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In elementary school, my teachers were all about coloring inside the lines. And those lines had to be big, bold, and solid black to make sure that all your colors stayed trapped inside. And I cried 'cause (even at age six), I knew those lines weren't working for me.
Now, I've discovered a new book—Soft Focus Fruits & Florals from Leisure Arts. To the artist Bob Pennycook’s way of thinking, lines are only meant to be guides. You can stay inside the lines—or not. Feeling free enough to paint a little over the edge helps create a soft look to your painting. In these designs, Bob demonstrates various ways to achieve a soft look, whether by applying the paint loosely, defining and highlighting edges of shapes, or losing some lines, as long as the main lines that help define the shape are visible.
The book includes 15 designs to paint:
• Apple & Vase Tray
• Believe Plate
• Blueberries Canvas
• Cherry Bowl Canvas
• Everyday Matters Place Mat
• Joy & Hope Tin Plates (set of 2)
• Lemons & Limes Canvases (set of 3)
• Reach Ever Higher Tin Tray
• Simplicity Board
• and Tin Trio with flowers
I'm planning to enjoy my little trip over the edge with Bob's Simplicity Board. It features some really lovely lilies. |
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It's as Easy As DVD!
My youngest child expressed an interest in learning to crochet, but I didn't have all the time she needed to really teach her. I did some research, and look at what I found to help her out!
You just push play to teach yourself…and open up a whole new world of creativity! Learning just got easier thanks to the four new Leisure Arts DVD Starter Kits for Knit and Crochet. Packaged with the beginner in mind, each kit includes all you need to get started:
• Yarn
• Needles/Hook
• Expert Guidance
• Step-by-Step Instruction
• Auto Pause (you set your own pace)
• A-Z Index (go directly to the topic you need)
• And More…
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The Art of Knitting 4 Kids Knit Starter Kit
The fun and easy way for kids to learn to knit—the DVD way! This kit will inspire the kids to learn a skill that will last them a lifetime. Studies have shown that knitting:
• Helps kids concentrate
• Increases motor skills
• Develops hand-eye coordination
• Is a great confidence builder
Appropriate for ages 5 and up, the kit contains an instructional DVD, knitting needles, and enough yarn to get the fun started (about 60 yards). The 99-minute DVD provides three ways to learn:
1. Dr. Elizabeth Seward, PH.D, entertains kids with a unique, animated story while teaching them to knit and make their own knitting needles.
2. Kids Teaching Kids—Every kid will be inspired watching 7-year-old Ryan Anderson as he teaches the basics of knitting.
3. Marcy Levitas Hamilton, knitting instructor and producer, takes the kids through an easy-to-knit ball and toy Stitch-Along.
And, as a bonus, kids will have fun visiting The Alpaca Ranch to learn how yarn is made.
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No Rules Knitting at the Teen Knit Café Knit Starter Kit
The fun way for teens to learn to knit—the DVD way! The beginner-level kit contains a 98-minute instructional DVD, knitting needles, and enough yarn to get the creativity started (about 60 yards). With only two stitches to learn and “shoulder-to-shoulder” instruction from Chelsea Povall, this DVD will have teens knitting their first projects tonight. Each step is shown up-close and in motion, and an A-Z index makes topics quick to find. The DVD features loads of beginner projects:
• iPod case
• scarves
• wrist, ear, and leg warmers
• bracelet and matching ring
• messenger bag
• lip balm holder
• cushy rug
• hats
• cuddly throw
• so-cute doggy coat
• and more!
The DVD also includes fun bonus material—The Teen Knit Café gang custom dyeing yarn with Kool-Aid®, making knitting needle toppers from clay, and experimenting with needle felting!
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I Can’t Believe I’m Knitting! in Motion Knit Starter Kit
Even if you've never touched a pair of needles, you'll be saying, “I can’t believe I’m knitting!” in no time with this DVD starter kit. The beginner-level kit contains a 100-minute instructional DVD, knitting needles, and enough yarn to get the creativity started (about 60 yards). The user-friendly Auto-Pause lets you set your own pace through the lessons. Other convenient features include an A-Z Index, Reference Library, and Trouble-shooting Guide. The DVD will make you feel like you have your own personal instructor available 24 hours a day! Designer/teacher Melissa Leapman hosts and provides step-by-step lessons that new knitters can put into practice immediately with our yarn and needles. Before you know it, you'll be ready to start on the easy scarf or spa cloth, or you can follow the Stitch-Along instructions for a basket weave purse, ladder scarf, or toddler hat.
