An Original Folkart by Hope

Well..here I am... I didn't think I could stay away too long!
(thanks for still being a follower)

In the midst of my huge project going on..this quick idea surfaced with the help of my husband!! We have an electrical box...right behind our guest..bedroom door!! Of all places!


They are usually HID in a closet. Our first idea was a wall hanging...then perhaps a vintage metal sign..but the size would have to be just right.

My husband remembered we had an OLD canvas painting in the garage...why not cover this?? BRILLIANT!!!

So with that "light bulb idea" I commenced to pick out my patriotic scraps, a wonderful paper-pieced quilt block given to me a few years ago (saving for a very special place!)...and the perfect size quilt batting scrap!!

...and began this spur of the moment wall hanging ..MY FIRST!!

The guest room decor is "AMERICANA" patriot with vitage photos of my father when he was in the military.




We have company coming in a couple weeks and my husband HOPED we could get it done...like ASAP!



Here is a view of the door open...

Believe it or not...for weeks I have laid out some of the fabrics trying to come up with a wall hanging layout to no avail!! I guess "light bulb" moments are for real, because I made this in one afternoon! It all just came together (pun there!)



Along with doing an applique around the paper-pieced block (amazing work!) I also cut out stars printed on a fabric and appliqued these on the white sash and then did an iron on for the top stars to give it a vintage look...with the U S A hand cut letters. I then "quilted" around the block all the stars (the stars on the red top don't show well in the photo)since I used Red thread...I don't know if I should have used white there also? Might have taken away from the block as the focal point.




My husband helped tack it to the canvas...and VOILA...C'est fini!!!

(THERE..it's finished!)

I'm thinking of attaching a coffee dyed piece of fabric with the year hand scratched..for an aged look. Some YEARS down the road...people will look at 2010 and say WOW..that is OLD!

I hope this encourages you to venture out and try something new! You'll be glad you did...this was fun...challenging..but so rewarding in the end!!




Makes me want to sing Bob the Builder's little jingle...

You can do it..YES YOU CAN!!!

Happy Crafting!
HOPE

Don't Miss The Journey For The Destination!

I will be embarking on a new journey with a destination....to please the LORD....to fulfill a purpose he has laid upon my heart at this time...and to reach the end with his blessings...and to HIS Praise and Glory.

I will be on a blogging break for some time...and truthfully, do not know if I will be back to blogging. However...my heart always has the desire to share the blessings of GOD and to encourage others with HIS WORD. THUS...I may be compelled from time to time to write a post here. THUS...In the midst of this journey...I will still be doing various crafts as well.

If you would like to continue to be a follower... I will be honored.

If you are a first time visitor..WELCOME! I hope you will be able to glean some fun here from crafts and ideas for Ladies Luncheons and gift giving ideas.

My sincerest THANK YOU to all who have come by and left kind comments!


Blessings..
HOPE

TEA and Sock Monkey's

Two of my favorite pass times...

Tea with a dear friend and making these fun sock monkey's!






I had this pleasure recently when my dearest friend Sue joined me for TEA and a sock monkey challenge! I asked if she would like to help make some SOCK Monkey's for her grandchildren due in for a visit. Her daughter Missy was due home for a short visit while on deputation with her husband and children. Missionaries to Bulgaria. A very dear family to me, personally...I fill in as Nana to these children, when Sue is gone herself to the Mission Field of Papua New Guinea.

We scouted the stores for SOCKS! I wonder what people were thinking as we chatted how this pair or that pair was soo CUTE! Okay..some socks worn are cute...but not like OUR conversation!

Like this BABY one...the socks were sooo SOFT...so imagine me cuddling this pair to my face! and other customers saying..."OKAY..LADY"???


But, for sweet little Kaitlyn...going on three years old..this was perfect!


And the names commenced..."Peppermint Patty" for the baby.

"Buddy" for Joshua..."Polly" and "Penelope"(the II)...the older girls could choose.

Along with my Quilting Stash of Fabrics...I now own a Sock Monkey Stash...and plenty for future projects to come.

