Altered Mini Muslin Bag

Here is a “Mini Muslim Bag”  from  altered for gift giving.  Just a little lace and trim with flower ribbon and painted with acrylic paint

Half Way Mark- Works of Art

Hello All:

Long time no see!  But, I have been really busy in the craft lab.  I have gone mixed media to crochet nerd in the last six months.  Here is my visual diary.....check it out!

Two original  drawings as cards.

Shabby Chic is my new muse

Mixed Media Canvas - my first one!

What do think?

Travel Watercolor Palette

Hello:

I made a travel watercolor palette book fo taking to medical appointments and etc.  Just add a water brush and your set.  Materials used:  watercolor paper, wax paper, watercolor pencils, dylusions sprays, and watercolor paint in the tube

I used water color pencild, dylusions, and watercolor tube paint.

Added wax paper to keep the paint from mingling.  

I added dylusions as the are great as watercolor.

My front cover and back use the travel palette

- A Wednesday Youtube Pick.

Hello:

Here is a really fast way of making a book out of one sheet of paper.  This technique  would great for kids projects and adding to an Arty Journal.  I found it on Youtube. Enjoy!!!

EL


How to Make a Quick and Easy 8 Page Mini-Book From One Piece of Paper 

Kraft Lab Tuesday - Dylusions Experiment

Hello All:

Today, I experimented with using Dylusions by Ranger as watercolors.  I placed a little bit of the liquid delusions in a plastic pill container.  I was able to get at least 6 colors in and snapped the lids shut.

Experiment #1 - Will the liquid dylusions evaporate?

Experiment #2 - How intense are the colors during application with a watercolor paint brush?

Experiment #3 -  When mixing delusions with acrylic paint, did either mediums fade or bleed?


Results:

Experiment #1 - Ongoing will report next Week.  No evaporation after 24 hours.

Experiment #2 - The colors are intense via first application, but intensity does diminish with the addition of water or  when trying to clean the brush.  It takes a while for the brush to become clean as the water keeps the color useful.  I see many benefits of delusions use for watercoloring.  I was able to use the color "white picket fence" on top of the main color

Experiment #3 - The use of delusions over acrylic paint does not effect either medium on the journal page....page is a watercolor paper.

Summary:

I have to say that I love using Dylusions by Ranger as watercolor paint.   I was able to write using my handwriting using the stem of the spray bottle.  This was a illuminating Kraft Lab.   Enjoy!

Journal Flip Friday - Faces

Hello everyone:

I've been working on practicing doing faces male and female faces. I am getting better with practice. I'd like to think but I'm still working at drawing.  I'm trying freehand and I'm trying  stencil--- handmade stencil.  I find pictures of faces In magazines and trace then use a burner pen to make a stencil from the tracing....it is really cool and fun.

My noses suck, but I see hope.  Enjoy!

Kraft lab Thursday - my progress

Hello:

I spent the week reviewing videos on gel sticks and pastels.  I worked in my journals.  I joined "project life".

Take a look at my progress.  

Altered a box with paint, stencils, and embellishments .

 

I prepped water color cards for my project life journal.

I made cards and file folder fronts.  I. Am going to insert the cards into my journal with washi tape.  I am behind in the challenges, but I can catch up.

Enjoy!

Kraft Lab Saturday

Hello all:

Snow a again today here in Maryland.   I found a pic of a beautiful sky to give me hope of spring.

Also, spent the day in my "Kraft Lab" prepping watercolor postcard by cutting them and using stampin up markers and water to give a color wash.    Played with dylusions by Ranger.  Take a look at theses pages in my handmade experimental journal.  Do you see any color variation?  What one will notice is that the page on the right is lighter due to the use of gesso ( as a foundation) along with homemade color sprays.  The page on the left used all dylusions with India ink added with green dylusions on the edge.  I actually like effect.  Keep using color!

Happy Valentine's Day 2014

I hope you are enjoying this day with all the special people in your life.  Take a few minutes to think about our Vets, children with disabiflities, and people suffering with illness.  

Enjoy my Mixed Media cards and tags.   

Mixed media Valentine's Day card

Handmade card really makes this day special.  Also, working your hands is healing to the soul.  A little paint, stencils, and fabric can leave a great feeling.

Try it today.

Mixed Media Crafting--Collages and Altered Face - Green LADY

Hello:

Collaging can be healing and relaxing.  

Spend some time cutting up paper and gluing it down.  It will decrease stress and make you happy!!!  Add a little paint and doodles...and BAM...you have Art.  Enjoy my collage and "Green Lady" below!

Art Journal Thursday

hello:

Here are pages from my Art Journal.   The first page is my "faith in Spring".   It is time for Winter to go.  The second page is about my depiction of my re-invention after losing 40 lbs.

  

Feeling Artie in February

Hello All:  I have been in my "Kraft lab" since the holidays ended.  Been experimenting with a inks, paints, and stencils.  Take alook:

Here is a collage on the cover of journal I created and sewed the spine with thread.  This is a mixed media collage with many textures.  How many can you locate?

V-Day 2014 - my perspective

It may just be me, but is this winter taking the fun out snow?  Not feeling very red and white for Valentine's Day.  My cards are reflecting my "so over snow" mood.  Take a look:

The first card has silver paint....I should get points for using dollar store hearts.  What do you think?  Any way back to the Kraft lab.

Happy New Year All

Everyone:


I am a little late, but Happy New Year.  I do not make new year resolutions.  I do make lists for the year.  In my review of 2012, I completed everything that I wanted to do.  I started my blogging and I got to take a trip.  I was able to complete many UFOs and complete sewing for others. 

In 2013, I am going push myself to complete a Lap size quilt from beginning to end including machine quilting on my home machine.  I want to learn how to make flying geese units.  My goal is to make a lap quilt for all the residents of an  assistant living center that I have worked with for over seven years. 

