Wagonwife Designs

Pottery Barn Inspired Laundry Room Quick and Easy Touches

2012-02-01T08:51:00.002-05:00

During the recent free staging job, I was combing through Pottery Barn and Ballard Design Catalogues. The real estate agent wanted a "Pottery Barn feel" for the demographic they were hoping to attract. I came across a wonderful laundry room with vintage and antique pieces mixed with many of their baskets. It was beautiful and it inspired me to use my Grandmother's pieces for display. I copied elements for my laundry room. One of the magazines had baskets with Upholstery Tape wrapped around them. They were quite pricey and I thought they would be easy to replicate. So here is the simple project for today. Enjoy.

One of the Magazines Pottery Barn or Ballard had baskets with
Upholstery Webbing Attached. The baskets were pricey and easy to replicate.

Upholstery Webbing costs about .67 cents a yard at Walmart and
can be found at most fabric stores for not much more.

Make sure to use a fray check type of product and use tape when cutting
the bands so they do not fray during storage.

These baskets are great for storing those little products.
To make the basket:
Cut the Jute band to size and hot glue or pin the ends together.

Inspired by Pottery Barn's use of old laundry implements, I was
able to display my Grandmother's rug beaters, sewing baskets,
darning eggs, old irons, and clothes pins. Her egg basket too!

The other wall has many of the antique sewing items.

See you next Wednesday!

Faux Antique Landscapes - more DYI Art

2012-01-24T19:14:00.000-05:00

We put a European Soaking tub recently in our bathroom and I wanted it to have a luxurious feel. I drooled over magazine pictures with large art piece over the bath to set the mood. One day I noticed small gallery type frames we picked up at places like TJMaxx around the house. Whoa... my brain started smokin'. I love old landscape oils. The dark colors, the simple shapes of trees, and washed skies did not seem hard to replicate. Being small, who would really see detail anyway? So I gave it a go and I actually think it turned out great. Instead of one large art piece, we have several small ones. What do you think?

My supplies: Acrylic paint, Textured acrylic paint paper
My palette (a paper plate) paper towels, plastic container of water

Using the water make the paint thin. Float it around on the paper giving
the appearance of the sky and ground. Just basic color. I found using
burnt umber mixed with any color gave the old tint to the paint.

Add a second layer by adding clouds, shapes like trees, grass etc.
When it dries, spray it with a flat clear sealer.

After the sealer dries, Antique it with an Antique medium.

When the antique medium dries, spray it with a gloss clear sealer.
This is still wet, but the gloss on the texture of the paper makes it
look like an oil painting on canvas. When the sealer is dry it
has a subtle shine because it soaks into the paper.

The Tub is starting to look great and luxurious

And this painting was placed with the other faux works of art!

We can now dream of Idyllic places while we soak!

Technical Difficulties

2012-01-18T18:42:00.001-05:00

I have to apologize for the delay in getting the blog out today. I am unable to upload pictures from the computer. Not sure what the technical difficulties are, but I will keep working on it.
Again I am so very sorry. Thanks for your patience.

DIY Art

2012-01-12T12:02:00.003-05:00

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

My blog will start featuring weekly projects. Each Wednesday will feature a new project.
This week is cheap art. I will be staging a home of my daughter's friend. Since I will be doing this for free-there is no budget. Creativity will have to reign on this one.

I had some place mats that were very textured and had some metallic threads running throughout. The muted colors have the feel of a modern painting.That is the idea that popped into my head.
Light weight and easy to reverse the project.

Lay the place mats out to see the visual impact.
Originally I wanted to have the grain two different directions,
but the metallic threads reflected the light and changed the color.
Make sure it look the way you want before attaching the sections

Colored Duct (DUCK) Tape

Add the Duct Tape to the back to combine as many place mats
as you like.

This place mat was 15" across. Measure and mark the middle.
Glue a picture hanging hardware to the back.
If the place mats are heavier, make sure to secure
it properly with something other than hot glue.

A quick tip. Place a dot of hot glue on the bottom corners to
keep a picture from sliding and becoming crooked. Let it dry
and it does the same work as the expensive rubber bumpers.

I am thinking of using all three panels as a backdrop for other items.
It adds weight and presence to this small mirror.

If you prefer plain -they look like modern art panels. The would make a great headboard too!

I want to thank everyone who left a Happy New Year message. Thank you for your kindness-may this be a wonderful year for each of you.
Until next time...

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T14:10:00.003-05:00

I wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year. May your year be one of unlimited joys, blessings, and possibilities.
I have finished a job and will begin blogging again soon. I look forward to this New Year with hope and joy. As our dreams become the reality of our world, I hope to take you along with the adventure.
God bless each of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:25:00.001-05:00

Today is the day we thanks here in America.
I have so much to be grateful for.
My health, my family, my friends, and all of you I have met through this blog.
Life has knocked me for a loop in the last 2 years.... really happy times and very serious low ones.
You have all been there to help usher me through both.
I hope each of you know your kindness has helped me in so many ways.
I wish each and everyone of you a Very Happy Thanksgiving.

Decorating with Corbels

2011-10-15T10:48:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but I love finding architectural pieces such as wood corbels, iron pieces, and old windows. Creating with them is a game at times. Do I use them as they are or create something new? As you already know, I am the Queen of Clearance. In a recent sale I scored these beauties to use in our Savannah Property. They will be used in the new kitchen we hope to put in next year. One thing I learned through building our current kitchen is that you can order additional matching stain or paint from the cabinet company. The stain costs a little more, but when you see the impact adding architectural pieces can make, it makes up for the cost.

Clearance Maple Carved Corbels. They are 31inches tall!
and I bought them for 60.00 for the pair

Maple Corbels we used to build our stove area in our current kitchen.
These are 18 inches tall and 8 inches deep.

In our Savannah Library 2 Oak Corbels placed together became a piece of art.

Two Solid Oak corbels, a purchase for less than $20.00 for the pair become interesting book ends.

Happy Hunting!

Blessings Board

2011-10-05T08:40:00.000-04:00

After last year, I have a profound feeling of being blessed. I have seen blessing boards made in every shape and form on blogs. I can not claim to be the original creator of the idea. I decided to make one for my oldest daughter and her family. As our grandson gets older, I hope he starts his day with hope and the knowledge of his blessings. This is a simple project that has so much positive impact each day. We had a left over cabinet door. The cabinet had seen better days,but the door was great.

Remove the glass panel from the door.Clean the glass.
Add the vinyl letters to front of the panel.

Place the glass panel with the lettering on the front face down.
Spray the back with a black satin paint or any dark color you choose.

Finished Board

Purchase white dry erase Bistro markers at an Office Supply store. Every morning or evening you can list your blessings for the day. Can't wait to make one for me!

Breast Cancer Awareness

2011-09-30T16:24:00.001-04:00

Like the magnet on my car... I am a little worse for wear, no longer in original condition, but still hanging on. (I am also a little pink ribbon fatigued and October is just starting.) A good friend shared a t-shirt slogan "Enough awareness, I want a cure!" Amen to that.

It is my hope that all of my friends and family make sure the women in your life get their exams and mammograms done. I know, believe me I know, it was not high on my list either. No family history, good health, athletic, and I don’t fit the profile. I could find a million excuses putting the tests off.
It is not fun, but it saved my life.

A Quick Centerpiece for Fall

2011-09-21T19:38:00.000-04:00

I have been away for a few weeks. We finally took possession of the Savannah house. We rented it out while I finished all the surgeries and recovery. It needed alot of work, but it is worth it. After spending the last year standing on the sidewalk dreaming of when we are finally inside, yes the work was worth every minute. What a difference a year makes. Hopefully Cancer Free and starting to move forward with our dreams.

We are now back in the Northeast and the weather is cold. It was upsetting for the first few days but I decided to embrace it and do something for the spirit.... Decorate for Fall and start baking now that is it cold. Works every time.

Here is a quick centerpiece. Easy to make. Gather all your fall leaves and vines, gourds, candle holders, candles and baskets. You can just put in what you like, there is no right or wrong. Use only what you have on hand and what you like.

Gather all your favorite Fall decorations to choose from.

Place the candle holders in the basket with the small grapevine wreaths on top.

Place vines in first wrapping them between the candles. Add the gourds, flowers, and berries.

The finished centerpiece.

And what have I been baking?...

Eggplant from the farmers market stacked and layered

with fresh plum tomatoes,fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.

Okay next time it will be pumpkin bread.

Finished Bridal Purse

2011-08-22T21:29:00.000-04:00

The Bridal Purse is completed and will be on the way to Belize for the big day. This one is very simple with the focus in on the embroidery.

Detail of Embroidery. The bag is hanging at a little bit of an
angle, but I hope you can view the detail.

The completed bag with the satin inset from
the bride's beloved aunt.

Wishing the bride and groom a lifetime of
Love, Health, and Happiness!

Bridal Monogram

2011-08-09T08:18:00.000-04:00

Any one who knows me is aware one of my favorite things is embroidered monograms. I think it is because the time it takes to design and embroider something so personal. Rarely do you find a monogram perfect for someone else. Well...our youngest daughter realized that was not true...her initials being ABC...she noted happily as a child she could find her "monogram" everywhere. For the most part a monogram is unique and special. The monogram for the Bride and Groom-G for their family name, H for the Bride, and A for the Groom.

Create the monogram on graph or notebook paper. Trace over it with a black permanent marker. Place the monogram under the fabric and lightly trace over the monogram with pencil.

Embroider over the lines to create the monogram. The basic monogram is done, next blog will have the fun decorative designs to embellish it. Additional symbolism was added with the cross being placed in the foreground. They met through their faith and it is the central to their lives. The G is solid because they are creating the foundation for a new family. Their initials are open to one another but linked through the G. The background fabric is the Bride's aunt's wedding gown. The piece will be attached to her Bridal purse since we did not have enough clear fabric to create a purse with.

Until next time...

Crepe Paper, A Special Aunt's Wedding Gown, and a Love Story

2011-07-24T11:00:00.002-04:00

Crepe Paper inspiration.

Our daughter's wonderful friend (and her maid of honor), Heather, left her teaching job here in the US to follow her heart. She felt she was being called by God to teach children on the small island of Belize. She had helped there before and knew of the great need these children have.
Little did she know it would end with a love story...her own.

She asked me to create pieces for her wedding and I am so honored to do so.
I finished the guest book. When I first asked about colors and flowers, Heather provided me with crepe paper which is an island tradition. Because of the size of land and water needed to grow flowers, crepe paper has long been a substitute. Flowers are everywhere here, it is something I never considered. Although she will have some flowers, most of the decorations are done with amazing crepe paper braids and flowers made from the paper. Sounds so festive and I can not wait to see the pictures of the open air church decorated.

Heather's other request was to incorporated her aunt's wedding gown satin. We realized it had some age spots, but there are portions we can use. For the guest book, the wedding satin was embroidered with the word "Guests" similar to our daughters. Flowers were constructed with organdy and ribbon. The organdy are constructed by cutting out each layer and then "melting" the edges over a candle flames heat. They are stacked and then sewn together. The ribbon leaves and flowers were done similar to past posts. Although the colors were not perfect I think the will blend well enough with the decorations.

To create the book, start with the Wilton line blank silver guest book and pen. They are about $25.00 in most craft stores and elegant to begin with. They are just waiting to be made fabulous with your own touches.

Create a template for the area you will have your lettering in.
Gather all the pieces you will choose from for the front.

Using your template cut a piece of cardboard in the same shape.
Cut a piece of batting and glue them together.
Lay the lettered satin with the lettering up on top. Glue together.
TIP: Glue raw edges on the back of the cardboard. Never use glue
on the batting. Glue on the batting will sometimes soak through
the fabric or become hard leaving a funky bump under the satin.

Place the padded piece on the front where you want it.Glue it in place.
I also like to trim the edges, but that is up to you.
Next just arrange your flowers/leaves and glue them in place.

Completed Guest book ready for an Island Wedding.

