Sketching, Watercolor and Collage

Last week, I started another class with the wonderful and talented Jane LaFazio.  Our first lesson was to create a recipe using ingredients collaged onto a watercolor washed background.  I choose the meat rub I made as gifts this past Christmas.  In the center, I painted the little tin and added actual red raffia ribbon and the RUB tag that were on the gifts.

I always enjoy Jane's classes, we have a great time and learn so much.

December 2013 BOM

"Encore Star" is the last pattern of the Lucky Stars Block of the Month series.  Now I need to plan my quilt top using all of the beautiful stars I made during the past year.

Thank you "Don't Call Me Betsy" for offering these patterns of integrate paper pieced stars.

More Mini's

I never get tired of making the little mini wallets.  Here are some I made as gifts in the last 2 months.

Our daughter Paige, is opening a gallery in March and I made her a business card holder using her colors.  Good Luck Paige in your new adventure!!!

Getting Organized

Since I have become so fond of using up scrap fabrics, I really needed to organize them.  I found this set of plastic bins at Costco for only $17.00 and they are exactly what I needed.  Now I just need a bigger house to store all of my supplies!!

Still Working On 2013

I'm finally catching up with my Project Life journal.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was so cute - it's my cover page for the month of December.

BLOOM

15 minutes play blog asked followers to create a quilt using one word to describe their hopes for the new year.  I chose "BLOOM" - it inspires me to grow and find beauty in all things.

My quilt measures 8" x 28" and now hangs over my worktable to remind me of the joys that are ahead in 2014.

RUB

This Christmas, I gave out little tins of homemade rub.  They were a big hit and really easy to make.

1 1/3 c course sea salt or kosher salt
2/3 c dried parsley
1/4 c dried thyme
1/4 c dried rosemary
1/4 c coarse ground black pepper
2 T garlic powder
2 T dried minced onions, finely crushed

Mix all ingredients and spoon into eight 4-ounce tins.

To use:  lightly brush pork, beef, chicken or fish with olive oil.  Stir mixture and rub evenly on meat.  Let stand for 15 minutes then grill, fry or roast.  I put the instructions on the bottom of the tins.

ENJOY!

A New Year

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and I wish you a very Happy New Year.

I haven't posted for a while but with the start of 2014, I am looking forward to sharing new projects.

After seeing these cute little collaged cottages in the May/June 2013 issue of "Cloth Paper Scissors", I knew I wanted to make some as Christmas gifts.

Following their instructions, my husband cut house shapes out of 2 by 4 boards and I sanded them down.  I used gesso to adhere torn pages over the entire surface.  The article suggested painting them with acrylics but I was really unhappy with the results (the house on the right).  So, I switched to bright fabrics and used matte medium as a glue.

I personalized each cottage with the recipients house number over the door, added buttons, ribbons and paint to highlight designs.

This was a super fun project!