Take a look at the Macaroni and Cheese casserole I made on Sunday for Dinner......Yummy:

Recipe:

One box of macaroni noodles

3-4 bags of shredded cheese (your choices or what is on sale)

1 can of evaporated milk

1 stick of butter

1 egg (beaten)

3 tsp of paprika

Boil your macaroni noodles until soft, drain noodles, pour noodles into a Pyrex dish, add milk, butter, egg, incorporate all the ingredients using a large large spoon.  Add paprika over the top.

Bake in an 350 degree oven for 1 hour uncovered.

Enjoy!

String Quilting my Filler

Hello  All:
   
 I use my string quilting as "filler" for quilting projects.  When I do not feel like working on a UFO, I work on making string/crumb quilt patches.   I work on my string quilt blocks with fabric scraps.  I have about 10 blocks completed. I alternate between a male tie string patches and just fabric scrap patches.   I do not have a plan for the patchwork....it is just for relaxation.

String Quilting is really easy and great for new quilters or children learning to sewing.  I just finish reading Bonnie K. Hunter's Book

Bonnie K. Hunter's String Fling - Scrappy, Happy, and Loving It.

 

 

I my opinion, readability is very important in learning to do something new or  to increase knowledge of something already known.  I liked  that the discussions of the background and theory of string quilts was understandable.   I do dis-like the type face, though.  It seems a little small for those with glasses.  The quilt patterns and projects seem pretty challenging, but doable.  The use of color and patterns did give me many ideas for quilt tops that did not utilize strings.  All in all, a good book for learning a new craft.

Bye!

Myelodysplastic

Hello All:

Many of my students are asking me about the diagnosis of Robin Roberts.  Here is some information for everyone.

Myelodysplastic: 

The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, formerly known as preleukemia) is a diverse collection of hematological (blood-related) medical conditions that involve ineffective production (or dysplasia) of the meyloid class of blood cells.  Patients with MDS often develop severe anemia and require frequent blood transfusions. In most cases, the disease worsens and the patient develop cytopenias (low blood counts) caused by progressive bone marrow failure. In about one third of patients with MDS, the disease transforms into acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), usually within months to a few years.

 

Treatment involves killing of off the cells in the patient's bone marrow and replacing them with health cells from a donor.  Success is in the high percentages and the person can go on to lead a healthy life.  The treatment can be overwhelming on the patient's immunity and general health.  Precautions must be maintain to keep the patient away from infection and add on nutrition that increases general health and vitality. 

 

 

Sunday Morning French Toast- Low Phosphorus/Low Sodium .

Sunday Morning French Toast

 

• 4 eggs or 2 cup egg substitute •

1 tsp vanilla

 2. cups nondairy creamer plain or vanilla - liquid • .

 2 tsp rum extract

 1 Tbsp sugar • 12 slices white bread or substitute almost stale white bread

• .1 tsp nutmeg •

 ½ tsp of cinnamon

Splash/shaker of powdered sugar (optional)

 

Directions:

 

Grease 9×13-inch baking pan. In medium bowl, combine eggs, nondairy creamer, sugar, nutmeg, vanilla, and rum extract; beat until well blended. Arrange bread slices in greased baking pan.

Pour egg mixture over bread in pan, making sure all egg mixture is absorbed. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Remove bread and mixture from refrigerator and remove foil.

Bake at 500°F for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup/low sugar syrup if desired.

 

Serves 6.: For each 2-slice (5 oz) serving: 252 calories, 10 g protein, 8 g fat,33 g carbohydrate, 290 mg sodium, 219 mg potassium, and 83 mg phosphorus.

 

Note:  To decrease Sodium intake – bake your own bread and eliminate optional ingredients.

Community Health - October -Health Literacy Month

All:

October is a month full of health observances.  But, everyday should be a day to observe and preserve your health.  Health Literacy is part of October  and it is important in maintaining adequate homeostasis - (your normal health).

What is Health Literacy? 

Health Literacy Month is a time for individuals to promote the importance of understandable and accurate health information.  Only research, review, and internalize information from expert web pages on the Internet.  Expert web pages are reviewed and updated by medical experts and clinicans in healthcare.  For instance, research an illness or problem at the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Federal Government, and your local hospital web pages.  Most of all, contact your health professional for examinations and treatment interventions.

 

 

BBQ Fried Chicken

BBQ Fried Chicken - My family loves this dish.

Ingredients:

·2 cups of all purpose flour

·3 cloves garlic, minced

·2 teaspoons butter

·1 cup of vegetable oil

·1 cup Heinz ketchup (a must for us)

·1/4 cup packed brown sugar

·¼ teaspoon of liquid smoke

·1/4 cup chili sauce (Heinz is a good one)

·1/2-3/4 tablespoon celery seed

·1 tablespoon prepared mustard

·1/2 teaspoon salt

·½ teaspoon cinnamon

·2 dashes hot pepper sauce

·8 large chicken thighs s, bone-in with skin (a large family pack will usually have about 7-8 thighs

Directions

 

Pour vegetable oil in frying pan at a medium temperature.  Prepare a light coating of seasoned flour--or a roll in breadcrumbs or crushed saltines.  To get truly golden-brown and crispy chicken, use a cast iron skillet. You can't beat cast iron for even heat distribution and reliable frying. The fat should be about one inch deep in the skillet, coming about halfway up the food. Get the oil hot before adding the chicken: about 350 degrees F.

In a saucepan, sauté the garlic in butter until tender.

Add the next 8 ingredients.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat and set aside.

Add Fried chicken, covered over medium heat for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.Remove to large loaf pan and Baste with sauce.

Continue basting and turning during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Serve with any extra sauce you set aside for dipping

Enjoy!!!