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I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting! in Motion Crochet Starter Kit
Become a believer as designer and nationally acclaimed workshop leader Melissa Leapman takes the mystery out of crochet. Like having a personal instructor at your side, this introductory DVD kit will have you crocheting with confidence in just a few hours. Lefties, too! The beginner-level kit contains a 100-minute instructional DVD, crochet hook, and enough yarn to get started (about 80 yards). The user-friendly Auto-Pause lets you set your own pace through the lessons. Other convenient features include an A-Z Index, Reference Library, Trouble-shooting Guide, and Tips. New crocheters can get started immediately on a simple spa cloth, or follow the Stitch-Along instructions as Melissa goes row by row making a belt, openwork scarf, or granny square mini purse. Don't be surprised when you hear yourself saying, "I can't believe I'm crocheting!"
So no matter your age, skill level, or even the amount of time you have available to learn something—these kits have all you need to get the creativity started!
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I heard on the radio this morning that my local library is having a class called Designing with Duct Tape. I've never really thought about duct tape before. You know about duct tape…that silver stuff that you can use to fix almost anything. In college, I used it to repair automobile upholstery, as a substitute for sewing when the hem came out of my pants, and to wrap around a screwdriver that I used to fish my jewelry out of the bathroom drain. After some research, it turns out that there may be even more potential for creativity there than I previously imagined.
Interesting fact: Duck Brand Duct Tape has been the #1 brand of duct tape in America for the past decade. The company has sold more than 787 million linear yards of duct tape. That’s enough to wrap around the earth 50 times or stretch to the moon more than 5 times.
Evidently, this versatile tape has a long history. It was invented in 1942 to waterproof artillery boxes during World War II. After the war, it was found to have several practical uses, such as (surprise, surprise) patching ductwork. And it not just silver anymore! Look for 18-20 different colors, including camouflage patterns and vivid fluorescent hues.
Are you visualizing what you could do with it yet? Other folks are making art, purses, furniture, wallets and roses. There's even a duct tape prom dress contest. Just think about it—duct tape couture.
Guess I need to get some duct tape and take that class…I do have a girl child in 12th grade this year.
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I've mentioned the cat that we live with before. He's solid black, inappropriately named, he bites, and surveys most of the world with disdain—and that world includes me (the only person who feeds him.) Ungrateful…
This cat stalks people, lurks behind furniture, and springs—intent on bringing down his prey. Usually, me…Why does he do that? Any cat authorities listening out there?
I offered to trade him for the neighbor's dog (a cute little, sweet-natured dog, who's actually smaller than the cat.) The cat rejected the idea.
Maybe I should bribe him. Think he'd like some crocheted cat toys? Or his own nap-worthy blanket? He really seems to enjoy perching on top of my handmade quilts. I'll have to check out a new book from designer Carolyn Christmas—Cuddles to Crochet for Pets. It includes some really precious presents for your pets—both dogs and cats. The blankets are just the right size, and the stuffed toys are too cute. It will be hard to decide which ones to make—the Bear, Weenie Dog, Cupcake, Frosted Doughnut, Ice Cream Cone, Mouse, Fish, Starfish, or Bluebird.
Cuddles to Crochet for Pets would also be a great book to have if you want to do a little something special for the residents of your local animal shelter. They deserve some pampering—just like our own spoiled four-legged friends.
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One of my favorite authors (of more than 50 novels) has a new book out—Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards. It's the 5th book in her Shenandoah Series from Mira Books. Emilie (who describes herself as " a quilter who can't quite sew a straight seam") deftly weaves the colorful theme of quilting through this story of a young woman’s extraordinary plan to heal her relationship with her sister in Sister's Choice.