Next a custom monogram for the happy couple!

Endless Summer Days

2011-07-19T08:29:00.000-04:00

We just returned from a short "minimoon" from Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard to celebrate our anniversary early. We could not have had more perfect weather. We decided to take our hybrid bikes with baskets over on the ferry for a couple of days on Martha's Vineyard.We are tired and relaxed. What it must be like to spend a whole summer there. The cottages take you back in time.The thoughts of endless summer days kept playing through my mind. I hope you enjoy your "trip".

Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard has a community of
little gingerbread cottages. They look like beautiful little
doll houses. There is a wonderful outdoor tabernacle in the
middle with a beautiful church. These houses surround the area.

Oak Bluffs Martha's Vineyard

Edgartown Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard

The purple hydrangeas Martha's Vineyard is know for.
Edgartown Streets are lined with beautiful homes.

And a view of the water!!!

The view outside our hotel room in Cape Cod.
The colors are the actual colors seen from our balcony.
We could not believe it-it was like viewing a painting.

A Wedding Day Memory Box

2011-07-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

Good People can look forward to a bright future.
-Proverbs 13:9 NCV

Our niece was married over the past weekend. It was a glorious day, blue skies, blue water, green mountains-just a perfect day for a wedding. As a request from the bride, I was asked to make a wedding box similar to the one I made for our daughter Danielle. The problem I found was that I could not find one of the small wooden decorator trunks to make over. After weeks of searching we settled on an unfinished miniature country style toy box. You know the kind rippled front with curved rounded sides that are used to use when you sit on it. My husband cut the rounded "handles" off the sides so that the toy box would be flush with the top. I then sanded the front to take out the wave type of ripples on the front edge until that had a smooth and even lid. To make this toy box more of an elegant trunk we added decorative trim sized for the box.

After measuring and cutting the trim attach it to the box. To attach it, we drilled small holes to tack the pieces on with brads. Use wood glue on the back of the trim piece, place it in position and then tack it. Make use any extra glue that seeps out is wiped off before it dries.

When all the trim is in place and dried. Prime the box. You can paint your box to match the wedding colors. In this case silver was requested. The wedding date was added to the box using a scrapbook metal frame. The blue paper with the wedding date is one of the colors of the wedding. Glue it in place. Add scrap booking stick on pearls to finish embellishing the piece. A beautiful keepsake.

This year has brought many blessings to the next generation of family and friends. A request came in from my daughter's maid of honor. She became engaged this year and will marry on the Island of Belize, which is the home of her intended. The request was to create a guest book and purse for the bride using pieces from her Aunt's wedding gown. I am so excited to start this project. I believe it has been a year since I picked up a needle and thread. The next few blogs will reveal this gift- both the creation for the bride and the gift the request has given me to start embroidering again. Thank you Heather!

Until next time...

By the Grace of God

2011-06-24T08:20:00.005-04:00

-Pleasing words are like honey. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24NLV

So many of people have asked when I was going to blog again. I truly did not know. I took a "time out" from being creative or I should say more accurately, it took a "time out" from me. The loss of a couple of friends with cancer on the same day in January (Jan 14th) took the wind from my sails. My positive attitude deserted me and creativity was non existent.

Through the kindness of those who keep vigil for others who stumble and fall, I am encouraged to move forward. You each know who you are -you have given me the words needed to heal my soul and the hand to lift me up. I was able to take time to grieve for those who lost this battle and for the year I lost. I am no longer the woman I was before cancer. No longer all "original parts"-mentally or physically, but stronger, wiser, kinder, and much more aware.

This last six months has brought monumental changes- all good. I turned 50, my husband sold his business with hopes of future retirement to Savannah, and I became a grandmother to a beautiful little boy -Elijah. The biggest blessing of all.

Life is returning to the new normal as other cancer survivors call it.

There are weddings in the family and I have been at work on creating items for their happy day. I hope to share a few in future blogs.

To everything there is a season....

Be blessed

Debra

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T07:47:00.017-05:00

I would like to take a minute to thank you all for all the love, support, emails, gifts, and prayers during this long year. I have been blessed with wonderful family and friends. That is the greatest gift I could receive this season. I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! I hope it will be one long remembered and filled with family, love, and laughter.

As requested, some of the decorations:

A special dove ornament, that will be treasured always. Blessing to you dear friend. May the next year be one of health, peace, and love.

1993 Visiting Santa and felt copies of Little hands.

Precious reminders that life flies by when you are not looking.

Our Childrens' favorite rattles. Now we will be able to carry the tradition on with the arrival of our new Grandson.

We wish we had one of my husband's baby rattles, but at least we had one of mine survive.

The hallway tapestries.

The Living room Chandelier.

The Breakfast area with the sock snowman that showed up each year from school-a wonderful and treasured gift. Made with little hands and big hearts.

Our Grandmother's Nativity set.

Merry Christmas!!!

MY REPLY!

2010-12-16T08:16:00.005-05:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been a long and winding road getting to this blog.

I am have been working on my "REPLY"

and moving forward. I have taken classes and have

become home stager as well as my interior decorating designation.

I can now use my creative skill as a profession.

As long as I have become accustomed to eating ,

I figured it would be great to have work I enjoyed doing.

My new business is called A BETTER PLACE .
I loved the saying by the Master of the Stage, William Shakespeare
"When I was at home I was in a better place"
and the name was derived from that saying about
being at Home.It is may favorite place.

I will be blogging more now that I am almost done with all the paperwork involved with

starting a business. What was a little added stress with the Christmas and the holidays?

It is about the Reply

2010-11-10T06:11:00.005-05:00

Today's post will give you nothing creative, but hopefully it will leave you with something to think about.

Two days before my breast cancer diagnosis, I had a completed a interior decorating course. It was a secret that I did not share with many. My youngest was due to graduate and head off to college-the empty nest would soon become a reality. It was my turn to dream after all the years of being home caring for my family. I had time to choose my path -so I did. I was on a high from the accomplishment, when I was flattened by the news that this time the biopsy was cancer.

This year has been a long one. Starting again and waiting for the other shoe to drop is scary. I have great faith, but it has failed me at times. I am human. The fear of moving forward is harder than you realize. Picking yourself up and moving on is a slow process - you wait for the other shoe to drop. My husband a baseball fan, says "It is all how you handle the curve ball." He is right and I have been listening to it for years, but I lost the meaning somehow.

It was when another breast cancer patient on her blog the Scared Ordinary, said it this way (paraphrased) Life will continue to hand us lesson after lesson, what really mattered was not what happened to us, but our REPLY. She was right. I soldered two pieces of glass with the word REPLY in it as a daily reminder. It hangs in my car.

Inspired by her wise words I head out each morning to make my reply.

I will be in classes the next couple of days.

In my husband's words, it is time to start handling the curve ball.

Batter up!

A bit of Fall

2010-11-03T08:25:00.011-04:00

The Fall blog header has been up for some time, but usually share the rest of the decorations. I love this time of year. The coziness and the warmth the season brings. The close up of our hallway table is in the blog header, but I thought you might like the full picture.

With memories of apple picking with our children each year, the season is greeted with fondness. One year, my husband's 93 year old grandmother joined us on the adventure. She was able to ride on the hay wagon out to the orchard and then we had a folding chair set up so she could sit and share the joy of the children treasure hunting for the largest apples all around her. She was bundled up while the rest of us had only sweaters, but her smile would warm us all.

The urn in our Family room gets a Fall update.

The living room fireplace as well.

And my kitchen, a favorite room in our house. This time of year, I just want to bake, then grab a cup of coffee( with the baked goodie of course) and a good book in front of the fireplace.

What about you?

I am linking this post to A Stroll thru Life blog link party. There are some wonderful ideas to inspire-enjoy.

You have my heart

2010-10-27T10:15:00.019-04:00

As we close the month of October, I have mixed feelings. Maybe it is the changing weather, shorter days, or maybe it is the fact it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Awareness regarding Breast Cancer, as you already know,became front and center of our world this year. I was blessed, mine was caught early. My heart goes out to those families that are dealing with higher stages, chemo, and long recoveries. I can not even imagine what they must be going through. My prayer is that someday there will be a cure. The pink ribbons flying everywhere this month will only be needed for announcing a baby girl's birth and not a woman's misfortune.

As I sit and compose this blog post, 2 women I know are having surgery today. One locally for reconstruction after lumpectomy and radiation. The other in California a bilateral mastectomy. My thoughts and prayers are with each of them.

I promised to share the Breast cancer comfort pillow with you a while ago. It was not my original idea, but I thought it was a great one. I have seen it all over the Internet with different versions. Heart shaped and rectangles. This is my design and I personally used it after my surgery. The heart has wings that comfort the arms when the lymph nodes are removed. The U shape in the center of the heart fits around the breast, when the heart is turned sideways, and the rest pads the car seat belt from the surgical site. I also found the U shape fit around the back of my neck like a travel pillow.

Here is the tutorial:

You will need a large piece of paper to create your pattern.

marker

1/2 yard of fabric for each heart-washed in dye and fragrance free mild detergent

scissors

thread that matches

straight pins

fiber fill stuffing

sewing machine.

Optional for decoration:

ribbons

cards

To create a pattern fold a large piece of paper in have. Create a heart shape with the center of the heart being on the fold. Just cut it out like you did for Valentine's Day in grade school. The most important part is that the heart shape must have a U shape in the middle instead of a V shape to accommodate the breast.

My heart measures 10 3/4 inches in the center. From the bottom tip to the top of the top curve is approximately 16 inches diagonally.

Place your pattern on your choice of fabric with the center line running with the grain of the fabric (Your cut fabric edges should be on the top and bottom of the fabric)

Cut out the pattern using scissors or rotary cutter.

Pin around the edge of the heart leaving about a four inch opening to turn out to the right side after it is sewn. The little clothes pins mark my opening.

Sew round the heart right sides together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Remember to leave an opening to turn and then stuff the heart through.

Use pinking shears or clip the seam allowances around the curve of the heart before turning.

Turn right sides out and Iron. Stuff with fiber fill and slip stitch the opening closed.

Package two for a Bilateral mastectomy and one for a single or lumpectomy.
The blue /green pillows are for someone who loves the ocean.

The other for a woman who loves pink.

Paper pinwheels (something I learned from my dear friend Constance at Rochambeau-she sent the most gorgeous presents to me after my surgery.) and ribbon adorn each heart.

I add a card and a message.

I have emailed a couple of corporations with the idea of making this a bigger project. I have not heard back yet. My hope is they will provide a free pattern to groups, such as Girl Scouts, churches, etc. so theycould make them for donation to hospitals and Breast cancer centers. It remains to be seen, but until then I will continue to send these out one at a time for now.
Take care.

Caution Grandmother out of Control

2010-10-21T14:00:00.011-04:00

The quilt is machine quilted-just the binding remaining. More pillows for Breast Cancer Patients have winged their way from my sewing room to many places across the US.
My energy is up and I look forward to the next creative endeavor.

The little one will not arrive for months, but the excitement is already building.
My sewing room looks like a Kaleidoscope.
The fabric prints, colors, and patterns are just waiting for a turn to become the next design.
I usually create my own patterns, but I could not help but buy a few.

A diaper bag by Mamma Mia. My daughter actually picked out the fabric that is in the photo, but in the green hue.

And....
Is there nothing cuter than little baby things? Tiny shoes and outfits.
The colors and patterns are so adorable I could not resist. Tina Givens book just spoke to me.
Okay it said "Buy me, BUY ME, BUY ME! "

So who was I to say no? Let's see if you could resist

Here are some samples from this wonderful book:

A hat and booties with mice ears and nose.
Come on -how cute is that?- I am going to be a Grandmother.
First project and I was already weak in the knees.

I had the book before we knew it would be a little boy. So glad it had outfits for boys. Cute huh?

And for fun-

A flying pig.-We love just it!

So how did you do? ......

From humble hands

2010-10-13T09:00:00.014-04:00

" Little, ebullient, patches of delight."
-C.S. Lewis

The newest arrival will be a baby......BOY!!!!!

