DCC July Blog Theme - Vacation

So yesterday was the first Monday in this new month of July - that means a new post for the Designer Craft Connection Blog.  I'm taking this month off, so let's just say - "I'M ON VACATION!"

It will be a busy month though.  Thee are a number of things happening throughout the month that I'm really looking forward to.  Personally, it's going to be difficult in some ways, but with many " happenings" I hope it will be good therapy.

With a trip planned later this month, I am working on a small project that is related to this months theme, but will not be able to share it with you till the time of the trip or after.

I have been reading the blog posts that have been posted already and once again there are a wonderful variety of ideas for the readers.  So stay cool inside and hop around the blogs to collect some "summer/vacation" inspiration.

Thought I would share an old post with a recipe for using one of Summer's favorite crops:
(Though it's been a bit too hot to bake anything lately.) :
http://madelinesthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/blueberry-sour-cream-pound-cake-with.html

June Edition of DCC Blog Hop - Picnic Anyone?

Yes, I'm a little late to posting this month.  Even though I hadn't planned on sharing a monthly themed "creation" I will share something a bit different.

With the calendar now turned to the month of June and the first of the summer holidays passed us, we can  "go all out" and think of outside fun.  The one old-fashioned, timeless act of a PICNIC is still around.

Thinking about picnics brought to mind my small collection of metal picnic baskets and a couple of tin lunch pails and a woven wood picnic basket for one or two.

What else is better to share then some ideas and recipes to put in those picnic containers.   Whether the plan is a all-day picnic at the beach, forest preserve or city park or something for just a couple of hours, make it special with some easy homemade touches.   (TIP: Pack anything perishable into a cooler filled with ice packs. Transfer to picnic basket at destination and enjoy!)  Craft some sandwiches that travel well and wrap in parchment paper.  Freeze some water bottles or drinks in bottles before packing for the picnic.  (TIP: Do not fill to top, allow for expansion.) The drinks will defrost slowly and remain cold.  Pack and use recyclable utensils and extra items, carry some extra ziplock bags to place dirty, reusable items. Think "Green" and limit the disposables. These are just a few ideas to help with picnic plans.

Now we all have "favorites" when it comes to picnic and summer foods.  My list is fairly long but some are better for dinners on the deck, Bar-B-Ques, camping trips, family gatherings or other outdoor events.

Here are only two yummy recipes - One a easy snack and the other a great dessert.
Dilly Oyster Crackers
1 (1.6 oz.) package of ranch style salad dressing mix
1 Tablespoon of dill weed
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 (16 oz.) package of oyster crackers, unseasoned
1 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, combine dressing mix, dill weed, and garlic powder.  Add crackers and blend throughly.  Pour oil over this mixture and stir throughly; allow the crackers to absorb oil and seasonings.  Store in an airtight container.  Yields: 8 cups.

Take along a container or ziplock bag for snacking.

NOTE:  I have used various forms of this recipe and in most I have placed the crackers on a large lipped  baking pan and bake at 250 or 300 for 15 to 20 minutes for crisp the crackers.  Also stir them once or twice during the baking.

Picnic Sheet Cake

Step 1: Bring to a boil: 2 sticks of margarine, 1 cup of water, 4 Tablespoons of cocoa
Step 2: Min in a large bowl: 2 cups sugar, 2 cups sifted flour, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 cup sour cream.  Set aside.
When "Step 1" is cool, add to the dry ingredients (Step 2).  Mix well.
Grease a cookie sheet with sides (approx. size: 14 1/2 - 15 1/2 long by 10 1/2 wide).
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Icing: Bring to a boil: 1 stick of margarine, 6 Tablespoons of milk, 4 Tablespoons of cocoa.  Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla and one box of confectioners sugar, sifted.  (Sifting helps keep lumps from forming in icing.)

Ice cake while hot.  Set aside to cool or place in refrigerator before cutting and taking along.  This cake is very moist.

Get out and plan a day in the city or country.  Pack up a basket for yourself and another or a whole bunch of people and enjoy!

Before leaving - Hop on through the blogs (use the blue DCC button at the top right) and check out the ideas the group has to share with you.
  

Seasons, Home & Holidays

"The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other."  - Arthur Rubenstein

The summer season is upon us once again.  We had a little tease a few months back which caused so much of nature to be fooled into plants blooming much earlier then usual.  The weather sure can be fickle!

Now we are approaching the first "holiday" of the summer season.  We celebrate Memorial Day on the last week-end of May, instead of it's true date of May 30th, and it will be here in a few days.  Where or where do these days go?  Didn't we just celebrate Easter?

