Monthly Archives: October 2012

Oct30

My next experiment

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My next experiment

I made it to the doctor yesterday, and when the storm is passed and I’m feeling better, I’m going to try to dehydrate some zuchinni. (I forgot to mention that I’ve got to start a low cholestrol diet.) Here are the directions I found from the University of Missouri Extension:

Dehydrated zucchini Choose young, slender zucchini. Wash zucchini and cut into 1/4-inch slices for cooking purposes or 1/8-inch slices for chips. Dry in a single layer in a 125° oven until brittle. Use slices in soups and casseroles or sprinkle zucchini chips with seasoned salt and serve with dips.

Oct28

Bible Covers

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Bible Covers
Bible Covers

I fused three silkies onto Bible cover foundations. The Wonder Under worked great. It was the heavy adhesive kind.

Then, I auditioned fabrics to go with the angel. She was the easiest.
 Next, I scrounged through my stash of embellishments for baubles, trims and threads. I packed the angel and her accoutrements in a tote bag that is now my “project bag” for her. I think I’ll work on her first because she looks like the daughter of a friend of mine. Maybe, I can gift her!
 

The fabrics to surround Rembrandt’s “Head of Christ” were next. I think they are most beautiful.

I had thought “The Good Shepherd” protrait of Jesus would be the easiest to choose coordinating colors for, but it was the toughest. Since I’m way too sick to go to church in the morning, I’ll save that to do then, as an act of worship.

Oct27

Today’s Experiment

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Today’s Experiment
Today’s Experiment

This is not the best photo in the world, but I just want to document what I’ve done. I printed four of the “Bible cover” images on silk charmeuse. Before I printed them, I edited them by increasing the saturation of color for each image. It was too much for the “Three Mary’s.” They look like they’ve found the fiery furnace instead of the empty tomb.

I traced and cut out a 8,1/2″x11″ piece of Wonder Under that I’m going to fuse to the back of the silk after I remove it’s paper backing. Then I’ll cut the images apart and fuse them to the muslin Bible cover foundations. I’ll have to be careful with my iron, not to burn the silk (though that might enhance the look of the “Three Mary’s!”)

Oct22

Playing with Images

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Playing with Images
Playing with Images

My husband and I arrived at the Statesville, NC Regional Airport today, just as the last launch of Carolina Balloonfest began! I got some great photos (and several not so great!) I’ve been editing them; rotating, copying and croping, being careful to keep the original for comparison. I already have a couple of crafty ideas for them!

This one was my favorite:
Oct19

HDMI Cable!!!!

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HDMI Cable!!!!
HDMI Cable!!!!

I love my new HDMI cable! Our big TV was a gift for my husband from our son-in-law. It has an HDMI port, and so does my laptop. Today, I watched a downloaded, purchased episode of “Quilting Arts” on the big TV.  I also used the cable to enlarge picture proofs of my grandson on a school photography website.

Set-up is easy. Both ends of the HDMI cable are the same. Plug one end into the port on the TV. Plug the other end into the port on the computer. Using the remote for the TV, push the “INPUT” button.
A screen like this should pop up on the TV. Use the arrows on the remote to highlight, “HDMI.” Push, “ENTER.”
The TV screen should then be a duplicate of the computer screen! Use the keys on the computer to manipulate the images on the TV screen.
I used this technology years ago to show my students the computer screen (Apple IIe, anybody?) on the classroom TV. Back then, though, I used a “frequency modulator box” to connect the two. It’s great to be able to do this, again!
(Oooh, just think how great this will be when I need to see a small detail of a pattern or graph!)
Oct19

Biblical Images

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Biblical Images
Biblical Images

Today was my first day back at home since I made my “mornings are mine” resolution. Today, I searched for images to make silkies for my crazyquilt Bible covers.

These are from my copy of Dover’s, 120 Great Paintings of the Life of Jesus. The first one is Rembrandt Van Rijn’s, “Head of Christ.” The second is Bouguereau’s, “The Three Marys at the Tomb.”
I looked through my collection of images from the Dover Sampler, too:
I also searched for my printer-ready, paper-backed pieces of silk. I have two, so I need to order more. I need my Microsoft Picture It publishing software so I can print and manipulate these images.  I found the discs and loaded them on my new laptop. Apparently, this software is not compatible with Windows Vista NOR Windows 7. Aaaargh!
Tonight, I searched for free Bible clip art and found old illustrated Bible plates and study cards. They are so old they are in the public domain. ‘Makes me feel ancient, because I’m pretty sure I remember some of them from Sunday School as a child!
These two are from www.thebiblerevival.com.
Oct14

Mornings are Mine!

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Mornings are Mine!
I have made a resolution! From now on, mornings are mine! As it is now, I get up in the morning thinking about what chores I need to get done, and what craft project I might work on when I’m finished.
Well, what happens is, I drag myself out of bed, piddle around at what ever needs to be done, and then don’t feel like doing anything else but surfing the net, watching TV, and pinning photos on Pinterest.
Starting Monday, (church homecoming with Mama tomorrow,) mornings are going to be mine to craft, read, or do whatever I want. Maybe then, I’ll be motivated to go to bed earlier, rise earlier and have a more positive attitude about the day.
At noon, it’s time for lunch and then chores, unless of course, I’m babysitting my grandson!
(Thank you, Beatrix Potter, for the illustrations!)
Oct11

Does closet cleaning count?

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Does closet cleaning count?
Does closet cleaning count?

I’ve not been very crafty lately. The week before her 80th birthday, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. For the last 7 weeks, she and I have been traveling to Boone, NC, for her radiation treatments. On weekends, I’ve traveled to Charlotte, to help my daughter with my grandson. I did cut out some foundations for Bible covers one afternoon, but I’ve not lifted a needle. I have pinned many crafty things on Pinterest and watched some quilting videos, but that’s about it. Mama’s last treatment was yesterday, and she’s doing very well, so I spent the day, today, working on the master bedroom closet.

My recently purchased craft desk came with wire baskets for drawers. The openings were larger than I like, so I’ve been replacing them with mesh baskets.  The wire baskets fit and coordinate well with the wire shelving in the closet, so I’ve been using them to replace the old paper boxes I use to house out of season clothes. I’d love to install a custom closet system, but this will do just fine for now.

 
Next trip to Charlotte, I’m picking up more wire baskets at the Container Store.
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