What a thrill that the quilt was accidentally designed with a red and blue border.
Perfect colors for our little prince.The back is striped with all the fabrics.
It will look great when turned down on the crib or toddler bed.
The colors are just very happy and fun.

And the story begins

2010-10-07T08:45:00.010-04:00

In the last blog the announcement of a new arrival to our family has brought great joy to us. Wonderful plans have begun for a nursery and all the little things a baby needs. Both Grandmothers sew and are very creative. I will be working on the baby quilt and the other Grandmother will work on all the curtains, dust ruffle and bumper pads. We do not know yet if the child is a boy or girl, so the new parents wanted a nursery that would be appropriate for either. The design started when our daughter found this fabric inspired by the artwork from the wonderful book for children "The very hungry caterpillar" by Eric Carle

She chose bright colors to compliment the beautiful caterpillar fabric.

In the book the caterpillar ate and ate and got bigger -it reminded me of the quilt pieces being sewn together

And in the end becomes a beautiful butterfly.

Many of you know it has been years since I have done any traditional quilting.
So hopefully, like the butterfly, the bits and pieces will create something of beauty- a wonderful crib size quilt.

I can just imagine reading the book to my grandchild. What fun!!!

Precious Gifts

2010-09-29T10:03:00.027-04:00

Please indulge me as I am about to be a Mom who gushes over her children with pride and awe.

I have been working on a memento shadow box to house spoons created by my children in their "technology" class. It was known as shop class in my day. Each spoon was given to me as a Mother's day gift the year they created it in school. I have cherished them for years and decided to display them. At least these three will not fall off the refrigerator!!!!
After this creation was finished, I started going through a box of precious handmade gifts I had packed up 5 years ago when we built our new home. I can't believe that time has passed so quickly. I still remember the day they brought each piece of artwork home to be cherished.
Tap on the pictures to enlarge them.

Just a few of the the cherished pieces-
Hand prints and crayon pictures:

Recipes for Love

And paper hearts with
pictures of nursery school pumpkin patches, mother's day hearts, and class projects.

Our youngest daughter and Our oldest daughter

Our son (red jacket)

Where did the time go? Our children are all grown up and wonderful adults.

And..... from our oldest daughter
we received news we will be Grandparents in March of 2011.
What a truly wonderful and precious gift.

...I guess I better get ready for Grandma's new crayon art gallery and go clean off the refrigerator door.

2010-09-21T16:47:00.003-04:00

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our spirits have forgotten how to fly
-anonymous

This is the gift to my Plastic Surgeon. I had it framed. On the back it says:

With the bits and pieces of my broken body you created beauty

and in the process gave my heart wings to fly.

Cardboard boat Races

2010-08-24T07:55:00.015-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Again it has been a while. I have not posted knowing you are looking for something creative and probably sick to death with the breast cancer saga that continues here or maybe it is just me who is sick to death with dealing with it. I am doing really well though. The second opinion came back and no chemo will be needed -surgery will be enough. What a blessing. The tissue expanders are fully expanded and in a couple of days the next round of surgery. I tease I feel like I could survive the Titanic due to the tissue expanders being in. They currently feel like a floatation device is strapped to my chest and it extends under my arms. But all in all I am grateful they can do anything to make me feel and look more normal.

My dear friend Constance at Rochambeau called the other day and checked on me. What a sweetie. This comes across in her blog and I am grateful for her friendship. Here is the beautiful boat she made - it is incredible.

Constance asked what I have been up since I have not blogged. Creating is harder with the restrictions on my arms. Working in front is a challenge with the expanders - I bump them when I reach in front of me. I explained I have not done much but have enjoyed some fun adventures this Summer. She said I should share them. Just a week ago, my youngest daughter and my husband created a recycled "boat" for the cardboard boat races on the Hudson. Theirs was not made of cardboard, but in the recycled division. Each division has limitations of what you can do. No prior floatation devices or boat parts is allowed. The cardboard division you can use duck tape, but not wax etc to seal. Restriction such as that for each.

Cardboard division.

This was a cute one. It just spun round and round
but was beautiful to look at.

This Kayak design was the winner.

Recycled division -our crew have the yellow hats. And we have an enthusiastic thumbs up!

They named their boat the U.S.S. Economy with the logo "Pray it stays a float" They made hats and t-shirts and won a prize for the most enthusiastic crew.

The boat was created with recycled 2 liter soda bottles that they collected. Old snow sleds, Frisbees and pizza pan rudders.

They didn't win the race , but did stay afloat, which others were not so lucky. It was a blast and we had so much fun.

Hope you all have been having adventures of your own this Summer.

A Birthday Wish

2010-07-16T07:08:00.007-04:00

Simple things to honor Christina's birthday at Soul Aperture

Christina you have given us so many thoughtful insights with each blog

Ordinary moments with profound meaning.

You focus the light so they do not go unseen.

Happy birthday Dear Friend.

The Blessings of Simple Moments

Shared with Family

Exploring the road less travelled

Peaceful Mornings

New Beginnings

Reminders that many of life's gifts are free

Happy Birthday Christina!!!!

And Many More...

What I have learned along the way

2010-07-10T16:47:00.006-04:00

-Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles-
It takes away today's peace.

-Spirit of Life, Saratoga Springs, New York

Another breast cancer patient said I could borrow her saying about worry for my blog. She has it tacked to her signature line and loved it. I have learned many things over the last month, this is the most profound. We had a surprise in my pathology that has sent us searching for answers and a second opinion in NYC. We feel positive, but do not have all the answers yet, but it is time to finally move forward. I promise not to make this into a breast cancer blog, I am almost done with my 6 weeks of restrictions and antsy to get back to the new normal for us. I go each week to the plastic surgeon as I go through the process of reconstruction. I joke that I am the amazing expanding woman having the Tissue Expanders in. I still have a couple of surgeries to go and I will be thrilled to have this all behind me, but am grateful it can be done.
I have learned to deal with some of the stress with humor. It helps to deflect the somber tones of
what cancer brings to your family. (The hardest for me has been the tears in my husband's eyes or the unsmiling faces of my children when they ask questions. It is scary and they worry) I hope to help others and have started that. If I am forced to go through this, I can only hope my experience can help someone else through the shock and haze that clouds your life after the diagnosis. I hope someday this support will no longer be needed and we will have a cure.

I hope to start a new project for my plastic surgeon. We both have children in Art Colleges. I remarked to her that she was also an artist. She takes our shattered bodies and makes us whole again. I realized it was similar to crazy quilting. All these different pieces put together to make something beautiful.

So I begin AGAIN.... Grateful, blessed, and doing well.

Thank you all for your kind emails, comments, thoughts and prayers. They have sustained me through one of the roughest periods of my life. God Bless You All!
-Debra

Mean while back at the....

2010-06-01T04:07:00.009-04:00

I will be relinquishing my Wonder Woman title for a while and dealing with the tangles cancer has brought to our lives.

I am off to surgery today surrounded by my loving family and friends. My dear sweet husband plans to stay with me tonight if the hospital will allow it. My oldest daughter will sit with him and keep him company during the surgery. Her mother-in-law and our good friend will stop in to drop lunch off to them. My other two children still have work and school. Not easy for them when they have to wait and wonder. With all the calls from family and friends I certainly know I am loved. This week has been the "emotional break down week" for me. I just had no control over the tears. I am a positive person. I look forward to being beyond this and starting recovery, but I hate the time cancer has robbed from us already. The months of reconstruction ahead casts a shadow across our youngest daughter's graduation from high school and taking her to college. I can not image those who have greater stages of cancer or years of treatments. My heart goes out to them and their families. After exhaustive research we know the surgical route is my best option. Do I like it? No-I frankly hated all the options! I was not given the option of-no decision is required here - we had to choose one. In the end it came down to this for me- I am blessed-I had a choice. So many women did not ever have the chance to choose.

On a more positive note -4 mastectomy recovery pillows made it out of my sewing room. The blue ones are for me and the two pink are already in the mail headed for a cancer resource center at a Rhode Island hospital. A request from another cancer patient. In the future I will share my pattern and directions. This was not my original idea, but I thought it is a good one. I was unable to find a pattern for these, so I created one. I have also heard of other people making rectangles for women as well. The heart helps support the arms after mastectomy and cushions the area lymph nodes have been removed. They also work great for reconstruction and keeping the seat belts of a car away from the sensitive area. Thinking of this future project helped me look beyond my tears to help someone else. It was only 2 pillows for now, but it is a positive step for recovery.I hope to work with volunteers in the future to create many more pillows for hospitals and cancer resource centers.

A humble gift made with our hands and given with our hearts.

Surgery brings some restrictions - I will need this next week to rebound a little before I can type again.

Please take care.

Debra

Cirque du Soleil themed prom party buffet

2010-05-26T07:32:00.008-04:00

Before I begin, I must thank a very special women. We have not met personally yet, but I feel I know her in spirit well. She is the most kind, gentle spirited and most talented woman I have ever been able to connect with. Her blog is so creative and I hope someday to convey life as she does on each blog. Through the pictures and words of her blog you will instantly know what I mean. It is a magic place to visit. Constance at Rochambeau has honored me with her friendship, words, and kindness. You have touched my heart and spirit in ways you will never know.
Thank you dear friend!

In the entertaining side bar you will see other buffets similar to this one. This was fun given the Cirque du Soleil theme. Masks were used as decorations for the prom. When the prom goers showed up there was a women on stilts juggling, they had mannequins dangling like trapeze fliers from the ceiling over the dance floor, and wonderful food served on themed tables throughout the prom. My youngest daughter was one of the students chosen to plan to event. They worked hard and had many meetings to produce the wonderful concept. For the pictures at our home before prom we wanted to have some treats for the family and students before heading off on the trolley ride to start the night. We used the theme for the night at our home as well.

Since masks were used, we decided to use the mask I created as a centerpiece. Using purples, pinks, and greens used in the Cirque du Soleil worked well. The costumes used in the Cirque du Soleil themes are just magical. There is so many ideas to choose from. We tried to work with crystal glass and marble pieces to help this along. We also used one of their botanical takes with leaves used like a scarf. Here are the steps we used.

Building the buffet: We used large plastic storage containers as the base. You can use anything as long as it is sturdy. Boxes, books, cans etc. are all good candidates for lifts. You are the only one that knows what is hidden beneath the drapes.I always use a plastic table cloth first. What I learned along the way is I can use bowls or large baking dishes (tinfoil throwaways are great for this) to put ice in. Cover it with the plastic tablecloth, then the other cloths. This will help keep dishes set on top of them cold very nicely. (I did this once without the plastic. Melted ice soaked through the layers after several hours-not a pretty sight! This tip works great.)

Cover the plastic tablecloth with a beautiful fabric. Sometimes layer more than one over the plastic to create more color.

3 yards of Purple net is folded in the middle. A gathering thread seam is created about 10 inches from the fold. ( I used red thread so you could see it, you can use matching thread) Gather the threads until the edges will overlap when placed around the neck of the statue.

The netting is used like a cape with the prepared ruffle as the collar and approximately one and a half yards split to each side of the buffet.

Pink wired ribbon with sparkles was added next over the gathered stitches and meanders around the buffet giving movement. Place the Candles,plates, cake stands on the lifts and levels. Add in the pieces of glass chips and plants to create the final look you desire.

Viola'.

I hope to have one more post this week creating comfort pillows for breast cancer mastectomy patients. I have seen them and was not able to find a pattern, so I created one. I have been told they are wonderful, so I am making my own. I hope in the future to work with groups to create more pillows to donate to the hospitals for women undergoing surgery and recovery.

Take care.

A bird's nest made easy

2010-05-19T07:39:00.006-04:00

During the class we worked on a Bird's nest. I figured this out when I was looking for an easy way to create one without using 300 stitches. This stitch can also be a flower using silk ribbons or variegated perle silk/cotton. This type of stitch was used to create big flowers on a hat during the early part of the 1900's. A hat pin was used in a hat and then wide ribbon was wrapped around the pin. The end was tucked in, creating a large type of rose. After viewing the new fibers available, I knew the technique would translate well using a few stitches to hold it in place creating a bird's nest. A few pearls and voila'.

