors, perfume, cell phone, calorie counter, mace, address book, brush, coupons, curling iron, and a granola bar. You know, the essentials.

And best of all, they have these beauticious flowers adorning them. I'm fairly certain that anything could be made better if it wore one of these flowers. I'm thinking of plastering one on my face right now.

I've decided to sell them in my Etsy.
That's where this one will be found later today.

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something
black & white...

Clockwise starting top left:

Custom Portrait Mugs
Black & White Headband
Vintage Dress
Pearl, Bead, Gemstone Bracelet
Wall Art Vinyl Decals

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Huge Relief...

Normally, on Thursdays I post a "Thankful Thursday" post that chronicles the tender mercies that blessed my life that week. This week will be a little different. Many years ago a wise man was speaking on the subject of charity when he said, "Don't institutionalize your giving." He was referring to the fact that many of us rely upon regular, scheduled donations on our part to specific organizations. We might contribute yearly or monthly to these good causes, thus in our own minds making a mental note that we are "doing our part" to relieve suffering throughout our communities or the world. At times we might rely too heavily upon the organizations to help those in need, thus distancing ourselves from the suffering and pain experienced by those in distress. Although helpful in many ways, it is an isolating and insulating way to serve.

When he referred to "institutionalizing our giving" he was encouraging us not to solely rely upon our usual methods of scheduled donations, but when needs arise to stretch beyond our normal limits and seek opportunities to serve and give in unusual, more personal, less convenient ways. His thoughts stirred my soul, and since then I've tried to live my life in accordance with those principles. When I have, my life has been richer and more meaningful.

Which brings me to the title of this post, "A Huge Relief." A huge relief effort is being made by many organizations to help those suffering from the calamitous effects of the devastating earthquake in Haiti that occurred earlier this week. I'd like to do my part. For one week I will donate all of my proceeds of a number of items in my Etsy Shop to relief efforts in Haiti. I can't go there in person to help, but I can pledge to assist in my own unique way. One hundred percent of the proceeds from my designated Etsy sales will be donated to an organization that charges no overhead and where 100% of your donation will go toward humanitarian efforts in Haiti. You can be assured that your money will be put to good use, and you'll receive a little something in return from my Etsy shop for your generosity.

My family has never experienced the kind of devastation that has affected those in Haiti, but twelve years ago one of my sons was serving a mission in the Dominican Republic when Hurricane George descended upon that island and ravaged areas in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. As a result of his service, that island, and most especially the people, have a special place in our hearts.

Please go HERE to find the items that are designated for this donation. Thank you so much,

Back to the drawing board...

Today I had to console myself with a little sewing. The last of my kids and grandkids left today, so I was feeling a little lonely. We've had exactly four weeks of visiting family members, 17 in all, so it's been very busy around here. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years with five kids and their families, a three day break, and then two more kid's families arrived for another week. I'm exhausted, but I've got a smile on my face.

As I was saying, I made friends with my sewing machine today. In my opinion she's been sadly neglected this last month -- although she might have considered it a well-deserved vacation. I've been admiring some "wristlet" creations on blogs the last couple of months, so I decided to try my hand at coming up with a pattern of my own. Wristlets are versatile little clutches that one can use day or night. You can use it alone as a clutch to carry cash, a debit card, and your license. Or you can use it in your purse to organize your accessories as a cosmetic bag, sunglass case, or for personal items.

I thought I would have to tweak the pattern a few times before I zeroed in on a permanent one. As luck would have, I don't think I'll have to do too much tweaking! Maybe change the dimensions slightly. Anyway, here's the unveiling...

Most wristlets have a zipper on the top of the bag. I put mine on the front, and hid it behind the ruffle. I don't happen to think zippers are very attractive, so I never want it to be a focal point of anything I make. Here's the zipper playing peek-a-boo!

While my DIL was here, she showed us how to make these beauticious flowers out of fabric. She learned how to make them from her talented friend. I am quite sure you will all consider me a best friend forever, when I shoot you to my DIL's friend's tutorial on how to make these gorgeous flowers. Yes, I expect candy, flowers, and a kind word from each of you for that one. They were so fun and easy (although slightly time-consuming) to make, and I plan on using them in the future on a variety of my creations. What do you think? Aren't they pretty?

The dimensions of this baby Hang Up are 8"x6". It is fully lined and interfaced with fusible fleece to give it plenty of body and support. I'm trying to decide if I want to add this item to my Etsy shop, but I'm not sure it would sell very well. If you were to buy one, what would you consider a fair price? The price people are willing to pay will determine whether I want to go ahead and add them to my inventory. Just curious...

I'm linking to "Creative Cats!!!" at Poppies at Play. Also, to "Show and Tell Wednesday" at Blue Cricket Design; "Do It Yourself Day" at You Can Make This; and "Get Your Craft On" at Today's Creative Blog. Head on over to find many DIY projects.

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something
beee-a-uuu-tiful!

Clockwise from top left:
Undersea Silver Bracelet
Felted Ballet Slippers
Paper Beads
Thick Leather Journal
Teal Bowl

Have a wonderful weekend!