With the beautiful weather this past week-end I decided to do a little annual summer planting.  The plan this season is to keep it easy to take care of.  I do enjoy visiting Garden Centers and Nurseries to see all the wonderful plants and look for the unusual or interesting.  I may ask the family to help me dig up a small area near the garage to plant a hydrangea.  I have come to love the new varieties there are.  Some favorites I planted are a new very vibrant petunia, Superbells (love the colors these come in), Sweet Potato Vine and African Daisies (love the shades of these too).

        "Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun."  -  Kahlil Gibran

With all three summer holidays being very "American"  I put together a quick banner to hang from the porch railing.  Took several flags off sticks and glued them to a cotton cord and then added gold foil stars for a homemade "All-American" easy decoration. 

Had to come up with another idea for a banner to hang above the fireplace.  Again I pulled out my trusty Sizzix Big Shot and dies, some paper punches and a bunch of scraps to create a banner for my 

"Home Sweet Home"!

Materials:
Variety of paper scraps
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Dies: Original Pocket, Rectangles, Round A Bout Alphabet, Over the edge "On the Fence", Mini Paper Rosettes, Tiny Tabs & Tags
McGill Paper Punch, Mini Flowers
EK Success Leaf Punch
EK Heart Punch
Mini Rick-Rack
Beacon Adhesive Zip Dry Glue
Ranger Stickles
Ranger Distress Paint-Picket Fence

Here is a link to the post from last summer with another banner idea:
http://madelinesthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/06/junes-designer-craft-connection-red.html
This will be going back up for the summer to replace the "butterfly & flower" garland in another spot.

ImpressArt Metal Stamp Challenge

Let me begin just by saying this challenge was fun and I am so grateful that I was able to participate.  So much to share and so much to tell so let's begin...

I was unfamiliar with the products by ImpressArt and when the package came with the materials to be used for the challenge, I must admit I found it a real challenge...but I'm always up to the challenge and happy to try and learn something new.  I have had experience working with metal but embossed metal work, not stamping.  After playing a little with the materials sent I came up with four different projects.  The main project that you will see here is one where I use several items in the package received and tried to use them a little differently.

Catch A Dream
Materials
ImpressArt Alphabet Stamp Set, Newsprint
ImpressArt Design Stamp, Fun Star
ImpressArt Stamping Blanks
     Petal 2", Nickel Silver
     Chandelier with ring, Copper
     Feather with ring (1 1/16"), Brass
     Star with ring (7/8"), Brass
ImpressArt Metal Stamping Hammer
ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block
ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape
Mercart metal 3 or 4 prong scratch tool
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Diamond #2 Die
The Warm Company Steam-a-Seam
Paper, colored
Fabric Scrap
Metal Scrap (or a Chipboard Scrap)
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber, Copper
Ranger Crackle Accents
Ranger Distress Stain or Distress Ink Pad, Broken China
Ranger Adirondack Marker, Pitch Black
Natural Thin Jute Cord, May Arts
Beads
Paper Awl
Jump Rings
Jewelry Pliers
Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip

Metal Pieces:
1.  Begin with the Copper Chandelier shape; place on stamping block and with stamping hammer, hit piece repeatedly to give the piece a "hammered metal" look.
2.   Use two small pieces of the tape to hold the brass star w/ ring onto the stamping block.  Using the "fun star", hammer the design randomly on the surface of the entire star.  Rub the surface with the black Adirondack marker; then wipe the surface with a small soft cloth or paper towel to remove the surface ink.

3.  Tape the brass feather w/ring onto the stamping block. Use the "dash" from the alphabet set to stamp a line down the center of the feather shape.  Draw the scratch tool from the line out to the edge to texture a featherlike look to the piece.
4.  Attach the chandelier shape onto the silver petal shape with a small amount of Quick Grip before stamping the word "dream".  NOTE: Refer to photo of piece for placement.

5.   Tape the layered piece onto the stamping block to hold in place.  Apply a piece of tape along the petal piece just below the area the word will be stamped.  NOTE: Mark with a line as a guide for each letter.  Strike the metal stamp with medium pressure to make the impression for each letter. Color over with the marker and wipe before ink sets to make letters pop.
Diamond shape:
NOTE: I use a product called Steam-a-Seam to adhere fabric and paper to surfaces, but a glue could be used instead if desired.
6.   Crumble the paper scrap and then smooth.  Randomly wipe the surface with the copper paint.
7.   Iron the the Steam-a-Seam to the back of the paper and fabric scrap.
8.   Swipe the surface of the fabric scrap with the ink or stain.  If using the stain, after applying, wipe the surface with a paper towel to remove access stain.