Choose a few threads to use. Here the fibers are brown for the nest. But you can use other colors to create flowers.

Wrap the fibers around the needle that is inserted through the fabric with both ends of the needle sticking out on the top of the fabric.

Done!

As for the Prom and the Trolley-They had a wonderful night!

Next post will show how the island in our kitchen became a Cirque du Soleil themed party buffet. It was the theme for their prom this year.

Cast on Stitches

2010-05-14T07:20:00.008-04:00

It was an honor for me to be able to speak and teach at the Wings Falls Quilt Guild last Saturday
Their kindness was wonderful to a novice like me. Forgetting to speak with the microphone one of my biggest embarrassments, but they were great.

I promised the ladies I taught that I would share the stitches that we worked with.
First up is the cast on. I know a few of you know it, so it will be a refresher course.

To create the stitch:

Thread your needle with perle cotton. Bring the thread from behind the fabric to the front.

You will be working on the surface of the fabric. Take a small "bite" of the fabric.Begin by twisting the perle around your finger and then casting on the needle. This is similar to knitting or tatting I am told. The number of times you cast on will create the size of your petal.

Move the thread from left to right behind the needle. Place your thumb over the stitches on the needle and pull the the needle out of the stitches.

After you pull the thread tail through the stitches on the needle, it will create the petal. Bring the thread to the back of the fabric, going through close to where you originally came out from the back. The beginning and end of the stitch should be close to the other. The only place I do this differently is when I designed my birds.

The violet petals were made with two different colors using the cast on stitches.

the bird, my own design, incorporates cast on stitches.
So think of them alone or as a component of the design you would like to work on.

Fish scales were an obvious choice instead of a flower petal.

We have prom this weekend. The trolley will be parked in front of our home to take my youngest daughter and her friends to their senior prom. Should be exciting.

Before and After

2010-05-07T07:23:00.008-04:00

Others say that there is a time before

and a time after a cancer diagnosis.

I have also read that it is a time to start over.

You think about things differently.

They try to live life more fully,

to love more,

exercise more, to eat better,

and in general to make positive changes.

The shock has worn off and the other side is in view.

Life is different.

I am not sure how yet, that remains to be seen.

Am I going through all this to help others in some way?

-not sure , but I have faith everything happens for a reason.

Life has yet to unfold that mystery.

I did want all of you to know that I will need some down time,

not sure when since the schedule has not been set up.

We have decided to not deal with 7 wks the radiation and head for the surgical options.

After talking with Radiation oncologist, Oncologist, and my Surgeon,

it seems to be the best option for me in terms of heading off recurrence with my type of cancer.

It will mean a longer recovery, but we were more comfortable with the percentages with

surgery rather than radiation.

I am not sure when I will be up and running again.

Preparation includes having projects to work on and books to read during this time.

Think of the fun projects I can dream up to share.

I am speaking and teaching tomorrow for a Quilt guild.

It is an exciting opportunity.

It is an honor considering I joined in 1992 only to have my life placed on

hold when one of my children was ill and needed me.

I was never able to attend, other than that one meeting,

and now they requested I speak to them.

God does work in mysterious ways!

Sharing some of the techniques in the following blogs is on the agenda for me.

I will keep you posted with my schedule.

Thanks again for all the emails, support, and kindness.

It means a great deal to me.

Lilacs Completed

2010-04-28T07:38:00.004-04:00

Well the search is still on for the missing camera disk.

We had to go out and buy a new one, but we will now have a spare.

The lilacs are completed and will be framed. In the current picture the oval mat is just laying upon the finished embroidery. It will be stretched and then framed to take the wrinkles out.

I added the bees because that is the meaning of my name Debra.

I hope my surgeon likes it.

I met with the radiation oncologist yesterday. The shock of hearing I have cancer has finally worn off. Now the reality is sinking in. I no longer feel that I am referring to someone else. I think the 7 weeks of going everyday for radiation (except Saturday and Sunday)

will cement that reality. The people who work there are all very caring and extremely kind.

I am truly fortunate the cancer was caught so early.

I am blessed.

Please ladies get those mammograms.

We all have those days

2010-04-26T16:23:00.000-04:00

The gift for my surgeon is done. Hoped to have the picture up, but one of the kids borrowed the memory disk for our camera. You know the days when you have your day all scheduled, but life will just not co-operate. I hope to have it up tomorrow as soon as they locate the disk and pictures can be taken of the finished piece.

The reason the disk is missing you ask?

We had a joint birthday party for 6 members of our family. I usually have Easter, Mother's Day and most of the birthday celebrations at our home. This year, with everything going on, we decided to get the family together and celebrate them all at once. My brother-in-law decided to surprise us with a 41 foot super stretch limo to head off to dinner and ride around after the resturant celebration.

Of course the disk is missing because the kids have been emailing all their friends with pictures. LOL

Lucky I downloaded them before they borrowed the disk or we might not have the memories this night provided. We all had a blast.

Back to searching for the lost disk..... Where is Sherlock when you need him?

Lilacs

2010-04-19T07:32:00.001-04:00

Our garden lilacs

Friday's surgery is over and I am doing well. We just have to wait for the next pathology report later this week. In the mean time creating ribbon lilacs for my surgeon is my first project. I over heard her say how she had several new lilac bushes added to her yard and that she loves them. The couched cording flowers will have to wait until next blog.

Start with little pearls or beads sewn onto the background fabric.With straight stitches cover the bead with the ribbon.

Add a little stem at the bottom to create the lilac buds.

Create the shape of the lilac by adding little blossoms with Japanese ribbon stitches. Use 4 stitches in a plus configuration.

Add a few more buds and green stems - the first lilac is done.

Now to determine the next color for the other lilacs in the group.

Maybe white, maybe lavendar -or both? Hopefully the next blog will reveal the decision.

Take care,

Debra

Starting Again

2010-04-14T07:40:00.001-04:00

We are back from a few days in Savannah. It really allowed us to slow down and catch our breath. It is always beautiful with the flowers in bloom. The Parks are always stunning.

Mr. W, (the love of my life and better half ) and I rented bikes. We toured many neighborhoods and parks. We had never experienced Savannah like this and we loved it. We took in more area than when we walked and saw more because of the slower pace. Driving just did not give us the same feel of the hidden treasures along the vast area.

And of course the fountain at Forsyth Park is always stunning.

We did some shopping too. We stopped at Twiggs my favorite needlework shop. I purschased numerous new fibers and embroidery threads for my down time with the upcoming surgery, doctors appointments, radiation, etc. Creativity took me through the rough times in the past and it will carry me through again.

A few new projects are on the schedule this week as I get ready for the next surgery this Friday. I hope to start making flowers using velvet cording. A few simple couching techniques will hopefully create the effect I am looking for.

Thank you for all your kind words and support.

A time on my soapbox

2010-04-05T05:47:00.004-04:00

I know that I have been sending out really deep thoughts of

late and you have graciously allowed me to do so. I promise not to stand on my soapbox for long or to make a habit of it, but I felt this is important. The world here on our little corner of the planet has changed just a little. We have been struggling with some medical issues with several family members, moving my husband's 89 year old aunt twice in 6 weeks to assisted living, and trying to keep up with my youngest daughter's senior year. No small accomplishment I assure you. In the middle of it all, my yearly mammogram in February came back abnormal. Many of you who know me will remember a scare when I discovered a lump and had it removed. The pathology came back benign. This time I was called back and had the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The radiologist came in after the ultrasound and explained I needed to see my surgeon again. There was no lump - only calcifications he thought were suspicious. Although seeing the radiologist, something that had never happened before, I figured it was just another benign fibrocystic change. I headed off to see the surgeon and stereotactic biopsy was scheduled two weeks later. After an hour in the biopsy room, it was determined that the calcifications were too close to the chest wall and surgerical biopsy was my only option. It took place last Wednesday almost two years to the day of my last surgery. The outcome this time was different. I have an early stage of breast cancer. It is still hard to even say it only because it seems so foreign. This blog is a very public forum to share a personal crisis. My reason for doing so you wonder? To spread the word about yearly mammograms and breast exams. I have read how many women hate to get their yearly exams done.
I know - I hate it too!
(Believe me - I have had more than my share of mammograms in the last month and a half to put myself on top of that list of women)
I have cancer, but I am fortunate. Yes very fortunate!
It has been detected at a very early stage by mammography.
There was no lump, no way for my doctor or for me to
determine there was anything to be concerned about.
Our family has had so much going on this year,
I could have easily skipped or delayed my mammogram .
I am glad I didn't.
I urge all of you who find an excuse to delay, cancel, or ignore your yearly mammogram to take action -
for yourself and those you love.

I will be taking this week off to spend sometime with my family during this school break. It will be a time to relax, prepare, and hopefully I will finally have time to create.

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T09:21:00.000-04:00

May you have a day of joy, hope, and love.

Happy Easter!

Messages...

2010-03-24T12:37:00.002-04:00

From a book...

From the end of a tea bag string...

From my daily reading...

and most of all from your comments and emails!

They have meant a great deal to me.

It has been a while.

A long while.

I wanted to thank you all for your kindness, interest,

and most of all friendship.

My last post I was excited to be finally back on track.

We had a new camera, I was given Photoshop 8, and

also a book on blogging.

Most of the medical issues of the family seemed to be resolving.

Then more followed.

The blogging book suggested not saying how tough life was,

everyone has a tough life-they don't need yours!

So what do I say? Apologize one more time?

How often did you want to hear it?

My creativity was stuck anyway.It seemed frivolous in the face of other issues.

I just could not bring myself to write one more excuse.

What I am learning....Perseverance in the face of the unknown

Sometimes I feel paralyzed waiting for the next shoe to drop.

(Why start when something else will come along to stop you?)

I need creativity. It is my gift and my stress relief.

It is what always got me through before and it is not frivolous.

And last

It is okay to step away when life gets tough

Just remember to step back in.

Thank you all again.

Final steps of the glass ornament

2010-01-02T17:24:00.008-05:00

January 2 nd and my resolutions are holding. Okay it is only day two, but hey I finally have my oar back in the water and heading I'm heading in the right direction.

Finally I have the pictures of the steps to finish the glass ornament.
Gather all your tools together. Soldering iron, flux, LEAD FREE solder, safety glasses, and a pair of pliers.

Here are the steps you will use:

Using a brush run the flux over the copper foil to help the solder flow smoothly.

After brushing on the flux run a bead of LEAD FREE solder across the copper foil.

One tip when working on a small piece - Hold it with pliers. The glass can heat up very quickly.

The soldering is done. Just make sure to clean them well to remove the flux. Any brown spots will disappear when cleaned.

You have an option to leave the solder as is or use a patina. This one is antiqued with Black.

The ornament is done with an antique finish. The Process works great for earrings too.I like the silver better, but I wanted to share this process. If you are going to keep the silver, make sure you buff and seal the solder so it does not tarnish.

Until next time

Last day kindness and new beginnings.

2010-01-01T20:29:00.006-05:00

2010 - a new decade to reflect on and a time to count our blessings of the past years.

As I sit in my little studio and the snow continues to fall, I discovered the bulbs on my windowsill had sprouted. My garden is buried in snow, but there is joy with the cycle of rebirth in flowers.

This last month has been a little overwhelming, but I too am breaking through the surface to bloom again. I feel a renewal to create and blog .
( I promise to share the steps to finish the ornament in the next blog)

My husband and I have discussed so many things of late. This new decade and the changes to come. Big changes to our lives when we make our transition South to Savannah. Our youngest being accepted at the Art college she was hoping for, heading off to college, and leaving an empty nest. Our Son will complete his college goals in just two short years and launch into the working world. Our oldest daughter married and wonderful changes that brings to a family.
We are certainly blessed.

