Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Decoupaged buttons and tiles








When I was at the CQI retreat, Kerry taught us how to do decoupaged buttons. Recently I found Annie Howe's Keepsake's (a blog) that teaches you how to do nearly the same thing with scrabble tiles. (http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-make-gorgeous-scrabble-tile.html)

I decided to try using the scrabble tiles since I knew just where to find some at my local antique store, and had also found some old flat wooden beads that I also wanted to experiment with (aren't these the coolest!). All I needed was the tiles/beads, some images printed on paper, Mod Podge, and some diamond glaze. I decided to burn the edges of some of my pictures so I also had a candle and a wet rag handy. Let me tell you that I needed the wet rag. It was easy for these little images to burst into flame, so be careful if you try it!

First, I placed the image on the tile/bead and held it up to the light so I could find the right placement. Holding it in place I cut around the image with a scissors. Then I brushed some mod podge (like a glue) on the tile/bead and placed the image on the mod podge pressing it so it would lay flat. Then I took an exacto knife to further trim the image; well I really used a scissors, but an exacto knife would have been better. lol! Brush with the mod podge and let dry 15 minutes. Then brush the crystal glaze over the mod podge and let dry 24 hours. You can put another coat on after about 5 minutes and then let it dry for the 24 hours if you want. The crystal glaze makes a really thick shiny (like glass) coating on the tile/bead.

These tiles/beads are so cute and you can sew them onto fabric by glueing felt on the bottom and then sewing the felt to your fabric (thanks to Gerry K. which is where I first got this idea) and/or you can bead them on using the peyote stitch.

I am making a memory quilt so I also tried to print some family photos in miniature and put them on the tiles/beads and they turning out really well! Just make sure your image is not too small.

Inktense Pencils




I got a pack of Inktense pencils for Christmas and decided to try them out. All it requires is the pencils, some fabric to paint on and some textile medium. I used a paper backed black and white silkie for the fabric and Golden textile medium as the medium http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-gac-900-fabric-medium/. This is a liquid that you can use in one of three ways. You can wet the fabric first (didn't work so hot for me), use on a brush after you've colored the item (works good), or dip your pencil into it (worked the best for the detail work I was doing. The biggest problem I ran into was the colors spreading outside the lines I was working within. The pencil basically turns into a paint when wet with the medium. The colors are really vibrant and when you use a brush to paint the golden over the colored area, the colors will blend a bit if you brush from one color to another.

I found a couple of websites that illustrated how to use them: http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/inktense-colourque-r-tutorial.html , and http://painting.about.com/od/fabricpainting/ss/fabric_painting_Inktense.htm, and http://creativity.amblique.net/files/files/Project%20Sheets/Quilt%20hints%20and%20tips.pdf were ones I looked at.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Christmas Present

Here is a hint to what one of my Christmas presents was. I'm going to have fun with this!

Merry Christmas!

These are my granddaughters opening Christmas presents at our house. Cola has his new "chicken" toy with the cats like a lot better than his old "cat" toy! He once even had a "human" toy. lol! Oreo looks pretty handsome in his place under the Christmas tree. His favorite gift was the blanket that my husband got in his emergency car kit. He planted himself on the blanket and got some nice belly rubs too.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Dessert!


This is what I had for dessert last night. It is made from a recipe out of "Eating for Life", a way of eating that is based on the glycemic index and is relatively low carb. It is a yummy psuedo cheesecake and contains some interesting ingredients. (-; My plan is not to gain weight and with any grace I will also lose some weight.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Needle case finished



This is a needlecase I made as part of a challenge in my Stitchmap yahoo group. It was a lot of fun to make and I just love it. I'm thinking of making another. (-;

Monday, November 29, 2010

First snow of the season!




I love Christmas! This is our house all decorated up for Christmas. The first picture is taken in the daylight hours and the second in the evening. It looks a little "cold", especially in the evening pictures, but it feels really warm when you are in it. Hard to put into a picture. The tree is a 12 foot tree and is loads of fun to decorate (ha ha). I put evergreen boughs and lights up my banister as well (not pictured) and hang stockings from the banister too.