-6 degrees

It's currently -6 degrees outside, and the snow is still coming down. On days like today there are only two things to do. Cook and eat. We did both with gusto today. Cinnamon Rolls were high on the list of consumables this evening. I've used this same recipe for over 30 years. (Yes, I'm that old.) It makes a melt-in-your-mouth, soft, buttery sweet roll. My four year old granddaughter was my sous-chef/baker today. She helped me by sprinkling the sugar mixture on the rolls, rolling them up and "cutting" them. Here's what they looked like resting in the pan before they had risen...

And here they are all fat, full, and ready to pop into the oven...

Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls

Dissolve 1 Tbsp. yeast in 1/4 cup warm water for 5 minutes

Stir in mixing bowl:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups warm milk
2 eggs

Add yeast to mixture above.

Then add:
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour (The dough will be very light and slightly sticky.)

Barely mix, then cover and raise about 3 hours. Flour surface and roll dough into a rectangle. Sprinkle with sugar mixture (about 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. flour -- use more if needed). Then generously sprinkle cinnamon on the top of the sugar mixture. (Optional: Add nuts or raisins.) Roll up dough and use a piece of dental floss to cut the rolls. Put rolls into a buttered 9x13 pan. Brush tops with a little melted butter, and let them raise about 1 hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. This is what greets you when you take them out of the oven...

You can frost using a powdered sugar, milk and vanilla glaze or frosting OR you can purchase a "can" of vanilla frosting. Heat the canned frosting in the microwave for 40 seconds on high and drizzle from the end of a spoon onto the rolls. Trust me -- this is just what the doctor ordered on a freeeezing winter's night...

As good as these are, Spring can't come soon enough!

Looking forward...

A couple of days ago I ordered some fabric from one of my favorite online fabric stores. This particular store has free shipping on orders over $35. That's a great perk, and I take advantage of it now and then. The other day I was in the mood to browse, so I took a look-see and ended up purchasing some fabulous fabrics. I'm looking forward to whipping up a few new Hang Ups. Here's a sampling of the fabric I bought.

These two selections are from the collection called "Flourish" and are designed by Alisha Place Frost for Studio e Fabrics. "Flourish Floral Tiles" (top) is a repeating floral tile design in orange, lime, charcoal, light blue and taupe on a turquoise background. "Flourish Interlocking Bangles" (bottom) features an allover design of interlocking brown circles on a turquoise background. I can't wait to make them into a bag. If you go here, Studie e has made available a free tote pattern that you can download and use to make an adorable tote with this fabric line!

I also took advantage of some Amy Butler genius and bought some fabrics from her Lotus Collection. You might know by now how much I love morning glories and her rendition on fabric is no exception. I also love her creation "Full Moon Polka Dot" in cherry. I hope they compliment each other in color. That's the only complaint I have with Amy Butler's fabrics. One never knows, when they order online, if the fabric colors will compliment one another. It's much easier to buy her fabrics in person, so you can see the colors next to each other... Wish me luck!

And finally, a little more Amy Butler -- from her "Lotus" and "Midwest Modern II" lines -- with a little Sandi Henderson (top left) from her "Ginger Blossom" line. Can't wait to mix these up and design a few totes from these beautiful fabrics...

Next week I'm going to take my sewing machine out of retirement and dust her off a bit. She had a prolonged vacation during the holidays. Today we have four grandchildren and two daughters arriving for a visit. Fabric comes in a distant second when there is family around! Have a great week!

Lemon Scones

I thought I would share a favorite recipe of mine today. I found this scone recipe a couple of years ago, and it's been a favorite ever since. These scones take no time at all to make. They have a smooth, flaky, buttery-sweet consistency, and the touch of lemon flavor is delightful. I occasionally substitute the lemon rind for orange or tangerine rind for a little variety, or to use what I have immediately available. I baked some of these last night and served them with homemade jam, and they were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Take note of the substitution for the buttermilk. You can use the substitution in a pinch, but the buttermilk adds flavor and a smoother texture to the scones, so if you are planning ahead of time to make them make sure to pick up some buttermilk. You won't be disappointed.

Lemon Scones

1 cup buttermilk ***
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon raw sugar

(***Substitution: 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice plus "regular" milk to make 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes.)

Mix the milk, honey and egg. Sift in the dry ingredients. Add the melted butter, followed by the lemon rind. Roll out into 3/8" thick on a floured surface. Cut into wedges. Lightly grease and flour cookie sheets. Sprinkle raw sugar on top of scones. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown (10 - 18 minutes). Transfer to cooling rack, but serve warm. Devour with jam or warmed honey. If baked before serving, they can be nicely warmed in the microwave.

Tips:

• Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into triangles.

• I bake them 12 - 18 minutes (depending on the size), which was a bit longer than the 10 minutes the original recipe called for. However, we live at a high altitude, so if you are a sea-level dweller maybe the 10 minutes will suffice. Just check them throughout the baking process and take them out when they are slightly golden brown.

As Julia would say...
"Bon appetit!"

Linking to:
Share Your Recipes @ Remodelaholic