We have also decided on our New Year's resolution or little plan to help make our world a little better. We hope to live each day with "Last Day Kindness". It is my husband's terminology regarding living each day as if it is our last by imparting the kindness we would hope to receive. Just a little thing really, but sometimes hard to accomplish with the in your face attitude we seem to experience so often from the check out line to driving the car. It may not change the world, but hopefully a little kindness will change our small part of it - one attitude at a time.

To each of you a Very Happy and Healthy New Year!!!

Finishing the Monogram ornament

2009-12-28T16:31:00.006-05:00

The next step in making the ornament. Take the two pieces of memory glass and put them together with the images inside. Check the earlier blog to learn how to create this image. Begin using stained glass foil and wrapping the edges. Make sure to space the foil evenly over the front and back edges. This keeps the foil uniform and adheres the piece properly. Overlap the foil about a 1/4 inch.

.

Using a fid (you can also use your fingernail, side of a pen, letter opener if you like) begin to smooth both sides of the foil attached to the ornament. Run the outside edge first. Then fold the foil flat on the front and back.

Flatten all the copper foil and seal the two pieces of glass together. The edge will be soldered in the next blog.

Bend 18 gage copper wire to create a filigree design to hang beads from and large circle for the top. A wooden dowel or pen works great for this.

Finish by creating dangling beads. The smaller one use a jewelry making pin with a stop on the end. Add your crystals and beads and create the eye on the end. These will be connected to the smaller loops of your wire after it is soldered together.The larger dangle was created with a cast off ball of rhinestones hooked on to a jewelry making pin with a eye. The ball is attached onto the eye and the then the beads and crystals are added to the pin. Create another eye to connect the pin to the large loop at the bottom.

The next blog we will solder the piece together.

I think I am finally up and running again. Sorry this has been such a slow blog period. Life got the better of me.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T19:11:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Monogram a glass ornament

2009-12-11T13:49:00.009-05:00

-Life is what happens while you are making other plans-John Lennon

I am sorry to say it has been a while. Life just caught up with me and I feel I don't even have enough hours in a day to care for everyone. Caring for my husband, snow dropping down, Christmas on the way, and just everyday life collapsed in on me at once. I missed blogging and visiting the blogs I enjoy so much.

I had promised to show you how easy it was to make a glass monogrammed ornament.It would be beautiful as jewelry too. I had to short cut the idea of jewelry when life slapped me upside the head. It was scaled back to an ornament, but with gorgeous beads, it would make a wonderful necklace.

It is so easy to create.

Step one:

Alcohol based inks, just stamped on to a piece of memory glass.

I used the colors: Ginger, Latte, Metallic Gold, and Blending solution to tone it down.

Stamp the Ginger and Latte directly on the glass. Stamp the metallic gold and the blending solution over the top to "antique" it.

Step two:

Using black Stazon Ink, rubber stamped a multiple image on top of the alcohol based ink. The rubber stamp does not have a company on it so I can not tell you which image I used, but anything similar would work. Since it has multiple images and we are working with glass it is easy to get a perfect image. Lay the inked rubber stamp on the work surfaced, positioned the glass with the inked base face down and walked my fingers across the surface to ink the image on the glass.

Step three:

Next choose a monogram stamp. The one used has been made with a clear block stamp. Stamp again using the Stazon ink to adhere to the glass.

In the next post - finish foiling, soldering, and beading .

Tomorrow I will be off to help pack gifts for our men and women overseas in the military. I hope each of you will give them your prayers and consider a gift for them while they are so far away from home.

Take care,

Debra

A surprise

2009-11-25T08:58:00.011-05:00

Today brought a surprise to our door. The magazine article about our home is out today. The people we worked with were fantastic and it was a great experience. The pictures were taken last January and we had no idea exactly what they would use. The entire article is on how we created our home and decorations on a budget. When the reporter first entered our home to write the story about my crazy quilting, her first response was this home is beautiful and unusual for this area. The hammer beam ceilings and iron railed overlooks do not normally show up in homes in this area. When we began talking she asked about some of the ideas etc. and when I explained she could have them too , inexpensively, she was stunned. At that time she requested we consider having an article about our home. Now you know our answer.

I hope the budget conscience ideas help others in this rough economy. Creativity always helps stretch a budget just a little farther.

I have been working with the little time I have to complete a few Christmas presents for family and friends. I have been working with Stained glass in a non traditional way. I am also working on jewelry glass pieces and alcohol inks. I promise to share the stages of this one soon. Then I will return to my journey with dragon, unicorns, and castles. I hope to create a piece for my best friend Susan, notice the "S". It is the beginning stages and will have to be soldered and beaded, but I am enjoying this technique.

My stained glass creations.

I have been a little slow with the blog lately. My husband is still recovering from surgery. It will be about 6 weeks for him to be back to full speed. So hopefully as the new year dawns, he will begin to move forward with no limitations. Certainly gives us a great deal to be grateful for this year.

I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Simple Things

2009-11-16T07:37:00.013-05:00

Christina' s blog Soul Aperture is having a Simple Things Day. Please check out her gorgeous photographs and wonderful writing. In honor of her I have added a few of my own Simple Things. They cost nothing, but make us grateful for each day.

Time to pray

Time reading to a child

Time to read myself

Time to create

Time to relax

Vacations

Journey to foreign countries

Exploring
Little gifts from the sea

Spring
Creating in a garden

Finding a new bloom

Having a unexpected visitor.

A quiet walk in the evening with my husband

- hand in hand-

A new moon

Stillness

Family celebrations

4th of July in the Park

A wedding

The birth of a new baby

The sanctuary of HOME

A fire in the hearth

Setting the table for family dinner

Decorating cookies for Christmas

Watching our children come down Christmas morning

A sleepy child on your shoulder.

Mr. WW had surgery just over a week ago. We have had a week to heal and think about the little things. They certainly mean a great deal.

Savannah

2009-11-01T15:13:00.012-05:00

Touring Savannah has been really fun for us. I hope it doesn't become one of those events like home movies for you. Speaking of movies -a few more fun pieces of the movie set. Setting up and filming. The horses were not brought in until night time when Lincoln would have been at the theatre. All the wagons had to be moved and set up by humans. I bet the horses loved that.

The great thing about Savannah is the location. Just across the bridge is South Carolina. Hilton Head is only 40 minutes. Tybee Island is adjacent to the city. We were able to get there in about 15 minutes. While visiting the Island we found they had a Kayak Club and lessons. We Kayak here in the Adirondacks, but nothing compares with the wildness of the ocean.

The Sorrel-Weed house was on our tour. This basement is going to be used for shooting scenes from the "Blue Goose" in the film the Conspirator directed by Robert Redford. What was odd was I requested that my husband take pictures in the basement so we would have a memory when the film came out. We had been told people had taken pictures of the house and then found something in them when they looked later. This was the case for us. We had goose bumps when we were looking back through our house pictures and then these. He took two pictures one after the other. The first one with the camera one way and then the second with it turned on end caught more of the ceiling.

I have cropped the second photo because my husband does not want to release it the whole photo yet, but here is a preview. The photo on the right you see the green haze in the corner, we thought it was just the light. The next photo showed a green "dot" in the background and above the area were multiple white circles and a white women's silhouette in the middle of them. My husband would like to find out more about the history of the house and people before we release it in entirety. Regardless if you believe in this stuff-I didn't before we took the photos-it is really interesting.

Next blog- back to reality for me.

Exciting Times

2009-10-27T18:57:00.022-04:00

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need"-The Rolling Stones

We are back and are new owners of a 2nd home. It will be a while before we have permanent residence in Savannah (we have children in highschool and college). It is great to know where we will live, what furniture to keep, what to sell, & design a new kitchen knowing the dimensions already. It is not a Queen Anne Victorian, but a French Design with copper porch roof and beautiful wrought iron. And check out the two Magnolia trees flanking the front. They are taller than the house.

A few of our favorite features are the octagon entry,the gorgeous staircase, and the fact I can have a garden. It already has a great start.

We plan to extend the garden around the corner of the house at the far end. We have two beautiful wrought iron gates on the property. This gate door is new, but the arbor is older and has beautiful details.

We were able to have a few days in Savannah to enjoy. The exciting news when we arrived was that Robert Redford was filming the "Conspirator" his new movie in town. It is about the only woman convicted in the assassination of President Lincoln. We were able to see the out side filming. They created a facade of Ford's theatre and placed it on the side of a building. The homes across the street were decorated in bunting. They actually carried the actor playing Lincoln across the street to one of the homes from the "theatre".

They filmed at night so we have a few pictures of the crew setting up for shooting. They actually wrapped the palm trees trunks to look like oaks and cover the streets with mulch to look like dirt. We also watched as long tubes of dry ice were blown down the block to look like fog.They had the yellow police type of tape up to block off the area. I leaned against what I thought was an old iron lampost with the yellow tape attached and it moved. Even the streetlights were fake. It was really funny.

Some of the people in the movie.

I am very grateful I will not have to wear these outfits when I live in the South. Can you imagine these dresses and slips in the heat? I can certainly understand the term swooning from the heat ?

In my next blog I will share a little more of Savannah, including our experience at the
Sorrel-Weed house. (Considered the most haunted in Savannah) We actually toured it because my husband wanted to see it. I had seen a segment of HGTV's If Walls Could Talk on the renovations of the building. The show is about the history of the homes and the discoveries /items the owner's find when renovating the homes. They found a 1000 sq. foot wine celler when moving bricks in the courtyard. The big find was a practice letter of the surrender of Robert E. Lee during the Civil War in a beautiful wooden box found in a sealed room.
Robert Redford intends to use the basement where the cooking was done to film scenes from the ''Blue Goose" where John Wilkes Booths interacts with the main female character.

I have a secret

2009-10-19T07:26:00.010-04:00

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11

I have a secret. We are beginning a new journey.

Our dream of one day having a permanent residence in Savannah is taking one step closer to reality for us. We will be closing on a 2nd home in Savannah GA this Friday.

We actually had actually flown down to Savannah to view another home- what we thought was a beautiful Queen Anne in the historic district. As my husband labeled the event- It was like the horror stories you hear about Internet dating. When we saw the home in person, it did not match the photo. He said it was like the pictures that are posted by the people of their college or high school graduation, then their date meets them in person and they are much older and out of shape. That was the case for us. It had been left to deteriorate. More of a project than we wanted long distance. We thought we would go home to start the search all over again. We did ask the realtor to show us a few others we had chosen off the Internet, so that our trip was not wasted. She insisted on showing us a home we thought was more space than we thought we wanted. She insisted it was a fantastic house at a fantastic price. (The price dropped the day we flew in-God was looking out for us) She was right. We are a little a head of schedule, but with interest rates so low and prices too, it is the perfect time to buy.

I apologize for the lack of posts. We have been working hard to get paperwork together, inspections, etc to finally close on the home.

With the paperwork all done and the closing behind us, I hope to be back on my blogging schedule when we return.

Thanks for your patience and for allowing me to share our blessings.

Take care,

Debra

How many days until Christmas......?

2009-10-15T21:06:00.008-04:00

Time seems to be flying by these days. We celebrated our youngest daughter's last homecoming weekend and dance. She is a senior in high school. Where did the time go? We had about 25 people in our home taking pictures and enjoying goodies before the dance. The leaves are coming down and the weather is turning cold. Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

We also had the interview by a reporter for the article on our home for the Christmas or holiday issue of the local magazine. They are featuring our home and decorations that were done on a budget. Perfect I think for the economy. It will be fun to finally see the pictures taken last January in the holiday issue.

In the midst of the holiday scramble work did continue on the Dragon.

The dragon is now breathing fire. Using short and long stitches the basic shape was created. Metallic thread and seed beads add the sparkle.

I read somewhere that Christmas is just 87 days away. I guess I get confused when they start putting Christmas out with the Back to school sales. The numerous months of Christmas marketing lulls me into a false sense of abundant time before the holiday arrives. Before I know it, the holidays are already here. Some year I will have to start making presents in July.