9.   Die-cut a diamond shape from the paper, the fabric and metal scraps.
10.  Align the three layers and iron to adhere them together.
11.  Apply Crackle Accent to the paper side of the diamond and allow to dry and crack.

12   Glue the petal/chandelier piece onto the diamond shape using Quick Grip
13.  With paper awl, drill two holes (slowly) into the lower sides of the diamond to hang star & feather charms.

14.  Attach charms with jump rings and jewelry pliers.
15.  Place a jump ring into the ring on the chandelier piece.
16.  Thread four lengths of the thin jute through the jump ring.
17.  String on desired style and amount of beads.

***I chose to use a variety of metal tones and the turquoise color, jute and beads to give the piece a "dream catcher" look.

THE CONTEST
There is a Facebook contest running along with this hop. The contest will run from May 12th through midnight, May 21st.  The Grand Prize is valued up to $120.00 and contains:
1-ImpressArt Alphabet Set (Winner's Choice)
1 ImpressArt Steel Stamping Block, small
1-ImpressArt Metal Stamping Hammer
1-ImpressArt Stamp Straight Tape roll
An Assortment of Metal Discs

To enter the contest, go to this link and follow directions to enter:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ImpressArt/155664424487844?sk=app 194975693850063


Now hop on through the other blogs for more inspiration, using the blue "Designer Craft Connection" button at the top right or begin at Theresa Cifali page linked here.

Three other ideas that I made using the ImpressArt blanks and stamps and various other materials:

"Sunny Smile"-hammered edges with stamping

"Mom's Love"-blank with stamped layer

"Feel Tagged"-different metal surface/inked

Designer Craft Connection - May Edition & More

Here we are the first Monday of the month, when DCC has another round of ideas to hop around to.  This month I will not be participating, but I will be promoting those that are, plus some other news.

This month's theme was "Quick & Easy Jewelry ideas".  You can start at this link - and then hop through the bolts of those participating for some inspiration.  Or click on the same logo that is located in the right sidebar of my blog to begin the hop.

Later this week I will be a part of a "challenge"using products by Impress Art.  These products are something new to me and I was excited to take part in this and try something slightly unfamiliar to me. There is a "GIVE AWAY" for this hop and this photo shows what the winner will receive.

This challenge takes place May 12th.  There are at least 20 designers who will be involved.  I myself can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.  I've been working on a few ideas and hope that it will help those reading the blogs to try something new.  More information on Saturday, May 12th, the date of this hop and challenge.

Though I'm not part of this months hop on Friday, our little quilting group went on our own hop of some of the quilt shops not too far from where we live.  There were eight shops involved, though we only visited two, plus a wonderful yarn shop and had a delightful lunch in historic downtown of Crystal Lake.

Williams Street, Crystal Lake

The first was "Quilt in Joy",  located in Huntley, Illinois.  It was packed with an amazing array of fabrics and ideas.

Vintage display

Waiting to check out

Then it was on to Crystal Lake, for lunch at Benedict's ( the second of only two very good unique eateries).  The second quilt shop was "Material Girl", located in a truly vintage storefront that shows it's old-fashioned charm.  The last stop was to "Sunflower Samplings" which sells unique gifts, but has an gorgeous selection of yarns that only a speciality shop like theirs sells.  I did purchase a ball of yarn to make myself a quick, airy light weight scarf for the summer.

We were on the hunt for fabric for an upcoming project that we will be sewing in June at our monthly get together.  Here are the fabric combinations I bought to make samples of the "sew easy table runner" that I will be instructing the group to make.  Will share what becomes of these here in June.

I'm a little late getting this post up since I was away for part of the week-end but have already had the chance to check out a few of the "quick & easy jewelry" ideas that other designers have posted on their blogs and WOW ... fun ideas!  So start hopping through and more coming soon!

Designer Craft Connection Monday - April Flowers

Flower blooms on the trees, flower blooms from the ground ... flowers appearing here and there and everywhere.

I'll be sharing a little "flowery" wearable that I created for myself to wear on Easter.  Of course when I think about an idea, I usually turn first to my Sizzix dies.  Second to all the scraps of fabrics and papers and other supplies I have around my workroom before heading out to a store. For the flowers I used Eileen Hull's Bow, Create-a-Flower die, along with her Leaves die.  Two very handy dies to own and use!