This morning we got our first snowfall of the year. It broke a record for being the latest snowfall on record, not due to lack of cold, but to lack of moisture.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Today's Crazy Finds


The only way I got through my workout today was to promise myself a trip to my favorite spots to find vintage embellishments. This was my take. (-; The buttons are just so cute!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

It's For the Birds

























































I signed up for the "For the Birds" Do Your Block (DYB) at Crazy Quilting International (CQI). These are my blocks. When it begins, I will send them out to the first person on my list , she will pick a block, embellish it, and send it on to the next person. It will continue on in this way until 5 blocks have been embellished and the last will be mine to do. I'm so excited to see how they will turn out in the end.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

I won!


Kathy S. offered seven tantelizing give aways last week on her blog (http://www.shawkl.com/) and I was lucky enough to be the winner of one prize! Feast your eyes on these beauties that Kathy hand made -- the crystals in them really catch the light. Thankyou Kathy!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Awesome Crazy Quilter

Anyone who loves crazy quilts needs to check out this link.
http://poppalina.typepad.com/my_weblog/
This gal, Bobby La, just earned $70,000 for her fabulous work of art! Check out the detail in her stitching and you will see this is no ordinary crazy quilt. (-; Congratulations Bobby La.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Took my family to YMCA of the Rockies






I liked the YMCA of the Rockies so much when I went there for the CQI Retreat, I decided to take my family back this last weekend, partly to show them the area and partly to investigate it further for future family trips. We rented a cabin for the night. My husband and I got some trail maps, checked out the pool and craft center. The craft center was really pretty nice with silk dying, tie dye t-shirts, mosaics, and jewelry making. They had a choice of beads that would have made my fellow quilters drool! We drove through part of Rocky Mountain National Park and stopped at Morraine Park and Bear Lake in particular. The next morning my daughter and I went horseback riding. We took an hour long guided tour that took us around the edge of a mountain. Being slightly afraid of heights, I was a little nervous trusting my horse to keep us from falling down the 100-200 ft drop down the mountain! There were some beautiful views though and our guide kept us talking which made it easier for me.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My Chinese Auction Winnings!


Last weekend I went to the CQI Crazy Quilt Retreat at the YMCA of the Rockies. It was a lot of fun. One of the activities was a Chinese Auction where we all brought something handmade to participate. All the players took a number and the person with number one picked the first gift. Then person number two could either take a new gift or take the gift of person number one. If she took person number one's gift, person number one would choose a new gift and on it went. I ended up with this cute chatelaine made by Leslie E!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Fall is here



This week we had the first dusting of snow on the mountains. Of course it is gone now! Every morning has a bit of a nip in the air and with the layering in the clouds in these pictures you can almost feel it. I think fall has finally arrived. I love when the sun is just rising and the prairie looks like it is on fire, but the mountains still haven't yet felt the glow of the sun.

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Aspens are Turning in Colorado!















My hope is that there will be some lovely displays up in Estes Park for the CQI Retreat next week!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Yummy Rayon seam binding


Last weekend I went to Castle Rock with my friend Laurie J. and we went to a flea market and then to the Barn to shop. I found some vintage rayon seam binding for sale by the yard in a multitude of colors. I just love the sheen on rayon ribbon! I'm thinking overdye. Hmmmm....

Bobbin Lace find



I found a lady who wanted to get rid of all her bobbin lace supplies and so I relieved her of it. (-; Now I just have to find a local bobbin lace instructor.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Estate Sale Finds - Lace


Aren't these little pieces of lace and silver buttons pretty? I just love them. I can just see the one in the center used around a silkie. The silver buttons have little rhinestones in them - well, at least some of them do! I like the spiral design on the narrow lace trim and the other trim is so unusual.

Find: Vintage original Rialto handbag



This is so pretty in person. It has beveled cuts into the acetate with rhinestones!

Vintage Molas Find


I found this 1960's molas at an estate sale. It was made on the San Blas Island in Panama and uses the technique of reverse appliques. I just love the design.