Handmade Christmas gifts this year will be few, but I do have a few in stained glass. The flat panel with the crystals and this candle holder. I have ventured out into a dimensional theme. Here is start of candle holder. I am designing as I go. My teacher is being a real sport to help me figure out how to create something other than a flat panel. I will continue adding leaves on the vine and then a butterfly. I am really enjoying the process of the free form creation. No pattern,

not staying in the lines so to speak. I wonder what that says about me?

Until next time...

Stumpwork Dragon base

2009-10-09T21:30:00.007-04:00

After 2 skeins of embroidery floss and thousands of stitches the dragon base is completely covered. Cast on stitches with up to 12 cast on stitches each create the scales. Chain stitches cover the face, arm, and leg. Shell and seed bead make up his chest armor and tail.

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Double cast on stitches create the fingers and toenails. Overlapped bullion create the horn.

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In the next post the dragon will breathe fire made with metallic thread and beads.

The wings for his face and back can then be added. It is far easier to work on these very dimensional pieces last. Embroidery thread tails tend to get caught on them when creating the base stitches. Work from the background forward to make your work less stressful.

I have been working with a new camera. The good news is it shows greater detail. The bad news is it shows such great detail every piece of lint on the velvet background is noticeable.

Until the dust bunnies learn to smile, you will not be getting any photos of our home.

Have a great weekend.

Fall gatherings and the magical dragon emerges

2009-10-05T15:01:00.008-04:00

It has been a hectic week, but I found a little time to work on the dragon. The cast on stitches are complete. Chain stitches will finish the head, arm and legs to create a contrast. The beading is also being completed. Little by little the dragon's personality is emerging.

The sun broke yesterday creating a wonderful Indian Summer Day. Collecting bittersweet and abandoned bird's nests to use in wreaths.

I found a third nest in the bittersweet vine later in the afternoon.

The branches of the vines are woven in an oval to create a new fall wreath.

Happy Fall!!!!

Using the Cast on Stitch

2009-09-28T07:33:00.008-04:00

I love the cast on stitch. Yes it was intended to be a flower petal, but does it have to? NO
I look at things differently. I look at the form, not the function.
I have used it as a scalloped edge on an fountain, a bird, a flower, and a fish scale.

After working on this mermaid, the ideas just flowed. I wanted a magical dragon.

The dragon is emerging stitch by stitch. Here is a sneak peak. Using cast on stitches to create scales on the dragon, the work begins at the tip of the tail and works up to the head. Although the dragon is not complete, I thought I would share the process.

The leg and arm are not attached yet, but will receive a different treatment after the padding is added.

Beads will be added to create further dimension and sparkle to the body

Back to work for me.

Let the magic begin...

2009-09-22T07:58:00.013-04:00

Our business concluded early enough on Saturday to have a few hours to enjoy Savannah. It is our favorite city. We were back on the plane early Sunday, so it was a brief trip, but the weather held and we enjoyed every minute. When you view the pictures below, you will understand why we adore this city.

What could be more magical than a carriage ride to your wedding in a pumpkin coach?
We saw the bride delivered to her groom in one of the squares.
The horses get a drink before heading back in service. We just had to take this picture.

Weddings in the park. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Finding a hidden garden.
yes that is me- again my husband capturing my best side.

One of the beautiful squares.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Forsyth Park

On to the wall hanging... Hunting Dragons.

Creating the stumpwork dragon. Cut basic shapes of your dragon in felt. Making several layers each smaller than the last. Stack them on top of each other. Smallest one first, then medium, the largest on top. This is just a basic shape. The stitches on top of the felt create the detail.

Layer the felt with smaller pieces underneath to pad the stumpwork form.

Looks a little kindergarten like, but it shows how easy it is to create the padded base.

I promise my idea sketch is even more childlike

Cut the wings from organza.

Stab stitch through all the layers of felt to secure to the velvet.

I can't wait to see the dragon emerge.

Take care,

Debra

Brief Note

2009-09-18T08:29:00.002-04:00

I am flying out today for an unexpected and quick business trip to Savannah GA . I am sorry to say our adventure will be delayed until next week.
Take care and have a great weekend.

A journey of thousand stitches.

2009-09-14T16:09:00.004-04:00

-A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Lao-tsu

I am starting a new project. I hope you will join me. It is a little adventurous, but magical.

We may find dragons, fairies, castles, unicorns, crowns, and castles along the way. I have had this idea for a few years and it is finally on the schedule. Something to occupy me during the long winter months. ( Sounds romantic doesn't) Here is the hint

The first block of several. Daunting and exciting. Our first adventure-hunting for a dragon.

Take care,
Debra

It has been a while

2009-09-09T08:52:00.013-04:00

-Once in a while in the middle of an ordinary life, you find a fairytale.-anonymous

I feel like I fell out of blog land for a while.We have been so busy getting the kids ready for school, our friend's daughter's wedding, and designing, I have not been on line.
I have been designing and sewing little cellphone purses I hope to market in the future. Here's my first prototypes:

Hope everyone in the US had a wonderful holiday weekend. Our weather was great for the outdoor wedding we attended for our friend's daughter. We were so happy that they had the perfect day. The details they put into their wedding were fantastic. They did the whole theme as a music venue event. The save the date announcement looked like a medium sized concert poster. The invitation was like a concert brochure. The wedding had a music theme with concert passes that hang from your neck with the program on the back. It was so much fun. I thought I would share a few of the ideas.

The gorgeous setting of the Sagamore at

Lake George.

Our friend's beautiful daughter and new husband.

What joy!

The Wedding Programs All Access Pass.

The table setting with the table numbers on records, the menu like a concert brochure, and the favor is a CD of songs from the wedding that looks like a mini LP record.

My husband, me, our oldest daughter and her new husband of almost a year. Where does the time go?

School starts today, for our younger two, so I have the house to myself.
Guess I better get back to work. That means the whirlwind of the past week is over and I need to pick up the dust / debris created. I hope I can sneak a few minutes to peak at some of the blogs I have missed over the last week.
Take care,
Debra

I won!!!!!!

2009-09-01T07:51:00.004-04:00

I can't believe it. I never win anything. I received an email this morning that I won a quilting template or ruler from the C&T publishing blog. Simplicity sponsored the items given away. You will find the link to their site on the C&T blog. If you have never visited the C& T blog, you will be surprised. They have wonderful news on the industry, new authors, and very creative people writing about their experiences with their art.
Hopefully this will kick start my own creative juices. Woooo Hooo!
Thank you C&T Publishing

Decorating for Fall

2009-08-27T11:55:00.016-04:00

-The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser-in case you thought optimism was dead- Robert Brault

I know, I know, kind of early for this post. I love Summer and we have so few months here in the Northeast you would think I would not rush things. Maybe it is the colder nights (52 degrees) that has me in the cleaning and decorating mood. Or the children going back to school? I dug out some of the decorations and got busy. I thought I would share how to create an easy table scape perfect for a table, buffet, or in this case a coffee table. This method works for any season, so it is versatile as well.

Gather all those pieces. Grapevine wreaths, fall stems etc.

Place the clear glass charger plate upside down to give a lift to the pieces that will be placed on it.

This allows the pieces to be seen instead of sunken inside the grapevine. Anything will due since it will be covered by the floral arrangement.

Place the larger pieces, such as candles and pumpkins on the table and build around them.
Be careful with candles. For safety, mine are always in glass en closers.

Wind a vine of grape vine or leaves around the large pieces.
Keep adding berries, grapes and floral stems.
Fill "holes" with larger flowers and balance the color throughout.

It is that easy. Viola' you are done!

I could not stop and just had fun today. Kind like a play time for a decorating wannbe.

Sunflowers, grasses, and berries for the large urn.

Pears, lemons, leaves, and grasses for the fireplace.

A few urns, berries and gourds dressed up the kitchen stove mantle.

This little urn needed to be decorated for fall.
The nest with an egg marked hope and a bird

seemed perfect for the shallow space around the candle.

The front hall is similar to last year but with a few new accessories that were gifts.

Using a rub-on and a left over bathroom floor tile, I was able to create this plaque. It creates a theme with the birds and the nest.

I hope to be back in my sewing room now that the decorating is done.

Take care,

Debra

Creating an outdoor Chandelier

2009-08-21T07:54:00.009-04:00

Walking through a garden center last weekend we spotted a pergola on sale half price. It took us about 4 hours to put together, but it was worth it. As things seem to go, we have had heavy rains since then, so getting pictures was a little tough.

I love this time of year when the Rose of Sharon are blooming, my favorite is the Blue one.

Looks more purple than blue, but that is how they refer to it.

We have all varieties, both double and single, and most colors. They are beautiful this year. Sitting on the terrace with a cup of coffee in the early morning is a wonderful. The day is quiet, the birds are singing, and the flowers look stunning throughout the garden. Okay I am a romantic, I know.

I wanted a crystal chandelier to hang from the center of the pergola. Using an old brass light fixture from the basement was the key.

First you need to take it apart. Remove any plastic or paper used to create the candles in the electrical fixture.

Using a screw driver, unscrew the screws on the side of the electrical candle holder that hold the wires in place and the unit top and bottom together.

Remove the upper portion of the electrical candle holder. It should slide apart. You can leave the candle cup if you are using taper type of candles, mine were cracked so they were removed to leave a base for wide pillar candles.

Bend the metal that holds the candle flat. I trimmed mine with tin snips, but you can leave them and attach crystals through the screw holes later. Strip the wires from the chandelier. They will pull easily through the top center shaft where it hangs from.

Use spray paint for an outdoor/metal application to change the color to suit your decor. I added plastic crystals since it was going to be outdoors, but old glass ones would be great.

Now where did I put all those extra pillar candles from my daughter's wedding?

Take care,

Debra

Returning to Blogging

2009-08-18T07:44:00.015-04:00

As promised I have added our pictures of our Boston trip below. I have to admit it was hard to write this blog, not because of the content, but I think I am still grieving from the loss of my Grandmother. Writing my little blog felt almost frivolous compared to her life of 88 years. Surviving hardships and raising 6 boys. I am the oldest of 24 grandchildren. (and now there several great-grandchildren.) What a wonderful legacy to leave this world. She was cherished by even the littlest of them. I was able to see family I have not seen in years due to the distances we live apart. I met family I was never able to meet. I wished she could have been there, it would have thrilled her to see us all together. My heart hurt. I was given this message to ease my loss, maybe it will help some of you as well. When I mentioned I wished she could be there, someone said she was. And they were right. They also said the coming together of the extended family was her last gift to us. What a wonderful way to think about it. It made it easier to write this blog. Her life lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would be thrilled to see our daughter, her great-granddaughter, grown and headed for college. I realized it is not frivolous to blog about our family having a wonderful time. She cherished each child and would want to know we are happy. She would be so proud to know they are working hard and living their dreams . What a gift to feel so loved!

The colleges: Our family

I could not get used to the old and new architecture side by side all through the city.

Old South Meeting House

Quincy Market.

Old North Church Steeple and interior.

Paul Revere's Home. He raised 16 children in this little house.

My Dad and Boston Harbor.

Thank you for all your kind messages during this difficult time. They meant a great deal to me.

Debra

Sad News

2009-08-11T18:48:00.004-04:00

I will be away a little longer. We made it to Boston and had a great time. ( I will share the pictures later. ) On our return we received news my Grandmother was not doing well. My Father was able to fly out yesterday, but in route received news she had passed away. I will be flying out early tomorrow morning to Oklahoma to honor my Grandmother, be there for my father, and to represent our family . I hope to be back over the weekend.
Take care,
Debra

Summer, warmth, flowers and road trips.

2009-08-05T20:44:00.011-04:00

We are off to Boston MA for a couple of days over the weekend to visit colleges for our youngest daughter. Can't believe the time has flown and soon she will too. The youngest from the nest.
Thought I would leave you with the window boxes in the front of the house.

See you in a couple of days with photos from Boston!