ENJOY!
Hope

"Creative" Thrifting

On my recent trip to visit my daughter in upstate New York...

we had so much FUN...THRIFTING!

I can't seem to find anything in thrift stores where I live, and pretty much gave up on the idea...UNTIL

My daughter began to tell me of all the neat things she was finding. SO the ADVENTURE began...

I found these very nice OLD FASHION perfume bottles at a yard sale we decided to stop by at a moments notice! $1.00 I love them. I never realized how nice they are to use. Instead of spraying yourself and choking! You dab the little tip..LIKE A LADY..on your wrist. The cute little dish...all by itself just grabbed my attention. What a perfect place to hold my favorite earrings and pins.

I also found this nice burlap tote .25 cents...have no idea what the "I'm Appreciated" is for..but nice to feel you are when you carry it!! Wooden handles too.



Then I happened upon this MEMORY maker... an OLD...dated 1923!!! can you believe this! for $1.00 a old timey EGG BEATER..just like my Grandmother used! It instantly brought back memories of being with her in the kitchen. It now hangs on my wall with my other "tools of the trade". (for looks-it is a bit rusty)



..the cute pitcher I found at the base thrift store .75 cents ...along with this cute basket .25 cents (that conveniently now holds my vitamin jars..hidden...on my kitchen counter!...and this lovely piece of fabric that caught my daughter's eye..I was so HAPPY ...I collect French looking fabrics and this was .25 cents!! a quarter yard of fabric!!! (the large wooden spool..was a gift from my daughter as a festival in a nearby town)






Now onto a REAL...THRIFT STORE!!



Is this not a PERFECTLY...challenging name! I was ready for the ADVENTURE..or as my daughter in law says..the THRILL of THE HUNT!

My eldest grand daughter didn't want to come along, so I asked what she'd like Nana to find her...OH A PINK PURSE..please! VOILA...

Perfect condition..and toooo CUTE!!

Little Beebers...found a nice black ladies purse for her collection of lip gloss!

One thing I told my daughter...I wish I could find..was a cloche like hers on a wooden stand. As soon as we walked into...IMPOSSIBLE DREAM..it was there ONE by itself on a shelf at the door!

LOOK MOM!! there you go

!

Then on my HUNT..I found these adorable salt and pepper shakers, written in GERMAN! (my heritage)..and the little white soap dish (now in my bathroom) I needed one! I also collect little white pitchers (great for syrup or sauces)

Then to my total SURPRISE...my daughter comes up to me with the rust colored jumper and black LINEN jumper to see if I like them...(me wondering..if they will even fit?




Wonder of wonders...fit perfectly! and in perfect condition!

The black linen jumper was $2.00.....ready for this..ON SALE..at IMPOSSIBLE DREAM for $1.00!!!

I think...I reeeeely like THRIFTING....and being CREATIVE with my little stash I had!!

Total spent at IMPOSSIBLE DREAM... $4.00

It's fun to $ave and also know that you can be creative with a few dollars!!

What a fun...adventure!

Blessings
HOPE

Easy, Fun...Dishtowel APRON!

I made this recently as a gift for a very special friend..I met for the first time in person! Not only is she a fellow blogger, but a friend of my daughter's!

It was so much FUN...to watch an ordinary dish towel turn into a CUTE apron! ....and sooo usable!!! You can actually wipe your hands on this apron!

I took LARGE white rick-rack to border the edges. I also added the same rick-rack under the waist band as shown above and below.




I took some "country check" fabric I had to make the waistband/ties, folding over to make a clean edges on BOTH sides...as shown in the photo.





This is how the back looks with finished edges...I liked how the large rick-rack made a nice little scalloped trim on the front..but on the back a cute full rick-rack looking trim.






To finish off the tie edges I used an embroidery design from my sewing machine card.




I rolled the apron and placed it in a nice basket with this Rooster card that I thought was so Fun with the real feather!






I added also some apple potpourri, a handmade crocheted dishcloth and this cute "FRIEND" stuffed pillow hanging on the outside.



Turned out my friend (Jessica....made me
HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE!!!



Please visit her blog to view her talented card making and scrap booking ideas!!