With the publication of Emilie's new book, Leisure Arts has, of course, released the newest addition to our ongoing Quilt Along with Emilie Richards Series—Quilt Along with Emilie Richards—Sister's Choice. This companion-quilting book offers 7 projects inspired by the story and the delightful characters:
• Bear Paw's baby quilt with redwork
• Crazy Cats crib-size crazy quilt with embroidery
• Snake in the Hollow twin-size quilt
• Alison's First Quilt twin-size tied quilt
• Shining Hour paper-pieced wall hanging
• Sister's Choice baby quilt (in 2 colorways)
• and Rose of Sharon appliqued full-size quilt
Enhanced with excerpts from the novel, our newest Quilt Along with Emilie Richards how-to book follows four earlier volumes: Wedding Ring, Endless Chain, Lover’s Knot, and Touching Stars.
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Once a day, I treat myself to a 20 oz. bottled soda out of the machine at work. Bad habit. The kids go through no telling how many bottles of water a week cause it's so easily transportable, and I've forbidden them to overindulge in sodas. That's at the very least 15 bottles a week—and, more likely, the count exceeds 20-30.
I've been reading a lot lately about plastic bottles in landfills, and, of course, feeling guilty. Plastic bottles (like plastic bags) last forever. What's an earth-conscious crafter to do to help ease the eco-burden?
Check out Green Bling by Heidi Borchers! This new book from Leisure Arts will show you how to turn plastic bottles into bangles and baubles that can be worn over and over again. You'll not only be recycling plastic, you'll be inspired to upgrade your outfits with bracelets and necklaces in a whole new style.
With 23 projects, I pretty sure this book will go a long way toward soothing my eco-qualms while revamping my accessories. And I'll get to play with beads, wire, charms, buttons, string, yarn, spray paint for plastic, and more. What a fun and guilt-free way to be creative while keeping the landfills lean!
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We went to the Farmer's Market last weekend. I stocked up on fresh green beans, new potatoes, green tomatoes, purple hull peas, and yellow squash. Then, Saturday night, we combined all those goodies with okra and ripe tomatoes out of our garden into an all-vegetable (plus homemade mac & cheese) dinner. Yum!
While we were downtown (our Farmer's Market is in the River Market district of downtown Little Rock), I saw the coolest bags in one of the art galleries. They were loosely crocheted from cut strips of Wal-Mart bags. Talk about the need to go green—I've certainly got more white plastic bags than I know what to do with, so I guess I'd better get busy. Crochet up the bags I've got now and use my fabulous crocheted bags for trips to the store, so I don't bring home as many new bags.
In my continued search for a purpose for my plastic bags, I've also been eyeing the Bag Rug crochet patterns at the leisureartslibrary.com. They got some great round, rectangular, and heart-shaped designs that I'd like to experiment with. The girl children would like the heart, and I think a rectangle would work nicely in front of my kitchen sink. (And when they get grubby, you take them out in the yard and hose them off!)
If you're looking for a way to do your "go green" thing, check out (for a great low price) Bag Rug Crochet Patterns and Round and Rectangle Bag Rug Crochet Patterns. Keep those bags out of our landfills!
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You can hear the unvoiced whisper coming from the girl in the next cubby. She's wearing that handmade sweater that you'd really, really, really like to have for your own. And that sweater's chanting, "Notice me! Notice me…
Well, you've certainly noticed, and now you're wishing somebody would notice you, too, but the boring mass-produced little knit number you picked up at the superstore isn't going to get you there. You need Knits to be Noticed. The knitted lace-themed sweaters in this new Leisure Arts book are sure to focus covetous eyes right on you…
Lacy eyelets in unexpected spots. Curvy cables all around. Zigzag panels up and down. The rich details in these ten terrific sweaters definitely make them knits to be noticed. All the designs are the work of Deborah Newton, who is well known in fashion circles for her finesse with knitwear. “I wanted the sweaters to be fairly easy to knit, but still have interesting details that would make them interesting to make and to wear,” she told our editors.
