Thursday, July 30, 2015

Fabulous Find -- "Sherman's Lagoon"

One of my favorite comic strips ...
Visit the award-winning "Sherman's Lagoon" (by Jim Toomey) to enjoy a giggle ...

"Sherman’s Lagoon is an imaginary lagoon somewhere in the tropics, inhabited by a cast of sea creatures whose lives are curiously similar to our own. Through his comic strip, cartoonist Jim Toomey explores many of the issues that we face daily in our world on dry land." (Source: http://comicskingdom.com/sherman-s-lagoon)

Sherman's Lagoon -- by Jim Toomey

Recipe Round-Up -- "Cajun Deviled Eggs"

A local restaurant serves Creole deviled eggs. I checked my spice cabinet, but no Creole seasoning. Then, I discovered that I have “Hot & Spicy Cajun Style Spice Blend.” The blend contains salt, garlic, onion, chili, black pepper, sugar, paprika, red bell peppers, chives, celery seed, coriander, parsley, oregano, and ginger – whew!

This moved me in an acceptable direction. I did a quick web search and found a recipe for “Cajun Deviled Eggs.” I made a small batch (6 eggs) following the spirit of the recipe (spice blend, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard). I improvised with the spice blend. The trick is to avoid overloading the recipe with the spice blend … a hit or miss proposition.

Picture Credit: www.raggedyscrappin.com/fpdb/images/primrecipecardtemplate.jpg

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Crochet -- "Stitch-cation Challenge"

Last summer I participated in a free worldwide crochet Stitch-cation Afghan “Challenge" sponsored by Red Heart Yarns and the on-line group “The Crochet Crowd.” An eBook, "Stitch-cation Workbook," provides patterns and video guidance for the entire project.

The goal of the challenge is to introduce and reinforce new stitching techniques and patterns to the artist. The challenge's list of patterns includes the following:

-- Popcorn Stitch

-- Granny Square

-- Front Post Treble

-- Back Loops

-- Cross Stitched

-- Front Post Double Crochet Around Single Crochet

-- Raised Treble Crochet

-- Shells with Front and Back Stitches

-- Front Post Double Crochet

-- Double Crochet and Slip Stitch

Participants are provided with patterns for the ten unique squares and corresponding online videos. The materials demonstrate the techniques for producing the squares of "easy" to “intermediate” levels of difficulty.

Each participant is required to complete *at least* two squares of each pattern using *at least* a total of eight different colors to complete the afghan. The artist then needs to devise a way to join the squares and add a decorative border of *at least* four rows.

The project was great fun. See the photo below of my completed afghan. Notice the double frilled row on the border, the ruffle on the “join” of the squares, and the “roses” added to the border for emphasis.

I used twelve colors for the project. If I were to repeat the project I would limit my colors to eight for the body of the afghan and one for joining the squares.

Everything you need to complete the challenge can be found in the "Stitch-cation Challenge Workbook." Photos of your completed project can then be posted on “The Crochet Crowd’s” site. Visit the "Stitch-cation Gallery" to view over 700 examples of completed projects.

Accept the Challenge to Complete a Unique Afghan

and Expand your Crocheting Skills!

Completed Example -- "Stitch-Cation Challenge"

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Collections -- "Joan Rivers" Pave' Rhinestone Ball Necklace

This "Joan Rivers" gold tone colored rhinestone ball necklace is the most recent addition to my collection. The colorful piece is studded with pave' rhinestones. A little bling-bling for fun. The age of the piece is currently TBD.

Pave' "Definition: a word of French origin derived from paver or "to pave"; used to describe a stone setting technique where gemstones or rhinestones are set as closely together as possible on a metal base; technique first used in the early 1900s in fine jewelry and copied prolifically in costume jewelry thereafter

Pave' Pronunciation: pah-vay"

Dreams -- James Allen

"The greatest achievement was at first

and for a time a dream.

The oak sleeps in the acorn,

the bird waits in the egg,

and in the highest vision of the soul

a waking angel stirs.

Dreams are the seedlings of realities."

-- James Allen --

Changing Things -- Andy Warhol

Friday, July 17, 2015

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Tough Situations ...

Source: (Unknown) Facebook

New Addition ... Miniature Swimmer Horned Puffin

I added a miniature “Little Critterz Swimmer Horned Puffin”

(Item No. LC568) to my small Puffin collection. I found the juxtaposition

of the miniature and the 8” blown glass Puffin to be fun, so I went with it!

Showcase -- Bavarian Crochet Afghans

As I mentioned in an earlier "Q&A" posting, I gave "Bavarian Crochet" a whirl.

The unique raised diamond effect is enchanting. Play with color to develop an original look.

Bavarian Crochet features the "Back-Post Double Crochet" -- a stitch that is easy to master.

Bavarian Crochet, also Known as Wool Eater and Sharon's Wheel

Leisure Arts: Learn to do Bavarian Crochet
-- Nine Projects to Create Using this Unique Two-round Stitch Technique.--

Leisure Arts: Bavarian Crochet On-the-Go
-- The Diamonds Accent Everything from Household Wares to Fashion for Adults --

Source: YouTube

Pages

Friday, July 31, 2015

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Photo Credit: CJ Alexander

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Monday, July 27, 2015

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Monday, July 20, 2015

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Friday, July 17, 2015

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Tuesday, July 14, 2015