I thought that was so neat that we both gave each other similar gifts...Homemade and APPLES!

I hope you enjoy the quick tutorial and idea and fun being creative with dish towels..I know I plan to make many more to come.

Here's my daughters...I turned this dish towel long ways and added pockets..I loved how this towel already had a crocheted trim...I added the black and white polka dot fabric border...cute button and used wide sage green gross grain ribbon for the ties...tied at the side with a big bow.(the button did match the ribbon..the color of the ribbon in the pic doesn't show well) I used ribbon three times the width of the dish towel. To make it tie on the SIDES..make sure you sew it as such with the longer tie sewn for ONE side.




Enjoy!
HOPE

FLORAL: tutorial

There are TWO FLOWERS that I LOVE!!!

The HYDRANGEA and PEONY!!

I wanted to make a floral arrangement similar to the one my mother and sister sent me upon completion of my radiation therapy for Breast Cancer. It was so GORGEOUS!!




I wanted to keep the memory of what this bouquet represented.

Their love for me...and my BREAST CANCER journey with God's Grace!

Though I was unable to find the "exact" same flowers...

I was thrilled to find the beautiful Peonies...the LAST they had!

and the Hydrangeas couldn't have been more perfect in color..a touch of pink on the edges...some bits of green and blue. My living room is mainly blues and sage green but the little bit of pink was my "memory" maker!!




Fortunately for me...while visiting out of town a few months back; I was able to head over to Old Time Pottery!!! We do not have this wonderful store in my town..so you can imagine how much FUN I had scouring the floral section! Not to mention..the GREAT BUYS! $avings!!

This lovely bouquet cost me HALF the price of the materials needed; had I made it from purchases locally!!



Can you believe the prices for these lovely flowers!!! There was a $ale to top..so I made out even better...some were buy ONE get ONE FREE!!! Whatta Day!!

(photo:snipped by me...ready for preparation)

Isn't it neat how the store...WRAPS your FAKE flowers as if they are REAL...oh how much more fun to carry them out in the parking lot..wrapped like FRESH flowers!!

My goal in making this to begin with..RIGHT??




I saved the square vase from my gift bouquet (LOVE IT!!) and filled it with glass beads I already had on hand. Actually won a box of them at a Princess Party ..years ago!! Just never used them..so VOILA..I am set!




I started out snipping the size of the flowers to fit my vase.
Aren't the Pussy Willows the cutest!! Just that little touch..and added height.

The beads hold the flowers well and setting them at an angle with the stems criss crossing helps them hold their position better.



Maybe you have a SPECIAL bouguet you want to re-create!! I hope this inspired you in some way to be CREATIVE and with your creation...it is made from the HEART!!

..as is mine...remembering LOVE and CARE for me at such a needed time.




Blessings to you..
HOPE

Yummy for the Tummy! edited for ingredient

I've been writing about HEALTH AWARENESS on my other two blogs.

Watering Wells of Hope

My Breast Cancer Journey and current findings of Hypothyroidism...

This is the day

...

I wanted to take this time here on my Creative Heart blog to share some recipes that are FUN and CREATIVE and HEALTHY!

I felt like a "CHEF" making this wonderful tasting dish. I hope it looks as yummy to you in this photo as it truly is.

I hope you enjoy making this quick easy dish. I served this with a nice tossed salad and Italian dipping bread. Olive oil on a plate sprinkled with cracked peppercorn.

My husband was impressed!!! A little candlelight and VOILA...the PERFECT MEAL!

Serves 4; 1 1/2 cup per serving. "Italian Toss"

4 ounces dried penne pasta or bowtie pasta will work...Be CREATIVE!
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered)
6 Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped ( you can buy these in a jar or at the Deli)
2 TBL. Basil (I used dried)
8 Ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenderloins. Cut into thin strips or bite size pieces.
1/2 Medium RED bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 small Zucchini, cut length wise into eighths, then cut crosswise into 2 inch pieces
1/4 Medium onion, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
1 Med garlic clove, minced (or I sometimes use minced garlic in the jar)
1 1/2 TB Capers or to your liking. They can be tart.
1/4 tsp salt
1 TBL Olive Oil..extra virgin best
2 ounces Fat Free or low fat FETA crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
(if you do not like Feta..try grated Parmesan)but believe me the Feta makes it soooo good!