Each of the luxurious sweaters in this collection reflects Deborah's fascination with intricate details combined with her love of classic simplicity. The designs include: Classic Lace Pullover, Cable and Lace Pullover (off the shoulder), Basketweave Raglan Pullover (turtleneck), Lace Garter Stitch Pullover, Lace and Eyelet Vest, Lace Bolero, Vintage-Feel Cardigan Blouse, Lace and Texture Cardigan, Hooded Lace Jacket (Deborah’s favorite), and a Drawstring Cardigan.
A longtime resident of Providence, Rhode Island, Deborah has been a professional knitwear designer since 1980. Her work has appeared in Vogue Knitting, McCall’s Needlework & Crafts, Knitters Magazine, Threads, and other major publications. More of her stylish fashions can also be found in her first Leisure Arts book—Options: Sweaters.
Want to get noticed? Get out those knitting needles and get a copy of Knits to be Noticed at theleisureboutique.com! |
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How funny is this? Don't you love it? It's a Puppy Party!!!
Folks really are having parties for their pets. They're making costumes, serving pet palatable foods, and gifting their furry friends with the appropriate posh presents.
I personally think it's a hoot. And I did tell the cat that he'd better watch his step or he might wake up wearing a princess costume for Halloween this year. He was not amused.
If you like the idea of truly pampered pets, check out FreePetProjects.com for some great ideas. That's where I found these great Puppy Party Hats. They're really easy to make—no sewing involved!
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Have I mentioned that the love-of-my-life has been watching his weight these past few weeks? The result—He's losing weight, and I'm obsessed by food—and not the healthy, low calorie kind either.
Before he made it home last night, I spent an hour leafing through a slow cooker cookbook, drooling over dip recipes—all featuring cream cheese. And, the youngest child and I were evil and had delivery pizza for dinner. All meat and cheese, not a vegetable in sight. Not even a mushroom. Just sausage and soda pop.
After we ate, I found myself glued to the TV watching, of all things, The Secret Life of Cake. I didn't know cake had a secret life. The only secret I know involving cake, involves me sneaking my kid's Swiss Cake Rolls when she's not looking. I ended up making a run to town for Twinkies at 9:00 last night. Thanks, Food TV…
This morning, amid the doom, gloom, and gas prices, the newscaster reminded me that July is National Ice Cream Month! And Sunday is National Ice Cream Day. (I'm convinced that this is a conspiracy thought up by Ronald Regan in 1984 to make me gain weight.) I've already celebrated the wonder of ice cream once this month with a slice of warm homemade cherry pie—topped with melty vanilla ice cream. I may have to continue the observance on the way home this afternoon (Yea, Friday!) with a couple of scoops of mocha almond (my favorite) in a sugar cone from that 31 flavors place. What's your favorite flavor?
Before I headed out to work, I left the teenage daughter a note to bake brownies for tonight's desert. (We'll have to eat them after Daddy goes to bed.)
Fritos and leftover cold pizza made the menu for lunch today—with a real Coke.
Wonder what dinner could be??? Greasy cheeseburgers, calamari with dipping sauce, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, egg rolls, macaroni and cheese, fried squash or green tomatoes (hey, those are vegetables!), meatloaf and loaded baked potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs, Reuben sandwiches, eggplant parmesan, any kind of Mexican food with lots of sour cream—the list of my favorite foods could continue for pages…starch and grease seem to play a key roll.
Reality will probably play out more like grilled chicken and steamed broccoli with a side salad. The man-of-the-house will be home for dinner...
And I've just discovered that I could even make food gifts for Christmas presents! Check out the great book Leisure Arts just released. It's two books in one called the Best of Gifts of Good Taste—with Everyday food gifts on one side, and you flip it over for Christmas food gifts on the other side. The Christmas collection has Breads and Spreads, Cakes and Pies, Candies, Cookies and Bars, Sauces, Seasonings and Mixes, and Snacks and Sips. Search for #4597 at theleisureboutique.com.
Okay, so I need to get my nose out of the cookbooks. Get a hobby besides food? Wait, I've already got a dozen projects going. Oh well, maybe I need to start another afghan. There's something to be said for the fact that I can't eat and crochet at the same time.
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