Heart #8

"One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter".    James Earl Jones

( An accordion card filled with verses and mixed media embellishments)

Today's post is a little late but  there haven't been much time to sit and get something written.  Tess is with us today.  After arriving very early this morning, she fell back asleep and slept late.  We have had a busy day since then.  Now it is nap time.

We are also getting more snow today.  It's been coming down steadily since very late last night.  At least six inches has accumulated and they say we could get at least another six or more in the area.

I have taken out ingredients for making dough for my favorite butter cookies. Once the dough is made it has to chill well before it can be rolled out and cut with cookie cutters.  Of course I'll be making heart shaped cookies.  There a numerous butter cookie recipes out there and I have tried a few to compare them.
The closest to my Gramma's is probably the one from Martha Stewart.  Sharing Gramma Schoumacher's Butter Cookie recipe with you:
          1 cup butter, usalted, softened
          3/4 cup granulated sugar
          1 egg
          3 cups sifted flour
          1 tsp. baking powder
          1/2 tsp. salt
          1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
          2 Tbsp. cream or milk
     Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and mix well.
     Add the  dry ingredients into the butter mixture a small amount at a time.  If the dough seems
     too thick, add the milk or cream 1 Tbsp at a time.  Add the vanilla and mix it well.
     Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill well.
      Divide dough into quarters.  Roll out dough, one quarter at a time on a lightly floured
      surface.  Cut shapes using desired cookie cutters.  Decorate with sprinkles or sanding sugar
      before baking.  (OR decorate with icings after the cookies are cooled.)
      Bake at 400 degrees for 5 to 8 minutes on ungreased, parchment covered sheets.
     (When using butter the cookies can burn easily.  Be sure to use a timer and watch them.)
Once my baking is done I will show the finished product!

Heart #7

 "The  greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart."      Anonymous

 (Stamped image, colored and mounted on a small canvas)

Yes, the Saints win!  No I didn't watch ... I like football but I'm not into all the crazy Super Bowl  hype.  And the fact that our team was not a part of this makes it even more reason not to make a big deal out of this.  BUT, I was so glad to hear that the Saints did win.

I had plans to get some things started today but must admit that I didn't accomplish much at all.  Don't we all need days like that?

We went out the hung the curtains that I made and have to admit they look very nice.  It made a huge difference in the way the room looks now.  Forgot the camera, so I can't share photos.

Heart #6

"For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it".      Anonymous

Today happens to be Super Bowl Sunday. So who do you want to win?  Mike's making a crock pot of chili for anybody that comes by today.  There is some light snow in the air.  (More is forecast for Monday thru Wednesday.)  I finished the panels that I was sewing.  I believe it was the fabric that was causing the sewing problems, but I'm still taken the machine in for a "check-up".  So it's time to get back to quilting, sewing, crafting and making some things for Valentine's Day next Sunday.  I'll not be able to share anything handmade today, but I'm in the process of constructing a ornament/card made from hearts.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Heart #5

"Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much."      Anonymous

Today is going to be filled with a lot of little things that must be done.  This post will be short.  Above is another "heart quote" to share and a few photos of hearts throughout the house.  Enjoy your Saturday!

Heart #4

    " Where so ever you go, go with all your heart".     Confucius


Today I have two things to share with you.  Yesterday I mentioned that I was working on a felt pouch to protect and hold my iPod Touch.  I did finish it last evening.

 It's a very simple design that is put together with Fabri-Tac glue and a few small stitches here and there.  I had several different ideas for embellishing the pouch, like buttons, beads and some sparkling jewels, but chose to just do an simple blanket stitch around the heart shape with red metallic thread.  I was concerned that carrying the pouch in a purse or pocket it would get bounced around and the add-ons would loosen and fall off.  On the opposite side of the pouch is a small pocket to hold the earphones.

The second thing to share is another magazine I came across on Wednesday while grocery shopping.  There is a special interest publication by Better Homes and Garden called "Mixing Bowl.com" available till April 27th.  It is filled with a wonderful variety of recipes.  Fresh ideas for meals and treats.  Each recipe has a photo to correspond so you can see how the finished dish will look.  I don't remember seeing this publication before, but for some new twists on some meal ideas it might just be worth picking up. And also check out the website ... that's worth a look too!

Heart #3

"Educating your mind without educating your heart is no education at all".     Aristotle

Working today to finish up on curtains that I am sewing for my son and daughter-in-law.  They moved into a larger house this fall and are in need of some new window treatments.  Many windows had either original, old, dusty out-of-date colored shades and some had nothing.  The family room has been painted in a new color palette.  The "country blue" shades just don't look too good.

The panels are about complete, but the sewing machine started acting up.  After several attempts to solve the problem I gave up.  So today I will be looking to see if the problem can be solved or else it will have to go in for repair.  Luckily I have a back-up machine, not the best, but it will let me finish the hems.

Last night while watching and listening to "inspired at home's pajama party" on facebook, I made a neat little holder for my iPod Touch.  It's made from wool felt.  Going to finish up that later today too.  I'll post a photo when it's complete.  It needs some embellishing!

Heart #2

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, 
but only a few that will catch your heart ... pursue those"   Michael Nolan

Sharing a little project I made a while ago.  Again it is a mix of materials, like metal, felt and paints.

Working with metal is fun.  Just like other mediums that I work with I like to push its limits. I will have to share some other pieces that I have done using metals.  For now enjoy my "Faux Enameled Heart Pendant".

Hearts

January is gone and February is here.  I had an idea to share something related to "hearts" for the first fourteen days of February, ending with a Valentine wish to you.  I'm one day behind.

Truthfully, this is an idea I had for a while, but I've been so busy with a number of things that nothing is prepared.  So my plan is to come up with some idea each day and I'll surprise you and myself.

The first "heart" is the front of one of the cards that I had made for Beacon Adhesive display at CHA.
One of my favorite things to do is combine materials.  Felt was die-cut using a Sizzix Big Shot and dies, along with card stock for the inside of the card.  The little crocheted heart is leftover from a project I did last year for Valentine's Day.  The ribbon and button are from my stash of embellishments.  Simple materials, put together in a simple way too say
"I love you".