Gratitude and Encouragement - Mr Linky Blog Hop

2009-08-04T05:30:00.000-04:00

My favorite saying is -The Secret of Life is to be Grateful.

-anonymous

As a family we have learned that even during serious illness, down times, and failures that there is always something to be grateful for. When we have gratitude for our blessings, the fullness of life surpasses those times when we are disappointed and bewildered. We have hope.

God bless you all,

Debra

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Quick Gift Tags-Christmas in August

2009-08-03T07:24:00.008-04:00

-I wish I could save some of the Christmas Spirit in jars and open a jar of it each month. - Harlan Miller

I have been working on tags that will be attached to a gift bag to welcome guests for a wedding . It is one of our dear friend and neighbor's daughter's wedding and I was so honored to help. We live in upstate New York in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. As many of you know it has a style of its own.

Her wedding will take place at ( and guests will staying at) the Sagamore Resort on Lake George 30 minutes North of us. She wanted an Adirondack theme for the bags that will welcome her guests.

This is what I came up with: Cedar, grapevine bundles wrapped in raffia, shipping tags, and a rubber stamp of a bird. She has beautiful envelopes made with old maps of Lake George, Saratoga water, snacks, guides of area, etc. for inside the bags.They will be beautiful when assembled.

:

They would be wonderful they on packages or place marker for dinner at Christmas.
I have decorated these plain shipping labels before to tie on a bottle of wine for a hostess gift. They are great for all occasions and are inexpensive to keep on hand.

I only have 60 of them to make...I better get back to work.
Hope you enjoyed this quick project.
Have a great day.
Debra

Customizing a Journal or Sketchbook.

2009-07-30T15:30:00.013-04:00

This past Sunday a neighbor dropped by our home to give me a small gift. After cleaning out some things, she decided to give me some beads and old necklaces that she had saved in hopes I could use them in my work. One of the necklaces of small pearls was her mother's.
I thought I would return the favor with a small gift using some of the beads and pearls.
My neighbor is an art teacher at a local college. I thought a sketch book to carry would be the perfect gift. My children and I have made these special books for gifts for Christmas and birthdays.

Sometimes with a Monogram, some just with flowers.

The flowers and insect used in this book also has symbolism attached :
A mature rose for gratitude.
The white lupine for imagination. (They also have her mother's pearls)
Forget-me-nots for remembrance. (White beads that were also her gift)
And a bee is the meaning of my name Debra.

Here is how you can make your own:

Pick out a blank book from your local book store. They have a wide range of colors and sizes.
Fabric and leather. I chose a black leather sketch book.

Trace your template on the foam core and the cotton batting. Cut out both.

Hot glue the batting layers to your foam core.

Lay your embroider piece over the batting. Pin the fabric piece to the edge of the foam core. Don't glue the piece to the front. The glue will change the fabric and make hard lumps under the front. Make sure you only glue on the back of the foam core.

Trim the excess fabric around the oval leaving just enough to turn under and glue.

Hot glue the excess fabric to the back of the foam core oval.

Hot glue the oval to the front of the blank book.

Edge the oval with trim.
(When cutting the trim or ribbon use Fray Block to stop the pieces from unravelling.)

Add a beautiful ribbon as a book mark. This one is velvet, but you could use anything that you would like. Brocade ribbons make beautiful book marks.

The finished sketchbook. The oval was edged with 2 trims, but one is fine.

I would love to see what you create.

Debra

Time to Myself

2009-07-28T07:55:00.015-04:00

-I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than to be crowded on a velvet cushion. -Henry David Thoreau

Do you ever have those days when you just need a little time to yourself? To catch up and work on something just for you. So often, I think because I am a wife and mother, I find I put myself on the end of the To do List. I think this is normal, we nurture everyone but ourselves. With the unpredictable weather, I found a few minutes to work in my studio. Finally getting to little projects I placed on the back burner and unpacking things I love to be surrounded by. Last Fall, my oldest had just gotten married and moved to her new home. I thought I would have the Winter to settle in her old room that overlooked the garden. I love the light in this room and the view is inspiring. Well, the notion of a gradual move changed when the reporter from the magazine wanted to shoot pictures in my little studio. It was a mad dash to try and get in some sort of order in just a few days. I had only painted the walls. Moving was more stuff and hide -unexpected company is coming . The photographer asked if I had some black fabric for a background. My answer was.....Ummmm..... (Thinking to myself -If you only knew how much fabric I have, but darn where did I put it) You have to laugh. I know you have been there.

Ann, you commented you wanted to see what I have been working on. Not much really, but it has been fun for me. Hope you will not be sorry you asked. Here are some of the projects. I promise on Friday I will post a tutorial on customizing a journal or sketch book.

Here's a preview:

First my little studio is getting some French touches. I am just starting, but enjoying the process. The hanging lamp received old chandelier crystals, black grosgrain ribbon , and black and white checked bows. A little over the top, but for the queen of embellishment...not too much.

Of course a fancy little stool to work on. It was easy to move from the cutting table to the sewing machines, but not too pretty. I quilted the top and added bullion fringe creating a cover.

A little tuffet.

Sewing curtains. And check out my newest stained glass piece on the window sill. It is a gift for a family member, so I can't show a close up. But I am still enjoying the class each Wednesday.

Unpacked some favorite things. My husband's great -grandmother's ivory and silver sewing kit from the 1800's. Each section of ivory was cut specifically to each of the pieces. If they are lost, no other silver piece will fit. I love the thought that she held them and used them.

Now I treasure them.

Pictures of the Royal Family.

The room is not done, but it has a great start!

Take care,

Debra

Topiary Frames from Tomato Cages

2009-07-24T06:47:00.017-04:00

-Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. -John Muir

Creating inexpensive, but impressive topiary frames is very easy with tomato cages. You know my mantra by now ...Look for form not function. Turning the tomato cage upside down will create a large round base tapering to a point at the top.

The wire legs , now at the top, are wired together to create the top of the topiary frame.

Using a pair of pliers, bend the wired legs down to form loops. This is safer than leaving them straight and gives the frame a finished look.

Pick a section and add wire cross pieces. You can add the wire cross pieces to each section or stagger them. This is completely up to you.

Cross the wire diagonally on the frames. Secure in the middle. The sides are round on your frame, remember not to pull the wire too tight.

Add additional interest to your frames with crystals, beads and charms by threading them on

the wire before creating the frame. (Hint: if painting the frames, make sure to paint the wire before the beads are added.) Adding the beads adds color and interest especially on any frames used indoors for potted plants.

An example of a large tomato cage and painted white. Previously it was painted black and has served our garden for years. These frames are great for clematis in the garden. They are also perfect for a potted plant. The width of the frames fit neatly into the pots. Use landscape

staples to secure to the dirt in the pot.

I have been working inside in my studio / sewing room. The weather this Summer has been unpredictable. On the positive side ,I have gotten some sewing done. My studio is finally getting some much needed touches. The pictures of the garden from above was taken from my studio window. At the very least I can find inspiration by looking out the window to the garden.

Hope you have a great day!

Debra

Creating simple Topiary

2009-07-19T19:49:00.028-04:00

God made rainy days so gardeners could get housework done

-Author unknown.

Okay not housework, but topiary.

I love topiary. I don't know why. Maybe it is my lust for control ... over something... really anything. Heaven knows I live in a house with teenagers who have schedules we accomplish at breakneck speeds .

The thought of being a lady of leisure, carefully clipping life back into shape some how appeals to me. A metaphor I know, but a woman can dream. I love topiary in the garden, the house, and in my needlework. The elegant balance of the formal hedges and the wild riot of flowers.

Remember these?

How to create embroidered topiary.

Recycling an old artificial Christmas tree into topiary.

Do these look familiar? From the fall wedding. Let me take you back. And here.

They are now painted white and in the garden. They will soon be topiary too.

A wire frame is the simplest and fastest way to create a topiary. Here is an inexpensive version you can create yourself.

Start with an inexpensive ivy or any kind of vine with long tendrils.

Using either an aluminum or brass wire hanger (they don't rust)

bend the wire to create a circle. You can use your hands or flip a bucket upside down and use it as a form. Straighten the hook. It should look like the example to the right.
You can create any shape, I just choose a circle.

Place the straightened end of the coat hanger into the center of the pot. Push it securely into the dirt.

Wrap the long tendrils of ivy around the wire circle. Add a second wire coat hanger and wire together on top where they meet.

Finished it is a pretty ivy ball for my kitchen counter.

When the plant is a little fuller, I can add another coat hanger and create 3 rings. It is that simple.

Next blog a humble tomato cage gets the Cinderella treatment. With a wave of spray paint and wire, it will transformed into a stunning addition to your garden. (and it won't turn into a pumpkin at midnight)

Take care,

Debra

Life in the Garden.

2009-07-16T06:33:00.015-04:00

-Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

We have been concentrating on the work in the garden. Our 5th Summer .

Here are a series of pictures. The later pictures of the garden are from an upstairs window. These pictures are before some the projects I will be sharing in the next few blogs.

Our entire lot is 1/2 an acre. The back yard is about 100 X 100.

When designing our yard, I looked for inspiration. I fell in love with the book "The Laskett "by Roy Strong. It is a story of his garden and his life with his wife Julia.

It is one of the smallest, but most gorgeous formal gardens in the UK. Created on a budget, over a period of time, by the husband and wife, and it has attracted many people including the Prince of Wales. It is based on a Renaissance Gardens. There is always a view in the distance in that style of garden. A view through an arch for example, drawing you forward to explore.

My Husband and I also love the gardens of Charleston and Savannah. The walled private spaces that you get only a small glimpse of. Intriguing and peaceful. It is what we wanted but on a very small scale for our yard. Certainly a challenge given our budget and growing season in the North East.

We decided to divide the yard into walkways and smaller areas. The feel when you are on the ground is actually of more space. Not what you would think of when offset with a wide open space. What we learned was the view unfolds. You don't view the garden as one big open rectangle. With more than one view the garden has more interest, more to offer lets say. It took a while for me to get this concept. I will let the pictures explain it:

Before the walkways are completed , views of you will see along the way.

The actual size of the yard viewed from above

Viewed from above the garden is only one view, you take it in only once. Viewed from many little areas, it seems larger, because it has intrigue and interest. The feel is completely different.

In the next few posts. I will share some of the projects in our 5th season. The pea gravel is done...all 96 bags of them. Glad to have that one checked off. Next on he list is simple topiary.

Thanks for joining me in the garden.

Debra

And the Winner is ...

2009-07-14T09:22:00.004-04:00

I decided to use a straw hat and ribbons to use for the drawing. Thoroughbred horse racing starts in about a 2 weeks here in Saratoga. The Summer hats will be out in a abundance during the between the Horse track and the Polo season.

And the winner of my little heart is.... Sheryl.

Congratulations!!!

What a great way to start my second year of blogging.

Debra

100th Blog and 1 year Anniversary Giveaway

2009-07-07T16:34:00.004-04:00

A friend is one before whom I may think aloud.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson.

As my first year of blogging closes I want to thank all of you for allowing me to think aloud.

In appreciation for your kindness and support I have a give away to celebrate.

The crazy quilt heart with the saying "Follow Your Heart" on the handle

is my creation for this giveaway. It is pictured in the collage above.

For a chance to win my heart, please leave a comment at the end of this blog post. I will choose a name randomly out of a hat on Tuesday July 14th. Please make sure you have an email address on your blog or leave one for me to contact you if you win.

It has been a pleasure and an honor to share these past months with you.

Thanks so much,

Debra

***Edited in on Sunday 7/12 I am adding a couple of names to the comments. I received messages that they were unable to add a comment. If you have any questions or problems email me at wagonwifedesigns@gmail.com to add your name to the comments by 7/13 for the drawing on 7/14/09. Hope this helps.

Giveaways, Giveaways... What fun!

2009-07-06T06:27:00.010-04:00

My 99th post and a year of blogging! Where did the time go?