Fabrics used in this project are scraps on hand that were stiffened with Beacon Adhesives Stiffen Stuff™ or fused with Warm Company Steam a Seam sheets.  Both methods give the fabrics extra body. I used the  medium and small patterns for the flowers. Colored the edges of the petals with a touch of Distress Ink in a co-ordinating color.  To form the flowers I stitched them together, instead of using a paper brad.  Finished each flower off with a button.  Leaves were scraps of the papers I used for the flower garland banner from my earlier post.  The paper was crinkled before die-cutting and then inked with Ranger Tim Holtz Pine Needle Distress Ink.  To layer the finished flowers, I die-cut a heart shapes from green felt and canvas scraps,  using Heart #1 from the original red Sizzix die.  Glued the two pieces together, punched holes and re-enforced them with eyelets. Found enough beads to co-ordinate and threaded them on jewelry thread.  Finished the necklace with a green silk ribbon. The finished flowers and leaves are finally glued onto the heart background.  Finished project a simple flowery, Spring necklace.

So take some time to "Hop" through the blogs once again for creative ideas.  Follow the blue Designer Craft Connection button at the top right.

Spring Arrives

Wow what week we have had here weather wise!  It's officially Springtime by the calendar, but several days of 80+ weather brought us a very early arrival of buds bursting with green and other colors.  Call me crazy but I like a more gradual shift from spring to summer.  That shift seems to me happening much quicker these past several years.  I figured flowers outside would have to wait at least a few weeks so I would bring some flowers inside with a new project.  All my crocus' and dutch iris and daffodils are blooming like crazy! (Update: Tonight the temps drop again and expected high for Monday will be in the 40's.  When you live in the Midwest - wait a little while and the weather can shift.)

Anyway ... I completed a "blooming" banner for my mantle and would like to share it with you.  Out came the Sizzix Big Shot, DCWV papers, Eileen Hull dies,   other Sizzix dies and a couple of Sizzix embossing folders.

Once I decided on the words for the banner, I used the Sizzix die, Album, Scallop/Circle by Brenda Pinnick to cut a "circle" background base for each flower. One side of each base piece was painted with a green acrylic paint.

All the flower petals were cut from various shades of DCWV textured paper as well as the leaves. The flower petals were then embossed with a large dot embossing folder and the leaves embossed with a small dot folder.  My flowers used 8 large petals, 7 small petals and 2 large leaves. Another green paper was used to cut 12" x 1/2" strips for the stems.  Each is folded in half.  Circles for each flower are cut from the Original Circle die for the center of each flower from a handmade, textured brown paper.

NOTE:  I shaded the edges of all the petals and leaves with Antique Linen Ranger Distress Ink.  I didn't want the white inner core of the paper to show.  A darker ink could be used in place or a coordinating color.  It's your choice.


When all pieces are cut, embossed and inked the flowers can be assembled.  Glue the folded strip onto the background circle base at the bottom, opposite the little punched tab on this piece.  NOTE: Refer to photo.  Glue the two leaves onto the stem as shown in the photo. Use one of the center circles to mark the background bases center area as a guide for glueing.  Glue the eight large petals in place spacing them to your liking.  Layer on the smaller petals over the larger ones, again spacing them to your liking all around.  Glue the center brown circle in place.

I used leftover acrylic bubble letters from the Valentine banner I made last month, placing them onto the brown paper centers.  Just to add a little bit of glitz, Ranger Silver Ice, Ice Stickles was applied around each center.

Little clothespin clips hold the flowers onto a cord and a row of blooming flowers appear across the mantle for Spring!

Click on the "Sizzix Spring Linky" here to link to Eileen Hull's blog.  You are bound to find several wonder ideas for Spring and Eileen's dies from many talented people.   

http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Decorating For Spring

The calendar says March, our clocks "sprung ahead" this week-end, the tiny crocus' bulbs that poked through the earth, during a warm spell, weeks ago are now blooming.  (How can anyone not smile when you see these little blooms?)  I guess it's time to THINK SPRING!

Sharing a quick post of a new decoration I made the other day for this new Season.

I purchased a package of Creatology™ white butterflies at Michael's, using one of the coupons in their flyer, plus a forsythia garland that was also on sale.  To cover the butterflies, I used an iron-on material to back scraps of fabrics.  Ironed the fabrics onto the shapes and trimmed them.  Baby rick-rack was glued around the edges of each shape. Half of a gold tinsel stem was pushed through holes punched at the top of the butterfly and shaped into antenna. I made up a pattern for the body and head and cut them from felt scraps, then glued to the center of each butterfly. Using fabric paint, eyes are dotted on the head.  To add a little sparkle, I brushed each with a glitter glue.  The final step was to thread a clear monofilament at the top to hang the butterflies from the garland.  A very simple decoration to make and add some "springtime" to you house.

I will be heading outside for a little walk after this, to take in the sun and warmer weather that has arrived the past few days.  On returning, it's time to bring out the other spring decorations.  I also will be starting a new "banner" project for the mantle that I hope to share with everyone next week.

Hope there are signs of Spring where you live!