Paper Cut Winter Scene in a Glass Dome! Cosy Winter Scarf! Sunny Days Quilt! Sew a Needle Case Lanyard! Felt Tuxedo Wine Glass Charms! Easy Hanging Towel Tutorial! Knitted Alder Wrap by Kaffe Fassett! A Festive Christmas Mug Rug! Cross Stitch Candy C (2024)

It was just before Christmas and the magistrate was in a happy mood. He asked the prisoner who was in the dock, ‘What are you charged with?’

The prisoner replied, ‘Doing my Christmas shopping too early.’

‘That’s no crime’, said the magistrate. ‘Just how early were you doing this shopping?’

‘Before the shop opened’, answered the prisoner.

Artists or art that turns me on and feeds my muse! Like it or dislike it, what about this art inspires your own art or creativity? This is artist,Terry DeLapp’s, 2010 painting,Storm Over Hanford.

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft? Luminescent tile.

You can’t get a less expensive craft than paper and scissors. This is a very forgiving paper cut. Trees aren’t perfect, nor is grass, nor does your cutting have to be perfect. This Paper Cut Winter Scene in a Glass Dome, using a flickering faux candle can really warm up a room — and what a nice gift, too! Here’s where you start:

http://liagriffith.com/paper-cut-winter-scene-in-a-glass-dome/

How frustrating to keep seeing scarves that are knitted and crocheted and you don’t knit or crochet! Well, Daddy’s got the answer for you sewists! Make yourself a fabric scarf for to block the cold drafts this winter. Use this basic Cosy Winter Scarf tutorial, then add your own spin . . . patchwork, embellishments, hand dyes, etc. Here’s where you begin:

http://ideas.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk/cosy-winter-scarf/

Chicken alla Cacciatore is a popular dish in Northern Italy. The hunter’s stew is typically made with the catch of the day, i.e. rabbit. This version uses chicken, which is braised in wine, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms. Serve over polenta.

INGREDIENTS:

• extra-virgin olive oil
• onions
• garlic
• all-purpose flour
• chicken thighs
• salt
• ground pepper
• dry white wine, or vermouth
• button mushrooms
• tomatoes
• reduced-sodium chicken broth
• bay leaves
• chopped fresh rosemary, or dried
• cornmeal
• cold water
• salt
• fresh basil

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/hunters_chicken_stew.html

Less than 25days until New Year’s Eve, you might want to start on these cute Felt Tuxedo Wine Glass Charms. They are super easy to make and so much more fun than a cheesy charm hooked to a glass stem. You can make these lickity split, so make a dozen — you never know who is going to show up! Start here:

http://www.sewmccool.com/felt-tuxedo-wine-glass-charms/

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. reposado tequila
½ oz. Grand Marnier
¼ oz. crème de cacao
¾ oz.horchata(made from scratch, or purchased at Mexican shops or restaurants)
1 whole egg (pasteurized if you like)
Tools: shaker, strainer, fine strainer
Glass: rocks glass
Garnish: orange wheel

Add all ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and double strain into a rocks glass. Garnish.

Website:http://imbibemagazine.blogspot.com/2013/12/25-days-of-christmas-co*cktails-day-15.html

IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET:

For well over 2 years, I have been posting up to 20 links per day or every other day, on theMark Lipinski’s Fan Pageon Facebook. Of course, in Facebook’s never ending quest to make lots of money, Facebook seems to have abandoned their mission of a real social networking site and it has become more about Facebook revenue.

Several months ago, Facebook, without warning, had implemented a new business model. As a result, the vast majority of “LIKErs” who have been faithful readers of this Fan Page have been blocked from receiving my posts, time and time again, from getting all or a few of the postings onto their timeline feed.

The reason is, Facebook would like pages like,Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page, to pay money every day, and on every post, in order to advertise and lure readers like you, onto the Fan Page.

With out “BOOSTING” a post, only about 5% of people who clicked LIKE on the Fan Page are actually seeing anything I post — and it could be random – sometimes you get a post, and sometimes not. Basically, it sucks for all of us. I am finding that we are all better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to my blog. You can subscribe to my blog (only if you wan to) and get an email each time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc.

I AM NOT shutting downMark Lipinski’sFan Pageon Facebook and you are welcome to follow methere, too. What I am doing is putting everything that used to be on theFan Pageindividually onto my blog, AND there will be a daily link to the idea blog on theFan Page, just as there were multiple links to the various blogs that I’ve always linked to in the past. It’s not that different, really. It will save me a lot of time, and guarantee those who want to see the creative posts will actually get to see them. And Facebookers, will STILL have to click on “GET NOTIFICATIONS” in your Facebook Settings if they want to see what I post on Facebook (sometimes that works, but not all of the time).

Actually, my new model gives you at least TWO ways to get all of the ideas, etc. PLUS you can PIN them and they will be TAGGED so you can find them again in the search bar even years later. – through theFACEBOOK FAN PAGEand YOUR CHOICE (not mandatory) to subscribe to the blog and get email postings that way.

Josephine Hague’s colorful cloth-covered bird models roost on mirrors and lend a whimsical air to their surroundings. The Somerset-based artist comprises her birds of Japanese and vintage floral fabric strips, resulting in a cheerful patchwork of vibrant textures and hues.

