Monday, January 31, 2011

Italian dipping sauce-Bagna cauda


Bagna Cauda recipe.............
1 stick of butter- 2 T good olive oil-i can of anchovies, 1 tablespoon of chopped fine garlic. Heat and stir until anchovies are mashed, serve with crusty Italian bread and Napa cabbage. Very good with raw vegetables too. My granmma made this for us when I was a child and all my family really loves it!!

Friday, January 28, 2011

"Jennifer"



Thanks to Etsy's Rhonda.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Just Reflecting!


Periodically I put this up on the blog, usually when I am feeling that even though I do a lot of good in my relationships with people, I am not always given that in return. Should I expect it? Oprah says, you do good you get back good. I would never pass up a phone call because I would be afraid that someone would need my assistance, my words of encouragement, my comfort. People call and they say "Are you busy" No matter what I am working on or doing, I would put it down for my family or a friend. Sometimes I say it "Not too busy for you" I am not trying to sound like some saint, I do not enjoy insulting people or making them feel bad about themselves, I say you stand on your own merit, everyone does some things better than others but everyone has their niche in life. There are people that excel at being a great mother, that yell a lot but have shining clean and well taken care of children. That takes time to say "I love you" and teaches them the important things in life. I believe that teaching a child to respect his possessions is high on the list of things a Mom should do. Well here it is, this wise piece that was written(not by me):

I no longer place much importance on an exalted love for everyone and everything. It isn't likely or even practical that each of us will be able to truly love everyone else. There are simply too many human failings of the heart to allow it. I do believe kindness and compassion are always possible, even when love isn't, and that they spring from courage and are not quite, though almost, the same thing. Kindness refers to the little things, small everyday gestures - being good, and a help to those near to us, in our varied circles, even extending that to those we may not know personally, but to whom we reach out when they need a hand to steady, or a word to comfort. Compassion is larger than kindness. One can be kind, lacking understanding.
Compassion is a way of understanding, of putting oneself in the position of another, of walking the mile in their shoes. Compassion evokes generosity of spirit and encourages universality while recognizing individuality. It allows true forgiveness of terrible human failings and outrages that would seem unforgivable almost as easily as smaller transgressions of a moral code."
I wish I had written this because it says everything that I feel about human relationships. Sometimes, nothing is enough for some people and the smallest thing is a mountain for others.
Thanks to Sara Fishburn, which I did not ask permission but hope that she is not offended by my placement of her words on my blog.

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I found this piece and wanted to share it with you:
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. you just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.

This was a comfort to me today,when I am feeling sad. But tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it. I will awake refreshed and see things thru new eyes.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sexiest man of the year, Jeffery Dean Morgan



This is a man!!! Here is another picture, Izzy's love in Gray's Anatomy. Danny. He is of scottish descent. love those Scotsman.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Dollhouse Bookcase for Children!


Handmade books, about 100 for this bookcase. Going to add a bench.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Make do heart!!!


This is a piece for a new project in the subscription group at Roses At My Table. For a small fee per year you can do a lovely project like this once a month with video lessons and different ideas on how to finish your project. This is my rendition of the class project. The pearl brooch is temporary- I have ordered a vintage pocket watch for this but it is going to take a while for it to arrive. This was a lot of fun to do and I really am happy with the outcome.

Friday, January 21, 2011

400 posts Giveaway!!



8 X 10 Wall Hanging with vintage book and image, fabric layering and saying fitting to the piece, the accents are flowers, jewelry, charms and pearls. Also a packet of ephemera charms and ribbon.Leave a comment to be included in the drawing with your blog address or e-mail address so I can reach you, The drawing ends Valentines Day, February 14.
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The blog has been a wonderful journey for me, In the time I have been doing this, about 4 years. I have shared with whoever was looking and listening. The writings , poetry and artwork come from my heart and the experiences I have had in my life. Lots of things, the front porch article, the picnic article, I hope that while this is in it's 400 posts you would take some time to go back and read and look at all this has been to me and hopefully you too. I have tried to share methods for things I have learned on my own. I hope these have been useful to you. I know we don't always have an abundance of money for out art projects so the majority of my methods are inexpensive. I love poetry and have put in my favorites or excerpts from them for your enjoyment. I have met some wonderful artists and seen some art that was mind boggling. I am a novice in comparison to some of these talents. I love what I do and love knowing I can add to this everyday. So my only message on this 400 post day is if and when you have time come and visit -go back and back and back and share this journey with me. Hugs to you all Betty

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

New Doll- Sarah!!!


Mounted on background. paper doll with ribbons and fabric accents.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Work in progress- faux raku thrown pot



i painted this pot with random orange peel spray paint, when dry sprayed a coat of sand tectured paint over it for texture. Added some pieces of cheescloth and other bits of paper. allow to dry. Paint the whole piece with black acrylic. let dry thoroughly. Start the layering of stewaret gill paints all metallic type paints, dark gold, afterglow, verdigris, opal and excelcius. i will continue to add until it looks right to me.

New Love ATC cards!


Made thes cards for a swap on Roses At My Table group. The theme is love , the background is a new technique, pictures do not do it justice.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Ribs and sauerkraut!!


Wow! was it good or what?? 13 x 9 pan, layer (cut apart) ribs first(seasoned ) then potatoes(unpeeled and chopped in med. pieces (salt and Pepper) then sauerkraut(drained) I small can chicken broth. cover tightly with foil and bake 1 1/2 hour at 350.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Thursday, January 13, 2011

New paper doll"Tessie" steam punk jewelry box



Juat playing around. Jewelry box is for my grandaughter , her birthday is coming up. holds a mommy necklace with her 3 childrens names and birthstones. Had it made on etsy.
The "Tessie" doll started out as a blank, I did her hairsyle , her makeup, her shoes, everything about her has been done from scratch. I loved the addition of the boa and the feather, wanted a long cigarette holder but just couldn't fit it in. Hop you like her. She is one funtime gal.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Journal page!paper roses!!



Journal page for Colors. My attempt at paper roses, I think they are cute and will be useful.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Playing with Stewart Gill paints!!Still working on it!!




I had this paper Mache jar that was in a shed for a long time, used paints to emulate a raku finish.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

My fairy name!!New diffuser bottle!!






My fairy is Meadow Elffly
She is cheerful and friendly.
She lives in fields where wild flowers and poppies grow.
She is only seen at midday under a quiet, cloudless sky.
She wears a skirt made of red petals and has transparent green wings like a cicada.
Get your own fairy name from the Fairy Name Generator!