I usually lay out all my ingredients and cut up all veggies before starting.

Prepare the pasta using the package directions...Save 1/4 cup water from pasta.


In small bowl stir tomatoes, olives, basil and capers. Set aside.
Capers look like tiny little olives and have a pickle taste...add ZING to your dish!

I now add capers to my green tossed salad from time to time.

I coated my chicken first with Italian bread crumbs (nothing added just dip chicken in crumbs) then I sauteed in the olive oil til a nice and golden brown. Transfer to plate. (the recipe doesn't use bread crumbs)

Place Red pepper, zucchini, garlic and onion in same pan as chicken was sauteed...and cook until tender, crisp.

Add chicken pieces and reserved water from pasta. (add water after a little at a time so not too watered down)

I placed all my ingredients in one large glass bowl and topped with Feta.

ENJOY!!!!

Work in Progress

I ADORE this Quilt pattern and fabric!!!

It is what is known in Quilting lingo...as a QUILT TOP...and a WIP (work in progress) or UFO (unfinished object---don't like this phrase!!)

I'm in the process of "Quilting" ...I would have liked to have done this one by HAND, but my health issues at the moment don't allow me. Thus...OUTLINE stitching. I haven't decided on the border "Quilting" ..so if anyone has suggestions...say on!!!

In my admiration of this lovely top...my SWEET friend..making this for herself..decided to send it to ME! What a treasure! The friendship and the Quilt top.





I had even sent her some of the fabrics in the top!! Amazed at how she put them ALL in this...Says a lot for her EYE for COLOR! A MUST in Quilting..you have to have that one or two fabric "POP" to catch your eyes..and give them also a rest in the overall viewing of a Quilt.

(hey I really do know SOMETHING about the art of Quilting!!!)

I have other projects in the making as I am able...always a SOCK MONKEY!

(You can read of my health updates and prayer needs at my other blogs)

THANK YOU FRIENDS for following my blog and the encouragement it gives to keep CREATING FROM THE HEART!!

Blessings to you..
HOPE

Mini Bag TUTORIAL

For those who requested the tutorial...I hope these instructions are clear for you! ENJOY!!

Supplies needed...Sewing machine...fabric...PELLON...thread...zipper.
(note on fabric..do not use flimsy fabric!!) 100% Cotton is ideal.


Cut your fabric to your own desired size...making TWO squares...make sure the ZIPPER is longer in length. I'll explain as we go.

After cutting your TWO SQUARES...cut PELLON the same SIZE and iron onto the WRONG SIDE of EACH square of fabric. This makes the fabric nice and stiff. Iron with a pressing cloth over your fabric to prevent sticking. You can use another piece of fabric, or a small washcloth.






Once ironed take ONE SQUARE and fold down TOP EDGE of fabric 1/4" and press...then place one side of ZIPPER under fabric as shown and sew close to edge. Now do the other side and it should look like the photo on the right.

Once this is done OPEN THE ZIPPER half way! Important so you can turn it inside out once sewn!!




NOW...you are going to sew all around the bag...as shown...OVER the ZIPPER (I sew back over this area twice for strength). The zipper should be sticking out...you will be cutting this part off! Yeppers..you can actually cut the zipper and it'll still work!!! CUT OFF the Zipper ends near fabric edge.



NEXT...IRON the seams open as shown and lay the SEAM flat so that you have the point as shown laying on the bed of your sewing machine (as in photo)...sew across...this makes the bottom of the bag corner squared. (notice I use the edge of my plate as a guide)



Your bag should look like this...(sorry for the messy seams...I made this in a hurry to see if I could do it quickly for one of my craft classes)PROOF..it is QUICK!



Turn inside out...and the bottom should look like this...



...VOILA.....FINISHED ZIPPERED BAG!!!

(please let me know if you have need further help...or let me know if yours was a success!!)

HOPE