It has taken a great deal of coffee and time at the computer to get to this point . My husband decided to just buy me a larger coffee cup. It saves time going from the computer to the coffee pot. It is actually a real cup, not a planter. It is a large reproduction of the vintage coffee cups found in American Diners in the 50's and 60's. Isn't it great? I love it.

Over the last year, your kindness, your friendship, and comments have truly touched my heart. In honor of the year and my 100th post, my next blog will feature my giveaway. Please stop back to join the fun.

Until the next post, there is a wonderful giveaway of 16 goodies bags at C&T Publishing with 3 ways to win. Join in the fun here .

Quote for Today

2009-07-01T07:28:00.007-04:00

I thought I would share my favorite part of the day. The sun is just rising. The angle of the sun makes the fountain sparkle. The world is quiet, only the birds are singing. It is a time of renewal.

"No seed shall perish which the soul hath sown"

- John Addington Symonds

Marble top table Completed

2009-06-29T07:35:00.013-04:00

If you have been following along with the last few posts, you have watched the plain wood table top transform into marble. The paint has dried and the side table is now in place at the foot of the stairway. I am very happy with the results.

We have had a busy weekend with graduation parties and working around the house. This is our 4th Summer with our garden. We created this landscape out of a muddy empty space. There were only a few mature trees on the lot. This year we added pea gravel to the garden walkways to create that old fashion feel. After adding 96 bags of gravel , we can now relax and tend to the garden.

.

Our former home of 20 years had a much larger lot. One of the reasons we chose this one, was it was a smaller lot and required less maintenance. We loved our gardens, both veggie and floral. We also had fruit trees and berry bushes in our former home. This garden also incorporated both items, but in different ways. We espaliered 8 fruit trees creating an arbor to fit the smaller area. The results have been fantastic as far as fruit production.

The fruit trees are just bursting with fruit after 3 years. I guess some of the old gardening methods d0 work well and look beautiful too !

Until next time...

Final Step of Marble Top Table-veins

2009-06-27T06:18:00.011-04:00

The final stage of creating the marble will be the veins that are added. The veins are the fracture like lines that are in real marble. I have seen home shows using feathers to create the veins. That is great, but I am not a professional. I needed a tool readily available to me, so I use a liner brush.
You can pick them up easily at a craft store and use it again on other projects. I thought it was a better investment.

First step:

Mix a bright white paint into the glaze : Check the prior blog for this step. Adding white to white does not photograph well.

Second step:

Using a similar technique to the brown drifts, angle the veins in a diagonal line going in the opposite direction of the drift. Roll and drag the paint brush to create the irregular veins. Again the make them thicker and thinner. Think of making an "X" with the vein and the drift. In real gold and black marble the two components go in opposite directions. Don't be afraid, the glaze does a great deal of the work. The thicker portions of the veins dry brighter, the thinner lighter. It gives the illusion that you are seeing the veins from different depths of the marble.
Soften areas with a soft brush to further create this illusion.

Make several branches on your veins. In this case less is more. Even though some marble has numerous cracks or veins, less is more when painting them. It looks less contrived, more natural in paint to have fewer veins. Experiment, this is your project, it is whatever is pleasing to you.

Use a good quality spray polyurethane to seal the finish. (I used a foam brush and a can of semi-gloss on the fireplace, but I wanted a smoother finish on the table) Gloss gives a more modern polished look. Semi-gloss looks better for the older antique quality. I used semi-gloss to create a more worn over time finish, instead of a newly polished look. Again the magic happens with you use the poly to bring all the colors alive in your marble.

Next blog I will show the dried piece decorated and back in service. An instant antique.

I would love to see what you create.

Until next time...

Let the fun begin - Marble table top step 2

2009-06-26T06:57:00.015-04:00

After the last blog, the primer was completed and dried. The next step, I used a foam roller and applied a black paint to the entire table top. Chose a color for use as a foundation color for your marble. This will be a black and gold type of marble, so black is the most dominate color. It has an antique quality to match the iron.

I have placed a small amount of faux glaze in the plastic container. You can buy it at any paint store or small amounts at the craft store. The glaze is white, but dries clear. Choose a color to create the drifts of minerals in your marble. In this case I am using a milk chocolate type of brown.

Mix the color into the glaze. The color is actually suspended in the glaze and will dry darker.

Using a round paint brush, roll the color onto the surface while dragging the brush at an angle. Imagine large "Y" designs across the surface. Make thicker and thinner areas. The glaze actually does most of the work. Also keep in mind that this is supposed to be stone. Stone is a natural. You really can't make a mistake, because nature is not perfect.

Soften the line with a soft brush. The goal of faux painting is to make sure you don't leave tell tale marks of whatever you are using to create the piece. Example: paintbrush or sponge marks. Make sure that the marks look natural not man made.

Mix another small batch of glaze this time with a color a few shades lighter than the original.

Using the lighter color and the same technique, add highlighted areas to your marble. Make sure you continue over the edge of the tabletop. Real marble would have color all the way through.

Next step is to seal it with water based polyurethane. This is when magic occurs. All the colors will come to life. You can stop here and your piece will look impressive, but tomorrow I will add the white veins to the marble. The poly lets me separate the two colors and creates the depth I look for. The marble fireplace in our family room had numerous layers and took many days to complete, but the results were worth it. This table top just takes a day or two to create, but so beautiful in the end. Join me for the final steps in the next blog.

Until tomorrow...

Marble Table Top Step one

2009-06-25T08:54:00.002-04:00

In the prior blog we worked on marbling pillar candles. Now you can step up to marbling a table top.

The Inspiration:

I needed a small hall table at the end of the stairs. This area connects our family room and breakfast area. We had a heavy cast iron fireplace screen from our former home. The iron blends with the stairway iron. The top railings are wood. I had a leftover scrap wood top that I added to the firescreen to create a table. When the photographer for the photo shoot of the house was here he suggested a scrap piece of granite. It was a great idea. We have several antique tables that have real marble tops. Instead of the cost of granite or stone, why not paint what I have. I love creating realistic versions of marble in paint. I am self taught, so if I can do this, so can you. It is easy . I promise

Step#1:

Using a foam roller cover the entire surface with a primer. I use an easy water clean up version. It saves a great deal of time both in clean up and drying time. Stay consistent. If you use oil paint, use oil based products throughout. Don't mix them with water based.
You can also have your primer tinted to the base coat of the marble. In this case it really does not matter. If I paint wood grain for example, I will tint it accordingly. Sometimes the white of the primer can change the final outcome.

While this coat dries I am off to add more pea gravel to the walkways in the garden.

Until next time...

Marble and Iron Candles

2009-06-24T09:35:00.008-04:00

Back in December 2008, a reporter asked if they could do a photo shoot of our home for an article due out in Dec 2009. The house was dressed for the season, but it needed a little tweaking. We had numerous white pillar candles from our daughter's wedding. For the photo shoot I marbled them using inexpensive gold craft paint and candle medium. They looked great with the Christmas greens and ornaments. They now need a little help to fit in with our everyday decor.

Our home is a French Country Style a friend designed with us. They iron & distressed wood beams give it a time worn elegance. I love wrought iron. It is the inspiration for this project.

Here are the supplies you will need:

Plain white pillar candles. (Keep in mind you can use any color candle and paint combo)

Craft paint and candle medium

Sea sponge or even crunched up plastic bag (make sure the ads are the inside)

Rubber Stamps of your choice, I chose a monogram and swirls

Stazon ink pad worked the best for me, but you can experiment.

First mix the craft paint and candle medium on a paper plate. Sponge it on your pillar candle and let it dry. When dry, stamp your design on the candle. This candle has the same stamp used in different directions. Also I used it twice in a row before re- inking the stamp. I like the one design bold and next design more faint. It gives more depth, but completely up to you.

You are good to go or you can embellish it further. I added pearls and crystals. If you do add the little extras, be careful that these candles are not within reach of small children. They can easily pull the crystals and pins off.

The candles would make a great gift too.

In the next few days a marble top created with paint is on my work schedule. It is really easy.

Until next time...

Father's Day

2009-06-21T12:24:00.009-04:00

It is very hard to take one day to thank your parents for all they have given you . To put your feelings into words no less. Dad I hope you know I love you very much even though we live so far apart and can not be together today.
Your quite strength and talks have helped to guide me through murky waters at times. I still enjoy our many conversations, although we have not solved the world's problems yet, they are always lively. I thank you for allowing me to be a Tomboy who loved dresses. Thank goodness I knew enough not to wear one when riding motor-cross cycles and throwing softballs.
(But my hair was always perfect- ha ha) Quite a change from a desert rat to a lady.
I have learned to be generous by your deeds, compassionate by your caring, and a better listener because of your quite reserve. I have learned to do the best with what I have because that is what you always do. I may not have inherited your coloring, but I am happy with your love of books and coffee. (By the way I have a new coffee pot just in time for your visit.)
For all you have done for me, I wish you a very Happy Father's Day.
Dad I Love you with all my heart.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Father's Day.

Until next time...

CQ Block completed

2009-06-20T08:28:00.010-04:00

The last block is completed. It will be mounted and framed. I hope my children will love them.

I will be working on some paint projects in the next few blogs. I will be working on faux marble if you would like to join in.

Until next time...

The Last Flower - Details

2009-06-15T06:25:00.007-04:00

We had a busy weekend. There was a two hour Flag Day parade. Saratoga Springs also had an Art Festival through out down town. There were painters and sculptors on different corners creating beautiful pieces. It was fun to see each working in their personal style. There were beautiful paintings of buildings and flowers. Some were done in oil, some in watercolors. A fabric sculptor was creating people right on the street. As we walked through town, different areas had bands or musicians adding to the party atmosphere. Theatre groups performed Shakespeare in the park. And our youngest was Glinda the good witch from the "Wizard of OZ" cheering on the literary 5K race. She was one of several theatre performers asked to dress as literary figure and stay in character to cheer on the people racing in hopes of raising money for the cause. We were told she was yelling , "Follow the yellow brick road, That's it, avoid the flying monkeys,..." Characters from the Great Gatsby to Moby Dick found their place to cheer. Although I was told Edgar Allen Poe was not very encouraging, but the crowd loved it. It was a great weekend.

I did find a little time to create. The flower now has detail. First 4mm silk ribbon is placed on each petal to create the detail. A center is covered with yellow perle cotton in colonial knots.

The center stamen was created by using stacked yellow cut beads.

Next post I hope to finish and show the completed piece.

Until next time...

The Last Corner

2009-06-12T07:58:00.006-04:00

The last corner of the CQ block is started. I love the blue flower (Bachelor Button),

but decided the petals were close to that of the red flower (Monarda).

The pink flower(Columbine) is the winner of the last corner.

The first petals are in place. The dimensional quality of the flower is created by ruched petals.

Only leaves and flower center is left. Then framing. I can't believe the blocks are almost done.

Until next time...

Sewn Blog Party Giveaway Winner

2009-06-08T07:28:00.010-04:00

It is finally here. I am so very excited. The kickoff for Sewn and my first ever giveaway. This has been so much fun, there had to be fireworks for this celebration. The Sewn site is up and running.

The invitation went out.

Over 100 responses came in. (Thank you to all who joined in!)

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Jennifer B.

I hope you will enjoy your gift. I would love to see what you create.

Soon it will be my 100th blog celebration giveaway. Where does the time go?

Until next time...

Decisions, Decisions

2009-06-06T07:06:00.012-04:00

I am down to the final section of the last crazy quilt block for my children. It is hard to believe this is the last little corner of the 3 blocks. I added some buttons I found in an Edinburgh shop for memories of our trip. Now I have to add the final piece of embroidery.

I went out to the garden for inspiration. I found I was not alone.

Perhaps a bird for the corner?

This would be an interesting flower.

Or this one?

Or a sculpture? Probably not with the horizontal space on the block.

I guess you will have to check back for the outcome of this decision.

In the meantime, don't forget about the Sewn blog party giveaway. It is the final weekend.

Until next time...