Josephine Hague’s website

I love mug rugs and I cherish the mug rugs that you cupcakes send to me. I use them all of the time! Here’s a festive Christmas mug rug that can hold a candy cane, for now, or a spoon if you must be practical. I love the touch of Rick Rack trim that the designer included. Here’s how you make one:

http://patches.typepad.com/notes_from_the_patch/2013/10/tutorial-tuesday-58-mug-rugs.html

It is the reason for the season after all. Here’s an easy and inexpensive nativity to create for a side table that celebrates the Christian side of Christmas. Look, I’m not religious at all, but I do like to have a nativity in my house, at least a little one, during the season. Why not? Start here:

http://theletteredcottage.net/cookie-jar-christmas-craft/

I love this romantic Alder Wrap designed by Kaffe Fassett. Knitted using Rowan’s Kidsilk Haze, it makes for a delicate, yet warm wrap for chilly days. Here’s the pattern:

http://www.knitrowan.com/files/patterns/Alder.pdf

The smell of lemon leaves is such a welcome scent, and where better than in your kitchen or on your desk? Growing lemon seeds is super easy. Just soak them, wait for germination, then plant. Follow the photos. You won’t be sorry. xoxom

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

For the dough:

all-purpose flour
sugar
salt
instant yeast
whole milk
unsalted butter
water
eggs

For the toppings:

pizza or marinara sauce
mozzarella cheese
pepperoni
unsalted butter
garlic

Avon milk glass scented candle holder.

And now a word from our sponsor . . .

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

FOR THE FULL RECIPES, CLICK THE LINKS:http://www.completelydelicious.com/2013/12/white-chocolate-peppermint-cookies.html

I love this little cross stitch ornament worked up on linen (if you’re still using Aida cloth, please stop). Here’s the pattern. Don’t know how to cross stitch but always wanted to learn? Need a lesson on stitching on linen? Give me a call and stop over. I’d be happy to teach you! xoxom Here’s the pattern:

http://www.madame-la-fee.com/images/grilles_gratuites/va_candycane.pdf

Giuliano Italian Renaissance Revival Pendant with Diamonds, Emerald & Rubies,$50,000

I just replaced all of my lightbulbs with HAPPY LIGHTS. This daylight savings time is killing me. So why not pice a Sunny Days pattern from McCall’s Quilting magazine? Cheer yourself up without happy lights. Here’s the pattern:

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/content_downloads/Sunny_Days.pdf

Rene Caovilla
80th Anniversary Glittery Feather Ankle-Wrap Sandal, $1,175.00

I can’t tell you how many needle books I have but I can never find them when I need them. This Sew A Needlebook is on a lanyard, so it slips around your neck and the needle you want is always there when you need it. Here’s how to sew one:

http://www.sewmccool.com/sew-a-needlebook-lanyard/

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

For the Crust:
Graham cracker crumbs
malted milk powder
granulated sugar
kosher salt
unsalted butter, melted
heavy cream

For the Chocolate Filling:
bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
heavy cream
light corn syrup
unsalted butter

For the Marshmallow Topping:
marshmallows

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:http://www.browneyedbaker.com/no-bake-smores-pie-recipe/

This is the cutest ornament and so easy to make, too. Wouldn’t they be a great addition to your gift wrapping — once you get the hang of it, you can even personalize the cup on the outside OR the inside! Cool, right? Here’s where you find the tutorial:

http://loraine-breakfastfordinner.blogspot.com/2011/11/hot-chocolate-ornaments.html

I’ve seen this hanging towel thingy before, but I like the ‘cuff’ on this particular design, don’t you? It kind of dresses it up a little. Here’s the pattern:

http://hotflashncraftn.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-hanging-towel-tutorial.html

Did You Miss Saturday’s Book Reviews?

Check it out here:https://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/its-book-review-saturday-3/

“Slow Down To Appreciate The Details,Refine Your Vision,

And Hone Your Skills”

http://theslowstitchingmovement.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/slowing-down-to-appreciate-the-details-refine-your-vision-and-hone-your-skills/

You will love hearing about textile artist, Liz Kettle‘s, daily meditation stitching and her thoughts on The Slow Stitching Movement! Listen to her podcast here:

http://www.slowstitching.com/podcasts.html

The Slow Stitching Movement Podcast’s are sponsored by Aurifil

One creative’s hoard is another creative’s treasure . . . read on:

When I beganThe Slow Stitching MovementI asked stitchers and quilters to reduce their impact on the planet and their creative psyches by letting go of the stash of books, papers, patterns fabrics, and tools that they have been collecting over many years and haven’t used. I have been preaching to myself. So, in an effort to put my money where my mouth is, to open my creativity by being less boxed in by ‘stuff’, I have begun posting boxes of book and fabric bundles on eBay for various charities.

Here’s how I price the packages . . . I researchthe amount an individual could buy each of these books orfabricss, pre-owned, at their lowest online price. I total the price, split it in half and add Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping (about $12.65). Then I add a little surprise from my stash as a bonus (it could be extra fabrics, a book ,or notion).

I WILL BE ADDING AT LEAST ONE NEW PRIORITY MAIL BOX FULL OF GOODIES

TO THE eBAY LISTINGS EVERY DAY!

Please visit my eBay store to do me, you, and a few of my local charities a favor and check out my eBay store for what I’ve listed each day:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/toughnj/m.html?item=111525554371&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Here aretoday’s listings:

Just cut and paste this into an email or post on your Facebook andTwitter pages:

I LOVE this blog and think you will, too! Check it out: https://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com

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